Manila Standard - 2021 May 31 - Monday

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DU30 JOINS PH IN PRAYER FOR HEALING NEWS / A2

VOL. XXXV • NO. 105 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pinoy boxer dethrones foe, sets world record NONITO Donaire used a powerful left hook and three knockdowns to become the oldest fighter to win a bantamweight title with a fourth round knockout of WBC champion Nordine Oubaali on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

The 38-year-old Donaire reached up and turned back the hands of time at the Dignity Sports Health Park venue as he reclaimed the WBC title that he held in 2011.

The Filipino fighter is also the oldest, at 38 years and 204 days, to win a bantamweight world title, breaking the mark he set in 2018 when he was 35 and captured the WBA belt.

"Father time is on my side," said Donaire of Bohol, Philippines. "I believe the human body is an incredible machine if we take care of it. Mentally you are only as strong as your mind can be.

Next page

Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire (left) watches from his corner as French boxer Nordine Oubaali struggles to get up during the Bantamweight World Championship boxing match at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 29, 2021 in Carson, California. AFP

Working adults get priority Economic frontliners including 40-yrs-old and above next in line

By Willie Casas

W

ORKING adults 40 years old and above who belong to the A4 category, will get priority in the government's COVID-19 immunization program, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Friday announced that the A4 category now includes all government and private workers, informal sector workers, and those who work in private households who need to physically report to work.

Vega, in an interview with Dobol B

TV, said the government is expediting inoculation for A1 to A3 category groups as they prepare for the vaccination of economic frontliners (A4).

“This June, we will speed up [vaccinating] A1 to A3 groups. They have Next page

WEATHER Catholic devotees gather in droves along Palanca Street in Quiapo Manila on Sunday, May 30, 2021, to hear Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo during the last Sunday of the month. The seating capacity for churches has been raised to 30% under the rules of the inter-agency task force that is monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Danny Pata

House promises 200 new variant cases detected; to double down OCTA warns of ‘ripple effect’ on priority bills By Willie Casas

By Rio N. Araja MAJORITY Floor Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Sunday the House leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco would work double time to approve priority bills, especially Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 30)

1,223,627 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

7,058 53,757 NEW

ACTIVE

20,860

139

1,149,010

6,852

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

MORE than 200 additional cases of COVID-19 variants in the country were detected recently by the Genome Center and the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Health, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.

The OCTA Research Group, for its part, warned of a possible ripple effect in the Visayas and Mindanao after the surge recorded in Metro Manila in March.

“There appears to be a ripple effect

cycle where surges are seen in provinces after a jump in cases in NCR. That is why vaccination is very important to stop that cycle,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said in a television interview.

David's warning came as the Genome Center's sequencing yielded one additional B.1.617.2 (India) variant case, 104 B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom) variant cases, 137 B.1.351 (South Africa) variant cases, and four P.3 variant cases, a variant that was first detected in the Philippines.

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Duterte steps in on PDP-Laban feud

By Joyce Pangco Pañares MALACAÑANG delivered a blow to Senator Manny Pacquiao Sunday as it upheld the executive council meeting of the PDP-Laban today (Monday), saying it was called upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte, chairman of the PDP-Laban, tasked Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, party

vice-chairman, to “organize, convene and preside over the council meeting.”

"This move, which is part of the democratic exercise, aims to consult party members and have fruitful and productive exchanges on issues affecting PDPLaban," the Palace official said.

Roque's pronouncement appeared to have widened the cracks in the ruling party, with PDP-Laban officials taking Next page

Storm brings rain; heat nears 'danger

TROPICAL Depression Dante will strengthen into a tropical storm today (Monday) and will bring light to moderate rains over Caraga and Davao regions, the state weather bureau said as Metro Manila registered heat index values between 41 and 45 degrees Next page Celsius yesterday.

A youngster takes a plunge from the MacArthur Bridge into the Pasig River in Manila to beat the scorching summer heat. PAG-ASA recorded a heat index of 51 degree Celsius in Sangley Point in Cavite City on Sunday, May 30, 2021, an indication of the generally hot and humid weather the rest of the country has been experiencing.

Danny Pata

Oil, electricity prices on the upswing OIL prices are forecast to go up this week while power rates are expected to rise in June.

Unioil Philippines forecast oil prices to go up by as much as P0.70 per liter to reflect the movement of prices

in the world market week-on-week.

"Expect fuel prices to go up next week (June 1 - 7, 2021). Diesel will increase by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter. Gasoline will increase by P0.60 to P0.70 per liter," Unioil Next page said in its advisory.

A2

News

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 prays for nation’s recovery

P

In a pre-recorded speech during a virtual interfaith prayer meeting, Duterte sought divine guidance as the country struggles with the health crisis that has so far claimed the lives of over 20,000 Filipinos.

“The present COVID-19 pandemic has truly been a difficult and challenging time for all of us. In this time of trial, it is only right that we look to the Lord

Almighty to guide us not only towards the path of righteousness but also to full recovery,” he said.

“To the Lord Almighty, we humbly seek your grace and blessing. Please heal our land from the illness caused by COVID-19 and you are our only hope and strength amidst these trying times.”

He also prayed that the Lord would bless front-liners in the fight against

COVID-19.

“Bless our medical front-liners and our health workers, bless our essential workers. Bless the workers in government and in the private sector who are helping our people to cope with this crisis. We are placing our future into your hands. We trust in you,” the President added.

Earlier, Pope Francis dedicated the whole month of May to a prayer marathon for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization said 30 of the world's Catholic shrines will

Working...

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the deployment and presence of DILG’s uniformed personnel will ensure the smooth rollout of vaccines in the country as it begins mass vaccination efforts with the expected arrival of some 16 million vaccines in the next two months.

Año said the uniformed personnel are not only directed to maintain minimum public health standards (MPHS) in vaccination sites but will also serve as vaccinators or perform their tasks in the vaccination centers as required by the LGUs and the Department of Health.

Of the over 50,000 uniformed personnel to be deployed, he said some 35,415 policemen and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will provide security during the transport of vaccines nationwide while 13,840 PNP personnel will be tasked with securing various vaccination areas in the country.

Meanwhile, he said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has mobilized 2,390 fire personnel and 356 emergency medical service units (EMS) in 1,150 identified warehouse or cold storage and vaccination sites nationwide. It has also prepositioned 733 fire trucks and 59 ambulances.

“Our DILG uniformed personnel will not only secure the vaccines but those with medical backgrounds will also be assigned to do medical tasks in our vaccination sites all over the country,” he said.

To ensure the safety and health of the uniformed personnel to be deployed, Año said both the PNP and the BFP have continued their respective internal vaccination efforts.

As of May 24, some 14,082 PNP medical front-liners have been inoculated with their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 8,416 of these personnel have received their second dose. Meanwhile, 6,298 BFP personnel have received their first dose and 2,298 of them have received their second dose of vaccine.

In addition, 8,936 personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) nationwide have also been inoculated with their first dose, while 3,750 of them have received their second dose.

On May 18, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced that the government is including the A4 cluster of the priority population group in the national vaccine rollout. Included in the A4 group are uniformed personnel.

Also on Sunday, Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the USbased company Novovax Inc. is interested in putting up a manufacturing plant in the Philippines to develop vaccines against COVID-19.

“This US-based company, Novavax, already has an agreement with Serum Institute in India but it also wants to set up [a vaccine manufacturing plant] in the

Philippines,” he said in Filipino.

Another American company, Arcturus Therapeutics, is also studying the possibility of opening a vaccine manufacturing plant in the Philippines to expand their reach in the Asian market, Romualdez said.

Earlier, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) disclosed it is interested in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines locally.

MPIC chair Manuel Pangilinan told stockholders Friday the company had a discussion with local vaccine distribution firm Glovax Biotech Corp. regarding the latter’s plan to build a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in the country.

On Sunday, Senator Francis Tolentino urged the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to implement the “waterfalls policy” to hasten COVID-19 vaccination.

Under this policy, he said, the IATF could re-allot the vaccines reserved for those belonging to the A1 to A3 categories who refused to get their jabs.

The senator said the number of people who want to get vaccinated outweighs the number of those who are still hesitating to get their jabs.

Also on Sunday, Año warned local government officials involved in unlawful sale of vaccine slots that they were certain to face prosecution.

these variants of concern, we can minimize their transmission as well as the emergence of new variants by keeping case numbers down,” it added.

The Philippines logged 7,058 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total to 1,223,627, as four laboratories were not able to submit their data on time, the DOH said.

Based on data in the last 14 days, the four non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 1.9 percent of samples tested and 1.6 percent of positive individuals, said the DOH. The DOH reported 139 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 20,860.

The DOH also reported 6,852 new

recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 1,149,010.

This left 53,757 active cases, of which 93.2 percent were mild, 2.3 percent were asymptomatic, 1.4 percent were critical, 1.8 percent were severe, and 1.28 percent were moderate.

The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 58 percent of the ICU beds, 46 percent of the isolation beds, 49 percent of the ward beds, and 39 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 54 percent of the ICU beds, 39 percent of the isolation beds, 37 percent of the ward beds, and 38 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

House...

come we have not received any formal communication from the chairman (President Duterte) – only an announcement from his spokesperson who isn’t even a party-mate?” Munsayac added.

PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag, for his part, said an executive council meeting is different from the national council meeting even as he divulged the party must decide on who will serve as its party president through an election.

Matibag insisted Pacquiao only became acting president through an "appointment" and without any party consultation.

“The move of Senator (Aquilino III) Koko Pimentel to pass the position on to Sen. Pacquiao is unclear with the leadership and the members. It is not clear how Senator Pacquiao became acting president,” he said in an interview with ABSCBN News.

Matibag, who is also Transco presi-

dent and CEO, said part of today's agenda is the preparation for the 2022 elections.

Cusi, however, clarified on Saturday that next year's elections was not part of the agenda even as he belittled those opposed to the meeting as belonging to the “minority” in the party.

Cusi said the meeting in Cebu City was intended to consult with members on "how to support the President’s agenda as he enters his last year in office."

Munsayac said Pacquiao will seek a meeting with Duterte to discuss and set the agenda for “the legitimate national council meeting to be set a month before the filing of candidacies, or earlier if the chairman wishes.”

He said it was “unfortunate” that politics is taking a center stage in the middle of a pandemic.

Pacquiao earlier issued a memorandum circular urging his party-mates to “ignore” Cusi's invitation letter.

rates at the electricity spot market.

"Currently, we still have to await the final bills from our power suppliers, but based on early, initial projections, there may be an upward pressure on the generation charge for the month of June 2021 due to observed increase in WESM prices," Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said, referring to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The average electricity prices at the WESM, the trading floor of electricity, surged in May to nearly P8 per kilowatt-hour on increased demand as the economy slowly recovers.

"With the increase in temperature and economic activity, the Luzon grid registered a new peak for the year at 11,556 megawatts," Zaldarriaga said.

He said average capacity on outage remained at the 3,000 MW level and the grid was placed on yellow alert on May 5, due to insufficient operating reserves.

"WESM prices were persistently high for extended periods triggering the secondary price cap on May 4-7 and 20-22," Zaldarriaga said.

"Meralco customers are still expe-

riencing record low power rate levels, as this month’s overall rate was still lower than last year’s rate by P0.1548 per kWh. This was also the lowest rate for May since 2017," he said.

Zaldarriaga encouraged its more than seven million customers to continue practicing energy efficiency initiatives at home to manage their consumption, as the ongoing summer season may bring an increase in residential electricity consumption.

On Sunday, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday urged Meralco to extend its "no-disconnection" period for six months amid another hard lockdown and the collection of P15 convenience fee for an online transaction.

“The six/month extension of the no-disconnection period would be enough time for electricity consumers to be in a better position to pay their bills considering that many lost their jobs and are finding it hard to just put a meal on the table. Adding a convenience fee would just make it harder for electricity consumers to pay their bills," he said in a statement.

Alena Mae S. Flores and Rio N. Araja

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday joined the nation in praying for the country to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

From A1

special lanes. These will not be removed from vaccination centers even as they slowly vaccinate A4. Those aged 40 [and above] will be prioritized in the working group since they are more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19” Vega said.

Vega said they are allocating most vaccines to high-risk areas such as the NCR Plus bubble (National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal), Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Western Visayas, Cebu, Davao and Northern Mindanao.

More than 3,000 inoculation centers were set up in the Philippines so far, Vega said. He also noted that once bigger vaccination sites open, more vaccinators will be needed.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), at least 35.5 million workers are targeted to be inoculated against COVID-19 after the government simplified the A4 category or the essential workers group.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will deploy more than 50,000 police and fire personnel to provide support and security to the national vaccine rollout that will include the A4 category starting next month.

200...

From A1

These additional numbers brought the total to 13 Indian variant cases, 1,071 UK cases, 1,246 South Africa cases, and 162 Philippines variant cases, the DOH said.

A total of 7,547 samples had been sequenced.

“The detection of additional VOC (variant of concern) cases supports the need for strict adherence to MPHS to minimize risk of exposure and infection and getting vaccinated once it is our turn,” the DOH said.

“Also, despite local presence of

Duterte...

From A1

sides in the dispute between Cusi and Pacquiao four months before the filing of the certificates of candidacy for next year's elections.

Party executive director Ron Munsayac took up the cudgels for Pacquiao, PDP-Laban's acting national president, and insisted that Cusi has no authority to call for a council meeting.

“With all due respect to the presidential spokesperson, the PDP-Laban has its Constitution and by-laws for a reason. It’s very clear that only the chairman (President Duterte) in coordination with the party president (Manny Pacquiao) can call on the Party’s National Council and/ or Assembly,” Munsayac said.

“Also, if this purported council meeting is sanctioned by our chairman, how

Oil,...

From A1

On May 25, the oil companies also raised pump prices.

Gasoline and diesel prices went up by P0.15 per liter and P0.25 per liter, respectively.

However, the oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P0.15 per liter.

These resulted in a total net increase of P8.50 per liter for gasoline, P7.20 per liter for diesel and P5.85 per liter for kerosene since the start of the year.

World oil prices reacted to the increase in demand from China and anticipation of increased demand in Japan.

According to the Department of Energy, Russia and OPEC+ are ramping up oil production between May and July to gradually return over 1 million bpd (MMB/D) to the market.

In Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Vietnam posted soft demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak but Indonesia demand continues to hold up.

As this developed, Manila Electric Co., the country's biggest power distributor, sees an "upward pressure" on its generation charges for June due to higher

take turns leading a daily live-streamed rosary at 12 p.m. Eastern time.

The Catholic Church dedicates the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis said, “has demanded enormous sacrifices from each nation and its citizens.”

“The pandemic has made no distinctions and has hit people of all cultures, creeds, social and economic strata,” the Pope said as he emphasized the importance of considering anti-COVID vaccination as a “universal common good.”

From A1

Bayanihan 3, which is designed to strengthen the country’s economy and protect Filipinos from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We resume the session on Monday (today) with a full plate of priority bills scheduled for plenary deliberation before we adjourn sine die this week,” Romualdez said.

“Speaker Lord Allan Velasco wants to place on the front burner the passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 and the economic Charter change under Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 on third and final reading,” he said.

Despite the push from the House, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate is unlikely to pass Bayanihan 3 before it adjourns on June 4.

“Whatever bill they will pass in the House of Representatives, if it has no counterpart in the Senate, and if it is not transmitted to our chamber immediately, then we cannot act on that. We only have four days [before adjournment],” he said in Filipino.

Last week, the House passed the P401 billion Bayanihan 3 bill on second reading.

But Sotto said Bayanihan 3 was not even discussed at the recent meeting of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Sotto also said the Senate would not give priority to attempts to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Instead, the Senate will focus on important measures such as the bills amending the Public Service Act and the Foreign Investments Act. Sotto said they will also give priority to passing the bill creating the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte on Sunday said the House leadership would just fritter away “precious time” should it go ahead this last session week on giving its final nod to Charter change (Cha-Cha), considering that senators are not inclined to pursue constitutional reform in the 18th Congress.

“Why fritter away the House’s precious time this last session week prior to adjournment on passing RHB 2 (Resolution of Both Houses No. 2) on third and final reading, when it seems certain Cha-Cha doesn’t have a chance of happening in the Senate between now and next year?” he said.

RHB 2 is “practically dead in the water” as key Senate leaders, among them are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares, who chairs the committee on public services — have separately shot down this proposal to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution as soon as the House had passed it on second reading.

Florida shooting leaves 2 dead, 20 wounded TWO people were killed and at least 20 injured Sunday when three shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowd outside a concert in Miami, Florida, local police said.

Gunfire erupted during the early hours outside a billiards hall in a row of businesses near Miami Gardens, northwest of the coastal city's downtown.

People crowded the venue, which was "hosting a scheduled event and several patrons were standing outside," MiamiDade Police Department said in a statement.

When a Nissan Pathfinder SUV approached the scene, it added, "three subjects exited the vehicle and began shooting indiscriminately into the crowd."

The trio then got back in the car and fled the scene.

When authorities arrived, they found two people dead, according to the statement. At least 20 people were hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition.

In a tweet, the department's director, Alfredo Ramirez III, condemned the "targeted and cowardly act of gun violence."

"These are cold-blooded murderers that shot indiscriminately into a crowd, and we will seek justice," he said.

Police were seeking help from the community to identify and arrest the shooters.

Florida remains marked by the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, in which a gunman killed 49 people and wounded at least 68 others.

Gun-related homicides have surged across the United States over the past year. AFP

Pinoy...

From A1

"Being at this age is not the question.

It is my ability to grow. It is not what age you are, but how strong you are mentally. I am back. The whole time I was not fighting I was learning. I am ready for the next one."

Filipino boxing icon and senator Manny Pacquiao congratulated Donaire for his feat.

"Congrats Nonito Donaire on a huge KO win. The oldest WBC bantamweight champion in history. Still living up to your nickname, the Flash,” Pacquiao said in a tweet.

Pacquiao is the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history, having won the WBA belt at the age of 40 in 2019.

Donaire knocked the French champion down twice in the third round and then finished him off halfway through the fourth round with a stinging upper cut to raise his record to 41-6 with 27 knockouts.

In the third round, Donaire scored his first knockdown with two consecutive left hooks that led to referee Jack Reiss giving Oubaali a standing eight count.

Oubaali got up but was still in a fog and defenseless when the Filipino dropped him a second time with a devastating left as the bell sounded to end the round. Reiss gave Oubaali another standing count after the bell. Oubaali was on wobbly legs and clearly in trouble as he didn't seem to know which direction his corner was at.

Donaire ended the fight in the fourth by landing a combination followed by an uppercut that sent Oubaali to the canvas for the third time.

Donaire showed patience in the opening rounds using them to get a read on what type of combinations Oubaali likes to throw. It was the first career loss for Oubaali who dropped to 17-1, 12 KOs. "I know what his pattern was," said Donaire. "I knew exactly what he was going to do. I was able to counter properly with the left hook."

Storm...

From A1

Weather service PAGASA also warned several areas will continue to register heat index at “danger” levels of above 41°C. PAGASA said “Dante” would weaken into a tropical depression and become a remnant low by Friday.

The center of the tropical cyclone was estimated at 835 kms east of Mindanao as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

As for the heat index, PAGASA said Aparri, Cagayan could reach a maximum of 42.2°C Tuesday and 41.6°C Wednesday.

Sangley Point in Cavite, which logged the highest heat index Saturday at 51°C, could register 41.4°C Monday and 41.8°C Tuesday.

The highest heat index in 2021 so far was registered in Dagupan City in Pangasinan at 53°C. PAGASA classifies an area with a heat index of 41°C to 54°C in the "danger" level, where people can experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion. It warned heat stroke is also "probable with continued activity." Rio N. Araja

News House panel regroups, sets meeting on MUP system

By Rio N. Araja ALBAY Rep. Jose Salceda on Sunday said the House ad hoc committee on the military and uniformed personnel, which he chairs, is set to hold its organizational meeting today, assuring there would be no diminution of benefits in pension proposal.

The mandate of the committee includes “all matters related to the MUP pension system, including funding and revenue sources, management, and benefits and contribution scheme,” he said.

The committee would discuss its rules.

Salceda would present his initial observations on the fiscal condition of the military pension system, saying it is “at serious risk of being unfundable in the future.”

“The issue here isn’t whether military and uniformed personnel deserve more or less pension benefits. Everyone who serves the country always deserves more. They deserve to be sure they will have pension, and right now, given the system, we’re not sure the country can afford it in the future,” he said.

“If we can’t fund the pension system in succeeding years, salary increases for current MUP will also be in trouble. So we have to make this work,” he added.

He assured pensioners that “there will be no diminution of benefits. No one will have their current pensions reduced.”

“I’m also working with the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Treasury to see which assets we can use to defray some of the pension costs, so that we won’t have to charge all of it against the national budget or the MUPs,” he cited.

“This is not easy, and this is not popular. But the choice is between some pain now, or a lot of pain in the future. I can’t in good conscience do nothing when it’s obvious that the status quo will cause trouble for future generations. It’s irresponsible to say ‘bahala na’ now and just wish that someday we still have money to pay MUP pensions,” he said.

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

77 more special courts tapped to handle cybercrime cases—SC T

By Rey Requejo

HE Supreme Court has designated 77 more branches of the regional trial courts to act as special commercial courts to handle the rising cases of cybercrime, unfair competition, and violations of intellectual property.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said with 77 more designated RTCs, there are now 147 SCCs spread in 12 judicial regions in the country.

The designations of the 77 SCCs, which have been recommended by Marquez, were approved for the SC by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

The SCCs will also be known as special cybercrime courts and special

competition courts.

The designation of SCCs started in 2000 with the passage of Republic Act No. 8799, the Securities Regulations Code, which transferred to the courts the jurisdiction of cases erstwhile cognizable by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

SCCs initially have jurisdiction over commercial cases like intra-corporate disputes, issuance of search and seizure in civil actions, admiralty and maritime laws,

dissolution of partnerships, financial rehabilitation, and liquidation, among others.

Later, cases involving intellectual property were added to the SCCs jurisdiction.

In 2016, the SC further designated the SCCs as cybercrime courts for cases involving the Cybercrime Prevention Act under Republic Act No. 10175.

In 2019, the jurisdiction of the SCCs was expanded to cover issues involving the Philippine Competition Act under RA 10667.

“Not all provinces and cities in each judicial region have designated SCCs. Thus, litigants have to file their cases in the nearest designated SCCs within the judicial region, thereby incurring additional travelling expenses in attending the hearings of their cases,” Marquez said in his circular to all trial court judges.

“Due to influx of cases that may be filed in view of the expanded jurisdiction of the

CLARK FREEPORT—Hundreds of thousands of Clark workers will be inoculated to reopen the economy and bring back normalcy specifically in industries, businesses and tourism activities in this freeport soon, a key official said over the weekend.

Clark Development Corporatio President & CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan said that talks are in progress to facilitate the vaccination in coordination with the Department of Health and other stakeholders within the freeport.

Gaerlan identified two medical facilities including the Medical City Clark and Our

Vaccinees tinker with their mobile phones while waiting for their turn to be injected with Pfizer vaccine at the vaccination hub inside a mall in Las Pinas City on Sunday, May 30, 2021. The city has already set up 14 inoculation centers.

Danny Pata

By Macon Araneta

Lady of Mount Carmel Medical Center as vaccination sites for private workers while the One Stop Processing Center is for residents and government workers.

In a meeting with the members of the Metro Clark Advisory Council, Gaerlan shared that arrangements were already made with the DOH3 and the Local Government of Mabalacat City for the COVID-19 vaccination program in this Freeport.

Communication have been sent to different business establishments and industries for them to submit the list of workers who would like to be inoculated under the COVID 19 program, he said.

A company access code was also given by CDC and sent to the e-mail addresses of Clark locators registered on their CFZ Jobs Portal Account. Using the company code, the companies may log in to the link provided on the memorandum circular issued by the state-owned firm.

Clark residents including senior citizens and those with comorbidities who would like to receive their vaccination in Clark are also included in the program.

Individuals belonging to priority groups such as those working at the New Clark City quarantine facilities, CDC’s Health and Sanitation Division, and health workers from Locator’s clinic including the Clark International

Airport Corporation (CIAC) and the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation have been in the priority list.

Gaerlan said CDC continuously coordinates with the members of the MCAC composed of MCAC Co-Chairman and Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., Porac Municipal Mayor Jaime Capil, Bamban Municipal Mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano, and Capas Municipal Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan, to develop more programs that will help the economy recuperate from the effects of the pandemic and bring more opportunities for communities within and near the Freeport.

Reds to suffer same fate as Nazis’—Palace

TRAINING. Newly- recruited firefighter tries handling a hose during training on Sunday, May 30, 2021, conducted by a fire volunteer brigade based in Manila. Danny Pata

SCCs and their designation as cybercrime courts and competition courts, additional branches of the RTCs may be designated as SCCs to promote expediency and efficiency in handling all cases under the jurisdiction of SCCs,” he stressed.

To ensure a just and equitable distribution of cases among the said SCCs and the regular courts, Marquez emphasized that the designated SCCs should continue to be included in the raffle of regular cases provided that the inflow of commercial, cybercrime and competition cases is minimal and is lower than the average caseload of the other courts in those stations as determined by the court administrator.

Marquez’s office, which supervises all lower courts for the SC, was mandated to monitor closely the caseloads of the SCCs and “to undertake the necessary measures to ensure the efficient distribution and disposition of cases.”

Marcos pushes early voting scheme

READY FOR A JAB.

Clark Freeport workers assured of jabs; CDC names 3 sites

By Jess Malabanan

A3

PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque has expressed strong optimism that officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPANDF) will suffer the same fate as that of the German Nazis, who were tried and punished for war crimes they committed during World War II. Roque made the statement following the discovery of more than 1,500 atrocities and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations committed by the CPP-NPA-NDF, also known collectively as communist terrorist group (CTG).

“I’m sure po na gaya ng mga Nazis na maraming nagtago, yung iba uugod-ugod na e nahuli pa rin sila and 50 years later pinanagot pa rin sila. Kampante po ako na hindi po makakawala sa kanilang mga krimen ang mga CPP-NPA,” Roque told reporters. Roque’s pronouncements came on the heels of an announced investigation by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the list of IH violations recently submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Center for the Law on Armed Conflict (AFP-CLOAC) under BGen. Jose Alejandro Nacnac.

“Ang liability po nila (CTG) ay dahil sa pagla-

bag sa (IHL),” Roque emphasized, stressing that local communist leaders cannot escape liability for their war crimes in the same fashion as the Nazis were prosecuted for the Holocaust.

Last week, Nacnac submitted to CHR Commissioner Karen Dumpit a list of hundreds of willful killings perpetrated by the CTGs for the past 10 years. The report indicated 532 incidents of destruction of civilian-owned properties, the killing of 77 soldiers and 296 civilians, and the recruitment of 464 child warriors.

A similar report was handed over by Nacnac to Dany Merhy, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Deputy Head of Delegation during the AFP-ICRC IHL Integration Planning Workshop conducted in Baguio City last May 27. “The 289 incident of willful killings conducted by the CTGs shows a widespread and systematic attack against civilians and is a clear violation of the IHL and RA 9851 as a crime against humanity,” said the AFP official.

On April 22 this year, the AFP and ICRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the two institution’s partnership and cooperation in the effective implementation of IHL.

SOME 23 million eligible voters are at risk of being disenfranchised in the May 2022 elections if a bill allowing vulnerable citizens to vote early is not passed soon, Senator Imee Marcos warned on Sunday.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, cited the country’s 2021 population statistics projection of some 9.8 million senior citizens, 9.2 million indigenous peoples (IPs), 2.2 million pregnant women, and 1.7 million recorded persons with disability (PWDs) that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) must provide with alternative arrangements to be able to cast their votes.

“This is no small deprivation amid pandemic restrictions and fears that will affect the ability and willingness of these vulnerable groups to go out and vote. Not to mention the teachers, poll watchers, AFP and PNP personnel, and even members of the media who will be full-time at work on election day,” Marcos said.

Marcos has proposed to expand Senate Bill 1104 which she filed in 2019, to now include more groups eligible for early voting.

Comelec, she said, is pressed for time to adopt new election measures amid a pervading health crisis.

Marcos aid this would include a more accessible polling precincts for the elderly, pregnant, and disabled; transportation for IPs living in remote mountainous areas and new outdoor voting venues that comply with pandemic-related restrictions.

“Preserving health and safety calls for alternatives to the usual cramped classrooms,” said Marcos.

“We can prevent the spread of infection by using stadiums, auditoriums, multi-purpose halls, even covered elevated parking lots in malls,” Marcos added.

According to Marcos, the Comelec needs to resolve many issues in less than six months to the filing of candidacy in October.

She also called on the government to provide the budget to the Comelec to put the necessary measures and manpower in place, and soon. She said the work shift of teachers alone may need to be doubled.

If Marcos’s bill is approved, voters eligible for early voting can cast their ballots within 30 calendar days before the election date set for the general public.

Marcos also said that mail-in voting should be piloted even on a small scale, since the Philippine Postal Corporation has said it can do so with the recent upgrade of its computer system.

High court adopts new rules on bank inquiry THE Supreme Court has adopted the rules of procedure governing petitions before the Court of Appeals seeking an inquiry into or examine bank deposits and investments in non-bank financial institutions and affiliates that are suspected of violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The SC Public Information Office said the new rules of procedure take effect today, May 31, 2021.

Under the new rules, a bank inquiry order issued by the CA should take effect for a period of 120 calendar days from the date of the receipt by the AMLC, and should have the same effect as that of a freeze order issued under the appellate court’s internal rules.

Upon motion of the AMLC and before the expiration of the 120-day period, the appellate court may, for good cause, extend the

effectivity of the bank inquiry order for a period not exceeding one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days.

Under the rules, the government through the Anti-Money Laundering Council represented by the Office of the Solicitor General may file ex parte (meaning without notice to the other party) with the CA an application for bank inquiry “when it has been established that there is probable cause that the deposits or investments involved, including related accounts, are in any way related to an unlawful activity or a money laundering offense.”

The rules state that such ex-parte application must be verified or affirmed under oath and accompanied by a sworn certification of non-forum shopping personally signed by an authorized AMLC official.

According to the new rules, application

should contain the account number, or any other specific description of the deposit or investment accounts sought to be inquired into or examined; the owner or holder of the deposit or investment accounts; the address of such owner or holder, the name of the banking institution or non-bank financial institution where such account is maintained, and their location, if known.

The application must also contained the ground relied upon for the grant of authority to inquire into or examine the deposit or investment account.

The new rules also said that the supporting evidence showing the existence of probable cause that the subject deposit of investment accounts are in any way related to an unlawful activity or a money laundering offense under RA 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Rey Requejo

PAY-OUT FOR INDIGENTS. Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman distributes social pension pay-out for the remaining indigent senior citizens of Tabaco City for the period January to June 2021. Beneficiaries receive P3,000 each. The distribution facilitated by DSWD-FO V headed by Maebelle B. Bonaobra and was held inside Brgy. Panal multipurpose covered court. Norman Cruz

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News

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

Data privacy law makes PDEA, PNP leery of sharing with DOJ 8 Abus nabbed in Sabah now in PH hands AUTHORITIES now have in their custody eight suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits captured in Sabah earlier this month, the military said Sunday.

The Malaysian Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) handed over the alleged kidnap-forransom group leaders and their supporters to the Philippine Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) last Friday.

They were then transported to Sulu for presentation to Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales and to the Sulu Provincial Police.

Col. Hernanie Songano, commander of 4th Marine Brigade and Naval Task Group Sulu, said the bandits will be subjected to COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols.

According to the military, hee following were arrested on May 8 in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, Sabah: ASG Sub-Leader Sansibar Bensio, Firdaus Omar, Munimar Binda, Ladin Mujahirin Faizal, Hamzah Faizal, Sansis Mohammad, Halim Akhir, and Yusuf Akram.

Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Vinluan Jr. said in a statement: “Based on reports from the ground, said ASG personalities have already established community cell in the squatter area in Jalan Taman Sri Arjuna, wherein most of the residents therein are their relatives/family members.”

Bensio and the late ASG subleader Mabar Binda were planning to conduct kidnapping activities in Sabah but were preempted following a “successful conduct of special police operation against the group in Beaufort, Sabah,” according to the Wesmincom.

“With our unique partnership comes great and significant endeavors. Our intelligence collaboration works, and this is a manifestation of a successful anti-terrorism drive with our neighbors,” said Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and 2nd Marine Brigade.

By Rey E. Requejo

D

ATA privacy issues are hampering the full cooperation of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency with the Department of Justice on the latter’s ongoing review of cases arising from the government’s drug war, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Sunday.

Guevarra said the DOJ is having difficulty getting the full cooperation of the PNP and PDEA on the drug war review due to concerns on the Data Privacy Act. According to the DOJ Secretary, the PNP and PDEA are having second thoughts about sharing information about drug operations with their inter-agency panel on the anti-drug campaign owing to possible liabilities under the data privacy law.

“Honestly, we are having problems because we cannot get the full cooperation of law enforcement agencies. Understandably because in the end, they might face complaints for sharing information,” Guevarra said in an interview over radio DZBB. “Somehow, PDEA and PNP have concerns about the data privacy law. They are concerned that they may violate the data privacy law if they give out informa-

tion,” he added.

However, Guevarra insisted the Data Privacy Commission has already approved the sharing of drug war records since it will be part of the “legitimate investigation” of the Department of Justice.

Besides data privacy issues, the Justice Secretary noted their drug war review slowed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic as they are having difficulty physically accessing records on drug operations.

Guevarra also said the DOJ’s interagency panel reviewing the controversial drug war is still coordinating with the PNP Internal Affairs Service to obtain 61 cases wherein law enforcement agents were found to have administrative/criminal liability.

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar earlier expressed willingness to share information on other drug war cases.

AIDS MEMORIAL. In remembrance of the Filipinos who passed away from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Quezon City Health Department and Quezon City Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Unit, with Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc, and Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas Inc. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and other officials lead the Candle lighting ceremony held at Quezon City Memorial Circle on Sunday. Manny Palmero

Court workers get special leave for COVID vaccinations THE Supreme Court has granted all judiciary officials and employees, including justices and judges, with “special privileged leave” during their vaccinations against the coronavirus disease.

The SC stressed that judicial employees and officials will have a two-day leave of absence which would not be deducted from their leave credits.

Vaccines against COVID-19 are given in two separate doses at least 30 days apart.

Chief Justice Alexander approved the grant of “special privileged leave” with

a retroactive application. This means that those who had their vaccinations before the approval of the request last May 19 are still entitled to the two-day leave of absence.

Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina M. Cunanan made the request, while Clerk of Court Marife Lomibao Cuevas submitted it for Gesmundo’s approval.

The approval was relayed to justices and personnel of the lower appellate collegiate courts—Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals and Sandiganbayan—and the judges and employees

of the trial courts in a circular dated last May 28 and issued by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez.

About 30,000 officials and employees of the judiciary had been included in the A4 priority group in the government’s vaccination program.

The National Task Force against COVID-19 had granted the SC’s request which stated that “justices, judges, and court personnel of the Philippine Judiciary are frontline government workers in the justice sector, whose functions are essential at all times, especially during the pandemic.” Rey E. Requejo

Senator sets sights on loan sharks, online lenders, predatory schemes

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FLOOD RESCUE. Members of the Sultan Kudarat Rescue Team cross a flooded path as they inspect flood damage at Puroks Upper Villa Clara and Bagong Silang in Brgy. Sampao, Isulan town on Sunday. Due to heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Dante, flash floods were reported in the provinces of North Cotabato and South Cotabato, which caused a rise in the water levels in Sultan Kudarat’s rivers.

Ombudsman junks raps vs. Mabalacat mayor

By Jess Malabanan

MABALACAT CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed malversation complaints against Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo and four other government officials here for lack of merit.

In a nine-page decision, the Ombudsman scrapped the administrative complaints filed by former city councilors Rogelio Yumul and Jerry Basilio.

Yumul and Basilio filed their charges on January 2019 against Garbo, City Human Resource Officer Merla De Leon, City Accountant Aileen Rigor, Acting City Treasurer Marlene Mendiola, and Assistant Budget Officer Narce Paquia.

They allegedly violating Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), stressing

so-called “diversion of funds” to provide special rates to some Job Order (JO) personnel of the local government.

Garbo’s camp received the Certified True Copy of the Ombudsman’s resolution last March 22, 2021.

The order states that “the funds allocated for the salaries of the JO personnel were applied to pay for the special rates JO personnel does not constitute technical malversation.”

“Both Appropriation Ordinance (AO) No. 6 Series of 2017, and Appropriation Ordinance No. 8 Series of 2018 did not specify the number of JO personnel to be hired as well as the rate that each is entitled to receive. AO No. 8 Series of 2018 also does not contain any specification as to the number of JO personnel and their corresponding rates,” the resolution specified.

SENATOR Win Gatchalian will ask the Senate to probe the proliferation of loan sharks and other online lending schemes of some companies not under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

He said the inquiry intends to study remedial legislation to address possible gaps in the existing policies being enforced by government regulating bodies and other concerned agencies.

This came following the emergence of online cash loan services of unlicensed lenders, according to Gatchalian, adding that the BSP should advise the public not to transact with these types of predatory lenders.

Gatchalian, vice chairperson of the

TAKING A DIP. Siblings

enjoy swimming at a beach in Cavite on Sunday. The IATF announced that beaches are now open to the public but people still need to follow health protocols to avoid super spreader events.

JR Josue

Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, said his office continues to receive complaints from victims of online lending companies and lending apps, as most of them claimed to have suffered various forms of grave threats, intimidation, and public shaming from debt collectors.

The SEC in December last year revoked the certificate of authority of online firm Super Cash Lending Corp. after it was found to have engaged in unfair debt collection practices.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) last February recommended the prosecution of Fynamics Lending Inc., the operator of the PondoPeso online lending app, for harassing and publicshaming delinquent borrowers and for violating the data privacy law.

Solon eyes P5b fund for dozen Navy forward operating bases

By Rio N. Araja SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, strategic intelligence committee chairperson, has filed a measure to earmark an initial P5 billion for the installation of a dozen naval outposts to secure the country’s maritime domain against all forms of foreign encroachment.

“We are duty-bound to protect and preserve the vast natural gas deposits as well as the lush marine life in our strategic waters for the enjoyment of future generations of Filipinos,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier fired off another diplomatic protest against the persistent deployment and “illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels” around Pag-asa Island and demanded their withdrawal.

Under Pimentel’s House Bill 9420 or the Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Act, four of the facilities shall be positioned in Luzon’s western seaboard and three in the eastern coast.

The FOBs envisioned to guard the West Philippine Sea shall be established in Lubang Island in Mindoro Occidental; Subic Bay in Zambales, and in Palawan’s Busuanga and Balabac.

Those intended to keep watch over the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) shall be put up in Polillo Island in Quezon, and in towns of Divilacan and Casiguran in Isabela and Aurora, respectively.

Five other FOBs shall also be built in Mavulis Island in Batanes; Allen, Northern Samar; Surigao City; Sarangani, Davao Occidental; and in Mapun Island in Tawi-Tawi.

“We expect the outposts to serve as the future staging and resupply sites for the Navy’s new generation of warships and battle craft,” Pimentel said.

Radioman’s brod asks Rody’s help on kids’ custody A BROTHER of former DZRH radio reporter Jess Garcia, who has been living in Australia for 25 years, has begged the help of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop his impending deportation to the Philippines and to regain custody of his two children.

Inocencio Garcia, a car mechanic, said he does not want to leave his daughter, 9 and son, 8, who have been under the custody of the Australian government since 2014.

He lamented the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and the Philippine embassy and consulate in Sydney appear to have given up helping him in his “uphill battle.”

“I am appealing for help from President Duterte. Mr. President, by chance you read this story, I want you to know that you are my last hope to get my children back. Without your help, fighting justice for my children against the Australian government seems to be like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Garcia.

“I feel that if I don’t fight for my children, I fear my children are bound to break down physically, emotionally or mentally and eventually become liabilities in the society when they grow up. I don’t want them to think that I don’t love them, and I abandoned them in the hands of these evils,” Garcia added.

He said social workers from the Department of Children Services (DCS) and Family Community Services and Justice (FCSJ) in Sydney took his children supposedly on the grounds that they were being neglected after their mother suffered from a mental ailment.

They also took Garcia’s wife, who was reportedly abandoned in a motel, but Garcia failed to confirm this. Since then, he has looked for his children and wife but failed to find them.

Garcia later learned that his wife died due to depression and anxiety.

Due to frustrations and desperation after 7 years of not finding his own family, he posted on social media the names and pictures of his children.

Since his children were minors, he had to pay for turning to social media. He spent 14 months in jail for a charge of unlawful broadcasting and publishing of the children’s names and pictures of faces online.

Opinion The unravelling

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

The illusion of choice

the then-mayor of Davao City was merelyNAKED adopted by their party as candidate for presiTHOUGHT dent after that legal subterfuge where a certain Martin Diño stood as “acting” candidate until CHARLIE V. substituted by Duterte in late November, more MANALO than a month after the lapse of the Comelec deadline for filing certificates of candidacy. three in 10 Filipinos are willing to avail HE Department of Health has urged local government But then, the substitute candidate won, themselves of a free vaccine approved units to adopt “brand agnosticism”—to refrain from TODAY, a “rump” PDP-Laban national as- populated the party from pedicab-size to a by the Food and Drug Administration, if sembly will be held in Cebu, the home prov- long and winding train, and was overwhelmpublicly announcing the brand of COVID-19 vaccines they had the opportunity. Another third ince of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte whose spir- ingly elected President of the Republic. that would be used—to avoid crowding at vaccination areas. of respondents were unwilling to be vacit is always re-invigorated whenever he goes THE FIFTH Without the “pasintabi,” Sen. Koko and his cinated while the rest are not sure. MeanThe brand would only be disclosed at the site. to his father’s home province, as he would executive director Munsayac were running GOSPEL CROSSROADS always claim during the campaign. while, over half of the respondents said the party all by themselves, maybe because It is “rump” in the eyes of PDP-Laban’s Duterte was just an “adopted” JUDE party candiThis developed as residents, even lion doses donated, 4.5 million procured) they were confident that government acting president, Emmanuel Pacquiao, the date, and never really showed much personal J.A. without appointments, flocked to vari- and AstraZeneca (2,556,000 through experts are thoroughly evaluating the boxing legend turnedDELA congressman then sen- interest in the affairs of the PDP.ACIDRE CRUZ ous sites in Manila and Parañaque earlier Covax). Some 30,000 doses of Gamaleya vaccines to be used against COVID-19. ator, and now, positioning himself as the next And the “pambansang kamao” thought Among those willing—desperate, this month for the chance to get inocu- Sputnik have also been procured. president of the country. “Rump,” according that everything was hunky-dory, because he really—to get vaccinated, the vaclated with the vaccine from Pfi zer.

There to his executive director, still the chief aide was dealing with the president of PDP, not cines could not arrive soon enough. of Sen. Koko Pimentel, Ronwald Munsayac, a newbie like himself and Pres. Duterte, nor have been 193,050 Pfizer doses delivered We are told not to be who claims that under party rules, a nation- his fellow PDP newbies, senators BG, Bato COVID-19 poses a continuing menace through the Covax facility of the World al assembly can be called only by “both” the and Francis. choosy, but at this point to all of us, and we have resigned ourHealth Organization. president and the chairman. Which means So now, as elections draw near, less selves to the national government’s unLong lines for the jabs and prolonged we know we have no Pacquiao and Duterte must jointly call for the than a year away asOPEN they convene, the unresponse to the crisis. We exposure to crowds could, ironically, benational assembly to convene. ravelling of the Pimentel-Pacman politichoice but make the most derwhelming NAKED know that while we may have a preference THOUGHTS come potential superspreader events. cal gambit begins.

SO out of what we have. as to brand and while we are entitled to Public acceptance varies across brands,THOUGHT Remember thatORLANDO if Duterte was not a trueI SEEfor This will define the know beforehand what vaccine we are as the efficacy rates of the vaccines alsoCHARLIE V. blue PDP until the time he substituted OXALES Diño, neither was the Pacman, until he got getting, the best course of action is to get differ.

According to the Department of LITO political landscape MANALO elected as senator and had to be a BANAYO political ally Health website, Pfizer has a 95-percent The government has warned the the first vaccine available. Ultimately, this leading to the people’s of the newly-elected President Duterte. The efficacy rate. Others are as follow: Astra- people against being “choosy” with is better than having no protection while Pacman ran under the wings of then UNA choice of the next Zeneca, 70.4 percent; Sinovac, 65 per- their vaccines. But what is wrong waiting without certainty. candidate Jejomar Binay, vice-president of We are told not to be choosy, but at this cent to 91 percent; Gamaleya, 91.6 per- with being choosy, especially since leader. the Philippines, also once the president of the cent; Janssen, 66.9 percent; Bharat, 80.6 under the principle of informed con- point we have no choice but to make the PDP which went into an alliance with Joseph THE FIFTH Estrada when they ran for the top posts in sent, we have to know exactly what is most of what we have—given the hardpercent; Moderna, 94.1 percent.

But there are prejudicial questions which 2010, with Binay winning, andCROSSROADS Erap losing to ships in the global vaccine market and our Meanwhile, the bulk of theGOSPEL vaccines being introduced into our bodies? the Pacman and his ideologue Munsayac need Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party. own officials’ shortcomings in ensuring a Even then, according to a Social Weather that have been delivered and adminisJUDE to respond to, as they challenge the validity After Binay won as vice-president, J.A.and better managed vaccine rollout program.

Stations survey released last week, just tered here have been from Sinovac (1 milACIDRE of the national assembly their vice-chairman, until the trio of Senators Alan Cayetano, AnDELA CRUZ Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, called. tonio Trillanes and Koko Pimentel torpedoed The first is how the Pacman was “select- his certain ascent to the presidency, he formed ed” as president of the party. He was elected the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA as veexecutive vice-president, the president being hicle for 2016. By a twist of fate, the reluctant Sen. Pimentel. Sen. Pimentel resigned his Duterte candidate found himself carrying the post, and thus the Pacman was elevated to the standard of the PDP, and won. gone, a preventable situation that the country operation that must support an army of teachpresidency. As, mind you, “acting” president, Today, the national assembly of the PDP OPEN does not need especially at this time. ers and ensure that their population of learners because no election by the national assembly convenes in Cebu, called by its vice-chairWe know how our educational system in each academic program receives the best THOUGHTS of the PDP validated his succession. man, and unless he changes his mind, the boosts economic activity through jobs, suptraining possible.

The second crucial issue is whether the top Chairman, the President of the Republic no ORLANDO porting allied industries, and many small honchos of the party were informed before- less, will attend.

However, there is an even more seriOXALES and medium enterprises in its community. hand, “pasintabi man lamang” as Tagalogs ous crisis that will further exacerbate the What that national assembly does or does would say, about the transfer of power be- not do to the boxing legend with eyes on the Before COVID-19 and despite policy chalalready precarious situation of private tween elected and his successor. lenges, the private education system was a presidency, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, will in THE private education sector has been hit schools because of two words in a provision Sen. Bong Go claims he was not informed great measure define the political landscape thriving ecosystem that has been the domihard by this health crisis. October 2020 data in Revenue Regulation (RR 5-2021) signed beforehand; neither Sen. Bato, neither Sen. leading to the people’s choice of the next leadnant producer of the country’s professionals, from the Department of Education (DepED) by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez Tol. There are only five members of the er after June 30, 2022. managers, and technicians which according counted 860 K-12 private schools that sus- on April 7, 2021. The problematic provision PDP in the Senate, namely, Koko, BG, Bato, Will that assembly pull the party rug from to latest PACU data is 74.9 percent compended operations, affecting approximately contradicts the preferential tax rate of 1 perTol and the Pacman. As pundits would say, under the feet of the pambansang kamao, and pared to 25.1 percent from the State Univer60,000 students and 4,500 teachers. The ma- cent for proprietary educational institutions “nabasa na lang nung tatlo sa dyaryo.” if so, what will he do? Put up another party, sities and Colleges (SUCs). This translates jority of these schools that closed down cited (private schools) under the Tax Code as Did they also make “pasintabi” with the or join one of the flags of convenience that are to more than 3.5 million from the private amended by the CREATE Law. “no or low enrollment” while others could not party chairman, the president of the Republic always for sale or for rent each time we have higher education institutions (HEIs) and quickly shift to digital modes of education no less? President Duterte says he was not elections in this benighted land? about 1.8 million from SUCs. This clearly and comply with DepED’s distance learning informed of the decision of Koko to resign in Surely, he will feel that this is no way to This will cause illustrates the critical role of private schools requirements. favor of the Pacman. treat the sporting world’s pride of the Filipiin training the skilled workforce that we A recent survey conducted in April 2021 Munsayac might claim that Duterte was no nation. How he reacts, and what he does long-term damage need for economic growth. by the Philippine Association of Colleges and not an original member of the party. True, thereafter, bears watching. to our educational According to higher education data from Universities (PACU) revealed that 50 percent NAKED the Commission on Higher Education, priof the respondents suffered a 10-to-50-percent system.

THOUGHT vate colleges and universities produced decline in enrollment compared to the previ402,437 graduates in academic year 2019ous year.

PACU estimates that over a million CHARLIE V. 2020, higher than the 394,139 from SUCs. To put it simply, this new requirement in of their direct stakeholders, teachers, students, MANALO From 2010-2020, approximately 3.7 million and school personnel have been affected by RR 5-2021 is denying private schools the from all disciplines graduated from private preferential tax treatment mandated in the the combined effects of the pandemic. schools accounting for about 50 percent of A big shocker was when the over-a-century Constitution and, if implemented, will imthe Philippine education system’s output. old institution of the College of the Holy Spir- pose a 25% corporate income tax on private Private schools have always been widely it of Manila (CHSM) announced that it will education institutions. This apparent insertion far from the more familiar political exerperceived as the better choice for quality edclose down at the end of 2021-2022 school goes against what President Duterte and ConTHE FIFTH cise that we have today. Many, if not all, ucation which comes with a prestige factor year. In a letter by CHSM provincial leader gress actually intended in the CREATE Law the members of the Malolos Congress were associated with private school institutions. AsGOSPEL which rightly provides much-needed relief to Sr. Carmelita Victoria quoted in news reports members of the Spanish-era privileged suming that a student will perform well, this is the distressed private schools by a temporary said, “The recent COVID-19 pandemic has principalia. The modern ballot came only JUDE considered by many as an advantage for higher reduction of the 10-percent tax rate that has exacerbated the situation.

The reduction or when the US-style elections finally became ACIDRE studies and employment. The contributions been in effect since 1968, to 1 percent during loss in family income, mobility restrictions part of our democratic system. and critical role of private educational instituthe pandemic.

If this is not quickly remedied, and social distancing requirements, and the In the same month next year, Filipinos will tions in developing our human resources and new demands of distance learning have ad- this will be a policy blunder that more than THE right to vote is the defining mark of our be going to the polls once more to choose the economic growth is indisputable. doubles the tax rate of private schools from 10 versely affected enrolment, not only in CHSM democracy. It is the most tangible proof of next set of our nation’s political leaders. It is At this time of economic hardship percent to 25 percent! but in most private schools as well.” the sovereignty of the Filipino people. The important to be reminded that voting is not a and with elections coming next year, the This will cause long-term damage to our Unlike government-subsidized public right of the people to freely elect their lead- right that is to be taken lightly, but a duty to government must act fast on this very ers, likewise, forms the basis for the social be undertaken with a deep sense of responsischools, private schools must be financially educational system. Millions of direct and infixable revenue provision in RR 5-2021 contract between them and their government. bility. While mandatory or compulsory votviable not just to sustain operations but to con- direct stakeholders of private schools that will before it explodes into yet another crisis Thus it can rightly be said that voting is more ing, similar to that enforced in Australia, is OPEN tinuously invest in its facilities, teaching tech- be forced to close because of this mistake will than just a single person’s political right; it is not part of our country’s system, there is no that may have political repercussions for be affected.

More jobs will be lost, the livelinologies, and most importantly, their faculty.

THOUGHTS doubt about the gravity of a more meaningful everyone’s civic responsibility. this administration.

You can imagine the complexity of running an hood of tens of thousands of families will be While ORLANDO the aforementioned proposition exercise of one’s right to vote. sounds logical, the concept of voting as a OXALES duty has not been that acceptable to earlier voter registration is an alarming reality that shape our nation’s future. to take common action on election day—and notions of democracy. In fact, in early demThe seeming lack of interest from put in place a truly inclusive and dynamic requires immediate attention.

There is no other ocratic systems, voting was a privilege reWith our significantly young population, would-be first-time voters to register for Filipino democracy. way to end a vicious served to the tax-paying and landed male citthe choice of more than four million first time next year’s election should be a cause for izens of the nation. It was not until after more voters can well define the results of the up- alarm for all of us. Of course, we cannot be and corrupt political than a hundred years of American democracy coming elections. The youth therefore must oblivious of the people’s declining trust in cycle than through a that female citizens were accorded the same realize that they have a correlating duty to our democratic processes. But, our people right. Later, the people came to a much fuller participate in the elections. Exercising the must understand that there is no other way free, resolute and firm understanding of voting as a right accorded right to vote requires the individual voter to to end a vicious and corrupt political cycle electoral choice. to all citizens of both sexes – and of all colors uphold the responsibility that comes with it – than through a free, resolute and firm elecand creeds. toral choice. Abstaining from the ballot will by voting for whomever he or she sees fit.

With the growth of democratic societies Who you vote for is your own business. only allow the continued prevalence of the More than an act of citizenship, voting is came the perspective that with the right to That we all show up on election day, how- crooked and frustrate the chances of those vote is a burden of civic responsibility. Con- an important feature of civic stakeholdership. ever, is everyone’s concern. If we fail to who would have espoused the correct kind sidering voting as an act of civic duty avoids It is not enough to exercise the right to vote, vote with a deep sense of duty, but instead of politics. It is also important that the pres(www.manilastandard.net) the perverse sense of entitlement that comes but it is important for the voters to make are swayed by fear, influence or money, ent government takes even more seriously with the right of suffrage. It is important to meaningful choices and ensure fair political then we shouldn’t be surprised by the kind its moral responsibility to instill confidence understand that the right to vote was not eas- representation. With one’s vote, comes one’s among our youth in our nation’s voting of leaders that we get.

NAKED ily won by our forebears, but only after a voice in shaping the policies as well as the When you begin to wonder how a single system. Failure to do so will further the alTHOUGHT long and arduous struggle toward freedom. way forward for our nation. vote would matter less in a sea of millions, ready growing political and social cleavage The Commission on Elections expectThe freedom that as citizens of our country that is when you begin to remind yourself between the people and those in power.

CHARLIE V. we now enjoy came at a price – by those who ed more than four million first-time voters Imagine a Philippines where every Filithat every single vote undoubtedly matters MANALO for next year’s election. However, about a laid their lives on the line. when it comes to the overall election re- pino votes not simply as a matter of right, It has been more than a hundred years month ago, the COMELEC admitted that sults. The quality of political leadership in but with a sense of duty. Imagine if every since the first Philippine Republic was es- fewer than two million had actually regthe next six years will chart the course of Filipino takes to heart this obligation to Scratching each tablished and since our aspirations of inde- istered. While the risks and restrictions our nation’s history and progress. The duty choose the right political leaders for our naother’s back pendence were proclaimed. The election caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have of voting therefore will affirm our respon- tion. Imagine if in spite of our differences to the Malolos Congress, however, was adversely affected it, the laggard pace of sibility to define our country’s present and in political opinion or views, we all choose

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO

T

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Egypt intel chief expected in Palestine following truce EGYPT’S intelligence chief Abbas Kamel was expected in the occupied Palestinian territories Sunday, a Palestinian minister said, after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire ended a flare-up of fighting between Israel and Gaza’s rulers Hamas.

Kamel was set to meet with Palestinian leadership, Palestinian civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said on Twitter, following the truce on May 21 that ended 11 days of deadly exchange of fire between Israel and armed Palestinian groups that ravaged the besieged coastal enclave.

“Abbas Kamel arrives today in Palestine to consult with the Palestinian leadership on the latest developments after the recent aggression and its repercussions,” Sheikh said on Twitter.

He would also “discuss what Jerusalem and its sanctities are exposed to, and the Gaza reconstruction, and the

Palestinian national dialogue,” Sheikh added.

Israeli public radio reported that Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi was headed to Cairo, and that Kamel was traveling to Israel.

Egypt’s foreign ministry confirmed Israel’s top diplomat was visiting Cairo.

Palestinians have been politically divided between Hamas and its rival Fatah, but analysts say the latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has served to unite the geographically fragmented Palestinian community in a way not seen in years.

The flare-up was the result of increased tensions in Jerusalem, including over Israeli security forces cracking down on Palestinians inside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam’s third holiest site, which is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. AFP

MASKED HEROES. Jimmy Cheng (center), a local restaurant owner dressed as Spider Man, and his costumed fans donate lunch boxes to medical staffers at the National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei on May 30, 2021. AFP

274 rescued, 1 still missing in Indonesia ferry accident S

EARCH teams are looking for one missing person after rescuing all other passengers from a large ferry that caught fire in Indonesia, an official said Sunday.

The KM Karya Indah was heading to Sanana, a remote port in the northeast of the Indonesian archipelago when it was engulfed in flames.

Shortly after departing, the ferry caught fire, forcing passengers and crew to jump into the sea to save themselves. There were no reported casualties.

“There were 275 people on board, 274 had been evacuated safely,” Muhammad Arafah, the head of the local search and rescue team told Kompas TV Sunday. “One person, a 43-yearold man, is still being searched for.” He added that at least 35 passengers were children.

US shop’s ‘Yellow star’ vax badges hit

Dozens of rescuers are still scouring the area for the missing person.

Images shared by the search and rescue agency showed the large ferryboat enveloped in thick, dark smoke while passengers in life jackets were rescued by rafts.

More than a dozen crew members have been detained and questioned by the local police to determine the cause of the fire.

Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia due to poor safety standards. But passenger ferries are widely used for transport in the archipelago of some 17,000 islands.

In 2019, 21 people died when an overloaded ferry sank in rough seas off Java’s north coast.

In 2018, around 160 people drowned when an Indonesian ferry sank into the depths of one of the world’s deepest lakes on Sumatra island.

And more than 300 people are estimated to have drowned in 2009 when a ferry sank between Sulawesi and Borneo. AFP

NZ declares emergency state amid flooding NEW Zealand authorities declared a state of emergency in the province of Canterbury Sunday, as the region was pounded by heavy rain that could force thousands of people to abandon their homes.

Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi, who visited the hardest-hit southern parts of the area, said about 3,000 homes were at risk and the army had been mobilized to assist with evacuations if necessary.

“The rain is going to stick around until at least tomorrow. It will be heavy and the authorities will be watching those river levels tonight,” Faafoi said.

The New Zealand Meteorological Service has issued a rare “red” warning for the area, with up to 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain expected to fall in inland areas.

In coastal Christchurch, the main city in Canterbury, forecasters expected about 100 mm to fall, well above the monthly total average for May. Canterbury Civil Defence emergency management group controller Neville Reilly told the New Zealand Herald that the state of emergency was declared because authorities could not afford to take chances.

“There’s a lot of contingency planning going on so that if something untoward should happen we are in a position to get people out and give them somewhere to go,” he said.

“Really we’re just holding our breath overnight.”

Neil Brown, the mayor of Ashburton, said about 4,000 people in the town could be forced to evacuate if the Ashburton River breaks its banks. AFP

Manila

Manila Standard Standard TODAY

TODAY

LIFE IS A BEACH. Crowds enjoy the beach on May 29, 2021 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Myrtle Beach is the No. 3 top destination for road trips on Memorial Day, according to AAA Carolinas. AFP NNOOTTI ICCEE NOTICE is hereby given NOTICE is hereby given thatananAmendment Amendmentto to that Supplementto tothethe thetheSupplement Extrajudicial Settlement Extrajudicial Settlement Estateof ofRosa Rosa of ofthetheEstate Jua Ngu, Ngu, was was GoGo Jua executedbybyherherheirs heirs executed andnotarized notarizedononMay May and 2021perperDoc. Doc.No. No. 14,14,2021 412; Page No. Book 412; Page No. 84;84; Book No.XI;XI;Series Seriesof of2021 2021 No. Notary Public Tomas of of Notary Public Tomas Baga,Jr.Jr.of ofQuezon Quezon Baga, City, Metro Manila City, Metro Manila

(MS-MAY 31, 2021)

UK’s Boris Johnson weds in ‘secret’ rites

BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a “secret ceremony” on Saturday, UK media reports said.

Known for his colorful love life, 56-year-old Johnson wed Symonds, 33, in Catholic Westminster Cathedral in front of close friends and family, the Mail on Sunday and The Sun newspapers reported.

He is only the second British prime minister to marry while in office, and the first in nearly two centuries with Robert Jenkinson the last in 1822.

The nuptials are a surprise deSUPPLEMENT TO THE DEED OF SUPPLEMENT TO THE DEED OF velopment, after reports earlier EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT EXTRAJUDICIAL Notice is hereby given that share late RICARDO this week said the couple had Notice is hereby given that thethe share of of thethe late RICARDO CARRION, estate their late mother Adelaida M.M. CARRION, in in thethe estate of of their late mother Adelaida Manas Carrion more particularly that property covered sent out “save the date” cards for Manas Carrion more particularly in in that property covered TCT No. 215947 have been extra-judicially divided a wedding on July 30 next year. byby TCT No. 215947 have been extra-judicially divided and settled and among heirs May 2021 before and settled byby and among heirs onon May 20,20, 2021 before However, they have been notary public Atty.

Christian Chan per Doc. No. notary public Atty.

Christian E.E. Chan asas per Doc. No. waiting months to tie the knot 255; Page No. Book No.: Series of 2021.

255; Page No. 32;32; Book No.: 10;10; Series ofJun. 2021.

(MStandard-May & 14, 2021) after their original plans to mar(MStandard-May 31,31, Jun. 7 &7 14, 2021)

(MS-MAY 17/24/31, 2021) (MS-MAY 17/24/31, 2021)

A HAT shop in the US state of Tennessee was hit with backlash on Saturday, one day after promoting a yellow star patch like those worn by Jews in Nazi-era Germany, labeled “not vaccinated.”

It was the latest skirmish in the culture war surrounding COVID vaccination in the United States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country in the pandemic.

Iconic American hatmaker Stetson said Saturday it would no longer do business with the Nashville shop HatWRKS, which was excoriated on social media and targeted by protesters.

On Friday, HatWRKS shared on its Instagram account a now-deleted photo announcing the arrival of the $5 patches. It showed a woman, reportedly the business owner, wearing a yellow Star of David with the message “not vaccinated” on her black T-shirt.

“Your Nazi star badges are perhaps the most offensive, anti-Semitic thing I’ve ever seen,” one user posted on the business’s Facebook page, summing up the social media outcry in response to the post, while others used the hashtag #HATEWORKS. Local media showed a few dozen protesters outside the shop on Saturday, including some who held up a banner declaring “No Nazis in Nashville!”

And Stetson, known for its Western hats, said on Saturday that “as a result of the offensive content and opinions shared, Stetson and our distribution partners will cease the sale of all Stetson products to HatWRKS in Nashville.”

The business, which regularly posted content on social media expressing views against coronavirus restrictions and Democratic President Joe Biden, replaced its controversial post with another one addressing its critics.

“People are so outraged by my post? but are you outraged with the tyranny the world is experiencing?” it said. “if you don’t understand what is happening, that is on you, not me.”

The HatWRKS controversy came the same week that Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly equated Covid mask mandates with Nazis forcing Jews to wear yellow stars.

“Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi’s forced Jewish people to wear a gold star,” the freshman Republican from Georgia tweeted about a business making its employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus wear a vaccination logo on their name badge.

She was sharply criticized by leaders of both political parties.

Biden on Friday deplored recent anti-Semitic attacks in the United States, saying in a statement: “We cannot allow the toxic combination of hatred, dangerous lies, and conspiracy theories to put our fellow Americans at risk.” AFP

ry last year were delayed by the pandemic.

The pair got engaged in December, 2019, and have a one-year-old baby son, Wilfred.

Around 30 guests attended Saturday’s service – the maximum currently allowed under coronavirus rules – in central London, after being invited at the last minute, according to the Mail on Sunday.

A small number of church officials were involved and Downing Street aides were not informed, sources told the paper.

However, The Sun tabloid said the couple had been planning the “cloak and dagger operation” for a secret ceremony for up to six months.

Symonds arrived at the lunchtime nuptials in a limousine and wore “a stunning long and flowing white dress” but chose not to wear a veil, it added.

There were no descriptions of Johnson’s attire, with the mop-haired British leader infamous for his often dishevelled appearance. AFP CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK CYAN

Business Dubai property sector booms as wealthy buyers stoke deals

Market upbeat, weighs looser quarantine rules S

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARES price are expected to move sideways this week with an upward bias on expectations of a further easing of quarantine restrictions starting in June.

This picture shows the living room of a luxury villa for sale on one of the Palm Jumeirah man-made island, on the coast of the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on May 19, 2021. Dubai’s property market is powering out of a six-year malaise as ‘lockdown dodgers’ and wealthy international investors drive a buying frenzy. AFP

By Sarah Stewart DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Dubai’s property market is powering out of a six-year malaise as “lockdown dodgers” and wealthy international investors drive a buying frenzy that is breaking records and fueling an economic recovery.

Luxury villas are the hottest segment in the market, with European buyers in particular seeking homes on Dubai’s signature Palm Jumeirah man-made island, as well as golf course estates.

Dubai’s rollercoaster property market, which had been in steady decline since 2014, went into flatline after COVID-19 hit last year and the emirate slammed shut its borders, said Zhann Zochinke, chief operating officer of consultancy Property Monitor.

“Then straight after that lockdown period we started to see transaction volumes increase, and they really haven’t stopped since,” he told AFP. “We’re now seeing record month-on-month gains and transaction volumes.”

The Gulf emirate became one of the first destinations to reopen to visitors last July, pairing the open-door policy with strict rules on masking and social distancing, and an energetic vaccination program which has produced some of the highest inoculation rates globally.

Despite a surge in coronavirus cases in the new year after holiday makers descended en masse, life has continued largely as normal with restaurants and hotels open, and few of the restrictions that have blighted life elsewhere.

“The lockdown dodgers from other countries? I think we’re seeing a lot of that there,” Zochinke said, adding that other draws were more relaxed residency rules and a decision to allow full foreign ownership of firms.

‘Not just a construction site’ The flood of arrivals has regenerated the tourism industry, long an economic mainstay of Dubai which has little of the oil wealth that powers its neighbors, and helped business activity recover to pre-COVID levels in April, according to IHS Markit.

“Travel and tourism firms recorded the most notable bounce in performance, amid increasing hopes of a rise in tourism activity later in the year, boosted by the rapid vaccine roll-out,” said the research firm’s economist David Owen.

After years of torpor when homeowners watched their equity drain away, the surge in luxury properties above 10 million dirhams ($2.7 million) has been striking, with 90 transactions in April compared to around 350-400 on a regular yearly basis, according to Property Monitor.

A mansion on the Palm has sold for 111.25 million dirhams, the highest price reached in years in the precinct which features 16 “fronds” lined with showstopping houses and supercars parked in the driveways.

The highest-priced property now available on the block is a vast Italian-inspired modern villa positioned at the end of one of the fronds, complete with 180 degree beach frontage, which is being offered for 100 million dirhams.

After it languished on the market during the gloomy days at the height of the pandemic, the developers are hoping that one of the new breed of cashed-up Europeans will be tempted by the infinity pool, private cinema, and acres of marble and glass. AFP

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MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Analysts said investors are anticipating looser mobility restrictions with declining COVID-19 cases. They expect also the government’s vaccination program to accelerate with the arrival of more vaccines starting next month.

“Early next week, the public is waiting for the applied quarantine scheme for June, while maintaining the MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) is expected, any messaging for second half of the year easing should support the recent rally,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said.

The upcoming initial public offering of Monde Nissin Corp., which will be the country’s largest share sale, can also boost trading activity this week.

Monde Nissin, which will raise P55.89 billion in proceeds, will be listed on the

main board of the local bourse on June 1.

Meanwhile, investors will monitor the release of the May inflation rate late this week amid the steady rise in oil prices.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange last week jumped 475 points to 6,674.51 while the All Shares Index surged 5.33 percent to 4,047.48.

The market rallied after investors welcomed the announcement of S&P to keep the Philippines’ credit rating at BBB+ and the possible easing of quarantine restrictions in June.

All sectoral indices ended in green led by holding firms (+9.5 percent), property (+9.09 percent) and industrial (+4.8 percent).

Foreign investors ,however, were net sellers for the week by P7 billion, while the average daily value traded rose to P11.9 billion from the previous week’s average of P5.3 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were JG Summit HIldings Inc., which advanced 17.8 percent to P58.20, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which climbed 15.1 percent to P40, and Ayala Corp., which jumped 11.3 percent to P779.

Weekly top price losers were First Gen Corp., which declined 4 percent to P28.70, First Philippine Holdings Corp., which dropped 2.9 percent to

Kids score landmark victory in bid to block Australian coal mine SYDNEY—Teenagers suing to block expansion of an Aus- people that should inspire further action. tralian coal mine scored a “landmark” victory Thursday, with “This is a landmark decision. This is the first time a court of a judge agreeing the project would cause them climate-related law, anywhere in the world, has recognized that a government harm. minister has a duty of care to protect young people from the A group of eight high-schoolers—backed by an activist catastrophic harms of climate change,” she said. octogenarian nun—brought a class action against Australia’s “This case was about young people stepping up and depro-coal conservative government over a planned mine ex- manding more from the adults whose actions are determining tension near Sydney. our future wellbeing,” she added.

While a federal judge rejected the group’s calls for an in“I hope that this case inspires more of us, everywhere in the junction to stop the project outright, he ruled the government world, to push for stronger, faster and deeper cuts to carbon must take into account the damage the project would do to the emissions.” group’s health, wealth and wellbeing.

Courts are increasingly becoming the front line in battles “The minister has a duty to take reasonable care to avoid over the future of the planet. causing personal injury to the children when deciding... to A Dutch court on Wednesday ordered oil giant Shell to approve or not approve the extension project,” Justice MordyManila slash its greenhouse gas emissions in a landmark victory for Standard Bromberg found. climate activists with implications for energy firms worldTODAY Legal experts said the ruling was significant because it was wide.

AFP the first time a court had accepted expert testimony about the vast potential impact of climate change on younger generations and the government’s duty to consider that impact in weighing new fossil fuel projects.

In the ruling, Bromberg accepted harrowing expert evidence of a grim future on a warming planet.

It was, he said, “what might fairly be described as NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING the greatest inter-generational injustice ever inflicted OF by one generation of humans upon the next.”

ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MEDICAL CENTER-BUTUAN INC. “It is not merely the vulnerability of the children which I find potent. It is also their innocence. They DEAR STOCKHOLDERS: bear no responsibility for the unparalleled predicament Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Allied which they now face,” he said.

Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center – Butuan Inc. will be held on Ava Princi, a 17-year-old litigant, described the June 21, 2021, Monday at 8:00 in the morning; the meeting will judgment as a “thrilling” world-first victory for young be conducted via Zoom Webinar. Kindly register thru the following

A ‘Better Kind of Politics’ ONE of the many faces of our society is the face of the oppressed. It is characterized by poverty, injustice and in some settings, human rights violations. Despite this crude face, there still exists the good. Cliché though it may seem, that truth makes a whole reality present in all cultures worldwide since time immemorial. That essentially, we can trace back to many faith dynamics, life philosophies and economic styles.

Promoting the good of the marginalized has become advocacies resulting in organized groups, i.e., institutions that influence many people not to raise arms but to provoke good and generous actions. For example, the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center in Sta. Cruz, Manila, is recreating the self-image, reclaiming self-respect, and restoring the self-worth of the hungry, dirty and wounded people in our streets. Also, the Balay Samaritano, a center located in downtown Cebu City, whose sublime commitment is to nurture, a home where the street children and homeless elderly can find care.

I have been to these two centers and visited with their clients. They shared their life stories candidly. For them, the center is a joy. Thus, their thankfulness is beyond dispute. Their tales are captivating. Most of them told their stories with enthusiasm, but it broke my heart that as I listened to them attentively, I ineluctably resonated with their plights. Their voices echoed society’s issues: poverty, lack of education, corruption, crime, unemployment, child abuse, forced labor, drug or substance abuse, etc. My heart bled while I was listening to their voices.

Those people whom I visited are undeniably embodiments of a suffering community.

I believe they only represent a small portion of a bigger reality so robust it could drown the presence of the good. I believe this crude

P68, and GMA Network Inc., which fell 2.8 percent to P8.92.

Meanwhile, Wall Street stocks shrugged off data showing increased US inflation, finishing modestly higher Friday ahead of a holiday weekend, while European equities gained despite disappointing French economic data.

A key US inflation index climbed 3.6 percent in April compared to the same month in 2020, according to government data, the largest jump since September 2008.

The rise comes as economists debate whether government stimulus and loose Federal Reserve policy will cause the world’s largest economy to overheat.

The Fed has pledged to maintain low lending rates and its massive bond-buying program until inflation is holding steady above 2 percent and employment fully recovers.

However, the market took the data in stride, suggesting investors share “an abiding belief that the high inflation prints will be transient, as the Fed has suggested,” said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare.

All three major indices finished with gains for the week. US markets will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. With AFP

DENNIS B. TESTADO

Green LiGht reality is a force calling everyone to engage in a kind of politics that Pope Francis introduced in his 2020 encyclical entitled Fratelli Tutti, the “better kind of politics.” Politics for the common good. Politics that is for and with the people. It is politics with social charity seeking human dignity. Politics that practice political love by integrating the economy with the social and cultural structure into a life-giving human project.

I tend to believe that the “better kind of politics” is already manifested in several corporations’ practices through their causes in their corporate social responsibility (CSR). But are their employees individually aware or engage with their CSR? If yes, it is something to be applauded. If not, the company should consider programs that engage their employees in CSR through its Human Resource Office.

Several studies indicate the importance of engaging or making the employees aware of the company’s CSR. A 2020 study by Bouraoui et al. showed that employees’ perception or awareness of their company’s CSR had a positive effect on the level of their affective commitment to their organization. Also, the study of Franco and Suguna in 2017 indicated a highly significant positive relationship between CSR and employee organizational commitment. Chaudhary’s 2017 findings showed that employees’ perception of the company’s CSR positively influences employees’ engagement level at work.

Making aware or engaging the employ-

ees with the company’s CSR is beneficial to both the company and the employee. On the one hand, the employee’s desire to be involved in a noble cause is satisfied. On the other hand, the company benefits from having an employee who has a significant commitment to the company. More interestingly is the positive impact of the whole company in its share to address the society’s face of being a place OF oppressed people.

We continue to grapple with society as a place OF oppressed people. This reality is far from being addressed, but I am hopeful that we can do it. The call continues and persists for all individuals and companies to engage themselves in the “better kind of politics.”

Everyone is called to contribute to creating a society in which every person is treated with respect and dignity, everybody is loved and cared for equally, and every family has the hope of a strong and stable future.

Meeting poverty and inequality face to face, I am convinced that we are called to solidarity. Quoting from Fratelli Tutti: There are no “others,” no “them,” there is only “us.” No one cares for them until you and I care. Let us be the other face of society– the big-hearted and benevolent ones. Let us engage ourselves in the “better kind of politics.”

Dennis B. Testado is a doctoral student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. He is mainly involved in the corporate governance of several non-stock corporations. He can be reached at dennis_testado@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

link, on or before June 14, 2021, to enable you to participate in the meeting: bit.ly/acebutuan21

The link will take you through the process of registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting.

The confirmation email will also contain a link and instructions for the online voting which will be conducted via an online platform.

The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference.

The Agenda: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2020 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Annual Financial Report President’s Report Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation Election of the Board of Directors Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2021 Adjournment

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021 (Record Date) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at acebutuan2021@gmail.com not later than June 18, 2021, but preferably before June 14, 2021, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. The sample proxy form is available at the Corporation’s website, for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies] The Information Statement with the Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are posted at the Corporation’s website at www. acebutuan.com.ph.

You may contact the undersigned via email at acebutuan2021@ gmail.com, or through telephone/mobile numbers: 0915 735 5076 (Globe/TM) or 0933 051 6947 (Sun/Smart/TNT), if you have inquiries or concerns regarding the meeting.

Very truly yours,

DR. MARIE ANTOINETTE A. DELLOSA Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 31 & JUNE 1, 2021)

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

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MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, May 28, 2021

9.37 PTS. 6,674.51

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,672,323,725 117,393 12,408,473,771.98 119 69 66

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0910

Japan

Yen

0.009105

0.4379

UK

Pound

1.420400

68.3085

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128859

6.1970

Switzerland

Franc

1.115076

53.6251

Canada

Dollar

0.828638

39.8500

Singapore

Dollar

0.755458

36.3307

Australia

Dollar

0.774100

37.2272

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655901

127.7249

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

12.8246

Brunei

Dollar

0.752615

36.1940

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031959

1.5369

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0938

Euro

Euro

1.219700

58.6566

Korea

Won

0.000895

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.156642

7.5331

India

Rupee

0.013759

0.6617

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241663

11.6218

New Zealand

Dollar

0.729500

35.0824

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035903

1.7266 Source: BSP

New submarine cable system to increase PLDT’s range five-fold

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said over the weekend it expects to complete a new submarine cable system by the end of the year, boosting international bandwidth capacity by five-fold.

The company said barring any construction delays due to pandemic and other travel restrictions, the Jupiter Cable system could see completion by the end of the year, increasing PLDT’s international capacity to close to 60 terabits per second, ready to scale with the growing demands for digital services.

The PLDT Group has over 10 terabits per second in capacity that runs along its 15 major international cable systems catering to the massive data traffic going in and out of the country.

This major expansion advances the Philippines standing as an ideal transPacific hub connecting South East Asia to the United States. Infrastructure for international cable systems and a robust data center space are among the top factors for determining the deployment roadmap of hyperscalers.

“This further investment in subsea cables, along with the expansion of other physical infrastructures such as network towers and 5G sites, secures the future of our country in this increasingly digital world. We now have workloads that call for hyperscale data centers, and we are focusing efforts in building capacities to bring hyperscalers into the country,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart Communications president and chief executive.

“With the ecosystem that we are building―the localization of content, combined with the telco infrastructure of PLDT and the other telcos in our VITRO data center, we enable seamless end-user experience in leading-edge proportions,” he said.

The Jupiter submarine cable will employ at least 400 Gbps wavelength division multiplex transmission technology to connect landing points in Japan, the Philippines and the United States which will also boost PLDT’s foray into more digital services including the internet of things and the roll out of 5G-powered technologies and augment fixed and mobile services.

COA fails to audit 2008-2014 TCCs THE Commission Audit failed to follow its original objective to audit all issuance of tax credit certificates from 2008 to 2014, employees of the One Stop Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center said in their May 3 petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court.

Twenty-one current and former employees of OSS-Center filed the 168-page petition, asking the High Court to stop COA from its unrestrained issuance of notices of disallowance, an act, which they said, had no legal basis and authority.

According to the petitioners, COA Office Order 2015-067 had assigned a special audit team to conduct audit “without qualification” all tax credit and duty drawback certificate issuances by the OSS-Center from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 30, 2014.

They said COA deviated from the original objective to conduct a “sectoral performance audit” without reason, as it audited only 3,259 TCCs issued to 33 firms out of the total of 8,792 TCCs, or only 33 percent of the issued TCCs.

Group supports ban on coastal mining

CLARK MEETING. The Metro Clark Advisory Council convenes and discusses various initiatives that will be beneficial for the Freeport and Metro Clark areas, including preparations for the vaccination of workers and residents. MCAC chairman and CDC president Manuel Gaerlan (front row, center) initiated the meeting attended by other CDC executives, MCAC co-chairman and Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo (second row, center), Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. (second row, right) and Bamban Mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano (second row, left). The meeting was also attended by Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and Porac Municipal Mayor Jaime Capil.

Agriculture expects P14-b WB loan for rural projects

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Department of Agriculture said over the weekend it expects the World Bank to approve additional funding worth $280 million, or P14 billion, for rural infrastructures under the Philippine Rural Development Project.

It said the project would also have 18.3 million euros or about P1 billion in co-financing grant from the European Union.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the bank was expected to approve the second tranche of additional funding for PRDP on June 17, while formal loan signing would be held a month

later.

“We look forward to more enabled communities and expanded opportunities under the new normal with the approval of the AF2EU,” Dar said.

The AF2 is the second tranche of the $450-million funding from the World Bank as approved by the Philippine

bridges, 98 pre-and-post-harvest facilities, provided potable water systems for 6,582 households and improved irrigation or drainage services for 1,997 hectares of farmland.

It also completed more than 400 enterprise sub-projects, benefitting 81,000 households from 567 proponent groups.

The agency said that with better, wellpaved roads, travel time was reduced by 31 percent, and transport and hauling costs by 25 percent.

It said that with the combined outcomes of infrastructure and agricultural enterprise sub-projects, target beneficiaries were able to increase their average income by at least 36 percent as reported in the project’s midterm evaluation study.

MYTOWN RESIDENTS.

MyTown, the Philippines’ largest coliving company, conducts a second survey among its thousands of tenants in April 2021 on how the pandemic and resulting community quarantines impacted young professionals, particularly on the importance of community and connection. According to the survey results, 71 percent of tenants believe that living in MyTown has made them less lonely over the last year, up from 64 percent in 2019 before the pandemic broke out. Over 90 percent see MyTown as a ‘home away from home,’ compared to 80 percent in 2019. Seven out of 10 tenants believe that MyTown cultivates an environment where they can make new friends and connections despite the lockdowns.

Solid fundamentals help PH economy weather global headwinds

By Julito G. Rada THE country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals enabled it to weather both domestic and global headwinds, including the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said over the weekend.

Beltran said in an economic bulletin that vital reforms implemented by the government in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis helped significantly offset the impact of the succeeding crises.

He said these reforms included the expanded value added tax and increase in the rate to 12 percent in 2006, the increase and indexation of sin taxes in 2014 and the increase and indexation of petroleum taxes in 2017, the lowering of individual income under the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and In-

to do,” said Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates.

“Once again WHO is pushing for smoking and nicotine vaping to be regulated as one, when the two couldn’t be further apart. One has an up to 50-percent chance of killing its users while the other has a less than a 10-percent chance of causing any harm,” she said.

The WHO’s report recommends taking ‘a panoramic view of all nicotine and tobacco product use.’ It argues for global

THE Offshore Mining Chamber of the Philippines expressed support to the proposed ban on sand mining in some coastal towns in the Ilocos region to prevent shoreline erosion.

The OMCP expressed its support for the ban following the position expressed by Probinsyano Ako party list Rep. Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr. during a congressional hearing against the practice of some mining firms, especially those owned by the Chinese, to extract sand from shorelines in Ilocos region in search of magnetite iron.

It said only those with the expertise and proper technology should be allowed to undertake mining operations in offshore areas, not in shorelines, to prevent further shoreline erosions.

The OMCP endorsed the guidelines issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on May 16, 2016, which provided that “no mining within the 500 meters from the shorelines to offshore to prevent possible coastal erosion, and no mining 200 meters from on shoreline to inland areas of any coastal town.”

Anantaks launches online platform ANANTAKS, a digital tax preparation and filing solution company, recently launched an online platform for a more comfortable and easier tax-filing experience.

The Anantaks website went online in May to help start-ups, self-employed individuals and even transportation network vehicle service drivers and operators to prepare and file their taxes in a more time and cost-efficient manner.

Tax filing was a major hurdle among small business owners and individuals, and through the website, Anantaks founder Elmo Nobleza offers to make it easier for the clients.

“The amount of work in filing taxes is tremendous,” he said, while noting how his team of tax experts, accountants, and seasoned information technology professionals can help ease the load for the clients.

“The synergy that these people brought to the website can now be experienced through Anantaks by making it more convenient and more accessible to our clients,” he said.

Having a one-stop shop in tax filing like the Anantaks website is not only cost and time efficient, clients are also guaranteed the same experience that they would get from dependable accounting firms.

Century Pacific bullish, predicts increased sales

novation law in 2017 and corporate income tax rates and the rationalization of fiscal incentives under the CREATE law in 2020.

Other reforms are the liberalization of the energy sector through marketoriented petroleum pricing and private investment in electricity sector; shift to inflation targeting in 2002; phased liberalization of foreign exchange transactions including import payments and outward investments; adherence to international norms in banking supervision under Basel 1, Basel 2 and Basel 3 to reduce banking risks; and reforms in the agriculture sector, including tariffication of quantitative restriction in rice in 2019 and other agricultural products before that.

“Economic reforms have transformed the Philippines to a more efficient, competitive and resilient economy,” Beltran said.

He said the GDP growth accelerated, averaging 6.6 percent five years before the COVID crisis compared to an 70year average growth of 4.6 percent since 1950.

Inflation rate and interest rate were at their lowest levels, implying stable internal and external position. Inflation averaged 2.76 percent from 2105 to 2019 while nominal lending rates averaged 6.05 percent.

The external debt ratio dropped its lowest in 2015-2019 at 23.19 percent of GDP, the general government debt ratio at 34.65 percent and the national government debt ratio at 39.6 percent.

Beltran said the balance of payments position was steady from 2015 to 2019 with the gross international reserves rising to 8.2 months of imports of goods and services. During the crisis, in 2020, the BOP surplus swelled to 4 percent of GDP, further boosting GIR to 10.2

Asian Pacific consumer group says WHO’s latest tobacco report confusing to public health ASIA Pacific’s leading tobacco harm reduction advocacy group expressed concern over the World Health Organization’s recently released ‘Tobacco Product Regulation Report,’ saying the global body’s negative and obstructive approach towards safer nicotine vaping products continues to impact smoking cessation rates, costing lives globally.

“Good public health policy reduces the threats and harms to the public. It does not create them, or introduce confusion, yet that’s exactly what WHO seems determined

IN BRIEF

consistency when it comes to the likes of flavor availability, saying regulation should be the same across all nicotine and tobacco products, rather than applied individually.

The report also promotes achieving ‘the ultimate objective of nicotine and tobaccofree future generations.’

“Nicotine is not a problem or a killer but ridding us of it remains a WHO priority.

What about squarely focusing on combustible tobacco instead? After all, it’s the inhalation of toxic smoke that kills eight million people every year. That’s the real enemy,

yet WHO takes aim at the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool – vaping!” said Loucas.

The WHO acknowledges that ENDs (electronic nicotine delivery systems) that deliver nicotine effectively might help some smokers to quit combustible smoking, with positive public health effects. However, CAPHRA said it is frustrated with its following claim that ‘most of these individuals, however, continue to use ENDS, with uncertain individual health consequences and thus an uncertain public health impact.’

CENTURY Pacific Food Inc. said over the weekend it expects to sustain a double-digit growth in sales this year, following a 20-percent increase in 2020.

“We’ve even actually expanded our operations by adding as much as about 1,800 new jobs and built a new factory to cope with increasing demand both domestically and internationally,” Century Pacific executive vice president and chief operating officer Gregory Banzon said during the Economic Forum 2021: The Future of the Philippine Manufacturing Industry organized by Security Bank.

He said the company was looking after the well-being and safety of 15,000 workers across different manufacturing sites.

It recently signed a tripartite agreement with the government to import up to 75,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure the safety of its employees from the virus.

“We’ve been able to sustain our operations, running about 95 to 98 percent capacity utilization in some months. Our scorecard, in terms of COVID prevention is 99.9 percent.

We’ve had less than 30 infections and mostly coming from community spread,” Banzon said.

He said the food industry or food category would continue to lead the recovery as many displaced workers turned to home cooking for livelihood as evidenced by the increased demand for food preparation products.

Banzon said while many shifted to homecooked meals to save on daily overhead expenses, others started bakery as a business or as an artistic outlet in the pandemic.

Century Pacific posted an average of 20 percent annual compounded growth across all 18 products and brands over the past four years.

As the largest canned food manufacturer, the company projects at least P50 billion in revenues in 2021 with conservative growth target of 10 percent. Othel V. Campos

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

C1

Giannis lifts Bucks to 4-0 sweep of Heat

Sports Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks high fives fans after Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. AFP

PH Azkals get boost from Chooks CHOOKS-TO-GO will support the Philippine Azkals in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers set to be held from June 3-15, 2021 at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre in China.

It’s a reunion between the country’s top rotisserie chain and the national team as Chooks-to-Go, through its president Ronald Mascariñas, supported the team from 2016-18.

Moreover, Mascariñas and Azkals team manager Dan Palami have also worked together in 2016 when Chooks-to-Go supported the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

“We have been a staunch supporter of the Azkals since 2016. I’ve also experienced first-hand how generous of a sponsor Sir Ronald is. When the UP Men’s Basketball team was backed by the countries number one rotisserie, he took very good care of the team,” said Palami.

“We are hoping that me and Sir Ronald rekindle the magic we had a few years ago as it always leads to something positive,” he continued.

For Mascariñas, he is hoping that the Azkals rise above the challenges it has faced heading to the Qualifiers.

“We have heard about the challenges that have been stacked in front of the Azkals. But knowing the Philippine Football Federation, Dan, and Scott (Cooper), they know how to handle these things,” said Mascariñas.

“We want the Azkals to fully focus on the task at hand.”

The Philippines currently sits at third place in Group A of the joint Qualifiers with seven points on the table.

Syria is at pole position with 15 points followed by China at seven.

Maldives is at fourth place while Guam remains pointless.

The Azkals are currently in Doha for a training camp and will head to China on the 31st.

The Philippines takes on Guam on June 3, China on June 9, and Maldives on June 15.

The top two teams in the pool will advance to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Cup proper. The third and fourth placed squads will head to the Asian Cup qualifying third round while the last placed team will be placed in the Asian Cup qualifying play-off round.

PH hoping 3 judokas make Olympic grade

By Peter Atencio

T

HERE could as many as three qualifiers to the Tokyo Olympics in judo.

Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter said this could happen, with a month remaining before the official cutoff imposed by the International Judo Federation.

Filipino-Japanese judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, who is already assured of a slot to the Tokyo Olympics, is on the last leg of her campaign to improve on her Olympic rankings.

If the 24-year-old Watanabe comes up with a convincing performance in the World Senior Championships on June 6, she could give the Nakano twins Keishei and Shugen a fighting chance.

“We now have three aspirants to the qualifiers. They are going next week to Budapest. Maganda iyun, because that’s the final qualifying event for the Olympics,” said Carter.

So far, Watanabe has already made the cut after placing fifth in the women’s -63

kgs class of the Asia Oceania senior championships last April 6.

This gave her a qualification slot through the continental quota system, based on the current Olympic rankings of the International Judo Federation.

The 5’7” Watanabe is now currently ranked at no. 38 fol- Kiyomi Watanabe lowing the event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

This placed Watanabe at no. 9 in the Asia Oceania rank and is among the top 10 Asians listed so far.

Keisei, who has joined five tournaments this year, placed seventh in the Asian Oceania seniors last April in the men’s -73 kg category, putting him at no. 76 with 609 points.

On the other hand, Shugen did not earn points in the five meets that he joined and is at 110th place in the men’s -66 kg division.

The IJF has set a limit of one of entry

per country that has already bagged one qualification seat.

Should Watanabe improve further, she could earn direct qualification, thereby giving the Philippines additional seats via the continental quota system.

Carter said they are now waiting for a formal announcement from the IJF before they formally proclaim Watanabe as a direct entry to the Olympics.

According to the rules, each country is subject to a limit of one judoka per division.

The top 18 athletes in each division directly qualify, though each NOC is subjected to a limit of one judoka per division.

If an NOC contains more than a single athlete ranked in the top 18 of the world ranking list, the NOC can decide which of their athletes obtain the quota places.

Woods silent on future, talks ‘painful’ rehab LOS ANGELES—Tiger Woods described his rehabilitation from injuries sustained in a February car crash as the most “painful” experience of his career and declined to comment on his possible return to the sport, Golf Digest reported Thursday.

In a brief interview on the magazine’s website, Woods said he is targeting being able to walk on his own as he recovers from multiple fractures in his right leg suffered in the crash in California three months ago.

The former world number one and 15-time major winner is no stranger to rehab, having undergone multiple surgeries on his back and knee over the years in order to extend his career.

However the 45-year-old told Golf Digest that his previous stints in recovery paled in comparison to his present situation.

“This has been an entirely different animal,” Woods told Golf Digest. “I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced.”

The report said it was unclear whether Woods would require additional procedures or whether he would be able to regain full strength and mobility in his leg.

The magazine said Woods declined to comment when asked about his hopes of playing golf again, responding that his immediate priority focused on walking unassisted.

“My physical therapy has been keeping me busy,” Woods was quoted as saying. “I do my routines every day and am

Tiger Woods popped up on Instagram on May 24, 2021 as a Florida girl who is fighting cancer posted a photo of herself with the golf superstar after meeting him at a soccer park. Woods, who suffered severe leg injuries in a one-car crash in California in February, was on crutches with a compression stocking but no walking boot on his right leg.The photo was posted by 10-year-old Luna Perrone, who calls herself in her Instagram profile “One tough girl battling Ewing’s Sarcoma (rare bone cancer)” and a “soccer legend.”

US-bound Marcial in high spirits even after loss FILIPINO boxer Eumir Felix Marcial is set to fly directly to Los Angeles on Tuesday to resume his training for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Marcial is in good spirits even after a losing campaign in the 2021 Asian Boxing Confederation Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championship in Dubai, where he was blanked, 0-5, in the semifinals by non-Olympic participant Jafarov Saidjamshid of Uzbekistan.

He settled for the bronze and the $25,000 purse.

“I felt sad after hearing the decision, but I am okay now. I am not going to return to the Philippines after

WASHINGTON—Giannis Antetokounmpo managed his first NBA playoff triple double Saturday and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Miami 120103 to sweep the Heat out of the postseason in the opening round.

Greek star Antetokounmpo had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists to spark the Bucks, who were led by 25 points from center Brook Lopez and 22 more off the bench from Bryn Forbes.

Khris Middleton added 20 as the Bucks rallied from a 12-point first-half deficit to win the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series 4-0. They await the Brooklyn-Boston series winner in the second round.

“We’ve got to focus on ourselves, try to get better,” Antetokounmpo said.

“We want to get better defensively and whoever we get in the next round, we’re going to be ready.”

Antetokounmpo became only the third Bucks player with a playoff triple double after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970, when he was known as Lew Alcindor, and Paul Pressey in 1986.

The Heat, who lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in last year’s NBA Finals, ousted Milwaukee in five games in the second round of last season’s playoffs.

“We just tried to focus a game at a time,” Antetokounmpo said. “We didn’t want to play with our food.”

Miami had not been swept in a playoff series since falling to Chicago in the first round in 2007.

The Heat dominated early, with Antetokounmpo missing his first six shots and Miami grabbing its biggest lead of the series at 58-46.

But Milwaukee opened the third quarter on a 24-6 run and the Heat could never match them after that.

“They played us really tough,” said Antetokounmpo. “We kept our composure, we kept moving the ball, we kept defending and we were able to get a win.”

Bam Adebayo led Miami with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Jimmy Butler had a triple double in a losing cause with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

It was the first game for the Bucks without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who was knocked out for the remainder of the playoffs by a torn left ankle ligament suffered in Milwaukee’s game-three victory at Miami on Thursday.

“He’s a big part of our game,” said Antetokounmpo. “It’s going to be tough not having him going forward but a lot of guys are going to step up for us.” AFP

Dubai. I will be heading directly to the US on June 1,” said Marcial on Sunday from Le Meridien’s Grand Ballroom Hotel in Dubai.

International matchmaker and Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons also said hat Marcial could train and spar for the meantime at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, while waiting for instructions from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines.

“So far, I am just waiting now for the instruction of ABAP while I am in the United States,” Marcial added.

Marcial admitted he learned a lot from his experience in Dubai and vowed to come back stronger in the Olympics set on July 23 to August 8.

“I have to adjust and improve more my ways [of fighting], I think more on my tactics,” said Marcial.

“In terms of stamina and power punches, I got it. I will do whatever I can to win the gold in the Olympics for the country, for my father Eulalio, for my late elder brother Eliver and for my fiancée Princess.”

Marcial was supposed to join fellow Olympic boxers light flyweight Carlo Paalam, women’s flyweight Irish Magno and featherweight Nes-

thy Petecio in Thailand, but was called off due to visa issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gibbons said the ABAP is planning a multi-nation boxing training camp for Marcial in the United States Olympic Boxing Training Center in Colorado Springs for the last stage of his preparations for Tokyo. There, Marcial will join six American Olympic qualifiers and several other boxers from other countries.

ABAP is also now trying to figure out a way to send Petecio, Magno and Paalam and their coaches to the Colorado camp, if USA Boxing agrees.

focused on my No. 1 goal right now: walking on my own.

Taking it one step at a time.”

A photo of Woods posted on Instagram this week showed the golfer on crutches with a supportive stocking covering his right leg, no longer wearing a protective boot he had used earlier this year.

Woods meanwhile said he was grateful for the support he had received from around the world during his recovery.

“It’s been incredible,” Woods said. “I have had so much support from people both inside and outside of golf which means so much to me and has helped tremendously.”

Woods was in the process of recovering from a surgical procedure on his back at the time of his crash in February.

Police found Woods was driving nearly twice the legal speed limit when his SUV went out of control and rolled several times before stopping.

Woods was hospitalized for weeks before returning home to Florida in March.

He underwent hours of surgery to repair a shattered lower right leg and ankle, including the insertion of a rod into his tibia and screws and pins being used to stabilize his ankle.

Woods had undergone a series of back operations before making a fairytale comeback that saw him win the 2019 Masters for his first major title since the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. AFP

Eumir Marcial

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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Life

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

C4

FOOD

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

MONKEY GETAWAY.

Monkey Shoulder Summertime packs — Dry Bag Pack and Towel Pack

Whisky brand Monkey Shoulder launches a summer campaign that encourages people to bring the summer fun indoors with cocktails, music, and games.

RECIPE FILES

Boozy summer indoors Y OU know what makes Zoom parties or intimate summer soirées at home more fun?

Some say music and games. Others agree it’s food. A few will say, “as long as you’re together, that’s already fun”.

For many free-spirited, fun-loving people, the answer is summer cocktails – those that can make you feel like you’re out at the beach basking in the sun, or at a music festival with friends even though we are just spending the sunny season indoors.

William Grant & Sons’ whisky brand “made for mixing” brings the summer fun in with its latest campaign “Summertime Drinks but #makeitmonkey” featuring Monkey Shoulder cocktails, limited edition

summertime packs, and a complete digital party guide.

Monkey Shoulder, named after the strain injury, which left one arm hanging low (like a monkey’s), that was common among malt men, is a blend of single malt whisky whose creamy and zesty orange flavor is complemented by a hint of vanilla and cinnamon.

As it is “designed to be the ultimate whisky for mixing drinks”, according to regional brand ambassador Samuel Ng, the brand’s campaign features two

Samuel Ng, Monkey Shoulder regional brand ambassador

cocktails best enjoyed during warmer months.

The tasty and heady Monkey Colada is made with 40ml Monkey Shoulder, 20ml Koko Kanu (coconut rum), 60ml coconut water, 10ml fresh lime juice, two freshly cut pineapple rings, and a dash of sugar syrup. To mix, simply add all ingredients in a blender, blend till smooth, and add a dash of sugar syrup to taste. Pour into glass (or a tiki mug, if you’re into that) and garnish it with a pineapple leaf and pineapple chunk.

Ng recommends pairing this drink with grilled food.

For an easy to make, refreshing cocktail, the Ginger Monkey only needs 50ml Monkey Shoulder, 120ml ginger ale, and one orange wedge. Fill a long glass with ice and add Monkey Shoulder and ginger ale. Garnish with orange wedge. Drink this three-recipe cocktail with a cheese pizza.

Monkey Shoulder also prepared a complete digital party guide (linktr. ee/monkeyshoulder) containing summertime shindig essentials such a game night guide, a game pack, a Mixcloud playlist (featuring Father Funk, Cut La Vis, Quantic, and more), and cocktail recipes.

“The pandemic may have changed our lifestyles, but we know that consumers are still looking to indulge in a little summertime fun this season,” says Ng. He adds, “As a whisky that’s made for mixing, we want to encourage people to get playful and mix things up using Monkey Shoulder as a base for their athome cocktail concoctions. Go wild, get creative, and don’t forget to crack out the party games and funky playlists for an elevated experience throughout these summer months!”

For those planning to host a “Monkey summer party”, the brand’s summertime packs are available today until end of June at boozy.ph, drinkies.ph, liquor.ph, and S&R. The Monkey Shoulder Dry Bag Pack comes with one 70cl Monkey Shoulder bottle and a dry bag, while the Monkey Shoulder Beach Towel Pack comes with two 70cl bottles and a beach towel. Bernadette Lunas

BITES Cheesy snacks

IT PAYS to have a few cheese-flavored snacks in the cupboard for those random cheese cravings. Universal Robina Corporation offers cheesy munchies in to-go packs.

Want crackers and cheese together? The Magic Chips Cheese is made of baked crackers with tasty cheese flavor. Other cheesy snacks include Pic-A Ultimate Cheddar Chips complete with cheeseflavored Piattos, Nova, and Tortillos; and the new Cheesy Knots for those who like pretzels and cheese. Favorite K-drama snack, cheesy noodles can be enjoyed with Nissin Cup Noodles Cheesy Seafood.

The aforementioned products are available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and sari-sari stores nationwide, as well as on URC’s official Shopee and Lazada pages.

Nissan Cup Noodles Cheesy Seafood

Cheesy Knots

Piattos Supersized

Supersized chips

PIATTOS launches a bigger size of its two bestselling flavors. Piattos Supersized is available in Cheese and Sour Cream and Onion. The new variant features bigger chip size (a few centimeters longer and wider) in bigger packaging.

The two flavors are available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and on Shopee and Lazada.

Chef Sau del Rosario, Juana Yupangco share secrets to their best dishes

Chef Sau del Rosario

Juana Manahan Yupangco

CELEBRATED chef Sau del Rosario and nonprofit founder Juana Manahan Yupangco’s love of food enables them to create dishes that bring comfort and become a part of many fond memories.

In the cooking-slash-talk show on YouTube, Solane Kitchen Moments, the Le Petit Café Fleur chef and the Mesa ni Misis head share the secrets to their beloved recipes. For Chef Sau’s pandemic-born pastry Vuco Fye, it is using quality and fresh ingredients. Plant-based advocate Yupangco, on the other hand, only sources ingredients available in the country – as is what she does for her Upo Lasagna, which she makes using young upo (bottle gourd).

Ingredients: For the crust 2 cups ½ cup 2 tsp. ½ cup 1 pc.

For the filling 1 cup 1 pc.

1 cup 1 tbsp.

2 cups 2 tsp.

1 tsp.

Chef Sau’s Vuco Fye flour butter, melted salt water egg, beaten coconut water coconut meat slices egg, beaten powdered milk vanilla extract cornstarch white sugar salt

Procedure: 1. For the filling: Mix cornstarch, powdered milk, sugar, and salt in one bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the coconut water, vanilla extract, and egg.

Mix the dry and wet ingredients until well incorporated.

2. For the crust: Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add in water and butter, mix thoroughly. Knead the dough, set aside and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

3. For the crust: Sprinkle some flour on a cold, flat surface. Divide the dough into two parts, one larger than the other – the larger one will be used as the base and the smaller as top crust. Roll both parts to about ¼-inch thick.

4. For the assembly: Grease a springform pan, take the base dough and use it to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Layer the coconut meat and custard mixture. Place the top crust dough and seal the sides with a French braid. Poke small holes on the top crust. Coat the top with egg wash before putting in the oven.

5. Bake at 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for an hour. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients: 1 whole ½ cup

Juana Yupangco’s Upo Lasagna

upo kangkong pesto salt and pepper to taste For the tomato sauce 8 pcs. tomatoes, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp. olive oil For the cashew cheese 1 cup raw cashews, soaked ½ cup almond milk 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast For the hummus 1 cup garbanzos, soaked and boiled 2 cloves garlic, chopped ½ cup olive oil juice of 1 lemon Procedure: 1. Peel the upo. Cut it in half, widthwise, then thinly slice it starting from the outermost part. This will serve as the lasagna substitute.

2. For the tomato sauce: Lay out tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes in a pre-heated, 325-degree Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) oven. After baking, blend in a blender or food processor. Set aside.

3. For the cashew cheese: Blend the soaked cashews and almond milk. Add the yeast then salt and pepper to taste.

4. For the hummus: Blend together garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and garbanzo beans. Adjust the taste with salt.

5. For the assembly: Grease a baking container with olive oil. Lay down the first sheets of upo, covering the bottom of the pan. Layer with hummus, cashew cheese, pesto, and tomato sauce. Repeat. Finish the top layer with cashew cheese.

6. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes, add time if there’s still lots of liquid from the upo at the bottom of the pan. Serve.