Manila Standard - 2021 June 15 - Tuesday

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NCR Plus still GCQ with curbs Also 19 other areas under GCQ, 21 provinces set in restrictive MECQ

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Othel V. Campos

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday night approved the extension of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region and Bulacan province from June 16 to June 30 with "some restrictions."

CLASS IN SESSION. Medical

students wearing personal protective equipment attend their limited face-to-face class on Monday at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) plans to seek President Rodrigo Duterte's approval to include engineering, information technology, and maritime courses in a limited face-to-face program. Danny Pata

7m vax doses administered to 5m Pinoys

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Willie Casas and Othel V. Campos THE Philippines has administered nearly seven million doses of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019, National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said Monday.

Government data show the country had given 6,948,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Monday morning.

DOH data showed that as of June 14, 1,879,694 persons have received two doses of the vaccine, while 5,068,855 have been jabbed once.

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VOL. XXXV • NO. 120 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

national government’s testing and quarantine protocols against COVID-19 for arriving international passengers.

Presidential spokesperson Harry PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has Roque said the President issued the ordered Cebu province to follow the directive after the province earlier insisted

to enforce its own swab test-uponarrival policy for returning Filipinos at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is different from the national government’s guidelines.

Roque issued the statement

1,322,053 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

6,426 59,096 57

DEATHS

1,240,112 RECOVERIES

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands—The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday she wants to open a full investigation into murders during the Philippines' war on drugs, in one of her last acts before stepping down this week.

(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 14)

22,845

after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s order to divert Cebu-bound flights to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) expired on June 12.

“From the Office of the Executive

ICC prosecutor pushes probe on drug war

AT A GLANCE

ACTIVE

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Duterte tells Cebu to drop own health protocols for int’l arrivals

COVID-19 PH

NEW

The Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 also placed the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal in Region 4-A under GCQ with "heightened restrictions" from June 16 to June 30.

Aside from the so-called NCR Plus under a GCQ with restrictions, a total of 19 areas are under a “regular” GCQ and 21 other areas were put under a stricter Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

The President also approved the extension of travel restrictions imposed upon India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, and Oman starting June 16 to June 30.

Although the Palace had yet to fully explain what "some restrictions" means, the previous guidelines for areas under "GCQ with restrictions" limited seating capacity in indoor and outdoor dining establishments at 30% and 50%, respectively.

Also, religious activities, including weddings and wakes, are restricted to 30% capacity, with the local government given the option to increase the allowed level to 50%. Personal care services not requiring removal of face masks are allowed at 30% capacity, with an additional 10% if the shop obtains a safety seal.

Other areas under GCQ from June 16 to June 30 are Baguio City, Kalinga,

SECOND, FIRST. A senior citizen shows off his card as proof of his second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine against the coronavirus at San Jose Academy in Navotas on Monday. Meanwhile, scores of people flock to the Marikina Mega Vaccination area at Marikina Sports Center for their first shot of the COVID-19 jab. Andrew Rabulan and Manny Palmero

NEW

7,145 NEW

UN assured of PH action to protect human rights Story on A3 "Today, I announce that the preliminary examination into the situation in the Republic of the Philippines Next page

Duterte holds off VFA abrogation House okays PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has decided to extend the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and Washington by another six months, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Monday.

Locsin Jr. said Duterte made the decision

on the 20-year-old VFA in a meeting with him and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez.

"The President conveyed to us his decision to extend the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Next page

100 vital bills to back gov’t

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has remained true to its promise of alleviating the lives of the people despite the coronavirus pandemic in support of the Duterte administration by passing over 100 vital measures, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Monday.

“The House leadership has shown

BLOOD DONOR DAY. Volunteers donate blood at the Philippine Red Cross office in Port Area, Manila on Monday, as the globe marked World Blood Donor Day. The date raises awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts . Norman Cruz

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‘Dirty word’ seen in module anew Palace to 1Sambayan: Best of luck ‘TSA-BU’ BUSTS. Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency lay out packs

of 'shabu' stored in tea bags that were seized from a Chinese national during a buy-bust operation at Barangay Tanzang Luma 6 in Imus, Cavite on Sunday. The 117 kilos of illegal drugs seized had an estimated street value of P795 million (see story on A4). Boy Josue

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

LEGISLATORS on Monday assailed the Department of Education (DepEd) after they found another “dirty word” in a Next page module used in the distance learning system.

MALACANANG said the opposition coalition 1Sambayan might face a steep uphill climb in the forthcoming 2022 Next page

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News

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Teachers in danger of losing jobs’ Assistant Minority Leader France Castro raised the alarm as thousands of teachers hired by both private and public schools stand to lose their jobs for their failure to pass the licensure examination for teachers given by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Teachers who are currently employed

are given five years to pass the licensure examination for teachers to maintain their appointments.

But Castro, the nominee of the militant party-list group ACT Teachers, said the examinations have been postponed three times, so teachers were unable to take the licensure tests.

Meanwhile, the ways and means committee on Monday passed a substitute bill that would allow for-profit private schools to be applied taxes at the preferential tax rate of 10 percent applicable to “proprietary schools” and 1 percent from July 2020 to 2023.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, approved the draft substitute bill that proposes to amend the Tax Reform Act of 1997 to define the tax rates for proprietary schools.

Salceda said his committee held the meeting in response to a request from the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the

NCR...

ened curfew hours of 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. starting Tuesday, June 15.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos has announced that the Metro Manila mayors agreed to adjust the curfew hours over the metropolis from the previous 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

In a press briefing, Roque said it is unlikely that NCR Plus would be put under a modified GCQ because of the continuing high numbers of COVID cases.

“The problem is our numbers have yet to return to that level before the emergence of the new coronavirus variants," Roque said.

He also said that before the detection of new coronavirus variants in the country, Metro Manila was recording about 1,000 new COVID-19 cases daily. Even then, Metro Manila was never placed under MGCQ. Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommended placing NCR Plus under a “normal” GCQ to President Rodrigo Duterte.

NCR Plus, which is composed of Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna, was placed under GCQ “with restrictions” starting June 1 until June 15.

Also on Monday, the OCTA Research group said Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental is the “area of most serious concern” due to its high COVID-19 case growth rate.

In its latest monitoring report, OCTA said Dumaguete logged a 129 percent one-week case growth rate and an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 69.85 cases per 100,000 population during June 7 to 13, making it an “extremely high risk” for COVID-19.

Areas with more than seven cases per

100,000 population are classified as high risk by the DOH. OCTA also said 68 percent of hospital beds and 84 percent of ICU beds in Dumaguete were occupied.

The group flagged Iloilo City, Butuan, Tacloban, and Polomolok over their increasing COVID-19 cases, high hospital occupancy rates, and ADAR. The Philippines logged 6,426 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,322,053, as 10 laboratories were not able to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

The DOH reported 57 new fatalities, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 22,845.

The DOH also reported 7,145 persons who recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 1,240,112.

There were 59,096 active cases as of Monday, of which 91.8 percent were mild, 3.9 percent were asymptomatic, 1.3 percent were critical, 1.8 percent were severe, and 1.28 percent were moderate.

The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 58 percent of the ICU beds, 47 percent of the isolation beds, 48 percent of the ward beds, and 36 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 47 percent of the ICU beds, 37 percent of the isolation beds, 33 percent of the ward beds, and 34 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

A group of doctors, however, urged the government to defer the easing of quarantine restrictions.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, (PCP) said it would be better for the NCR to

maintain its GCQ with heightened restrictions instead of reverting to a total lockdown when cases again surge.

“Although the number of COVID-19 cases are low versus those in March or April, there are still many patients in the ICU,” Limpin told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo in Filipino. “We see many who are suffering from severe to critical cases. We would expect this to continue.”

“We need to slow down, let's not ease the quarantine measures just yet because it's harder to return to total lockdown,” she said.

Limpin also urged the government to send assistance to provinces facing a surge of COVID-19 cases and to tighten local governments' borders.

Despite the PCP warning, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the IATF may allow closed businesses to partly reopen while waiting for accreditation to the government’s Safety Seal program.

“We are proposing this to the IATF. We observed that many businesses that do not have the Safety Seal yet are desperate to open up. They may be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity while observing the minimum health protocol. Capacities will increase by another 10 percent once they have the Safety Seal,” he said Monday.

Lopez added that since the Safety Seal is a voluntary act on the part of the business owner, and not a requirement by the government, all businesses may resume operation, anytime.

The Safety Seal assures consumers of safe and sanitized facilities inside an establishment or business. It gives consumers the confidence to transact business out of their homes, Lopez said.

of the IATF protocols for incoming passengers.

“The President has also considered the DOH (Department of Health) critique and has decided that Cebu province must abide

by IATF arrival protocols,” he added.

Roque said it would be up to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to see to it that Cebu follows the government’s health protocols.

Cebu had required incoming passengers to undergo testing upon arrival at the airport and allowed those who tested negative to proceed to their destinations.

Under IATF rules, all incoming passengers must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The first 10 days shall be observed in an accredited quarantine facility, with the remainder will be completed under home quarantine. They

will undergo the polymerase chain reaction test on the seventh day of their quarantine.

Passengers who have been vaccinated in the country, on the other hand, will have a shorter quarantine period of seven days upon arrival. They will only be tested if they show COVID-19 symptoms during quarantine.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, meanwhile, said she would virtually attend the Senate’s hybrid public hearing on Tuesday that will center on the government’s COVID-19 response and existing quarantine protocols.

In a text message to reporters on Monday, Garcia confirmed that she received an invitation from Senate President Vicente Sotto III to attend the hearing.

“Yes. (I will attend) virtually,” she said.

Sotto’s letter noted that among

the concerns to be discussed are “the utilization of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program’s budgetary provisions and the feasibility of amending IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) quarantine guidelines, with the end in view to streamline the processes, evaluate existing protocols, and the possibility of exempting fully vaccinated individuals from mandatory travel quarantine.”

The Senate’s Committee of the Whole will reconvene to tackle the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program and related issues, including quarantine protocols. The committee began conducting an inquiry into the vaccination program through Adopted Senate Resolution No. 79 passed in December 2020. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Of the total administered vaccines, over 2.4 million shots were given to healthcare workers, over 2.2 million doses to senior citizens, 2.15 million jabs for individuals with comorbidity, and nearly 160,000 doses for the economic front-liners, which started the vaccination last week.

Dizon said the country administered more COVID-19 vaccines with average daily vaccination of 150,000 last week, with a peak of 220,000 vaccine administration in a day from an average of 30,000 per day.

He attributed this to the increasing number of vaccines arriving in the country.

“Since more vaccines arrived last week, we are confident that our vaccination will increase in the coming days and weeks. And when it comes to vaccines for June and July, we are seeing our numbers continue to increase,” he added. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

ICC...

war on drugs. He said in his televised briefing Monday: “We only have fatalities now because the police only started operating during my term. Why? Because they (police) were afraid of being slapped with cases.”

“Shabu dealing remains rampant. It is a big business. If you don't want to help, then please just stop threatening the police with cases or opening of records. Don't push for the opening of records. You might find your name there,” Duterte added.

In a related development, the Office of the Ombudsman has upheld it previous decision indicting some police officers for homicide charges in connection with the killing of a father and son inside their home in Caloocan in 2016.

The Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) rejected the motions for reconsideration filed by the respondents and the complainant over a resolution in January 2020 that recommended the filing of homicide charges against four policemen. AFP with Rio N. Araja (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

LAWMAKER on Monday warned of the mass dismissal of senior high school teachers if the professional licensure requirement is not suspended.

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Mountain Province, Abra, and Benguet in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino in Region 2; Batangas and Quezon in Region 4-A; Iligan City in Region 10; Davao del Norte in Region 11; General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato, and South Cotabato in Region 12; and Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City in BARMM. Areas that shall be placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from June 16 to June 30 are the City of Santiago and Cagayan in Region 2; Apayao and Ifugao in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Bataan in Region 3; Lucena City in Region4-A; Puerto Princesa in Region 4-B; Naga City in Region 5; Iloilo City and Iloilo in Region 6; Negros Oriental in Region 7; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte in Region 9; Cagayan de Oro City in Region 10; Davao City in Region 11; and Butuan City, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Sur in CARAGA. All other areas shall be placed under a Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) starting June 16 to June 30.

Earlier in the day, the Palace said Metro Manila and four nearby provinces would be placed under a “normal” general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 16.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said NCR Plus will shift to a “normal” GCQ to ease quarantine restrictions amid a decline in new COVID-19 cases.

He also said that NCR will have short-

Duterte...

From A1

Secretary, the President has decided that the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) protocols must be implemented by the Cebu province,” Roque said.

The flight diversion was first imposed from May 29 to June 5 due to the shortage of quarantine hotels in Cebu.

The decision to tap NAIA as an alternative hub for Cebu-bound flights was meant to prepare for the implementation of the national government’s testing and quarantine protocols for incoming passengers in the province.

Roque said the last extension “was just a preparation for full implementation”

7m...

From A1

Those who have taken both jabs represent around 1.73% of the population, while around 4.66% of the have received the first of two doses of the vaccine.

This matched Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega’s statement Sunday that only about 2 million people out of the Philippines' 109.48 million population have been fully inoculated against COVID-19, almost three months after the national government started its vaccination program.

In a Palace briefing, Dizon said weekly vaccine administration had reached one million doses for three consecutive weeks.

“We are seeing that the vaccination is getting faster,” he said.

Duterte holds...

From A1

Agreement by another 6 months while he studies and both sides further address his concerns regarding particular aspects of the agreement," Locsin said in a message posted on Twitter.

The US is the Philippines' defense ally and could counter Beijing's threat in the West Philippine Sea. Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte said Washington must "pay" a toll if it wants to keep the VFA with Manila.

Earlier this month, the US said the Philippines would get a portion of its surplus vaccines against COVID-19.

Malacañang said Duterte was the only one who could decide on how the vaccine donation would affect the VFA. The agreement provides the legal framework under which US troops can operate on a rotational basis in the Philippines.

Without it, other bilateral defense agreements, including the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), cannot be implemented, experts say.

The MDT states the two countries will come to each other's defense in case their metropolitan areas or territories are attacked.

Since March, the Philippines through the Department of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly protested the "swarming" of some 200 Chinese ships believed to be manned by militia in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing refuses to recognize a 2016 ruling that junked its claims to 90 percent of the South China Sea, within which is the smaller Philippine waters.

Duterte has shelved the ruling as he pursued investments and loans from China. In May, he said the ruling was a scrap of "paper" that could be thrown into the wastebasket. Days after, he said he would not withdraw Philippine ships from the waterway. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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has concluded and that I have requested judicial authorisation to proceed with an investigation," Fatou Bensouda said in a statement.

"I have determined that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder has been committed... in the context of the Government of Philippines 'war on drugs' campaign" between July 2016 and March 2019, she said.

Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International and former UN special rapporteur, said in a statement: "This announcement is a moment of hope for thousands of families in the Philippines who are grieving those lost to the government’s so-called 'war on drugs'.

This is a much-awaited step in putting murderous incitement by President Duterte and his administration to an end."

However, President Rodrigo Duterte continued to defend his administration’s

House...

From A1

resilience amidst adversity. The institution has worked efficiently to ensure the timely passage of the 2021 national government budget,” said Romualdez, representative of Leyte's First District and chairman of the House Committee on Rules.

Romualdez said: “Fast forward to June 2 before our sine die adjournment, the chamber, through Speaker Velasco’s direction, was able to process 2,107 measures within 16 session days or an average of 132 measures processed per session day.

“Through the hard work and dedication of our colleagues and staff, we successfully approved 628 measures, 112 of these are national bills approved on third and final reading, while 58 local and

Philippines (COCOPEA), the country’s umbrella organization for private schools.

Castro urged Congress “to urgently hear House Joint Resolution 39 calling for the suspension of the five-year requirement of licensure examination for teachers and the Department of Education to implement the statutory relief accorded by Republic Act 11469 to teachers of both private and public schools to ease their burden and to hold in status quo their employment.”

Castro said there was no guarantee that the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), now set for Sept. 26, will push through because of the ongoing pandemic.

national bills were signed into law.”

He also credited the hard-working House officials, secretariat and other employees who have been helping the chamber's leadership in shepherding the passage of pro-people priority legislations that cater to the needs of the welfare of the people especially in these challenging and difficult times.

Velasco, in a speech following his election as Speaker, vowed to pass laws responsive to the needs of Filipinos here and abroad, as well as prioritize measures that would generate jobs, uplift the economy and the lives of Filipinos, and improve the health-care system, and peace and order, among others.

“True enough, Speaker Velasco wasted no time and led the passage of crucial and urgent legislative measures to address the needs of the Filipino people,” Romualdez said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

G7 vows action on COVID vax, climate change CARBIS BAY, United Kingdom — G7 leaders on Sunday vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and to step up action on climate change, in a US-led summit call to arms that also took on China and Russia.

In a final communique issued at their first physical summit in nearly two years, the leaders of the elite club largely hewed to US President Joe Biden's push to regain the West's cohesion after Donald Trump's tumultuous tenure.

"We will harness the power of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights to answer the biggest questions and overcome the greatest challenges," Biden and his colleagues from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan said.

At a G7 news conference before he headed on to a NATO summit and showdown talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said his fellow leaders agreed "America is back at the table and fully engaged". AFP

Weather bureau now using TikTok to deliver updates

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday said it will start using the video-sharing application TikTok to provide and deliver weather information to the public.

At a news conference via Facebook, Michael Bala of Pagasa’s technical learning and development said: “We are very happy and excited that we have an official TikTok application.”

“Right now, we have a few consultative meetings with TikTok Philippines, and signed a memorandum of understanding,” he said.

“Pagasa recognizes that TikTok is an emerging platform,” he said.

Bala said they wanted to reach out to more Filipinos in ramping up their capability to provide weather forecasts, tropical cyclone warning services, and flood forecasting and warning.

The state weather bureau also provides climatological and farm weather services, research and development, astronomical services, and information, education, and public outreach.

‘Dirty word’...

From A1

In a hearing held by the House of Representatives' Committee on Public Accounts, Antonio Calipjo-Go, who earlier complained to the Commission on Audit (COA) on the learning materials used by the department, told the committee headed by Rep. Jose Singson Jr. that four parents from Pampanga called his attention to a word included in a learning module.

Calipjo-Go shared with the committee the copy of the module, which tackles Filipino mythical creatures such as aswang, tiyanak, kapre, and maligno, among others.

In the module, it defines aswang as: “Siya rin ay isang diyos pero ang Aswang ay pinaniniwalaan na ito’y tao na kumakain ng kapwa tao, kung minsan ang mga ito ay pinapaniwalaan na may mga pakpak at sila raw ay gising kung gabi para maghanap ng makakant*t or maaswang.”

ACT-CIS party-list group Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo said of that last phrase in Filipino – which means to look for sex – “Makak*ntot? Seriously?” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace...

From A1

national elections after several of its nominees declined to run for president and vice president.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque also wished the opposition party “good luck” since the majority of its nominees declined the offer of the 1Sambayan to be its standard bearer.

“Only two are possible takers and they are VP Leni Robredo and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,” Roque said in a television interview.

“So, I wish them the best of luck, but it seems the 1Sambayanan may find difficulty advancing its cause since the majority of the nominees rejected the nomination,” he said.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio last week released a list of nominees for president and vice president in next year’s elections that included Robredo, Trillanes, Senator Grace Poe, Batangas Rep. Vilma SantosRecto, CIBAC party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, and lawyer Chel Diokno. (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

News

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

De Lima prods Senate to back IPU call for her release

CHARRED REMAINS.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard examine an unidentified charred body found floating near the site where a cargo ship caught fire in Tondo, Manila on 14 June, 2021.

At least six persons were injured and a ship worker was missing after the MV Titan 8 and nearby MV Princess Christine caught fire early Saturday, June 12.

Norman Cruz

SC takes pity on lawyer, drops suspension order THE Supreme Court has reconsidered a lawyer’s suspension after the latter cited undue hardships brought about by the Covid -19 pandemic.

In a resolution recently made available online, SC’s Special Second Division modified its earlier resolution against lawyer John Nathaniel Marasigan, deleting its earlier order of suspension for three months.

Marasigan was meted out a threemonth suspension on October 14, 2020 for violating Section 20(d), Rule 138 of the Rules of Court and Rules 10.02 and 10.03, Canon 10 of the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR).

In lieu of the suspension, the SC reprimanded Marasigan and sternly warned that a repetition of the same or a similar offense will warrant the imposition of a more severe penalty.

“The Court is not unaware of the severe economic hardships and health risks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. With this in mind, the Court exhibited a degree of leniency in respondent’s case,” the court said.

The Court ruled last year that Marasigan knowingly misrepresented the contents of an Ombudsman resolution, dated Nov. 5, 2007, when he stated in a motion filed before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office that no public officer was indicted in a particular criminal case when in truth, a certain Engr. Zoilo Gudin was criminally charged.

The respondent repeated the misrepresentation when he filed for a motion of reconsideration in August 2011.

In appealing his suspension, the lawyer acknowledged his guilt and sought leniency, citing that the pandemic has already adversely affected his private practice and he is at a loss how he will provide for his family’s basic needs if he serves the threemonth suspension.

UN assured of PH action to protect human rights J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has assured the United Nations that the country’s campaign against illegal drugs is waged under commitments to international human rights standards.

The DOJ chief said his department is working with other government agencies in bringing human rights violations to justice and reiterated President Duterte’s assurance of “open and substantive engagement with the United Nations”.

In his online message to the UN Joint Program on Human Rights on Sunday night, Guevarra said “the Philippine government reiterates its commitment to fulfill its international obligations to respect, protect, and promote human rights of our citizens without fear, favor or prejudice consistent with our Constitution and the interests and welfare of the Filipino people”.

Administrative Order (AO) No. 35,

which investigates gross violation of human rights and humanitarian law, holds accountable humanitarian law violations by terror groups long known to recruit minors and use prohibited weapons, such as anti-personnel mines, Guevarra said.

“Presently, the AO 35 mechanism is investigating 1,500 complaints of alleged violations of humanitarian law mostly committed by communist terrorist groups,” Guevarra said.

Cases of illegal drugs are part of AO 35 probes, citing that P60 billion in confiscated contrabands substantiated concerns about the extent of the problem.

“The sheer volume of the drugs

seized confirms the gravity of the threats that our communities face from illegal drugs,” Guevarra said.

The DOJ is also working closely with police and other government bodies to look into alleged incidents of human rights violations.

“Our government continued to provide rehabilitation and reintegration programs to assist persons who use drugs in their recovery. More importantly, the entire government has continually reassessed and strengthened its policy and institutional frameworks in our resolute and committed effort to ensure that the pursuit of justice, accountability, and the rule of law remain integral elements of our country’s anti-drug campaign,” he said.

The DOJ, Guevarra said, had gained access to 52 cases investigated by the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service. Rey Requejo

BIKE PATROL.

The Quezon City Police District has launched its own bike patrol to ensure order in the streets of Quezon City. Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed that the city government aims to expand the use of alternative transportation so that the renovation of bike lanes became a priority and the QC Safe Cycling and Active Transport Ordinance was immediately passed.

NTF to Netherlands: Deport Joma,make him pay for killer blast THE National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict will push for global pressure on the Dutch government to deport terrorist chieftain Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines to make him pay for gross and persistent violations of International Humanitarian Law, including the recent detonation of an Anti-Personnel Mine that killed

football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin and injured his 16-year old relative.

In the weekly NTF-ELCAC press briefing entitled “Tagged: Debunking Lies By Telling The Truth”, Undersecretary Nonoy Catura, the task force spokesperson on the peace process, human rights and international engage-

MMDA acquires X-ray van

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will provide free tuberculosis screening and chest X-ray to its employees working outdoor in line with the agency’s program promoting wellness among its workforce.

MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the initiative, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to identify those with cases of tuberculosis (TB) and provide them full treatment until recovery.

“We want to ensure the well-being of our field personnel who are also our frontline workers. It is our way of extending help to

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them as they perform their duty while risking their health,” Abalos said.

USAID’s TB Platform Active Case Finding Team will use a mobile x-ray van to be parked outside the agency’s headquarters in Makati City to conduct the free TB Screening and chest X-ray to all its 2500 field workers, particularly street sweepers and traffic enforcers, who are highly exposed to variety of dust, toxins, vehicular smoke and other emissions.

“Through these diagnostic tests, we can prevent exposure and reduce risk of transmission of infection. It will benefit not only our workers, but also their family, especially since TB and COVID-19 both target the persons’ respiratory system,” said Abalos.

ments, said that they will bring the matter to the United Nations, which is slated to meet this week over the Anti-Personnel Mine Treaty Convention signed in 1997 that bans the use of such weaponry “especially by terrorist groups.”

“All European nations, including the Netherlands, have ratified and acceded to this (banning of APM),” Catura said,

pointing out that Sison is in the Netherlands supposedly for humanitarian reasons, but continuous to be responsible for ordering the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front to carry out attacks using APMs as offensive weapons against government troops and civilians. Willie Casas

OPPOSITION Senator Leila M. de Lima on Monday urged the Senate leadership to support the recent move by the Inter-Parliamentary Union renewing its call for her immediate and unconditional release from detention.

During its 207th session conducted virtually last May 25, the IPU Governing Council also called for the dropping of all “trumped-up” drug charges against the senator.

The IPU Governing Council approved a nine-point recommendation by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, including, among others, a call for De Lima’s freedom and an appeal to ensure that she benefits from the Senate’s move towards teleconferencing.

“The IPU has once again called for my release from unjust detention, I hope the Senate leadership responds positively to the IPU call by supporting it,” she said in a statement released on Twitter.

IPU, the world’s largest and oldest organization of parliaments across the globe, said it is “deeply concerned that its appeals for Senator deLima’s immediate release and for charges to be dropped have gone unheeded. Macon Ramos Araneta

QC air quality sensors soon to dot hotspots of pollution

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday ordered the city’s environmentalists to put up air quality sensors in pollution hot spots in a bid to strengthen the city’s commitment to lessen air pollution.

Belmonte tasked the Environment Protection and Waste Management Department head Andrea Villaroman tocarry out the project after receiving eight units of air quality sensors and the “Roadmap for Quezon City’s Air Quality Management Plan” from Clean Air Asia and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group through its C40 Air Quality Technical Assistance Program.

The sensors will measure pollutants such as the most dangerous particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) which comes from the emissions of cars, trucks, and industrial facilities.

Long-term exposure to this pollutant affects the residents’ health as the particles travel deeply into lungs and blood streams and can worsen conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

“Quezon City is very grateful to C40 Cities and Clean Air Asia for their continuous assistance in capacitating city officials and technical staff in terms of developing a more comprehensive strategy to improve air quality in the city.

Through these air quality monitoring sensors, we will be able to gather the city’s air quality baseline data that will help us in planning and determining programs, projects and policies to reach our goal,” Belmonte said.

“It contributes to the realization of our city’s 14-point agenda, specifically agenda number 10, which is to build a livable, green and sustainable city,” she added.

In two months, monitoring sensors will be placed in the “pollution hot spots” or areas with high public risk for air pollution exposure. Initially, the city has identified areas of Novaliches, Sto. Domingo and Quezon Memorial Circle as monitoring sites.

EDSA MARKERS.

Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highway put pavement markers and asphalt the Quezon City portion of EDSA just before the rain and floods come and further damage the main thoroughfare.

Manny Palmero

News

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CA upholds search warrant vs. Parojinogs

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained the validity of the search warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against the Parajinog family in July 2017.

The search operation led to a gunfight which resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including patriarch Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. It likewise led to the arrest and filing of various criminal charges against several Parojinog members.

In a 15-page decision written by Associate Justice Edwin Sorongon, the CA’s Special Eleventh Division dismissed the petition filed by Reynaldo Parajinog Jr. seeking to overturn the orders.

The appellate court denied his motion to quash the search warrant and suppress evidence allegedly illegally obtained by law enforcers during a raid on their residence in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.

Following the raid, the petitioner was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of explosives, and possession of illegal drugs.

The QC court junked Parajinog Jr.’s motion to quash, saying Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, who issued the search warrant, conducted examination of the records and affidavits of witnesses.

“All told, the Court finds no grave abuse of discretion committed. To justify judicial intervention, the abuse of discretion must be so patent and gross as to amount to an evasion of a positive duty or to a virtual refusal to perform a duty enjoined by law or to act at all in contemplation of law, as where the power is exercised in an arbitrary and despotic manner by reason of passion or hostility,” the appellate court said.

In May 2019, Parojinog Jr. was found guilty of possession of illegal drugs during the 2017 simultaneous police operation.

EMERGENCY. Members of the Cordillera police carry a pregnant woman using a

‘fulig’ – a makeshift stretcher using a blanket and a bamboo pole or a pipe – for at least an hour from Sitio Batnong in Brgy. Banawal to the nearest village where transportation can be accessed. The woman was brought to the Anastacia Rafael Safel Memorial Hospital in Brgy. Poblacion. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Monday lauded the police officers for their act of genuine public service. “This only showed that the police who are loyal to the service never get tired of responding to those who need help. I hope other policemen will follow their example in responding quickly in times of need,” Eleazar said. PNP photo

PDEA turns over 107 tokhang cases

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has granted an inter-agency panel access to 107 case files of anti-drug operations by law enforcement authorities that resulted in the deaths of suspects, Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

Guevarra stressed that the 107 cases are separate from the 52 cases that the DOJ-led panel has gained access from the Philippine National Police.

The 52 cases involved findings by the PNP-Internal Affairs Service of administrative liabilities on the conduct of police officers in anti-drug operations.

“Just this week, the department just received 107 case files from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for

review,” Guevarra told the UN Joint Program on Human Rights in a video statement uploaded Sunday night.

Guevarra said the video statement was meant to be an update on the work of the review panel and on the status of the UN-Philippines Joint Program (UNJP) on Technical Cooperation on Human Rights.

“As the panel reviews these records, it also closely monitors the preliminary

investigation and prosecution of 87 criminal cases lodged against more than a hundred law enforcement personnel arising from alleged misconduct or unlawful conduct in the antidrug operations,” he said.

Justice Usec. Adrian Sugay said the PDEA case files covered the period from July 2016 to June 2020.

“We are still going through the PDEA’s records. There were casualties. And this is the reason for the review,” Sugay said, adding that PDEA is part of the original review panel.

Guevarra previously said the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have been hesitant in sharing their files due to concerns they might be held liable for violation of the Data Privacy Act.

Gov’t starts releasing 200k national IDs

THE government has released 200,000 national ID cards to Filipinos, the Philippine Statistics Authority said yesterday.

Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista said another 200,000 cards are ready for delivery, Bautistia said some 35 million Filipinos have already completed Step 1 of the registration process, which is done through house-to-house collection and through the PSA’s PhilSys website.

Twelve million Filipinos have completed Step 2 or the collection of biometric information, she added.

Step 3 is the delivery of the physical ID card and unique PhilSys number (PSN).

Bautista reminded citizens who have already received their national IDs not to post photos of the cards on social media.

“You should not expose your PhilSys number and control number, which is unique for every cardholder,” she said.

She also warned against individuals who offer to facilitate registration to the national ID system for a fee.

DISPLACED WORKERS. Drivers and conductors from different bus companies troop to the Land Transportation Franchising and

Regulatory Board in Quezon City to press for the grant of ‘ayuda’ (financial aid) and the resumption of bus operations in Metro Manila amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Manny Palmero

PhilHealth now covers cartridge-based PCR tests

TO FURTHER boost the country’s targeted testing capacity, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will now pay for SARS-CoV-2 testing using cartridge-based polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests.

Based on PhilHealth Circular No. 2021-0003, the benefit can be availed of by all members as prescribed by the

Department of Health.

The new benefit package ranges from P1,059 to P2,287 and will be paid directly to the accredited testing laboratories following these conditions: - PCR cartridges are donated to the testing laboratory and the cost of running the cartridge-based PCR test is subsidized by the government

(P1,059), - PCR cartridges are donated to the testing laboratory (P1,099), and - All services and supplies for the testing are procured and provided by the testing laboratory (P2,287) Members eligible to the said benefit is determined through DOH Memorandum No. 2020-0258-A.

Buy-bust yields P251m shabu

By Joel E. Zurbano

LAWMEN arrested a suspected Chinese drug dealer operating in southern Metro Manila and seized P251-million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City.

The suspect was identified as Zhizun Chen, 38, an auto supply staff and resident of Soler Street in Binondo, Manila.

A composite team from the National Capital Region Police Office, Southern Police District, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the entrapment operation at the parking lot of S&R Shopping Center in Barangay Baclaran around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Seized from Chen were 38 kilos of shabu, a mobile phone, a maroon Mitsubishi Lancer, a silver Chrysler, and the money used in the entrapment operation.

Metro Manila police chief M/Gen. Vicente Danao said the suspect and the pieces of evidence recovered were turned over to PDEA for proper disposition.

Chen will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 before the Paranaque City prosecutor’s office.

“The operations of the agencies that have come together have been enormous to seize the said amount of shabu.

Such cooperation and coordination is the key so that we can confiscate more and arrest drug dealers,” Danao said.

NEW FACILITY. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso inspects the COVID-19 Field Hospital at the Rizal Park on Monday days before its official opening on June 24.

Moreno said the local government finished constructing the 336-bed hospital in 52 days.

The facility will accommodate mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 . Norman Cruz

Palace: Simple misstep; Rody has ‘no problem with his health’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is healthy and well, Malacañang said Monday after the commander-in-chief lost his footing during the Independence Day program in Bulacan over the weekend.

“It was a simple misstep,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

“It s clear in the video that the President was turning on a podium. He got a bit out of balance. There is no problem with his health,” the Palace official added.

The 76-year-old Duterte was assisted by Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana during the wreathlaying ceremony before the monument of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar in Malolos town Saturday.

President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to lose balance during Saturday’s Independence Day program in Bulacan province because of a “simple misstep,” Malacañang said on Monday, as it again denied that the Chief Executive has a serious health problem.

In April, Duterte’s longtime aide, Sen. Christopher Go, released photos of the commander-in-chief jogging and riding a motorcycle to prove that he is doing well.

The President has several conditions, including Barrett’s esophagus and Buerger’s disease.

Villar seeks measure to protect oceans

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ALARMED by experts’ reports that the world’s seas will turn into “virtual desserts” by 2050, Senator Cynthia Villar pushed for legislative measures to protect the sustainability and biodiversity of the country’s oceans.

Villar made the call as she joined the international community in celebrating this year’s World Oceans Day, which is observed to educate the public of the impact of human action on the ocean and to mobilize people for the sustainable management of the world’s ocean.

This year’s celebration also marks the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development which will run from 2021 to 2030.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Villar is strongly pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1331, a measure institutionalizing EPR or the Extended Producer Responsibility mechanism.

EPR is part of the country’s solid waste management system.

Villar said it is a strategy to reduce the proliferation of single-use plastics that end up in the oceans and pollute the environment.

This measure, she said, would ensure that the responsibility for the entire life cycle of plastic products rests on the manufacturers.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘For Putin, Geneva summit with Biden all about respect’ MOSCOW—When Vladimir Putin meets Joe Biden for their first summit on Wednesday the Russian leader will not be looking for progress on arms control, the lifting of sanctions or even an apology for the US president saying he is a “killer”.

Putin already got what he wanted: the summit itself.

After a week of meeting allies from the G7, European Union and NATO, Biden will end his first major foreign trip with Putin in Geneva.

Tensions between Moscow and Washington are at their highest in years over a long list of disputes -- from cyberattacks and election meddling to the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and designation of his organisations as “extremist” groups.

Expectations for the talks are low, with officials on both sides repeatedly saying the two leaders are unlikely to

find much common ground.

But for Putin, experts say, Biden’s invitation to hold the summit was enough, a sign of the respect for Russia that he has always craved in more than two decades in power.

“One of the absolutely crucial drivers of (Putin’s) foreign policy is a sense of having to restore Russia to its rightful place in the world, and these kinds of events absolutely play into that,” said Mark Galeotti, a professor of Russian studies at University College London.

“Just the meeting itself is already a win.”

Biden proposed the summit in April, after Russia sparked Western alarm by massing tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine.

Officials and state media in Moscow hailed the invitation as a victory for Putin, framing the talks as the latest in a series of historic summits dating back to the Cold War. AFP

YELL FOR YANG. Supporters react during a campaign rally of Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Yang in New York City on June 13. Yang continued to campaign for the mayoralty even as early voting for the June 22 primary election started Monday. AFP

Biden to rebuild ‘sacred’ NATO bond

B

RUSSELS ― US President Joe Biden will seek to restore bonds of trust at NATO’s first post-Trump summit on Monday, as leaders push to revitalise the alliance despite differences over dangers ahead.

The allies will agree a statement stressing common ground on securing their withdrawal from Afghanistan, joint responses to cyber attacks and relations with a rising China.

Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump undermined faith in the West’s security architecture by questioning Washington’s commitment to defend European partners.

And he clashed publicly with counterparts the last time leaders met in 2019, before abruptly heading home early.

In contrast, Biden has firmly reasserted American backing for the 72-yearold military alliance -- and his administration has been making a show of consulting more with partners.

But there remain divisions among the

allies on some key issues -- including how to deal with China’s rise and how to increase common funding.

Partners are concerned about the rush to leave Afghanistan and some question the strategy of an alliance that French President Emmanuel Macron warns is undergoing “brain death”.

“We do not view NATO as a sort of a protection racket,” Biden said Sunday after a conciliatory G7 gathering in Britain.

“We believe that NATO is vital to our ability to maintain American security.”

He stressed the United States had a “sacred obligation” to the alliance

China slams G7 ‘manipulation’ after Xinjiang, HK criticism

BEIJING―China on Monday accused the G7 of “political manipulation” after it criticised Beijing over its human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

In a communique after a threeday summit in England, G7 leaders slammed China over abuses against minorities in the Xinjiang region and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, while US President Joe Biden called for Beijing to “start acting more responsibly in terms of international norms on human rights”.

The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom responded angrily on Monday, and accused the G7 of “interfering”.

“The Group of Seven (G-7) takes advantage of Xinjiang-related issues to engage in political manipulation and interfere in China’s internal affairs, which we firmly oppose,” an embassy spokesman said in a statement.

The statement accused the G7 of “lies, rumours and baseless accusations”.

Human rights groups say China has rounded up an estimated one million Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang into internment camps, which Beijing says is to eradicate Islamic extremism. AFP

Nuke arms decline stalls as nations modernise arsenals STOCKHOLM ― As nuclear nations commit to renewing and sometimes expanding their arsenals, a decline seen since the early 1990s seems to have stalled, with some signs of a numerical increase, researchers said Monday “The reduction of nuclear arsenals that we have gotten used to since the end of the Cold War appears to be levelling out,” Hans Kristensen, associate senior fellow at SIPRI’s Nuclear Disarmament, Arms Control and Nonproliferation Programme, told AFP. The amount of nukes among the nine nuclear-armed states -- the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea -totalled 13,080 at the start of 2021, a slight decrease from 13,400 a year earlier, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated.

However, this includes retired warheads waiting to be dismantled, and without them the combined military stockpile of nuclear arms rose from 9,380 to 9,620. AFP

and the principle of collective defence, promising he would “make the case: ‘We are back’, as well”.

The summit at NATO’s cavernous Brussels headquarters is set to greenlight a 2030 reform programme.

The leaders will agree to rewrite the core “strategic concept” to face a world where cyber attacks, climate change, and new technologies pose new threats.

Looming large in the background is the scramble to complete NATO’s hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan after Biden surprised partners by ordering US troops home by September 11. AFP

VOLCANO RANGER. A

ranger from the Virunga National Park climbs the slopes of the Nyiragongo volcano, north of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 11. Three weeks after Nyiragongo’s May 22 eruption, which caused the death of about 30 people and the evacuation of nearly half a million residents of Goma, volcanologists from the Goma Volcanological Observatory climb to the top of the crater to assess volcanic activity. AFP

Motley alliance ousts Israel’s Netanyahu in 60-59 vote JERUSALEM—A motley alliance of Israeli parties on Sunday ended Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12 straight years as prime minister, as parliament voted in a new government led by his former ally, right-wing Jewish nationalist Naftali Bennett.

Bennett, a tech millionaire and former special forces commander, was sworn in at the helm of an ideologically divided eightparty bloc united only by disdain for the country’s longest-serving prime minister.

Netanyahu, 71, in typically combative style, vowed shortly before his defeat that “if it’s our destiny to be in the opposition, we’ll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government and return to lead the country our way”.

Beloved as “King Bibi” and “Mr Se-

curity” by his right-wing supporters and condemned as the “crime minister” by his critics, Netanyahu has long dominated Israeli politics.

But on Sunday, a vote in the Knesset legislature following weeks of political drama ended his government with a razor-thin majority of 60 to 59 in the 120seat chamber.

US President Joe Biden swiftly congratulated Bennett.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and enduring relationship between our two nations. Israel has no better friend than the United States,” he said in a statement.

Delighted revelers packed a square near the Knesset (parliament) in Jerusa-

lem and poured into Tel Aviv’s city centre to celebrate Netanyahu’s fall.

Throngs of people gathered in the coastal city, clapping, cheering and waving flags.

In Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square, Netanyahu’s opponents launched into celebrations, waving “Bye bye Bibi” placards.

Bennett, 49, told the Knesset before the vote that his government “represents all of Israel”.

He said the country, after four inconclusive elections in under two years, had been thrown “into a maelstrom of hatred and in-fighting”.

“The time has come for different leaders, from all parts of the population, to stop, to stop this madness”, he said, to angry shouts of “liar” and “criminal” from right-wing opponents. AFP

Talks recall memories of 1985 ReaganGorbachev gab

GENEVA―Wednesday’s talks between US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin evoke vivid memories of the 1985 Geneva summit, when Cold War rivals Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met for the first time.

Despite the chilly November weather in the Swiss city, relations began to thaw between Washington and Moscow as the US president and the Soviet leader came face to face on neutral territory.

Now some 36 years on, Biden and Putin are set for decidedly less hopeful talks on the placid shores of Lake Geneva, with the echo of history surrounding them.

Back in 1985, “the atmosphere was relaxed... They had both lined something up to seduce the other camp,” said former AFP correspondent Didier Lapeyronie, who covered the Reagan-Gorbachev talks.

“At the same time, we were all aware that it was a historic moment.”

Things got off to a bad start. Just before US president Reagan arrived at one of the summit locations, a Swiss soldier waiting in the ceremonial honour guard fainted, overcome by the bitter cold.

Six years before the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, the 1985 Geneva summit focused on de-escalating the nuclear arms race between the two superpowers, and came with hopes of fostering better East-West relations.

The three-day summit was covered by 3,500 journalists.

Nicolas Burgy, who was at Geneva Airport for AFP to report on the Reagans’ arrival, recalls the sense of “joy” in the air.

“There was a casual sort of feeling,” he said.

One of the most enduring pictures from the summit is one of the two most powerful men on the planet sitting beside a fireplace, smiling at each other from their armchairs -- an image that conjures up the impression of a cosy fireside chat between two old friends. AFP

Junta trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi to hear first testimony in 4 months YANGON―The trial of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi will hear its first testimony in a junta court Monday, more than four months after a military coup.

Near daily protests have rocked Myanmar since the generals’ putsch removed her government in February, ending a 10-year experiment with democracy.

The mass uprising has been met with a brutal military crackdown that has killed more than 850 people, according to a local monitoring group.

The junta has brought an eclectic raft of charges against the Nobel laureate, from illegally accepting 11 kilograms of gold to breaking a colonial-era secrecy law.

On Monday, her defence team will

cross-examine witnesses over charges she improperly imported walkie-talkies and flouted coronavirus restrictions during last year’s elections that her National League for Democracy won in a landslide.

Her lawyers—who have been allowed to meet with her just twice since she was placed under house arrest— have said they expect the trial to wrap up by July 26.

Hearings for the case will take place every Monday.

If convicted of all charges, Suu Kyi, 75, faces more than a decade in jail.

“We are hoping for the best but prepared for the worst,” Khin Maung Zaw, one of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, told AFP ahead of the hearing in the capital Naypyidaw. AFP

PROTEST SYMBOL. A monument to the resistance built by protestors and locals is seen in Cali, Colombia, amid ongoing protests against the government of Colombian President Ivan Duque on June 13. Dozens of people have been killed in protests that erupted around the country on April 28, initially against a tax hike that would have mostly affected the middle classes, but which have morphed into a major anti-government movement. AFP

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Rare earth metals at heart of China’s rivalry with US, Europe NEW YORK―What if China were to cut off the United States and Europe from access to rare minerals that are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines and drones?

At a time of frequent geopolitical friction among those three powers, Washington and Brussels want to avoid this scenario by investing in the market for 17 minerals with unique properties that today are largely extracted and refined in China.

“The expected exponential growth in demand for minerals that are linked to clean energy is putting more pressure on US and Europe to take a closer look at where the vulnerabilities are and the concrete steps these governments can take,” said Jane Nakano, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In 2019, the United States imported 80 percent of its rare earth minerals from China, the US Geological Survey says.

The European Union gets 98 percent of its supply from China, the European Commission said last year.

Amid the transition to green energy in which rare earth minerals are sure to play a role, China’s market dominance is enough to sound an alarm in western capitals.

Rare earth minerals with names like neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium are crucial to the manufacture of magnets used in industries of the future like wind turbines and electric cars. And they are already present in consumer goods such as smartphones, computer screens and telescopic lenses.

Others have more traditional uses, like cerium for glass polishing and lanthanum for car catalysts or optical lenses.

This week the US Senate passed a law aimed at improving American competitiveness that includes provisions to improve critical minerals supply chains, following a similar executive order issued by President Joe Biden in February. AFP

PSEi June 14, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1 2 3 4 5 6

EVER PRIM GMA7 PHR OV MAC

LAST PRICE 0.52 3.5 12.48 2.11 0.013 6

CHANGE 0.14 0.63 1.08 0.18 0.001 0.4

% CHANGE 35.06% 21.95% 9.47% 9.33% 8.33% 7.14%

7 8

MWC CAT

16.04 14.34

0.94 0.82

6.23% 6.07%

9 10

ALLHC BKR

3.6 1.34

0.2 0.07

5.88% 5.51%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5 6

BH MA MAB LC ZHI VMC

LAST PRICE 945 0.012 0.013 0.156 0.23 2.4

7 8

MAHB PTC

2.21 97.05

-0.09 -3.95

-3.91% -3.91%

9 10

MRC WIN

0.385 0.265

-0.015 -0.01

-3.75% -3.64%

FRANCE INVESTMENTS. France’s Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire speaks to reporters after his meeting

with the Egyptian prime minister at the prime minister’s office in the capital Cairo on June 13, 2021. Le Maire on Sunday signed agreements with Egypt to invest 3.8 billion euros in the most populous Arab country’s public transport and renewable energy sectors.

France will finance Egyptian projects with French companies to the tune of 1.8 billion euros ($2.18 billion). AFP

Stocks rise slightly; BDO, Monde Nissin top gainers T HE stock market rose slightly Monday on selective buying along with the rest of Asia, with investors looking forward to the Federal Reserve’s next meeting this week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 9.70 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,917.49 on a value turnover of P6.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 117 to 91, with 54 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 4 percent to P114, while GMA Network Inc., the largest broadcasting company, surged 9.5 percent to P12.48.

Noodle maker Monde Nissin Corp. advanced 4.6 percent to P14.68, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications firm, increased 2.9

percent to P1,895.

Asian markets mostly climbed Monday during holiday-hit trade, with investors hoping for fresh clues about monetary policy in light of the US economy’s blistering recovery.

Another record close for the S&P 500 on Wall Street on Friday provided a healthy lead for the region, though with holidays in Hong Kong, China and Australia, business was light.

Confidence among investors remains high as vaccine rollouts, the easing of containment measures, central bank largesse and government stimulus provide support, with observers forecasting a rally that began in April 2020 will continue into next year.

US data showing inflation far higher than expected last month was taken in stride as markets appear to have accepted Fed insistence that the spike will be temporary and their ultra-loose monetary policies—including record low interest rates—will be maintained for the

foreseeable future.

There had been a worry that soaring prices would force the bank to taper its bond-buying scheme earlier than first thought.

Still, this week’s meeting will be closely followed for an idea about its plans.

Mansoor Mohi-uddin, chief economist at the Bank of Singapore, said it is not expected to announce any change at the end of the gathering Wednesday, but it is “likely to start discussing when it will begin slowing its quantitative easing, given the US economy’s strong rebound from the pandemic.”

“But its taper talk will last many months with the Fed stressing that it needs to see ‘substantial further progress’ towards meeting its goals of maximum employment and stable inflation before it will slow its asset purchases.

With Manila AFP Standard TODAY

Dubai’s yachts offer ideal outing during pandemic

CHANGE -405 -0.001 -0.001 -0.009 -0.01 -0.1

% CHANGE -30.00% -7.69% -7.14% -5.45% -4.17% -4.00%

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BDO ALI DNL JFC EVER BPI ACEN GLO

VOLUME 5170620 9089600 35984000 1039650 451180000 2408010 25393500 104460

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1158350 1309170000

VALUE (PHP) 582043056 337737640 287095130 214905026 209636400 207064988 203448141 195589460 177982437 177280010

PHILIPPINE SEVEN CORPORATION 7th Floor, The Columbia Tower Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City Tel. Nos. 8724-44-41 to 53 Fax No. 8705-52-09 TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:

A luxury yacht is pictured off the Dubai Marina Beach in the Gulf emirate, on June 10 2021.

AFP

Notice is hereby given that the annual stockholders meeting of PHILIPPINE SEVEN CORPORATION (the “Corporation’’), will be conducted virtually and livestreamed through the link which can be accessed at the Corporation’s website at https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/2021-asm/ on Thursday, 15 July 2021 at 2:00 P.M. for the purpose of taking up the following: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Certification of Notice of Meeting & Quorum and Call to Order Approval of Minutes of the Annual Stockholders Meeting held on 16 July 2020 a. Chairman’s Message b. President’s Report Approval of 2020 Audited Financial Statements contained in the Corporation’s 2020 Annual Report and in the Information Statement accompanying this Notice and Agenda Ratification of Actions Taken by the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Board Committees and Management since the last annual stockholders meeting Election of the Board of Directors including the Independent Directors for 2021 Delegation of the Authority to the Board of Directors to Amend or Repeal the Corporation’s Bylaws or Adopt New Bylaws Appointment of External Auditor Other Matters Adjournment

For purposes of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of June 09, 2021 are entitled to vote in the said meeting.

By Dana Moukhalatti DUABAI, United Arab Emirates—Dubai earned a reputation for delivering luxury for those with cash to splash years ago, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new mode of travel has become popular— yachts.

“It’s more private, you’re with only family and friends, and it’s the ideal outing during a pandemic,” said Nada Naeem, a 36-year-old Saudi citizen living in Dubai.

Dozens of white yachts are seen every day zipping through the emirate’s bays, canals and islands, while others are docked along the coast in Gulf waters overlooking the skyline of high-rise towers.

“You feel like you can breathe,” Naeem said, adding that she had not left Dubai since the pandemic began last year. “It’s like you’ve travelled.”

Unlike so many parts of the world, Dubai opened its doors wide open to tourists just a few months after the coronavirus pandemic took hold last year.

Life in the Gulf emirate—one of the first destinations to welcome visitors again last July—returned to largely normal, with restaurants and hotels up and running and beaches open to the public.

The UAE, made up of seven emirates including Dubai, launched an energetic vaccination drive with some of the highest inoculation rates worldwide, and continues to enforce strict rules on wearing masks and social distancing.

But some are fearful of overseas travel, and wary of crowded places where the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher.

‘Secure and safe’ For those who can afford the price tag, yachts are seen as a safer bet.

“When they eased the lockdown... people preferred something secure and safe with regulations,” said Mohammed al-Sayyed, man-

ager of Royal Star Yachts charter company.

“We are providing them with the proper customer service, following all the rules, sanitizing the yacht.”

For now, yachts are allowed to operate at 70 percent capacity.

The company has a fleet that includes a 141-foot (42-meter) yacht able to host 80 passengers at full capacity—if you can afford the $4,900 price for a three-hour cruise.

Charter companies said they have seen an increased interest in yachting after coronavirus measures eased, especially among those who want to spend time with friends and family.

“People want to do sightseeing, cruising,” said Sayyed, who has been in the yacht industry for eight years. “They want to relax.”

Cheaper yachts to hire include the company’s 90-foot “Big Daddy”—capable of normally carrying 65 people, at $1,225 for three hours—down to smaller boats.

Some in Dubai said that when the price was split between a group, the cost was not as steep as it seemed at first.

“It can actually be more affordable than an all-inclusive brunch at a restaurant,” said Naeem.

And while some groups have been busted by authorities flouting the rules and slapped with hefty fines, most excursions run smoothly.

Sayyed insisted his company follows all the rules and that even on the most luxurious “party yachts,” there are COVID-19 regulations still in place, including the need for passengers to socially distance from each other and wear masks.

Beach to boat takeaways Dubai, known for its skyscrapers and mega-projects, boasts the most diverse economy in the oil-reliant Gulf region and has built a reputation as a financial, commercial and tourism hub.

Tourism, which drew some 16 million visitors a year before the coronavirus hit, took a severe downturn in the first few months of the pandemic. AFP

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend and participate via remote communication by registering on or before 5:00 PM on July 09, 2021 using the registration form found in the https://www.7-eleven.com. ph/2021-asm/. Stockholders may send in questions or remarks to asmpsc@7-eleven com.ph.

To cast your votes as a stockholder, you may vote through remote communication or in absentia, or through a proxy. Voting by remote communication or in absentia shall be done by completing the online voting form or submitting a scanned copy of the downloadable voting form found in https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/2021-asm/. The requirements and procedure for registration and voting are set forth in Annex “D” of the Information Statement and shall be published in the Company’s website at www.7-eleven.com.ph.

Pursuant to SEC Notice dated March 16, 2021, a copy of the Notice and Agenda of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Information Statement (SEC Form 20-IS), Proxy Form, Management Report/Annual Report (SEC Form 17A) for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Sustainability Report, and 1st Quarterly Report with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three (3) months ended March 31, 2021 (SEC Form 17-Q) will be posted on the Company’s website at www.7eleven.com.ph on or before June 23, 2021. The Information Statement (SEC Form 20-IS), Annual Report (SEC Form 17-A) and 1st Quarterly Report (SEC Form 17-Q) are available at PSE Edge.

The Corporation will provide, without charge, a printed copy of SEC Form 17-A and SEC Form 17-Q, upon the written request of a stockholder addressed to the Corporate Secretary.

We are not soliciting your proxy. However, you may attend by submitting a duly-accomplished proxy form which must be submitted to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 7th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City on or before July 06, 2021. Soft copies of the proxies can be emailed in advance to asm-psc@7-eleven.com.ph. The proxies shall be validated on July 08, 2021, at 10:00 AM at 15th Floor, South Tower, BDO Corporate Center, 7899 Makati Avenue, Makati City. (signed)

(MS-JUNE 15 & 16, 2021)

ATTY. EVELYN S. ENRIQUEZ Corporate Secretary

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

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TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, June 14, 2021

9.70 PTS. 6,917.49

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

3,926,178,504 110,672 6,322,671,564.62 117 91 54

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.7110

Japan

Yen

0.009121

0.4352

UK

Pound

1.411500

67.3441

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128859

6.1480

Switzerland

Franc

1.113710

53.1362

Canada

Dollar

0.822436

39.2392

Singapore

Dollar

0.754375

35.9920

Australia

Dollar

0.770500

36.7613

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655690

126.7056

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.7219

Brunei

Dollar

0.751541

35.8568

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032196

1.5361

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.9918

Euro

Euro

1.211300

57.7923

Korea

Won

0.000896

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.156426

7.4632

India

Rupee

0.013654

0.6514

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243546

11.6198

New Zealand

Dollar

0.713100

34.0227

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036165

1.7255 Source: BSP

Globe, DITO warn public vs. switching modems, SIM cards

Business Tanco’s brokerage loses license, faces P32-m fine T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it revoked the license of Venture Securities Inc., a brokerage owned by businessman Eusebio Tanco, for allegedly committing fraud that led to R&L Investments’ collapse.

It said a special hearing panel, in a decision dated June 11, also imposed penalties amounting to P32 million against the brokerage and its officers.

The panel said it found acts and omissions on the part of VSI and its officers that “indispensably contributed to, if they had not been the proximate cause of, the losses incurred by the clients of R&L.” Records show the SEC in November 2019 ordered Capital Markets Integrity Corp. to take over the operations of R&L following the discovery of unauthorized transfers of shares to the account of a certain Julieto Sulapas in VSI. The transactions—facilitated by one Marlo Moron on be-

half of Sulapas while acting as a trading floor assistant and settlement clerk of R&L through EQ trades or transfers of shares from one broker to another—resulted in the loss of P700 million worth of client shares in R&L, one of the oldest brokerages in the Philippines, according to the panel.

VSI and its president Wilfred Racadio, associated person Adora Aguilar, salesman Loreto Balabis and settlement head Teresita Mosenabre failed to observe know-your-client procedures and other controls under Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code and its implementing rules and regulations, the panel concluded.

“We cannot tolerate and ignore any act or omission on the part of those involved in the capital market which would violate the norm set by the securities law especially on the transactions and responsibilities of Broker Dealers and that would diminish or even just tend to diminish the faith of the investors on the integrity of the capital market,” the SHP said.

“Likewise, the practice of installing undiscerning persons in entities involved in the capital market cannot be tolerated, let alone allowed to perpetuate. This must be curbed by holding accountable those who consciously and willfully commit wrongful acts in the performance of their duties as officers, registered persons or employees,” it said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp. on Monday warned the public about the illegal re-selling of Globe At Home modems with DITO stickers and SIM cards.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals and retail establishments are illegally reselling and passing off as DITO Telecommunity modems, several of our Globe At Home WiFi Modems,” Globe said in a statement.

“The modus is done through the unauthorized unlocking of the Globe device, substituting the Globe SIM with a DITO Telecommunity SIM and concealing the Globe At Home trademark with a sticker of DITO,” it said.

All Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi kits have pre-inserted SIMs in the modems ready for activation via the Globe At Home app or FB messenger upon purchase.

Globe said it was prepared to take the necessary legal action against unscrupulous individuals and establishments carrying out deceptive business practices, through the assistance of law enforcement authorities.

Adel Tamano, chief administrative officer of DITO, also warned the public against purchasing DITO-branded modems and WIFI devices with free SIM cards which were being sold in various online channels.

“It has come to our attention that there are so-called DITO-branded modems that are being sold online. Let me take this opportunity to assure the public that the unauthorized use of the DITO branding in any form shall result in the possibility of prosecution for copyright infringement,” Tamano said.

“There are no official DITO modems or pocket WIFI devices that have been launched at this time. DITO cannot and will not guarantee the performance and service should our SIM cards be used in these unauthorized devices in the market today,” he said.

Tamano advised the public to purchase SIM cards from DITO authorized partners and resellers.

“We do understand the desire of the Filipino public to finally experience fast, affordable and quality connectivity through DITO. However, we wish to advise everyone to please purchase DITO sim cards only from our partners, resellers, our DITO stores, and official online partner stores to avoid any issues,” he said.

Vehicle sales surged by 361% to 22,062 units in May—CAMPI

By Othel V. Campos MOTOR vehicle sales jumped 360.8 percent in May to 22,062 units from 4,788 units a year ago, the highest increase since the pandemic broke in March 2020, two industry groups said Monday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report the sales in May also increased 23.6 percent from 17,843 units in April.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the industry welcomed the doubledigit month-on-month growth amid the shift to the more relaxed quarantine restrictions in “NCR Plus” and other regions.

“The industry remains optimistic of a nascent recovery but at the same time on guard for any downside risks of the pandemic particularly if lockdowns are re-imposed in NCR Plus and in other regions resulting in a tepid consumer confidence,” Gutierrez said.

Passenger car sales grew by 36.43 percent to 7,599 units in May from 4,570 in April and 447.1 percent from 1,389 units in same month last year.

Commercial vehicle sales were also up by 17.8 percent to 14,473 units from 12,273 units in April and by 325.5 percent from 3,299 units, year-on-year.

Sales in the first five months grew by 58.7 percent to 110,217 units from 79,463 units delivered in the same period in 2020.

Sold passenger cars increased by 82.4 percent to 35,024 units from 18,201 units in 2020 while demand for commercial vehicles went up by 49.6 percent to 75,193 units from 50,262 units.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. continued to lead sales in the first five months with a market share of 47.65 percent, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 15.36 percent.

Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. was third with 7.48 percent.

IN BRIEF

Senator wants lower RE generation cap

DRIVE-THRU VACCINATION. St. Luke’s Medical Center is making vaccines more accessible to children by opening drivethru vaccination sites in its hospitals in Bonifacio Global City and Quezon City. Upon receiving the details of the required vaccinations, they can proceed with booking an appointment through SLMC’s Product Information Hub. St. Luke’s also opens drive-thru vaccination for grown-ups at St. Luke’s Urgent Care in SLMC-Global City. The drive-thru vaccination is focused on providing necessary vaccines to adults, particularly measles, mumps, and rubella; flu, varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal and human papillomavirus.

COVID-19 vaccines are not available in the service.

Dominguez, Diokno encourage firms to invest in digitalization, innovation

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Monday asked local businesses to invest heavily in digitalization and innovation to stay competitive as the world rapidly transitions into a postpandemic global economy.

Dominguez said at a Department of Science and Technology event the country should evolve and take advantage of these fast-changing technological innovations so it could better respond and adapt to the demands and challenges of the new global economy.

“Technological innovations will build new industries and create many employment and investment opportunities. These will allow us to bounce back stronger from the pandemic and help ensure the long-term recovery of our economy,” Dominguez said in his keynote speech at the inauguration of the DOST’s Advanced Manufacturing Center in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Dominguez said the AMCen, which aims to be the technological hub and research center for additive manufac-

turing in the Philippines, would help transition the country’s manufacturing sector to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

A DOST initiative under Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, the AMCen is home to the Philippines’ first 3D printing research and development institution.

Dominguez said the new Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law would help strengthen the culture of innovation and research and R&D in the country, as it offers not only a reduced corporate income tax rate for investors but also attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, such as a 100-percent additional deduction on R&D expenses.

CREATE lowered the corporate income tax from 30 to 20 percent for micro, small and medium enterprises and to 25 percent for all other businesses.

Meanwhile, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the bank continued to promote the importance of digitalization in helping prepare Filipinos for the new economy.

MANILA BAY CLEANUP.

In celebration of World Oceans Day, SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Philippine Coast Guard, the SM Mall of Asia and SM By the Bay conduct a special cleanup activity that involves the removal of solid waste and debris along the SM Mall of Asia stretch of the Manila Bay. The activity is part of the company’s ongoing efforts in support of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation program and to ensure that all waterways within its business environments and communities are clean and well-managed.

World Vape Day posts 125% hike in Twitter traffic SOCIAL media engagement about the annual World Vape Day increased considerably this year, according to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates.

“The social media analytics for World Vape Day are impressive. It enjoyed huge growth in the number of postings, followers, and positive comments. Without doubt, #WVD21 gained much more traction than 2020’s event,” said Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of CAPHRA. Some estimates report a 125-percent increase in Twitter traffic about World Vape Day from May 29 to June 2 compared to the same period last year.

This year’s World Vape Day on May 30 highlighted smoke-free products as ‘the better choice’ to combustible cigarettes which are linked to more than eight million premature deaths each year.

CAPHRA and consumer advocacy groups in the Asia Pacific region called on the World Health Organization and governments to provide smokers with better access to innovative, safer nicotine products.

Loucas said #WVD21 achieved significant cut-through for a number of reasons.

“The WHO and many in the media seemed to have rebooted their campaign against vaping lately which only energizes the 68 million people globally who have switched from smoking to vaping, saving millions of lives every year. Their success and personal stories are the most powerful evidence we have, highlighting vaping as the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool,” she said.

CAPHRA said #WVD21 was further energized in Asia Pacific by the fact that much is happening in the region—both for and against Tobacco Harm Reduction public policy.

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday proposed the removal of the 100-kilowatt size limit in the installation of generation facilities under the net metering program to encourage large consumers to invest and use indigenous and renewable energy resources.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said Senate Bill No. 2219 would encourage more investments in RE and provide support in terms of savings to industries that have the capacity to install power generator facilities such as solar panels on their rooftops.

He said removing the 100-kilowatt cap would allow large electricity consumers such as commercial establishments, industrial buildings and government offices to avail of the net-metering program under Republic Act No. 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

“The rooftop now becomes a resource. If we have rooftop, it’s as good as real estate because we can install solar panels and generate revenue,” said Gatchalian. Alena Mae S. Flores

IEMOP eyes market for power reserves INDEPENDENT Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines is pushing for mechanisms and programs to help long-term power capacity building, including the establishment of the reserves market this year.

“This will attract investors to put up facilities to cater to the requirement for ancillary services,” IEMOP officials said during a virtual briefing on Monday. IEMOP operates the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity.

Other market advocacies include the use of market signals to determine the optimal locations of generation and transmission facility, a mechanism where capacities are auctioned and the winning investors are guaranteed capacity payments through universal tariff, and forwards market that will ensure financial viability of generation investments.

“We are seeing phase 1 one the reserves market to be implemented this year, and if we implement the reserves market our generating facilities will be incentivized in order to cater to the requirement for ancillary services especially when demand goes up,” IEMOP officials said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business journalists hold virtual training THE Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines concluded a three-day business journalism seminar in partnership with San Miguel Corp. and the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development.

The virtual sessions, spread over three Saturdays of May, allowed 29 business reporters across 13 news outfits covering almost the major beats in the business and economic community to listen to lectures that expanded their understanding of how business and the economy work.

The sessions were designed to improve the reporters’ understanding of macro-economy, capital markets and commodities and improve their reporting on these topics.

Participants who successfully attended all sessions in the three-day seminar were awarded with a certificate of completion.

“The new normal was a great opportunity for us to refresh and expand our members’ skills in covering various sectors of the economy. This event would not be possible without the gracious support of Mr. Ramon Ang of SMC and ACERD lead by esteemed economist Dr. Alvin Ang,” said EJAP president Gerard de la Peña.

Djokovic eyes Golden Grand Slam PARIS—Novak Djokovic has set his sights on the Golden Grand Slam of all four majors and the Olympic title, insisting: “Everything is possible”.

The world number one captured a second French Open and 19th Slam with a 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.

It allowed him to become the first man in the Open era, and only third in history, to claim all four Grand Slam titles on multiple occasions.

Now he has targeted being the third man to complete a calendar Grand Slam after Don Budge in 1937 and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969.

On top of that, he also wants the Olympic gold medal to complete the Golden Grand Slam.

“Everything is possible. Definitely in my case I can say that what I’ve been through in my career, in my life, this journey has been terrific so far,” said Djokovic.

“I’ve achieved some things that a lot of people thought it would be not possible for me to achieve.

“So everything is possible, and I did put myself in a good position to go for the Golden Slam.”

The Golden Slam has never been achieved by a man while, in the women’s game, only Steffi Graf in 1988 has swept all four majors and Olympic gold in the same year.

In Graf’s case, Olympic gold came in Seoul. For Djokovic, the opportunity will come in Tokyo later this summer.

“Obviously his goal and our goal is to win the Olympics and then win the Grand Slam. That would be the absolutely top of this year,” said Djokovic’s longtime coach Marian Vajda.

“But it’s still far away from us. We have to still focus on the next one. But overall he’s set up for this year.

“His priority is Wimbledon, Olympics and US Open. I think that says all.”

Djokovic is already halfway to a calendar Slam having secured a record ninth Australian Open in February.

Next up is Wimbledon, where he is the defending champion, Olympics and then a bid to win the US Open for a fourth time.

“As much as Novak is healthy, and he’s healthy right now, he’s in great shape, I think he has the ability to win the Grand Slam for this year. I’m pretty sure,” added Vajda.

“I think it is much more than possible.

He loves to play in Wimbledon and US Open.”

However, Djokovic has been at this juncture before, winning in Australia and Paris in 2016 but coming up short at the Rio Olympics, Wimbledon and the US Open later in the year.

“I was in this position in 2016 as well. It ended up in a third-round loss in Wimbledon,” added Djokovic recalling his shock exit to Sam Querrey at the All England Club five years ago.

Djokovic now has nine Australian Opens, five Wimbledons, three US Opens and two French Opens. AFP

Sports

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

Jet-lagged Knott settles for 100m silver in Sweden tilt

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with The Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) after winning against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the end of their men’s final tennis match on Day 15 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. AFP

8 SEAG nations to lobby for games to push through

By Peter Atencio

I

MPORTANT decisions will be made on the fate of the 31st Southeast Asian Games next week.

With the government of Vietnam making plans to postpone the biennial meet, eight member nations in Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Philippines will continue efforts to appeal so that it will still be held within the year.

“Marami ng bansa ang t utol.

Naka-prepare na sila. May mo ment u m na,” said Philippi ne Oly mpic Com mit tee president Abraham Tolenti no.

Vietnamese authorities are keen on postponing the games because of rising COVID-19 cases, which have tripled from April to over 9,000 cases.

But the number is extremely low compared to most of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

There has been a reported spike in cases in seven localities, including Ho Chi Minh City, which is one of the main hubs, where the games will be held.

Tolentino said member nations and

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the Vietnam SEA Games Organizing Committee will meet again on June 24 for a final decision.

The regional meet is supposed to be held in Hanoi and 11 other locations from November 21 to December 2, but organizers want to reset it for next year in July.

The POC chief said it will not be possible to have the SEA Games held next year because there are many other major international meets that will be held.

This includes the 2022 Winter Games, the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, the Islamic Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

KRISTINA Knott was far from her season’s best performance when she settled for the silver medal in the 100 meters last Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the 2021 Sollentuna Grand Prix, a World Athletics continental tour bronze medal series event in Sweden.

A jet-lagged Knott clocked 11.54 seconds in the century dash as she moved closer to a qualifying seat to the Tokyo Olympics.

Because of her condition, Knott decided not to push through with her bid to get more qualifying points for the Olympics by skipping the 200 meters sprints for now.

“It’s been a rough few days as our travel was horrible. We had major delays departing the US due to weather.

At one point, Kristina and myself spent two hours on the runway in Washington D.C., then because of that delay, we spent seven hours in the airport in Munich,” said coach Rohsaan Griffin on their journey.

Ana Bongiorni of Italy took the gold medal in 11.42 seconds, with Irene Ekelund landing third in 11.58 seconds.

The time of Knott was nowhere near her season’s best of 11.28 seconds she made at the Louisiana State University Alumni Gold meet in Baton Rouge.

Knott, who went to Sweden with Eric Cray and his wife-coach Samantha, is now close to an opportunity of qualifying to the Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 200-meters. Her next window of opportunity will be in the Karlsdat meet, which also in Sweden.

Griffins said Knott will try to bounce back, running both the 100 and 200 meters.

“We are definitely looking forward to recovering and having some good training days before the next competition on the 6/22,” added Griffin.

Cray placed fifth in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 51.05 seconds.

Thomas Barr of Ireland claimed the gold in 49.25 seconds, with Wilfried Happo settling for second in 49.27 seconds and Quincy Downing in the third at 49.66 seconds.

Following a 23.37 clocking in the 200 meters at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association New Life Invitational last week, Knott earned 50 points to move in the Olympic rankings by a notch to no. 62.

She now has 1141 points to her credit and will need only four points to further move up the rankings. If Knott reaches the rank of no. 56, she will make the cut to the Tokyo Olympics by way of World Rankings quota. Peter Atencio

PH muaythai dream comes alive

By Randy M. Caluag THE Philippine muaythai community looks forward to the time when a warrior of their kind takes the podium with a medal of any color wrapped around his neck amid the crowd’s applause and admiration.

“Now, we are one step closer to the Olympic dream. We are one step closer to the Olympic dream,” said Muaythai Association of the Philippines secretary-general Pearl Managuelod.

Just few days ago, the powerful International Olympic Committee Executive Board accepted without objection from any member federation a proposal to give full recognition to six new international sport federations.

Included in the list are the sports of cheerleading, muaythai, sambo, icetocksport, kickboxing and lacrosse.

This vital decision has virtually

Tab Baldwin

sealed for the said sports disciplines an acceptance in the OIC roster.

An IOC session set before the Tokyo Olympics next month will formalize their status as full members in the world’s biggest sports organization.

“We’re very happy that muaythai is finally given full recognition by the IOC. Our IF and member NFs have worked hard all these years to make sure that muaythai is worthy to be included in the Olympics,” added Managuelod, who is also an executive board member of the Philippine Olympic Committee. “We are confident that Team Bagsik (Muaythai Team Philippines) will someday represent us in the Olympics and win a medal.”

She has every reason to be optimistic as Filipino muay thai athletes are a consistent source of honor in international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Championships and World Championships.

Two of their world class athletes are Jenelyn Olsim and Lee Ariel Lampacan, who are both gold medalists in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Olsim, who competes in the women’s 54-kg category, emerged victorious in the tough 1st KF1 2019 World Championship fight in Hong Kong. Lampacan, who campaigns in the male 54-kg., was the gold medal winner in 2018 IFMA World Championship.

Managuelod hopes that muaythai’s inclusion in the Olympics will generate more support for their athletes and their quest to achieving their Olympic dream.

“MAP has been aggressive with our grassroots campaign as we continue to ramp up our initiatives and efforts even during the pandemic. I hope with this recognition, we can get more support from our partner agencies and stakeholders as they see the value of our efforts,” she said.

Benguet pride Jenelyn Olsim (left) is one of world-class Filipino muaythai athletes aspiring to see action in the prestigious Olympic stage

Baldwin on Gilas: It’s going to be painful before it’s productive FOR the last two years, newly named Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin preached the need for the squad to gain experience at the international level.

And this will be what the Baldwin will be seeking for the national squad when he names his final list of 12 players, who will play tomorrow.

“Because one of the most fundamental ingredients to a successful national team is experience at the international level. And this group of players will have almost none of that. So it’s going to be painful before it’s productive, I can tell you that,” said Baldwin, who discussed this need and what he wants a national squad to have a year ago in a podcast.

Much needed experience is something the final 12 cagers will get when the Group A and B matches of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers commence on Wednesday behind closed doors at the Angeles University Foundation gymnasium in Angeles City, Pampanga.

With the newbies of Gilas facing Korea at 6 p.m., Baldwin is keeping his cards to himself for the moment. He will name his final roster a day before the game (Tuesday).

Group B hostilities will be held earlier, with Japan facing China at 2:30 p.m.

“We have 15 players in our roster. Of course, we are going to trim it down to 12, 24 hours before the start of the tournament. And hopefully, the final 12 that we will choose will be able to compete at a high level and give us opportunities to win,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Special Assistant to the President in Ryan Gregorio.

Focus will be both the Philippines and Korea as the two remained undefeated in their respective campaigns.

The Philippines has won its last three games by at least 30 points so far, beating Indonesia, 100-70, in February 2020 in Jakarta, before coming off with a 93-61

mauling of Indonesia last November in Bahrain and a 93-69 stopping of Thailand.

Korea has not lost in two games, too, but it had a close fight against Thailand, which the Koreans beat, 93-86.

Gregorio hopes that the Gilas will be able to compete with Korea after spending the last nine weeks training under a bubble in Calamba, Laguna.

Baldwin will be choosing his players from among draftees Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go and Rey Suerte, along with newbies Jordan Heading, William Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel, and Jaydee Tungcab. Also around are Kenmark Carino, Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Jason Credo, Geo Chiu and Lebron Lopez.

Decisions will also be made on naturalized player Angelo Kouame and and 7’3” Sotto, who were among 15 Gilas cadets, who entered the Clark bubble at the Quest Hotel on Sunday afternoon. Peter Atencio

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Sports

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

Suns complete sweep of Nuggets L

OS ANGELES—Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 71 points as the Phoenix Suns completed a four-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to reach the NBA semi-finals for the first time in 11 years.

Paul scored 37 points and Booker finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds as the Suns beat the Nuggets 125-118 to capture the Western Conference second round series 4-0.

“I have been waiting for this for a very long time,” said Booker. “A lot people say I haven’t played meaningful basketball. This is my time to prove it.”

The Suns used a balanced attack to overpower the Nuggets and league MVP Nikola Jokic, who was slapped with a flagrant foul and ejected from

the game in the third quarter. Jokic finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

“They beat us. They whipped our butts,” said Jokic. “We have to hold our heads up. If someone beats you, accept it and try to get better.

“The whole season was great until (the) last four games.”

The Suns will play either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Utah Jazz for a spot in the NBA finals.

“We showed what you can do when you

come together as a team,” said Paul.

Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, Deandre Ayton had 12 points and Jae Crowder had 10 rebounds for the Suns.

Will Barton had 25 points, Michael Porter scored 20, Monte Morris finished with 19 and Facu Campazzo 14 in the loss.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks evened their Eastern Conference second round series with a 107-96 rout of the Brooklyn Nets, who lost Kyrie Irving to an injury.

Antetokounmpo delivered his best performance of the postseason, shooting 14-of-26 from the field and scoring 12 points in the third quarter for the Bucks, who have

won two straight at home to level the bestof-seven series at two games each.

“This says a lot,” Antetokounmpo said. “I am really proud of this team. We keep playing together. We put ourselves in a position to win two more games.”

Game five is Tuesday in Brooklyn.

Khris Middleton chipped in 19 points as the Bucks made 44.3 percent of their shots and hit 16 threes in front of a pandemic-limited crowd of 16,000 at Fiserv Forum.

Their improved perimeter shooting comes after they had managed to make only 22 percent from three-point range in the first three games.

Antetokounmpo said their goal is to win at least one of the next two on the road. “We will try to get one from Brooklyn,” he said.

Indigenous sports to be tackled at Sports Summit

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is held back from Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns after a play that resulted in the MVP’s ejection in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. AFP

From athletes to content creators

By Lyka Jazmin Dela Cruz

Volleyball stars Alyssa Valdez and Abby Marano vlog about their usual everyday routines aside from doing travel videos before the pandemic.

WITH the government’s lockdown restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 giving several athletes plenty of spare time, many of them have begun exploring the virtual world by putting up their own YouTube channels. Here are some of the athletes, who have started vlogging to while away their time.

Alyssa Valdez and Abby Marano These two national team standouts with an estimated 227,000 and 122,000 subscribers, respectively, vlog about their usual everyday routines aside from doing travel videos before the pandemic. Valdez often includes her boyfriend, basketball stat Kiefer Raven on her vlogs, while Marano includes other players in her vlogs.

Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee The two created their YouTube channels together with their own families, that’s why their contents are usually about what their families do. Lee’s YouTube channel (Paul Rubie Tokyo Lee) already has at

least 83,200 subscribers, while Sangalang’s channel (IanEunice Fam TV) has over 29,300 subscribers.

The two professional players became more active in vlogging when the pandemic began.

Eya Lure and Kim Kiana Dy

Aside from filming their day to day lives, these two rising stars also engage themselves with the challenges often done by other content creators in YouTube. Laure and Dy usually include their friends and families when doing their contents. Laure has over 71,600 subscribers, while Dy already has over 108,000 subscribers.

Scottie Thompson and Joe Devance Although Thompson and Devance started making YouTube videos even before the pandemic began, the two Kings became more active during the pandemic. The contents of ther vlogs are all about their training, travels and families. During the PBA Bubble, these two have been some of the most active player-vloggers who update their fans.

Thompson has over 266,000, while Devance has over 70,100 subscribers.

Iniong loves being a mother, but admits she misses fighting in ONE PARENTHOOD truly changes the way a person thinks and approaches one’s life.

Gina “Conviction” Iniong could attest to that as she didn’t only marry the love of her life Richard Araos last year, but also gave birth to a pretty baby daughter back in November.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be a mom and it changed my view about life,” she admitted, smiling ear-to-ear when talking about her baby. “It changed me a lot especially now that I’m looking after a fragile human being that is solely dependent on me.”

If Iniong thought she was already disciplined then, training her butt off at Team Lakay Gym on her way to a gold medal in kickboxing in the 30th Southeast Asian Games back in 2019, her priorities are all the more magnified now as she juggles her roles as a fighter, a wife, and a mother.

“I have learned to manage my time wisely. It’s the same with my energy, I knew how to approach things better,” the 32-year-old said.

But as much of a treat is it for Iniong to take care of her baby girl, there’s still a part of her that craves for the action, all the more that she’s been out of action for almost a year and a half now.

Iniong hasn’t fought since ONE: Fire & Fury in January 2020, where she outpointed “Knockout Queen” Asha Roka

Kevin Durant finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds but the Nets struggled offensively after Irving exited the game in the second quarter and did not return.

Irving injured his right ankle with just over six minutes left in the first half after he stepped awkwardly on Antetokounmpo’s foot.

Initial x-rays were negative but Irving is expected to see team doctors again on Monday.

“I thought he got hit. When he went to the locker room they said he sprained his ankle. But we got to keep focusing on ourselves,” Antetokounmpo said.

Irving scored 11 points on five of 11 shooting in 17 minutes before getting hurt. In the first eight games of the postseason, Irving averaged 24.1 points. AFP

of India to earn a unanimous decision win. That victory made it back-to-back conquests for the Baguio-based fighter that she even jumped to no. 5 of the women’s atomweight rankings in ONE Championship.

Seventeen months, though, is just far too long for any elite fighter to be on the shelf and one can’t blame Iniong for having that hunger to be under the spotlight anew.

It’s for that reason that she never stopped working, even at home, as she seeks to rekindle her flame and get herself back to her old deadly form, some of whom believed that she was primed for a title shot against ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Singapore.

“Despite my busy days as a mom, I know I still have to keep myself fit and train here at home since we have a mini gym here. I have to keep on working if I want to be as competitive as I was back then,” she said.

The climb, however, gets more tougher now with a bevy of able contenders also driven to stand in Iniong’s way and plead their cases in challenging Lee. Fellow Filipina and no. 1-ranked women’s atomweight contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga leads the pack, alongside no. 2 Meng Bo of China, no.

3 Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine, no. 4 Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, no. 5 “Arale

Chan” Seo Hee Ham of Korea, Itsuki “Strong Heart Fighter” Hirata of Japan, and Alyse “Lil’ Savage” Anderson of the United States.

All of those ladies will get a chance to prove their worth in the upcoming ONE Women’s Atomweight Grand Prix, with the winner earning herself a title match against Lee for the coveted belt.

As an observer, Iniong knows that watching those ladies lock horns will be a treat for fight fans everywhere.

But as a competitor, it also serves as an opportunity for Iniong to scout the competition as she bids her time before getting back into the ONE Circle.

“Seeing the best atomweights in the world compete against one another will be a treat and a proof of how competitive the division has gotten,” she said. “But it also tells me that I always have to prepare for the worst knowing how dangerous each of these women are if ever I face any of them.”

Lucky for Iniong, she’s definitely heading in doubly, or even triply motivated whenever she marks that return as she looks at her child as her main source of inspiration.

Gina ‘Conviction’ Iniong

PHILIPPINE Sports Institute Dean for Sports Education Prof. Henry Daut returns to the National Sports Summit on Wednesday to spotlight ‘Sports and Indigenous Peoples’.

The Mindanao State University professor will give an overview on understanding the history and development of sports on Indigenous Peoples and their rich culture and traditions.

Daut is also set to tackle the progressive developments in indigenous sports, spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission, and ways where sporting communities can contribute in the advancement of sports for IPs. “This session highlights the goal of the commission in developing sports for all sectors of the community, and create a culture of sports inclusivity for every Filipino,” explained PSC chairman William Ramirez.

Daut first took centerstage on the summit’s first batch and tackled the nation’s grassroots sports as the key to Olympic success.

Dormitorio, Surban top MTB meet NINO SURBAN and Ariana Dormitorio raced to expected victories and two youngsters displayed strong potentials as competitive cycling emphatically returned over the weekend in the PhilCycling National Trials for MTB in Danao City.

Surban, men’s cross-country silver medalist in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, conquered the six-lap highlytechnical 3-km track atop the challenging hills of Sitio Bugho in Barangay Sandayong Sur to win the Men Elite gold medal in one hour, 22 minutes and 11.21 seconds.

Jericho Rivera crossed the uphill finish some two and a half minutes after Surban to settle for the silver medal, while Mark Louwel Valderama was more than a minute back for the bronze medal.

Dormitorio was as dominating in the women’s race—a shorter five-loop ride also over a 3-km loop—and won the gold medal in 1:29:50.75.

Nicole Quinones, daughter of Vietnam 2003 Men’s MTB gold medalist Eusebio Quinones, raced her first Women’s Elite race and bagged the silver medal with a 1:42:12.89 clocking.

Pamela Jane Ruiz clinched bronze in 1:48:25.24.

“Cycling is back,” PhilCycling head Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also the Philippine Olympic Committee president, said. “It’s more than a year since we have an official and this competition in Danao City marks our sport’s return.

Health and safety protocols were enforced in the event through the local government of Danao City, the Regional Task Force and the Department of Health.

“The results showed our cyclists stayed in competitive form even during the pandemic. Everyone wanted to return to action,” said Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, PhilCycling vice chairman and MTB commission head. He also chairs the Danao City Sports Commission.

Rodriguez and former congressman Ramon “Red” Durano Durano awarded the medals to the winners.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

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INI’s debut single entitled “Born to Win” speaks about courage, strength, and determination. Fueled by their passion and dedication for excellence, BINI, together with BINI’s Korean partners MU Doctor, aims to not just make captivating music, but ignite an empowered mindset for the youth of today.

Established in 2013 in South Korea, MU Doctor is an esteemed training group with a roster of professionals and experts in vocals and dance. They have helped launched successful idol careers, producing over 300 trainees fielded out to various entertainment companies including YG and JYP. Famous K-Pop stars who have trained under MU Doctor include Song Minho (WINNER), Hye-bin (Momoland), I.M (Monsta X), and Changbin (Stray Kids).

“Born To Win” is an elegant, yet fierce electronic-pop track with strong melodic hooks, while showing off the group’s crisp vocals. MU Doctor worked with Helsinki-based artist/ composer Eva Louhivuori on the lyrics and composition of “Born to Win.” Louhivuori has worked with K-Pop singer Gugudan and J-Pop artist Mirei

BINI goes for the gold BINI, the fast-rising 8-member P-pop girl group, has finally made its official debut, after two years in training under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy (SHA) and half a year as a rookie act.

Toyama, apart from her own music career in Europe. Apart from her, composition and arrangement are attributed to RYVNG and Maynine of StupidSquad. Chorus was done by Sophia Pae, while digital editing was by Jang Tae In. Mixing and mastering were also by Jang Tae In at Seoul Archive, and was administered by Mudoctor Studio.

The formidable Cube Entertainment is to thank for the dance routine of “Born to Win.” Headed by Kim Hyunjin, Cube’s choreography team called Star System has choreographed for top K-Pop acts under their wing such as Hyuna, 4Minute, CLC, and (G)-IDLE.

These synergies are part of BINI’s movement as Filipino youths to the world, infusing culture, craft, and values into internationally competitive production and performance. This movement comes full circle with fashion becoming a main element of the launch – making the Born to Win era much more than just a musical debut.

That said, BINI worked with the esteemed fashion designer Francis Libiran for three sets of bespoke ensembles. With a body of work that spans the red carpets of the Philippines to Hollywood, Libiran is ready to adorn BINI in unique pieces worthy of the world stage. These pieces will be unveiled in

DonBelle’s ‘He’s Into Her’ makes big buzz on social media

Donny Pangilinan is so much into Belle Mariano in the digital series ‘He’s Into Her.’

HE'S Into Her, Star Cinema’s newest youth-oriented series about empowerment starring Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano became one of the most talked-about shows on social media, landing number 6 on the TheWit.com’s Social Wit List, a roundup of shows that have generated the biggest buzz on Instagram in May. According to TheWit.com, a website that provides producers, broadcasters across the globe with information about the best television and digital content in development, the series registered around 26,000 followers who anticipated the pilot episode on iWantTFC, TFC, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live.

At the virtual thanksgiving party held last May 10, the cast thanked its viewers

and fans for the support that they have received. Belle expressed her gratitude to the bosses of ABS-CBN, director Chad Vidanes, the writer of the novel, Maxine Lat, and head writer and creative producer, Vanessa Valdez.

"This is quite a journey. Noong una, walang naniniwala but they were all their supporting me. Thank you sa cast for being so amazing," she said.

Meanwhile, Donny said he did not anticipate the cast would work out so well. “Wala naman kaming prior projects.

Everyone proved our doubters wrong.

It’s not just that, mas nag-excel pa kami," he said.

The show also broke records as it catapulted iWantTFC to the top of the list of most downloaded apps in the country when it premiered.

A glimpse into the underbelly of Filipino folklore

By Areeya Tatjana Ho NETFLIX’S new anime series, Trese, is bringing new life to the supernatural genre.

The series follows the story of modern-day babaylan Alexandra Trese (voiced by Liza Soberano in Filipino) and her two sidekicks Crispin and Basilio as they assist the police in solving crimes perpetuated by the malevolent underworld creatures.

The series was adapted from the award-winning comic by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. The pair teamed up with Jay Oliva and Tanya Yuson to bring “Trese” to life.

Oliva, showrunner and director of Trese, shared that although he grew up in the USA, he was very much brought up in a traditional Filipino household; and he knew the stakes were high to keep the series authentically Filipino as much as possible.

“I was on the plane when I read it and started formulating how I would translate it,” Oliva told Manila Standard Entertainment.

“But I wanted to get [Tanya’s] opinion and also the writer’s opinion what about Trese that they loved, and to really pour that into the project.”

Oliva’s goal was to give Trese a different flavor but he wanted the series to still remain faithful to the original material keeping the balance between what the original fans would love and what the production team could offer to the audience as creative workers.

“Who is [Alexandra Trese] as a woman and the life that she wants to lead outside of maybe her family wants,” Oliva remarked. “I think that's [a] very universal ideal, and also it’s very Filipino.”

‘Trese’ director Jay Oliva (inset) and creators Zig Marasigan, Tanya Yuson, and Mikh Vergara

Oliva shared he focused on these aspects and underscored the importance of “family and duty.” The storyline of Alexandra Trese doing what has to be done in order to keep the peace between the supernaturals and humans is its main core, its powerful component that “makes the story great.”

“It attracted me; and audiences, not just in the Philippines, will be attracted to it,” he concluded in his interview.

Jay Oliva is a Filipino-American storyboard artist and director.

He previously worked in several animated and live-action films and series such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1, Deadpool, Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, and Legend of Korra.

The other Martin in showbiz that deserves to shine SINCE he became a Kapuso in 2010, Kristoffer Martin has done a lot of unforgettable projects for GMA including Endless Love, Super Ma’am, Victor Magtanggol, Dragon Lady and the recently concluded Babawiin Ko ang Lahat, to name a few.

At this point, while many stars switch networks, Kristoffer remains Kapuso, and his fans admire his being loyal to his home studio.

“GMA has been there for me for the past decade that I’ve been in this industry. They’ve honed me and contributed a lot to where I am today. I owe them so much and I will forever be grateful to them,” he avers.

He feels blessed that he has projects despite the pandemic.

The year 2020 was a challenging and testy year for Kristoffer. Three of his family members contracted the COVID 19 virus. How was he able to overcome the sad experience?

“It was last September. It started

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES

Kapuso actor Kristoffer Martin

with my mom, then two more got contaminated. It’s really hard, especially since I’m far from them. Imagine the anxiety I felt because I couldn’t go near them,” he shared.

“During that time, I was the one who did the grocery for them. I just put the stuff outside the house. Because of this situation, I’m grateful that our bond as a family became stronger. We learned to value and appreciate one another better,” he carried on.

Speaking of the pandemic, what are the things he missed doing which he couldn’t do because of the lockdown?

“I missed doing mall shows and live performances. It’s a different feeling when you perform before a group of people. I also missed traveling. When the pandemic is over, I would really like to take my parents with me to a vacation abroad,” ended Kristoffer. Read full story on manilastandard.net

Part 1 of BINI: The Launch on June 4, entitled “The Runway”.

More of Born to Win’s defining pieces are crafted by breakthrough local brand Wolfram Designs, pushing Filipino artistry and talent even further to the world. The stars align in this era with Blackcode MNL’s Ica Villanueva serving as Visual Director. A feature of The Runway on TV Patrol.

As for Part 2 of the launch event entitled “The Showcase,” we witness BINI in the entirety of their new form, spotlighting the era’s concept with the girls’ musicality and performance.

BINI’s distinct, sharp, and coordinated choreographies are all thanks to Austrian-

born Mickey Perz, along with coaches Matthew Almodovar and Reden Blanquera.

As for BINI’s vocal calisthenics and harmonies, these are largely due to the efforts of Coach Kitchy Molina, considered an institution when it comes to vocal training. They are currently being mentored by Coach Anna Graham, an experienced vocal coach and singer, who continues to push their vocal abilities to the next level.

From their humble roots in the Star Hunt Academy camp to dreams of global stardom, BINI’s story continues to unfold, pushing boundaries, and going for gold.

GMA Network is Philippine frontrunner at New York Fest LEADING media company, GMA Network, remains the frontrunner in representing the country as five of its entries reached finalist status at the 2021 New York Festivals (NYF) “World’s Best TV and Films” Competition.

Primetime giant Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho makes waves on the international scene as its story “The Woman Slashed On Her Face” was named as a finalist in the category Documentary: Social Justice.

The story tackled domestic abuse and how cases of gender-based violence further increased during the implementation of the community quarantine in the country at the height of the pandemic.

Shortlisted in the Documentary: Heroes category is Reel Time’s “This Abled” episode about a man with no legs and arms seeking to reach a mountain’s peak.

It also tackled the issue of discrimination and how limited the job opportunities are among PWDs (persons with disability) in the country.

The episode “Miguel's Wounds” of Reporter’s Notebook emerged as a finalist for the Documentary: Health/Medical Information category. It investigated the plight of a 21-year-old man afflicted by a mysterious condition that left his skin peeling and his body full of wounds.

Nominated under the Program: Sports Documentary category, The Atom Araullo Specials: Dreams of Gold tells the story of Filipino athletes and how competitive the country is in the international sports scene. This is the third consecutive NYF nomination for The Atom Araullo Specials since it premiered in 2018. The public affairs program already gave the Philippines a back-to-back Silver World Medal win in the past two years for its “No Leftovers” episode (Social Issues category) in 2019 and its “Babies4Sale.PH” documentary in 2020 (Best Investigative Report category).

Finally, Alden’s Reality: The Virtual Reality Concert earned its first international

“Alden’s Reality: The Virtual Reality Concert’ earned its first international nomination via the NYF under the Entertainment Special: Special Event category.

nomination via the NYF under the Entertainment Special: Special Event category. Held last December, Alden’s Reality was the country's first-ever concert of its kind. It combined cuttingedge technology and performances to produce a full-length concert and online interaction between Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards and his fans as part of the actor’s 10th anniversary in the entertainment industry.

The record-setting concert, produced

by Synergy: A GMA Collaboration, is contending with entries from the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, and Norway.

The five GMA finalists will be moving on to the medal round. Winners of this year’s NYF will be announced on Oct. 12 in Las Vegas.

For more updates about GMA Network, visit www.gmanetwork.com.

‘

‘Quiet Place’ tops the tills anew PARAMOUNT'S frightening A Quiet Place: Part II returned to first place in North American theaters this weekend, as the much-ballyhooed film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights fell short of expectations, industry analysts said Sunday.

Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski and starring his wife Emily Blunt, took in an estimated $11.6 million for the three-day weekend as Hollywood continued to edge back toward normality, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.

While that take was well below prepandemic levels for a box office topper, Quiet, in its third week, nonetheless became the first post-Covid film to top the $100 million mark domestically.

Warner Bros.' energetic feel-good musical In the Heights -- Jon M. Chu's cinematic adaptation of the musical by Hamilton creator Miranda -- took in $11.4 million.

Another new release, Sony's familyfriendly Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, placed third at $10.4 million. A mixed live-action/animation, it features the voice

of James Corden in the title role.

In fourth spot was last weekend's box office leader The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, at $10 million. This latest chapter in the Warner Bros. horror franchise again features Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators pitted against demonic nastiness.

And in fifth spot was Disney's familyfriendly Cruella, at $6.7 million. The live-action film stars Emma Stone as the puppy-hating title villain. AFP

A scene from Paramount's frightening ‘A Quiet Place: Part II’ featuring Emily Blunt.

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

‘Hands are not supposed to squeak’ Local soap brand delivers the clean and the care

By Bernadette Lunas

T

HE road to dry hands is paved with overzealous washing using harsh products.

“We want to draw a line between squeaky plate and squeaky clean hands,” said Star Estacio, referring to skin friction, like the squeak of a clean dish, that others consider to be the measure of cleanliness.

Squeaky clean is not an issue per se, but, Estacio said, “it can lead to dry and cracked hands. And cracked hands can lead to infection.”

Estacio, the general manager for food and personal care BU of Consumer Care Products, Inc. (CCPI), introduced on a Zoom launch the new Dr. Coco Natural Hand Soap, which brings together cleansing and nourishing properties in one natural formulation.

According to CCPI marketing lead Mario Garcia, Dr. Coco is so natural, 100 percent of its ingredients are nature-derived, with 91 percent coming from Philippine coconuts.

“Dr. Coco is clinically proven to kill – not just remove – 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses,” said Garcia. But it does so not with harsh cleansers but with CocoMCT (medium chain triglycerides) from coconut oil.

With MCT as the major component of the hand soap, it cleanses with its antibacterial and antiviral properties while acting as a natural moisturizer compatible with the natural lipids in the hands. “You don’t have to choose whether you want your hands to be extra clean or extra cared for,” empha-

COCO CLEAN. Former Miss Universe Pia

Wurtzbach is the face of Dr. Coco Natural Hand Soap. Dr. Coco is made with 100 percent nature-derived ingredients, 91 percent of which come from Philippine coconuts.

sized Estacio.

The cleansing extends after washing, Estacio said, as the CocoMCT leaves a thin film that acts as a barrier “that is clinically proven to protect the hands up to four hours after you rinse”. Hence, instead of a squeaky feel, hands are noticeably soft and slippery after washing with Dr. Coco.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who also washed her hands until they were clean and dry at the beginning of the pandemic, said she noticed a dif-

ference after trying out Dr. Coco as part of her duties as the hand soap’s global brand ambassador.

“Even if you wash your hands multiple times a day, it’s not drying,” she shared, adding, “It’s like applying lotion while you wash. Plus, the scents are world-class!” Dr. Coco comes in lavender and green tea variants.

The hand soap is now available at Mercury Drug, Watsons, Landmark, South Supermarket, Unimart, and online through Shopee and Lazada.

A new Filipino-made hand soap offers cleansing and skin nourishment with its natural formulation made with coco MCT (medium chain triglycerides) from coconut oil.

HEALTH BULLETIN

Experts bare differences between migraine, tension headache

Poor posture and body positions, common in work-from-home setups, may cause muscle spasms that can result in tension headaches.

companied by nausea and vomiting. It is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of severe headaches that are usually throbbing and can last for a few hours to a whole day.

Its triggers can be different for each person, but the most common, according to experts, are stress, lack of sleep, intense exhaustion, skipping of meals, food items (e.g. cheese, processed meat), and hormonal changes for women.

To manage stress and reduce the body’s pain receptors, people can try meditation, mind-body technique bioTension-type feedback, and massage or acupuncture.

A tension-type headache is caused It is also important to feed and clear the by excessive muscle contractions in the mind by talking to friends or experts. head, neck, and shoulder area that can “Rest and sleep are good prevencause pain and tightness tion as well as proper on both sides of the head. body mechanics (the Triggers include stress, way you stand, the way improper body posture, you pick up things, dehydration, and squintcarry stuff), and proping of the eyes. er posture (shoulders According to experts, relaxed, gaze straight this is most common in a ahead, upright posture, work-from-home setup, neutral pelvis, gluteal where mobility is demuscles engaged, abdocreased. Looking down men pulled up, shoulon our phones, sitting ders, hips, and ankles in or lying down for long line). Managing stress hours, straining the eyes A primary headache, experts well is also proven and say, may either be a tensionin front of TV or laptop, type headache or a migraine. tested. Hence, exercise, and other unnatural body in itself, is always helppositions may cause ful, so make it a habit,” muscle spasms that can result in tension added Dr. Dela Cruz. headaches.

“There’s what we call the ‘De- When to seek medical help conditioning Syndrome’. Not just Considering the percentage, albeit in the neck but our whole body. We small, that a headache may be a symplack movement so we’re more prone tom of a disease, experts recommend to having these kinds of ailments in seeking medical attention if a person the musculature and especially in the experiences the following: sudden head, neck, and shoulder area,” ex- change in headache frequency; inplained Dr. Jerico dela Cruz, a reha- crease in severity of pain; neurologibilitation medicine expert. cal signs like imbalance, doubling Deconditioning Syndrome occurs as of vision, paralysis, and increase in a result of prolonged bed rest and loss sleeping time; headaches that wake of muscle strength and movement. The you up from sleep; history of trauma.

“It’s okay to self-medicate with OTC rehab medical expert suggests stretching or exercising for at least 20 minutes (over-the-counter) drugs, but in three to five days and it’s still there, seek medical a day to manage tension headaches. help. From there we can provide the right prescription for pain relievers, muscle reMigraine Meanwhile, a migraine is usually felt laxants, antidepressants, and anxiolytics on one side of the head and may be ac- if necessary,” said Dr. Robeniol.

MAJORITY or 90-95 percent of headaches a person experiences are primary headaches, experts said.

“The headache is the disease itself.

They are not caused by other medical conditions,” Dr. Godfrey Robeniol, a neurologist, said during a webinar hosted by HI-Eisai Pharmaceutical, Inc. A primary headache – as in not a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as infections, brain tumor, or brain hemorrhage – may either be a tension-type headache or a migraine.

Clockwise: SM Aura Premier in Taguig, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, SM City Manila, and SM North Edsa are all certified with a Safety Seal.

SM City Sucat in Parañaque were the first to receive the Safety Seals in their cities; followed by SM Aura Premier, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, and SM Mall of Asia. The Podium has also been recognized as safe. More SM malls in the metro are lined up for Safety Seals, according to SM Supermalls.

SM City Pampanga, SM Downtown, SM Telabastagan, and WalterMart also received the safety the seal.

Ten Ayala Malls have so far received the Safety Seal as well. Alabang Town Center, The 30th, Ayala Malls Marikina, The District Imus, Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Ayala Malls Manila Bay,

TriNoma, Cloverleaf, and Vertis North are all certified safe. Most of the company’s brands are at 91 percent compliance level, according to Ayala Malls.

Meanwhile, Robinsons Place Manila was the first mall in the city to receive the Safety Seal. Robinsons Tagaytay was the first mall in the city to be certified. Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Place Antipolo, and Robinsons Starmills also received the certification. Robinsons Supermarket and Handyman Do it Best in Robinsons Place General Santos were the first in Region 12 to be awarded with the seal.

Other Robinsons stores with a Safety Seal include The Marketplace ShangriLa Mall, Robinsons Supermarket Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro, and Robinsons Supermarket in Robinsons Place Valencia in Bukidnon.

Vista Mall in Pampanga is likewise certified. Southwoods Mall was the first mall in Laguna to be awarded with a Safety Seal.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right) confers the seal to Ayala Land Malls, Inc. president Christopher Maglanoc.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (third from left) awards the Safety Seal to Robinsons Magnolia.

Malls certified safe with a seal What does Safety Seal mean?

BEGINNING with the Mandaluyong local government’s awarding of the first Safety Seal to SM Megamall on May 12, several shopping malls in the country have since received the certification.

Safety Seal is an inter-agency certification program institutionalized by the Trade and Industry, Health, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Tourism, and Transportation departments to assure safety in establishments.

Those awarded with a Safety Seal have reached 100 percent compliance level of minimum health standards and safety protocols mandated by the government.

A seal means the establishment, after scheduled and surprise inspections, passed the following qualifications: It follows proper sanitation and social distancing measures; it has adequate ventilation; it uses contact tracing apps like StaySafe. ph and other platforms prescribed by the LGUs; it is equipped with emergency contact numbers including the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, the nearest hospital, and an ambulance if applicable; and it has completed the documents necessary for the application.

SM North Edsa in Quezon City and