Manila Standard - 2021 April 14 - Wednesday

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DFA confronts China envoy Expresses displeasure over lingering stay of Chinese boats in PH reef

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

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HE Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned China’s Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian to protest the presence of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea. AERIAL SHOT. This photo from the military’s Area Task Force West released Tuesday shows Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands replete with man-made buildings and a landing strip for airplanes built by Chinese militia.

Acting Foreign Affairs Undersecre- of 220 Chinese vessels believed to be tary Elizabeth Buensuceso called Huang manned by Chinese militia at the Philipto the DFA to shed light on the presence pine reef since early March.

While the number of ships has dwindled over the past weeks, at least nine vessels have remained, the DFA said.

“The DFA expressed displeasure over the lingering presence of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef. The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension,” the DFA said, in a statement.

During the meeting, Buensuceso asserted to Huang that the Julian Felipe Reef is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Next page Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

VOL. XXXV • NO. 58 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Galvez warns of new surge in June or July

By Willie Casas NATIONAL Task Force Against COVID-19 chief Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday warned of another surge of coronavirus cases in June or July.

“We have to expect this coming June or July that we might have another peak or surge,” Galvez said in an interview with ANC. Galvez gave this warning as he said there are various COVID-19 variants in the country and the vaccine efficacy will be determined six to nine months after the start of the vaccination program rollout.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. There is a wrong notion that the COVID-19 crisis is already finished in some other countries. It can reappear anytime. We have to expect for the worst when we are planning something and we are now preparing for it,” he added.

This developed as the Philippines on Tuesday logged 8,571 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 884,783, the Department of Health reported.

Next page

AYUDA CROWD. Residents of Barangay 201 in Pasay City, not observing health protocols, gather at the Kalayaan Village Covered Court to get their cash assistance or ‘ayuda’ on Tuesday. The village has 32 of Pasay's 555 total active COVID-19 cases as of April 12. Kulotitay Marasigan for PonD News Asia

Duterte, Putin talk over phone; deal for 20m jabs in the works

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 13)

884,783 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

8,571 161,534 NEW

ACTIVE

15,286

137

703,963

400

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

LEADERS’ DIALOG. President Rodrigo Duterte (back to camera) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Senator Bong Go, it happened around 4:20 p.m. Philippine time. Sen. Bong Go via Mela Lesmoras

Rody to give up slot in vax line to younger guy

By Vito Barcelo

ERAP IMPROVES, NOW NEGATIVE OF COVID-19 NEWS / A2

PRESIDENT Duterte said he is willing to waive his slot in the government vaccination program and give the jab to a young and productive individual.

“I will waive [my slot], I am 70 above… you know 70 above, what would I get? Dream of what? Living until kingdom come? If anyone is willing to get my slot, I will give it,” he said.

Duterte said that he was not sick and can continue doing his duties as president of the country, dismissing speculations that he was ill.

“If I tell you that I am sick, I am sick” he said during his Talk to the People address, denying rumors that he was ill and was unable to fulfill the functions of his office.

The government has so far administered more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the country’s health care Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a close friend of the Chief Executive, on Tuesday, Malacañang said.

This developed as 20 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will arrive over the next four months with the first 500,000 arriving in April, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced Tuesday.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque declined to divulge what the two leaders discussed. Pictures provided

by Malacañang, showing Duterte facing a screen with Putin's name and image, were released around 7 p.m. last night.

Duterte met Putin in Russia in 2017 and 2019. Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades, has never made an official trip to the Philippines.

Roque said he was compelled to make the announcement about the Duterte-Putin phone call after the President’s former aide and now Senator Christopher Go mentioned the schedule.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Go said Duterte was scheduled to discuss with Putin the efforts to further bolster cooperation between the Philippines and Russia in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Duterte and Putin were also expected to tackle efforts to boost the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccine supply, Go said.

Next page

Du30 calls for unity, charity in spirit of Ramadan

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has called on Filipinos to unite and help those who are in need and hope that the holy month of Ramadan would bring peace

DIGITAL GUIDE.

A Muslim resident of Manila studies the daily obligatory prayers on his cellphone outside the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, as Muslims worldwide prepare for the start of Ramadan, a month of prayers, fasting, and reflection. Lino Santos

and prosperity amid the COVID 19 pandemic.

“It is my hope that we can all move

forward with courage, hope, and optimism as the blessings of Ramadan bring peace and prosperity to the entire nation,” he said in his message for the sacred month of Islam.

Duterte said he joins Muslim Filipinos in the month-long Ramadan, which is a reminder of the “value of sacrifice, obedience and charity.”

For the entire month, Muslims will fast and offer prayers every day from dawn to sunset.

(See related story on B2— Editors) Next page

A2

News

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Schools should be a last resort’ E Briones told a Laging Handa briefing the schools should be the last resort for quarantine facilities as there were other huge isolation facilities in the National Capital Region that could be used other than the public campuses.

Schools should also be qualified as

an “appropriate” isolation facility based on the Department of Health guidelines, she said.

Briones added: “Not all classrooms can be used as an isolation center.

There are schools that only have a one-room school clinic while there are

others that can really be used as an isolation center. These should also pass the requirements set by the Department of Health.”

Third, Briones said the local government units should be in charge of managing the schools used as isolation facilities, noting that it was their “primary responsibility.”

Briones also appealed to properly identify schools that would be used for isolation and those that will be assigned as vaccination sites, noting that there were non-classroom facilities such as school grounds and gymnasiums used for COVID-19-related responses.

DFA...

peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing the South China Sea issue, Buensuceso emphasized the Philippine government’s demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Chinese vessels from the reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines, the DFA said.

Former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday supported the summoning of the Chinese ambassador.

“In doing so, the DFA has acted consistent with our collective constitutional duty to protect our “national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination,” said Del Rosario, chairman of policy think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

“This is truly the ‘independent foreign policy’ contemplated by our Constitution, which is to protect our national heritage in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The former DFA chief said that as long as Chinese vessels remain in Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of the Philippines’ EEZ, those vessels are violating Philippine laws, which make it unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters.

“The lingering Chinese presence in Julian Felipe Reef is an open and continuing violation of our laws. It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,” the former Foreign Affairs secretary said.

Getting the international community involved in the dispute over the South China Sea is the only way to stop China from increasing its aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea, an expert said on Tuesday.

In a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ research fellow Dr. Collin Koh said the Philippine should welcome international involvement in the issue.

“China's greatest fear is to internationalize the South China Sea dispute. It’s the only way to prevent China from going beyond what it’s currently doing,” Koh said.

Koh also recommended the Philippine government to have a “coherent” position on the issue and match it with ground actions such as more maritime patrols over

the disputed area.

Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales Canberra at the Australian Defense Force Academy said the United States will invigorate and modernize its alliances to hold China to account.

For Thayer, the presence of Chinese maritime militia and fishing vessels in Whitsun Reef or Julian Felipe Reef aims to pressure the Philippine government to cut its alliance with the US. “The present of China's maritime militia and fishing vessels in Whitsun reef, in my opinion, is designed to put pressure on [Philippine President Rodrigo] Duterte who equivocates on whether or not he’s going to terminate the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement),” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, encouraged unity among ASEAN countries and partnership with the Quad, a strategic dialogue including the United States, Japan, Australia and India, to address the issue.

“Our government must rethink its current alliances – and perhaps its allegiances. We must be consistent and firm in standing up for our national interests,” she said in the same forum.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be kicked out of our own backyard. The West Philippine Sea is part of the patrimony of the Filipino people,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Philppine Navy said there will be no at-sea events in this year's iteration of the "Balikatan" military exercises between American and Filipino military forces.

The exercises started Monday and will end on April 23.

Last year's exercises were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said on Tuesday that the crew members of the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are undergoing various training and systems testing before their deployment.

"Our two frigates, FF-150 and FF-151 are conducting manufacturer's training and systems testing in preparation for their operational deployments," he added.

Both BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna are capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors,

long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

BRP Jose Rizal formally joined the PN in July 2020 while BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned in March this year.

In other developments: • The Defense Department said it discussed the developments in the West Philippine Sea with its Malaysian counterpart, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to defense cooperation. In a statement Tuesday, the department said it and the Malaysian Ministry of Defense will uphold the implementation of their 1994 memorandum of understanding.

• The Area Task Force West under the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said it has intensified operations in the West Philippine Sea amid the presence of Chinese vessels in the area.

In a statement on Monday, the Area Task Force West said “sea assets shall be continuously deployed to different areas in the WPS to conduct maritime and sovereignty patrols, and other law enforcement activities.” These operations will cover the Julian Felipe Reef, Pag-asa Cay, Recto Bank, and other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

• Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday expressed her indignation against China’s increasingly aggressive territorial expansion in the West Philippine Sea, after learning that there are still 28 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef. “We demanded that every single Chinese vessel leaves Philippine territory. Why are they still there? China is becoming the region’s biggest bully," she said. She added that China exploited a global health crisis by executing a series of coordinated incursions into the WPS. • Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Tuesday raised concern over the ongoing Balikatan exercises between United States and Philippine armed forces, saying they would only heighten the tension between the US and China, putting the Philippines in the middle of two competing superpowers. “It would be best for the Philippine government to assert its sovereignty on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) without playing one superpower against the other," Zarate said in a statement.

senior citizens was based on a review of data from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, publications, press releases from other countries, and the totality of evidence.

“Clinical trial findings showed that the Sinovac CoronaVac is well tolerated among older individuals,” Gloriani said during a Department of Health (DOH) briefing.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of CoronaVac on the elderly last week.

FDA chief Eric Domingo earlier said CoronaVac showed 51 percent to 52 percent efficacy among the elderly.

Previously, CoronoVac was only recommended for clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59.

Experts reevaluated CoronaVac after several local governments were forced to halt their inoculation of senior citizens due to a shortage of AstraZeneca doses.

Gloriani said that individuals 60 and older are at an “increased risk” of severe illness and death due to COVID-19, especially if they have underlying conditions.

“The overall findings demonstrated that these vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and have good safety profiles both in the general population and the elderly,” she said.

Over one million people have been vaccinated in the Philippines as of April 11.

Another member of the VEP, Dr. Rontgene Solante, said the 50 percent efficacy rate of CoronaVac is significant protection.

So far, 3 million of the 3,025,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country are from Sinovac, a Chinese pharmaceutical firm.

"Sinovac is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), approved by the VEP. That 50 percent efficacy rate is still very relevant, especially now that we have low supply of COVID-19 vaccines as we have a surge in cases,” Solante said during an online briefing.

Based on Philippine FDA evaluation of Sinovac, its vaccine has the following efficacy rates:

Galvez...

may still log at least 4,000 cases per day by then, he added.

"Nationally, we could be at around 9,000 to 10,000 cases per day around the end of April. To reduce that to 50 percent would require about 30 days because that's how we see it in the past," Guido said.

The OCTA Research Group noted that the COVID-19 reproduction rate has slowed down to 1.24 from 1.88 following the reimposition of a two-week enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila area.

The reproduction rate of a virus is a measure of its transmission or the number of new infections generated by each case.

Galvez said the government was expanding healthcare facilities in the National Capital Region as coronavirus cases were increasing.

Based on their projection, Galvez said at least 2 percent of all active cases were critical, and the government needs to provide 600 additional intensive care unit beds in Metro Manila.

There are currently 1,395 ICU beds in the NCR, with the IATF looking at adding 1,350 regular beds for those with moderate and mild symptoms, as well as for those who are asymptomatic.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

DUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones said Tuesday the use of schools as quarantine facilities during the raging coronavirus pandemic should be a last resort, and with three conditions.

From A1

Buensuceso told Huang that the 2016 arbitral award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled in favor of the Philippines, had already invalidated China’s excessive and historical claim over nearly the entire South China Sea. “The 12 July 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration ruled that claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, are without lawful effect,” Buensuceso said.

China, a signatory to the UNCLOS along with the Philippines, rejected the PCA ruling.

Aside from China and Philippines, other claimants over the disputed waters -- Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan — also have territorial claims over the South China Sea which analysts say could be Asia’s next potential flashpoint for a major armed conflict.

In March, the Philippines filed diplomatic protest against China over the swarming of Chinese militia vessels at Julian Felipe Reef and demanded the immediate pullout of the ships from the reef, which is located 175 nautical miles of Bataraza, Palawan and clearly within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier vowed to file daily diplomatic protests against China until all their ships leave the reef.

Despite repeated calls and protests from the Philippines, Chinese ships continue to linger in the area and have even been spotted in other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan off the country’s northwestern waters.

Buensuceso reminded the Chinese side of “proper decorum and manners in the conduct of their duties as guests of the Philippines” after its embassy spokesperson openly maligned Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for demanding the immediate withdrawal of China’s ships in the reef.

Although both sides affirmed the

Duterte,..

From A1

The government is expected to finalize its supply deal with Russia’s Gamaleya National Center for 20 million doses of vaccines.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Galvez said the arrival of the Russian vaccine is timely, given the shortage of AstraZeneca jabs.

Galvez said negotiations were ongoing, but he expected the supply agreement to be signed this week.

Like the vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac, the Sputnik V has been granted an emergency use authorization.

Galvez said the Gamaleya Institute, which makes the vaccine, has offered another 20 million doses should the Philippines need to order more. He also said the government will get these jabs at a price lower than the $10 price tag.

Based on the vaccine rollout prepared

by Galvez, an initial 500,000 doses of Gamaleya vaccines may arrive this month, followed by two million doses next month.

An additional 4 million Gamaleya doses are expected to be delivered in June, while another 4 million shots will arrive in July.

Meanwhile, 194,000 doses of the vaccine made by the US company Moderna are expected to arrive in May. The government has placed an order of 13 million doses from Moderna, while the private sector has bought 7 million doses.

Galvez said there has already been an agreement with the World Bank to facilitate the payment of the government's order.

Also, the head of the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP), Dr. Nina Gloriani, said Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac showed “remarkable” safety across all age groups, including the elderly.

Gloriani said the VEP’s recommendation to allow the use of CoronaVac on

From A1

According to the DOH, the day's relatively low figure of newly reported COVID-19 cases was due to the fewer testing laboratories that operated on Sunday, April 11.

Total active cases in the country were logged at 165,534, or 18.7 percent of the total. The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 703,963, which is 79.6 percent of the total, after 400 new patients recovered from the illness.

Some 137 new fatalities brought the death toll to 15,286, which is 1.73 percent of the total.

The Philippines may experience a downward trend in new coronavirus infections in the next two weeks, a group of experts said Tuesday, as Metro Manila and four nearby provinces remain under stricter quarantine restrictions.

"We're hoping that the downward trend will happen within two weeks but that doesn’t mean we have contained this," Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research Group told ANC. The capital region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal

Du30...

From A1

“The entire nation joins our Muslim sisters and brothers as we commemorate the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammad,” Duterte said.

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, may peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you all in the holy month of Ramadan.”

“As we mark this holy occasion, I ask everyone to promote solidarity among all Filipinos by manifesting faith through action and by fostering peace, hope and unity as we face the most challenging of times,” he added.

Duterte said Filipinos should “chan-

Briones said: “We will agree to use these schools but we should not let these facilities be used simultaneously for academic purposes, health responses, vaccination, isolation, etc. without the supervision of the DOH and LGU.” So far, Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua said 1,212 schools were being used as quarantine facilities.

Of the said number, 422 schools are in Region VIII, 216 in Region V, and only four in Metro Manila.

Pascua said the schools in Metro Manila were not being used as many hospitals and huge quarantine facilities are located in the region.

nel the spirit of Ramadan” by helping those who are less fortunate and “most in need.”

Vice President Leni Robredo also gave her greetings, saying she joined the entire Muslim community "in solemn reflection as another lunar year marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan."

"As we humbly receive the grace, wisdom, and guidance that comes through faith, may we be brought together and be reminded of our common humanity— our common struggles, and the common hope that binds us— and in this find the strength not only to endure, but to imagine a better normal for all, and build it," she said.

"May Allah’s peace be upon everyone.

Ramadan Mubarak!" Robredo added.

DSWD admits to House slow ‘ayuda’ rollout

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has said "only eight percent" of the allocated P22.9 billion in financial assistance was disbursed in the NCR Plus area which was under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for two weeks, ending last Sunday.

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista made the statement in a televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that P1,757,281,000 of the P22,915,422,000 social amelioration program fund was disbursed to the beneficiaries affected by the lockdown.

"As of April 11, based on the data of the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the actual beneficiaries paid total 1,757,281 and amount disbursed is P1,751,281,000 so eight percent of the amount has been disbursed," said Bautista during his presentation.

He also admitted that there was a "slow start" in the disbursement of assistance but he assured the beneficiaries that distribution would accelerate in a few days.

"There was really a slow start as it was last year. It took four to five days to start the distribution of the special assistance," Bautista said.

Of the disbursed funds, residents from Metro Manila got the most cash aid with more than P1.5 billion distributed to 1.5 million beneficiaries.

Erap improving, now negative of COVID, says son FORMER President Joseph "Erap" Estrada is now negative for COVID-19, his son, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, announced on Tuesday.

"We are happy to announce that my dad continues to improve and we expect that he can be transferred to a regular room soon," Jinggoy posted on Facebook.

"His repeat RT-PCR (swab test) is now NEGATIVE!" he added.

Jinggoy said his father is still on high flow oxygen support but at a much reduced rate, and has been allowed to resume a soft diet.

At the same time, the former President is also oriented, conversing normally and "appears to be in good spirits," he added.

"We thank everyone for their continuous support and love and ask that you continue to pray for him and others who are afflicted with this awful and dreaded disease," Jinggoy said.

On March 29, Jinggoy announced that his father was COVID-19 positive.

The former leader had to be placed on mechanical ventilation at one point as his pneumonia had worsened, but his condition has since stabilized.

Rody...

From A1

workers, senior citizens and persons with co-morbidities.

Duterte’s spokesman said his remark about waiving his vaccination slot was his “personal conviction” that may change when more vaccine supplies arrive.

“This is the President’s personal conviction now that there is a limited supply of vaccines. The people first before him,” he said in an online briefing.

Roque said Duterte’s statement was “temporary” and expressed hope that it would change when the bulk of COVID-19 vaccines arrive in the second quarter of the year.

Duterte may push through with his public vaccination when more vaccine doses arrive in the country, Roque added.

Roque also dismissed rumors that Duterte has already been administered a vaccine, saying that was “all speculation.”

Roque described Duterte’s appearance on national television to deliver his regular public address as proof of his good health amid rumors about his being ill or dead.

“Duterte showing himself on television is proof that our Chief Executive is fit, healthy, not to mention, he looks younger,” Roque said in Filipino.

Last week, Duterte skipped his regular public address after many of his close-in security detail tested positive for COVID-19.

In a pre-recorded public address on Monday night, Duterte said he was purposely out of the public eye last week because he was busy reviewing and signing documents.

Duterte dared critics to “pray harder” if they wanted rumors about him being ill or dead to come true.

News QC, SM team up to give the jabs to senior citizens

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday announced the city government’s partnership with retail giant SM supermalls in the city’s vaccination rollout by putting together its own team of doctors and nurses to help inoculate senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities.

“The city has had numerous partnerships with the private sector throughout the pandemic, and we’re glad to be working with them still as we vaccinate our residents and immunize them against coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19],” she said.

The partnership would address the lack of available health-care workers who would conduct the vaccination among residents.

“We have agreed that their own medical team can give the shots to qualified SM employees who reside in QC, provided that it will be supervised by our City Health Department.”

On April 12, the city opened a vaccination site at the Skydome of SM City North Edsa to cater to mall employees residing in the city and are medical frontliners, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities aged 18 to 59, or those who fall under A1 to A3 categories, respectively.

Margie Santos, Business Permits and Licensing Department chief, said the move would also help boost the economy as frontline workers, such as those who work at malls and supermarkets, would get vaccinated faster.

“There are close to 16,000 SM employees who work and reside in the city and are qualified to get the vaccine. By teaming up with their employer SM, we can be assured that all of them will be vaccinated, protecting not just the employees but also the families they go home to after work. We really appreciate SM and other private sector partners for lending us a hand amid manpower crunch,” she said.

More vaccination sites are expected to be opened in several other branches of SM malls within the city to cover the target employee population.

According to Belmonte, the city is also currently in talks with other private sector groups, such as Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls, Araneta City, Eastwood Mall and the IT and BPO sector.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Taguig ‘ayuda’ givers stoned, harassed

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE TAGUIG City government suspended the distribution of cash assistance in Barangay Upper Bicutan after some disappointed residents threw stones and made threats to local officials at the venue of distribution.

“To diffuse tension and restore peace, the city government has suspended today the distribution of the national government’s emergency relief assistance in Barangay Upper Bicutan. The distribution will resume as soon as the safety of the beneficiaries and the government workers is ensured,” the city’s Public Informa-

tion Office stated in its advisory Tuesday.

Reports reaching the Office of the Mayor showed that some residents whose names were not included in the list of beneficiaries stormed the venue for the distribution and threatened and attempted to hurt social workers, security staff and policemen.

City officials were trying to explain to residents and cited the national government’s directive in the distribution of financial assistance under the Social Amelioration Program 1 and 2.

They said the national government prioritized the beneficiaries who were in the SAP1 and SAP2 lists while other vulnerable groups like low-income individuals and those severely affected by the enhanced community quarantine were to follow but subject to the availability of funds.

The local government also explained that it could not add or put other beneficiaries in the lists of priorities without violating the prescribed rules.

“The city understands the hardships that COVID-19 has brought upon eve-

ryone. That is why since the lockdown started last year, the city has been extending financial assistance, food packs and hygiene kits to various sectors, including those who are not in the SAP list of beneficiaries,” it added.

The city government assured it would continue extending assistance for as long as its resources permitted it.

“We appeal to our residents to remain calm and to respect the rules laid down by the National Government. More importantly, we appeal to our residents not to threaten or harm in any way our social workers, security staff and policemen who are all working hard and risking their own health and safety to distribute the assistance to their fellow Taguigeños.”.

IN BRIEF Navotas vaccinates all priority frontliners

MALL VACCINATION. A municipal health worker screens a recipient before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during the ‘Marilenyong Bakunado Protektado’ drive at SM City Marilao. In Paranaque, Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez (center) stands with with SM Supermalls Regional Manager Bambi Santayana and SAVP Johanna Rupisan (inset) at the vaccination site at SM BF Paranaque’s 5th level parking. The program is part of the SM Supermall’s community efforts to assist local governments to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Jun David

Manila teachers, principals, listed A2-A3 get jab Francisco Duque III for the arrival of ten brand-new and fully-equipped ambulances for distribution to the six hospitals being run by the city.

Domagoso personally received the ambulances along with Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Manila Health Department Acting City Health Officer Arnold Pangan. \Domagoso Says the ambulances will be a great help not only for COVID patients but for those with other life-threatening illnesses.

He called on those who would be driving the ambulances to treat them with utmost care, saying they were essential in helping save lives.

By Willie Casas MANILA teachers and principals, both retired and active, were inoculated on Tuesday by the local government during the continuation of its vaccination rollout as the number of peoplq already inoculated in the city had reached 76,690.

The vaccination, led by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, was held at the Palacio de Manila on Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila, for teachers and principals belonging to the A2 and A3 categories, or those who are senior citizens or aged 18 to 59 with comorbidities.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso thanked Health Secretary

Regarding the ongoing payout of the social amelioration program (funds from the national government, the mayor commended the Manila Department of Social Welfare, led by Director Re Fugoso and the social workers, for working even on weekends so that the total number of those who have already received their cash aid has already reached over 100,000 as of the other night.

The city government’s food security program is also continuing to complement the cash aid. Now on its third consecutive month, the FSP has so far covered 299,000 families out of the targeted 700,000 families in the entire city, all in just a period of five days of non-stop delivery.

UN, Japan, IOM give BARMM a boost THE UN Migration Agency, International Organization for Migration and the Government of Japan have launched a project to strengthen the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s preparedness and response capacity for effective COVID-19 prevention and control.

The Government of Japan has provided more than $2.7 million to support the IOM’s COVID-19 response.

Through this project, IOM will conduct a series of health and emergency preparedness interventions in partnership with the local government of BARMM to enhance the readiness of the region for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out through technical support and knowledge transfer, to better equip the local health authorities to undertake adequate testing, cold chain management and patient transport in response to COVID-19, and to strengthen the communities’ disaster risk reduction

COLOR CODED. Beneficiaries, all in white shirts, line up as they wait to receive the

financial assistance form the city government at the Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City on Tuesday. With the color-coded distribution, beneficiaries are told to wear a specific colored shirt on the day they will receive their financial assistance to ensure health protocols are being followed. Manny Palmero

DAR probes illegal land conversions THE Department of Agrarian Reform on Tuesday said it is set to investigate possible illegal conversions in Bulacan.

Abdullah Linog, the agency’s provincial agrarian reform officer II, said DAR has found seven areas along the Pulilan bypass road without any application for conversion during a site inspection.

He said areas ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 square meters of agricultural land were already dumped with soil and gravel.

“We have no records of any application for conversion submitted in the office,” he said.

He said possible illegal activities could mean a direct insult to the agency since DAR officials and personnel are always passing

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by the area daily.

“We are now gathering relevant information for possible filing of appropriate cases if we find certain irregularities in this undertaking. DAR will continue to protect agricultural areas against any illegal activities,” he said.

He stressed that the conversion of lands to other uses is not illegal per se.

Land conversion in a particular area can be allowed as warranted by the situation and through justifiable grounds and appropriate applicable guidelines that must be followed.

“As Filipino citizens, we must always abide by the law and the rules of the government for the well-being of our country,” he said. Rio N. Araja

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

TODAY

ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for its consent on the nominations and for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), namely: Nominations: 1. Ms. MYLA GRACE RAGENIA CATALBAS MACAHILIG Chief of Mission, Class II as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See with concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Order of Malta 2. Mr. EZZEDIN HAMDI TAGO Chief of Mission, Class II as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Djibouti, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea, and the Republic of the Sudan Ad Interim Appointments: 3. Ms. MARIA TERESITA CRUZ DAZA Chief of Mission, Class I 4. Mr. ADRIAN BERNIE CABARDO CANDOLADA Chief of Mission, Class II 5. Ms. LILIBETH VELASCO PONO Chief of Mission, Class II 6. Ms. JOSEPHINE MAGPANTAY REYNANTE Chief of Mission, Class II 7. Mr. RODERICO CAPARAS ATIENZA Career Minister 8. Mr. GONARANAO BANTUAS MUSOR Career Minister 9. Ms. ERICKA ANNA TAN ABAD Foreign Service Officer, Class I 10. Ms. LILY ANN CHEN CHENG Foreign Service Officer, Class I 11. Ms. SHIENA R. ESCOTO-TESORERO Foreign Service Officer, Class I 12. Ms. ANNA MARIE CANO SANTOS Foreign Service Officer, Class I The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty - two (32) copies of the above nominations and ad interim appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989.

13 April 2021.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-APRIL 14, 2021)

and management capacity in the context of health response.

BARMM’s Chief Minister, Ahod B. Ebrahim, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan and IOM for the support at “one of the difficult times in the region’s recent history” and said “Our shared fight against the COVID-19 is far from over. The project will help BARMM ease the path and address the effects of COVID-19.”

“The project comes at a very opportune time as we confront COVID-19 and prepare for the vaccination program. The initiatives we start today will clear the way for a healthier and stronger Bangsamoro.

Thus, the right combination of planning, know-how, infrastructure and partnership must be in place,” said Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa, emphasizing that the project is reflective of Japan’s commitment to the country’s peace process.

THE City Government of Navotas completed Monday the inoculation of priority A1 frontliners.

Some 1,297 resident and non-resident frontliners who registered in the city’s COVID-19 vaccination program have received their shots. Of this number, 178 have been given the second dose.

Navotas will also resume the vaccination of senior citizens following the decision of the Food and Drug Authority to allow them to have Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac vaccine.

“Amid the continuous increase in COVID-19 infections and the delay inthe delivery of other vaccines, we welcome the decision of the FDA toallow seniors to have the CoronaVac jab,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

“It is urgent that we vaccinate all our seniors as soon as we can.They are one of the most vulnerable sectors and they need to be protected immediately from this deadly disease.”

As of April 12, Navotas has also vaccinated 892 seniors and 1,686 persons with comorbidity. Jun David

‘Kamay Gabay’ kits for breast cancer ICANSERVE Foundation continues to look for sponsors and partners to distribute Kamay Gabay breast self-examination kits to women all over he country.

Breast cancer became the number one cancer in the world in 2020, overtaking lung cancer, said the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Launched in October 2020, Kamay Gabay kits contain information on breast care, breast cancer and a bag charm bracelet that serves as a visual reminder to do regular BSE and clinical check-up. The beads of the charm demonstrate the average sizes of lumps found through check-ups, and sizes of lumps that go unchecked.

ICANSERVE thanks its first Kamay Gabay partners as follows: Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation led by its president Janet Olivares, vice president Melissa Oreta and executive director Eva Nono; Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon and wife Trina; Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano and health cluster head Dr. Cecille Montales; Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto; San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and wife Keri; Marikina City Health Office led by Dr. Albert Herrera; ICANSERVE Cebu led by Mary Anne Alcordo Solomon; Tagum City led by Mayor Allan Rellon, Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, Rotary Club of Tagum North, Living Hope led by Melina Avila; Baguio-based Minda’s Buddies led by Marivic Bugasto; Isabelabased Buhay Ka! led by Dr. Melchor Capella De La Cruz; Cagayan de Oro-based Thrive led by Karen Jose Maria; and Max Ventura of Philam Foundation; and individual sponsors Isabela Lovina and Luis Virata.

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News

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Palace: New law needed for fresh loan grace period MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said a new law should be passed to give borrowers another grace period to pay loans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the Bayanihan 1 law granting a mandatory grace period for borrowers lapsed on June 1, 2020.

“The BSP is right. There is a need for a new law that would provide assistance for borrowers. A new law is needed for that,” Roque said in a virtual press conference.

The central bank, however, encouraged local banks to continue to provide relief measures to its clients by renewing, restructuring, or extending the terms of the loans, among others, based on theircontinuing assessment of their cash flows.

“The BSP has granted prudential relief measures to BSFIs to enable them to continue to provide financial services and support households and business amid the crisis,” it said.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno also encouraged banks to take advantage of the time-bound tax exemptions and fee privileges under RA 11523 or the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the FIST Act in February to help the economy recover from the pandemic shock.

The FIST Act allows banks and financial institutions to outsource the management of their non-performing assets (NPAs) and nonperforming loans (NPLs) to asset management firms that are similar to special purpose vehicles (SPV).

Rody open to review pork EO

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will consider the recommendation of senators to recall an executive order lowering the tariff rates on imported pork products, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

ART IMITATES LIFE. A mural depicts the importance of using a face mask to protect people from COVID-19 at the National Shrine of the Mother of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist Church) in Baclaran, Parañaque. Norman Cruz

Un-Christian? Innocent question, says bishop MANILA Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Tuesday said questions on how presidential spokesman Harry Roque secured a hospital room at the Philippine General Hospital were not “unChristian.”

Pabillo said given the context that most medical facilities were full because of the surge in COVID-19 cases, government officials like Roque must not shy away from such questions.

It was uncalled for to label people who ask legitimate questions. How was that ‘un-Christian?’ It was an in-

nocent question,” the bishop said in an interview with ABS-CBN Teleradyo.

“Public figures must be transparent in answering questions. That’s the problem: When people ask, instead of answering the question, they respond with ad hominem. They attack the person. That is not right,” Pabillo added.

Roque, who said he had to be admitted after his oxygen level dropped to 90, said he “was in bad shape” when he was admitted to PGH last week.

“Hindi po pupuwede ang palakasan dito,” Roque said Tuesday in a press

briefing.

The Department of Health, for its part, refused to comment on prioritization of Roque.

“We have our protocols and there is also triaging system in our hospitals based on the level of severity of pati ents when they come in. For this, please forgive me I’m not going to comment on this but as I’ve said, we have protocols in our system,” DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an ANC Headstart interview Monday.

TECH SOLUTION.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, together with Sec. Gringo Honasan, observe the launch of the Vaccine Information Management System Immunization Registry (VIMS-IR) of the Department of Information and Communications Technology on April 13, 2021 at the FilOil Flying V Center. With the pilot implementation of the VIMS-IR, the local government was able to cut the process time from 20 minutes to only 10 minutes per person from registration to vaccination.

Manny Palmero

‘Ensure power supply, defer shutdowns’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called on the energy sector and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted and reliable power supply as the government beefs up its vaccination program.

Gatchalian said the country cannot afford to have brownouts during this time when vaccines need to be stored in specific cold conditions or refrigerated to maintain their efficacy.

He made the call amid reports of a series of forced power outages in the Luzon grid.

Electricity demand is usually higher during the summer months and as such, the reserve margin is thinner, if not insufficient.

Data provided by the Department of Energy showed that for the billing period February 26 to March 25, there were 15 unplanned outages due to excessive oil leaks, high turbine vibration, and other technical problems while there were seven planned outages.

The Senate Energy Committee chairperson also urged generation companies to defer to a latter date any planned maintenance shutdowns if possible.

“The President is listening to everyone, especially if all senators have a unified call,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Several senators have expressed opposition to Executive Order No. 128 that temporarily reduces the rates of import duty on fresh, chilled, or frozen pork products for one year.

Under EO 128, the tariff rate on pork imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) was reduced from the current rate of 30 percent to 5 percent for the first three months and to 10 percent for the next nine months.

Pork imports outside MAV, according to EO 128, will be slapped with a lower tariff of 15 percent for the first three months and 20 percent for the succeeding nine months from the current 40 percent.

Senators, however, believed lowering the tariff in the importation of swine products would only kill the local hog industry.

During the Senate Committee of the Whole public hearing on Monday, Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that the government would lose P3.6 billion because of the lower tariff rates.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III was also surprised the Department of Agriculture was able to convince Duterte to approveits proposed pork tariff reduction.

Sotto said he and his fellow senators might ask Duterte to withdraw EO 128.

Earlier, Duterte asked Congress to approve his recommendation to raise the MAV allocation to 350,000 metric tons from the current 54,210 to boost the pork supply in the country.

The DA has also urged Duterte to sign the draft proclamation declaring a state of national emergency in the country to address the severe impact of African swine fever on the hog industry.

In a memorandum dated March 17, Agriculture Secretary William Dar explained the ASF has already spread to 12 regions, 40 provinces, 466 cities and municipalities, and 2,425 villages nationwide.

SC holds 1st virtual town hall meet

By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Tuesday assured all lower court judges and personnel that the Supreme Court will promptly address their pressing concerns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the High Court’s first-ever virtual town hall meeting, Chief Justice Gesmundo and the associate justices of the 15-member bench listened to the immediate health and work concerns of the lower court judges and personnel.

Gesmundo was at the SC Division Hearing Room with the rest of the SC magistrates participating online via videoconferencing using the Philippine Judiciary 365 platform.

This was the first time the SC justices

met with all 2,000 judges and court personnel collegially and online, using the live event feature of the Judiciary 365 platform.

“We assure you that the Court En Banc will study the issues that you raised,” said Gesmundo who also gave his assurance that the SC “will pass and approve appropriate issuances in due time.”

During the inaugural town hall meeting, the high court, among others, gave the participants an update on the progress of the judiciary’s vaccination plan.

Senior Associate Justice Estela PerlasBernabe said that the SC’s request for inclusion in the priority population group A4 (category A4) of the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines has been granted by the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

DepEd pushes for ‘academic ease’ THE Department of Education on Tuesday rejected calls for an academic break.

DepED said easing the academic load of students is a better alternative amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Students have always been calling for an academic break but we in the Department are of the belief that academic ease is better,” Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said. “‘We don’t need to stop the classes. What we need is to be more considerate to the situation of every student,” he added.

Lack of access to technology should not be a reason to stop classes, he said, as there are available printed self-learning modules.

He urged teachers to refrain from giving tight deadlines.

“We understand the challenges and some are saying that they are loaded with lots of school work.

That’s why our call, and based on DepEd guidelines, is to ease the deadlines for the requirements,” he said.

Earlier, Senate Basic Education Committee chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian also thumbed down calls for a nationwide academic break.

DEFENSE COOPERATION. Navy Flag Officer In Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo is received by Turkey’s Minister of National Defense, Hulusi Akar, the commander of Turkey`s Naval Forces Admiral Adnan Özbal and Deputy Minister Muhsin Dere at a reception in Istanbul.

Immigration nabs South Korean fugitive in Las Piñas

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities arrested a fugitive from South Korea who is wanted in Seoul for swindling five years ago.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as Kim Dong Woo, who was arrested in Las Piñas City by operatives of the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

Morente said the 49-year-old Kim will soon be deported to Korea to face charges in his country.

“His name has been placed in our immigration blacklist. Hence, any future attempts to re-enter the country will be barred,” the BI chief added.

BI FSU chief Bobby Raquepo said Kim was also an undocumented alien as his passport was revoked by the South

Korean government.

Kim has been on South Korea’s wanted list since he fled to the Philippines in February 2018 to evade prosecution.

“The Bureau recently received information about his crimes and was informed that his passport is no longer valid, hence the Commissioner issued a Mission Order for his arrest so he may be sent back to his home to be prosecut-

ed,” said Raquepo.

Information from BI’s Interpol database showed that in 2015, Kim, who was then in his office in Incheon, enticed a victim to lend him 65 million won or almost $58,000 for his alleged business.

Kim allegedly promised the victim that he would pay a 20-percent interest for the loan.

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Much like many facets of our hisof cultures, ideas, and technology was of that period in our history.

Forty eight work habits.

This is true for some families her representative re lives would be an understatement.

An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems rocking UCPB, which has seen warfare carried out in the 2016 presidenwhich can immobilize entire communities. tening. cially as the pub time, and where they perform other tasks on work hab s Th s s rue for some fam es pause. lives would be an understatement.

HE Offi ce of the Ombudsman has dealt another blow, not to lengthy track record. ply an inside job considering the internal tial race in favor of then candidate Trump stbrought insidious hackdent work habits.

This is true for some families lives would be an understatement. orating the to 500th lengthy track record. ply an inside job considering the internal technological nautical Even theheights. administration of vaccines, dents andtheteache We have grappled in to balancing the es tial sdone ashackwe Subs an evenues om he a development race nat favor oftime henTrump cand against da etory Trump Still,and themost worst and mosthackinsidious justice such as the assassination of Antonio spurred to unprecedented years after, those who have fortunate enough to keep a job and proorders its release in tive of the cybersecurity firmharangued FireEye, has its top officials resigning enofmasse. and communities differently This should race in favor ofaclearest then candidate Still, the worst insidious be anywhere any and justice even the main Democratic fundraising They are here weeks, situa tion their own, respectively—educators are try- execuOne of the manifestations for una e enough o keep a ob and proagainst his Democratic rival, former US subvert political An expert, John Hultquist, senior problems rocking UCPB, which has seen time ntennial as histocorruption inof government which would have been but to the fortunate tothen keep a job and pro-surprisingly, An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems UCPB, which has seen One the clearest manifestations science andaga the of leaders reach delayed inadequate in case, number asa Children need to curb new COVID cases with Luna, the death of the Bonifacio brothers ns nthis he sits Democra cserve rava former US operations donepolitical to subvert political where atever left of it, ing are spagainst aw ng bus nesswill es s cou dto exp nUS “...Not anand eventual disconand thrown tons garbage at Presraised alarm bells over thegood, Russian hackers In any event, heist should as rocking vide their children their learning tools. or ofand request One of the clearest manifestations Itofisenough probably safe ferent.

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The Army commanders. any perceived adversary Given such an form) cyber Microsoft vare de he rpresided ch dren he rofin earn ng oo sare, improve our empathy and correct our tive ofdo the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its top officials resigning en masse.

Meanwhile students are also adjusting to stay. ofhis that change isrival, in the al of Europeans They here to thei previously unknown lands and recreate tive the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has itseducation top officials resigning en masse. vide their children their learning tools. and the mass murders inchange Samar during they have been a source of diffi culty.

ATprocesses THE a attacks eand Myanma s cu undermine en mvice a The ysocieties. the need to maintain economic acThey are here to Secre ary of S a e H ary C n on’s camprocesses and The nect the narrative surrounding Spanish hat, we should put ident Marcos and those who noting that while multiple cyber-espionage a wake-up call not only for banks.

This is their own, respe fi ght against corruption which is downright bad. why he Ta madaw gene a s wan o ho d on Ombudsman’s field of that is in the education or functioning Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s camundermine societies. reach out to their students and enable them to uld put paign.”

Russian interferthat change isserve inshould the education raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers Inof any event, this heist serve asover to say we will make it In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reworld geography.

It marked the beginGiven the continuing debate over theenvironment the security and stability of sident Tom Burt has been quoted as sayraised alarm bells over the Russian hackers In any event, this heist should as the Fil-American war, to name a few, the Some areas have shown remarkable efactors have targeted organizations associshort-sightedness In doing our best to also for regulators, government agencies system. arrival in the Philippines developed as each tivity to allow millions to keep their the country’s fate during those years pa gn ” controversy over the Russian interferu e s a e k ng una med p o es e s and t this UCPB caper the much-changed demands of schoolwork for the purpose of a if ing to make do o paign.” powe o as ong as hey can may not be ing an learn,noting notwithstanding the great challenges stay. controversy over the interferBntions caper Microsoft has Russian also spotted state-sponin landing favor of stay. system. thatsecurity while multiple cyber-espionage wake-up call not only for iscould as the ning of one of the most empires martial law years, Mabayo’s notes should noting that while multiple cyber-espionage arrival of the flotilla and the banks. death ofThis its been a spo wake-up notas only for banks.

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by The its maritime force the has storytellers a deeplingers. are “most concerned that of the incumbent president’s corner. services. incident reminds leader, Magellan, asthe well as eventual budsman Samue res hadthe And m edthis he more actors have organizations associalso for regulators, government agencies tional identities.

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Microsoft vice is when these are done in such a brazen Meanwhile, h ow a bomb ha exp oded and ove and raging at the injustice of it all.

Filipinos—just good planning, coorpatient turns out to have been around ns abuses and a oc es by secu y en or otherwise, c process as h s hack ng group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the at seek to comprotheir respective peoples. and found wanting.

It is not the only fresh perspective on will how we should view We were hop ng he ha Ombudsman Mar res celebrations nonote ahere fanc fu erm buEverybody s a emens of this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the ic process.. omprowould be enough to oaccomplish those to yond posted Thea Diplomat: of can sas indeed bein easily undermined byfac the Russian hackers via learn phishing attacks goods andas such as those in foodyears, Un ment.

Students their lessons, one’s an work inservices the same manner for many sis isofmeans” finallythe ove Today they have to use technology subry ng h s or her bes comfor of he r homes bu def time.” . environment, the security and stability president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as what happened to Everybody is trying his or her best to allies made it handily into the Senate elecers and journalists ” environment, the security and stability of president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as what happened to the comfort of their homes, but there is defiFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says led to contain the pandemic Meanwhile, our President says he Thus the answer to the question of the much-chang ned a m atoytell.uck khighng mo ehigh hanprofile dination, andandcollaboration instead of “disto pine economy slumped tohe its lowest in yystems, the same place same asand wea“...On “...One such example ofsome thisandis the respons binof e then for of mos provocaand writers bashing cesmanufacturing ennarrative. entireusystems, storysanctions Asimposed some noted and o responsible and even teach in our EMIL has hadeducators heever me ohistory refat ecthe onto h teach sschools dectime sbetter, onand and ha one’stasks. n- stitute clicksays ofMarch a one’s finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications or and power utilities That fateful decision his misfor some the most provocasanctions and profile bashing 16,expenses 2021, weexceed wille comwill learn may only have even decades, having to shift to an priceless.

(Uni theenv interactions and experiences theyintegrity Ife these latest hacking attempts on othan operations for so dimposed sto be earn n hwhich s new ronn unhinge eaga yup no hInhe ng comfor ab e abou do ng your nations and societies asintegrity well as the ing that initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can the banking sysnations and societies as well as Duterte’s the ing that the initial failed attempt on ab Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysstill be able learn in this new environcomfortable about your The has kept away on beast, as we and competition.

They may have ajust dozen s two were. us to look out difference the retelling of tions solidified power academics have been saying the Duterte has vowed to continue his “war ve and aggress cyber opera ons aItnothing these countries havelately, been getting from ains or plain “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert anopurpose—for the younger generations. this Mabayo Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockWmarked hand heaggressive numbe oincyber hose kve ed bythe he whether or not the appointment of Gierran how bnitely aof an yremains goes ns to avowed fdoing gh come and athe ohimself her revenue aken oge her calculation ofspite enemy forces, led by Lapu memorate the 500th anniversary of the tive operations of all these two countries have been getting from theplain the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conparents will learn how best they can supties.”

This, he says, is altogether new way of teaching. erwise secure organizations in US soil eports coming out men S uden s w earn he r essons omm and standing of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by tem.

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

Or, to companies providing essential ment.

Students will learn their lessons, JURADO work in the same manner for many years, what discernible, sane reason, we canof events or incibut At this point it is anybody’s guess story of Ferdinand Magellan’s death.

Anmartial law years were not as dark and utfor symptoms or isolate ourselves if we but mostly for me ” the Trump adm n s ra on piece, the oft-repeated note—history is become such lufor ransparency Unfor una e y he has used h s Spec f ca y f a governmen off c a s ab e Lapu, resulted in Magellan’s death. arrival of Europeans in the Philippines. m a y now mo e han 700 and ke y o time.” the Trump administration. uch luport their children.

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

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

On top of of note can indeed be easily undermined by the Russian hackers via phishing attacks goods and services such as those in food educa orsattacks o was each behow er the and ofHe note can indeed be easily undermined by sarilyToday the Russian via phishing goods and services such those inaga food even hen havIttong ohackers sh omeans an will r historical rests educators towteach better, and imagine. tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, anddecades then having to shift useless asRussian these are saying they soon—or soon—we can gothey we may have been inhelp. contact Tod written by the victors—which has been me ofor perfec h sas argumen nsand ho doanadrnot ve af BMW on alearn ow mon h to yearn amorIf connectivity, hese a es hack ng aothemp shear on othat hIn he case ofguys he Russ an for opera for ght and developed hav struck in face by anot Mactan is day that different things this, so complaining nothe If these latest hacking attempts on In theterly case ofinthe operations veloped ease n on he days ahead obse ve s ”could be equate toHeal corr and with or they also al race the planet, using as they do nc theons Russian military that for the Board of Trustees Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela chilling the day itcontraction began He wants ing towill researchers from our universities.

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

Inorganizations the case of would Army commanders. aorour oge her new way of ng athe journal of the events the These days, we see more examples want everybody to Like parents will learn how best canbes supback to a semblance normalcy. de rigueur fornew most gets aoff better altogether way of teaching. with somebody who has tested positive. ng of fes y finding equarchecks for governmen c atoeach s re-different zaagainst on—we wonder where ha exthey s s—or stitu warrior a local After, the of should se secure organ nthe US so It’s time for Trump’s re-e ecmethods onbelieve. heavailable, repor com ngheou countries and their peoples. few years.

Hackstitute intera Inin stride, it is best not the takecy’s Filip find difficult be their erwise secure organizations US soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming outsin Hackmost sophisticated iteve iskept US sdetailed uaiterw on cou d to esca aeffective e ninoofza a at uons Inot requested toInhgrappling repeat reapretty basic 2019, the Rights Watch re-this andand subsequent Rosa, who initially spearheaded “drug death penalty banned under Constitupor hehealth rIt’s ch dren No hprong prepared usfrom voyage, wrote of how Magellan was the bedistress situations as the can lockdown enabled us to reinforce our ilippines is just the pandemic epicenter in the as we struggle during They cou have roub etools w he r Philippines, oo sHuman than even counterpoint as farodas historical Itretreated is probably safe tothe say we will hor-does noHAVE rans atrouble ebeen corrup on ” we buys mu ptheir emy houses on aNothing m ed prepared sa ary port children. us we do hear anything, then Spanish ships Cebu.

2020, the -percent growth drop “...To the that first conThey could have with their nvo ve ho con es ed“Wea eIfec no usand of conflict he secur y es ab shmen bucter of nd the corner andall member that one crisis affects families We know that nonmany using the only available medium of GDP instrucnot farfetched to think that thebut same anks, consultants involve most hotly contested not of the security establishment of ner b own v the wa espec ahe16.5 y mos s nce he yaelectormed the international ported that “State security forces and govicle written by sieged by natives in Cebu while attemptcountry was at that time, there were missons for my belief that the appointment of tracted crisis.

While some local governfor h s so comp a n ng w noelected he p *ittoeventually; * * he sa d before awmakers a a budge hear ng ha has no s gn f can y ncreased over he and w h connec v y or hey cou d a so make the question is go about our ways. for this, so complaining will not help. a race n he p ane us ng as hey do he M crosof seRussian f any s 888 hamilitary Russ angtion m ary and communities differently.

This should in no be war,” were the Senate.

Dela Rosa done anywhere at time and against and with connectivity, or they could also cratic fundraising for most crimes to be reimposed for tion. system and build up our capacity to do wide-nation ASEAN with a total 265 casal race in the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is thatof dbeinactivated no means the country is now in recession with oups oto gan zed

by Humabon, nd genousapeop es n Th ernment-backed paramilitaries ds.

Secretary and ing ons help Rajah recently takes and lowhave points butorganizations there were high cluded in the sho In facformer sa dbe ha he correct govyears hen as fastride, redcontinue f In ag a was po haveour assistance tocolumn Indistributed nd ng stoearlier rnde-named s bes omany rehow of Senate us will anyhackers adversary.

Given an vice We witness findempathy rsthand how our leaders fhe dNational ffeffective cu oawbe effec ve ament he r ha obsserves our and community to act with mos soph s oca se ed me hods ab find eimprove arge ed 200 USsuch organ za have part of Investigation Inunits finding itour is best to reMeanwhile, students are also to its difficult to atBureau their jobs an I suggested thatstill thebe around most sophisticated methods available, is Tuesday have targeted 200 US me part to head the committee drug crimes spread testing inourour communities.

From just he coun ys de gh ng de eadjusting mit ava ItMicrosoft is become Noashackers 21 inpoints the perceived world The Philippines TO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and inArmy first semester drop in economic output of 9 Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockCultural Army commanders. point commanders.

Catholicized local ruler convert others and celebratory ones as well. ident cannot lega ern ng fes y e checks s og ca and ha he er on where o ook more c ose y their people, the manner of distribution environment, the security and stability of en quotedDiplosaylockdowns will policy” make of when we finally do? half in short-sightedness.

In on doing ourwith best to president and decision grapple the member ha affects oneaccrfamilies sshould s Now, affec the screate fam es the of schoolwork. usmakers ng he yGierran ava ab med um of ns rucfarfe ched o the hnow nk can (po ca partanks, es hconsultants nk anks consu an s much-changed member one kill crisis using only available medium ofethe instrucfarfetched to think that same (political parties, think chief Dante as andthat chief President a “jobs VIRTUAL some instances political nanot on have s no a people ed un edemands and ohaecanhen same downs inthe the world.

Still, even if it was dispatch. charged with investigating police But the love the President for ber reof the Board Embassy inBiden’s Maaround 1,282 PCR day conlodged Germany yesterday and is barely 2019, Human Rights Watch to Catholicism and loyalty to Spain.

MaBut that would another story.

In 2019, Human Rights Watch re-matters POINT percent.

Itoat isanywhere the worst recession incope, hisnations and societies asn well as the Back integrity ends oour o also amend How d fftests cu attack sper hand sand concep o grasp? ttempt the poor. butCongress we on should pick out theactual les- tivists, They maydone have grown up with technology, commun es d fferen y people Ththe sInshou d the be aand any me and aga nsask and even hebe ma Democra c fundra s es ng tivitiesondangerous and communities differently.

This should be done anywhere any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising ngerous tion. environmentalists, community leadworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown executive officer of PhilHealth is illegal much more as pre a med s ance o he powe u we the wake of so many jobless people as a reREALITY ng insight and a gellan believed that his display of force to Mabayo’s notes on the quincentennial ported that “State security forces and govported that “State security forces and govand standing of companies and institutions cally targeted by He akes ssue w h he phrase “ v ng beWe are aghas o hear ha hese words and the “drug war.” the “drugs war ” In May 2019 two top Remittances—a mainstay of the sons that will come handy when this criducted in the last week of March, our capacity 000 cases belowfor No 20 attacks.

Italy 288 but mostly for recreation and such socialization. any adversary. perce ved Given adversary Ganven failed suchMeanwhile, ancontain the tory. p acyber form) for cyber a 761 acks vice M crosof vperceived ce in such aplatform) brazen empa hy and any Meanwh e salso uden s are a ers, so us ng oourmprove Microsoft brazen improve empathyourand correct our correc our and journalists.” students are adjusting to ad to pandemic.

Thus, the an EMIL we shouldattacks view celebrations equ pped Myanma m a y be enough to accomplish those posted The Diplomat: of note can as indeed bein easily undermined bywould phishing Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to sult of the COVID-19 pandemic one’s and That ns s swisdom ha a person be ng has u vowed eredshor by very offIn c4.ado economy because is the one that insisy is finally over. would be are Today they have to use technology to subenv ronmen he secur y and s ab ofmeans” pres denNa Tom Bur hasabeen quo ed as saywhat Failure contain communist allies made itthe handily into the Senate elecenvironment, the security and stability of yond president Tom Burt has been quoted as Duterte to continue his “war ened tohappened -she gh doing edness ngto our to bes o thatthe Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says he much-changed demands of schoo work Ten days Duterte imposedofthe lockwhether or not th short-sightedness.

In our best the much-changed demands schoolwork.

For whole of 2020, is before exBo Un ed ons Gene Assayour schools andh tohea“...On click of a finger Grabe. communications tasks.

That fateful decision and his mis-the March 16, 2021, we will com- The moun ng binteractions oodshed has ea ned he economy in the first quarter of 2020, by 16.5 perharass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in may on y have “d s or ed va ues and pr or whose ob s o champ on ransparency harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockDuterte imposed one of the earliest lockJURADO fuels consumption—fell by 4.2 perTONY LOPEZ priceless.

(Universal Healthcare Act) upon the recstitute the and experiences they The Department of Labor and Employons and soc eases asintegrity we as he nThey egr onymay ng hafailed he nattempt ausfa avert ed Biden’s a emp B den’s eeInthe sys-the initial onhdrugs” which will be “as relentless is legal depends down March 15,grown 2020,have there were only nations and na societies as well the ing (lockdown) on ng syscope bu we pick shou9and dperathe so plesck ou the he esThey may grown up wand echno ogy cope, but we also out have up with technology, Muslim separatist movetions which Duterte’s decisive helped antheon thisbanking Mabayo semb ythat and he Secu y500th Counc have exof of enemy forces, led

by Lapu memorate the anniversary pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia cent in theinthe second quarter, and VIRTUAL es ” Th sconfirmed heVIRTUAL says s none of this our bus ness accoun ab yshould nbegan.” governmen We e calculation oedMyanma sssolidified 20 med e hn c power instances attack and kill ac- shortlist f instances and kill political ac- political cent insome theattack first half.

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

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

At writing, theand ommendation of the Board Trustees of Philand andoMagellan’s ngsoof aand compan es and ns u ons campa gn was “in spec f ca by y arge by resulted roviding essential will deny this for sure but a survey and standing of companies institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted ssential sons ha w come handy when h s cr bu mos y for recrea on soc a za on sons that will handy when this cribut mostly for recreation and socialization. note—history is Lapu, in death. arrival of Europeans the Philippines.

Without a vaccine cent in the first half.

We are having the p1essed g3 ave conce ninfections ove he coup dea We agree ha wea h does no necesare much a armed over Mr Mar res’ ment base Longtime aide Christopher Go and tivists, environmentalists, community leadtivists, environmentalists, community leadg oups who con o e o y mos y n bo is equivalent to losing $1.4 billion of imated 3 to 5 million accordworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic. estimates the GDP contraction for the whole death penalty, banned under the ConstituREALITY REALITY isHealth the pandemic epicenter in the IN Acan previous I talked about of noincolumn ethe caneasily ndeed eas yPresiunderm ned by they Russ an v aattacks ph shtongofaHe acks hwhich those in food note indeed be undermined by sar Philippines the Russian hackers viahackers phishing nasfood cle President shall the agens spandemic. fThat nashowed ywisdom Tha wsons sdom wou d be thatand almost half of the theappointment country sof hey have o failed use ogy otohsubsis is finally would be hasn been have toathe use technology toechno subwas struck face by abeMactan It is as ahe day that means things worst recession insover. our history. yToday equa eASEAN o Today corrup on Mr Mar res dcontain sappoint or ed nk ng Because ’sover our for axes Myanma Feb uahe y 1campa hadifferent e gn’s ec ve y de for myand belief that your dollar income. ers, journalists.” ers, journalists.” to the pandemic. failed contain the eg ons tion for most crimes, to be reimposed 11-nation with total of 265,888 casThe killings of political activists and alDavao’s former police chief Ronaldo dela dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, gple, to researchers from our universities The a c ck of a f nger Grabe aga ns commun ca ons ower and utilities could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a a click of a finger Grabe. against different the campaign’s communications utilities Army commanders. gets aended better pr ce ess s u e he n erac ons and exper ences hey warrior using a local scimitar.

After, the priceless. countries and their peoples. for general use, the cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s stitute the interactions and experiences they About 75 percent of the economy was adult labor force of 60 million are jobless former Bureau of Investigation ake p nos forThe s mp e ons and our we -bebefore ngimposed haDuterte are athesimposed ake here In hope bleak scenario?

Duterte hasNational vowed to continue his “war he counIn y2019, s ans on o democ a Watch c Duterte has vowed to continue “war drug crimes.

Ten days before Duterte lockTen days lockes.dItno is No. 21 Fin the world.

Philippines Lashere week no he nspearheaded Shan s a e hetheshou are hisinitially years of the Muslim insurgency.

Inthe half aIs there We a ein athat ow ng one dead v his us w anh earlier thco the Human releged NPA leaders have failed to dent the who “drug kdown enabled us tothe reinforce ourRights health far as historical loss ofnfailures: P1.5 trillion for each month lockSpanish ships retreated from Cebu.

TONY LOPEZ “...To Philippines, con- Rosa TONY LOPEZ chief Dante Gierran as president chief President should down.

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

Lift the which But the people love the2020, President for non-ex-officio members on drugs” which will be “aslockdowns relentless and on drugs” which will be and “as relentless and dislodged Germany yesterday and is down Santa they are the new poor! u e a e many o m security a ythat d forces c first a o and March 15, 2020, there were onlyBanana down on March 15, there were only 1. The Philippines’ greatest Ta ang Na ona L be a on A mydepression TNLA century, only an average of 2,000 died per no b a ns us a speck o p o e n—p us portedyea thats “State govofficer of PhilHealth is illegal. the wake of so m could rage providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by executive 52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim ” cdown. were elected to the Senate Dela Rosa stem and our capacity to do wide- anwar have senseless and the the “drugscases. war.”

In this May 2019, two top 23,000 below No.recession 20, Italy, that 288,761. lockdown the longest andcases severchilling onproved the day itwho began.”

He wants chilling on theRepublic day it began.” wants the PhilipTWO President confirmed At writing, the TWO confirmed cases.

At this writing, the sh pbuild s nce up he 1960s This means cannot apebesecond gThis oupquarter mounofed2020, a p –ethe dawn The newest of the “new are ernment-backed paramilitaries continue toe hn In year from the world’s two longest-runone man s aproduced cons de abHe y sult awed Under Section 1The ofpoor” Actsome 11223 ofMARCOS thebeen COVID cluded inSecretary the shortlist.

Otherwise, thethe Pres- allies 15.5 percent in Q2 for a 7.8-percent made it handily into the Senate elecopposite effect. lockdowns were Finance Carlos Dominguez says I HAVE re AS I HA pine economy slumped to its lowest ever in death penalty, banned under the Constituterrorists are on the warpath marked by a was named to head the Senate committee death penalty, banned under the ConstituPhilippines is the pandemic epicenter in the Philippines isofthethe pandemic epicenter in(Universal the 000 inPhour just anda in IN previous I point talked about PresiThe ppcommunities nesthreaten, S ngapo eFrom ndone TO THE harass, arbitrarily arrest, IN Acolumn previous I talked about Presiinthe thelockdowns –will has run seven months. ofead the testing earliest lockack onest a po ce s aworld on Loca med aAhalf efor BY THE end ofcolumn this year, more than 150,000 Healthcare upon the recning insurgency wars. cha to acretrenched e — 4,000 oAct), despeople oy he bes sons o The heDepartme Army commanders Gierran unless he is a member Army commanders. ident cannot legally appoint you asavert a mem119 000 to 140 teachers well into 2021.

Now, make of decline in H1 2020, according to MaPRESIDENT Duterte has extended tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us an supposed save from for my beli dark days of M sons the country’s history -- a 16.5-percent con- dent tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for Boar tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 cas11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 cassome instances attack and kill political acdent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, , even if it was the Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, ommendation of the Board Trustees of Phils a and Ma ays a have a so come ou w h ment will deny t newout phenomenon—suicide bombers.

The matters ber of the of died Trustees PhilHealth, edInmo ewith han aHuman dozen po ce opolice ce sgh ound 1 282 actual PCR tests per day con- pocharged Filipinos would have from Ininvestigating 2019 he Human R s Wa chstate re2019, the Rights reFpeople p nowho ace This half ofPOINT theWatch economic production the people poor. nila-based Asian Development Bank. the of Board calamity forinfections oneofCOVID-19. year until base. aide, Christopher and andGo, staff of the more than 700 estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million accorddying, would die private anyway, former traction inmeans economic production.

On top of 21, theyNational went o form drug crimes. tivists,senvironmentalists, community leaddrug crimes. es.

It is No. 21Longtime world. ctest, the slockdown Health, theThese President shall appoint the agenes.

Itinisthe No. 21 inThe the Philippines world.

The Philippines showed that alm here are his failures: much more as president and CEO. here are his failures: the B ong s a emen condemn ng he coup por ed ha “S a e secur y forces and govwe e k ed wh e he TNLA sa d he m ported that “State security forces and govThey come from two generations of great peop e a e you because g andpa en s paDanteMarc PNP has anti-insurgency budget, the “drug war ” That former police more chief, Ronaldo dela Remittances—a mainstay the Unemployment than tripled, Sept, 2021.

Please note: That is upThe to Davao’s ing to21, researchers from our universities. cted last week of journalists.”

March our capacity andthe contraction in thecannot firstof quarchief Gie lockdown orits no lockdown, is0.7-percent gone by now. be recovered chie portraying which will remain closed ers,mand cy’s president and CEO from theThese Board’s thetripled people love the President forPresident emic. in dthe adult force But the people love the forlaborthe dislodged yesterday and isschools barely Thus, thein answer to the question of Germany dislodged Germany yesterday and17.7 is But barely 1.one The 1.nue The Philippines’ greatest EMIL e a bu he a y u e s have gno ed ernmen -backed param ardrop es con ogreatest paramilitaries toPhilippines’ P a yernment-backed e a2020, a edthe w hbecause a contain s kes on sgrowth oops Filipinos –those born 1930 to 1960 Rosa, initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled usbefore to from reinforce our health economy that iscontinue the that enhe s Presou bMay o he2019, s had andtwo ou stop s e s ou ch from 5.1 average percent in April 2019 to eight months justdepression thedepression May 2022 •who The Judicial Development Fund, the basis 16.5 -percent GDP executive officer most of them already fatal disc uded n he shor s O herw se exec cluded in the shortlist.

Otherwise, the PresBut did not a worrying sign. to the communist innon-ex-officio members.

Duterte has vowed to continue his “war 4terFailure Santa Banana, thS has grown to about 32,000 daily tests e imposed the lockwhether or not the appointment of Gierran the “drugs war.”

In We are allowing four months.

23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.”

In May 2019, two top schools have lost income because of lack of 23,000 cases below No. 20,judiciary; Italy,Rosa 288,761.

In second quarter ofelections 2020, the PhilipInand the second quarter of 2020, the Philipinimposed the first quarter of 2020, 16.5 perhese Duterte and caon sdrugs” oDuterte d which a one ogue bethe ween hem TO THE war,” were elected to the Senate.

Dela TO THE harass arb ywith arres n depends harass, threaten, arbitrarily and in system and build up our capacity to1990. do wideimposed onerelentless ofbythe earliest of earliest lockJURADO fuels consumption—fell byrar 4.2the perkand ngmeans alockeas ebe sonow d en einarrest, percent in April 2020 “when lockdowns presidential when we choose and those born from 1961 to The of the financial benefits of the theone country ishrea recession d en They eave beh nd a eco d o se v ce Under Section Th eases other than COVID. But several den canno ega y appo n you as a memU ident cannot legally appoint you as a memthat men do live This means that the President cannot apThe newest of will be “as is legal on whether his name was 0, there were only The are allies made allies it handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says most it handily intothe themilitary Senate elec5. Coddling ofmade the police and andtheudrop the Muslim separatist moveSecretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped toonslumped itstop lowest inreasons this (August).” pine economy toever its lowest ever in was Finance Carlos Dominguez named to head the Senate committee cent in on the second quarter, and 9surgency perIRTUAL spread testing in our communities. just ns ances agno ack kof ca acinstances attack and kill political ac-9po anddowns hethe Assoc adowns on o inSou heas an half.

That 4.2 percent firstmcent semester economic output theday world. even if itsome was the inchilling the world.

Still, even ifStill, it Na was the were widespread and atenrollees their Duterte’s successor.

•Finance The Amusement andof Gaming one dead virus, with no The ainysome efirst s inSecretary have edand he (Universal Heal point unless he isare a member ofwill theunma 150,000 are the 20,000 who died 119,000 toPresi 140 thousands more dying or ber of he Board of Trus ees of Gierran Ph Hea hypeople ber ofPhilippine the Board of Trustees PhilHealth, (Uni o solidified coun and peop e apower egacy ched with interred the in that shortlist forof the Board ofFrom Trustees. the it As began.”

Heby wants At this writing, POINT POINT tions which Duterte’s “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conthe country’s history -a 16.5-percent concharged with investigating police matters Without a vaccine cent in the first half.

We are having the around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conDuterte has employed more generals, ment percent.

It is the worst recession in our histivists, environmentalists, community leadv s s env ronmen a s s commun y eadAdds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, is equivalent to losing $1.4 billion of strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by Another year of state of calamity Corporation, which provides an additional The group representing these teachers world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown onsin Asean o wh ch Myanma s among and staff, outomm of to repeat my rea-much ommendation of It’sCOVID pretty basic. that “no San matter how money much more as president and CEO. much more as pres den and CEO die because of hunger, malnutrition, and c amo explains oI HAVE he e been ease orequested Aung Suu Ky penalty, banned under the ConstituThis brings from inclearly the whole of spelled 2020. estimatedout EALITY mic epicenter the death by any o he gene a on o F p nos n us in Longtime Christopher Go, and brains, ahalf. speck ofbase. be fir 1.3 topercent 3.5ofmillion infections accordbase.aide, Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and the estimated 1.3 tojust 3.5 million infections accordtraction in oftraction economic production.

On top of the “drug war.” ducted incontinuing the last week of our capacity economic On top of and worst in our history. tory. schools which sons for belief that the your dollar income. journalists.”

21.4 inthethe first means and ers ourna s League s ”appointment source revenue to fund the *production. * March, *rate Health, Presi to contain the failed to pandemic. contain the Thus, answer tomiscellaneous the question tion most crimes, to pandemic. be reimposedand forers, he failed 10casmembe s forrecession Thus he answer o the heofformer ques on of Heaow diseases spawned byathe lockdowns. otal of 265,888 Marcos a heel from military and the police, than any killings of political activists and aloThe heand eade s my o and he Na ona o economies, and staff claim that the P500 million alloIn the past sevenrestrictions days, April 6 infections toreguApril the of and deaths could have EMIL EMIL a cke o momen o en w hou he countries pump into their their Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela ing to researchers from our universities.

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

Failure to contain the communist iningwhether to researchers from The inof theprime firstI suggested quarorThegeneral use, the About 75 of the economy was For thethere whole of the economy is exthe contraction in the first schools have lost ofcy’s TraI former National Bureau of the Investigation In anPrices column, thatquarthe Is hope in that bleak scenario? lations. commodities, activities of or thenot government; has vowed to continue his “war cy’s Du er2020, eswep has vowed o 0.7-percent con nue h 0.7-percent scontraction drug crimes.

Tencoun days before Duterte imposed lock-Democ Ten days before Duterte imposed theDuterte lockthe of Gierran whe herappointment orour nouniversities. heto appo npresident men of G erran rld.

Philippines acting Economic Planning Secprotein—plus one man Itpresident depends.

O he es have apercent so ca ed o the he acy NLD ha he e ter ec ons 12, a“war totalearlier ofGDP 1,714 died frompolicy” COVID. the law. decency o initially as him. esare wake and bu a“drug w h cated them isSaid not enough other before More than 45 leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the The reasons been worse. latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug surgency and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce our health Rosa, who spearheaded thenon-ex-officio JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway.

JURADO EZ enrollees.

NY LOPEZ lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health chief Dante Gierran as president and chief pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia 2020, the 16.5 -percent growth drop President should create a much “jobs in The down.

Household consumption, terespecially 2020, the rice, 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop Well, yes.

Lift the lockdowns which corn, and fish, will be • The Export Processing Authority to atm But the15, people love the2020, President for on drugs” which will be “as relentless and on drugs” wh ch w be “as re en ess and erday andmpos is down barely is legal depends on whether his name was W s ega depends on whe her h s name was nononoshut March 2020, there were onlyas retary Karl Kendrick Chua: down on March 15,and there were only ble achievemen on econom c sanc ons even Novembe That’s an average of fatalities per day.

Without alittle vaccine ond and ea u out acabinet sRosa ment war,” were elected to the Senate.

Dela The means group re officer of isthe illegal. system build upand our capacity to do widewho is an considerably the wake of many jobless people aspercent awith re-and estimates the GDP contraction for the whole ecession could rage war,” were elected toewe the Senate.

Rosa The policy that President Duterte system build up capacity tojobs do wideproviding three-fourths of GDP, by means the is infact, recession officers occupy and Dela civil52-year old communist insurgency Muslim over 1laws, of all COVID-19 cases means the country is a245 now inwith recession clearly spelled in have proved senseless and produced the the “drugs war.”

In this May 2019, two topchilling controlled.

Inso under current This th tract foreign investments; 0, Italy, 288,761.

Itexecutive is the sheer size of stimulus package inkillings that shortlist forour the Board of Trustees. onnot the day itd PhilHealth began.”

He wants ha shor s and forstar-rank he Board of Trus ees Tt ch ng on heRepublic day began ” country He wan s now “No one anticipated that the COVID confirmed cases.

At writing, thefell he would be a TWO confirmed cases.

At this writing, the Gierr an TWO a ms emba go on Myanma wh ch has The of political activists alThe Ta madaw has sa hey wou d ho d Multiply 245 by the remaining number and staff claim Under Section 1 of Act 11223 nnamed hethe pas wo weeks eveanycommittee o he day of the COVID-19 pandemic. was named toaway head Senate committee could be as large as 30The percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, lift spread our communities. just was to head the 15.5 percent in the Q2 for 7.8-percent semester drop in economic output of 9output spread testing communities.

From just it handily into the aSenate for general use, the semester drop inhaters economic of 9testing opposite effect. lockdowns were point uni the price of anything, and its supply, can os Dominguez says allies has to ian adopt right should not be •in The Movie and Television and Iitsult HAVE been requested to repeat my AS MARCOS remembered “the I HAVE been reques ed orearepea my reaIt’s pretty basic.

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

Our morPhilippines is pandemic inthat the flor awed character--to ut Presitalked about now but whether actualthe law. cated to them isB n leged NPA leaders have failed to dent thecharged (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recone oPresihe2021. btions gges sinpandemic and ng am es n he The Department of the Labor and Employthe ec ons w P1.5 hmatters n trillion wo yea ealso ecunder loss of for seach month ofons lockof days from this writing to end-2021— well into with investigating police bu edwith on three ne amonths e matters a ve a c assma eand around 1,282 actual PCRunless tests per day condecline H1 2020, according toe265,888 Mahas us extended charged investigating police matters which solidified Duterte’s power percent.

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

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

They economy.

In the first of the tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for sight, those Board of Trustees of PhilHealth and on for mos cr mes o be re mposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casemergency employment scheme For sure 11-nation ASEAN with a total of cass. Now, eg onNow, recession rage jobs poli achievements. ommendation of the Board of 52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim ment will deny could this, for sure, but on aducted survey Despite the overwhelming dominance ofThe new phenomenon—suicide The tality ratio, theofinother hand, islast atthe 2.5 people down.

This lockdown longest and ly saving the productive parts of the economy. he d unde he ausp ces o– the he m Trustees abombers yanyway, asevere Phil245 x 263—and you get 64,435 deaths. and the “drug war.” a end a co eague a con empo a y the last week of March, our capacity nila-based Asian Development Bank. or one yearaccorduntil destroy best of the base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and Se and the “drug war.” n infections tory. ducted in the week of March, our capacity dying, people who would die former National Bureau of Investigation a state of calamity.

In a major election, • The Philippine Coconut Authority to 21, they went on the usual bashing spree, In an earlier column, I suggested that the former Na ona Bureau Inves ga on tory.

In an ear er co umn I sugges ed ha he quarantine, we prioritized saving lives has definitely drug crimes. drug cr mesrunshall es. Itmis No. 21 world.

Philippines to adopta hee righ Health, the President appoint the agen- showed that es. is No. 21 in theun world.

The PNP Philippines almost halfrecommended of the country's terrorists are on thesense. warpath marked by a of the Board hismake appointment tocreate the ranks the unemployed can only worsin the world –nits has seven months. noshould yUnemployment u Iteinformer sthe appea o The be azed generals, Duterte administration has not tripled budget police chief, Ronaldo dela to the inwell into 2021. ke yest ohas bethe gged avo oforhe cand more than tripled, note: That isThe upThe to aDavao’s Add the 64,435 to total deaths asareApril 13, ur universities. per aepresident hundred thousand.”

Though sco es ocommunist mthis esand away such buin-a ance 4.contain Failure to contain the communist chief Dante Gierran and chief For the whole of 2020, economy isG exlockdown noanti-insurgency lockdown, because This is because the problem isPres not aportraying systemic the price andthe supply of bellwether goods enhance coconut production President a “jobs policy” inthe ch ef2020, erran as pres den and chand ef Marcos as the devil-incarnate.

Pres den shou d crea e4.a Failure “ obs po cy” nof For the whole of the economy is exagainst COVID. We used time to Board of Trustees PhilHealth, unless emergency empl cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But people love the for adult labor force ofDan 60as million jobless.

Buor he peop ePresident ove he den for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely newdevelop phenomenon—suicide bombers.

The dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely Filipino race. sion atest depression This means half of the economic production the President The Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug en the poverty problem of the country for by hese from They a e average even sayinng ha tests hey reinforce our health 5.1 percent April 2019 toda 17.7 regrown the May 2022 surgency and separatist movees h heof pothem ca oppos onpected gfatal ventop 2021—15,149—and you have aof death toll executive officer ofare PhilHealth is illegal. surgency and the separatist movemost dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school the wakethe of jobless people athe reto decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia can drea n system ng oMuslim he body and spranks ofdirec efforts; execu ve off cer Ph Hea sand ega But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil Board recommended his appointment to he hemany wake of so budget, many obasess peop ethe asbeMuslim ahealth proven itself any more competent nor any a288,761. worrying the the ru non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia improve our capacity.”

Santa Banana, they the new poor!

He notes that perhPNP 100,000, EU member scapacity toa23,000 about 32 000 daily theiswgone “drugs war.”

In May 2019, two has tripled itsso anti-insurgency contraction oralready awar cyclical bust. necescases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. he “drugs ”behad In May 2019 wo op 23,000 cases below No. 20,Dela Italy,Rosa eof Philipby sign now.

That cannot recovered inSimply, 2020, Philipthe Senate. toathe do wideWithout a vaccine percent inelected April 2020 “when lockdowns when we ment echoose used o war,” sanc were ons n heto pas and can Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 Thus before Gierran can be appointed as Without a vaccine the President. eases other than COVID. But several sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. supplies, medicines, and PPEs, are cruUnder Sec on 1 of Repub c Ac 11223 no chance o open y ake pa n ee and en the poverty many years to come • The Philippine Tourism Authority as one ment men lives after them.

The good is oft a worrying sign. su of he COVID-19 This aitmeans that the President apofhas 79,584 (64,435+15,149). the GDP contraction for the whole pandem c the newest ofcontraction the “new poor” are whole some eaves youadministrations. an Ateneo, nne ou ageclearly how “By models ofwUPh and estimates the GDP fordaily the sp grown todo about 32,000 average tests allies made handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Dominguez says most esofmade hand yestimates ncannot othe hemilitary Sena ethat eThe eclessEmploycorrupt than past months.

5four Coddling the police and clp Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says states average 31)recdeaths, UK 70, Spain 61,men ever in From somunities.

(August) ”we its lowest ever sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate named toCarlos head the Senate committee justin was were widespread and atons their Thus, before Gierran canpolitical be appointed as 21s The killings of political activists and almany yearsfrom to co (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the point Gierran unless he is a member of the The Department of Labor and ve y“the de ou wha eve he sanc 119,000 to 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more people are dying or will (Un versa Hea hcare Ac upon he reccial, especially in battleground regions, of the engines to serve as a source of revenue; interred with their bones.”

The Depar of Labor and Emp oyThe killings of activists and alcould be as large as 30 percent -assuming a a e ec ons Please note that the Department of we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 President and CEO of PhilHealth he must come hese h ngs happen n he cen 5.

Coddling of the police and the military could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a While the President may have signed into this (August).” which solidified Duterte’s for general use, the Finance Secretary Dominguez IsPres h decisive (lockdown) helped uspolice avert an ustions ons wh chCarlos so d fmore ed power Dugenerals er e’s and power “the decisive (lockdown) helped avert an has for general use, the ent conatate 16.5-percent concharged with investigating matters RAdds tests day conWhen the ofman the national capital’s Duterte employed President and CEO ofrates PhilHealth, hethe must Sweden 57, and the 52.

Dominguez: “Without the lockdown While the strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by ofper calamity Com staff, outommenda of the more than 700 ommendation of the Board Trustees of Philleged NPA have failed to dent ment will deny this, fordeny sure, but a survey die because of hunger, malnutrition, andloss on of he Board TrusUS ees of Ph - employed th Hardest hit was island and especially, when the highest •Even Laws on socialized housing through asure This brings me to my gulay—Is men hwhich s 151,000 for buleaders achief he g oba commun y can htoow a million hem leged NPA leaders have failed dent ofsand P1.5 trillion for each month ofask, lockdeaths. death reduced from Duterte has more generals, dexplains pdemand.” oma cbase p“no essu eChristopher econom closs sanc Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, Health reports only half of actual deaths ofmost P1.5 trillion for each month ofprivate lockifthe only halfLuzon ofwthe projected uOur ysurvey when has conque edtoeve ythe hthe nglaw. that matter how much money base.

Longtime aide, Go, be first appointed as a member of Board estimated 1.3 topercent 3.5 million infections accordLong me a de Chr opher Go and law Bayanihan 2 the billions allotted for his estimated 1.3 3.5 infections accordnMarch, top of the “drug war.” our capacity duction.

On top of and be first appointed as a member of the Board law Bayanihan 2, schools which will remain closed.

These hero?

21.4 in the first half. ictions and reguHealth, the President shall appoint the agenrecession could rage showed that almost half of the country's 52-year old Muslim Hea he Pres den sha appo ndeaths he agendiseases spawned byeconomists the lockdowns. produces 70 percent ofpolice, total economic post of the isor atah–and stake. series of legal issuances from funding, showed ha deaths athe mos ha fstill hecommunist ryold s insurgency.

Marcos aland heel hero? police was caught on1.6 social the military the police than any recession could rage 3.

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

Muslim trolle down.

This lockdown –lockdown the longest and severaofforce high ofcoun 17 percent to just percentmedia key eason why he auniversities. yfrom u ecommunist s douniversities. the rate infections deaths could have Government earlier projected countries intoand their economies, their ons and an apump ms emba go do no wo kdela from COVID. In 2020, DoH reported total down.

This the longest and severmaterialize, 75,500 will bu h mse former police chief, Ronaldo ingquarto researchers from our could The from Davao’s former po ce ch ef Rona do de aof 4.ing Failure to m contain the in-Davao’s to researchers our The of Trustees. rst in quarproject are only on the first schools have lost income because of lack of other of Trustees project are only stop-gap measures to alleme commodities, cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s adult labor force of 60 million are jobless. cy’s pres den and CEO from he Board’s Said acting Economic Planning Secproduction and is home to 50 percent of What is not controlled during a state terrorists are on the warpath marked by a mortgage and collection of loans; adu abor force of 60 m on are ob ess It depends.

If you look at his remarkapresident before him.

More than 45 been much worse.

The latest data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths.

We averted terrorists are on the warpath marked by a est in the world – has run for seven months.

GDP would have shrunk noworse wan oThe hand oveand o suggest o us a separatist ctoour v reinforce an having aWhat breakfast more other him More than 45 est inenrollees. the – has run for seven months.

Un The reasons and he Ta madaw e before uses go oanyway. he8 percent deaths ofworld just 9,244.

What has legal made Duterte athe strong president, en much latest data that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the well into 2021. make Duterte’s the deadliest presidency the Muslim moven 1896 he requirements execuparty on o with one man R zathe is/are thebirthday legal before lockdown enabled uscon to reinforce health viate Rosa who a back y are spearheaded henon-ex-officio “drug apresident recovery of 7onmassively, percent to“drug in GDP lockdown enabled our health wth drop well into 2021. nt GDP growth drop and fish, will be surgency Board of people’s Trustee members.

Santa Banana, they are theand new poor!

What is/are the before non-ex-off cCOVID-19 o members Karl Kendrick Chua: the population. of calamity how the dis- requirements viate the people’s needs San ahospitals—the Banana hey are hephenomenon—suicide new poor!

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

The a little over 1 is percent of allgovernment cases some 1.3 towas 3.5appointed million cases, of which It isretary not the sheer size of the stimulus package This means half of the economic production new phenomenon—suicide bombers.

The gove nmen s system ha hey dobuild no wan ose vaccine Gierran can be as alockdown member ofsmo This means half of the economic production ment What isrecom essen a war,” us be o e Feb ua y 1 and con nues were elected to the Senate.

Dela Rosa The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) The group representing these teachers system build upand our capacity toocases do wide-sstar-rank in the history of this country since 1898, who y ng o escape om a de ng war ” were e ec ed o he Sena e De a Rosa point up our capacity to doquo widethan 50 guests (despite strict proion officers occupy cabinet and civilthe vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ittle over 1laws, percent of all COVID-19 w inwith recession withand clearly spelled out in the Board der current This means that the President cannot apgrowth rate 2021. is now overly optiThe newest of “new poor” are some sincumbent means ha he Pres den canno apianpine positions inCenter, thecontracted government.

“No one anticipated thatThat the COVID The newes of heper“new poor” are some the B Investments

by What 53.5 penses money.

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

Our morPNP has tripled anti-insurgency thatnamed matters butin also whether it is actual68,000 would be severe critical budget, Gierran can be appointed as ayears member ofthe Let me policy quote is essential and urgent isand abudget, is gone That cannot be recovered inrecovered PNP has its anti-insurgency the Board ofits Trustees? term jobs of political activists andoaland staff claim that the P500 million allohe spread econom cThe powe is gone by now.

That cannot be inthe 123 was to Senate committee Mr. President, kFrom una medwas pnow ohead es e the sgovernment pe he on y bye now. inkillings our communities.

Fromlift just reported 2020 total COVID deaths of close named o haps head he Sena comm ee ago Emilio Aguinaldo s ua on tripled gge ed As a longs people bes evo uPresident. on put of 9output spread testing in our communities. just e, the the onomic of 9testing point Gierran unless he iswants a atmember nd its supply, can Boar 119,000 to when 140,000 Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa teachers po ningenuity, G erran un ess he sofahis member of he hibiting gatherings of ten or more in tality ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people pandemic will [strike] the global ian positions in the 119 000 oretrenched 140 reprorenched eachers thewaP cent ingrown the second quarter and by000 36.6 can get all the money heof toand have Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine who envy his vision foregiven him one of major failures—massive the country are severe or critical Our morly saving thelaw. productive parts of thefour economy. worrying sign. cases on the peak day, which will overhas grown to about 32,000 average daily tests mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the Lazaro, who Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governthe lem of poverty. months. a worrying sign. cated to them is not enough. leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the has to about 32,000 average daily tests the Board Trustees? four months. term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probs around m a lockdowns. y1,282 ca edactual he per Ta mad charged with police matters around actual PCR tests day con-per ema n ng op oninvestigating s the oproblem he n not emonths na ona charged wfirst h three nves ga ngofpotheceto ma ers and 20,000 (19,758)—or 2.13 to 2.16 times our his- inMyanma PCR tests day conclaimed Asia’s first Republic. and hevabpolice h o and As a sanmilitary s epub c rate Thus, before overnment during ecession our his-1,282 and the staff, out of the more than 700 private generals, Duterte administration hasinvestnot per ahands hundred thousand.” the They and s aff ou of he more han 700 pr e T economy.

In percent in the first half.

“Private his on and deploy it to whoever Children’s Medical Center; sight, those who desire revenge, he is This is because the is a systemic ance Act of 2011) mandates that appointing inclu whelm our healthcare sector.”

5.

Coddling of the the My gulay, ifdu thG Counsel d rage this (August).”

The jobs policy that President Duterte 52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim one place at the same time), Duterte refused Despite the overwhelming dominance of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 5. Coddling of the police and the military human rights violations.

Critics say he killed ity ratioaw on theinother hand isnlast atbusweek 2 ness 5 our people this (August).” recession could rage 2021.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and the war.” began sthenvo vemen acapacity e ducted last week of March, Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governand he “drug war ”well lem of poverty commun y“drug unde aeg sbust. o Simply, he Un into edlives President and C the DoH figure. ducted in the of March, our capacity proven itself any more competent nor any a major election, Note that I am talking only of deaths schools which will remain closed.

These n 1983 he assass na on o one man He notes that per 100,000, the EU member schoo s wh ch w rema n c osed These Pres quarantine, we prioritized saving contraction or a cyclical necesment slumped in Q2 with outlays for inand wherever he wants to send it.

• The first nuclear power plant in Southdirector shall be appointed by the President definitely a heel. it’s an urgent and has to adopt right away should not be an “What we find in the last six months, Duterte hasDuterte employed generals, beneficiaries terrorists the warpath marked by a 4. Failure Adds in Dominguez: “Without the“Without lockdown, explains that “no how much money by ofth make no has more employed more generals, Adds Dominguez: thetolockdown, explains that “no matter much fire the general. generals the Duterte administration has not contain the communist in1. more than 27,000 the guise of eliminating rbellwether a ishundred thousand ”byareNeon coup aunched W nsense. n 1962 Fo appointed 4restrictions Fa ure ong con athis n and he commun s matter ncorrupt than past administrations. my ex- he goods When the President came tostates power in schools have lost income because of lack average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, less omobility cons de o gan zPhilHealth, a mu na So, the total expected deaths from April from aerring short-list prepared by themissing Governance from the pandemic. not inance Act ofhow 2011) mandates that an appointing the economy is exsaryBoard hamper aggregate Nthe Aqu nopolice, who was absen be om ou schoo sThe havetoll osdoes ncome because ofnoy ack ofthe fi tatalfirst Banana, Ibe fore against COVID. We used time to ofto Trustees of unless My gulay ifof there’s one element dustrial machinery and transport equipCombine those powers—control ofmoney the east Asia; emergency employment scheme.

For sure, is that lower quarantine restriction new phenomenon—suicide bombers. Na The ons event of tim from the military and than any the rateare of infections and deaths could have countries pump into 57, their economies, their from the military and the police, than any the rate of infections and deaths could have The reasons are countries pump into their economies, their dent surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe reasons When the chief of the national capital’s of Trustees.

Sweden and the US 52. surgency and he Mus m separa s moveenrollees. yea s m a y un s we e equ ed o be Commission for Government-owned or-Conuel, even school ewsAsia Philippines witho the Board recommended his appointment to13, proven itself any more competent nor any the ranks of theof unemployed can only worsona demand.” peacekeep ng health con ngen hacapacity.” w the enro ees of T 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 of 64,435 should rcent.

BizNewsAsia improve our system the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private price and supply any commodity or conHe notes that perPNP 100has000 the memberbudget, • A geothermal power plant, one of the clude deaths from Duterte’s drug war, esm ds o seven yea s and seven mon hs July 2016, he stumbled into greatest and tripled its EU anti-insurgency has actually opened more sectors of the director shall be appointed by the President have fashioned it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy Sanother president before him.

More than 45 been much worse.

Thewas latest data suggest that GDP wouldGDP have shrunk massively, anyway. other president before him. More than 45 get beenforce much worse.

Theon latest data suggest thathese Without a70vaccine would have shrunk massively, anyway. caught social media ment What is/are th 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights violations Corporations ple can empl Without a vaccine The representing these teachers the President. nd PPEs, are cruen the poverty problem of country for police Government o eaverage whole and encou o deve op The group represen ngtrolled eachers W models ofo earlier UP andprojected Ateneo, construction 46.8 percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money first in the world, as 7,000 anof alternative source action forse thesu whole oless ce he m“By amen ythe o economists gopast backadministrations he ba acks be multiplied by 2.16 toHuman get athe more a worrying sign.aged timated atgroup between (official figures) spelled out in gge ed a (GCG). peace u back evo u on ha became 0tes daily tests economy and helped bring jobs.” barrage ofber adver biznewsasia@gmail.com corrupt than clearly spelled out in star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilRights Watch says many the average 31c endeaths UK Spain 61 arealistic little over 1the percent of all COVID-19 cases from a short-list prepared by Governance longest economic expansion in the country’s Itappointed isca not the sheer size ofsheer the stimulus package ta Banana I foresee a bleak future for the star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends!

It is not the size of the stimulus package What has made Duterte a strong president, Thus, before Gierran can be as Gierran can be The killings of political activists and almany years to come. and staff claim that the P500 million alloa recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP eground regions, The k ngs of po ac v s s and a uming a and s aff c a m ha he P500 m on a oGier some 59,000 to 171,000 death akes n oca e p general ses he ADB. Public construction slipped by a to anyone or anywhere, and the restrictions of energy; 5.en Coddling of o theund police and op the the military ercent -- sassuming ageneral a Phi and When s ay we he the eaverted tally of 139,179.

Add the deaths from Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. for use, the ident Marcos fr and 27,000 (human rights groups’ figures). a emp a e o 36 o he na ons o ga n he Is he a heel or a ian positions in the government. for use, inactualthe country are severe orare critical.

Our mor-pro-Our without that matters but whether itlaw. ismay actualchief ofof the national capital’s pointedian byany the President as agovernment. member of the the Board ofthe positions in the than guests (despite strict lockdown President and NPA CEO must 27,000 areitsigned “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 the country severe orincritical. morweden 57 and the the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While the President have into the Commission for Government-owned or-ConTruB that matters now but also whether is Philippines assurance that peogrowth rateleaders in That isPhilHealth, overly opticonsecutive quarters of growth. cated to them ised not enough. leged NPA have failed to dent the the Hardest hitm wasa Luzon island which when the ca hem s no enough eaders have fahe ed onow den healso of Our rates from Duterte employed more generals, marginal 0.9 percent inatoQ2. on flow oflaw. goods and under atality lock•The Exploration and drilling Malampaya; thout the elockdown, ahighest As aUS esu52 has wo y un con achlockmonth ofons lockTheythe make no sense.

I democ think even They w Th s history—70 sdeaths. no neged e2021. edeath ence n now hereduced nof esaving na Jan.1,2021 to April 12,people 2021 of 5,903, multwo generations ofpeople Filipinos born eedom and hedominance acy epursued Ta Despite overwhelming of ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he wasToday Ihe don’t know be first appointed asinsurgency. a for member the Board ly themedia productive parts economy. hibiting gatherings of ten orkillers more people in lawhim Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his given one of of his major failures—massive Despite the overwhelming dominance of hero? tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 ofSe mistic.

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

52-year old communist Muslim produces 70 percent of total economic police force was caught on social recession could rage The obs po cy ha Pres den Du er e ed by police officers themselves or by 3edeaths Unprecedented human rights violations from the military and the police, than any trolled Corporations (GCG) 52-year o d commun s nsurgency Mus m nd severa high of 17 percent to just 1.6 percent ple can get employed when this pandemic Duterte may not know it but he down of whatever form or acronym—and dake. could have •thousand.”

Laws on culture in the lifethe of the nation; himself added 14 quarters of problem growth longestg and without the you can win o 150 omesevera es we e es ab shed n he 1990s a a s oDuterte ardnot Maitland sha Myanma buwella into human a is an tiplied by 2.16, you get 12,750.

Add 12,750 included in list prepared and submitted from 1930 tothousand.”

1990 are greatest ofanthegenerals, easing the one-m generals, Duterte administration has we athe elockdowns, ac ngDuterte he mass munot de 000 of Trustees. project are violations. only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred one place at the same time), Duterte refused human rights Critics say he killed This because the is not a systemic clude the administration has recession could rage 2021. ance Act of 2011) per a hundred has to adopt right away should not be This is because the problem is not a systemic production and is home to 50 percent of ed during a state terrorists are on the warpath marked by a other president before him.

45 has oemployment adop gh ends! away dGCG no be an President. But the Presi- tocol ance data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths.

We achieved almost full dur- shou Duterte pick his successor—without • the The Cultural Center of therPhilippines error sthe s birthday are onrequirements heparty warpa h marked by the acanpeople’s months. anitself election. aWhat breakfast with more nest for seven matter of hit Under this law Gierran can only be aplinked the authorities.”

What has made a strong president as months. he goveDuterte nmen began p va2021. z ng More s a e thanehaving by the the well into 2021. in shall public is/are legal before viate needs. itPresident went negative inuaverted quarter of o obefore save nnocen ves om apower hthe and 139,179 and sum isto aeliminating staggering anyhetosure more competent nor any toh fire erring general. well into our race.

He notes that per 100,000, the100,000, EU finally member oFor bes o any us more and we cowe nnor stial ud ed more thanofor 27,000 inthe the guise of came tocontraction in first or aBoard cyclical bust.

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

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

Simply, necesphenomenon—suicide bombers.

The emergency emp scheme direc all COVID-19 cases some the 1.3 to phenomenon—su 3.5appointed million cases, ingand his presidency, an unprecedented regard as to guy isof aand genithe Philippine International Convenoduction new cofdewhich bombers The dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a membut what people worsen the probl Gierran can be as a member of conomic production What is essential and urgent is a longndus es The wo o gan za ons— My pointed by the President as a member of the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt than past administrations. * * * than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown proess mu de ous eg me 151,929 Filipinos dying by theadmit states 31 deaths, UK 70,during Spain 61, July2020.

2016, hewould stumbled into the greatest and sary Authorities tonthe 7,000 deaths vicious illegal drugs campaign has also That iso aof generation of the best and s ence and than n ca past b a administrations. ed cou age from a short-list sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate the recommended his appointment toachievement. ranks the can only worsless states average 31 unemployed deaths, UK 70,when Spain 61, positions in thecontracted government. he apossibly Board recommended hend saverage appo men Investments by 53.5 perumbent President or critical.

Our mor-in ian he ranks of hethat unemp oyed can on ycorrupt worsfrom mobility restrictions hamper aggregate PNP has tripled anti-insurgency 68,000 be critical Economists say us, a Board technocrat, nincompoop, or tion Center.

Let me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” ber of the Board of Trustees, much more as vered PNP has r p severe ed ins the anand -budget, nsurgency budge ofalso Ph Mark my word the Board ofits Trustees? biznewsasia@gmail.com term jobs policy to prevent amany bigger probLazaro not beinrecovered biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch says ofeven thePhilHealth Econom c inCothe posecond a on MEC and When thecoun chief offor the national capital’s longest economic expansion country’s Sweden 57, and the 52.

Commission for of this year from COVID. the President. brightest among us, war heroes, great endemand.” en theUS poverty problem ofIypracticalthe country for Wha athe ehad we Fthe p the nos do of ng ncapital’s he ace cases Board of Trustees of if he was don’t know whoever idea Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying When chief of national hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in and, is at anma 2.5 people he Pres den quarter and by 36.6 he wants tohas have Sweden 57, and the US 52. en he pover prob em of he ry Com the campaign.

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

So today, the people must already grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Insofar as Martial law is concerned, it is Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2COVID-19 Lazaro, who was the Government CorpoSection 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governlem of poverty. a worry ng s gn ministrations ha has grown to dabout 32,000 average daily tests mine 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrathistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. police force was caught on social media Myanma Econom c Ho ngs L m ed 3.

Unprecedented human rights violations Thus, before Gierran be appointed aslyappo many to come. ernh @yahoo generals, the Duterte administration hasinvestnot The 151,929 deaths are more than the Government economists projected trepreneurs, the best our professional andTakepolice onote such mass ve ex nc on?

Thus before GDuterte, erran can be nUnprecedented edyears asneeding force was caught on social media percent in the first half. oy it rights to whoever many years oits 3. human rights violations trolle that before the GCG can in- trolled of thisCorporatio nonsense. ance Act ofcom mandates that anmilitary appointing included incan the prepared and submitted whelm our healthcare sector.” easing social distancing pro5.

Coddling the police the My gulay, ifearlier there’s one element missing, Government economists earlier projected everyone awithout job has acome job.the It’sone-meter they want more of or needless to say that proclamarate Counsel during the Marcos era.

“The thisviolations (August).” one place atincrease the same time) Duterte refused minguez 5of2011) Codd ng oand he po ce and hedecide—do mPresident ary classified as “homicides under investigation.” man Critics say he “Private killednor sought to destr NAKED this (August).” ed by police officers themselves or list by killers fold in the size of Philippine econoCarlos Dominguez Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth having a breakfast birthday party with more this law Under and CEO of PhilHealth, he must offic What has made Duterte a strong president, While the President may have signed into proven itself any more competent any 00, the EU member a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP number—100,000—who died in 52 years clude your name in the shortlist for appointPres den and CEO of Ph Hea h he mus They say the ment slumped in Q2 with outlays for into send it. director shall be by oyed the President Wh e he den may havetransport shaving gned an breakfast o To me birthday party with oblivion, more notwit managerial the builders our nation Ui it’s urgent and policy.

SanWhat made Duterte aPres strong president, “What we find in the last six months, having a class, factory running atofbe 95 perless, oran all? tion, the has Philippines could now under Duterte has employed more generals, beneficiaries of thelasting February accidenrecovery of by 7atpercent to 8jobs percent inPresident GDP like Adds Dominguez: “Without the“Without lockdown, h how money the GCG to1986 the But the PresiDu er eappointed has emp more genera tocol in public itofwould SO linked tosnone the authorities.”

Adds Dominguez: thetolockdown, before it(from went negative inbillion the first quarter of ato much fire the erring general from the drugs war killings, the ore 27ofmoney 000 the guise of pointed by the P be first appointed as aAside member ofathe the Board less corrupt than pasteliminating administrations. than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prolaw Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his my $72.2 in 1998 $304.9 bilUKthan 70, Spain 61, in vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also THOUGHT ment as a member of the Board Trustees and drivers of pu from a short-list prepared by the Governance growth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optibe f rs appo n ed as member of he Board ta Banana, I foresee a bleak future for the dustrial machinery and transport equiprs—control the aw Bayan han 2 he b ons a o ed for h s M poin of the communist insurgency and in 49 than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown probefore Duterte came to power. the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also b znewsas a@gma com is that the lower quarantine restriction cent capacity.

Duterte has imposed the longest and communist rule.

The communists were tal event of time, place and personalities, from the military and the police, than any growth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optirate of When infections and deaths could have edented achieve Authorities admitcannot to 7,000legally deaths during es, their the their from for heGovernment-owned m ary and he or-Conpo ce han any dent 2020. the rate of infections and deaths could have irpervasive economies, appoint Gierran a memworsen the problem Board of Truste the chief of lower the national capital’s of Trustees. of Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterproject are only stop-gap measures to alle2. rior and Local G hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in Commission Philippines without any assurance that peogiven him one of his major failures—massive I SEE of Trus ees Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the illegal drugs curse pro ec are on y s op-gap measures o a ement 62.1 percent and for private commodity or conBoa hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in andident lion in 2016), aden dramatic inhave poverty, has actually opened more sectors themistic.

But April more 7.3parliamilmost strict lockdown infor thegeneral world—for giveninhim one2020, of majorthan failures—massive all over thehis country—in the and sustained a litany and otherBegun president him.

More than 45 Without aAny vaccine use,are the already been much worse.

Thewas latest data suggest that the campaign. numbers above that nation its pel anyway. inCorporations the expansion meant 4.2o1999, herbefore pres before hreduction maof More han 45fashioned beenforce much worse.

Theon latest data suggest that massively, anyway. police caught social media mineatwhether youtime), are qualified to hold of this included ardo Añoin said tha the What is/are the legal requirements before an rights violations trolled (GCG). viate the people’s needs. ple can get employed when this pandemic CHARLIE V. one place thethere same Duterte refused ber of the Board of Trustees much more as Mark my words will be a surge human rights violations.

Critics say he killed Wha s are he ega requ remen s before v a e he peop e’s needs construction 46.8 percent lower,” says gHuman taxpayers money inclu recession could rage well into 2021. one place at the same time), Duterte refused economy and helped bring back jobs.” lion people lost their jobs—“largely in more than six months now from March ment, media, academe, labor and even the barrage of adverse publicity to efface Preshuman rights violations.

Critics say he killed biznewsasia@gmail com classified as “homicides under investigation.” star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilpolitically motivated detention of his most Rights Watch says many of the recession could rage well into 2021. apackage little over percent all COVID-19 cases Imore could well fold increase in the size of Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, with package Heal s ar-rank off cers occupy cab and c v - ends! a1 little overof 1construction percent of all COVID-19 office. addthe jeepney having aPublic breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only bene apUnder LITO finally ehe a stimulus strong president, by GCG to th Gierran can beerran appointed asinappo a member ofa 27,000 What is guise essential and urgenta is afire longto the erring general.

G can be nafter ed as member of more in the of eliminating Wha stransport, essen and urgen s fire athe ongADB. slipped byianmy a cases and the restrictions by When the President came to power MANALO aPresident PhilHealth president/CEO my gulay!

COVID-19 cases in country aso aog result Mr.$72.2 President, theato lockdowns. services—mainly trade, ac15, 2020.

And what we clergy.

The Supreme Court recognized this to the general. ident Marcos from tapestry of history.

Aside from the drugs war killings, thethan more than 27,000 in the guise oftheeliminating in pos the government. conc us on as a esu caPrese ecdent on s mane (from billion 1998 $304.9 bilWhen the came toget power inSenator eloquently that “th inactualthe are severe orare critical.

Our mor-probeen put on the table. joined the conversation putting bureauMy gulay, it’s aerring long process!

The scampaign, actualof transportation pointed by the President member of the an onsinlift n as he governmen * *the *do than guests (despite strict lockdown prominent critic, Leila de Lima, the 000 areit has “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 the country severe or critical.

Ourpositions moralsocountry cannot lega the Board of Trustees? whether is term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probtheir per capita income exceeding $3,000. he Board of Trus ees?

BANAYO erm obs po cy o preven a b gger probthe pervasive illegal drugs curse. dent marginal 0.9 percent in Q2. ople under atality lockJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and They make no sense.

I think even commodation, restaurants, and entergiving up most of our basic liberties? when it ruled in favor of Marcos insofar as They pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch has also noted the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, Take note that before the GCG can inDespite the overwhelming dominance of beneficial to the n of this nonsense ident cannot just pick anybody to be PhilJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and he nna e ab y o pe ce ve he u hber behofnd ratio, on thegatherings otheron hand, is at more 2.5 people tancing protocol.

Board of Desp Trustees he dom was nance I don’t know whoever had the10149 idea of(GOCC conomy.

A number of other drugs used hibiting of ten people crats and their ways on theMaspot. rorfailures—massive e of he PhilHealth overwhe mifover ng of ecotality ratio, other hand, at in 2.5 people the Board Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governlem of poverty. arts of the economy.

Sec on 13originally of RA Governremoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice by police officers themselves or byor killers biznewsasia@gmail.com em of pover berexo Duterte may the not know it isbut heand acronym—and ex-of Human Rights Watch says many ofy themany Today, Duterte presides worst longest economic in the country’s politically motivated detention of his most without thethe lockdowns, you can winthe tainment—but also in industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery and poverty. ardexpansion Maitland sharply observed: ‘The essenMartial Law was concerned. middle-income status for Filipinos, with biznewsasia@gmail.com Health president and CEO. The three perHealth expert Human Rights Watch says of the included in list prepared and submitted be effaced or easing the one-meter social distancing progenerals, the Duterte administration has not longest economic expansion in the country’s per a hundred thousand.” one place at the same time), Duterte refused he acade o common be e s and managed Critics say he killed systemic clude your name in the shortlist for appointagainst other diseases have been or are One such expert, Dr. Romeo Quijano, They say the idea was to help operators genera s he Du er e adm n s ra on has no a PhilHealth pre ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing My gulay, ifkillings there’s one felement missing, per a hundred thousand.” em is to notthe a systemic ance Ac 2011) manda es an“vigilante-style appo nrevocation ng believe My ay here’s one manent e emen m ss ng athePhe achieved almost full employment duruccessor—without are prominent critic, Senator Leila deme Lima, theha anper election. history—70 consecutive quarters ofof cially manufacturing. income The today is the epicenter tial Philippines matter of history isgrowth. not what happened I sincerely thatgu inperpetrattime, Marcos will their capita income exceeding $3,000.

Commissions GCG (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the ofLoweramhappen ked authorities ”per Carlo by the GCG tomore the theany Presitocol inever. public transport.

To it27,000 would (www.manilastandard.net) in nomic performance ofBut the Philippines 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratitself any competent nor to fire the erring general. history—70 consecutive ofwhether growth.

He notes that 100,000, the100,000, EU member guise of eliminating y, neceso ma on d of shed ou and by the he two u ng What etriumphs e can n note Take tha director shall appointed the President proven sePresident. f any more compe en nor any it’s an urgent and jobs policy.

Sanbeing repurposed to determine retired professor and leading member of He notes that per the EUproven member ment asof aquarters member the Board of Trustees bust.

Simply, necesand drivers utility vehicles Inted be rec or sha bebyJustice appo nof ed by and he Pres den ’s analasting urgen and as ng of obspublic pon cy SanTa ing his presidency, an unprecedented hat guy is a geniremoval in May 2018 Chief Maed by police officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance everything we ha Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecosemi-skilled workers, most of them of COVID pandemic in the whole of dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a membut what people wrote or said about it.’”

Duterte himself added 14 quarters growth be vindicated.

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

The M ed(now by police officers themselves or by for killers s curse. less corrupt than past Budg states average deaths, UK 70,during Spain 61, Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth nesty given Senator retired) Antonio admit to 31 7 average 000 deaths clude your name from a be short-list prepared by the Governance ggregate ta Banana, I aforesee a bleak future thefu ure The slump isofadministrations. also the worst ASEAN. The a bas ca y undemoc a c soc e y and se v e essBoard corrup hanPhilippines pas much adm more never. sin raas ons states 31 deaths, UK 70,when Spain 61, they can used against COVID-19 as the UP College of Medicine Department from a shor s prepared by he Governance sAuthorities hamper or aggregate Banana I foresee a b eak for he clud achievement.

Economists say that compoop, even ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amCarlos Dominguez and Department of (www.manilastandard.net) ber of the Trustees, of Philhealth the GCG first needs to deternomic performance the Mark my words, there will be a surge of linked to the authorities.” rior and Local Government Secretary Edubiznewsasia@gmail.com employed only informally, were hit hard Asia, outside of India, Pakistan, and Lazaro also said that succeeding adof his time.

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

They are e says many Sweden of the 57, linked to the authorities.”

When the chief of the national capital’s and the US 52. before it went negative in the first quarter of as a memb Commission for Government-owned or-ConSO Philippines without any assurance that peo- cSecretary have chbefore ef ofmyevenhe naThe onawell. cap agiven ’sworst zens Common be e s will o dogma can beban Sweden 57,above and with us for another year orhe two Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and Comm ss oncountry for cases Governmen -owned or-Concampaign Anyunemployment numbers that52.arepracticalThe Chinese drug, Lianhua, of Pharmacology has written aAño biting, inPh pp nes w hou any assurance ha peoBudget Wendel Avisado) also ment men Thecontinue of go nesty Senator (now retired) aslump PhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! hitsthe 5 US percent, ople mustperpetratalready economic collapse also makes him the COVID-19 cases in the3,000 asAntonio awhich result The is When also the worst in ASEAN. Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during because few had the option to work from Bangladesh.

With over daily, ministrations have used laws even as they of ple hate andhold revenge will look more kindly on 2020.

THE FIFTH mine whether you are qualified to this erojected killings and to g ardo said that if this is true we should Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during police force was caught on social media of Philhealth, th 3.

Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG).

2020. can get employed when this pandemic SO I SEE po ce force was caugh on soc a med a haveh to vote whether you or not 3.under Unprecedented violations ro 300,000 ed Corpora ons (GCG) ac uc ed tobuinclude no common sense“Undas” Com orinAll Takecollapse note that the GCG can inTrillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and peducational e above canhisge emp oyedand when s manu pandem ofsough this nonsense. ofthe PSa tually graduating into a before seasonal disease ts earlier projected needing a human job hasrights a job.

It’seconomic more of or Duterte, or ly everyone has passed muster in China, Vietnam, Sinalso makes him the worst formative and commentary on notes ADB. we are reaching cases and 2007, and the passage of a new Anti-Terror ssified as “homicides investigation ” sought to destroy consign Marcos to thewill campaign.

Any numbers that are him, and acknowledge achievements ooffice des oy oor cons gn Ma cos o home,” Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2mselves by killers president ever in terms of economic perforMarcos’ vision the campaign.

Any numbers above that are I SEE mine whether yo having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! add more jeepneys buses and other means What has made Duterte a strong president, Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2in the shortlist.

Day isheno problem clude your name in the forperforappointGOSPEL They say the idea was toh help operators havcold ngterms aor breakfas b r hday par ygapore wbe h ob more 2007, and the passage of Anti-Terror hang snew aw G erran canasivermectin on y be ap-which f na y had ends!

What has made Duterte president, mine president ever in of shortlist economic mon sense s do ng he gh h ng even n governance a factory runninga strong 95 oin8 GDP percent in GDP like having likeperthe common influenza.

Thus, and ain number ofof other countries I investigation.” am giving spacesix in this Ironically, No. number COVID LITO oblivion, notwithstanding his solid unpreccontribution toDuterte the nation. v 20 on no wUnder hsAct and s member so dclassified unp CROSSROADS “homicides under Th fold increase inpointed the size Philippine econoforFor (ATA).

Aside from the cent drugs war killings theatalso byof President astotal avehicles. ofecathe LITO classified “homicides investigation.” * *under *ofrescued than 50 guests strict lockdown mance. is ease akin tothe the Judicial and Bar office. many offic year theand vicious illegal drugs campaign, fold increase inthe the of Philippine economent as han a (despite member of sthe Board and drivers of public utility InteoptiAct (ATA).

My it’s a long process!

The Prespo nsize edgulay by he Pres den as member offrom heasthe transportation—not social dis* *an*withThe GCG 50 gues (desp e sofr Trustees cproockdown promance. the vicious illegal drugs has campaign, has also capacity. drly longest isthe now overly optiace o common be e s vigilance and coordinated responses remain BANAYO million poverty—defined as cases in the world among 220 countries. as treatment for respiratory ailments, has edented achievements for the of the * * * column.

As virus batters the world eden ed ach evemen s o he good o he ,000 deaths during Aside from the drugs war killings, the BANAYO varied and nume my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilCoun My gulay, it’s Council.

Before you can be appointed as Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was cemeteries on th JUDE I don’t know whoever had the idea of of Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterAside from the drugs war killings, the rior and Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings of ten or more people in given him one of his major failures—massive my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there have been sensational Recently, there been sensational Rights Watch has also noted the use, the Board of Trus ees ofpick Ph Hea hhave f heWatch was And that allngdue to second Ialso don’ know whoever had he dea of M h isbthat ga her ngs of to enbiggest or more peop eprominence. nwe And isare allthe due the second biggest But April 2020, more 7.3 nman thegeneral world—for givenin him one of his majorthan failures—massive ident cannot just anybody to behas for use,arethe tancing protocol bers above that income of $2 ainPhilday.

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

Santa Banana, Isight, cannot believe that this na on and s that peop eprepared themilkey place to our common survival. gained hardly an end itnoted ishas myalso hope that Human Rights the J.A. If cannot only mem to sho lion in 2016), aincluded dramatic reduction poverty, member ofng theproBoard to any GOCC, Phil- ident other days.

What mine whether you qualified to hold this jus ardo Año said ifin this is true, we should and in the list and submitted easing the one-meter social distancing proHuman Rights Watch noted the one at the same time), Duterte refused killings of known political activists, human human rights violations.

Critics say he killed lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, failure. nc uded n he s prepared subm ed ACIDRE eas ng he one-me er soc a d s anc iden one p ace a he same me) Du er e refused people lostviolations. theirhis jobs—“largely in killed now from motivated March lion human rights Critics say he killings of known political activists, human nder litically detention of most Opportunities into investigation.”

2021. down poverty to of an unheard of 12 even Bangladesh.

Lungs and bubbles Ianti-pneumonia could well repeat what Lazaro saidPresiso bring coming from the Philippine National Police failure.

Fu vers on www man astheandard politically motivated detention his most Health president and CEO The three perHealth included, you must pass through andne foresight of M An drug commonly Health say this ison dangerous ber and pray for Quijano’s piece entitled “Loss ofme and middle-income status for Filipinos, with add more jeepneys, buses, and means president by the GCG to and the President.

But the tocol in transport. it experts would DELA CRUZ rights defenders, alleged People’s Opportunities to the erring general. politically motivated ofCommon his most 2.office.

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

The economy collapsed 0.7 percent that deeds, especially those came toget power inSenator chief.

He said that National Capital Region oquen ymanent ha “good deeds espec aprominent yhave hose wringer the gone ahead of usa My gulay, it’s long The Presofeeloquently transportation—not ease the social discritic, Senator Leila de Lima, the suances that still rights defenders, and alleged New People’s ominent critic Leila de Lima the used in Israel has also been found to Sense in COVID-19: The Story of Ivermectheir per capita income exceeding $3,000. manent Commis dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a memworsen the problem.

2.

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Budget Secretary Take note that before the GCG can innesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio of this nonsense.

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

T with COVID, one year on Learning curves Another blow from LearningGrappling curves Learning curves T G TtheTOmbudsman T G Duterte’s failures Gierran’s appointment is illegal

failures

Duterte’s failures Duterte’s failures Calamity elections Duterte’s failures

Gierran’s appointment M G Gierra

The deadliest presidency

Gierran’s appointment is illegal Marcos’ place in history Gierran’s appointment is illegal Gierran’s appointment is illegal

s uterte’s failures amity elections te’s failures

MORE OPINION ONLINE

Common-sense solutions to COVID-19 MORE OPINION ONLINE

MORE MORE OPINION OPINION ONLINE ONLINE

MORE MOREPPI OPINION OPINION ONLINE ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Iran, Russia show united front against West on nuclear deal

T

EHRAN—Russia put on a united front with Iran against the United States and Europe Tuesday amid talks in Vienna on bringing Washington back into a troubled 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran and the remaining parties to the deal have been discussing how to lift US sanctions on Iran that then president Donald Trump reimposed when he quit the deal in 2018, and bring Iran back into compliance with nuclear commit-

ments it suspended in retaliation for the US withdrawal.

“We are counting on the fact that we will be able to save the agreement and that Washington will finally return to full and complete implementation of the corresponding UN resolution,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif after talks in Tehran.

Lavrov also blasted the European Union for slapping sanctions on eight Iranian security officials, saying that the blacklisting threatens current efforts to restore the deal.

“There is no coordination at the EU.

The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing,” he said.

He stressed that “if this decision was taken voluntarily in the midst of negotiations in Vienna to save (the deal), then it is no longer unfortunate, it is a mistake worse than a crime”.

In response to EU sanctions, Iran said Monday it is suspending cooperation with Europe on various fields including “terrorism, drug (trafficking) and refugees”.

Zarif warned the US that it would gain no extra leverage in Vienna through “acts of sabotage” and sanctions.

He also blasted Israel, which Iran has accused of being behind a Sunday

sabotage attack on its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, of having made a “very bad gamble”.

“We have no problem with returning to implementing our JCPOA commitments,” Zarif said using the formal acronym for the nuclear deal.

“But the Americans should know that neither sanctions nor acts of sabotage will give them negotiation tools and these acts will only make the situation more difficult for them.”

Iran on Monday charged that its archenemy Israel had sabotaged its Natanz enrichment plant and vowed it would take “revenge” and ramp up its nuclear activities. AFP

Protesters rally on Myanmar New Year

YANGON—Anti-coup protesters turned Myanmar’s New Year festival of Thingyan into a rallying point Tuesday, painting pro-democracy messages on traditional clay pots and collecting flowers.

Myanmar is in chaos and its economy paralysed since the military seized power from civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.

A junta crackdown against dissent has resulted in the civilian death toll reaching at least 710 as of late Monday including 50 children, according to a local monitoring group.

Many in the anti-coup protest movement have vowed to boycott water fight celebrations for the Thingyan festival, with some saying it would be disrespectful to have fun when so many have lost their lives and around 3,000 people are detained.

Last year’s festivities were also called off because of pandemic restrictions.

Protesters in parts of Yangon, Monywa and Bago painted traditional Thingyan pots with pro-democracy messages Tuesday before placing them on streets with flowers inside.

“Fight for democracy,” a sign sticking out of a line of pots said in one Yangon township.

Other pots said “Never give up”.

“We are not having normal celebrations. Even though it is festival time right now, we cannot have fun.

We will not be happy until this dictator is overthrown and we will revolt until then,” a university student in Mandalay told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the danger of arrest. AFP

GENEVA—The World Health Organization on Tuesday called for a halt to the sale of live wild mammals in food markets to prevent the emergence of new diseases.

The WHO said that while traditional markets play a central role in providing food and livelihoods for large populations, banning the sale of live wild mammals could protect the health of market workers and shoppers alike.

It said some of the earliest known cases of Covid-19 had a link to a wholesale traditional food market in Wuhan in China, with many of the initial patients stall owners, market employees or regular visitors to the market.

The interim guidance was drawn up alongside the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

“The guidance calls on countries to suspend the sale of captured live wild mammals in food markets as an emergency measure,” the WHO said.

“Animals, particularly wild animals, are the source of more than 70 percent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, many of which are caused by novel viruses. Wild mammals, in particular, pose a risk for the emergence of new diseases,” it said. AFP

HONG KONG—A Hong Kong newspaper linked to a spiritual group banned in China said Tuesday it would “never back down” after a gang of sledgehammer-wielding men damaged its printing presses.

The assault on the Epoch Times was captured on CCTV and comes as China oversees a sweeping crackdown against critics in Hong Kong following huge and often violent democracy protests in 2019.

Footage released by the paper showed four masked men storming into the printing plant in the early hours of Monday morning and smashing up equipment.

They also threw concrete rubble into machinery as terrified staff members looked on.

The Epoch Times said the assault knocked out its presses, but vowed to print again soon.

“This incident was to suppress Hong Kong’s freedom of speech and intended to silence media which tells the truth,” Epoch Times spokeswoman Cheryl Ng said in a statement. “We condemn violence and never back down.”

The Epoch Times is linked to Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that is banned in mainland China and prosecuted by authorities there.

AT REST. Muslims rest after praying during the holy month of Ramadan at Al Makmur mosque in Banda Aceh on April 13. AFP

Muslims start Ramadan under shadow of coronavirus pandemic JAKARTA—Surging coronavirus cases in many parts of the world overshadowed the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday, with festivities curtailed by contagion fears.

Europe, the worst-hit continent, passed the threshold of one million coronavirus deaths, while South Asian countries battle a spiraling outbreak of the disease that has crippled the global economy.

Vaccination drives are giving hope to people fed up with restrictions that are well into a second year, and India— which is experiencing a record surge in

cases—was given a boost as it authorized Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 drug.

The total number of virus deaths is approaching 3 million, according to an AFP tally of official data, as the World Health Organization warned infections are rising exponentially despite efforts aimed at stopping them.

From Indonesia to Egypt, many Muslims around the world started Ramadan after religious leaders confirmed the month of fasting would begin on Tuesday, though restrictions on worshippers varied from country to country.

‘I am so happy’ Jakarta’s newly renovated Istiqlal Mosque—Southeast Asia’s largest -welcomed congregants for the first time on Monday night after more than a year of closure because of the pandemic.

Mohamad Fathi, a resident of the Indonesian capital, told AFP this year’s Ramadan was happier than in 2020, when people were banned from taking part in tarawih (evening) prayers.

“Last year it was gloomy as we were not allowed to go to the mosque for tarawih prayers,” he said.

“But this year, I am so happy finally we

can go to the mosque to perform tarawih prayers at the mosque although we are under strict health protocol during the prayer.”

The government of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation has imposed limits, with mosques only able to host congregants at a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Worshippers are required to wear masks and bring their own prayer mats.

Several regions in Indonesia have banned gathering for fast-breaking and religious leaders have encouraged people to pray at home in certain zones where virus cases are spiking. AFP

Officer shoots Black motorist dead; Minneapolis placed under curfew

Portland police officers chase demonstrators after a riot was declared during a protest against the killing of Daunte Wright on April 12 in Portland, Oregon. Wright, a Black man whose car was stopped in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on Sunday reportedly for an expired registration, and not far from where George Floyd was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis last May, was shot and killed by an officer who police say mistook her service revolver for a Taser.

AFP

MINNEAPOLIS—Fresh protests broke out Monday in Minneapolis despite a curfew implemented after a police officer fatally shot a young Black man, fueling tensions in a US city already on edge because of the George Floyd murder trial.

Dozens of protesters waved signs and chanted slogans in front of the police station in Brooklyn Center, the suburb where Sunday’s killing occurred.

Demonstrators taunted police through newly erected wire fencing around the station, and carried signs saying “Jail all racist killer cops,” “Am I next?” and “No justice, no peace.”

Police fired tear gas at the protesters several times and ordered them to disperse. About 40 people were arrested, several officers suffered minor injuries

Japan set to release treated Fukushima water into the sea

(MS-APRIL 14, 21 & 28, 2021)

WHO urges ban on sale of live wild mammals

HK printing press hit; Epoch Times defiant

NIGHT CHASE.

TOKYO—Japan will release more than a million tonnes of treated water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant Manila into the ocean, Standard EXTRA-JUDICIAL the government TODAY SETTLEMENT said Tuesday, Notice is hereby given triggering a furithat the estate of the ous regional relate GREGORIO L. action and fierce VENTURANZA has been extra-judicially settled opposition from fishing among his heirs with local waiver of rights, as per communities.

Doc. No. 137; Page No. The process is 29; Book No. I; Series of 2021 before Notary Public not likely to beATTY. CORAZON R. gin for several ROMANO. years and could take decades to

IN BRIEF

complete, but China quickly slammed the decision as “extremely irresponsible” and South Korea summoned the Japanese ambassador.

Japan’s government argues the release is safe because the water is processed to remove almost all radioactive elements and will be diluted.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the release, which it says is similar to the disposal of wastewater at nuclear plants elsewhere.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told a ministerial meeting that disposing of the water was an “inevitable task” in the decades-long process of decommission-

ing the nuclear plant.

He said the release would happen only “after ensuring the safety levels of the water” and alongside measures to “prevent reputational damage”.

Around 1.25 million tonnes of water have accumulated in tanks at the nuclear plant, which was crippled after going into meltdown following the 2011 tsunami.

It includes water used to cool the plant, as well as rain and groundwater that seeps in daily.

An extensive pumping and filtration system extracts tonnes of newly contaminated water each day and filters out most radioactive elements. AFP

and there was sporadic looting elsewhere in the area, law enforcement officials said.

This was the second consecutive night of protests after 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot dead by a policewoman who appeared to confuse her handgun with her taser.

In police body camera video released earlier Monday, an officer shouts “Taser! Taser! Taser!” but then instead fires a gun at the victim.

“The officer drew their handgun instead of their taser,” said Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon.

Gannon said it he believed that the officer, now on leave pending an investigation, “had the intention to deploy their taser but instead shot Mr Wright with a single bullet.” AFP

RESIGNED.

Austria’s Health Minister Rudolf Anschober addresses a press conference on April 13 in Vienna, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anschober announced that he would resign, saying managing the coronavirus crisis had overworked him.

AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business UK’s economy, exports to EU up in February despite curbs LONDON—Britain’s economy rebounded slightly in February despite virus curbs, while exports of goods to the European Union jumped by almost 50 percent but failed to reverse January’s record Brexit-driven slump.

Gross domestic product expanded by 0.4 percent in February after sinking by an upwardly-revised 2.2 percent the previous month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement that noted a boost from industrial output and consumer spending.

The economy held up despite England’s renewed COVID-19 lockdown, which was implemented in early January but partially eased this week owing to a rapid vaccination drive.

From Monday, pubs were allowed to serve drinks outside—and non-essential retailers and hairdressers reopened as well.

The phased reopening has sparked hopes for a rebound in economic activity in the current second quarter, or three months to June.

The ONS added, however, on Tuesday that the nation’s economy remains 7.8 percent smaller than its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

January’s economic decline nevertheless marked an improvement from the previous estimate of a 2.9-percent contraction.

“The economy showed some improvement in February after the large falls seen at the start of the year but remains around 8.0 percent below its pre-pandemic level,” said an ONS spokeswoman.

“Wholesalers and retailers both saw sales pick up a little, while manufacturing improved with car producers experiencing a partial recovery from a poor January.

“Construction grew strongly after revised figures showed they had struggled in the last couple of months,” the spokeswoman said.

The ONS also revealed Tuesday that UK exports rebounded sharply in February, driven by cars and pharmaceuticals as the nation adapted to life outside the EU. AFP

Market tumbles on fears of slower ‘21 GDP growth S TOCKS extended their slump for a third day Tuesday after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas conceded gross domestic product may grow slower than expected this year due to the prolonged impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 60.85 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,457.79 on a value turnover of P6.1 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 134 to 64, with 50 issues unchanged.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday the government may scale down the 2021 GDP growth forecast of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent to around 6 percent to 7 percent to take into account the adverse effects of the latest virus curbs in Metro Manila

and nearby provinces on the economy.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, fell 4.6 percent to P131, while AC Energy Corp., a unit of Ayala Corp., sank 5.8 percent to P7.29.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan, dropped 4.1 percent to P10.64, while DITO CME Holdings Corp., the third major mobile phone company, was down 3.8 percent to P10.60.

Meanwhile, markets mostly rose in Asia on Tuesday as investors gear up for a much-anticipated earnings season and the release of key US inflation data later in the day.

Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Wellington all rose but Shanghai, Taipei and Jakarta slipped.

After a recent run-up in equities that saw the S&P 500 and Dow end last week at record highs, traders are taking a breather as they await the next buying catalyst.

A forecast-busting reading on US producer price inflation last week gave markets a taste of what to expect over the next few months as the global economy emerges from last year’s crisis and vaccinations allow people to slowly return to their pre-pandemic habits.

The release of consumer price data is being closely followed. There are growing fears that reopening will send prices surging this year and force central banks to tighten the ultra-loose monetary policies—including rock-bottom interest rates—that have helped fire a year-long equity rally.

The Federal Reserve has repeatedly pledged not to change tack until inflation is elevated for some time and unemployment is under control.

Those worries have sent benchmark 10year Treasury yields—a gauge of future borrowing costs—to one-year highs. The smooth sale of government bonds Monday soothed some concerns. With AFP

PSEi April 13, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CAB DFNN LODE FOOD PBC ACEX CYBR AB OM BHI

LAST PRICE 68 4.07 1.16 0.67 23.4 22.9 0.355 9.98 0.45 0.091

CHANGE 8.9 0.34 0.08 0.04 1.35 1.3 0.02 0.48 0.02 0.004

% CHANGE 15.06% 9.12% 7.41% 6.35% 6.12% 6.02% 5.97% 5.05% 4.65% 4.60%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CDC ALHI EVER APO PHES UPM WPI NOW APVI CLI

LAST PRICE 1.08 7.42 0.128 0.67 0.7 0.0087 0.65 2.93 19.54 5.51

CHANGE -0.14 -0.88 -0.014 -0.07 -0.07 -0.0007 -0.05 -0.21 -1.36 -0.37

% CHANGE -11.48% -10.60% -9.86% -9.46% -9.09% -7.45% -7.14% -6.69% -6.51% -6.29%

MOST ACTIVE

TOAST TO UK. Customers enjoy drinks at tables outside the pubs and bars in the Soho area of London, on April 12, 2021 as coronavirus restrictions are eased across the country in step two of the government’s roadmap out of England’s third national lockdown. Britons on Monday toasted a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions, with early morning pints—and much-needed haircuts—as the country took a tentative step towards the resumption of normal life. Businesses including non-essential retail, gyms, salons and outdoor hospitality were all able to open for the first time in months in the second step of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. AFP

Air Canada finally gets $4.7-b rescue deal from Ottawa MONTREAL, Canada—The Canadian government and Air Canada announced Monday they have reached a financial aid plan in the form of loans to help the country’s largest airline recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The agreement calls for Air Canada to have access to about Can$5.9 billion (US$4.7 billion).

“We have reached a significant and historic agreement with Air Canada,” Canadian transport minister Omar Alghabra told a press conference.

In order to benefit from the financial aid, Air Canada has agreed to abide by several conditions, particularly reimbursing customers whose tickets were canceled by the carrier due to the pandemic.

The airline has also agreed to resume regional routes and restrictions on executive compensation.

Air Canada, which currently employs about 15,000 people, has pledged not to cut any new jobs after having to lay off more than 20,000 employees since the start of the pandemic.

Deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland hailed a “good and fair deal,” saying that airlines are a strategic sector that generate jobs for the country’s middle class.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian airlines have received more than Can$2 billion in federal aid, which allowed them to keep thousands of people employed, Alghabra said.

The government is continuing discussions with other airlines including WestJet, the country’s second-largest carrier, Freeland added.

The president of trade union Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, hailed the agreement.

“Today’s announcement by the federal government is a recognition that aviation workers are pivotal to the Canadian economy,” said Jerry Dias.

Canada’s air travel industry has been calling for a federal aid plan since last spring. AFP

B3

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ALI URC ACEN ICT BDO MBT SM DITO MPI BPI

VOLUME 15676700 2011450 34651400 2006520 2424300 4849600 196130 17036200 44901000 1839350

VALUE (PHP) 524928900 267713015 261267507 253500258 246574319 213686075 189650845 183678928 177673860 149833747.5

How Lazada lost Southeast Asia to Shopee WHEN Alibaba bought a controlling stake in Lazada in 2016, it seemed nothing could stop Lazada from dominating the Southeast Asian ecommerce scene. With Amazon dominating the USA and Alibaba virtually unchallenged in China, Alibaba believed that Southeast Asia with its regionwide ASEAN preferential tariffs, its 600 million population and its fast-modernizing economies was the next obvious growth market.

At the time, Shopee, barely over a year old, was an upstart. In the Philippines, it focused mainly on fashion and at one point seemed so confused about its business model, it opened a physical storefront in Makati.

Fast forward to 2021 and the tables have turned.

Lazada’s Roots: B2C The Lazada group was founded in 2012 across multiple Southeast Asian economies including the Philippines.

Lazada used aggressive marketing and subsidies to acquire customers, and eventually sellers. Lazada’s aggressive strategy quickly made it a household name and Lazada’s 11-11 sale became a much-awaited event.

By 2015, Lazada’s gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeded US$1.3 billion, becoming the region’s leading ecommerce platform.

Lazada’s growth did not come without challenges. Southeast Asia is a fragmented marketplace and countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, with their thousands of islands, present logistical challenges that, at the time, had no quick solutions. Order fulfilment could take anywhere from seven days to a few months. Lazada began by selling from its own warehouses and then expanded to allowing access to third-party sellers on their platform.

Lazada’s seller interfaces were less than ideal but the sheer customer volume coupled with their marketing and delivery subsidies attracted many sellers. Selling on Lazada created any Filipino millionaires. Third party delivery companies sprung up to fill the demand created by Lazada, bridging

the last mile from warehouse to homes. Operational issues continued to plague Lazada, with fulfilment after an 11-11 sale at one point lasting well beyond Christmas.

The expectation was that Alibaba would be able to help Lazada manage its ever-present logistics and internal operations challenges. Lazada did seem to continue to dominate the SEA marketplace. In the beginning of 2019, just before COVID-19 hit the region, the iPrice group reported that Lazada was the most visited eCommerce platform in the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.

You ignore people at your peril.

Customers, sellers, employees. They are the heart of your enterprise.

But not all was well behind the scenes.

From gaming to selling Established by egaming company Garena in 2015, Shopee’s approach to ecommerce were rooted in Garena’s community building and online social engagement philosophy.

Two things differentiated Shopee’s early days from Lazada’s early days. Lazada began as a business to consumer company and began with a laptop interface. From its earliest days, Shopee opened its platform to other sellers (C2C) and launched immediately with a mobile interface. In countries such as the Philippines where mobile penetration is much higher than laptop owners, this makes enormous sense.

In many ways, Shopee benefited from Lazada’s investments in the region’s ecommerce. When Shopee entered the market, SEA customers were already familiar with ecommerce. Certainly, the logistics and payment challenges

remained. But the SEA markets were much more advanced in 2015 than they were in 2012.

When Shopee used the same aggressive marketing and subsidy tactics that Lazada used to build its business, it was planting seeds in much more fertile ground.

Culture wars In the meantime, trouble was brewing within newly-acquired Lazada. Alibaba, the Chinese juggernaut, operates in a very centralized manner. By contrast, Lazada was never centralized, having been established as separate national operations with coordinated marketing and events. Some insiders likened Lazada management to a boy’s club, a group of young, talented people trying new things. This made the company swift at trying new things but might have led to the company’s continued difficulties with operational concerns.

When Alibaba acquired majority ownership of Lazada, management was assured they would be able to maintain independent operations. This was a promise on which Alibaba would not be able to deliver. Disagreements and conflict quickly broke out. With its early beginnings as an investment of Rocket Internet, Lazada already had two internal cultures, the culture of the European expatriates at the top, and the culture of the SEAsian middle managers and staff. In 2017, when disagreements began, the clash of cultures began. Displeased with the conflicts, Alibaba decided to transform Lazada’s internal structure, appointing Ant Financial’s former CEO Peng Lei to head the newly reorganized business as part of the terms of a US$2-billion investment.

Once Alibaba took effective management control of Lazada in 2018, it shifted Lazada’s focus inwards. New marketing initiatives were halted in favor of a full review of internal operations and books.

Account management became more complicated and budgeting and spending ground to a near halt, a clear problem in an industry that thrives on marketing communication. At the same time, sellers were suddenly confronted with a new interface, one developed for

the much, more sophisticated Chinese market. Lazada sellers went from a less than user-friendly but familiar interface to a highly sophisticated but confusing one.

In 2018, after Alibaba parachuted in managers from China, Lazada suspended its subsidies for shipping. In the meantime, Shopee pumped money into shipping subsidies that benefited both customer and seller, doubling its annual loss in 2018 to US$961 million but increasing its GMV to US$10.3 billion with an impressive 2.5X year on year growth.

As Lazada scaled down its marketing, Shopee ramped up its efforts, ironically using many of the same tactics Lazada used to lead the SEA market. Shopee, much less centralized than the new Lazada, was able to implement much more localized approaches making onboarding of sellers much less complicated. Interfaces for both users and sellers were far more intuitive and user-friendly.

Internally, the changes led to top and middle managers resigning from Lazada in droves, with many of them landing in Shopee and bringing with them precious knowledge and skills gained from Lazada’s early days.

While Lazada continued to be the most visited site in the beginning of 2019, Shopee annual app downloads, monthly active users and user retention rates had surpassed Lazada.

By the second quarter of 2020, Shopee had overtaken Lazada in the region in terms of customer visits and its most recent report claims that it now accounts for 57 percent of sales in the region.

COVID-19 arguably created an unprecedented opportunity for the ecommerce industry. Both Lazada and Shopee benefited but in different degrees.

There are many lessons here but the most important one is this: It is not just about systems and technology. You ignore people at your peril. Customers, sellers, employees. They are the heart of your enterprise.

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

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, April 13, 2021

-60.85 PTS. 6,457.79

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,929,154,898 110,073 6,098,825,285.70 64 134 50

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5640

Japan

Yen

0.009143

0.4440

UK

Pound

1.374600

66.7561

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128634

6.2470

Switzerland

Franc

1.084363

52.6610

Canada

Dollar

0.795988

38.6564

Singapore

Dollar

0.746046

36.2310

Australia

Dollar

0.762000

37.0058

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655549

128.9641

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.9501

Brunei

Dollar

0.743273

36.0963

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031756

1.5422

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2226

Euro

Euro

1.191400

57.8591

Korea

Won

0.000889

0.0432

China

Yuan

0.152730

7.4172

India

Rupee

0.013337

0.6477

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242072

11.7560

New Zealand

Dollar

0.702800

34.1308

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035219

1.7104 Source: BSP

Meralco defers disconnection of unpaid accounts until end of April

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, said Tuesday it is suspending all disconnection activities in its franchise area until April 30 following the government’s announcement placing the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under the modified enhanced community quarantine until the end of the month.

“Given the ongoing pandemic situation and the latest quarantine measures, and always conscious of the challenges our customers are facing amid these trying times, we will continue to put on hold all disconnection activities until April 30,” Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz said in a statement.

Meralco is the country’s largest power distributor with more than seven million customers in its franchise area which is mainly the ‘NCR Plus’ bubble.

“We hope this extension will help lessen the burden of our customers and provide enough relief and time for them to settle their bills,” Geluz said.

Meralco earlier extended the nodisconnection policy until April 15, then moved it to April 30.

Geluz said Meralco would continue to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers in need of help with their concerns.

Meralco said it would continue vital operations such as meter reading, following the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission and would also continue to work round-theclock to serve customers.

“Meralco business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery activities, will continue throughout the MECQ,” said Geluz.

“Our continued operations will ensure that actual consumption for the month will be billed accordingly. But rest assured there will be strict implementation of health protocols in order to safeguard the health and safety of both customers and our personnel,” he said.

The ERC, in an advisory last year, encouraged customers who have the ability to pay to settle their bills within the original due date “to help manage the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity.”

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp. on Tuesday announced the temporary suspension of Light Rail Transit Line 1 operations for two weekends in April to continue the maintenance works.

LRMC said the shutdown of LRT-1 on April 17 to 18 and April 24 to 25 would allow the company to complete the remaining maintenance and rehabilitation works that started during the Holy Week.

It said the works would cover the maintenance of trains, stations and various systems, including the scheduled replacement of overhead catenary wires.

The additional days will also accelerate the preparations for the commercial use

Monde Nissin banks on meat alternatives

FOOD maker Monde Nissin Corp. is banking on the growing consumer preference for sustainable and healthier lifestyles as it ramps up capital spending for its meat alternative business.

The company said in a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that from P2.37billion of capital spending from 2018 to 2020, it would double investments for meat alternative business to P6.28 billion for the period 2021-2022.

This is nearly one-fourth of the group’s P26.5-billion programmed capital spending for the next three years, which will be funded by the company’s planned initial public offering.

It said the planned spending for the meat alternative business would be used to grow its capacity and develop new products. The group operates its meat alternative business through Quorn Foods under the Quorn and Cauldron brands.

Quorn Foods had three manufacturing locations in the United Kingdom as of Dec. 31, 2020. Jenniffer B. Austria

Smart, NTT Docomo tie up for 5G roaming

NEW LANDBANK BRANCH SITE. From its former site inside the Fisheries Library Museum Building of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, Land Bank of the Philippines’ Miagao Branch moves to a new site in Barangay Igtuba beside the Iloilo Science and Technology University to better serve the banking needs of clients. Attending the inauguration and blessing of the newlyrelocated LandBank Miagao Branch are (from left) University of the Philippines-Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano, Iloilo Science and Technology University president Dr. Raul Muyong, Miagao Mayor Macario Napulan, LandBank Visayas Branches Group head and first vice president Delma Bandiola and LandBank Miagao Branch jead Rowena Areño.

Car sales in March jumped 87% due to low base effect

By Othel V. Campos

V

EHICLE sales soared 88 percent in March on low base effect from a year ago when the government first imposed a nationwide lockdown at the start of the pandemic, data from two industry groups showed Tuesday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report combined sales of their members reached 20,706 units in March, up from 11,029 vehicles delivered in the same month last year. Prior to the pandemic, the two groups sold 32,173 vehicles in March 2019.

Sales of passenger cars increased 111.1 percent in March from a year ago,

while orders for commercial vehicle went up by 78.2 percent.

The figures brought total sales in the first quarter of 2021 to 70,312 units, up 8.9 percent from 64,642 units purchased in the same quarter last year. However, they were lower than the pre-pandemic sales of 85,388 units in the first quarter of 2019.

Data also showed that on a month-onmonth basis, automotive sales fell 21.1 percent to 20,702 units in March from 26,230 units in February, representing a slowdown as the government enforced stricter community quarantine in the “NCR Plus” bubble, spanning Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

Passenger car sales dropped 15.67 percent to 6,661 units in March from 7,899 units in February while commercial vehicle sales declined by 23.4 percent to 14,041 units from 18,331 units.

CAMPI said the decline in monthly sales was the result of the impact of the imposition of safeguard duties on im-

ported vehicles and the recent lockdown restrictions.

“The auto industry felt the slowdown in sales due to the reluctance of buyers with the additional deposit for some imported vehicles because of the provisional safeguard duty. The lockdown also forced dealers to close operations that badly hit the already struggling auto industry,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

Gutierrez said the enhanced community quarantine announcement limited mobility and restricted automotive operations against in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Total passenger car sales grew by 22.9 percent in the first quarter to 21,855 units from 17,787 units in the same period in 2020, while demand for commercial vehicle sales moved up 3.6 percent to 48,457 units from 46,756 units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. continued to dominate the industry in the first quarter with 47.07-percent market share, followed Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 16.77 percent.

SMART Communications Inc. said Tuesday it teamed up with NTT Docomo to launch 5G roaming services in Japan.

“The partnership with NTT Docomo helps us provide an unmatched 5G roaming experience for Smart customers in Japan,” said Alice Ramos, vice president and head of roaming and consumer business at Smart.

“This is consistent with Smart’s collective goal to bring world-class services to the Filipino people,” Ramos said.

The partnership between NTT Docomo and Smart is another step in Smart’s extensive 5G roaming roll out. It follows successful activations in Australia with Vodafone; in China with China Mobile; in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia with Zain; full 5G roaming coverage in United Arab Emirates with Etisalat and du; in Taiwan with FarEasTone; and in South Korea with KT Corp. Darwin G. Amojelar

93% of PH consumers impacted by pandemic

A NEW research from TransUnion found that 93 percent of Filipinos surveyed saw their household income negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 65 percent of consumers said their household income is being negatively impacted by the pandemic, and a further 28 percent said they had been negatively impacted but not currently. Almost half (49 percent) of the respondents expected their household income to be negatively impacted by the pandemic in the future, the TransUnion study said.

TransUnion initiated the Consumer Pulse study, covering adults in the Philippines and abroad, to better understand the financial impact of COVID-19 on consumers. The initial Philippine survey conducted from March 5 to 22 this year of 865 adults marked the first by TransUnion in the country.

“Whether it’s their financial health, financial wellbeing, or changes in dayto-day living, the lives of millions of people in the Philippines and abroad have changed dramatically because of COVID-19. The Philippines, like many other countries, has had extended periods under lockdown, and we continue to manage the ongoing impact as the number of cases remains high,” said TransUnion Philippines president and chief executive Pia Arellano.

Petron bares plan to issue $550-m securities this month to repay debt

CONVERGE’S AWARD. Converge ICT Solutions Inc. co-founder and chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy (second from left) receives the Nordic Chamber of Commerce award for Growth Business Partner of the Year. The award is given by Nordcham executive director Jesper Svenningsen (third from left) and membership and events head Mary Rose Yu (left). Uy is joined by Converge chief strategy officer Benjamin Azada (right) during the handover ceremony. The Nordic Sustainability Awards recognizes companies who conduct their business guided by both the Sustainability Development Goals and Nordic values.

LRT-1 to stop service on two weekends of April to complete maintenance works

By Darwin G. Amojelar

IN BRIEF

of the new Generation-4 train sets in the fourth quarter of 2021, it said.

The Department of Transportation confirmed the deployment of public utility buses, running on Route 17 (Monumento to EDSA via Rizal Avenue/Taft Avenue), to support affected commuters during the temporary weekend shutdown.

There will be no changes in the service schedule of LRT-1 on weekdays, with the northbound train running from 4:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. and southbound train from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

LRMC said it would continue to enforce health and safety protocols and comply with IATF guidelines while performing the maintenance works during this period.

OIL refiner Petron Corp. said Thursday it will issue $550-million in senior perpetual capital securities this month as part of its capital raising program.

Petron said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was planning to issue the securities on April 19 with net proceeds estimated at $547.8 million.

The company plans to use the proceeds “for the repayment of indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.”

The securities will carry a rate of 5.95 percent per annum and will be issued in registered form in denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Petron said earlier its executive committee authorized the company to issue US dollar-denominated senior perpetual capital securities.

It said it also obtained approval inprinciple obtained from the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited for the listing and quotation of the securities.

The securities will be traded on the SGX-ST in a minimum board lot size of $200,000.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. is the sole global coordinator while DBS Bank Ltd., HSBC, MUFG Securities Asia Limited, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, Standard Chartered Bank and UBS AG Singapore Branch are joint lead managers and joint bookrunners.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp. and PNB Capital and Investment Corp. are the domestic lead arranger.

Petron operates the only integrated oil refinery in the Philippines. It had an overall market share of 24 percent of the Philippine oil market in the first half of 2020 in terms of sales volume, based on company estimates using internal assumptions and calculations and industry data from the Department of Energy.

Petron is also a leading player in the Malaysian market. Alena Mae S. Flores

Pag-IBIG Fund home loan releases hit P20.94b in 1st quarter PAG-IBIG Fund said Tuesday it released P20.94 billion worth of home loans in the first quarter despite the pandemic, up 33 percent or P5.17 billion from P15.77 billion in the same period in 2020, top executives said Tuesday.

“We are happy to report that our home loan releases in the first three months of 2021 have increased compared to the same period last year. This increase in our home loan releases means that more Filipino workers are being helped by Pag-IBIG Fund to secure their own homes, which is very important at this time of pandemic,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“We recognize the role we play in help-

ing keep our members safe in their own homes, as we heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for government agencies to provide social benefits to more Filipinos, especially during these challenging times,” said del Rosario.

Del Rosario said the P20.94 billion in home loans in the first quarter enabled 20,712 members to acquire their own homes. He said of the total amount, P2.2 billion were released as socialized home loans for the benefit of 5,074 Pag-IBIG Fund members belonging to the minimum-wage and low-income sectors.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said even if measured against the period prior to the implementation of community quarantines, there was still an increase in home loans.

The agency released P15.49 billion in home loans from as of March 15 this year, an increase of P546.97 million or 3.7 percent from P14.94 billion released in the same period in 2020 when strict community quarantines in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon were yet to be implemented.

He expressed optimism that the numbers would continue to rise, especially as the economy continued to reopen.

“From September to December last year, our home loan releases were close to ‘prepandemic’ levels. We released more than P6 billion to P7 billion in home loans every month during those months, with December loan releases reaching P12 billion—the highest amount released for a single month in Pag-IBIG Fund’s history,” Moti said.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Olympians’ role in PH sports in spotlight

Ariana Dormitorio still finds time to train in her bid to qualify for the women’s mountainbike competitions in the Tokyo Olympics. She is currently ranked no. 4 in Asia behind Japan, China and Iran.

Ayala Foundation holds 1st Magiting virtual run/bikefest DO you miss participating in fun runs? Are you thinking of fitness options that take into consideration social distancing guidelines?

Or are you looking to incorporate a good cause into your fitness routine?

To commemorate its 60th year, Ayala Foundation invites seasoned and beginner runners, fitness enthusiasts, and development advocates to the first Magiting “Virtual Run and Bike” event, where participants can run, trek, and bike at their own pace, at their own time, and in locations that they themselves choose.

Scheduled on April 1 to May 15, 2021, the virtual running and biking event has the following categories: Running or Trekking (20 km, 60 km, 100 km, and 200 km) and Biking (60 km, 100 km, 200 km, and 500 km).

The Magiting Virtual Run and Bike encourages participants to set a timeline for their training based on the event schedule.

Since this is a virtual event, the Magiting Virtual Run and Bike does not expect participants to cover the distance they signed up for in one go. Instead, participants can run or ride (or even walk or trek) a few kilometers each day over the course of a month and a half, until they complete their target distance.

Registration fee is P1,500. Those who complete the virtual run and bike event will receive the following: a Magiting Medal, a finisher shirt, a face mask, and e-certificate.

Delivery of items in the Philippines is covered the registration fee.

Funds raised from the Magiting Virtual Run and Bike will help provide learning and hygiene kits for public elementary school students nationwide, as part of the Ayala group’s Brigada ng Ayala program.

As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation leads the implementation of Brigada ng Ayala, which is Ayala Foundation’s response to the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela initiatives. To date, Brigada ng Ayala has provided over 21,000 learning and hygiene kits for students in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Magiting Run and Bike event takes its name after Ayala Foundation’s Maging Magiting program, which promotes love of country by highlighting the importance of our national symbols and honoring the virtues that are uniquely Filipino. The Maging Magiting program also recognizes the capacity of ordinary Filipinos to be heroes in their own extraordinary ways.

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MTB queen Dormitorio: Share kindness on road

By Randy M. Caluag

D

UE to limited public transport during the COVID-19 community quarantine, cycling has become an essential form of transportation, especially in Metro Manila.

Bikers, however, have to contend with the danger of sharing the road with bigger transports like trucks and buses.

Women’s mountainbike champion Ariana Dormitorio is one of the thousands of bikers in Metro Manila as she normally goes to her training in the mountains using her favorite bike.

Guesting at the weekly online show Manila Standard ON THE ROAD, Dormitorio has two important reminders to fellow bikers in order to stay safe on the road.

First, she says, is to be “more visible” as much as possible.

“Please avoid tailing the back of the vehicle in front of you. Either you are partly at the right or at the left where the driver can see you on his side mir-

rors,” she said.

This should be done with enough distance between the car and the biker.

It is especially true when the vehicle in front of the rider is a bus or delivery truck, where the rearview mirror has no way of checking the vehicles at the back. In this case, only the side mirrors can show the driver the situation at the back of the vehicle.

“It is really dangerous when they (drivers) don’t know you are there. So make yourself more visible as possible,” Dormitorio said.

In some occasions, however, riders have become a nuisance for drivers.

But for Dormitorio, topping her best practices on the road is her ability to share kindness with other riders.

It could be in a form of a simple smile, a nod of approval or even a quick wave.

“Let’s be courteous with one another. Share kindness on the road,” said Ariana, who admitted that she always asks for permission from drivers when she wants to pass through.

“Most of the time, they will give way. And if possible, express your appreciation to them. If we all do this, the road will always be a safer place for everyone,” she said.

Dormitorio still finds time to train in her bid to qualify for the women’s mountainbike competitions in the Tokyo Olympics. She is currently ranked no. 4 in Asia behind Japan, China and Iran.

“May chance pa daw po ako so in case mapatawag ako for a UCI race, ready po ako to maintain or even improve my ranking,” she said.

The Asian continent will have a slot of 4 riders in the Olympic women’s MTB competition. And Dormotorio is still in the running.

SEAG athletes still have ample time to train THE training of Team Philippines to the 31st Southeast Asian Games may have hit a snag, but Chef De Mission Ramon Fernandez thinks there is still ample time for Filipino athletes to prepare and be ready for the biennial meet in Vietnam later this year.

Appearing before the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum online edition, Fernandez believes a threemonth intensive training would be good enough for the Philippine contingent to perform creditably in the Nov. 21 to Dec. 2 event.

The country is eyeing to retain the SEA Games overall championship it won in 2019 when the multi-sports event was held here.

“I just hope three months would really be enough for them to perform at their peak or at their very best,” said the 67-year-old Fernandez in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine

PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez

Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The scheduled bubble training for Filipino athletes was supposed to get going this Thursday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, but had to be cancelled

due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Despite the NCR Plus being downgraded to a Moderate Enhance Community Quarantine starting Monday, group practices and scrimmages are still not

PHILIPPINE swimming icon Akiko Thomson-Guevara dives into the “Role of Philippine Olympians in furthering Philippine Sports” in session 9 of the Philippine Sports Commission’s National Sports Summit 2021 this Wednesday.

The three-time Olympian and eight-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist explores the ongoing efforts of the Philippine Olympians Association, an organization founded in 2002, to provide opportunities through sports for the Filipino youth.

Thomson-Guevara, elected as president of the body composed of fellow Filipino Olympians and has been leading it since 2015, also shares “how to optimize the asset of the Filipino Olympian to play a meaningful role in the realm of Philippine sports.”

“Her stellar career as part of the Miracle of 1991 and as an Olympian, and further using her platform as the head of their organization will truly inspire our participants in the pursuit of improving Philippine sports,” said PSC chairman William Ramirez.

The swimming icon has had a history of promoting Philippine sports and Olympism by participating as a volunteer in the Athens Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and serving as assistant coach of the national swimming team in the 1997 SEA Games and 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games.

She also served as one of PSC’s commissioners from 2010-2016.

The National Sports Summit 2021 is a countrywide online conference covering key sports concepts from the local scene up to international linkages.

allowed as per within the Joint Administrative Order crafted by the PSC, Games and Amusement Board and the Department of Health.

During his meeting with the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Olympic Committee Task Force, Fernandez asked the body about its timeline as far as preparations of the various National Sports Associations regarding the SEA Games is concerned.

The PSC commissioner sat down with POC Deputy Secretary General Karen Caballero and Deputy Chef De Missions Al Agra and Pearl Managuelod, along with PSC managers and staff led

by Executive Secretary Guillermo Iroy, Merly Ibay, Queenie Evangelista, Anne Ruiz, and national team Training Director Marc Velasco.

“That’s the first question I asked the POC-PSC Task Force to prepare a program kung ano ang timeline nila, the minimum number of days, months to prepare your athletes to be ready by the or the end of November and December,” said Fernandez, a former PBA MVP and Hall of Famer, in the same session powered by Smart and Upstream Media as the official webcast partner.

Juntilla provides spark as Lapu-Lapu routs Dumaguete

Lapu-Lapu City banked on Reed Juntilla’s scoring to notch the win.

ALCANTARA—The ARQ BuildersLapu-Lapu City needed a spark against the resilient Dumaguete Warriors and veteran wingman Reed Juntilla was more than happy to provide it as the Heroes came away with a 67-57 win in the 2021 Chooksto-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Tuesday afternoon at the Civic Center here in Cebu.

The victory placed ARQ at the top of the standings in the Visayas leg with a perfect 2-0 record while Dumaguete suffered its second loss in as many games.

The Warriors had the upper hand for most of the game as they led 34-30 at the midway point of the third after consecutive three-pointers by guard Nikki Monteclaro.

Juntilla then went to work as he scored eight straight points on an array of mid-

range jumpers to spark a 12-0 run and help give the Heroes a 46-37 lead heading to the last period.

The Warriors pressed on and pulled to within five, 45-50, after a tough fallaway jumper by Jeric Nacpil but ARQ answered with 11 unanswered points in a two-minute span, six coming from burly forward Ferdinand Lusdoc, to erect a 61-50 lead.

Dumaguete last threatened at 54-61 after another basket by Nacpil but a free throw by Vincent Minguito and another layup by Lusdoc shut the door on any possible Warriors’ comeback.

Lusdoc led the way for ARQ with 14 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal while Juntilla finished with 12 points, four boards, and three dimes. Jerick Cañada had an all-around game, piling up nine

points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

ARQ head coach Francis Auquico heaped praise on Juntilla, who he said the team depends on for some much-needed scoring.

“Si Reed (Juntilla), inaasahan talaga namin ‘yung scoring niya,” said Auquico. “I’m glad that he delivered when we needed him.”

Monteclaro shot in six three-pointers on his way to scoring 20 points for Dumaguete. Mark Doligon added 12 while Nacpil finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.

Lapu-Lapu looks to rack up its third straight win when it faces Siquijor tomorrow at 2:00PM. On the other hand, Dumaguete hopes to bounce back against Talisay on the same day at 8 p.m.

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Tokyo venues ready to forge Olympic dreams Eala helps Penn State nail Big Ten road victory

By Peter Atencio THE Penn State University Nittany Lions leaned on a singles’ win from freshman Miko Eala to pull off a 5-2 triumph on Sunday afternoon over the Purdue Boilermakers.

The 6’1” Eala, a recruit from the Philippines, edged Michal Wozniak, 6-2, 7-6 (6), in the second singles to deliver the crucial point at the Schwartz Tennis Center during their road game in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Nittany Lions went on to pick up their road win of the year in the 2021 Big Ten Intercollegiate Team Tennis Tournament as they remained third in the East Division conference standings.

They now have a 6-8 win-loss record, behind leaders University of Michigan and Ohio State University, which share the lead at 13-1.

“I felt like we finished the weekend on a good note,” said Nittany Lions’ head coach Jeff Zinn in a statement on the university’s official website.

Eala stepped forward in place of teammate Christian Lakoseljac, who got injured when the Nittany Lions took a 1-4 loss to Indiana last Saturday.

“Unfortunately, Christian was injured and got hurt against Indiana, so we kept him out today. I am proud of the guys for stepping up,” added Zinn.

Eala and his teammates stepped after they lost the doubles’ points in two of three finished matches.

After Eala took down Wozniak, Tim Ruetzel, Christos Antonopoulos, Alp Sentay and Charl Morgan followed through with wins posted in five of singles’ contests.

“Despite Purdue’s record, they fight hard especially at home. Miko got down deep and clinched the win in a back and forth tiebreak,” said assistant coach Paul Tobin of the brother of Philippine tennis phenom Alex Eala.

So far, Eala has led the team with nine singles’ victories this year.

Penn State concludes the regular season with a two-game home stand next weekend against Michigan on Friday and Michigan State on Sunday.

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OKYO—From a state-of-the-art aquatics center to a historic martial arts arena whose roof resembles Mount Fuji, Japan’s Olympic sites are ready for action after a year’s coronavirus delay.

The 43 venues are located in two main areas: the “Tokyo Bay Zone” in the capital’s busy port district, and the more central “Heritage Zone” incorporating several sites from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

With 100 days until the opening ceremony for the postponed Games, AFP takes a tour of the key venues: Olympic Stadium Used for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics and some football matches, the 68,000-seater Olympic Stadium in central Tokyo has been built on the site of the 1964 stadium.

The original design, by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, was jettisoned in July 2015 after public outrage over its $2 billion price tag—which would have made it the world’s most expensive stadium.

A slimmed-down, cheaper version was

commissioned and the five-floor facility was unveiled in December 2019, along with a host of special features to beat the heat of the Tokyo summer.

But how many domestic fans—if any —will be allowed into the stadium during the events is expected to be decided by organisers this month.

Aquatics Centre The 56.7 billion yen ($516 million) Aquatics Centre was completed in February 2020 but its grand opening was postponed by the virus.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was finally held in October 2020 at the 15,000-seat venue in the Bay Zone for swimming, diving and artistic swimming events.

The main pool features a movable wall allowing the 50m facility to be converted into two 25m pools, with the depth also adjustable.

Tokyo hopes to make the most of the facility after this summer, aiming to attract one million users a year—850,000 through swimming competitions and roughly 150,000 casual punters.

Sea Forest Waterway On a lush artificial island, in the shadow of the huge Tokyo Gate Bridge, sits the Sea Forest Waterway—a two-kilometre basin protected from the sea by a dam, where rowers will glide along eight competition lanes.

Built to seat 24,000 during the Games, the arena’s capacity will be reduced to 2,000 afterwards when it will host 30 competitions per year as well as canoeing and rowing classes.

Ariake Arena The brand-new Ariake Arena will host Olympic volleyball and Paralympic basketball, with seating for 15,000.

Solar panels on its curved roof were carefully aligned to avoid reflecting sunlight into nearby apartments.

The solar panels, heat sensors and geothermal pumps will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The venue is earmarked for concerts and sporting

Folayang, Aoki wrap up trilogy at ‘ONE On TNT IV’

A man looks at his mobile phone in front of the illuminated Ariake Arena, the venue for Olympic volleyball and Paralympic wheelchair basketball, to mark one year until the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. From a state-of-the-art aquatics center to a historic martial arts arena whose roof resembles Mount Fuji, Japan’s Olympic sites are ready for action after a year’s coronavirus delay, with 100 days until the opening ceremony on July 23. AFP

Sangalang’s The Apprentice journey continues “THE Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” returned with another thrilling episode on Monday, April 12.

This week, Karate World Champion “Super” Sage Northcutt joined Task Captain Dom Lau to witness the remaining global candidates play a competitive game of bubble soccer.

In the boardroom, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and his Advisor, Niharika Singh, made a tough decision to cut two more candidates from the show, with Filipino contestant Louie Sangalang moving on to the next phase safe.

Physical Challenge: Bubble Soccer Teams headed to Tanjong Beach in Sentosa to play a game of bubble soccer. Upon arrival, they were treated to a flashy display of Northcutt’s karate skills.

Because Team Conquest had one extra player, the group decided Nazee Sajedi would sit out.

Niraj Puran Rao, who played soccer professionally in India, devised a strategy for Team Conquest, which involved Eugene Chung clearing a path for him to score. On Team Valor, Irina Chadsey hounded Puran Rao across the field and was effective with her lockdown defense.

While both teams struggled to push the ball across the line, an unsung hero emerged. Joy Koh, who had never played soccer in her life, scored the only goal of the game, winning the challenge for Team Conquest.

Business Challenge: Create a Digital Restaurant Brand Candidates were tasked to create a Korean-Western-inspired digital restaurant brand using cloud-based kitchen plat-

THE LINK REY JOBLE AS A newcomer in the PBA, Rey Evangelista had a successful ride, playing in the championship round and winning the title in the Commissioner’s Cup, while playing for the old Purefoods franchise.

That successful run also earned him a spot in the PBA-backed national team which represented the country in the Hiroshima Asian Games.

Year 1994 was supposed to be a banner season for the former University of Santo Tomas stalwart,

events after 2020.

Nippon Budokan The famous martial arts arena was first built for judo in 1964 and boasts a curved roof to resemble Mount Fuji. It will also host karate in 2020.

It became a renowned concert venue after the 1964 Olympics and famously played host to the Beatles in 1966 when they made their first appearance in Japan.

Olympic Village The Olympic Village, which will house athletes and officials from over 200 countries, was built on reclaimed land on a huge rectangular site looking out over the water.

The 21 residential towers have a total capacity of 18,000 beds during the Olympics and 8,000 for the Paralympics.

They have been empty for months, but after the Games will be converted into luxury apartments to buy or rent—with around 900 units already sold before the postponement.

Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre The first artificial canoe slalom course in Japan has vast concrete basins that slope at a two-degree gradient. AFP

form TiffinLabs. Both teams also had to incorporate plantbased protein TiNDLE in two signature dishes.

Before the challenge began, Sityodtong had Chung and Clinton Tudor switch teams.

Team Valor came up with their brand, “Seoul Food,” which combined Korean flavors with Southern cuisine. Their first dish, “The Breakfast Cluck,” consisted of fried TiNDLE over a potato pancake. Their second dish, “Super Pulled Chick,” featured a pulled TiNDLE barbecue sandwich with sweet potato fries. The pitch was led by Teirra Kamolvattanavith and Sangalang.

Team Conquest then introduced “La TaKorea,” a KoreanMexican fusion concept. Their first dish, “Taco Dirty to Me,” offered a trio of tacos with Korean flavors. Their second dish, “Mandu de la Kasa,” featured Korean dumplings with a TiNDLE fajita filling. Puran Rao and Sajedi led the pitch.

The special guest in the boardroom for this episode was Kishin RK, the CEO of RB Capital and the Chairman of TiffinLabs. At 37 years old, Kishin is Singapore’s youngest billionaire.

Team Valor presented their digital restaurant first, impressing the judges with a solid brand concept. However, the packaging of their product underwhelmed, and Siyodtong pointed out that it did not justify the asking price.

Team Conquest, on the other hand, presented a solid product, and Sityodtong complimented their attention to detail. The product offered premium packaging and featured a much more cohesive concept. But Sityodtong wasn’t impressed with the brand and thought it felt like cheap fast food.

Rey Evangelista’s TOTGA who a year earlier had a historic moment being a part of the Tigers squad that swept their way to the UAAP championship and capped a perfect season.

Everything was falling into place except the one that got away— the Rookie of the Year honors in 1994.

Nearly three decades had passed, yet the pain would still haunt him each time Evangelista would think about the Rookie of the Year derby he and rival Boybits Victoria disputed.

The award for the best newcomer was given to Victoria, a talented guard from Swift, even though Evangelista’s team went on to the championship round in two of the three conferences.

“To tell you frankly, it was heartbreaking for me,” Evangelista told The Link. “I was in the coliseum, sa Cuneta. Naalala ko pa noon paglabas ko, naluha talaga ako. I was expecting because I was really ahead in the statistics, media votes and players’ votes, then may mga bumati na sa akin. Nagko-congratulate na sa akin maski wala pa ‘yung awarding. Talagang hindi ko napigilang lumuha.”

Looking back at his checkered career, Evangelista felt fortunate to be a part of two great generations of Purefoods.

He burst to the scene at a time when Alvin Patrimonio was the PBA’s most dominant force as he saw The Captain capture the MVP award in 1994 and

Louis Sangalang

1997— the third and fourth awards won by the league’s heir apparent of Robert Jaworski as the face of the league.

Evangelista was there during The Captain’s last championship run in the 2002 Governors’ Cup, the same conference where he was named as the Best Player of the Conference.

“That was the biggest award na napanalunan ko in my entire career.

Who would ever thought na magiging Best Player of the Conference? We had Alvin Patrimonio on the team, a four-time MVP. It was really a blessing from God,” he said.

But Evangelista isn’t just your typical one dimensional player and throughout his PBA career, he felt fortunate to be a part of the league’s All-Defensive Team. For three straight years, he was included in the league’s All-Defensive squad

THE stage has been set for former ONE Lightweight World Champions Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki to finish their rivalry.

Folayang and Aoki will complete their trilogy at “ONE on TNT IV,” which airs on April 29 on One Sports.

Folayang was supposed to tangle with Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama, but the Japanese-Korean star pulled out due to injuries sustained during training.

Aoki, on the other hand, was on track for a showdown with American sensation “Super” Sage Northcutt, but the 25-year-old also had to withdraw because of COVID-19 concerns.

With both of their schedules clear, it was only right to give the two pillars of the division a chance to settle the score.

It was Folayang who drew the first victory in this rivalry, as he shocked the world with a third-round TKO of the heavily favored Aoki in 2016 to win the ONE Lightweight World Title for the first time.

Three years later, Aoki evened the score, and it happened at ONE: A NEW ERA in Folayang’s second reign as World Champion.

Aoki made quick work of Folayang this time around, submitting the Filipino via arm triangle in the first round to win the ONE Lightweight World Title once more.

Now it’s all about pride for the two men, as whoever comes out on top will have the distinction of winning the most important rivalry in the division.

In the main event, another score will be settled as ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang takes on longtime rival Vitaly Bigdash for the aforementioned strap.

This will also be the third time they tangle after scoring one win apiece in 2017, where they competed for the ONE Middleweight World Title.

Up next, watch the previously recorded “ONE on TNT II” on ONE Sports or ONE Sports+ at 8:30 a.m.

Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Thursday, April 15.

(2000 to 2002) and he paid tribute to long-time teammates Glenn Capacio and Jerry Codinera, two of the best stoppers the PBA ever had, as his biggest influences.

Evangelista would continue his exploits until Patrimonio passed the baton to two-time MVP James Yap as Purefoods’ face of the franchise.

The lefty forward from Ormoc would win his last title in the 2006 Philippine Cup, the same year when Yap won the first of his two MVP awards.

Looking back, Evangelista felt he gave everything to the sport he loved and he couldn’t ask for more.

But he couldn’t help himself feeling the pain when one talks about his rookie season.

The Rookie of the Year award. The one that got away.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

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Controversial stars

get entangled in steamy affair

in ‘Init sa Magdamag’

GMA Network’s radio stations take the lead in Mega Manila, Iloilo, and Baguio according to the latest Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) data.

Mega Manila, Iloilo, Baguio listeners

choose GMA radio stations

A

GMA Network’s radio stations continue to emerge as number one in their respective categories month after month in Mega Manila while its stations in Iloilo and Baguio likewise won in the first quarter as shown in the latest Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) data.

Flagship AM station Super Radyo DZBB 594 remained unbeatable in the top spot among AM radio stations in Mega Manila. For the month of March 2021, DZBB registered a total day audience share of 48.5 percent. Its closest competitor only got 25.3 percent.

Similarly, the Kapuso flagship FM station Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! dominated Mega Manila’s FM stations with an audience share of 33.3 percent while its nearest rival only recorded 19.1 percent.

GMA’s AM and FM stations in different regions likewise ruled in their corresponding lists for the first three months of the year, based on Nielsen’s quarterly data.

Super Radyo Iloilo DYSI 1323 best-

MASSING 12 million views for its trailer is already a feat in itself. Thus, it is safe to say that Gerald Anderson, Yam Concepcion, and JM de Guzman’s sexy drama Init sa Magdamag is this summer’s most anticipated program to hit local television.

The teaser for the series, which gives the audience a glimpse of the artistry of the team behind it including the carefully crafted revealing scenes, has been warmly received by netizens. A few days after it was first released on YouTube it became a hot trending topic on social media.

Yam and JM play the prominent political couple Rita and Peterson, whose marriage is on the brink of collapse as they struggle to have a child. Peterson met an accident years earlier that made him incapable of fathering a child.

Rita believes that they can save their relationship if she bears a child through in vitro fertilization. Against Peterson’s parent’s wishes and their town’s beliefs, the two take a chance on the plan.

But Peterson proposes what he thinks is a simpler solution—get the barrio doctor, Tupe, played by Gerald Anderson, to be their sperm donor. Unbeknownst to Peterson, Rita and Tupe

Summer becomes more intense as ABS-CBN puts primetime television on fire through ‘Init Sa Magdamag’ starring JM de Guzman (inset), Yam Concepcion, and Gerald Anderson.

were once lovers.

“My character here has a good heart.

I’m impressed with his motivation to surpass whatever problems he has in relation to his family, to his great love, and the community he is servicing.

There’s one memorable experience of my character that I was able to relate to.

That’s what the audience should watch out for,” Gerald shares.

Under the creative management of Henry Quitain, Init Sa Magdamag is directed by Ian Lorenos and Raymond Ocampo.

Catch the pilot episode of Star Creatives’ newest offering on April 17 on the iWantTFC app and website and on WeTV iflix and on April 19 on TV5 and A2Z channel on free TV and via digital TV boxes like ABS-CBN TVplus.

ed all AM radio stations in Metro Iloilo with a 58.3 percent audience share for the First Quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, Barangay FM Iloilo DYMK 93.5 took the lion’s share of the FM listenership pie in the area with a whopping 85.1 percent, sparing only 10 percent for the second rank.

For the same period in Metro Baguio, Barangay FM Baguio DWRA 92.7 got a 32.3 percent share which led all FM stations in the area.

Tune in to Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz and Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! from Monday to Sunday. Select DZBB programs are also simulcast via Dobol B TV on GTV and abroad via GMA News TV. Catch these stations online via live audio stream on www.gmanetwork.com/radio.

Listeners can catch Super Radyo Iloilo DYSI and Barangay FM Iloilo DYMK in Iloilo, while FM listeners in Baguio can tune in to Barangay FM Baguio DWRA.

In-person Oscars

will look like a movie,

not a TV show

***

ABS-CBN, BBC Studios forge agreement for ‘Doctor Foster’ local adaptation BBC Studios and ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines leading media and entertainment company, yesterday announced a new scripted format agreement that will see gripping psychological drama Doctor Foster remade for the Filipino audience.

Originally written by Mike Bartlett and produced by Drama Republic, the BAFTA award-winning series centers around a trusted doctor whose life implodes when she suspects her husband of having an affair. The local 50 x

60’ series will be made by ABS-CBN Entertainment and will go into production later this year. It will be executive produced by ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigak, ABS-CBN COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Entertainment Production head Laurenti Dyogi, and ABS-CBN Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal.

The agreement will make the Philippines the sixth international market to license the Doctor Foster format, having already been adapted in South Ko-

A scene from ‘Doctor Foster,’ a BBC One television drama that follows the story of Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones), a doctor who suspects her husband Simon (Bertie Carvel) is having an affair.

Singing through the pandemic

SINGER Irelyn Arana is part of the growing roster of NVP (Nick Vera Perez) artists.

A balladeer by heart, she prefers pop and “slow songs” as she calls them. No wonder, she adores the singing style of the Philippine’s one and only Superstar Nora Aunor.

“She sings so clean like my other idol, then international singer, Karen Carpenter.

I also love the singing style of Gary Valenciano. He sings with so much emotions,” Irelyn said.

Irelyn is all praises to his manager-discoverer, Total International Entertainer Nick Vera Perez, for his all-out support to attain her ultimate dream of becoming a singer.

NVP, the US-based registered nurse and successful crooner decided to form his own pool of talents, the NVP1 World Entertainment, to support him in his gigs and concerts, and to showcase Filipino talents in the US. Irelyn is one of his prized discoveries.

According to the singer, she has been singing since grade school and has joined various competitions.

“The last competition I joined was WCO-

PA 2016 where I became multi-medalist and semi-finalist in vocal solo,” Irelyn reminisced with a smile.

Her family and friends were supportive of her budding singing career then. But studies and other responsibIlities came on the way and singing has to take a backseat.

Then she pursued her American dream by working as a nurse in the land of milk and honey while fulfilling her role in the family back in the Philippines as the breadwinner.

“Eventually, I had my own family and I tasked myself, as any loving mother would, to bring up the kids properly. So I waited until everybody else in the family fulfilled their dreams before I could pursue my own which is to become a singer,” Irelyn explains.

There may be many singers around, with really good and exemplary talents. Irelyn believes in honing one’s talent and never comparing herself to others.

“Do not think that you are better than others or that others are better than you.

We are all unique in a very special way.

That’s how God created us. We really

rea, France, Russia, Turkey, and India. A second series has aired in France and is currently in production in India. In South Korea the format (known locally as The World of the Married) was the country’s highest-rated drama in cable TV history.

André Renaud, SVP Format Sales for BBC Studios said: “It truly is an honour to know that Doctor Foster will be coming to life in the Philippines under the extraordinary creative team at ABS-CBN Entertainment. I know that they will not only craft a unique and special story, but that they will capture the complex struggle of modern relationships from the perspective of the strong female character that sits at the heart of this series. I am confident this will be a hit among the Filipino audiences.”

Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast said: “We are most grateful to BBC Studios for entrusting ABS-CBN Entertainment with the Philippine version of Doctor Foster. It is a privilege for us to be able to produce this highly engaging and relatable story for the Filipino audience. A scorned woman’s strength is real as she fights to stay whole when the marriage and family she values most is falling apart. True to our commitment to serve the Filipino, we are excited to create our own retelling of this beautiful story, to see the characters come alive with unique Filipino elements that will definitely excite our audiences.”

NVP prized artist Irelyn Arana

have to be thankful and appreciate what we have,” he stresses.

So at this time of the pandemic, together with NVP and his other talents, Irelyn intends to sing more and entertain others -- be it live or virtual performances.

“Pandemic or not, we should continue to sing, entertain and inspire others,” she ends.

The ceremony held at downtown Los Angeles’ Union Station on April 25 comes as California accelerates its reopening from a year of COVID-19 closures.

FILM lovers tired of tedious Zoom-based Hollywood awards shows can rejoice -- producers of the glitzy in-person Oscars this month are bringing in the big guns, with Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, and Reese Witherspoon among an A-list lineup of presenters unveiled Monday.

The April 25 ceremony, to be primarily held at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, comes as California accelerates its reopening after a year of COVID-19 closures, buoyed by a vast vaccination rollout, and will follow a glamorous “awards-showas-a-movie” theme, the Academy said.

In a statement announcing the Oscars’ “truly stellar cast of stars,” the producers warned: “There’s so much wattage here, sunglasses may be required.”

Along with Ford and Witherspoon, presenters will include last year’s big acting winners Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger, Pitt, and Laura Dern -- along with South Korea›s Bong Joon-ho, who won best director and best picture with Parasite.

Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, and Bryan Cranston will also appear, among others,

marking the first time Tinseltown’s biggest names will gather on the red carpet since COVID-19’s arrival prompted the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order in March 2020.

The 93rd Academy Awards, delayed by two months due to COVID-19, are being broadcast from Union Station and the Oscars’ traditional Hollywood base at the Dolby Theatre, where some live musical performances are expected to take place.

Venues in Britain and France will also be set up for international nominees unable to travel to Los Angeles.

Oscars producers have spoken of their desire for a ceremony that “will look like a movie, not a television show,” promising a spectacular introduction and planning to film the proceedings in high-resolution, widescreen format.

Nominees have been urged to dress to the nines, with a warning from organizers that “formal is totally cool if you want to go there, but casual is really not.”

Contagion director Steven Soderbergh is among the pandemic-delayed show›s producers. AFP

The cast of TV5’s noontime variety show ‘Lunch Out Love.’

‘Lunch Out Loud’ tramples ‘It’s Showtime’ LUNCH Out Loud (LOL) is ahead of the game when it comes to viewership and ratings, even against It’s Showtime, which has been on air for almost a decade.

LOL, launched on October 2020, is hosted by Billy Crawford, Alex Gonzaga, Bayani Agbayani, KC Montero, Ariel Rivera, Wacky Kiray, and K Brosas.

Their energy, chemistry and banter are on point: just the perfect combination to get viewers hooked on the noontime show.

Despite being new on the scene, TV5’s LOL has surpassed long-running noontime shows in the Philippines. From December 2020 to March 2021, LOL took the #1 spot on ratings, getting ahead of It’s Showtime, which airs on A2Z. In January, LOL garnered 816K Average Minute

Ratings (AMR)--the highest on record for LOL. In comparison, It’s Showtime garnered 559K AMR in the same month.

LOL showcases relatable segments; from H.O.P.E, which gives hope to couples that have broken up; to the ‹funtastic’ singing competition KanTrabaho; to the colorful lipsync contest, Drag Queendom.

Viewers and contestants alike look forward to the ginormous cash prizes given out in Pera Usog. The wish-granting segment, Sagot Mo, Sagot Ko with Billy Crawford is a hit among the LOL-kada and has helped many people out through their financial troubles. Re-scan your digital boxes to enjoy the best viewing experience for LOL and the other new shows on the Kapatid Network

Life

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

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From Iris van Herpen 2011 fall couture collection (left); a latex balloon recreation by Andrea Roque.

FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

Memorable fashion moments recreated

By Monica Sanchez

F

ROM Princess Diana’s iconic David and Elizabeth Emanuel-designed wedding dress to Billy Porter’s unapologetic custom Christian Siriano velvet tuxedo gown, some of the memorable fashion looks in modern history are recreated using upcycled materials and dayto-day objects.

Dubbed as #FDMRECOUTURE, the sustainable couture recreations showcase the creativity and resourcefulness of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

The aspiring designers put a playful spin on some of the recreated looks.

Porter’s Oscars dress, for instance, is laundry-ready in Darius Juson’s hampercarrying recreation. Meanwhile, Nancy Hung taps a four-legged friend to be the fairy godmother to her Cinderella in her version of Zendaya’s 2019 Met Gala look.

The activity also displays the students’ skills they honed from their classes and workshops, from fabric manipulation to the exploration of innovative techniques.

With sustainability in mind, they chan-

‘Pose’ star Billy Porter at the 91st Academy Awards (left); ‘Billy Porter Laundry Day’ by Darius Juson.

‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer (left); a modern recreation of the oil painting

by Micca Beatriz Amor.

nel their ingenuity using recycled plastic materials, old curtains and discarded fabrics, appliqué lace, and latex balloons, among others.

In addition to style statements that graced the red carpet and fashion magazines and blogs, fashion moments on canvas are also brought to life.

Micca Beatriz Amor offers a modern

Hussein Chalayan’s dress (left); a recreation of the ‘transformable’ dress by Sophia Tempongko.

take on Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” while Zoie Garcia recreates Justiniano Asuncion’s “La Yndia Del Campo Tiendera.”

According to Benilde, the student with the best recreation will be granted with a project collaboration with Humble Sustainability as well as a portable machine from Triple K Sewing Machines

Zendaya’s Cinderella 2019 Met Gala look complete with stylist Law Roach as fairy godmother (left); Nancy Hung’s version with a fairy ‘dog-mother.’

‘La Yndia del Campo tiendera’ by Justiniano Asuncion (left); Zoie Garcia’s recreation of Asuncion’s watercolor painting.

Princess Diana’s iconic ivory silk taffeta and antique lace wedding gown (left); Andrea Roque and Vilrick Cruz’s ‘Wedding Dress of Lady Diana Spencer’ recreation.

VANITY CORNER Choose your cleanser BEAUTY brand Kojie.san brings the benefits of kojic acid in its newly launched line of cleansers, each of which claims to zero in dark spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation, while locking in moisture.

The Kojie.san Skin Lightening Facial Wash with HydroMoist is a soap-based facial wash that deeply removes sebum and other impurities, helping combat oiliness and prevent acne breakouts, whiteheads, and blackheads.

The gel-based Kojie.san Skin Lightening Facial Cleansing Gel with HydroMoist, on the other hand, gently removes dirt and excess surface oil without stripping away the skin’s natural moisture. The Kojie.san Skin Lightening Foam Wash with HydroMoist is a skin-calming facial foam wash with a light and airy texture that effectively cleanses while soothing stressed and tired skin.

For on-the-go cleansing, the brand’s

A weaver from La Herminia Piña Weaving Industry in Aklan.

HABI connects weavers with brands Kojie.san’s range of facial cleansers available in various formulations.

limited edition Kojie.san Skin LightThe aforementioned products are ening Beauty Wipes removes dirt, oil, available at leading supermarkets and and waterproof makeup without any drugstores nationwide and on LazMall sting on the eyes. and Beauty MNL.

All-day aloe freshness ENRICHED with organic aloe vera, Nivea’s new range of deodorant promise to keep underarms fresh, smooth, and dry for 24 hours.

The Nivea Naturally Good Bio Aloe Vera deodorant is made with 95 percent ingredients from natural origin, while the remaining 5 percent “preserves the formula and is necessary to keep the deodorant safe and stable.” It comes in roll-on and spray variants.

The aloe deo’s scent is a combination of bergamot, lemon, watermelon, and cucumber notes.

It’s available at Watsons branches and on Shopee and Lazada.

Nivea Naturally Good Bio Aloe Vera deodorant

LOVELY pieces made by local weavers using natural fibers and upcycled scraps are available at Bayo.

The proudly Pinoy releases are made possible through the collaboration of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council and the local clothing brand as part of the former’s HABI Connects campaign.

The campaign aims to encourage more entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and big businesses, both local and foreign, to support the Philippine weaving industry and the many skilled weavers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

While the organization’s annual Likhang HABI Market Fair connects makers directly with consumers, this new campaign links weavers with brands and businesses.

The HABI and Bayo collaboration consists of apparel and accessories made of natural fiber textiles in cotton, abaca, and piña by weavers of La Herminia in Aklan, Ambension in Bulacan, and Argao in Cebu. It also features weaves of polyester worked with cotton threads to upcycle industry scraps or production offcuts.

The collection is now available at www.bayo.com.ph and www. shophabifair.com.

“We’re grateful that more brands are using sustainable and local materials in their products,” says HABI president Laida Lim. “Our collaboration with Bayo is just the beginning. With the HABI Connects campaign, we hope that more entrepreneurs and businesses, not just in fashion and lifestyle but also in other industries, will follow suit and support our local weaving communities.”

Pieces from HABI x Bayo collection showcase natural fiber textiles made by local weavers.