Manila Standard - 2021 March 9 - Tuesday

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CALBAYOG MAYOR, 2 AIDES KILLED IN ROADSIDE AMBUSH

LIT FOR WOMEN.

The National Museum of the Philippines is lit up in purple Sunday night as it joined the world in marking International Women's Day on March 8.

Norman Cruz

NEWS / A2

VOL. XXXV • NO. 27 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cops out for health violators Gov't sets off crackdown, intensified safety protocols to stem virus surge

By Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

P

OLICE were ordered to crack down on quarantine violators Monday to ensure that minimum health protocols are observed amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The order from the Department of came as the country logged more than Interior and Local Government (DILG) 3,000 new COVID-19 cases Monday, the

fourth straight it has done so.

In a statement, DILG officer-in-charge Bernardo C. Florece, Jr said he has ordered Joint Task Force Shield Commander Police Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag to increase police deployment and strictly enforce minimum public health standards in Pasay, Malabon, Navotas, Cebu City, and Cebu province, areas where the surge is most pronounced.

He said the local government units and police have become complacent and needed to ensure that people wear face masks and face shields, keep their distance, undergo temperature checks and fill out contact tracing forms.

Local governments must impose sanctions on violators, he said.

The Philippines logged 3,356 new COVID-19 cases Monday, as six laboratories

No respite for medical workers amid rising cases Frontliners now free to choose what vax to get

By Willie Casas

THERE is no need yet to impose stricter quarantine restrictions to give medical frontliners a respite, a spokesman for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) said Monday.

In a TV interview, PGH spokesman Dr. Jonas del Rosario said the uptick

in hospital admissions was still new and would bear monitoring.

“We are hoping that we do not go back to the past,” he said in Filipino.

In August 2020, various medical associations called on President Rodrigo Duterte to place the National Capital Region under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as health workers were

already worn out due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases being admitted then in hospitals.

Duterte thus placed Metro Manila and other highrisk areas back on a modified ECQ for 15 days starting Aug. 4.

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BOLOS IN PROTEST. A pair of women protesters brandish cardboard bolos as policemen from the Manila Police District block members of the group Gabriela from proceeding to Mendiola for their protest action on Monday to mark the International Women's Day. Norman Cruz

‘Du30’s shoot to kill Rody, Leni push equality for women order vs. Reds legal’ By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACAÑANG defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the military to shoot and kill armed rebels during an Next page

TELLALL.

In this file photo, British Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle play with their son Archie.

AFP

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has urged Filipinos to uplift women by rejecting the backward attitude that has created a culture of gender oppression and inequality to women in his National Women’s Month message on Monday.

“I call on the public to elevate women to their rightful place in society. Let us elevate women to their rightful place in society by empowering every Filipina to break not only the barriers that have long hindered them from reaching their full potential, but also the backward mindset that fuelled a culture of gender oppression and inequality,” Duterte said.

were unable to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The DOH reported five new fatalities, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 12,521, which 2.09 percent of the total cases.

The DOH also reported that 61 patients recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 545,912, which is 91.3 percent of the total cases. Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 8)

597,763 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

By Willie Casas and Joel Zurbano

3,356 39,330 NEW

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesman Harry Roque has described the government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout last week as slow thus far because health workers, the top priority in the vaccination program, were given the opportunity to choose their preferred brand.

Roque was relying to questions if the government’s target of vaccinating 70 million individuals against COVID-19 by the end of the year was still achievable, considering that only 1.12 million donated doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac and AstraZeneca—both administered in two doses—had been delivered to the country so far.

Roque was referring to the protocol set by the government which allowed health workers to turn down the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine—the first COVID-19 vaccine to be made available in the Philippines—and instead take the next available COVID-19 vaccine brand which is AstraZeneca.

Under the same protocol, health workers will not lose their priority status even if they choose the vaccine brand of their preference.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended Sinovac for clinically healthy individuals Next page

ACTIVE

12,521

5

DEATHS

NEW

545,912

61

RECOVERIES

NEW

Palace: No rush to shift to stricter quarantine level

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas MALACAÑANG said Monday there was no hurry for the country to shift to stricter quarantine measures amid rising COVID-19 cases, saying the country still had adequate hospital capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said there was no need to call for a stricter measure or shifting to enhanced community quarantine ( E C Q ) Next page

Next page

Harry, Meghan talk of racism in royalty NEW YORK — Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle on Sunday said she contemplated taking her own life after joining the royal family, and raised allegations of racism in the monarchy during an explosive television interview.

Explaining the couple's dramatic exit from royal life, Meghan said she was denied help during her mental health crisis, was targeted by lies, and that there was official concern about the skin color of her unborn son.

Next page

MILESTONE. SM marked a milestone for the National Women’s Month as the company signed the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) during the launch of the 'Women at Work' pop-up market on March 5 at SM Aura Premier, making SM the largest homegrown company to sign the WEPs in the Philippines. Co-signatories of the WEPs were SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and SM Supermalls, represented by Steven Tan (left), President of SM Supermalls, The SM Store, represented by its President, Chelo Monasterio (second from left), and Chito Manalo (right), President of SM Retail Inc. Joining the signing is Lenlen Mesina (second from right), Country Programme Manager for UN Women WeEmpowerAsia Philippines.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Calbayog mayor, 2 aides killed Initial investigation disclosed that along Laboyao Bridge, Brgy. Lonoy in while the victims were on their way Calbayog around 5:30 p.m. on board

a white Toyota Hi-Ace Van, they were suddenly fired upon by suspects who were allegedly onboard two vehicles.

The victims managed to retaliate, as one suspect was also killed, police said.

The names of two other victims have yet to be identified.

Police were conducting a pursuit operation and personnel manning checkpoints were alerted for possible identification

and subsequent arrest of the suspects.

The family of Mayor Aquino, who was in his last term, has yet to issue an official statement as of press time.

The Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas earlier launched an investigation on the series of killings in the city.

In 2011, then-Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy was also shot and killed by a still unknown assassin.

“Now that the new variants are here, that has aggravated the increase in cases.”

Vergeire said an epidemiological investigation is currently being undertaken in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) with regard to the new variants.

The country has so far recorded 58 South Africa variant cases, 118 UK variant cases and 85 mutations of concern.

Experts from the OCTA Research group earlier said the presence of the coronavirus variants might have caused the spike in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

The DOH urged local governments to intensify measures to curb the spread of the disease.

The OCTA Research Team said it expected Metro Manila to record 2,400 new cases per day by March 26, given the increased mobility and easing of restrictions.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David, in anl article released Sunday, said that Metro Manila could see a repeat of a surge in infections as seen in December should restrictions be eased further.

"Under the current trends, NCR is projected to have around 2,400 new cases per day by March 26, which also matches the projections made on Feb. 17," he said.

According to the Feb. 17 projections of the OCTA Group, Metro Manila will constantly be under threat of a surge due to the increased mobility of people should restrictions be eased to "very loose levels."

Metro Manila is currently under the general community quarantine (GCQ), after President Rodrigo Duterte last month rejected the proposal of mayors in the area to shift to a looser modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

The OCTA said the Philippines is projected to have 5,000 to 6,000 new cases per day by the end of March given the arrival of new and more contagious and lethal variants.

Researchers from the group have since called for more contact tracing and isolation especially in high-risk areas, along with more effective localized lockdowns and stricter border controls.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara described as alarming the increasing number of the COVID-19 cases during the last few days and said people need to take extra precautions once again as many have let their guard down.

“We have to go back to observing social distancing as these new variants are reportedly more infectious and require less contact time than previous variants

for one to contract the new variant,” Angara said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson shared Angara’s sentiments and said health officials should be concerned by the spike.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there was a need for stricter implementation of health protocols.

“We have become too complacent,” he said.

Senator Christopher Go reminded the public to observe measures to prevent the spread of the disease.Despite the arrival of vaccines, he emphasized the need to still strictly follow health protocols, such as wearing masks and face shields, observing social distancing, and avoiding non-essential travel.

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Monday urged Filipinos to remain vigilant and continue all public health precautions until the country has been broadly immunized against the deadly disease.

“While we understand that more businesses are reopening and people want to resume normal activities, we have to maintain our health protocols until the COVID-19 threat is effectively addressed by our vaccination program,” Velasco said.

make adjustments to make more room for COVID-19 patients.

PGH has suspended for at least two weeks scheduled elective surgical procedures.

Real emergency cases like trauma, life-threatening conditions like heart attack, stroke, bleeding, and accidents, are still being admitted, the PGH spokesman said.

Del Rosario said 15 of their health care workers got COVID-19 in the first four days of March, prompting PGH to conduct more intensified contact tracing, more extensive testing, and put in quarantine a total of 80 health care workers due to exposure.

Of the 80 quarantined health care workers this month, six have tested positive for COVID-19, with some mildly symptomatic while others are asymptomatic, he said.

“It's true that we were a little alarmed because the number of health care workers who had COVID increased," he said.

Del Rosario was hesitant to say the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases is solely due to the UK and South Africa variants of the coronavirus detected in the country.

Del Rosario thinks it’s a combination of that and the non-observance of health

protocols.

PGH has a patient with the South Africa variant who is being treated in isolation.

The hospital also appealed to transfer some patients to other COVID-19 referral facilities, given the increasing number of cases.

PGH has also suspended the clinical rotations of 4th year (clinical clerks) and 5th year (interns) students of the UP College of Medicine.

Meanwhile, del Rosario confirmed that AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived before dawn on Monday at PGH. The hospital was to start vaccinating health workers on Monday morning using AstraZeneca based on a prioritization list.

Del Rosario, who is a COVID-19 survivor, said he is in line for a shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Other hospitals, too, reported a rise in their COVID-19 occupancy rate in the last few weeks.

On Sunday, the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) increased its COVIDdedicated beds to 78 percent from the previous 30 percent to 40 percent.

Of the 66 COVID-dedicated beds, 52 are occupied.

Some 85 percent of the intensive care unit beds in the hospital are also occupied.

Meanwhile, from 28 patients, 48 individuals are now confined in the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

A total of 22 health workers have also contracted COVID-19 since January.

On Saturday, the DOH confirmed there is an upward trend in the number of confinement of COVID-19 patients in hospitals over the past weeks.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, dismissed the idea that a second wave of COVID-19 was already upon the country.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, meanwhile, said the rise in COVID-19 admissions was true also of hospitals in Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas.

The rise in cases might be due to the country's economy reopening, the public becoming lax in observing health protocols, and the entry of new coronavirus variants, Vega said.

A public health expert said the disease was spreading “faster than before” and urged the public to protect themselves.

“We have data to show that the rate of rise is unfortunately faster compared to before and this requires us to be very vigilant in terms of what we can do to protect ourselves," said Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, who is part of the technical working group that advises the DOH.

and inclusive actions have been taken by our government to create an environment where women's rights are respected and their contributions to society are recognized," he added.

Vice President Leni Robredo, the first woman to be elected to her post, affirmed in her statement the strength of women on International Women’s Day, adding “we celebrate the years of tireless struggle that our foremothers went through so that the women of today have wider pathways to empowerment.

“There is much to be proud of: The right to vote, improved economic and political participation, and stronger legislation protecting women’s rights embody a world that has become more gender-equal over the past several generations.

“Despite these gains however, the road remains long. The realities on the ground paint a picture that remains far from ideal.

Cases of domestic violence continue to rise. Under the shadow of the pandemic, reproductive health services have been hampered, and lockdowns have trapped survivors at home with their abusers, with little in terms of a lifeline to the outside world.”

Palace:...

The Philippines now ranks 30th among world nations with most COVID-19 cases at 594,412. The country also placed 65th in terms of case fatality rate at 2.1 percent. As of March 7, the country’s death toll has reached 12,516.

The country also placed 65th in terms of case fatality rate at 2.1 percent. As of March 7, the country’s death toll has reached 12,516.

Roque also attributed the government’s decision to impose community quarantine in Mid March which he said was “timely,” providing hospitals time to prepare for beds and for the construction of COVID facilities.

Economic reopening The Philippines’ economic reopening depends on how government would do it, a doctor said Monday as she urged the public to comply with minimum health standards.

Dr. Pauline Convocar, president of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, said the rise in COVID-19 hospital admissions was still manageable and hopefully would not reach last year's level.

Rights (CHR) said Monday it has launched an investigation into the killings.

All the people killed or arrested in Sunday's coordinated operation near Manila were unarmed activists, the leftist group Bayan said.

But National Police chief Debold Sinas said the operation—involving police and military personnel—was staged in response to reports that the suspects were in the "illegal possession of firearms.”

Nine people were killed and 15 were arrested during the raids, he said.

The incident came two days after the President – whose controversial drug war has cost thousands of lives -- repeated an order for security forces to "ignore human rights" and kill communist rebels.

Harry...

By Ronald O. Reyes

M

AYOR Ronald Aquino of Calbayog City, Samar and his two bodyguards were killed in an ambush Monday afternoon, local police said.

Cops...

From A1

That left 39,330 active cases, which is 6.6 percent of the total number of cases.

Of the active cases, 91.2 percent are mild; 4 percent are asymptomatic; 2 percent are critical; 2 percent are severe; and 0.83 percent are moderate.

Amid suggestions that the surge in new cases was due to the spread of more transmissible variants of the coronavirus, lapses in compliance with safety protocols contributed to the spike.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there is no evidence yet of community transmission of the United Kingdom and South Africa variants in the Philippines.

“Whatever increase in the number of cases that we are having right now cannot be attributed solely to the variants. The underlying cause why cases are increasing [is] the non-compliance to the health protocols that we have,” Vergeire said in an online briefing.

“As long as our public would not be able to comply with the minimum health protocols that are there, there is possibility that cases will increase,” she said.

No...

From A1

The number of COVID-19 cases has been going up at a faster rate lately, and for the last four days, more than 3,000 new cases have been reported.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that 60 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available, while 77 percent of the mechanical ventilators are still available for use.

At PGH, the number of patients admitted due to COVID-19 breached the 100mark this March.

“It’s true, we breached the 100-mark again. Because for the last few months, we were just averaging about 70-80.

Then there was even a month ago when we reached 60. We were so happy then because it was really going down," del Rosario said.

“Then in March, we were a bit surprised because of the speed of the climb. It went over a hundred. The highest was 105 patients admitted [with COVID-19] to PGH. Yesterday we were at 102," he said.

Twenty-five patients were also on the waiting list for admission, he added.

Del Rosario said PGH will have to

Rody,...

From A1

The President, who has been criticized for his sexist remarks, also encouraged every Filipino to join their fellow countrymen in celebrating what he called the indispensable role of women in the nation's progress by participating in this month-long celebration and supporting advocacies that seek to fight for and acknowledge the inalienable rights of women as equal partners of men.

The Chief Executive also said international organizations, women's rights movements, and various governments have worked together and made significant strides in addressing gender inequality by dealing with its cultural, institutional and historical roots, but stressed that the fight was far from over.

National Women’s Month is observed every March, with this year’s theme as “Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!”

"While there is still much to be done to completely free women from this bondage of inequality, we can nonetheless proudly claim that concrete, sustainable,

’Du30’s...

From A1

encounter, saying this was legal under international humanitarian law.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the government would probe the killings of nine people in a series of raids by security forces targeting alleged communist insurgents—but defended the use of deadly force when necessary.

"If your opponent has guns that can kill you, you wouldn't wait to get shot at and killed," he said.

At present, Roque said the government is dealing with the local communist armed conflict.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human

From A1

or modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

“The government has performed an “excellent” job in controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic almost a year since a lockdown was first imposed in the country,” he said.

“Let’s say the cases increase, we’re ready to give medical attention to those who will have serious cases,” Roque added.

Roque said the country has recorded lower cases of COVID-19 infections and deaths, compared to other countries that are “more economically wealthy and (with) more developed health sectors.

The Palace official added the government’s decision to impose community quarantine in mid-March last year was “timely.” since hospitals were able to build more beds and the construction of COVID facilities.

“We were excellent. We controlled the spread of the illness especially if we are compared to richer countries with more modern hospitals,” he said.

From A1

Meghan, whose father is white and mother is Black, spoke out in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that immediately became one of the most extraordinary chapters in recent royal history and was set to rock the British institution.

"I... just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought," she told Winfrey, describing the impact of a torrent of vitriol from hostile tabloids and social media.

Asked if she had had suicidal thoughts while pregnant, Meghan replied "Yes.

This was very, very clear."

Recalling how she felt at the time, she said that "I'm scared, because this is very real."

Meghan, 39, also told of royal "concerns" about "how dark" her son's skin would be, saying Harry revealed to her official conversations over Archie's appearance, as well as the security he would be entitled to, ahead of his birth on May 6, 2019.

'How dark his skin might be' "In those months when I was pregnant... we have in tandem the conversation of 'he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," Meghan said. AFP

SC adopts rules on destroying, disposing drugs

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has adopted the rules governing the destruction and disposal of dangerous drugs that were seized in law enforcement operations.

Under the rules approved by the Court En Banc, the SC ordered that the application for the destruction and disposal of the seized dangerous drugs and related paraphernalia shall be filed by the law enforcement agent or the prosecutor before the court which issued the search warrant immediately after the seizure.

If the seizure or confiscation was done without a warrant, the application shall be filed before the court that has territorial jurisdiction over the case and the place where the dangerous drugs, other substances, and instruments were found and seized.

The Rule on the Destruction and Disposal of Seized Dangerous Drugs, Other Substances, and Instruments Prior to the Filing of Information takes effect on March 16 after its required publication.

It also required that proper documentation must be observed which includes, among others, the conduct of physical inventory and photograph of the seized items.

The SC said a judge shall conduct an ocular inspection of the seized items within 72 hours from the time the application is filed if the seized drugs amount to one kilogram or more, or if the seized instruments and equipment cannot be physically brought to court.

Ungab denies P70-b cut in 2020 budget

By Maricel V. Cruz THE former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations on Monday night denied the allegation of a fellow legislator that he was behind the reduction of P70 billion from the 2020 national budget.

In a privilege speech Monday, Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab dismissed as "baseless" the accusation of ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap who is now the chair of the House appropriations committee.

"I strongly deny this allegation and I challenge the present chairman of the Appropriations committee, Congressman Eric Yap, to check his facts first before making any precipitate accusation," Ungab said.

"In order to justify his actions on how he managed the 2021 Pension and Gratuity Fund, he is blaming me and pointing to the P74-billion cut made on the Pension and Gratuity Fund in the 2020 budget," he added.

Frontliners...

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aged 18 to 50 years old. The FDA, however, did not recommend Sinovac on health care workers since its efficacy rate in such group only reached 50.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the current supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the country is still not enough for health workers, which is why the priority vaccination list should be strictly followed, the Department of Health said Monday.

“No, it is not yet enough,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a media briefing, said of the over 1 million doses of vaccines that have arrived in the country since last week.

Vergeire said the donated 600,000 doses from Chinese drugmaker Sinovac were only good for 300,000 individuals, and the more than 500,000 doses from AstraZeneca are for around 260,000 people, since each recipient needs 2 doses of each vaccine brand.

“If we add that, it’s just going to comprise 500,000 plus doses. We know that we have 1.8 million estimated health care workers from hospitals down to the community across the different regions of the country. So it’s really not enough to cover all of our health workers.),” Vergeire said.

Vergeire's explanation comes amid reports of some government officials being vaccinated ahead of health workers despite not getting priorapproval from the national government.

Quezon province Rep. Helen Tan had said she was vaccinated at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center because her son, who works there as a surgeon, was entitled to include family members in the facility's inoculation program.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority public services head Michael Salalima were supposedly prompted by Pasay General Hospital staff to be vaccinated as well last week.

News

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

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Pampanga leads in housing PAMPANGA is setting the pace for countryside housing development as shown by the brisk sales of houses despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

This was disclosed by housing Czar and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario during his site visit and inspection of the Xevera Mabalacat Township project.

Meanwhile, the self-employed and the voluntary members of the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-ibig Fund may apply for their housing loans provided they show proof of income.

This developed as Pagibig Fund’s top officials said the fund is servicing housing loan application of members who are formally employed. A certificate of employment is one of the key requirements set by the agency to ensure the borrowing capacity of the loan applicant.

“Proof of income will be our basis in computing a borrower’s monthly amortization. From there we can determine their capacity to pay,” said Pagibig President and CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti dur-

IN BRIEF Quezon City to put up district action offices AS part of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s commitment to bring the city government’s programs, projects and services closer to the people, action offices will be established in each of the city’s six legislative districts.

She has signed Ordinance SP-3000, S-2021 or the Quezon City District Action Office Ordinance creating six district action offices and 42 co-terminus positions for their operation.

“This is part of our promise to bring the programs, services and projects closer to the people,” she said.

“These district action offices will serve as the city hall’s extension where people can bring all of their concerns and grievances for proper and immediate action.”

Aside from bringing the city government services closer to the public, the ordinance also mandates district action offices to provide immediate response to the needs and grievances of the residents.

They are also tasked to provide active, efficient and equitable government machinery at the lowest level, extend maximum service to the greater number of people and to engage the active participation of the private sector. Rio N. Araja

Closer coordination urged to stop COVID THERE is a need for a closer publicprivate coordination to quell the rising COVID-19 cases, according to Quezon City Councilor Mikey Belmonte.

With experts warning against an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in several areas of the country, including the National Capital Region, he urged organizations from the private sector to work more closely with the government in enacting new measures to prevent the further spread of the virus, especially with the new COVID-19 variants detected in recent cases.

“Despite the fact that we have started the vaccination campaign nationwide, the numbers show that there is indeed a rising number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the city particularly. We cannot let our guard down especially now, and we have to work more closely with all sectors of the community to prevent the spread,” he said.

Two barangays in Quezon City that had the highest daily number of cases— Batasan Hills and Commonwealth—from Feb. 28 to March 6, he said, were in his district, citing Octa Research.

He said Quezon City experienced sharp increases in the number of cases of over 40 percent increase per week. Rio N. Araja

More medical staff want COVID-19 jab ABOUT 86 percent of the medical staff of the Caloocan City Medical Center want to be vaccinated, CCMC Administrator Fernando Santos told Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan after the vaccination rollout last Friday.

From the initial 149 health workers who agreed to be vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine, there are now 395 who want to be vaccinated at the CCMC. There are a total of 457 health workers.

About 105 hospital staff were vaccinated last Friday led by Santos and City Health Officer Evelyn Cuevas.

According to Santos, no adverse effects have been reported on those vaccinated.

The requested additional doses of Sinovac vaccine from the Department of Health are also expected to arrive after it gave its initial 300 doses last Thursday.

Malapitan thanked the doctors, nurses and all the hospital staff who were vaccinated against Covid-19.

“We are pleased because the number of people who want to get vaccinated at CCMC has increased. We hope that everyone will get vaccinated now that they see that the vaccine is safe,” said Oca. Jun David

ing a press conference held at Xevera Mabalacat.

Pag-Ibig Fund’s formula particularly for Xevera projects has turned out to be a success despite the pandemic that has affected the housing and construction sector for the past 12 months.

The head of the newly created Department of Housing cited Xevera Mabalacat township in defending his pronouncement about Pampanga province’s pacesetting mode in housing and development projects.

“The availability of local jobs particularly in the economic zone, the huge number of OFW’s based in Pampanga and its proximity to Metro Manila has boosted the province’s resiliency and opened a host of opportunities for a sustained mass housing programs in the province,” Del Rosario said.

“Against that backdrop, this particular township’s key features such as affordability, complete amenities, access and availability of housing units has driven homebuyers and borrowers to pursue with their dream of finally owning a house,” Del Rosario said. Jess Malabanan

VACCINE ARRIVAL. Boxes containing vials of AstraZeneca vaccines are offloaded from KLM Asia that flew in from Amsterdam on Sunday night. The 38,400 doses are part of 525,600 jabs secured through the COVAX Facility. Robert Alfiler

Learning scheme probe sought

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Win Gatchalian has called on the Department o f Education to probe reports of what he calls the “sagot for sale” scheme, where parents hire someone else to answer their children’s self-learning modules.

He also warned parents engaging in this practice that their children would suffer since their learning and development will be compromised.

But Senator Nancy Binay said she was confident the department could handle

the issue once it conducts its own inquiry.

She said they were not sure if this was systemic or highly organized in the school or district level.

“Our teachers value honesty and integrity and they will never allow such kind

of cheating to happen,” she said.

Binay said perhaps it might only merit a Senate probe if the reports the department gathered confirmed that it had reached a wholesale scale and to an institutional level.

“But let’s wait first for their investigation, and perhaps we can ask them for the outcome of their inquiry and their recommended action,” she said.

In the latest public hearing, which tackled updates on Academic Year 2020-2021, Gatchalian referred to an earlier report by the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) that pointed to how struggling parents were hiring someone else-some of whom they found online—to answer their chil-

dren’s modules.

He also said the Basic Education Committee would have another hearing on the methodology of assessing learners’ performance.

According to the Department of Education, 99.13 percent of the more than 14 million public school learners passed the first quarter.

This excludes data from the National Capital Region, Region 7, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The scenario in Valenzuela is different, however, and more consistent with the low national achievement scores, Gatchalian says.

Fewer foreigners filed their report for 2021, says BI

Oil suppliers cut pump prices

By Vito Barcelo

THE oil firms cut pump prices starting 12:01am Tuesday by P0.55 per liter of kerosene, P0.35 per liter of diesel and P0.10 per liter of gasoline.

“Effective 12:01AM Mar 9, 2021, Caltex (CPI) will decrease fuel prices of Platinum by P0.10 per liter, Silver

by P0.10 per liter, diesel by P0.35 per liter and kerosene by P0.55 per liter,” the company said in its advisory.

Other oil companies implemented the same level of price cuts starting at 6am Tuesday.

Aside from Caltex, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., PTT Philippines, CleanFuel, PetroGazz and Seaoil Philippines also cut their prices while the other oil companies were expected to follow suit.

The rollback ended several weeks of consecutive weekly oil price hikes after traders reacted to the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to maintain production cuts for April.

Traders were expecting an increase in production output that would boost prices amid the anticipation of a global economic recovery.

Over the weekend, Unioil Philippines announced that consumes could expect fuel prices to go down this week.

Unioil was expecting diesel prices to go down by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter and gasoline by P0.10 per liter.

With the rollback, the year-to-date adjustments now stand at a net increase of P6.10 per liter of gasoline, P5.35 per liter of diesel and P4.50 per liter of kerosene.

On March 2, the oil companies raised the price of gasoline by P1 per liter, diesel by P0.85 per liter and kerosene by P0.70 per liter.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MORE than 130,000 foreign nationals

filed their annual report for 2021, down by 25 percent compared to the 169,890 foreigners who filed their AR in 2020, the Bureau of Immigration said.

Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said all foreigners living in the country were required by law to file their annual report.

“A total of 130,148 foreign nationals took part in this year’s annual report in compliance with the alien registration act which directs all foreigners registered with the BI to report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of a calendar year,” Morente said.

He said due to the pandemic, the number of this year’s reportees was significantly lower—down 25-percen—as compared to the 169,890 aliens who filed their AR in 2020.

“This is not surprising as many of these registered aliens were stranded abroad as a result of the worldwide Covid-19 travel restrictions,” MOrente said.

But he said the aliens who failed to file their AR because they were abroad may still make their report within 30 days upon their return to the Philippines.

BI Alien Registration Division Chief Jose Carlitos Licas said Chinese nationals topped the reportees, followed by Indians, Americans, Taiwanese and South Koreans.

Also in the list of top reportees were Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesians, Malaysians and Germans.

Under the 1950 alien registration act, foreign nationals who are holders of valid immigrant and non-immigrant visas issued by the BI and were issued alien certificate of registration are required to make the AR.

NO WORRIES. Dr. Samuel Ang (seated), Medical Director of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, was among the top hospital officials and frontliners who received the initial doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China last Wednesday.

Livelihoods offered to women

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TO OBSERVE the International Women’s Day on March 8, Senator Cynthia Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, through the Villar SIPAG Foundation, offered “Kabuhayan Para Sa Kababaihan sa Mapanghamong Panahon” to help empower Filipino women.

The program, aired on Facebook and in partnership with East-West Seed Foundation Inc., was filled with knowledge, information and inspiration for women.

Women participants who joined the program also won several prizes that included a livelihood showcase, grocery packs and others during the raffle draw.

Both Villar and Rep. Villar are known advocates of women, fighting for their

rights and welfare. They share the belief that “when we empower women, we empower families and generations of people.”

Since women empowerment has been evolving over the years as it is not just confined to empowerment against violence and other forms of abuse, they believe that women should be empowered economically.

According to Sen. Villar and Rep. Villar, women have a lot to contribute to the country’s development if they would just be given opportunities and tools such as learning new skills.

Through the Villar SIPAG, the senator has been providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to women so they can help augment the earnings of their husbands.

RECOGNITION. SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) recently received a plaque of recognition from the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) for its invaluable support to the PMC during the pandemic. Through its Operation Tulong Express: COVID-19 response, SMFI provided the PMC officers and personnel with personal protective equipment and other safety gear, which protected them from the virus while doing their regular operations.

SHOW OF HANDS. Members of the women’s group Gabriela display placards near Malacañang during a protest on International Women’s Day in Manila on March 8, 2021. AFP

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

CJ candidates to face JBC on March 12

By Rey E. Requejo THE Judicial and Bar Council will conduct a public interview on March 12 with the three senior associate justices of the Supreme Court who are aspiring for the judiciary’s top post that will be left vacant when Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta retires this month.

The seven-member JBC also urged concerned individuals or groups who oppose the nomination of Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando to formally submit a sworn complaint, report or opposition before the council.

SC Clerk of Court and JBC ex-officio Secretary Edgar Aricheta said those who may have any valid reason why any of the three candidates should not become top magistrate should formally inform the council.

“The public may submit a sworn complaint, report, or opposition against any of the aforesaid candidates by personal delivery or by mail in 10 eligible copies to the JBC,” Aricheta said.

The complaint should be sent to the JBC, located at the 2nd Floor, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura Street, Manila City, or via facsimile at tel. no. 02-5529607 or through email at jbc@judiciary.gov.ph and jbc78supremecourt@gmail.com not later than 4:30 p.m. of March 15.

Bernabe, the only female candidate for the position of chief justice, will be the first to be interviewed by the JBC on Friday.

• Isko orders snap lockdown • Rubiano bucks return to ECQ

By Willie Casas, Joel Zurbano and Jun David MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ordered an automatic lockdown of barangays that register an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.

Domagoso also called on Manila Police District Director Leo Francisco and all station commanders to strictly enforce all minimum health protocols and ordinances, including the imposition of a curfew and the mandatory use of face masks.

The mayor, who last week described the COVID situation in the city as “alarming” after it registered a record-high of 196 positive cases in one day, said the next two weeks are crucial given that bed capacity and occupancy rate in the six city-run hospitals are also much higher now than in the past four months. *** Pasay Mayor Imelda Rubiano said she favors imposing localized lockdowns instead of placing the entire city under the stricter Enhanced Community Quarantine to curb the spread of COVID-19.

She said placing select barangays under localized lockdowns as well as the strict implementation of basic health and safety measures have been proven effective.

Dr. Tony Leachon, a former consultant of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, earlier proposed placing Pasay City under ECQ.

THE COLOR OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.

Women police officers of the Manila Police District receive purple flowers from Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso after the regular Monday flag raising ceremony held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021.

Norman Cruz

News DA extends chicken, pork price cap to April 8

By Othel Campos and Maricel Cruz

T

HE Department of Agriculture has extended the price ceiling on pork and chicken, citing its effectiveness in preventing price surges, particularly in Metro Manila.

“We will maintain it until April 8. Lifting it will undeniably result in dramatic rise in prices of pork and chicken, given that the African Swine Fever crisis is still raging and thus continues to impact on local production of hogs nationwide,”Agriculture secretary William Dar said.

Dar cited the need to augment the current shortfall, estimated at 400,000 metric tons (MT), by stocking up imports from countries free from ASF. Importation, he said, may temper the

rising inflation rate which stood at 4.7 percent in February – the highest in 26 months – as more affordable protein sources become available.

The Agriculture department thumbed down the suggestion of hog raisers to raise the price ceiling given that actual prices remain higher.

“By maintaining it (price ceiling), the government will send a strong signal to Filipino consumers who suffer from lower incomes due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19

pandemic on our economy, that it does care about their welfare,” Dar said.

“Hog producers, wholesalers, and retailers are no less expected to do their share in helping the country’s economic recovery effort,” he added.

DA data showed the total hog and carcass deliveries from various regions to Metro Manila have reached 127,868 heads and 823,673 kilograms of carcass from February 8 to March 7, 2021.

Pork shipment to Metro Manila from nearby provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 8, and 13 have been hampered due to insufficient supply of hogs.

As of Sunday, a total of 2,625 hogs and 40,803 kilograms of carcasses from various regions were delivered to Metro Manila.

Personnel of the Makati Business Permit Office and Makati Police closed down Movida Fashion Food and Club and the Royal Club (shown in photo) in Barangay Poblacion on the orders of Mayor Abigail Binay. The said establishments were found violating the curfew and COVID-19 safety protocols during simultaneous raids over the weekend.

Makati closes 2 restaurants for violating health protocols

By Joel E. Zurbano AUTHORITIES have shut down and revoked the permits of two business establishments in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City for violating health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ordered closed by Mayor Abigail Binay were Movida Fashion Food and Club and Royal Indian Curry House for operating past curfew hours and for allowing customers who violate safety protocols.

Binay warned other commercial establishments in the city and their clients that the local government will bring down the full force of the law on violators of city ordinances and safety protocols against COVID-19.

“We are alarmed by the blatant disregard for the law and cavalier attitude shown by these establishments and their clients. Let me remind everyone that we are still in a pandemic. With the presence of new variants, we need to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols at all times,” Binay said.

“I will not hesitate to shut down establishments that violate safety rules.

Safety comes first. People’s lives are at stake here,” she added.

During the raid, some 51 individuals of various nationalities were apprehended at the establishments for violating curfew and safety protocols, including physical distancing.

The violators were released after being issued ordinance violation tickets with a P1,000-fine each.

City Ordinance No. 2020-165 which took effect on August 31, 2020 provides guidelines for the operations of all restaurants and fastfood businesses in the city during the pandemic, with specific provisions for each level of community quarantine.

Gordon: Questionable license plate deals may constitute plunder

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Richard Gordon berated former and current officials of the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation for the delay in the production and distribution of vehicle license plates.

“The sufferings of the public – who-

ever causes damage to third parties and other agencies – amounts to (an) antigraft (case),” he said.

“Since this involved a huge amount of money, there can be plunder. That’s what we are looking into,” added Gordon, chairman of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

In a television interview, Gordon enu-

merated numerous violations committed by officials from both the Aquino and Duterte administrations.

He said the DOTr in 2013 opened the bidding for the procurement of license plates even without budget appropriation.

He said former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Under-

secretary for Legal Affairs Jose Lotilla then signed a multi-year contract with PPI-JKG without securing a Multi-Year Obligational Authority from the Department of Budget and Management.

The Commission on Audit called the procurement transaction “irregular and illegal,” and disallowed an advance payment to PPI-JKG worth P478 million.

SMC to start Pasig River cleaning, widening in April SAN Miguel Corporation is gearing up to clean and widen Pasig River with the arrival of two new dredging equipment capable of pulling 600,000 tons of silt and solid waste out of its waters per year for the next five years.

“Through the years, Pasig River has become narrower and shallower because of accumulated silt and waste.

By cleaning and widening it, we will be able to increase its capacity to keep water flowing within its banks especially during heavy rains,” SMC president Ramon Ang said.

SMC, together with the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and other concerned government units, is targeting to extract 50,000 tons of waste per month from the river.

“After a thorough assessment of Pasig River, we identified sections where the depth of water has been reduced to as little as one meter. These are the most critical portions of the river that cause widespread flooding,”Ang said.

For the river to effectively serve its purpose of channeling flood waters out to the Manila Bay, its depth should at least be 10 meters, he said.

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World

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Harry, Meghan drop ‘bombshells’ on royals L

ONDON―Prince­ Harry­and­his­wife­ Meghan’s­explosive­ tell-all­interview­with­Oprah­ Winfrey­went­much­further­ than­expected­and­will­be­ hugely­damaging­to­the­ royal­family,­British­media­ said­Monday.

PICTURE PERFECT. This photo from the European Space Agency pictures NGC 2336, the quintessential galaxy—big, beautiful, and blue—captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The barred spiral galaxy stretches an immense 200,000 light-years across and is located approximately 100 million light-years away in the northern constellation of Camelopardalis. The galaxy was discovered in 1876 by German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel, using an 11 inch telescope. This Hubble image is so much better than the view Tempel would have had—Hubble’s main mirror is 2.4 meters across, nearly 10 times the size of the telescope Tempel used. ESA photo

IN BRIEF At least 8 dead in fire at Yemen migrant house DUBAI­—At­ least­ eight­ migrants­ and­ guards­ were­ killed,­ and­ scores­ more­ injured,­in­a­fire­on­Sunday­at­a­holding­facility­in­Yemen’s­capital,­the­International­ Organization­for­Migration­said.­ “Eight­people­confirmed­dead,­the­total­ death­toll­is­reported­to­be­much­higher,”­ tweeted­Carmela­Godeau,­IOM’s­regional­ director­for­the­Middle­East­and­North­Africa.­ “IOM­ is­ responding­ particularly­ with­ emergency­ health­ care­ for­ over­ 170­ injured,­more­than­90­of­them­are­in­a­serious­condition.”

Godeau­ said­ that­ it­ “remains­ unclear”­ how­the­fire­at­the­centre­in­Sanaa­started,­ adding:­“This­is­just­one­of­the­many­dangers­ that­ migrants­ have­ faced­ during­ the­ past­six­years­of­the­crisis­in­Yemen.”

It­is­believed­thousands­of­migrants­are­ stranded­ in­ Yemen,­ where­ a­ years-long­ conflict­has­claimed­tens­of­thousands­of­ lives­ and­ displaced­ millions­ in­ what­ the­ UN­ calls­ the­ world’s­ worst­ humanitarian­ crisis.­AFP

3 Thai pro-democracy leaders denied bail BANGKOK—Three­ prominent­ Thai­ prodemocracy­ figures­ were­ denied­ bail­ in­ a­ Bangkok­court­Monday­after­being­charged­ with­insulting­the­monarchy,­as­the­government­escalates­a­legal­row­with­a­youth-led­ movement­that­emerged­last­year.

The­three­activists­--­Panusaya­“Rung”­ Sithijirawattanakul,­ Panupong­ “Mike”­ Jadnok­and­Jatupat­“Pai”­Boonpattararaksa­--­were­charged­with­violating­royal­defamation­laws­over­a­rally­in­central­Bangkok­ in­ September,­ Prayut­ Pecharakun,­ a­ spokesman­for­the­attorney­general,­said.

They­ were­ also­ charged­ with­ sedition­ alongside­15­other­pro-democracy­protesters,­the­spokesperson­added.

All­ three­ face­ other­ royal­ defamation­ charges.

At­the­peak­of­the­protests,­tens­of­thousands­massed­in­the­streets­of­Bangkok­demanding­the­resignation­of­Prime­Minister­ Prayut­ Chan-O-Cha’s­ government­ and­ a­ new­constitution.

The­ movement­ also­ broke­ long-held­ taboos­by­calling­for­reforms­to­the­monarchy,­in­a­country­where­the­royal­family­ is­ considered­ untouchable­ and­ has­ been­ treated­with­reverence­for­decades.­AFP

Myanmar workers go on strike; 2 protesters killed YANGON—Two­ anti-coup­ protesters­ were­ shot­ dead­ in­ Myanmar­ on­ Monday­ as­ demonstrators­ across­ the­ country­sought­to­paralyse­the­economy­with­ strike­action­following­a­weekend­of­night­ raids­and­arrests.

The­country­has­been­in­turmoil­since­ a­February­1­coup­ousted­civilian­leader­ Aung­ San­ Suu­ Kyi­ and­ triggered­ mass­ protests­against­the­new­military­junta.

The­police­and­military­have­responded­ with­an­increasingly­brutal­crackdown­on­ demonstrators,­with­more­than­50­people­ killed­and­nearly­1,800­arrested.

Despite­the­risk,­protesters­rallied­in­parts­ of­the­commercial­capital­Yangon,­the­sec-

ond-largest­city­Mandalay­and­other­towns­ around­the­country.­In­some­areas,­the­authorities­once­again­responded­with­force.

In­the­northern­city­of­Myitkyina,­security­forces­used­tear­gas­and­opened­fire­ during­street­clashes­with­stone-throwing­ protesters.

A­ live­ Facebook­ stream­ of­ the­ incident­showed­protesters­dragging­multiple­ wounded­comrades­by­the­arms­and­legs,­ scrambling­to­get­them­to­medical­care.

There­was­also­grisly­footage­of­bleeding­bodies­lying­on­beds­as­health­workers­ frantically­tried­to­resuscitate­them.

One­man­was­seen­in­the­footage­lying­ face­down,­with­part­of­his­skull­blown­out.

City braces for George Floyd trial MINNEAPOLIS—Minneapolis­ residents­braced­for­the­opening­on­Monday­ of­what­is­sure­to­be­one­of­the­nation’s­ most­closely­watched­trials­in­years­--­that­ of­the­white­policeman­charged­with­killing­ George­ Floyd,­ a­ Black­ man­ whose­ dying­struggles­were­captured­on­a­video­ seen­around­the­world.

Jury­selection­begins­at­8:00­am­(1400­ GMT),­though­final­debates­over­the­exact­charges­against­Derek­Chauvin­--­the­ now­former­city­officer­who­used­his­knee­ to­ pin­ a­ pleading,­ gasping­ Floyd­ by­ the­ neck­to­the­pavement­for­nearly­nine­minutes­--­could­yet­delay­the­proceedings.

For­ now,­ Chauvin­ is­ facing­ seconddegree­murder­and­manslaughter­charges.­ He­has­been­released­on­bail­and­will­appear­in­court.

Floyd’s­death­laid­bare­already­sore­racial­wounds­in­the­United­States,­sparking­months­of­sometimes­violent­protests­

against­racial­injustice­and­police­brutality,­both­in­the­US­and­abroad.

Lawyers­for­both­sides­face­the­difficult­ task­of­finding­jurors­who,­in­the­intensely­ publicized­ case,­ have­ not­ already­ made­ up­their­minds­about­Chauvin’s­guilt.

The­ process­ is­ expected­ to­ take­ up­ to­ three­weeks,­with­arguments­slated­to­begin­on­March­29.

But­protesters­already­gathered­near­the­ courthouse­ on­ Sunday,­ with­ many­ holding­up­“Black­Lives­Matter”­placards­and­ demanding­“justice­for­George­Floyd.”

Chauvin’s­case­promises­to­be­extraordinary:­it­will­feature­star­attorneys,­be­held­ under­tight­security­and­be­livestreamed.

It­ will­ also­ be­ watched­ as­ a­ potential­ marker­of­change­in­a­country­that­recently­ elected­ its­ first­ Black­ vice­ president,­ but­where­police­officers­historically­have­ often­ escaped­ punishment­ for­ abusive­ acts.­AFP

WOMEN’S DAY RALLY. Women demonstrators hold banners as they march toward to the governor office during a peaceful protest to mark International Women’s Day in Herat, Afghanistan on March 8. AFP

England’s kids go back to school

Chinese ship grounded off Mauritius with fuel PORT­ LOUIS—Mauritius­ deployed­ its­ coastguard­ and­ armed­ forces­ on­ Monday­ after­a­Chinese-flagged­trawler­containing­ 130­tonnes­of­oil­ran­aground­off­the­Indian­ Ocean­archipelago­nation.

It­ is­ the­ second­ shipwreck­ in­ less­ than­ a­year­off­Mauritius,­after­a­tanker­struck­ a­ reef­ in­ July­ and­ leaked­ 1,000­ tonnes­ of­ fuel­ in­ the­ country’s­ worst­ environmental­ disaster­in­history.

Fisheries­ Minister­ Sudheer­ Maudhoo­ said­the­captain­of­the­Lurong­Yuan­Yu,­a­ trawler­flying­the­Chinese­flag,­issued­distress­calls­late­Sunday­afternoon.

Residents­said­flares­were­sent­up­by­the­ fishing­vessel,­which­was­stranded­off­Pointeaux-Sables­in­the­northwest­of­the­main­island­not­far­from­the­capital­Port­Louis.

“The­first­measure­is­to­pump­all­the­oil­ on­board,”­Minister­Maudhoo­told­reporters­late­Sunday,­adding­the­ship­contained­ no­cargo­but­130­tonnes­of­fuel­oil­and­five­ tonnes­of­lubricants.­AFP

“Two­men­were­shot­dead­on­the­spot,­ meanwhile­three­others­including­a­woman­ were­ shot­ in­ her­ arm,”­ a­ medic­ told­ AFP. “We­are­about­to­send­the­dead­bodies­ to­the­families.”

-­General­strike­call­Banks,­stores,­shopping­malls­and­some­ clothing­ factories­ were­ closed­ following­ an­ appeal­ by­ trade­ unions­ for­ a­ general­ strike­to­bring­the­economy­to­a­standstill.

“To­ continue­ economic­ and­ business­ activities­as­usual...­ will­only­ benefit­the­ military­as­they­repress­the­energy­of­the­ Myanmar­ people,”­ 18­ unions­ said­ in­ a­ statement.­AFP

The­ Duke­ and­ Duchess­ of­ Sussex,­ as­ they­ are­ formally­ known,­ delivered­ “enough­ bombshells­ to­ sink­ a­ flotilla”,­ reported­ The­ Daily­ Telegraph,­ as­ the­ dust­settled­on­the­broadcast­in­the­United­States­on­Sunday­night.

“And­ possibly,­ some­ might­ fear,­ do­ similar­ damage­ to­ the­ British­ monarchy,”­it­added.

“Whatever­ the­ royal­ family­ was­ expecting­ from­ this­ interview,­ this­ was­ worse,”­another­traditionally­“establishment”­newspaper,­The­Times,­said.

Chris­ Ship,­ the­ royal­ editor­ of­ ITV,­ which­ is­ to­ air­ the­ interview­ in­ Britain­ on­Monday­night,­said­he­was­“momentarily­paralysed”­by­the­sheer­volume­of­ revelations.

“The­couple­had­effectively­loaded­up­ a­B-52­bomber,­flew­it­over­Buckingham­ Palace­ and­ then­ unloaded­ their­ arsenal­ right­ above­ it,­ bomb­ by­ heavily-loaded­ bomb,”­he­added.

Buckingham­ Palace­ now­ faced­ “two­ very­serious­questions”­--­first,­Meghan’s­ claim­of­racist­comments­about­her­baby’s­ potential­ skin­ colour,­ and­ that­ she­ received­ no­ support­ while­ having­ suicidal­thoughts.

‘Self-obsessed’ Queen­ Elizabeth­ II­ was­ the­ only­ member­of­the­royal­family­to­“emerge­ unscathed,”­ wrote­ The­ Daily­ Telegraph.

Yet­ Ship­ said­ since­ the­ couple­ voice­ such­ grave­ concerns­ about­ the­ family,­ “surely­ their­ severe­ criticisms­ of­ it­ extend­to­the­Queen­herself?”

The­couple­have­set­out­a­“new­narrative”,­The­Times­reported.­Yet­there­was­ also­criticism­of­the­couple­for­giving­the­ interview.­AFP

ROADBLOCK. A man stands next to flaming tires at a make-shift roadblock set-up by anti-government demonstrators next to the Mohammed al-Amin Mosque in the Martyrs’ Square in the centre of Lebanon’s capital Beirut on March 8 during a protest against the deteriorating value of the local currency and dire economic and social conditions. AFP

LONDON—Children­ return­ to­ school­ in­England­on­Monday­for­the­first­time­ since­January,­as­the­government­begins­ to­ ease­ tough­ restrictions­ thanks­ to­ a­ mass­vaccination­drive­against­the­coronavirus.

Throughout­ the­ latest­ lockdown­ since­ the­start­of­the­new­year,­schools­have­remained­open­to­children­of­key­workers­ and­the­most­vulnerable.

But­ all­ other­ youngsters­ have­ been­ at­ home,­ causing­ a­ headache­ for­ working­ parents,­and­fears­about­the­effect­on­their­ learning.

Pupils­ aged­ five­ to­ 11­ go­ back­ to­ the­ classroom­Monday,­with­a­staggered­return­over­the­coming­week­for­secondary­ school­students­aged­11­to­18.

The­government­has­been­able­to­plan­ to­ease­its­Covid-19­restriction­measures­ as­ around­ 23­ million­ people­ in­ Britain­ have­received­at­least­a­first­vaccination­ jab,­helping­to­bring­down­case­numbers­

and­ease­pressure­on­hospitals.

-­Cautious­approach­Prime­Minister­Boris­Johnson­has­outlined­ plans­ to­ lift­ stay-at-home­ curbs­ in­ England,­hoping­a­cautious­approach­will­ not­ spark­ a­ renewed­ surge­ in­ cases­ that­ would­force­another­lockdown.

Britain­has­suffered­more­than­123,000­ Covid­deaths­and­is­banking­on­its­mass­ vaccination­ drive­ to­ lift­ all­ restrictions­ possibly­as­early­as­June.

Under­further­plans­for­reopening,­the­ government­has­said­it­will­ease­limits­on­ social­ interaction­ outside­ on­ March­ 29,­ with­the­reopening­of­non-essential­retail­ from­April­12.

Schoolchildren­ returned­ to­ class­ after­ the­Christmas­break­but­were­sent­home­ again­after­just­one­day,­to­contain­a­more­ transmissible­virus­strain.

“The­reopening­of­schools­marks­a­truly­national­effort­to­beat­this­virus,”­Johnson­said­ahead­of­Monday.­AFP

China’s congress spins out barrage of bold, bizarre proposals BEIJING—Widely­ viewed­ as­ a­ rubberstamp­ for­ the­ nation’s­ Communist­ Party­ rulers,­ China’s­ annual­ parliament­ still­ spins­ out­ a­ barrage­ of­ bold­ and­ bizarre­ proposals­which­may­hint­at­the­thinking­ inside­ Beijing’s­ cloistered­ corridors­ of­ power.

The­ week-long­ political­ spectacle­ sees­ about­ 3,000­ appointed­ lawmakers­ meet,­ while­ another­ 2,000-odd­ advisers­ discuss­ ideas­on­how­to­iron­out­wrinkles­in­China’s­

business­and­social­fabric.

The­latter­group—known­as­the­Chinese­ People’s­Political­Consultative­Conference­ (CPPCC),­ includes­ business­ tycoons­ such­ as­Netease­founder­Ding­Lei,­Yao­Ming­of­ NBA­ fame,­ and­ technocrats­ such­ as­ Gao­ Fu,­the­head­China’s­centre­for­disease­control.

Most­ of­ their­ proposals­ fall­ by­ the­ wayside,­but­some­later­emerge­into­law.­ Here­are­a­few­recommendations­that­have­

made­waves­on­Chinese­social­media: Can­ love­ be­ taught­ in­ the­ classroom?­ With­ fewer­ people­ tying­ the­ knot­ and­ not­ enough­babies­to­power­China’s­economy,­a­ government­adviser­thinks­it­is­time­college­ students­got­mandatory­lessons­in­“romance­ and­marriage”.

“Young­ people­ have­ very­ little­ understanding­of­how­to­face­an­emotional­crisis­ or­sexual­problems,”­Yu­Xinwei,­vice-president­of­Guangzhou­University,­said.

China’s­divorce­rate­has­soared­in­recent­ years,­prompting­lawmakers­to­introduce­a­ 30-day­ cooling-off­ period­ before­ couples­ break­up.

Boys­should­be­encouraged­to­play­competitive­ sports­ such­ as­ football­ and­ basketball­“to­increase­their­masculinity”,­reads­a­ proposal­by­parliamentarian­Xiong­Sidong.­ “While­ girls­ should­ pursue­ rhythmic­ gymnastics,­yoga­and­other­exercises­to­increase­ their­flexibility.”­AFP

Business

B3

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Top Japanese banker sounds alarm over HK clampdowns

PSEi March 8, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1 2

LAND BCB

LAST PRICE 1.24 3.02

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.41 49.40% 0.3 11.03%

3

CDC

0.83

0.06

7.79%

4 5 6

AB ACE PNX3B

8.64 1.5 106.7

0.57 0.05 3.2

7.06% 3.45% 3.09%

7

DMPA1

10.5

0.3

2.94%

8 9 10

PRF3A SBS CEB

1119 4.6 45.9

28 0.11 0.9

2.57% 2.45% 2.00%

TOP LOSERS 1 2

DAVIN BHI

LAST PRICE 3.58 0.073

% CHANGE CHANGE -1.33 -27.09% -0.02 -21.51%

3

PHA

2.4

-0.48

-16.67%

4 5 6

VUL FJPB IMI

2.3 3.55 10.9

-0.44 -0.67 -2

-16.06% -15.88% -15.50%

7 8 9 10

MM CAB BKR FAF

5.19 55.35 1.62 0.59

-0.93 -9.65 -0.28 -0.1

-15.20% -14.85% -14.74% -14.49%

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

DITO MM PHA APL ACEN MBT SM ALI BDO DAVIN

VOLUME 106663600 124973000 233438000 2530590000 70877600 8394900 270250 7317900 2395970 59359000

VALUE (PHP) 1505840012 680274483 612627640 589251340 486119726 409161020 279861800 277506485 257884604 232622590

POST-PANDEMIC NORMALCY. This photo taken on March 7, 2021 shows an Israeli airline ARKIA Airbus A321 aircraft taking off from the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to the city of Eilat in southern Israel. Israel took another step towards postpandemic normalcy on March 7, opening restaurants, bars and cafes to vaccinated ‘green pass’ holders, with about 40 percent of the population fully inoculated against the coronavirus. AFP

Stock market sinks; DITO and MerryMart lead losers

T

HEE stock market slumped Monday along with the rest of Asia on inflation fears, rising COVID-19 cases and surging world oil prices.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 124.45 points, or 1.8 percent, to 6,756.92 on a value turnover of P9.8 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 201 to 38, with 29 issues unchanged.

MerryMart Consumer Corp., a supermarket chain owned by businessman Edgar Sia II, fell 15.2 percent to P5.19, while DITO CME Holdings Corp., the third major mobil phone company, dropped 8.8 percent to P13.90.

AC Energy Corp., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., declined 5.3 percent to P6.76, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, was down 4.3 percent to P106.

The rest of Asian markets mostly fell Monday as persistent inflation fears overshadowed a forecast-busting US

jobs report and Senate approval of Joe Biden’s huge stimulus package, while Brent crude broke past $70 for the first time in almost two years after an attack on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Traders were given a stellar lead from Wall Street, where the three main indexes surged following news that the world’s top economy created 379,000 jobs in February, reaffirming the view that it is on track for a strong recovery.

The report came just ahead of senators passing Biden’s $1.9 trillion rescue plan, setting it up for the president’s signature by the end of the week.

In another sign that the world economy is getting back on track, China at the weekend released data showing a betterthan-expected jump in exports in January and February, suggesting global trade is revving up again after being hammered by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the news added to fears about soaring inflation that could force the Federal Reserve and other central banks to wind back the ultra-loose monetary policies that have been a key driv-

er of a year-long equity market rally.

“The US federal government and the Federal Reserve seemed to have learnt something from their attempts to reheat the economy after the great financial crisis,” said David Kelly at JP Morgan Asset Management.

“The economy is already surprisingly warm and, with the help of very aggressive policy, is likely to heat up quickly from here. However, the critical question remains whether they have the skill and discipline to turn the policy temperature down to a simmer before inflation, and not just the economy, comes to a boil.”

Hong Kong ended 1.9 percent lower while Shanghai closed down 2.3 percent. Tokyo, Seoul, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta also suffered selling pressure.

However, Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai and Bangkok all rose.

The losses come as investors also worried that valuations may have run a little too far and were in line for a correction. With AFP

Space-starved Singapore builds floating solar farms Photograph taken on February 3, 2021 shows workers assembling solar panels on the shore of the Tengeh reservoir as part of the construction of a floating solar power farm in Singapore.

Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state’s push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions. AFP

By Martin Abbugao SINGAPORE—Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state’s push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

It may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but the prosperous financial hub is among the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in Asia.

And while authorities have been pushing to change that, renewable energy is a challenge in a country with no rivers for hydro-electricity and where the wind is not strong enough to power turbines.

So the tropical country turned to solar power—however, with little land space in a place half the size of Los Angeles, it has resorted to setting up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs.

“After exhausting the rooftops and the available land, which is very scarce, the next big potential is actually our water area,” said Jen Tan, senior vice president and head of solar in Southeast Asia at conglomerate Sembcorp Industries, which is building a project.

An island-state threatened by rising sea levels because of climate change, Singapore is aware of the urgency of cutting emissions, although critics say authorities’ environmental commitments have thus far fallen short.

The government last month unveiled a

wide-ranging “green plan” that included steps such as planting more trees, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and building more charging points to encourage the use of electric cars.

Among the measures is increasing solar energy use four-fold to around two percent of the nation’s power needs by 2025, and to three percent by 2030—enough for 350,000 households per year.

As well as on water, solar power plants have already been built on rooftops and on the ground.

‘New frontier’ One newly built solar farm spreads out from the coast into the Johor Strait, which separates Singapore from Malaysia.

The 13,000 panels are anchored to the seabed and can produce five megawatts of electricity, enough to power 1,400 flats for an entire year.

“The sea is a new frontier for solar to be installed,” said Shawn Tan, vice president for engineering at Singaporean firm Sunseap Group, which completed the project in January.

“We hope that this will set a precedent to have more floating projects in the sea in Singapore and neighboring countries.”

Under development at Tengeh Reservoir is a far bigger project—once completed later this year, the 122,000-panel solar farm will be one of the biggest in Southeast Asia covering an area the size of 45 football pitches.

The project, developed by Sembcorp and the national water agency Public Utilities Board, will generate enough power to meet the energy needs of Singapore’s water treatment plants, said the agency’s senior planner Sharon Zheng.

This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to removing 7,000 cars from the roads.

The solar panels are imported from China, the world’s largest manufacturer of the technology, and anchored to the floor of the reservoir with blocks of concrete.

‘Insufficient’ targets But the maritime hub could even face some space constraints when it comes to floating solar, said Subhod Mhaisalkar, executive director of the Energy Research Institute at the city-state’s Nanyang Technological University.

“Do you use the ocean waters for deploying solar, or do you use it for shipping?” he told AFP. And despite the push for green power, the city-state will struggle to wean itself off a reliance on climate-damaging natural gas, and to cut emissions without impacting its refining and petrochemical sectors.

In addition, projects such as floating solar farms are not enough unless backed up with a greater official commitment to cut emissions, said Red Constantino, executive director of the Philippines-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. AFP

HONG KONG―China’s crackdown in Hong Kong has left Japanese finance firms “very much afraid” and reconsidering whether to remain in the city, a senior banker said Monday in a rare public declaration of concern from within the industry.

Yoshitaka Kitao, chief executive of financial conglomerate SBI Holdings, which runs Japan’s largest online brokerage, told the Financial Times he was planning to pull his company’s operations out of the southern Chinese city, arguing that “without freedom, there is no financial business.”

Other Japanese companies, he told the newspaper, were thinking about doing the same but were less willing to say so openly.

“They are unlike me. I’m a very straightforward guy. But all the others, in their bellies, they think they should move out or won’t invest more in Hong Kong,” Kitao said in an interview published on Monday.

Beijing is struggling to quash dissent in semi-autonomous Hong Kong after huge and sometimes violent prodemocracy demonstrations in 2019.

It has imposed a broad national security law on the city that has criminalized much opposition, and is planning to enact new rules vetting all political candidates for their “patriotism.”

Senior Chinese leaders have also called for “reform” of the city’s independent judiciary, a key component of Hong Kong’s status as a regional business hub.

Many international business figures privately fret their companies could be caught in the crossfire as Beijing and multiple Western nations feud over China’s plans for Hong Kong.

But few have vocalized them so publicly as Kitao, whose company last year had a market capitalization of US$5.9 billion.

In his interview with the newspaper, Kitao said businesses were now questioning whether it made sense to remain in Hong Kong―a city with notoriously high rents―if the business landscape becomes little different from mainland China.AFP

German industrial production unexpectedly sank in January FRANKFURT—German industrial production unexpectedly dropped in January compared to December as semi-conductor shortages and a cold snap impacted output in the automobile and construction sectors.

Analysts said the data raised the possibility that the German economy, Europe’s biggest, could be shrinking again after recovering strongly from the coronavirus pandemic downturn of early last year.

Federal statistics agency Destatis said industrial output declined 2.5 percent in January, well short of short of analyst forecasts for a 0.5 percent increase.

The economy ministry noted that a semiconductor shortage had hit Germany’s vital automobile sector, forcing Volkswagen to halt production for a few days in January.

Meanwhile the construction sector “showed a sharp decline because of unfavorable conditions.”

Temperatures fell to sharply in parts of Germany, bringing heavy snow in a cold snap that gripped Europe’s biggest economy for about a week.

Manila Compared to a year ago—before pandemic restrictions across the Standard TODAY Manila world kicked in—industrial output was down 3.9 percent in January.

Standard Destatis meanwhile revised upwards its December output figure TODAY to show month-on-month growth of 1.9 percent, compared with its initial estimate of no change.

LEGAL NOTICE ING analyst Carsten Brzeski warned that January’s difficulties show “that it will Notice is hereby given to public that an Extrabe hard for industry to prevent the entire the Judicial Settlement has economy from falling into contraction once been executed by the heirs of the late Laureano again.”

B. Faraon. The heirs all of After several months of shutdowns, Ger- legal age, over personal real properties, per many has begun gradually easing restric- and deed executed on 9 February 2021 before tions, with pupils back in school since the Notary Public of Atty. Jason end of February.

G. De Belen in the City of Hairdressers opened last week, and some Quezon City, per Doc. No. 402; Page No 81; Book No. non-essential shops such as flower stores are 218; Series of 2021. due to be allowed to re-open Monday. AFP (MS-MAR. 2, 9/16, 2021)

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

B4

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

IN BRIEF DOTR expedites railway construction

THE Department of Transportation said Monday it is accelerating the construction of the first two segments of the massive NorthSouth Commuter Railway.

“We have a lot of catching up to do with so little time left. People will immediately benefit from this project. That’s why I have been pushing, and pressuring the railway sector really hard to fast-track the construction works in the best way possible,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The NSCR’s first leg, the PNR Clark Phase 1, which runs from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, had an overall progress rate of 43 percent and construction phase rate of 11.78 percent as of January 2021. This was made possible with continuous construction works amid COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

Philippine National Railways general manager Junn Magno said the project would be partially operable by the fourth quarter of 2021. The PNR Clark Phase 1 would reduce travel time between Tutuban and Malolos from 1 hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes and increase railway capacity to 330,000 passengers per day. Darwin G. Amojelar

Cirtek Holdings gets ‘PRS A’ credit rating

SEMICONDUCTOR manufacturer Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. said Monday it obtained a credit rating of PRS A (corp.), with a stable outlook from Philippine Ratings Services Corp.

The rating was assigned in relation of Cirtek’s plan to issue up to P2 billion worth of commercial paper. The CP will be issued from the company’s proposed P6-billion shelf registration program.

A company rated PRS A (corp.) means it has an above average capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to that of other Philippine corporates. The company, however, is somewhat more susceptible to adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions than higher-rated corporates.

The stable outlook means that the rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next 12 months.

Philratings considered the company’s manageable liquidity and capitalization levels and its established track record in the industry in assigning the rating.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

DITO launches commercial operations in Cebu, Davao

By Darwin G. Amojelar

D

ITO Telecommunity Corp., the joint venture of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecom, formally launched on Monday mobile services in the Visayas and Mindanao, its first step to challenge the duopoly PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. “Mission accomplished,” DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said during the virtual commercial launch.

“As we begin our commercial launch, all I can say is that there’s more work to be done and together, we will succeed and make a difference in transforming the landscape of Philippine telecommunications,” he said.

DITO is initially available in 10 key cities in Metro Cebu – Carcar, Cebu

City, Consolacion, Danao, Liloan, Mandaue, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando and Talisay—and five key cities in Metro Davao – Panabo, Tagum, Carmen, Davao City and Digos.

The company plans to commercially roll out mobile services in Metro Manila in the second quarter.

It said that for the “welcome promo” it is offering unlimited data, DITO calls and DITO-to-DITO texts for new subscribers from March 8 to March 31 for

only P199.

DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said the “real competition” entered the country with the commercial launch of DITO. “Before we launch, you see our competitors are already scrambling, lowering prices which we love. We love it that they are doing that, because the reason we enter this market was to compete and it just shows that they could have offered those things a long time ago. I’m glad that they are doing it now,” he said.

DITO promised to offer an Internet speed of 37 megabits per second to 37 percent of the population in its first year of operations and 55 Mbps to 51 percent of the population by the second year.

The company also plans to offer fixed broadband services to the home in the next two years.

Best PH workplaces for 2021 identified

GREAT Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture and the people behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list since 1998, announced the Philippines’ best workplaces for 2021.

GPTW presented the Philippines’ Best Workplaces 2021 through a virtual event on March 3, 2021, with this year’s theme aimed at honoring the heroism of Filipino workers and employers, as the whole country battles through the pandemic.

“Faced with unprecedented circumstances where one could easily falter, it is heartening to witness many companies with leaders who bravely took the stand to put their people first. It is no surprise that in these organizations, amidst the economic uncertainties, mental and social stresses, their employees did whatever it require of them to rebuild their operations, serve their customers, support their co-workers, and to keep their businesses going,” said GPTW Philippines’ managing partner Antoniette Talosig.

DHL Express Philippines emerged as this year’s top performer, with 98 percent of its employees saying it is a great workplace.

Synchrony Global Services Philippines, a subsidiary company that manages Synchrony Financial’s call center operations, ranked second with 95 percent, followed by Canva Philippines with 94 percent.

The other winners from fourth to tenth places are S&P Global, American Express, Atlassian, Paypal, Ericsson, Ingram Micro and Western Union AROC.

FREE WI-FI. The Department of Information and Communications Technology-Mindanao Cluster 1 activates new free Wi-Fi hotspots in the remote provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. This is the first time that locations in Sulu were connected to the program.

As of March 3, the DICT has launched 8,145 sites in various national government agencies, hospitals, public schools, state universities and colleges, airports and terminals and other public places nationwide. DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II says the agency’s priority is to establish free Wi-Fi sites in as many public offices and areas in the country as possible.

PEZA investigates two cigarette companies without BIR permits

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority said Monday it is investigating two registered enterprises engaged in manufacturing cigarettes that were found to be non-compliant with the Bureau of Internal Revenue requirements.

PEZA confirmed the BIR recently raided cigarette manufacturers and exporters GB-BEM and GB Global for operating without the required BIR registration and other permits in cigarette production.

The case was also under parallel investigations by the BIR and the House committee on ways and means.

PEZA said it withheld import ship-

ments of these enterprises until a writ of preliminary injunction was issued by the courts.

PEZA said it would apply its own rules and regulations on penalties applicable to these enterprises based on the results of its own investigation which is distinct and different from penalties the BIR may impose on these enterprises.

PEZA Director-General Charito Plaza said that to protect government interests and ensure ecozone locators’ compliance, the agency would hold talks within the week with BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay, together with Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko, the representative of the Department of Finance in the PEZA

board.

Plaza said the discussions would strengthen PEZA’s assistance to BIR in monitoring and compliance requirements by integrating into PEZA systems BIR requirements that were not yet part of PEZA’s processes, like the case of export enterprises engaged in manufacturing cigarettes and tobacco products that are exporting 100 percent of their production.

Plaza said they also initiated talks with Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to strengthen collaboration between PEZA and BOC and to resolve other concerns in relation to the movement of goods of PEZA enterprises and other BOC requirements.

AC Energy signs agreements to divest $453-m stake in Kauswagan coal plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores AC ENERGY and Infrastructure Corp. said Monday it signed agreements to transfer its stake in the 545-megawatt Kauswagan coal plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte to its partners for $453.243 million.

Ayala Corp., the parent company of AC Energy, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange AC Energy signed a divestment agreement to transfer its entire indirect ownership interest in the 4x135-MW coal-fired GNPower Kauswagan project in favor of Power Partners Ltd. Co. and affiliated companies.

Power Partners is AC Energy’s developer-partner in the GNPK Project.

The transfer will be implemented in tranches with the purchase price to be paid on a deferred basis.

“The transfer of AC Energy’s interest in the GNPK Project is part of AC Energy’s plan to rebalance its generation portfolio as it aims to grow its renewable energy assets with a target of achieving at least 5

gigawatts (5,000 MW) of attributable renewable energy capacity by 2025,” Ayala said.

It said the transfer would be implemented through the acquisition

by Power Partners and its affiliates of AC Energy’s own partnership interests in Kauswagan Power Holding Ltd. Co., the majority limited partner in GNPK. The offshore holding companies are currently being restructured.

The parties set the base selling price at $453,242,959.15 subject to agreed adjustment, which will be paid on a deferred basis.

The approval by the Philippine Competition Commission and project lenders were already achieved, while the completion of the restructuring of AC Energy’s ownership interest in the GNPK project was ongoing, according to Ayala.

AC Energy will also sell the project site to PMR Group Retirement Plan Inc., the retirement company affiliated with the GNPower companies for $15.9 million.

PSE INDEX

Monday, March 8, 2021

-124.45 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

6,756.92

7,201,637,983 202,562 9,852,243,094.54 38 201 29

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5990

Japan

Yen

0.009228

0.4485

UK

Pound

1.381700

67.1492

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128801

6.2596

Switzerland

Franc

1.075963

52.2907

Canada

Dollar

0.790264

38.4060

Singapore

Dollar

0.745212

36.2166

Australia

Dollar

0.768900

37.3678

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652168

128.8927

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266574

12.9552

Brunei

Dollar

0.742446

36.0821

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032787

1.5934

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.2318

Euro

Euro

1.192100

57.9349

Korea

Won

0.000886

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.153929

7.4808

India

Rupee

0.013665

0.6641

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.245580

11.9349

New Zealand

Dollar

0.716000

34.7969

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035803

1.7400 Source: BSP

Bloomberry incurs P8.3-b loss as casino sales fall 62%

By Jenniffer B. Austria BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp., the owner and operator of Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City, said Monday it incurred a net loss of P8.3 billion in 2020, a turnaround from the P9.9-billion net income it posted in 2019 as gaming operations were severely impacted by the pandemic.

Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange total gross gaming revenue at Solaire declined 62 percent last year to P22.6 billion from P59.8 billion in 2019.

Solaire’s casino and hotel operations were temporary suspended between March 16, 2020 and June 15, 2020. The company said that since mid-June, Solaire was operating at limited capacity across its gaming, hotel, F&B and retail businesses and was catering to long-stay hotel guests and select invitees.

Casino operations under Jeju Sun in South Korea were closed on March 21, 2020.

“I am encouraged by our performance in the final quarter of 2020, particularly as we saw domestic mass gaming revenues increase by 75 percent compared to the previous quarter and EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] hitting positive territory,” Bloomberry chairman and chief executive Enrique Razon Jr. said.

“Our recovery is well underway.

We look forward to a more meaningful improvement in 2021 should we see further easing of domestic quarantine restrictions and the eventual resumption of travel and tourism across our key markets,” Razon said.

Consolidated non-gaming revenues reached P3.7 billion in 2020, down by 55 percent from P8.2 billion it generated in the previous year.

Bloomberry said total GGR at Solaire reached P5.3 billion in the fourth quarter, a 63-percent decline from P14.5 billion a year earlier. It said, however, that GGR recorded a 22-percent improvement from P4.4 billion in the third quarter as domestic patron confidence improved and quarantine restrictions were mildly eased in October.

PRU LIFE UK EXPANSION.Now

in its 25th year in the Philippines, life insurer Pru Life UK is still going strong, expanding its footprint and opening more general agency offices to fulfill its promise to help one million Filipinos live healthier and wealthier lives. Attending the opening of Double Dragon Life Insurance Agency Inc. in Pasig City are (from left) unit manager Ardie Espiritu, unit manager Gerard Ortile, general agency president Charisma Buan, unit manager Angelou Dela Cruz and branch manager Arlene Gerona.

Aboitiz Group’s income slipped 30% to P15.4b in 2020 amid pandemic ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. said Monday it posted net income of P15.4 billion in 2020, down 30 percent from a P22-billion profit it generated in 2019.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it recognized nonrecurring losses of P477 million last year against P516 million in non-recurring gains in 2019.

It said that without these one-off losses, AEV’s core net income in 2020

reached P15.9 billion, 26 percent lower than P21.5 billion in 2019.

“In 2020, the Aboitiz Group, like all other business organizations in our country, faced not only the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the normal run-of-mill issues that normal times bring. Through the many uncertainties, our business units stayed focused on ensuring we deliver uninterrupted vital

services to our customers and communities,” Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz said.

AEV recorded a consolidated net income of P7.1 billion in the fourth quarter, up 13 percent from P6.3 billion a year earlier.

Core net income in the fourth quarter reached P7.6 billion, up 34 percent increase year-on-year.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Giannis named MVP as Team LeBron wins All-Star Game ATLANTA—Damian Lillard nailed a game-ending three pointer from just inside half court as LeBron James improved to 4-0 as an NBA All-Star Game captain with a 170-150 win over Team Durant on Sunday night.

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo captured the Kobe Bryant MVP Award going a perfect 16of-16 from the field for a game high 35 points in Atlanta.

“It’s fun. I was happy,” said Antetokounmpo. “I just love being around great players. It makes it easier to play with them.”

Antetokounmpo’s 16-for-16 game easily eclipsed the previous All-Star record of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Hal Greer, who went eight-of-eight in 1968. Antetokounmpo also made all three of his three point attempts.

James improved to 4-0 in All-Star games he has served as a team captain. He finished with four points in just 13 minutes of playing time.

“I always try to pick the right team, and I’ve been lucky enough for four years to pick the right team,” James said. “Guys go out and compete and play to win. I’ve been on the winning side of all four.”

James’ participation in the annual showcase was at one time in doubt.

Last month James slammed the NBA for holding the contest during the global pandemic calling it a “slap in the face.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver responded to the criticism from James and others at a weekend news conference, saying the players he spoke to this week were in favor of holding the contest.

“It would have been a bigger deal not to have it,” Silver said. “I know that some players have made public comments suggesting they’d rather not be at All-Star. Many have told me directly they’re thrilled to be All-Stars.

“It should be judged, when people are looking back, as to what this meant to them as opposed to what some of the initial reactions were from the players.”

Antetokounmpo becomes just the second winner of the MVP award named in honour of Bryant who died in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Angeles in January 2020. Kawhi Leonard was the first recipient at last year’s All-Star Game in Chicago.

The 70th All-Star Game had a different feel to it because there were no fans in the arena due to the global pandemic.

But that didn’t stop the players from putting on a show at the State Farm Arena including a healthy dose of dunks, alley-oops, behind the back passes and long-range threes like the one by Lillard, who finished with 32 points. AFP

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

C1

Giannis Antetokounmpo 34 of Team James and Jayson Tatum of Team Durant battle for the ball during the second half in the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Milwaukee Bucks star was eventually named MVP of the game. Inset shows three-point shootout champ Stephen Curry and slam-dunk king Anfernee Simons. AFP

Clark open to prospect of hosting Fiba tilt for PH

By Peter Atencio

A

FTER two cancellations, the Philippines is once again getting ready to host the 2021 Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window in Clark, Pampanga.

Clark Development Corporation chief Vince Dizon is open to the prospect of having it in the province of Pampanga.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said that they have gotten a positive response from the CDC. The SBP is now into talks with the CDC on having four of the five group stages of the FIBA-Asia Cup qualifiers hosted again by the Philippines.

If it happens, it will most like be from

June 14 to 20.

“SBP is reaching out to them (CDC).

And we’re glad that they are still okay with it after two postponements,” said Barrios.

Last February, FIBA postponed the entire third window of the Asian Basketball Qualifiers after the Qatari government reimposed a series of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Most of the qualifiers from Group A, B, C and E were supposed to be held in the State of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Qatar,

Syria, Iran have likewise been affected by the postponement.

The restrictions implemented by the Qatari and Philippine authorities to prevent a surge in COVID-19 infections were the primary reason for the postponement.

Last January, travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government forced organizers to cancel the staging of cagefest, set from Feb. 18 to 21, in Clark, Pampanga.

The winners of the qualifers will clinch slots to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup that will be held in Indonesia in August.

Approval from Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the staging of the window is now being sought by the SBP.

Obiena credits Petrov, Italy training for growth SPENDING extra hours during the holidays to train and prepare for the indoor season in Europe worked wonders for Tokyo Olympic-bound Ernest John Obiena.

Away from the Philippines for around 15 months, Obiena said the sacrifices he and his coach Vitaly Petrov made were worth it.

Doing his routines on Christmas eve and the day before New Year, gave Obiena the needed time to improve on his ability of clearing higher heights.

“I have never been a good athlete in indoor meets.

But my coach pulled all the strings he made,” said Obiena in an online huddle on Zoom during the weekly program, “Power & Play.”

The time spent training away from the Philippines has given the 25-year-old Obiena a chance to become the best version of himself.

“It worked and credit goes to him (Petrov),” added Obiena.

The 83-year-old Petrov, who has coached pole vaulting greats and world champions like Sergey Bubka, Yelena Isinbayeva and Giuseppe Gibilisco, showed a lot of passion in helping him improve his craft.

“So I look back at it in a way that it has given me time to be stronger, faster and be a better athlete by the time the Olympics come. And I think that the best perspective for me is to focus,” said Obiena.

The pole vaulter said he has never gone this far in indoor competitions, more than two weeks after almost breaking the national record again.

Last Feb. 17 in the men’s pole vault event of the Copernicus Cup 2021 indoor athletics meet in Torun Poland, Obiena tried to reach the height of 5.87 me-

Ernest John Obiena: Becoming best version of himself

ters, which was one millimeter higher than his gold medal-winning effort of 5.86.

Obiena eventually settled for the bronze medal in another showdown with world champion Sam Kendricks of the United States and seasoned veteran Piotr Lisek of Poland.

“As for 2020, it was impossible. I really wanted to be in the Olympics, and I needed to do the sacrifices that I needed to do,” added Obiena.

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

Kendricks, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, collected the gold medal after clearing the elevation in one try, while Lisek, who had podium finishes in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 World Championships, also cleared 5.8 meters to settle for the silver.

Obiena said being in Europe for a long period of time has made him think of coming back to the Philippines and be with his family.

But that will have to wait for now, since travel restrictions imposed by many countries during the ongoing coronavirus has made his plans to go home difficult.

Obiena, who won his second podium finish in a week since the Torun meet, will now get ready for the outdoor meets in Europe, which start within the next two months.

He is now back in Formia, Italy, where Obiena trains under Petrov and with Rio Olympics gold medallist Thiago Braz, who is from Brazil.

In the initial days of the lockdown in Italy, Obiena said he was not able to leave his place of residence for around 45 days.

That was the time when he needed to do his workouts in the home of Braz, who gladly welcomed him in.

“Good thing my friend Thiago has a big house. So I was training in his backyard. So we’re not doing anything that would violate the restrictions that was set by the Italian government,” recalled Obiena.

Obiena is now using a new pole when he broke the national record for the second time in Torun, since clearing a height of 5.86 meters to earn the silver medal during the Orlen Cup 2021 Indoor Athletics meeting.

That performance was regarded as the best that was done by an Asian athlete in the trackfest’s 88-year history when action ended at the Atlas Arena in Łódź, Poland. Peter Atencio

Alido upbeat as PGT Eagle Ridge begins THE men and women of the tour set out for the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge beginning today (Tuesday) at the Aoki course, hopeful to shrug off any trickledown effect on their rhythm coming off a long layoff for a stab at glory in Philippine Golf Tour’s return to the mainstream.

But nobody comes into the PGT event with as much conf idence and poise as the young Ira Alido, who broke at least a couple of failed bids by dominating the elite Miguel Tabuena field by nine for his breakthrough victory at Riviera last December.

“I think my advantage is I’m playing with a high level of confidence,” said Alido, who nevertheless remains wary of the field beefed up by the presence of three Del Monte aces, who missed the Tour’s return after an eight-month hiatus due to pandemic at Riviera due to quarantine restrictions.

Clyde Mondilla and Frankie Miñoza, both former Philippine Open champions, and Reymon Jaraula, who annexed his first PGT win at Pueblo de Oro in 2019, join the chase for top honors in the P2 million event which also features the likes of Angelo Que and Miguel Tabuena, also both former Phl Open titlists, and multi-titled Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Jobim Carlos, Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador along with young guns Justin Quiban, James Ryan Lam, Fidel Concepcion and Keanu Jahns.

Focus will also be on the LPGT title chase with Princess Superal and Pauline del Rosario bracing for another face-off and the likes of debuting pro Harmie Constantino, Daniella Uy, Chanelle Avaricio, Marvi Monsalve, Gretchen Villacencio, Pamela Mariano, Sunshine Baraquiel and former three-time Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodrigiuez raring to fuel their respective bids in the 54-hole championship coming off a three-month break.

“We’re all a bit rusty but it’s nice to be playing at home again,” said Tabuena, who tied for seventh and 11th in the two Riviera events. “It will be hard because we have not played tournament golf for quite sometime but it’s the same for everyone.

So I guess that if I just play my best at the end of the week, I’ll have a chance.”

Alido faces an early test as he drew Que in the 7:50 a.m. flight on No. 1 with Rupert Zaragosa behind Lascuña’s group composed of Bayron and Quiban while Tabuena takes on Jaraula and Jahns in next group at 8 a.m.

Cone shares Coach of Year award with Robinson

Shown here are (from left) Ginebra coach Tim Cone, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, chairman Ricky Vargas and SMB coach Leo Austria.

BARANGAY Ginebra mentor Tim Cone was gracious enough to share the Outstanding PBA Coach of the Bubble trophy to a person he thought was just as deserving.

The most accomplished coach in league history acknowledged Phoenix counterpart Topex Robinson for the way he whipped the Fuel Masters into a competitive team in so short a time during the Philippine Cup bubble.

Phoenix was the second seeded team going to the playoffs behind Barangay Ginebra, and fell just short of making the finals for the first time in franchise history when it lost to TNT Tropang Giga in their do-or-die Game 5 during the semifinals.

“He did such a tremendous job in the bubble coaching. So I just want to acknowledge him and

share this award with him and that’s Topex Robinson,” said Cone in his acceptance speech during the PBA Press Corps virtual Awards Night Sunday at the TV5 Media Center. “Topex did a tremendous job with his team as well, so Topex this one is for you as well. All the best.”

The Kings eventually beat the Tropang Giga in five games during the best-of-seven finals to win the first ever bubble championship of the league.

But despite his team’s success, Cone thought Robinson would win the special award given out by the group which covers the PBA beat.

“I thought he was going to win the award.

I’m quite surprised to win (the award) because Topex took on a team, integrated (Calvin) Abueva, and did so many good things and went

all the way to the end. They just lost out in the last few minutes of that TNT series,” said the Ginebra coach during the awards proceedings presented by Cignal TV. Cone was among the few honorees who personally received their awards, along with 2019 Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year Leo Austria of San Miguel Beer, 2019 Danny Floro Executive of the Year Board Chairman Ricky Vargas, and Commissioner Willie Marcial, who was the recipient of the Mr. Executive title.

Austria also credited San Miguel’s success during the 44th to all his players after coming short of clinching a rare grand slam following their success in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.

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Sports

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

IOC to reinstall Bach as Olympic chief L

AUSANNE, Switzerland—Thomas Bach will be re-elected unopposed for a second term as Olympic chief this week, just five months before the opening ceremony of the coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Games and less than a year from the increasingly scrutinized 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The 67-year-old German’s second mandate as president of the International Olympic Committee promises to be as eventful, or turbulent, as his first.

The most pressing agenda item at the start of his new four-year term, after an opening eight years that saw him deal with, among other things, the problemladen 2014 Sochi and 2016 Rio Games, state-sponsored Russian doping and the deadly wave of coronavirus, is the Tokyo Olympics.

The IOC took the decision to postpone the 2020 Games for a year to July 23-August 8 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The question is now how they will go ahead.

Bach, who won Olympic fencing gold for West Germany in the team foil in 1976 and has been an International Olympic Committee member since 1991, should have been reinstalled as IOC president in the Greek capital Athens which was the site of the first Modern Olympics in 1896.

But the COVID-19 pandemic quickly put paid to that.

The 137th IOC Session will instead take place with Bach at Lausanne headquarters and members connecting through video-conferencing from Wednesday to Friday, with the executive board meeting Monday seen as preparation for the main event.

Before reinstalling Bach, the executive board is scheduled to receive updates on the activities of the IOC administration and reports from the Organising Committees for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Among them will be the “Agenda 2020”, which has sought to streamline the candidacy process for bidding Olym-

pic cities in a bid to cut costs.

It saw Paris granted the 2024 Olympics and Los Angeles the 2028 Games back in 2017, and the IOC last month accorded preferred candidate status accorded to Brisbane for 2032.

What most eyes will be on, however, is Tokyo. There still lies a degree of unpredictability.

A cancellation of the Tokyo Games is

not out of the realms of imagination despite the race to contain the coronavirus and press ahead with a Games contained in a bio-secure bubble.

Bach has been at pains to reiterate that the IOC remains committed to holding a “successful and safe” Tokyo Games this year, dismissing cancellation talk as “speculation”.

Overseas spectators, however, are likely to be shut out, Japanese media reported last week after organizers said that public safety would be the “top priority” at the Games.

The Japanese government, Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo 2020 organizing committee are leaning towards holding the massive event in front of a domestic audience only, the Yomiuri Shim-

bun and other outlets said.

Officials fear that an influx of visitors from abroad will endanger the Japanese public, with Tokyo currently under a COVID-19 state of emergency that limits capacity at sporting events to 5,000.

Columnist David Owen of the respected insidethegames.biz website called Bach “an unlucky president” of the IOC. “It is sobering to reflect that, having completed a full term, he has still to preside over a truly unblemished Games—and given the darkening political shadows hanging over Beijing, Paris 2024 might represent his final chance to do so,” Owen said in reference to threats to boycott the 2022 Winter Games over alleged human rights abuses by the Chinese government. AFP

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach attends a press conference in Lausanne. AFP

Federer: Retirement never on cards

DOHA—Roger Federer said retirement was never an option during his battle with injury, insisting Sunday the recovery from knee surgery was “completely under control” ahead of his return to competitive tennis at this week’s Qatar Open.

The 39-year-old hasn’t played a match since a semifinal defeat by Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January 2020 and acknowledged it was unusual for a player of his age to return after injury.

“I know it’s on the rare side for a 40-year-old to come back after a year out,” he said at a media briefing in the Qatari capital Doha.

“I feel there is still something—retirement was never really on the cards.”

Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, added: “The important thing is I’m pain free and injury free.

“I’m very happy to be back playing a tournament—I never thought it was going to take this long.”

While he was out of action, he saw Rafael Nadal equal his record of 20 Grand Slam titles with a 13th Roland Garros triumph.

Djokovic, meanwhile, captured a ninth Australian Open last month, to take his career Slam tally to 18.

On his rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic, who on Monday will overtake his record of 310 weeks as world number one, Federer said “it’s a great debate to have”.

“I think what Novak and Rafa have done of late is extraordinary—they’re not 25 either,” he said with a smile.

“Novak did it in Australia, Rafa did it at the French —they seem at their peak which is great for tennis and for the debate.

“My concern is my own health, my own game (more) than the record.

“The guys are unreal, I hope they keep on going and

Switzerland’s Roger Federer plays a return to Spain’s Rafael Nadal during their tennis match at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town. The defending champion Roger Federer has withdrawn from this month’s Miami Open as he works his way back to full fitness following surgeries to repair his right knee, US media reported on March 1, 2021. The 39-year-old Swiss star, who has not played since losing in the semi-finals of last year’s Australian Open, is due to make his return from a year-long layoff at the Qatar Open in Doha next week.

can do everything they possibly want—you want to leave the game with no regrets, and in that respect we all sleep very well at night.”

‘100 percent for Wimbledon’ Federer said that while “expectations are really low” for his campaign in Qatar, he hoped to surprise himself.

“Obviously I’m confident otherwise I wouldn’t put myself in this situation,” he said ahead of his first match which will be on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

His opponent will be either Britain’s Dan Evans, who has trained with Federer at his Swiss base, or French veteran Jeremy Chardy.

“In a vision I see myself with the trophy,” he said.

Federer, who has 103 career titles to be just six back from Jimmy Connors’ record, said that the complications that followed his two knee surgeries motivated him to get back in form.

“What I knew is regardless of whether I came back or not, for my life I wanted to do this rehab anyhow,” he said.

“I feel there is still something—retirement was never really on the cards. I don’t mind doing rehab.”

Federer will turn 40 in August and said that he was hoping to be back to “100 percent” for Wimbledon in June but had not taken decisions on tournaments before then or the Tokyo Olympics.

Federer is an eight-time Wimbledon winner but has yet to win a singles gold at the Olympics.

“It’s still building up to being fitter, better, faster,” he said.

“I’ll see about Dubai (the week after Doha)... then we’ll see about the clay court season.”

Federer said that while he was disappointed not to be returning to a full house because of Qatar’s strict coronavirus containment measures, he was happy to have some fans.

“I’m just happy I’m playing again and excited to experience how it will feel,” he said. AFP

Wushu colleges association moves forward

By Graham C. Lim A YEAR ago, wushu athletes came up with a new organization that was called the Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association.

The top officials of the organization were inducted into office by the City Mayor of Manila, Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso. The official oath-taking of the members of the PWCCA Board of Directors, who were inducted into office were Benson L. Ong, a businessman-philanthropist, as association president; Gladys Carrascoso Sia, vice president; Sean Elijah Wico Siy, Secretary General; Abigail Faniega, Treasurer; and Sherwin John Bromajon, Czarina Joy Hagos, Jomar Balangui, and Edmundo ‘Eddie’ Ang, Directors.

The PWCCA Board of Directors were likewise recognized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, led by its president Angel Ngu and FESSAP Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian on February 12, 2020, during the annual FESSAP Board

PWCCA officials with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno are show here. They are (from left) Eddie Ang, FESSAP’s Cecille Sarmiento, Benson Ong, (Mayor Moreno), Sherwin John Bromajon, Gladys Sia, Abigail Faniega, and Czarina Joy Hagos. (Sean Elijah Siy, PWCCA Secretary general not in photo).

of Trustees meeting held in Manila.

Looking back, Ong had tasked Sia, Faniega, and Siy to recruit outstanding high school athletes in preparation for the PWCCA’s participation in the 18th Gymnasiade 2020 in Jinjiang China, also known as the 18th World School Summer Games.

Unfortunately, the games were postponed due to the pandemic. They have been moved to October this year.

The first Qualifying tournament staged by the PWCCA was the 1st Youth Open Wushu

Tournament on February 15, 2020. It was held at the Philippine National Police facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City with the approval of Police Brigadier General MANUEL M. ABU, Director HSS in Camp Crame, and supported by PNP PSSG Abul Khair Bayabao, the skipper of the PNP basketball team. Serving as the PNP sports coordinator, Bayabao was instrumental for the free use of their gymnasium during the tournament.

Among the international events that were postponed due to the pandemic in-

cluded the qualifiers for the 20th ASEAN University Games in June 2020 in Thailand, and the Chengdu Universiade Games 2021 in China.

But the PWCCA is learning new ways to do sports amidst the global crisis. There are online activities organized by the organization to boost the morale of the athletes and strengthen the bond among them by way of doing workouts or any activity that can contribute to a healthy life and boost their immune system in the fight against COVID-19.

For instance, the PWCCA conducted a Video Activity Challenge entitled “Pass the Shoe Challenge” where all the athletes around the Philippines took part.

Many athletes submitted their own short wushu video clips, show a glimpse of their routine training and ending the program with the passing of the shoe.

Another activity was the celebration of the International Day of the University Sports or the so called ‘IDUS’ whereby the PWCCA joined forces with athletes from other sports like Athletics, Archery, and Table Tennis in preparation for the New Normal. An online program came up with a short video clip on how to outfit their respective sports in celebration of the “IDUS”. It encouraged student-athletes to take part in the future global university games.

Edison Oribiana

Painters clarify role of consultant Garcia

RAIN or Shine management has clarified that newly-installed head coach Chris Gavina will be the one drawing plays and barking instructions for the Elasto Painters after erstwhile mentor Caloy Garcia took the opportunity to be part of the Philippine men’s basketball training team program.

In an effort to paint a clearer picture of their respective roles, ROS Alternate Governor Edison Oribiana said Gavina will take care of the “micro” management of the team while Garcia, who was named active consultant, will do the “macro” management since he will also be spending time in the training and actual competition of the PH team.

Apart from the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers in Serbia, 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers that is slated in Clark, Pampanga this June and the 2022 Asian Games in Zhejiang China, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is preparing the PH team for the country’s co-hosting of the 2023 World Cup. “It means he will have less time to personally supervise the training and development of his mother team and with the unpredictable schedule of the tournaments there will be conflicts even with actual games of the PBA. We can’t tell him to just politely beg off because we are also an ardent supporter of our National Team ever since,” said Oribiana.

“The designation of Coach Caloy was deliberated thoroughly by upper management. His mandate is very clear, he will take care of the “macro” management of the team or the big picture,” the management said.

Under the new set up, Garcia can only advise and the “real decision making” rests on the head coach.

“Being the Head of Basketball Operations and an Active Consultant does not mean he reports to himself. He reports to the Team Governor and the Team Owners,” the management added.

The ROS franchise is owned by the families of Raymund Yu and Terry Que.

Canlas to talk about sports science, success THE Philippine Sports Commission highlights sports science as the key to sports success in session 6 of the National Sports Summit 2021 with sole Filipino member of the International Basketball Federation’s Medical Commission, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas on Thursday.

The top-notch surgeon, who has been a part of FIBA since 1998, leads the 6th session of the online sports conference tackling the fundamental role of sports science in harnessing elite talent and potential of the athletes.

Dr. Canlas is a decorated doctor in the field of orthopedics as he served for consecutive editions of the World Cup as part of its medical team. He also currently heads the United Philippine Surfing Association, the national sporting body for surfing.

“We are very honored to have a world-class Filipino doctor impart knowledge to our participating athletes, coaches, sports educators, and local government units, in this area (sports science) where we have a lot to develop as a sporting nation,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

The second batch of the National Sports Summit 2021 focuses on sports science-related topics with more than 900 confirmed registrants joining the 5th session last March 4, which tackled clean and fair play efforts in the country by Philippine National AntiDoping Organization president Dr. Alejandro Pineda.

Entertainment YES, we already feel the heat!

Another ALWIN s u m m e r IGNACIO scorcher season is upon us. To add more sizzle to our dry spell days are two game shows namely The Wall Philippines and 1000 Heartbeats - Pintig Pinoy,, produced by VIVA Entertainment, with two fine gentlemen playing as its game masters, the seasoned game host Billy Crawford and the fresh prince in the game show hosting block, Xian Lim. The Wall Philippines premieres on Saturday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. on TV5 while 1000 Heartbeats - Pintig Pinoy airs its pilot episode the succeeding week, on Sunday, March 21, 8:00 Viva Entertainment taps Billy Crawford and Xian Lim to p.m..Read full story on manilastandard.net host its latest television game shows.

ARIAS

A

Viewers of TV5 are now able to enjoy the compelling stories, quality production, world-class talent, and positive Filipino values showcased in the four Kapamilya shows from Monday to Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, a favorite in Filipino households since 2015, will not end in April 2021, contrary to a media report. The program will continue to serve our loyal viewers with engaging and action-packed episodes that highlight love for family, nation, and God as they follow the story of Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin).

Meanwhile, social media-trending teleserye and most-watched show on iWantTFC Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin, which is now on its last two weeks, and the starstudded family drama series Walang Hanggang Paalam, have captivated many viewers since 2020.

TV5 also shows the exciting final week of PBB Connect starting yesterday until the Big Night on Sunday (Mar 14), after weeks of bringing real drama and life lessons to viewers through the challenges given by Big Brother to his housemates.

Through this arrangement with Cignal and TV5, ABS-CBN Entertainment are able to bring its programs through TV5’s nationwide reach.

“We welcome the inclusion of ABS-

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

C3

Albert Martinez returns to GMA

Games of the gentlemen

BS-CBN Entertainment, Cignal, and TV5 have joined forces to bring the best content to more Filipinos with the airing of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin, Walang Hanggang Paalam, and Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Connect on TV5.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

SEASONED actor Albert Martinez is set to star in Las Hermanas, a drama series to be fielded in the afternoon block of GMA7. The soap is Albert’s first JOSEPH PETER GONZALES project in the network after more than a decade.

Las Hermanas was actually included in the Kapuso’s omnibus plug for its 2021 offerings. And we learned that Albert had recently attended a Zoom meeting together with the creative team and production staff of the upcoming show. Details as to the award-winning actor’s role and co-stars are yet to be announced.

To refresh your memory, it was actually with GMA where Albert made his maiden soap as the late Julie Vega’s ’s leading man in Anna Liza,, which was very popular during its peak. As the new millennium ushered in, the Kapuso network produced a string of unforgettable and hit drama series where the veteran acting stalwart was included.

These were: Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, Habang Kapiling Ka, and Twin Hearts. Read full story on manilastandard.net

SHTICKS

Seasoned actor Albert Martinez

‘ANG PROBINSYANO’

Meghan Markle: from TV not ending in April; airs actress to royal duchess

on TV5 with three other Kapamilya shows

BEHIND THE SCENES. Coco Martin helping co-star Jane de Leon prepare for her scene in ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.’

The hosts of PBB’s latest edition

CBN entertainment shows in our roster of programs. We believe that this content deal will benefit Filipino viewers across the country because of TV5’s extensive coverage,” said Robert P. Galang, Cignal and TV5 President and CEO. FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin, Walang Hanggang Paalam, and PBB Connect are the latest ABSCBN Entertainment shows to be aired on TV5, following the simulcast of ASAP Natin ‘To and FPJ: Da King every Sunday since Jan. 24.

FORMER television actress Meghan Markle has experienced remarkable highs and lows during a tumultuous period in which she married into royalty and became a mother before souring on life in Britain and returning to the United States.

The 39-year-old Meghan shot to global stardom with her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017 and their fairytale wedding six months later.

She gave birth to their son, Archie, in 2019.

While initially hailed as a breath of fresh air for the stuffy royal family, it gradually became clear she was struggling to cope with the strictures and scrutiny of royal life in Britain.

The couple announced they wanted to step back from their frontline duties at the start of 2020, then permanently relocated to Los Angeles in a move dubbed “Megxit”.

She and Harry have since signed exclusive deals with streaming giants Spotify and Netflix, which recently launched the latest series of its hit series The Crown, focusing on Diana.

They have launched a non-profit, which they say focuses on compassionate community building.

Meghan also wrote a frank piece in The New York Times in November last year about having a miscarriage after Archie’s birth. But on Valentine’s Day this year, the couple released a relaxedlooking picture to announce they are expecting another child.

The couple -- rarely seen apart -have sought the limelight on their own terms, while fighting for their right to privacy.

Last month, Meghan won a court victory against Associated Newspapers, which owns the Daily Mail, after it published a letter she wrote to her estranged father without her permission.

But beyond a slew of court cases, it is an escalating war of words between the couple and the royal family that has gripped attention -- closing the door for good on any possible return.

Buckingham Palace announced in February that they had permanently quit royal life and would lose honorary appointments and patronages.

Ancestors, royals and slaves Rachel Meghan Markle was born in Los Angeles in 1981 to Thomas Markle, a white, Emmy Award-winning TV lighting director, and Doria Ragland, a black social worker and yoga instructor.

On her mother’s side, her ancestors were slaves on cotton plantations in Georgia. Her mother’s surname is taken from a slave owner.

Meghan’s parents separated when she was two and divorced five years later.

She is now estranged from her father and his other children, her older halfsister and half-brother.

Before her May 2018 wedding, her father took part in staged paparazzi photos, then suffered chest pains and needed heart surgery, causing him to miss her big day.

His leak to the press of a handwritten letter from Meghan pleading with him to stop feeding journalists stories seems to have irreparably damaged their relationship.

Meghan spoke of her “very real sadness” after winning a privacy claim over its publication.

She went to a private Catholic girls’ school where she is remembered for her strong sense of right and wrong. She went on to study theatre and international relations at university. AFP

Celebrating all women this March THIS month, food and grocery app PICK.A.ROO is celebrating International Women’s Month by paying tribute to empowered, strong, fierce, and inspirational women.

With Crystal Gonzalez at its helm as the company CEO, PICK.A.ROO aims to enable more women to be more: more productive, more present, more mindful, and more passionate. All of this through “the app made for every woman.”

With its initiative “We Are Women #WeAreMore,” the app is featuring female leaders and visionaries behind some of the app’s women-led partner brands, to inspire all women to pursue their passions, persevere, be heard, be proud, and be authentic in every way.

This campaign trains the spotlight on women who are figures of hard work, dedication, and success, which include: Mary Grace Dimacali (Mary Grace), Anne Gonzalez (Havaianas), Abba Napa (The Moment Group), Sonja Ocampo (Cupcakes by Sonja), Pam Solilapsi-Guerrero (Boozy), Lorina Tan (Tiny Buds), Anna Liza Vergara (Sheraton), and Hannah Yulo (MerryMart).

Through this initiative, the company is also working hand in hand with DTI’s Ga-

wang Pinay campaign, which gives local women-led and women-owned businesses, as well as those with predominantly female employees, various market opportunities.

To kick things off, first time PICK.A.ROO users can use the code WEAREMORE20 to get 20 percent off their first orders. Minimum spend of P500, maximum discount of P200. Valid until March 31.

PICK.A.ROO is more than just a food and grocery app; busy women can easily shop for all their needs and wants, from over 800 trusted brands. All kinds of essentials are conveniently available, such as groceries, food, medicine, office supplies, gadgets, home and kitchen needs, hardware, self-care, and mommy and baby essentials. Some brands that PICK.A.ROO’s female users love include: Dyson, Gourdo’s, Mustela, and Beyond the Box. PICK.A.ROO users can shop from all the best brands from various categories, check out in one go, and have everything delivered in just one hour!

For all the multi-taskers, the app has been updated with so many cool new features, so everyone can make the most out of their shopping experience. A new

homepage, improved search function, multiple saved credit cards, multiple delivery addresses, and even the ability to order by those abroad who wish to send PICK.A.ROO goodies to their loved ones in the Philippines! Each PICK.A.ROO user is given a referral code which, when successfully used, will give users special vouchers that can be used on future orders.

Customers have the choice of how they wish to be in contact with their shopper and rider, whether Viber, Whatsapp, SMS, or call. A live chat function allows customers to speak directly, and in real-time, to a customer service representative, for any questions and concerns regarding orders.

Of its vast selection of establishments, PICK.A.ROO has recently partnered with even more trusted brands, such as Marks & Spencer, All Day Supermarket, Power Mac, Aura Athletica, Mia Maison, Karat World, and Office Warehouse, with even more new brands added on a weekly basis.

Currently, PICK.A.ROO is available in 21 key cities.

Download PICK.A.ROO on Play Store / Google Play (for Android) and App Store ( for iOS): www.pickaroo.com/ download. Visit www.pickaroo.com for more information.

Lifestyle app PICK.A.ROO trains the spotlight on women who are figures of hard work, dedication, and success with its new campaign running for the whole month of March.

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

Stressed?

Listen to Tibetan

singing bowls

By Tet Defensor

T

‘‘

HESE days when the air is filled with stress, worry, and anxiety, health experts often recommend that we stop, calm down, and breath.

But do we take the advice seriously?

Oftentimes we find ourselves heading for the bar after a long and hectic day at work. A cocktail may help us calm down, but can it clear a foggy mind?

Instead of looking for answers at the bottom of the bottle, the remedy for stress-related health challenges is actually “free and available,” according to sound healer Joy Jacinto.

“Most people do not realize the importance of air, of inhaling and exhaling air.

When faced with difficult situations, the first step is to pause and breath,” she said.

The uncertainty brought by the pandemic has resulted in an increase of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep difficulty, shorttemperedness, and many others.

Increased levels of stress greatly affect our body and mind. If not addressed immediately it can lead to serious illnesses.

But how exactly can we stay calm when everything around us spells anxiety?

Regular exercise, yoga, and meditation are known to help reduce stress. For music lovers, sound healing therapy is a pleasurable way to calm a stressed mind and ease body discomfort.

You need to pause and reflect to find out what is bothering you.

When we hear our favorite song, we feel good, right? Apart from the lyrics that bring back sad or happy memories, music immediately affects the way we feel at the moment. Aside from touching our emotions, music is also known to be therapeutic.

The healing power of sound has been put to use as early as the ancient times.

During the time of Aristotle, Greek physicians used the sound of flutes and lyres to heal those with digestion problems and induce sleep.

Jacinto studied sound therapy in Nepal. She received her certification from

Watsons launches new vitamins and supplements

Four variants of vitamins and supplements in effervescent tablets from Watsons.

WELLNESS and beauty brand Watsons rolls out 64 new vitamin and supplement products in a variety of formats.

The newest range of Watsons Vitamins and Supplements include tablets, capsules, softgels, and effervescent tablets for overall wellness, immunity building, and beauty supplements.

Part of the new range are the four variants of effervescent tablets, each offering distinct benefits. The Vitamin C + Zinc + Vitamin D variant boosts immunity and strengthen bones, teeth, and muscle; the Calcium + Vitamin D3 supports bone and joint health; the Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Glutathione whitens, nourishes, and protects skin from UV damage; and the B-Complex supports never health.

Supplements include Evening Primrose which, the brand says, boosts women’s health; Bilberry Complex for eye support; Glucosamine for joint health; B-Complex Plus for nerve health and increased energy level; Omega 3 which helps reduce risk of heart disease; and MGX+ by Watsons which has antioxidant properties of mangosteen.

the Mandala Studio in 2019. She plays the Tibetan singing bowls to produce a therapeutic sound. “I use seven different bowls. Each bowl is hand hammered, and every bowl is made from a different type of metal.”

Listening to the meditative sound from Tibetan bowls was an ancient Buddhist practice in Nepal. It is said that the disciples of Buddha used singing bowls in monasteries to achieve a deep meditative state.

Each bowl corresponds to a chakra or energy center located in various parts of the human body. Chakra is the Sanskrit term for “wheel.” Being an energy center, the “wheel” needs to stay open while in motion. Blockage can cause discomfort or illness.

There is a specific bowl for the Crown chakra, which corresponds to one’s intelligence, Third Eye (intuition, imagination), Throat (communication), Heart (love and compassion), Solar Plexus (self-esteem, confidence), Sacral (creativity and pleasure), and Root (physical stability).

Students are asked to sit in a comfortable position in order to focus on the healing sound of bowls. The meditative vibration moves the brain waves to the Theta pattern which calms the nerves and puts the mind in a peaceful state.

Energy pathways are also cleared from all kinds of blockage which can result in improved sleeping patterns; improved blood circulation; reduced

Teacher Joy plays the meditative sound from seven Tibetan bowls.

tension, anger, depression; and even reduced body pain.

For clients who wish to address a specific health issue, Teacher Joy highly recommends a one-on-one session. The body’s reaction towards a particular tone from a singing bowl can indicate the energy center that needs to be healed. “After the session, we can work on the areas that causes stress or anxiety,” she said.

The audience for sound healing is growing significantly especially with the current uncertainty which is causing all sorts of mental imbalance.

Teacher Joy remembers working with a client referred by a dermatologist. No amount of treatment or medicine could ease the patient’s skin problem. The sound healing sessions taught her cli-

ent to relax and calm down. In time, her skin began to clear out.

She emphasized the need to acknowledge the mind and body connection. “If you are experiencing aches and pains, it means there is something going on inside your body. You need to pause and reflect to find out what is bothering you. And there is no cure for chronic stress. The body has to rest,” she said.

Those who wish to experience the healing powers of the Tibetan singing bowls can join her group classes or schedule a private session. Since face-to-face classes are not possible under GCQ, the sound healing sessions can be done online. Interested parties can inquire through her Facebook page (Joy Jacinto) or through White Space (www.whitespacewellness.com).

Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines pays tribute to medical frontliners A NONPROFIT organization pays tribute to medical frontline workers with artworks that depict their plight and heroism as they battle COVID-19.

The Warriors of Passion initiative, conceptualized by Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) president Luis Martin Harder, presents four artworks created by award-winning watercolorist Noel Sadicon. The paintings are reprinted in limited quantities and available for sale.

According to Harder, the main objective of the project is to express gratitude and respect to doctors and nurses who are acknowledged as heroes of the ongoing war against coronavirus, and who have always been caring and supportive toward families that have children with Down syndrome. Harder’s daughter, Adeline Lois, was born with the genetic disorder.

“This pandemic ignited our communal spirit of honoring the medical personnel who have always been helpful in addressing our plight,” said Harder, who also dabbles in visual art, having had his one-man photography exhibit and coffee table of his work a few years back.

The four paintings were based on how the health crisis unfolded. The

Top: Evening Primrose Oil and Glucosamine; bottom: Omega 3 softgels and Multivitamins + Minerals

Watsons Vitamins and Supplements are available in stores nationwide, online at www.watsons.com.ph, and via its call and delivery service.

SOUND HEALTH. Joy Jacinto, a certified sound healer, offers one-on-one sound therapy sessions that help address health issues and improve physical and mental health.

Watercolorist Noel Sadicon

Noel Sadicon’s Warriors of Passion series consists of (clockwise) ‘Encounter,’ ‘Sacrifice of Life,’ ‘Tears of Heaven,’ and ‘Hope of Victory,’ illustrating how the pandemic unfolded.

first piece, entitled “Encounter,” illustrates the confusion during the initial weeks of the outbreak and the courage of the medical personnel in facing the coronavirus.

“Sacrifice of Life” depicts the lives lost during the fight, while “Tears of Heaven” reflects the prayers for safety as the war rages on.

The fourth piece, the final stage of the series, showcases the continuing efforts of those in the medical field with the assistance of scientists, governments, and various industries. It is aptly titled “Hope of Victory.”

“I am one with DSAPI’s advocacy as I feel the selfless sacrifices of these professionals as key to humanity’s survival,” said Sadicon, who has been

devoting countless hours creating artworks inside his home studio during the pandemic.

Each painting is sold for P4,500.

The complete set, signed and boxed, is priced at P16,000 and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Proceeds from the sale of the artworks will benefit the DSAPI community.

Founded by committed parents and concerned physicians, DSAPI offers support to families who have a child with Down syndrome by way of initiating, developing, promoting, and encouraging programs to help them go through it with compassion, determination, and joy. Contact (02) 8895-9642 or 0918865-7267, or email dsapi@hotmail.com for more information.