Manila Standard - 2021 March 24 - Wednesday

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Churches warned of closure Palace to invoke police powers if they defy IATF ban on holding Masses

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HE Palace warned the Catholic Church on Tuesday that churches would be closed in the exercise of the state’s police powers if they insisted on holding services despite rising coronavirus cases in Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo had criticized the ban on religious gatherings amid the firmer COVID-19 restrictions placed on the so-called National Capital Region-plus “bubble,” saying it was a violation of religious freedom.

But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a news briefing: "We ask Bishop Pabillo not to encourage disregard of IATF rules. This is for the good of everyone anyway.”

Then Roque warned, if churches p u s h e d Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 42 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COVERED UP. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is seen wearing a face mask and shield as he walks into the Malago Clubhouse in Malacanang before his weekly meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases on Monday night. Duterte called for a balancing act between health restrictions and economic activity. Presidential Photo

Areas under GCQ losing P700m in daily wages—NEDA

COVID-19 PH

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 23)

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday said stricter COVID-19 quarantine measures than those already in place would worsen hunger and drive up unemployment, as

the country already loses P700 million in salaries per day in areas spent under a general community quarantine (GCQ).

At a Palace briefing, acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said had the government imposed two weeks of a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in response to the current surge in COVID-19 cases,

the number of hungry people would rise by 58,000 from the current 3.2 million, and the number of unemployed would rise by 128,500 from the current 506,000.

“We have been in lockdown or quarantine for a year, and as a result 3.2 million people or 23% of NCR (National Capital Region) people are hungry according to the SWS survey. There are

also 506,000 jobless in NCR according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) survey,” Chua said.

“And every day that we are still in GCQ, it causes the NCR people and the adjacent provinces—Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite—to lose P700 million in wages per day, because the economy cannot fully open,” he added. Next page

Isolation facilities in NCR nearing full capacity No indemnity pay

By Willie Casas AT LEAST 78 percent of isolation facilities in the National Capital Region are already occupied, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said Tuesday.

Vega made the announcement a day after the government implemented an NCR Plus bubble policy where residents of NCR and adjacent provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna are prevented from going outside the NCR plus border unless it is an essential trip—including going to the work place—from March 22 to April 4 to address the surge in COVID-19 cases.

FULL CAPACITY. Patients and their relatives wait for rooms to become available Isolation facilities include quaran- outside the emergency room at the Bernardino Hospital on Zabarte Road, Novaliches in tine hotels and temporary treatment and Quezon City on Tuesday. The relatives are refusing for their loved ones to be transferred to Next page other hospitals that are also in full capacity. Oliver Marquez monitoring facilities.

DFA orders China to pull out at once of PH sea sets out of the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, after the Philippines lodged diplomatic protest over the presence of 220 Chinese militia CHINA should immediately withdraw vessels at Julian Felipe Reef. all its fishing vessels and maritime asThe Philippines through the DFA

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

demanded that China should “promptly withdraw its fishing vessels and maritime assets in the vicinity and adjacent waters of relevant features in the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine

Next page

for vax ill effects due to negligence

By Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz, Willie Casas and Joel Zurbano MALACAÑANG on Tuesday refined President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks questioning the legality of the demand of vaccine manufacturers for the national government to pay the liability for adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines procured by the private sector, saying the President should have said that the government cannot pay for indemnity because of willful or gross negligence.

“Duterte did not misread the COVID-19 Vaccination Law. It is stated in the law that the government cannot pay for indemnity because of willful or gross negligence,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

“I hope we have already taken the President’s remarks in proper context,” Next page

Man shoots to death 10 people in Colorado store ANOTHER SHOOTING. Police

vehicles swarm the King Sooper's grocery store where a gunman opened fire on March 22 in Boulder, Colorado. Ten people, including police officer Eric Talley (inset), were killed in the attack. AFP

BOULDER, Colorado—A gunman killed at least 10 people including a police officer at a grocery store in Colorado on Monday, police said, in the latest shooting to hit a state that was the site of two of the most infamous mass murders in US history.

Witnesses at the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder County, 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of the state capital Denver, said they initially heard multiple loud bangs outside the shop.

Nevin Sloan, who narrowly escaped with his wife Quinlan, said panic then set in as the sound of gunshots drew closer and shoppers were forced to decide whether to stay put or make a break for the exit.

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AT A GLANCE

677,653 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,867 86,200 NEW

ACTIVE

12,992

20

578,461

620

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

PH doc at Earth's 3rd deepest spot

DR. DEO Florence Onda made history on Tuesday as the first Filipino to reach the 34,100-foot Emden Deep, the third deepest spot in Earth, on board a submarine with an American undersea explorer.

Next page

Aussie parliament rocked by sex acts

SYDNEY—Leaked videos of staff from Australia's conservative government performing sex acts in parliament, including one man masturbating over a female MP's desk, left Scott Morrison's administration facing yet another major Next page scandal Tuesday.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Palace nixes calls to abolish IATF

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Government health officials conceded this week that the surge in cases was due to the presence of new, more transmissible COVID-19 variants, despite their earlier reluctance to say so.

“Whether we like it or not, the virus is

mutating and that’s not the IATF’s fault,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque, speaking in Filipino.

“Nothing will be abolished,” he added.

“If you abolish the IATF, that’s like abolishing the government.”

Alarmed by the surge in new cases, senators called for an overhaul—and even the abolition--of the IATF. Senator Imee Marcos, a Duterte ally, called for the abolition of the body or the replacement of its key personnel, saying that after more than a year, the country was back to square one.

“We’re implementing different kinds of lockdown that created confusion,” she said.

She cited the need to intensify mass testing for COVID-19, contact tracing and vaccination.

Some Cabinet members, she said, were dismayed by the IATF recommenations.

Churches...

implementing,” he said in a separate statement.

Pabillo said religious activities outside of churches such as the “senakulo,” “pabasa,” processions, motorcades, and visita iglesia (church visits) would not be held.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal — designated as the "National Capital Region Plus" — were placed under a stricter community quarantine from March 22 to April 4.

At the same time, under the stricter GCQ, weddings, baptisms, and funerals may be held but limited to only 10 people.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines urged the faithful to participate in the celebration of the first Mass in the country next month.

In a Pastoral Letter issued on Tuesday, CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles encouraged Catholics to join the event on April 4, Easter Sunday.

“We therefore enjoin all our faithful to actively participate in our simultaneous commemoration of the First Mass celebrated in our country on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. Let it also be the occasion for the opening of a jubilee door in every cathedral in the whole country, as well as in select Churches during the rest of Easter,”

Valles added.

At the same time, he urged bishops to celebrate the sacrament of baptism on the second week of April.

“As regards the commemoration of the First Baptism, aside from the national celebration on April 14, 2021 in Cebu, we enjoin all the active bishops of the Philippines to also have their own commemorations by celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism, either on April 14 or on the Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021,” the CBCP head said.

Pabillo also urged devotees to attend Mass but within the 10 percent limit.

He said: “We encourage devotees who want to attend Mass but within the limits we will set. We will be the ones who will set the limit on the number of attendees within a church, not them.”

The bishop stressed that religious services were essential services.

Valles also expressed hope that 2021 will be a year of looking back in history for the faithful to better understand who they are in the present "as communities of disciples." "(It is also) and opportunity also to look forward in the next 500 years with the same missionary zeal that made it possible for us to receive the Christian faith,” he added.

The 1521 Easter Sunday mass in the country took place in Limasawa, Southern Leyte.

Earlier, Pope Francis acknowledged Filipinos for sharing their faith to the world, during the Mass which he headed to celebrate the occasion.

On Monday, the Philippines reported a record daily rise of 8,019 COVID-19 infections, as authorities implemented tighter curbs in the congested capital region and hospital capacity neared critical levels in some areas.

The new wave of cases in the Philippines, which has the second highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Southeast Asia, is also threatening hopes of a strong economic rebound after a record contraction last year and the loss of millions of jobs.

Tighter measures could reduce the number of new cases by at least 25 percent, Roque told a news conference on Monday.

The Philippines, which launched its vaccination drive later than neighbors at the start of this month, has received 1.125 million donated doses of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

The government plans to inoculate 70 million adults as it seeks to achieve herd immunity.

they were not essential sectors,” Chua said.

A NEDA cost-benefit study also estimated non-COVID deaths at 78,599; and foregone treatment for high burden diseases at 75,000.

On the other hand, a two-week MECQ would prevent up to 266,194 new cases and reduce the number of deaths by up to 4,738.

Despite the NEDA warning, Metro Manila mayors voted to close gyms, spas, and internet cafes for the next two weeks, presidential The Palace official issued the an-

nouncement a day after he said gyms and fitness centers can operate at 75 percent capacity and that spas can operate at 50 percent capacity in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces that were in a general community quarantine bubble.

Roque said the order was in accordance with guidelines from the Department of Trade and Industry, which give local executives the power to shutter establishments to prevent the spread of infections.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte – who called for a balance between health

restrictions and economic activity on Monday—approved more restrictive quarantine measures in Metro Manila and four provinces in Calabarzon and in Central Luzon for two weeks.

This heeded the call of health care workers and experts for a temporary lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID 19 cases.

But the OCTA Research group said stricter restrictions imposed on Metro Manila and its neighboring areas in the “bubble’ are unlikely to bring down the reproduction umber of the coronavirus to 1 within two weeks.

that within two weeks.

I’m not saying it’s impossible but it seems unlikely,” David said.

The One Hospital Command Center that oversees the facility referral for COVID-19 patients is "overwhelmed" with calls for assistance, its head said on Tuesday, as the Philippines battled an uptick in coronavirus infections.

An average of 300 calls a day are being received by the command center recently, up from only around 66 about 3 weeks ago, said treatment "czar" Dr. Leopoldo Vega.

This has led to "many" overflow and pending calls, which authorities aim to fix by hiring more IT and paramedical personnel to man phone lines, said Vega.

According to the latest report of the COVID-19 National Task Force, while there are only 2,043 usable beds in TTMFs in Metro Manila, there are already 3,708 who were admitted, as of Sunday, March 21. All other regions still have available beds, the report showed.

The Mega LIGTAS facilities in Metro Manila, which only have 156 usable beds, were also accommodating 807 individuals as of Sunday. The facilities in Region III, which have 253 usable beds, have admitted 592 individuals, the same report showed.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in a meeting Monday with President Rodrigo Duterte that the spike in new infections is caused possibly by the presence of COVID-19 variants in the country, the increased mobility of people as a result of the gradual reopening of the economy, and the public's "token compliance" with minimum health standards.

No...

Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday hit back at Duterte for criticizing them for asking about the country's low vaccine supply despite obtaining billions of loans.

In his televised address on Monday, Duterte lambasted Lacson and Hontiveros for questioning where the COVID-19 vaccines procured by the government are, which would be funded by various international loans.

Duterte explained that the loans for the vaccine procurement were still with the lending banks.

“If you are afraid of corruption, let your mind go easy because these things are not susceptible to anything. The money is in the hands of the banks and they collect... from the bank,” he said.

A law has been signed establishing a P500-million indemnity fund as a salient feature in the government’s COVID-19 vaccine procurement program, but Duterte explained that it is illegal for government to assume liability to pay compensation to those who would suffer from the adverse effects of the vaccines procured.

“The manufacturers want the private sector to buy, but the government will assume liability. This cannot be,” Duterte, a lawyer and a former prosecutor said.

Only recently, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that all contracts for the vaccine procurement have an indemnification clause.

However, Duterte said the indemnity clause in vaccine procurement contracts could even be “illegal”.

friends,” they can talk everything out— but did not say when the meeting would take place.

“I will repeat what the President earlier said. He will talk to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian about the issue,” Roque said.

Roque expressed confidence that the President can find ways to resolve the issue between two nations owing to their friendship.

However, the DFA insisted that the reef lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The United States backed the Philippines diplomatic action against China over the presence of the Chinese boats.

“We stand with the Philippines, our oldest treaty ally in Asia,” the US Embassy in Manila said, in a statement.

Man...

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HE Palace on Tuesday rejected calls to abolish the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), denying charges of its incompetence as the country recorded the worst COVID-19 spikes since the pandemic began.

From A1

through with their opening, "in the exercise of police powers, we can order the churches closed."

“We hope it will not come to that Bishop Pabillo. We cannot achieve any objective if you will defy, and you will force the state to close the doors of the church,” he added.

In a statement, Pabillo said the state – meaning, the government – did not consult the church before deciding on the matter amid the upcoming Holy Week, which starts with Palm Sunday on March 28.

“This is where they are wrong and we should not follow that kind of leadership that decides on things without consultations, and it somehow breaks the separation of the church and state. They are the ones doing the separating now,” Pabillo said.

He added the Archdiocese of Manila would hold religious worship at 10 percent of a church's capacity starting Wednesday, March 24.

“Let the worshipers be spread apart within our churches, using the health protocols that we have been so consistently

PH...

From A1

The NEDA chief also cited PSA data that each person in the country lost P23,000 a day in income and wages for the entire year the Philippines was under quarantine.

“So the average is P2.8 billion per day or per person, the average lost for the entire year is P23,000. This average isn’t a good figure, because some lost jobs and were hit much harder, especially in some sectors that have been closed, because

Isolation...

From A1

“We need to increase our isolation facilities because our TTMFs and isolation hotels are already occupied at 78 percent.

If we have 8,000 new COVID-19 cases and 4,000 are in NCR since 63 percent of cases are in NCR, with 97 percent of them mild and asymptomatic, we need an extra number of isolation facilities,” Vega said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“We should prioritize this because hospitals should be the last line of defense for moderate and severe cases),” Vega added.

The Philippines posted a record-setting 8,109 new COVID-19 cases in a day last March 22, the first day of the implementation of the NCR Plus bubble strategy.

Earlier in the day, OCTA Research’s Professor Guido David said the stricter restrictions imposed over Metro Manila and its neighboring areas in the “bubble” are unlikely to bring down the reproduction number of the coronavirus to 1 within two weeks.

“Right now, the reproduction number in NCR is about 2.1 and if we want to reduce the number of cases, that means we have to reduce the reproduction number from 2.1 all the way down to 1. This cannot happen in two weeks, unfortunately,” David told CNN Philippines.

The reproduction number refers to the number of people that one COVID-19 case can infect.

“If we could get the reproduction number to about 1.5, that’s actually very optimistic. It’s unlikely to get it below

DFA...

From A1

Sea, and to direct its fishing vessels to desist from environmentally destructive activities.”

“The Philippines has been assiduously protesting the illegal and lingering (swarming) presence of Chinese fishing vessels and maritime assets in the said areas,” the DFA said in a statement.

This developed as President Duterte will meet with China’s ambassador to discuss the presence of the Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, Malacanag said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said since both countries are “close

From A1

he said, adding “the Chief Executive does not need to be reminded of the COVID-19 Vaccination law provisions.”

In his public address Monday night, Duterte said he found “holes” under the indemnity clause in vaccine procurement contracts that require government to assume liability for private sector-procured vaccines.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said President Duterte’s statement on indemnification should be taken only in the context of the law he signed, Republic Act 11525.

The law sets a P500 million indemnification fund that the President can terminate. This hedges us from unwarranted fiscal risks, Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means, said.

"In management and financial engineering, the sector I came from before I served in Congress, we have a practice called risk allocation. The burden of risk an entity bears should be proportional to the amount of control the entity has over the risk factors. Most of the risks associated with vaccines can be controlled at the production stage. The risks we control are only in administration and storage, so we can only competently answer for risks from these factors," Salceda explained.

In related developments, Senators

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"All of a sudden we started hearing more, like 'bang, bang, bang, bang' and I sprinted over to her and just told her 'hey we need to get out of here'," he told CBS, saying they had helped others flee through an emergency exit.

"I just nearly got killed for getting a soda and a bag of chips," Ryan Borowski, who was in the store when he heard at least eight gunshots, told CNN. "It doesn't feel like there's anywhere safe anymore."

Police chief Maris Herold said 10 people were killed, including officer Eric Talley, 51, who was first on the scene, paying tribute to his "heroic" colleague.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III backed the IATF’s abolition, citing the “gross incompetence’ of the Department of Health (DOH) in handling the pandemic.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an immediate overhaul of the IATF, saying it should be led by public health officers “who actually know how to handle a public health emergency.”and not former military officers.

“The extreme call is to abolish the IATF, but during a pandemic, an interagency body is necessary. It must be led by public health experts and epidemiologists, not by military officers,” Hontiveros said.

"Didn't surprise me he was the first one there," his father, Homer Talley, told local network KUSA, saying his son "loved his family more than anything."

'Senseless act of violence' Live-streamed video earlier showed a white middle-aged man -- shirtless and with a bloodied leg -- detained by police and led from the supermarket.

A suspect is being held in custody and was the only person suffering "serious injuries at this point," said police commander Kerry Yamaguchi, without confirming that the man in the video was the suspect or giving any possible motive.

Dozens of armored vehicles, ambulances and armed personnel including FBI agents and SWAT teams were deployed to the scene. AFP

DOH, DILG look into reports of vax line jumping THE Department of Health is investigating reports of individuals allegedly jumping the queue to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"There are monitoring processes in place and there are investigations on those that we have received," Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, deputy to the COVID-19 surveillance and quick action unit of DOH, told reporters in a press briefing on Tuesday.

"I just want to reiterate that we really all should play our role in making sure that our prioritization list is being followed," she said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is also working to verify reports of several mayors supposedly receiving COVID-19 vaccine shots ahead of their place on the priority list.

DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said they will send show cause orders against mayors found to have jumped the line.

“We are first verifying the allegations before any SCOs are issued. Verification is ongoing,” he added.

Previously, the League of Cities of the Philippines said they had gained the national Inter-Agency Task Force's approval to add local chief executives such as mayors and governors on the vaccination priority list, considering the risks they took in being with the public daily.

SC blasts threats, killings of lawyers, red-tagging judges

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court on Tuesday denounced in strongest possible terms every instance where a lawyer or judge is threatened or killed, saying to threaten the judges and lawyer is considered an assault on the judiciary and the Rule of Law. In a statement read by SC spokesman and lawyer Brian Keith Hosaka, the 15-member bench headed by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta also vowed to take several courses of action to address rising cases of killings of lawyers and threats to judges in the country.

“The Court condemns in the strongest sense every instance where a lawyer is threatened or killed, and where a judge is threatened and unfairly labeled. We do not and will not tolerate such acts that only perverse justice, defeat the rule of law, undermine the most basic of constitutional principles, and speculate on the worth of human lives,” the SC stressed.

PH...

From A1

Onda reached the surface of the Emden Deep around 10:35 a.m. after about 10 hours, according to Joselito Membrot, crew member of the DSSV (deep submersible support vessel) Pressure Drop.

In a Facebook video shared by Membrot, the rest of the crew, who were on the surface, can be seen celebrating as the Filipino scientist set his feet down in the sub at a depth of 10,045 meters.

Onda, a microbial oceanographer, went on the expedition with Victor Vescovo, the current record holder of the deepest manned descent in the Marianas Trench in 2019.

According to University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, where Onda teaches, part of its goal for the expedition is to wave the Philippine Flag, “highlighting that it is an integral part of our nation’s heritage.”

Aussie...

From A1

The prime minister -- already under pressure for his handling of sexual assault allegations including that a female government adviser was raped by a colleague -- called the behaviour "disgraceful" and "absolutely shameful".

The videos and photos, which had allegedly been shared in a group chat of coalition government staff before being leaked by a whistleblower, were first revealed by The Australian newspaper and Channel 10 late Monday.

The graphic images have prompted fresh outrage from female lawmakers and the Australian public, coming on the heels of the rape allegations that sparked mass nationwide protests.

The whistleblower, identified only as Tom, told the news outlets that government staffers and MPs often used a Parliament House prayer room to have sex, and alleged that sex workers had been brought into the building "for the pleasure of coalition MPs". AFP

News Official asked to explain the closure of road inside the NBP

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the Bureau of Corrections to explain the closure of one of the roads passing through the compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“I will act on this letter as soon as I officially receive it. But DOJ has verbally directed the BuCor to explain,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

Guevarra made the statement after Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon requested the opening for public use the NBP’s Insular Prison Road where a wall has been erected.

In his March 22 letter to the Justice Secretary, Biazon told Guevarra that the decision by the BuCor to close the road was taken without consultation and coordination with his office.

“Mr. Secretary, may I please inform you that this unilateral action taken by the Bureau of Corrections was done without proper coordination and consultation with my office, the City Government of Muntinlupa and the people who will be primarily affected by such closure,” Biazon said.

“It was not also coordinated with either the Department of Public Works and Highways or the National Housing Authority. Insular Prison Road serves as the primary access of residents of Southville 3, a national government housing project, to and from the city proper.”

Biazon said the closure of the Insular Prison Road, “most especially at this time of a pandemic, is very inconsiderate of the plight of our constituents in Muntinlupa City.

“Such action also runs counter to inter-departmental courtesy that all government agencies must extend to each other as it was done without explaining the channels of communication and dialogue,” Biazon said.

He said the construction of the structures on the road was considered a nuisance under Article 694 of the Civil Code, “which must therefore be stopped and removed.

“The mandate of the local government unit of Muntinlupa City to promote and protect the general welfare of its constituents as provided under Section 16 of the Local Government Code was also violated by the actions of the Bureau of Corrections,” he said.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

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Efficient computer program urged

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HOUGH the Bureau of Customs has repeatedly donated seized gadgets to the Department of Education to support distance learning, Senator Win Gatchalian said the education department should also ensure a more efficient implementation of its own computerization program.

The DepEd Computerization Pro- ogies to enhance the teaching-learning gram aims to respond to the computer process and “meet the challenges of the backlog of public schools and provide 21st century.” these schools with appropriate technolThe DCP also aims to provide com-

puter laboratory packages to secondary schools, e-classroom to elementary schools and laptops for mobile teachers.

Under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, the DCP has an allocation of P5.9 billion. The program, however, is hounded by implementation woes, which should be immediately addressed, said Gatchalian.

In its 2019 audit, the Commission on Audit said that from 2015 to 2019, the DCP only met 59.43 percent of its target. This means that only 8,523 out of 14,342 targeted schools nationwide received ICT packages.

The COA also flagged that more than P3.2 billion in payments to suppliers in 2019 were not supported by documentary requirements.

An inspection by the audit body revealed that some schools were not ready to receive the packages because they lack multi-media or computer rooms, proper electrical groundings, wirings and circuit breaker and window grills.

ICT coordinators also reported that some suppliers did not provide aftersales services. Some of them could no longer be reached through contact details provided.

IN BRIEF

Bridge to link BGC to Ortigas will open

THE Department of Public Works and Highways will partially open the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge which is a major component of the BGC-Ortigas Road Link Project after the Holy Week.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the Sta Monica-Lawton Bridge, the superstructure that will connect across Pasig River the Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Sta. Monica Street in Pasig City, is already finished.

“With a few more needed finishing works, we’re very excited to partially open a new connectivity between Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas business districts to the public this coming month of May,” Villar said.

DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Operations Emil K. Sadain said other than the finishing touches at the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge whose center main span was built of segmental box girder thru balanced cantilever construction method, the department is also undertaking works for the rehabilitation and widening of Brixton Street to Fairlane Street. Vito Barcelo

THIRD ROUND. A medical front-liner gets a jab as San Juan City rolls out its third round of vaccination for health workers in

public hospitals and private clinics at the Filoil Flying V Centre (San Juan Arena) on Tuesday. Watching is San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (in camo collared shirt) and Vice Mayor Warren Villa. Joey O. Razon

Moreno signs ordinance to end squatting in Manila

By Willie Casas MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso says he wants to end squatting in Manila as he signed Ordinance 8730 containing the implementing rules and regulations pertinent to the local government’s in-city housing program as the condominium buildings are well on their way to completion.

Domagoso, who described the day when he signed the ordinance as historical and “moving for me,” thanked Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan, majority floorleader Joel Chua, assistant secre-

tary to the mayor, Council president pro tempore Jhong Isip, assistant secretary to the mayor Letlet Zarcal, the Manila councilors and Manila Urban Settlement and Housing Office chief Cris Fernandez for having contributed to the formulation of the ordinance, including the handbook that would serve as a guide on the would- be beneficiaries of the housing program.

“My mom and dad and I dreamed of it. Even if we didn’t achieve it, you did. I have been in public service for 23 years and only now have I seen such a thick ordinance ... that’s my dream but that’s

Lee Kuan Yew’s idea,” Domagoso said, adding that he had copied the concept from the late Singaporean Prime Minister including some of the processes undertaken in the said country in implementing its successful socialized housing program.

The mass housing program enabled those who did not earn high income to buy their own homes.

Domagoso said the beneficiaries will include not only the squatters living in the vicinity of the housing projects’ location but also those who are currently just renting.

1,770 QC health professionals get vaccinated against COVID-19

By Rio N. Araja

PHOTO BREAK. A health frontliner takes a picture of a vial of coronavirus vaccine inside the Ospital ng Maynila on Tuesday. The Hospital Association of the Philippines (HAP) noted that some hospitals are experiencing shortage of medical manpower for several reasons. Norman Cruz

AFTER a year of fighting COVID-19, at least 1,770 health professionals from the private sector, contact tracers, barangay response teams and other frontliners got vaccinated in Quezon City.

“To get our front-liners vaccinated is an achievement since this will provide them protection especially in the performance of their duties. It is our responsibility to make sure that all of our healthcare workers including our support teams are safe from the virus,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

She made the statement even as she urged continued academic ease for students in special lockdown areas She reiterated a memorandum from the Department of Education issued on Oct. 30, 2020, on academic ease to help

students and teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Disease Unit, Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams and select personnel of the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office have been inoculated with CoronaVac and AstraZeneca vaccines donated by the national government.

The city health department is eyeing to inoculate over 6,000 front-liners, including health-care workers in the public and private clinics, diagnostic laboratories and also home-for-the-aged and rehabilitation centers.

Rolando Cruz, CESU chief who was also vaccinated, said the vaccination of his staff had boosted team morale and performance.

Mayor assures benefits to residents of Pasay

PASAY City Mayor Imelda Rubiano has assured that the programs and benefits intended for students and senior citizens will continue despite some difficulties caused by the continuing threat of the pandemic.

“For our students here, we are now working on your allowances and are just waiting for the Department of Education to complete the modules and we will give it to you,” said Rubiano.

The city chief executive also reminded the city’s elderly people to avail of the programs that the local government has been offering to them such as free medical check-ups and medicines under the socalled ‘Take Care, I Care’ program.

“To our senior citizens, we are continuing our programs to make sure that you are in good condition. We are inviting you to avail of consultations with our doctors through the telemedicine system,” she said.

Telemedicine is medical care provided by the city hall to the people in which patients remotely consult a physician while they were in separate locations using two-way voice and visual communication such as computer or mobile phone. Joel E. Zurbano

Government agencies boast faster service

THE reforms to ease the doing of business in the country are starting to pay off with several government agencies informing the Anti-Red Tape Authority about the significant reduction in the processing time of their transactions.

The service improvements were specifically observed in the local government of Quezon City and a number of national government agencies.

These include: • Availing of business permit at the Business Permitting and Licensing Office of the Local Government of Quezon City – from six to three working days; • Securing Building and Occupancy Permit at the Department of Building Official of the Local Government of Quezon City – from 120 to just 14 working days.

• Registration for Certificate of Registration at the Securities and Exchange Commission—from 14 to four working days; • Application for Certificate of Registration the Bureau of Internal Revenue – from 17 to 15 working days; and, • Processing of certified true copies for e-titles at the Land Registration Authority kiosks in Quezon City and Dasmariñas – from four to two working days.

Villar cites importance of water in people’s lives RECOGNIZING the value of water in people’s lives, Senator Cynthia Villar has been at the forefront of sustainable water programs and initiatives, starting with the rehabilitation of the Las PiñasZapote River and fighting for the conservation of the Las Pinas-Parañaque Wetland Park.

“Let us make our waterways and bodies of water safe and healthy for our own safety, health and survival. Water is a life-sustaining resource,” said Villar as she joined the observance of World Water Day on March 22.

Villar acknowledges the critical importance of water resources, which could be readily seen from the programs, advocacies and legislative measures she has been pursuing.

Villar’s Sagip Ilog/Rehabilitation of the Zapote-Las Piñas River won for her the United Nations “Best Practices Award” in 2011 due to its outstanding

contribution towards improving the living environment and its demonstrable and tangible impact on improving people’s quality of life within a metropolitan river basin.

The Sagip Ilog program involves the daily collection of floating wastes like water lilies which were used for weaving handicrafts and coconut husks which were processed into coco nets for slope protection and coco peat used as potting mix and organic fertilizer. To this day, the Las Piñas-Zapote River continues to play an important role as a “life artery for the people of Las Piñas and nearby cities”.

Villar noted that the rehabilitation of the river paved the way for social enterprises that provided livelihoods to residents.

She is at the forefront of stopping reclamations in Manila Bay that will destroy the Las Pinas-Parañaque Wetland Park, a

182-hectare critical habitat of wildlife that is also a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance.

It may be recalled that she filed a Petition for Writ of Kalikasan in 2012 against the reclamation bound to encroach upon the area of the said wetland. In 2018, the wetland was given to a protected area status upon the enactment of RA 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. Villar is likewise one of the staunchest advocate of the Manila Bay clean-up, being more actively done now under the Duterte administration, in compliance with the writ of continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court ordering 13 national government agencies and the local government units to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay and make its waters fit for swimming and other forms of contact recreation.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

BORDER CONTROL. The Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion Region

4A and Cavite Police Provincial Mobile Force Company conduct a checkpoint on the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road in Alfonso, Cavite to prevent entry from Batangas to Cavite and prevent the increase of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region and four neighboring provinces, including Cavite. JR Josue

A4

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

Baguio braces for more tourism revenue losses

By Dave Leprozo BAGUIO City is bracing for more losses in tourism revenues amid stricter community quarantine restrictions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country’s summer capital logged an estimated P7 billion economic loss last year due to the virus outbreak, of which almost a third were in tourism receipts.

On Tuesday, tourism activities were again disallowed.

Hotel bookings, which traditionally peak in time for Holy Week, are being cancelled, according to Manor Hotel general manager Ramon Cabrera.

Under the NCR Plus bubble, potential tourists from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are also barred from leaving for provinces outside the bubble.

Last week, Jovy Ganongan, officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region, said based on conservative estimates, the city lost P7.55 billion in economic revenues in 2020.

“P2 million is equated in the expenses of tourists under a conservative estimate of P2,500 per day while staying in Baguio for one and a half day,” Gonongan said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority-CAR, the average expenditure of a foreign tourist in the Cordillera region in 2019, including balikbayans, is around P7,392, while domestic tourists or overnight visitors spend P3,82. Same day visitors on the average spend around P2,800.

Lawmakers hit spate of killings TWO party-list lawmakers on Tuesday condemned the reported killing of a religious leader in Tagapul-an, Samar on March 17 by unidentified assailants.

According to police officials, Pastor Jet Tan and his wife were jogging in Barangay Labangbaybay in the morning when he was shot several times. Tan, authorities said, was not known to be involved in any conflict in their town.

Tan was the head pastor of the Forever Praise Evangelical Church in the Philippines and was the chairman of the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines in Eastern Visayas.

“Nobody has the right to take one’s innocent life for whatever reason,” said Rep. Eddie Villanueva of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption partylist group.

“This callous incident is just one of the many killings in the country that serves no justice in the end.

This recent series of killings should come to an end and ruthless death made through violence must stop,” added Villanueva, House Deputy Speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness.

A POP OF COLOR. Young artists have

transformed the PPA wall at the Maritime Complex into colorful murals in time for Tabaco’s 20th cityhood anniversary on March 24, 2021.

‘Pastillas’ officials linked to Syria scam

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday bared evidence linking Bureau of Immigration officials previously tagged as in the so-called “pastillas” bribery scheme to the outbound trafficking of Filipino women to Syria.

“It is clear this is already a business model wherein women to be sent as slaves in other countries were being deceived also by Filipinos. For P50,000 per Filipino women, our own officials put them in danger,” she said.

The senator earlier asked the bureau to furnish the names of the immigration officers who stamped the passports of the victims.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime

Morente identified them as Mark Darwin Talha, Nerissa Pineda, John Michael Angeles, and Ervin Ortañez.

Angeles and Ortañez both have ties to the masterminds behind the “pastillas” scam.

Angeles was one of the 86 BI officers charged by the National Bureau of Investigation in November last year over the bribery scheme.

Ortañez, on the other hand, is the son of Erwin Ortañez, then the overall

Travel Control Enforcement Unit head during the term of former port operations chief Red Mariñas who allegedly masterminded the scheme.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros showed Viber screenshots from “pastillas” scam whistleblower Alex Chiong, which showed a list of names of women to be trafficked out of the country that was signed off by a certain “FM.” Chiong identified “FM” as Fidel Mendoza, the alleged right hand man of Mariñas.

“Mendoza’s name has repeatedly been given by our whistleblowers as one of the suppliers of trafficked women. Same cast of characters, different crime,” Hontiveros said.

A Philippine Postal Corporation employee holds a stamp to commemorate the first Easter Mass in the country 500 years ago in Limasawa Island on March 23, 2021.

Norman Cruz.

A PARTY-list lawmaker on Tuesday sought a congressional review of the ongoing negotiations between the Department of Justice and water concessionaires Maynilad Inc. and Manila Water Inc. Under House Resolution 1664, Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon

Rep. Bernadette Herrera asked appropriate committees at the chamber to conduct “a legislative review” on the status of the government’s negotiations with the water concessionaires.

She said the public has the right to know if there are changes introduced to the amended concession pacts.

She specifically asked the House

Committees on Government Enterprises and Privatization; Good Government and Public Accountability; and any appropriate House panels to look into the matter.

“In the interest of ensuring the best services for the Filipino people, and to further avoid any onerous contractual situations with the concessionaires, fur-

ther consultation and good governance oversight must be conducted prior to the approval and signing of the new drafts,” read Herrera’s resolution.

The lawmaker has urged the Justice Department to seriously consider and incorporate in the new contract the findings of the investigation that she conducted as far back as the 15th Congress.

3 illegal trawlers apprehended

By Othel V. Campos

SANITATION MEASURE. A team from Marikina City’s sanitation department

disinfects public areas at the Tumana market along Ampalaya St. on March 23, 2021.

Manny Palmero

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Tuesday pushed for the enactment of a bill that will adjust the minimum allowable age for smoking from 18 years old to 21.

Probinsyano Ako Rep. Jose Singson Jr., author of House Bill 6210, called on the House Committee on Health to start deliberations on the bill to pave the way for its passage ahead of the political season for the 2022 national elections.

HB 6210 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 which defines minors who are prohibited to use, sell or distribute cigarettes or tobacco products as persons below 18 years old.

In filing the bill, Singson, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, proposed that the authorized age of individuals who may be allowed to use, sell or distribute cigarettes and tobacco products be adjusted to 21 years old and above.

Singson also sought to define “smoking” as the “act of carrying any lighted or heated cigarette, or other tobacco products and its derivatives in whatever form, whether being inhaled, smoked, vaped or consumed in whatever means.”

HB 6210 also provides the posting of signage in point-of-sale establishments bearing the following announcement: “It is unlawful for tobacco products and its derivatives to be sold/distributed to or purchased by persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.”

Solid waste initiatives on track—DENR

QUINTCENTENNIAL STAMP.

Legislative review of new deals with Maynilad, Manila Water sought

By Maricel V. Cruz

Solon seeks higher minimum age for smoking

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group and the Philippine Coast Guard apprehended three fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing activities during a joint seaborne operation in Manila Bay last week.

The government enforcement authorities identified the fishing vessels Jamzyric, Joswyne Brookes and 5 Brothers as illegal trawlers plying municipal waters.

The vessels were escorted to El Varadero, Sangley Point in Cavite City for proper documentation and filing of charges.

“Our efforts to prevent and put a stop

to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Philippine waters remain as one of our top priorities along with securing safe and affordable fish commodities for Filipinos and providing assistance to our fisherfolk especially during these challenging times,” said BFAR director Eduardo Gongona.

A quick inventory of the catch revealed around 150 kilograms of hairtail, a specie of snapper, 35 kilograms of slipmouth, and 35 kilograms of lizardfish.

Gongona said his team continues to patrol and monitor not only Manila Bay but many of the country’s fishing grounds against illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing.

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday said its solid waste management initiatives are on the right track.

DENR Usec. for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda said the recent inclusion of plastic soft drink straws and plastic coffee stirrers in the list of non-environmentally acceptable products (NEAP) in the country is a big boost in the government’s solid waste management initiative.

He said the development has made DENR all the more determined to pursue its solid waste management initiatives through the Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) campaign.

“With the initial listing of these two items in the NEAP, we are all the more encouraged to uphold our mandate and advocacy on solid waste management despite the lingering pandemic in the country,” he said.

Antiporda said DENR regional offices have been stepping up their TAK campaign, which primarily aims to enhance people’s awareness on Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 with the end goal of substantially reducing the volume of plastic wastes and prevent these from polluting the environment.

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Meanwhile students are also adjusting to stay. of that change is in the education al of Europeans They here to thei previously unknown lands and recreate tive the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its top officials resigning en masse. vide their children their learning tools. and the mass murders in Samar during They are here to Secre ary of S a e H ary C n on’s camprocesses and underm ne soc e es The nect the narrative surrounding Spanish ha we shou d pu ident Marcos and those who noting that while multiple cyber-espionage a wake-up call not only for banks.

This is their own, respe fi ght against corruption which is downright bad.

Ombudsman’s field ofthisthat change is in as the education VE been o una e o have vsocieties. s ed Ch na or functioning ncome dofspa y be ween Clinton’s he ch and State Hillary camprocesses and undermine The heSecretary reach raised out to their students and enable them tohackers uld put WE paign.”

Russian interferthat change isserve inshould the education alarm bells over the Russian Inof any event, heist serve In 2019, the Human Rights Watch regeography. marked theyand beginGiven the and continuing over stability of sident Tom Burt has been quoted ashe sayraised alarm bells over the Russian hackers Inpe any event, this heist should as ing the Fil-American war, to name a few, thedemands actors have targeted organizations associshort-sightedness In doing our best to alsosystem. for s regulators, government agencies arrival in the notwithstanding Philippines developed as each over thestay. country’s fate during those years pas gn ”Itasecurity con roversy over spotted Russ anenvironment nworld erferh s in UCPB caper the much-changed of schoolwork for the purpose of a if ing to make do ve mes s nce 2016 seen sdebate hand he the may not be an hepaign.” poo Th cthe uc as ough 20 learn, the great challenges controversy over the Russian interferBntions caper Microsoft has also state-sponfavor of stay. system. noting thatsecurity while multiple cyber-espionage acall wake-up callfor not only for banks.

This iscould as the landing ning of ones of the most powerful empires martial law years, Mabayo’s notes should noting that while multiple cyber-espionage arrival of the flotilla and the death of its a wake-up not only banks.

This is ated with the upcoming election, the exsystem. and other companies doing essential and Jus as week we earned ha Omcountry went on to construct their own nareac not get over the fact that more and M crosof has a so spo ed s a e-sponence n he 2016 US e ec ons n favor of as Someone who req ported that “State forces and govnations and societies as well as the integrity that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s reach out to thei p og ess has made n va ous a eas o eco learn new thing cen o Ch na o a wo k o ce s expec ed o posed by these untested methods. sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting rump lingers.

In cope but we should also pick out the lesLessons from Microsoft has also spotted state-sponence in the 2016 US elections in favor of They may have grown up with technology actors have targeted organizations associalso regulators, government agencies illa led ebyhPorinsensitive history, defined by its se maritime force make the storytellers take a deepshngers pertspoints are “most concerned that the incumbent president’s corner. services. incident reminds leader, Magellan, as well as eventual even health budsman Samue Mar res hadthe And m edthis he more actors have organizations associ-aofficial’s also for regulators, government agencies tional identities.

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In is inciLessons from ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to and standing of companies and institutions mpaign was “ targeted by sons that will come handy when this crinand Magellan this episode will be atedupcoming with the institutional upcoming election, the exand other essential and but mostly for recreation andonmilitary socialization and Catholicism, and one that was toysecuring Russian intelligence time around they are joined by Chinese them double their efforts in widen their horizons.

There landing ofcompanies the remaining c’s access o expedition’s he S doing ac set emen of Asse s oOctotrust also Pub schoo are seon reopen Ocduring o-Network, ated with the election, exand other companies doing essential and myth making, historical pewhat transpired that period unit..which contraletter of authority beryto5, but many learning nd dua nvo ved nlast h pub pres den a Sustainable rema ns aagainst key aga 2017 nsthe Trump e say ngNovemWe pose ke sayoit dbreath ncampaigns 10fac oand 15a yea Wha w ssue beTrump he nea 27 pev cen osinprivate he coun s bo o institubuts? more intensely against up to the from, even if fr thu Public school are to reopen ficult timeMoreover, adjustingevents to the are newthe demands ofexplained posed by these individuals involved both presidential fact, remains key issue We Development Solutions and which recent pronouncement this episode will be )Russian intold Homonhon, harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in Demotheir digital systems and devices. of note can indeed be easily undermined by hackers via phishing attacks four centuries. perts are “most concerned with that of the incumbent president’s corner.

And this sensitive services.

The incident reminds is more to the events than meets the eye.

Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockship, Victoria, in Spain under Mageland L ab es of governmen off c a s this episode will be rused, selected for exclusion or inclusion vening their ‘construct’ have been comthe disparity in various countries’ response to theteachers perts are “most concerned with that of the incumbent president’s corner.

And this sensitive services.

The incident reminds ber 5 bu many pr va e earn ng ns usis is finally over That wisdom would be SALN granting theT tions have already started the school year.

Today they have to use technology to subTrump organization.

Democrats and a ma n h us s o s econom c deve opmen n campa gnsintensely bun he more n ense y aga ns he but many private learning institua in over aga n n tohethe run-up o hea campaigns Novemgoextent ng o he exover en again priceless. wo k o ce was engaged agagainst cu u ethe a COVID their work. Sure, they may be teaching from about ber 5, but more all the run-up NovemThe ic out. as this hacking hasby been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side the After all, activities that comprohas been punctuused data from the World Poll Lloyd’s Register “...To rest theof world, was As Father Rannie Aquino in hisasec Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined Chinese them to double their efforts securing lan’s second-in-command, Juan SebasA memorandum onin Sep 1ready agiven dthe down VIRTUAL by storytellers, in this case the states, ing Their narrative even ifgroup they insist frustrates not corruption, pandemic, specifi cally in and curbing death rates.

Russian intelligence unit..which time around they are joined by Chinese their efforts securing some instances attack and kill political acof athe finger Grabe inst campaign’s communications for inspecting or ta Through ae of mix so-called synchronous But say2035?

Moscow is adversary experts insisting downs inin world.

Still, even ifand it was the ons have ainteractions sGallup ar ed heprocess.. schoo year heber nex ve yea and un hethe goa bu he gu sorgan expec edseek othis dtothem op o 6to double Trump za on bersexperts e ec ons w h s wrote he Democra s oand adigital ou d nothe have hapEverybody is priceless. themilitary comfort of their homes, but there is defificu tions have already started thebashing school year. priceless Trump elections, with the Democrats and a click ve happriceless. stitute the and experiences they ficult time adjus responsible for some of the most provocasanctions imposed andand high profile miseorganization. devices, even systems, flicting, slanted arguably aasynchronous key milestone in entire thenmen history column on the martial law years, every poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in Demotian Elcano, has engendered in its wake their digital systems devices. he hree cond ons n wh ch he SALN then told and retold—proselytized, realas non-debatable has been scrutinized Confi dence in public institutions also that worries them the most, given Russia’s poses the greatest threat to the democratare back in the and Iranian hackers presumably in Demotheir digital systems and devices.

SALN shall allow and methods—where the stuFoundation, was released under circumstances starkly different o ove ake he US and become he wo d s pe cen n 2035 Hence he gove has still bebe able to l Through a m x of so-ca ed synchronous Bu exper s say Moscow s he adversary number of US secur y exper s ns s ng er he p In fac as nitely nothing comfortablecommunity about doing your tivists, environmentalists, leadworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown but the fi ght against thei Through a mix of so-called synchronous But experts say Moscow is the adversary number of US security experts insisting fact, as tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain their work.

Sure REALITY nt on thea story of globalization; thereafter, the exchange story teller has his or her own “construct”o add aRuss ofthe accounts, written or couactivities dtrove beIn re eased hethat off c aotherwise, orand h s hods—where or challenger process.. as this hacking group has beenhoping challenger Biden’s side given the After all, activities seek to comprotheiric respective peoples. and cratic found Joe wanting. is not the the only record. real however, espeWe were tha dents teacher arehem present at athe same icly—to process.. as this hacking group been topped the list of factors supporting successcratic Biden’s side given After that seek to comproges seconomy 2035? ess he and hous ngtheeduca on and soc ment.

Students work in the same manner forhas many years, ha worr es he all mos g all, ven a’s habytrack he Russ an hackers backthatn“gotcha” he uen d simhave been m- lengthy and asynchronous me he s u- ItJoe from those inIfworld, previous years. the worries them most, given Russia’s that Russian hackers are back inare the time.” the Trump administration. moments have become such luand asynchronous methods—where the stuers, and journalists.” thethe comfort ofrefthc acets of our his-ythe failed to contain the pandemic. of cultures, ideas, and technology was of that period in our history.

Forty eight corruption. each changing with every narrative. her represen a ve reques s f a cour “...One such example of this is the An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuresponsible for some of the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile bashing mise digital devices, even entire systems, story to tell.

As some noted writers and cially as the public schools open in a few has had time to time, and where they perform other tasks on Ea h s mon h he Ch nese Peop e s responsible for some of the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile bashing mise digital devices, even entire systems, ful COVID-19 strategies.

Other factors were we a e p ob ems o he new wo k o ce en educators will l even decades, and then having to shift to an eng hy rack record er ngof Antonio he n ernayears after, those who have harangued lengthy In he rea wor d however and espeden s and eacher are presen a a he same If these latest hacking attempts on othIn the case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed track record. nternal In the real world, however, and espenite dents and teacher are present all at the same ation spurred nitely co Such is ease the the beast, asthese weplain orders sCOVID-19 re nstate re of agains onplain owas a starkly pend ngdiftive ofathe FireEye, ehasng marked difference incyber the of retelling of ability the academics have been saying lately, the Duterte has vowed to continue his “war tive and aggressive cyber operations offrom allnothing thesesecure two countries have been getting from for financial ornature or just ere to weeks, the situation could be Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockhow blatantly itwill goes a own, respectively—educators are tryPohas ca Consu vecybersecurity Con e ence firm Na ona hetheir setovunprecedented ceAn sec othe pastheights. tive and aggressive operations of all two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just income inequality, the to learn parents lea altogether new way teaching.

The pandemic a major reexper John Hu qu s sen or execuB wh ch seen erwise organizations in US soil c a y as he pub c schoo s open n a few Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in few years.

Hackme and where hey perform o her asks on An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuas seen brothers and cially asadministration. the public schools openstory in a of few nifacio wor time, and where they perform tasks on “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconthrown tons of garbage alarm bells over theeat Russian hackers work in the sam used toofsay, that accounts of events orother inci-he TONY case or a Children reques sdown made hrough Ferdinand Magellan’s Anmartial law years were not as dark andelectoruttime.” ferent. may not have adequate the2020, Trump “gotcha” moments have become such luforwhether transparency.

Unfor Comm ee raised and he Na ona Peop s then ConPresing dohe with to And na to y make Chof na has oavailable make gtechnology eandLOPEZ time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” have become such luthe experience ofdeath.

SARS intheir 2003, portthe their child They could tools on drugs” will be “aswith relentless and commanders curring theme in attempt to measure the on March 15, there were only involve the most hotly contested ve cybersecur yeaf rm Fmoments reEye has not just of the security establishment buty—educa ofare ers are just around corner masse They are here toeArmy weeks he sesthey ua on cou ddifbe swhich ark y dhave f- trouble hedthe r equipment. own respec ve orsweeks, are rytive ofinreach the cybersecurity firmthe FireEye, has nen Samar during The ability to count They are here to the situation could be starkly nect thelurking narrative surrounding Spanish ident Marcos and those who presided noting that while multiple cyber-espionage even their own, respectively—educators trydents, whether personal or historical rests Ombudsman’s f e nves ga on off ce come from prosperous fam o beg n tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, an terly useless as these guys are saying or functioning The home g ess convened p ec se y o o mu a e he time to perfect his argu If these latest hacking attempts on othIn the case of the Russian operations for out to their students and enable them to crative, even highly sought and developed o s o move up he g oba va ue cha ns for this, so comp If these latest hacking attempts on othIn the al case ofinAt Russian operations fordo may crative, highly sought andthat developed head ofday government woman, the median with connectivity, or was theyacould also race the planet, using as the noand itself is Russian military can beRussian noeven happiness of people various countries. raPhilippines sed over aHuman arm be sactivated over heinRuss anMicrosoft hackers sname shou d serve asover on the it events began.”

Hein wants Inhacking 2019 the Rights Watch referen Chthey dren have adequa e the raised alarm bells the hackers erve as TWO confirmed cases. this the ng oin make do w h ava ab e to echno ogy o writing, a few, the actors have targeted organizations associarrival in theoperations developed asoeach the country’s fate during those years ferent.

Children may not have adequate heavily on the story teller.

Inorganizations the case of for he purpose of a ideal fac -fplace nd ng probe w hon or may have otoher bus ness nitchilling eres s out altog ing tohave make do with available technology kept afind detailed journal of ofUS the want everybody believe.

Like in may not be an to focus and towould altogether new 14 h F ve Yea P an 2021 25 o Na ona ing of lifestyle checks fw learn, notwithstanding the great challenges so as o acce e a e he deve opmen co e stay. erwise secure organizations US soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming undertakings in the past few years.

HackIn finding ou it difficult to be effective at their jobs erwise secure organizations in soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the past few years.

Hackage of the population, whether the country most sophisticated methods available, is others are major hackers targeted 200 US time at all.

Indeed, they have become part stay.

The results, however, were not much no“State ng hasecurity wh cyber-espionage e muown pnae cyber-esp onage for noting that while the banks death ofTh its s cscould This is Econom ated Soc withget upcoming election, the echno exor situations func on ng equ pmen Theof banned home I HA country went onthese tomultiple construct their reach ou oa the he rcorner senable uden sthem and enab e and hem o security not over the fact that the Magellan expedition subsequent Someone who reques sand copy ofbe an or sources ofthe ncome Ifequipment. aestablishment hese arecan nd -home death penalty, under the Constituported that forces and govvoyage, wrote how Magellan was beor functioning The all distress conflict as the Philippines is the pandemic epicenter in the T reach out to their students and to learn new things.

Parents could anxand a the Deve opmen andmore he and “Wealth does not tr og es and educe s e ance on m posed by untested methods.

IN A previous column I talked about PresiThey could h involve the most hotly contested electornot just of but of ers are lurking just around and member that o using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched to think that the same (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. involve the most hotly contested electornot just of the security establishment but of ers are lurking just around the corner and was an island, and exposure to other countries changed: countries that were thegrea ac ors have argeofednational organ za off ons - The same ernmen agenc esmore perts are concerned with that ofpo the orner. as the And eventual actors have targeted organizations associgencies tional identities.

In the practice points of view, of actualhe accounts may no be an p ace omost focus and othe while supports to evaluations, events thereafter ancan article written by earn no winthe hs and ng he cha enges c assoc aious ’s SALN mus presen afundraising no ar zed ca ed SALN—assum ng we can ssieged by natives inin Cebu attemptwas at that there were missons Longthis Range Ob ec “most ves Th ough Yea about the next meal may come may not betime, an ideal place todea focus and to s FoWhat ns ance Chthese nathemselves has o mpo up o operations said before lawmak The teachers are having a diflearn, notwithstanding great challenges and alduring race planet, using as he they do the Microsoft itself islife that Russian military and communitie hacking operations be activated in nocountry be done at any time and against and with conne and even the main Democratic makes activities dangerous tion for crimes, toas be reimposed for ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to tion.

11-nation ASEAN with ananywhere total of 265,888 casal race in the planet, using they doPresthe Microsoft itself ishe that Russian military hacking can bewhere activated no the early days of the pandemic. dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, happiest in previous years were also the hapa ed w h he upcom ng e ec on he exoial ngand essen a and Russian military intelligence unit..which ined by Chinese cluded in the shortlist Otherwise the on’s remaining ated with the upcoming election, the exmyth making, historical events are pewhat transpired during that period contraRaisa Mabayo, our Third Secretary and e er of au hor y from he owner of he have access o hem— hen we can very earn new h ngs Paren s cou d besophisticated anxing to help Rajah Humabon, a methods recently takes and low points but there were high posed by hese un eshackers ed me have hods 2035 Th s yea s annua ga he ng o he wo 85 peiscen from, even if they didhave not have tovice worry o these pa o sem conduc otime sa brazen om Tuesday.

In fact, he es ficult times adjusting to the new demands of learn new things.

Parents could be anxany perceived adversary.

Given such an platform) for cyber attacks.

Microsoft when are done in such posed by these untested methods. find improve our most available, it is hackers have targeted 200 US organizations time at all.

Indeed, they become part form Meanwhile, students are also adjusting to find it difficult most sophisticated methods available, it is targeted 200 US organizations at all.

Indeed, they have become part These results all point to the fact that people especially in times of crises.

TO THE drug crimes. piest this Finland, harass threaten arbitrarily arrest and ingran poses theof greatest threat to the democratumably inMagelDemoper sconcerned are “mos concerned hSALN ha of he ayear: es.

It quoted is No. 21 the world.

The Philippines ncumben pres den ’sAnd corner hare sselected nc den rem ndsvening Duterte imposed the earliest lockunder here areThe his rused, for orgove inclusion ‘construct’ have been com-oAnd perts “most with that of wthe incumbent president’s corner. this eminds Vice-Consul inBurt charge of Cultural Diplong heRespondents reques Nofrom reques sinpoints we apprec adparties, ef-some con ex ident cannot legally appoint you asothers aschoolwork. memCatholicized local ruler demands convert and celebratory ones as well. ma o po caone entheir es s deemed s gn can ous abou where he nex mea may come about COVID-19 infection. he coun eswork. eexclusion ofailures: ethey nmen erning lifestyle checks The eachers hemse ves are hav ng aabout their Sure, may be teaching environment, the security and stability of president Tom has been as sayand wayward manner as he what happened to from short-sightednes ious where the next meal may come the much-changed of The teachers themselves are having a difusin not farfetched to think that the same can (political think tanks, consultants of everyday life. using the only a not farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. will not feel defeated by crisis, COVID-19 or chief ic process.. as this hacking group has been n’s side given the Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, an m ary nunit..which e and gence uning wh ch me around are oyned byshou Ch nese fforJuan s innas secur ng nd, SebasbydUCPB storytellers, this case the ing out.

Their narrative even ifsaChinese they Russian military intelligence timeook around they by ecuring But the people love the President for some instances attack and kill political acmacy in the Philippine Embassy in Mafor nspec ng or ng os of L fes ywould esocieties checks are here for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely wns the world Still even if itve was the Catholicism loyalty toof Spain.

MaBut that another story.

Back p ace on heare 100joined h hey ann oinsist mo vRuss go in ous ytheir p omo estates, nnova on Everybody isaktrying his or her best The Philippines’ greatest depression nations and ashowever well as intends totrust ask that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s which can unhinge the banking systhee1. comfort of homes, but there ismakes defieven fintegrity hey dto ddone noThey have oand worry ber of the Board of Trustees PhilHealth fthese cu me ad ng ohe heto new demands ofbe cope, butCongre wetion sh may have grown up with technology, from, even iffrom they didthe not have to worry be done at any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising POINT What makes activities dangerous ficult time adjusting topho theus new demands of be anywhere atanywhere any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What these activities dangerous responsible for some of the most provocagh profile tion. otherwise, so long as they feel they can Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, New Zealand, poses he grea es hrea o he democra and Iran an hackers presumab y n Demoered in wake dev cesitsbashing exec then told and retold—proselytized, realas non-debatable has been scrutinized drid provides an interesting insight and a poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in DemoSALN shabe be a are owed aMabayo’s reason vcompanies ng beyond one’s means” s“drugs gellan believed that of2019, force notes on the quincentennial he from Commun s and Pa y o Ch na betem. enitely pOr, o ec n second e ec uaproviding pquarter opecommunity yisessential gh s 2020, and standing of institutions was “...specifically targeted by to to companies still able to learn this newteaching environHe issuewill with nothing comfortable about doing your the war.”

Indisplay top tivists environmentalists leadabou aand COVID-19 nfec on sons cs 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. rld’s longest and strictest theItJoe lockdown but mostly for his recreation and socialization. he rdone work Sure hey may be each ng“L from any perceived adversary.

Given such anthat platform) cyber attacks.

Microsoft vice iscampaign when these in such aplatform) brazen In the of the Philipabout afor COVID-19 infection. much more as president and CEO tivecra operations ofand been their work.

Sure, they may be from any perceived adversary.

Given such antwo M for cyber attacks.

Microsoft vice when these are done in such a inwe brazen the system toMay be just and fair and totakes make Meanwhile, The Philippines ranked 61st among 149 Austria fared well this health crisis as enseek orgetting otherwise, crespective process as hgroup sthose hack ng group has been cha engercyber B den’s s de gall he aomproo comproly—to their peoples. and foundcaggressive wanting. is not the the only fresh perspective onduring how should view We were hop ng ha Ombudsman Mar res celebrations no ahere fanc fu erm buEverybody a Diplomat: s a emen of icven process.. this hacking been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given would be enough to oaccomplish those posted The of note can sas indeed bein easily undermined byfac the Russian hackers via learn phishing attacks goods services such in food Un The annua 7and peas cen ease nas ove a has R&D ment.

Students will their lessons, yond one’s means” an work in the nc same manner for many years, sis is finally ove Today they have to use technology to subs ry ng h s or her bes he comfor of he r homes bu def time.” . environment, the security and stability of president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as what happened to Everybody is trying his or her best to allies made it handily into the Senate elecers and journalists ” environment, the security and stability of president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as what happened to the comfort of their homes, but there is defiFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says the led contain pandemic good decisions onquestion their behalf. of the much-chang Thus the answer to theand pine economy slumped tohe lowest in countries surveyed. yystems, they did before fiec rstin learned about the nov-a“...On “...One such example ofme this is the respons es then for some of mos provocasanc ons and writers hbashing gh prof bash ng ennarrative. ento re sys emsthe story to tell.

As mposed some noted and eresponsible and even teach history our and EMIL has hadeducators heever mecampaign’s owe reflearn on h teach sschools dec sbetter, on andand ha says one’stasks. n- stitute click ofMarch a one’s finger Grabe. against the communications or and utilities That fateful decision his misfor the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile 16,expenses 2021, weexceed will comhe nex decades, ve some yea sbinof apower yand move nits will to may only have (Uni “disto even having to shift to an priceless. theenv interactions and experiences theyintegrity If these latest hacking attempts on ove oth- manufacturing an operations for sto be ethis o survey earn n hwhich s new ronnTheir eaga y“the no hInhe ng comfor ab e abou do ng your nations and societies asintegrity well as people’s the ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysnations and societies as well as Duterte’s the ing that the initial failed attempt on ab Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysstill be able learn in new environThe pandemic has shaken lives nitely nothing comfortable about doing your The hens beast, as we They may have What stood out in this year’s was the el coronavirus. performance was determarked difference incyber thehistory retelling of the tions solidified power academics have been saying lately, the Duterte has vowed to continue his “war ve and aggress ve cyber opera ons of a hese wo coun r es have been ge ng from a or us p a n decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the younger generations. this Mabayo Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockwhether or not the appointment of Gierran how b a an y goes ns avowed f gh come and a o her revenue aken oge her calculation of enemy forces, led by Lapu memorate the 500th anniversary of the tive and aggressive operations of all h s d ec on these two countries have been getting from t plain the country’s -a 16.5-percent conparents will learn how best they can supties.”

This, he says, is altogether new way of teaching.

Is the goal to overtake eports coming out erwise secure organizations in US soil men S uden satargeted wtosand earn heand rof the essons omm standing of and companies andchanges institutions campaign was “...specifically byon tem.

Or,by to companies providing essential work nmanner he same manner for many years standing companies institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by tem.

Or, to companies providing essential ment.

Students will learn their lessons, to core and has introduced in the JURADO work in the same for many years, ofbecome events orsuch incibut story of Ferdinand Magellan’s death.

Anfi nding that trust and the ability count mined various factors: GDP per capita, somartial law years were not as dark and utbut mostly for r me ” he Trump adm n s ra on piece, the oft-repeated note—history is ufor ransparency Unfor una e y he has used h s Spec f ca y f a governmen off c ab e Lapu, resulted in Magellan’s death. arrival of Europeans in the Philippines.

Th s yea he Ch nese gove nmen has se time.” the Trump administration. uch luport their children.

Nothing prepared us We agree that we They could have trouble with their tools and base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and on drugs” which will be “as relentless is legal depends on whether his name was estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordwn on March 2020 there were only involve the most hotly contested electorablishment but of 15 traction in economic production.

On top of of note can indeed be easily undermined by they the Russian hackers via goods services asfood those in food educa orsattacks w o was each be erwe and ofattacks note can indeed be easily undermined bythat the Russian via phishing goods and services such those in even decades and hen havIttong ohackers sh omeans an way live.

The knowledge theToday people r historical rests the US and become the educators will tophishing better, and Heal tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, andsuch then having to shift terly useless asRussian these are saying they major supports toteach life evaluations, support, life expectancy, freedom Tod written by the victors—which has been me ofor perfec hhealthy sas argumen aga ns hehelp. ho doan ve af are BMW on alearn ow mon h to yearn amorhese a es hack ng aothemp scial on oand hIn he case ofguys he Russ an for opera ons for gh and deve oped hav He struck in the face by a Mactan is adrothers day that different things achilling GDP gand owon h aIf ge o above s x pe cen this, so complaining will not If these latest hacking attempts on In the case of the operations veloped sarily equate to corr with connectivity, or they could also al race in the planet, using as they do the Russian military that for the Board of Trustees Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela the day itcontraction began ”ha He wants ing togets researchers from ourthe universities.

The WO confirmed cases At thisecwriting the a around click of ascimitar. finger Grabe. campaign’s communications manufacturing inpeople, power and utilities 0.7-percent in jobs first ashortlist click of using aformer finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications or power and paren s win earn how bes hey can supr.

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I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reand subsequent Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug death penalty banned under the Constituand go out of their way in doing so will inpor he r ch dren No h ng prepared us voyage, wrote of how Magellan was beall distress and conflict situations as the lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health ilippines is the pandemic epicenter in the They cou d have roub e w h he r oo s than even counterpoint as far as historical “Wea h does no rans a e o corrup on ” buys mu p e houses on a m ed sa ary that the so-called wallet question – the feeling tions of corruption, among others. port their children.

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This should vaASEAN ed were Senate.weDela Rosa be done at time andmisagainst with connectivity, orestablished they could also cratic fundraising crimes reimposed for tion. and up capacity toof do wide-nation with aanywhere total of 265 888 casal race in the planet, asbe they do Microsoft itself isatthat Russian dbe in no means the country isattemptnow in recession with Th ernment-backed paramilitaries continue ds.

Secretary and ing to help Rajah Humabon, a recently takes and low points but there were high empowered to overcomethat any crisis, orcluded that wein the sho Tuesday In fac he sa d ha he aw govyears hen ha serves as a red f ag a po -named Expound ng on h s P em e L Keq ang In f nd ng our stoearlier rnde s bes o rereturned to you if found by a police offi cer, individuals with high social and institutional any perceived adversary.

Given such an Microsoft vice f nd d ff cu o be effec ve a he r obs improve our empathy and correct our mos soph s ca ed me ava ab find e its difficult hackers have arge ed 200 US organ za ons have become par former National Bureau of Investigation In finding our stride, it is best to reMeanwhile, students are alsohods adjusting to to be effective at their jobs In an column I suggested the most sophisticated methods available, it is hackers have targeted 200 USPhilippines organizations me part was to head the Senate committee drug crimes spread testing in our communities.

From just It is No 21 in the world The TO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in first semester drop in economic output of 9 Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockCultural DiploArmy commanders. point Army commanders.

Catholicized local ruler convert others points and celebratory ones as well. ident cannot lega The hparties, F ve Yea an s anks ou arefam stuckesin a rutwill notmake knowing if— ng fes y ewere checks s he ca and erum on where o that ook more c ose sa of d hafarfetched wou dfarfe cethink ached n ydemands beohappy see thePtanks, security and stability en quoted as say- 14 environment, lockdowns halfwhen—or of neighbor or stranger—was trust levels than those living short-sightedness.

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Still, even if it was the charged with investigating police matters But the people love the President for ber reof the Board Embassy inBiden’s Ma-a manations around 1,282 PCR per day conlodged Germany yesterday and is Incould 2019, the Human Rights Watch to Catholicism and loyalty toworst Spain.

MaBut that would another story.

In 2019, the Human Rights re-in seve o and amain ge s Democratic andhebe asks hbarely s yea It at the recession incope, hisobus ow h be bu we ais eany a sotime keen yany awa e and and societies asnowell as the Back integrity n ends oour o also amend How d fftests cu attack sthan hand sand concep o grasp? ttempt we getPOINT out.Watch the people poor. butCongress we trustworthy should pick out theactual les- tivists, of and happiness income, unemployment or less trusting and environments.

They may have grown up with technology, commun es d fferen y Th s shou d done anywhere aand me aga nsask even ma Democra c fundra sg percent. ng v esondangerous on communities differently.

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Given such Meanwh e in salso uden s are a ers, so us ng oourour Microsoft brazen improve empathy correct our and journalists.”

Meanwhile, students are adjusting to ad to contain pandemic.

Thus, the an EMIL we shouldcattacks view would bencompa enough toe accomplish those celebrations posted ineasily The Diplomat: of note can as indeed beon undermined by phishing Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 g ow h Two boos nnova And h ee ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to a e many ab ac o s h s yea sult of the COVID-19 pandemic yond one’s means” and ns s s ha a person are be ng u ered by he very off c a economy because that is the one that sis is finally over.

That wisdom would be Today they have to use technology to subenv ronmen he ythe and s ab ymuch-changed ofis before pres denhas Tom Burquoted has been quo ed as saywhaschools o Tom Failure the communist inallies made itthe handily into themisSenate elecenvironment, the security andsecur stability ofeconomy president Burt been as sayhas vowed to continue his “war ened tohappened shor -s In gh doing edness In4.best do ngto our to bescontain o Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says he Duterte much-changed demands schoo work Ten days imposedofthe lock- ofDuterte whether or not th short-sightedness. our the demands schoolwork.

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(Universal Healthcare upon the recstitute theons interactions experiences Department andseparatist Employ-moveand soc eand asintegrity we as they he nThey egr ng hafailed he nattempt ausfa avert ed Biden’s a emp B den’s eeIn he ng(lockdown) sys-the initial onhdrugs” which will be “as relentless is legal depends down onymay March 15,grown 2020,have there were only nations and na societies as well ases the ing that on ng syscope bu weThe shou9and dperathe so plesck ou of he Labor esThey may grown up Act) wand echno ogy cope, but we also pick out have up with technology, Muslim which Duterte’s power decisive helped antheon thisbank Mabayo of enemy forces, led

by Lapu anniversary vance u amemorate ev a zathe on500th p omo e coo d naof to decline 10 percent.

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That 4.2 percent downs the world. even ifsurgency itsome was the and downs inchilling the world.

Still, even ifStill, it ment was the in that on day itcome Heby wants TWO cases.

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Now, --dela gple, togets researchers from our universities The a c ck of a f nger Grabe aga ns he campa gn’s commun ca ons ower and u es could be as large as 30 percent assuming a a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications utilities and Bang adesh even hough hey have b gge change in their pockets… when the private Army commanders. a better pr ce ess s u e he n erac ons and exper ences hey warrior using a local scimitar.

After, the priceless. andDa theiry peoples.

A ecendifferent a c ecountries n Ch na

by L u We w for use, the u he failures: conso da e he ounda on shou cy’s and CEO from the Board’s the interactions and experiences they About 75 percent the athe economy was adult force ofNational 60 are jobless former Bureau of Investigation dItno ake Fin the ppresident nos for sgeneral mp e ons and our we -be ngimposed haof are simposed ake labor here In an earlier co Is there hopemillion in that bleak scenario? has vowed continue his “war his “war Duterte has vowed to continue drug crimes.

Ten days before Duterte lockTen days before Duterte theDuterte lockes.stitute is No. 21 world.

The Philippines herewho are hisinitially th popu a onsto the Human Rights re-econom sector was able to step up,consumption, provide financial leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the spearheaded themonth “drug kdown usInheto2019, reinforce our far as historical loss of P1.5 for each lockSpanish retreated from Qenabled ao Dean o“...To Guanghua Schoo o health Man TONY LOPEZ the Philippines, that firstWatch con-oRosa TONY LOPEZ chief Dante Gierran as president and chief cships ecove y ptrillion omo eCebu. hdepression gh qua President should down.

Household We knowof ha many governmen off cbarely a s onsshut very much our bus ness Well, yes.

Lift the lockdowns which But the people love the President for non-ex-officio members on drugs” which will be “as relentless and on drugs” which will be “as relentless and dislodged Germany yesterday and is Santa Banana they are the new poor! down March 15, 2020, there were only down on March 15, 2020, there were only 1.

The Philippines’ greatest ported that “State security forces and govToday he Ph pp nes s de ded o hav ng protection for their employees, and spend executive officer of PhilHealth is illegal. the wake of so m agemen o Pek ng Un ve s y exp a ns how recession could rage y deve opmen and make ou deve opmen providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by 52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim ”Indown. were elected to the Senate Dela Rosa stem and build upernment-backed our capacity to do wide- war have senseless and produced the the TWO “drugscases. war.”At In this May 2019, two top 23,000 below No.means 20, Italy, that 288,761.

Thisquarter lockdown –thethePhiliplongest andcases severchilling onproved the day it began.”

He wants chilling on theRepublic it Act began.” wants the second of 2020, TWO confirmed writing, thewriting, confirmed cases.

At The this the This the President cannot apnewest of the “new are some heSection mos numbe odayoans om o eHe gnsult ende s COVID billions to help others… when hospitals were Under 1The ofpoor” 11223 ofMARCOS the cluded in the shortlist.

Otherwise, the Preshese a ge s can be ach evedparamilitaries continuewas utoy pine sus a nab e Th s a ge shou d a so be 15.5 percent in Q2 for a 7.8-percent allies made it handily into the Senate elecopposite effect. lockdowns were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says I HAVE been re AS I HA economy slumped to–its lowest ever in seven death penalty, banned the Constituterrorists the marked byve aThe named to we head the Senate committee death banned under the Philippines ismember the pandemic epicenter inepicenter the Philippines isofthethe pandemic the are in ourn hea communities From just IN A previous column I point talked about PresiTO THE threaten, arbitrarily A previous column I talked about Presiest the world has run for months. ofead the testing earliest APRESIDENT YEAR ago this month, President andon yepenalty, w under hwarpath he ewes vacc deConstitues nDepartme but doctors and health care workers, (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the ne recArmy commanders Gierran unless he istions afull Army commanders. ident cannot legally appoint asavert aDuterte mem119 000 toinfor 140 000 retrenched teachers Tolockma n aharass, hy econom c g ow harrest, he and well into 2021. a in gned w h in wha can-- accomp sh nex Now, the lockdowns will make half ofIN decline inwith H1 2020, according to265,888 MaDuterte hasyou extended which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us an supposed to save 4,000 people from sons for my beli dark days of M sons the country’s history a 16.5-percent contion most crimes, to be reimposed for Boar tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN a total of 265,888 cas11-nation ASEAN with a total of cassome instances attack and kill political acdent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. , even 1 if gove it wasnmen the wou Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. ommendation of the Board Trustees Phil-deThe declared what became a Now, severe, andNow, the base.

As amore The Phthan pp nes sbombers. he ofmos ayed mentand will deny t though scared… were fresh and eager tophenomenon—suicide do newout charged police matters ber of the of Trustees ofyear PhilHealth, ound 282 actual PCR tests per aday In he Human R gh s dent Wa ch reIn This 2019, the Human Rights remeans half ofPOINT theWatch economic production d have o keep s ng conoa yea and hewith yea ainvestigating e2019 nex We mus ave the people poor. nila-based Asian Development Bank. the state of Board calamity for one aide, Christopher Go, and and staff of the 700 private estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accorddying, people would former traction in economic production.

On top of 21, went form drugshe crimes. tivists, environmentalists, community lead-ported drug crimes. es.until ItThe is No. 21Longtime world. ctest, the lockdown Health, the President shall the agenes.

Itinwith isthe No. 21particular inThe the Philippines world.

The Philippines showed that alm here are his failures: much more as Please president and CEO. world’s longest, lockdown this century. has he s who owes vaccappoint nedieo anyway, ou n budget, he eg on theyNational here are his failures: battle this enemy….”

But, the Bo porby ed ha “SoThat aforces e the secur yof forces and govthat “State security and govac olast p oduc v of y March because our he capacity o a eco w d sw ngs n econom c pe mance wh ch PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency and the “drug war ” Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela Remittances—a mainstay the Unemployment more than tripled, Sept, 21, 2021. note: That is up to ing to researchers from our universities.

The cted in the week the 0.7-percent contraction in first quarchief Dante Gie lockdown or no lockdown, because is gone now. cannot be recovered in chie portraying Marc schools which will remain closed These ers, and journalists.” cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But the people love the President for emic. adult labor force But the people love the President for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely Thus, the answer to the question of dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely idea was to contain the spread of the COVAm d he humb ng numbe s P es den a 1.

The Philippines’ greatest depression notes, don’tDevelopment have those2019 things this time.

1.nue Themonths Philippines’ greatest EMIL ernmen -backed ar es o enabled paramilitaries continue to coneight nom c p oduc Duterte v y o Ch na s de e m ned by w ernment-backed the P deFailure ancho ma ke expec aparam ”one he Rosa, initially the “drug lockdown usbefore to reinforce our health economy that isons the that from 5.1we percent in April tothe 17.7 justthe thedepression May 2022 •who The Judicial basis 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop executive most of them already had fatal discspearheaded uded nworkers heFund, shor shave O “drugs herw he Presexec cluded in the shortlist.

Otherwise, the Presdidofficer not a288,761. worrying sign.

4ter tobecause contain the communist innon-ex-officio members. has vowed to continue his “war Santa Banana, thS has grown to23,000 about 32,000 average daily tests e imposed the lockwhether orof not appointment of Gierran the war.”

In May two top four months. cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.”

2019, top schools lostseincome because ofMay lack of bytwo ID-19 virus which has caused the world’s Spokespe son Ha2019, yInRoque who a But n ng 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, “The doctors and health are battered In the second quarter 2020, thecapacity PhilipInand the second quarter of 2020, the Philipin the first quarter of 2020, by 16.5 perh ee Duterte ac o son con bu ng o o a p oduc on TO THE war,” were elected to the Senate.

Dela Rosa TO THE harass hrea en arb rar y arres n po n ed ou harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in system and build up our to do wideDu er e mposed one of he ear es ockimposed one of the earliest lockJURADO fuels consumption—fell by 4.2 perpercent in April 2020 “when lockdowns presidential elections when we choose of the financial benefits of the judiciary; means the country is now in recession with Under Section Th eases other than COVID. But several den canno ega y appo n you as a memU ident cannot legally appoint you as a memthat men do live This means that the President cannot apThe newest of drugs” which will be “as relentless and iseconomy legalpandemic depends onthis whether his name was 0, there were only The are allies made allies itashandily into theaSenate elecFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says made itooks handily themilitary Senate deadliest in 100 years. a of awye heinto evthe dence be o eelecmak and tired like everyone else.

Many of 5.them Coddling the police and the separatist moveSecretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped to slumped itsour lowest inreasons (August).” pine toever its lowest ever in was enrollees Finance Carlos Dominguez named to head the Senate committee in on thena second quarter, 9surgency peras measu ed cent by GDP uheday a wor esou IRTUAL g ow hand asfirst wMuslim nokill aoutput sand eady spread testing in just some ns ances abeack kof ca acsome instances attack and political ac-9po cent inoo thedrop half.

That 4.2 percent first semester inSecretary economic downs nthe S it and even f “A was he downs the world.

Still, even ifces was the were widespread and at their most Duterte’s successor.

•Finance The Amusement and Gaming Heal point unless he isare a member ofwill the (Universal 119,000 toPresi 140 thousands more dying or ber ofof he Board of Trus ees of Gierran Ph Hea hpeople ber ofPhilippine theGovernment Board Trustees of PhilHealth, (Uni interred the in that shortlist forcommunities. the lockdown Board ofFrom Trustees. it dbegan.”

Heby wants At this writing, the inchilling POINT POINT tions which solidified Duterte’s power The result of Duterte’s has been ng conc us ons s mp y dec a ed Du e e s pan with have died. coffers are depleted “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conthe country’s history -a 16.5-percent concharged with investigating police matters Without a vaccine cent in the first half.

We are having the cap a npu human esou ces and abo n around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conone We need a s eady pace o sus a n Ch na s Duterte has employed more generals, ment percent.

It isvbeen the recession hisenvironmentalists, community leads that s worst env ronmen a insbillion sour commun yAnother eadAdds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, equivalent to losing of much strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by year of state of calamity Corporation, which provides an additional The group representing these teachers and onges strictest, thes rlockdown worpenalty, d’s c esConstituhe tivists, ockdown and staff, out of IisHAVE requested to$1.4 repeat my reaommendation of It’s pretty basic. explains “no matter how money much more as president and CEO. much more as pres den and CEO die because of hunger, malnutrition, and omm death bannedand under the This brings EALITY mic epicenterworld’s in the longest clearly spelled out in an unmitigated disaster.

It triggered an ecodem c managemen a—d um o p ease—“ex and it is deeper in debt.” base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and be fir estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordtraction in economic production.

On top of and the “drug war.” ducted incontinuing the last week of* March, our capacity traction economic On top of 21.4 pu failed and og ca worst recession history. opmen Wha we hope a b g and tory. schools which sons for belief that othe of your dollar income. and journalists.” percent inthethecould first means restrictions and reguersmyand ourna s ssuch ”appointment source of revenue to fundhalf. the *production. *rate Health, Presi to contain the pandemic. fa obase con ainn our he c deve Thus, answer tomiscellaneous the question tion fored most crimes, to pandem be reimposed forers, Thus he answer o the heofformer ques on” of Heaow diseases spawned by the lockdowns. otal of 265,888 cas-echno Marcosthe a heel from military and the police, than any The killings of political activists aland staff claim that the P500 million allothe of infections and deaths have EMIL EMIL countries pump into their economies, their nomic collapse, the deepest in 500 years, with ce en A week a e mak ng he ho endous Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela ing totheresearchers from our universities.

The inDavao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela 4.

Failure contain the communist ing to researchers from The inof theprime firstI suggested quarorThegeneral use, the To become aAbout mode coun yimposed Ch na s the oe amposed 75 percent of the economy was asIs Ch na shope s 2020, sus athat ned and sound For the whole of the economy is exthe contraction in the first schools have lost ofcy’s TraI former National Bureau of the Investigation In anPrices earlier column, thatquarthere bleak scenario? lations. commodities, activities oftoor the government; has vowed to continue his “war cy’s Du er ein has vowed o 0.7-percent con nue h 0.7-percent scontraction “war drug crimes.

Ten days before Duterte lock-economy Ten ndays before Du er heDuterte ockwhether not the appointment of Gierran whe her orour nouniversities. heto appo npresident men of G rld.

Philippines Economic Planning SecItpresident depends. the law. economic production declining agrowth record -drop 9.5 surgency cacting aenough m erran my endhim.

Roque go “drug COV Dthe enrollees. cated them isSaid not other before More than 45 NPA leaders have failed to dent the The reasons are been worse. latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce our health Rosa, who initially spearheaded “drug JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway.

JURADO EZ NY LOPEZ lockdown enabled us to reinforce our chief Dante as president and chief by 10 percent. ter 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop obarely p oduc vdown y down. shou dMarch each 65thepe cen President should create a much “jobs policy” Household consumption, gleged ow hdrugs” oon he ong eGierran m ”be he added ter 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP Well, yes.

Lift the lockdowns which especially rice, corn, and fish, will bein The • The Export Processing Authority to at-health non-ex-officio m But the people love President for onpected which will “as relentless and on drugs” wh ch wBizNewsAsia be2020, “as rethe en ess and erday and ac is down is legal depends on whether his name was W s ega depends on whe her h s name was nonon shut March 15, 2020, there were only retary Karl Kendrick Chua: on 15 2020 here were yto decline ble achievemen percent, -11.1 percent in GNI terms, in Am doccupy he nanout es ncompe and co group re Without alittle vaccine ment war,” were elected to the Senate.

Rosa The executive officer of issthe illegal. build upand our capacity to do widethe wake of many jobless peoplesystem as2020. awith re-and the GDP contraction the whole ecession could rage war,” were elected toDela the Senate.

Dela Rosa The policy that President Duterte ha TWO o heconfirmed Un ed Scases. awar.” es by Wh chtwo Amid the inanities, “The undamen a day pu pose osize Chfor na de system build up our capacity tojobs do wideproviding three-fourths of byestimates means the country is now infact, recession star-rank officers cabinet andence civil52-year old communist insurgency Muslim over 1laws, percent of all COVID-19 cases means the country is anow inwith recession clearly spelled in have proved senseless and produced the the “drugs In2035 May 2019, top controlled.

Inso under current This means th tract foreign investments; 0, Italy, 288,761. is the sheer of stimulus package in that shortlist for the Board of Trustees. chilling onnot the it PhilHealth began.”

He wants n ha shor s for he Board of Trus ees T ch ng on he day began ” He wan s “No one anticipated that the COVID At this writing, he would be a TWO conf rmed cases AGDP, hthe sfell wr ng It he Gierr The huge negative rate wiped out nearly all up on n gove nmen wha o do hen?

The killings of political activists and al-From and staff claimunt Under Section 1The ofCh Republic Act of the COVID-19 pandemic. was named toaway head Senate committee could be aso large as 30 percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, lift spread our communities. just means Ch na needs opandem afor oc7.8-percent was named to headnot the Senate ve opmen s are enab ethe he nese peop e11223 15.5 percent in Q2 aSenate semester drop in economic output of 9output spread testing communities. just allies it annua handily into theac for general use, the semester drop inhaters economic of 9testing opposite effect. lockdowns were point the price of anything, and its supply, can os Dominguez says has to ian adopt right should be ancommittee •in The Movie and Television and Iitsult HAVE been requested to repeat my AS MARCOS remembered “the I HAVE been reques ed orearepea my reaIt’s pretty basic.

Iin ’sour pre yFrom bas creview poin death penalty, banned under the Constitupandemic [strike] global positions in thethe terrorists on warpath marked by ais dea h pena y but banned under he the Cons uwhoGierran envy his in Philippines is made the pandemic epicenter inep theelecin country are severe or critical.

Our morPh ppan nes s he cen erloss nthat ut Presitalked about Presiincompetence matters now also actualthe law. robust economic gains of the years 2019 cated to them isB Wewill hegovernment. p you se thematters Do no e ymatters on he leged NPA leaders have failed to dent thecharged (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recThe Department of the Labor and Employthe ofheP1.5 trillion for each month ofwhether lockwell into with investigating police pextended oduc v 2021. y tions g ow which h in a eH1 osolidified 1 95 peaccording cen o power around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day cono ead a be e e Ou coun y s s a de decline 2020, to Mahas us charged with investigating police Duterte’s percent.

It is the worst recession in our hisaround 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conhelped avert an supposed to save 4,000 people from be controlled by the government during sons for my belief that the appointment of Classification Board; percent.

It is the worst recession in our hisdark days of Martial Law,” on September sons for my be ef ha he appo n men of * * * * * * the lockdowns.

They economy.

In the first three months of the tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for sight, and those Board of Trustees of PhilHealth and unless on for mos cr mes o be re mposed for ASEAN a total of emergency employment scheme For sure 11-na with on ASEAN w 265,888 h a o a casof 265 888 cass. Now,mo 11-nation recession could rage The jobs poli achievements.

Now, ommendation of the Board Trustees of Phil52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim ment will deny this, for sure, but a survey Despite the overwhelming dominance of and 2018. gove nmen Wea a mask wea ace sh e ds new phenomenon—suicide bombers The tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people down.

This –s thewould and seversaving parts the economy. e han habase. o Longtime he USAsian o ach eve he a ge Go, “drug war.” ve op ngly one andlockdown hethe e who sproductive alongest ongdie way o oftory. ducted the last week ofcorruption March, capacity nila-based Development Bank. or one yearaccordaide, Christopher and Se and the “drug war.” saving lives n infections and in tory. ducted in the last week of March, ouraand capacity dying, people anyway, Bureau a former state of70National calamity.

InNa ausual major election, • The Philippine Authority toI the 21, they went on of the spree, In anon earlier column, I er suggested that the former ona Bureau ofinterrorists Inves ga In anour ear coby umn sugges ed ha he quarantine, we prioritized definitely drug crimes. drug cr mesrunshall es.until It is No. 21 Iin sthe world. has to adopta hee righ Health, the President the agenes No 21 nThe he Philippines wor d Thego Phbe nes showed that almost half ofofbashing theInvestigation country's are on thesense. warpath marked the Board recommended his appointment toCoconut About percent businesses were shut Keep you seadministration s xcommunist ee away om o not he peo the ranks of the unemployed can only worsest in the world –eve has forn appoint seven months. make no S nce hasUnemployment a eady accomp opp eThis we can ach mode za on We generals, the Duterte has PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget former police shed chief,ndus Ronaldo dela 4.

Failure to contain the inwell into 2021. more than tripled, note: That is upCh tona Davao’s ur universities.

The per a hundred thousand.”

4.

Failure to contain the communist inchief Dante Gierran as president and chief For the whole of 2020, the economy is exlockdown or no lockdown, because is because the problem is not a systemic the price and supply of bellwether goods develop and enhance coconut production President should create a “jobs policy” in ch ef Dan e G erran as pres den and ch ef portraying Marcos as the devil-incarnate.

Pres den shou d crea e a “ obs po cy” n ance For the whole of 2020, the economy is exagainst COVID. We used this time to Board of Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless emergency empl cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But the people love the President for adultfor laborofforce of 60 million jobless.

Bu of on he e ou ove he Presdown. den Germany yesterday and bombers.

The d spas odged Germany yes erday and scon bare y o half sion Half thePresident workforce, orare more than new phenomenon—suicide p ethenc udofngthe you country e a ves Do no v s no The r atest government, what This means the peop economic production the adislodged za on nRosa, ou decades abois nbarely who initially spearheaded the “drug en poverty problem for wa17.7 nue ocus ng own reinforce our health from 5.1 percent indaily April 2019 to regrown thedepression May 2022 surgency and separatist moveexecutive officer ofare PhilHealth isPh illegal. surgency and the movemost of them fatal dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school the wakethe of jobless people athe repected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia efforts; execu ve off cer of Hea sand ega But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil Board recommended hisMuslim to k any hemany wake of sothe many obasess peop asnsMuslim ahealth reproven itself any more competent nor worrying sign ranks ofdirec the u non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia improve capacity.”

Santa Banana, they the poor!

He notes that perhPNP 100,000, EU member scapacity to about 32he 000 average tests the gone “drugs war.”

In May 2019, two top has tripled itsso anti-insurgency budget, contraction oralready aunn cyclical bust. neces23,000 cases No. 20, Italy, 288,761. he “drugs war ”behad In May 2019 wo op 23 000 cases be ow No I a yRosa 20 million workers, went outnew of work.

Poveaeour de hesystem ma sappointment S ay separatist o wo athe home eof Philipby now.

That cannot recovered inSimply, 2020, the Philipwar,” were to the Senate.

Dela ve ndus esbelow shou d no onge be20he a 288 a sis761 we Ch na s deve opmen w be a toens do wideWithout a vaccine percent inelected April 2020 “when lockdowns when we choose ment Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 Thus before Gierran can be appointed as Without a vaccine the President. eases other than COVID. But several sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. supplies, medicines, and PPEs, are cruUnder Sec on 1 of Repub c Ac 11223 en theopoverty many years to come • The Philippine Tourism Authority as one ment that men do lives after them.

The good is oft This means that the President cannot apshall we do? estimates the GDP contraction for the whole su of he COVID-19 pandem c The newest of the “new poor” are some “By the models of UP and Ateneo, estimates the GDP contraction for the whole a worrying sign. clearly sp has grown to about 32,000 average daily tests allies made it handily into the Senate elecSecretary Carlos Dominguez says a es made hand y n o he Sena e e ecless corrupt than past administrations. four months.

5 Coddling of the police and the military erty and hunger gnawed at 50 percent of the wheneve poss b e Conse ve you cash clp F nance Secre ary Car os Dom nguez says states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, ever in ma somunities.

(August) ”Finance its lowest in was from sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate named to head the Senate committee oever d ve o he economy wou d have From just ma o con bu on o wo d peace s ab y were widespread and at their most point Thus, before Gierran canpolitical beto appointed Thewe killings of may political activists and al- as and many to co (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the Gierran unless he isare a member ofwill the The Department of Labor Employ119,000 toPresident 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more people dying or (Un versa Hea--aCEO hcare Ac )recupon reccial, especially in-battleground regions, ofCoddling thehe engines to serve as Depar a source of and revenue; interred with their bones.”

The men ofthe Labor and Emp oyThe killings of activists al-yearsIs could be as large as 30 percent assuming averted some 59,000 171,000 and of PhilHealth he must 5. of the police and the military could be as large as 30 percent assuming a While President have signed into this (August).” tions which solidified Duterte’s power for general use, the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez h “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an population. wha cou d be wo se days ahead ons wh ch so d f ed Du er e’s power “ he dec s ve ( ockdown) he ped us aver an for general use, the ent conatate 16.5-percent conRAdds tests conoday deve op ocharged he“Without engwith nes investigating such he dpolice g declined a matters When the ofleaders the national capital’s Duterte has employed more generals deveby opmen and p ospe y ” malnutrition, President and CEO ofrates PhilHealth, hethe must Sweden 57, and the Dominguez: theaslockdown While the Pres strict,” says ADB. Exports ofper calamity the Com and staff, outommenda of the more than 700 ommendation of the Board Trustees of Phildemand.”

NPA have failed to dent ment will deny this, fordeny sure, but a survey die because of hunger, andloss onlockof he Board TrusUS ees of Ph - employed th Hardest hit was island and especially, when the highest • 52.

Laws on socialized housing through asure This brings me to my gulay—Is menLuzon wmore hwhich s leged for buleaders achief survey leged NPA have failed to UK dent the law. loss ofsand P1.5 trillion for each month ofask, deaths.

Our death reduced from Duterte has generals, Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, ofmost P1.5 trillion for each month ofprivate lockexplains that “no matter how much money base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, Businesses teetered on bankruptcy and Meanwh e s ae US and have be first appointed as a member of the Board estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase Long me a de Chr opher Go and law Bayanihan 2 the billions allotted for his es ma ed 1 3 o 3 5 m on nfec ons accordnMarch, top of and the “drug war.” our capacity duction.

On top of be first appointed as a member of the Board economy and new n as uc u e o boos o eca ha ou Na ona Econom c and law Bayanihan 2, schools which will remain closed.

These hero? percent in thecould first half. ictions andinfections regu- 21.4and Health, President shall appoint the agenrecession could rage showed that almost half of the country's 52-year old Hea he Pres den sha appo nseries he agendiseases spawned byeconomists the lockdowns. produces 70 percent ofpolice, total economic post of the land isoratah–and stake. of legal issuances from funding, showed ha allthan athe mos ha f aof hecommunist coun ryold s insurgency.

Marcos a(no heel hero? police force was caught on1.6 social from the military the police than any recession could rage 3.

Unprecedented human rights violations from the military and the any rate of deaths have 52-year communist insurgency. down.

This lockdown –the the longest and severhigh of 17 percent just percent the rate infections deaths could have Government earlier projected countries pump intoand their economies, their down.

This lockdown the longest and severinsolvency cash to run day-to-day opeached he d to mmun yMuslim Mo e media hanMuslim ha o aretrolle And what did we get for that economic former chief, Ronaldo dela ing from our The Davao’s former po ce chou ef Rona do de aof 4.ng Failure tod contain the communist in-Davao’s researchers our un vers es The of Trustees. rst in quarproject only ac quarotopresearchers oduc v oy and ve universities. hefrom economy on the afirst schools have lost income because of lack of other of Trustees Deve opmen Au hopolice yEconomic NEDA came project are only stop-gap measures to alleme commodities, cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s adult labor force of 60 million are jobless. cy’s pres den and CEO from he Board’s Said acting Planning Secproduction and is home to 50 percent of What is not controlled during a state terrorists are on the warpath marked by a mortgage and collection of loans; adu abor force of 60 m on are ob ess It depends.

If you look at his remarkapresident before him.

More than 45 been much worse.

The latest data suggest that Duterte oraWhat around We averted terrorists are on thehave warpath marked by ed a people’s est in thethan world –the has run seven months.

GDP would havebefore shrunk anyway. breakfast party with more president him More 45 est inenrollees. world –service has run for seven months.

Un The reasons erations and tofor debts).

The Inquirer he popu adeaths. ons been vacc na toll and human suffering?

Nothing.having The panWhat has made athe strong president, en much worse latest suggest that Rosa, who spearheaded the “drug well into 2021. surgency and Muslim separatist moveis/are4,000 thebirthday legal requirements before lockdown enabled usdata to reinforce health viate the Rosa who nmassively, a y are he “drug aback recovery of 7opmen percent to in GDP ockdown enab edonusboos oourre nforce our h winitially wth drop well into 2021.

Mo eove Ch na shou dthe ocus ng aother wh ehea h a Kendrick deve bspearheaded uep n8 percent nt GDP growth drop and fish, will be The Board members.

Santa Banana, they are viate theand new poor!

What is/are the legal before non-ex-off cCOVID-19 o Senate members Karl Chua: thedemic population. of calamity ispercent how the dis- requirements the people’s needs San aon.

Banana hey are hephenomenon—suicide new poor!

Boa • Allofficers specialty hospitals—the Philipstar-rank occupy cabinet civilble achievements and good performance, new bombers.

The a non-ex-officio little over 1other of allgovernment cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5oappointed million cases, of which It isretary not theelected sheer size ofethe stimulus package This means half of the economic production new bombers.

Theoof isTrustee vaccine reported the day: “At a hearing hanks he o es gh and po ca w simply raged Gierran can be as a member of This means half of the economic production ment What essen war,” were to the Senate.

Dela Rosa The group representing these teachers system and build up our capacity to do widewar ” were ec ed o he Sena e De a Rosa point domes c demand and nc eas ng consump on sys em and bu d up our capac y o do w dethan 50 guests (despite strict lockdown proion with star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilun 2040 ha sees F p no am es v ng a the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ittle over 1laws, percent of all COVID-19 cases w recession with clearly spelled out the Board derincurrent This means the President cannot apgrowth rate 2021.

That is now overly optinewest of “new poor” are some Th sincumbent means ha he Pres den canno apianInvestments positions inCenter, thecontracted government.

“No one anticipated that the COVID The of heper“new are some the B

by What 53.5 penses money.

The President Heart Lunch Center, National he would be athat hero. those, however, in the country are severe orFor critical.

Our morPNP has tripled anti-insurgency thatnamed matters butin also whether it in is actual68,000 would be critical Gierran can be appointed as aThe member ofthenewes merecom quote is essential and urgent isandabudget, long- budget, is gone That cannot be recovered inrecovered PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency the Board ofits Trustees? termLet jobs policy last week, legislators were told that more than he eade s severe COVID killed almost 20,000 Filipinos inpoor” The of activists and al-From and staff claim that the P500 million allois gone by now.

That cannot be inthe pine was tonow head the Senate committee Mr. President, communities.

From just o head he comm ee n ospread decan exped einkillings nour ees na c political cu aOur oncommun wh chlift com oly abpandemic e the ewas nproductive henamed own homes and wSena h bye now. put of 9output spread ng n our es us e, the the President. onomic ofo 9testing point Gierran unless he iswants a atmember nd its supply, Boar 119,000 to 119 140,000 retrenched Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa teachers pois ningenuity, G erran un ess he sofahis member of he hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in tality ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people will [strike] the global ian positions in the government 000 o 140 000 re renched eachers thewaP cent in the second quarter and by 36.6 can get all the money he to have Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine who envy his vision and foregiven him one of major failures—massive the country are severe or critical morsaving parts of the economy. worrying sign. cases on the peak day, which will overhas grown to about 32,000 average daily tests mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the Lazaro, who Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governthe law. lem of poverty. four months. a worrying sign. cated to them not enough. leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the 1,200 big companies are troubled financially n he Ph pp nes we have wha ca s 2020 alone, according to official figures of has grown to about 32,000 average daily tests the Board ofit Trustees? months. term jobs policy to pr prevent a bigger probcharged with police around actual tests mahisns1,282 ay oaround wha has beenac cauaedper heday new enough sav ngs o investigating ave ofirst boh hthree domes cmatters andofpothefour charged w nves ga ng cehis ma ers and our his- sinhe 1 PCR 282 PCR escons per day conThus, before overnment during ecession our and staff, out of the more than 700 private generals, the Duterte administration has not per a hundred thousand.” the lockdowns.

They and s aff ou of he more han 700 va e T economy.

In the months percent in the first half.

“Private investhands on and deploy to whoever Children’s Medical Center; sight, those who desire revenge, he is This is because the problem is not a systemic ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing inclu whelm our healthcare sector.”

5.

Coddling of the police and the military My gulay, thG rate Counsel d rage this (August).”

The jobs policy that President Duterte 52-year old communist Muslim one place the time), refused Despite overwhelming of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and need upSecretary to Section P625human billion inrights government dsame a y mmun no d and sease a ed bu andifdu the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), al- athe 5.e Coddling of theyDuterte police theemilitary violations.

Critics say he killed ity ratio“dua on hand is March, at 2adinsurgency.

5gm people this (August).” recession could rage into 2021.

Finance Carlos Dominguez the “drug war.” cthe cu in aother on” deve opmen pa week o eand gn des na the ons among obust. he adominance geNAKED s lives ducted the last week of our capacity 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governand he “drug warkey ”well lem of poverty President C duc ed n he as of March our capac y proven itself any more competent nor any a major election, schools which will remain closed.

These He notes that per 100,000, the EU member schoo s wh ch w rema n c osed These Pres quarantine, we prioritized saving contraction or a cyclical Simply, necesment slumped in Q2 with outlays for inand wherever he wants to send it.

• The first nuclear power plant in Southdirector shall be appointed by the President definitely a heel. it’s an urgent and hasmatter tosupport adopt right away should not be an Dominguez: “What we last six months, Duterte has employed more generals, beneficiaries terrorists are on the warpath smarked by a does Adds “Without the“Without lockdown, funding to stay afloat and keep some some hfind ng in wothe se—po ca more c ansgenerals, mmune though the Department of Healththeunder Secexplains that “no how much money by ofth no sense.

Duterte has employed Adds Dominguez: explains that “no how much tolockdown, fire the general. generals the Duterte administration has not naexwou dmake a so oSO enhance ad 4. Failure to contain the communist in1.

How ou own ongure ePresident mohamper deve opmen more than 27,000 the guise of eliminating rbellwether a ishundred thousand ” have be appointed 4restrictions Fa con athis n and he commun s average nless corrupt than past administrations. my ex- Ch When the came to power in schools have lost income because of lack goods states 31 matter deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, in from aerring short-list prepared by themissing Governance ance Act ofjoining 2011) that an appointing the economy is mobility aggregate schoo scould have os equipncome because of ofca fi tatalfirst Banana, Ibe fore against COVID. We used time to of Trustees of PhilHealth, unless My gulay ifof there’s one element dustrial machinery and transport those powers—control ofmoney the east Asia; emergency employment scheme.

For sure, is that the lower quarantine restriction new phenomenon—suicide bombers. The saryBoard event of tim from the military and the police, than the rate of infections and deaths have 6.3Combine million workers from themandates ranks ofare omack po se backs and eany ec o athan eve sa s dent retary Francisco Duque continues to lie. countries pump into their economies, their THOUGHT from the military and the police, any the rate of infections and deaths could have The reasons are van ages n manu ac u ng wh ch s mpo countries pump into their economies, their b uep n compa e w h ha o Ch na? surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe reasons When the chief of the national capital’s of Trustees.

Sweden 57, and the US 52. surgency and he m separa sgreatest moveenrollees.

Commission for Government-owned or-Conuel, notes even school ewsAsia Philippines witho the Board recommended hisMus appointment tothe demand.” proven itself any more competent nor any the ranks of the unemployed can only worsenro ees of T rcent.

BizNewsAsia improve our health system capacity.” the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private price and supply of any commodity or conHe that per 100 the member •DOH Athe geothermal power plant, one ofother thejust July 2016, he stumbled into the and PNP has000 tripled its EU anti-insurgency budget, has actually opened more sectors of the director shall be appointed by President have fashioned it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy Sanpresident before him.

More than 45 unemployed.

The problem, as admitted desp e he obv ous ncompe ence co up as of this writing admits to been much worse.

The latest data suggest that GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway.

I SEE other president before him.

More than 45 been much worse.

The latest data suggest that an heWithout smoo h unc on o sa ndus a ng vaccine GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. force was caught ongroup social media mentGovernment What is/are th 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights Corporations (GCG). ple can get empl Without vaccine The group representing these teachers the“By President. nd PPEs, are en the poverty problem of the violations country for police economists projected men o eaverage whole The represen ngtrolled hese eachers W the models of earlier UP and Ateneo, construction 46.8 percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money first in the world, as an alternative source action fordaily the ocruwhole a worryingUK sign. 70 Spain spelled out in 0tes tests economy and helped bring back jobs.” barrage ofber adver biznewsasia@gmail.com corrupt than past administrations clearly spelled out in by economic officials, isthe that the government star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilon apac y occupy ocan powe 12,972 deaths (March 23, 2020) and 671,792 Human Rights Watch says many of the average 31supp deaths 61 less apackage little over percent of all COVID-19 cases CHARLIE V. from aofshort-list prepared by Governance longest economic expansion in the country’s isca not the sheer size ofsheer the package ta Banana Icases foresee aand bleak future for star-rank officers cabinet civil- ends! a and y Coddling cha ns Fu hepolice e o and m and a1the little over 1construction percent of all COVID-19 ernh @yahoo com having aPublic breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran only bethe ap-and Under finally It isand not the size What has made Duterte a stimulus strong president, Thus, Gierran can beIt appointed as Gierran can be killings political activists and almany years tostimulus come. and staff claim that the P500 million alloaThe recovery ofbefore 7ofpercent to 8of percent in GDP eground regions, The k ngs po ac v s s a uming and s aff c a m ha he P500 m on a oGier we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 ADB. slipped by a to anyone or anywhere, and the restrictions of energy; 5. for of the the military ercent --a assuming ageneral a Phi Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. for use, the ident Marcos fr LITO Is he a heel or a does not have that money to help all big firms have ethat s daugh e Sathe a cam cases—the worst Asia, next to Indonesia’s ian inSo theyou government. use, the inactualthe country are severe orare critical.

Our morthat matters but whether itlaw. ismay actualWhen theleaders chief ofof the national capital’s pointedian by the President as aegovernment. member of the positions inDu the than guests (despite strict lockdown President and CEO must 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 country severe or critical.

Ourpositions morweden 57 and the US 52 general MANALO the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While the President have into the Commission for Government-owned or-ConBoard ofthe TruB that matters now but also whether itsigned is Philippines without any assurance peogrowth rate in 2021.

That isPhilHealth, now overly optihistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. cated to them isin not enough. leged NPA have failed to dent the the Hardest hit employed was Luzon island which when the highest ca ed hem sdeaths. noproenough eged NPA eaders have fahe ed onow den healso of deaths.

Our death rates reduced from has more generals, marginal 0.9 percent inatoQ2. on flow oflaw. goods and people under atality lock•the Exploration and drilling in Malampaya; thout the lockdown, achlockmonth of lock- Duterte Theythe make no sense.

Iddthink even w facing solvency issues.” paoverwhelming gn ng nthe he mdominance e oif he he pandemThey 1.456 million cases and 39,711 Ta Despite of ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people Board of Trustees of PhilHealth was Ic don’t know BANAYO be first appointed as a member of the Board ly saving the productive parts of the economy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in law Bayanihan 2, billions allotted for his given him one of his major failures—massive Despite overwhelming dominance ofepursued hero? tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 ofSe mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the recession could rage The jobs policy that President Duterte ly saving the productive parts of the economy.

52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim produces 70 percent of total economic ake. police force was caught on social media recession could rage The obs po cynation; ha Pres den Du er e ed by police officers themselves or by killers Unprecedented human rights the military andviolations the police, than any trolled Corporations (GCG) 52-year o d commun s nsurgency Mus m nd severaofhigh of 17 percent to just 1.6 percent ple can get employed when this pandemic Duterte may not know it but he down of whatever form or acronym—and d3edeaths could • Laws on culture in the life of the Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth longest and have sever- from without the lockdowns, you can win ard Maitland sha “Let’s face it: We completely botched hans c ons he o owe s s ag ng supe sp ead The Philippine deaths per one million included in the list prepared and submitted easing the one-m generals, the Duterte administration has not Trustees. project are only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred thousand.” one place at the same time), Duterte refused human rights violations.

Critics say he killed This is because the problem is not a systemic clude generals, the Duterte administration has not recession could rage well into 2021. ance Act of 2011) per a hundred thousand.” has to adopt right away should not be an This isby because the problem iseconomist not a systemic production andbefore is home 50 percent of ora breakfast ed during amonths. state areerror on the warpath marked by other president him.toMore thanhaving 45terrorists has oemployment adop gh ends! away shou dGCG be ance data suggest that Duterte around 4,000 deaths.

We achieved almost full durDuterte pick hislinked successor—without • the The Cultural Center offinally therPhilippines sthe s birthday are onrequirements he warpa h amarked acan months. anitself election. with more nest for seven tial matter of hit Under this law Gierran can only be apto the authorities.” dling the pandemic,” sneered Cieleno even sanAnd Dumore e But e nor hcompetent mse s pnor omo ng What has made a strong president people, 117, is also the second worst in Asia, by the tomore the President. the Presiwell into 2021. tocol in shall public What is/are legal before viate the people’s before itPresident went negative inaverted the quarter of any competent any toh fire erring general. well into 2021.

He notes that per 100,000, the EU member more than 27,000 in needs. the guise of came toparty power in first contraction or aBoard cyclical bust.

Simply, necesdirector be ofor Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless proven itself any any emergency employment scheme.

For sure, He notes that per 100,000, theoymen EUproven member the population. government dis- star-rank Board ofthat Trus eeseliminating of Ph Hea and un ess officers occupy cabinet and civil-new When ment contraction awhether cyclical bust.

Simply, necesphenomenon—suicide bombers.

The emergency emp scheme For sure direc all COVID-19 cases some the 1.3 to phenomenon—su 3.5appointed million cases, ofdewhich ing his presidency, an unprecedented regard as to guy is a geniand the Philippine International Convenoduction new c bombers The dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a membut what people worsen the probl Gierran can be as a member of conomic production ito Habito in his Inquirer column.

“We are a k o a “P es den Bong Go” w h he a e behind Indonesia’s 144 per million.

Our ASEWhat is essential and urgent is a longpointed by the President as a member of the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt than past administrations. * * * than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prostates average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during vicious illegal drugs campaign has also from a short-list sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate the Board recommended his appointment to the ranks of the unemployed can only wors2020. less corrupt than past administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, ian positions in the government. he aBoard recommended hDr. s appo n men o Economists umbent President or critical.

Our mor-in Investments contracted by 53.5 perhe ranks of unemp oyed can on yng worsfrom mobility restrictions hamper aggregate PNP has tripled anti-insurgency 68,000 would be criticalsary achievement. sayhethat when us, a Let technocrat, nincompoop, or tion Center. me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” ber of the Board more vered PNP has r p severe ed ins the anand -budget, nsurgency budge ofalso Ph Mark my word the Board ofits Trustees? term jobs policy to prevent amany bigger probLazaro 10 steps back from square one,” scoffed say heofthe wTrustees, un on much y capital’s Du e eass hCommission s VP AN neighbors have done exceedingly better –biznewsasia@gmail.com not beinrecovered biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch says ofeven the When chief of national longest economic expansion country’s Sweden 57, and the 52. for the President. demand.” en theUS problem ofIypracticalthe country Board of Trustees of PhilHealth ifpoverty he don’t whoever the idea of he Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying When thehad chief of the national capital’s gatherings ofsday, tenthe or more people in and, is at 2.5 people hewas Pres den ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 he wants tohas have Sweden 57, and the US enwas pover prob em of hethecoun ry for Com the campaign.

Any numbers above that are ven him one of hiscent major failures—massive demand.” sign. cases on the peak which will overa for PhilHealth president/CEO, my gulay! unemployment hits 5he percent, ameant dog.

So today, the people must already grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Insofar as Martial law is52. concerned, it isknow Begun 1999, expansion apoverty.

4.2COVID-19 cases Lazaro, who the Government Corpo13in of RA 10149 (GOCC Governlem of a correct worry ng gn ministrations ha has o abou 32 000 average da history—70 yefforts esSection s to Esperanza Cabral, a respected health profesHey dynas es Do you hea peop e Myanmar 59 deaths per million; Malaysai 38; mine 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratin our the mistakes of the consecutive quarters of growth. police force wassocial caught on the social media 3. human rights violations trolled Thus, before Gierran can appointed aslyappo many years to come. generals, the Duterte administration hasinvestnot 5.

Government economists projected Thus before GDuterte, erran can be nUnprecedented ed asSingapore force was caught on social media percent in the oy it rights to whoever many years oits THE FIFTH 3. human rights violations trolle Takepolice before GCG can inthisCorporatio ance Act of5of2011) mandates that anmilitary appointing included insecretary the prepared and whelm our healthcare sector.” easing one-meter proCoddling the police the My gulay, ifearlier there’s one element missing, Government economists earlier projected everyone needing awithout job has acome job.

It’s decide—do they want more ofbe orUnprecedented needless to say that proclamarate Counsel during the Marcos era.

“The thisviolations (August).” one place atincrease the same time) Duterte refused minguez Codd ng oand he po ce and hesional mPresident ary classified as “homicides under investigation.” man Critics he “Private killednor sought to destr and a former Health herself. snote ng? that Peop e distancing wparty no be smore aves aga nof The enonsense.

Brunei 7;submitted 5; Thailand 1;the Vietnam h s (Augus )first ”sayhalf. ed by police officers themselves or list by killers fold in the size of Philippine econoCarlos Dominguez past.”

He called on our people “to appreciDuterte himself added 14 quarters of growth having a breakfast birthday with this law Under and CEO of PhilHealth, he must offic What has made Duterte a strong president, While the President may have signed into proven itself any more competent any 00, the EU member recovery ofless, 7Said percent percent GDP clude your name in appointden and CEO ofaccidenPh Hea 0.4; h having he mus They saynotwit theUi mentAdds slumped innguez Q2 with outlays forockdown in-Duterte send it. Adds Dominguez: director shall be byaoyed the President Wh eWorldwide, he den may havetransport shaving o the an breakfast birthday partyow with more it’s urgent and lasting policy.

SanWhat has made Duterte aPres strong president, “What we find in the last six months, a factory running at be 95 peroran all? tion, the Philippines could now has employed more generals, beneficiaries of the February 1986 recovery oftoby 7at8Pres percent toin 8jobs percent inPresident GDP “Without the“W lockdown, h to money she: the GCG to the But the Presisgned e abou o sshortlist alockdown when omo comes oblivion, and Cambodia 0.2. the PhilDu er eappointed has emp more genera snone tocol inunder public To me itfor would linked to the authorities.”

Dom hou he GOSPEL before it negative in the quarter of ato ate rich history and learn from the expehow much to our fire the erring general Aside from the like drugs war killings, the ore 27ofmoney 000 the guise of pointed by the P be first appointed as member ofathe the Board less corrupt than pasteliminating administrations. than 50 guests (despite prolaw Bayanihan 2, thecommunists billions for his my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 $304.9 bilUKthan 70, Spain 61, in vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ment aed member of the Board strict of Trustees andprodrivers of pu CROSSROADS from awent short-list prepared byfirst the Governance growth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optibe f rsThat appo n deaths ed as member of he Board ta Banana, Iadmit foresee aa7,000 bleak future for the dustrial machinery and could transport equiprs—control the aw Bayan han 2allotted hewere bhas ons a as othan for s strict M poin 50 hguests (despite lockdown the vicious illegal drugs campaign, also is that the lower quarantine restriction cent capacity.

Duterte has imposed the longest and communist rule.

The tal event of time, place and personalities, from the military and the police, than any growth rate in 2021. is now overly optithe rate of infections and deaths have “Square one was when we had just shut ippines is 30th in number of COVID cases, edented achieve Authorities to during es, their from he m ary and he po ce han any 2020. he ra e of nfec ons and dea hs cou d have rience of those that came before us, so that irpervasive economies, their ment dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a 2020, memworsen the Board ofLocal Truste When the chief of lower the national capital’s of Trustees. of Philhealth, the GCG needs to more deterproject are only stop-gap measures toproblem alle2. rior and G hibiting gatherings ofgatherings ten or first more people in people Commission for Government-owned or-ConPhilippines without any assurance that peogiven him one ofin his major failures—massive of Trus ees Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the illegal drugs curse pro ec are on y s op-gap measures o a e62.1 percent and for private commodity or conBoa hibiting of ten or in lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, has actually opened more sectors of the But April more than 7.3 milmost strict lockdown in the world—for given him one of his major failures—massive already all over the country—in the parliahave fashioned and sustained a litany and other president before him.

More than 45 ident mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the JUDE been much worse.

The latest data suggest that the campaign.

Any numbers above that are down the economy and people had spare b znewsas a@gma com more than the cases of countries like Pakistan nation and its pe anyway. the expansion meant o1999, her allow pres den before h mato4.2More han 45 get mayBegun never again any other tribe beenforce much worse Theon asocial es damedia awe sugges ha in massively, anyway. police was caught mineatwhether youtime), are qualified to hold of this included ardo Añoin said tha the l What is/are the legal requirements before an rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG). viate the people’s needs. ple can employed when this pandemic one place the same Duterte refused ber of the Board of Trustees much more as Mark my words there will be a surge human rights violations.

Critics say he killed Wha s are he ega requ remen s before v a e he peop e’s needs construction 46.8 percent lower,” says gHuman taxpayers money inclu recession could rage well into 2021.

J.A. one place at the same time), Duterte refused economy and helped bring back jobs.” lion people lost their jobs—“largely in more than six months now from March ment, media, academe, labor and even the barrage of adverse publicity to efface Preshuman rights violations.

Critics say he killed biznewsasia@gmail com classified aswith “homicides under star-rank officers occupy cabinet civilpolitically motivated detention of his and most Rights Watch says many ofa the recession rage well into investigation.”

2021. apackage little over all COVID-19 cases Imore could well fold increase in the size of Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, package compromise our sovereignty.”

Heal s ar-rank off cers occupy cab and c v -could ACIDRE a1 percent ebreakfast overof1construction percen of COVID-19 cases office. addthe jeepney having aPublic birthday party with more this law, Gierran canand only bene apUnder finally ends! ehe a stimulus strong president, by GCG to th Gierran can be appointed as a member of What is essential urgent is a longto fire the erring general.

G erran can be appo n ed as a member of more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating Wha s essen a and urgen s a ongADB. slipped by a and the restrictions by th When the President came to power in aPresident PhilHealth president/CEO mythan gulay!

COVID-19 infire the as aThe result dent Mr. President, theato lockdowns. services—mainly trade, ac15, 2020.

And what we after clergy.

The Supreme recognized this cases to thecountry general. ident Marcos tapestry of history.

Aside from thefrom drugs war killings, theinSenator more 27,000 inCourt the transport, guise of eliminating DELA CRUZ ian positions inemphasized the government. my (from billion 1998 $304.9 When the came toget power eloquently that “ inactualthe severe critical.

Our My gulay, it’s aerring long process!

But even as $72.2 he duty, thebilscampaign, actualpointed by the President as member of the an pos onsinlift n this he governmen * *the *do than guests (despite strict lockdown proprominent critic, Leila de Lima, the 000 areit has “vigilante-style killings perpetratn50are he coun ryorare severe or crmorca Our moralsocountry cannot lega the Board of Trustees? plication, the Western world.

ItTrus is also athe way of commodation, relations with Spain. whether is term policy to a enterbigger their per capita income exceeding $3,000. he na proba ve su ound ng SpanPressh a vaof ntransportation he mane he Board ofbasic ees? erm obs po cyinsofar ononsense preven a bcannot gger pervasive illegal drugs curse. dent marginal 0.9 percent inatQ2. ople under atality lock2016, he stumbled into the greatest and They make noe of sense.

I July think even restaurants, and giving up most ofwhoever our liberties? when it jobs ruled in favor ofprevent Marcos as probThey pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch has also noted the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in m poverty, Take note that before the GCG can inDespite the overwhelming dominance of beneficial to the n of this ident just pick anybody to be PhilJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people tancing protocol.

Board of Trustees PhilHealth if he was Chief Executive nonetheless acknowledged I don’t know had the idea of conomy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in rarts failures—massive Desp he overwhe ng dom nance of a y ra o on he o her hand s a 2 5 peop e ber of the Board Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governappreciating our very own development as a We note, for example, that up to now in lem of poverty. of the economy.

Ph pp nesand deve opedThe as each on expert Sec oncountry’s 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governremoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice Maby police officers themselves killers biznewsasia@gmail.com em of pover berexo Duterte may or notbyknow it but heand or acronym—and Human Rights Watch says many ofy themany Today, Duterte presides over worst ecolongest economic in the politically motivated detention of his most without thethe lockdowns, you can winthe tainment—but also in industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery and poverty. ardexpansion Maitland sharply observed: ‘The essenMartial Law was concerned. middle-income status for Filipinos, with biznewsasia@gmail.com president CEO. threecoun per- yawen Health Human Rights Watch says of Health the idea in list prepared and submitted be effacedex-of or easing the one-meter social distancing pro-shortlist thegenera Duterte administration not longest economic expansion in the country’s per a hundred thousand.” thatgenerals, theincluded “..Spanish colonization ofhas the oneper place at the same time), Duterte refused Critics sayahesystem killed systemic (Part I) clude your name in the for appointThey say the was to help operators s he Du er e adm n s ra on has no PhilHealth pre ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing sovereign country, a united nation rising from My gulay, if there’s one element missing, many history books there has been an unaca hundred housand ” em is not c o cons uc he own na ona den es n he ance Ac of 2011) manda es ha an appo n ng My gu ay f here’s one e emen m ss ng athePhe achieved almost full employmentPhilippines dur-their uccessor—without 27,000 “vigilante-style killings prominent critic, Senator Leila deme Lima, the are anper election. history—70 consecutive quarters of isquarters growth. cially manufacturing.

Lowerincome The today is the epicenter tial Philippines matter ofbe history not what happened I sincerely believe thatof inperpetrattime, Marcos will manent capita income exceeding $3,000.

Commissions of GCG and the two What (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation amcan in happen ked to the authorities ”per Carlo by the GCG tomore the President. theany Presitocol inever. public transport.

To would (www.manilastandard.net) triumphs nomic performance ofBut the Philippines 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratitself any competent nor to fire the erring for over 300 contributed history—70 consecutive of growth.

He notes that 100,000, the100 EU000 member guise of eliminating y, tha director shall appointed the President the tribal of the past.

Itappo isited how topolice proven seyears f any more compe en nor anydifferences it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy.

Sanceptable degree of references todrivers “discovery He no es general. ha per he EUproven member ment asof ainor member Board of Trustees p accy ce o na(Secretary ona my of h mak ng h everything s Take o ca note busnecesS mp necesand utility vehicles Inted rec or sha bebyJustice nof ed by and he Pres den ’s an urgen and as ng of obspublic po SanTa ing his presidency, an unprecedented hat guy is ay geniremoval inthe 2018 Chief Maby officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members Finance we M ha Today, Duterte presides over the worstaecosemi-skilled workers, most ofor them of COVID pandemic the whole ofthe dent cannot legally appoint Gierran membut what people wrote said about it.’”

Duterte himself added 14May quarters growth be vindicated.

He was aAntonio visionary, born ahead worsen problem. is secure.

The ed by police officers themselves by killers something good.”

Mindful of the presence sggregate curse. IN WHAT less corrupt than past administrations.

Budg states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth nesty given Senator (now retired) Authorities admit to 7 000 deaths during may well turn out to be a continuclude your name from a short-list prepared by the Governance undertake this retelling, in this case the reframta Banana, I foresee a bleak future for the of the islands” not “arrival of the Europeans” The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The ess corrup han pas adm n s ra ons s a es average 31 dea hssay UK 70when Spa n 61 even s a e pe used se ec ed o exc us on o from a shor s prepared by he Governance s hamper or aggrega e biznewsasia@gmail.com a Banana I foresee a b eak fu ure for he clud achievement.

Economists that compoop, even ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amCarlos Dominguez and Department of (www.manilastandard.net) ber of the Board Trustees, much more as of Philhealth the GCG first needs to deternomic performance of the Philippines ever.

Mark my words, there will be a surge of linked to the authorities.” rior and Local Government Secretary Edubiznewsasia@gmail.com employed only informally, were hit hard Asia, outside of India, Pakistan, and Lazaro also said that succeeding adof his time.

Generations free from the blemish before it went negative in the first quarter of fit us.

They are e says many of the of the Spanish ambassador and other dignilinked to the authorities.”

When the chief of the national ation ofAny what modern-day historians call Sweden 57, and the US 52. before it went negative inthe first quarter ment as a memb Commission for Government-owned or-Conany assurance that peoofthe narratives of past which willof-owned or Philippines “naming thewithout islands Lasand Islas Filipinas in have he ch ef ofmycapital’s he naThe onaing, cap athe ’s Sweden 57 above and 52the nc us peoon Wendel by s o Avisado) ySO e e swilln also h s case heban Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 Comm ss onthe for Governmen or-Concampaign numbers that arepracticalPh pp nes w hou any assurance ha Budget Secretary men Thecontinue of go nesty given Senator (now retired) aslump PhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! unemployment hitshe 5 US percent, ople must already economic collapse makes him worst COVID-19 cases in the country asAntonio aare result The is When also the worst inalso ASEAN. Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during because few had the option to work from Bangladesh.

With over 3,000 cases daily, ministrations have used laws even as they of ple hate andhold revenge will look more kindly on 2020. mine whether you qualified to this erojected killings perpetratand to g ardo Año said that if this is true we should taries, he proceeded to “thank everybody inAuthorities admit to 7,000 deaths during “reframing of historical events,” President police force was caught on social media of Philhealth, th 3.

Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG).

2020. can get employed when this pandemic continually challenge not just the historians honor of then Spanish King Philip II who comIdSEE po cethat force caugh on soc awe med anonsense. a es whether and chentooinclude and you e o d—p y zed orinAll haveh to vote or notose“Undas” 3 under Unpreceden eda human s vIt’s o economic a president onsTakecollapse ro 300,000 ed Corpora ons (GCG) note before the can in-1999, Trillanes IVto who led mutinies in 2002 and pAnti-Terror e above canSO ge empare oyedand when ss pandem of this ofthe PSa s ear eras pro ecored ly everyone needing job hasr”agh job. more of or Duterte, also makes himGCG the worst notes ADB. are reaching and 2007, and the passage of a acknowledge new ssified “homicides investigation sought destroy consign Marcos to thewill campaign.

Any numbers that him, and hisexpedition” achievements sough ooffice des oy oor cons gn Ma cos o home,” Begun in theperforexpansion meant acases 4.2mselves by killers ever inwas terms of economic Marcos’ vision cluding the ancestors of the Spaniards who Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to learn from the campaign.

Any above that are I numbers SEE mine whether yo having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! but all of us if we are to responsibly learn our add more jeepneys buses and other means What has made Duterte a strong president, missioned the Magellan instead of Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2in the shortlist. in GDP Day is no problem clude your name in the shortlist for appointea y— o he espec ve peop es They say the idea was to help operators hav ng a breakfas b r hday par y w h more 2007, and the passage of a new Anti-Terror h s aw G erran can on y be apUnder f na y ends!

Wha has made Du er e a s rong pres den mine president ever in terms of economic perforper-here” expressing o 8 percen n GDP like having a factory running at 95 OPEN Ironically, had six be No. in number of COVID LITO oblivion, notwithstanding solid unpreccontribution toDuterte the nation. ob v 20 on no wPresident hsAct and ng hhis s member so dclassified unp ectheasmentioning “homicides under investigation.”

Th increase inpointed the size Philippine econoforForgovernance hope that thefold annual (ATA).

Aside from the- tocent drugs war killings thealsocame history and “prevent any tribe from byof astotal avehicles. of LITO classified “homicides investigation.” * *under *ofrescued 50 guests strict lockdown lessons indrivers order to chart the future which we mance. that there were already settlements, The GCG is ease akin tothe the Judicial Bar office. many offic year the vicious illegal campaign, has fold increase inthe the of Philippine ment as han a (despite member of sthe Board and of public utility InteoptiAct (ATA).

My it’s a econolong process!

The Prespo nsize edgulay by he Pres den as a member offrom heas transportation—not socialand dis* *an* 50 gues (desp e sofr Trustees cproockdown promance. hecapacity. v c drugs ous ega drugscomcampa gn than has a so drly the longest s now over yand op BANAYO million poverty—defined as cases in the world among 220 countries. edented achievements for the of the * * * eden ed ach evemen s o he good o he ,000 deaths during Aside from the drugs war killings, the BANAYO varied and nume my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilcommemorative activities goes further in Coun promising the country’s sovereignty.”

He said My gulay, it’s Council.

Before you can be appointed as Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was cemeteries on th I don’t know whoever had the idea of of Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterdeserve as a people. tribal though these maybe, ruled by datus who THOUGHTS from the drugsknow war whoever killings, had the he dea of rior Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings ofga or more insecond given him one ofin his failures—massive my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there have been sensational Recently, there been Rights Watch has also the use, the Board of Trus ees ofpick Ph Hea hhave fAside heWatch was Andve that allngdue to the second Ialso don’ M h isbthat her ngs of people enbiggest or more peop e and nwe And isten all due to the biggest But 7.3 milnman thegenera world—for g ven hApril mmajor one2020, of hnoted smore ma orthan fa ures—mass ident cannot just anybody to behas for use he tancing protocol bers above income of $2 a Philday.

Hein was going tois member In fact, will be in Top 15, dislodging nation its people.

Santa Banana, Isensational cannot believe that this na on and s that peop eprepared Human Rights noted the If cannot only mem to sho fortifying our relations with lion in 2016), aincluded dramatic reduction poverty, ofng theproBoard to any GOCC, Phil- ident other days.

What thisthat in aarespeech last March 18, launching the mine whether you areSpain. qualified to hold this jus ardo Año said ifin this is true, we should and in the list and submitted easing the one-meter social distancing proAs shown by President Duterte’s remarks, were themselves “kings their own right.”

In Human Rights Watch has also noted the one place at the same time), Duterte refused killings of known political activists, human human rights violations.

Critics say he killed lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, failure. nc uded n he s prepared subm ed eas ng he one-me er soc a d s anc iden one p ace a he same and me)middle-income Du er eeven refused people lost their jobs—“largely in kfailure. now from motivated March lion human r gh s vof o aEastern ons Cr ed ORLANDO killings of known political activists, human nder litically detention his most Opportunities n o investigation.”

2021 down poverty to an unheard of 12 Bangladesh.

Lungs and Imore could well repeat what Lazaro said so bring coming from the Philippine National Police politically motivated detention of his most Health president and CEO The three perHealth included, you must pass through the ber andand foresight of M Health say this isbubbles dangerous pray for status for Filipinos, with add jeepneys, buses, and other means quincentennial marker in Guiuan, Sa- cs saytohefire president by the GCG to and the President.

But the Presitocol in public transport. me it experts would the challenge of such a reframing will be quite an effort to a more enlightened view rights defenders, alleged People’s Opportunities the erring general. politically motivated of his most 2.office.

Pandemic mismanagement more than 27,000 in the of eliminating and middle-income status forby Filipinos, with by he GCG oNew he Pres den Bu he Pres -provide oco ndetention pub cTo ranspor To me of wouGCG, d and you must be in- Health Hea Heal services—mainly trade, transport, dowarwein get after o f re heaerr ngprocess! genera sower killings, the more han 27guise 000 n he gu se of e acm na ng percent by 2022, from 30s in the 2000s.

The economy collapsed 0.7 percent eloquently that deeds, especially those came omar power nSenator chief.

He said that National Capital Region e oquen y ha “good deeds espec a y hose wringer the gone ahead of usa My gulay, it’s long The Presof transportation—not ease the social disprominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the suances that still rights defenders, and alleged New People’s ominent critic Leila de Lima the and clicking the ceremonial switch for the their per capita income exceeding $3,000. manent Commis dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a memworsen the problem.

2.

Pandemic mismanagement a workout.

After all, 500 years is 500 years and manent Commissions of GCG and the two of that “debate,” I have decided to provide an What can happen here is that we could lose OXALES prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. den canno ega y appo n G erran a memworsen he prob em their per capita income exceeding $3,000. man atest and and enter- ident liberties? has also noted heof pervas ve restaurants, ega drugs curse beneficial to nation the people, cannotasinabridged Police Office chief, Major General Debold bene cprotocol. aour o the he na on and he peop e more canno cannot just pick anybody to be Philnr obasic he grea es the and commodation, wrin tancing removal May 2018 of Chief Justice MaA coming of age, a full electrification Homonhon Island in the ex-officio memb ber of the Board of Trustees, much Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoMark my words, there will be a surge of ensuring that very own narrative marking version of Mabayo’s article as a platmoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mabiznewsasia@gmail.com removal inFinance May 2018 my ofeverything Chief Maber of say he Board of Trus ees much more ex-officio members (Secretary ofas Mark wordsJustice here w be a surge of Human Rights Watch says many of themany ex-o we have gained Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoountry’s ention his most also in industry, espe-of Health sery poverty. znewsasand a@gma com CEO. The threeperformance perHealth experts this isengender dangerous.

Human R gh s Wa ch says he bpresident expunged, survives Sinas, apoint, promotion because has be eeffaced aced oor expunged Good su vria vesLourdes and on and n of he coun ry’s tainment—but Sereno, theSereno, revocation of am- nhe same municipality.

Doming aday, PhilHealth president/CEO, my gulay!

COVID-19 cases in the country a coun result nomic of the Philippines ever. that March 16, 1521, its myform, adeserves starting for a retelling, aashe kind of (www.manilastandard.net) Rolando G.Carlos Estabillo Publisher athe Phend Hea hwill pres den CEO gu ay!

COVID-19 cases ry as*a*resu ria Lourdes the revocation of amCarl 27,000 “vigilante-style coming to man terms (www.manilastandard.net) Leila deepicenter Lima, thehare nomic performance of the Philippines ever. growth. cially manufacturing. income yquar is the manent Commissions of GCG and net) the two man astandard Lourdes Sereno the revocation ofLoweramWhat can happen here is that we could lose Carlos Dominguez and Department of * astandard net) triumphs in end.

Marcos’ place in history experience in training new recruits. umphs n he Ma cos p ace n h s o y 27 000 are “vannual gkillings an e-s yperpetrate k ngs perpe ra (www - (www ers ofProperly grow reframing the activities Budget Secretary Take note that before the GCG innesty given Senator retired) Antonio ofcan this nonsense. own counter narrative.

Nonetheless, itChief is can time reframing of our relations, as President Duterte The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The Former Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal MemberManaging & Chief Legal Adviser Former ChiefAdviser Justice Reynato S. Puno L.Board Take no e in haASEAN. before he GCG n-(now of h s openly nonsense BudL nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio Chief Justice MaManilaStandard ed by police officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance everything we have gained.

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March 16, 1521

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every h ngChief we have ned S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser s over he wors ecoFormer Justicega Reynato Asia in the world ria Lourdesthe revocation ManilaStandard Carlos Dominguez and Department of Reiterating tothe undertake such a am-inon * * * science nes ever.pp nes One such Publisher useful construct wasnguez provided twoDepar can be men accessed at: of nautical Former Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Ramonchito L. Rolando G. Estabillo r Sereno, a need Lourdes Sereno he of revoca of and am- the third biggest Car os Dom and of * and *Chief * the Rolando G.development Estabillo Publisher (www.manilastandard.net) ManilaStandard he Ph ever can be accessed at: R manilastandard.net after Brazil and S.Mexico.

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World

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

RECORD FLOODING. This picture shows road signs submerged in floodwaters at a residential area in the Windsor suburb of northwestern Sydney on March 23 after torrential downpours have lashed Australia’s southeast for days. AFP

West riles China with sanctions B

RUSSELS—The European Union, the United States, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on Chinese officials over the crackdown on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, and Beijing responded by hitting Europeans with immediate tit-for-tat measures.

Brussels, London and Ottawa blacklisted former and current officials in the Xinjiang region -- Zhu Hailun, Wang Junzheng, Wang Mingshan and Chen Mingguo -- over alleged abuses, which have sparked international outrage.

The coordinated strike also targeted the state-run Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

Washington, which had sanctioned two of those officials in July 2020, added the other two to the list on Monday.

“Acting together sends the clearest possible signal that the international community is united in its condemnation of China’s human rights violations in Xinjiang and the need for Beijing to end its discriminatory and oppressive

practices in the region,” Britain’s foreign ministry said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China “continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang” and called on Beijing to “bring an end to the repression of Uighurs”.

Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau said the sanctions underscore “grave concerns with the ongoing human rights violations” in Xinjiang.

The symbolic move is the first time Brussels and London -- in other matters increasingly at odds with each other since Brexit -- have targeted China over accusations of widespread abuses and forced labour in Xinjiang.

They last hit Beijing over human rights breaches when they imposed an arms embargo in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Beijing blasted the EU measures and immediately hit back by announcing entry bans on 10 Europeans -- including five members of the European Parliament -- as well as two EU bodies and two think-tanks.

China’s foreign ministry said the EU’s move “grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs” and “severely undermines China-EU relations”.

- ‘Brazen and ridiculous’ The retaliatory strike drew condemnation from across the political spectrum in the EU. AFP

IN BRIEF Chopper rescues amid record Aussie floods WINDSOR, Australia—Helicopters and boats were deployed to rescue residents stranded by “catastrophic” floods in eastern Australia Tuesday, as authorities warned more areas were now under threat.

A relentless week-long downpour has soaked most of New South Wales, causing surging rivers to burst their banks; swallowing homes, roads, bridges and farmland.

Strained emergency services -- which just one year ago were battling drought and unprecedented bushfires -- used military aircraft and watersports equipment to access cut-off communities.

So far, around 850 people have been winched or ferried to safety, but tens of thousands have been told to flee their homes and wild weather has spread to more inland areas.

In hard-hit Windsor, near Sydney, residents traversed the murky debris-strewn torrent on jet skis and other vessels normally seen off the city’s golden beaches.

Thousands flee blaze at Rohingya camp COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh—A huge blaze that ripped through a sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh has forced at least 50,000 people to flee and left seven people feared dead, officials and aid workers said, in the biggest fire to hit the shanty settlement to date.

Nearly one million of the persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar -- many of whom fled a military crackdown in their homeland in 2017 -- live in cramped and squalid conditions at the camps in the southeastern Cox’s Bazar district.

It is the third fire to hit the camps in four days.

Officials said the latest blaze appeared to have started on Monday in one of the 34 camps -- which span about 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of land -- before spreading to three other camps, with refugees fleeing the shanties with whatever belongings they could carry.

Biden under growing pressure over Mexican border ‘crisis’ WASHINGTON—After two months of relatively smooth sailing, Joe Biden has landed in choppy waters: faced with a migrant rush on the border with Mexico, the Democratic president stands accused of failing to respond effectively -- and of lacking transparency with the media.

Questioned by Republican opponents, but also by some in his own party, Biden has launched into a difficult week that features, on Thursday, his first press conference since taking office.

The influx of thousands of migrants has provided an opening to his critics, who struggled to find an angle of atREPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 91, Quezon City IN THE MATTER OF THE RECTIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF THE SIMULATED BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF PAUL MATHEW FONTECHA ESCOREAL AND CHANGE OF NAME TO MARCO FONTECHA ARAGON MC PAUL D. ARAGON and MARCO FONTECHA ARAGON, Petitioners, -versus-

tack as Biden successfully ramped up the coronavirus vaccination campaign -- and it has united the fractured Republican Party in the process.

They have accused the new president of creating the border chaos with a naive immigration stance.

“Despite your administration’s refusal to admit this is a crisis, the American people are beginning to understand the gravity of the situation,” said Republican Senator Ted Cruz, announcing he would visit the border this week with 14 of his colleagues.

Cruz accused the White House of “hiding the truth” by preventing journalists from visiting border facilities, particularly those holding children.

Two rival senators -- Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who represent border states Texas and Arizona, respectively -- also issued a joint letter urging Biden to step up his response. AFP

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-QZN-20-08773-SP

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, PSA, QUEZON CITY, CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR, QUEZON CITY, CITY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MAKATI CITY, and PAUL MISOLA ESCOREAL. Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a verified petition filed by the petitioners praying that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered ordering the public respondents the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority to cause the corresponding correction of entries in the Certificate of Liver Birth of Marco Fontecha Aragon, specifically: Entry No.: I; Details: Name of Child; From: Paul Mathew Fontecha Escoreal To: Marco Fontecha Aragon Entry No.: 13; Details: Name of Father; From: Paul Misola Escoreal To Mc Paul D. Aragon Entry No.: 18; Details: Date & Place of Marriage of Parents; From: January 10, 1980, Municipal Judge, San Narciso, Zambales To: N/A Entry No.: 20; Details: Informant’s Relationship to the Child; From: Father To: N/A

CHARRED REMAINS. Onlookers gather at a Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhia on March 23, where a huge blaze forced around 50,000

people to flee. AFP

Blinken looks to rebuild American ties on first NATO, EU visit

BRUSSELS—US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will launch a European charm offensive on his first official trip to Brussels on Tuesday, looking to rebuild ties with NATO allies and the EU. Washington’s top diplomat will attend a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers and hold talks with EU

chiefs as he tries to mend relations that were strained under former US president Donald Trump.

High on the agenda for NATO is the future of the alliance’s 9,600-strong mission in Afghanistan, after Trump struck a deal with the Taliban to withdraw troops by May 1.

Allies are waiting for new US lead-

All interested parties are required to appear and show cause during the said hearing why the petition should or should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioners once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of General Circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079.

Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, Office of the City Prosecutors, Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority of this Order, together with the copy of the Petition and its Annexes.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, January 7, 2021.

(MStandard - Mar. 17, 24 & 31, 2021)

and we will take all the necessary measures to keep our troops safe.”

Biden said last week that it would be “tough” for Washington to meet the looming deadline.

That prompted outrage from the Taliban, who warned that the US would be “responsible for the consequences”. AFP

Israel votes for 4th time in 2 years

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on April 23, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Room 403 Hall of Justice Building Annex, Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

(Sgd.) KATHLEEN ROSARIO D. DELA CRUZ-ESPINOSA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Atty. Eric Estella Ebarle Counsel for the Petitioners Ablola-Ebarle Law Office 2nd Floor, RHOI Bldg., Palanginan, Iba, Zambales Mr. Paul D. Aragon/Marco Fontecha Aragon Petitioners Brgy. Locloc, Paluaig, Zambales

er Joe Biden to make a decision on whether he is sticking to that date -but no concrete announcement is expected from Blinken.

“There are no easy choices and for now, all options remain open,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference.

“The security situation is difficult

MASKED MERKEL. German Chancellor Angela Merkel adjusts her mask

as she speaks during a press conference following talks via video conference with Germany’s state premiers on the extension of the current lockdown, at the Chancellery in Berlin on March 23, 2021. Germany will enter a strict shutdown for five days over Easter in a bid to halt soaring coronavirus infection rates, Merkel said, after marathon talks with regional leaders. AFP

JERUSALEM—Israelis were voting Tuesday in their fourth election in less than two years, with the nation still divided over whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deserves to remain in power.

Israel’s longest-serving premier, and still its most popular politician, has for several years proved unable to unite a stable governing majority behind him.

He is again facing an electorate of some 6.5 million registered voters, after leading a successful coronavirus vaccination effort that has already fully inoculated half of Israel’s roughly nine million people, a pace envied by much of the world.

But while polls project his right-wing Likud will win the most seats on Tuesday, 71-year-old Netanyahu will need coalition partners to secure a majority

in the 120-seat Knesset.

That means Israel is looking at three possible outcomes: another coalition under Netanyahu, an ideologically divided government united only by its opposition to him, or a looming fifth election.

Corruption trial, extremists

Netanyahu is currently on trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust -- allegations he denies, but which have helped fuel a protest movement with weekly rallies outside his Jerusalem residence.

The prime minister has said he will not seek to block the trial and is looking forward to being exonerated, but critics suspect that if he earns a majority, he may seek parliamentary action to delay or end the process. AFP

Business Eleventh hour IN THE week marking one year under quarantine, reported daily new COVID-19 cases in the country topped 7,000, higher than the previous peak reached in August 2020. Daily new cases topped 8,000 Monday this week. This second wave of new cases has now stripped past the first wave and the trend continues to track upwards.

This same situation is playing out in many countries around the world. A third surge is threatening in many countries in Europe and both curfews and strict lockdowns are underway in many countries.

On the vaccine front, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. has proposed private sector procurement and administration in parallel to the government vaccination program.

Challenge of Governance It is unsurprising that frustration is growing around the slow pace of vaccination and the continuing surge. It seems ironic that we are dealing with a new surge just when the vaccine is finally becoming available. It is, however, entirely possible that the very availability of the vaccine has caused citizens to become less conservative and careful.

It is hard to say what fueled the current surge. It is possible that the absence of a surge in January following the holiday season, traditionally a time for reunions, resulted in increased confidence in being out and about. The relaxation of travel restrictions in February and anticipation around the arrival of vaccines could also have increased mobility and infections.

What is clear is that, after a year in a pandemic situation, many things need to be attended to. The economy took a major hit in 2020, contracting 9.5 percent year on year.

Unemployment rose to a record 17.3 percent.

Businesses are suffering and the hospitality sector was particularly hard hit. Unfortunately, the sectors that suffered the most during 2020 are also the sectors that will be hardest hit by the increased restrictions required to combat the current surge.

It is a delicate balance, ensuring that supply chains and critical services remain available, individuals are fed, but also ensuring that disease transmission is controlled. On top of this, the government as well as the health care sector must roll out the vaccine.

In the private sector, there is an increased push for accelerated availability of the

vaccine. This can be dangerous.

An accelerated rollout requires the appropriate infrastructure. In the United States, accelerated rollout of eligibilities has backfired and resulted in confusion and frustration. The reality is that rolling out the vaccine is not merely about paying for the vaccine; it is also about ensuring that the logistics of the cold chain are managed well and that the infrastructure and manpower for administering vaccines at a certain volume is available. In February of this year, Japan had to dispose of millions of doses of the Pfizer vaccine because they did not have the correct needles to extract the sixth and final dose from the vaccine vials. In many parts of the US, vaccines are available but not the medical personnel necessary to administer the vaccine.

The things that work are not a matter of government mandate. They are a matter of citizenship.

Even more seriously, the appropriate prioritizing of eligibilities is much more difficult when too many organizations are involved. As new cases rise, we must, more than ever, prioritize the vaccination of our health care workers. It will be difficult to do this if there is no clarity around priorities.

On another matter, vaccine czar Galvez pointed out that pharmaceutical companies want to be assured of protection from liability, something that they can only be certain of when government is a signatory to a procurement agreement. Tripartite agreements, Galvez points out, are the solution, bringing the resources of the private sector to aid the government.

On the control front, government has instituted fresh restrictions on mobility, nonessential activities, and social gatherings.

Citizenship On my social media wall this week was a striking message. “One year into the pandemic and we are still alive. We owe God a thank you.” It struck me because so many of the posts concerning the one year in lockdown were complaints.

In fact, we do owe thanks. We should thank the health care workers who

manned the hospitals. We should thank the policemen and the security guards that held the fort for us. We should thank the workers in essential industries that kept food and medicine flowing through the country. We should thank the farmers, drivers and cashiers. We should thank the construction workers that continued to build roads for us to use. We should thank all the citizens who stayed home, who wore masks and face shields, who followed social distancing.

Beating the epidemic is not a job for just the president or the secretary of health or even just the government. It is about all of us.

And, yes, I know that there are many lamentable mistakes. But that does not mean we should behave in ways that are dangerous to those around us. And make no mistake, any action that leads to anyone engaging in behavior that increases transmission increases the danger. We must focus on the correct things. We must provide only information we are sure of.

We are in the eleventh hour. It would be such a shame to see the disease spin out of control just when vaccines are finally available.

There are a few things that we know will work. They are not a matter of government mandate. They are a matter of citizenship.

Stay home if you can. If you leave the house, do so only if it is unavoidable and try to stay outdoors. Even if you are outdoors, stay at least one meter away from other people, farther if you are indoors.

Whether you are indoors or outdoors, if you are not in your family bubble, wear a face mask and a face shield. Limit your contact with other individuals to thirty minutes.

Wash your hands before and after you touch anything that other people have touched or will touch. Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you do, sanitize your hands immediately.

Be patient. The end is so near. We must be strong together.

A personal note On a personal note, we lost many loved ones in the last two weeks, none of them to COVID-19. It is particularly hard to say goodbye in a quarantine situation. We cannot gather as we normally would to share memories. We cannot hug out our grief. But our sorrow and our love are not lessened.

Rest in peace, sister. We will endeavor to live our life to the fullest knowing you live in our hearts.

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

B3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market ends two-day skid; Puregold, JG Summit up S

TOCKS rose Tuesday to end snap a two-day slump as bargain hunters picked up select issues that have fallen sharply on rising COVID-19 cases and stricter lockdown rules in the country.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 51.18 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6,446.35 on a value turnover of P5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 125 to 76, with 52 issues unchanged.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co climbed 3.4 percent to P40, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group rebounded 3.2 percent to P58.85.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, rose 2.9 percent to P181, but conglomerate Ayala Corp. slipped 1.4 percent to P725.

The rest of Asian markets mostly fell Tuesday as investors extended recent sell-offs owing to long-running fears that the expected global recovery will force central banks to wind down their easymoney programs earlier than hoped.

While Wall Street provided a positive lead with all three main indexes posting healthy gains, there is a reluctance on trading floors to push a year-long rally any further, while a stuttering vaccine roll-out and new lockdowns in Europe are adding to the angst.

Hong Kong lost more than one percent and Seoul fell one percent, while Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok were also in the red.

Mumbai, Singapore and Wellington rose.

Focus this week will be on the first

joint congressional testimony by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who will answer questions on their policy response to the pandemic.

It comes as markets are rattled by a sharp rise in US Treasury yields in recent weeks that have been fueled by bets that the forecast strong bounce in economic activity this year will fan inflation and force the bank to lift interest rates before 2024, as it has indicated.

The pair have repeatedly said they do not see the spike in inflation lasting and will maintain ultra-loose monetary policies—including record-low rates— until they have a grip on unemployment, and price rises are above two percent for an extended period.

Also on the radar this week is the auction of seven-year US Treasuries, which will be followed closely after last month’s weak sale sparked a sharp sell-off in bonds that sent yields soaring—yields go in the opposite direction to prices— and sparked a global market panic.

“The problem for risk markets is inflation will be an ongoing debate for another six to 12 months, if not longer,” warned Axi strategist Stephen Innes.

“So, expect to remain stuck in the rough and tumble inflation ‘lather, rinse and repeat’ cycle as the rising tides of inflation ebb and flow.” With AFP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

ABOITIZ POWER CORPORATION

ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC.

NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila 1634, Philippines

NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, 1634 Philippines

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of ABOITIZ POWER CORPORATION (the “Company”) will be held on April 26, 2021, Monday at 2:30 p.m (the “2021 ASM”). The meeting will be conducted virtually from the Company’s principal office address at NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City and through the link that is provided in the Company’s website at https://aboitizpower. com/2021asm (the “ASM Portal”) beginning on March 23, 2021.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC. (the “Company”) will be held on April 26, 2021, Monday, 4:00 p.m. (the “2021 ASM”). The meeting will be conducted virtually from the Company’s principal office at NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City and through the link that is provided in the Company’s website at https://aboitiz.com/2021asm (the “ASM Portal”) beginning on March 23, 2021.

The Agenda* of the meeting is as follows: 1.

Call to Order 2.

Proof of Notice of Meeting and Determination of Quorum 3.

Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Stockholders’ Meeting held on April 27, 2020 4.

Presentation of the President’s Report 5.

Approval of the 2020 Annual Report and Financial Statements 6.

Appointment of the Company’s External Auditor for 2021 7.

Election of the Members of the Board of Directors 8.

Approval of the Increase in the Per Diem of the Chairman of the Board and Chairmen of the Board Committees 9.

Ratification of the Acts, Resolutions, and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Corporate Officers, and Management from 2020 up to April 26, 2021 10. Other Business 11. Adjournment

The Agenda* of the meeting is as follows: 1.

Call to Order 2.

Proof of Notice of Meeting and Determination of Quorum 3.

Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Stockholders’ Meeting held on April 27, 2020 4.

Presentation of the President’s Report 5.

Approval of the 2020 Annual Report and Financial Statements 6.

Appointment of the Company’s External Auditor for 2021 7.

Election of the Members of the Board of Directors 8.

Approval of the Increase in the Per Diem of the Chairman of the Board and Chairmen of the Board Committees 9.

Ratification of the Acts, Resolutions, and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Corporate Officers, and Management from 2020 up to April 26, 2021 10. Other Business 11. Adjournment

Only stockholders of record at the close of business hours on March 23, 2021 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 2021 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at this meeting.

In light of the continuing COVID-19 global pandemic and government-imposed restrictions on mass gathering, the Company will once again conduct a virtual annual stockholders’ meeting. The 2021 ASM will be conducted through an online platform and streamed live on 2:30 p.m. (Philippine time) on April 26, 2021.

In light of the continuing COVID-19 global pandemic and government-imposed restrictions on mass gathering, the Company will once again conduct a virtual annual stockholders’ meeting. The 2021 ASM will be conducted through an online platform and streamed live on 4:00 p.m. (Philippine time) on April 26, 2021.

Stockholders may attend by registering at the ASM Portal beginning on March 23, 2021 until 12:00 noon on April 26, 2021. Once registered, stockholders may also send in their questions or remarks through the ASM Portal.

Stockholders may attend by registering at the ASM Portal beginning on March 23, 2021 until 1:00 p.m. on April 26, 2021. Once registered, stockholders may send in their questions or remarks through the ASM Portal.

Stockholders may vote through proxy, or remotely in absentia.

Stockholders may vote through proxy, or remotely in absentia.

Registered stockholders may cast their votes by remote communication or in absentia using the online voting platform available at the ASM portal, which was activated on March 23, 2021. Votes cast until 1:30 p.m. of April 26, 2021, will be tabulated and presented during the 2021 ASM. Stockholders may still vote after the cut-off time, and the final votes received through proxy and through the ASM Portal after the adjournment of the meeting will be included in the minutes of the 2021 ASM. The procedures for attendance and voting during the 2021 ASM will be included in the Information Statement to be distributed to the stockholders and published in the Company’s website at https://.aboitizpower.com/2021asm and in the PSE EDGE portal at https://edge.pse.com.ph.

Registered stockholders may cast their votes by remote communication or in absentia using the online voting platform available at the ASM Portal, which was activated on March 23, 2021. Votes cast by registered stockholders until 3:00 p.m. of April 26, 2021, will be tabulated and presented during the 2021 ASM. Stockholders may still vote after the cut-off time, and the final votes received through proxy and through the ASM Portal after the adjournment of the meeting will be included in the minutes of the 2021 ASM. The procedures for attendance and voting during the 2021 ASM will be included in the Information Statement to be distributed to the stockholders and will be published in the Company’s website at https://aboitiz. com/2021asm and in the PSE EDGE portal at https://edge.pse.com.ph.

Stockholders may send their duly accomplished proxies on or before the close of business hours on April 19, 2021 to the Corporate Secretary through email at aboitizboardsecretariat@aboitiz.com and hard copies at the 18th Floor, NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Validation of proxies will be on April 22, 2021 at the Office of the Corporate Secretary. WE ARE NOT SOLICITING PROXIES.

Stockholders may send their duly accomplished proxies on or before the close of business hours on April 19, 2021 to the Corporate Secretary through email at aboitizboardsecretariat@aboitiz.com and hard copies at the 18th Floor, NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Validation of proxies will be on April 22, 2021 at the Office of the Corporate Secretary. WE ARE NOT SOLICITING PROXIES.

For the Board of Directors,

For the Board of Directors,

(sgd.) MANUEL ALBERTO R. COLAYCO Corporate Secretary

(sgd.) MANUEL ALBERTO R. COLAYCO Corporate Secretary

*The rationale for each Agenda item is explained in the Information Statement and may also be viewed at AboitizPower’s website at https://.aboitizpower.com/2021asm under Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in the Investor Relations Page.

*The rationale for each Agenda item is explained in the Information Statement and may also be viewed at AEV’s website at https://aboitiz.com/2021asm under Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in the Investor Relations Page.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are very fortunate to have been able to declare and distribute dividends to all our stockholders annually since 2008. However, we note that some of you have not encashed or altogether failed to claim your dividend checks. We want to ensure that you receive your dividend checks as well as other pertinent information or materials from the Company on time by strengthening our communication channels. In this regard, please allow us to assist you in any of your concerns regarding unclaimed dividend checks and updating of your contact details and other relevant information by contacting:

We are very fortunate to have been able to declare and distribute dividends to all our stockholders annually since 1999. However, we note that some of you have not encashed or altogether failed to claim your dividend checks. We want to ensure that you receive your dividend checks as well as other pertinent information or materials from the Company on time by strengthening our communication channels. In this regard, please allow us to assist you in any of your concerns regarding unclaimed dividend checks and updating of your contact details and other relevant information by contacting:

For Luzon-based stockholders STOCK TRANSFER SERVICE, INC. Attention: Mr. Michael C. Capoy Unit 34-D Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue, Makati City Telephone No.: (632) 8403-3798 (632) 8403-2410 (632) 8403-2412 Fax No.: (632) 8403-2414 Email address: mccapoy@stocktransfer.com.ph aboitiz.shareholder.services@aboitiz.com

For Visayas and Mindanao-based stockholders ABOITIZ POWER CORPORATION Attention: Ms. Marinel Mangubat Aboitiz Corporate Center, Gov. Manuel A. Cuenco Avenue, Kasambagan, Cebu City 6000 Telephone No. : (6332) 411-1757 (632) 8886-2800 local 21757 Fax No.: (632) 8886-2407 Email address: marinel.mangubat@aboitiz.com

We appreciate your continued support and trust in our Company.

For Visayas and Mindanao-based stockholders For Luzon-based stockholders ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC. STOCK TRANSFER SERVICE, INC. Attention: Ms. Marinel Mangubat Attention: Mr. Michael C. Capoy Aboitiz Corporate Center, Unit 34-D Rufino Pacific Tower, Gov. Manuel A. Cuenco Avenue, 6784 Ayala Avenue, Makati City Kasambagan, Cebu City 6000 Telephone No.: (632) 8403-3798 Telephone No. : (6332) 411-1757 (632) 8403-2410 (632) 8886-2800 local 21757 (632) 8403-2412 Fax No.: (632) 8886-2407 Fax No.: (632) 8403-2414 Email address: marinel.mangubat@aboitiz.com Email address: mccapoy@stocktransfer.com.ph aboitiz.shareholder.services@aboitiz.com We appreciate your continued support and trust in our Company.

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, March 23, 2021 51.18 PTS. 6,446.35

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,300,354,867 105,519 5,043,663,668.24 125 76 52

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5840

Japan

Yen

0.009189

0.4464

UK

Pound

1.386200

67.3471

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128770

6.2562

Switzerland

Franc

1.083072

52.6200

Canada

Dollar

0.798913

38.8144

Singapore

Dollar

0.746324

36.2594

Australia

Dollar

0.774400

37.6234

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655126

128.9966

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.9554

Brunei

Dollar

0.743550

36.1246

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032352

1.5718

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2281

Euro

Euro

1.193700

57.9947

Korea

Won

0.000888

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.153648

7.4648

India

Rupee

0.013818

0.6713

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243191

11.8152

New Zealand

Dollar

0.715800

34.7764

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035250

1.7126 Source: BSP

2GO Group to remain listed in bourse, says SM Investments

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Tuesday it has no plan to delist logistics and shipping company 2GO Group Inc. from the local bourse.

A report filed by SM Investments with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed it would conduct a tender offer of 2GO shares held by the minority investors to comply with the requirements under the Securities Regulation Code.

SM Investments said Friday it signed an agreement with Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and KGLI-NM Holdings Inc. to acquire 550.558 million common shares, representing 22.36 percent of 2GO, at P8.80 apiece, or for a total of P4.68 billion.

The transaction would result in the increase of SM Investment’s stake in 2GO to 52.85 percent from 30.49 percent. This would make 2GO a subsidiary of SM Investments.

The tender offer started on March 22, 2021 and would end on April 21, 2021. The tendered shares will be crossed through the Philippine Stock Exchange on April 30, 2021.

A total of 1.16 billion shares, representing 47.5 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of 2GO, are held by the public. At P8.50 per share, the acquisition of the shares will be worth P9.86 billion.

SM Investments said the additional investment in 2GO is a part of the plan to expand its logistics business, complementing 2GO’s plan to achieve operational goals through synergies and best practices from significant stockholders.

Meanwhile, Chelsea said the proceeds of the sale would be used to pay down the loan obtained for the acquisition of the shares.

2GO Group widened its net loss to P1.8 billion in 2020 from the P892million net loss in 2019 because of the reduced economic activity brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revenue decreased 19 percent year-over-year, as travel revenue falling by 78 percent to P2.9 billion following the quarantine-related travel restrictions which began in midMarch and persisted throughout the rest of the year.

PCCI asks consumers to buy local products

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged Filipino consumers and industries to buy Philippine-made products to help local industries and small businesses recover faster and stronger from the crisis borne by the COVID-19 pandemic and the world’s longest lockdown.

“We are still reeling from a crisis that is unparalleled in recent history. In the face of losses from reduced economic activity, we are calling on all consumers and industry users to support Philippine-made products.

This is to help local businesses survive, rebound and continue providing jobs for the Filipino people,” said PCCI president Benedicto Yuj1uico.

PCCI acknowledged the effort by government to promote the consumption of local products, specifically the Buy Local! Go Lokal! campaign of the Department of Trade and Industry and the oneStore.ph website for local products by the Department of Science and Technology.

The group was one of the key players behind the #PinasMunaTayo! movement at the height of the enhance community quarantine in 2020. Othel V. Campos

Globe Telecom shifts to 4G from 3G network

BIOMETRIC TRACING. Architect Richelle Singson-Michael, chief executive of Casha Inc., presents how Biometrax—the company’s biometric tracing technology, can scan fingerprints with a camera phone. Biometrax is designed to make contact and vaccine tracing more manageable and less prone to fraud, especially when implemented at the national level.

Phoenix board okays plan to sell assets to lower debt

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

HOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. said Wednesday its board granted an authority to the management to negotiate with third parties on the possible sale of assets to raise funds and reduce debt.

Phoenix said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved on March 22 “the authority for management to enter into negotiations... with any third party corporation... for the possible transfer, sale... or disposition of certain corporate properties, assets or investments... as part of its debt management and funding activities.”

The authority will be submitted for stockholders’ approval during the annual meeting on April 30.

Phoenix senior vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorrilla said the ap-

proval was part of the company’s strategy in its finance management program.

Phoenix earlier said it was open to investors willing to invest and who could add value to its operations, finances and value of stocks.

The company posted a net loss of P95 million in the first nine months of 2020 from a net income of P918.3 million in the same period in 2019 amid the coronavirus pandemic that resulted in a significant decline in fuel demand and low oil prices.

Gross revenues plunged to P56.77 billion in the nine-month period from P73.2 billion a year earlier.

The company expressed hope for a positive 2020 earnings on cost saving measures implemented in the past several months.

Latest data from the Department of Energy showed that Phoenix was the third largest oil firm in the country as of end-June 2020.

Phoenix is led by businessman Dennis Uy who recently sold his stake in 2GO Group Inc. to SM Investments Corp.

Analysts said the planned asset sale by Phoenix and the recent move of Uy’s Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. to sell its stake in 2GO Group were part of the strategy to focus on new businesses with huge growth potential.

“Yes, it is definitely a good strategy to divest his core businesses which he has been able to maximze in favor of new business like telco which have enormous potential,” said Chris Mangun, research head of AAA Equities said.

Uy’s Dito Telecommunity Corp. recently started commercial operations in the country, challenging PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom.

First Grade Finance managing director Astro del Castillo said Uy’s new businesses needed more capital. Castillo said that as Uy has a basket of investments he could dispose of, he could choose businesses that could offer better returns in the future.

Del Castillo said the recent sale of assets may not be last for Uy as the country continued to reel from the effects of the pandemic. With Jenniffer B. Austria

GLOBE Telecom Inc. has upgraded its network to 4G, the new standard in mobile data in Boracay, Pampanga and Laguna from the old 3G network.

“We really want to bolster further our 4G LTE presence in Visayas and Mindanao.

Making our network fully 4G LTE in Boracay is a good start as we plan to do the same in more areas in the region. Our customers will start to notice a better mobile experience as the latest technology in mobile data becomes more accessible to them,” Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Program Delivery Network Technical Group said. “ To enjoy 4G LTE connection, we are asking our customers to upgrade their SIMS to the 5G-ready 4G LTE SIMs and use 4G LTE capable mobile devices so they can enjoy the best data experience,” he added.

Globe is also rushing the completion of its network modernization in Pampanga and in the three remaining towns of Laguna— Sta. Rosa, Calamba and Cabuyao—before the end of the month.

Globe is spending P70 billion this year to expand its network, higher from last year’s P60.3 billion. Darwin G. Amojelar

Enactus holds virtual Unilever competition

ENACTUS Philippines will hold its virtual Unilever Topic Competition on March 27, 2021.

Five Enactus teams of outstanding university students will present their livelihood programs relevant to the post-COVID-19 environment that addresses the pandemic and projects that improve health, well-being and the lives of people.

On March 9, Enactus Philippines announced the top 10 teams for the opening round of competition. The teams were requested to produce a 77-second video to showcase the impact of their projects.

Among the finalists, five teams were shortlisted to compete in the Final Round of Competition on March 23, 2021.

The top five teams that will compete in the Final Round of the Unilever Topic Competition on March 27, 2021 are Holy Trinity College of General Santos City (Project GREW or Gas Refinement from Ecological Waste), Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (Hygiene Monitoring Badge), Mindanao State University-Main Campus (N’ditarun Tano), University of Luzon (Project WISH or Water-Impounding for Sustainable livelihood and Healing), and University of Southeastern Philippines (Project iProseso - (problem)+(solution).

ING economist expects PH recession to continue in the 1st quarter of 2021

By Julito G. Rada

TALIPTIP ENTREPRENEURS. More than a hundred former Taliptip coastal residents are seeking to become micro-entrepreneurs under a program of San Miguel Corp. that will provide them training and capital to become the company’s business partners, as community resellers of the food and beverage giant’s products. The program is part of a host of financial, housing, skills training and livelihood assistance given by SMC to former settlers at the future site of its P740-billion Manila International Airport project.

Lawmakers ask gov’t to repeal ‘unlawful’ CSC circular against tobacco companies SEVERAL lawmakers pushed for the immediate repeal of a controversial joint memorandum circular issued by then Civil Service Commission chair Francisco Duque in 2010 following the receipt of grant money from a US lobby group that is now being used as the basis to prohibit tobacco companies from purchasing vaccines for their employees and dependents.

Senators and congressmen said while the government eventually removed the “discriminatory” provision in the draft regulations of the Department of Health banning tobacco and formula milk industries from procuring and donating

IN BRIEF

COVID-19 vaccines, the original provision and legal basis contained in CSCDOH Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01 should be scrapped altogether for being “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.”

JMC 2010-01, which prohibits government officials and employees from interacting with the tobacco industry, was issued in the same year the DOH and the CSC received massive grants from the anti-tobacco NGO Bloomberg Initiative.

It was the basis of the DOH’s initial draft regulation barring tobacco companies from obtaining and donating COVID-19 vaccines.

THE country’s economic recession may continue in the first quarter with the resumption of stricter lockdown measures implemented by the government in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, an economist said Tuesday.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report that the lockdown measures implemented within a “bubble” would set back the Philippine comeback story a couple more months as business activity is curtailed and the already fragile consumer confidence took yet another blow.

“The Philippines is now neck-deep in a recession, posting four straight quarters of contracting GDP with the streak now all but likely to hit five,” Mapa said. The country entered a technical recession as early as the second quarter of 2020, when the gross domestic product

contracted by 16.9 percent.

He said the base effects would ensure that second-quarter GDP would post “growth” but only by virtue of how steep a drop was posted during the height of the enhanced community quarantine last year.

“Despite the implicit guarantee of ‘growth’ this year, authorities and analysts remain cognizant of the fact that the economy has stalled and the once zooming economy is now sitting idle in the driveway,” he said.

Mapa said amid the pandemic, latest data showed that unemployment rate stood at 8.7 percent, inflation at 4.7 percent, while the economy contracted by a record 9.5 percent in 2020, the worst since the end of World War 2.

He said that due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the government placed Metro Manila and the four provinces of Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal under a general community quarantine bubble with a new set of regulations.

Oil import bill plunged 46% in 2020 to $5.9b on lower demand THE country’s net oil import bill dropped 46.4 percent to $5.932 billion in 2020 from $11 billion in 2019 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, data from the Department of Energy show.

Total volume of petroleum products imported last year reached 136.05 billion liters, 21.4 percent down from 173.2 billion liters in 2019.

The Philippines imported 32.9 billion liters of crude and 103.1 billion liters of finished products in 2020.

Imports of crude, used by oil re-

finers, posted the biggest decline of 45.7 percent following the decision of Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. to shut down their respective refineries in Bataan and Batangas provinces.

Petron processes 180,000 barrels per day, while Pilipinas Shell refines 110,000 barrels daily.

Pilipinas Shell posted a net loss of P13.9 billion in the first nine months in 2020 while Petron announced a net loss of P11.4 billion for the full year.

Imports of finished products fell 8.3 percent year-on-year.

Cost of total imports also declined 46.2 percent to $6.372 billion from $11.839 billion in 2019 due to low oil prices worldwide as demand fell due to limited mobility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total export earnings dropped 42.5 percent to 10,435 million liters equivalent to $439.4 million in 2020 from 12,669 million liters in 2019 worth $763.6 million.

Of the total petroleum exports last year, 7.9 billion liters were products and 2.5 billion liters in crude. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

Fukushima hopes Olympic torch will shine light on healing

Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay runner Yumiko Nishimoto poses for a photo at a community center in Hirono, Fukushima Prefecture. Nishimoto, a torchbearer on the first day, has “mixed feelings” over the behind-closed-doors departure ceremony, which features a simplified programme with a reduced number of performers. AFP

Chess federation starts busy year with Southern Luzon tourney THE National Chess Federation of the Philippines will start its busy year by holding the National Age Group Chess Championships starting with the Marinduque Southern Luzon Leg set online this weekend.

Open to all NCFP members only, the two-day leg hosted by Marinduque opens with the boys and girls Under-16, U18 and the premier U20 divisions on Saturday and the U8, U10, U12 and U14 categories the next day using the Tornelo chess platform and the 10-minute, five-second increment time control.

“The Youth Championships are among the NCFP’s main programs and I am so elated because we are able to still hold these events amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NCFP president and Senior Deputy Speaker Butch Pichay. “I hope these tournament will galvanize the seal of our young chess players.”

The top finishers here will qualify to the National Age Group semifinals in May and eventually the Grand Finals, which will be done over-the-board in June, assuming the pandemic situation improves.

Tournament director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, who thanked Marinduque board members John Pelaez and Verlie Quindoza for backing up the tournament, said there would be a trial event tomorrow (Thursday) starting at 8 p.m.

Some 87 boys and 37 girls have already registered by organizers are still accepting more until today (Wednesday).

For more details, interested parties may click https://www. facebook.com/107037408127720/ posts/108938014604326/ or contact Michelle Yaon at 0910-372615 for boys, Susan Neri at 0933-5505019 for girls and Dr. Fred Paez, NCFP assistant executive director for Southern Luzon, at 0921-2728172 for more details.

NCAA season to push thru despite virus surge N

OT even a spike in COVID-19 cases can stop the National Collegiate Athletic Association from pushing through with its 96th season in the middle of this year.

Competitions will be held online and hopefully, through hybrid form, as the country’s oldest media organization looks to kick-start the special season in the first week of May. “Yes, we’ll be pushing through,” said NCAA Management Committee chairman Fr. Vic Calvo Jr. of host Letran at the Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum on Tuesday.

Only two sports are so far certain to be held online, namely chess and taekwondo, including poomsae. Basketball and women’s indoor and beach volleyball, are also included in the calendar of events, but pending the approval from the Commission on Higher Education and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases.

The collegiate league, according to the

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ManCom chief, already wrote a letter to the corresponding agencies three weeks ago.

“For sure, dalawa or apat na hybrid and online competitions ang ikinakasa ng NCAA,” added Calvo in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

With contact sports still not allowed, the NCAA is considering doing online skills on both basketball and volleyball such as slam dunk, skills and drills challenges, three point shootout, among others.

“Possibly, kung papayagan (dahil) online din naman,” said the Letran official in the same public sports program powered by Smart and Upstream Media as the official webcast partner. “Pero merong mga restrictions kasi ngayon ‘yung IATF, and of

course, CHED and other agencies.”

Calvo said it’s the best the NCAA could offer in order to re-invigorate college sports in the country which the league is doing in partnership with broadcast giant GMA. “That’s the best legacy Letran can give to the next season and the NCAA,” he stressed. “Hindi tayo nag-give up kasi NCAA embodies the Filipinos’ resiliency and perseverance lalo na sa sports.”

Vaccinating the athletes and officials had also been discussed as talks and arrangement with member school Emilio Aguinaldo College under President Dr. Jose Paolo Campos were already made.

Campos is part owner of Unilab, which is the authorized partner of Faberco Life Sciences Inc, distributor of the COVID-19 vaccine Covavax.

“Kung available na siya (vaccine), we will order vaccines for all the schools for tournaments like basketball and volleyball,” said Calvo. “We will finance the vaccination of athletes and officials.”

FUKUSHIMA—When the Tokyo Olympics torch relay kicks off in Fukushima on Thursday, runners are hoping it will show the world the area is no “nuclear wasteland”, a decade after the 2011 disaster.

The pandemic might have overshadowed a Games once billed as the “Recovery Olympics” after the earthquake and tsunami catastrophe, but Fukushima torchbearers say the relay can show their home in a new light.

“From afar, Fukushima might look like a place where time has stood still,” Hanae Nojiri, a reporter with a local TV station who will take part in the relay, told AFP. “But when people see the spectators lining the roads and the passion of the runners, I think they’ll update their image of the place.”

The virus-delayed torch relay begins about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant that went into meltdown when the massive quake and tsunami struck on March 11, 2011.

Around 18,500 people were left dead or missing, most of them victims of the devastating tsunami.

Tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes, with radiation making some areas uninhabitable for years.

The area’s recovery is not complete even now, but residents are ready to show the world how much progress has been made.

The torch relay will start at the J-Village football training facility, which was once the front-line command centre for the clean-up operation at the nuclear plant.

Now it has been restored to its original purpose, with pristine green pitches welcoming the footballers who train there.

“I think it’s very meaningful that the relay will start from Fukushima 10 years after the disaster,” said Nojiri.

‘Mixed feelings’ The Olympics and the relay were delayed by a year because of the pandemic and ongoing virus fears mean the torch festivities have been pared back, with the departure ceremony and first leg closed to the public.

Cheering is forbidden along the route, which will criss-cross Japan and involve around 10,000 runners, and the relay will be suspended if large crowds gather.

Yumiko Nishimoto, a torchbearer on the first day, has “mixed feelings” over the behind-closed-doors departure ceremony, which features a simplified programme with a reduced number of performers.

“Local people were looking forward to it, and some of them wanted to go and watch,” said Nishimoto, who leads a community Turn to C2

Knott kicks off Olympic bid into overdrive in Florida tilt

By Peter Atencio FILIPINO-AMERICAN track start Kristina Knott is in great shape and will only in one event when she begins her outdoor campaign and quest for an Olympic qualifying slot this weekend.

The 25-year-old Knott will run in the women’s 100-meter sprints and won’t be joining any other race during the Texas Relays in Austin on March 27.

That’s because Knott needs to lighten Brandon Vera IG up before she goes into tougher meets in the days ahead.

“We will not double the first competition because we are coming off of a heavy training load three weeks prior so she needs to de-load,” said Knott’s coach Rohsaan Griffin to the Manila Standard.

Knott will have a more demanding Kristina Knott wants to qualify in both the 100 and 200-meters of the Olympic Games. schedule when she sees action on April 3 in the Pure Athletics meet in Claire100 and 200 the following week in mont, Florida, where Griffin intends to also in the 100-meter sprints.

“She will be running the both the Clermont , Florida. After all, we are put her not just in the 200-meter, but

focusing on qualifying in two events not just one,” added Griffin.

Knott is focused on her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.

She distinguished herself after breaking the Philippine national records in the women’s 200-meter and 100-meter set by Lydia de Vega.

This time, Knott has also been training with strength and conditioning coach Carlo Buzzichelli in Orlando, Florida.

A week after the Clairemont event, Knott plunges into action in the Miramar Invitational in Florida, before joining a still to be determined highlevel competition in Gainesville, University of Florida on April 17, possibly both the 100m and 200m.

Knott then rounds out her tough stretch on May 13 in the 10th Savona International Meeting Area Permit European Athletics in Savona, Italy, where she may join the 100 or 200 or both.

Underdog Manila joins FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters

The Manila Chooks TM, composed of 5v5 veteran Chico Lanete, scorer Mac Tallo, postcreator Zachy Huang, and stretch big Dennis Santos

MANILA Chooks TM will have to go through the wringer when it holds court in the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters from March 26 to 27 at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex.

Fielding a team of new faces, Manila Chooks TM, composed of 5v5 veteran Chico Lanete, scorer Mac Tallo, post-creator Zachy Huang, and stretch big Dennis Santos, is slotted with Austria’s Graz, who they will square off on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (Manila time), and home team Doha, who they will face on the same day at 8:05 p.m.

Graz is headlined by Austria’s no. 4-ranked player 6’6” Matthias Linortner and no. 11 cager 6’2” Moritz Lanegger. Completing the squad are unranked players 6’9” Fabricio Vay and 6’7” Filip Krämer.

Qatar’s no. 14 player 6’5” Babacar Dieng leads the

home team together with no. 11 Faisal Abuissa, 6’7” Abdelrahman Yehia Abdelhaleem, and 6’10” Souley Ndour.

“Since we lack size as our big men have been affected by the quarantine measures here, we will be utilizing our speed and shooting,” said Lanete, who played for Uling Roasters-Butuan during the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup. “We are heading into Doha with an underdog mindset.”

The top team will advance to the tournament proper and join USA’s NY Harlem and Princeton in Pool D. NY and Princeton are no. 4 and 5, respectively, in the world club rankings. Pool games will also be played on March 26.

The FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters is a maximum-level (level 11) event. The champion will be awarded US$ 40,000.

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

Jamie Foxx to play Tyson in biopic series NEW YORK—Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal of singing legend Ray Charles. Now, he looks set to take on the life story of another iconic American—controversial boxing great Mike Tyson.

Jamie Foxx The television limited series about “Iron Mike” is in development, the boxer announced, with Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) to direct and Martin Scorsese on the production team.

“I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time,” Tyson said in a statement sent to AFP Monday, which confirmed information first reported

by The Hollywood Reporter.

“I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie and the entire creative Mike Tyson team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.”

A spokeswoman for Fuqua confirmed he is attached to the project. So far, the series has not been acquired by a network or streaming service, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tyson said his recent comeback to the ring—he fought to a draw with Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition in November 2020, at age 54—made this the perfect time for his story to be told.

The former world heavyweight champion is one of boxing’s most successful—and most controversial—figures.

Considered one of the best heavyweights of all time, he went 50-6 with 44 knockouts, retiring in 2005 with a loss to Kevin McBride.

But he is also known for his erratic behavior—biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear before losing their infamous 1997 bout—and his brushes with the law, including a conviction for rape and a cocaine addiction.

Kennard sparks Clippers past Hawks L

OS ANGELES—Luke Kennard conjured a perfect shooting display and Terance Mann added 21 from the bench as the Los Angeles Clippers overturned a 22-point deficit to end the Atlanta Hawks eight-game winning streak on Monday.

Kennard went eight-from-eight and made four three-pointers to take the Clippers—who had trailed 88-66 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter —to a 119-110 win at the Staples Center.

Kennard’s 20-point haul came from just over 18 second-half minutes as coach Ty Lue sent on the bench in a desperate bid to turn the tide with Atlanta romping towards a blowout victory.

Mann was another vital contributor from the bench, hauling down 10 rebounds in addition to his 21 points.

“It’s heart—that was all heart,” Kennard said afterwards. “Just staying ready.

Guys have been staying ready throughout

this entire year. We just needed to bring a little boost to the floor, a little energy, and that’s what we did.

“That was a hard-fought win. We showed a lot of heart and guts.”

Atlanta, chasing a ninth straight win, had exploded for 34 points in the second quarter to open up a 63-48 lead at half-time.

They retained that healthy lead until the arrival of the Clippers bench swung momentum in the closing stages of the third period and final quarter, with the home side ending on a 53-22 run.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers scoring with 25 points, seven rebounds

and five assists.

Trae Young topped the Hawks scorers with 28 points while John Collins added 23.

Rockets end losing streak Elsewhere Monday, Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points and Rudy Gobert grabbed a sixth consecutive double-double as the Utah Jazz tightened thei r g r ip on the Western Conference standings with a 120-95 road win over the Chicago Bulls.

Mitchell laid on an exhibition of longrange shooting with five three-pointers from eight attempts in a comfortable victory for Utah, who improved to 31-11 with the win.

French international Gobert meanwhile added 21 points for the visitors while hauling down 10 rebounds and a career-high nine blocks in a dominant Utah defensive display.

Chicago led by five points early in the first quarter, but when Mitchell and the

PBA team owners mull ban on Parks

By Peter Atencio

Luke Kennard of the LA Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

LA Lakers’ legend Baylor dies LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor, widely regarded as one of the greatest players never to win a championship after playing and losing in eight NBA Finals, died on Monday, the franchise announced. He was 86.

The 11-time Hall-of-Famer, a dominant force for the Lakers during 14 seasons in the league between 1958 and 1971, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife Elaine and daughter Krystal, the Lakers said.

“Elgin was the love of my life and my best friend,” Elaine Baylor said in a statement released by the team.

“And like everyone else, I was in awe of his immense courage, dignity and the time he gave to all fans. At this time we ask that I and our family be allowed to mourn his passing in privacy.”

Baylor was chosen with the top pick in the 1958 draft when the Lakers were based in Minneapolis.

He made an instant impact, averaging 24.9 points, 15 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his debut season to romp to Rookie of the Year honours.

It marked the beginning of an illustrious playing career with the Lakers which ended after a handful of games in his 14th season in 1971 because of knee problems.

The 6ft 5in (1.96m) small forward finished his career with 23,149 points at an average of 27.4 per game, along with 11,463

Utah offense clicked, the home side were unable to respond.

Mitchell finished the first half with 21 points from seven-of-12 field goals as the Jazz swept into a 56-42 lead.

Utah kept up the scoring momentum after the interval, with in-form Australian Joe Ingles adding 17 from the bench while Jordan Clarkson (16) and Mike Conley (15) also cracked double figures.

Zach LaVine led the Chicago scoring with 27 points while Thaddeus Young added 14 for the Bulls, who fell to 19-23 with the loss.

In Milwaukee, the Bucks shrugged off the injury absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to extend their winning streak to seven games with a 140-115 blowout over the Indiana Pacers.

Point guard Jrue Holiday finished with 28 points and 14 assists as the Bucks shared the offensive duties around with NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo ruled out with a knee injury. AFP

rebounds (13.5), and 3,650 assists (4.3).

Yet although he was pivotal in turning the Lakers into a dominant force in the 1960s, he was never able to crown his legacy with a championship.

He reached eight NBA Finals with the Lakers but lost all of them, including three sevengame series defeats to the Boston Celtics.

Baylor’s NBA Finals appearances however did include a memorable 61-point outing against the Celtics in 1962, which remains the record for the highest ever score by an individual in a NBA Finals game.

‘A great human being’ In a twist of fate, the Lakers finally won a championship in the 1971-1972 season —when Baylor had retired through injury after only nine games.

The Lakers later gave Baylor a championship ring in recognition of his contribution to the team which he sold for $132,000 in 2013.

“Elgin was THE superstar of his era his many accolades speak to that,” Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement on Monday.

Baylor’s retired No.22 jersey hangs in the rafters of the Staples Center and in 2018 a statue of him was unveiled outside the arena.

“He will always be part of the Lakers legacy,” Buss said. “On behalf of the entire Lakers family, I’d like to send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to

BOBBY Ray Parks won’t be able to transfer to another team this season after officials of the TNT Tropang Giga reportedly have no plans to let go of their player and trade him to another squad in the 46th season of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Team owners are in talks about the possibility of banning Parks from the league indefinitely.

But while there is no official decision from the PBA to ban Parks, discussions to punish him came after he decided to take a sabbatical this year from his stint with the Tropang Giga.

Parks has cited personal matters for his plans to skip his stint with the Tropang Giga this year.

The 6’4” Parks suffered a calf injury during the past season, which was held inside a bubble in Pampanga last year.

Parks finished with averages of 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, to go with 1.5 steals.

Fukushima...

From C1

Fiserv Forum Center displays a graphic in memory of Elgin Baylor during the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP

Elaine and the Baylor family.”

Other Lakers legends also paid tribute, with Magic Johnson saluting Baylor as a trail-blazing basketball talent.

“RIP to the NBA’s first high-flyer, Lakers Legend, & Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.

“Before there was Michael Jordan doing amazing things in the air, there was Elgin Baylor! A true class act and great man.”

Lakers icon Jerry West, who played

alongside Baylor for 11 seasons, mourned the loss of a “great human being.”

“I guess I’m grateful to have shared some incredible times with him,” West told the Los Angeles Times. “He was just one of those unique individuals.

“He went out of his way to be helpful to me in terms of growing up, sharing things with me, which I know I will cherish the rest of my life.

AFP

project to plant 20,000 cherry trees, one of the initiatives to restore the area.

“I wonder if organizers could have made more of an effort, considering it’s an outdoor event. The situation with infections is not the same here as it is in Tokyo.”

But Nishimoto is determined not to let the virus put a dampener on the occasion, which she sees as a chance to show “both positive and negative aspects” of Fukushima’s recovery.

Organizers have been keen to play up the benefits of hosting the Olympics for areas affected by the disaster.

But parts of the region remain off-limits due to high radiation, and some hollowedout towns are still struggling to lure people back to rebuild their communities.

“The torch relay will pass through areas where people still can’t return, and you can’t cover that up—that’s the reality and you need to understand that,” said Nojiri.

“But a lot of people are moving forward and living life with a smile on their faces, and I want people to see that.”

‘Back on its feet’ William McMichael, a Canadian lecturer at Fukushima University who has lived in the area since 2007, has been inviting overseas students since the disaster, in the hope of changing perceptions. AFP

Eala yields in three sets vs world no. 104 Kuzmova at Miami Open TENNIS prodigy and Globe ambassador Alex Eala fought hard but ultimately fell short against the world no. 104 Viktoria Kuzmova, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, in the first round of the Miami Open qualifying draw at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Monday.

The 15-year old Filipina was not fazed by the magnitude of this tournament, which has attracted the very best Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players in the world, as she played like she belonged and zoomed off to an early 2-0 lead. Kuzmova, though, regained her bearings and took the upper hand, 3-2, before Eala nabbed it right back, 4-3.

Kuzmova held serve to knot things up at 4-4 but Eala, who is ranked no.

736 in the WTA singles rankings,

held her own serve and then broke the former’s serve to win the first set, 6-4.

In the second, Kuzmova bounced back and established a 4-1 lead before eventually grabbing the second set, 6-4, to tie the game up at 1-1. The third set saw the Slovak netter open up a commanding 5-1 lead. Eala kept her hopes alive by winning the next game to trail, 2-5, but Kuzmova proved too skilled as she won the next game to close the set and the match in two hours and 21 minutes.

Nevertheless, it was a noteworthy showing for the Filipina tennis ace who was given a wild card entry in this competition that has long been considered the “fifth grand slam” in tennis. Among the big names competing in this event

are Australian Ashleigh Barty who is the top-ranked tennis pl aye r in the world, world no.

2 Naomi Osaka of Japan, third-ranked Simona Halep of Romania, and world no. 4 Sofia Kenin of the United States.

In a release from the WTA, Eala said the transition from being a junior to a professional has not been easy but she will persevere with the support of her family.

“Transitioning from being a junior to a professional is a scary point in one’s career. I am unsure about what the future holds and there are a lot of ups and downs. My family never failed to support me and know they are rooting for whatever I do,” Eala said.

Alex Eala said the transition from being a junior to a professional has not been easy but she will persevere with the support of her family.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

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David Chua breaks new ground IN SHOWBIZ, it's not uncommon for actors to eventually transition to working behind the camera and tackling more challenging roles such as directing and producing.

Kapamilya actor David Chua ranks among the few "creatively restless" types who have a hard time finding fulfillment and meaning solely through the glitz and glam of showbiz.

While he may have enjoyed all the many perks of his glamour profession all throughout his decade-long stint with ABS-CBN(with Love Thy Woman as his most recent project), he most certainly never squelched that inner voice that constantly nagged him to heed his artistic and creative muse.

And as he picked up a few acting awards along the way, he remained grounded and used his boundless energy to fuel his passion for filmmaking, and eventually earn his credibility as a legitimate director for television and film.

It was perhaps a sheer coincidence that David firmed up his resolve to pursue this newfound passion at the height of last year's global pandemic—a crisis of epic proportion made even worse by the local government's undeterred resolve to shut down the network.

But unlike most ABS-CBN employees who went through a long slump because of the unforeseen shakedown, David turned the

stumbling block into a steppingstone and used the long lull to channel his energies towards the fruition of his longtime dream: Dark Carnival Productions, his very own production outfit.

Like a proud dad, David can't help but ramble non-stop when asked about the inspiration behind his big dream.

He says, "I am really inclined to create. I took up Fine Arts in college, and I draw and paint. Just haven't had time to do more of that. Acting, which I also love to do, took up my time. And then, this network closure happened. Since then, I started to do small directing jobs for segments in the TV5 magazine show Rated Korina. Since, then I realized, 'Puwede din naman pala,' and I enjoyed."

"And then I thought: 'Wait a minute! Producing is creating.'With friends who also wanted to make the most of this long lockdown period, we said we could start something small. So, here we are!"

Asked what platforms they're currently focused on, David replies, "It depends on what the client wants. So far, we're working on an online ad, online video advocacy, and an indie movie. Anything goes!

There's a lot of talent out there among my friends alone. The landscape of platforms and content has grown so fast and wide. Parang walang limit to possibilities. Excited kami!"

Elaborating further as to who they are currently collaborating with, he adds, "The team of Rated

Korina--led by my late mom's friend, Ms. Korina Sanchez-Roxas--has been so supportive and I've learned so much from that group. They work hard and play hard. Such fun working with them. I'm also working with brands that have certain targets that challenge me and my team to think out of the box. And we're just getting started."

But doesn't producing and directing entail a lot of costs and risks as well, especially considering today's trying times? David muses, "We're starting small and taking baby steps. Times like these are challenging. But art cannot be defeated by a virus.

Art will always find a way out. Collaborations are now the means to this end. Dark Carnival has a day job. This helps support our passion to create what we really want to put out there."

What spurred David to come up with a rather macabre-sounding company name? He explains, "Well, everyone has a dark side. Hahaha! Also, maybe we're like a dark horse that can stand side by side with the bigger players? Also, entertainment to me is like a carnival. There. Nagkataon din that DC are my initials."

In addition to DCP's current agenda, David was lucky to lay down his blueprint for a TV and movie project, and feels equally lucky to have gotten his new manager Joji Dingcong's nod to enlist Kelley Day and Raymond Bagatsing for his pilot projects.

While David Chua excels at so many aspects of his career, he turns to producing in order to have more control over the projects in which he's personally involved.

Elevating new generation of local hip-hop

T

HE emergence of rap and hip-hop as a dominant moving force in local mainstream music has been undeniably noticeable. One only has to look at the mainstays of the streaming charts and viral hits in the past couple of years to find this to be true.

And while we look at acts like hitmaker rap artist BECAUSE, and superstar artist and musician James Reid, as separate entities, the thread that makes up their music comes from the same sonic architects.

And that would be the likes of Nexxfriday and Naki—the co-founders of WAYBETTR. With Nexxfriday having produced the chart-topping hits of so many hip-hop, rap, and pop acts such as “Pakinabang” by Ex Battalion and “Sandali” by Because to name a few, you have probably heard traces of the everevolving sound that is slowly making its way into the mainstream, which is the essence of WAYBETTR’s auditory direction.

WAYBETTR also aims to revolutionize the way the music production industry operates in the Philippines. In the past couple of years, the community of Music Production in the Philippines has increased tenfold. From making beats to mixing and mastering, what was once a niche-driven community has slowly entered the mainstream. With the cofounders being producers themselves, WAYBETTR is housing their own growing roster of producers and engineers to further push the community forward.

And Naki, coming from a background in Digital and Performance Marketing, aims to change the way artists and creatives in the Philippines reach their audiences.

He states, “The world is increasingly turning into a digital society, kaya isa sa mga direction that we want dito sa WAYBETTR is to be a digital-first label.

This means majority of our operational and marketing efforts will leverage our understanding of data and technology, digital communities, and digital marketing.”

VERY WANG

Celebrating OPM in Himig Handog 11th edition

NICKIE WANG

KZ Tandingan interprets Himig 11th Edition Best Song 'Marupok' composed by Danielle Balagtas.

WAYBETTR founders Nexxfriday and Naki (bottom part) aim to revolutionize the way the music production industry operates in the Philippines.

“At the end of the day, lahat ng output natin as creatives, they’re digital products.

Whether you’re an artist or a music producer, ang end-goal natin is to find the people that like our digital products and develop a two-way relationship that allows us to build communities and constantly grow our audiences," Naki adds.

The VIVA Music Group recently announced their joint venture partnership with the founders of WAYBETTR, Emmanuel Salen, a.k.a Nexxfriday, and Wilde Quimson, a.k.a Naki—via a Zoom press conference early this month.

The partnership aims to cultivate the new generation of Hip-Hop, music production and give new up-and-coming creatives the centerstage.

With the genre of hip-hop going strong in the Philippines, Naki says that this is the perfect time to launch a collective like WAYBETTR to make the community even bigger, far-reaching, and stronger.

Their partners at VIVA Music Group believe that Nexxfriday and Naki are the future of Hip-hop and the music industry in the Philippines. And Viva is optimistic that the synergy of these youthful, progressive creatives will bring forth the future with the official launch of Nexxfriday and Naki’s WAYBETTR record label and production house. Not only will the duo lead in the production of music with their usual named collaborators, but they will also be managing and nurturing new upand-coming acts.

One of them would be female R&B artist DENȲ. A singer-songwriter and dance artist whose music leans toward contemporary R&B and pop, DENȲ got her start in the Filipino music scene when she became a session musician for

BECAUSE’s band in 2019. The latter pushed her to go deeper with her music and produced the first two tracks that eventually became DENȲ’s first singles.

DENȲ will now have the distinction of being the first official artist of WAYBETTR. She will be the first to test the waters of the local scene under the newly minted label heads’ production, creative direction, and management. DENȲ’s first single, called “Gusto With Ya”, was released on March 12 on all digital streaming platforms.

To date, WAYBETTR already has a burgeoning, dynamic roster of artists under their label which includes DENȲ, FTD, Jae K, and the Tus Brothers, with some of their tracks already underway.

With its own band of producers from all over the country, the music production house of Nexxfriday and Naki, along with their artists are excited at the prospect of working with like-minded creatives in the Philippines and especially Filipinos all over the world as well.

Online interactive play to involve audience choices in narrative and mystery LYING Creatures brings film noir into the digital stage, as it transports its guests to the seedy and surreal 1946 city of Lunan where humans co-exist with the secretive supernatural. Viewers may be involved in their attempt to solve a controversial case as it challenges the notions, constructions, and distortions of truth.

Written and produced by Teatro 77, a team of Theater Arts students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts, the adventure follows the thrilling quest of a stoic female detective on the work to solve the case of the century: the disappearance of the Mayor’s daughter. With three main suspects in mind but zero leads, the protagonist receives a tip-off from a mysterious caller and soon finds herself in a whirlpool of doubts.

Lying Creatures questions the integrity of truth as it mimics the modern media landscape and how desires shape one’s understanding of reality. It likewise alludes to the current socio-political issues such as unjust prejudice, press polarization, social discrimination, and the politics of protesting.

In this quirky and innovative digital theater audience, all decisions are designed to impact the experience, participants may engage with each overall narrative and progress of the case.

Joining Sari Labrador (The Detective) in this other through the featured forum facilitated by a live actor. As the plot is affected by the choices of the venture are Julian Pamati-An (The Journalist),

John Gamboa (The Chief), Lauren Antonio (The Witch), Ethan Wong (The Gorgon), Michael Hilao (The Officer), and Jack Gaza (The Witness).

The Vampire will be portrayed by industry practitioner, TAXI Theater Founder and Creative Navigator, PETA Theater Senior Artist Teacher and Benilde Theater Arts Chairperson Eric Villanueva Dela Cruz.

The production will be headlined by Teatro 77 members and Benilde Theater Arts graduating students Isabella Pedersen as Director, Kyla Ravago for Tech and Production Management and Marketing, and Samantha Campos for Stage Management and Technical Direction.

The team is under the guidance of Dela Cruz and Benilde Production Design Chairperson Armando “Tuxqs” Rutaquio, Jr., a respected production designer, director, actor, dramaturg, and former Virgin Labfest Director.

Lying Creatures premieres tomorrow, March 25 at 8:00 p.m.

For tickets, viewing schedule, and more information, email teatro77marketing@gmail.com.

Interested participants may register through http:// teatro77.online/. The virtual stage will be accessible to official ticket-holders.

THE highly relatable song “Marupok” composed by Danielle Balagtas was proclaimed as the Best Song in the country’s biggest songwriting competition, ABSCBN’s Himig 11th Edition.

Interpreted by KZ Tandingan, the universal dance-pop yet distinctively Filipino track about easily catching feelings for someone earned its songwriter Danielle a P300,000 cash prize and a house and lot from Lumina Homes.

“I wanted this to be a symbolism for a girl who is labeled as ‘marupok’ to remember that we all have the capacity to grow and be empowered women,” Danielle explained.

KZ, who first won in Himig Handog 2014 for Edwin Marollano’s Best Song entry and smash hit “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” also shared how special “Marupok” is to her. "’Marupok’ is a song that’s closest to who I am as an artist, so if it didn’t become a finalist for Himig, this would definitely still be part of my album. It sounded like it was meant for me.”

The music video of “Marupok” directed

by Gelo Yellow also notched the “MYX Choice for Best Music Video” special award with a P25,000 cash prize.

Meanwhile, the entry of brothers John Francis and Jayson Franz Pasicolan “Kahit Na Masungit” was named 2nd Best Song, for which they won P200,000. Young artists Jeremy G and Kyle Echarri originally recorded the song, but Bugoy Drilon performed it live during the finals night.

The 3rd Best Song was awarded to previous Best Song winner Dan Tañedo for his Himig 11th Edition entry “Ibang Planeta,” which was brought to life by ZILD. He bagged P150,000 for this feat.

Kenneth Reodica’s impactful composition “Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap” was declared 4th Best Song, winning P100,000. Originally interpreted by Davey Langit ft. Kritiko, it was performed live by “Tawag ng Tanghalan” season 4 grand champion JM Yosures and Kritiko during the competition’s finale.

The power ballad “Kulang Ang Mundo” composed by Daryl Cielo and interpreted

by Sam Mangubat took home 5th Best Song, receiving a cash prize of P80,000.

On the other hand, SJ Gandia’s “Tinadhana Sa’Yo” interpreted by Zephanie scored two special awards, namely the “MOR Entertainment Choice” and “TFC’s Global Choice,” which amount to respective cash prizes of P25,000 and 1,000 USD. David Mercado also won a P25,000 cash prize as his entry “Kahit Kunwari Man Lang” sung by Agsunta and Moira Dela Torre was hailed as the “Most Streamed Song,” while Mariah Moriones’ entry “Tabi-Tabi Po” interpreted by JMKO earned a total of 8,179 votes on TikTok and was named as the “Himig TikTok Choice.”

The finals night of Himig 11th Edition was first seen on KTX.ph last Sunday (March 21) hosted by Edward Barber, Jayda, and Jona.

The event proved to be a grand celebration of OPM with stellar performances from OPM’s finest Jona, Jayda, Bugoy Drilon, Liezel Garcia, Sheryn Regis, Nyoy Volante, and Jed Madela.

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

C4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

Life

FROM MUSIC TO FASHION.

Bruno Mars unleashes Ricky Regal, his designer alter ego, as he endeavors in designing his own lifestyle brand in collaboration with luxury sportswear label Lacoste.

FASHION AND BEAUTY

Bruno Mars unleashes

his designer alter ego

in first lifestyle brand “W

HEN I’m on stage, my name is Bruno Mars.

When I’m making luxurious garments, I go by Ricky Regal,” said the 11-time Grammy winner as he introduced his first lifestyle brand.

The brand was launched in partnership with Lacoste, which, Mars said, gave him the creative freedom to make it truly his.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have been asked to do collaborations in the past, but it always came with guidelines,” he related. “Lacoste was the first and only brand that said ‘Bruno we want you to make this truly yours.’”

The Ricky Regal x Lacoste collection, available since March 8 at Lacoste Greenbelt 5, consists of ready-to-wear including shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts, pants, slides and socks, and a pair of aviator sunglasses.

To achieve that casual and dressy

The Ricky Regal x Lacoste collection consists of ready-to-wear pieces made with sophisticated fabrics in bold colors.

vibe in a sportswear line, the collection (velvet, silk, and cotton). itage and his own seductive style,” encomes in bold colors (mustard yellow, “With Ricky Regal x Lacoste, Bruno thused creative director Louise Trotter. petrol blue, eggplant purple, coral red, has created a luxury sportswear brand Trotter added, “Collaborating with Bruno and tie-dye) and sophisticated fabrics that bridges the Lacoste sportswear her- and entering into his unique world has been

Uniqlo opens first store in Butuan,

Kilay is life: This app helps you achieve Anastasia Soareapproved eyebrows

appoints Doraemon as global sustainability ambassador

Anastasia Beverly Hills founder and chief executive Anastasia Soare launches The Brow App, an augmented reality mobile application that guides users in shaping and grooming their eyebrows.

By Monica Sanchez AESTHETICIAN-t ur ned-makeup mogul Anastasia Soare built her empire by developing the technique to shape eyebrows—which were overlooked then—that perfectly frame a person’s face because they follow the bone structure.

The “Eyebrow Queen” is never stingy when it comes to sharing her methods and techniques that gained her superstar and supermodel clients. Most recently, she launched an augmented reality app that helps users shape and groom their brows in the comforts of their home.

“This app will help you create timeless brows that will outlast any trend and give you the confidence to do them on your own,” enthuses Soare, founder and chief executive of Anastasia Beverly Hills.

The Brow App combines Soare’s Golden Ratio eyebrow shaping method with custom 3D technology and a patented algorithm to provide a filter-like image of the user with the best brow shape and color that suits them.

Mimicking the physical salon experience, it first analyzes the user’s facial structures and asks a series of questions about their hair color, preferred brow look, and experience with eye-

a great adventure; he has a very clear vision and is obsessive with every detail. From concept to fittings, there wasn’t a single aspect that he was not fully involved.”

brows to understand and recommend the brow shape, shade, and style that’s perfect for them.

It also has a Look Library that lets users virtually try on different styles and shapes of brows to see what suits their face.

For those ready to shape and groom their brows, they simply need to use the Brow Mirror feature that shows an outline of their chosen style to serve as guide for drawing or plucking. The feature also has a step-by-step guide – from filling and detailing all the way to finishing and highlighting.

“Developing The Brow App over the past year has been a labor of love.

We’re so excited to finally bring this new technology to our community, and perfect people’s brows all over the world,” shares Soare.

In addition to the step-by-step guide, the app also offers more in-depth makeup tutorials and run-throughs of specific Anastasia Beverly Hills products and their purposes via the Mastery feature.

Those who require further assistance can also use the app to book a virtual consultation with the brand’s pro artists.

Anastasia Beverly Hills The Brow App is now available on the App Store and later this month on the Google Play Store.

JAPANESE fashion retailer Uniqlo continues its series of store openings, this time in Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.

Opening on March 26, the 859-square-meter store is located on the ground floor of SM City Butuan, along JC Aquino Avenue.

Butuanons can have access to the complete lineup of LifeWear clothing for women, men, kids, and babies, including Uniqlo shirts, pants, jeans, denims, dresses, the AIRism collection, and UV protection pieces.

On the opening week, customers can enjoy special offers on selected items.

Uniqlo on March 22 announced the appointment of Doraemon as its global sustainability ambassador.

For its ambassadorship, the beloved blue anime and manga char-

Uniqlo’s Butuan branch features a spacious 859-square-meter retail space.

acter, along with the Uniqlo logo, is rendered in green to convey the message of “Changing our future through the power of clothing.”

“We are delighted to partner with Doraemon,” said Koji Yanai, group senior executive officer at Green Doraemon as Uniqlo’s global sustainability ambassador.

VANITY CORNER Blooming in pink LIKE a flower that blooms in spring, skin glows with the help of nourishment. In celebration of Women’s Month, Nivea highlights its skincare products that harness the power of flowers.

The no-alcohol Nivea Fair and Glow Hokkaido Rose Whip Foam is enriched with antioxidants from Hokkaido rose extracts to fight the effects of stress, pollution, dirt, and toxins on the skin. The facial foam wash pairs well with the MicellAIR Cleanser, also with 0 percent alcohol.

Using lotus extracts for glowing skin and CoolTech for that “insta-cool” sensation, the Nivea Healthy Glow Cooling Lotus UV Lotion is ideal during the warm summer season. The brand says it has enhanced UVA/UVB filters to protect the skin from sun’s harmful rays.

Finally, the paraben-free Nivea Deo Essence 0 percent Alcohol provides underarm protection and nourishment using Hokkaido and sakura essence, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

The aforementioned products are available at Watsons, supermarkets and drugstores, and online via Lazada, Shopee, and BeautyMNL.

Nivea’s skincare products—micellar cleanser, body lotion, deodorant, and facial foam—that harness the power of flower essence and extracts.

Fast Retailing. “Over the past two decades, Uniqlo has undertaken numerous sustainability initiatives through business to contribute to a better, more sustainable world. We believe that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social transformations, and evolving consumer attitudes make it more important than ever to collaborate with customers and other stakeholders in driving positive social change.”

Doraemon joins Japanese actress Haruka Ayase and Uniqlo global brand ambassadors Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Shingo Kunieda, Gordon Reid, Ayumu Hirano, and Adam Scott in taking the brand’s sustainability initiatives forward.