Manila Standard - 2021 May 4 - Tuesday

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Locsin: Get the f*** out of WPS Du30 remarks that dispute with China not reason to be rude, disrespectful

TRAINING DONE. The BRP Gabriela Silang coasts into Pier 15 at South Harbor in Manila on Monday morning after the Philippine Coast Guard vessel participated in the joint training exercises of the PCG (inset right) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the West Philippine Sea starting April 23. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (inset left) on Monday reasserted the country’s sovereignty over the WPS. PCG Photos

By Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE country’s top diplomat unambiguously told Beijing where to go on Monday, as the government insisted Chinese vessels were still illegally lingering in the West Philippine Sea. “China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see... O... GET THE FUCK OUT,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted.

But just hours later, President Rodrigo Duterte said the dispute over the overlapping claims of the Philippines and China in the region is not a reason for Filipinos to be “rude and disrespectful” in an apparent dig at Locsin.

“China remains to be our ben-

efactor and just because, if I may just add something to the narrative, just because we have a conf lict with China does not mean to say we have to be rude and disrespectful,” Duterte said in his weekly evening televised address.

“As a matter of fact, we have many things to thank China for in the past and itong tulong nila ngayon (their help now),” he added.

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VOL. XXXV • NO. 78 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House panel OKs funding sources of Bayanihan 3

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE House of Representatives committee on ways and means on Monday approved the provisions of the Bayanihan 3 that pertain to revenue generation to fund stimulus and aid programs under the proposed stimulus package.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the committee chairman, said his committee hopes to “keep the fiscal deficit” in check by coming up with funding sources for the third Bayanihan package. The measure provides for a P420-billion fund to stimulate the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Committee’s regular

meeting on Monday, Salceda said the committee “bears in mind that we are now at high fiscal deficit levels.”

Hence, he said, the committee has come up with provisions that will provide funding sources for the package without adding to the country’s borrowing.

Under the version approved by the Next page

1,062,225

Rody gets shot of Sinopharm vax from Duque

7,255 69,466

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel Zurbano and Willie Casas

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 3) TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

NEW

ACTIVE

17,525

94

DEATHS

NEW

975,234 9,214 NEW RECOVERIES

FIRST JAB.

President Rodrigo Duterte bares his shoulder for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (right) to administer the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19 at Malacanang on Monday, with Senator Christopher Go standing by. Sen. Go FB Page

Gov’t expands entry of foreign nationals, still limits arrivals from India

By Willie Casas THE Philippines has expanded its list of foreign nationals allowed to enter the country beginning May 1, an official said Monday.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson

Dana Sandoval said foreign nationals who hold valid and existing immigrant and non-immigrant visas such as students, workers, and residents are allowed to return to the Philippines.

Those with travel history to India within 14 days remain barred from en-

Duterte vows protection of media under his gov’t

tering the country, she added.

Foreigners qualified to enter the country must have a pre-booked accommodation for at least 7 nights and they must be tested for COVID-19 on the sixth day of quarantine, Sandoval said, adding the country’s limit of 1,500

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‘Avail vaccine overseas’ Malacanang urged overseas Filipino workers to avail themselves of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country where they are working, if this option Next page

Negros lad leads PMA ‘21, 4 female cadets in Top 10

By Dave Leprozo

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

BAGUIO CITY—A 25-year-old Negrense who studied chemical engineering at the University of the Philippines Visayas is graduating summa cum laude of the Philippine Military Academy “Masaligan” Class of 2021.

Cadet 1CL Janrey Artus, who hails from San Enrique, Negros Occidental, will be joining the Philippine Navy.

While most of the top 10, including the val-

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, who once said journalists are legitimate targets for assassination if they do wrong, on Monday called for their protection against threats and intimidation as the nation marked World Press Freedom Day. The President recognized the vital role of a free and responsible press in the advancement of society, saying his administration could protect the media—even as killings and redtagging of members of the industry remained rampant under his rule.

Duterte described press freedom as “a public good” and “an indispensable requirement with vibrant democracy.”

“Let me assure everyone that this administration should remain committed in promoting press freedom as a vital component and indicator of progress anywhere in the world,” he said.

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daily arrivals remains.

In related developments, the Department of Health said the B.1.617 coronavirus variant first discovered in India had not yet been detected in the Philippines.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte received the Sinopharm-made vaccine against COVID-19 on Monday night, a video shared by his former longtime aide showed.

Duterte took the coronavirus vaccine on his left arm as administered

by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Senator Christopher Go shared in a Facebook video.

“Pumayag dok nya (His doctor allowed it),” Go said in a text message to reporters, referring to the jab developed by the Chinese state firm.

Sinopharm does not have an emergency use authorization from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, only a compassionate use permit.

The 76-year-old Duterte, who has underlying health issues, belongs to the groups vulnerable to developing severe symptoms of the respiratory disease.

PMA Topnotcher Janrey C. Artus

Top 2 Daryl Brix R. Colita

edictorian, are male, the top four female graduates stand out in an 84-year-old institution known for its patriarchal culture Four female cadets made it to the top 10 of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2021, the PMA announced.

A female cadet from La Trinidad, Benguet, Cadet 1st Class Valerie May Dicang, is the third highest ranking graduate of the PMA Masaligan Class of 2021. She is graduating magna cum laude.

Top 3 Valerie Mae V. Dicang Top 4 Jan Hernan R. Perez

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Top 5 Christine Joyce Andog

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News

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘MECQ must ease for PH growth’

By Willie Casas

T

HE country’s socioeconomic planning chief said Monday Metro Manila, currently under a modified Enhanced Community Quarantine until May 14, must ease its lockdown status for the Philippines to achieve its economic growth target this year.

economy “as safely as we can and not be totally risk-averse,” if it accelerated its implementation of recovery packages, and if it deployed its vaccination program “as fast” as possible.

He said: “The biggest priority right now is to get vaccination implemented as quickly as possible. We are constrained not by our finances but by the global supply,” he said.

tomatic; 1.1 percent were critical; 1.4 percent were severe; and 0.94 percent were moderate.

There were 9,214 newly-recovered patients, bringing the total recoveries to 975,234, which is 91.8 percent of the total.

Death toll was logged at 17,525, which is 1.65 percent of the total number of cases, after 94 new fatalities were reported.

Economic managers had projected 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent growth in 2021 and 8 to 10 percent growth in 2022, after the country’s gross domestic product contracted by 9.6 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said the capital region, home to a tenth of the country’s population, needed to “move out” of MECQ by the middle or end of May. He told ANC’s Headstart: “We can’t be in MECQ for the entire year. We

have to use these two months very wisely that we are in this bubble to enhance our PIDTR (Prevent-Detect-IsolateTreat-Reintegrate) strategy so that we can open the economy as soon as we can.

“We have to move out of MECQ, we have to go to GCQ and even better. A big part of that, 95 percent is our own personal behavior and everyone knows already what to do.”

Chua added the Philippines could achieve its growth target if it opened the

House...

From A1

SC resumes arguments on ATA petitions

COVID updates

The Philippines logged on Monday 7,255 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total to 1,062,225, as 15 laboratories failed to submit their data on time, the Department of Health reported.

The DOH reported 69,466 active cases, which is 6.5 percent of the total. Of the active cases, 94.7 percent were mild; 1.8 percent were asymp-

75 in India

Meanwhile, nearly 75 Filipinos have caught COVID-19 in India, which is fighting a surge in coronavirus infections, Manila’s envoy to New Delhi Ramon Bagatsing Jr. told a news conference Monday.

India hosts about 2,000 Filipinos, about 80 percent of whom are housewives, while “less than 70” are workers “in the managerial level,” Bagatsing said.

Barrioquinto, ‘Standard’ editor, passes away CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, a veteran business journalist and an editor with Manila Standard for the last 17 years, passed away on Monday. He was 72.

“Sarsi,” as his fellow newsroom workers called him, had a long career as a reporter and editor abroad, particularly as a sub-editor with The Hongkong Standard from 1988 to 1993 and with Asiamoney magazine for two years after that.

He became the Manila Standard’s Night Editor in October 2004 and took on other roles on the news desk as well until his passing last night, which his son, renowned painter Andres Barrioquinto, relayed to the staff.

An avid chess player when not writing short stories or taking care of his plants or pet cats, Cesar graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University (then College) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism in 1971.

He also had stints at The Manila Times and Entrepreneur Philippines magazine under Summit Media from the late ‘90s to the early 2000s.

More details will be provided on his interment and burial later. The Standard requests its readers to pray for him and his family.

THE Supreme Court will resume today its online oral arguments on the 37 petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Republic Act 11479 or the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020.

Critics have claimed the law encourages state security forces to engage in “red-tagging” and profiling of several persons and groups, including certain organizers of community pantries.

During the resumption of the hearing, SC justices led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo are expected to continue

their interpelations of Solicitor General Jose Calida and other state lawyers, who represented the public respondents in defending the constitutionality and legality of the anti-terrorism law.

Once the SC finishes its interpelation of the OSG lawyers, the high court will call on its appointed “friends of the court” -- retired Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno and then Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza – to tackle their views on the controversial law.

Earlier, Calida asked the SC magis-

trates to dismiss all the 37 petitions due to various reasons that warrants the dismissal of the petitions.

Calida argued that the enactment of ATA is political in nature that cannot be delved into by the courts, that there are supervening events that warrant the dismissal of the petitions, and petitioners do not have legal standing to challenge the law.

The chief state lawyer assured that ATA “is not an instrument of oppression and neither is it a tool to suppress the vibrance of our democracy.”

Locsin:...

From A1 Before the briefing, Duterte was shown on Facebook receiving a Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine administered

by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (see story below – Editors).

The President made his remarks after Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued strong statements against the continued presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea. Lorenzana dismissed claims that his recent statements on the Chinese incursions are not aligned with those of Duterte.

Like Locsin, the defense secretary said on his personal Twitter account: “While we acknowledge that China’s military capability is more advanced than ours, this does not deter us from defending our national interest, and our dignity as a people, with all that we have.”

“Walang alisan [No leaving],” he added.

In a statement to reporters Sunday, he said: “President Duterte’s orders to us have been very firm and straightforward: defend what is rightfully ours without going to war and maintain the peace in the seas.”

And as part of the Philippines’ longstanding and multi-faceted relationship with China, Lorenzana said both nations maintain cooperation in various areas that are mutually beneficial to the Filipino and Chinese people.

“We can be cordial and cooperative with other nations but not at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added.

The latest spat between Manila and Beijing over the resource-rich waters -- which China claims almost entirely -flared up in March after hundreds of Chinese boats were spotted inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China has refused repeated calls from the Philippines to withdraw the boats,

and tensions have intensified as Manila steps up maritime patrols in the area.

Locsin frequently uses strong language on Twitter and defended his latest outburst by saying: “Usual suave diplomatic speak gets nothing done.”

He also likened China to “an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend.”

The order came as his foreign affairs department accused China’s coastguard of “belligerent actions” against Filipino boats involved in maritime drills near the contested Scarborough Shoal.

China-controlled Scarborough is one of the region’s richest fishing grounds and a flashpoint between the two countries, which have rival claims.

The department said it has lodged a diplomatic protest over the Chinese vessels’ actions towards the Philippines’ coastguard during patrols and training exercises near the reef last month.

The department said the presence of the Chinese boats was a “blatant infringement of Philippine sovereignty.”

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Scarborough Shoal is 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon.

China seized it in 2012 and has subsequently ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the South China Sea to be without basis.

Once-frosty ties between the two countries had warmed under President Rodrigo Duterte, who set aside the ruling in exchange for promises of trade and investment that critics say have largely not materialized.

Facing growing domestic pressure to take a harder line, Duterte said last week the Philippine maritime patrols would continue, insisting its sovereignty over the waters was not negotiable.

Still, he acknowledged a debt of honor

to China for its assistance in providing COVID-19 vaccines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said belligerent actions of the Chinese coast guard include “shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuver and radio challenges” of Philippine Coast Guard vessels.

“It has also protested the incessant, illegal, prolonged, and increasing presence of Chinese fishing vessels and maritime militia vessels in Philippine maritime zones,” the DFA said.

From Jan. 1 to March 18, 2021, the DFA said Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies monitored “the continued unauthorized presence and activities of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the areas around the Pag-asa Islands, Zamora Reef, Panata and Kota Islands, Ayungin Shoal, Quirino Atoll, and Bajo de Masinloc.”

The Philippines asserted that since Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Bajo de Masinloc are integral parts of the Philippines, it can conduct maritime patrols and training exercises in these areas.

“China has no law enforcement rights in these areas,” the department said.

“The presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters of Pag-asa Islands and Bajo de Masinloc, an exclusive economic zone, raises serious concern,” it added.

The PCG vessels were conducting training exercises near Bajo de Masinloc on April 24 and 25.

“The Philippines’ conduct of maritime patrols and training exercises in these areas is a legitimate and routine act of a sovereign country in its territory and territorial waters and is part of the Philippines’ administrative responsibility,” the DFA declared.

The department also rejected the April 26 statement of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that China has sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc.

ant cases were found in a reevaluation of all samples that have been subjected to genome sequencing.

“That’s why we are trying to strengthHealth Undersecretary Maria Rosa- en our border control implementation rio Vergeire said no local B.1.617 vari- so we can avoid its entry,” said Vergeire

during an online briefing.

The Philippines imposed a temporary ban – April 29 to May 14 – on travelers from India, which is battling a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Vergeire said: “Some travelers who

passed through India or came from there are currently quarantined so we are monitoring them.

“Once one of them tests positive we are going to subject this to the whole genome sequencing process.”

At the same time, Malacanang has asked the Hong Kong government not to single out Filipino workers in its plan to make the vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory.

Roque made the statement after Hong Kong announced plans to require all 370,000 domestic workers to get vaccinated as a requirement for the renewal of their work contracts.

The Hong Kong government has ordered all helpers in the city to get tested before May 9, after two domestic workers were found to be infected with mutated strains.

“While the Philippines recognizes Hong Kong’s sovereign prerogative to set employment requirements but hoped that Filipinos will not be discriminated against because of it. I wish they won’t single out OFWs,” Roque said.

Roque pointed out that even in the Philippines, vaccination could be required as part of the exercise of the police power of the State, however, he said this should be applied to all.

The Palace official likewise said that the Equal Protection Clause was not just a provision of the Philippine Bill of Rights, but is also accepted already in the International Covenant and Civil and Political Rights which also applies to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong labor secretary Law Chi-kwong defended linking domestic worker visas to vaccination.

after their Commencement Exercises scheduled on May 10, 2021.

The Philippine Military Academy presented the Top Performing Cadets of the PMA “MASALIGAN” Class of 2021 during the online Kapihan sa PMA media briefing held at the Longayban Hall, PMA, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on May 3.

The Top 10 cadets include: Class Valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude) - Cadet First Class Janrey Artus of San Enrique of Negros Occidental.

Among the awards he will receive is the Presidential Saber, Philippine Navy Saber, the Australian Defence Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award and the Navy Professional Plaque.

Class salutatorian - Cadet First Class Daryl Brix Colita of Malalag, Davao del Sur. He will receive the Vice Presidential Saber, the Philippine Army Saber, the Australian Defence Saber and Army Professional Award.

Top 3 (Magna Cum Laude) – Cadet First Class Valerie Mae Dicang of La Trinidad, Benguet. She will be receiving the Secretary of National Defense Saber.

Top 4 - Cadet First Class Jan Hernan Perez of Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City. He will be receiving the Chief of Staff Saber, Philippine Air Force Saber, the Australian Defence Award and the Air Force Professional Plaque.

Top 5 (Cum Laude) - Cadet First Class Christine Joyce Andog of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Top 6 – Cadet First Class Feljoy Ending of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental Top 7 (Cum Laude) – Cadet First Class Harold Mars Sastado of Batangas City, Batangas Top 8 – Cadet First Class Pamela Calleja of Malinao, Albay Top 9 – Cadet First Class Michael Angelo Madriaga of Tabuk City, Kalinga Top 10 (Cum Laude) – Cadet First Class Shirley Fatima Lim of Tacloban City

committee, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may make additional advances to the national government of up to 10 percent of average income of the national government for FYs 2018 to 2020.

Mandatory dividend remittances by state-run firms will also be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent, while the President will also have the power to withdraw capital from overcapitalized government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Salceda said that the committee is also working with the Department of Finance (DOF) to pass taxes on e-sabong and on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

Salceda added that the committee intends to pursue other revenue measures, such as closing VAT loopholes on digital companies, the fiscal regime on mining, and the Ease of Paying Taxes Act. Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas welcomed approval by two House committees of a consolidated version of the Bayanihan 3 bill.

“With the Bayanihan 3 approved at committee level, and with the full backing of the House members, I am very optimistic, as chair of the House social services committee, that we will be able to extend to our people the economic and social support that they urgently need during this period of uncertainty,” Vargas said.

The consolidated bill was approved during a joint hearing of the Vargas committee and the committee on economic affairs Friday. It was approved by the ways and means committee on Monday and now goes to the appropriations committee.

Vargas cited several provisions in the consolidated bill which he said address the needs of affected sectors, particularly workers who have lost their jobs, and vulnerable sectors in need of government aid.

Vargas said the consolidated bill provides several types of assistance, among them, direct emergency and social amelioration of P1,000 for all Filipinos for the first month, and another P1,000 within three months.

The bill also provides livelihood assistance through an additional P12 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, P8 billion in wage subsidies under the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program of the Department of Finance (DOF), P10 billion in assistance for displaced workers through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Gov’t...

From A1

Duterte...

From A1 He said the press must be protected from all forms of threat and intimidation so that they may fully serve the best interest of our people.

“I join the Filipino people and international community in the annual observance of the World Press Freedom Day. This year’s celebration affirms the Philippines’ commitment to protect press freedom as a public good and as an indispensable requirement with vibrant democracy,” he said in a prerecorded speech.

“Cognizant of the ever-changing communication system these days, may the mass media also uphold fairness and transparency while also making a positive impact on the people’s lives,” he added.

In a separate written message on

World Press Freedom Day, the President reminded both traditional and emerging media to show a “stronger” resolve in upholding truth and accuracy.

He noted that this has become a requirement amid the rapid dissemination of information in the digital age.

“In this digital age where information is created and shared rapidly, the work of both traditional and emerging media requires a stronger commitment in upholding truth and accuracy,” he said.

“Let us continue to use the power of communication for our collective efforts in nation-building and ensure the integrity and safety of the press. Together, let us nurture a better-informed citizenry and realize a brighter future for everyone,” he said.

The Philippines recently fell two places to 138th out of 180 economies in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index in the wake of the red-tagging of and attacks against local media.

Negros...

From A1 “The most difficult is to prove your spot. A small girl competing with 138 men is preposterous but I did it. Service has no gender,” Dicang said.

Dicang is joined in the top 10 by 3 other female cadets: Cadet 1st Class Christine Joyce Andog from Cabanatuan City (rank 5, cum laude); Cadet 1st Class Pamela Avila Calleja from Malinao, Albay (rank 8); and Cadet 1st Class Shirley Fatima Lim from Tacloban City (rank 10, cum laude).

PMA “MASALIGAN” (MAndirigmang SAmahan na Lakas at SandIGAN ng Bayan) Class of 2021 is composed of 138 males and 26 females.

Eighty-two are Army Cadets, 46 are Midshipmen and 36 Aero Cadets who will be joining their respective branches of service as Lieutenants/Ensigns

Rody...

From A1 was available.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the call after several countries were likely to require the workforce in their jurisdictions to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Roque said: “We encourage the OFWs to get their COVID-19 vaccine in the country where they work because vaccination covers everybody as far as we know.

“We are not safe until everyone is safe ‘no, ‘that is the motto worldwide.”

The Philippines has only 3,540,600 doses of COVID-19 supply thus far.

Of this number, 1,562,815 individuals already got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 246,986 people already completed their two doses of the COVID-19 jab.

Sovereign prerogative

News

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

OSG, DOJ probe massive breach of secret files

Issue ‘e-sabong’ licenses, Palace tells PAGCOR

By Rey E. Requejo THE Office of the Solicitor General on Monday vowed to prosecute the perpetrators behind the data breach of its files, which were subsequently leaked to the public.

“The country can rest assured that these crimes against data privacy committed upon the State and its clients shall not go unpunished and that perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the OSG said in a press statement.

A United Kingdom-based cybersecurity firm, TurgenSec Ltd., revealed that some 345,000 documents were accessible to anyone with a browser and internet connection until April 28, 2021.

The files include training documents, internal passwords and policies, staffing payment information, and financial processes and audits.

The office of state lawyers said it will respond appropriately to reports of data breaches and that it will make necessary measures to protect confidential documents.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday stressed the Department of Justice is willing to help the OSG in its investigation considering that thousands of its cases are being litigated by the state lawyers’ office.

“I understand that the OSG is now looking into this alleged data breach.

The DOJ has not received any such information through official channels but will be read to assist the OSG, if necessary,” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters.

The DOJ chief admitted that he has yet to hear from the OSG about the matter, saying he would appreciate it if the OSG will inform the DOJ of the result of its findings.

IN BRIEF

Home care for mild COVID cases eyed CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The provicial government and health authorities here are pushing for a Home Care Service Program as an option for people contracted with coronavirus to prevent the collapse of the health care system in Pampanga.

This was after health officials sounded the alarm as 939 hospital beds dedicated for COVID 19 patients are almost filled.

“The situation is volatile,” Governor Dennis Pineda explained, as the HCSP was conceptualized to help save coronavirus patients while waiting for their admission either in government or private medical facilities.

Latest statistics released by the Provincial Epidemiology Center revealed over 3,000 people have contracted COVID-19 as of late April.

The program, Pineda said, will be piloted in the province and will last upto three months or depending on the severity of the infections in the province. Yung national government pinag-aaralan na ito pero sa probinsya ng Pampanga magsisimula na ang implementation nito.

“Kailangan po natin gawin ito, dahil kapag nagdown ang health system natin mas marami pong Kapampangan ang mamamatay,” Pineda warned.

He said not all COVID-19 patients can avail of the program. This applies only for those who prefer to be treated in private hospitals.

“Imbes na maghintay ng lima hanggang anim na praw, dito ginagamot ka na. Nagsasalba tayo ng buhay,” the governor pointed out.

Once the patient applied for the program, Pineda said a medical team will assess the condition and make procedural actions including RT-PCR tests.

“If their condition allows home care, they will be sent home with medicines,” said Pineda.

Vehicles to be used by medical personnel will be issued car passes signed by the governor for travel to and from the HCSP patient.

Coordination will be made with the local police and barangay officials.

As of May 1, nine persons have availed of the HCSP in accredited hospitals, while more hospitals are still submitting their letter of intent for accreditation by the provincial government. Jess Malabananan

Navotas pays out ECQ assistance

THE City Government of Navotas has started the payout of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) cash assistance from local funds.

Some 3,407 Navoteño families received P1,000 up to P4,000 from the P32-million fund the city reverted from the budget of various offices.

“The P32-million will cover the ECQ ayuda of 10,233 families waitlisted in the Social Amelioration Program. We intend to finish the distribution of the cash aid before the May 15 deadline,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

Navotas received P199,871,000 from the national government. From this amount, the city has distributed P181,234,000 to 55,865 families, he said.

Beneficiaries who were unable to claim their cash aid will be given a separate payout schedule.

“The city government will also cover the ECQ ayuda of 2,690 persons with disability and 592 solo parents. The P3.2 million needed for this will be sourced from our Gender and Development Fund,” Tiangco explained.

“Times are hard. Many families have members who have lost their jobs or livelihood.

Our people can rest assured that our city government is doing its utmost to support them and provide their needs,” he said. Jun David

A3

BEACH VIEW. River Warriors from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources clean up a portion of the Manila Bay shoreline in Baseco Compound in Manila, where they collected dozens of sacks of garbage on Monday. Norman Cruz

Imee to gov’t: Auction pork imports instead

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

O ensure their transparent allocation among traders when the increase in the minimum access volume (MAV) of pork is finally decided, Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday proposed to the country’s economic managers to auction pork imports.

“Auctioning pork imports will add a measure of transparency and accountability that can discourage rent-seekers,” said Marcos, chairperson of the Senate committee on economic affairs.

Government, she said, will even derive additional revenue from issuing these import permits.

Marcos believes the public auction of pork imports will help dispel suspicion that the impending increase in the MAV would only result in the issuance of import permits to favored meat traders who wanted to

take advantage of a supply shortage while African swine fever (ASF) continued to afflict local hog raisers.

She added that the Philippines can ensure its obligations to the World Trade Organization are met by crafting “very welldelineated auction IRR (implementing rules and regulations), so that the de facto duty does not exceed the bound rate.”

The executive and legislative branches of government have decided to strike a compromise on MAV and tariff levels but are expected to drive a hard bar-

gain, after last week’s hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole.

“The truth is we are at an awful impasse. May the Holy Spirit descend upon us all and inspire a solution” Marcos said, maintaining that an excessive increase in pork imports would kill the local swine industry before the ASF crisis could be resolved.

Marcos cited the “great disparity” in computations of lawmakers and government agencies, herself proposing to increase the MAV only in the fourth month after pork tariffs have been lowered to not less than 10% and 20% for imports inside and outside the MAV. Based on consultations with local hog raisers, Marcos added that the MAV should be increased to only 150,000 MT in the fourth to 12th month after the increase in MAV and reduction in tariffs are impemented, then reach a maximum of only 204,000 MT a year after.

DUE to the urgent needs of the government for funds because of the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang has ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to issue licenses to operate to some online cockfighting or “e-sabong” sites, to legalize their operations.

According to lawyer Jose Tria Gr., senior vice president of PAGCOR’s Offshore and Online Gaming, besides the income component, the government gaming regulator needs to ensure that the online betting public is not being scammed by online sabong operations, hence the need for new licenses.

“Bukod kasi sa hinahabol na income para sa pamahalaan, kailangan na hindi naman naloloko o nadadaya ang mga tumatangkilik ng sabong sa online kaya kailangan talagang bigyan na sila ng license.

Pag may license kasi, namomonitor namin ang kanilang operasyon, galaw, at income,” Tria said.

Sources said five companies have applied for licenses to operate online “sabong,” but only two of them were allowed to start full commercial operations, as the others have yet to pay corresponding fees and taxes to PAGCOR. Only the Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. of Pitmaster Live and Belvedere Corp. have been issued authorities to operate online cockfights after fully submitting their paid-up capital and performance bond.

“The rest that don’t have licenses will be apprehended because they are illegal and are being monitored by the Department of Information, Communication and Technology,” Tria added.

He also said the PAGCOR has collected P100 million per month from each licensed online sabong company.

SC extends filing deadline to May 10 PARTIES with pending cases before the Supreme Court have until Monday next week, May 10, to file all pleadings, motions and other submissions that had been required of them last March, when all courts in the National Capital Region were physically closed due to enhanced community quarantine, now modified ECQ, until May 14.

In an advisor y, SC Clerk of Court Marife Lumibao Cuevas stressed that the Court’s off ices along Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila are physically open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on Monday, May 3, to receive the documents and other court submissions from the parties.

The extension to file pleadings and other submissions should only be until May 9 but since it is a Sunday, the extension is automatically moved to the

following working day, May 10.

The extension was approved by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

According to the Court, only the SC is physically open until May 14.

All other courts in the NCR, the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Abra, Quirino and Santiago City in Isabela – areas under MECQ – are physically closed and may be reached through their hotlines and email addresses.

Likewise physically closed are courts in areas which are declared by local government units under ECQ and MECQ. Hearings of cases are done through video conferencing.

However, courts in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ) are physically open with at least 25 percent of the workforce. Rey E. Requejo

BACOLOD JABS. The Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the COVID-19 Vaccination Council (CoVaC), both chaired by Mayor Bing Leonardia, held the City’s mass vaccination at the Cinema lobby at the southwing of SM City Bacolod. The 5-day vaccination, from May 3 to 7, is to accommodate the remaining frontline healthcare workers, senior citizens, and persons with co-morbidities who were not inoculated yet.

Cayetano, ‘BTS’ allies give P10k ‘ayuda’ ahead of House bill Pursue bilateral FORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies from the Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo (BTS) sa Kongreso movement marked Labor Day by giving P10,000 in cash assistance each to nearly 200 beneficiaries from all over the country as part of their campaign for the immediate passage of their proposed 10k Ayuda Bill.

With the aim of reaching the poorest and most vulnerable sectors severely affected by the pandemic, Cayetano and the BTS movement held a live virtual event called the “Sampung Libong Pag-asa” where they gave cash aid beneficiaries from 13 different areas in the Philippines.

ANTI-US PROTEST.

Members of the group Makabansang Alyansa display tarpaulins as they staged a lightning rally at the US Embassy in Manila on Labor Day to demonstrate their call for the United States to get out of the West Philippine Sea and the disputed waters of the South China Sea, and allow the Philippines ‘to pursue a sovereign and non-aligned foreign policy’ in the waterway.

The areas covered by the “Sampung Libong Pag-asa” event were Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Camarines Sur, Caloocan City, Marikina City, Quezon City, Taguig City, Mandaluyong City, Pateros, Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, Antipolo City in Rizal, and Ormoc City in Leyte.

“Mga tunay na tao ito na tunay ang problema, na bago magkaroon ng pandemya ay hirap na at ngayon ay hirap na hirap. Ilan lang ang [nabigyan] today, at bagama’t maraming na-i-inspire na gusto ring tumulong, kailangan pa rin talaga natin itong batas na ito para lahat mabigyan,” Cayetano said during the program.

“Hopefully, itong gagawin natin today, in the spirit of bayanihan through private sponsors and donors, ma-encourage ang Congress pag-open ng May 17 na ‘yung 10K Ayuda Bill at Bayanihan 3 ay itulak naman at ipasa na,” he added.

Cayetano was joined by Taguig 2nd District Maria Laarni “Lani” Cayetano; Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu; Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice; Barangay Captain Ziff Ancheta of Tumana, Marikina City; Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado; Mandaluyong City Lone District Rep. Neptali Gonzales II;

talks with China, group urges Rody THE Philippines should pursue bilateral talks with China over its claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and not let other countries intervene, the group Makabansang Alyansa (Makabansa) said Monday.

In a statement, Makabansa spokesman Roperto “Bing” Nambio said multilateral and third-party countries “who have no territorial claims” in the WPS “should never be entertained” as the Philippines continues negotiating with China.

Diplomatic solutions and negotiations “are the key elements in resolving the West Philippine Sea crisis,” Nambio said, as the use of military force “and even show of force is detrimental to the attainment of peace.”

Previously, Makabansa urged the United States to withdraw its military presence in the WPS and the disputed waters of the South China Sea and allow the Philippines “to pursue a sovereign and non-aligned foreign policy” in the waterway.

Members of Makabansa trooped to the US Embassy in Manila for a lighting rally on Labor Day following their Opening Congress in Tondo, Manila to voice their objections to the American presence in the disputed waterway, which is claimed by China, the Philippines, and several other countries.

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TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

Duterte picks next PNP chief

Pinoys seeking ‘psychological first aid’ triples amid pandemic

By Vito Barcelo

By Willie Casas

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has already chosen the next chief of the Philippine National Police to replace Gen. Debold Sinas who is set to retire on May 8, Malacanang said.

However, presidential spokesman Harry Roque declined to name the incoming police chief, saying he is “not at liberty” to make public the name of Duterte’s choice at this point since he has yet to see the appointment paper.

“I know he has made a decision but I’m not at liberty to announce anything unless I have the appointment paper,” he said in a Palace briefing.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has already forwarded to Duterte his one-name list on who could succeed Sinas.

“The recommendation has only one name. But the President has the prerogative also to choose anyone with a rank of at least brigadier general in the PNP force,” Año said.

He did not name who he recommended but this police officer is likely a member of the PNP Command Group that includes Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, deputy chief for operations; and Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, chief of the directorial staff

THE National Center for Mental Health said the number of people seeking consultation through its crisis hotline has tripled during the pandemic.

NCMH program director Bernard Argamosa said its 24/7 hotline received an average of 1,000 calls per month as of April, versus the 300 to 350 calls it received monthly when it began its operation in May 2019.

“Many callers were also experiencing sadness, nervousness, and anxiety,” Argamosa said in an interview with ABSCBN’s TeleRadyo.

“Some of them were previously diagnosed, but many are also calling due to the fear of the unknown, fear of the future. This affected their mental health,” he added.

The hospital caters as well to health workers battling the pandemic in the frontlines and COVID-19 patients, Argamosa said.

“What we really give is psychological first aid and processing,” he said.

“You don’t talk to them to solve their problems. But you are there to listen and give them courage or enlightenment to seek further help if needed, to see what else are their needs,” he added.

Argamosa said the public may reach the NCMH crisis hotline through 1553, its toll-free Luzon-wide landline, 0917899-8727 and 0966-351-4518 for Globe/TM subscribers, and 0908-639-2672 for Smart/Sun/ TNT subscribers.

The agency can also be reached through their official Twitter (twitter.com/ncmhhotline) and Facebook (facebook. com/ncmhcrisishotline) pages.

Gov’t opens P2.6b call for R&D proposals THE Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) has started accepting research and development or science and technology proposals for funding in 2023.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit encouraged researchers to submit their brightest ideas and engage the Council’s program managers to bring out the best in these concepts.

“We look forward to the submissions of our researchers for this year’s call for proposals. Research and development continues to thrive in the Philippines amid the pandemic and we believe that out of the uncertainties will innovative ideas bloom,” he said.

DOST-PCIEERD intends to support a total of 235 research projects under priority areas identified.

From this number, 171 will be funded through the PCIEERD Grants-in-Aid and 64 will be funded under the DOST Grants-in-Aid. If all the proposals get the nod, around P2.6 billion will be allotted to fund these 235 projects to be financed equally by PCIEERD GIA and DOST GIA. The 2023 Call for Proposals is for specific priority areas in the industry, energy and emerging technology sectors identified in the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) 2017-2022 aimed at improving the innovation system to leverage the country’s economic progress through the formulation of sectoral roadmaps.

The 17 priority areas for the 2023 proposals include Energy and Utilities Sector; Food; Process; Mining and Minerals; Metals and Engineering; Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Optics and Photonics, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Convergence of Emerging Technologies/Industry 4.0 and Smarter Cities; Environment; Disaster Mitigation; Creative Industries; Human Resource Institution and Development; and Science Communication.

Interested individuals may submit their research proposals until June 3, 2021.

For more information, visit https:// pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/e-forms/418-dostand-pcieerd-grants-in-aid-gia-programcall-for-proposals-for-cy2023-funding

CLEARING OPERATION. Department of Public Works and Highways personnel remove a backhoe that damaged a water pipe in Baseco compound in Manila on May 3, 2021. Norman Cruz

13 Agrarian officials in Cebu facing raps

By Rio N. Araja and Ronald O. Reyes

A

GRARIAN Reform Secretary John Castriciones on Monday threatened to file criminal, civil and administrative charges against 13 officials and personnel for their failure to distribute farm lots to farmer-beneficiaries covering 2,007 certificates of land ownership (CLOAs) in Cebu.

At a virtual media conference, Castriciones said he was taken aback upon finding out there were undistributed CLOAs since 1987 after a series of investigations.

“I gave the instruction to conduct an audit of CLOAs submitted by the regional directors last week and yesterday (Sunday),” he told reporters.

“We found out that these CLOAs have

been in storage for several years now, depriving agrarian reform beneficiaries of their opportunity to own a piece of land as mandated by the law,” he said.

“The first thing to do is to intensify the distribution of CLOAs that have not been distributed,” he added.

He said the CLOAs were just stored inside the office of the Land Transfer and

Implementation Division at DAR provincial office in Cebu.

DAR sent lawyers from Manila to Cebu to investigate the issue while he ordered the immediate distribution of the land titles that were already cleared.

According to the DAR central office, a task force together with officials from the department’s Bureau of Land Tenure and Improvement met in Cebu City and conducted an initial validation to determine the physical and actual authenticity of the titles.

“The initial validation also helped in knowing the year of registration and the municipalities from where it was documented and generated,” said Undersecretary Elmer Distor, who chairs the task force.

PH eyes ending deal with foreign firm over delayed Wi-Fi installation

By Vito Barcelo

PARK MAINTENANCE. Members of the Manila city government’s engineering department clean up the Bonifacio Shrine, otherwise known as the Kartilya ng Katipunan Park, in Ermita.

THE Philippine government is planning to terminate its contract with a foreign contractor for the installation of internet service in remote areas across the country, Malacañang said, citing delays in the project implementation and poor wifi service.

“We are unhappy with a foreign contractor over the slow rollout of free wifi in select public areas, nearly four years after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the project,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Duterte in 2017 approved a law that would provide free internet access in public places.

However, the free wifi project is running at only about 10,000 of some 120,000 target sites, said Roque.

Speedcast International Limited has signed

an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in support of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to bring internet connectivity and public wifi services to 3,000 remote areas across eleven regions in the country.

With a 23-month commitment, the initial contract term has a value of $14.4 million, renewable for an additional two more years of service.

However, Roque said the promise of free wifi for all has not yet been fulfilled.

Under the agreement, Speedcast will install and manage connectivity to all sites, and will provide 24/7 technical support and field services. More than 60 percent of the sites will be powered by solar energy, with all sites supported by battery backup to maintain service when standard power sources are not available.

Task force to probe Heredia killing; NBI to handle Cui case

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security will probe the killing of Pilar, Capiz municipal administrator and veteran journalist John Heredia, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.

Guevarra said he believes that since Heredia is a former journalist—the first and longest sitting chairman of the Capiz Chapter of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines—his case is better

handled by the PTFoMS. “Considering that John Heredia was a journalist, I will refer his case to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security for investigation and case build-up,” the Justice chief said.

Heredia, 54, was about to board his vehicle after coming out from a hardware store at Barangay Lawa-an, Roxas City when he was repeatedly shot by the gunmen on Sunday.

The victim’s wife, lawyer Criselda Heredia, said her husband had previously

received death threats.

In a statement, NUPL Panay said it condemned the shooting of Heredia and joined the victim’s family as they go through this difficult time.

“This is a monstrous crime that must be investigated promptly and properly so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice,” NUPL Panay said.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the National Bureau of Investigationto investigate the killing of government consultant Mariano Antonio

Cui III in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last month.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President condemns the killing of Cui, a consultant for the hospital operations of Negros Oriental and a former chief-ofstaff of ex-Rep. Jules Ledesma.

Roque said the President tasked the NBI to investigate the killing.

San Carlos City deputy police chief Lt. Ruby Aurita said Cui was about to ride his car around 8 p.m. on April 12 when a gunman on board a van shot him in the chest.

PH media oppose provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act THE Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020. We, editors and reporters of news organizations around the Philippines, join the voices of various sectors opposing provisions of the law that trample upon fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the press.

Section 9 of the ATA proscribes speech, proclamations, writings, emblems, and banners that fall under the new crime of “inciting to terrorism,” imposing a penalty of 12 years in prison. As the law fails to provide a clear definition of terrorism and is vague about what constitutes acts of terrorism, Section 9 could make media practitioners vulnerable to wrongful charges and arrests, producing

a chilling effect on all media practice.

Government’s assurance that protection clauses are in place fly in the face of the experience of news organizations and journalists who have been red-tagged and branded as “terrorists” by government and security officials. With the government’s anti-insurgency campaign causing a rise in killings of activists, we fear for the safety of our colleagues.

We call on the government to uphold the freedom of the press. We demand that the rights and safety of journalists and media houses be respected and protected at all times. Many of us have seen how efforts to go after “enemies of the people” have led to zealous securitization of the government’s

response to the problems of the country.

The ATA will not succeed in reducing the threat of terrorism with over-reaching prohibitions on expressive as well as political freedoms. It will reduce this country to a field of submissive and unquestioning individuals, to be herded like sheep by the police and the military. We reject the AntiTerrorism Act. Signed: Philippine Press Institute, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Photojournalist’s Center of the Philippines, and UP Department of Journalism, among others.

FRONTLINERS. Soldiers line up for COVID-19 testing at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Norman Cruz

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TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Taliban, Afghan forces clash as US hands over base

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IGHTING between Afghan government forces and the Taliban has left more than 100 insurgents dead in the past 24 hours, the defence ministry said Sunday as it took control of a US military base in a restive province.

The US military handed over Camp Antonik in the southern Helmand province to Afghan forces, a day after it formally began withdrawing its remaining troops from the country.

The Taliban and government forces clashed across several provinces, the ministry said, including in the former insurgent

bastion of Kandahar where the US military carried out a “precision strike” on Saturday as it began the final troop pullout.

Another 52 Taliban fighters were wounded in the clashes, the ministry said, without giving details of any casualties suffered by government forces.

The Taliban did not offer any comment

on the fighting, but both sides are known to exaggerate casualties inflicted on the other.

Fighting on the ground has continued unabated in recent months as peace efforts aimed at ending the 20-year conflict have faltered.

The US military formally began withdrawing its remaining 2,500 troops from the violence-wracked country on Saturday, as ordered by President Joe Biden last month.

Afghan officials said all foreign troops were being taken to Bagram, the biggest American base in Afghanistan, and from there they would leave to their respective countries.

As part of the ongoing drawdown, the

Taiwan probes China dinghy defector claim TAIWAN’S defence minister on Monday said authorities were investigating whether a man from mainland China had managed to cross the Taiwan Strait in a rubber dinghy in a bid to seek political sanctuary.

On Saturday, police said a man surnamed Zhou had been detained in Taichung city’s harbour after locals spotted him near a dyke and said he was behaving suspiciously.

Police said the man told them he had travelled from Fujian on China’s southeastern coast in a rubber dinghy fitted with an outboard motor and 90 liters of fuel.

The man said he wanted to move to Taiwan to seek “freedom and democracy”, police said Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said “shortcomings” in how the Taiwan Strait is policed were being investigated because of the man’s journey.

“We will get in touch with the coastguard, we will notify each other when there is a situation, to find out the reasons and make improvements,” Chiu told reporters on Monday.

The Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s most heavily policed waterways.

Authoritarian China views self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Navy and coastguard vessels from both sides keep a close eye on the 180 kilometre (110 miles) strait.

While there have been historical defections between the two sides—and some Chinese nationals have flown to Taiwan to ask for sanctuary—journeys across the length of the strait are rare, especially given Taipei controls a few islands that are just a few miles off China’s coastline and much closer. AFP

IN BRIEF US: No deal to free 4 Americans in Iran

US military handed over Camp Antonik in Helmand to Afghan forces, the defence ministry said.

It said the base will be used by Afghanistan’s special forces that have been trained in counter-terrorism operations by the US military and NATO. Photographs of the hand over ceremony released by Afghanistan’s defence ministry showed US soldiers lowering the US flag at the base and a group of Afghan troops subsequently raising the national flag.

The US military has handed over several bases to Afghan forces since Washington signed a landmark deal with the Taliban last year that paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces. AFP

US troops and Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers raise Afghanistan’s national flag during a handover ceremony at Camp Antonik in Helmand province. AFP

A SENIOR White House official on Sunday denied reports from Tehran that an agreement had been reached with Iran for the release of four Americans detained there.

“I can tell you, unfortunately, that report is untrue,” White House chief of staff Ron Klain said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

Klain’s comments followed reports on Iranian state television, quoting “an informed source,” that the US side had agreed to release $7 billion in frozen Iranian funds and free four Iranians accused of bypassing sanctions in exchange for the release of four Americans accused of spying.

State TV also reported that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national who has been held in the country since 2016, was being freed after “payment of military debt.”

But British officials played down the report, with the foreign office saying discussions were “ongoing.” AFP

Oxygen shortages worsen India case

INDIA’S total Covid caseload neared 20 million on Monday as oxygen shortages in hospitals exacerbated a devastating second wave and much-needed foreign assistance continued to pour in.

Infections have soared by around eight million since the end of March, according to official data which many suspect are a considerable underestimate.

India’s underfunded health care system is under severe strain, with fatal shortages of beds, drugs and oxygen leaving some to die awaiting treatment in long queues outside hospitals in capital New Delhi and other cities.

Twenty-four people died in one hospital overnight on Sunday in the southern state of Karnataka after the hospital ran out of oxygen, press reports and sources said, though the district administration denied that shortages had caused the deaths.

Another 12 died on Saturday in a hospital in the capital New Delhi after it ran out of oxygen, reports said.

Several hospitals sent out desperate appeals for oxygen on social media overnight, with deliveries arriving only in the nick of time.

One children’s clinic in Delhi raised the alarm on Twitter over a shortage of oxygen that has reportedly left around 25 to 30 newborns and children at risk. AFP

Blinken arrives in UK for G7 foreign ministers talks Britain this week hosts the first faceto-face meeting of G7 foreign ministers in two years, joined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as world powers tackle pandemic recovery plus growing tensions with Russia and China.

The Covid-secure gathering in London will prepare the ground for a G7 summit in southwest England next month, which will mark Joe Biden’s inaugural visit to Europe as US president. Both events will also be joined by Indian leaders.

Many of the G7 nations have rallied to India’s aid as the world’s most populous democracy confronts a terrifying surge of coronavirus cases, although the pandemic is ebbing elsewhere in the West thanks to mass vaccination drives.

After its Brexit withdrawal from the

European Union, Britain is reorienting its foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific region, and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will also play host this week to ministers from Australia, South Korea and the ASEAN bloc.

In the face of Russian “lies and propaganda” over Ukraine and other fronts, Raab said he wants the G7 “to come together with a rapid rebuttal mechanism” against disinformation.

Blinken is en route to Ukraine this week pledging “unwavering” US support after Russian troops had massed on its border.

In bilateral talks Monday before the G7 ministers sit down to a working dinner, Raab and Blinken will discuss Afghanistan, China, Iran and trade, according to

the British Foreign Office.

Like Russia, China also stands accused

by Western intelligence of unleashing trolls on social media, and of using foreign-language arms of its state media to channel an aggressive line on issues such as the plight of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

On China, the US expects the G7 “to discuss how we can work closely with our allies and partners to address our collective challenges from a position of strength”, senior State Department official Erica Barks-Ruggles told reporters.

More generally, Raab said, “we’ll be taking action to ensure fair access to vaccines around the world, setting global girls’ education targets, agreeing ambitious action on climate change and developing new measures to prevent famine”.

The COVID-secure gathering in London attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will prepare the ground for a G7 summit in southwest England next month. AFP

As US vaccine demand falls, states look to new solutions

Manila

Standard

TODAY

A nurse fills a syringe with the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in San Antonio, Texas in this file photo taken on March 29, 2021. AFP

WHILE vaccination programs are lagging badly in many countries—if they’ve begun at all—mass vaccine sites across the US are closing due to dwindling demand, leaving the authorities exploring new ways to reach people who haven’t yet gotten a shot.

The national vaccination rate peaked around April 11, according to official data, and although 55 percent of US adults now have had one or more doses, there’s still a long way to go to achieve population immunity.

The people most eager to get their shots have, for the most part, already rolled up their sleeves and done so.

The challenge is reaching the rest.

In Texas, as in much of the country, vaccinations are in freefall. A huge federal site in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, shut its doors in mid-April because of insufficient numbers.

Two other federal sites, the NRG Stadium in Houston and Fair Park in Dallas, have ended their appointments system and now take walk-ups.

The NRG Stadium, seeking to ease the process, is now remaining open until nine o’clock in the evening rather than five, and vaccinating people in their cars.

Even so, that site is only running at half capacity.

“We have the capacity to see about 6,000 people and at one point we saw up to 7,000 people. And now, it’s dropped to 2,500 on average. So that is a huge drop,” said Martha Marquez, a spokeswoman for Harris County

Public Health.

Authorities are considering more targeted approaches to reach people who are geographically isolated or find it hard to reach vaccine sites.

Five mobile vaccination centers are now crisscrossing those areas of the county with the highest number of positive cases.

“Next week, we’ll be increasing to 10 clinics,” Ashlei Dawson, the official in charge of one of the sites, told MAGENTA YELLOW AFP, as CYAN she oversaw the training of new BLACK recruits.

Her own team had set up for the day at the public library in Pasadena, a mainly Hispanic suburb of Houston.

Members of the public were only trickling in, and by midday just 27 people had received injections.

One of them, 55-year-old Jose Herrera, said, “I didn’t do it before because it was too far away.” He said he was also concerned about side effects.

Dozens of supermarkets and pharmacies around the city are now advertising vaccinations.

But Herrera and his wife, Maria, were finally persuaded by their daughter, who works at the Pasadena library, to get theirs done.

Others are still in the “wait and see” camp.

Wyatt Gregg, a 31-year-old cowboy and rodeo coach from Borger, in the northwest of the state, told AFP he hadn’t given the question much thought. AFP

A ‘constant wrench’: Looking into parenthood from behind bars in France NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CAGAYAN UNITED DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER OF TUGUEGARAO CITY, INC. with office address at 7 Bagay Road Caritan Centro, Tuguegarao City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Operator of General Hospital- Level 2 (Cagayan United Doctors Medical Center of Tuguegarao City) under R.A. 11534 (CREATE LAW) and the Preferred List – Healthcare and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Services of the 2020 IPP with a capacity of 100 beds, with project site located at 7 Bagay Road Caritan Centro, Tuguegarao City.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service (MS-MAY 4, 2021)

NINE-YEAR-OLD Shadene’s face lights up; her father who is in a Marseille prison has just appeared through a door on the other side of the boxy, tiny room.

As he approaches, she stands, reaching to touch the window separating father and daughter. Automatically, his fingertips do the same.

Forty-five minutes later, a warden rings the bell —visiting time is over.

Kamel, 40, blows kisses to the little girl and two of his sons but heading back up the stairs to his cell at Baumettes prison in the southern French port city, his face darkens.

“It’s too short, I don’t have time to make the most of them, to give each of them some time,” says Ka- Separated by a window, children visit their father at a mel, who is two years into an eight-year jail sen- Marseille prison for 45 minutes. AFP

tence for fraud.

On the other side, Shadene is fighting back the tears.

“I’m happy to see him but I couldn’t tell him about my school trip,” she says.

“I can see he’s tired, he’s not doing well...,” she adds.

Both their first names -- like all the prisoners and children quoted in this story -- have been changed to protect their identity.

The visit on a Saturday in February is nothing out of the ordinary.

AFP was able to witness it after gaining rare authorisation to attend prison visiting, as part of a more than 12-month investigation into parenthood from behind bars. AFP

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Market ends flat; AC Energy, Converge gain

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HE stock market closed virtually flat Monday in lackluster trading, with many investors opting to stay on the sidelines ahead of the April inflation rate.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 1.59 points, or 0.03 percent, to 6,369.28 on a value turnover of P4.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 111 to 83, with 56 issues unchanged.

Philippine National bank, the sixth-biggest lender in terms of assets, retreated 3.7 percent to P30,

while Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corp. fell 7.4 percent to P8.04.

AC Energy Corp., a unit of Ayala Corp., however, rose 2.8 percent to P6.99, while Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a fiber internet service provider owned by businessman Dennis Anthony Uy, climbed 2.4 percent to P19.10.

Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly fell Monday following a soft lead from Wall Street, hit by profittaking and lingering inflation worries.

With bourses closed in Japan and China for holidays most of the week, traders were easing back from their recent buying frenzy while there are also concerns that the more than year-long rally may

have gone a little too far.

Hong Kong and Singapore were down more than one percent, while Taipei shed two percent.

There were also losses in Seoul, Mumbai, and Jakarta though Wellington was up. Sydney was flat.

The losses came despite data showing a betterthan-forecast jump in factory activity in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Investment giant Warren Buffett instilled some unease after saying at the weekend that he expected the US economy was in “super high gear” thanks to massive Federal Reserve and government support but that it would fan inflation.

Australia reviews controversial Chinese contract on Darwin port

PARTIAL REOPENING. In

this file photo taken on October 06, 2020 clients wearing face masks order meals on the terrace of a restaurant in Paris on the implementation day of new sanitary measures aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak in the French capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on April 29, 2021 that cafes and restaurants will reopen partially on May 19, 2021 after seven months amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

AFP

When you’ve got to go, Paris toilets are an elusive prize

By Guillaume Bonnet and Pierre Donadieu PARIS, France—With cafes, bars and museums closed to combat the coronavirus outbreak, Parisians are learning what tourists have long known—finding a public toilet in the French capital requires some sleuthing and plenty of patience.

Long lines outside the few facilities available have become a common sight as spring weather draws more people outdoors, in particular at parks or along the banks of the Seine.

“It’s really complicated, especially for girls, because there’s always a line and there aren’t that many toilets,” said Charlotte Le Merdy, a publishing assistant, waiting with around a dozen others for a break near NotreDame cathedral.

Men are more often tempted to duck behind a tree or find a relatively remote wall, which hasn’t helped the city’s complicated relationship with cleanliness.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo is already facing a torrent of complaints about trash and neglect on social media, where hundreds of unflattering photos have been posted with the hashtag “#saccageParis” (trashing of

He said “people have money in their pocket and they’re paying higher prices” and there was more inflation than expected six months ago.

His comments revived concerns that the explosive recovery, vaccinations and easing of lockdowns would push up prices to the extent that the Fed would have to ease up on its market-supportive, ultra-loose monetary policies.

Those worries continue to hover over trading floors despite Fed boss Jerome Powell’s repeated insistence that they will not tighten policy until they are happy that unemployment has been tamed and inflation is running consistently hot for some time. With AFP

Paris) in recent weeks.

“I probably shouldn’t say it, but you try to go somewhere secluded, in the bushes maybe,” said Romain Chevreux, an event organizer who was enjoying an afternoon near the Eiffel Tower.

“It’s a little complicated, especially because a lot of toilets are out of order, so you do what you have to,” he said.

Luc, a street cleaner near the Place de la Republique, confirmed that “guys piss everywhere—you see that the streets are dirty, that there’s no hygiene.”

‘So filthy’ The city says there are 435 self-cleaning toilets installed across the capital, which saw their usage drop by 20 percent last year due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

It also counts an additional 50 stand-up urinals and some 300 toilets at parks and gardens, many of which are indexed on the website toilettespubliques.net.

But many people are convinced that’s still not enough. And often, the toilets that are working aren’t exactly inviting.

“These toilets are so filthy, going inside is like you’re trying to get sick,” said Bamoye, a bike courier who like his colleagues often has no other choice. AFP

SYDNEY, Australia—Australia on Monday said a Chinese company’s controversial 99-year-lease on Darwin Port is under review and could be scrapped, opening a new point of friction in relations between Beijing and Canberra.

The lease deal—brokered by local authorities in Australia’s Northern Territory—had raised serious concern in Canberra and in Washington, where it was seen as a strategic liability.

Darwin is the most important port on Australia’s north coast, the closest to Asia and a base for US Marines who rotate in and out of the country.

Newly minted defense minister Peter Dutton told the Sydney Morning Herald his department had been asked to “come back with some advice” about the 2015 deal and refused to rule out forcing Chinese firm Landbridge to divest on national security grounds.

The defense review will be carried out and “we can look at options that are

in our national interests after that,” he said.

Landbridge is owned by Chinese billionaire Ye Cheng.

Following the Darwin port deal, Australia introduced legislation giving Canberra a veto over future sensitive deals and launching a review of those already signed.

That review is due to be concluded by the end of the year and had been expected to include Darwin.

But in his comments to the Herald, Dutton stated explicitly for the first time that the Darwin agreement is under review.

Any move to scrap the deal is sure to further strain relations between Australia and China which are already in deep crisis.

Last month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government scrapped a Belt and Road deal made between Beijing and the state of Victoria. AFP

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

B4

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, May 3, 2021

-1.59 PTS. 6,369.28

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

3,025,568,486 69,257 4,389,322,481.46 83 111 56

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.1560

Japan

Yen

0.009151

0.4407

UK

Pound

1.381900

66.5468

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128751

6.2001

Switzerland

Franc

1.096131

52.7853

Canada

Dollar

0.814001

39.1990

Singapore

Dollar

0.751880

36.2075

Australia

Dollar

0.771300

37.1427

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655549

127.8806

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.8409

Brunei

Dollar

0.749064

36.0719

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032113

1.5464

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.1111

Euro

Euro

1.203100

57.9365

Korea

Won

0.000896

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.154512

7.4407

India

Rupee

0.013501

0.6502

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.244320

11.7655

New Zealand

Dollar

0.717000

34.5279

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035899

1.7288 Source: BSP

EEI secures P17-b construction deals with Saudi venture

Business Gov’t debt soars by P2.3t in 12 months to P10.773t O

By Julito G. Rada

UTSTANDING debt of the national government jumped 27 percent to a record P10.773 trillion as of endMarch from P8.477 trillion a year ago, as the government raised funds to cover the widening budget deficit and support antiCOVID-19 response.

The end-March government debt represented an increase of P2.296 trillion, the biggest rise in public debt on an annual basis.

Both domestic and foreign debt of the national government increased over the past 12 months, as the government issued local Treasuries and foreign currency-denominated bonds during the period. Domestic debt went up by 33.2 percent, or P1.931 trillion, to P7.744 trillion in March from P5.812 trillion a year ago.

External debt of the government also increased by 13.7 percent, or P364 billion, to P3 trillion in March from P2.664 trillion in the same month last year.

The Department of Finance said earlier the government secured $18.4 billion in foreign loans to deal with the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven said in an interview with state-run PTV that of the total, $16.26 billion was for budget support and $2.14 billion for project financing.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that on a month-on-month basis, government debt climbed by P368 billion, or 3.5 percent, from P10.405 trillion in end-February following the net issuance of government securities.

The Treasury said of the total debt stock, 28 percent was sourced from other countries while 72 percent represented domestic borrowings.

Domestic debt amounted to P7.744 trillion, up by P381.54 billion or 5.2 percent from the end-February 2021 level. This followed the net issuance of government securities, including P411.79 billion in retail Treasury bonds.

Meanwhile, the Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said it approved a total of $2.84 billion of public sector foreign borrowings in the first quarter of 2021, up by 19.36 percent from $2.38 billion in the same period last year.

The BSP said in a statement these borrowings consisted of six project loans amounting to $1.44 billion; one program loan amounting to $600 million; and two bond issuances amounting to $798 million.

“These foreign borrowings will fund the national government’s COVID-19 pandemic response programs, mainly for vaccine procurement and distribution ($900 million); refinancing of existing obligations and general financing requirements ($798 million); disaster resilience ($600 million); social protection ($300 million); public transport improvement ($138 million); and maritime safety ($105 million),” the board said.

By Othel V. Campos EEI Corp., the construction arm of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, said Monday it secured new overseas contracts with Al Rushaid Petroleum Investment Corp. of Saudi Arabia worth P17.38 billion.

Al Rushaid Construction Company Ltd., the joint venture of EEI and APIC, said the amount was almost thrice the value of outstanding contracts of P6.2 billion in 2020.

EEI president and chief executive Roberto Jose Castillo said the JV company landed 13 new contracts overseas on top of six ongoing projects in Saudia Arabia.

“We are confident because our healthy backlog will be good for at least two years’ worth of work. We are bidding for bigger projects both domestically and overseas. We have our health and safety programs in place for our workers, and we are utilizing leading-edge digital technology to help us with remote work supervision and improve operational efficiency. This is the kind of resilience our clients can expect from us,” he said.

EEI’s domestic projects are valued at P43 billion, covering building, infrastructure and electromechanical projects for 2021 and beyond.

EEI said domestic construction operations started to pick up in 2021, especially for major infrastructure projects.

These include Malolos Clark Railway Package 4 with participation in POSCO E&C’s Package 5, Metro Manila Subway Phase 1 and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 2-Sucat-Alabang viaduct expansion.

The company is also fulfilling building projects such as The Seasons Residences, the Light 2 Residences, the iMET BPO Towers, the Grand Midori Ortigas and others.

Castillo said EEI’s AAAA license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board gave the company an advantage to participate in large infrastructure projects especially with the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

He emphasized the importance of being aligned with YGC’s thrust to be future-ready.

SM Prime says Q1 income hit P6.5b as condo sales improved

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Monday net income climbed 80 percent in the first quarter to P6.5 billion from P3.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-quarter consolidated revenues amounted to P20.8 billion, or almost the same from the previous quarter.

The company said the reopening of many businesses and increased mobility of people amid the localized community quarantine measures contributed to the slight recovery in the company’s financial performance in the first three months of the year.

“We welcomed 2021 with high hopes as most areas in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, were placed under GCQ [general community quarantine] in the first quarter of 2021. Along with the sustained growth of our residential business, our mall affiliates together with many of our SME-partners were able to reopen their shops, allowing our mall business segment to perform better,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

The group’s mall sales, which accounted for 28 percent of the consolidated revenues, reached P5.9 billion in the first three months, or 10 percent higher than the previous quarter’s P5.3 billion.

The growth was due to the increase of operating mall tenants, which drove mall rental income up by 14 percent to P5.6 billion in the first quarter from P4.9 billion in the last quarter of 2020.

Meanwhile, SM Prime’s China malls registered a 53-percent growth in revenues to RMB199 million in the first quarter of 2021 from RMB130 million in the same period last year.

The positive growth of the company’s international malls signals return to normal operations after the government-imposed lockdown last January 2020, it said.

IN BRIEF

Rockwell to launch Pampanga project

MORE VACCINES. Cebu Pacific transports another batch of COVID-19 vaccines across the archipelago. CEB flew more than 236,000 doses to Tuguegarao and Legazpi on April 30, and to Tacloban, Zamboanga and Cotabato on May 1, 2021. The shipments consisted of 41,600 doses for Tuguegarao, 67,200 doses for Legazpi, 73,600 for Tacloban, 25,600 for Zamboanga and 28,800 for Cotabato. Upon receipt of the vaccines at the Cebu Pacific Cargo warehouse in Pasay, they were placed in a reefer container equipped with cooling systems for proper storage before cargo loading. The vaccines were immediately transferred to container vans upon arrival at the destinations, ready for local distribution.

Consunji Group revisits plan to build Metrobank’s profit cement production plant on Semirara rose 27% to P7.8b in the first quarter

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. and the Consunji Group plan to review plans to put up a cement project on Semirara Island following the issuance of Executive Order No. 130, which lifted the moratorium on new mining projects.

“The lifting of the MPSA [mineral production sharing agreement] moratorium is a welcome development. In the meantime, we will revisit the feasibility study of the cement project given the pandemic, current market conditions and tightening credit standards,” SMCP president Cristina Gotianun said during the virtual annual stockholders’ meeting Monday.

“After all, it is the financial viability and other economic considerations which will dictate the progress of this project,” Gotianun said.

DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group bared plans to put up a cement plant on the island as early as 2016. In 2017, the company announced possible

investment of up to $300 million for the cement manufacturing facility, but the project did not materialize.

“The opportunity to venture into cement project was contemplated in the past. Today, the economics of the project has changed. And we cannot tell when this COVID pandemic will be over. We will revisit when economic recovery from this pandemic will be certain. There are still a lot of economic uncertainties right now. On a positive note, there is a no more regulatory hurdle with the lifting of EO 79,” Gotianun said.

SMPC was not spared from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as its coal and power businesses reeled from low demand and weak prices.

Gotianun said coal production fell by 13 percent to 13.2 million metric tons in 2020, while coal sales decreased by 16 percent to 13.1 million metric tons, as demand from China declined because of quarantine restrictions and tighter import quotas.

OWWA ASSISTANCE.Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrators Mocha Uson (second from left) and Faustino Sabarez III (left) start the nationwide effort to award assistance packages to OFW families under the ‘Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay Program, Project Alalay Para sa mga Anak OFWs sa Panahon ng Pandemya’. Uson and Sabarez pay a courtesy call on Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas prior to the awarding of financial assistance packages of P20,000 to 50 OFW family beneficiaries in the city. They also spearheaded the awarding of OWWA education and livelihood assistance programs to OFW families in Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo province.

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Company said Monday net income increased 27.1 percent to P7.8 billion in the first quarter of 2021 from a year ago.

The bank attributed the robust net income growth to stable asset quality, strong non-interest income performance and marginal rise in operating expenses.

“Our strategy and prudent approach last year paved the way for a strong start in 2021,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee in a statement.

“Our capital position is double the regulatory minimum, with capital adequacy ratio of 19.9 percent and common equity tier 1 of 19.0 percent. Our reserves also cover 166 percent of our non-performing loans. This ensures that Metrobank will sustain its business resilience, and we remain confident that the Bank is ready to take on opportunities as the economy recovers.

We are in a strong position to withstand a resurgence in asset quality risks, and we remain vigilant even as we all continue to battle the pandemic,” Dee said.

Non-interest income surged 28 percent year-on-year to P7.9 billion.

Fee-based revenue was stable at P3.3 billion despite business activities still being slower than pre-pandemic levels.

Trust fee income grew at a robust 20 percent, in line with the 30-percent growth in assets under management.

Trading and FX gains doubled to P2.9 billion as the Treasury group realized gains prior to the reversal of yields.

Clients continue to place their trust in the bank as current account and savings account deposits grew by 16 percent to P1.3 trillion.

This enabled the bank to reduce high-cost time deposits, which partly mitigated the drop in asset yields arising from the rate cuts in the past year.

With the pandemic still on-going, loan demand remained slow, and naturally, net interest income trended lower.

ROCKWELL Land Inc., the real estate arm of the Lopez group, said Monday it will launch by the second half Rockwell Center in Pampanga, its first mixed-use development outside Metro Manila.

Rockwell Land said in statement Rockwell Center will rise on a 3.6-hectare mixed-use development in Nepo, Angleles. It will have four mid-rise residential buildings and retail areas.

The first residential building is targeted for turnover by the four quarter of 2025 while the succeeding buildings will be launched in the following years.

Each tower will rise 10 to 15 stories high, with units ranging from one bedroom to three bedrooms sized at 44 square meters to 142 square meters.

The joint venture between Rockwell Land and Juan D. Nepomuceno Realty Group will cater to Pampanga’s well-heeled market and elevate lifestyle experiences in the region.

Rockwell Center in Nepo will also have second Power Plant Mall which will have several retail and food and beverage brands that offer a similar taste of its flagship establishment.

Jenniffer B. Austria

NLEX accelerates new infra projects NLEX Corp. said Monday it is accelerating the construction of major infrastructure projects despite the community quarantine restrictions.

These include the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector, the upgrade of the 5-kilometer Candaba Viaduct and other safety repairs and bridge rehabilitation.

“We are following our timelines and have contingencies in place to be able to accomplish our projects amid the community quarantine,” said NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista.

Bautista said that “by accelerating these projects, we are doing our part to help keep the economy going.”

Construction on the first 5-kilometer of the NLEX Connector or the Caloocan-España section is continuing, with its progress standing at 32 percent. This latest Metro Manila elevated expressway is being built over the existing right-of-way of the Philippine National Railways between the Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road/5th Ave. and España Blvd. in Sampaloc, Manila. Darwin G. Amojelar

Cebu Landmasters raises another P3b CEBU Landmasters Inc. said Monday it raised P3 billion from the issuance of corporate notes to fund programmed spending this year.

CLI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed another corporate note facility with BPI Investment Management Inc. The facility was arranged by BPI Capital Corp., which also initiated the initial P2-billion facility issued in October 2019.

“CLI is grateful to BIMI and BPI Capital for their trust in our business. We fully intend to live up to our obligations and ensure mutual value and success for our investors. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership that will bring shared value to all parties,” said CLI chief finance officer Grant Cheng.

The proceeds from the notes will be used to fund the company’s capital expenditures.

CLI said earlier it would spend P12 billion in capital spending budget this year, primarily for the construction of projects, including the mixed-use 300-room dormitel in Cebu City and several land acquisitions in key strategic areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

A portion of the proceeds will also be used to begin groundwork on the 100-hectare reclamation project for its Techno business hub in Cebu. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sports

Hamilton wins Portuguese GP for 97th career F1 win PORTIMAO—Lewis Hamilton delivered a flawless drive in his Mercedes to win the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday from his arch title rival Max Verstappen.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton’s 97th Grand Prix triumph extended his early season lead over Red Bull’s Verstappen in the Formula One drivers’ standings to eight points.

In third place in Portimao was polesitter Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes with Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull in fourth.

“That was such a tough race physically and mentally. I didn’t get a good start and also lost out at the restart but it was a great result in the end,” said Hamilton.

“Today wasn’t all perfect and we need to get ready now for the quick turnaround for Spain.”

At a sun-drenched Algarve International Circuit Bottas led Hamilton from the two Red Bulls into the first corner.

By the end of lap one it was the safety car which led after the two Alfa Romeos collided, with Kimi Raikkonen’s front wing littered across the straight after clipping Antonio Giovinazzi’s car.

Bottas carefully controlled the rolling restart on lap seven but in his rearview mirror he will have seen Verstappen charge past Hamilton and into second.

‘Sitting duck’ “That a boy” was the pleased reaction on the team radio from the Red Bull pits.

But four laps later and a mistake by the Dutchman on turn 14 let Hamilton regain second, darting past on the inside with Verstappen snapping: “I’m just a sitting duck on the straight. It’s unbelievable.”

Hamilton hit the front with a superb sweeping move past Bottas at the start of lap 20, quickly establishing daylight between the Mercedes men.

Verstappen was the first of the leading group to pit on lap 36, with Bottas next, followed by Hamilton, with Perez yet to change tyres, in front.

With 13 laps left Hamilton pushed past Perez to regain control of the third leg of the record 23-race season, and from there the race was his to lose.

“I think Max made a mistake at some point and that was perfect. With Valtteri I had to make the move early on before the tyres were destroyed and I just managed to get him at turn one. Right on my limit. Great race,” added Hamilton.

“We were not on top of it here but we’ll see what we can do in Barcelona,” said Verstappen, referring to next weekend’s race in Spain.

Intrigue in the closing stages surrounded the question of who would end up with a potentially crucial point for the fastest lap.

Verstappen thought he’d clinched it only for his effort to be ruled out due to track limits with Bottas eventually taking the honours.

The Red Bulls are emerging as serious challengers to Mercedes’ supremacy but the world champions have evidently worked hard to redress any imbalance in performance between the two teams.

And after three legs of the season it is Hamilton in his quest for a record eighth world crown that has won twice, adding this to his opening success in Bahrain, with Verstappen the winner in Imola. AFP

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

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

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Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Portuguese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao. AFP

Tsukii bags Lisbon gold, boosts bid for Olympics

By Peter Atencio

W

ITH many competitors still looking for qualifying slots, Filipino-Japanese karateka Junna Tsukii gained a fighting chance to make it to the Tokyo Olympics.

Tsukii’s opportunity to make it to the quadrennial meet improved after she fought her way to the gold medal last Sunday in the female kumite -50kg division of the 2021 Karate 1 Premier League in Lisbon, Portugal.

The 29-year-old Tsukii, who is seeking qualification in the higher weight class of -55kgs, used the Waza-Ari technique in stopping Kazakhstan’s Moldir Zhangbyrbay, 2-0, in the finals.

The 5’1” Tsukii is seeking qualification in another weight category because the qualifiers for the -50 kgs, have been integrated into the -55kg class.

Tsukii currently sits at no. 15 in the World Karatedo Federation’s Olympic rankings with 3787.5 points.

At the same time, she is at no. five in the Asian Karatedo Federation rankings and no. 10 in the WKF rankings with 3457.5 points.

For now, the top four athletes in the world rankings will gain automatic Olympic berths.

And Tsukii needs to make it to the top 4 in the world rankings to earn a seat.

Her last chance to make it to Tokyo will come when Tsukii joins the Olympic

Junna Tsukii

qualifiers in Paris, France in June.

While in Paris, Tsukii will be in the company of Jamie Lim, Joan Orbon, Sharif Afif, Alwyn Batican and Ivan Agustin, who went into training under a bubble in Calamba, Laguna and in Turkey.

There are 80 qualifying spots for karate at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

And a country can have no more than eight athletes who can qualify.

It was Tsukii’s first-ever gold medal in the Karate 1-Premier League, according to the tournament’s officials website.

A successful use of the “Waza-ari,” or two-point score via “Mawashi geri,” or roundhouse kick, allowed Tsukii to claim the bout.

The points that she got will allow Tsukii to move up in the Olympic rankings in the -55kg class.

None of the participants gained Olympic qualification that day and among those who are still in the hunt for slots are big names in the sport like Anzhelika Terliuga of Ukraine, Steven Dacosta, Jovana Prekovic and Li Gong, who all earned gold medals in their respective divisions.

Terliuga, who could be Tsukii’s toughest foe since she is looking to qualify in the -55 kg female kumite event, too, claimed a convincing 6-0 victory over Egypt’s Yasmin Attia.

The 29-year-old Terliuga scored two impressive “Ippon” or three-point technique by “Ura Mawashi geri” or hook kick to win the bout and her first gold of the season.

Tsukii made it to the second round after a bye, before stamping her class against Daniella Gallego, 10-2, in pool 3.

Tsukii then upset world no. 3 Sara Bahmanyar of Iran, 2-1, to move up to the quarterfinals, where she first drew with world no. 6 Radwa Sayed of Egypt, 1-all, before reaching the semifinals on a 3-2 victory.

PSC: Coaches must plan ahead for training cycles WITH numerous health and safety restrictions still around, national coaches need to plan ahead for the next training cycles that will be organized for future international events.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez said this while members of the national contingent get ready to train and prepare this July for the coming Southeast Asian Games in November.

Ramirez said the national coaches need to carefully plan out preparations for the coming ASEAN Paragames and the Southeast Asian Games because of limitations in the PSC’s budget, venues and resources.

“That will be the look out of the NSAs because the budget that we have is very specific,” said Ramirez.

For now, the PSC is refining and drawing its plans

PSC chairman William Ramirez

to send members of the national team to train under a bubble and through a cycle that can last from to three to four months.

Agency officials feel that a short cycle of at least three month and a maximum of four is needed by athletes who are part of the national contingent for the SEA Games.

“It’s not possible for them to train (under a bubble) for a whole year. If the coaches plan this properly, we can make them ready in three months (for the SEA Games),” said national training director Marc Velasco.

There are four venues where national athletes can go into bubble training.

Included in the list is the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, along with the cities of Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Taguig, and Tagaytay. Peter Atencio

Carrasco to discuss Elite Athlete support system ASIAN Regional Representative and Philippine Olympic Committee Technical Commission Chairman Tom Carrasco is resource speaker in the upcoming twelfth session of the National Sports Summit 2021 on May 5 on the topic ‘Main Support System of a Filipino Elite Athlete’.

Carrasco, a POC official since 2001, will discuss the POC’s role in supporting the elite national athletes, as they work hand in hand with the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Tom (Carrasco) is one of the fittest to converse on the topic being with the POC for a long time now. This is also a chance for our participants to understand the dynamics behind an elite athlete.” said PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.

Carrasco is currently the President of the Southeast Asian Triathlon and Triathlon Association of the Philippines. He is also a Board Member of the Asian Triathlon Association.

He has proven his mettle in leadership as he brings this to the table, molding the Philippine triathlon team as the ‘King and Queen’ of triathlon in Southeast Asia. The national squad remains undefeated for three consecutive editions of the Southeast Asian Games -- the largest biennial regional multisport event held in Singapore in 2015, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2017, and the Philippines, two years ago.

In 2019, Carrasco also served as the Executive Director of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee during the country’s hosting of the 30th SEAG.

FIVB appoints Brazilian coach for PH women’s team THE International Volleyball Federation has granted the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s request for a Brazilian coach for the national women’s team, appointing former Olympic gold medalist Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to the post.

“We are thankful for the FIVB’s quick response to our request and we are more thankful that the federation picked an excellent man for the job,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. “With coach Jorge’s vast experience as a coach and player, we are very sure that we will get the technology transfer we have aspired for.”

Souza de Brito was a member of the Brazilian team that won the gold medal in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics and later coached the Brazilian women’s team to the gold medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

The 54-year-old Souza de Brito has vast experience as a coach for several top clubs in the Brazilian league from 2002 onwards and won titles and

clinching podium finishes in Turkey and Japan.

His resume states that he “specializes on teamwork and challenges, planning technical and tactics practices and draws strategies based results and analysis by the DataVolley program and personal sense.”

Souza de Brito will work hand-in-hand with national women’s team coach Odjie Mamon for two years upon his arrival in June or July with the FIVB subsidizing his salary, according to Suzara.

Suzara said Souza de Brito’s hiring falls under the FIVB’s coaching support for technical and tactical development of national teams project agreement.

“The FIVB will be paying for coach Jorge’s salary but the PNVF will be responsible for his accommodation, food and local transport,” Suzara said.

Suzara sealed the FIVB assistance in a recent virtual meeting with FIVB General Manager Fabio Azevedo, Head of Technical and Develop-

ment Department Steve Tutton, Director for Asia and Oceania Luis Alexandre Pontes Rodrigues and Sports Development Department Hitesh Malhotra. PNVF board member Ricky Palou joined Suzara in the meeting.

Suzara said the PNVF applied for the FIVB’s development project platform to strengthen the women’s team that hasn’t won a Southeast Asian Games medal since 2005. The FIVB also granted Kenya, Argentina and Turkey the same privilege last year.

“I would like to emphasize that we are very serious on improving our women’s national team,” Suzara said. “At the moment, he [Souza de Brito] will focus on the women’s team only, and let’s see if we can expand later to the youth squad.”

The development came just days after the PNVF successfully conducted a three-day bubble tryout for the national teams for volleyball and beach volleyball.

Jorge Edson Souza de Brito

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Sports

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

Nadal wins Madrid Open, aims to find rhythm in French Open M

ADRID—Rafael Nadal said on Sunday he is ready to win his sixth Madrid Open title as the 20-time Grand Slam champion steps up his preparation for the French Open.

Nadal will be gunning for a recordextending 14th triumph at Roland Garros, where victory this year would also edge him ahead of Roger Federer’s 20 major titles and to the top of the all-time men’s list.

The 34-year-old arrives in Madrid on the back of winning the Barcelona Open last week, when he had to come through a marathon final against Stefanos Tsitsipas in what was only the Spaniard’s third event of the year.

But there is room for improvement for Nadal, who struggled for his usual fluency in Barcelona and will be hoping for better this week in the Spanish capital.

“Barcelona was an important week for me,” Nadal said in a press conference on Sunday. “Without playing my best since the beginning, I was able to be passionate, to stay positive and to accept the challenge to try to win matches without playing my best.

“I was able to achieve another important title in my career. That’s important for my confidence.

“I really believe that winning these kinds of tournaments when you are not playing that well can then make a big difference for the next ones. I feel that that was a positive week. Now is another week and I hope to be ready.”

Spain’s Rafael Nadal playfully bites his trophy after winning the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles final match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona. AFP

Nadal is the top seed in Madrid and will play either compatriot Carlos Alcaraz or the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the first round while he is due to meet Dominic Thiem, a finalist at the French Open in 2018 and 2019, in the last four.

The tournament is also open to spectators at 40 per cent capacity, which could give Nadal an extra boost on home turf.

“Madrid is the most difficult event on clay for me, everybody knows that,” said Nadal. “But at the same time it is

one of the most emotional events for me, playing at home.

“We are going to have a chance to play with a crowd again so that means a lot to me. I am super happy to be back here.”

Giannis in solid form as Bucks turn back Nets; James struggles LOS ANGELES—Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 49 points in his return from an injury as the Milwaukee Bucks overcame Kevin Durant’s 42-point performance to beat the Brooklyn Nets 117114 on Sunday.

Two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo, who had been dealing with a sprained right ankle, outdueled Durant in the Eastern Conference clash between the two highest-scoring teams in the league.

Antetokounmpo finished just three points short of his career high, which he set two years ago against Philadelphia.

“Tonight that picture I created, that’s who I want to be moving forward,” said Antetokounmpo. “It doesn’t matter if I score 49 points. I don’t care about that.

“What I care about is how I slowed down, how I was able to find my teammates. How if I missed one, missed a second one, missed a third one and still be able to come down and shoot another one. This is what I believe I can be.”

Antetokounmpo shot 21-of-36 from the floor and added eight rebounds while teammate Khris Middleton finished with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Durant equaled a season-high 42 and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Eastern Conference-leading Nets, who are trying to hang onto first place during the final stretch of the regular season.

Antetokounmpo said he didn’t want to get into a scoring duel with Durant and just tried to focus on the strengths in his game.

“KD is one of the greatest scorers ever to play the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “If you try to go back and forth with him, he’s going to score 70. I was able to slow down and get to my spots. I kept being aggressive.”

The two teams play again on Tuesday night in Milwaukee in a rivalry many see as a playoff preview.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and Landry Shamet tallied 17 for the Nets, who have won four of their past six games.

Elsewhere, Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry combined for 76 points as the Toronto Raptors kept their playoff hopes alive with a 121-114 win over the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, who saw superstar LeBron James exit in the fourth quarter.

Siakam finished with a season high 39 points and 13 rebounds and Lowry delivered 37 points and 11 assists in a Sunday showdown between the two last teams to win NBA championships.

The Lakers have lost six of their last seven and are learning that the insertion of James back into the lineup isn’t going to be a cure-all.

James shot six-of-11 from the floor and finished with 19 points in 28 minutes but the 36 year old also had five turnovers in just his second game back after missing 20 with a right ankle injury he suffered on March 20.

James left Sunday’s game halfway through

FREE THROW SHOOTER NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ

The Philadelphia impetus IF THE Philadelphia 76ers are looking for a sign to convince them to make Ben Simmons the focal point of the team and not Joel Embiid, they were just given one during the Spurs-76ers game; specifically, during the moments Philadelphia was looking to win it, and Embiid failed them.

Twice, Embiid took the potential game-winning shot. Twice he missed.

Simmons tipped in the game-winning shot.

With just 5 points in 6 attempts in 34 minutes, he was, nonetheless, the hero of the game, albeit unaware that his role for the 76ers in a universe where they will be NBA champion this year is something bigger. He is expected to take up the mantle of savior of a team tagged as a championship contender for so many years now and yet constantly failing in the Playoffs.

But first, an important lesson, for both Embiid and Simmons: change the way you play, or

change your goals. If they continue to play the way they do, they should downgrade their annual goals from championship to just making the Playoffs.

The problem is not Embiid taking the last shot, but the way he plays offense and defense the entire game. Still, here’s why it was a terrible attempt: a fade away against a smaller 6’5 Keldon Johnson in isolation, the lane as empty as EDSA on the day Manny Pacquiao has a fight. Why not drive for a dunk and force the defender to put you on the line where you are 7 of 7?

Common sense basketball: anywhere you shoot inside the three-point arc is two points.

If you are the biggest player on the floor, you should be shooting as close to the ring as possible. Why? First, the closer you are, the higher the chance of making the shot. That is why they call it a high-percentage shot.

And if you miss it? As the tallest of the 10 on the floor and that close to the basket, you should have no problem getting the offensive rebound since it’s never going to be a long rebound with a short stab like that. And that is another reason a fade-away jump shot is illadvised for a big man, your momentum takes you away from the ball or from a position you can rebound, giving opposing players in the zone the chance to outrebound you.

I think one of the reasons why Nikola Jokić is in the position to win the MVP this season is because he changed the way he plays. He frequents the paint more. He imposes his will with

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks charges into Blake Griffin of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of their NBA game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP

the fourth quarter and did not return.

James sore “He was battling some soreness,” said Laker coach Frank Vogel. “We decided not to bring him back. We will see how he’s feeling tomorrow.”

The win leaves the Raptors two and a half games behind Washington in the battle for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The seventh through 10 seeds qualify for the postseason play-in round.

Also, Boston Celtic starters Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum did not fin-

ish their 129-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers after they collided into each other in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

The collision happened while they were defending a Trail Blazers inbound pass.

They both hobbled off to the dressing room with the game out of reach. Tatum said later that his injury was not serious.

In San Antonio, Ben Simmons made a game-winning tip-in at the buzzer and Joel Embiid scored 34 points and seized 12 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-111 in the Alamo City.

his height, his dribbling savvy, and his basketball IQ. I seldom see him now being comfortable with just shooting threes the way he used to in previous years. Range - as far as the three-point arc - is a good thing to have for a big man, but you have to hit the opponents where it hurts them.

Embiid opting for a fadeaway is as terrible as him playing lackadaisical defense.

He played 34 minutes and had 0 shot blocks -- this, despite the numerous incursions in the paint by San Antonio which was the reason the Spurs were in the position to pull off an upset despite playing without DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, Dejounte Murray, and Derrick White.

Watch the game and you can see the clear lack of effort to fulfill the role of a rim protector. Reliever Dwight Howard had 3 blocks, and smaller guys in the team did a better job than Embiid. Tobias Harris had 2, and even Furzan Kormaz and Danny Green both had one. And the worst part? More than once you can see Embiid shrug, drop his shoulders, or point to someone or something on the floor after the Spurs scored under the basket. A terrible body language. Was he blaming someone for a missed defensive assignment?

Change the way you play, or change your goals. Centers who became champions are tenacious defenders. Hakeem Olajuwon (3.1 bpg), David Robinson (3.0 bpg), and Shaquille O’Neal (2.3 bpg) are examples of champions and accomplished rim protectors.

Embiid started his pro career with a 2.5 bpg

average but he only had 1.3 bpg in 2019-2020.

As for Simmons, he should realize that one major characteristic of any NBA champion is the desire to put the team on his shoulders.

To win by his hand and his will. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Kawhi Leonard, etc. If you are not shooting the ball, you are not a threat.

And why is it Simmons and not Embiid, who will greatly influence the chances of Philadelphia winning the championship? It is because the cornerstone of champion teams is the player who can pass.

This is prime Embiid. With the wear and tear hitting his injury-prone body in the coming years, I don’t see him becoming more dominant than he is now. However, there is room for improvement on his passing, shot selection, and individual defense. If he makes this transformation at the same time Simmons stops being a mere passive facilitator and becomes an imposing presence by passing, rebounding, and constantly driving hard to the basket to score and put pressure on the defense, refusing the role as a secondary weapon in Philadelphia’s arsenal, that’ll be the time the 76ers can be considered a legitimate contender.

Until then, there is nothing but a parade of disappointing ends year after year for the 76ers, and skewed betting odds awarded to a Playoff top-tier team doomed to fall early, perhaps even a first-round exit.

Burns whips Bradley to capture PGA Valspar title MIAMI—Sam Burns outdueled fellow American Keegan Bradley over the back nine on Sunday to win the Valspar Championship and capture his first US PGA Tour title.

Burns fired a final-round threeunder par 68 to finish 72 holes on 17-under 267 and defeat Bradley by three strokes at Innisbrook resort’s Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

The 24-year-old took his breakthrough victory in his 76th PGA start with his wife, parents and siblings among those there to celebrate with him and caddie Travis Perkins.

“It’s just, you work so hard for this moment,” Burns said, wiping his eyes.

“To have them all here, they have sacrificed so much for me growing up, it really is a dream coming true.”

World number 94 Burns, whose prior PGA career best was third at Riviera in February, had been a leader after 36 and 54 holes in prior events but had never managed a victory until now.

“Those moments in the past, they just test you and you learn a lot from them,” Burns said.

“Coming down the back nine, Travis and I just tried to stick to our process. In the past, I got away from that.

Today I was focused on that.”

Burns finished 15-under for the week on the course’s par-5 holes, including three birdies on Sunday.

Bradley, the 135th-ranked winner of the 2011 PGA Championship, missed a chance for his fifth US PGA victory and first since the 2018 BMW Championship.

“I just didn’t hit the shots I needed coming down the end, but I’m proud of the way I finished off to come in solo second,” Bradley said.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland and American Cameron Tringale shared third on 271 with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer fifth on 272.

Burns and Bradley were deadlocked for the lead at 17-under with six holes remaining after Bradley curled in a tense six-foot par putt at the 12th.

Bradley plunked his tee shot into the water at the par-3 13th on the way to a double bogey while Burns sank a testy eight-foot par putt to seize a two-stroke lead. AFP

PSA online forum tackles PH fencing PHILIPPINE fencing team head coach Rolando ‘Amat’ Canlas and rising star Sam Catantan talk about the preparations being done by the Philippine Fencing Association for the coming 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum online edition.

Canlas just arrived from Tashkent, Uzbekistan with members of the national squad where they came close to clinching a berth in the Tokyo Olympics following the bronze medal finish of Catantan in the women’s foil event of the Asia-Oceania Qualification Tournament.

With the qualifiers finally over, the Filipino fencers now focus their attention to the SEA Games (Nov. 21–Dec. 2) where they won two gold medals the last time it was held in the country two years ago.

Catantan, a member of the Penn State University fencing team, will join her coach in the session presented

by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, straight from Pennsylvania where she is currently based.

Powered by Smart and Upstream Media as official webcast partner, the public sports program starts at 10 a.m.

The weekly Forum is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Jayda warms up for first major concert in June

Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado’s ‘little princess’ is ready to conquer the concert scene with her first major gig titled ‘Jayda in Concert.’

YOUNG singer-songwriter Jayda is holding her first-ever major concert titled Jayda in Concert on June 26, 8:00 p.m. with a re-run the next day morning at 10:00.

Happening on digital via KTX.ph, iWanTTFC, and TFC IPTV, the event will showcase the multi-talented artist’s music and her awaited rendition of a variety of hits in a grand musical show.

A joint production of ABS-CBN Events and Phenomenal Entertain-

ment, Jayda in Concert will be directed

by Frank Mamaril together with Iean Iñigo as the musical director.

Last February, the showbiz royalty launched her self-penned single “Paano Kung Naging Tayo.” Its music video also served as her directorial debut.

The ABS-CBN Music artist is also part of the all-female multinational collaboration “HEAL” released in 2020.

Her other hits include “Perfectly Imperfect,” which is a collaboration

with Jeremy G, her duet with Darren Espanto entitled “Sana Tayo Na,” and her solo single “Happy For You,” which earned her the Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist in 2019.

Tickets for Jayda in Concert are now available on KTX.ph, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV for P499.

KTX also offers limited VIP tickets for P799, which includes exclusive access to the VIP party with Jayda via Zoom.

World’s leading movie and video platform

O

partners with PH’s no. 1 network

NLINE video platform iQiyi International, which serves more than 100 million VIP subscribers worldwide, has sealed a multi-year partnership with GMA Network, a move that aims to widen the reach of the network and at the same strengthens the digital platform’s presence in the country.

The first titles to be made available include First Yaya as well as upcoming shows Legal Wives, Nagbabagang Luha, and Love You Stranger.

“This partnership will definitely improve the network’s audience reach and viewership. Subscribers of iQiyi in the Philippines can now watch the latest episodes of some of the newest GMA dramas within 24 hours express from TV airing on the iQiyi app or iQ.com,” GMA TV executive Reena Garingan told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview.

The multi-year partnership, which covers nearly a thousand episodes, bolsters iQiyi International’s wide array of Asian content, and at the same time allows GMA programs to be accessible to millions of users of the platform.

“We are honored and grateful for iQiyi’s trust in partnering with GMA Network as the Kapuso programs jumpstart the exciting lineup of Filipino content for this platform. As we continue to adapt to the shifting interests of our viewers and their viewing habits, we relentlessly produce world-class entertainment programs that can be consumed in various platforms and iQiyi International’s massive user base will likewise complement our digital efforts,” said GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon.

GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. also underscored how apt this deal is for both companies. “Our joining forces with one of the world’s largest streaming platforms is a very fitting team-up. We believe that combining both GMA and iQiyi’s strengths creates a formidable partnership. Congratulations to all!” “iQiyi is committed to bringing the best in local dramas to our local viewers across the Philippines for them to watch anytime, anywhere. iQiyi and GMA have been in discussion to join forces for the benefit of our viewers for a while, and we could not be more thrilled to finally embark on this exciting journey together,” said iQiyi Philippines Country Manager Sherwin Dela Cruz.

We are excited that this year alone, 12 new titles with over 1000 catch-up episodes will be available on iQiyi. As the home of beloved Asian entertainment, iQiyi International will continue to strengthen our content offerings for our local viewership, building on our current Korean, Chinese, and Anime content. This is a big milestone for us,

(Top row from left) GMA Network’s Reena Garingan and Roxanne Barcelona, and iQiyi International’s Sherwin dela Cruz (bottom row)

No more teenybopper roles for Barbie Forteza

For only P99 per month, subscribers can enjoy premium content and catch up on their favorite Kapuso shows anytime and anywhere via iQ.com or the iQiyi International app. and the first of several we have for the year,” Dela Cruz added.

The iQiyi executive shared that the local titles that are now viable on the platform were chosen mainly for their mass appeal and the market these programs intend to capture.

“The initial titles are basically for the young audience, and of course the actors, the stars, and the storyline come into play. We can be specific regarding the demographics but it’s a no-brainer why we get First Yaya. It just fits the market,” Dela Cruz explained.

The romantic-comedy series First Yaya tells the aspirational story of an ordinary woman who gets to lead an extraordinary life as the nanny of the president’s children and, along the way, falls for the country’s highest officer. The original drama introduces the pairing of actor Gabby Concepcion as President Glenn Acosta and actress Sanya Lopez as Yaya Melody.

Viewers should also watch out for more upcoming GMA dramas that are soon to be available on the iQiyi app and iQ.com within 24 hours from TV airing like breakthrough cultural drama series Legal Wives starring Dennis Trillo, together with Alice Dixson, Andrea Torres, and Bianca Umali. The TV adaptation of the 1988 award-winning film Nagbabagang Luha, bannered by Glaiza de Castro and Rayver Cruz, introducing Claire Castro with Mike Tan will also be available on the platform. Also streaming soon is the much-awaited on-screen tandem of real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos is all set in the romance-mystery miniseries Love You Stranger.

Insight Music unveils groundbreaking slumber album RECORD label Insight Music, alarmed by the rapidly increasing cases of sleeplessness among this country’s adult population, seeks to help insomnia-afflicted Filipinos fall into restful slumber by releasing The Perfect Sleep, a groundbreaking album that effectively induces sleep.

Presented by all-natural sleep supplement DreamWell and composed by brilliant music arranger Ian Joseph Tan, The Perfect Sleep is an hour-long instrumental album that promotes deep and relaxing sleep.

It is now available on various streaming platforms including Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and iTunes.

“Way before the pandemic hit the Philippines, a vast number of Filipino adults were already stricken by a different kind of epidemic—sleeplessness,” says Insight Music president and chief creative director Chris Cahilig.

“Sleeplessness, a disorder that is commonly known as insomnia, may not be as deadly as Covid-19 but it is just as critical and devastating to one’s health and wellbeing. It is during deep slumber, after all, when the body has the opportunity to repair itself and recover so that poor sleep quality or sleep deprivation has severe consequences on the body’s capacity to resist illness,” Cahilig further explains.

A 2019 study by Sleep Cycle disclosed that the Philippines ranks 4th in the world

Music arranger Ian Joseph Tan in sleeplessness, averaging just six and a half hours of sleep—significantly lower than the recommended amount of seven to nine hours per day.

Still another study published by the St. Luke’s Medical Center claims that over 10 million adult Filipinos suffer from insomnia—putting them at risk for cardiovascular issues, cancer, depression, diabetes, as well as other afflictions. Medical literature, in fact, affirms that lack of sleep renders the body susceptible to the debilitating effects of stress that people undergo on a daily basis.

The Perfect Sleep by DreamWell is designed specifically for listening on those nights when stress, anxiety, or plain restlessness tend to keep people awake way into the wee hours. Indeed, the album is meant to lull them to deep and restful slumber when they need it most.

The Perfect Sleep by DreamWell’s gentle guitar strums and soft beats were carefully constructed to give sleep-deprived listeners a mesmerizing experience they can instantly benefit from. After listening to the music, and enjoying the sleep induced by it, listeners will wake up feeling rested and ready for everything their waking moments might have in store.

The specialty album is the perfect sonic companion to DreamWell, an all-natural dietary supplement designed to promote healthier sleep among its users. Through its unique combination of natural ingredients like Suan Zao Ren, Wu Wei Zi, Fu Ling, and the amino acid GABA, DreamWell relaxes the mind and lulls one to sleep. It also helps bring one to Sleep Stage 3 for a deep, quality sleep.

“We’ve seen the impact music can have on sleep,” says Cahilig. “Just search up ‘sleep music’ on YouTube, and you’re bound to find videos and livestreams with millions of views. There’s a real need for sleep music, and we want to serve people by providing that.”

ready for mature roles, you’ll go sexy. I’m willing to accept more mature roles that will exhibit my acting skills. It’s more on how you handled a particular character, how you played the part,” she mused.

“I’ve had enough of the teenybopper thing. But still, it would depend on the TELEVISION darling Barbie Forteza is network or management. They still call the ready to pass the throne to younger stars shots. Whatever project they’ll give me in who deserve teenybopper roles more the future, expect that I will always give it than she does. She feels ready to shed her my 100 percent,” she added.

Interestingly, apart from television, the sweet image and tackle more mature and awa rd-w i n n i ng demanding roles. young actress admitIn a recent virted that she misses tual presser for a doing movies.

GMA anthology se“Oh, yes. My ries, the 23-year-old last potboiler television actress shown was back mentioned that she in 2018. It’s been realized she’s ala while. So, I reready getting older. ally would want to “So, it’s time that make one again if I pass the throne to ever. I never had much younger acany bad experience tresses like Elijah in doing movies.

Alejo who was one It’s all pleasant and of my co-stars in I memorable.”

Can See You: The “I can’t wait to Lookout, which be given another had a successful Screen star Barbie Forteza chance to star in a run. Yes, I’ve almovie once again. ready graduated from my Tween Hearts days. Of course, I That’s where you get to do edgy materials. would do it gradually so that the transition I want to make a film which is not very Barbie. Just like my recent episode ‘The Lookwould be smooth,” she said.

Does this mean she will just accept more out’ for I Can See You. It was something different and I really got excited doing it.” mature roles in her next offerings?

On the personal side, her relationship “Well, for sure, it would be very challenging. Like the last one I did which was I with Jak Roberto continues to go strong.

Can See You: The Lookout. It’s out-of-the- Hasn’t it crossed their minds yet to tie box. It’s not formulaic. I would always the knots already considering that at this love a challenge but with mature, it doesn’t point, many showbiz couples are getting mean that I’ll be doing sexy projects. Peo- married? Read full story on manilastandple have this connotation that when you are ard.net

Prince Harry (inset) joined pop royalty Jennifer Lopez for the ‘Vax Live’ fundraising concert in Los Angeles to promote global vaccinations against COVID-19.

Prince Harry, J-Lo lead ‘Vax Live’ concert in L.A.

BRITAIN’S Prince Harry joined pop royalty including Jennifer Lopez at a starstudded concert in Los Angeles Sunday to urge faster and more even global vaccinations, as he voiced support for India during its devastating Covid outbreak.

Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World featured video messages from the pope and President Joe Biden and inperson appearances from Hollywood stars such as Ben Affleck and Sean Penn.

The show will air on television and YouTube on May 8, after being pre-taped in front of thousands of fully vaccinated spectators at a vast California stadium Sunday.

“Tonight, we stand in solidarity with the millions of families across India, who are battling a devastating second wave,” said Prince Harry, who was greeted with a standing ovation.

“The virus does not respect borders, and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography,” added Harry, making his first in-person appearance at a major public event in California since

moving last year to the United States with wife Meghan Markle, who did not appear.

The concert organized by Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, aims to battle vaccine disinformation while calling on world leaders and corporations to take action and make donations.

Thousands of spectators gathered inside Los Angeles’ giant, recently completed SoFi stadium for the first time. Most attendees were frontline medical workers, many dressed in nurse and doctor uniforms.

A glittering J-Lo told fans she had been forced to spend Christmas without her mother for the first time due to the pandemic -before bringing the Lopez matriarch onto an elaborate meadow-themed stage for a feelgood singalong of “Sweet Caroline.”

The concert will stream on YouTube along with American television networks ABC and CBS on May 8 at 8:00 pm ET (midnight GMT). It will also air internationally on Brazil’s Globo, Colombia’s Caracol, SABC in South Africa, and MultiChoice in Africa. AFP

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

‘‘

Tuberculosis survivors fight for TB-free PH

Like many people with TB, I had to conquer my fears.

I was scared to let people know about my story. But being scared means being powerless. So I had to take control of my own life.

F

HEALTH BULLETIN

OR many tuberculosis (TB) survivors here in the Philippines, the fight against the disease continues even after they were cleared of it.

Once an aspiring architect, Louie Teng recalled the biggest turning point in her life back in 2007 when she discovered she had extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) called Tuberculosis Meningitis (MTB), a rare form of TB. Meningeal tuberculosis affected her brain causing her to lose her eyesight in the process of treatment.

Battling TB, Teng shared, was one of the most difficult stages in her life, and losing her vision made it even worse.

This led her to experience stages of depression, anxiety, and fear of discrimination from something that she considered to be an “old disease”.

Her recovery was considered a “miracle” by her doctor, as she was told MTB could have resulted in a fatal incident since there were no existing cases locally at that time.

After months of treatment and rehabilitation, Teng used her experience to provide a ray of hope to those still battling the disease.

As the president of TBPeople Philippines Organization, Inc. and a survivor advocate for the Department of Health’s #TBFreePH campaign, she uses her platform to educate and help those who do not fully monitor their treatment, those in far-flung communities, and those who have both TB and existing disabilities.

“We just want people to listen. Filipinos are just looking for direct intervention, complete with a lot of these programs and proper messaging like for example, we have to be clear and concise with the six-month medication, not just two,” emphasized Teng, who meets and listens to stories of currently treating patients via the #TBFreePH Facebook community page.

“With everyone connected through social media, we are able to get more inquiries and refer them to TB facilities and healthcare providers,” she added. “Through this, we can get back on track and reach the ultimate goal which is finding and treating 2.5 million Filipinos by 2022.”

She continued, “Doing community-based forums to inquire about TB should also be established as well as making sure government officials directly communicate that there is free TB medication so everyone can easily access it,” a timely concern citing how the lockdowns contributed to the emotional distress of TB patients because of the lack of access to proper service from healthcare institutions.

Fellow survivor and advocate Mark Regana encourages patients to get the right treatment, knowing first-hand how self-medicating when he was first diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in 2014 resulted in reactivation in 2016.

Malaya Relacion, another survivor and advocate, fights for more efficient TB detection processes, following her bout with PTB after she visited various remote areas in 2012 as part of her work for a non-government organization.

With the current pandemic, Relacion encourages active and former TB patients to speak up and empower themselves through their experiences and stories. “Like many people with TB, I had to conquer my fears. I was scared to let people know about my story. But being scared means being powerless. So I had to take control of my own life.”

“Today, I am here to let people know what it really means to be TB-free,” she enthused.

Bike manual launched

A bike rider at SM City Marikina gets a copy of the bike manual at the mall’s customer service counter.

TBPeople Philippines Organization president and #TBFreePH advocate Louie Teng educates TB patients in monitoring their treatment.

Malaya Relacion encourages fellow TB survivors to empower themselves and active patients by sharing their experiences and stories.

Tuberculosis survivor advocate Mark Agana encourages TB patients to get the right treatment and avoid selfmedicating.

IN A bid to support the growing bikeriding community, a public-private partnership recently launched a passport-sized bike manual covering safety, courtesy, and etiquette on the road.

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), published the first DOTr-SM Bike Manual in English and Filipino. The manual is distributed for free in all SM malls nationwide.

DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade led the virtual launch together with MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Odilon Pasaraba, Department of Health director Beverly Ho, and Move as One Coalition lead convener Dr. Robert Siy. The aforementioned officials were joined by SM Engineering, Develop-

Dr. Gwen Agra (inset) explains the various triggers for cough, which include irritants, allergies and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, viruses, and others.

Understanding cough and how to fight it

A PERSON’S coughing could be due to varied reasons. “A cough is a reflex that starts when the respiratory system sensory nerves are stimulated,” explains a pulmonologist.

“Contrary to what most people think, cough is not a disease but rather the defense mechanism of the lungs and airways from irritants like cold air, cigarette smoke, or strong perfumes,” emphasizes Dr. Gwen Agra.

She explains further, “An impulse is sent to the brain which then sends a message to the muscles in the respiratory system to contract to produce a cough.”

There are three parts to cough, according to Dr. Agra: First, a person takes a breath in; next, pressure increases in the throat and lungs when the vocal cords close; and then there’s the explosive release of air as vocal cords open, creating that characteristic cough sound.

This body’s defense mechanism, the doctor reiterates, “is supposed to protect you by getting stuff that doesn’t belong in your lungs and windpipe.”

She, however, recommends to see a doctor if a cough persists for three weeks with no sign of improvement.

In addition to irritants, other triggers for cough include allergies and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acid reflux,

ment, and Design president Hans Sy Jr., SM Retail assistant vice president Mara Sy Coson, and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan. The biker’s manual, which provides biking basics and safety tips for cyclists, forms part of SM’s information campaign to complement the roll out of bike-friendly infrastructure and facilities at SM malls nationwide.

Since the launch of its Bike-Friendly initiative at the Mall of Asia in September 2020, SM has rolled out more than 500 bike racks and over 80 repair stations across its malls nationwide. Highlights of the initiative include SM Mall of Asia’s bike lanes covering 18 kilometers, SM Seaside Cebu’s 1.6 kilometers of bike lanes, a 2.1-hectare bike trail at SM Center Pulilan, SM City Marikina’s bike lanes and free vehicle parking for customers with bikes, and SM City Iloilo’s partnership with its local government unit.

and postnasal drip, with the most common being viruses that cause respiratory tract infections (RTI).

“Colds and the flu are the most common causes. Wet or productive coughs get the ‘germy’ mucus out of your lungs when you’re sick. Most will go away in a few days. After a cold, though, dry cough lasts weeks or months,” says Dr. Agra.

Considering all triggers, Dr. Agra warns that “a cough that is a symptom of a more serious condition is unlikely to go away on its own. If left untreated, the condition could worsen and cause other symptoms.”

The respiratory system expert shares she usually co-prescribe zinc and carbocisteine to provide complementary action against RTI, addressing both sticky, hard to expel phlegm and lowered immunity.

“Together, this is an ideal combination that effectively relieves cough by aiding in the expulsion of phlegm with decreased bacterial adhesion to cells and helping in faster recovery by boosting immunity,” says Dr. Agra.

Unilab’s over-the-counter drug Solmux Advance contains Dr. Agra-approved combination of zinc and carbocisteine. The company says it is the only carbocisteine with zinc in the market proven to give relief to patients by helping speed up their recovery from cough.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade presents the English and Filipino version of the DOTr-SM bike manual.