Manila Standard - 2021 March 30 - Tuesday

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DUTERTE: BLEAK MONTHS AHEAD, COUNTRY ALMOST BACK TO ZERO By Joyce Pangco Pañares PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte warned of “bleak months ahead” as cases continue to surge and fresh lockdowns are imposed while the arrival of more vac-

cine doses remain uncertain. The President said the country is now “almost back to zero” as he lamented the tightening global supply of COVID-19 vaccines. “There is a ruckus – some countries

are dividing the vaccine supply among themselves. I cannot name these countries, but I want you to know how unfair it is really especially if you are on the side of the poor. We cannot do anything,” he said.

“We are really doing our very best -the best of our best talent -- to get vaccines from anywhere. Please stretch your patience and understanding. We are not a vaccine-producing country so all we can do is wait.”

“I want to cry in front of all of you, but all my tears have been spent. It feels like I am passing through purgatory until I am able to help all Filipinos,” the President said. Next page This table shows the areas under the new quarantine classifications for the month of April.

m fro s e i l 4 ek op Apri y We e c d o l m nte 31 t of Ho resu 5. i r p h e ll il No Marc anc rd wi Apr e r v a on bs tand tion o in he S lica T ub p VOL. XXXV • NO. 48 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOH: Health system choking

New cases climb to 10,016, ‘exponential’ surge likely without hard lockdown By Willie Casas

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HE country’s health system is “choking,” the Department of Health said Monday, as the Philippines logged a recordhigh 10,016 new COVID-19 infections even as stringent quarantine restrictions came into effect.

It was the third straight day when new COVID-19 cases exceeded 9,000, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 731,894. Monday’s tally was the highest daily case count since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, health care utilization rates were reaching 63 percent in Metro Manila and 58 percent in Calabarzon, DOH Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said. Active cases—those being treated or in isolation—continued to climb to 115,495,

which was 15.8 percent of the total cases. Of the active cases, 95.9 percent are mild; 2.4 percent are asymptomatic; 0.7 percent are critical; 0.7 percent are severe; and 0.41 percent are moderate. Sixteen new fatalities brought the COVID-19 death toll to 13,186, which is 1.8 percent of the total number of cases. The DOH also reported that 78 persons recovered from the disease recently, bringing the total recoveries to 603,213, Next page

PAID VACCINES. President Rodrigo Duterte holds up two vials of the CoronaVac vaccine from China’s Sinovac Biotech as he and

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (inset) welcomed the arrival of one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which the government paid for, as transported by Philippine Airlines on Monday. Presidential Photos

Rody allows private firms to import vaccines ‘at will’ TO ADDRESS the supply shortage for the coronavirus vaccine, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to allow private firms to import the jabs “at will.” “I have ordered Secretary Galvez to sign any and all documents to allow the private sector to import at will,” he said in his televised briefing Monday night. “Our next delivery of vaccines is supposed to be two million doses, but there is no assurance as to when these will arrive,” Duterte said. He said many private firms in the country want to purchase vaccines for their employees. “You know the reason why? So that the economy can be opened,” he said. The private sector will be allowed to purchase vaccines “immediately,” Duterte said. “There are so many restrictions, and workers come from all places, so it’s doubly hard for government to… Let’s be frank, the 1.2 million that have arrived are just enough for the frontliners, the health workers,” he said. The number of vaccines the country has received has been affected by

Erap confined for COVID, in stable condition

JABS FOR ELDERLY. An elderly woman receives a vaccine made by AstraZeneca for

the coronavirus as the city government of Navotas starts inoculating around 200 senior constituents who are registered in the COVID-19 vaccination program. The city government also provided free transportation to seniors, and family members accompanying them, to and from the vaccination site. Andrew Rabulan

FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was hospitalized late Sunday and was found positive for COVID-19, his sons said Monday. Estrada, 83, was taken to the hospital because he was weakening, former senator Jinggoy Estrada said. In a tweet Monday afternoon, another son, JV Ejercito, said the former chief executive waited overnight at the emergency room because of the hospital’s full occupancy. “My father was rushed yesterday afternoon but stayed overnight at the

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 29)

731,894 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

10,016 115,495 NEW

ACTIVE

13,186

16

603,213

78

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Defense chief 22.9m ‘low-income earners’ in ECQ areas to get aid in kind next month tiptoes on reef case with China Next page

By Vito Barcelo

AT LEAST 22.9 million people affected by the imposition of a weeklong enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces will receive financial aid by mid-

April, according to Malacanang. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte was going to officially announce this in his regular late evening Monday public address. In a press briefing, the Palace spokesman said he heard from Finance Secre-

tary Carlos Dominguez that the fund would be released next month. The “special amelioration assistance” will cover “low income” earners in the capital region and Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces, which are under ECQ -- the strictest of four quar-

Next page

antine levels -- until April 4, according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado. Sen. Christopher Go earlier said around P23 billion in funds are available for the planned assistance, which may be given in cash or in kind. Next page

‘Missing link’ animal still a puzzle to WHO probers of virus origin GENEVA—An international expert mission to Wuhan has concluded it was highly likely that Covid-19 first passed to humans from a bat through an intermediary animal, while all but ruling out a laboratory leak. The intermediate host hypothesis was deemed “likely to very likely”, while the theory that the virus escaped from a lab was seen as “extremely unlikely”, according to the

long-awaited report, which AFP obtained a copy of on Monday, before the official release. The report from the international mission to Wuhan has been keenly anticipated ever since the expert team left China more than a month ago. Delays in the publication of the findings, drafted in collaboration with the team’s Chinese counterparts, Next page

EMPTY MAKATI. Makati’s Central Business District looks like a ghost town as

some big business closed offices temporarily after the National Capital Region and four provinces were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine starting Monday until the end of April due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Lino Santos

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said deploying Filipino ships in the Julian Felipe Reef may “militarize” the area but quickly added “we have to avoid provocation” – with some 200 Chinese vessels there, reported by Beijing as taking shelter from bad weather. Lorenzana on Monday announced a Coast Guard ship might be stationed off Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea to monitor the large number of Chinese vessels that have massed in the vicinity since March 7. Lorenzana, in an interview with CNN Philippines, said Coast Guard ships would be constantly stationed in the area. “I think we are going to station a Coast Guard ship there continuously,” Next page

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News

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Amnesty program for rebels backed By Maricel V. Cruz

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PEAKER Lord Allan Velasco has reaffirmed the support of the House of Representatives for the Duterte administration’s amnesty program for Muslim and communist rebels who agreed to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.

He said amnesty was “necessary for the general interest of the Philippines and the Filipino people for a just and lasting peace.” Velasco said the creation of the National Amnesty Commission and the grant of amnesty in favor of MILF would “enable the delivery of an important commitment of the government under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly the gradual normalization of the previously conflict-affected areas.” “The amnesty will also provide a meaningful and complete transformation and assimilation of the MILF decommissioned combatants into peaceful and progressive lives towards national reconciliation and healing in the Bangsamoro,” he said. Velasco said Congress shared the President’s view on the need to declare

amnesty to MNLF members “to promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring equanimity.” “Both Houses of Congress recognize that transforming MNLF members from armed combatants to productive citizens and peace partners is necessary to achieve the paramount ends of the peace process—national unity, solidarity and progress for all Filipinos,” he said. In supporting the grant of amnesty to RPMP-RPA-ABB and CTG, Velasco said the legislature was one with the Duterte government in “nurturing a climate conducive for peace” and “addressing the root causes of armed conflict by harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities.”

“The amnesty program is a huge step toward achieving just and lasting peace in the country and giving former rebels a path back into civilian life,” Velasco said in a statement Velasco made the statement after the Committees on Justice and on National Defense and Security approved last Wednesday four resolutions concurring with the proclamations signed by President Rodrigo Duterte granting amnesty to members of four major rebel groups. Velasco led the filing of House Concurrent Resolution Numbers 12 to 15.

Last month, Duterte issued Proclamation 1090 to 1093 granting amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, Rebolusyunaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade, and Communist Terrorist Group who have committed crimes in “furtherance of their political beliefs.” Velasco said the granting of amnesty proved the Duterte administration’s sincerity and determination to attain sustainable peace in the country.

Rody... From A1

Joma welcomes anti-Rody parties, launches book

the jabs being “shanghaied” by other countries in an international “ruckus” that is causing the hold-up of vaccine delivery, Duterte said. Earlier in the day, the President witnessed the arrival of the government’s first procurement of COVID-19 vaccines totaling 1 million doses from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. The shipment of CoronaVac vaccines was airlifted on a commercial flight from Beijing, China. Duterte and several Cabinet members inspected the crate containing the vaccines and proceed with the ceremonial turnover of the CoronaVac vials. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines handled the transportation of the shipment, which landed in Manila around 4 p.m. PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline used its A330 aircraft for this all-cargo charter undertaking. This was the third shipment of CoronaVac vaccines from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. that arrived in the Philippines since February of this year. The first two batches were donated by the Chinese government and formed part of the nation’s current inoculation drive for medical frontliners and health care workers. Galvez, Jr. said majority of the procured vaccines will be arriving in the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2021. With the steady supply, the government aims to inoculate 500,000 Filipinos weekly in at least 4,500 vaccination sites across the country. Moreover, the government has already signed agreements with other pharmaceutical companies for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Moderna and Novavax. Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, meanwhile, assured the public that the agency will continue to expedite the processing, clearance and release of vaccines and related shipments. The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it aims to have all health workers included in the vaccination master list by March 31 as the country continues to inoculate members of priority sectors. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH had given implementing units until end of March to identify all health care workers. “We also have called on all health care professional societies, dental as-

‘Missing... From A1 had been blamed on coordination and translation issues, even as a diplomatic tug-of-war raged in the background over the report’s contents. During a lengthy press conference in Wuhan on February 9 at the end of the mission, the experts and their Chinese counterparts made clear that they could

22.9m... From A1 The Budget secretary could not yet confirm on how much would be given to those affected by the strict quarantine because the proposal was under review by the President. “But definitely, we ensure that there will be aid from our national government for those affected by ECQ in the NCR Plus bubble,” he added. The President may finalize the cash aid package during his meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force leading the country’s pandemic response, Roque added.

Half-day work for all PH courts on Mar. 31—SC By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has ordered a half-day work schedule for all courts nationwide on Wednesday, March 31. “Pursuant to the Supreme Court-approved Calendar for 2021. . . all courts nationwide shall observe a half-day (until 12:00 noon) work schedule on Wednesday, March 31, 2021,” Acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe said, in a directive. Courts in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have been declared physically closed until March 31 and throughout the duration of the Holy Week with the imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the areas. The SC earlier ordered that in `NCR Plus’, only urgent matters that need the attention of the courts would have to be attended to until noon of March 31. The half-day work will allow court officials and employees to have more time to prepare for the culmination of the Holy Week celebration which, for this year, starts on April 1, Maundy Thursday, and ends on April 4, Easter Sunday.

UTRECHT, The Netherlands—The Philippine underground revolutionary movement based here, led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, said it welcomed and would cooperate with anyone in fighting the Duterte administration. These points were stressed by Jose Ma. Sison, chief political consultant of the peace panel of the NDFP, during the launching Monday via Zoom of his much-awaited book “Upsurge of the People’s Resistance in the Philippines and the World”.

“The firm united front policy of the CPP and the NDFP relies primarily on the basic alliance of workers and peasants, including the middle and national bourgeoisie, thus they are in a position to cooperate with everyone fighting the Duterte regime,” Sison said. There was no immediately available comment or reaction from Malacanang, only a day after President Rodrigo Duterte celebrated his 76th birth anniversary in his hometown of Davao City on Sunday. In a statement, Sison said although Duterte became president because of

the support of the US politicians he named as the Marcoses, Estradas, and Arroyos, “it would be more difficult for Duterte to stay in power beyond 2022, according to Sison. He said US president Biden could allow Duterte to finish his term provided he kept his promise to the US to end the revolutionary movement, but that the US’ so-called deep state, which takes care of national security policy, strongly abhors and is deeply worried about China’s incursions in the south China sea and in Philippine military bases, which Duterte has allowed unhindered.

DOH:... From A1

end of April,” Vergeire said in a briefing. The country’s health system is “choking,” she said, as Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna—the provinces part of the “bubble”—are already at high to critical risk based on the two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate of COVID-19. “Our main objective in implementing stricter community quarantine is for us to have our health system capacity be manageable enough,” she said. Areas in the “bubble” will be under ECQ from March 29 to April 4. Vergeire said its effects will not be immediately evident due to the incubation period of the coronavirus, which takes up to 14 days. “This ECQ aims to slow down the surge of cases, stop the spread of the variants, allow the health system to recover, and of course, to protect more lives,” she said. But DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said the ECQ from March 29 to April 4 will cause cases to “slightly decline but [cases] will increase one week after the end of ECQ.” A projection by modeling tool FASSSTER showed that cases in Metro Manila could still breach 500,000 if

it reverts to the “bubble” policy along with Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and Laguna after the one-week ECQ. More than 300,000 of the 721,892 infections nationwide as of Sunday afternoon are in Metro Manila. “That’s why one of the proposals of our experts is maybe we need to extend the ECQ for us to see a continued decrease in cases,” De Guzman said in a Palace briefing. The health official also said the country posted a 126 percent two-week growth rate of COVID-19 cases, meaning infections recorded from March 14 to 27 were two times higher than the same figures from Feb. 28 to March 13. De Guzman urged the public to observe health protocols, seek early testing and isolation after developing symptoms, and cooperate with contact tracers. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the government’s decision to place the National Capital Region (NCR) and four other provinces under an ECQ was timely. Lorenzana, who is also chairman of the National Task Force Against Covid-19, said the timing was “just right” as the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) was monitoring the spike of new COVID-19 cases.

tive Region - Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2 - Batangas - Tacloban City - Iligan City - Davao City - Lanao del Sur All other areas shall be placed under the least stringent Modified General Community Quarantine. NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan) shall remain under Enhanced Community Quarantine until April 4. “Quarantine restrictions will be loos-

ened or tightened depending on the result of the cases,” the President said. The President assured affected residents in the NCR Plus areas that financial aid will be given. Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said 22.9 million Filipinos will receive cash aid of P1,000 each, but not more than P4,000 per household. He said the supplemental amelioration program will cover 80 percent of the total population of the NCR Plus bubble. Almost half of the beneficiaries are from Metro Manila at 11.2 million, followed by Cavite at 3.4 million, Bulacan at 3 million, Laguna at 2.7 million and Rizal at 2.6 million.

not yet draw any firm conclusions. this scenario was “possible to likely”. But they said they had worked to rank A more likely scenario, the report a number of hypotheses according to found, was that the virus had first how likely they were. jumped from bats to another animal, which in turn infected humans. ‘Missing link’ “Although the closest related viruses Experts believe that the SARS-CoV-2 have been found in bats, the evolutionvirus that causes the Covid-19 disease ary distance between these bat viruses originally came from bats. and SARS-CoV-2 is estimated to be One theory examined was that the several decades, suggesting a missing virus jumped directly from bats to hu- link,” the report said. mans. The final report determined that “The scenario including introduc-

tion through an intermediary host was considered to be likely to very likely,” it said, although it did not conclude which animal may have first allowed the virus to jump to humans. The report meanwhile did not rule out transmission through frozen food -- Beijing’s favoured theory -- since the virus appears to be able survive at freezing temperatures, saying that “introduction via cold/food chain products is considered possible”.

Mayors who jumped the line in COVID-19 vaccinations have yet to respond to show-cause orders issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. DILG officer-in-charge Bernando Florece said the mayors were given three days to file their response. Only Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City has filed a response, Florece said.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington stood with the Philippines as China maritime militia ships swarm around Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. “The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of the PRC’s maritime militia amassing at WhitsunReef,” Blinken posted on his Twitter account. “We will always stand by our allies and stand up for the rules-based international order,” he added. Blinken made the statement as Lorenzana assured the public the government was assessing the situation in Julian Felipe Reef and was ready to defend the country’s sovereignty.

“I assure our people that we are addressing the situation. We stand by our position calling for the immediate withdrawal of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, which was communicated to the Chinese Ambassador,” Lorenzana said last weekend. “We are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines,” he added. At the same time, Lorenzana announced that more Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard ships would be sent to the area. “There will be an increased presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard ships to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,” he stressed.

which is 82.4 percent of the total. Nationwide, 58 percent of the total ICU bed capacity is in use; 45 percent of the total isolation bed capacity is in use; 45 percent of the total ward bed capacity is in use; and 39 percent of all ventilators are in use. In the National Capital Region, 76 percent of the total ICU bed capacity is in use; 70 percent of the total isolation bed capacity is in use; 59 percent of the total ward bed capacity is in use; and 57 percent of all ventilators are in use. The DOH said Monday the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces was reimposed to stop active COVID-19 cases from climbing to 430,000 by the end of April. DOH spokesperson Vergeire said projections showed that “further exponential increase [was] likely” if the government did not impose “harder lockdowns or harder measures.” “They said that if we don’t implement immediate and harder measures, we will see 430,000 cases by April 30 nationally and 350,000 cases in NCR alone by the

Duterte:... From A1 To further curb the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, the President approved the following quarantine restrictions: 1. Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine City of Santiago in Isabela (April 1-30) Quirino province (April 1-15) 2. General Community Quarantine from April 1-30 Entire Cordillera Administra-

While Avisado did not confirm this figure, he said the aid would come from the “remaining unutilized balances of Bayanihan 2,” the country’s second pandemic stimulus package. He said the latest assistance would be “definitely lower than what we have given during the Bayanihan 1.” Last year, 18 million families received P5,000 to P8,000 in cash aid each from the government to help them cope with the pandemic. Avisado said he “cannot say more” because the proposal was under review by Duterte’s office. “ But definitely, we ensure that there will be aid from our national government for those affected by ECQ in the NCR Plus bubble,” he said.

Defense... From A1 he said. The Philippine Navy will still be in the general vicinity so as not to be accused of “provoking an incident” and “militarizing the area”. There have been no physical confrontations but Lorenzana noted the Chinese vessels had sent out “warnings” for the Philippine ships not to approach them. In the meantime, a Philippine air force jet is conducting daily patrols over Chinese fishing vessels parked near the reef, Lorenzana said, as Beijing refuses to pull the ships out of the area.

Erap... From A1 emergency room because no room was available,” Ejercito, also a former senator, said. Estrada was admitted only by 11 a.m. Former President Gloria Arroyo on Monday said she hoped for the swift recovery of Estrada, her predecessor. “I wish to extend my warmest wishes for a speedy recovery to former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and all those battling Covid-19. You are in my thoughts and prayers,” Arroyo, also a former speaker, said in a statement sent to reporters covering the House of Representatives.

Belmonte tests positive again

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Monday she has contracted the coronavirus disease for the second time. “Eight months after my first bout with COVID-19, I am very sad to report that I have once again tested positive for the virus,” she said on Facebook. The mayor first tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, in July last year. Belmonte said she was only experiencing mild symptoms and was at a quarantine facility in the city.

PCOO chief positive too

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday said he has been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease. “Though I am asymptomatic, I was immediately isolated and placed on home quarantine,” Andanar said in a statement. “Rest assured, I am okay, and I will still continue to work hard and to perform my duties well, including hosting regular shows to inform the public, as I recuperate from the virus.” He also asked the public not to entertain “the claims of malicious gossip mongers, that are being circulated through text messages” on his violating travel restrictions, saying he would never jeopardize the well-being of others.

No response yet from mayors

News

TUESDAY, 30, 2021

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Petitioners seek Anti-Terror Act TRO anew By Rey E. Requejo

Foreign parents of citizens are allowed to enter

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etitioners have again urged the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of the controversial Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, following the alleged life-threatening acts of intelligence gathering and profiling being undertaken by the Interior department.

By Vito≠≠ Barcelo THE foreign parents of Filipino citizens who have valid visas and are traveling with them may now enter the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said Monday. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new rule was pursuant to the latest resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. “If they are traveling alone, they will not be allowed entry even if they hold valid visas as the rules provide that they must be traveling with their Philippine spouse or children,” he said. Earlier, only foreign spouses and children of Filipinos traveling with them and who held valid visas were exempted from the travel ban, which the government had imposed on all foreign nationals from March 22 to April 20. Morente, however, said that in the case of foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, the foreign parents of Filipinos must likewise be traveling with the latter and should have valid visas to be able to enter the country. Meanwhile, travelers outside “NCR Plus” with international flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be allowed to enter the bubble, the Department of Transportation said on Monday. In a virtual briefing, Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon said those in the areas outside Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan would be allowed to enter the bubble if they had outgoing international flights amid the enhanced community quarantine.

CHECKPOINTS. A policeman checks the identity document of a motorist at a quarantine checkpoint along a highway in Cainta, Rizal on March 29, while on Monday midnight, members of the Manila Police District set up a checkpoint along España Boulevard during the start of the week-long enhanced community quarantine for the NCR Plus bubble. Norman Cruz

Senate committee okays amendments to RA 10742 By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Senate Committee on Youth has approved amendments to Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 to further enhance the participation of young men and women in local governance. Senator Sonny Angara, the chairman of the Committee on Youth, on Monday sponsored Senate Bill 2124, a product of extensive consultations with the SK Federations, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, the National

Youth Commission, the academe and other stakeholders. In August last year, the Committee on Youth also held an inquiry into the implementation of RA 10742 to gather inputs on which provisions of the law are working and the possible amendments needed to improve the system. Senate Bill 2124 was filed in substitution of Senate Bills 1088, 1266 and 1401 filed by Senators Angara, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Imee Marcos, respectively, all seeking to amend RA 10742. Among the amendments contained in the bill is the grant of monthly honoraria

to SK members, secretaries and treasurers. Only the SK chairpersons are now entitled to honoraria by virtue of their status as ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Barangays. “The issue of honoraria or, in this case the lack of it, has been cited as one of the main reasons why fewer people want to join the SK,” Angara said. “We recognize the importance of getting the youth involved in local governance and how this experience contributes to their development as future leaders so we should provide them with all the support we can give.”

In a manifestation before the high court, the petitioners said the DILG recently issued a memo red-tagging the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. The lawyers and petitioners against the ATA insisted on the need for the high court to stop the enforcement of the law to protect the rights of Filipino citizens. “The DILG memorandum is undeniable proof that the affiliate unions, federations and associations of COURAGE and ACT, as well as their individual members and officers, are among the targets of the government’s vicious crackdown on dissent and activism under the Anti-Terrorism Act,” the petitioners said. They said declaring the legitimate organizations such as COURAGE and ACT as “front organizations” was a “prima facie act of designation…, and under the ATA this could trigger grievous consequences.” In their plea for an order the stop the law’s implementation, the lawyers and the petitioners said DILG Assistant Secretary for Public Safety and Security Alexander Macario reportedly issued a memorandum on March 10 on the subject of “Membership of Employees of the Department in the COURAGE”.

Senior citizens get inoculated By Willie Casas MANILA has started inoculating its senior citizens against COVID-19 as it seeks to finish inoculating its healthcare workers. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the vaccines for senior citizens may be administered simultaneously with those for healthcare frontliners, who are given priority in the government’s vaccination protocols. Among the first senior citizens to receive the vaccines were residents of Barangay 163, with the vaccines being administered by Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan. “That’s simultaneous. While we are finishing the healthcare workers, we can start giving the AstraZeneca to our senior citizens and the Sinovac to those with comorbidities,” said Lacuna-Pangan on

“24 Oras Weekend.” Cabotaje likewise called on healthcare frontliners to make sure they were on the master list to be able to receive COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. “We are calling for the last mile registration because some of the healthcare workers do not know or forgot how they can be included in the master list,” Cabotaje said. More than 1,300 senior citizens have been targeted against COVID-19 during Sunday’s immunization of the elderly in this city. According to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, as of 5:50 p.m. of Sunday 1,309 senior citizens were vaccinated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca. Manila has been given the clearance to start the inoculation of senior citizens together with the health care workers of

GRIM MEMORIAL. Coffins are placed on top of anti communist banners displayed at the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City and Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City on Sunday evening. Witnesses said four unidentified men set the coffin on a table with the banner. Norman Cruz

Dead inmate’s kin seeking justice By Jun David

FOOD AID. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez inspects the preparations made by

the Parañaque City Local Government on Monday in helping every family anew in the city amid the enhanced community quarantine in NCR Plus due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Parañaque PIO

THE relatives of an inmate in the Caloocan City Jail, who died recently after allegedly being assaulted in what is known as takalan by jail guards and the prison’s mayor, are seeking justice. The family of the victim, identified as Jenold Latara, 34, a native of General Santos City, is calling on P/Col. Samuel Mina, Caloocan City’s chief of police and Caloocan City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan to help them get an autopsy and clarify what really happened to the victim. Based on the statement by Latara’s wife, city jail personnel called his sister around 1 p.m. on 19 March 2021 informing her he was allegedly at the Caloocan City Medical Center. However, when they reached the hospital they were sent to the morgue where they found Latara’s body. His family questioned the circumstance that led to his death because he

was lively when he made a video call to his sister and parents on 17 and 18 March 2021. However, he complained that he could not walk well because he had just received a beating, which he said normally occurred in jail. Latara’s sister said she even went to the city jail on 17 March 2021 to give him P1,500, which she handed over to the prison guards. She even confronted a jail guard who apparently filched the money she earlier asked to be given to the victim. However, the victim called his sister about the incident because he was almost beaten for it. He said he knelt and begged before an unnamed person not to be beaten. They said this was the last time they were able to talk to Latara. Wanting to know what happened to her husband, Latara’s wife went to the jail and met someone who told her her husband was beaten up. He fell ill after a beating he had that injured his leg, the man said.

P12-million worth of smuggled goods seized in two warehouses By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano MORE than P12 million worth of smuggled goods were seized by joint elements of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Coast Guard following a raid of a warehouse in Mandaluyong and Parañaque City.

The Bureau of Customs said at least P5 million worth of boxes of various Chinese cigarettes and medicines such as the Linhua Qingwen Jiaonang, reportedly a medicine used for Covid-19 treatment, were confiscated from a storage facility in Mandaluyong City. In Parañaque, the BOC confiscated Chinese cigarettes, face masks, face shields and medicines worth more than

P7 million from a second storage facility. Alvin Enciso, chief of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port, said they were conducting a series of raids in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to go after traders taking advantage of the pandemic. “Our campaign is in response to traders who take advantage of the pandemic

to smuggle illegal medicines and contrabands into the country,” Enciso said. During the raid, government operatives also found a makeshift clinic and two intravenous sets in the facility that believes being used to treat patients suspected of having Covid-19. The BOC, in coordination with the PCG and the NBI, launched the simultaneous operation.

Company donates X-ray machine CLARK FREEPORT—Clark Development Corp. has donated a portable xray machine worth P3.8 million to the Provincial Government of Pampanga, which will be used in several quarantine facilities in the province. Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda personally received the x-ray machine and expressed his gratitude to CDC for the donation on Monday. “This x-ray machine is number one in monitoring whether a patient’s pneumonia is progressing. We want to thank General [Manuel] Gaerlan, the President and CEO of CDC. This is a big help to our provincial government in mitigating COVID-19,” Pineda said during the turover. The turnover was followed by the signing of a deed of donation that was led by Pineda and CDC Vice President for Security Services Group PBGen. Sheldon G. Jacaban at the Session Hall of the Pampanga Provincial Capitol. Among those who witnessed the signing were Provincial Administrator Charlie Chua, Pampanga Board Members Ananias Canlas Jr., Paul Balingit, Fritzie Dizon and Cherry Manalo. Jacaban, who is also a retired Police Brigadier General, represented CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan and acknowledged Pineda’s message.

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Kerosene price Palace hits ‘crab mentality’ of people criticizing Rody’s birthday down by P1.40/l, By Vito Barcelo gas by P1.20/l By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL COMPANIES cut pump prices by P1.40 per liter for kerosene, P1.30/l for diesel and P1.20/l for gasoline effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world market. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Total Philippines, PetroGazz and Cleanfuel issued separate advisories of the oil price rollback while other companies are expected to follow suit. “Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will decrease the prices of diesel by P1.30 per liter and gasoline by P1.20 per liter effective 6AM of 30 March 2021,” the company said. Unioil Philippines was the first to announce the price cut on Saturday “to reflect the changes in the international oil market.” World oil prices last week declined due to a renewed rise in COVID-19 cases in the US and lockdowns in Europe, dampening prospects of a global oil recovery. Oil prices, however, slightly went up this week due to the ongoing blockage of the Ever Given vessel which ran aground at the Suez canal, affecting supply and deliveries. On March 23, oil companies also implemented a price rollback of P0.35P0.44 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 adjustment 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, data from the Department of Energy showed. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian earlier welcomed the planned resumption of operation of Petron Corp.’s 180,000 barrels per day refinery in Bataan by midyear as it will ensure the continuous employment of at least 3,000 workers and contribute to supply stability. Petron temporarily ceased its refinery operation in February due to economic reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

MALACAÑANG defended President Rodrigo Duterte from critics after photos of his 76th birthday celebration in Davao City on Sunday went viral on social media. Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go on

Sunday released a photo of the President blowing a candle placed on top of a cup of rice, next to a plate with leftover pancit, as he extolled the Duterte’s simple lifestyle. Netizens, however, were quick to post photos taken from a wider angle which showed the full birthday spread that in-

cluded lechon. A video of the celebration was also posted online showing the President playfully swatting at the lower body of his maid but not making contact. Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite, in a Twitter post, said: “Acting poor for your

birthday photo ops when you’re not really poor is just mocking those who truly have nothing to put on their tables for their own birthdays.” But presidential spokesman Harry Roque said those criticizing Duterte are exhibiting crab mentality.

Flight caps causing ‘great harm’ By Darwin Amojelar

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HE government’s strict daily cap for international passenger arrivals at the Manila airport would have a “minimal impact” on COVID-19 prevention but will “cause great harm” to the industry, a source from the aviation sector said.

MOON GLOW. A snap shot of the “Worm” moon taken at the Luneta Grandstand in Manila. This is the first supermoon for the year—meaning the moon is slightly closer to Earth, thus appearing bigger and brighter in the sky. Lino Santos

DOJ to investigate killing of labor leader By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice will find out whether there is basis for an inter-agency task force focused on extrajudicial killings to conduct an investigation into the killing of labor Dandy Miguel on Sunday. “We’ll do a preliminary assessment first,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said. “If there’s any indication that Miguel’s death had something to do

with his being a labor leader, the AO 35 committee will include his case for investigation,” he added. Police authorities said Miguel, vice chairperson of Pamantik Kilusang Mayo Uno, was shot dead Sunday evening in Calamba City, Laguna. The labor group condemned Miguel’s killing and immediately linked his death to the government’s crackdown on suspected leftist activists. According to Guevarra, the pre-

liminary assessment would likely take place this week. Under Administrative Order 35, prosecutors will lead a team of investigators from law enforcement agencies to conduct the probe. The AO 35 task force on extrajudicial killings is also investigating the deaths of nine activists in simultaneous police operations in Calabarzon on March 7, and the killings of activists Randall Echanis and Zara Alvarez last year.

“Risks of virus spread are low, if not negligible, because any infected passengers are identified and isolated by the strict testing regime for all arrivals before they are allowed to proceed to the community,” the source said. The source added that the COVID-19 positivity rate of returning overseas Filipinos is less than one percent during the March 1 to 10 period. “So why limit arrivals when the virus threat is not coming from abroad?” “Surgical measures will help: containment within high density communities, speeding up of vaccination, better contact tracing -- not by using blunt instruments such as arrival caps and passenger bans that have little impact on COVID prevention but cause great harm,” the source added. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases imposed a 1,500 daily cap on arrivals divided among various airlines to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The arrival cap was originally at 4,000 per day in December, reduced to 2,000 daily in January, increased to 3,500 before being set at 1,500. The new policy of IATF affected about 25,000 passengers so far. Philippine Airlines recently announced more than 75 cancelled flights for Mar. 18 to April 5. Canceled PAL flights are from Japan, Qatar, UAE, US, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM’S CURATED VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOU GROUNDED THIS HOLY WEEK LAST week, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered that the NCR Plus which consists of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine as new COVID-19 cases surged to record levels. This means non-essential travel outside the bubble is prohibited from March 29 - April 4, 2021, in a bid to arrest the surging new cases of COVID-19. With this, Manila Standard and the Department of Tourism (DOT) curated a list of virtual activities to keep you grounded during the lent season: MANILA Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

“PASYON: Senakulo Filipino” | Bulacan Schedule: March 29 - April 4, 2021 Many towns have their version of ‘senákulo,’ a play where locals dramatically depict the Passion of Jesus Christ, complete with costumes and stage sets. It’s an interesting mix of religious devotion and pageantry. Senakulo is an activity to teach the youth about the teachings of the Lord according to Caritas Dei, Inc. which made its vow to uphold Filipino culture while serving the Lord. Even with the pandemic, Caritas Dei is committed to preserving the tradition of Bulakenyos and their commitment to perform the Senakulo during Holy Week. In line with this, film viewing of their highly-touted production will commence in different churches across Bulacan from March 29 until April 4, 2021. Watch the play through this link: https://www.ktx.ph/ category/senakulo-filipino

“We all know you’re all excited to visit our local destinations, but we all have to stay home and stay safe for now,” said Tourism Administrative Officer Errol Sabile. “This was done para maengganyo ulit ang mga tao, na hindi makalimot, na meron pa rin na tourism destination sa Tarlac after pandemic,” added Sabile, who spearheaded the production of the videos with writer Diogenes Simbol. Access the short virtual tours here: https://drive.google.com/ drive/u/2/folders/15nXwLnmQw8HSf3lVA9lZT-JiEqGq_3zR REGION 4-A LAGUNA San Pablo Cathedral, Laguna

BATAAN

Intramuros Administration’s Holy Week Activities goes Virtual | Manila Intramuros has temporarily closed popular tourist sites such as the Fort Santiago, the Casa Manila Museum, Plaza Roma, Baluarte De San Diego, and the President’s Gallery “until further notice.” In response, Intramuros Administration (IA) has shifted its Lenten activities like the Stations of the Cross and Visita Iglesia to a virtual platform that gives the public access to the sights and treasures of the historic Walled City, especially during the commemoration of 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. Intramuros Learning Session with Bro. Ivan Kendrick Panganiban “MGA MAHAL NA ARAW, MGA BANAL NA ARAW: Theology and Heritage of Faith in Holy Week Practices in the Philippines” Schedule: Monday, March 29, 2021, at 3:00 PM IA-led Virtual Visita Iglesia This will showcase different Churches and Chapels inside the Walled City. Schedule: Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021. Virtual Stations of the Cross taken inside the historic Fort Santiago Schedule: Good Friday, April 2, 2021. All these virtual events will be posted on Intramuros Administration’s official Facebook page or at https://www. facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration You may also check The Manila Cathedral’s Facebook page, fb.com/themanilacathedral, for the daily Masses and other online Holy Week activities.

TARLAC Short Virtual Tours of Tarlac | Tarlac Province Schedule: Ongoing

Visita Iglesia Laguna | Laguna Laguna is truly home to a number of the most beautiful churches in the country. It’s also proud for being one of the first provinces to create ‘virtual church visitation’ in the Philippines. Check out these majestic edifices, in detail, without leaving your home. Among its featured churches is the San Pablo Cathedral with its neo-classic facade established by the Augustinian friars in 1586, with the present structure built in 1714. Other churches in Laguna featured are San Isidro Labrador Parish in Calauan, San Agustin Parish in Bay, La Ressurreccion Parish in Victoria. In a Facebook post, the Laguna Tourism Culture Arts and Trade Office says the virtual Visita Iglesia in Laguna will “bring us to the different Diocesan Churches in Laguna, beginning from San Pedro City to Santa Maria on the other side of our beautiful province.” According to the office, the virtual tours allow people to walk through the entire expanse of each church while allowing viewers to see details from its mural paintings to religious artifacts. Virtual Visita Iglesia Link - https://virtual.reality.travel/ visita-iglesia-laguna/ Virtual Visita Iglesia in Laguna Launching- https://www. facebook.com/LTCATO/videos/449682332967107

Thanks to the “Travel Tomorrow” initiative of Tarlac, a series of short virtual tours have been made available not only for Tarlaceños, but for everyone to see. This includes the Capas National Shrine in Capas, The La Sagrada Familia Church in Gerona, and the Canarem Lake Bird Sanctuary in Victoria, to name a few.

QUEZON Dulaan sa Lansangan 2021 - The Virtual Edition | Quezon Schedule: March 31, 2021 One unique way that the people of Quezon province showcase their customs, traditions, and local heritage is through the “Dulaang Lansangan” activity of Sariaya that highlights the talents of its people. According to the tourism office of Sariaya, the municipality still finds it necessary to hold the activity to “relive biblical events pertinent to the life, tribulations and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ despite the pandemic.” And this is through giving the public access to their

Virtual Tours of Bataan | Bataan Schedule: Ongoing Explore the province of Bataan, a place which has witnessed the defeat and triumph of heroic Filipinos. Explore their 360° virtual tour offering which includes Five Fingers Cove, Philippine - Japan Friendship Tower, and other must-see destinations. “Until it’s safe to physically travel to these destinations, #DitoMunaTayo,” says Behold Bataan, the tourism arm of the province of Bataan while recommending the following digital destinations among their 21 total virtual tours: Mt. Samat (https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/tours/WgsD9Boxey) Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (https://virtualtour. beholdbataan.ph/tours/A91QBFxI-7) Minor Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani (https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/tours/H1Qhqn3S14)

REGION 3 BULACAN

religious events digitally. This year’s event will be entirely different from the usual street and stage performances of the group as everything will be streamed live on Facebook simultaneously. You can access the pre-recorded videos on March 31, 2021 via Sariaya Tourism Official Facebook Page here: https://web.facebook. com/tourismsariaya/?_rdc=1&_rdr REGION 7 “Bound by History: Magellan, Santo Nino, and the Beginnings of the Augustinian Evangelization” Part 3 #SantoNinoAt500 The talks will revolve around The Augustinians: Their Pioneering Missionary Work and its Impact on the Faith Growth and the Philippine Society on April 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. (PST). This is the third of the three-part Santo Niño at 500 webinar series “Bound by History: Magellan, Santo Niño, and the Beginnings of the Augustinian Evangelization” organized by the Santo Niño at 500 Committee of the Order of Saint Augustine - Province of Santo Niño de Cebu and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee, Republic of the Philippines, Cultural and Historical Affairs Office - Cebu City, 500 Years of Christianity - Archdiocese of Cebu and Philippine Embassy in Spain. Fun fact, there are actually 34 historical markers that will be unveiled within this celebratory period. If you’d like to know more about these incredible milestones like the 500th Anniversary of the Victory at Mactan or the 500th Anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world, you may visit https://nqc.gov.ph/en/# CASA Gorordo’s “Online Procession” Schedule: April 1, 2021 | Afternoon

“Having our century-old carrozas be part of the procession during the Semana Santa is one of our House Traditions. We are virtually keeping it alive this year by sharing this short video clip,” says Rave Axl Fabria, Museum Officer of Casa Gorordo Museum, a house museum located in the historic Parian area of Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines. “We hope that everyone stays home safe and celebrates a meaningful Holy Week in this difficult time,” as he invites everyone to visit their Facebook Page https://web.facebook. com/casagorordomuseum?_rdc=1&_rdr to view their short video presentation. According to the DOT, the Holy Week has always been a strategic opportunity for growth in the tourism sector, however, the department’s goals for the sector will have to yield given the recent surge in COVID cases. “Hopefully, these will pave the way to a safer and more resilient resumption of tourism activities in the future,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat. “With this, we would also like to express our gratitude to the hotel industry and airlines for allowing their clients to rebook without penalties as they support the goals of this administration for a healthy and safe tourism industry,” she added. So, soak up learnings as well as renew your appreciation of the various cultures and significant historical events in the Philippines from the safety of your home through these virtual events this coming Holy Week!

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World

TODAY TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

‘Outrageous’ Myanmar bloodshed Y

Ever Given ship moved ‘80%’ in right direction CAIRO—The massive container ship blocking the Suez Canal for almost a week has been turned 80 percent in the right direction, officials said Monday, raising hopes the vital trade route could soon be clear. But its owner said that while the giant ship “has turned”, it was still not yet afloat. The MV Ever Given, longer than four football fields, has been wedged diagonally across the canal since Tuesday, strangling world supply chains and costing the global economy billions. Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chief Osama Rabie said Monday that rescue efforts with tugs had succeeded in shifting the front and back of the ship. “The position of the ship has been reorientated 80 percent in the right direction,” Rabie in a statement. “The stern... moved to 102 metres (335 feet) from the shore,” compared to its position four metres from the shore previously. Efforts to refloat it will resume on the next high tide. The SCA statement said that the refloating process “will resume when water flow increases again from 11:30 local time... in order to completely refloat the vessel, so as to reposition it in the middle of the waterway.” According to the Vesselfinder and myshiptracking sites, the stern could be seen to have shifted from the canal’s western bank. ‘Not afloat’ An official from the 200,000-tonne ship’s owners, Shoei Kisen, said while the Ever Given “has turned”, it “is not afloat.” The ship had been “stuck at an angle of 30 degrees towards the canal, but that has eased,” said the official. “A total of 11 tug boats have been pulling Ever Given since this morning,” they added, saying that while there was damage sustained by the ship on its bow when it got stuck, “but no new damage has been reported.” It is not yet clear when traffic along the canal will resume. A canal official, who requested anonymity, said that the team on the ground had started technical checks, and were reassured that the ship’s motor was working. AFP

ANGON—US President Joe Biden has led global condemnation of an “absolutely outrageous” crackdown by Myanmar’s junta that left more than 100 people—including several children—dead in the bloodiest day since the coup two months ago.

UP IN FLAMES. A massive fire rages at the Balongan refinery, operated by state oil company Pertamina, in Indramayu, West Java, on March 29 (Story below fold). AFP

Floyd’s murder trial to begin; family demands justice MINNEAPOLIS—George Floyd must receive justice, his family said ahead of opening arguments Monday in the trial of the white police officer accused of killing the Black man, whose agonizing death ignited protests against racism and police brutality across the United States and around the world. “I have a big hole right now in my heart. It can’t be patched up ... I need justice for George. We need a conviction,” Floyd’s brother Philonise told reporters in Minneapolis Sunday. Derek Chauvin, a veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, faces murder and manslaughter charges for his role in the May 25, 2020 death of the 46-year-old Floyd. Chauvin, 44, who was fired from the police force along with three other officers, could be sentenced to up to 40 years

in prison if convicted of the most serious charge—second-degree murder. “I have faith that he will get convicted,” Philonise Floyd said Sunday. The Minneapolis-based StarTribune newspaper called the trial “a defining moment in America’s racial history.” Floyd’s cause of death is expected to be the central issue in the case, and a key piece of evidence is likely to be the bystander-filmed video of his death that went viral and triggered a summer of anti-racism protests. Chauvin was seen in the video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while arresting him for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill. While lying with his face in the street, the handcuffed Floyd complains that he cannot breathe and calls out for his mother.

Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, is expected to argue that the officer was following police procedure and claim that Floyd’s death was due to an overdose of the drug fentanyl and underlying health conditions. Ben Crump, a lawyer for the Floyd family, said Sunday that the defense would attack Floyd’s character in hope that “you forget what you saw on that video.” Opening arguments are to begin at 9:00 am Central time (1400 GMT) in a heavily guarded Minneapolis courtroom for a trial being closely watched around the world. Proceedings are expected to last about a month. Fifteen jurors have been selected, though Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill is expected to drop one juror on Monday and proceed with 12 and two alternates. AFP

Soldiers and police have killed hundreds in brutal suppression against weeks of mass protests demanding a restoration of democracy and the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 107 more people were killed on Saturday, the United Nations said, as the regime staged a major show of might for Armed Forces Day—an annual parade showcasing Myanmar’s military prowess. “It’s absolutely outrageous and based on the reporting I’ve gotten, an awful lot of people have been killed totally unnecessarily,” Biden told reporters on Sunday. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the junta’s celebration of its armed forces had been blighted by “a day of horror and of shame”. The latest chorus of international condemnation came after the defense chiefs of the United States, Britain, Japan and nine other countries denounced the Myanmar military. “A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting—not harming—the people it serves,” the rare joint statement said. The death toll from crackdowns since the February 1 coup has climbed to at least 459, according to the Assistance A ssociation for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group. AAPP said a further 13 people were killed on Sunday, as funerals were held for some of the victims, after the deadliest day of violence in the eight weeks since the coup. In Mandalay, the country’s cultural capital, the family of Aye Ko mourned at a funeral service after he was killed overnight. AFP

Aussie Cabinet ministers demoted SYDNEY—Two Australian ministers were demoted from top cabinet posts Monday as the ruling conservative party tried to draw a line under dual rape scandals that have convulsed national politics. Linda Reynolds was removed as defense minister and Christian Porter as attorney-general, as embattled Prime Minister Scott Morrison bowed to weeks of mounting public pressure. Porter—the government’s top legal officer and a former state prosecutor— is accused of raping a 16-year-old fellow student in 1988, an allegation he REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 91, Quezon City IN THE MATTER OF THE RECTIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF THE SIMULATED BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF PAUL MATHEW FONTECHA ESCOREAL AND CHANGE OF NAME TO MARCO FONTECHA ARAGON

denies. The woman died last June, reportedly by suicide. Reynolds was accused of mishandling an investigation into the alleged rape of a young staffer in her parliamentary office and referring to the woman as a “lying cow.” Both ministers have been on leave for weeks, with Morrison previously insisting they would return to their jobs. Now, both will remain in government but manage the less coveted portfolios of government services for Reynolds, and industry, science, and technology for Porter. The allegations against Porter and Reynolds spurred protests across Australia, with tens of thousands of women taking to the streets to call for gender equality and an end to sexual violence.

MC PAUL D. ARAGON and MARCO FONTECHA ARAGON, Petitioners, -versus-

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

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

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

ORDER

This is a verified petition filed by the petitioners praying that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered ordering the public respondents the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority to cause the corresponding correction of entries in the Certificate of Liver Birth of Marco Fontecha Aragon, specifically: Entry No.: I; Details: Name of Child; From: Paul Mathew Fontecha Escoreal To: Marco Fontecha Aragon Entry No.: 13; Details: Name of Father; From: Paul Misola Escoreal To Mc Paul D. Aragon Entry No.: 18; Details: Date & Place of Marriage of Parents; From: January 10, 1980, Municipal Judge, San Narciso, Zambales To: N/A Entry No.: 20; Details: Informant’s Relationship to the Child; From: Father To: N/A Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on April 23, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Room 403 Hall of Justice Building Annex, Elliptical Road, Quezon City. All interested parties are required to appear and show cause during the said hearing why the petition should or should not be granted. Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioners once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of General Circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079. Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, Office of the City Prosecutors, Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority of this Order, together with the copy of the Petition and its Annexes. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, January 7, 2021. (Sgd.) KATHLEEN ROSARIO D. DELA CRUZ-ESPINOSA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Atty. Eric Estella Ebarle Counsel for the Petitioners Ablola-Ebarle Law Office 2nd Floor, RHOI Bldg., Palanginan, Iba, Zambales Mr. Paul D. Aragon/Marco Fontecha Aragon Petitioners Brgy. Locloc, Paluaig, Zambales

(MStandard - Mar. 17, 24 & 30, 2021)

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JULIETA P. LOBITAÑA, who passed away last March 3, 2012 at Otis, Paco, Manila and left a real property pursuant to a contract to sell executed between Plus Builders Inc. and Jesus H. Lobitana and Julieta P. Lobitaña dated Feb. 11, 1997, has been the subject of an “Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver of Rights” executed on March 10, 2021 by her legal heirs before Notary Public Atty. Ramil S. Sasi as per Doc. No. 158; Page No. 33; Book No. XIII; Series of 2021.

(MS-MAR. 18/25/30, 2021)

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given to the public that the Extra Judicial Settlement of the Intestate Estate of Teresita C. Trinidad has been executed by and among her heirs, namely: Melissa Mae T. Maronilla, Ana Margarita T. Maronilla, Imelda Rose M. Sison and Julie Ann M. Manas, as per Doc. No. 158; Page No. 33; Book No. IV; Series of 2021 of the Notarial Register/Book of Atty. Henson M. Montalvo, Notary Public for and in the City of Makati.

BY GEORGE. Demonstrators hold signs honoring George Floyd and other victims of racism as they gather during a protest outside

Hennepin County Government Center on March 28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Opening arguments begin on Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer accused of killing George Floyd, a Black man whose death was captured on video and touched off protests against racial injustice across the United States and around the world. AFP

Huge fire engulfs Indonesian oil refinery JAKARTA—A massive blaze broke out Monday at one of Indonesia’s biggest oil refineries after a huge explosion turned the sprawling complex into a raging inferno. Firefighters battled to contain the fire at the Balongan refinery in West Java, operated by state oil company Pertamina, as towering plumes of black smoke rose into the sky. At least five people were seriously injured and about 1,000 local residents were evacuated from the scene after the fire broke out early Monday morning. The local disaster agency said one person had died from a heart attack after the explosion. About 15 people were slightly injured and au-

thorities said they were checking on the whereabouts of three others. “To prevent the fire from spreading we’ve shut down operations ... and are putting our efforts into handling the blaze,” Pertamina’s president director Nicke Widyawati said in a statement. The cause of the fire was not clear, but the company said the blaze broke out during a lightning storm. Pertamina said it did not expect the fire to cause fuel supply disruptions due to the high volume of stock it has on hand. The sprawling refinery is about 200 kilometres (120 miles) east of the capital Jakarta. AFP

(MS-MAR. 18/25/30, 2021)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late spouses JOSE C. CARAS SR. and IGNACIA CACHO CARAS has been extrajudicially settled among their heirs consisting of a house and lot covered by TCT No. 409207 – Marikina City. As per Doc. No. 155; Page No. 31; Book No. CXV; Series of 2021 before Notary Public ATTY. JULIE O. CUA.

(MS-MAR. 25/30, APR. 8, 2021)

COLOR FESTIVAL. Revelers smeared in color powder celebrate Holi, the spring festival of colors, in Amritsar on March 29, 2021. AFP

Heli crash kills Czech billionaire PRAGUE—Petr Kellner, the Czech Republic’s wealthiest person with a fortune topping $13 billion, died aged 56 in a helicopter crash in Alaska, his spokeswoman said on Monday. Kellner, who meticulously guarded his privacy, owned the financial, telecommunications, engineering, and insurance PPF Group, which employs 94,000 people worldwide. “With deep regret we announce that PPF Group founder and majority shareholder Mr Petr Kellner died tragically in a helicopter crash in the Alaska Range on Saturday,” PPF Group spokeswoman Jitka Tkadlecova told AFP. “The causes of the accident, in which five people died in total, are being investigated,” she added. Czech media said Kellner was on a heli-skiing trip. The Forbes magazine put Kellner’s wealth in 2020 at 293 billion Czech crowns (11.2 billion euros, $13.2 billion). Kellner, who started his business selling copy machines, founded the PPF Group in 1991, two years after the fall of Communism in the former Czechoslovakia. The group with global assets worth 44 billion euros comprises Home Credit International, the world’s largest nonbanking consumer lender with extensive activities on the Chinese market. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business GT Capital’s 2020 income decreased by 68% to P6.5b By Jenniffer B. Austria GT CAPITAL Holdings Inc., the listed holding company of the Ty Group, posted a net income of P6.5 billion in 2020, down 68 percent from P20.3 billion in 2019, on lower contribution from the banking, automotive and real estate businesses. GTCAP said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday core net income dropped 53 percent in 2020 to P7.4 billion from P15.8 billion in the previous year. Consolidated revenues declined 40 percent to P134.4 billion in 2020 from P222.9 billion a year ago. “Our year-end 2020 results show the full impact of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown that hampered the group to effectively only seven months of operations. However, the strong performance posted during the last quarter under general community quarantine demonstrates the group’s resiliency to rebound on the path to normalcy,” GTCAP president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said. “We are optimistic that despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, while alarming, will be mitigated once the pre-ordered vaccines are delivered by June and September. We have taken the necessary steps to procure the vaccines to protect all our employees and contractual staff. We anticipate that 2021 will be less disruptive than the previous year,” she added. The conglomerate’s banking unit, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), registered a net income of P13.8 billion in 2020, down more than 50 percent from a year ago, as the bank booked P40.8 billion as provisions for bad loans. Unit Toyota Motor Philippines reported a net income of P3.4 billion, down 63.4 percent from P9.4 billion, as sales fell 38 percent to 100,019 units from 162,011 units in 2019. Revenues, however, have steadily recovered as quarter sales came to within 85 percent of the same period in 2019, peaking to 13,716 units in December. GTCAP’s wholly-owned property subsidiary Federal Land Inc. booked total revenues of P9.3 billion in 2020, down 29.5 percent from P13.2 billion in the previous year. Reservation sales for the year reached dropped 41.3 percent to P14.2 billion versus P24.2 billion in 2019. Lease revenues, meanwhile, increased 17 percent to P1.8 billion, driven by new tenants in the developer’s commercial properties.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH ready to impose higher duties on Thailand exports By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Philippines is ready to suspend trade concessions to Thailand, a move that will subject specific Thai exports to additional duties once the extension of the dispute settlement proceedings mediated by the World Trade Organization expires, a Trade Department official said Monday. “We have to make sure that Thailand understands that at any time, we can trigger the process for this suspension of our concessions vis-a-vis the compliance issue. But we will follow WTO rules,” said Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo. Rodolfo said the WTO was assessing if it could further extend the deadline to give

Thailand another chance to comply with the WTO recommendation to end the cigarette issue by giving back what it owed the Philippines when it overtaxed Philippine cigarette exports by nearly $600 million in 2007. “The Philippines is closely monitoring the progress in the facilitator-led process being undertaken in Geneva to try to formulate a

comprehensive decision to the Dispute Settlement 371 compliance issues of Thailand. However, the Philippines remains ready to, following WTO procedures, initiate the process of suspension for concessions. In particular, there are domestic processes that have taken place in anticipation of such event,” Rodolfo said. The Philippine Tariff Commission held public consultations on Jan. 27, 2021 on the coverage of tariff lines that maybe subject to a suspension of concessions. About 37 tariff lines, including automobiles, were identified as possible products that may be impacted by an increase in duties. Rodolfo said the Philippine government needed to be sure that there is no other possible way to have Thailand comply with the WTO regulation, but by recouping the value the Thai government overtaxed Philippine cigarette exports through suspension of concessions.

SECURITY BANK EXPANSION.

After completing its 2020 branch expansion, Security Bank Corp. continues to provide BetterBanking services to Filipinos by opening its 314th branch in Eton Centris, Quezon City. Attending the opening ceremony are (from left) Matthew Ortiz, Jake Jamito, SBC branch channel manager Lerry Evasco, SBC business manager Rodel Nuqui, SBC executive and branch banking head Leslie Cham, Arra Chershey Opiniano, Genevieve Sueta and Danielle Julianne Silva. Security Bank plans to open at least six new branch locations nationwide in 2021.

Fitch Solutions sees BSP keeping rates steady this year By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to keep the policy interest rate at a record low of 2 percent this year, as the economy continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Fitch Solutions, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a report Monday. It issued the statement after the Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the BSP, maintained the policy rates unchanged last week, saying the elevated inflation rate could be transitory and might slow down in the coming months. Inflation rate in February rose to a 26-month high of 4.7 percent from 4.2 percent in January on higher food prices. “Despite rising inflation, the domestic economy continues to struggle with the threat of another lockdown as the number of new COVID-19 cases rose in March. A

combination of rising pork prices due to African Swine Fever and supply-chain disruptions from the pandemic has led to a surge in headline inflation, alongside external factors such as rising commodity prices,” Fitch Solutions said. The government implemented a week of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal from March 29 to April 4 to contain the spread of the disease. “We expect the BSP to look past elevated inflation and instead focus on a sustained recovery in demand-side price pressures and credit growth. As such, we expect the BSP to stand pat through to 2022 before hiking its key policy rate to 2.75 percent,” Fitch Solutions said. It said the BSP might begin hiking in 2022 as the economic recovery gathers steam, taking the key policy rate to 2.75 percent by end-2022.

Inflation may remain elevated in the near term, driven by supply-side factors, it said. Fitch Solutions kept its forecast for headline inflation at 4 percent in 2021 and 3.4 percent in 2022. It said the BSP would look to the slow domestic recovery as reason to keep monetary policy accommodative, particularly with uncertainty around the pandemic still high. The Philippine economy contracted by a record 9.5 percent in 2020, the worst since the end of World War 2 because of the pandemic. “We expect the economy to be in recovery by late-2021, and through 2022, leading the BSP to begin gradually hiking its key policy rate. The Philippine economy remains highly dependent on a resurgence in domestic consumption, and we expect—supported by growing credit and loose fiscal policy—demand to pick-up through the second half of 2021 and 2022,” it said.

National gov’t debt increased by 22% to hit P10.4 trillion as of end-February OUTSTANDING government debt jumped P2.24 trillion or 22 percent over the past 12 months to reach a record P10.405 trillion as of end-February, data from the Treasury show. The Treasury said government debt also increased P78.37 billion or 0.8 percent from P10.33 trillion in January. “For the month, P78.37 billion or 0.8 percent was added to the debt portfolio due to net financing from local and external sources and currency fluctuations. Of the total debt stock, 29 percent were sourced externally while 71 percent are domestic borrowings,” the Treasury said in a statement. Domestic debt amounted to P7.363 trillion as of end-February, P37.51 billion or 0.5 percent higher than the end-January 2021 level because of net availment of domestic financing. Data also showed that from the end-December 2020 level, outstanding domestic increased by P668.38 or 10 percent which included the P540billion provisional advances availed from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in January 2021. The external debt of P3. 042 trillion was P40.86 billion or 1.4 percent higher from the previous month. “For February, the increment to external debt was due to the net availment of foreign loans amounting to P14.53 billion and the P36.03 billion effect of local currency depreciation against the dollar,” the Treasury said. Meanwhile, the net appreciation of the peso against third currencies

trimmed the debt level by P9.70 billion. For the year, external debt declined by P57.55 billion or 1.9 percent mainly due to debt repayment. Total government guaranteed obligations decreased by P9.67 billion or 2.1 percent month-on-month to P446.72 billion in February. The lower level of guarantees was due to the net redemption of both local and foreign guarantees amounting to P9.99 billion and P0.34 billion, respectively. Third-currency exchange rate fluctuations further lowered the peso value of external guarantees, slightly offsetting the P2.43 billion effect of local currency depreciation against the dollar. The Department of Finance earlier said the prudent management of the country’s debt obligations would reduce the possible risks from debt exposure. It issued the statement following latest reports showing that the national government’s debt-to-GDP ratio climbed from 39.6 percent in 2019 to 54.5 percent in 2020, mainly on the government’s move to source funds for COVID response efforts. The DOF said the prevailing lower interest rates environment helped cushion its fiscal impact. “As long as debt is managed prudently, the risks from debt exposure are minimized and additional resources continue to be obtained for projects that contribute favorably to development,” the DOF said. Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, March 29, 2021

63.15 PTS. 6,607.78

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,880,419,557 126,200 7,266,051,708.69 97 116 44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5460

Japan

Yen

0.009116

0.4425

UK

Pound

1.379400

66.9644

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128718

6.2487

Switzerland

Franc

1.065644

51.7328

Canada

Dollar

0.795229

38.6052

Singapore

Dollar

0.743384

36.0883

Australia

Dollar

0.763700

37.0746

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

128.7726

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

12.9460

Brunei

Dollar

0.740631

35.9547

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032206

1.5635

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2177

Euro

Euro

1.179400

57.2552

Korea

Won

0.000887

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.152863

7.4209

India

Rupee

0.013772

0.6686

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241284

11.7134

New Zealand

Dollar

0.699400

33.9531

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034963

1.6973 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF First Philec bares green transformer FIRST Philec Inc. announced Monday it will launch in the market this year a super green transformer model to be made from 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable materials as part of the Lopez Group’s moves towards a decarbonized and regenerative future. “The new First Philec transformer model will not only allow our customers to reduce their carbon footprint, but it will offer the highest efficiency in its class and extended product life and use. These advantages will also help our customers save on their electricity expenses,” Ariel Ong, First Philec president, said in a statement. Transformers are designed to help improve the safety and efficiency of power systems through their ability to adjust voltage levels as needed by the power systems. Transformers are made mostly from metals, as well as nonmetallic components, like insulating coolants. “All metallic parts of our upcoming transformer model are recyclable; while all its non-metallic components will be biodegradable or recyclable,” Ong said. Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT ups free texts, data usage to PRC PLDT Inc. is increasing free text broadcast services for the Philippine Red Cross’ contact tracing mobile app, RC143, and extending free data usage for downloading and using the app for Smart subscribers as part of its support to the government’s initiatives to contain and manage the spread of COVID-19. Developed by VOXP Technologies & Innovations, Inc., RC143 enables users to determine their levels of exposure to COVID-19 based on their movements and location after the user agrees and confirms his consent. This information is collected through the PRC database that determines individuals who have come into close proximity with COVID-positive cases. The Smart Messaging Suite platform allows the RC143 app to send one-time passwords and alerts via SMS through the Soprano API. “Your contribution to RC143, by allowing free data usage, enabling registrations as well as the broadcast of informative COVID-19 alerts since the beginning of the pandemic, has greatly helped the Philippine Red Cross in reaching out to more Filipinos,” Richard Gordon, chief executive of the Philippine Red Cross, said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Pepsi-Cola offers free vaccines to employees

NEW GUESS OUTLET. American clothing retailer GUESS opens its first outlet store in Batangas province at ‘The Outlets at Lipa’. GUESS joins other big lifestyle brands at ‘The Outlets’ such as Adidas, Nike, H&M, Puma, Cotton On, Ipanema, Samsonite and Speedo. ‘The Outlets at Lipa’ is one of Luzon’s largest shopping destinations offering products from some of the biggest global brands at a discount all-year-round. It is located within LIMA Estate in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas, a 700-hectare Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered economic zone.

PEPSI-COLA Products Philippines Inc. announced Monday plans to vaccinate for free all employees who will voluntarily accept COVID-19 vaccines. The company purchased the vaccines as part of the tripartite agreement between the private sector, the government and vaccine manufacturers. “Providing free vaccines is essential to a healthy and safe working environment at PCPPI. The inoculation will be voluntary but we highly encourage everyone to be vaccinated. This is to show gratitude to our employees who have all worked hard during the pandemic,” said PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick Ong. PCPPI ordered 20,000 doses of vaccine, half of which will go to the government. The vaccination program is part of “Dose of Hope” initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion. The private sector under the program agreed to purchase 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca. The delivery of the vaccines are expected on the third quarter of 2021. Othel V. Campos

WHO urged to respect rights of everyone to be vaccinated A LAWMAKER called on the World Health Organization to stop blocking the rights of companies, including tobacco and infant formula manufacturers, to procure and provide vaccines for their employees and dependents, saying nobody should be left behind in the vaccination program against COVID-19. “My appeal to public health authorities like WHO, whose expertise we greatly value in advising us policymakers and regulatory officials, is to set aside certain assumptions they have about certain companies and help us as a nation make sure that no one is left behind,” House Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian said in a statement. Gatchalian, who also chairs House Trade and Industry Committee, issued the state-

ment after the representative of the WHO in the Philippines justified the controversial draft order of the Department of Health to ban certain industries “in conflict with the interest of public health” from procuring COVID-19 vaccines. As the controversial provision was removed following the outcry of several lawmakers and stakeholders, the Federation of Philippines Industry, one of the country’s biggest association of manufacturers and industries, called for the immediate repeal of the rules that were used as basis for the “unlawful” and “discriminatory” DOH proposal. The WHO is under criticism for justifying the original proposal of the DOH, which would have prevented companies like San Miguel Corp., the entire Lucio Tan Group,

Coca-Cola, Puregold, Nestle, Destileria Limtuaco and all soft drinks and alcoholic beverage producers from procuring vaccines for their employees. Gatchalian noted the WHO’s “premature” assumption that tobacco and infant formula producers might use COVID-19 vaccines they plan to procure for their employees and dependents to promote their advocacy. The controversial draft order drew widespread flak from several sectors, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro-tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senator Imee Marcos, and Representatives, Jericho Nograles, Michael Defensor, Ace Barbers, Bernadette Herrera, Stella Luz Quimbo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin.

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MESSAGE

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

PhilHealth marks 26th year of making a difference in the lives of the Filipino

I

T WAS on February 14, 1995 when Republic Act 7875 as amended, better known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, was signed into law. It was a landmark piece of legislation that envisioned universal population coverage under one social health insurance program.

Twenty-four years later in 2019, the Philippine’s journey towards Universal Health Care (UHC) reached a significant milestone when Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 was enacted and signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The UHC is a profound and collective aspiration for the health of every Filipino wherein PhilHealth plays a vital role. As PhilHealth marks its 26th year, it renews its vows to its members and continues to pursue reforms as mandated by RAs 7875 and 11223 for the benefit of all 110 million Filipinos. To aptly articulate such commitment, this year’s observance will redound around the theme “PhilHealth at 26: Patuloy na nagmamalasakit at naglilingkod sa pamilyang Filipino”. PROVIDING FINANCIAL RISK PROTECTION TO FILIPINOS As a financial intermediary and payor of healthcare services, it is paying for more than 8,000 medical cases and surgical procedures ranging from inpatient to outpatient care, and catastrophic interventions under its Z Benefit packages. Its 2019 benefit claims expense amounted to P137 billion and for the first half of 2020 alone, it paid over P80 billion with the indigent sector as top availee at P22.5 billion or at 28 percent. PhilHealth is indeed one if not the largest payor of healthcare services in the country today, partnering with close to 2,000 strong hospitals and infirmaries, 6,500 other healthcare facilities, and 46,000 healthcare professionals to make such feats happen. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it introduced benefit packages to provide patients with adequate financial protection for the needed testing, isolation and treatment depending on the patient’s pneumonia.

PhilHealth even shouldered the entire hospitalization expenses of health care workers afflicted by the virus as mandated under the two Bayanihan laws or RAs 11469and 11494. As of February 10, 2021, PhilHealth reimbursed more than P6.5 billion worth of benefit claims related to COVID-19, over P4.4billion of which was paid for RT-PCR Tests. More than P2 billion was paid for in-patient benefits while P25.6 million was spent for community isolation. PhilHealth’s response to the pandemic did not go unnoticed not just locally by its partner hospitals and stakeholders but also globally. It was awarded with the Continuous Improvement Recognition Award by the ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) in December 2020, noting its “efforts in Covid-19 as catalyst for evolving the payment mechanism towards UHC’s progressive realization”. On another note, WHO expert Helen Barroy in her article on public finance methods employed by countries during the COVID-19 outbreak (posted May 21, 2020) cited the Philippines, among other countries, that used “alternative spending modalities to accelerate the release of public funds to subnational levels and/or purchasing agencies and/or directly to the health service providers on the frontlines”, saying that“countries have tried different approaches to balance flexibility with control requirements” demonstrating “the effectiveness of these approaches to get resources to where they were most needed, including fast-track spending authorizations at the central level, accelerated procedures for fiscal transfers to subnational levels, and advance payments to health service providers as a complement to retrospective reimbursements.” It can be recalled that PhilHealth made available advanced financing amounting to P14.97 billion to its 711 healthcare providers to enable them to continuously provide health care to the people amidst the crisis. As of February 1, 2021, 94 percent or P14.09 of the said fund was already liquidated by its recipient hospitals. PhilHealth does not stop from responding to the increasing healthcare needs of its members as the country battles the pandemic. The state insurer is currently studying the inclusion of benefit packages for

RT-PCR test using saliva, an intermediate package for probable cases of Covid-19, and coverage for those who will develop adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine in a bid to increase public acceptance of the Government’s drive to vaccinate a substantial portion of the population. STRENGTHENING PEOPLE’S TRUST Despite the difficulties brought about by the pandemic as well as the intense public scrutiny, PhilHealth under its new President and CEO Atty. Dante A. Gierran has outlined his reform agenda PhilHealth 2.0 which will shift the “GEARs” towards UHC.GEARS, which stands for “Good Governance”, “Essential Benefits”, “All Filipinos covered/registered”, “Responsive Health Care System”, and “Stronger Anti-Fraud Initiatives”, are all geared toward “… (improving) equity in accessing quality health care at various levels of care and efficiency in the allocation of (health) resources.”. Driving the PhilHealth GEARS is his Three-Point Action Plan that consists of Digital transformation; Antifraud measures; and Good governance and financial stability. He intends to accomplish this through the outsourcing of critical IT services to fully automate operations for efficient and effective management, monitoring and reporting systems. With his reputation as topnotch investigator and corruption buster, Gierran is serious in prosecuting erring facilities and professionals abusing the program through intensified investigations and the strengthening of its legal enforcement across all Regional Offices to help expedite and ensure success in prosecuting cases. The new PhilHealth Management also believes that IT is key to boosting fraud detection. Hence,it is reviewing its electronic claims system and strengthening fraud scoring and red flagging of potentially fraudulent claims filed by unscrupulous providers. A centralized claims processing set-up is also being studied to avoid backlogs and further improve turnaround time. More reforms are on its way. As PhilHealth welcomes a new era of reforms, it fully commits to take every challenge as the nation endeavors to progressively realize UHC for the generations of today and tomorrow.

My warmest greetings to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as it commemorates its 26th Anniversary. We celebrate this occasion to mark a promise that was made two and a half decades ago – to provide every Filipino access to quality, adequate and affordable healthcare, regardless of their standing in life. I commend the men and women of PhilHealth for remaining steadfast in your commitment to deliver on this promise despite the many challenges that you have faced. With such resolve, I am confident that universal healthcare in the country will be realized as envisioned. I trust that under your new leadership, PhilHealth will no longer tolerate sub-par performance, dishonesty and selfish agenda. I thus expect you to remain determined in ensuring that you continue to provide our people what they need the most – accessible, comprehensive and innovative health insurance that knows no bounds. May you have a meaningful and happy anniversary. RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE MANILA 14 February 2021 Republic Of The Philippines Department Of Health OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

MESSAGE

My heartfelt greetings to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on its 26th Anniversary. More than the twenty-six years of unwavering service delivery, facing the pandemic headstrong is a feat worth celebrating. To say that the past year was a struggle is an extreme understatement, but having PhilHealth as an ally to address this global health emergency has been a cornerstone of this whole-ofgovernment response. As the premiere public institution mandated to provide financial risk protection to all Filipinos seeking healthcare, public scrutiny is guaranteed to reach its peak, pandemic or otherwise. While our fight is not yet over, I am confident we will persevere stronger than ever, especially as we face a crucial year – one that gives PhilHealth an opportunity to turn the tides and highlight universal healthcare through the Konsulta package. Against all adversity, PhilHealth is still here tirelessly fulfilling its mandate – markings of a true survivor. I take particular pride in PhilHealth’s COVID-19 response that was recognized by the ASEAN Social Security Association with the Continuous Improvement Recognition Award for its “efforts in COVID-19 as a catalyst for evolving the payment mechanism towards UHC’s progressive realization”. My dear colleagues in PhilHealth, this is proof of your indispensable role in ensuring every citizen can have access to quality health care – now and in the future. There is a lot of work to be done, but we soldier on brimming with hope and drawing inspiration and strength from our experiences to drive us towards excellence. Ipagpatuloy ang pagmamalasakit at paglingkod sa pamilyang Pilipino! Padayon! FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, MSc Secretary of Health

MESSAGE The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would like to greet all Filipinos around the globe a happy 26th year anniversary! PhilHealth has gone a long way since its establishment in 1995 by virtue of Republic Act 7875 as amended. As an organization that caters to all 110 million Filipinos, we have gone through the best and worst times that tested our mettle as public servants. Now that we are dealing with a pandemic that caught everyone by surprise, it is not surprising to know and appreciate how PhilHealth made a big impact in the lives of millions of our Kababayans through the financial access that we have provided them with during those difficult and costly medical situations. Many would have been poor today had PhilHealth not been able to afford them with financial protection when and where they needed it most. The worst is not yet over, but we have a lot of reasons to be positive in the years to come. We remain committed to sustain our benefits needed by the patients not just to recover physically but also financially. We are bent on implementing our Konsulta package this year starting in pilot areas to jumpstart what the Universal Health Care Law has envisioned – that every Filipino will be assigned to a primary care provider who will be their initial and continuing point of contact in the healthcare delivery system. We likewise vowed to regain the public’s trust by pursuing major reforms in the areas of digital transformation; health insurance fraud deterrence, detection and prosecution; and good governance. Please join us in this new journey. We ask for your unrelenting support towards a better and stronger PhilHealth for the sake of the health of Filipinos. Together we will be able to achieve our vision of “Bawat Filipino, Miyembro. Bawat Miyembro, Protektado. Kalusugan ng Lahat, Segurado.” ATTY. DANTE A. GIERRAN, CPA President and CEO

UnionBank: Moving from resilience to renaissance AFTER making headlines in May of last year for being named ‘second most helpful bank in Asia-Pacific during the coronavirus crisis’, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank)’s trailblazing initiatives show no signs of stopping as the new year has begun. The unprecedented year of 2020 highlighted the Bank’s journey from providing help for Filipinos to survive the pandemic and how it has created a better digital normal for everyone. This helpfulness was evident in UnionBank’s commitment to ensuring that its essential banking services remained accessible and reliable 24/7 during the enhanced community quarantine period, a time when uncertainties ran rampant and the needs of customers could change at any time. The Bank helped the government in the disbursement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash assistance to 700,000 beneficiaries amounting to P4.9 billion. It also assisted partner Local Government Units (LGUs) in the distribution of cash or loan proceeds to constituents. It has also helped countless micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) digitize amid the pandemic. UBX, the Bank’s fintech spinoff, signed up more than 140,000 MSMEs across its platforms namely i2i, BUX, Sentro, and SeekCap. Its MSME platform GlobalLinker’s user base is not at more than 50,000. Another sector of society that UnionBank was able to assist especially at the height of the pandemic were teachers, with the help of its thrift bank subsidiary CitySavings Bank. CitySavings has extended a total of P26.1 billion in teachers’ loans, P3.2 billion in motorcycle loans, and 2.9 billion in MSME loans to beneficiaries.

All these efforts did not go unnoticed as the Bank garnered multiple recognition from international bodies including IDC’s overall distinction as 2020 Asia/Pacific Digital Trailblazer, UBX as 2020 Fastest Growing Fintech Company of the Year in South East Asia by UK-based Global Brands Magazine, CitySavings as Fastest Growing Savings Bank Philippines by Global Business Outlook and ‘Bank of the Year 2020’ in the Philippines by The Banker for “outshining its peers in terms of performance, strategic initiatives and response to the pandemic”, among many. “With a challenge as massive as the COVID pandemic, technology is just a means to an end and

not an end in itself. Ultimately, it is our UnionBank DNA that is now ‘Digital to the Core’ that is pulling us through. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ‘Tech Up, Pilipinas’ and enable inclusive prosperity making sure that NO ONE, not our customers, not our colleagues, not our countrymen, GETS LEFT BEHIND,” said UnionBank President and CEO Edwin R. Bautista. UnionBank has begun the next major phase in its digital transformation journey, going full-speed ahead from merely displaying its resilience in the face of an unprecedented global health crisis,

toward a renaissance in innovation and co-creation. “This is really the time wherein, together, we can usher in a renaissance in the area of banking and technology. It’s an area where the Philippines can not only be a fast follower, but can actually be a trailblazer in the banking world. As we line up new features in our digital channels and Tech Up especially more of our underbanked and unbanked countrymen, we aim to move full throttle in 2021 with the end in view of achieving a bank of enduring greatness,” Bautista said.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

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F E AT U R E

Road trip snack essentials By Peter Paul Duran

E

VEN with the ever-changing quarantine guidelines and at times confusing travel restrictions, one thing is constant and true: Summer, err, dry season is here.

This time of year traditionally calls for those wacky out-of-town adventures that apparently only get going when unplanned. However, with the health crisis at hand, a trip to Baguio or Boracay on a whim might not be the best of ideas, especially now that there is a surge in COVID-19 cases recently. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean traveling for fun should be discouraged. There are ways to enjoy the reviving tourism industry in the Philippines while keeping yourself safe and ready when lockdowns become more lenient. Manila Standard is here to recommend the essential snacks and thirst quenchers you can bring with you on your next travel getaway. Here are our Top 8 road trip snack essentials : 1. FRUITS. We’ve got to start this list off on the right foot. So, you’re going to need some nutrition when you go on your next road trip. Packing some fresh fruits like apples or bananas is a great way to fill you up, while giving you some needed nutrients. 2. CRACKERS. We can’t say whose mom said it first that bringing with you some crackers on a trip is a great way to stave off motion sickness. But then again, who are we to ever question the wisdom of mothers? So listen to your mama and grab some of those Magic Flakes.

4. WATER. This should be a no brainer. In fact, what’s the sense of this list if you can’t “wash” it all down. Plus, nuts are a choking hazard so keeping a bottle or two with you on a trip should be second to none. Kidding aside, water is essential in keeping you hydrated, and you have to be hydrated, especially with the “summer” heat. Pro tip, invest in your own insulated water bottle that will help keep your drink cool (or hot) longer. 5. SODAS, HEALTH DRINKS, JUICE. There’s a reason why we opted to put water first before this. Yes, water is important, but sipping on an ice cold fizzy drink on a hot day just hits differently. Pack your favorite drinks with you on a cooler and you’re good to go. 6. SANDWICHES. Tuna, Cheese, a bit of ham. Take your pick, but a sandwich of any kind (except being “sandwiched” between two sweaty companions) is a perfect snack companion during your vacation trips. It’s easy to whip up, easier to pack, and easiest to dispose, no wrapper! 7. EGGS. No, not scrambled eggs nor poached ones. Unless you’re eating tapsilog inside your car, we’re not talking about sunny side up. Straight-to-the-point, simple, concise hard boiled eggs will do. These will easily fill up your stomach and with just a little pinch of salt, an awesome snack to bring during a road trip. 8. CHIPS. We started the list with some healthy options, then what better way to end this article than by suggesting some of our guilty pleasures? Chips, or in the vernacular, “chichirya”, is a staple in any trip. It’s cheap, unless you get those imported big bag kinds, and it’s tasty! Sure, there’s sodium you’ve got to consider, but hey, didn’t we recommend bringing some H20?

Creamy, healthy smoothies to beat summer heat 3. NUTS. Go nuts all you want over nuts like peanuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, what have you. Legumes and nuts are some of the best options to quell those munchies during those long drives. Moreover, these are great sources of protein, fat (the good kind), and Fiber

THE summer heat is definitely here, and what better way to chill at home than to enjoy cool and healthy drinks? Stay refreshed during this warm season with these five nutritious smoothies! You can easily whip these up using fresh fruits and ingredients you can find in your fridge. Make these delicious smoothies healthier and yummier by using the milky and creamy Vitasoy Plus Milky. This soy milk drink is high in calcium, has zero cholesterol, made from 100% plant-based protein, and has only 2.4% sugar per serving. All you need to do is to mix all ingredients, blend away, and enjoy! The Immunity Booster

Ingredients: 1 cup sliced avocado 1 cup sliced banana 1 tbsp honey 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 cup ice Melon Soy Milk Shake Melons are not only refreshing; they’re also high in vitamins A and C, which are essential in boosting the immune system and in keeping the skin healthy. Try this nutrient powerhouse with Vitasoy Plus Milky that gives calcium and protein.

Stay strong and healthy by upping your immunity with this drink. With the Immunity Booster smoothie, you can get your daily dose of Vitamin C and potassium, plus the nutrients of Vitasoy Plus Milky in a glass. Ingredients: 1/4 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 frozen banana 1/2 cup frozen mangoes 3/4 cup orange juice 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4-1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional) 1 cup ice (optional) Banana Oat Smoothie Working from home and taking online classes can get really stressful. Start your day by boosting your energy with this filling and nutritious smoothie.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup ice 2 cups sliced melon 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 tbsp honey Pineapple Strawberry Smoothie

This drink is your fresh source of muchneeded vitamins. With protein, calcium, and vitamin C in a glass of pineapples, strawberries, and Vitasoy Plus Milky, this smoothie will be your new favorite. Ingredients: Ingredients: 1/2 cup oats, blend until fine 1 pineapple, chopped 1 banana 8 strawberries 1 tbsp honey 1 1/2 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 3 tbsp sugar, raw Beat the summer heat with these refreshing Avocado Banana Soy Smoothie drinks! Feel good and strong with these deliGet both anti-inflammatory benefits plus cious, easy-to-prepare, nutrient-rich smoothies, the essential vitamins and minerals in a cup and oh-so-creamy, thanks to Vitasoy Plus Milky. of yummy Avocado Banana smoothie made Learn more about Vitasoy by following creamier with Vitasoy Plus Milky. Vitasoy Philippines on Facebook!

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Sports

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

Mercedes boss: White lines saved Hamilton SAKHIR, Bahrain—Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff said “track limits won the race for us” on Sunday after Lewis Hamilton claimed a sensational season-opening victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Wolff praised his team for their strategy to help set up a sublime triumphant drive from the defending seven-time world champion—but gave credit to a set of white lines at Turn Four. It was there, with three laps remaining, that Max Verstappen ran beyond track limits as he passed Hamilton to take the lead, but on the instructions of the race director had to hand back the place immediately. Hamilton held the lead and did not give Verstappen another chance as the pair provided a thrilling finale with the champion winning by seven-tenths of a second. “Max made a tiny mistake there and he had to give the position back,” said Wolff. “We were told suddenly during the race that track limits were imposed—and that is what won us the race today. Hamilton agreed. “If he (Verstappen) hadn’t made a mistake he would have won the race,” said the winner. “I had to really keep my head and mind set in the car and to make no mistakes.” “What a difficult race that was,” added Hamilton. “Max was all over me right at the end, but I just about managed to hold him off. It was one of the hardest races I have had in a while.” “It was such a great fight, but this is not the end for them. They will hit back with a vengeance in the next race.” Wolff said Red Bull looked strong. “For the first race, I think these guys are a tiny bit ahead of us.

“It was a great battle of strategies,” Wolff said. “We took a very bold move pitting so early with Lewis and we gained a position, but then we thought we are doing the same again to prevent the under-cut.” ‘I love the challenge’ Hamilton also praised Mercedes for team strategy. “Stopping early, we knew was going to be difficult, but we had to cover Max. They’ve had an amazing performance all weekend, so it was going to take something pretty special here.” Hamilton said he was relishing the prospect of a close battle with Verstappen all season. “I definitely am. Each year they’re talking about when you think you’ve hit your peak. “I think timing is everything and it is going to take everything and more for us to put in performances like this, but we love the challenge. I love the challenge. I still love what I do. “It was so hard in the car today, but what a great event and this is a really good start for us. Through testing we thought we were going to be six to eight tenths behind, so the work that has gone on this week has been spectacular. “We came into this race on the back foot, knowing it would be a tough start, but everyone worked hard to maximise what we had. It was heads down for everyone. I am so proud of everybody. Hamilton’s first win this season increased his career record total to 96 wins—75 of them with Mercedes. He also passed Michael Schumacher’s record of laps led in a race and recorded the 300th win by a British driver. AFP

F1 2021 schedule

Catantan bags bronze at US NCAA fencing National chess federation to hold online competitions WITH the recent spike of COVID-19 cases, government has imposed strict quarantine measures that put Philippine sports in the backseat again. Not chess. The National Chess Federation of the Philippines has launched several online competitions, including the Luzon Leg of the Philippine Sports Commission-NCFP selection tournament unfolding today until Thursday. The event, bankrolled by NCFP president and senior Deputy Speaker Butch Pichay, will serve as the first of a series of events culminating in the Grand Finals where the top men and women winners will earn spots to the national team where they will receive a monthly stipend. Registration is free. “This is an opportunity for a Filipino chess player to become a member of the national team,” said tournament director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales. After the Luzon leg, the event will proceed to the Visayas slated April 13-15 and the Mindanao edition from April 20-22, with the winners qualifying to the quarterfinals (April 2729), the semis (May 11-13) and the grand finals (July 2-4), which will use a hybrid format of online and face-to-face games. For inquiries, interested parties may contact Michelle Yaon at 0910-3726152 or Susan Neri at 0933-5505019. The NCFP has also started the Marinduque Southern Luzon Leg of the National Age Group Championship over the weekend. Also set this year are the Southeast Asian Games qualifying tournament, World Chess Olympiad selection tournament, National Seniors and National Championships that would be capped by the Battle of Grandmasters late this year.

By Peter Atencio

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ILIPINA fencer Samantha Catantan captured a bronze medal and helped Penn State University clinch runner-up honors in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association Fencing Championships.

Cantantan, a new recruit of the Penn State Nittany Lions, was one of three members of the women’s team, who clinched semifinal berths in their respective weapons’ categories Sunday (Monday in Manila). The 18-year-old former University of the East fencer, however, bowed to 23-year-old teammate Lodovica Bicego, 14-15, in the semifinals to settle for the bronze. Catantan tied Amita Berthier of Notre Dame for third overall. With Catantan leading the charge and going undefeated in all of her 20 preliminary matches before bowing to Bicego in the semis, the Penn State Nit-

Folayang determined to get out of slump

Team Lakay’s early wins in the year have boosted the confidence of Eduard Folayang

The beast of Brooklyn FREE THROW SHOOTER NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ SO RARE is the opportunity to become a champion. Many of us know that. But so rare too—and often left unpursued—is the opportunity to become legendary. Many people think of legendary and champions as one and the same, that it is automatic. If you are one of the two, then you are both. Sometimes, yes—a champion is a legendary athlete. Michael Jordan is a champion and a legend. Kobe Bryant is a champion and a legend. I am sure Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have long secured a seat in this hall. But while many players have been crowned champions in the his-

tany Lions scored a total of 182 points in the tournament to finish runner-up behind eventual champion Notre Dame at the Bryce Jordan Center University Park, Pennsylvannia. It was Notre Dame’s 11th national fencing crown. Catantan, Bicego and three of their women’s teammates, earned All-America honors. Senior captain Kelli Wozniak scored victories in 15 of her 21 bouts to claim a spot in the saber semifinal. Wozniak then lost to Kara Linder of Notre Dame, 14-15. A senior member of the team, Wozniak tied Karo-

lina Kaleta of St. John’s for third overall and earned All-America honors as well. Their saber teammate Zara Moss took 14 wins out of her 21 bouts, to settle for fifth overall and also earn the All-America honors. Freshman epee fencer Kateryna Chorniy claimed wins in 13 of her 21 bouts, for an eighth overall finish. This gave Chorniy theAll-America honors in her first NCAA tournament appearance. Their epee teammate sophomore Axelle Wasiak, a recruit from Belgium, finished the tournament winning nine of her 21 bouts and 14th overall. A total of 10 Penn State fencers earned All-America honors, including five male fencers Ryan Griffiths (men’s epee), Jonathan Piskovatskov (men’s epee), Clement Perrier (men’s saber), Sebastiano Bicego (men’s foil) and Arwen Borowiak (men’s foil). The Nittany Lions have a new head coach in Wes Glon.

tory of the NBA, not every champion is legendary. Case in point: Matt Steigenga and Mark Madsen. Who are Matt Steigenga and Mark Madsen? Who has their rookie cards and how much does it worth? Who owns and treasures Steigenga and Madsen jerseys? Who talks about them when the conversation is about their champion teams? Matt has a ring from the 1996-97 Bulls—yes, that legendary second three-peat Bulls. Mark won twice with the Lakers during the Kobe-Shaq era. Matt Steigenga and Mark Madsen. Champions, but not legendary. And among the legendary, not everyone wears a ring, and that is not a bad thing. They are beloved and admired, sometimes with greater fervor and esteem compared to champions who came and went as faceless shadows. Allen Iverson is not a champion, but he is legendary because of how he influenced

FORMER ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is coming into his next bout full of motivation, after witnessing his Team Lakay teammates claim victories early into the year. The 37-year-old ONE Championship veteran is in the most difficult stretch of his 14 year professional career, as “Landslide” has dropped four of his last five. Folayang, however, remains full of hope, and is determined to power himself out of his most recent slump. ONE Championship recently confirmed Folayang’s highly anticipated return to action. The Team Lakay senior will take on Korean-Japanese superstar Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama at “ONE on TNT IV,” scheduled for Wednesday April 28 (Thursday, 29 April PH time) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. It’s the fourth installment in the “ONE on TNT” event series, which is broadcast to American audiences on US prime time via B/R Live and TNT. Folayang is excited to face the 45-year-old Akiyama, and is currently deep in training, looking

NBA basketball. Vince Carter is not a champion, but he achieved legendary status because he levitated in a way no one else did before him. Damian Lillard is not a champion (well, not YET), but he already achieved legendary status because of his clutch shooting and unbelievable range. A championship is not the only path towards greatness—there is also becoming legendary, and this opportunity is now offered to Eastern Conference teams. Who will stop Brooklyn? When the Nets signed Blake Griffin and later LaMarcus Aldridge, the task of emerging as Eastern Conference champions has become an even more daunting— impossible, even—for teams like Boston, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Yes, it is easy to cower. It is easy (and convenient) to conceal the sense of hopelessness and surrender with injuries. It is easy to say “Let this fling pass. Let them have their rings. And when they disband in a year or two, let’s have a go at it ourselves.” By then, the opportunity to become legendary is long gone. And who knows,

for his first victory in nearly two years. “This will be a great fight for me. I’m working hard with the team right now, and I’m definitely up for the challenge. Everyone is gearing up,” said Folayang. “Our victories in the first half of the year have boosted our morale. I, myself, have been inspired by my team’s victories. With our hard work, and discipline, and by the grace of God, 2021 will be a good year for Team Lakay.” Folayang’s last victory in the Circle came against tough Mongolian Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu in November 2019. Prior to that, he dropped submission losses to Japanese rival Shinya Aoki and former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. Most recently, Folayang experienced decision losses to highly-regarded lightweights Pieter Buist and Antonio Caruso. It has certainly been a rough stretch for the Filipino star, to say the least. But Folayang remains confident he can still put together a run back to the top, beginning with a solid performance against Akiyama.

maybe your chance for a championship as well. Boston, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia should not feel overwhelmed with the prospect of having to face a team that looks like it was built for an All-Star and not the Playoffs. They are the underdogs now, and this is the best chance to prove their worth as legit East contenders. Year after year, these three teams were consistent in being promising. Now is the time to fulfill a promise—a promise to be legendary. You don’t expect anything less from the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons and Jayson TatumJalen Brown duos. If there is a perfect time to finally end their (and the fans’) frustrations, it is now, by rising to the challenge thrown by this deadly Brooklyn collective composed of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Griffin, and Aldridge. Year after year they emerge favorites, and every year they always disappoint. Now as underdogs, they should try their hand at wielding the upset ax, see if they have the arm and the resolve to swing

it strong enough to decapitate this sixheaded monster. Take it from the heroes of old: the bigger the monster, the bigger the glory. A tall order, if there is one, perhaps as tall as George RR Martin’s giant Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg, who broke the north gate of The Wall, threatening to overrun Castle Black by breaching the tunnels. The question now is who will take up the mantle of the one-armed blacksmith Donal Noye (or, for those who only watched the TV series Game of Thrones, Grenn)? Who will willingly face a giant convinced he can kill something that is many times bigger and stronger than him? To say that it is not going to be easy is a foregone conclusion. It may even end up in failure. That is why the reward is greatness. You know what they say: this is how legends are made. You remember champion players. You don’t forget legendary teams. This season, it could be the powerhouse Nets—or maybe someone greater, someone who, against all odds, managed to slay the beast of Brooklyn.

Entertainment Iyo Canlas: Millennial ‘It Boy’ HE IS young and stylish. Smile, congenial. He’s got a demeanor that screams private school educated. My impressions of Iyo Canlas are spot on. Adding more to his premium, a Communications degree holder from the Ateneo de Manila University, a former tennis player part of the national team, speaks the King’s language with grammatical perfection, and answers queries with so much gusto. To be in Philippine show business is a dream he is all set to realize. This young, who previously worked as a social media specialist, has television commercial credits that started with a soft drink brand and the most recent one, for a telecommunications company. Iyo is not privy if he has blood relations with Elijah Canlas of Gameboys and Kalel 15 (the last

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

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Tom is Carla’s handyman

Iyo Canlas is a fresh face in mainstream showbiz.

film Filipino he viewed) and television entertainment news anchor Nelson Canlas. Read full story on manilastandard.net.

E V E R Y ONE is happy that Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez are finally engaged. The couple who first met on the set of the groundbreaking soap opera My Husband’s Lover eight years ago recently spoke to the media to share this wonderful development in their relationship. On Instagram, Tom posted his photo with his girlfriend in which Carla was wearing a diamond ring. He also accompanied this with a love quote from famous poet-politician Pablo Neruda which read: “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride. I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this…” To this, Carla answered in a separate Instagram post: “A million times, Yes!” which signified her approval to her boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Read full story on manilastandard.net.

Couple Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abella plan to wed before the year ends.

Robi Domingo hosts, Ice Seguerra directs

The 4th EDDYS

VJ and television host Robin Domingo

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N APRIL 4, Easter Sunday, the best and brightest in Philippine movies for the year 2020 will be recognized in the 4th EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice). The Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) will present its choices in a virtual edition of the awards night, to livestream on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on the FDCP Channel ( fdcpchannel.ph) and SPEEd Facebook page, among other platforms. Hosting the big night along with the members of SPEEd is award-winning Kapamilya star Robi Domingo. In cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson/CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, the 4th EDDYS will be directed by OPM icon and singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra. The awards night will also be partici-

Ice Seguerra (right) with FDCP chairman Liza Diño

pated in by Batangas 6th District Representative at Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos and AKTOR Chairman of the Board Dingdong Dantes. Rep. Vi, who was the first EDDYS best actress for the film, Everything About Her in 2017, will present the Best Actress award while 3rd EDDYS Best Actor Dingdong (Sid & Aya) will present the best actor. In the Best Actress category, nominees Charlie Dizon (Fan Girl), Coleen Garcia (Mia), Bela Padilla (On Vodka, Beers and Regrets), Cristine Reyes (UnTrue), and Sylvia Sanchez (Coming Home) will vie for the trophy. Actors who made it to the shortlist are John Arcilla (Suarez: The Healing Priest), Paulo Avelino (Fan Girl), Elijah Canlas (He Who Is Without Sin), Adrian Lindayag (The Boy Foretold By The Stars), and JC Santos (Motel Acacia). Five films will compete for Best Picture honors: Fan Girl, Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story, He Who Is

Without Sin, The Boy Foretold By The Stars, and UnTrue. Among the directors, Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo (UnTrue), Antoinette Jadaone (Fan Girl), Jason Paul Laxamana (He Who Is Without Sin), Avid Liongoren (Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story) and Irene Emma Villamor (On Vodka, Beers and Regrets) will vie to get top honors in the 4th EDDYS. Juancho Robles, managing partner of Chan Robles & Company, CPAs, is again the auditor of the 4th EDDYS. Major sponsors are Toktok courier service/delivery app and Beautederm Corporation with support from House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Rep. Alfred Vargas, Rep. Niña Taduran (of Patrylist na ACT-CIS), Willie Revillame, Raffy Tulfo, Tiger Crackers, Smart Shot, San Miguel Corp., Aficionado of Joel Cruz, and Maris Pure Corp. Register now at the FDCP Channel to get free access. Read full story on manilastandard.net.

GMA-7 rolls out Holy Week programming schedule GMA Network presents a special programming schedule in observation of the Holy Week this Maundy Thursday (April 1), Good Friday (April 2), and Black Saturday (April 3). Docudrama Jesus: His Life opens Maundy Thursday at 6:00 a.m. with the stories of Mary, Joseph, and John the Baptist. This will be followed by back-to-back animated features Detective Conan at 7:30 a.m. and The Croods at 8:30 a.m.. CBN Asia is set to offer its Holy Week specials at 10:00 a.m. Afterwards, catch the heartwarming family movie The Stray at 11:00 a.m. Lunch and laughter will be served with the back-to-back replay of two episodes of Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko titled ‘Boggs, The Easter Bunny Mischief’ and ‘Annie, The Runaway Bride Princess’ starting at 12:00 noon. The Hollywood classic featuring the retelling of the Biblical story of Moses in The Ten Commandments airs at 1:30 p.m.. Witness the life story of actor Mi-

Docudrama ‘Jesus: His Life’ explores the story of Jesus Christ through a unique lens: the people in his life who were closest to him.

kael Daez on GMA News and Public Affairs’ Tunay Na Buhay at 5:00 p.m.. Come 5:30 p.m., I-Witness rolls out the documentaries ‘Gulong ng Pagasa’ and ‘Isandaan.’ Then, tune in to GMA’s flagship

newscast 24 Oras at 6:30 p.m.. This will be followed by a marathon of the miniseries Love on the Balcony, topbilled by Alden Richards and Jasmine CurtisSmith, from the first season of the drama anthology I Can See You at 7:15 p.m..

Jasmine Curtis Smith teams up with JC de Vera in ‘General Admission,’ a movie that revolves around a lady who suffers a wardrobe malfunction on a noontime show.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith, JC De Vera deal with media monsters in ‘General Admission’

AN EXCESSIVE media coverage that ruins a sexy dancer’s suddenly public life is the subject of an upcoming Filipino movie called General Admission, which stars Jasmine CurtisSmith and JC De Vera and streams worldwide on iWantTFC on April 9. The movie revolves around Katja (Jasmine), whose life is changed forever when she suffers a wardrobe malfunction on a noontime show. Together with her boyfriend Carlito (JC) she becomes entrapped in a media frenzy that eventually ends in tragedy. Subscribers in the Philippines can now buy tickets at P149, while those living outside the country can get one for $2.99 on the iWantTFC Android app and website (iwanttfc.com). The movie will be available for a month on the platform until May 7. Subscribers in the Philippines, meanwhile, can also get access to Dito at Doon, where Janine

Gutierrez and JC Santos play friends who develop feelings for each other while persistently talking online but struggle to make their relationship survive in real life. Early bird tickets can be availed on the website for P300 until April 28. Star Cinema’s romantic comedy Love or Money, where Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban tackle a love story between overseas workers, is showing until April 10 for P250 or $4.99. Other titles available that are streaming worldwide for P200 or U$3.99 are the boys’ love film Hello Stranger, which is available until April 14, and Ayuda Babes, a comedy about the hilarious anecdotes of Filipinos during last year’s lockdown until April 3. MMFF 2020’s Best Picture awardee Fan Girl and coming-of-age boys’ love drama The Boy Foretold by the Stars can also be seen on iWantTFC until April 6 for P250 or U$4.99 per ticket.

SNAPSHOT

Anvil, Sen. Kiko Foundation

bring smiles to Manila, Quezon City families SEN. Kiko Pangilinan and the young urban poor family in well-organized efFilipino Chinese entrepreneurs behind forts arranged by Sen. Pangilinan in coAnvil Business Club donated 2,000 bags operation with offices of the mayors of Quezon City and of rice to urban Manila. poor families of Some of the barangays Tanfamilies even dang Sora, Kashouted, “Maramuning, Santol, ming salamat” Kaunlaran, Sto. and even “XieNiño and Sacred xie” in Mandarin Heart of Quezon from their winCity and to Tondo dows. district, Manila in After the Qucooperation with ezon City riceMayor Joy Belgiving activities, monte and Mayor Mayor Belmonte Isko Moreno. held a zoom diaIn Quezon logue with Anvil City, Anvil was entrepreneurs represented by to discuss her Chairman Wilanti-COVID-19, son Lee Flovaccine roll-out, res, Vice-Presand public health ident Jayson initiatives. She Sze, and DirecThe effort was a post-Chinese New Year civic discussed City tor Katherproject of the business club to help ease Hall’s socio-ecoine Yap, while pandemic sufferings. nomic, business Sen. Kiko Paninvestment, edugilinan was represented by Chief of Staff Atty. Third cational, poverty alleviation, food secuBagro. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmon- rity, and green projects. Anvil officers also cited Mayor Belte was represented by Councilor Irene monte for her cultural and tourism proBelmonte. In Tondo district of Manila, Anvil jects, such as QCX Museum, QCinema Chairman Flores, director Aldrin Derrick International Film Festival (now on its Chua and director Vicente Sy supervised ninth year and accepting entries to its short film competition, with details in the donation with Atty. Bagro. The Anvil officers didn’t just go for QCinema’s Facebook page), beautificapicture-taking ceremony, but they spent tion of Q.C. Chinatown and upgrading time to personally deliver rice packs on of Kamuning Public Market including its plastic chairs outside the homes of every famous tailoring and textile shops.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 advertise@manilastandard.net

Filipina entrepreneurs: Shaping society with grit, creativity By P.Y. Deligero

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HE Global Gender Gap Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum revealed that the Philippines remains the top country in Asia in terms of closing the gender gap.

Across the globe, the Philippines ranked 16th out of 153 countries with the narrowest gap between men and women. One reason for this is because women have been dominating several industries and shaping society with their inventiveness and determination. Every March, we pay tribute to women and their achievements. To remind us of what women are capable of, here are three Filipinas, who are shaping the landscape of their respective industries.

ANGELINE THAM founder and CEO of Angkas We’re all familiar with how notorious Philippine traffic can be. Many of us have spent hours of our lives sitting in our rides during traffic or trying to escape its grasp. Seeing how many Filipinos have to deal with traffic in their day-to-day lives, Angeline Tham came up with a solution that helped many. Tham is the founder of our favorite motorbike ride-hailing app Angkas. Through this innovation, Tham has provided a solution to a problem that has been plaguing the country for years. The reason behind her initiative was because she, too, experienced severe traffic in the Philippines. While working as a banker for JP Morgan for five years, she was no exception to the horrors of everyday heavy traffic. As a result of her first-hand experiences, Tham started the first motorbike hail-

ing service in the country. But providing a solution to avoiding traffic isn’t the only goal that Tham hopes to achieve with Angkas. She is also planning to provide drivers with free training and start the country’s first motorcycle ambulance. RISSA MANANQUIL-TRILLO-CO founded Happy Skin One common concern among makeup users is their skin’s sensitivity, the negative effects of makeup and how using it can cause skin to have breakouts. To address this concern and provide Filipinas with the treatment they deserve, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo co-founded Happy Skin, a cosmetic brand that’s known for innovative makeup geared towards caring for users’ skin. To adhere to its goal of providing users with the skincare they deserve, Happy Skin makes its products from scratch and customizes them so they can be suitable for Filipina skin. Being a model and beauty columnist, Mananquil-Trillo has tested countless brands. But it was always her dream to create her brand that celebrates Filipina beauty. With Happy Skin, this dream was realized as the cosmetics brand has grown to have 13 stores and almost 100 beauty counters in the Philippines. It has also won 30 beauty awards for its promising products and how it promotes Filipina beauty. JEANNIE JAVELOSA co-founder of ECHOstore Sustainable and GREAT Women Nowadays, people gravitate toward a healthier and greener lifestyle to promote sustainability. Jeannie Javelosa has created a way for people to

access products to support their sustainable lifestyle, while helping others in the process. Along with Chit Juan and Reena Francisco, Javelosa started ECHOstore which stands for Environment Community Hope Organization. The social enterprise with a retail store sells products of marginalized communities in a tri-concept of a store, market and café. Inside the ECHOstore, one can see the variety of products ranging from fresh produce to value-added goods to toiletries, all of which allow customers to experience a green lifestyle in one stop. But sustainability isn’t the only thing that Javelosa aims to promote. She also started the advocacy-driven brand GREAT Women (Gender Responsive Economic Empowerment), which supports gender equality. It has recently moved into the retail space and carries products that support women enterprises, cooperatives, and cultural indigenous communities. These three Filipinas are among the many who are working towards shaping industries for the better. They represent the countless accomplishments that women are capable of achieving should they put their minds to it. A brief history of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day is not only an event where women and their achievements are given the recognition they deserve, it has also served as a platform where women have exercised their rights and dare to challenge society and its gender constructs. Since its first gathering in 1911, International Women’s Day has been supported by millions across

the globe. International Women’s Day was first held every last Sunday of February based on a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. But beginning in 1913, the date March 8 was set to celebrate Women’s Day. Over the years, women have fought for equality in society, the workplace, and other aspects of their lives. But the fight against equality is far from over. While numbers show that industries are bridging gender gaps, other platforms such as social media and domestic spaces have yet to fully acknowledge the capabilities of women as well as their rights. For this year’s International Women’s Day theme, a movement called #ChooseToChallenge was started, a campaign where women and allies raise their hands high to show that they’re part of this movement as they commit themselves to the challenge of calling out inequality. The goal of this campaign is to empower and bring together women from across the globe so that they can put a stop to gender bias and inequality to create a more inclusive world. This is in order for women, who have already found their strength and passion, can encourage others to follow suit so that they can battle inequality from society even without having to create a name for themselves in a particular industry. The #ChooseToChallenge movement in celebration of International Women’s Day 2021 is just another step towards creating a society that not only celebrates women’s achievements, but also eradicates gender bias and inequality to create equal opportunities and promote inclusivity. By choosing to challenge gender bias and inequality, men and women from all over the world can create a safe space for everyone to grow and be a part of. Women have played a big part in all our lives and it’s about time that we showed them the proper treatment they deserve.

‘Malaking tulong ang loading business’: Globe empowers women to see through pandemic

M

ARITES Yanzon, a sari-sari store owner, opened her business six years ago using the money she borrowed from a relative to augment her family’s income and finance their day-to-day needs. Marites though continued to struggle after her savings diminished due to health emergencies in the family. Fast forward to 2020, little did Marites know that she would play a crucial role in reviving the economy amid the quarantine restrictions imposed by the government to slow the spread of COVID-19. Her sari-sari store business flourished despite the pandemic, thanks to her loading business which helps people cooped up in their homes stay connected with their loved ones and the rest of the world through voice and data services that telecom companies like Globe provide. Marites is now earning as much as double from her loading business as compared to over half a decade ago. “Malaking tulong po ang loading business. Halos mas mabenta nga po ang load kaysa sa ibang paninda ko. Mas lalong lumakas ang benta ng load ngayong online class na ang mga estudyante kasi yung mga walang WiFi, sa load sila umaasa,” she said. As the country celebrates the National Women’s Month, Globe continues to empower Marites and other women micro entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in reviving the economy through their small

businesses. “Retailers are a very important part of our value chain, they help us reach and serve the grassroots communities. This Women’s Month, we would like to thank and honor them, especially the women who keep the community stores running and in turn are helping

our economy recover,” said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Executive Vice President for Channel Management. Globe’s loading business also helped retailers who were affected by past typhoons. In January alone, Globe, through its Community Development Program, provided at least 280 retailers in provinces

devastated by Super Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses with livelihood opportunities via a retailer package which includes an LTE phone, SIM starter kit, and initial load worth P1,000.00. About 80 percent of the recipients were women. Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN

SDG), specifically SDG No. 8 which calls for decent work and economic growth as well as SDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.