Manila Standard - 2021 June 11 - Friday

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Footballer’s kin scoff at Reds’ apology

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja THE Absalon family will not accept an apology or indemnification from communist rebels who killed two of their members and injured a third in a bomb attack in Masbate City on June 6, a military official said Thursday.

“That apology was rejected by the Absalon family. What they said was that saying sorry will not end the liability of the NPA (New People’s Army) perpetrators, and even if they will give indemnification, the Absalon family will Next page

HOPE YA LIKE IT. A giant Philippine flag-inspired display made out of more than

2,500 traditional hopia and mooncakes is displayed at the Atrium of Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila, on June 10, 2021, ahead of the celebration of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day this June 12. Norman Cruz

Visayas a ‘serious concern’ VOL. XXXV • NO. 116 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cases still rising, Mindanao slowing down, NCR seen easing restrictions

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

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

W

HILE COVID-19 infections are slowing down in Mindanao, Western Visayas is a serious concern as cases are rising there and hospital beds in intensive care units are filling up, an independent research group tracking the pandemic said Thursday.

The Palace, meanwhile, said the NCR Plus area—made up of Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces—could be put under an ordinary general community quarantine (GCQ) after June 15 as hospitalization rates remain low.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said NCR Plus might not go down to a modified GCQ, but could revert to a GCQ without the extra restrictions that now prevail.

“We have seen that the pandemic trend has slowed down, especially in Mindanao and even in Davao City,” said Guido David, a fellow at the OCTA Research group.

On the other hand, Western Visayas is a more serious concern because not only are the cases there rising, but their health care utilization is also high, David added in an interview with CNN Philippines.

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(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 10)

1,293,687 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

7,485 56,921 NEW

ACTIVE

22,312

122

1,214,454

4,504

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has directed his office to review the proposal of retired Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza to craft a new baselines law to enforce the arbitral

NEW

A MILLION DOSES. Another shipment of one million doses of

Sinovac vaccines arrives at the Naia Terminal 2 via Cebu Pacific that has already airlifted a total of five shipments comprising a total of 4.5 million Sinovac doses from China. On hand to take delivery of the precious shipment are Vaccine Czar Scretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and officials of the national task force against COVID-19 and officers of the Gokongwei-owned airline.

18m vaccines coming in this month, Go says; 1m doses arrive

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

cines are arriving in the country towards the end of June, Senator Christopher Go, chairman of the Senate health committee, said Thursday.

He said more vaccines were set to arAROUND 18 million COVID-19 vac-

rive in the country, including the one “If we will halve it, those who will million additional doses of Sinovac be vaccinated by these could reach nine vaccines which arrived Sunday, and the million,” noted Go. upcoming two million doses of Pfizer At present, he said more than five vaccines from the COVAX Facility.

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Palace sets review of baselines law to give teeth to Hague ruling

By Vito Barcelo

NEW

STAND WITH GRIT.

SM Foundation recognized its scholars in a virtual event with the theme, “Stand with Grit” last May 25, 2021.

SM Foundation heads and their benefactors were shown together with the 2020-2021 scholargraduates from different parts of the country.

award the Philippines won in its West Philippine Sea disputes with China.

Jardeleza on June 5 submitted a letter to Duterte urging the President to certify as urgent the measure that seeks amendments to Republic Act 9522, a Next page

Cusi: Give nuke power a try

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta

ity from a nuclear power plant to augment the country’s supply of power.

Testifying before the Senate committee ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi told on energy, Cusi also asked for the authority Congress Thursday the government to sanction power industry stakeholders. should be allowed to generate electricNext page

Rody to lead Freedom Day rites

Pope names Tagle to new post

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will lead the country’s 123rd Independence Day commemoration “outside Metro Manila” on Saturday, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“The President will personally attend the commemoration rites for Independence Day outside Metro Manila,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press briefing but did not identify the venue.

“I’m not at liberty to say (where it is) for security reasons,” he said.

Filipinos annually celebrate Independence Day every June 12,

POPE Francis has appointed Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as a member of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches that supports churches worldwide.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news

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Congressman cleared of ‘narco-pol’ tag—CA

By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war has suffered a legal setback after the Court of Appeals granted the privilege of writ of habeas data earlier sought by Leyte 3rd District Rep. Vicente Veloso and ordered the government to delete his name from Next page

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Fil-Am latest victim of hate crime A

FILIPINO-American was repeatedly punched in the face at a subway station in Manhattan, prompting the Philippine consulate general in New York to condemn the latest Asian hate crime Wednesday evening.

New York City.

The attacker yelled, “You don’t belong here,” then kicked the woman several times on the head and stomach.

Reports showed that no one came to the victim’s aid, and a doorman who witnessed the attack in front of a building where it happened closed the door on her.

In February, a 61-year-old FilipinoAmerican was attacked in a subway – his face slashed from ear to ear – also in New York City.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington earlier sent a note verbale to the US State Department over the attacks and advised Filipinos in the United States to exercise “utmost caution” amid rising incidents of hate crimes against Asians.

Last month, US President Joe Biden signed a hate crimes law aimed at pro-

tecting Asian Americans who have suffered a surge in attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Racism, Biden said, is “an ugly poison that has long plagued our nation.”

“Too many Asian Americans have been waking up this past year genuinely fearing for their safety, just opening their door and walking down the street,” he said.

Stop AAPI Hate, an activist group, said there were 6,603 hate incidents – mostly verbal insults – in the year from March 2020, but many more were likely not reported to police.

“I mean this from the bottom of my heart: hate can be given no safe harbor in America,” Biden said. “Silence is complicity. We cannot be complicit.” with AFP

vent the spread of new strains of the coronavirus.

Currently, foreigners, except diplomats and health care workers, are still barred from entering the Philippines.

The Philippines logged o 7,485 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,293,687, as four laboratories were unable to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

This marks the second consecutive day where more than 5,000 cases were reported.

The DOH reported 122 new fatalities, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 22,312.

The DOH also reported 4,504 who recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 1,214,454.

There are 56,921 active cases. Of this figure, 92.6 percent were mild, 3.2 percent were asymptomatic, 1.3 percent were critical, 1.7 percent were severe, and 1.18 percent were moderate.

The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 57 percent of the ICU beds, 49 percent of the isolation beds, 48 percent of the ward beds, and 36 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 49 percent of the ICU beds, 38 percent of the isolation beds, 35 percent of the ward beds, and 34 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

Senators on Thursday asked the DOH to expedite the release of all the COV-

ID-19 vaccines in stock to help address the increased demand due to the inoculation of the A4 priority group.

Senator Nancy Binay branded as unacceptable the closure of some vaccination centers in Metro Manila because of the DOH’s failure to deliver vaccines on time.

“If these vaccines remain stored in warehouses and do not reach the LGUs (local government units) on time, not only will we be seeing a lot of empty tents and chairs--we are exposing a big percentage of our workforce to more contagious variants,” Binay said.

To date, about 9.3 million vaccines are in stockpile; 8.6 million have been deployed; and more than 6 million have been administered, with close to 1 million doses stored in government facilities.

Many local executives claim that vaccines stored in the national government’s facilities have yet to reach densely-populated cities and far-flung municipalities.

Senator Christopher Go asked LGUs and authorities in charge of the vaccine rollout to ensure that the vaccines in their possession are immediately distributed and used on those who are eligible for inoculation.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, on the other hand, questioned the delay in the implementation of a vaccine passport program that could facilitate domestic and international travel. ereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, as appropriate, over the following identified maritime features in WPS, without prejudice to other such features that will be discovered or established as part of the Philippine sovereignty or jurisdiction in the future.

Roque said Duterte would first await the recommendation of the Office of the Executive Secretary’s legal office before making a decision on the proposed amendments to RA 9522.

“It’s just an openness to study the matter,” he said.

Roque said the Philippines also expected that China would express strong objection to the proposed baselines law.

“Well, I expect that the Chinese will protest several aspects of this law in so far as we will claim islands within the area that we’re claiming as ours to be ours,” he said.

However, the Philippines would be unfazed by China’s possible protest, in case Duterte backs the proposed measure, Roque said.

“We are expecting that but we do not care about their reaction. We have a law and we will let the international tribunal, when the time comes, to rule as to who really has the superior claim over the islands that will be listed in our baselines law as part of our territory,” he said. condition that only 10 persons would attend the event.

Duterte in 2019 led the celebration of the 121st Independence Day at the 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Malabang, Lanao del Sur. In 2018, Duterte delivered his first keynote speech for Independence Day at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.

“We strongly condemn this latest anti-Asian hate crime that targeted a member of the Filipino Community in New York City. We again call on authorities to take the necessary steps to protect members of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Community,” Philippine Consul General in New York Elmer Cato said in a statement.

ABC 7 New York reported that the 52-year old Fil-Am first witnessed another man being assaulted when he got off the train at the 103rd Street station on the Upper East Side.

The assailant was attacking the man while yelling “go back to where you came from.” The first victim managed to escape, and then the suspect turned to the Fil-Am, striking and shouting the same anti-Asian slurs at him.

The Fil-Am victim said the attack “seemed so random and so sudden.”

“I kinda realized it’s potentially a hate crime because of what I recall the man was shouting or saying,” the victim said.

In March, a 65-year-old FilipinoAmerican woman was punched and kicked by a man in broad daylight in

Cusi:...

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Visayas...

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“[W]e… would like to ask this honorable committee under the leadership of its chairman, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to, among others, look into the following: allowing government to engage in limited power generation, not to compete with private companies but rather to augment the energy supply requirements when needed,” Cusi said during Thursday’s Senate hearing on the power supply shortage.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which paved the way for the privatization of the power generation and transmission sectors, prevents the government from engaging in power generation.

But Cusi said government power plants are best for the reserve capacity of the grid as they will be outside the competition in the electricity market.

Cusi said such power plants can be from nuclear energy “subject to technical and safety factors.”

“Nuclear energy is being used by other countries in Asia and given the advances in technology the risks involved can now be better managed,” he said.

He also urged the Senate to grant DOE the authority to sanction power industry players.

“Allowing the DOE authority to issue measures to protect the consuming public during a state of emergency, such as, moratoriums on disconnection, grace period on payments, [and] allowing installment payments,” Cusi said.

He also asked the Senate to amend the franchise of the grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and for DOE to take back the responsibility of preparing the Transmission Development Plan to integrate planning of transmission and generation expansion plans.

Cusi said he wants to revert to the government the system control of the grid for management of ancillary services as well as national cyber security.

Cusi said the brownouts on May 31 and June 1 were due to the forced outage of power plants with a capacity around 2,000 MW each day.

“The ultimate cause of the rotational brownouts was the fact that several big power plants went on forced or unplanned outages...That is the ultimate cause,” he said.

Cusi said the agency is already investigating these power plants and has asked the assistance of the Department of Justice, the Philippine Competition Commission, and the Energy Regulatory Commission to determine if there was collusion.

For instance, he said the average daily attack rate in Iloilo City is at 26. while the city’s ICU utilization is almost 100 percent.

In contrast, Davao City has a health care utilization rate of 60 percent, so they still have available rooms in their hospitals, he said.

Some 111,150 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived at the Davao International Airport and were transported to the region’s health department for storage Thursday. A day earlier, some 44,800 doses of Sinovac vaccines also arrived in Davao City.

As for Metro Manila, Roque noted that only 53 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, 39 percent of isolation beds, 37 percent of ward beds, and 35 percent of ventilators have been in use as of June 9.

NCR Plus, which is composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, is under a GCQ “with restrictions” until June 15.

Initially, Manila and its four nearby provinces were placed under GCQ “with heightened restrictions” from May 15 to 31.

Despite the possibility that quarantine restrictions will be eased in NCR Plus, borders will remain closed to pre-

law that defines the baselines of the Philippines’ territorial sea.

Jardeleza served as the Solicitor General during the Aquino administration that challenged China’s excessive claims over the disputed territory.

“He (the President) immediately asked that it be subjected to complete staff work and he was very appreciative of the suggestion,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said when asked about Duterte’s response to Jardeleza’s letter.

“The President was very appreciative of the suggestion and ordered his staff to conduct a review of this,” Roque added.

On Monday, Jardeleza said his proposed law, titled “Philippine Maritime Features of the West Philippine Sea Act,” aims to specifically name and identify the maritime features in WPS claimed or occupied by the country.

The arbitral award, which will mark its fifth year anniversary next month, invalidated the expansive Chinese nine-dash line claim over the entire South China Sea. But since it was handed down on July

12, 2016 by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal, many sectors in the Philippines have remained divided on how to secure its gains.

Worse, Jardeleza said, there had been a serious misunderstanding of the true import of the Award that threatens its biggest achievements.

The proposed law identified at least 100 maritime features in WPS, 25 of which are said to be rocks or high tide features that generate a territorial sea and a contiguous zone.

Jardeleza was assisted by international law academics, Dr. Melissa Loja and Prof. Romel Bagares, in drafting the measure.

“We respectfully submit that the best, most efficient, and practical option to enforce the Award is to… legislate a new Baselines Law, consistent with the [Arbitral] Award, “ he added in an online press conference Monday.

He said the bill should be certified as urgent as it “is the most inexpensive and yet most effective means of enforcing the Arbitral Award and strengthening our territorial and maritime rights” in WPS. One of the most important provisions in the proposed new baselines law states that the Philippines has sov-

Rody...

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Aguinaldo’s proclamation of independence made the Philippines Asia’s first free nation from the clout of Western powers.

Roque said Filipinos would do everything to defend the country’s freedom.

“Our message is that Filipinos, from the very start, are ready to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of the nation,” he said.

On June 12, 2020, Duterte skipped the ceremonies for the celebration of Independence Day at the Rizal Park in Manila due to the limited number of participants in last year’s event.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed the celebration of Independence Day last year despite the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, on

which is declared a regular holiday.

The country’s first president, Emilio Aguinaldo, proclaimed the country’s independence from the Spanish colonial rule in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

Palace...

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Footballer’s...

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18m vaccines...

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website reported Thursday Tagle is now part of the Vatican body, which also assists the Latin-rite Catholic dioceses of the Middle East.

Tagle will be working with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who has been its prefect since 2014.

Tagle is currently the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide), which oversees the church’s vast “mission territories.”

Formerly known as the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the Congregation for the Eastern Churches started as part of the Propaganda Fide which was established by Pope Pius IX in 1862.

In 1917, Pope Benedict XV declared it independent and named it Congregation for Eastern Churches.

million Filipinos have been innoculated.

Go also said the Philippines was one of the priority nations in Asia that would share seven million doses from the first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines the United States would donate globally.

He said the Philippines posted the highest rate of vaccination in Southeast Asia.

“Our country also topped the COVID-19 Global Scorecard on Accountability,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) on Thursday shipped to Manila another batch of one million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Beijing.

The Sinovac vaccines were airlifted via CEB flight 5J-671, and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:35 a.m.

“We are glad to keep supporting our government in the rollout of its vaccination program. We are keen to continue playing our part in this national endeavor through the safe transport of COVID-19 vaccines across our network of international and domestic destinations,” said Alex Reyes, CEB chief strategy officer.

This was the fifth shipment picked up by the airline from China, in close coordination with the Department of Health.

“With the arrival of these life-saving vaccines, we will continue our aggressive vaccine program to protect more Filipinos from COVID-19,” said vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito

not accept it or any help from this terrorist group,” said Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Arevalo said the military continues to pursue the communist rebels who are behind the blast that killed Far Eastern University football player Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven, and injured Keith’s 16-year-old nephew, Chrisbin Daniel.

The AFP and the Defense Department have been following up on the Absalon case closely, saying it is concrete proof that the NPA is a terrorist group.

“The deaths of the Absalon cousins are, unfortunately, just two cases in the long list of crimes committed by the CPP-NPA. We, therefore, call on the Filipino people to unite and condemn the atrocities, and reject the flawed ideology touted by this communist terrorist group,” Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Wednesday.

Arevalo said government troops are still gathering evidence that might be used to file charges against the suspects behind the attack.

He also scored the Makabayan bloc lawmakers’ suggestion that the family file a complaint at the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), since the group has long been dissolved with the termination of peace talks between the government and the communist rebels.

The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday said it wants the NPA to identify and surrender those behind a landmine blast in Masbate.

“If the NPA is serious and sincere about taking accountability for the improvised explosive device killing of civilians in Masbate —beyond owning responsibility, offering indemnity, and promising an investigation — they should identify all those responsible and surrender them to the lawful authorities to face justice within the court system,” the CHR said.

In a tweet, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Marco Valbuena said: “The Party takes cognizance of the grave sentiments and denouncement expressed by concerned quarters. Indeed, the unfortunate incident involves a breach of international laws of war and of the internal rules of the NPA which gives the highest priority to protection of civilians at all times.”

Congressman...

From A1 the so-called “narco-list” of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the country.

In a decision dated June 8, 2021, the CA’s Former Special Eighth Division ordered the public respondents to remove Veloso’s name from the March 2019 “narco-list.”

Veloso named as respondents in his petition then PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino, then PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, then AFP Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr., NICA Director General Alex Paul Monteagudo and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“Accordingly, the respondents are hereby ordered to destroy all documents, records and information which pertain to the person of the petitioner obtained in relation to the 14 March 2019 narco-list. They are further ordered to rectify the said narco-list and delete the name of the petitioner therein,” the CA said in a decision penned by Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas.

“They are also enjoined from further including the petitioner’s name in any publicized derogatory list that fails to follow due process and from taking any further courses of action in direct relations to the documents, records and information which resulted in the issuance of the 14 March 2019 narcolist,” the CA added.

Associate Justices Germano Francisco Legaspi and Ruben Reynaldo Roxas concurred with the ruling.

Galvez, Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

“We appreciate the support of Cebu Pacific and other Philippine carriers to expedite vaccine distribution throughout the country,” he added.

Upon arrival, the vaccines were inspected by authorities, and were immediately transferred to refrigerated container vans going to the cold storage facility of Pharmaserv Express in Barangay San Roque, Marikina City.

The transported vaccines were subject to strict handling guidelines which entail storing them in temperature-specific refrigerated containers to maintain potency and efficacy up until arrival at their designated stations.

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SC celebrates 120th year with donation of 14 tons of veggies

SC DONATION. Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo leads associate justices in the donation of assorted vegetables to community pantry organizer inside the SC groundd along Padre Faura in Manila on June 10, 2021. Norman Cruz

3 more ‘hot’ luxury cars impounded

by Customs

By Joel E. Zurbano THREE more cars valued at P16 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs in Manila North Harbor as part of its campaign to go after smugglers of vehicles.

Members of the Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS) impounded the smuggled vehicles — a brand new white 2021 Land Cruiser; and two second hand units of a red 2016 Nissan GTR, and black 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe.

MICP-CIIS chief Alvin Enciso, said the series of operations was in line with the bureau’s campaign dubbed Coplan Tsekot aimed to prevent the illegal importation of vehicles into the country.

“We will continue to monitor these shipments because there has been a series of smuggled vehicles trying to come into the country. That has been evident this past month alone,” he said.

Enciso was referring to the two previous alerted shipments that resulted in the seizure of luxury vehicles worth P30 million on May 26 and June 2.

These were consigned to JLFDM Consumer Goods Trading.

“It turned out that these shipments were positive for the presence of these luxury cars,” he said.

MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales issued an Alert Order (AO) against the latest shipment consigned to Adfinest Marketing Corp. Rosales’ order led to the 100 percent examination of the container van shipped from Dubai resulting in the discovery of the three vehicles hidden behind used tires found on the threshold.

IACAT mobilizes forces to stop trafficking of IPs T

By Rey Requejo

HE Department of Justice through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has mobilized its regional task forces to prevent mass trafficking of indigenous peoples (IPs).

“As a preventive and proactive approach, the IACAT will further strengthen its Regional Task Forces and review existing travel and security measures at entry points to effectively implement our anti-trafficking laws and better protect IPs and other vulnerable groups,” IACAT said in a statement.

The inter-agency made the assurance after law enforcers rescued 303 Badjao IPs last June 4 at the Manila North

Harbour Seaport. They came from Zamboanga City.

“The National Bureau of Investigation has been tasked by Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra (chair of IACAT) to conduct an investigation that will take place parallel to the ongoing investigation of the Philippine National Police-Women Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC),” the IACAT said.

The council noted that the mass arrival

of the 303 Badjaos was in “violations of the Republic Act (RA) No. 9208 also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364, and RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.” “Initial investigations show that their travel was facilitated and sponsored by an undisclosed individual,” it said.

IACTA said a total of 232 rescued IPs has already left aboard a 2GO ship bound for Zamboanga City.

“All passengers bound for Zamboanga City underwent antigen swab tests and will be provided with shelter, hot meals, and other social services by the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Region 9 upon their arrival,” the council said.

QUAKE DRILL. Motorists and traffic enforcers stop along

Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmarinas, Cavite to join the earthquake drill conducted simultaneously nationwide. Even in the time of pandemic, people still take time to show their disaster preparedness. JR Josue

Tourism MSMEs gain relief via interest-free loan repayment

By Othel Campos TO HELP the tourism sector recover from the debilitating crisis, the government extended loan repayments of distressed enterprises for another 2 years under Bayanihan Act II. The Department of Tourism said Thursday the terms of the interest-free

soft loans were relaxed to encourage more micro, small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry to avail themselves of the loan facility managed by the Small Business Corp. of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The added flexibility under the CARES for TRAVEL partnership program of the DOT through the Small Business Corp.

also allowed for a second round of loans for employee retention and a maximum loanable amount of P5 million.

Tourism secretary Berna RomuloPuyat urged more tourism businesses to take advantage of the loan to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We thank DTI secretary Ramon Lopez and the SB Corp for making these

necessary adjustments to help tourism businesses thrive amid this global health crisis. While we see the vaccination of tourism workers as the light at the end of the tunnel for the industry, we also know that tourism businesses still badly need the government’s support to get by in the coming months as we wait for vaccine doses to arrive,” Puyat said.

New 2ID general medal of valor awardee

By Ben Cal MAJ. Gen. Bartolome O. Bacarro, the new commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, made his mark in combat when he led his men in repulsing a 150-man New People’s Army, who attacked the town of Maconacon, Isabela in January 1991.

The firefight lasted for 10 hours forcing the communist rebels to retreat after suffering 16 fatalities.

Bacarro, who was then a young second lieutenant, was leading a team of soldiers and some members of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit when rebels attacked Maconacon early evening of Jan. 26, 1991.

Although outnumbered 3-to-1, Bacarro and his men engaged the rebels in a close-quarter firefight.

At the height of the fierce gunbattle, Bacarro was hit in his left thigh, but despite his wound, he scaled a ninefoot wall to rescue CAFGU troopers who were pinned down inside a compound.

Racing against time, Bacarro commandeered a truck parked inside the compound, and at full speed, rammed the wall, allowing the CAFGUs to escape.

The rebels fled in haste taking with them wounded comrades.

Bacarro was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest decoration the Armed Forces of the Philippines can give to a soldier for gallantry in combat.

TRASH TRADE. Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. and Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce launch the MMDA Materials Recovery Facility as they take turns extolling the value of recycling under the project where residents are prodded to exchange their garbage for goods such as instant noodles, sacks of rice and similar items. Manny Palmero

THE associate justices of the Supreme Court on Thursday showed compassion to the plight of Filipinos grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 14 tons of assorted vegetables to several community pantries in Metro Manila, which also coincided with the celebration of its 120th anniversary today, June 11.

The SC Public Information Office said the initiative and the funding used to buy the large quantity of vegetables came from the pockets of the 14 incumbent magistrates.

“On the eve of the Supreme Court’s 120th anniversary, the 14 incumbent magistrates of the Supreme Court, using their personal resources and working collectively, purchased more than 14 tons of vegetables from farmers to be distributed to various community pantries,” the PIO statement stressed.

It said a portion of the vegetables would be given to the indigent ward of the Philippine General Hospital and the Manila Police District.

Among those present at yesterday’s event were SC Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, and Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Ramon Paul Hernando, Mario Lopez, Edgardo Delos Santos, and Jhosep Lopez.

“I think most of the Justices were able to drop by at different times,” SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said.

Interestingly, journalists covering the judiciary noticed the polo shirt worn by Justice Leonen, which was printed with the words “Bar Muna Bago Jowa”.

Leonen is the 2020/2021 Bar chairman. The next Bar exams has been scheduled in November. Rey Requejo

‘Digital ways to ward off COVID-19’

By Macon Araneta THE Department of Health, academe and private sector have been vouching for digital solutions to boost the country’s healthcare system and effectively manage COVID- 19 cases, including information on the adverse impact of vaccines.

Speaking at the launch of the BluePrint.PH Data Newsroom Series titled: “Data Governance: Innovations and Collaborations in Response to the Pandemic,” Dr. Alethea De Guzman, DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director cited the importance of digital revolution and strong data governance to respond to the current health crisis.

She noted that a strong data governance will facilitate efficient management of COVID-19 cases, and strengthen linkages between the national and local government units in addressing all Covid-related concerns.

“Digital innovations and solutions minimize processing of time of data, minimize errors, while the electronic medical records can provide data on vaccines, and the adverse events following immunization,” said De Guzman.

De Guzman said a unified data dashboard of Covid-19 provides health experts more time to interpret data, and come up with timely and relevant analysis.

According to De Guzman, data quality issues due to varying epidemiology and surveillance across all levels was one of the challenges being faced by DOH following the emergence of the coronavirus. She recalled they were even criticized due to the poor data quality of the information they’re sharing.

Manelle Cousart-Suyat, Industry Marketing Head for Healthcare of Globe Business said public and private hospitals will benefit from the digital solutions and innovations by lowering cost of business and medical operations, and providing efficient and quality healthcare to patients, also at a lower cost.

She said digital solutions will also provide ease of work for doctors, nurses and medical staff.

These digital tools, Suyaf said, will ease patients and staffs’ hospital processing journey by lessening the forms to fillout using integrated suite, for keeping medical records updated and secured through the Hospital Information System and cybersecurity, and digital paymentavailability.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

NEW VAX VENUE.

Residents of Makati who have registered under the A4 category wait to be inoculated at the vaccination site in Glorietta 5, Makati City on Thursday. Norman Cruz

Makati opens Glorietta site for A4 jabs

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government on Thursday opened a new vaccination site at Glorietta 5 mall to accommodate individuals belong to the A4 category under the priority list of the Department of Health (DOH).

Another vaccination site is scheduled to open today at the San Lorenzo Place mall following the latest partnerships made by the city government to speed up the progress of its free COVID-19 vaccination program.

“We have made these strategic partnerships with the private sector to accommodate the expected influx of vaccine registrants from the A4 category,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.

“We laud the Ayala Corporation and Megaworld Corporation for readily sharing their resources as we begin another critical phase in the Bakuna Makati mass vaccination program,” she added.

The new vaccination site at the 3rd floor of Glorietta 5 along Ayala Avenue is targeting 500 individuals in the A4 list daily, while the venue in San Lorenzo Place mall at the corner of Chino Roces Avenue and EDSA aims to serve up to 400 individuals.

“We need to ensure fast yet safe vaccination against COVID-19 for our economic frontliners so that businesses in the city can continue to recover and thrive, thus fueling faster economic recovery,” said Binay.

Roque: Rody not saying ‘no’ to run for VP

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is not saying “no” to running for vice president in the 2022 elections, according to Palace spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday.

Roque made the remarks after the President said he was resisting calls for a possible vice-presidential bid.

In an interview with Pastor Quiboloy, the President also reiterated his opposition to the prospect of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, running for president after his term ends next year.

“The President’s words are clear. I don’t need to construe,” Roque during his regular press briefing. “(Duterte) said he does not want to run but he did not say that he will no longer run for vice president.”

The spokesman stressed that there is no legal impediment for Duterte to join the vice-presidential race, just like what he did in the 2016 elections when he filed his candidacy for president as a substitute in December 2015.

“The Omnibus Election Code allows for that,” Roque said.

Duterte’s party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban), however, has formally urged him to run for vice president in the 2022 national elections.

Sandigan clears Binay matriarch of graft rap

By Maricel V. Cruz

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ORMER Makati Mayor Elenita Binay was cleared Thursday of graft and malversation cases filed against her and several city officials by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P45-million purchase of beds and sterilizers for the Ospital ng Makati in 2000 and 2001.

The case was one of those filed against members of the Binay family following months-long hearings at the Senate led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, a former Binay ally, and then-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The hearings on alleged anomalies at the Makati City Hall were held following the announcement by then-Vice

President Jejomar Binay that he would seek the presidency in the 2016 elections.

VP Binay’s chances of winning the presidency were undermined by the hearings, and now President Rodrigo Duterte won the highest position in the land.

“We are relieved that after more than 10 years, this case is finally over,” law-

yer Sandy Coronel, representing Elenita Binay, said of the decision of the Sandiganbayan’s Special Third Division.

“The Ospital ng Makati has meantime, through those many years, established itself as vital to the City’s service to its citizens, and Dra. Binay is proud to have founded it. Let this be a vindication for all local government executives who dare to dream big for their LGUs despite the risk that political opponents will get in the way,” Coronel added.

The anti-graft court, in a 149-page decision, said the prosecution failed to prove Dr. Binay’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt in connection with the alleged anomalous transactions with Apollo Medical Equipment and Supplies.

FOR MOTHERS.

To help mothers cope with the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Luke’s Medical Center is providing a free room upgrade on top of other maternity care benefits from June 14 to July 31. This is part of St. Luke’s recently launched service, Patient’s Journey — the hospital’s redefined patient care management system.

Nigerian, Pinay nabbed with P2.7m worth of shabu POLICE arrested a Nigerian national and his Filipina companion and seized more than P2.7 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation early Thursday morning in Makati City.

Southern Police District director Jimili Macaraeg identified the suspects as Lucky Chinwe Ugboaga alias “Negro”, and Rowena Brojas Reyes alias “Buntis”, both residents of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Recovered from the suspects were 400 grams of shabu worth P2.72 million, a Toyota Altis, two mobile phones, and the money used in the entrapment operation.

Macaraeg said operatives of the Makati City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit under the supervision of P/Col. Harold Depositar conducted the police operation along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay

Group blasts Dutch for harboring Red leader IF THE Dutch government will keep on denying the demand of Filipinos to repatriate Communist Part of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison to the Philippines, a group said Thursday they will have to declare them responsible for the deaths and destruction caused by the CPP and the New People’s Army “from the moment Joma Sison landed in Netherlands until the present.”

“To Prime Minister Mark Rutte, we expect you to make the right decision. The blood will be in your hands if Joma Sison’s terrorist group kills another innocent civilian,” said Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia, Secretary General of the Liga Independencia Pilipinas Inc. (LIPI), in a statement.

In a related development, Police Brig. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz, Calabarzon Police Regional Director, led officials in giving food packs and sacks of rice to 15 former rebels dur-

ing the presentation of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) surrenderers at the Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Hen. Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna Ten of the food and rice recipients were identified to be operating in the “Red Areas” of the region, and the other five were operating in the “White Areas.” All 15 voluntarily surrendered to authorities during the joint counter-insurgency operations of the PNP and their Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts.

“When will the government of Netherlands ever realize that Joma Sison, their asylee, the self-confessed leader of the CPP-NPA, is responsible for 40,000 combat-related deaths since 1969? Responsible for kidnapping locals and foreigners, extortion and killings, whose aim is to overthrow the Philippine government using guerrilla-style tactics?” Goitia said.

West Rembo around 1:30 a.m.

The suspects are now detained at the Makati City detention facility and will be charged with violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Macaraeg commended his men for another accomplishment, arresting bigtime drug dealers operating in southern Metro Manila. Joel E. Zurbano

REDS CONDEMNED.

Members of the Liga Independencia Pilipinas Inc. (LIPI) burn banners depicting communist symbols in Makati on Thursday as they denounced the death of footballer Kieth Absalon and his cousin through a landmine planted by the New People’s Army, according to LIPI secretary general Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia (inset).

Whistleblower turned suspect in vax slot sale scam cries foul A COSMETICS executive is “really, really surprised” that she was included by the police in the list of suspects in the alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccination slots when she had exposed the scheme on Twitter.

Nina Ellaine Dizon-Cabrera, CEO of makeup brand Colourette Cosmetics, said: “I was the one who posted about this alleged scheme. What happened was I saw a ‘for sale’ post online and then I inquired. And then I found out that they were selling not vaccines but vaccine slots from LGUs. So I took it to Twitter.”

“And then all of a sudden, I was caught in the middle. I was dragged into the case, saying I had the intent to sell—but really, I was the one who exposed it,” Cabrera told ANC’s Headstart.

She exposed the scheme on her Twitter account after seeing a post by someone selling COVID-19 vaccines.

Cabrera contacted the local government of San Juan after her posts on Twitter, where she has at least 123,000 followers, went viral.

“I posted everything on Twitter, all of my conversations... (Followers) even thanked me for all the information I passed on to them,” she said.

Still, the Philippine National Police announced Thursday that Cabrera and 2 others were charged with estafa, violation of the Anti-Red Tape Law of 2007, and of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Citing reports by the Anti-Cybercrime Group, PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Cabrera was tagged after investigation showed that she offered 50 to 100 vaccination slots in Mandaluyong City. This supposedly showed intent to sell and alleged involvement in the illegal activity.

Savings from Cebu swabbing policy lauded

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz SENATOR Joel Villanueva on Thursday said the government can save P300 million a month with Cebu province’s “swab-upon-arrival” policy, a “sensible, but science-based” way of screening travelers for coronavirus.

He said the cash-strapped government saves money from this “low-cost but highly-effective” policy.

“If we adopt Cebu’s shortened quarantine period as national policy, the government will be saving almost P300 million a month,” said Villanueva, adding that this huge amount can be used as financial assistance to poor families.

He also said the government gets a huge discount.

“The shorter an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) stays in a hotel, the smaller the amount that is billed to the government.”

Full board of the 10-day quarantine of OFWs in hotels is shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which on any given day, billets 10,000 OFWs in 114 hotels.

OWWA has warned as early as March this year that it would use up its entire year’s P6.2 billion budget in five months to assist returning OFWs. House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera also lauded Cebu’s policy as “practical, logical and beneficial to the government, OFWs and ROFs.” “The COVID-19 swab-upon-arrival policy strikes the right balance between ensuring COVID-19 response and protecting the welfare of returning Filipinos, especially OFWs,” Herrera said.

The Bagong Henerasyon party-list lawmaker said the policy effectively eases the emotional and financial burdens of OFWs and ROFs while it guarantees that arriving travelers are easily identified.

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World

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US to ‘supercharge’ virus fight with 500m vax doses

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HE United States will buy 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to distribute among poorer nations, the White House said Thursday, a huge donation to “supercharge” the pandemic fight with many parts of the world still struggling to contain the coronavirus.

The move comes as pressure over vaccine inequality grows on rich countries that secured most early supplies and where rapid immunization programs are allowing a gradual return of normal life, such as the resumption of indoor dining in France and Belgium this week.

The United States has also faced criticism for sitting on huge stocks of un-

used vaccines, but with more than 60 percent of Americans having received at least one shot, Washington is moving to reclaim global leadership with the donation of 500 million Pfizer-BioNTech jabs to 92 poor and lower-middleincome nations.

The White House described it as a “historic action that will help su-

percharge the global fight against the pandemic,” and President Joe Biden will make the formal announcement on Thursday.

“This is the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country and a commitment by the American people to help protect people around the world from COVID-19.”

Biden, who is attending the G7 summit in Britain this week, will also call on “the world’s democracies” to contribute more to the supply of vaccines.

The massive American donation will be channeled through the COVAX program, which aims to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

The White House said the doses will start shipping in August, with the first 200 million delivered by the end of the year and the remaining 300 million in the first half of 2022.

Dismissing suggestions that it is in a so-called vaccine diplomacy contest with Russia and China, the United States has described its initiatives as a return to multilateral action after the nationalist isolationism under Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.

The pandemic has claimed more than 3.7 million lives worldwide, and one of the deadliest recent waves was in India, another nation struggling with its vaccine rollout. AFP

Global plastics production falls: first since 2008 GLOBAL plastics production declined in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, only the third time since World War II that output has fallen, an industry body said Thursday.

Output has fallen only twice previously, as a result of the oil crisis in 1973 and during the financial crisis in 2008.

Worldwide output slipped to 367 million tonnes last year from 368 million in 2019, a 0.3 percent decline, according to the industry federation PlasticsEurope.

The drop was due to “the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy,” PlasticsEurope said in a statement.

But output in China – which currently accounts for a third of global plastics production – continued to grow by 1.0 percent.

In Europe, production of new plastics was down 5.1 percent at 55 million tons last year, PlasticsEurope said.

The automobile sector, one of the biggest customers for the industry, saw its plastics consumption plunge by 18 percent in Europe in 2020, the federation calculated.

The 27-nation EU now accounts for just 15 percent of worldwide plastics production, down from 21 percent in 2010.

The United States produces around 19 percent of the world’s plastics, compared with 20 percent 10 years ago. AFP

BATTLE-READY. A US army soldier is screened with an infrared thermometer as part of a COVID-19 coronavirus detection measures upon arrival at Morocco’s Agadir military airport to take part in the ‘African Lion’ military exercise. AFP

Junta hits Suu Kyi with corruption, abuse of authority THE Myanmar junta has hit deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi with corruption charges over claims she accepted illegal payments of gold and more than half a million dollars in cash, state media reported Thursday.

The country has been in turmoil since the generals ousted Suu Kyi on February 1, with more than 850 civilians killed in a brutal crackdown by security forces on near-daily protests against the coup.

The 75-year-old Nobel laureate, who has been in custody since the putsch, is facing a raft of wide-ranging criminal charges, including sedition and breaching a colonial-era secrecy law.

The latest charges relate to allegations by the former Yangon region chief

The South has strict restrictions on tattooing, which while not illegal is classed as a medical procedure and may only be carried out by a qualified doctor – with violators facing possible imprisonment.

Even though tattoos have become more widespread in recent years, many entertainment figures still apply plasters to hide theirs before making television appearances.

Ryu—a self-confessed BTS fan—uploaded pictures of Jungkook to her Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM social media accounts, some ADJUDICATION BOARD showing symbols and the word Region III OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL ADJUDICATOR “ARMY,” a reference to BTS Dinalupihan, Bataan -----------------------------------fans, tattooed on his right hand, paradbataan03@gmail.com / (047) 240-5205 and others in which he covered IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OR them with a long white sleeve.

ANNULMENT OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE OVER LOT COVERED

BY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE/CERTIFICATE OF LAND “Have you seen your favorite OWNERSHIP AWARD NOS.8314/00446441, 8346/00446481, AND 8348/00446483 ALL SITUATED IN BRGY. AGLAMOMA, (NOW celebrities covered in bandages BIAAN), MARIVELES, BATAAN on their bodies?” she wrote.

LORD BYRON E. ABRIZ AND ROLANDO A. ABRIZ, “This hideous sight is the result R-0301-0024-0026-2021 Petitioners, -vsof television stations’ regulaCELSO RAMENTO JR., GUILLERMO MARTINEZ, HELEN CRUZ tions on tattoos.”

PIODO AND RANCHO ANA LIZA RESORTS, INC., Ryu is proposing a bill to alRespondents, x----------------------------------------------------------------------------x low trained tattooists to be leSUMMONS AND NOTICE OF HEARING gally certified.

But her social media accounts TO : CELSO RAMENTO JR. GUILLERMO MARTINEZ Brgy. Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan Brgy. Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan were deluged with criticism, inHELEN CRUZ PIODO RANCHO ANA LIZA RESORTS, INC. cluding more than 1,000 comBrgy. Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan Unit 1403, Ritz Tower, Ayala Avenue ments on her Facebook post.

Makati City GREETINGS: “Don’t use a celebrity for You are hereby summoned and directed to file your verified answer to the complaint / petition, your political agenda,” said one copy of which is herewith served upon you, within a non-extendible period of fifteen (15) days from fan. “I’m glad I had already receipt hereof pursuant to Section 1, Rule 7 of the 2009 DARAB Rules of Procedure, attaching therewith the affidavits of witness/es and documentary evidence, if, any. stopped supporting your party.”

Both parties are hereby directed to attend the preliminary conference of the case on July 13, 2021 The 28-year-old MP, a former at 1:30 pm. labor activist who now holds Dinalupihan, Bataan, May 18, 2121. a proportional representation HON. NOEL L. PAREL seat, told a radio station ThursProvincial Adjudicator day she had wanted to promote For the Adjudicator her bill through “everyday and EMILY CRYSTAL M. NACIN popular content.”

Clerk to the Adjudicator “I’d like to apologize if anyone is offended,” she added. AFP (MS-JUNE 4/11/18, 2021)

INDIA on Thursday recorded a global record of more than 6,000 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours after one state dramatically revised upwards its data, stoking suspicions that the country’s toll is much higher than reported.

According to health ministry figures, 6,148 people died in the previous 24 hours, taking total fatalities to almost 360,000, the world’s third highest.

The previous world record according to an AFP tally was 5,527 in the United States on February 12, although this was also due to an upwards revision of earlier deaths.

On Wednesday, the eastern state of Bihar hiked its death toll by around 4,000 to almost 9,500 after reviewing death records, officials said.

Bihar’s high court in Patna demanded an audit of the figures after allegations that the local government was hiding the scale of infections and deaths.

Similar accusations have been levelled at other state governments after a recent coronavirus surge saw crematoriums overwhelmed in many places and hundreds of bodies dumped in rivers or buried in shallow graves.

With record-keeping poor even in normal times, many experts believe India’s death toll is several times higher than the official number, meaning it could be over a million – which would make it the world’s highest.

Suspicions have been heightened by the fact that death rates in many countries, for example Brazil and the United States, are several times higher than in India. AFP

12 killed in plane crash in Myanmar

TWELVE people were killed when a Myanmar military plane crashed in a central region of the country Thursday, a spokesman for the junta said.

The plane, which was carrying six crew and eight passengers, crashed near the city of Pyin Oo Lwin, the spokesperson said in a statement to journalists, blaming the cause on “bad weather.”

“It lost communications when it was 400 meters away from a steel factory near the airport,” Zaw Min Tun said in a statement.

A senior monk was among those on board, the statement said, adding a team had been able to rescue a boy and a sergeant, who had been sent to a nearby military hospital.

Emergency workers were still on the scene, it continued.

A picture posted on social media showed the twisted body of a plane lying in a field.

Myanmar’s Buddhist monkhood led an earlier struggle against miliCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW tary rule but is splitBLACK on the coup that ended the country’s nascent democracy, with some prominent religious leaders defending the new junta.

Pyin Oo Lwin is home to the Defence Services Academy, where the military’s top brass are trained.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power in the February 1 coup, is a graduate.

The military has sought to quell mass anti-junta protests with bloody crackdowns that have killed more than 800 civilians, according to a local monitoring group.

This has prompted civilians in some townships to form “defense forces,” while some of Myanmar’s ethnic rebel armies have stepped up offensives against the military.

Last month, the Kachin Independence Army – an ethnic rebel group that has waged a decadeslong insurgency against the military – downed an army helicopter during fierce clashes.

This image captured on June 10, 2021 from the blog page of South Plane crashes are common in Korean lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor Justice party, shows pictures of her (left, top) and tattooed BTS member Myanmar due to its underdevelJungkook with the title of ‘Remove band-aid from BTS’ bodies.’ oped aviation sector, and MyanThe female parliamentarian apologized after she was subjected to mar’s monsoon season has caused online protests from BTS fans for using a picture of the tattooed problems for commercial and milisinger to promote her campaign to liberalize the country’s tary flights in the past. AFP restrictive laws on inking. AFP

minister that Suu Kyi illegally accepted $600,000 in cash from him along with around 11 kilograms of gold.

The Anti-Corruption Commission found evidence that Suu Kyi had committed “corruption using her rank,” according to the Global New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper.

“So she was charged under Anti-Corruption Law section 55.”

She is also accused of abusing her authority when renting two areas of land for her charitable foundation.

After weeks of legal wrangling, two of Suu Kyi’s trials are due to start in earnest next week, hearing evidence from witnesses.

In Naypyidaw, the remote capital purpose-built by the previous military

regime, her trial on charges of violating restrictions during last year’s election campaign and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies will start on Monday.

A separate case is scheduled to start on June 15, where she is charged with sedition alongside ousted president Win Myint and another senior member of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, dismissed the corruption charges as “absurd.”

“There is an undeniable political background to keep her out of the scene of the country and to smear her prestige,” he told AFP, saying she could face long prison terms on the secrecy and corruption charges. AFP

South Korean MP apologizes over BTS tattoo pictures SOUTH Korea’s youngest MP apologized Thursday after she provoked fury among BTS fans by using pictures of tattooed singer Jungkook to promote her campaign to liberalize the country’s restrictive laws on inking.

K-pop fans are fiercely protective of their idols and Manila while Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor Standard Justice party did nothing to claim she had JungTODAY kook’s support, she was accused of dragging him into politics.

India posts new COVID record: Over 6k dead in just 24 hours

Business Facebook employees can continue remote work SAN FRANCISCO—Facebook on Wednesday said it will give employees the option of sticking with remote work for the long term, even offering to help some interested in moving to other countries.

Beginning on June 15, Facebook will let any employee whose job can be done remotely ask to work that way permanently, the internet giant told AFP. “We believe how we work is more important than where we work,” Facebook said while sharing an update to its remote work policy.

“We want to be the place where people can do the best work of their careers while ensuring a consistent experience for employees no matter where they’re located.”

Facebook and other Silicon Valley firms shifted to remote work early in the pandemic, relying on the internet tools they create to get jobs done.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has said he expects the shift to remote work to be a lasting one at the leading social network, which plans to look for employees able to do their jobs from wherever they happen to live.

Facebook recently began reopening its offices after a yearlong pandemic shutdown, but without perks such as free food and commuter shuttles.

The rollout of vaccines and improving health conditions were cited as reasons for gradually welcoming employees back to abandoned campuses.

Facebook said work schedules for those returning to offices will be flexible, but its guidance is for people to be on-site at least half the time.

The leading social network said it is on track to have most of its US campuses at 50 percent capacity by early September.

Some Facebook offices in Europe and Asia are open, according to the California-based firm.

Safety protocols in place include wearing face masks and keeping one’s distance at work, along with routine COVID-19 testing, according to Facebook.

As of June 15, Facebook will also expand remote work across international borders, supporting moves from the United States to Canada as well as shifts to Britain from other parts of Europe, the company said. AFP

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Market declines slightly; Puregold, San Miguel up

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TOCKS fell slightly Thursday on profit taking as many investors stayed in the sidelines after the recent run-ups that sent the benchmark index close to the 7,000-point mark.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 26.83 points,or 0.4 percent, to 6,875.71 on a value turnover of P3.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 118 to 97, with 47 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. retreated 3.2 percent to P808.50, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group dropped 2.3 percent to P60.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co, however, rose 3.7 percent to P39, while conglomerate San Miguel Corp. climbed 3.1 percent to P120.

The rest of Asian markets rose Thursday ahead of US inflation data and a

European Central Bank meeting, while traders also tracked China-US relations after Joe Biden dropped a Trump-era bid to ban TikTok and WeChat.

With the global economy seeing a blockbuster recovery from last year’s virus-induced collapse, investors are in a broadly buoyant mood with expectations that equities will continue higher thanks to re-openings, vaccinations, government stimulus and vast central bank support.

However, that optimism is being dampened by fears the rebound is causing a spike in inflation that will force banks—particularly the Federal Reserve—to wind back their ultraloose programs sooner than previously flagged, despite constant reassurances they will not.

After another weak lead from Wall Street, Asia pressed higher.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai and Jakarta were all in positive territory. Hong Kong pared earlier gains to end flat while Wellington was slightly low The release Thursday of May’s

consumer price index is now crucial, with warnings that a big miss to the upside of the 4.7 percent forecast would ramp up expectations of policy tightening.

Still, observers said there seemed to be a little more calm on trading floors of late as investors accept the rises would be temporary owing to a lower base of comparison with last year and soaring commodity prices.

The yield on 10-year US Treasuries— a key gauge of future interest rates— dipped again Wednesday.

“Even if inflation comes out a little higher than... expectations, the Fed isn’t going to change its path,” Esty Dwek, at Natixis Investment Managers, told Bloomberg TV. “There’s a lot of wait-and-see going on and really just thinking it would take a lot to really surprise markets.”

The European Central Bank is expected to hold its easy money policy in place for now, though its post-meeting statement will be pored over for its plans as the recovery develops.

With AFP

PSEi June 10, 2021

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

MHC EVER BHI ZHI GMA7 SPM GMAP LC ORE BCP

LAST PRICE 0.57 0.42 0.115 0.244 11.5 2.2 10.64 0.169 1.05 30

CHANGE 0.08 0.055 0.014 0.024 0.86 0.16 0.66 0.01 0.06 1.65

% CHANGE 17.53% 15.07% 13.86% 10.91% 8.08% 7.84% 6.61% 6.29% 6.06% 5.82%

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

LRW OV OPMB LAND PHES PRMX MAH DWC ABSP CHP

LAST PRICE 1.86 0.012 0.012 1.9 0.59 3.72 2.26 3.3 11 1.32

CHANGE -0.18 -0.001 -0.001 -0.13 -0.04 -0.23 -0.12 -0.17 -0.5 -0.06

% CHANGE -8.82% -7.69% -7.69% -6.40% -6.35% -5.82% -5.04% -4.90% -4.35% -4.35%

MOST ACTIVE

UNFINISHED BUSINESS. European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic (left) leaves Europe House, the headquarters of the EU delegation in the UK in London on June 9, 2021. The European Union on Wednesday threatened Britain with retaliatory action if it refuses to implement post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland, after talks to solve the simmering row broke up without agreement. AFP

Bidding controversy leaves fate of Port of Calapan workers hanging THE government is trying its best to re-open the Philippine economy and restore millions of jobs lost during the current pandemic.

From fast-food restaurants to retail outlets and hotels, many Filipinos lost their jobs due to mobility restrictions spawned by COVID-19.

The country’s economic managers have offered several schemes to re-start the economy in order to give back the jobs taken away by the pandemic. For some 11,000 workers at the port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro province, however, they may lose their jobs not because of the pandemic but due to a twist in the bidding procedure of the government.

Oriental Mindoro 2nd district Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. is coming to the rescue of the beleaguered workers. He has urged the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation on what he calls the untimely conduct of public biddings on government ports, sea terminals and ports facilities by the Philippine Ports Authority under the agency’s new terminal leasing and management rules and regulations.

The lawmaker, a vice chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Committee, fears the new bidding rules will result in the termination of some 11,000 workers of the Calapan Labor Service Development Cooperative after the PPA discontinued the management contract to operate cargo handling and RORO services in the Port of Calapan City.

Umali naturally obtained the support of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Oriental Mindoro Chapter. “We firmly believe that CALSEDECO deserves to continue its services at the Port of Calapan City as manifested in (its) forty-two years of outstanding performance which (are) attested by

their excellent track record coupled with various awards that it has received from Government Authorities and prestigious award-giving bodies,” wrote the group to PPA general manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago.

“We can certainly vouch the capability of CALSEDECO in providing services for Cargo Handling and Ro-Ro Operations and it is indeed our pride as Mindoreños to have been known as the ONLY surviving Cooperative in the Philippines to venture in this line of services at the waterfront,” says the the group.

The Oriental Mindoro league believes that allowing CALSEDECO to continue its services will protect and provide basic employment and livelihood for the poor port workers and their members.

“Thus, terminating the contract without assurance of renewal or extension would mean deprivation of the main source of livelihood of its members and grave organizational dislocation,” the group adds.

Grossly disadvantageous Umali has called on the Committees on Good Governance and Public Accountability and on Transportation to conduct an investigation on the new bidding regulations, claiming they are “grossly disadvantageous to the government amid this lingering COVID-19 pandemic.”

Umali in his resolution identified five government ports whose contracts are allegedly

being awarded by PPA officials “to a favored corporate entity.” The ports are Puerto Princesa Port, Ormoc Port, Tabaco Port, Legaspi Port and Calapan Port.

The Oriental Mindoro lawmaker claimed that the government would be deprived of huge sums of money due to the PPA’s choice of bidder, which usually didn’t even offer the highest bid for the projects.

He said the government could be losing P1.2 billion from the deals because the winning contractor “posted only a minimum bid despite the fact that there [were] other qualified bidders who posted higher bids.”

Umali declined to name the bidders. “These so-called ‘chosen few’ big companies are primarily focused on the PPA bidding with an intention to monopolize the management of the port,” he says.

“These big companies have already participated and awarded several ports [bid] out by the PPA as what occurred in the first eight [8] biddings where five [5] ports were awarded to a single corporate entity which posted online a minimum bid and whose net contracting capacity is inadequate to sustain long term operations,” he said in the resolution.

Umali says these companies are involved in domestic port operations as well as local shipping. “Their unrestricted access to and familiarity with the agency [PPA] give them full advantage in terms of participation in the bidding,” he said.

“Provincial port operators and their lowly port workers, on the other hand, have very limited, or have no success at all, thereby denying them of a fair opportunity to participate,” he added.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ALI SMPH MBT ACEN MONDE EVER SM CNPF MEG BDO

VOLUME 24411200 12714600 7315400 43436200 23897500 653900000 245960 9599600 68710000 1775680

VALUE (PHP) 923558250 476374120 362704890 344033727 332593100 281017850 247652265 222199370 218466040 193939532

Biden abandons plan to ban TikTok and WeChat apps WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden on Wednesday revoked executive orders from his predecessor Donald Trump seeking to ban Chinese-owned mobile apps TikTok and WeChat over national security concerns, the White House said.

A statement said that instead of banning the popular apps, the Biden administration would carry out a “criteria-based decision framework and rigorous, evidence-based analysis to address the risks” from internet applications controlled by foreign entities.

Trump had claimed the apps posed national security risks and had sought to force the sale of TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance and remains one of the world’s most popular social media apps, to US investors.

The effort by the Trump administration prompted a series of legal challenges which delayed the efforts to ban or force the sale of the applications, which heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

There was no immediate comment from the two companies.

Biden issued a new executive order citing an “ongoing emergency” related to “the continuing effort of foreign adversaries to steal or otherwise obtain United States persons’ data” and calling for a four-month review.

University of Texas law professor Bobby Chesney, who follows national security issues, called the Biden order “a good middle path.”

“They affirmed the nature of the threat and the propriety of using sanctions to address it, and they have held the door open for reimposing some version of these sanctions... but likely with a far stronger and more defensible record,” Chesney tweeted.

But officials said that Biden’s order stopped short of rescinding a review of the 2017 acquisition of TikTok forerunner Musical.ly by ByteDance. AFP

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

B4 FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

SMC Global issues $600-m bonds to fund power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., the power generation arm of San Miguel Corp., said Thursday it issued $600-million worth of senior perpetual capital securities with an initial rate of distribution of 5.45 percent yearly.

SMC Global said in a disclosure to Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. it obtained an approval in-principle from the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. for the listing and quotation of the securities.

The securities were expected to be admitted to the official list of the SGX-ST on June 10.

“The net proceeds of the securities will be used primarily for investments in the 1,313.1-MW Batangas combined cycle power plant and related facilities or for general corporate purposes,” SMC Global said.

SMC Global engaged Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Ltd., DBS Bank Ltd., Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank and UBS AG Singapore Branch as joint lead managers, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Ltd. as trustee and Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch as paying agency.

SMC through subsidiaries Excellent Energy Resources Inc. and Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. won the “two best bids” for Manila Electric Co.’s 20-year 1,800-MW supply contract.

EERI offered to supply Meralco 1,200 MW from a natural gas-fired power plant, while MPPCL offered 600 MW from a coal-fired power plant.

EERI will construct three units of 425.7 MW each of combined cycle power plant in Ilijan, Batangas City capable of supplying 1,200 MW to Meralco. The power plants will be in operation not later than Nov. 26, 2024.

MPPCL will construct a 600 -MW coal-fired thermal power plant in Masinloc, Zambales that will start commercial operations not later than April 26, 2025.

Cavitex, PRA end P78-m upgrade of key road portions

By Darwin G. Amojelar CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. and joint venture partner Philippine Reclamation Authority on Thursday announced the completion of a heavy maintenance project on critical portions of the ManilaCavite Expressway.

Started in February this year, the project entailed the rehabilitation and repair of road surface distresses such as pavement fractures, distortions and disintegration along Longos, Bacoor Entry and Exit to Cavitex and 1-kilometer portion of the mainline carriageway of Wawa Bridge to Zapote Interchange (Cavite and Manila-Bound).

The company spent P78 million for the maintenance of Cavitex.

“With the recently-completed heavy maintenance project in Cavitex, we now have safer carriageways and smoother roads that help improve the overall driving experience of our motorists. Despite challenges brought about by the pandemic, we continue to invest on projects that will ensure safety and convenience of our toll road users,“ said CIC president and general manager Roberto Bontia.

PRA general manager and chief executive Janilo Rubiat said they were fully committed to providing a safe and highquality expressway to motorists.

“We ensure that they get what they pay for in terms of safety, ease and convenience in travelling through Cavitex. Hence, we considered the high maintenance project a must to live up to that commitment, and with the results we now see and experience in the toll road, we consider it money well spent,” he said.

CIC and PRA completed the road enhancements project for Segment 1 (R1 Expressway) last year which covered road widening for additional lanes in Paranaque, Wawa and Las Pinas bridges from three lanes to four lanes.

Business Foreign investments rose st 45% to $2.4b in 1 quarter

By Julito G. Rada

N

ET inflows of foreign direct investments jumped 140 percent in March to $808 million from $337 million a year ago, on improved sentiment following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination program and the gradual resumption of domestic activities, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

This brought the cumulative FDI net inflows in the first quarter to $2.4 billion, up by 45 percent from $1.6 billion registered in the same period last year.

The increase in FDIs in the first quarter was driven by the 113.2-percent growth in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to $1.4 billion from $671 million. Reinvestment of earnings improved 5.4 percent to $225 million from $213 million a year earlier.

“March 2021 FDI increased on account of improved investor sentiment amid the gradual resumption of domestic activities, while adhering to

the minimum health standards and government efforts to accelerate the vaccination program,” the BSP said in a statement.

“In particular, FDI net inflows during the period expanded due to the substantial increase in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to $380 million from $45 million in the comparable month last year,” it said.

Non-residents’ net investments in equity capital went up by 52.8 percent to $349 million in March from $229 million in the same month last year.

Equity capital placements expanded by 35.9 percent to $377 million from

$278 million, while withdrawals declined by 42.6 percent to $28 million from $49 million.

Data showed that the bulk of the equity capital placements in March came mostly from Singapore, Japan and the United States. These were channeled mainly to electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning; and manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the rollout of the vaccination program would result in the generation of more jobs that could make the economy recover faster in the coming months from the five successive quarters of recession.

“Unemployment peaked in April 2020 at 17.6 percent. But it stood at 8.7 percent in April 2021. The vaccine rollout could [trigger] further jobs creation,” Diokno said in an online briefing.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that unemployment rate in April increased to 8.7 percent from 7.1 percent in March. The number of jobless individuals was registered at 4.14 million in April.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, June 10, 2021

-26.83 PTS. 6,875.71

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

3,056,646,068 110,599 3,605,888,529.56 97 118 47

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.7390

Japan

Yen

0.009123

0.4355

UK

Pound

1.412000

67.4075

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128873

6.1523

Switzerland

Franc

1.116695

53.3099

Canada

Dollar

0.826037

39.4342

Singapore

Dollar

0.754888

36.0376

Australia

Dollar

0.773100

36.9070

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656113

126.8002

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.7301

Brunei

Dollar

0.752049

35.9021

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032103

1.5326

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

12.9980

Euro

Euro

1.217900

58.1413

Korea

Won

0.000897

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.156580

7.4750

India

Rupee

0.013702

0.6541

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242954

11.5984

New Zealand

Dollar

0.717700

34.2623

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036027

1.7199 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Review of fuel vending machines welcomed THE Philippine Institute of Petroleum, an organization of oil industry players, welcomed the Department of Energy’s move to review technical and safety policies governing technology-solution retail outlets, such as fuel vending machines.

A TSRO in Calapan, Mindoro exploded on Sunday while receiving fuel from a tanker and the adjacent residential properties and establishments were also severely damaged as a result of the incident. A TSRO is defined by the DOE as a type of retail outlet resulting from emerging technologies that addresses the requirements of liquid fuels in areas currently served by the illegal “botebote” trade.

“We thank the DOE for heeding our call to look at and review existing regulations governing the TSROs given the risks that some of these type of retail outlets, which may be non-compliant to DOE’s rules, pose to the general public. We commit to DOE our full support for its thorough assessment of TSROs operating in the country,” the PIP said in a statement. Alena Mae S. Flores

Major PH banks remain strong—BSP

AETA FAMILY CENTERS. Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of Solaire Resort and Casino, continues its social projects, including the construction of five Pagsasarili Family Care Centers for each of the five Aeta sitios in the municipalities of Mabalacat, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac. Leading the groundbreaking of the Aeta family centers are (from left) Achiebon Estanislao, barangay chairman of San Marcos Village in Mabalacat; Atty. Roland Calde, regional director of Region III- National Commission of Indigenous Peoples; Filipina Laurena, executive director of BCFI; Manuel Gaerlan, president of Clark Development Corp.; and Jose De Jesus, former CDC Chairman.

SEC supports easing of bank secrecy law to combat crimes

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it supports the proposed easing of the bank secrecy law to reinforce the country’s fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion and other financial crimes.

It said in a statement the proposed amendment of Republic Act No. 1405, or the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law, as provided under House Bill No. 8991, would empower the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to inquire into and examine deposits when there is reasonable ground to believe that fraud, serious irregularity or unlawful activity has been committed by stockholders, trustees, officers or employees of

supervised institutions.

The corporate regulator said the bill would also allow the BSP to disclose the results of the inquiry or examination conducted with the SEC, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., Anti-Money Laundering Council, Department of Justice and the courts, when necessary to prevent or prosecute any offense or crime.

“Such provisions will lift a longstanding barrier to effective investigation and prosecution of financial crimes,” the SEC said.

It said Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law limited the effectiveness of the regulator to establish the owners of bank accounts used in cases of violations of the Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code; Republic Act No. 11232,

or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines; and other laws implemented by the Commission.

It said that in certain cases, the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law prevented the SEC from validating information on the declared financial position of companies where there are grounds to believe that there is an effort to conceal misconduct, corporate fraud or noncompliance with certain requirements.

The Financial Action Task Force, International Monetary Fund and other international organizations repeatedly raised concerns about the unintended consequences of the country’s stringent bank secrecy law and accordingly recommended its easing to enable effective supervision of the financial system.

MAJOR lenders or the so-called domestic systemically important banks remain strong and stable amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic as they continue to post growth and remain well-capitalized, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday.

D-SIBs are banks whose distress or disorderly failure would cause significant disruptions to the wider financial system and economy. “D-SIBs remain on solid footing amid the heath crisis. We see this contributing to the overall soundness of the domestic financial system and the country’s financial stability,” Diokno said in an online briefing.

He said the assets and deposits of D-SIBs grew year-on-year by 6.2 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, based on preliminary end-March 2021 data. This was in line with the 5.6-percent asset growth and 7.8-percent deposit growth posted by the banking system.

The capital buffers of D-SIBs continued to be well above regulatory minimum and were higher compared to levels a year ago, the BSP said. The capital adequacy ratio of D-SIBs rose to 15.8 percent at end-2020 from its year ago level of 15.3 percent.

Julito G. Rada

Red Fiber offers deals, sets expansion goals RED Fiber, the country’s newest broadband provider, is giving new subscribers the opportunity to enjoy three months’ worth of free subscription at twice the speed of their plans for the first 30 days (available for plans 20Mbps, 50Mbps, and 100Mbps).

Subscribers of Dual Play plans, RED Fiber’s internet and TV bundles, may be upgraded to the highest TV plan, giving them access to more than 120 channels for the first 90 days.

Red Fiber is the consumer fiber broadband service of Radius Telecoms Inc., a 100-percent subsidiary of Manila Electro Co., which runs on a pure end-to-end fiber network. The provider’s Dual Play service, made available in partnership with CignalTV, the country’s no. 1 direct-to-home satellite provider, provides a wide array of high-definition IPTV channels to subscribers.

With RED Fiber, customers are assured of the highest service reliability in the market, with the promise of a 24 to 48-hour service restoration for any network issue.

BOI cites improvement in manufacturing sector

By Othel V. Campos THE manufacturing sector began to show an improvement in April and May, based on the results of two surveys, the Board of Investments said Thursday.

Results of the monthly integrated survey of selected industries conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the volume of production index rebounded 162.1 percent year-on-year in April from the 73.3-percent decline in March.

IHS Markit also reported that purchasing managers’ index reached 49.9 in May, up from 49.0 in April, indicating a swift movement towards stabilization with some businesses already resuming operations.

“We welcome these encouraging developments. Our capacity utilization inched up to 63.6 percent in April from 63 percent the previous month. This shows a huge increase and we see a continuing increase in the months ahead,” said Trade Secretary and BOI chairman Ramon Lopez.

“This was because of the more permis-

sive quarantine restrictions we implemented this year as we gradually reopen the economy. Even under the Enhanced Community Quarantine in March and Modified ECQ in April of this year, there was a higher operating capacity for manufacturing and exports. Despite the restrictions, we kept the economy moving and limited the lockdowns to the non-essential sectors,” he said.

Data from the PSA showed that 20 of the 22 industries posted increases in production volume for April, with basic metals posting the fasting growth of 687.5 percent and only the refined petroleum products and pharmaceuticals recording declines.

“The value of production index also posted YoY growth of 154.3 percent for April, which was the first positive growth since April 2019 and is the highest annual increase in the 2018-based data series,” the PSA said, in contrast to the VAPI values of 74.2 percent in March 2021 and 66.6 percent in April last year.

ICTSI MILESTONE IN CROATIA. Adriatic Gate Container Terminal, the Croatian subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc., achieves a milestone with a cumulative throughput of 2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) as the company marks its 10th anniversary. Achieved over the course of a decade since AGCT started operations at the Port of Rijeka in April 2011, the milestone highlights the company’s highly successful public-private partnership with Luka Rijeka, Rijeka Port Authority and the Government of Croatia. ICTSI has invested more than $50 million to modernize the terminal.

Sports

Athletes based abroad to get vaccines in host countries THE country’s Tokyo Olympicsbound athletes training abroad will get their anti-COVID-19 vaccines in their host countries, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

The POC chief said Malaysia assured that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and her team will get their second dose of the vaccine, while Japanese sports officials guaranteed the inoculation of gymnast Carlos Yulo and his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to all our NOC neighbors for helping our athletes to get vaccinated,” said Tolentino, also the PhilCycling president.

Diaz and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo and Chinese coach Kaiwen Gao have been training in Selangor for more than a year.

The boxers—particularly Olympic qualifiers Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam—will get theirs at their Thailand training camp. Eumir Felix Marcial completed his vaccines in Las Vegas earlier this year.

Boxers Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, James Palicte, Marjon Piañar, Risa Pasuit and Aira Villegas and coaches Donald Abnett, Nolito “Boy” Velasco, Ronald Chavez, Elmer Pamisa and Reynaldo Galido also got their vaccines while abroad.

Yulo and Kugimiya, on the other hand, will be jabbed anytime soon with Tolentino and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion-Norton securing the guarantee from the Japan Olympic Committee and the Japanese Gymnastics Association.

“Although vaccine is not mandatory in the Olympics, we cannot put the well-being and health of our athletes at risk,” Tolentino said. “Once you are tested positive, you’re automatically out of the competition.”

Tolentino said the POC is reaching out to pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to get his vaccines in Italy, where he is training.

Rower Cris Nievarez already got his first dose of the vaccine, along with 729 Southeast Asian Gamesbound athletes and coaches last May 28 in Manila.

Taekwondo’s Kurt Bryan Barbosa and newly qualified skateboarderMargielyn Didal will get their first dose in the second batch of mass vaccination of athletes and coaches within the month.

A total of 870 more athletes and coaches from national sports associations, which are not on the Hanoi SEA Games program are now in the POC, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Manila vaccination program.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

C1

Djokovic to Nadal: Let’s have a great battle PARIS—Novak Djokovic said facing Rafael Nadal for the 58th time on Friday, with a place in the French Open final on the line, will be “a great battle” against his “biggest ever rival”.

Djokovic secured the eagerly-awaited clash when he reached his 40th Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 Novak Djokovic battles his “biggest ever rival” Rafael Nadal for the 58th time.

Didal formally claims Olympic skate berth

By Peter Atencio

F

ILIPINO skateboarder Margielyn Didal has formally earned a qualifying slot to the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan this July.

Her qualification was made official after the sport’s international federation World Skate released the roster of qualifiers at its official website.

Didal will be in the quadrennial meet with no. 3-ranked Japanese bet Aori Nishimura, who recently won the crown in the women’s finals of the World Street Skateboarding Championships in Rome, Italy.

Situated at no. 17 in the Olympic rankings, Didal made the cut after organizers struck out three Brazilians from the list, which had six skateboarders from the South American country.

Brazil’s Pamela Rosa (no. 1) and Rayssa Leal (no. 2) and Leticia Bufoni (no. 4), made the cut, but their teammates Virginia Aguas, Gabriela Mazze-

Kristina Knott

to and Isabelly Dasilva did Julia Brueckler, Charnot as each member nation lotte Hym (France), Asia can only obtain a maxiLanzi (Italy) and Biopelo mum of three spots in each Awuah. event, with 12 maximum Didal is the 10th Filipino to across the 4 events. make the Olympics, joining This same rule was early qualifiers pole vaulter applied on Japan, which EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos has already three qualiYulo, boxers Irish Magno, fiers in Nishimura, Funa Eumir Marcial, Nesthy PeNakayama and Momiji tecio and Carlo Paalam, Nishiya, prompting orweightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, ganizers to remove from Margielyn Didal rower Cris Nievarez and taethe list Yumeka Oda. kwondo jin Kurt Barbosa.

Didal is the only skateboarder from According to eligibility rules, the Southeast Asia to make the grade. highest-placed athletes in each of the Each event will have 20 competitors four World Championship events held —three from the World Champion- in 2021 will be directly qualified to ships, 16 from the world rankings and participate in the Olympic Games reone from the host, Japan. gardless of their placings on the OlymMariah Duran (USA) and Roos pic World Skateboarding Rankings as Zwetsloot (Netherlands) also made it, of June 30. along with Dutch bet Candy Jacobs and After that, athletes will first be seAustralia’s Hayley Wilson. lected by name on the Olympic World Other qualified athletes include Skateboarding Rankings as of June Alexis Sablone (USA), Keet Olden- 30, 2021 with a maximum quota of beuving (Netherlands), Alana Smith three athletes per NOC until the num(USA), China’s Wenhui Zeng, Lore ber of 16 athletes is reached, includBruggeman of Belgium, Austria’s ing continental places.

Knott nearing Tokyo qualification KRISTINA Knott placed sixth overall in the women’s 200-meter sprint and moved to closer to a qualifying seat to the Tokyo Olympics.

Knott boosted her chances during the inaugural North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association New Life Invitational last Saturday.

The current holder of the Philippine national record for the event clocked 23.37 seconds at the end of her event in the competition, also known as the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida.

The 25-year-old Filipino-American track star was five notches behind world no. 3 and Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Thompson-Herah took the gold in 22.54 seconds, which was within the Olympic Qualification standard of 22.8 seconds.

Kyra Jefferson of the United States also hit the OQS time after

submitting a time of 22.77 seconds, with British sprinter Jodie Williams taking third in 23.10 seconds.

Knott’s performance earned her 50 points, allowing her to move up in the Olympic rankings by a notch to no. 62.

It was Knott’s third best time of the season, since clocking 23.17 seconds at the 2021 Louisiana State University Alumni Gold Athletics meet in Baton Rouge last April.

She now has 1141 points to her credit and will need only four points to move further up the Olympic rankings and make it to no. 56.

“It went well. She won her heat, third fastest time this season under any conditions (+2.6 ), finished healthily, placed 6th overall, got points, mission accomplished,” said Knott’s coach Rohsaan Griffin, who added if Knott reaches the rank of no. 56, she will be able to make cut to the Tokyo Olympics by way of the World Rankings quota.

“She is is 4 points away from

qualifying by points. We have the competitions, so our chances are extremely high qualifying that way,” said Griffin.

Knott gained a significant increase in her position in the current Olympic rankings since joining two world-class meets in Italy last month.

Rising from the mid-80s in the past months, Knott has moved to 63rd place after two meets in Italy.

Racing against Rio Olympics veteran Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast on May 19 at the International Meeting of the City of Castiglione della Pescaia in Italy also counted as another of her best stints this year.

While Ta Lou, who is at no. 5 in the Olympics, dominated the 200 meters in 22.88 seconds with +4.9 meters/second breeze blowing, Knott settled for the silver behind her in 23.9 seconds, her second best time of the season. Peter Atencio

Clarkson comes to rescue of vandalized Filipino food truck

By Lyka Jazmin dela Cruz A FILIPINO food truck that was vandalized in an apparent racist and anti-Asian attack in Salt Lake City has received support from Fil-American Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.

Clarkson, recently named 6th Man of the Year in the NBA, offered to help the embattled Filipino owner of the Yum Yum Asian Food Truck, which was spray-painted with anti-Asian messages. Clark hired the services of IdentityGraphx to give the food truck a new paint job.

In a tweet, Clarkson said he knows the pain of receiving hateful language and racism. He also hopes that his help would some-

how lift up the spirit of the owner and his family.

“I stand in solidarity with Utah’s Filipino community—love is more powerful than hate! #utahfilipino #StopAAPIHate #stopasianhate,” Clarkson tweeted.

Layton, Utah Mayor Joy Petro and city council members also helped in the restoration of the food truck, which is set to re-open on June 12, the Philippines’ Independence Day. “It has been an emotional few days. The love and support that we got from all of you has been deeply heartfelt. My family can’t thank you guys enough. Special thanks to Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson and Dan from Identity graphics for the new

look. We want to thank everyone individually in a couple weeks when we have our LOVE celebration in the park and feed the community. Thanks to Mayor Joy Petro, Councilman Clint Morris, Councilman Zach Bloxham, Dustin, everyone in the neighborhood and all of you angels. Love prevails. We are going to have our grand reopening this Saturday at the Philippine independence day celebration in slc,” the Yum Yum owner said.

Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz celebrates during Round 2, Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP

win over Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

It will be his 11th appearance in the last-four in Paris where he was champion in 2016.

Nadal, the 13-time winner, beat Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to make the semi-finals for the 14th time.

He will be playing in his 35th Slam semi.

“I’ll probably pick Rafa as the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career,” said world number one Djokovic.

“The anticipation for the match against him, any match, any surface, any occasion, is always different from any other.

“Let’s have a great battle.”

Although Djokovic has the edge at 29-28 in their overall rivalry stretching back 15 years, Nadal enjoys a 7-1 record in their French Open meetings and is 19-7 overall on clay.

Djokovic’s last win over the Spanish star on a clay court was in Rome five years ago.

Nadal’s record in Paris now stands at 105 wins against just two losses.

One of those defeats, however, was at the hands of Djokovic in 2015.

‘Release of emotions’

With Djokovic’s quarter-final extending beyond the national 11pm curfew, play was halted for around 20 minutes at 3-2 in the fourth set so that 5,000 fans could be funnelled out of Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic eventually claimed the match on a third match point in the 12th game but only after he kicked out at an advertising board in frustration at missing the first two.

His scream into the humid night air told of his relief as his bid to win a 19th Grand Slam and be the first man in more than 50 years to claim all four majors twice stayed on course.

“It was a release of all the emotions I had kept inside me,” said Djokovic who hit 44 winners and saved all three break points he faced against the Italian.

“After all the fans left and the little break it wasn’t easy to find rhythm.

It was really a very difficult match for me.”

He added: “It was a great battle against a player who serves well and is powerful. Maybe I could have finished on the tie break, but I’m happy to have won.”

Nadal also has a landmark in view in Paris.

If he gets to Sunday’s final and wins, he would secure a record-setting 21st major, edging ahead of Roger Federer in the all-time race.

Wednesday’s night session was the 10th and last at this year’s tournament but was the first to allow in fans after the 9 p.m.

COVID-19 curfew was pushed Turn to C2

C2

Sports

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

Suns scorch Nuggets for 2-0 lead L

OS ANGELES—Chris Paul scored 17 points and handed out 15 assists Wednesday to propel the Phoenix Suns to a crushing 123-98 victory over Denver and a 2-0 lead in their NBA playoff series.

Veteran point guard Paul was the keystone of the Suns’ dominant victory, pulling down five rebounds and finishing the night without a turnover.

Every Suns starter scored in double figures and Phoenix did not give the Nuggets a chance to celebrate the NBA Most Valuable Player award that Denver center Nikola Jokic received on Tuesday.

Devin Booker scored 18 points for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton added 15 points and 10 rebounds and also kept Jokic in check for much of the night.

Jokic finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, sitting out the

fourth quarter with Phoenix in full control.

“It was a team effort, once again,” Paul said.

“We knew how important this game was,” he added, noting the Suns did not want to head to Denver for game three on Friday with the series split. “We just wanted to maintain home-court advantage and get the win.”

Leading 52-42 at halftime, the Suns pushed the lead to 60-43 with the help of two three-pointers from Jae Crowder.

Phoenix led 86-67 heading into the final quarter, when they pushed the lead to as many as 31 with Jokic and

Aaron Gordon on the bench.

Gordon and Crowder both received technical fouls after a testy exchange in the third quarter, but the incident was just a blip in the Suns’ march.

The Nuggets clearly continue to miss Jamal Murray—out with a torn knee ligament—and Jokic got little aid from his banged-up supporting cast.

Denver missed eight of their first 10 shots and things went downhill for them from there.

Michael Porter, who hurt his back in game one, played 27 minutes and put up 11 points—but connected on just three of 13 shots from the field.

Will Barton, sidelined since April with hamstring trouble, came off the bench in the first quarter and scored 10 points in 16 minutes.

But Nuggets coach Michael Malone was offering no excuses when he called the game “embarrassing.”

“I saw one team that wanted to be here, played with purpose and urgency, and one team that did not want to be here and played with no urgency— and that’s why we got our ass kicked,” Malone said after the Nuggets lost by the biggest margin they surrendered all season.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that played really bad tonight,” Malone said. “And we allowed the impact of not making a shot to affect the other end.”This was just an embar rassing performance all the way around, from top to bottom.”

After home games where they were buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd, Paul said the Suns must “make sure we travel with the same energy.”

“We’ve been a really good road team all season long,” Paul said.

“We’ll rest and try to get ready for the Mile High.” AFP

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets during Round 2, Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP

FPS game Valorant gets mobile version

By Jonas Ryan Nitura RIOT Games announced that First Person Shooter (FPS) game VALORANT will get a mobile version soon.

ValorINTEL publicized this on Twitter on the first anniversary of VALORANT last June 2, 2021.

Anna Donlon, VALORANT’s executive producer, said that they wanted to repay the gaming community by making the game a global experience.

“One of our top goals this first year was to earn the trust and respect of the global FPS community, and to prove to them that VALORANT will always uphold the fundamentals of a truly worthwhile competitive tac-shooter,” Donlon said.

“To see our growing player community recognize and appreciate what we’re trying to do with VALORANT is beyond what we could’ve expected and we’re thrilled to soon offer the same competitive

VALORANT experience to even more global players.”

This could also mean that having VALORANT on video game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox can be a possibility as well. Donlon, however, said that this type of tactical FPS game is easier to transition to mobile than in console.

Riot Games has also done this recently with League of Legends, which was released on mobile with the title “League of Legends: Wild Rift,” last year.

Other games like Fortnite from Epic Games and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds from PUBG Cooperation produced a mobile version that became a hit for the gaming community of mobile players.

There is no exact date yet when the mobile version of VALORANT will be released, but the executive producer presumed that it will be out in a year or two.

ONE stars predict ‘Apprentice’ winner: Louie or Jessica?

IN the final episode of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” two global candidates will battle to decide who’s going to win the $250,000 job offer and become ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s “Apprentice” and Chief Of Staff.

Filipino Louie Sangalang struts his wares against Jessica Ramella in a battle between two smart, fiery, and outspoken candidates, and their clash has sparked debate online as to who deserves to win and become the ultimate “Apprentice.”

Louie Sangalang against Jessica Ramella, one last time

ONE Championship’s stars and World Champions were asked to give their respective predictions, and they picked Jessica to win by a narrow margin of 7-6.

The Venezuelan garnered votes from ONE Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, former two-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex, the legendary Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, American star “Super” Sage Northcutt, Indian wrestling sensation Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat, Evolve MMA star Amir Khan, and Wushu World Champion Priscilla Hertati “Thatie” Lumban Gaol.

On the other hand, 43-year-old Louie got major support from his compatriots, starting with reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former World Champs Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, and Brandon “The Truth” Vera.

He also got some backing from reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan “Singh” Bhullar and

Indonesian grappling specialist Eko Roni Saputra.

The close call embodies the neckand-neck race to the finish between the Filipino and the Venezuelan.

They have ultimately developed a good bond and a mutual respect for one another, owing to their many similarities in their approach in the show.

That’s why no matter who wins, they will both be happy.

“She will always have the highest regard on my end because I’ve seen how she really fought for her place to be in the finals,” Louie said of Jessica.

“I think that’s the reason why even if she’s my greatest competitor in the finals, it doesn’t matter for me. She deserves to be there.”

Jessica reciprocated Louie’s statement.

“I think that Louie and I are the perfect two finalists for this competition.

May the best person win,” she said.

So who’s it going to be? Find out in the finale of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” on One Sports this Monday, 14 June, at 9 p.m.

PSC launches Indigenous Sports/Games webinar series THE Philippine Sports Commission is set to launch its 2021 Indigenous Sports and Games Webinar Series on June 24.

The Association for International Sports for All secretary-general Wolfgang Baumann will serve as resource speaker on this web series.

The webinar dubbed: “Preserving and Promoting the Rich Cultural Heritage of our Ancestors,” will serve as a strong follow-up on last October’s activity “Preservation of culture and heritage through Indigenous Sports and Games.”

The forthcoming webinars aim to highlight the rich and colorful culture and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of the country.

PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey said that he is expecting some 1,000 participants, varying from government officials, IP stakeholders, educators, and Indigenous Peoples.

“We’re going international for our 2021 Webinar Series launching. We are very honored and excited to have Secretary-General Wolfgang Baumann as our speaker,” Maxey said.

He added that more virtual activities are scheduled for this year under the Indigenous Peoples Games Program.

“We have already planned a series of webinars for October this year to coincide with the observance of the Indigenous Peoples Month,” said Maxey.

The webinar will be held in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. The activity, which is sponsored by Pocari Sweat, will be streamed live via PSC’s social media pages.

Fitness talk @ Sunshine Place Online STAYING active is one of the best ways to keep oneself physically fit.

Physical activities can help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. They also increase muscle strength.

Being active also contributes to a person’s wellness and health as physical activities helps lower blood sugar, improve blood flow, keep weight under control and prevent bone loss, among others.

The new normal of staying at home has restricted most people from moving around so they are not able to get the proper movement the body needs.

This is especially true for seniors who are discouraged from going out of their residences.

There is no need to despair. Sunshine Place Online has scheduled a fitness talk and webinar on June 14, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The fitness talk and webinar will be facilitated by fitness coach Cathy Mariano of Life-Care Fitness Management, Inc. Mariano, who has a degree in Sports Science, will talk about activities one can indulgence in while confined at home to keep oneself healthy. The webinar and fitness talk is free for members of the Sunshine Place Senior Recreation Center.

To know more, please call mobile 0917-5155656 or email online.sunshineplace@gmail.com or visit WWW.sunshineplaceph.com and Facebook Sunshne Place: Senior Recreation Center.

Djokovic...

From C1

back to 11pm.

The previous nine sessions were played in an empty Court Philippe Chatrier, not a good look for streaming giant Amazon who had secured the broadcast rights.

“I thought the atmosphere was Davis Cup like, to be honest,” said Djokovic.

“It was a lot of fans involved, every single point cheering, screaming. Just electric atmosphere out there.

“I’m happy that I had that experience of playing in front of the crowd in the night session.”

Entertainment

POWER OF TWO

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

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Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves host Binibining Pilipinas grand coronation

A

LL roads lead to the PAGEANT prestigious 57th Binibining CONCEPT Pilipinas grand coronation ETON night, finally unfolding at the Smart CONCEPCION Araneta Coliseum on July 11 with thirty-four lovely, driven women competing for the right to represent the country on the international pageant stage.

This year’s candidates will vie for Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe, and Miss Grand International titles.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves will play hosts to the much-awaited event, shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outgoing reigning queens will relinquish their crowns led by Bb. Pilipinas International 2019 Bea Patricia Magtanong along with Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Tiglao. Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019 Leren Mae Bautista, and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2019 Maria Andrea Abesamis/Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2020 Samantha Bernardo.

Heavy favorites for the four titles at stake include: Hannah Arnold, 25, FilAussie advocate for accessible learning resources in far-flung communities; Maureen Montagne, 27, Fil-American and first runner-up in 2019 Miss Eco International; Samantha Panlilio, 25, niece of first Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1964 Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo; Patricia Denise D. Babista, 24, Magna Cum Laude graduate in BS in Management of Financial Institutions of De La Salle University; Gabrielle Basiano, 23, Miss Friendship International 2019 first runnerup and advocate for mental healthcare; and Patrizia Garcia, 25, advocate of psychological well-being of children.

Also in the favorite list are: Meiji Cruz, 26, model and events host; Vianca

Sue Ramirez scores new beauty brand endorsement IT WAS a remarkable performance by Sue Ramirez to add spice to the Why Kawaii?

Virtual Launch of Kawaii Whitening Soap on Facebook.

The lead star of Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, gave a delightful performance of a Keiko Necesario original “While We Are Young,” which served as the music for Kawaii Whitening Soap’s fashion show reveal.

The song was specially chosen for the virtual event as it sends the right message to all Filipinas, quoting a line from its lyrics, “Don't stop 'til everything's amazing, Dream away seize the day Give it all you got this is your day.” A true motivation to all those millions of Filipinas seeking to better themselves.

"We are happy to have Sue as our Kawaii Whitening Soap endorser,” according to Leonardo Aquino, vice president for Sales of Global Care Cosmetics Corporation.

“She is a good fit since she is kawaii, in fact, she is more. What she represents as an individual, a celebrity, and a performer, appeals to

the potential users of Kawaii Whitening Soap,” added Aquino.

Kawaii Whitening Soap’s entry into a demanding market comes at the right time when Filipinas are seeking better and immediate results. Kawaii Whitening Soap promises to deliver a gentle glow and whiter skin in as early as five days. Definitely faster than other premium-priced options because of its triple action whitening ingredients. And is available in supermarkets, groceries, specialty stores, drug stores, and convenience stores.

Global Care Cosmetics Corporation shared that the company meticulously chose the active ingredients that will deliver faster whitening results, which can now be found in Kawaii Whitening Soap’s four variants - papaya, green papaya, kojic, and glutathione. The soap is also dermatologically tested, Halal certified, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Television star Sue Ramirez is the new face of a beauty brand that aims to provide immediate and noticeable results.

‘Gameboys’ Elijah and Kokoy play on Heart of Asia IN TIME for Pride month, Heart of Asia airs the hit series Gameboys beginning this Sunday, June 13.

Originally a web series, viewers can now follow the heartwarming story of Cairo Lazaro (Elijah Canlas) and Gavreel Mendoza Alarcon (Kokoy de Santos) on TV via GMA’s digital channel.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Luzon quarantine, Cairo and Gavreel meet via an online game. Cairo, a live-stream gamer who goes by the username ‘Caimazing’ loses to Gavreel’s ‘Angel2000’. When Cairo invites Gavreel for a rematch, Gavreel confesses his love for Cairo and asks for a date with Cairo in return.

While both of them slowly bond with each other, they meet people along the way and face personal problems that will soon affect their budding relationship.

Will Cairo and Gavreel’s love triumph amid the pandemic and ‘Gameboys’ feature the story of Cairo Lazaro (Elijah Canlas) and Gavreel Mendoza Alarcon (Kokoy de Santos) who find love in the middle of heightened lockdown due to the pandemic.

despite their troubles? Watch ‘Gameboys’ every Sunday, 11:00 p.m., on Heart of Asia channel via GMA Affordabox, GMA Now, and other digital TV boxes.

Learn more about your favorite Kapuso shows and artists by visiting www.

GMANetwork. com.

Louise Marcelo, 26, businesswoman and former Reyna ng Bulacan and Miss Silka Philippines 2011; Justine Beatrice Felizarta, 25, Licensed Medical Aesthetician and an overseas Filipino worker advocate; Shanon Tampon, 23, advocate of animal welfare; Karen Laurrie Mendoza, 25, former Supermodel Philippines 2019 and advocate for mental health issues; Jashmin Dimaculangan, 25, model and former Daragang Magayon 2019; Maria Francesca Taruc, 22, former Miss Tourism World Intercontinetal 2019 granddaughter of Hukbalahap and peasant leader-patriot Luis Taruc; Danica Joy Acuna, 27, Licensed Rescue Diver, graduate of Theater Arts from Miriam College and advocates Children Empowerment through Theater Arts; and Alexandra Faith Garcia, 26, model, triathlete and entrepreneur.

The rest of the 34 candidates are: Lois Anne Badando, Arainne Desieree Vairdo, Princess Guanzon, Shaira Marie Rona, Cinderella Faye Obeñita, Alexandra Rosales, Kimberly Tiquestiques, Ma. Ruth Erika Quin, Lovely Mercado, Carina Cariño, Czarina Guiao, Honey Grace Cartasano, Noriza Valerio, Graciella Lehmann, Mercedes Romero Pair, Micca Rosal, Lesley Anne Ticaro, Bellatrix Tan, and Honey Be Parreñas.

Binibini Queens Catriona Gray and Nicole Cordoves will be the hosts of the pandemic delayed beauty pageant happening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in July.

SINGER Darren Espanto is all set Along with his jaw-dropping vocal to showcase his transformation as a prowess and hip moves, the Kapamilya performer, shedding off his teenage artist promises never-before-seen song persona for an edgier repertoire and vibe numbers that will make him soar to in his comeback concert Home Run, greater heights, which includes his finally happening on June 19 (Saturday) performance of his latest single “Tama with a rerun on June 20 (Sunday).

Na.” “It's called ‘Darren Home Run’ The track lyrically speaks of unrequited because in the past seven years parang love and having the courage to withdraw naikot ko na po lahat ng bases in the from a one-sided relationship on top of a music/concert scene in the Philippines. pop, hip-hop, and R&B sound. “I really So it's kind of like I hit a home run in liked the song instantly. It’s a sound that this show. I just came back from Canada people haven’t heard from me before and so I'm very excited,” Darren said. it’s also a genre I’ve always wanted to Initially scheduled on May 30 and try,” he said.

31, Darren Home Run: The Comeback Tickets for Darren Home Run: The Concert was postponed after the young Comeback Concert are still available artist was exposed to a COVID-19 for purchase via KTX.ph, iWantTFC, positive individual. Now all systems go and TFC IPTV. VIP tickets are priced at this month for the grand musical show P1,500, available only for the June 19 which is a collaboration between ABSlive show via KTX.ph, with an exclusive CBN Events and MCA Music and will access to a Zoom party with Darren. stream via KTX.ph, iWantTFC, and TFC Regular tickets can be availed for P699.

IPTV worldwide.

SKYcable subscribers can also The first major solo virtual concert experience the whole of Darren—who just turned 20 last concert commercialMay 24—will be directed by Paolo free and in highValenciano,, with TV direction by definition via SKY Jon Moll and musical direction by Pay-Per-View on Soc Mina.. Performances on the June 19 (Saturday) show will be choreographed by D at 8 pm for only Grind.

P699.

“This is the biggest virtual concert that I have ever done.

Most of the songs that I personally chose for the setlist are close to my heart and may relation din sa journey ko sa showbiz,” Darren Espanto, who celebrated his 20th birthday in May, promises to give audiences a performance that would see him as a mature music artist.

Darren teased.

DARREN ESPANTO hits ‘Home Run’

PLDT, Viu team up to offer better entertainment at home THERE is no stopping K-drama fans and serial binge-watchers from falling deeper into the Korean entertainment scene, with its extensive array of top-quality drama series, films, and reality shows.

From thrillers and mysteries that keep them on the edge of their seats, heartwarming stories of family and friendship, to the most swoon-worthy romances and inspiring journeys to reaching one’s dreams, it offers an infinite world to discover and keep aficionados spoiled for choice.

Now, K-drama fans can enjoy a better viewing experience with their K-tribe at home as the country’s fastest home broadband, PLDT Home, launches its partnership with Viu, a leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service.

Butch G. Jimenez, PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business, said “PLDT Home has been providing Filipinos with world-class entertainment through our global content partnerships. Today, we’re bringing the premiere destination for K-dramas, Viu. Our customers can now enjoy their favorite K-dramas with the fastest broadband in the country.”

PLDT Home treats subscribers to onemonth free access to the Viu Premium service. With Viu Premium, Filipinos can

catch the best K-dramas seamlessly and without interruption with zero ads, enjoy unlimited downloads, and get first access to the newest shows. Korean dramaloving families will be in for a treat as Viu Premium also allows subscribers to watch on their TV through the Viu TV app or through casting.

On top of this, subscribers can enjoy a discounted subscription fee of just P80 per month. Subscribers can avail of this exclusive offer by conveniently charging their Viu subscription on top of their PLDT Home bill.

Helen Sou, Chief Business Officer, Asia of Viu said, “As the appetite for premium Asian content continues to grow in the Philippines, watching Korean shows has become a way for families to bond and entertain themselves at home.

With Viu’s goal to provide the best of Asian entertainment, we continue to work closely with the top Korean broadcasters to bring the largest volume and widest selection of Korean content titles to Filipinos. By working with PLDT, we’re glad that our strong library of Korean content has become closer and more accessible to Filipino families at home.”

Viu is currently airing its newest Korean original series Doom At Your Service, starring Seo In Guk from Hundred Million Stars From The Sky, and Park Bo Young, best known for her titular character in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. They have also recently announced an exciting slate of new titles, including Penthouse 3, available

first on Viu, and its next Korean original Hong Cheong Gi, a romance fantasy period drama set to air in the third quarter.

Download the Viu app on App Store, Google Play and selected Smart TVs, as well as on the web at www.viu.com to access your favorite Korean and Asian shows. You can discover infinite worlds of K-drama experiences and enjoy a seamless entertainment viewing with PLDT Home, just visit www.pldthome. com/viu.

Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young in a scene from Viu’s original series ‘Doom At Your Service.’

Life

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

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

E

VER since my younger years, I’ve always heard of this tagline affixed to the second largest island in the country because of its bounty of natural resources.

The succeeding years further convinced me of Mindanao’s economic well-being, having learned that most of our agro-industrial exports come from this island. In fact, I read somewhere that the island is self-sufficient, it doesn’t need the rest of the country for its sustenance.

But when you ask people what they know of Mindanao, they’ll probably immediately mention only the Muslim culture, Mt Apo, the Philippine eagle, or that smelly, spike-y, heavenly-tasting Durian. Of course, there’s a lot more that this large island offers, as enumerated the other day by its Department of Tourism (DOT) regional directors who were invited by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) to update virtually our industry’s stakeholders.

The session started with TCP president Jose Clemente III announcing the good news that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is now studying the feasibility of establishing “green lanes” or “tourist bubbles” to allow domestic travelers from areas with low-risk for COVID contamination to go to other low-risk areas in the country. When approved, this will be implemented slowly and carefully to ensure it won’t cause another surge in cases.

Earlier that day, the DOT happily announced that residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) are now allowed to travel to areas under modified general community quarantine and corresponding commercial flights will now be operating. But those below 18 and above 65 years old, even if fully vaccinated, need to present valid proof of a negative RT-PCR test result, an IATF ruling that I find discriminatory, but I’m reserving my sentiments on this for a future column.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid, who was the event’s guest speaker, reported that the pandemic’s restrictions on travel resulted in an 83 percent decrease in Travel Tax collections. This is quite disturbing because 40 percent of such

The Land of Promise The colorful vintas of Zamboanga is certainly a sight to behold. (Photos from Wikimedia Commons)

The Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, got its name from the late diplomat Modesto Farolan who wrote a poem about it.

collection goes to the Commission on barangays in these provinces may experi- Taglucop Strawberry Hills in Bukidnon Higher Education (CHED) and 10 per- ence sustainable growth. where one can pick and enjoy his own Tourism Director Marie Elaine Un- supply of the delicious fruit, for a pittance. cent goes to the National Commission chuan of Northern Mindanao or Region X for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Divers will also be awed by the rich The presentation on Mindmarine life of the Agutayan anao started with Tourism Marine Sanctuary off the Asec. Myra Paz Abubakar of coast of Misamis OrienYOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE the Zamboanga Peninsula or tal. Trekkers will delight I have a joke about time travel but I’m not going to share Region IX (Zamboanga del in scaling the slopes of Mt. it because you guys didn’t like it.

Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Kitanglad, an inactive volZamboanga Sibugay) who cano in Bukidnon, and adtold us about their highly venture travelers will find commendable KAKUSA (KAlikasan, challenge in conquering the towering KUltura, SAmahan) Tourism Circuit (Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occiden- Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin.

Region XI (Davao del Norte, Davao which spans all three provinces and aims tal, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte) to develop community-based tourism invited everyone to enjoy their “limitless del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occianchored on nature so that impoverished adventures” which include a visit to the dental, Davao de Oro), also known as

Davao Region, has a sustainable economic landscape due to its vast natural resources, reliable facilities, and conducive business environment. Tourism Director Tanya Virginia Rabat-Tan highlighted its islands-to-highlands tourism attractions which include farm tourism, nature, health and wellness, marine sports, and culture tourism.

SOCCSKSARGEN or Region XII (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) boasts of its world-class diving in Sarangani Bay, the exciting Zipline at 7 Waterfalls in South Cotabato, the thrilling White Water River Tubing in Sarangani, and the famous buko halo-halo in South Cotabato, among many others.

Regional Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano, who is also in-charge of Region VII in a concurrent capacity, invited stressed out individuals to experience the calming ambience of the breathtaking Lake Sebu.

Regional Director Nelia Arina of Region XIII (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur) or the Caraga Region invited everyone to visit and commune with nature.

In Dinagat Islands, there is Lake Bababu, which has a 650-meter-long underwater cave that connects the fresh water of the lake to the salt water of the sea, and Mt. Redondo, famous for its 100-hectare century-old bonsai forest. Of course, there’s also the Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur, supposedly protected by magical beings responsible for its unique sapphire and jade colors, and local fisherfolk report seeing fish that can never be caught through any means.

With all these attractions I learned from this virtual tourism session, I promise the “Land of Promise” that I’ll be heading that way once all travel restrictions ease up.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

FREQUENT FLYER

EXHIBITS

The Beetle Sphere in Manila

Score discounted AirAsia flights when paying with GCash

GCash users can pay for AirAsia flights, travel items, and accommodation in the airline’s partner hotels. Offline payment via GCash is available at AirAsia check-in counters.

MOBILE wallet app GCash and lowcost airline AirAsia Philippines officially announced their partnership on Monday to offer the latter’s customers new mode of payment for flights, hotel bookings, and travel items.

To mark their partnership, AirAsia is offering 10 percent off on flights booked on airasia.com or AirAsia Super App and paid with GCash today until June 13.

GCash-paying customers can also get an extra 10 percent for the flight portion on SNAP and partner hotels today until June 13. An additional P500 discount on partner hotels can be availed of by the first 100 customers with a minimum purchase of P5,000. To avail of the promos, use the code AAGCASH. In a virtual press conference, Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said AirAsia “is a valuable addition to

our robust portfolio. We started off with offline payments and we look forward to seeing them in GLife as one of our partner merchants.”

The over 40 million GCash users to date can also pay at AirAsia check-in counters nationwide for their additional luggage, meals, and other add-ons by scanning the QR code.

“This partnership with AirAsia is a continuation of its (GCash) thrust to provide users with safe and convenient payment solutions. AirAsia supports this thrust as it continues to provide its customers with convenience and safety when flying with them,” GCash president and chief executive Martha Sazon said in a statement.

AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricky Isla seconded, highlighting the importance of providing hassle-free

travel experience as they await for the industry to “recover by 2023 at the earliest”.

“Providing convenience through digital and contactless solutions while observing the highest standards of safety has always been AirAsia’s commitment to our guests. Our partnership with GCash, the country’s leading ewallet, empowers our guests with flexible cashless options as we all gear up to fly again to our favorite leisure destinations,” said Isla.

AirAsia Philippines chief financial officer Rey Berja, for his part, said the partnership was “a great way of expanding both our subscriber bases. FinTech plays a huge part in shaping consumer behaviors, with the Philippines’ extensive lockdown period, plenty have turned to digital services strengthening e-commerce in the Philippines.”

THE giant sculpture made from an actual 1953 Volkswagen Beetle by Indonesian artist Ichwan Noor is currently in the Philippines at an ongoing exhibit in SM Mall of Asia.

“The Beetle Sphere 2019” is part of Noor’s breakthrough sculpture series involving iconic components of 1953 vintage Volkswagen Beetles, which he transforms into a perfect sphere.

The idea emerged from his personal perception towards objects that are products of a “transportation culture”. By combining the techniques of manipulation and substitution, the form of this sculpture tends toward realistic distortion.

Noor begins by developing a polyurethane mold of a Volkswagen Beetle, carving a spherical replica of the vehicle’s body before casting it in aluminum. In order to achieve a work of such dexterity, the sculptor, known for his large-scale creations, made a separate, spherical interior that was fitted to complement the cast before painting its exterior.

Each sphere stands at 180 centimeters in diameter and is augmented with the original auto parts by the manu- Ichwan Noor’s ‘The Beetle Sphere 2019’ sculpture, facturer, including acrylic on display at SM Mall of Asia, is augmented with the original auto parts of 1953 vintage Volkswagen Beetles. windows, lights, and tires.