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CONTROL POINT. Cops in combat gear man the checkpoints along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road in Alfonso, Cavite on March 23, 2021. At least 9,000 cops and soldiers will join forces to enforce the 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Metro Manila and 4 provinces as part of stricter lockdown imposed under ECQ starting today to arrest the spike in COVID-19 cases. JR Josue

9K cops tighten lockdown Swarm NCR Plus checkpoints to enforce extended curfew, health protocols By Willie Casas

ORE than 9,000 police officers will be posted in over 1,000 quarantine control checkpoints spread out across Metro Manila and nearby provinces as these areas were placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting Monday, March 29, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the checkpoints would go up in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon and Calabarzon. A quarter of the 9,356 police assigned to checkpoints will be in Met-

ro Manila, the PNP said. The Palace announced Saturday that Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal would be placed under an ECQ from

VOL. XXXV • NO. 47 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COVID-19 PH

Business groups wary of ECQ impact on SMEs By Othel V. Campos and Rio N. Araja EMPLOYERS and business groups expressed fear over the dire consequences of the renewed lockdown measures over the weekend after the government imposed an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces as new COVID-19 cases surged to record levels. “The impact on business and econo-

my will be tremendous,” said Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) chairman emeritus Francis Chua. “We are hoping that small businesses will be able to survive another lockdown. Except for essentials, other businesses are in minimum capacity and most are closed. The government must be able to do something to help out companies in these dire situations.” The World Bank Next page

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 28)

721,892 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

9,475 105,568 Next page

QUARANTINED. The occupancy rate of government-built quarantine or isolation facilities has reached 61 percent and still going up in the National Capital Region. The national level however is at a low of 16 percent, officials said.

CHINA will conduct a military exercise in the South China Sea next Monday and Tuesday as tensions remain high over the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, prompting Manila to send daily air patrols over the Julian Felipe Reef. On Friday, the China MariMari time Safety Administration is issued a notice saying an area between China's south southernmost Hainan prov province and the Paracel Islands would be closed to marine traffic due to military

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. owes the Philippine Red Cross about P822 million for COVID-19 tests, PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon said. "Its debt has now reached P822 million. They pay on installment basis, but daily dues outpace payment releases, debts keep piling up,” the senator said.

PCSO: No lotto draws Apr. 1-4 IN OBSERVANCE of the Lenten Season, there will be no selling and draws of all PCSO games from April 1 to April 4, 2021. During the Holy week, the regular selling of tickets and holding of Next page

13,170

603,154

22,000

RECOVERIES

training, the South China Morning Post reported. The previous day the Philippine military sent more warships to carry out “sovereignty patrols” in the South China Sea, where Chinese vessels have surrounded the disputed Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef and refused to leave. The Chinese government said the ships were fishing vessels taking shelter, while the Philippines says the ships are manned by maritime militia. Friday’s anan nouncement came on the same day that China

Pope to Catholics: PhilHealth debts piling up—Gordon Focus on the cross By Willie Casas POPE Francis urged Catholics to focus on the cross during Holy Week as he celebrated Mass on Palm Sunday. Offering Mass at the Altar of the Chair March 28, the pope said that Holy Week was an opportunity to rediscover “amazement” at Christ’s saving Passion. “During this Holy Week, let us lift our eyes to the cross, in order to receive the grace of amazement,” he said. For a second consecutive year, attendance at the papal Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was tightly restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The congregation consisted of around 120 people, holding palm leaves and booklets containing the Order of Mass. Approximately 30 cardinals were also present. After the Passion, human beings are never alone, the pope explained. Next page

ACTIVE

DEATHS

China war games: PH on guard Pope Francis holds a palm branch as he arrives to celebrate Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter's Basilica on March 28, 2021 in The Vatican amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

NEW

And some hospitals had not yet received their payments from PhilHealth since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, the president of the Philippine Hospital Association said Next page Sunday.

PH bet 2nd best in Thai pageant By Eton Concepcion THE Philippines’ Samantha Bernardo won first runner up to USA’s Abena Appiah during the glitzy Miss Grand International 2020 coronation finals held at the Show DC hall in Bangkok. Next page

NEW

MYANMAR SLAYS TRIGGER OUTRAGE WORLD / B2

SUNDAY BOMBING ROCKS INDONESIA NEWS / A2

WORLD / B2

Oil price cutback at P1.40 per liter as demand drops By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil companies will imple implement a hefty price rollback this week of as much P1.40 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world market. “Expect fuel prices to go down next week (March 30 to April 5, 2021). Diesel should go down by P1.30 to P1.40 per liter. Gasoline should go down by P1.20 to P1.30 per liter,” Unioil said in its advisory. Next page

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

9K... From A1

March 29 to April 4 as new COVID-19 cases shot to record highs. Curfew during this period runs from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Public utility vehicles will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity during ECQ, the Department of Transportation said Sunday. PUVs cover public utility bus, UV Express Service, public utility jeepneys, shuttle service, tricycle, taxis and transport network vehicle services (TNVS). International inbound passenger capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport shall remain at a maximum of 1,500 passengers per day while domestic commercial operations shall be allowed subject to the requirements or restrictions set by local government units outside of the NCR Plus bubble. Maritime transport shall continue but only at 50 percent capacity. Joint Task Force COVID Shield Commander Police Lt. Gen. Cesar Binag said police personnel in all 1,106 checkpoints will be flagging motorists or travelers starting later at midnight or 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 29. Essential workers need only show their company ID and travel passes will not be required, said Ret. Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the National Task Force Against COVID-19. “We will be compassionate for those on their way home. But there will only be a window for that. We will be strict from 7:30 to 8 p.m.,” he said in Filipino. “This strict measure is so we can lessen the time of interaction among many people, because we know this is when virus transmission happens,” he added. The Philippines logged 9,475 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of infected to 721,892, the

Business... From A1

on Friday warned that slow vaccinations in the Philippines could delay economic recovery and take away a percentage point from the potential growth in gross domestic product (GDP), which took a beating in 2020 as economic activity contracted 9.5 percent as a result of the pandemic and the fallout from a prolonged lockdown. Earlier last week, acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua warned that imposing a two-week modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) would have resulted in a rise in the number of hungry people by 58,000 and raise the number of unemployed by 128,500. He also said the country was already losing P700 million in salaries per day under the general community quarantine. Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio OrtizLuis said companies were hanging by a thread and anything more would cause them to “fall to pieces.” “There are more that the government can do instead of placing the NCR under lockdown, again. There are so many recommendations that they are not considering,” he said. He said the government was responding to critical situations in a “characteristically knee-jerk” manner, “listening to the observations and recommendations of a research group that has no expertise in crisis management like what we have right now.” He said the lack of information has led to the new spike in COVID-19 cases and said he prayed the new lockdown would not delay recovery efforts by one or two years. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) issued strict new guidelines Sunday for hotels under a second lockdown, suspending Lenten ‘staycations’ within NCR Plus. The interim operational guidelines came in the wake of the imposition of an ECQ in Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces for the seven-day period starting Monday, March 29. In an advisory to all hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, motels and other such establishments in the country, the DOT effectively suspended the operation of “staycation” hotels for leisure guests within the so-called NCR Plus bubble, which covers Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan. However, guests who are already billeted in these establishments by midnight on Sunday may continue to stay for the duration of their original booking. How-

PH... From A1

The pageant was broadcast live via YouTube channel Grandtv on Saturday night. Bernardo, handpicked by the Bb. Pilipinas organization, initially received an identical first place score with Appiah and 2nd runner up Miss Guatemala Ivana Batchelor after walking in swimsuit, evening gown and participating in the Top 5 Q&A. The top three finalists were asked a question on the COVID-19 vaccine to break the tie, a first to happen in an inter-

News Department of Health (DOH) reported. This marks the third straight day when more than 9,000 new infections were reported. The DOH reported 11 new fatalities, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 13,170, which is 1.82 percent of the total number of cases. The DOH also reported 22,000 recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 603,154, which is 83.6 percent of the total number of cases. This left 105,568 active cases, which is 14.6 percent of the total number of cases. Of the active cases, 95.5 percent are mild; 2.5 percent are asymptomatic; 0.7 percent are critical; 0.8 percent are severe; and 0.43 percent are moderate. The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 57 percent of the total ICU bed capacity are in use; 44 percent of the total isolation bed capacity is in use; 44 percent of the total ward bed capacity is in use; and 35 percent of the total number of ventilators are being used. In the National Capital Region (NCR), 72 percent of the total ICU bed capacity is in use; 67 percent of the total isolation bed capacity is in use; 58 percent of the total ward bed capacity is in use; and 51 percent of the total number of ventilators are being used. Under the ECQ, all mass gatherings, including religious gatherings, would be prohibited, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Minors, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with immunodeficiency and co-morbidities would not be allowed to leave their households. The curfew was also extended to cover 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. The DOH, meanwhile, said the government will reallocate 75 percent of the newly-arrived COVID-19 vaccine doses to areas included in the "NCR (National Capital Region) Plus" bubble, which were recently placed under an ECQ. Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, Health Under-

secretary told radio dzBB that 75 percent of the vaccine supply will be distributed to health care workers in high-risk COVID-19 areas. “There are 400,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines that arrived from China last March 24. These were deployed already (but) it was decided that since there are hotspots in the 'NCR Plus' bubble, we will concentrate vaccinations there,” Cabotaje said in Filipino. Cabotaje said that vaccinations will continue despite the implementation of ECQ on Monday, March 29. Cabotaje said the remaining 25 percent of doses will be given to health care workers in Cordillera, Cebu, Davao and Region VI. Some 75 percent of the close to 1 million shots of vaccines made by BritishSwedish drugmaker AstraZeneca will also be dispatched for areas inside the 'NCR Plus' bubble. “Of the 1 million doses of vaccines, as recommended by the IATF and approved by the President...75 percent will be given to the 'NCR Plus' bubble to protect health workers and the public from COVID-19,” Cabotaje said, when asked about the deployment of almost 1 million vaccines from AstraZeneca. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the 979,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses may arrive between March 24 and 26. With Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna placed under ECQ, the strictest community quarantine, from March 29 to April 4, only limited industries will be allowed to operate. The strictest lockdown was implemented after the country reported more than 9,000 new COVID-19 cases for two consecutive days. The DOH on Sunday urged security personnel and health care workers in closed institutions and other health facilities that are included in the COVID-19 vaccination priority list to immediately

get inoculated. “We are calling for the last mile registration because some health care workers still don't know or forgot how they can be included in the master list,” Cabotaje said. “When we say A1, it includes A1.7, those in closed institutions such as orphanages, nursing homes, health workers there who take care of patients. Not necessarily health care professionals,” she said. Cabotaje said that security personnel in hospitals, health centers and private clinics are also included in the master list. Personnel at school clinics, barangay health workers conducting contact tracing and taking specimens for swab testing are also included in the priority list, she said. Workers at hotels that became isolation facilities must also receive their COVID-19 jabs, Cabbotaje said. Janitors, interns, pharmacists and clerks at hospitals must also get registered for the vaccination master list. Cabotaje said those who are on the master list should get registered in health offices in their respective local government units. These groups are included in the 1.7 million health care workers who are supposed to be the first in line to get COVID-19 jabs, she said. Cabotaje said 51 percent of medical frontline workers were already injected with COVID-19 vaccine to prevent infection from the coronavirus. The latest data from DOH showed that 508,332 people in the country received vaccines as of March 23 to protect them against the severe respiratory illness. The DOH said this accounts for 62% of the first dose of vaccines. Under the government's priority list, vaccinations must start with frontline health workers. Next in line are indigent senior citizens, other remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel.

ever, no new bookings will be allowed for the week. Christine Ibarreta, president of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), assured tourism officials that guests with reservations within the ECQ period will be allowed to rebook without penalty provided they booked directly with the hotels. The DOT has classified accommodation establishments into 3, according to the nature of their operations. These are - isolation facilities, for Covid-19 positive guests; quarantine hotels, for individuals who must undergo quarantine, such as returning overseas Filipinos; foreign nationals allowed entry to the country; those unable to quarantine in their homes; and health workers who need accommodation near their place of work; and regular hotels, which are neither isolation facilities nor quarantine hotels and includes hotels with issued certificates of authority to operate for staycation. In the advisory, regular hotels under ECQ and modified ECQ can accommodate only guests with long-term leases; locally stranded individuals or those transiting to their place of residence; and authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) pursuant to their official duties. The DOT advised these accredited establishments to strictly enforce the minimum health and safety guidelines and quarantine protocols or face sanctions which include fines, suspension and the cancellation of accreditation. In other developments: Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said lockdowns should only be implemented if they would truly make a dent in the number of COVID-19 cases. Lockdowns that paralyze livelihoods should come with the guarantee that those who would suffer greatly for them would be fed and sheltered by government, he said. “So we have to make this work. I welcome the IATF recommendation to submit sources of funding for targeted subsidies during the lockdown,” he added. Salceda also expressed frustration that some national government offices have become sources of infection. Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite hit the reimposition of a "militarized lockdown" beginning today to curb the surge in COVID-19 infections. "Heightened presence of uniformed personnel, checkpoints, and even house-to-house to look for infected persons? This is the same militarized response that was ineffective, and was highly criticized and rejected by the public last year, but they're doing it again,” he said. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said the lockdown proved President Duterte's failure in his COVID-19 response. With Darwin Amojelar

China...

patrolling Philippine waters. The resource-rich South China Sea is contested by several countries, including the Philippines and China. Beijing often invokes the so-called nine-dash line to justify its apparent historic rights over most of it, and has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared this assertion as without basis. President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed concern over the presence of the vessels to the Chinese ambassador in Manila, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday. Duterte has fostered warmer ties with Beijing since taking office in 2016 in exchange for greater economic cooperation with its superpower neighbor. But the shift has failed to stem Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea, or unlock much of the billions of dollars of promised trade and loans. In the House of Representatives, the leftist Makabayan bloc said it wants an investigation into the presence of the Chinese ships. Lawmakers belonging to the bloc filed House Resolution 1675 seeking to condemn and probe the presence of hundreds of Chinese militia vessels around the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. They said the Duterte administration has failed to protect the country's territorial integrity that resulted in the loss of livelihood of Filipino fishermen. "With the continuing harassment by the China Coast Guard and the Chinese deployment of maritime militias, Filipinos were deprived of the natural resources in its own territory," the Makabayan bloc said. The deployment of the Chinese vessels could "lead to another level of disrespect to Philippine sovereignty." Rio N. Araja with AFP

national pageant. The three pageant favorites were asked the question: If only a single vial of vaccine was left, to whom would they give it to a 15-year-old or 70-year-old? Appiah and Batchelor chose the younger option while Bernardo chose the older person. Netizens and pageant fans preferred Bernardo as top winner and poured their sentiments after the announcement of winners. "My heart goes to senior citizens because my mom is turning [into a] senior citizen. And I experienced the loss of my dad four years ago, and I cannot afford to

From A1

sent 20 war planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, the largest incursion reported by the island’s defense ministry. A US official told Financial Times that Washington is concerned that China is flirting with the idea of seizing control of Taiwan. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said an Air Force jet was conducting daily patrols over Chinese vessels parked near the Julian Felipe Reef as Beijing refused to pull the ships out of the area. About 220 boats were first spotted earlier this month at the boomerang-shaped Julian Felipe Reef around 320 kilometers west of Palawan Island, sparking a diplomatic row. Manila has ordered Beijing to recall the vessels, describing their presence as an incursion into its sovereign territory. But China, which claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, says the flotilla is made up of fishing vessels sheltering from bad weather. The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest, and several countries, including the United States and Australia, have expressed concern over the renewed tension in the region. Philippine navy and coast guard ships have been deployed to the area to monitor the situation, in addition to the aerial patrols, Lorenzana said late Saturday. "We are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines," Lorenzana said, repeating a call for the Chinese ships to withdraw. He added there will be an "increased presence" of navy and coast guard ships

“God is at our side in every affliction, in every fear; no evil, no sin will ever have the final word. God triumphs, but the palm of victory passes through the wood of the cross. For the palm and the cross are inseparable,” he said. “What about us? Can we still be moved by God’s love? Have we lost the ability to be amazed by him? Maybe our faith has grown dull from habit. Maybe we remain trapped in our regrets and allow ourselves to be crippled by our disappointments. Maybe we have lost all our trust or even feel worthless." “But behind all these ‘maybes’ lies the fact that we are not open to the gift of the Spirit who gives us the grace of amazement.” The pope urged people facing this

struggle to “start over from amazement.” Papal liturgies throughout Holy Week will be much smaller than usual due to the ongoing pandemic. On Holy Thursday, the pope will preside over the Chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning of April 1. But he will not be present at the Vatican’s Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside instead. Good Friday at the Vatican will include both the papal liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at 6 p.m. and the Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square. The pope will offer the Easter Vigil Mass on April 3 in St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:30 p.m. and will also celebrate the Easter Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. after which he will offer the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing. CNA

lose my mom. My heart goes to them because they are the most vulnerable during this time," she said. "A 15-year-old has the stamina to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. And with proper exercise and healthy living, they can live with it," Bernardo said Apart from being a model and actress Appiah, who was also appointed to compete, is a music therapist who works with kids with special needs. The 27-year-old African-American competed in Miss Earth 2019 representing Ghana. She became the first USA delegate to win the Miss Grand International title, a back-to-back victory fol-

lowing their country’s first win in Miss Earth pageant in November 2020. The 27-year-old Bernardo is a native of Palawan and a graduate of a Hospitality Management degree, duplicated Nicole Cordoves’ 1st runner-up finish in 2016. She paraded a Philippine Eagle-inspired national costume, designed by Patrick Isorena, which landed among the Top 10 best in national costume. Bernardo, from Kagandahang Flores Camp since the start of her Binibini journey, underwent a quick last-minute training with mentor Rodgil Flores shortly before flying to Thailand.

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PhilHealth... From A1

PHA President Jaime Almora told Dobol B TV that some hospitals were planning to apply for loans since they had yet to receive payments from the agency. "They have no money anymore, even the big hospitals. I talked to their medical directors and they are looking at borrowing money because since the pandemic started, they have yet to collect money from PhilHealth,” Almora said. In October, the PRC stopped conducting COVID-19 tests chargeable to PhilHealth after the latter failed to settle its outstanding balance of nearly P1 billion. The PRC had since resumed testing after PhilHealth settled half of its balance. Gordon said PhilHealth was not being prompt in its payments to the PRC. He said PhilHealth had earlier vowed to pay P200 million per week, but it failed to keep its promise. He said the PRC needed the funds to be able to compensate their medical technologists, procure supplies and build facilities. He suspects that an entity may benefit in case the PRC stops its COVID-19 testing efforts. "Sometimes I can't help but suspect they are protecting an entity or somebody, and if the PRC stops the tests due to lack of funds it will make a profit,” he said. "We don't want to stop conducting tests. But when we do, you know why,” Gordon said. He says if PhilHealth will not pay up, then the PRC might as well stop conducting COVID-19 tests chargeable to the state health insurer. "I'm not asking them to pay right way, but we should be able to keep up with our expenses so we can pay for our Medtechs. The government should help us,” he said.

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World oil prices last week declined due to a renewed rise in COVID-19 cases in the US and lockdowns in Europe, which has dampened prospects of a global oil recovery. On Saturday, Unioil Philippines cut the price of its diesel by P1.30 per liter and gasoline by P1.20 per liter “to reflect the changes in the international oil market.” Unioil also announced it is offering fuel discounts to all frontliners and essential workers from March 25, 2021, until April 4, 2021, during the enhanced community quarantine period. It said health workers, PNP/Military personnel, local government units, logistics companies, third-party food delivery services get P2.50 off per liter on Euro 5 Diesel, P3 off per liter of Euro 5 Gasoline 91, and P4 off per liter og Euro 5 Gasoline 95 and 97 at participating Unioil stations. Customers just need to present their PRC License/ID. On March 23, the oil companies also implemented a price rollback of P0.35-P0.44 per liter of diesel and P0.45 per liter of kerosene. There was no movement on the price of gasoline. These resulted in a year-to-date adjustments of a net increase of P5.90 per liter of diesel and P4.90 per liter of kerosene while gasoline remained at a net increase of P7.35 per liter, according to Department of Energy data.

PCSO.. From A1

draws will only be done from March 29, Holy Monday to March 31, 2021, Holy Wednesday. Regular operations will resume on April 5, 2021, Monday. Meanwhile, a lone bettor from Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur, bagged the PHP298.8-million jackpot prize draw of the Grand Lotto 6/55 on Saturday night. In an advisory on Sunday, PCSO general manager Royina Garma said the lucky bettor guessed the winning combination 38-35-11-22-39-47 with a jackpot of PHP298,773,641. Garma said the suspension of the agency’s gaming activities during this period is to respect the solemnity of the occasion and to give lotto agents, players and PCSO employees the time to conduct their own Holy Week Observances. “We thank the public for their continued support of PCSO gaming products, PCSO will continue to deliver its mandate to raise and provide funds for health programs, medical assistance and services and charities of national character. Let’s play to win a game of chance, share and care for Charity cause,” Garma said. Winning numbers and other details of PCSO games, products and services can be viewed at the PCSO official website at www.pcso.gov.ph

News

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Court litigants gain Holy Week relief By Rey E. Requejo

HE SUPREME Court on Sunday granted litigants a threeday extension period counted from April 5 within which to file their pleadings that they previously enjoined to submit from March 29 to March 31 by various courts in National Capital Region and in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal—areas that Malacanang placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine from March 29 to April 4.

READY FOR THE JAB. The COVID-19 vaccination for senior citizens of the City of Manila began on Sunday, March 28, according to Manila City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan, Manila Health Department. City health personnel fanned out to the barangays, aiming to vaccinate 2,380 seniors who had pre-registered.

Palace dares CHR: If you have proof of EJKs, file cases CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Sunday urged the Commission on Human Rights to file cases against police officers believed to have used “excess, unreasonable force” in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations instead of just resorting to propaganda to destroy the image of the Duterte administration. In his online commentary show “Counterpoint”, Panelo reminded the CHR of its mandate to file cases against persons perceived to have violated the law. Panelo said CHR should stop issuing press releases and statements and must pursue its findings. “Maghain na kayo ng demanda para maparusahan natin. Ang problema kasi ang ginagamit niyo, parang ang lumalabas nagpo-propaganda. (File cases so we can punish them. The problem is you’re just using propaganda),” he said.

“Hindi naman pupuwedeng sa pamamagitan ng mga press release, press statement sasabihin niyo na ganito ang inyong findings. If those are your findings, then sue para itong mga nag-abuso sa inyong pananaw mabigyan na natin ng paglilitis (You can’t just issue press statements about your findings. If those are your findings, then sue (them)so that these abusers can stand trial),” he added. Panelo also emphasized the importance of presenting enough evidence to ensure that cases filed will not be dismissed. He shrugged off CHR’s initial findings, showing that police officers had “intent to kill” in how the victims died, saying there were circumstances involved. The CHR report said there was “an intent to kill” since most victims were shot in the abdomen, torso, and the head.

Accenture, Jollibee vax plans cited A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Sunday lauded Accenture Inc. and Jollibee Foods Corp. for their plans to arrange and pay for the COVID-19 vaccination of their 67,000 employees and their families. “We applaud both Accenture and Jollibee for inspiring other businesses to immunize their workers as well as their families,” said Rep. Mike Defensor. “We expect other corporations to follow the footsteps of the two firms,” he added, The country’s largest provider of outsourced business consulting and processing services, Accenture employs over 50,000 college-educated Filipinos in multiple sites in Metro Manila, Laguna, Ilocos Norte and Cebu. Jollibee employs 17,000 Filipinos, including those in its subsidiaries and support units. “We are counting on the National Task

Force Against COVID-19 and the Department of Health to help Accenture and Jollibee purchase the vaccines that they need to protect their employees and their families,” Defensor said. Under the new guidelines, private corporations that wish to buy shots for their employees and dependents have to enter into tripartite procurement agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers. Defensor called on the Philippine Business for Social Progress and League of Corporate Foundations to “aggregate” the vaccines needed by their members to inoculate their employees and their families. “Both PBSP and LCF can aggregate the jabs needed by member firms for use on their employees and dependents, and then enter into ‘mother’ procurement agreements with the government and vaccines. Rio Araja

LOCKDOWN BLUES. Residents shop at a market in Manila on March 28, 2021, after the government announced that more than 24 million people in and around Manila will go into lockdown next week as hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in COVID-19 infections. AFP

“Puwede naman habang nagbabaliran, sila’y tumakas at sa pagtakas nila tinamaan na ng mga bala (It might have been that while there was a shooting, the person tried to escape that’s why he was shot that way),” he said. The CHR earlier investigated nearly 3,300 killings in Metro Manila, Central and Southern Luzon during police operations and alleged vigilante killings between May 2016 and March 2021. Of the total, 1,912 people were killed in police operations while 1,382 others died at the hands of unidentified assailants, the report said. CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel Gana said their reports showed “several circumstances and evidence that showed possible abuse of strength and intent to kill” since the nature of the wounds did not indicate that the police did not just try to stop the victim from fighting back.

CDC donates four printers to Zambales school CLARK FREEPORT—Clark Development Corporation recently donated four units of printers and 50 reams of bond paper to the faculty and staff of San Marcelino Elementary School in Zambales as part of the ‘Clark Cares’ project under its Corporate Social Responsibility program. The donations amounting to P40,380 will benefit about 1,147 students who are enrolled at the San Marcelino Elementary School for the school year 2020-2021. They also include 40 Indigenous People students from the United Nations Women Aeta Schools satellite office. The printing materials will provide help and support to the teachers and students of the school due to the demand of module learning during this ‘new normal’, wherein face-toface classes are still prohibited. CDC Director Ana Liza A. Peralta led the turnover of donations together with CDC Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel C. Narciso and CDC Capacity Building Officer III Agnes L. Matias.

Lawmaker says CA can reinforce vetting of future envoys By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Appointments can reinforce the vetting of envoys to strengthen the screening of future ambassadors, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said Sunday. “The CA, if it wants to, can put ambassadorial nominees under a more powerful microscope, considering that they are supposed to represent our

country abroad and their actions overseas reflect on us,” Gullas said following the involvement of two envoys in scandals abroad. “The CA is highly capable of performing more extensive background checks on nominees—well beyond just scratching the surface of their credentials.” Gullas had previously served as CA vice chairperson and head of the 12-member House contingent to the bi-

“Considering that the [NCR Plus] have been placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine beginning March 29 until April 4, 2021, the filing periods of pleadings and other court submissions that fall during the period from March 29 to March 31, 2021 are hereby extended for three days counted from April 5, 2021,” Acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe said, in Administrative Circular No. 14-2021 dated March 28, 2021. The SC however stressed that for urgent matters, lawyers and litigants may still file their pleadings/court submissions during the period of March 29 to March 31, 2021 provided that they should communicate with the judges concerned through their hotlines or email addresses listed in the SC’s website –https//sc.judiciary.gov.ph/hotlines. “If the matter is deemed urgent, only then will the court receive the pleading/court submission and act on such urgent matter,” the Acting Chief Justice said. The circular also pointed out that “court actions which are not urgent, such as but not limited to promulgations of judgments in civil cases, services of summons, auction sales in extrajudicial foreclosures, solemnization of marriages, etc., scheduled during the period of March 29 to March 31, 2021 are hereby suspended and shall be rescheduled.” Bernabe took over as acting chief justice on Saturday from Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta who retired on March 27.. Under the SC’s internal rules and based on traditional practice, Bernabe as the senior associate justice, took over as acting chief justice until such time that President Duterte has appointed Peralta’s successor. Bernabe and Associate Justices Alexander G. Gesmundo and Ramon Paul L. Hernando have been nominated by the Judicial and Bar Council to the post of chief justice. Last Saturday, Bernabe extended the physical closure of courts in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal due to the rising incidents of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections. But Bernabe’s directive was superceded by the President’s directive that placed NCR and its four adjacent provinces under enhanced community quarantine until April 4.

cameral appointments body. The CA’s Appointments Review and Investigation Service can conduct deeper inquiries into the personal history and circumstances of nominees besides looking into their experience, education and training, according to Gullas. “The ARIS generates an individual investigation report (on every nominee) that is given to CA members prior to committee hearings,” he said.

RODY’S 76TH.

President Duterte partakes of a simple meal as he celebrates his 76th birthday anniversary in his hometown. His former special assistant, now Senator Bong Go, says that grand celebrations are not the former mayor’s style. Go’s FB

Robredo leads Duterte greeters By Rio Araja VICE President Robredo on Sunday greeted President Duterte on his 76th birthday. “Lest we forget, today is the President’s birthday. So, happybirthday po,” she said on her weekly radio program. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also extended birthday greetings to President Rodrigo Duterte wishing him “more healthy years ahead.” “Today, we greet our country’s leader and father of the nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, a happy 76th birthday,” he said in a press statement. He recalled how he has seen first-hand how the President relied on his strengths to provide public service to Filipinos. “As PRRD’s Official Spokesperson, I have seen first hand our Chief Executive’s decisive and compassionate leadership, coupled with his hard work and love of country, and how these served the inter-

est and betterment of the Filipinos and inspired officials in the government -- myself included—to deliver public service which our people truly deserve,” he added. Roque hoped for Duterte’s good health so that he would be able to continue fulfilling his campaign promise of providing compassion and real change in the country. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo , in a separate statement, also greeted Duterte by wishing him “more blessings.” “Wishing you boundless happiness, more blessings and plentiful bounties from the Almighty, especially good health, and the fulfillment of your birthday wish of the end of the pandemic, and yes, whatever your heart desires on your natal day,” Panelo said. Panelo, meanwhile, praised Duterte for planting “seeds of change and reform” during his term, noting how it has benefited many Filipinos amid criticism.

News

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

DepEd: Schools ‘last resort’ for inoculation drive

AS THE government continues its inoculation rollout against the coronavirus, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday said public schools should only be used as a last option for vaccination sites. “Under our current policy, school buildings should only be used as a last resort if there is no other place. Existing policies with regard to use of DepEd facilities still apply to vaccination centers,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones noted in a statement. In a memorandum on the use of DepEd schools and other facilities sent to officials and school heads, Secretary Briones enumerated the following general guidelines: (1) schools shall be the final option as vaccination sites; (2) it should pass the requirements of the DOH and the IATF, and (3) no other COVID-related activities must be conducted in the selected venues. This echoes the proposition of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to only utilize schools should there be no other available space in the locality. The Department’s policy in the implementation of the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP) for COVID-19 noted that schools selected as last resort should be in a strategic location with sufficient space, facilities, and human resources, among the other requirements set by the DOH. “We are ceaselessly attuning with the DOH and the local government units (LGUs) in determining the schools that are capable to meet their standards because we know that not all schools have the facilities needed for an immunization activity,” Secretary Briones said. Putting first the safety and welfare of DepEd personnel reporting onsite and the learners, the Education chief stressed that pilot schools identified for face-to-face learning and schools with ongoing health-related projects are excluded from being a possible vaccination center.

TOMATO GIVEAWAY. Farmers give away newly harvested ripe tomatoes to the public due to a slump in wholesale prices for the commodity at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal. Market forces of supply and demand caused prices to slump at NVAT on a recorded oversupply, according to Provincial Assistant to the Governor Rachel Magday Itchon. Dave Leprozo

Manila reissues quarantine passes T By Willie Casas

HE MANILA city government on Sunday said it will issue quarantine passes again to restrict movement of its constituents after the national government placed Metro Manila and nearby provinces under the strictest lockdown, an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), for one week.

“On Saturday, March 27, the Palace announced that the entire Metro Manila — including Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal — will once again be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ),” said the city government in a

Facebook post. “This is part of the effort to address the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in NCR and some of its surrounding areas,” it said. COVID-19 hotspots under the so-

called NCR Plus area will be under ECQ from March 29 to April 4 to address the rising number of infections. On Sunday, the Philippines logged 9,595 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 712,442. Of the number, 118,122 are active cases; 581,161 recovered; and 13,159 died. “In light of this, Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) chief Romeo Bagay immediately sent a memo to all the barangay chairs so that they can make preparations as soon as possible,” the city government said. “According to this memo, barangay chairs must issue quarantine passes to their constituents. One quarantine pass

shall be issued per family,” it said. The memo explains the holders of the quarantine passes can only go out during their designated schedules, determined based on the control numbers of the quarantine passes. The said schedules follow an “odd-even scheme” as detailed below: - Those whose control numbers are odd numbers (1, 3, 7, 9, and so on) can go out on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Those whose control numbers are even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and so on) can go out on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on Sunday from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Imus isolation facility inaugurated IMUS, Cavite—The local government here has inaugurated a 5-storey, 141room Mega COVID-19 Isolation Facility in Barangay Palico IV in time for the surge of coronavirus cases in the country. Imus Mayor Manny Maliksi, together with Dr. Armida Camposagrado of the Department of Health, City Health Officer Dr. Randy Calingasan, and City Administrator Emoy Franciaco, led the blessing of Saint Dympha Isolation Facility in partnership with Chinese Business partners Jacky and Bea Chan. The new COVID facility will start operating in a week’s time. The buildings can accommodate around 584 patients in 143 regular rooms and 6 family rooms, with comfort rooms, Wi-Fi, televisions, and beds.

According to Mayor Maliksi, the facility will accept patients rated as asymptomatic in isolation area, and a stepdown area for the patients who need more days in isolation but have already tested negative in an RT-PCR test. “Medyo minadali na namin para magamit na naten, dahil sa patuloy na surge ng COVID sa Imus at sa ating bansa,” Maliksi said in an interview. “Our six hospitals here in Imus have already reached the full capacity, including the Ospital ng Imus, kaya po I advise my fellow Imuseños to stay at their respective houses, follow the guidelines given by Inter-Agency Task Force and the LGU, lalo na ngayong ECQ Holy Week,” he added.

‘WEED’ BURNING. Some of an estimated P21 million worth of marijuana plants are burned after raids by the 4th Marine Brigade, Naval Task Group-Sulu, and other law enforcement units on two plantations in Brgy. Masjid Punjungan, Kalingalang Caluang in Sulu on Friday. Joint Task Force – Sulu Commander MGen William N Gonzales commended the security forces for their job.

Upgrade for 105-year-old Sulu hospital Maganes murder By Nash B. Maulana COTABATO CITY—Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament joined hands in efforts to upgrade the 105-year-old Sulu Provincial Hospital, one of the country’s oldest existing hospitals. Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament Bill No. 90 seeks to upgrade the Sulu Provincial Hospital to Level II from Level I hospital category. The proposed measure is authored by the lawyer brother of Governor Abdusakur Tan of Sulu. Bangsamoro Parliament Deputy Speaker Nabil Tan of Sulu and Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema of Maguindanao author BTA-PB 90. This Bill is co-authored by Deputy Majority Floor Leaders Khadafeh Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and Paisalin Tago of Lanao del Sur, Sulu Provincial Hospital serves the health and medical needs of 900,000 people in the province’s 11 municipalities. The hospital was established on November 5, 1916 as a project of the colonial setup of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. Members of Parliament Amilbahar

Mawallil and Jose Lorena, and Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong, are also coauthors. Once passed into law, the hospital’s bed capacity will increase to 200, and its professional healthcare services and facilities will improve by authorizing the hiring of additional medical personnel. The hospital does not have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), making it difficult for hospital staff to attend to patients needing critical care. Under the bill’s Section 3, the Bangsamoro Government shall provide the necessary funds to increase the hospital’s bed capacity, as well as the corresponding upgrading of its facilities and services. Tan said the hospital is severely understaffed due to lack of a significant number of plantilla positions. Also, Section 2 of the bill provides that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission, shall determine the titles and salary-grades of additional positions needed for the upgrading. New positions will be filled up in coordination with the Sulu Provincial Hospital administration.

suspects charged

MURDER charges have been filed against three suspects in connection with the killing of former Pangasinan news reporter and broadcaster, Virgilio S. Maganes, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) reported on Thursday. PTFoMS Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco announced this latest development right after the successful launching of the webinar series on press freedom sponsored by the task force. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, who is also PTFoMS co-chair, lauded the PTFoMS staff, the National Prosecution Service, and the local Philippine National Police for the quick resolution of the Maganes killing. “I commend the PTFoMS, the DOJ, the PNP, and everyone who worked overtime in accomplishing the mission this early. We are very grateful for your swift work in bringing to justice these suspects of their heinous crime,” said Andanar, who was one of the webinar’s guests of honor.

LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING. Shoppers at a mall in Divisoria, Manila line up to buy necessities on Sunday in preparation for the week-long Enhanced Community Quarantine, which coincides with Holy Week, from Monday until Sunday. Norman Cruz

Send home Joma, groups demand ANTI-COMMUNIST groups on Sunday said sending home Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison will halt the atrocities by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) as they renewed their call to the Dutch government to terminate his asylum status in the Netherlands. In a joint statement, the League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia Pilipinas said the termination of Sison’s asylum status may curtail the attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the CPP. They insisted that the 82-year-old Sison is not a political refugee but a “political terrorist”. “We appeal to the Netherlands Government to expel Joma Sison together

with his co-terrorists,” the groups’ statement read. The groups want the Dutch government to stop coddling Sison and his colleagues and let them face various cases in the Philippines. “The State of the Netherlands has provided Joma Sison and the ruling members of the terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF [National Democratic Front] a sanctuary and a staging ground in Utrecht, Netherlands, to propagate their senseless war of terror and aggression against the government and the Filipino people,” they said. The groups lamented that Netherlands became a “safe haven” for Sison and other CTG leaders to continue planning their atrocities in NPA-infiltrated areas in the Philippines.

Opinion Logjam

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

EDITORIAL

NAKED

The second season

consumer needs, let alone manufacturing requirements. THOUGHT The biggest worry at present is in the area of food supplies. With our ASF-affected hog CHARLIE V. industry, where some 3 million hogs had MANALO been culled since the infestation began, and we are now some 400,000 breeders short to YEAR and change into the first lockdowns of produce more pigs, domestic production will March 2020, we in the NCR Plus—Metro Manila ON TOP of the pandemic and its terri- take two years to normalize. along with the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, This is a logjam like never before, and fying resurgence in the country, which would affect our economy negatively es- compounds our food security problems. Rizal and Laguna—are again on Enhanced Community is likely to stay FIFTH pecially the employment and livelihood Which is why food inflation THE Quarantine beginning today. high for the rest of the year, and may spill of millions, we are hobbled by problems GOSPEL over to the next depending on the severity of CROSSROADS with our supply chain. The surge in cases this month has in the latIn part, these problems are also brought typhoons and weather disturbances JUDE been alarming, and the vaccine delivery about by the pandemic’s impact J.A. worldwide. ter half of this year. It’s the same, but ACIDRE Economic recovery is also hobbled by the In Europe for instance, on-and-off lockand rollout have been painfully slow. DELAlogistical CRUZprob- dwindling of our import and export trade. downs have created massive different. Again, our hospitals are nearing full Exports slid 5.2 percent in January 2021 lems. Ocean-going container vessels have capacity and our medical frontliners are to wait in European ports for delayed land compared to the same period last year. Imexhausted. transport, with many truck and lorry drivers ports however decreased even more. Over Something drastic needs to be done to actually worse off. unable to report for work. This raises ship- the last 21 months, total import value decreased by 14.9 percent. Both capital and stop this trend. After all, last year despite our fear ping costs due to port demurrage. Unknown to many Filipinos, the bulk consumer goods importation continue to deThere are those who say we are of the then-unfamiliar virus, there of our pork imports come from Germany, cline compared to pre-COVID levels. back to where we were a year ago. were only a handful of cases across OPENsuch as fuels and Manufacturing supplies, Spain, the Netherlands, even some countries We remember so well the long lines the country. One year hence, the numNAKED and plastic resins and capiin Eastern Europe, and even as we are ex- lubricants, steel THOUGHTS in supermarkets and drugstores, and ber has grown exponentially. HunSO periencing a local supply shortage, imports tal equipment imports of heavy machinery, THOUGHT the frequent sight of cops roaming dreds of health professionals have transport equipment and other vehicles have placed by our processed food manufacturers ORLANDOI SEE around, waiting to catch violators of since fallen ill and died. slumped continuously, suggesting lower outare delayed. CHARLIE V. put for the next fewOXALES years. the quarantine. Then, business came to a halt after LITO MANALO We are in a fine pickle, as the Brits would say. There is again a curfew: The one successive years of relatively active BANAYO One wonders why Senator Manny Pacquiao is imposed two weeks ago has been operations. Today, businesses, jobs and We are hobbled raring to become the next president. lengthened—now, with the exception livelihoods have been floundering for ** by problems with our of those with legitimate business to a full 12 months—and it does not look As if these were not enough, even our basupply chain. be outside, people should be in their like there will be any respite soon. nana industry is going bananas. Exports are down, with January 2021 exhomes between 6 in the evening 5 In 2020, we pinned our hopes on THEand FIFTH ports lower by 51 percent year on year. Our in the morning. Last year, the curfew the discovery of a vaccine. Now there Worse, a gigantic Evergreen contain- exports of the fruit to Japan, our biggest GOSPEL are several brands of vaccines already started at 8 p.m.. CROSSROADS er vessel was grounded a week ago in the market, declined by 41 percent in January. Others, like the former Health Sec- authorized for use—but they come in JUDE Suez Canal, blocking as of Friday, close Our exports to China, the second biggest retary Esperanza Cabral, say we are trickles, and the actual vaccine rollout J.A. to 200 vessels from Europe to Asia, and market, went down some 32 percent. And ACIDRE vice-versa. The chain effect on interna- to South Korea, banana exports DELAdecreased CRUZ not back to where we were—we are has not been as fast, or organized, as it tional logistics flow costs billions of dol- by 51 percent as well. The Mindanao plantations are hardly hit lars, as it seems the removal of the blockby fusarium wilt, also called the “Panama ade will take much longer. It is akin to a logjam, as when logs flow- disease,” and there has as yet been no cure ing through river to sea are unable to move. to the disease afflicting our production, othThe logistics nightmare is no simple mat- er than to transfer to “clean and clear” areas, ter, and it will result in a likely food supply which only the big multinationals can afford. distributor, Meralco, has extensively impleshortage. The president’s approval of some Contract growers and independent producers OPEN mented an upgrade and rehabilitation proare at their wit’s end. 350,000 tons of pork imports under the gram and has organized a task force to assure What used to be Mindanao’s biggest minimum access volume will be subject THOUGHTS the stable power supply of COVID-19 vacto the vagaries of cargo handling and ship- agricultural export has now dropped to cine storage facilities and various vaccinaORLANDO ment problems, even if LCs were opened the sixth place among our top exports. In tion centers in the National Capital Region. 2020, banana export receipts decreased yesterday. OXALES All distribution facilities in the identified The Philippines, being a net importer with 20.6 percent, and this year, the trend is tostorage and vaccination facilities underwent relatively small volumes of merchandise ward a bigger decline. DURING pre-pandemic times, many of us complete inspection and fast power resto** compared to giants like China and the other would either be already on vacation leave ration procedures were set. Logistical problems also impact on our developed countries, is hard hit by the logfor the Holy week holidays in our provinjam. And since many of our locators in the vaccine supply distribution. Unforeseen cold cial hometowns or gearing up for that sumexport processing zones depend on imported chain problems have supposedly caused demer trip out of town. For the second year raw materials and factory supplies, their pro- terioration of the precious life-saver. We will be in a row, that’s not happening because of Of course the vaccines are coming to us duction lines are greatly affected. The slowthe new “bubble” lockdowns triggered by consuming more power in trickles, there being production problems down results in fewer exports. the string of record-breaking days of soarThis does not affect countries like Vietnam among the pharmaceutical and biotechnolto keep our homes ing COVID-19 infections which is fast apand Thailand as badly as our nation. They ogy companies coping with simultaneous proaching 10,000 a day! world-wide demand, along with the practice have land routes to China, which is their bigcomfortable, and our We have to make do with this “staycagest supply chain source and also their largest of vaccine nationalism by the rich countries. smart gadgets online tion” mode and creative anti-boredom acBut even with the trickles arriving, it market. Our exporters are doubly hit, first by tivities, using whatever and whoever we the exchange rate which eats into their earn- seems that the complex logistical operations for communications, have in our domiciles. To do this, we have ings, then the higher cost of imported raw required to bring the vaccines to our differno choice but to rely on the online services transactions, and ent islands and regions has already posed materials due to the logistics crisis. that can only be accessed through our elecAnd we can hardly compete with the rich problems. Vaccines have short shelf lives, entertainment. tronic devices. countries and their huge shipment volumes, and stories about 7,500 doses in Bicol being Most likely, you’re reading this article returned to Manila due to “spoilage” are worwith our transshipment ports likewise confrom either your smartphone, desktop or gested. Shipping costs have thus increased risome. NAKED We can only hope that our “czars” are laptop computer, or tablet while connectfive to ten times. As of mid-March, Meralco has reported ed to a wired or mobile broadband serSourcing raw materials domestically is able to untangle these logjams in time for the THOUGHT vice. These are now essential services that that it is closely monitoring 203 vaccination not an easy solution either, because our ag- coming, hopefully at that, of the vaccines we when disrupted for any reason will have centers and 101 vaccine cold storage faciliricultural production hardly suffices for our bought CHARLIE V. come June and beyond. catastrophic repercussions on every in- ties. Among these is MetroPac Movers Inc. MANALO dustry, and to everybody for that matter. where 464,000 AstraZeneca and the 600,000 As most of our waking hours are focused Sinovac doses were delivered for cold storage on the content projected in the screens of before deployment. Also under its watch are our smart devices, the complexity, and the vaccination centers – the Philippine General magnitude of the industries responsible for Hospital, Rizal Medical Center, Pasay City delivering the electricity needed to keep General Hospital, Philippine National Powhen our COVID-19 testing capability was our lives running is never appreciated – lice General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez very limited and all that we relied on was the THE FIFTH Memorial Hospital, and Lung Center of the until there’s a brownout. five molecular laboratories that we had then. Uninterrupted and stable power is even Philippines among others. GOSPEL Square one was when the only way out that New distribution transformers and othmore critical now that, for the continuity of our government saw moving forward was JUDE all businesses, all transactions are forced to er required equipment were installed and forcing a lockdown, consequently leading to shift to non-contact technologies to avoid the operationalized for over 90 COVID-19 faACIDRE an unprecedented economic crisis. virulent strains of COVID-19. As we await cilities in various public and private hospiWith all due respect to Secretary Cabral, the delayed vaccines, the refrigeration and tals, government agencies, quarantine and NO, the Philippines is not back to square one. the Philippines is not back to square one, nor logistical requirements for proper storage treatment centers, and testing laboratories. That is according to former Health Secre- it is ten steps from square one. and handling of these life-saving vials is yet As of this writing, NCR health facilities From fi ve molecular laboratories a year tary Esperanza Cabral, who served during another big responsibility for the power sec- are at critical occupancy levels and are opthe Arroyo administration, as the average ago, now we have more than two hundred tor. To this task, the Department of Energy erating 24/7. number of daily coronavirus cases abruptly testing centers, with a total testing capaciPre-pandemic summers used to be yellow (DOE) issued last February a circular to the ty of more than 15,000 tests daily. To augsurged in recent weeks. power industry to put in place all necessary and red-alert season because of increased Instead, former Secretary Cabral be- ment the limited bed capacity available for contingency plans and emergency protocols consumption owing partly to the longer OPEN lieves the country regressed ten steps from COVID-19 patients, the government estabhours that our electric fans and air-condiin the event of power outages. lished around 600 temporary treatment and square one. THOUGHTS In response, the country’s biggest power tioning units in homes and offices use, aggraThis is, however, an unfair and inaccurate monitoring facilities, with a total bed capaccharacterization of the current situation of ity that can accommodate more than 22,000 ORLANDO COVID-19 patients. the COVID-19 pandemic. OXALES August 2020 to February this year. COVID-19 patient. But it is good to compare Most health stakeholders agree that the Indeed, the present COVID-19 situation in our situation with the COVID-19 statistics in surge in COVID-19 cases was caused by the the country is far from optimal. But it is not select countries. On the same date of March Our situation is not mutation of new coronavirus variants and anywhere close to dismal either. Thanks to the 27, for example, India had close to 11 million the relaxed adherence to health protocols optimal, but it is far from government’s efforts with support from the pri- COVID-19 cases out of its 1.3 billion popuresulting from the opening of the country’s vate sector, the country is in a much better shape lation, registering a surge of 600 new cases. dismal, either. economy. and more equipped to respond to the pandemic. Mexico has more than two million COVID-10 In a statement posted on Twitter by Dr. On March 26, the Philippines recorded its cases out of its population of 127 million, addTony Leachon, the good Secretary expressed highest-ever number of confirmed infections ing close to five thousand new cases on March Our contract tracing capacity has likewise her concerns that the present state of things in a day, at 9,838 cases. But it would be im- 27 and more than five hundred new deaths. On seem to be back the way they were when the improved, complemented by the growing use portant to put this sudden rise of COVID-19 the same day, Ukraine had more than 1.6 milof digital contact tracing tools. Not only are we pandemic first hit our country, leading to infections in context. For example, as of lion active cases, with close to 12 thousand new able to expand our ability to screen the infected months of community quarantine. writing, of a population of more than one hun- cases and two hundred deaths while Belgium, Cabral’s statement implicitly claims that from the rest of the population, our doctors dred million Filipinos, there are around 712 which has a total population of 11.4 million, and other healthcare professionals know more despite all the efforts done in the past year, the thousand coronavirus cases in the country, of has now more than 850,000 cases, with more about the disease and know better on how to government has failed to effectively address which close to 600 thousand have recovered than five thousand cases of COVID-19 related the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus and sig- manage their patients, resulting in a high from their infection. To date, there remains deaths. Among the worst COVID-19 situations recovery rate of more than 90 percent. Not to nificantly curb the trajectory of this pandemic. about 100 thousand active COVID-19 pa- is in Brazil, which is home to more than 200 mention our medical frontliners who tirelessly But this is where, in my mind, Secretary tients undergoing treatment or in quarantine. million people, where there are a total of 12.5 risk their health and safety just to make sure Cabral is wrong. Deaths due to COVID-19 however remain million cases, including a single-day surge of that our healthcare centers continue to operate Square one was when our healthcare syslow at more than thirteen thousand. more than 85,000 new cases. tem was ill-prepared to respond to the virus and provide the needed service. As a result of True, every life matters, and all efforts must all these efforts, our country was able to someand our doctors had limited knowledge on be exerted to ensure the full recovery of every Full version on www.manilastandard.net its clinical management. Square one was how keep our coronavirus numbers stable from

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO

should be. Worse, some personalities believe they are entitled to jump the line and get inoculated ahead of everybody else. These kinds of people plague us, along with the virus. Imagine, then, the gall of the presidential spokesman to proclaim that the government’s pandemic response has been “excellent.” If it were so good, why is there now a need to be on lockdown again, with its consequent devastating consequences on the economy? It is much the same, but it is much different this time around. Today the stakes are higher, the lessons are tougher. But unlike last year, there is now an opportunity to turn things around, and fast. If our leaders play this right, and if we the public continue to abide by the strict health protocol to protect ourselves and be considerate toward our family and others, and if we learn to hold our ofﬁcials accountable for their actions or inaction, then we just might see results in a few weeks. This second season of the ECQ should have a new denouement—reveal who in government are working for us and who are interested only in their own gain, and prompt us to drop these liars and losers in the coming elections.

ECQ again! Mind your power consumption

Are we back to square one?

vated by lower production of hydroelectric plants due to low water levels. Add to that, and actually more critical, are scheduled maintenance and unexpected breakdowns of aging and inefficient power plants. Also, our economy was still booming then with power supply projected to be deficient relative to the rate of consumer demand. Now that we are again under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) at just about the same time last year, no serious shortages are anticipated as consumption will remain to be muted. Economic activities will slow down because of lockdown restrictions. However, outages because of unforeseen circumstances that will cause power plant breakdowns or natural calamities is always a possibility that the power sector will need to quickly address. A good lesson learned from the first ECQs was that essential operations and supply chains must continue to function. The big mistake last year which thankfully will not be a problem this time is when Meralco’s meter readers were unable to do routine meter readings. This created so much confusion and controversy when the Energy Regulatory Commission directed DUs to implement an estimated billing policy. DUs especially Meralco took the brunt of the pressure, but with a more flexible and compassionate approach towards each customer, was eventually solved resulting in a reportedly 85- to 90-percent resolution of outstanding electric bills. As we now spend the next weeks at home, we will be consuming more power to keep our homes comfortable, and our smart gadgets online for communications, transactions, and entertainment. Try to be mindful of how you use your appliances to avoid a self-inflicted spike in electric bills. Have a safe and Blessed Holy Week.

MORE OPINION ONLINE

(www.manilastandard.net) NAKED SO THOUGHT I SEE CHARLIE V. LITO MANALO BANAYO

Leonen’s luck is running out

TO THE CROSSROADS

POINT J.A. EMIL P. DELA CRUZ JURADO

Holy Week 2021

EVERYMAN Charter change is an urgent necessity By Ernesto Banawis

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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TODAY MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Global condemnation after 90 killed in coup bloodbath DEFENSE chiefs from a dozen its actions.” countries on Sunday jointly conFunerals were held Sunday demned the bloodbath in Myan- for some of the victims, after the mar a day earlier, when at least bloodiest day since the putsch. 90 people—including several In Mandalay, the family of children—were killed after se- Aye Ko, a father-of-four, comcurity forces opened fire on anti- memorated his life at a service coup protesters. after he was killed overnight. Myanmar has been in turmoil “We are told by the neighbors since the generals ousted and that Aye Ko was shot and thrown detained civilian leader Aung into the fire,” a relative told AFP. San Suu Kyi, triggering mass “He was the only one who fed protests demanding a return to the family, losing him is a great democracy. loss for the family.” The junta on Saturday staged a Despite the dangers, protestmajor show of might for its annual ers hit the streets again in the Armed Forces Day as the death cities of Bago and Monywa, and toll since the February 1 coup in the small town of Moe Kaung climbed to at least 423, according in Kachin State, according to loto a local monitoring group. cal media. The defence ministers of 12 A day earlier, violence erupted countries including the United across the country with the miliStates, Britain, Japan and Aus- tary using live rounds in nine retralia condemned the Myanmar gions, including the largest city military’s use of lethal force Yangon, local monitoring group against civilians. Assistance Association for Po“A professional military fol- litical Prisoners (AAPP) said. lows international standards for By sunset, AAPP said at least conduct and is responsible for 90 people had been killed. Local protecting—not harming – the media, however, put the death people it serves,” the rare joint toll higher at 114. statement said. “Junta forces shot machine “We urge the Myanmar guns into residential areas, reArmed Forces to cease violence sulting in many civilians, inand work to restore respect and cluding six children between ten credibility with the people of and sixteen years old, killed,” Myanmar that it has lost through AAPP YELLOW said. AFP BLACK CYAN MAGENTA REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 214 MANDALUYONG CITY

2017, a petition for declaration of nullity of marriage was filed by the FIRST PARTY against the SECOND PARTY, where the Regional Trial Court of San Juan approved in its Pre-Trial Order a property settlent out of court, hereto attached as Annex “A”.

IN RE: PETITION FOR VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY

3. PARTITION OF THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTIES: Notwithstanding the decision of the court, the parties hereto agree to the following partition of their absolute community of properties, to wit: The SECOND PARTY agrees to sell her share of the property (which consists of 1/2 of the property) located in MandaIuyong City and her shares in the properties (which consists of 1/14 of each of the properties) both located in San Juan and Cavite, to the FIRST PARTY in the whole amount of FIVE MILLION PESOS (PHP5,000,000.00), with both parties undertaking to sign all the documents relating to the sale including the submission of any requirements by any government agencies.

SP. PROC. NO. R-MND-21-00281-SP JOHN KENRICK CHUA and SHERYL CYD CHARISSE FRANCISCO-CHUA, Petitioners. x-----------------------------------------------------------x ORDER The above-captioned case was originally raffled to Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 278, Mandaluyong City on 08 February 2021. On 09 February 2021, Hon. Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal, Presiding Judge of Branch 278, issued an Order unloading the case to the Office of the Clerk of Court, Mandaluyong City on the ground that his court has no jurisdiction over the case. Thus, the above-captioned case was re-raffled and received by this Branch on 11 February 2021. In said Petition, Spouses John Kenrick Chua and Sheryl Cyd Charisse Francisco-Chua (Petitioners), jointly prayed that after due hearing, judgment be rendered decreeing the separation of their present and future properties. Petitioners allege that they are both of legal age and were married on 18 December 2010. They did not execute any pre-nuptial agreement, thus, their property relations in the marriage is governed by the property regime of absolute community of property. In 2017, petitioners started living separately from each other. Forming part of their absolute community of property are real properties covered under Transfer Certificate of Title Nos. 008-2013000404; 012-2014000467; and 0762015003447. To support the petition, Petitioners executed a duly notarized “Joint Agreement for the Voluntary Dissolution of Absolute Community of Property”.1 Petitioners pray that the said agreement be approved and confirmed by this Court and their property relations be converted to an absolute separation of property. Petitioners further aver that there is no creditor or any interested person that may be affected by the separation of properties prayed for. WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let the same be set for hearing on 20 April 2021 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 214, Ground Floor, Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City for the initial hearing on the jurisdictional requirements. Notice is hereby given that dissolution of the absolute community of property of petitioners-spouses shall be heard on the aforesaid date, time, and place. Creditors of either or both of the spouses and any or all persons having claims against petitioners-spouses may appear and file their claims. Let this Order and Annex “C” attached hereto be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines to be determined by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079 at Petitioners’ expense and be posted in the Court’s bulletin board for at least three (3) weeks before the scheduled hearing. Further, let copy of this Order together with the petition and its annexes be served upon the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the City Prosecutor, Mandaluyong City. Send notices to all parties concerned. SO ORDERED. Mandaluyong City. 16 February 2021.

Decisions relating to the above stated properties which the FIRST PARTY shall administer will be respected by the SECOND PARTY. The guiding principle in every decision is what is for the best interest of the parties. 4. CHiLDREN: Even if they have no children of their own, the FIRST PARTY has treated KOLE CHAN as his son, who is still living with him. Out of love and affection, the FIRST PARTY is willing to shoulder all his school and other living expenses until he finishes tertiary education. There is no issue as to visitation, for the SECOND PARTY may visit her son at any time. Both parties should not put any obstacle in the way of the restoration and maintenance of the love and affection between the son and the other party, or in the way of a reasonable and proper companionship between them, either by influencing the the son against the other or doing anything to estrange any of them from the other. The parties agree to observe civility, courteousness and politeness in dealing with each other and shall not insult, malign or commit discourteous acts against each other and shall endeavor to cause their relatives to act similarly. 5. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTIES Each of the party shall shoulder each of their indebtedness which had not redounded to the benefit of the community property.

PALM SUNDAY BOMBING:

Indonesian cathedral rocked by explosion

n Indonesian cathedral was rocked by a suicide bombing on Sunday with body parts littering the chaotic scene as Christians inside celebrated the start of Holy Week.

The powerful blast at the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island happened around 10:30 a.m. local time (0330 GMT) and left at least 14 church officials and congregants injured by debris, police said.

It was not clear if their wounds were life threatening. “There were two people riding on a motorbike when the explosion happened at the main gate of the church – the perpetrators were trying to enter the compound,” National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said. “The bike was destroyed and there are body parts... We’re still collecting parts and trying to identify the sex of the perpetrators.” Earlier, local police had said at least one bomber died at the scene. They have not confirmed if both attackers were killed. Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan

said: “There are many body parts here at the church compound as well as in the street.” A witness at the scene described the explosion as “very strong.” Police said a church security guard tried to prevent the motorbike from entering the compound when the blast occurred. The explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar – a port city of about 1.5 million – happened just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. It comes a week before Easter.

Cities worldwide dim lights for Earth Hour FROM Singapore to Buenos Aires, cities around the world turned off their lights Saturday to mark Earth Hour, with this year’s event highlighting the link between the destruction of nature and increasing outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19. After starting in Asia, the call to action on climate change made its way around a planet reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. As the day came to an end, it was the turn of the Americas, where the lights dimmed at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow and the BBVA tower in Mexico City. In London, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye Ferris wheel, Shard skyscraper and neon signs of Piccadilly Circus were among

the landmarks flicking the switches. “It’s fantastic news that parliament once again is taking part in Earth Hour, joining landmarks across the country and the world to raise awareness of climate change,” said Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons. In Paris, the three stages of the Eiffel Tower progressively went dark but there were few people to watch with the whole country under a 7 p.m. COVID-19 curfew. The giant metal tower has been shut to the public since October 30 due to the pandemic. In Rome, the lights went out at the 2,000-yearold Colosseum, while police enforcing Italy’s coronavirus restrictions checked the papers of a small crowd of onlookers. AFP

Upon approval of the court and final dissolution of the absolute community property, the First Party and the Second Party respectively, shall be responsible for his or her own debts. The other party, in view of the decision, shall be freed from whatever indebtedness the other party had incurred even during the pendency of the marriage. 6. PRESENT PERSONAL PROPERTIES AND FUTURE PROPERTIES As to the personal property of each party, including bank deposits and securities, the same shall be considered the separate property of each of the party even though acquired during the marriage. 7. ENTIRE AGREEEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT:

(Sgd.) IMELDA L. PORTES-SAULOG Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Office of the Solicitor General Makati City Office of the City Prosecutor Mandaluyong City Atty. Simonette E. Sibal-Pulido Vasquez Bretana & Sibal-Pulido No. 7, Sheridan Street, Highway Hills Mandaluyong City

7.1 This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the dissolution and liquidation of their community properties, as well as all matters affecting their property relationship, and shall supersede any other agreements which they may have executed in any jurisdiction, with respect to the maters contained herein. 7.2 This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of their heirs, executors, and administrators.

John Kenrick Chua (Petitioner) Unit F, Greenview Residences, 969 Schuyler St. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City Sheryl Cyd Charisse Francisco-Chua (Petitioner) Tarzan’s House, Tuason Point, Barangay Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Surigao del Norte, 8419 Office of the Clerk of Court Regional Trial Court Mandaluyong City 1

In the meantime that the properties cannot be transferred, the FIRST PARTY shall administer the properties.

An Indonesian anti-terror policeman stands guard as police seal the area after an explosion outside a church in Makassar on March 28, 2021. (Inset) Policemen carry a bag with the remains of the suspected suicide bomber. AFP

7.3 This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and place written above.

Attached in the Petition as Annex “C-Petition”.

ANNEX “C” AGREEMENT ON THE PARTITION OF PROPERTIES AND SUPPORT OF THE SECOND PARTY’S CHILD KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

JOHN KENRICK CHUA Respondent

CYD CHARISSE FRANCISCO-CHUA Respondent

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Republic of the Philippines) MANDALUYONG CITY ) S.S.

This Agreement supersedes all previous agreement and is entered into on this JUNE 28, BEFFORE ME, a Notary Public for and in ______ ______________________________________ 2018 at the City of _____ by and between: ______________ personally appeared: JOHN KENRICK CHUA., of legal age, married, Filipino and with address at 233 Name Government ID J Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan Date/Place of Issue City, referred to as the “FIRST PARTY”. John Kenrick Chua Sheryl Cyd Charisse Francisco-Chua -andSHERYL CYD CHARISSE FRANCISCOCHUA, likewise of legal age, Filipino and residing at Unit 1607 Lee Gardens, North Tower, Lee St., corner Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, and hereinafter referred to as the “SECOND PARTY”. WITNESSETH 1. MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN: The parties are husband and wife. They were married on 18 December 2010 in Boracay, Malay, Aklan. They do not have children, although the SECOND PARTY has a child from her previous marriage, KOLE CHAN. 2. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE. On October

Known to me and to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that the same is their own free and voluntary act and deed. WITNESS MY HAND AND NOTARIAL SEAL this JUN 28, 2018 day of____ At ______ Philippines. Doc. No. 315; Page No. 63; Book No. I Series of 2018 (MStandard - Mar. 22, 29 & Apr. 5, 2021)

A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) activist dressed in a Panda suit prepares to symbolically throw a giant switch to turn off the illumination of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on the occasion of Earth Hour, on March 27, 2021. Earth Hour, organized by the WWF, is held annually to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., on a specific day toward the end of March as a symbol of commitment to the planet. AFP

China sanctions US, Canadian citizens CHINA announced sanctions against two Americans, a CanaNotice is hereby given that the intestate dian and a rights advocacy body estate of CRISPIN A. SUGUITAN, who died in Makati City on December Saturday over their criticism of 12, 2006, consisting of parcel of land Beijing’s treatment of Uyghurs, with building located at 330 Panay St., Pitogo, Makati City, covered by but Washington said the tit-for-tat Original Certiﬁcate of Title No. 484 and residential building covered by measure would only intensify the Tax Declaration No. F01000469, is the subject of an Extra-Judicial Settlement spotlight on Xinjiang. made by late Crispin A. Suguitan’s heirs, namely Maria M. Suguitan, At least one million Uyghurs Marcelino M. Suguitan, Cristina S. Pacheco, and Marlon M. Suguitan per and people from other mostly Doc No. 20, Page No. 5, Book No. 1, Muslim groups have been held in Series of 2021, of the Notarial Registry of Atty. Maria Angelica David, Notary camps in the northwestern region, Public for and in the City of Pasig. according to LEGAL NOTICE rights Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late groups, HELMUT JOSEF STRUM WUZELA was settled who acvia Affidavit of Self-Adjudication executed c u s e by Lily Amor A. Wuzela before Atty. Noel C. authoriDucusin under Notary Public Doc. No. 259; Page No. 53; Book No. II; Series of 2020. ties of (MStandard-Mar. 22, 29 & Apr. 5, 2021) forcibly Manila

EXTRA-JUDICIAL Standard SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF CRISPIN A. SUGUITAN

TODAY

(MS-MAR. 22/29/APR. 5, 2021)

sterilizing women and imposing forced labor. The European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States sanctioned several members of Xinjiang’s political and economic hierarchy this week over the allegations. China retaliated Saturday, with its foreign ministry accusing the United States and Canada of imposing sanctions “based on rumors and disinformation.” The officials targeted by Beijing, who are also banned from conducting business with Chinese citizens and institutions, “must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form,” the ministry said. AFP

IN BRIEF Maduro’s FB page suspended over fake COVID info

Facebook said Saturday that it was “freezing” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s page for a month after repeated violations of the platform’s rules against COVID-19 misinformation. The social media giant has faced criticism over the spread of virus-related false information on its network, and has said it is ramping up efforts to fight back. A Facebook spokesperson said Saturday that Maduro’s page would remain visible but closed to new posts, saying, “Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, during which it will be read-only.” The spokesperson said Facebook had removed a video from Maduro’s page “for violating our policies against misinformation about Covid-19 that is likely to put people at risk for harm.” It said the administrators of Maduro’s account had previously been warned. In the video, the socialist leader had promoted the use of the drug Carvativir – saying a few drops under the tongue would provide a “miracle” cure with no side effects – in the latest of a series of remedies he has advocated without medical evidence. But as the Facebook statement said, citing World Health Organization guidance, “there is currently no medication to cure the virus.” AFP

Taste and smell gone forever? THREE days after testing positive for COVID-19, “everything tasted like cardboard,” recalls 38-year-old Elizabeth Medina, who lost her sense of taste and smell at the start of the pandemic. A year later, she fears she will never get them back. Medina consulted ear, nose and throat doctors and neurologists, tried various nasal sprays, and is part of a group of patients undergoing experimental treatment that uses fish oil. To try to stimulate her senses, she puts copious amounts of spices on everything she eats, pours aromatic herbs into her tea and regularly sniffs a bracelet soaked in essential oils. But her attempts have been in vain. Medina, a guidance counselor at a New York school, says she has lost many everyday pleasures she once enjoyed, including eating and cooking. She says she has cried every day for months. Medina is one of a growing number of people with lasting anosmia – a poorly understood disorder that has become an underestimated consequence for many in the pandemic. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business UK, EU reach agreement on finance sector LONDON—Three months after Britain exited the EU, London on Friday reached a cooperation agreement on financial services with Brussels but despite this first step rivalries between the two sides remain. The memorandum of understanding, which is still to be signed, will “create the framework for voluntary regulatory cooperation” and establish a regulatory forum which will “serve as a platform to facilitate dialogue on financial services issues,” Britain’s finance ministry said. London and Brussels reached a lastgasp free trade agreement on December 24, just days before Britain was due to leave Europe’s single market and customs union on January 1. But the culmination of months of tense talks saw both sides agree to push back a decision on the finance sector, leaving it in limbo. International banks took an early gamble to prepare for the worst and the possibility of a “hard Brexit” by strengthening their European operations, which allowed for a smooth transition when Britain left the customs union. “The relationship is more one of competition than cooperation at the moment,” Sarah Hall, professor of economic geography at the University of Nottingham, told AFP. While the particulars of the agreement have not yet been released, the full text of the memorandum should be published once it is signed before an end of March deadline set by the UK and the European Union. The City does not expect an ambitious agreement between the two sides, given the importance of the financial services sector to the British economy: it contributes about seven percent of GDP and 10 percent of the country’s tax revenues amounting to £76 billion. The memorandum is also not anticipated to address the crucial issue of equivalence, which allows Londonbased firms to operate on the European continent. For equivalence to be agreed, it has to be granted in 40 separate areas of activity and these can easily be revoked. For the time being, the EU has only granted two to Britain, while London has granted the EU equivalence in 17 areas. One of these, for example, allows European investors to use British clearing houses and another concerns securities deposits. AFP

Metro lockdown to weigh on stocks By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to trade sideways this week with a downward bias following government’s announcement placing Metro Manila and neighboring provinces back under stricter quarantine measures for a period of one week.

Analysts said investors’ appetite would also stay anemic as they take a cautious stance during the shortened trading week. Financial markets will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of

services which advanced 2.4 percent and mining and oil added 1.4 percent. Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P2.55 billion while the average daily value traded rose to P9 billion from the previous week’s P8.24 billion. Weekly top price gainers included Puregold Price Club Inc., which jumped 8.6 percent to P40.20, DMCI Holdings Inc., which advanced 8.6 percent to P5.43 and San Miguel Corp., which climbed 6.4 percent to P123. Weekly top price losers were 2GO Group Inc., which sank 9.7 percent to P8.46, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., which declined 5.4 percent to P11.16 and Cebu Air Inc., which dropped 5.2 percent to P44.30. Global stocks, meanwhile, rose Friday after German, UK and US economic data provided a brighter outlook for major economies worldwide. With AFP

STILL WEDGED. This picture taken late on March 27, 2021 shows a view of tugboats by the Panama-flagged MV ‘Ever Given’

(operated by Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine) container ship, which has been wedged diagonally across the span of the canal about six kilometers north of the Suez Canal’s entrance by the Red Sea port city of Suez since March 23, blocking the waterway in both directions. AFP

PSEi March 26, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

OPMB ATNB

0.013 0.84

0.002 0.09

18.18% 12.00%

0.44

0.04

10.00%

0.013

0.001

8.33%

5 6

PHES LMG

0.475 4.8

0.035 0.29

7.95% 6.43%

WIN

0.255

0.015

6.25%

8 9

GEO LOTO

0.34 2.08

0.02 0.12

6.25% 6.12%

NIKL

5.32

0.28

5.56%

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—Poor and conservative, the state of Alabama seemed like the perfect place for companies to do business without having to deal with labor unions. That is, until a handful of Amazon employees stood up to the world’s richest person and demanded representation at the bargaining table. It comes to a head this week: Monday is the deadline for employees at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama to vote on establishing the first union on US soil at the massive tech company. The case is being closely watched because it could pave the way for further unionization in the United States at one of

the world’s most powerful companies. Bernie Sanders, the independent senator and progressive darling, said here Friday during a visit to endorse the unionization drive that he was very encouraged by it. “This is historically a very anti-union state. That’s why I am incredibly moved and impressed by courage of these workers,” Sanders said Friday outside the regional headquarters of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. It would represent the 5,800 workers at the Amazon warehouse in nearby Bessemer if the employees vote to unionize. The rapper Killer Mike, who also paid a visit to support the Amazon workers,

noted that the Reverend Martin Luther King held his first civil rights rallies not in Atlanta, the city he is most associated with, but in Birmingham, the capital of Alabama. “This is very much a tradition of Alabamians, to be organizing on behalf of the larger population,” the rapper said. The RWDSU union took part in civil rights marches along with King in the 1960s and with John Lewis, another icon of that movement, in Selma, Alabama. In the 1920s and 30s Alabama did see strong bursts of pro-union sentiment, mainly in steel factories around Bessemer, said historian Michael InnisJimenez. AFP

% CHANGE CHANGE

NI ABA

2.24 1.13

-0.17 -0.08

-7.05% -6.61%

PHA

2.11

-0.12

-5.38%

4 5 6

BC PHR PNX3B

2.53 2.03 101

-0.13 -0.1 -4.9

-4.89% -4.69% -4.63%

ECP

6.7

-0.28

-4.01%

8 9 10

VUL LODE FERRO

2.12 1.08 3.01

-0.08 -0.04 -0.11

-3.64% -3.57% -3.53%

MOST ACTIVE 1

ALI

VOLUME 17345500

VALUE (PHP) 607751225

2 3

SMPH DITO

8839700 24641900

318643435 255952690

4 5

DDMPR MBT

102432000 4676600

229590480 217276095

6 7

BSC BDO

234768000 1930960

212271290 202872573

8 9

BPI SM

2281440 192720

188301913.5 187989550

ICT

1279410

159930752

Employee Engagement in the New Normal they lack initiative and participation EMPLOYEE engagement is defined in company projects and activities by Puja Lalwani of toolbox.com as seen in engaged employees. They the emotional investment (i.e. passion PATRICK DAVID focus their time and energy on comor involvement) employees make in CENON plying with required activities. While their organizations. This means that they are supportive of company iniengaged employees identify with the tiatives and new programs, the lack goals of the organization and make efof initiative means that they are not forts to align their own goals with the likely to volunteer or go the extra mile if they are not asked. organization’s goals. When dealing with disengaged employees, it is best to In the time of COVID, it is important that leaders and managers properly manage their employees to enhance per- identify activities and projects aligned with their interests formance, identify opportunities for growth and develop- and strengths. Perhaps new activities and initiatives arising ment, safeguard employee’s health and well-being, and en- from the pandemic can be assigned to disengaged employees if they are aligned with their interest and strengths. Nonsure business continuity. There are many kinds of employees given the complex- critical tasks and activities previously handled by engaged ity present in today’s modern organizations. I believe that employees can be reassigned to disengaged employees. The the first step before leaders and managers take action is to important thing to do is to communicate and present to them understand their employees. I suggest that they classify their the opportunity to contribute and participate. Remember that employees according to the three categories suggested by a crisis is a good opportunity to discover new talent within Lalwani: 1) Engaged 2) Disengaged and 3) Actively Disen- the organization. The third classification of employees is actively disengaged. In most cases, engaged employees are very productive. They gaged employees. In most cases, actively disengaged emwork with initiative and actively participate in company proj- ployees are openly dissatisfied with the company, their job, ects and activities. They are also very supportive of company or their boss. They are also very critical of management’s action and inaction. initiatives and new programs, especially in times of crisis. It is best to ensure compliance with all legal requirements When working with engaged employees, it is important to understand that they are motivated and committed. It may and health and safety protocols mandated by the government. not be necessary to remind them of the extra effort and sac- Communicating the organization’s efforts to handle best the rifice expected of them during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic plays an important role in demonstrating managepandemic. They take the initiative to ensure the organiza- ment’s concern towards the health and safety of all employtion’s best interest, even at the expense of their own health ees. Listening to their concerns is also very important. While they may express it in an aggressive or adversarial and safety. Therefore, leaders and managers should pay special atten- tone, it may surprise you that some of their concerns and tion to their health, safety and well-being. Check if engaged points make good inputs for improvements. The key for employees get enough rest and sleep. Do they have the re- leaders and managers is to look beyond the aggressive or adquired personal protective equipment? Do they have the re- versarial communication style, exercise patience and evalusources (i.e., budget, headcount, equipment) needed to do ate the concerns raised objectively. As mentioned earlier, there are many types of employees the job? If they work from home, are their computers up to date and internet connection reliable? Do they have access to in an organization. Properly identifying the different emsafe and reliable transportation if they need to report to the ployees, understanding their behavior and anticipating their needs allow leaders and managers to properly respond and office or factory? A prolonged crisis like a pandemic requires a mid to long- engage their employees in the new normal. term approach when managing engaged employees. EnsurPatrick David Cenon is an Assistant Professorial Lecing that employees remain healthy during the crisis is more important than the short-term completion of tasks and ac- turer at De La Salle University. He teaches undergraduate tivities. Balancing the workload among employees and de- and graduate subjects in the Behavioral Sciences Departprioritizing non-essential projects and activities help ensure ment, College of Liberal Arts and the Marketing and Advertising Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College that engaged employees are not overworked. Perhaps certain deadlines can be relaxed, and projects with of Business. Prior to joining DLSU, he worked for Toyota tight deadlines can be adjusted to lessen the stress and pres- for over 13 years, supporting various projects in the Philipsure on engaged employees. Remember it is a bigger prob- pines, Asia-Pacific, and Europe regions. He can be conlem to lose engaged employees to COVID or mental health tacted at patrick.cenon@dlsu.edu.ph. concerns (e.g., burnout or depression) than handle a delay or The views expressed above are the author’s and do not postponement of a project or activity. The second classification of employees is disengaged em- necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, ployees. Disengaged employees are productive. However, and its administrators.

Green LiGht

store in Varenna, a picturesque fishing village on Lake Como. She is still sorely lacking in foreign customers, especially big-spending Americans, an absence that saw her turnover drop by 80 percent last year. “Even George Clooney doesn’t come anymore with this pandemic,” she said, referring to the area’s most famous homeowner, proprietor of an opulent villa on the other side of the lake, in Laglio. Before coronavirus swept across the country and beyond, tourism accounted for nearly 14 percent of gross domestic product for Italy, the eurozone’s thirdlargest economy. The collapse of this key economic driver, with hotels and restaurants closed for months on end, helped plunge the country last year into the worst recession since World War II. To try to get things moving again, Italian railroads are offering “COVID free” high-speed rail links between Rome and Milan beginning in early April, a first in Europe. All staff and passengers will be tested before boarding. The airline Alitalia launched a similar initiative last year on some domestic and international flights. The mayors of Venice and Florence, cradles of art and history, meanwhile have joined forces to demand urgent aid from the government, claiming that without these two cities back on their feet, Italy will not recover. AFP

LAST PRICE

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Alabama could be home to Amazon’s first union in US

A photo taken on August 19, 2020 shows boats and houses in the city of Varenna, on Lake Como in Lombardy. Venice has turned into a ghost town, the jet-set resort of Portofino on the Ligurian coast is deserted, as is Varenna on the shores of Lake Como: tourism in Italy, the world’s fifth-largest destination, is paying a heavy price to the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

MILAN, Italy—Just over a year into the pandemic, Venice remains a ghost town. Portofino, a colorful playground for the jet-set on the Ligurian coast, and Varenna on the shores of Lake Como are also deserted. The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on tourism in Italy, the world’s fifthmost visited destination—and with a third wave now under way, there is no obvious end in sight. The collapse in the number of tourists to Italy was jaw-dropping last year, with only 25.5 million foreign visitors spending at least one night in the peninsula, versus 65 million in 2019—a drop of more than 60 percent. That corresponded to revenue of only 17.45 billion euros ($20.6 billion), 26.85 billion euros less than the prior year, according to new figures from the Bank of Italy. “The situation is really dramatic and everything must be done to revive a sector so vital for our country,” said the president of the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Carlo Sangalli. Nearly 100,000 companies in Italy’s tourism sector are at risk of bankruptcy, according to the research institute Demoskopika, with a potential loss of 440,000 jobs. ‘No George Clooney’ “The year 2020 was catastrophic for us,” said Marina Denti, owner of a leather

the Holy Week. Analysts said the the government’s move to place the National Capital Region and other nearby provinces back under enhanced community quarantine in order to curb the recent spike in COVID-19 cases could further delay the recovery of the domestic economy. “Beyond, 8,000 new cases per day will signal an aberration in the recovery curve for COVID-19 cases and may necessitate some hard counters from the government in order to rein back further damage to public confidence,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week rose 1.7 percent to 6,55.63 points on bargain hunting. The broader All Shares Index also climbed 1.5 percent to 3,967.79. All sub-indices ended in the green, led by property which gained 2.9 percent,

TOP LOSERS

From Venice to Lake Como, Italy’s tourist gems battling to stay afloat

By Brigitte Hagemann

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, March 26, 2021

-36.37 PTS. 6,544.63

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

4,912,843,856 92,080 6,276,673,852.03 101 92 49

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.6310

Japan

Yen

0.009162

0.4456

Pound

1.374300

66.8336

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128722

6.2599

Switzerland

Franc

1.064736

51.7792

Canada

Dollar

0.793462

38.5869

Singapore

Dollar

0.741455

36.0577

Australia

Dollar

0.758100

36.8672

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

129.1248

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.9683

Brunei

Dollar

0.738716

35.9245

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032165

1.5642

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.2416

Euro

1.177000

57.2387

Korea

Won

0.000881

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.152730

7.4274

India

Rupee

0.013763

0.6693

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241313

11.7353

New Zealand

Dollar

0.695500

33.8229

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034955

1.6999 Source: BSP

Filinvest REIT unveils plan to generate P14.9b from IPO in July By Jenniffer B. Austria FILINVEST REIT Corp., the real estate investment trust company led by the Gotianun family, plans to conduct a P14.9billion initial public offering in July. Filinvest REIT filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to 1.6 billion common shares, with an over-allotment option for another 163.418 million shares at an offer price of P8.30 apiece. The offer shares represent 36.74 percent of the company’s total issued outstanding capital stock. Its property portfolio consists of 17 fully operational office buildings, including 16 towers with one retail component in Northgate Cyberzone, Alabang and an office tower with a retail component in Cebu City. These properties have a combined gross leasable area of 229,158 square meters and total value of P36.9 billion. It said that over the last three years, the properties benefited from high occupancy levels. As of December 2020, the properties had overall office and retail space occupancy level of 91.1 percent. Filinvest REIT expects net income to increase to P1.036 billion in 2021 and to P1.87 billion in 2022. It also expects a dividend yield of 5.3 percent in 2020 and 5.6 percent in 2022. The company did not assume acquisitions of new properties for its 2021 and 2022 projections. Filinvest REIT, formerly called Cyberzone Properties Inc., plans to hold the offering on July 8 to July 12 and the listing on July 23, 2021 It hired BPI Capital Corp and UBS AG as joint global coordinators and book runners for the offering. Filinvest REIT is the third REIT company to file for an IPO since the government sweetened the rules on REIT offering. The first two REIT IPOs were conducted by Ayala Land Inc.-led AREIT and DDMP REIT of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. REIT refers to a corporation that primarily invests in income-generating real estate such as office spaces, shopping malls, service apartments, hotels, hospitals and warehouses. REITs enable investors to participate in lucrative property portfolio investments that provide a steady stream of dividends and investment returns and prospects for capital appreciation.

THE Philippine Tobacco Institute, an association of local cigarette manufacturers, exporters and leaf suppliers in the tobacco industry, opposed the plan of APO Production Unit Inc. to raise the printing cost of cigarette tax stamps from P0.15 to P0.23, saying the increase is “unconscionable and excessive.” APO is a government-run printing of-

AllHome posted P1-b profit in 2020

ALLHOME Corp. said over the weekend net income slightly dipped to P1 billion in 2020 from P1.05 billion in 2019 as sales started to improve in the second half amid pandemic. AllHome said 2020 sales rose 3 percent to P12.4 billion, boosted by strong sales from soft categories that included beddings, linens and electronic appliances. It said net income registered a 24-percent growth in the fourth quarter to P400 million from P312.5 million in the third quarter. Fourth-quarter revenues jumped 18 percent to P4.1 from P3.5 billion in the third quarter. “We are cautiously optimistic with the home improvement industry for 2021. Bolstered by the reopening of the economy and the sustained improvement of our sales since the third quarter of 2020, we resumed with our expansion program. We also continued with our innovations to take advantage of the recent trends and introduced a new concept for our appliances category― the AllDigital,” said AllHome chairman Manuel Villar Jr. Jenniffer B. Austria

Aboitiz Power eyes 50-MW solar plant

EMPLOYEE AWARD. Holcim Philippines Inc. confers its top employee award in 2020 to Luningning Donato (third from right), a chemist heading the quality assurance team of the company’s Bulacan cement plant. Donato was recognized for leading 2020 initiatives that improved the quality of products, raised efficiency of operations and generated substantial savings. Since 2000, Holcim has been recognizing employees who significantly contribute to business performance aligned with its core values. In over a decade that the company has implemented its Saludo employee recognition program, four women have won the top prize—the Mahusay Employee of the Year award.

Gov’t agrees to extend car program by 3 years By Othel V. Campos

HE government is giving local automotive assemblers another three years to comply with the requirements of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy to avail of fiscal incentives, a Trade official said over the weekend. Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said an executive order was being prepared to give participating car companies nine years to sell at least 200,000 units each, longer than the original six years. “We are confident that an executive order on the recommendation of the in-

ter-agency committee for the extension of compliance period for the CARS program will be issued before end of June this year,” said Rodolfo who is also an undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. The IAC includes government agencies involved in the CARS program, in-

from the CARS program given the current context.” He said the BOI was also looking at “probably” allowing participants to migrate to another model that is also locally-manufactured. CARS, a six-year incentives program is on its fourth year of implementation. It aims to provide P27 billion worth of time-bound fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for registered participants. The program targets to generate 200,000 new jobs, bring in fresh investments worth $1.2 billion, stimulate local demand by increasing vehicle sales to $9.2 billion and effectively implement industry regulations to revitalize the Philippine automotive industry.

INVESTMENT SUMMIT.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno highlights the strengths of the Philippine economy before Singapore-based investors during the virtual 2nd Philippines-Singapore Business and Investment Summit. In a presentation during the event, Diokno said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Philippine economy will be transitory, citing sound macroeconomic fundamentals and a reform momentum that provide favorable medium-term growth prospects for the Philippines.

Meralco suspends disconnection activities on ECQ declaration By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. announced over the weekend the suspension of disconnection activities in its franchise area until April 15. Meralco’s move followed the government’s announcement placing the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under a one-week Enhanced Community Quarantine from March 29 to April 4. “Cognizant of the plight of our customers amid these challenging times brought about by the pandemic and in support of the government’s effort to manage the transmission of COVID-19, we commit to put on hold all disconnection activities until April, 15 2021,” Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz said. “We hope this measure will contribute to easing the burden of our customers and provide enough relief and time

fice tapped earlier by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to run the Internal Revenue Stamps Integrated System project, or the security tax stamps on cigarettes. The project was rolled out in September 2014 to monitor the supply and sale of tobacco products and guarantee payment of excise taxes by manufacturers. PTI president Rodolfo Salanga said in a letter to APO chairman and president Michael Dalumpines on March 15, 2021 that APO is not a revenue-gener-

ABOITIZ Power Corp. said over the weekend it will start the construction of a 50-megawatt solar project in Luzon within the second half as part of its goal to reach a 50:50 balance between renewable and thermal portfolios by 2030. Aboitiz Power, the largest owner and operator of renewable energy in the Philippines, announced plans to invest in more renewable energy projects, both here and abroad, while selectively building baseload power plants, particularly natural gaspowered to support the country’s growing energy needs. “In the next 10 years, we will further grow our Cleanergy portfolio, both domestically and internationally, in an effort to help build the country’s renewable energy market and contribute to the global renewable energy goals. Last year was a year of plans, but this time around, we’re going to put those plans into action,” Aboitiz Power president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio said. The company ended 2020 with net attributable capacity of 4,429 MW and aims to reach 9,000 MW by 2030. Alena Mae S. Flores

InLife president set to retire in June

INSULAR Life Assurance Company Ltd. said over the weekend its board of trustees accepted the retirement of company president and chief executive Mona Lisa dela Cruz effective June 7, 2021. Succeeding dela Cruz is InLife senior executive vice president and head of the insurance distribution group Raoul Littaua. Dela Cruz has served InLife for 41 years, rising from assistant manager in mass marketing to heading actuarial and administrative operations, before being appointed in 2015 as the first female president and chief operating officer, and then chief executive in 2018 of the first and largest Filipino life insurance company. She also held concurrent positions as chief actuary and treasurer. She became president of Insular General Insurance, and director of Insular Life subsidiaries including Insular Health Care, Insular Foundation, and InLife’s affiliate Mapfre Insular Insurance. She held directorships in Union Bank of the Philippines, The Medical City and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

Local firms seek technologies for making vaccine

for them to settle their bills,” Geluz said. Geluz said Meralco would continue to be very considerate during these trying times and vowed to assist customers in need of help in their electricity concerns. Meralco earlier said it would continue vital operations such as meter reading following the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission and would work round the clock to serve customers. The ERC appealed to the local government units to allow the distribution utilities’ meter readers to conduct onsite meter reading activities. “We are being proactive this time that we seek the assistance of the LGUs, particularly in those areas declared under the ‘NCR Plus Bubble’, to permit the electric meter readers to do their job in order to avoid the electric distribution utilities from resorting to ‘estimated’ billings again which may cause undue burden to our electricity consumers,”

ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said. The ERC recorded an all-time high of 50,000 consumer complaints it received over electric bill shock last year. It investigated and issued show cause orders to DUs that were found to have violated certain directives contained in the ERC advisories during the implementation of ECQ and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine measures. “We want to avoid another surge of consumer complaints, similar to what happened last year, that we are appealing to the LGUs to allow the DU’s meter readers to conduct the actual meter reading. On the other hand, the DUs are directed to ensure the meter readers wear the necessary personal protective equipment and that they comply with the prescribed health protocols in order to reduce the risk of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus,” Devanadera said.

Cigarette manufacturers oppose APO Production’s plan to increase printing cost of tax stamps By Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

ating government agency and its “monopoly” of producing the tax stamps is for regulatory purposes and not to raise revenues. APO conducted a series of meetings with cigarette manufactures together with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and IRIS Corp. about the proposed increase and in one of those meetings, the printing agency presented the actual cost of each tax stamp at P0.11377, hence with the planned 23 centavos to

be paid by manufacturers, APO will gain a profit of P0.11623. PTI said with this computation, APO, whose main function is to print government security-sensitive documents and not raise revenues, would make a 102-percent profit. APO, however, could not justify its reason to increase the price which is allegedly due to higher cost of ink and paper to produce the security stamps, according to PTI.

FIVE local companies began talks with foreign technology providers to set up modular facilities for the production of vaccines against COVID-19 in the country. The Board of Investments said the investment in a modular facility from foreign technology providers could reach P300 million each. One vaccine distributor, however, plans to put up a plant that might cost P7 billion. It said the five local companies already identified possible technology partners, including from the United States, China, India, Korea and Russia. “Based on our meetings with the vaccine panel, some of these local firms have initiated talks with their preferred technology providers. The last firm cited a possible collaboration with a German provider, but there are no formal talks yet,” said BOI executive director Corieh Dichosa. She said the estimated P300 million project cost is only for a “fill-finish” modular facility which can actually accommodate a vaccine. “However, this does not include consumables and other costs like land and lease.” Among the five technology providers, Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and Korea’s EU Biologics, a unit the LG group, were keen on having co-production operations in the Philippines, according to the BOI. EU Biologics has a standing partnership with Philippine vaccine supplier Glovax Biotech Corp. which proposed to establish a P7-billion vaccine production plant. The BOI said a recent addition to the group is a university research unit in the United States which could provide cheaper technology platform for the Philippines. “They treat vaccine manufacturing as a public good. They’re actually open to license with assurance of cost-friendly vaccines compared to the other vaccines in the market. With the technology, they have it will be easy to ramp up production. Hopefully, something will come out of our meeting,” Dichosa said.

Sports

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

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

Hamilton: Rule changes designed to ‘peg us back’

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the qualifying session on the eve of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir. AFP

Perez joins US trio in Match Play golf semis WASHINGTON—France’s Victor Perez joined Americans Matt Kuchar, Billy Horschel and Scottie Scheffler in the WGC Match Play semi-finals with dramatic victories Saturday, the final four all seeded outside the top 30 for the first time. US 52nd seed Kuchar, the 2013 winner and 2019 runner-up, defeated US 54th-seeded left-hander Brian Harman 2&1 to stay perfect this week at 5-0 and advance to a Sunday semi-final against US 30th seed Scheffler. “I feel great,” Kuchar said after sinking a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th to seal the victory. “I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve been having. “On top of that, it has been so intense. It’s a lot easier to smile when putts are going in. Certainly there are a lot of nerves.” Perez, the 31st seed who ousted Spanish 39th seed Sergio Garcia 4&3, continued a fairytale run in his WGC Match Play debut, booking a morning date with US 32nd seed Horschel in the other semi-final at Austin (Texas) Country Club. “I think it’s the benefit of not knowing. Sometimes ignorance is a good thing in golf,” Perez said of his first-timer success. “I feel like I’m going to keep on riding it.” Horschel edged English 21st seed Tommy Fleetwood in 19 holes while Scheffler outdueled Spanish third seed Jon Rahm 3&1 in the other quarter-finals. “I feel pretty comfortable out here. I’m not overthinking it too much,” Scheffler said. “Everything is going so fast out here. It’s pretty simple, just kind of staying in the moment and hit good golf shots.” Horschel never led until the playoff hole, the par-5 12th, where Fleetwood sent his tee shot out of bounds and Horschel holed a tense five-foot par putt to clinch the victory. “It’s tough. Tom and I had a great battle all day,” Horschel said. “I knew a par would probably win it but this isn’t the easiest hole. I’m glad to win it and move on.” The 18-hole final will be played Sunday afternoon. AFP

Knott settles for silver medal at Texas Relays By Peter Atencio

RISTINA Knott started her outdoor season by collecting a silver medal in the 93rd Clyde Littleﬁeld Texas Relays in Austin, Texas. The Filipino-American track star clocked 11.54 seconds in the women’s 100-meter invitational, finishing behind Kiara Parker. Parker, a bronze medallist in the 2019 World Athletics Championships’ 4x100meter relays, came close to the Olympic qualifying time with her 11.2-second performance. This still put the current Philippine national record holder in the women’s 200-meter run within range of the 11.15-second qualification time. Crystal Manning settled for the bronze with her clocking of 12.52 seconds. Knott’s coach Rohsaan Griffin said her race was not that challenging, considering some technicalities that may have happened.

Kristina Knott

“Not challenging per se, had a few technical flaws with the race set up. Poor execution, but nothing to panic (about),” Griffin told the Manila Standard. Seven months ago, Knott came up with a new goal after she eclipsed the

Philippine national mark in the women’s 100-meter run. This took place during the star-studded Drake Blue Oval Showcase meet at Drake Stadium last August. Her time of 11.27 seconds surpassed the clocking of Lydia de Vega-Mercado back in 1997. But it remains unrecognized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association as the mark could have a tailwind of 1.5 meters per second measured during the event. Because of this, the 23.01-second clocking that she did in the women’s 200-meter event in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games stands as one of two that Knott is credited for breaking. Griffin said Knott in remains in top form. The Fil-American track star may have the option of joining two events in her next competition this week. On April 3, Knott will be at the Pure Athletics meet in Clairemont, Florida. The women’s 200-meter will be her focus, but she may try her luck in the 100-meters again.

SAKHIR, Bahrain—Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes will rise to the challenge of coping with the Formula One rule changes designed to “peg us back” after he was beaten to pole at the Bahrain Grand Prix by Max Verstappen on Saturday. The defending seven-time champion, bidding this year for an unprecedented eighth drivers’ title, said it was “no secret” that the revised aerodynamic regulations were introduced to hold Mercedes back. “I mean it’s no secret that the changes, of course, they’ve been done to peg us back,” he told reporters on Saturday. “We had the changes, of course, last year -- to our engine -- to do the same thing. “But that’s ok. We love a challenge and we don’t look down on these things. We just work hard to do the best we can and that’s what we’ll do.” His team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who was third on Saturday, said he had no answer to give on the same subject. “I like aero stuff,” he said. “I’m a bit of a geek, in some ways. I like aerodynamics, I’m really interested, but I don’t know the facts.” Hamilton said he was buoyed by Mercedes’ reaction since struggling to match Red Bull at a pre-season test earlier in the month. “We’ve worked very hard over the last week to try and understand the package that we have,” he said. “We made some steps forward, but we couldn’t compete with that last lap Max did today, but P2 puts us in a position to cause Red Bull trouble tomorrow. “Max did a great lap and nearly 0.4 seconds is a big gap so we have some work to do. We pushed, but just at the end I couldn’t get any more out of the car. “Still, it was exciting and I am immensely proud of everyone.” AFP

Saso vows to continue giving honor to PH PRO golfer Yuka Saso vowed to provide inspiration to Philippine sports in the light of the mounting challenges it faces brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Patuloy po akong magbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino,” said the 19-year-old Saso in her short acceptance speech from Japan after being recognized with the Athlete of the Year honor Saturday during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the TV5 Media Center. Saso considered his second Athlete of the Year Award in the last three years as a big honor to her career and family. She received the same award from the country’s oldest media organization, headed by its President and Manila Bulletin sports editor Tito S. Talao in 2018, which she shared with fellow golfers Biance Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go, along with Olympic silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz. “Maraming salamat sa Philippine Sportswriters Association sa pagbigay at pagkilala sa akin bilang Athlete of the Year ulit,” she added. Saso currently campaigns in the rich Japan LPGA Tour and is eyeing

to clinch a spot in the coming Tokyo Olympics as she is currently ranked no. 44 in the world. Also receiving a piece of the limelight in the program presented by San Miguel Corporation and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Cignal TV, were Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino as recipient of the President’s Award, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, hailed as Executive of the Year, and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, which was named National Sports Association of the Year, and whose award was accepted by its President Ricky Vargas. Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award meanwhile, were the late Ambassador and basketball godfather Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco, former PBA Commissioner and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executide Director Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, and former Project Gintong Alay Director Jose Romasanta. PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez was the special guest speaker of the firstever virtual awards night in PSA history hosted by Gretchen Ho and Paolo Del Rosario, with 1Pacman Partylist, Chooks-to-Go,

Yuka Saso accepts her Athlete of the Year recognition durind the PSA Awards Night virtual rites

and Rain or Shine as major backers. In his brief but meaningful speech, Ramirez lauded the Filipino athletes for ‘keeping their stars shine even brighter in these dark times.’ “The future is so uncertain, the past is out of reach, and so I wish that we all savor the present where we all find ourselves now with family, friends, celebrat-

ing our heroes in sports,” said the country’s top government sports official. Boxing great and Senator Manny Pacquiao was also in the honor roll as the Chooks-to-Go Fan Favorite Manok ng Bayan, together with the trio of Alex Eala, Johnriel Casimero, and Pedro Taduran, who were accorded with Major Awards.

Barty, Tsitsipas, Rublev advance in Miami

Ashleigh Barty of Australia serves during her women’s singles third round match against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia on Day 6 of the 2021 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP

MIAMI—World number one Ashleigh Barty looked sharp in a straight-sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko Saturday at the Miami Open, where men’s second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas cruised past lucky loser Damir Dzumhur. Defending champion Barty defeated the former French Open champion from Latvia 6-3, 6-2 to set up a fourth-round clash with former world number one Victoria Azarenka. Greece’s Tsitsipas -- ranked fifth in the world but seeded second behind world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the Masters 1000 event that is missing top-ranked Novak Djokovic, world number three Rafael Nadal and No. 4 Dominic Thiem as well as Roger Federer and Andy Murray—was untroubled in a 6-1, 6-4 over Bosnian lucky loser Damir Dzumhur. Tsitsipas, coming off a runner-up finish at Acapulco last week, hit 10 of his 18 winners off his forehand and committed only nine unforced errors as he relentlessly pressured his opponent.

“There isn’t much I can tell you. It was a great match,” Tsitsipas said. “I started the match very strong, breaking him twice and taking a big lead in the score, and I think the things worked out by themself after that. “I created lot of opportunities with my serve, finding the right angles and executing it perfectly. Even with my second serve I felt like I did a lot of damage, not giving him a chance to press first and apply pressure with his shots.” The three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist next faces Japanese 28th seed Kei Nishikori, who outlasted Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4. Rain was the only thing that slowed down men’s fourth seed Andrey Rublev in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Tennys Sandgren. Rublev, up 6-1, 5-2, was unable to convert three match points before the players had to leave the court for the second of two rain delays, but he wasted no time in closing out the match when play resumed. Rublev, who took his tour-leading number of 2021

match wins to 17, didn’t face a break point, his dominance on full display as he held serve for a 4-1 lead in the opening set with a love game that lasted just 59 seconds. Canadian Denis Shapovalov also had to wait out the delay to finish off a hard-fought 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ilya Ivashka. Shapovalov survived 11 double faults but persevered to win in three hours and 18 minutes. Switched-on Barty Barty, first up on Grandstand Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, was done and dusted long before rain arrived. “Today felt like I was a lot sharper and switched-on and ready to go from the very first point,” said Australia’s Barty, who had to save a match point on the way to a three-set second-round victory over Kristina Kucova. Azarenka, of Belarus, beat 24th seed Angelique Kerber of Germany 7-5, 6-2 in a battle of former world number ones. Azarenka, who was playing her first match after a Turn to C2

Sports

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

Mitchell’s hot start fuels Jazz L

OS ANGELES—Utah’s Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and handed out seven assists as the Jazz boosted their NBA-leading record Saturday with a 126-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

LaMarcus Aldridge

Star-studded Nets land free agent forward Aldridge: report NEW YORK—The Brooklyn Nets, already stocked with the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, have landed NBA free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, ESPN reported Saturday The US sports network, citing Aldridge’s agent, said the seven-time All-Star was headed to Brooklyn after completing his buyout with San Antonio, which came after the Spurs failed to trade him before the league deadline on Thursday. The Miami Heat were reported to be the “front-runner” to land Aldridge, but agent Jeff Schwartz told ESPN on Saturday that he would sign with Brooklyn, who are in second place in the Eastern Conference behind the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets had already nabbed free agent Blake Griffin, the former number one NBA draft pick, after his exit from the Detroit Pistons. The Spurs confirmed this month that they had “mutually agreed” to part ways with 35-year-old Aldridge, who had been with the team for six seasons. “He’s been a great teammate, there was no problem there,” coach Gregg Popovich said at the time. “We just think this is a win-win for both LaMarcus and the club.” San Antonio explored trade options but couldn’t get a deal done before the deadline. Aldridge averaged 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds in 25.9 minutes per game this season. AFP

With Mike Conley taking the night off to rest a hamstring injury, Mitchell took charge early. He made his first five shots on the way to scoring 28 first-half points —his most ever in a half. He erased an early 8-2 deficit with a three-pointer and a drive to the basket for a three-point play, and his threepointer at the buzzer to end the half put the Jazz up 70-53. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to add 28 points and Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, who pushed the lead to as many as 30 in the third quarter. Joe Ingles added 15 points and seven assists and the Jazz notched their fifth straight victory and 33rd of the season. The Los Angeles Clippers, chasing Utah and the Phoenix Suns in the West, won their fifth straight game, 122-112 over the Eastern Conference-leading

Philadelphia 76ers. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 28 points, Paul George added 24 and Terrence Mann chipped in 23 off the bench. “Just being aggressive,” Mann said of the key to the Clippers’ win over the Sixers, who were missing star big man Joel Embiid as he continues to recover from a bone bruise in his knee. “Guys getting downhill, setting the tempo right off the jump. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past five games.” In New Orleans, Zion Williamson scored 38 points and the Pelicans rallied to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-103. The Mavericks, missing ailing forward Luka Doncic and center Kristaps Porzingis who rested on the second night of a back-to-back, led 95-94 with less than four minutes remaining. But the Pelicans roared home on an 18-8 scoring run that included 10 points

Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz looks to pass against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivent Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP

Members of the Cocolife Tigers’ team

Deputy team manager Ray Alao relayed the team’s success to Davao Occidental team owners Governor Claude Bautista and Rep. Claudine Bautista, manager Dinko Bautista, basketball operations head Bong Baribar and Cocolife’s top brass Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP

Tough times? Play on! THE COACH MIKE OCHOSA SINCE the pandemic began, there still is no clear pathway to normalcy. Every country has tried different approaches having to cope based on different circumstances and limitations. In the absence of an established time frame, each individual finds himself needing to live with the presence of COVID 19. For the past year, a heap of problems have emerged. Lack of food supply and loss of livelihood were the more immediate ones. Then, the mental state brought about by the isolation people were experiencing became issues. More profoundly, social concerns pertaining to relationships -or the lack of- brought about by the inability of people to interact were emerging. The pandemic is affecting each person in more ways than one. This period of adversity calls for resiliency.

because of a thigh injury, also lost center Mitchell Robinson to a broken right foot in the first quarter. Robinson, only recently returned from a broken hand, was hurt when he came down awkwardly while trying to defend Brook Lopez. He stayed in the game for a few more minutes before limping off, the Knicks announcing the X-ray results shortly thereafter. “Mitchell’s been terrific for us,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You hate to see it. You feel for Mitchell because all the work that he’s put in.” Beal exits, Wizards win The Washington Wizards, fueled by a triple-double from Russell Westbrook, beat the Detroit Pistons 106-92, but also saw league scoring leader Bradley Beal exit early with a right hip injury. Westbrook scored 19 points with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, his 15th triple-double of the season matching the franchise record established by Darrell Walker. Beal finished with 17 points and six assists, before departing after a hard fall in the third quarter. AFP

Whyte wants to become undisputed heavyweight king

Cocolife Tigers savor MPBL title conquest IT was a shot made in heaven. King Tiger Mark Yee knew it was coming when he threw a prayer from beyond the arc in the dying seconds of the extra period for the go-ahead, payback basket that clinched for them the championship of the Chooks to Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup one Sunday night at the Subic bubble in SBMA, Olongapo City. Yee, the season’s Best Defensive Player and Finals MVP, his teammates, coaching staff, fans and management of both Davao Occidental and Cocolife praised God for the hard-earned victory that erased the stigma they kept in their hearts as a result of last season’s heartache in Davao up to the bubble in Subic. “Ramdam ko ang basbas ni God nang pawalan ko ang tres na iyon. Salamat Po!” said the acknowledged leader of the Tigers, whose accomplished mission proved to be sweeter against their former tormentors, the dethroned champion San Juan Knights in the Datu Cup of the League, organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

from Williamson. Two days after being traded by Orlando, center Nikola Vucevic made his Chicago debut in the Bulls’ 120-104 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Vucevic scored 21 points with nine rebounds and four assists, struggling defensively against Jakob Poeltl who led the Spurs with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for the Spurs, who ended a four-game losing streak and made coach Gregg Popovich just the third NBA coach to reach 1,300 regular-season victories after Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332). New York’s Alec Burks and RJ Barrett scored 21 points to lead the Knicks to a 102-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo, nursing a sprained left knee, was joined on the sideline starters Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo. The Knicks, without Julius Randle

THE ABILITY TO ADAPT I have learned that resiliency is one characteristic each athlete must have to excel in his chosen field. Although in sports, the challenges we face are controlled and mostly occur within the arena we compete in, the lessons from these moments may be the reminders that some need. As there does not seem to be any clear plan to defeat COVID-19 in the near future, allow me to encourage everyone to PLAY ON. P- Pray Just like any athlete or team who turn to their huddle and “pray” before every game, I urge you to begin each day with a prayer. In the game of life, this is always the best first step. A prayer is statement of what you desire. More importantly perhaps, it is also an acceptance of your need and shortcoming. It puts you in position of humility. In difficult times, let go of pride. Start with a prayer. L- Look back at past wins To face a clouded future, you must be armed with a surety that you have what it takes. The key is to build a belief that whatever comes your way, you will be ready to face

Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque and the team’s followers as a whole for the momentus triumph. “Sobrang sarap ng Gift of God na nagpasulit sa sakripisyo ng buong team sa bubble,” said Alao, who stuck it out with the Tigers from Day 1 of their mission. it. Remembering your own life winning moments is the best way to begin. Know in your heart that you have gotten back up, that you have won, that you have had moments of triumph. Recalling these experiences should build a resolve that you have it in you to run through road blocks, jump over hurdles, fight your way through aggression and get out of depression. Athletes rely greatly on past experiences to make themselves better as they progress. It is the same in life. A- Align yourself with success Resiliency fundamentally begins with making a choice. You can look at your situation and decide to list down all that is wrong, or you can look at it and inversely note the opportunities that can come out of it. You must choose between being positive or negative, the good and the bad. One characteristic of successful athletes is that they all believe they can win despite the odds. Why even play when you think you will lose? Fill your minds with the right thoughts. Surround yourself with successful people. Keep believing that you have the skills, attitude and drive to succeed. Successful people are always the half full ones. Y- Yield to the situation

Cocolife’s commitment to the team started from the Datu Cup all the way to the Lakan Cup. The firm never doubted the capability of the Tigers in winning the championship and it came after only two exciting seasons. It was first a heartbreaker that turned into tears of joy as the Tigers concluded a storybook masterpiece. “We have big God from the start. Cocolife really believed in the management (Davao Occidental Tigers) and all the members of the team as we will continue to support Davao Occidental Tigers if they wish to continue next season.” said Senior Vice President Joseph Ronquillo, who always found time joining the team’s scrimmages, even before the pandemic. The company’s Vice President Asnan seconded the view of the team’s winning tradition that was a product of determination, dedication, sacrifice and true faith in God. “Cocolife has always believed in the capability of the team to rise despite the odds. The challenges that we have faced in the past pushed the team on to work harder and smarter”, Asnan said. “It’s all about passion, respect and love to the team and the game. We offer everything to the Almighty,” he said. Surrender, many say is the highest form of victory. Life is made up of seasons and there are ups and the downs. Submitting therefore to a seemingly damaging situation is not an acceptance of defeat as it is more an assurance that better things will come. Yielding therefore to the adversity is in fact unshackling you from it. The challenge is to recognize the season and act accordingly. In tough times, it is the season to chill, to prepare, to dream and most importantly to be ready. O- Open Yourself to all Opportunities Be open to anything. This is not the time to say no. If the future is unclear, then we are unconfident that what we currently know will be useful tomorrow. Fortunately, it is during the most hostile of times that learning is at its peak. When opportunity comes, be open. Learn a new skill; open a business, read a new book. Get a totally different job, do something really unusual, get out of your safe circle and meet new people. Sowing in difficult times will allow you to reap in the good times. Chances are what you are learning represent the set up you need for the things to come. N- Never Give up. Elite athletes are at the top of their chosen sports simply because none of them gave up on their dreams.

GIBRALTAR, United Kingdom— Britain’s Dillian Whyte avenged his defeat by Alexander Povetkin to be crowned WBC interim heavyweight champion on Saturday and immediately set his sights on becoming the undisputed world champion. In front of 500 fans in Gibraltar, 32-year-old Whyte knocked out his Russian opponent in the fourth round. Last August, Whyte twice put 41-year-old Povetkin on the canvas, only to see the former WBA champion defeat him with a fifth-round knockout. Whyte said on the eve of Saturday’s fight that victory should give him a shot at facing the winner of a future bout between Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury, with the undisputed heavyweight title on the line. “I am just sad I didn’t get it finished in the first round. He is a tough guy but I felt I could have finished it early,” Whyte told Sky Sports. “I believe I can beat anyone. I want the world title.” AFP

Barty,... From C1

first-round bye and a walkover, took a while to warm up. But after trailing 4-1, she put the first set back on serve with a break in the seventh game and dominated from there, posting her ninth win in 10 meetings with Kerber. While Barty cruised into the round of 16, the women’s draw lost world number three Simona Halep of Romania, who withdrew from her scheduled match with Latvian Anastasija Sevastova with a right shoulder injury. “I’m very sorry I have to pull out of singles and doubles at the Miami Open, but my injury doesn’t let me play here as expected,” Halep said in a statement. Sevastova received a walkover into the fourth round, where she will face 338th-ranked Ana Konjuh of Croatia, who upset 15th-seeded Polish teen Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. AFP One does not need to be an elite competitor to know that giving up should never be an option. Life throws us curve balls therefore fighting on is incumbent upon all of us. Giving up should never be an option. RESILIENCY IS ABOUT SUBSTANCE AND STRUCTURE The ability to be resilient is not an ordinary human trait. It is a characteristic that needs to be worked on. Resiliency is about being made up of a substance that adjusts and a structure that adapts. It takes time to develop this attribute and the best way to be resilient is to keep on playing on. *** Mike Ochosa is an avid sportsman. He has written for various broadsheets and online publication providing his thoughts and insights on various sports. He is a freelance TV boxing analyst having sat ringside in 14 of Pacquiao’s fights and for various international sports networks as well. He was President of Punchout Boxing Club and is currently President and Program Director of Philippine Habagat Baseball. Follow him on social media: Website: mikeochosa.com; FB: https:// www.facebook.com/coachmikeochosa/, IG: @coachmike.O; Twitter account, https://twitter.com/mikeochosa

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

Maja Salvador banners prime series on TV5

Maja Salvador as Niña in TV5’s latest primetime drama that premieres next Monday.

SCREEN star Maja Salvador is headlining the timely family comedy drama Niña Niño Niño, which marks her first appearance in a teleserye on TV5. In the story, Maja plays the lead role of Niña, the older half of the sibling duo in the eponymous feel-good series. Cin Cinemalaya Best Actor Noel Comia Jr., plays her younger brother Niño who ventures out to the big city with her and discovers that life is anything but a bed of roses. In order to survive, Niña and Niño turn to extraordinary measures to make ends meet as con-artists who scam their way to earn an extra buck. An event will upend their lives and change the course of their destinies forever. The dramedy genre is a first for Maja who is known to portray titular roles in dramas. The new series showcases her

versatility as an actor fully able to make her audience laugh, cry, and empathize with every character she plays. The show’s vision echoes calls for hopeful stories, finding joy in life’s magical minutiae amidst these trying times. Joining Maja and Noel are comedian Empoy Marquez, and veteran actors Lilet Esteban and Ruby Ruiz whose role as the siblings’ grandmother holds an integral part of explaining the dynamics between the duo. Rounding up the cast are up-and-coming actors Ian Pangilinan, Sachzna, and Junyka Santarin, joined by Arron Villaflor, Moi Bien, and Dudz Teraña. At the helm of the series is award-winning director Thop Nazareno. Each episode weaves heartwarming anecdotes that emphasize the show’s inspirational trope: discovering oneself, adapt-

ing to the changes, and coming better and stronger after every struggle. The strength of the show lies in the story that redefines our understanding of real-life miracles complemented by the cast whimsically engaging with the reality of their situation and environment. Ultimately, Niño and Niña make us realize the true meaning of healing, forgiveness, and finding freedom in an unlikely place. The series is produced by Cignal Entertainment and line-produced by CS Studios and Spring Films led by Erickson Raymundo, director Joyce Bernal, and actor Piolo Pascual. Niña Niño premieres on TV5’s revitalized primetime block, TodoMax Primetime Singko, on April 5 at 7:15 p.m. right after Sing Galing and right before FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

With award-winning young actor Noel Comia, Jr. as Niño.

Comeback diva Sheryn Regis belts out ‘ghosting tale’ in new song POWER belter Sheryn Regis chronicles the pain of being ghosted in “Tulad ng Dati,” her ABS-CBN single released under Star Music. The ballad, which the diva dropped on various music streaming services on Friday (March 26), ponders on one’s experience of rejection and trying to find answers after she is left hanging on to the feelings without apparent warning. “This is my first original song after 10 years that I’ve been away from the Philippines. Ito ang kantang maraming makaka-relate kasi maraming nakaka-relate sa ghosting at sa sakit ng pagmamahal,” Sheryn said. The forlorn single, inspired by the many stories of breakups during the pandemic, is a composition of Kiko Salazar and produced by March On Entertainment.

The cast of fantasy drama ‘The Lost Recipe,’ GTV’s first daily primetime television series.

Kelvin Miranda and Mikee Quintos have taken viewers to an extraordinary tale of love in ‘The Lost Recipe,’ which charms viewers with its flavorful mix of love, comedy, and fantasy set in the picturesque Manila.

‘The Lost Recipe’ gives audience new taste of Pinoy drama

ROM the stunning visuals that help highlight the elements of time-travel and culinary arts, to the chemistry between its lead stars and various conflicts among the rest of the characters set in a non-linear story-telling, GTV’s The Lost Recipe has been winning the hearts of the viewers for providing a different kind of drama on local television.

The series has charmed viewers with its flavorful mix of love, comedy, and fantasy set in picturesque Manila. The primetime drama, which premiered in January, follows the story of Harvey (Kelvin Miranda), a failed chef who gets the chance of a lifetime when he manages to travel back in time to steal a famous recipe and make it his own. While chasing his dream to build a culinary empire for his family, he meets Apple (Mikee Quintos), an aspiring chef who gets to work in his company. Now that the series is airing its last episodes this week, its lead cast members talk about the valuable lessons viewers can learn from their characters. Mikee believes that those who have been religiously following the series have come to know her

character as someone who is brave and strong-willed. But what has endeared the audience to Apple is her being a genuine person. “The viewers have loved my character for being true to herself. I hope the viewers also learn how to be like her. She’s honest about her feelings. In real life, kahit masakit tangapin yung katotohanan, dapat yun ang ating pipiliin. So, as we end, I’d like the viewers to learn to be brave to accept the truth,” Mikee told Manila Standard Entertainment. “My character also teaches the viewers to chase their dreams. She wants people to know that when you want something, and your heart is into it, you really need to strive for whatever your heart desires. It’s all about the lesson of never giving up. You will naturally attract the energy that you deserve na magugulat ka na lang nandoon ka na sa place na pinagdarasal at pinaghihirapan mong marating for so many years,” she added. Kelvin recognizes the kind of person his character portrays in the story and he wants the audience to see what’s in-

Manila Broadcasting Company has launched a short film competition open to all Filipino filmmakers nationwide.

side his heart. “Sana mabaon nila yung gustong ipahayag ni Harvey na we should always follow our heart. For him, love is a choice. It’s a choice most of the time. Harvey’s love is on a different level, so I hope the viewers learn to be like him,” he stated. Paul Salas plays an intriguing character in the series. He said his role adds flavor to the story by teaching them to love without expecting anything in return. “And when you love, there should always be an effort to make the other person feel your genuine intention,” he stated. Finally, Thea Tolentino, who plays another pivotal role, talks about choosing yourself and finding the real meaning of happiness. “If you really want to find the meaning of success, first you need to be happy with what you’re doing. You need to ask yourself if you’re happy because if you’re not, most probably you’re investing in the wrong person or career. It’s going to be a waste of time. Another thing that my character teaches the viewers ay yung pag-pili sa sarili, it’s not bad to think of yourself first if that would make you happy,” she stressed. Written by Erwin Caezar Bravo, and directed by Monti Parungao, The Lost Recipe airs its final episode on March 31 on GTV.

It features Sheryn’s signature sound in a fresh indie-pop tune that focuses on intimate storytelling rather than vocal acrobatics. Sheryn has lent her voice for various ABS-CBN television series theme songs and has four multi-platinum awarded albums and five gold record awards under her belt. Her exposure to different genres like country, rock, R&B, and gospel during her US residency has geared her up for a powerful OPM comeback this 2021. She proved her exceptional musical abilities once again in her performance at the Himig 11th Edition finals night held two Sundays ago. She currently hosts Kalderoke: The Singing and Cooking Showdown on Kapamilya Channel.

Singer Sheryl Regis drops her comeback single ‘Tulad ng Dati’ released under ABS-CBN’s Star Music.

Justin Bieber sits down with DJ Khaled INTERNATIONAL pop sensation Justin Bieber joins host DJ Khaled in an episode of The First One. Fresh off of the release of his sixth studio album, Bieber and Khaled discuss the pop legend’s run as the definitive male star of his generation over the last decade. Bieber speaks at length about his early days as an artist discovered off of YouTube as a shy but talented youngster from Canada as well as the making of his debut single “Baby” featuring Ludacris. Bieber also talks to Khaled about his growth as an artist over the years while living under a microscope since his teenage years and

what led to his latest project, Justice. The Canadian pop star discusses the influences he’s had in his life musically, especially when it comes to the world of Hip-Hop and takes an honest look at his career thus far and what he would change if he had the chance to. New episodes of The First One release every Thursday, only on Amazon Music. Featured guests include Lil Wayne, J Balvin, Fat Joe, Jon Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, Big Sean, Diddy, Gwen Stefani, Nas, Jhené Aiko, T.I., Wyclef Jean, LL Cool J and more. Check out the music featured and discussed in this episode on The First One Playlist: smarturl.it/FirstOnePlaylist. Canadian pop star Justin Bieber joins DJ Khaled in his first sit-down interview to talk about his latest album ‘Justice.’

MBC-DZRH launches short film fest MANILA Broadcasting Company has launched a short film competition to celebrate the extraordinary creative energy of Filipino filmmakers nationwide. The 2021 MBC Short Film Festival (MSFF) is now accepting entries for short feature, narrative documentary, and animation from filmmakers around the country, who can show in 20 minutes or less, a human interest story based on real-life characters/ situations in which the Filipino tri-

umphs over adversity. A total of 15 films will be selected for the final competition, scheduled on August 16 to 30. Category winners will receive P75,000 each and will vie for the Gran Prix, with a total take-home prize of P150,000 tax-free. The competition serves as the centerpiece of the anniversary celebrations of MBC’s flagship station DZRH, which has been serving the public since it first went on the air in 1939. Having been the frontrunner in

radio dramas and documenting history as it unfolds via its news and public affairs division, MBC-DZRH now hopes to contribute a digital platform for Filipino filmmakers to share their works with the world at large. Deadline for submission of entries is on June 15. Detailed requirements are available on the official website: www. mbcfilmfest.com and are also posted on the MBC Short Film Festival Facebook page. For further enquiries, email: mbcfilmfest@manilabroadcasting.com.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

CUTE CHICK. Adorable Easter goodies made with premium chocolates available at Bru Coffee Bar.

Easter Sunday feast delivered By Steph Llarena

HE Greater Manila Area being ordered to stay at home this week to curb the spread of COVID-19 means Easter feasts will be shared with our family.

As with many things being spent at home recently, hotels around the “bubble” are bringing their sumptuous dishes to every household via same-day delivery.

Gourmet on the move

Mandaluyong-based Edsa Shangri-La Hotel offers “Gourmet On the Move” Easter specials featuring delectable dishes from HEAT, Summer Palace, Senju, and The Bakeshop starting at P2,500 net, available today until 4 April. HEAT’s offering features traditional Filipino Easter set with a twist. The P4,500 net set for five includes arroz a la valenciana, pancit sotanghon guisado, kalderetang baka, lechon belly stuffed with laing, banana heart with coconut cream, Brazo de Mercedes, and bibingka cheesecake, with condiments and steamed rice. Senju, meanwhile, has Japanese sets for two (P5,000 net) and for five (P10,000 net). Summer Palace offers a special four-course Cantonese Easter feast priced at P2,588 net (minimum of two sets is required for delivery). The Bakeshop’s selection of luxurious Easter hampers with delectable

HEAT’s Gourmet On the Move takeaway menu features traditional Filipino specialties with a twist.

Brasserie on 3’s Easter Family Roast Takeaway Menu is good for family of four to six.

Easter chocolates and goodies start at P2,500 net. Call (02) 8633-8888 or email heat. esl@shangri-la.com.

paint and brushes. Go to conradmanilaestore.whyqueue. shop, call (02) 8833-9999 or email conradmanila@conradhotels.com to order.

E-Store Easter

Conrad Manila celebrates Easter Sunday with its very own Signature Takeaway Feasts and Easter Goodies available at its e-Store for takeaway and delivery. Brasserie on 3’s Easter Family Roast Takeaway Menu consists of Ginataang Tilapia in Coconut Milk, 48 Hrs. U.S. Choice Beef Short Rib, and Whole Crispy Roasted Suckling Pig filled with aromatic rice, garlic, and lemongrass;

all served with roasted carrots, beets, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin, steamed rice, and buttered beans and bacon. Price starts at P5,150 nett and serves a family of four to six. China Blue by Jereme Leung’s executive Chinese chef Eng Yew Khor works the wok with delectable sets whose price starts at P2,200 nett. The hotel’s Bru Coffee Bar presents a playful selection of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, and more made of premium chocolates, all available to order online for takeaway or delivery. Kids and kidsat-heart also get to enjoy a special Easter Painting Kit Set, priced at P950 nett, which includes bunny and egg molds,

Delicious dishes ‘delishvered’

Resorts World Manila joins the call for staying safe at home as it takes care of the food available via its delivery service. RWM’s signature restaurants are offering a variety of seafood and vegetable dishes this Lenten season. Silk Road offers Salmon Tandoori (P665) and Wok-Fried Garden Greens (200). Happy 9’s vegetable dishes include Wok-Fried Round Cabbage with Dried

Shrimp (P448) and Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables (P418). Garden Wing Café’s Seared Salmon Fillet (P700) is also a lent-friendly must-try. Have the aforementioned dishes delivered via RWM’s signature food-delivery service, Delishvery. Call (02) 7908-8885 or text 0917878-8856 to order. Garden Wing Café, meanwhile, offers a festive limited edition Easter Cake. A whole serving of this decadent carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is priced at P1,500 nett, while a slice is available for P200 nett. Call the Garden Wing Café at (02) 7908-8889 for nextday pick up.

Pesco-Vegetarian dishes to try this Holy Week THOSE who want to take a break from meat this week can explore a wide array of seafood and vegetable-based dishes and alternatives. The all-Bicolana team at QueRica has prepared lent-friendly offerings made with hearty flavors, ideal for pesco-vegetarian (seafood and vegetables) diet, using their not-so secret ingredient: fresh coconut milk. “When cooked expertly, [fresh coconut milk] creates a rich, creamy sauce that gives dishes a decadent feel even

without animal fat,” says the brand. Que Rica’s Vegetarian Laing, available in frozen and bottled versions, comes in two new varieties: Laing with Shrimp “for those who need protein in their meals,” and Laing Lasagna which is layered with the brand’s homemade tomato concasse “for cheese-loving pasta fans.” It also offers Sinantolan, made with santol or cotton fruit, minced and stewed in coconut milk, shrimp paste, and aromatics. The creamy, tangy side dish is ideal paired with dried fish or as

dip for crackers and chips. The brand’s version of Bicol Pinangat is made with shrimp, smoked fish, coconut meat and milk, lemongrass, and aromatics cooked for hours over lowheat. “Pair with fried or grilled fish for an authentic, country-inspired meal,” suggests Que Rica. Other lent-friendly options include Sinanglay, Vegan Bicol Express, and Rakenrol Chips. The aforementioned products are available on the brand’s website at querica.ph.

Que Rica’s pesco-vegetarian goodies (from left) Sinantolan, Laing, Vegan Bicol Express, and Laing with Shrimp.

BITES Playful doughnuts KRISPY Kreme’s limited edition five-piece Easter Doughnuts Collection is as sweet as it is colorful and adorable. Easter Chick is an unglazed doughnut, hand-dipped in yellow chocolate, filled with custard, and decorated as a cute little chick. Meanwhile, Easter Bunny is coated with white crisp chocolate, sprinkled with white sprinkle, topped with bunny’s ears made with white marshmallows, and decorated with pink sanding sugar. Easter Eggs is dry shell doughnut coated with lemon-flavored chocolate, piped with nest-like chocolate cream, and topped with flavored jelly bean candies (as the eggs). Rainbow Blush is an unglazed ring coated with strawberry chocolate, sprinkled with rainbow sprinkles, piped with vanilla cream, and decorated with rainbow gummy tape. Sky Butterfly, also an unglazed ring, is dipped in sky blue-colored chocolate, lightly topped with rainbow sprinkles, decorated with butterfly made with Saltletts Brezel and sour gummy worm candy. Prices of the Easter doughnuts start at P55 a piece and available until April 4 only. They’re available for delivery through 888-7900 or now.krispykreme.com.ph or via GrabFood, foodpanda, OrderMo, Mangan, and Groover.

Krispy Kreme’s colorful and adorable Easter Doughnuts Collection.

Customers may opt for contactless delivery on foodpanda by paying via credit or debit card or GCash.

On-demand delivery foodpanda encourages contactless transactions WITH COVID-19 cases rising in the country, which once again prompted stricter restrictions on movement in the Greater Manila Area, on-demand food delivery service foodpanda encourages customers to opt for contactless delivery. Here’s how: (1) Place an order and opt for online payment via credit or debit card or GCash; (2) Go to the rider chat function on the app and inform your rider that you are opting for contactless delivery, you may include instructions on where to leave your orders to make sure social distancing is followed; (3) Food will be placed at the designated drop-off spot; (4) The rider will notify customers that food has arrived via the rider chat function or call/SMS; (5) Customers may use the chat function to confirm receipt of their order. Throughout the delivery, foodpanda says, one-meter distance will be maintained between the rider and the customer. All riders are instructed to wear their masks at all times, wash their hands every two hours and after each time they handle a delivery, and to immediately seek medical check-up through the company’s affiliated clin-

ics and hospitals if they have symptoms of illness. As a special treat to customers, use the code STAYATHOME to get P100 off with minimum order of P499 from Mondays to Saturdays until March 31. Customers who will order via foodpanda using GCash can take advantage of discount vouchers available until end of March. First-time foodpanda users can use the code GCASHNEW to get P100 off for a minimum order of P200. Existing users, on the other hand, can use 50GCASH code once to get P50 off for a minimum order of P250; or enjoy free delivery on Sunday using the code GDAYSUNDAY. Customers can add their GCash wallet on the foodpanda app by checking out their orders and selecting GCash as the payment method to link their wallet. “With GCash, foodpanda customers nationwide are assured of safely and securely ordering without the need for paying cash or change, while observing social distancing protocols to protect them from the pandemic,” said Daniel Marogy, managing director of foodpanda Philippines.