Manila Standard - 2021 July 2 - Friday

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TAAL EMITS KILOMETER-HIGH PLUME; ERUPTION FEARED; EVAC ALERT UP

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has placed Taal Volcano under Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest following an eruption that gave rise to a kilometerhigh phreatomagmatic plume at past 3 p.m.

Thursday.

Phivolcs said the main crater generated a short-lived 1 kilometer-high phreatomagmatic plume at 3:16 p.m.-- lasting 5 minutes – with no accompanying earthquake.

In magmatic unrest, magma ascent towards the surface can lead to a magmatic eruption with potential for the formation of lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars, ash-fall and ballistics.

Phivolcs recommended residents of Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays Agoncillo and Laurel to be evacuated due to possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.

“The public is reminded that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone, and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited,” it said.

The Phivolcs also advised communities around Taal to take precautionary measures and to remain vigilant of possible lakewater disturbances.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Calabarzon conducted an emergency meeting with other local government units after the eruption.

VOL. XXXV • NO. 137 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Restive Taal Volcano let off steam and sent a kilometer-high plume, triggering fears of an imminent eruption that prompted local government and disaster officials to activate evacuation teams. DOST

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Deadly ‘Delta’ alarms WHO ‘More deaths if seniors don’t get jab’; ban on Indonesia travelers eyed’

By Willie Casas

P250-M HAUL.

Law enforcement operatives seize approximately 150 metric tons of clam shells locally known as “taklobo” with an estimated market value of P 250 million at the King’s Paradise Island Resort, Barangay Panitian, Sofronio Espaniola, Palawan on June 28, 2021.

Three suspects – all residents of Barangay Iraray -- were held in custody.

T

HE World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged the Philippines to speed up its vaccination of seniors before the more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus becomes dominant, warning that failure to do so could mean more deaths among the elderly.

The warning came as the governCiting government data, Abeyasinghe ment is considering a travel ban on In- said elderly patients made up 60 percent Next page donesia, which has detected the Delta variant and is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

As of June 29, only 8.5 percent of the 8.2 million senior citizens have been fully vaccinated, while 28 percent have received their first dose, said Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO representa(AS OF 4 PM JULY 1) tive to the Philippines.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

Duterte tags Pacquiao a goner; party rift deepens

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

Pacquiao

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called Senator Manny Pacquiao a “goner” and “a sh-t,” highlighting the sharp break between the two erstwhile allies over the latter’s state-

Cusi

ment that corruption had tripled under the current administration.

On the sidelines of the inauguration of the LRT2 East Extension project, Duterte said Pacquiao, a boxing champion who is said to be running for president next year, should focus on unraveling the corruption he claims has worsened or he would

consider him “sh-t.”

“He has been with the government for so long a time as a senator. My question to Pacquiao is: Why are you talking only now? Because you know you will lose, you are a goner. You are a goner, you are truly a goner,” the President said.

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1,418,337 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,795 51,567 NEW

ACTIVE

24,797

135

1,341,973

2,859

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

PH now low-risk: COVID attack rate dips

By Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Philippines is now classified as a low-risk area for COVID-19 after the national case growth rate and average daily attack rate (ADAR) decreased, the Department of Health said Thursday.

“Because we have a negative two-

week growth rate and we see that our ADAR is at moderate risk at 5.42, the risk classification nationally is already at low risk,” DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said in an online forum.

De Guzman said DOH data showed that the Philippines’ case growth rate fell to negative 9 percent during June

13 to 26 from 15 percent from May 30 to June 12.

The national utilization rates of hospital and intensive care unit beds were also in the safe zone at 46.51 percent and 55.24 percent, respectively.

The country averaged 5,772 new cases daily from June 24 to 30, which is Next page

VP run mere political posturing, says Du30

PARLADE QUITS TASK FORCE NEWS / A4

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said the public should consider him as a possible vice presidential candidate in the 2022 national elections “at this time” even as he admitted that the push for him to run was mere “political posturing” by some who feared he would be treated as a “lame duck” leader.

“That is only leverage in politics. You know what a lame duck is. That is posturing – political posturing so that they would not treat you badly because you are about to step down,” the President said during the sidelines of the inauguration of the LRT Line 2 East extension project yesterday.

“Maybe at this time you can say that – maybe to maintain the equilibrium – consider me a candidate for the vice Next page

MORE JOBS. Workers are occupied at a construction site in Taguig City amid the

scorching heat on Thursday, July 1, 2021. The number of unemployed Filipinos declined in May as quarantine restrictions eased during the period, which allowed more individuals to rejoin the workforce, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority Labor Force Survey.

Full story on Business (B4). Danny Pata

‘Bayanihan 2 perks still valid’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

its provisions would continue while the state of national emergency declared by President Rodrigo Duterte remained.

Angara, sponsor of both Bayanihan THE law extending the availability of appropriations under Bayanihan 2 ex- 2 and Republic Act No. 11519 that expired Wednesday, but Sen. Juan Edgar- tended its validity to June 30, said there do Angara stressed Thursday many of Next page

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News

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PNP chief: Destroy private armies P

HILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered all police offices and units nationwide to intensify operations against private armed groups and loose firearms ahead of the election season.

tary Eduardo Año.

Eleazar said the PNP wants to ensure credible, orderly and peaceful elections in 2022.

“Local police offices should intensify their intelligence gathering measures to keep a close eye on all potential private armed groups as well as syndicates involved in gunrunning activities,” he said.

Eleazar assured that the PNP was already polishing its security measures less than a year before the next presi-

dential elections.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for aspirants in next year’s national and local elections will be from October 1 to 8.

The campaign period for national positions will start on February 8, 2022 until May 7, 2022 or 90 days before the scheduled elections.

On the other hand, local candidates are allowed to campaign 45 days before the May 9, 2022 polls or from March 25, 2022 to May 7, 2022.

its reported cases.

“We have to be very careful. It’s easy to relax. That’s the easiest thing to do, it’s the sweetest thing to do. But the challenge is to keep off those variants from entering our communities,” Duque added.

The Philippines has detected 17 cases of the Delta variant as of June 17, and all were from Filipinos returning from overseas.

In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo said his government would impose emergency restrictions to battle an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections and to avoid a collapse of its health care system.

Widodo said the new restrictions, starting Friday, would last more than two weeks in the capital Jakarta and across hard-hit Java, as well as on the holiday island Bali, after infections surged to record levels.

New daily cases are topping 21,000 per day in Southeast Asia’s worst-hit nation, and authorities have warned about the spread of highly infectious variants.

“This situation has forced us to take stricter steps... I have decided to impose emergency restrictions,” Widodo said in a nationwide address Thursday.

Widodo, better known as Jokowi, did not give details of the measures, which would end July 20.

But a document from senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan’s office said they include ordering all non-essential employees to work from home, while classes would only be held online.

Shopping malls and mosques across the Muslim-majority country would also be shuttered in a bid to bring new daily cases to below 10,000, it said.

Elsewhere in the world: * The Bangladesh army and police patrolled empty streets on Thursday as a strict week-long COVID-19 lockdown be-

gan, with people confined to their homes except for emergencies and to buy essentials. The government has said the South Asian nation of 168 million people is seeing an “alarming and dangerous” rise in cases, blamed largely on the highly infectious Delta variant. Hospitals are struggling, particularly in areas bordering India where the strain was first detected.

Some rural towns have recorded infection rates of 70 percent. * An EU-wide Covid certificate for easier travel comes into force on Thursday, just in time for Europe’s busy summer vacation period, but the more-infectious Delta variant is already threatening to curtail its use. The EU document -- essentially a QR code made available in digital form on smart phones or hard copy -- shows whether the bearer is vaccinated with one of the EU’s approved jabs (from BioNTech/ Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson), has recovered from an infection, or has a recent negative COVID test. Under EU law, the certificate is meant to do away with the need for quarantines or further testing when traveling between the EU’s 27 countries or four associated European nations (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). * Britain’s startling rise in Delta infections -- it now has a rolling twoweek infection rate more than seven times that of the EU -- is generating deep concern on the continent. At an EU summit last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized southern EU countries -- desperate for tourist cash -- for allowing in Britons with few, if any, COVID checks. This week, Portugal, Spain and Malta all abruptly increased restrictions for travelers from Britain, emphasizing full vaccination for entry. With AFP

Duterte also criticized Pacquiao’s poor attendance in the Senate.

“If you report [for work] twice a month, then I would say that you are a sh-t. A sh-t is a sh-t. You should work -- you asked for that. The documents are there, start investigating. Do not go elsewhere. Comply first with your duty as a senator. Finish what you started because the documents are there. Don’t keep on being absent,” the President added.

Paquiao, acting president of the ruling PDP-Laban that Duterte chairs, said he wanted to teach Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the party’s vice-chairman, a lesson—to follow the rules of the party or leave.

“As long as I’m the president of this party, Cusi, this is a warning to you, as long as I’m the president of this party, you must follow the bylaws, protocols of the party. You must all follow,” Pacquiao said.

He also accused some party members of merely using PDP-Laban as a stepping stone for their own vested interests.

“From now on, I want to tell them, not in my time as president of the party, I want to teach them a lesson,” said Pacquiao in an interview over ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

“I’m the president of the party and you must follow the rules and bylaws of the party,” he said.

“If you don’t follow, then you can move to other parties. If you don’t want to follow the protocols and bylaws of the party then go ahead, join other parties,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin

Drilon said the rift between Duterte and Pacquiao was causing a split in PDP-Laban, founded by the late Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Pacquiao, meanwhile, said the President was mistaken in believing that he was attacking him.

“I agree and support the President. His advocacy is to eradicate corruption and my dream in life is to see corrupt [people] in the government in jail,” said Pacquiao.

“I hope he (Duterte) won’t get angry at me because if his campaign is against corruption, I’m helping him,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte warned that he would campaign against Pacquiao if the senator failed to name corrupt agencies in the government.

“I am not questioning your ability, intellectually or what,” Duterte had said.

“But if you can’t do that, I will be after you every day. I will expose you as a liar.

Pacquiao accepted Duterte’s challenge, citing the Department of Health (DOH) over allegations of corruption in its management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cusi on Thursday said it would be better for Pacquiao to discuss the issues within the party leadership, suggesting he attend the national council and assembly meetings to resolve all the accusations.

“I can assure you that what we are doing conforms with the constitution and by-laws of the party,” Cusi said in a text message to the Manila Standard.

‘It’s not my personal action. It’s a party decision and it undergoes a process.”

PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag earlier questioned Pacquiao’s position as acting party president, saying the party must decide on who will serve as its party president through an election.

Matibag insisted Pacquiao only became

acting president through an “appointment” and without any party consultation.

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

Malacañang on Thursday advised Pacquiao that attacking the President was not a “good idea” to gain support for his political ambition in the forthcoming national elections.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said going after Duterte was not Pacquiao’s smartest move, reiterating that his actions were prompted by his political desires.

Roque issued the statement after the senator accepted President Duterte’s challenge for him to give details of his reported allegations there is corruption in his administration, and dropped broad hints that among those he wanted investigated is the Department of Health and its handling of multi billionpeso procurements for the COVID-19 Pandemic response.

“This is all because of politics. We all know that Senator Pacquiao wants to become president,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“To me, this was not the correct strategy because the two of them have a long history,” he added.

Roque was puzzled on why Pacquiao was on the offensive when Duterte had not even named his candidate for president yet.

“The President is awaiting his list of corrupt agencies so the President can look into it and fire people if necessary.

He needs to identify those agencies and present his evidence,” he added.

health workers who continuously put their lives at risk in order to save lives,” said Angara, chairman of the Committee on Finance.

“It was the clear intent of Congress that the grant of these benefits should not cease even after Bayanihan 2 and the law extending the availability of B2 funding expires,” he added.

The battle against COVID-19 and its variants, Angara said, does not end with the expiry of the Bayanihan law.

Under Bayanihan 2, public and private health workers who contract COVID-19 while in the line of duty are compensated as follows: P15,000 in case of sickness for a mild or moderate case; P100,000 for severe and critical cases;

and P1 million in case of death.

Apart from the benefits to health workers, the provision of financial relief to agrarian reform beneficiaries will also continue, he said.

Bayanihan 2 provides that the payment of interest, penalties, and surcharges of loans used for land acquisition to any and all government agencies and government owned or controlled corporations shall be condoned and the remaining original principal value will be restructured without interest.

For flagship infrastructure projects, the waiver on all permits and licenses, including local government permits, licenses, clearances and registration requirements will continue until the mid-

dle of September 2021.

In the case of private projects that are either nationally significant, with high economic returns or high employment potential, the waiver on permits, licenses, certificates, clearances, consents, authorizations or resolutions by national government agencies, except those relating to taxes, duties, border control and environmental laws and regulations may be enjoyed during the state of national emergency and the economic rehabilitation period or until the last day of June 2022, whichever is later.

To promote business continuity and capacity building, an exemption from compulsory notification of mergers and acquisitions with transaction values below P50

“I am directing all police offices and units nationwide to intensify operations against private armed groups and loose firearms.

We will not only focus on Mindanao but in other parts of the country as well,” Eleazar said in a statement Thursday.

Over 130 PAGs are being monitored in Mindanao alone by authorities, according to the National Task Force on the Disbandment of PAGs (NTFDPAGs), chaired by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secre-

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only slightly higher than its average of 5,638 daily new infections from June 17 to 23.

The DOH flagged four regions as high-risk areas over their high ADAR and health care utilization rate, even as national COVID-19 figures have improved.

De Guzman said cases are plateauing in NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal), slowly declining in Mindanao, and slightly increasing in the rest of Luzon and the Visayas.

She said, however, that the decline in cases is “thin” or “very slow,” especially in Metro Manila.

“Now the challenge is while we open up our economy, we have these safeguards,” De Guzman said.

“If we maintain our efforts now… the decline in cases will continue and may even accelerate.”

De Guzman urged local governments to ensure they are ready to handle any surge that the Delta variant of the coronavirus might bring.

The country has detected 17 cases of the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant so far, all of them from Filipinos returning from abroad.

Laguna province is the only area still classified as high-risk for COVID-19 in NCR Plus, the DOH said.

De Guzman said cases in Laguna grew by 6 percent during June 13 to 26 while its average daily attack rate (ADAR) was high at 8.24 cases per 100,000 population.

Laguna’s hospital bed occupancy rate was in the safe zone at 59.09 percent as of June 29 but its intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate was in the moderate risk category at 66.67 percent.

“Laguna is a big area, so we need to identify… more specific reasons why it can’t sustain the decrease in cases,” De Guzman said.

“This is the only area in NCR Plus where we are still seeing an increase in cases,” she added.

De Guzman said in some areas outside NCR Plus, the public’s adherence to COVID-19 protocols has waned over time after the government eased lockdown levels.

“One major factor is the lax compliance or adherence to minimum health standards -- that is wearing of a face mask and a face shield and observing physical distancing,” she said.

The DOH considers Caraga, Western Visayas, Davao Region and Soccsksargen as areas “high-risk” for COVID-19 spread.

Indoor gatherings and other social events also drove up COVID-19 infections in some regions, De Guzman added.

“Maintaining physical distancing and ensuring adequate ventilation in these settings are hard to maintain,” De Guzman said.

The Philippines logged 5,795 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total cases to 1,418,337.

The DOH reported 135 new fatalities for a total death toll of 24,797.

The DOH also reported 2,859 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 1,341,973.

Active cases rose to 51,567, of which 91 percent were mild, 3.8 percent were asymptomatic, 1.5 percent were critical, 2.1 percent were severe, and 1.56 percent were moderate.

of COVID-19 deaths in the Philippines.

“We have no guarantee that we can indefinitely hold the Delta variant out… How long we can hold this is a matter of time…We have a unique window,” he said.

“Before that happens, we need to try to vaccinate as many of our senior citizens as possible. If we fail to do that, it is likely that we are going to see a lot of deaths happening among the senior citizenry,” he added.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, said experts are studying a possible ban on travelers from Indonesia over the threat of the Delta variant that first emerged in India.

The government extended until July 15 a temporary ban on travelers from seven countries: the United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Nepal, and Bangladesh due to the Delta variant.

A former government advisor, Dr. Tony Leachon had urged authorities to extend the ban to Indonesia.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, however, that tightening border controls is better than expanding the travel ban because the Delta variant has already been detected in over 90 countries.

On the other hand, Duque said the government’s list of “green countries” or nations whose citizens can undergo a shorter quarantine period upon arrival in the Philippines, is “dynamic” and will still be expanded.

Duque said the United States was not included in the initial list despite its high vaccination rate due to the transmission of the Delta variant there, which now accounts for 30 percent of

‘Bayanihan 2...

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He said this included compensation for those who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty; the grant of special risk allowance; actual hazard duty pay for those serving in the front lines; medical expense coverage in case of exposure to COVID or work-related injury or disease; and the provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals.

“One of the key features of Bayanihan 2 is the benefits provided to our heroic

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‘Grade school kids rated poor in reading, math’

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG expressed concern over a World Bank report that the majority of Filipino students were below the minimum level of proficiency for their grade levels.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the WB released a report that Grade 2 or 3 students were poor in reading and mathematics while four in every five 15-year-old students did not understand basic mathematical concepts such as fractions and decimals that should be mastered by fifth graders.

“That is very disturbing and very alarming,” Roque said, but assured that the Department of Education (DepEd) would study “ways forward upon receiving this World Bank Report.”

According to WB, among 79 countries that participated in the Program for International Student Assessment, the Philippines was rated last in reading, and second to last in science and mathematics.

“Do not worry, we will carefully study what that report says and we will see how we can change the curriculum, especially in the time of a pandemic,” Roque said.

The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that has yet to hold inperson classes, even on a limited scale to supplement distance-learning modalities.

President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected face-to-face classes since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taal...

From A1 Mark Timbal, spokesman of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC), said RDDRMC was joined by Cavite and Batangas local government officials as well as uniformed personnel in the area.

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said evacuation preparations were underway in the province particularly in Tagaytay.

He warned that the Southwest Monsoon would bring significant ashfall if the volcano reached Alert Level 4 to 5.

“The province of Cavite is in close coordination with the officials of the LGU’s surrounding Taal. We have enough food stocks to last for 5 days. Over 100 vehicles are being mobilized to help with the evacuation,” Remulla said.

“Antigen test kits are also on standby for the evacuation areas,” he added.

Commodore Tito Andal, chief of Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, prepared all personnel and assets of Coast Guard Station Batangas and Operational Control (Opcon) units in case the situation

VP...

From A1 presidency at this time.... And if I win and the President is not an ally, all I have to do is to join the military and the police in the fight against crime and drugs,” Duterte added.

The President, however, repeated his promise to support House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez should he decide to run for the vice presidency next year.

“So if Romualdez would hang on to that commitment [I will support him.]

As I said, [I will run] only if there is space. If there is none, then there is none,” he added.

Duterte’s ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, earlier adopted a resolution urging him to join the 2022 vice presidential race and choose the party’s standard bearer in the 2022 national elections.

While his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, has emerged as the top choice for the presidency in two recent surveys, the President has consistently rebuffed calls for her to run. billion will be granted if these are entered into within a period of two years from the effectivity of Bayanihan 2.

The exemption from the Philippine Competition Commission’s review of such mergers and acquisitions will also be in place until the middle of September 2021.

There will be no phase-out of any modality of public utility vehicles while the transport industry is transitioning to a new normal, Angara said.

The net operating loss of businesses or enterprises for taxable years 2020 and 2021 shall be carried over as a deduction from gross income for the next five consecutive taxable years immediately following the year of such loss.

News Money council told: Come up with update on reform moves SENATOR Grace Poe has asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council to give the Senate a written report on the efforts and challenges it is facing to be able to strike the Philippines off the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.

Poe said the AMLA reforms are crucial to protecting the earnings of overseas Filipino workers.

“We should not make it difficult for our OFWs to send hard-earned money to their loved ones. They must be spared of undue costs and delays in their remittances,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies.

She noted that remittance charges mean less sustenance for the families of OFWs, and a week of delay in receiving the money impacts on the ability of their dependents back home to make both ends meet.

She also said OFW remittances always step in to buoy the local economy even in the middle of the pandemic.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said total money sent by Filipino migrant workers from January to April this year reached $9.9 billion, higher by 4.8 percent than the $9.4 billion remittance in the same period last year.

According to Poe, the senators expect a substantial update from the AMLC on the concrete steps and direction the council is taking to ensure progress on the Philippines’ compliance.

The AMLC said that Congress did its part in resolving the technical deficiencies of the law by amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), sponsored by Poe. Poe said passing the necessary amendments to the law is one of the requirements under the mutual evaluation report which was duly met.

Earlier, the Paris-based watchdog added the Philippines to its grey list or countries under increased monitoring.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace: No sacred cows in drug war T HE Duterte administration’s war on drugs does not target suspects who are poor, Palace said yesterday, stressing that the detention of a lawmaker and the manhunt for an alleged drug lord are proof that there are no sacred cows.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim has left the country but the government is taking more steps to ensure the police worldwide knew of his light from justice.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has no record of any recent departure of Lim, whose last recorded foreign travel was in 2017.

There is no formal confirmation because according to the Department of Justice, the lead agency of the Bureau

of Immigration, they have no record that Peter Lim has left the country),” Roque said in a press briefing in Iloilo City.

Earlier, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Lim has been on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)’s red notice list since March 2019.

Guevarra, however, said he is not discounting the possibility that Lim might have slipped out of the country via the southern backdoor.

“Nasa watch list naman po ng Interpol itong si Peter Lim. At saka I’m sure po

na gagawa ng hakbang ang DOJ to cancel his passport and to make sure that because he has no travel documentation that wherever he may be kung aborad man siya, maalerto yung mga receiving state kung nasasaan siya (Peter Lim is already on the watch list of the Interpol.

I’m sure the DOJ will take steps to cancel his passport and to make sure that because he has no travel documentation that wherever he may be, if he’s abroad, receiving states will be alerted about his whereabouts),” Roque said.

Lim’s passport expired in 2019 and there is an active hold departure order issued against him in 2018.

Roque downplayed allegations that the Duterte administration failed to hold real big-time drug lords accountable.

“Wanted si Peter Lim. Wala po siyang

kalayaan. Pangalawa po, nakakulong po si Senator Leila de Lima. Proof na hindi lang po mahihirap ang tinatarget dito sa war on drugs (Peter Lim is wanted. He has no freedom. Second, Senator Leila de Lima is detained. This is proof that it’s not only the poor who are targeted by the war on drugs),” he said.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City since February 2017.

The government has insisted that de Lima is facing drug-related charges for her supposed role in the drug proliferation inside the national penitentiary when she was justice secretary.

Lim is allegedly one of the suppliers of another drug trafficker, Kerwin Espinosa.

Japan, PH set air-to-air Clark drill on July 5

By Rey Requejo

MAKE MINE MODERNA. A female vaccinator prepares to administer the jab on overseas Filipino workers who wait in line for their first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Manila Prince Hotel on Thursday morning.

Some individuals started lining up as early as 9 p.m. Wednesday night as the local government announced that walk-ins will not be entertained and and only pre-registered OFWs will be allowed to get the dose. Norman Cruz

RSA exhorts Rotarians: Get vaccinated, do good to others STRESSING that there can’t be a true and lasting recovery until this pandemic is ended, San Miguel Corporation President and CEO Ramon S. Ang urged Rotarians to get vaccinated and encouraged their relatives, employees and their network of friends and communities to do the same.

In a speech at the virtual induction of the new set of Rotary International District 3780 officers for Rotary Year 2021-2022 led by District Governor Edgardo B. Ayento, Ang lauded the Rotarians for their various humanitarian projects and encourages everyone to continue taking on projects that will uplift the lives of our countrymen.”

Ang made a strong pitch for vaccination as San Miguel Corporation has started its massive, nationwide vaccination program for its employees, their families and other communities.

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“This is our best shot at protecting ourselves and our loves ones and rebuilding our economy,” said Ang. The SMC top honcho was invited to be the event’s inspirational speaker to share his insights and outlook on the economy amid the pandemic. RC District 3780 has about 2,800 members. There are now 10 RC Districts spread throughout the country since the Rotary movement was introduced in Manila over a century ago.

“My message for you is to not lose hope, and continue working hard in making an impact that matters,” said Ang. SMC is one of the big corporations in the country whose businesses took a hit in 2020 because of the economic and health crisis induced by the pandemic. Yet, it was among the first business organizations to extend a helping

2 DECADES IN THE MAKING.

TRansportation Secretary Arthur Tugade watches as an LRT-2 train passes by. After two decades, the LRT-2 extension project will finally get started. With the opening of the project, the current 2 to 3 hour drive via bus or jeepney from Recto in Manila to Antipolo, Rizal will last only 40 minutes An estimated 80,000 passengers will be added to the current 240,000 passenger capacity of the LRT-2.

hand to the government and the communitiesadversely affected by the pandemic.

SMC did not hesitate to help. “We cannot lose more lives, and we cannot afford for our country to fail. Otherwise, we all fail.”

SMC’s total COVID response package reached more than P14 billion, an amount that covered its food donation drive; medical donations and initiatives, including building a PCR laboratory to test for free 70,000 SMC workforce; donation of PCR testing machines, test kits, quarantine facilities, PPEs, and waived toll fees for medical front liners; production and donation of 1.3 million liters of disinfectant alcohol to hospitals nationwide; full salaries for SMC employees during the lockdown; and advanced payments of taxes and concession fees to government of P8.77 billion.

RSA added that now is the time to boost the

Heart doctors ring alarm over hypertension

By Rio Araja AMID the COVID-19 pandemic, heart doctors have raised concern over the failure of the people to go through a regular medical check-up.

At a virtual conference organized by the Philippine Heart Association, Dr. Jorge Sison, former PHA president, called on the people, particularly the adults, to have themselves checked regularly.

“Once your age is no longer at the calendar, it is best that you undergo a checkup because high blood happens even to the younger ones.

There are even hypertensive children,” he said.

Dr. Benjamin Jose Quito cautioned

DAR prepares farmers for land distribution FARMERS in Pampanga will soon receive the lot titles to at least 376.25 hectares of agricultural land owned by the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), according to the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Secretary John Castriciones recently held a dialogue in the town of Magalang to prepare the qualified and rightful agrarian reform beneficiaries to the upcoming distribution of the land.

He said he wanted the public to know the issues and concerns of every stakeholder so that DAR could immediately resolve them and implement the distribution of government-owned lands without any hindrance.

“There are already 174.24 hectares of undisputed lands identified and we just need to process it so that we can distribute it as soon as possible. With regards to

country’s economy and to invest to create jobs.

“Instead of playing it safe, we went all out in to implement all our major projects,” he said.

He cited the following: completion of Skyway Stage 3 and TPLEX; building of new food facilities; Battery Energy Storage System project; Bulacan international airport; Pasig River Expressway and Pasig river cleanup; and the ongoing SLEX TR4 and MRT-7.

SMC also intends to expand its capacities in Food, Beverage and Power. “What we have I think is a good strategy in place to manage the financing for each of these projects.”

SMC has its “Ligtas Lahat” vaccination program and it has hired more medical professionals to help government medical teams who are inoculating at various sites.

It has also implemented programs to educate its employees about vaccines.

THE Japan Air Self-Defense Force will conduct a bilateral training on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief with the Philippine Air Force on July 5-8, 2021, at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City Pampanga.

In statemen, the Embassy of Japan stressed that the first air-to-air bilateral training between the two nations will mark a significant milestone for defense cooperation between them.

“We are grateful and honored to visit the Philippines and to conduct the first Air-to-Air Bilateral Training on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief with the Philippine Air Force, especially this year, which marks the 65th anniversary of Friendship and the 10th anniversary of Strategic Partnership between our countries,” unit commander Major Mizuno Masaki of the JASDF said, ahead of the training exercise.

Japan and the Philippines are vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons due to their climate and topography.

Masaki said Japan is proud to share with the PAF the JASDF’s experience and knowledge on delivery operations of relief goods to people in urgent need.

“Japan and the Philippines are both natural disaster-prone countries and there are so much we can share on disaster relief operations for saving lives and alleviating the suffering of people in need. We aim for achieving a higher level of coordination and operative capabilities on HA/DR through our training exercises with the PAF,” the Japanese air force official said.

During the exercise, the JASDF will deploy a training unit of Air Support Command—one C-130H cargo aircraft along with its personnel.

The unit will have a four-day joint training session with their Philippine counterparts, aimed at strengthening interoperability for delivering relief goods to affected people in isolated areas in severe emergency situations.

the remaining 202.01 hectares, we are currently working on it, so that we can distribute them as well to other farmer-beneficiaries,” he said.

PSAU is a government-owned land and will be distributed under the comprehensive agrarian reform program through Executive Order No. 75 of 2019bthay directs all government instrumentalities to identify all idle public agricultural lands that can be subjected to acquisition to be distributed to qualified beneficiaries.

The DAR chief stressed that the distribution of GOLs is a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte so that landless farmers could have a land of their own to till and improve their economic lives.

“We are fast-tracking the distribution of lands in PSAU so that other GOLs in this province will follow suit and be distributed to the other agrarian reform beneficiaries,” he said. Rio N. Araja

men who suffer from abdominal fat to have themselves checked at once, saying having too much fat could increase their chances of contracting a cardiovascular disease and even severe COVID-19.

“The virus gets more into the fat,” he warned.

According to the PHA, “sadly,” 82 percent of the people do not have themselves checked by a doctor.

Out of the 18 percent who seek medical advice, only a few do an exercise.

The Father’s Day Special forum dubbed “Puso ni Daddy: Sinlakas pa ba ng Haligi?” was organized in cooperation with Corbridge Group Philippines with actor guests Rob-

in Padilla and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez.

“Men must be creative to exercise even at home amid the pandemic.

You do not have to stop. What is important is consistency,” Quito said.

Dr. Rodette Arevalo, Gomez’s cardiologist, said “men and women, we all have to live a healthy life. If we do not see our doctor, how can we know if we have hypertension or diabetes? It is important that we communicate with our doctors.”

Dr. Orlando Bugarin, outgoing PHA president, thanked Corbridge and the entire PHA and its doctors for their initiatives to educate the public about the importance of having a healthy heart.

RED HOT ONIONS.

Bureau of Customs - Manila International Container Port officials led

by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Chief Alvin Enciso seize P10 million worth of red onions from China hidden in a shipment misdeclared as ice cream.

Palace accepts Parlade quitting from NTF-ELCAC PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Malacanang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the controversial spokesperson of the government’s anti-insurgency task force submitted his resignation as mouthpiece of NTF-ELCAC “a month ago” to ease pressure on the task force’s leaders who are being questioned by lawmakers.

“General Parlade’s resignation has been accepted. That’s what I was able to confirm from Secretary Lorenzana,” Roque said.

Parlade is also set to retire from the military on July 26 and will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro as the new commander of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Parlade resigned from the task force more than two weeks ago and said he didn’t know if the general would be rehired after his retirement by the NTF-ELCAC, which is supposed to be led by civilian officials.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday disclosed that Parlade made him aware of his resignation more than a month ago when the general paid him a courtesy visit in his Senate office.

“I thanked and commended him even as that resignation was still subject to the approval of higher authorities,” said Parlade.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan considered the resignation of Parlade a “welcome development.”

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

Upsilon Sigma Phi launches U-CAN climate initiative WHILE many have been focused on the pandemic, Upsilon Sigma Phi—the oldest Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia —has launched the Climate Action Network (CAN) that seeks to focus discussion on the worsening global climate situation.

The platform encourages an interchange of ideas and solutions among Filipinos on ways to address the global problem brought about by climate change.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA) Chairman, lauded the initiative of Batch 1995 led by Dominic Afuang, Justinn Valerio and Norman Garcia for creating the platform.

Romualdez said the pandemic “has provided our planet a brief respite that allows it to recover and we must all take this opportunity to talk about and create solutions to address global climate change.”

The Climate Action Network was launched online in May of this year, with Department of Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella outlining the contributions of the Philippines to the Paris Agreement.

He said the DOE laid down the Philippine Energy Plan that supports the country in adapting to climate change.

The main goals of this plan are boosting indigenous energy production, installing additional power generating capacities, promoting and expedite investment, promoting consumer welfare, and strengthening local and international partnerships.

Fuentebella said the effort to address climate change is a serious national endeavor, and that the Philippine government continues to create policies, laws and initiatives that strengthen climate resilience.

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FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

News CHURCH AWARD.

Archbishop of Palo Most Rev. John F. Du (left) hands over a Plaque of Recognition to House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) for his ‘utmost generosity, commitment and unconditional dedication for the growth of the church’ during the Pontifical Mass and 132nd Fiesta Celebration of Senor Sto. Nino De Tacloban.

Receiving the same award for Tingog PartyList Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez is Tingog Party List 2nd Nominee and Chief of Staff Jude Acidre. Ver Noveno

caption 1

Dengue cases decrease 48% vs. 2020 list—DOH

By Willie Casas

D

ENGUE cases in the Philippines have decreased by 48 percent in 2021 compared with that in 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

Dr. Ailene Espiritu of the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau said there were 27,930 dengue cases recorded in the country from January to June this year.

This is a 48-percent drop compared with the 53,866 cases recorded in the same period in 2020.

Data also showed that 104 individuals died of dengue as of June 5, 43 per-

cent less than the 183 recorded in the same period in 2020.

“These case decreases happened since people are confined in their homes, and water and sanitation hygiene are strictly observed,” Espiritu said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Meanwhile, the three regions with the greatest number of dengue cases include Central Luzon with 8,925, Calabarzon with 3,111, and Ilocos with 2,910.

Dengue mortality rate was slightly down to 0.37 percent as of June compared with the 0.39 percent for the whole of 2020.

Two weeks earlier, the DOH reported that dengue cases and deaths have dropped significantly during the first four months of this year due to the government’s intensified campaign against

the disease amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In an online media briefing, DOH National Aedes-borne Viral Disease Prevention and Control Program Manager Aileen Espiritu said about 21,478 dengue cases were recorded from January to April 17 this year -- 56 percent lower than the 49,135 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, 80 deaths were so far recorded, which is equivalent to a 55-percent decline from last year’s 179 deaths.

“The dengue morbidities and fatalities have greatly fluctuated. However, in August 2019 when a national dengue epidemic was declared in the country over a spike in cases leading to a cumulative 437,536 morbidities and 1,689 reported deaths,” Espiritu said.

SEARCH AND RESCUE GAMES. Search and rescue personnel from different police districts, Bureau of Fire Protection and local government units participated in the National Capital Region (NCR) Search and Rescue Competition 2021 at the NCRPO in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City on Thursday. Norman Cruz

SMC rids Tullahan of 300K MT of silt, garbage in one year SAN Miguel Corporation (SMC) marked a successful first year in its P1-billion initiative to revive the Tullahan-Tinajeros River System, with cleanup output breaching the 300,000-metric ton level to date.

The continuous silt and solid waste extraction from the tributary are also seen to prevent major flooding in the cities of Navotas, Malabon, and Valenzuela during rainy season.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said that despite

pandemic limitations, there has been no let-up in the company’s river cleanup operations and is now geared towards deepening and widening parts of the river to complement government’s flood mitigation measures.

The project is part of SMC’s sustainability initiatives and in support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Manila Bay Rehabilitation project.

“We have been successful so far mainly because of the guidance of the DENR

and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as the support of our local governments and other stakeholders. Our learnings from the Tullahan project will allow us to work even more efficiently and effectively in our other major river rehabilitation projects,” Ang said.

Following completion of sections that include Barangay Bangkulasi and Tanong in Navotas City, the cleanup team is currently operating in Barangay Longos in Malabon City.

National, BARMM execs back BTA extension

By Nash B. Maulana COTABATO CITY— National and regional officials vowed to support efforts to extend the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in their statements during the Pamanang Bayanihan Regional Series of the Pre-State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the city on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag AlHadj Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the direction of the regional government is clear and the political will of its leadership is strong since the day the President installed the BTA in 2019.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he has told the President that even under normal circumstances, three years for a government transition was too short, as the Bangsamoro Regional Government “started from zero.”

This is apart from the fact that many of the BTA’s current administrators were former revolutionaries and had no prior experience in the fields of bureaucratic governance, Lorenzana added.

“The Direction is clear. The political will is strong and in 2019 this promise of peace was fulfilled; the Bangsamoro Organic Law was ratified. President Duterte has installed the BTA to oversee the creation of a regional bureaucracy that answers to the call of our people and serves as our vehicle towards efficient nation-building,” Ebrahim said.

Lorenzana said because of these factors he supports the extension of the BTA, which under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is BARMM’s interim governing mechanism.

Lorenzana said the COVID-19 pandemic added to the delay in the region’s transition.

ROTARY TROPHIES. Rotary International (RI) District 3810 Governor

Oddie Tarriela (right) presents prestigious awards to Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) Transformational President Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph Jr. during their recent District Awards Night. Joseph was awarded Most Outstanding Club President-Overall and RCM was recognized as the Most Outstanding Club-Overall out of the 117 Clubs in District 3810, in recognition of the many Club projects implemented during Rotary Year 20202021.

Solons, CHR laud Rody for EO on teen pregnancy

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja TWO legislators on Thursday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for declaring as a “national priority” the prevention of teenage pregnancies.

Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles and Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun hailed the President ordering the implementation of measures to prevent the growing social problem.

The Commission on Human Rights also backed the proposed actions of the government to make the prevention of teenage pregnancies a national priority across all relevant institutions.

“This demonstrates a whole-of-government approach in addressing a deeply seated problem that results to social, economic, and health consequences to young women and to the overall fabric of our nation,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

She lauded Duterte’s signing of Executive Order 141 of 2021 on June 25, affirming the State’s obligation to protect and promote the rights of all persons, particularly the rights of young women who are vulnerable to adolescent pregnancies.

“We thank the President for recognizing this brewing crisis affecting our youth and directing all of government to address it. Magiging magandang pamana ang pagkakaroon ng polisiya para matugunan ang lumalalang isyu ng teenage pregnancy,” Nograles, who has been pushing for the passage of a measure setting a national policy on teenage pregnancy prevention, said.

’Gov’t yet to deliver nutrition services to 90% of target Pinoys’ NUTRITION and health services have yet to be delivered by the government to at least 90 percent of its target families to curb the rate of malnutrition in the country, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) said on Thursday.

“At least 90% of the target families have yet to be reached by the critical health and nutrition services to hasten the decline of malnutrition,” NNC executive Director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang said at the Laging Handa briefing on Thursday ahead of the National Nutrition Month.

The main causes of malnutrition include the lack of proper food for the family; wrong behaviors of the family, including neglect of sanitation and hygiene; lack of knowledge in feeding children; and not having a balanced meal, the NNC official said.

This developed as Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the government to nourish Filipino children during their first 1,000 days of life, especially amid the pandemic, calling it “actually a life-long investment.”

Hontiveros said the World Bank recently put the Philippines on notice, because for nearly 30 years, some Filipino children are still starving.

A 2017 report from UNICEF had previously estimated that the total cost to the Philippine economy brought by childhood undernutrition was around $1.4 billion, or 1.5% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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World

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China’s ‘irreversible’ rise hailed at CCP’s centenary

P

resident Xi Jinping hailed China’s “irreversible” course from colonial humiliation to great-power status at the centenary celebrations for the Chinese Communist Party on Thursday, in a speech reaching deep into history to remind patriots at home and rivals abroad of his nation’s—and his own—ascendancy.

Speaking above the giant portrait of Mao Zedong which dominates Tiananmen Square, from the podium where the famous chairman proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Xi said the “era of China being bullied is gone forever,” praising the party for raising incomes and restoring national pride.

Drawing a line from the subjugation

of the Opium Wars to the struggle to establish a socialist revolution in China, Xi said the party had brought about “national rejuvenation,” lifting tens of millions from poverty and “altered the landscape of world development.”

Xi, wearing a Mao-style jacket, added that the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irrevers-

ible historical course” and vowed to continue to build a “world-class” military to defend national interests.

“The Chinese people will never allow any foreign forces to bully, oppress, or enslave us,” Xi said in his speech, to great applause.

“Whoever wants to do so will face bloodshed in front of a Great Wall of steel built by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.”

On the self-ruled island of Taiwan – which Beijing views as part of its territory – Xi was unflinching as he called for the “complete reunification of the motherland.”

“All sons and daughters of China, including compatriots on both sides of the strait, must work together and move forward in solidarity, and resolutely crush any

‘Taiwan independence’ plots,” he said.

In the summer of 1921, Mao and a clutch of Marxist-Leninist thinkers in Shanghai founded the Communist Party, which has since morphed into one of the world’s most powerful political organisations.

It now counts around 95 million members, garnered over a century of war, famine and turmoil, and more recently a surge to superpower status butting up against Western rivals, led by the United States.

In a ceremony of pomp and patriotism, thousands of singers, backed by a marching band, belted out stirring choruses including “Without the Communist Party there would be no New China” as maskless invitees cheered and waved flags in a packed Tiananmen Square. AFP

Tourists land in quarantine free Phuket THE first international travelers touched down Thursday in the holiday hotspot of Phuket under a quarantine-free scheme, as Thailand tries to reboot its battered tourism industry while also enduring its worst coronavirus outbreak.

Tourism makes up almost a fifth of the Thai economy, and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to its worst performance since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

The kingdom is pinning high hopes for a much-needed revival on the socalled “Phuket sandbox” – a model that will allow vaccinated travelers to visit without quarantine.

On Thursday, 249 passengers on flights from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Singapore are expected to land on the island – where sandy beaches have been relatively deserted since the virus hit.

The first 25 travelers arrived in Phuket on an Etihad Airways flight before noon and underwent screening procedures.

Among them was Omar Ricalraeesi, 37, from the UAE who said he had previously been to the island 15 times and will spend eight days relaxing.

“After two years of not traveling, I’ve chosen the Phuket sandbox to change my mood,” he told AFP. Another British tourist said he would stay for a month and was looking forward to a family reunion.

“My children live here so I’m going to see my kids,” he told AFP. The launch of the quarantine-free scheme comes as Thailand grapples with its worst-ever COVID-19 wave and the worrying detection of the Alpha and Delta coronavirus variants.

Nationwide, the current case tally is at 264,834.

But Phuket remains relatively unscathed as Thai authorities have rolled out a mass vaccination campaign in preparation for the quarantine-free arrivals, with 70 percent of residents receiving at least one dose. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTING. A bolt of lightning crosses the sky as people look at buildings displaying a light show on

HK silenced as Communist Party in China marks 100 yrs POLICE deployed across Hong Kong on Thursday to stamp out any sign of dissent as China’s Communist Party celebrated its centenary in a vivid illustration of how the once-outspoken finance hub has been successfully muzzled.

The grand celebrations in Beijing coincided with the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China by colonial Britain.

Since 2003, Hong Kongers have regularly filled the streets each handover anniversary with marches and rallies.

But protest has been all but banned in Hong Kong as China carries out a sweeping crackdown against its opponents after huge and often violent prodemocracy rallies convulsed the city two years ago.

More than 10,000 officers – one third of the city’s force – were deployed to prevent any public gatherings as officials warned that any attempt to protest would lead to arrest.

The city’s main park was cordoned off by police and officers conducted multiple stop and searches throughout the day.

With Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam attending the festivities in Beijing, her deputy John Lee oversaw a flag-raising ceremony in an exhibition centre as police and water cannon trucks patrolled streets nearby.

In a small but significant departure from the past, the ceremony orders were given in Mandarin, rather than the Cantonese generally spoken in Hong Kong.

Lee delivered a speech praising China’s imposition of a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong which came into effect just an hour before last year’s handover anniversary. AFP

William, Harry reunite for Diana statue tribute

PRINCES William and Harry set aside their differences on Thursday to unveil a new statue to their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday.

The brothers will take the wraps off THE western United States and Canada “In this case, those records were oblit- warms the air.” the tribute in the garden of Diana’s would likely have experienced a heat erated,” he said. “It’s really the magniThe condition also prevents clouds former London home at Kensington wave in the past week even without cli- tude and the persistence of this one that from forming, allowing for more radiaPalace, in a stripped-back ceremony mate change. But the scale and sever- is just genuinely shocking.” tion from the sun to hit the ground. due to the coronavirus pandemic. ity of the record-breaking temperatures Canada set an all-time record on TuesSuch conditions are not unheard of: When the project was announced were undoubtedly multiplied by the day. In Oregon, temperatures were higher “The pattern was similar to how we alin 2017, William, 39, and Harry, 36, changes to our atmosphere, experts say. than the maximum recorded in Las Vegas, ways get our heat waves,” Karin Bumsaid they hoped it would help visitors The US states of Washington and Ore- in the middle of the Nevada desert. baco, a climatologist at the University reflect on their mother’s “life and her gon, as well as British Columbia in Canada, And all this in a region with a normally of Washington, told AFP. “We’ve seen legacy.” boiled this week in all-time high tempera- temperate climate at this time of the year. that pattern before, but it was just much Diana, who died aged 36 in 1997 in tures that have caused dozens of deaths.

The phenomenon causing the scorch- stronger than usual.” a high-speed Paris car crash, remains “This is one of the most extreme heat ing heat is called a “heat dome.” Hot air So what is causing the precedentan enduring source of fascination. waves that we have seen on Earth, in is trapped by high pressure fronts, and shattering highs?

On Tuesday, her 1981 Ford Escort many years, anywhere, in terms of the de- as it is pushed back to the ground, it “A world without climate change – an engagement present from Prince viation from the typical conditions in this heats up even more. would have still had a heat wave in the Charles – was sold at an auction to particular part of the world,” said Daniel “It’s sort of like a bicycle pump,” said Pacific Northwest. It just would have a South American museum for over Swain, a climate expert at UCLA, noting Philip Mote, professor of atmospheric been not quite as record-setting,” said $69,200. that temperature records are rarely broken science at Oregon State University. Zeke Hausfather, a climate expert at the But despite royal aides describing by “more than a degree.”

“If you compress air into a bike tire, it Breakthrough Institute. AFP Thursday’s ceremony as a “very personal” family event, all eyes will be on her sons for any signs of visible tension.

As young boys, the brothers proAT LEAST 17 people were injured Wednesday night as a that material,” he said. vided the enduring image from DiCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW Los Angeles bomb squad botched the removal of impro“Protocols were followed and pursued, but something ana’s funeral, as they BLACK walked, heads vised explosives seized along with thousands of pounds of happened in that containment vehicle that should not have bowed, behind her coffin past hushed illegal fireworks, officials said. happened and we don’t know why.” crowds in central London.

The blast blew the top off a bomb disposal truck and shot Moore said officers were responding to a call about illeWhen they assumed more royal dua fireball above the south Los Angeles neighborhood, ac- gal fireworks at a private residence when they found boxes ties, they shared household staff and cording to video from local news channels. of commercial-grade fireworks stacked eight to 10 feet frequently appeared together to proAt a press conference, Los Angeles Police Department high, and estimated to weigh up to 2,300 kilograms stored mote mutual causes, many of which Chief Michael Moore said that 10 responding officers and on the patio. were championed by their mother. seven civilians had non-life-threatening injuries from the While removing the fireworks, the officers discovered For a time, the brothers and their explosion, which damaged homes and blasted out windows additional, improvised explosives made of soda cans and wives were dubbed “The Fab Four,” in the neighborhood. simple fuses, Moore said. seen as modernizing the royal famHe added it was unclear why there had been a “total cataThose devices were scanned and transferred to the speily and making it more appealing to a strophic failure of that containment vehicle.” cially-designed containment truck and detonated around younger generation. AFP “This vessel should have been able to safely dispose of 6:40 pm. AFP the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on June 30, 2021. AFP

Heat wave ‘on steroids’ due to climate change

17 injured in blast after LAPD’s botched detonation

Britney to remain under guardianship

(MS-JUNE 18, 25 & JULY 2, 2021)

A LOS Angeles court denied Britney Spears’ request to eject her father from a guardianship arrangement that gives him control of her affairs, US media reported on Thursday.

The decision comes a week after the singer made an impassioned plea to end the “abusive” conservatorship during which she said she has been medicated to control her behavior, prohibited from making decisions on friendships or finances, and prevented from having a contraceptive implant removed, despite wanting more children.

The Los Angeles Superior Court ruling made on Wednesday was in connection to a request filed in September by Spears’ lawyer to add wealth management firm Bessemer Trust to the conservatorship and remove her father Jamie Spears, CNN

reported.

“The conservator’s request to suspend James P. Spears immediately upon the appointment of Bessemer Trust Company of California as sole conservator of estate is denied without prejudice,” Judge Brenda Penny said in court filings seen by CNN. The decision did not take Spears’ statement from last week into consideration.

Spears’ father has asked the court to investigate the music superstar’s allegations that she was medicated with lithium and made to perform against her will, CNN reported.

The revelation that the conservatorship is preventing her from removing a contraceptive IUD sparked outrage from fans and reproductive rights groups online. AFP

PRIMORDIAL MOTHER. A member of the clergy poses under British artist

Luke Jerram’s installation ‘Gaia’ – a 7-meter replica of planet Earth, suspended in the nave of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. AFP

Business OPEC+ talks could lead to modest rise in oil output LONDON—The OPEC+ group of oilproducing countries are to meet Thursday and are expected to agree to boost output in August to meet demand and limit recent price rises.

The cost of crude oil has surged back to levels last seen in October 2018, which would normally support arguments in favor of boosting production.

India, the world’s third-largest consumer of crude, has urged OPEC+ to phase out its current regime of cuts and allow prices to fall as inflation pressure threatens to hobble economic recovery.

To begin with, OPEC members led

by Saudi Arabia are to confer Thursday via a teleconference scheduled to begin at 1100 GMT. Four hours later they are to be joined by 10 allied oil producing countries led

by Russia.

Since 2016 the alliance has voluntarily reduced oil output to maintain prices, in particular since the coronavirus epidemic struck last year, demolishing global demand for oil.

Since April 2020, millions of barrels of crude oil have intentionally been left untapped, a prudent strategy that Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM, says “has thus far been spot on.”

“It has managed to restore the oil balance without over-tightening the market,” he noted.

After plummeting in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, oil prices have rebounded to around $75 a barrel for the two leading oil contracts, North Sea Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI).

Oil traders therefore expect OPEC+ to maintain its overall strategy and many look for a modest increase of around 500,000 barrels per day starting in August.

That would mean getting Russia on board, as Moscow is keen to maintain its market share and would also like to sell more oil to boost its resource-rich economy.

OPEC+ members are already benefiting from the increase in prices, but if they rise too much, it will encourage competitors to tap sources that are not subject to the alliance’s output quotas.

According to Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg, “there appears to be a lack of agreement between the two leading nations in the alliance, Russia and Saudi Arabia, about whether production should be further increased in August, and if so by how much.” AFP

Stocks up; Monde Nissin, and PLDT lead advances T HE stock market rallied Thursday on improving economic prospects and easier lockdown rules as COVID-19 infections slowed down in the capital region.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 62.10 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,964.01 on a value turnover of P13.5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 120 to 81, with 49 issues unchanged.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday that unemployment rate in May declined to 7.7 percent from 8.7 percent in April, as 1.45 million jobs following the easing of community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

Major noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. advanced 2.9 percent to P17, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, climbed 2.6 percent to P1,326.

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group rose 3.6 percent to P55.65, while Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitiz Group added 2.2 percent to P25.

The rest of Asian markets struggled Thursday despite another record close in New York, with investors keeping an eye on the rapidly spreading Delta virus variant, which has forced several governments to reimpose lockdowns and raised concerns about the pace of economic recovery.

The upcoming release of US jobs data is also in view, with a forecast-beating jump on private employment lifting hopes for a strong reading that will solidify optimism about growth in the world’s top economy.

While inflation is expected to continue surging over the next few months, worries that the Federal Reserve will tighten its ultra-loose monetary policy too soon or too quickly have eased, with bank officials saying they will be measured in their tapering.

Having fluctuated over the past three days, Asia equities were largely lower

Thursday.

Tokyo slipped, with little reaction to the Bank of Japan’s Tankan business survey showing confidence among major manufacturers was at its highest level since 2018.

Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei and Mumbai fell but Wellington, Bangkok and Jakarta edged up. Hong Kong was closed for a holiday.

That came after the S&P 500 clocked up its fifth straight record, to end the first half of the year more than 14 percent higher.

US traders cheered data showing private firms added 692,000 jobs in June, a big drop from the month before but well above expectations. The report added to a recent run of figures showing strong consumer confidence, rising home prices and positive corporate earnings.

The main event this week comes Friday, with the release of government non-farm payrolls, which will provide a clearer snapshot of the economic progress and could play a role in Fed deliberations on monetary policy. With AFP

PSEi July 1, 2021

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

BCP EVER SPM BHI TBGI ALHI BKR VUL APO VVT

LAST PRICE 45 0.57 2.38 0.135 0.5 7.98 1.43 2.27 1 18.9

CHANGE 15 0.08 0.26 0.012 0.04 0.53 0.08 0.12 0.05 0.9

% CHANGE 50.00% 15.15% 12.26% 9.76% 7.53% 7.11% 5.93% 5.58% 5.26% 5.00%

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

MA OPMB HI MFIN NI CPG IMP EMP MACAY RLT

LAST PRICE 0.011 0.012 4.15 2.57 1.6 0.54 1.66 12.18 7.54 0.42

CHANGE -0.001 -0.001 -0.27 -0.15 -0.09 -0.03 -0.09 -0.62 -0.38 -0.02

% CHANGE -8.33% -7.69% -6.11% -5.51% -5.33% -5.26% -5.14% -4.84% -4.80% -4.55%

MOST ACTIVE

Nissan employees make final checks to cars on the production line at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, northeast England on July 1, 2021. Japanese auto giant Nissan announced plans to build the UK’s first car-battery ‘gigafactory,’ where it will build a new electric vehicle. AFP

Japan business confidence hits highest level since 2018 TOKYO—Confidence among major Japanese manufacturers has hit its highest level since 2018, a key business survey showed Thursday, as they bet on a strong post-pandemic recovery despite some setbacks.

The Bank of Japan’s Tankan business survey—a quarterly poll of about 10,000 companies—showed a reading of plus 14 for major manufacturers, up from plus five in the previous quarter.

The short-term business sentiment survey reports the difference between the percentage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavorable.

A positive figure means more manufacturers see business conditions as favorable than those that consider them unfavorable. It is considered to be the broadest indicator of how Japan Inc. is faring.

The figure for large manufacturers has improved for four straight quarters, after plunging into negative territory in

B3

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

April 2020 for the first time in seven years.

The reading “supports our view that the economy’s disappointing start to the year won’t prevent vaccines driving a strong rebound towards the end of the year,” said Tom Learmouth, Japan economist at Capital Economics, in a note.

For medium-sized firms, confidence was up to plus five from minus two, while sentiment for small companies rose to minus seven from minus 13.

Among non-manufacturing firms, it picked up only slightly from minus one to plus one, with spending hit by successive virus measures this year.

The headline figure for confidence among major manufacturers was slightly lower than the estimated 16, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

But Learmouth said it still pointed the way for a recovery.

“All told, the survey bolsters our view that a weak start to the year will soon give way to a strong recovery,” he wrote.

“We think GDP will be back at previrus levels by the end of this year, and back at its pre-virus path before the end of 2022.”

But others were less optimistic, pointing to the continuing weakness in sentiment among smaller firms and outside the manufacturing sector.

“Even for large manufacturing firms, the forward-looking outlook index was mixed, with large and medium-sized manufacturing firms and small nonmanufacturing firms expecting conditions to deteriorate,” wrote Robert Carnell, regional head of research for Asia-Pacific at ING Economics, in a note.

“So if this is reflected in GDP numbers, the outlook for 3Q is probably not much better than it will be for 2Q,” he added. AFP

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MONDE ALI SM BDO TEL ICT SMPH ACEN SCC EVER

VOLUME 38308900 10485300 221920 1829270 141870 1107400 4718800 20801600 10115700 285860000

VALUE (PHP) 642162224 385685205 225629490 209842986 187293715 178753531 174472180 174386950 155221814 154963900

Nissan to construct UK’s 1st battery gigafactory and build electric vehicle SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom— Japanese auto giant Nissan on Thursday announced plans to build the UK’s first car-battery “gigafactory,” where it will build a new electric vehicle.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the post-Brexit investment totalling £1.0 billion ($1.4 billion, 1.2 billion euros), which is set to create 6,200 jobs, as “a major vote of confidence in the UK.” Nissan’s Chinese battery supplier Envision AESC will invest £450 million to build the battery plant that will be run on renewable energy and power up to 100,000 Nissan electric vehicles per year.

The facility, which will be built next to Nissan’s largest European factory in Sunderland, was hailed as key to the UK’s transition away from fossil fuel vehicles.

The news comes just days after Nissan’s French partner Renault unveiled

plans for a Chinese-owned battery factory in France on Monday, as global carmakers race to meet booming demand for greener transport and governments target net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Nissan is to spend up to £423 million on an all-electric vehicle, while Sunderland City Council will help to bring the total amount of investment up to £1.0 billion.

“This is a landmark day for Nissan, our partners, the UK and the automotive industry as a whole,” Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said at the unveiling of the EV36Zero project in Sunderland.

Nissan, which had warned that a no-deal Brexit would threaten its 35-year-old Sunderland factory, said the new investment represents 6,200 jobs at the Japanese group and its UK suppliers. AFP

Wind and the sun power green energy switch of Greek islands

By Will Vassilopoulos and Chantal Valery in Athens TILOS, Greece—In the tranquil Greek island of Tilos, a wind turbine hums over a silvery sea while scorching sun rays hit a hill lined with solar panels.

The small island of around 800 inhabitants is the first island in the Mediterranean to generate almost all of its electricity from renewable sources under a pioneering project launched in 2018.

Just 65 square kilometers (25 square miles) in size, Tilos last week was one of three islands awarded EU prizes for clean energy transition, alongside Denmark’s Aero and Spain’s El Hierro, part of the Canaries group.

Connected by submarine electricity cable to Kos, a larger neighboring island in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Tilos has no shortage of sun and wind People on a ferry look at the port of Tilos island as they arrive on June 21, 2021. The green island of Tilos, the pioneer, almost self-sufficient in energy, wants to ‘set an to draw upon. example’ for its smaller Greek sisters, some of whom are already taking over. AFP

It is 100 percent energy independent for most of the year, though that rate dips to 70 percent during the summer due to the higher energy demands of the tourism season, said Mayor Maria Kamma.

“This is the solution, especially for the small islands of our country,” Kamma told AFP. Spyros Aliferis, an engineer with Greek renewable energy specialists Eunice Energy, said Tilos has the country’s first hybrid power station.

“It’s hybrid because it combines more than one renewable energy source, wind and sun,” he told AFP. Tilos has no factories to speak of, just small taverns and shops—a low energy demand that made its transition to renewables easier.

The island used to get all of its electricity from a diesel oil power station on Kos. Some locals are excited by the green initiative, which is backed by 11 million

euros ($13 million) under the EU’s Horizon 2020 competitiveness initiative, plus another four million from Greek private investors.

‘This is the future’ “This is the future. It is good that green energy starts from such small islands, for us to be able to be independent and to free ourselves from (fossil fuels),” said Vassilis Oikonomou, a 46-year-old snack bar owner.

Others are more reserved.

“It is still early, an effort is made and we all applaud that,” said cafe owner Prodromos Trikilis.

He said locals have soldiered through power surges and blackouts to get the project going, though they are less frequent as the grid is less under pressure now with the hybrid system.

“But if you look at it in the long run how things will be, it is worth it to be patient,” he said. AFP

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

B4 FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

LRT extension to Antipolo set to open July 6

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation on Thursday inaugurated the P4.5billion LRT-2 East Extension Project that is expected to ease traffic congestion in Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo City starting July 6.

President Rodrigo Duterte, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Reynaldo Berroya led the inauguration of the line.

Tugade said the promise of a “better commuting experience” is now a “reality” with the start of the operations of the LRT-2 East Extension Project on July 6 this year.

The LRT-2 East Extension Project added 3.793 kilometers to the 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 train line. It connects Recto in Manila to Antipolo City, Rizal. The extended line will have two new stations—Marikina and Antipolo stations.

LRT 2 trains would also be increased to eight from the previous five. Once operational, the LRT-2 East Extension Project will cut travel time from Claro M. Recto in Manila to Masinag in Antipolo from three hours by bus or jeepney to just 30 to 40 minutes.

It will also increase the rail line’s average daily passenger capacity from 240,000 to 320,000 and help reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway, especially in Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo as road transport passengers would be encouraged to ride the train.

More than 1,800 jobs were generated during the construction of the LRT-2 East Extension Project. The DOTR said 170 rail personnel would be employed to work in the two new stations.

The extension project has been a part of the Master Plan for Metro Manila since 1999. The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority’s board on Sept. 4, 2012, and construction of viaducts started in April 2015.

Actual and full blast construction of the two new stations (MarikinaPasig and Antipolo) started on Feb. 20, 2017 with a contract amount of P1.1 billion, while the P3.4 billion electromechanical systems contract was awarded on Dec. 14, 2018.

NCIP, Bakun close down Hedcor dams

By Alena Mae S. Flores OFFICIALS of the Bakun local government unit and representatives of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Cordillera Administrative Region and the Bakun Indigenous Tribes Organization implemented the forced shutdown of Hedcor Inc.’s Lower Labay, Lon-oy and FLS hydropower plant facilities in Bakun, Benguet.

NCIP and the LGU representatives went to the power plant facilities to impose the forced shutdown on June 30, upon the instruction of he NCIP Regional Office in relation to the ceaseand-desist order it issued on June 22, Aboitiz Power Corp., the parent firm of Hedor, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday.

Abotiz Power said the instruction was made without any reference to the directive from the Department of Energy dated June 25 to Hedcor to continue operating amid threats of yellow and red alerts in the Luzon grid.

Aboitiz Power earlier said the issuance of the CDO on June 22 was due to alleged irregularities on the Free Prior Informed Consent Memorandum of Agreement between Hedcor and the Bakun Indigenous Tribes Organization signed on Oct. 15, 2019.

“Unless DOE expressly states in writing and confirms that their letter sent on June 25 addressed to Hedcor to continue operations is simply a reminder, we will treat DOE’s letter as an order for Hedcor to keep operating our plants in Bakun. However, we are forced to stop operations, with the threat posed by the situation,” said Hedcor vice president for operations and maintenance Leo Lungay.

Lawyer Jerry Marave, who accompanied the group to implement the shutdown, said a court order and not a letter from the DOE could supersede the CDO. They insisted that the letter from the DOE was not an instruction, but a simple reminder.

Business May jobless rate fell to 7.7% on flexible quarantine rules

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent in May from 8.7 percent in April, as 1.45 million jobs were created following the easing of community quarantine restrictions in the National Capital Region and adjacent provinces, and the faster implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

Results of the May 2021 Labor Force Survey showed the May figure was the second lowest unemployment rate since the start of the year, following 7.1 percent in March. It was also lower than the unemployment rate in January (8.7 percent) and February 2021 (8.8 percent).

Government economic managers led

by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado and Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in a joint statement the latest employment data highlighted the strong link between

quarantine restrictions and labor market outcomes.

“More stringent quarantines to arrest the spread of the virus had temporarily affected our economic and employment gains in the first four months of 2021,” they said.

“Nevertheless, the lowering of the quarantine level in the National Capital Region Plus to general community quarantine on May 15, along with the faster rollout of the vaccination program, led to gains in labor and employment figures in May 2021,” the Cabinet’s economic team said.

The total number of unemployed individuals 15 years old and over decreased by 408,000 individuals from 4.14 million in April 2021 to 3.73 million in May 2021.

The labor force participation rate in May was placed at 64.6 percent, equivalent to 48.45 million individuals who were either employed or unemployed.

This was higher than the LFPR reported in the months of January (60.5 percent), February (63.5 percent), and April (63.2 percent) of 2021.

Employment rate in May 2021 (92.3 percent) rebounded from the previous month, although slightly lower than the highest employment rate this year at 92.9 percent in March. The May 2021 employment rate was higher than the rates reported in January (91.3 percent), February 2021 (91.2 percent), and April 2021 (91.3 percent).

Total employed persons reached 44.72 million in May or 1.45 million higher than previous month’s level of 43.27 million. Employed persons reported with job but not at work dropped to 1.4 percent in May from 2.5 percent in April.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, July 1, 2021

62.10 PTS. 6,964.01

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,926,172,951 84,101 13,515,144,327.40 120 81 49

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.7040

Japan

Yen

0.009003

0.4385

UK

Pound

1.383300

67.3722

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128776

6.2719

Switzerland

Franc

1.081432

52.6701

Canada

Dollar

0.806712

39.2901

Singapore

Dollar

0.743329

36.2031

Australia

Dollar

0.750000

36.5280

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655337

129.3255

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.9867

Brunei

Dollar

0.740576

36.0690

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031211

1.5201

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2607

Euro

Euro

1.186100

57.7678

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.154851

7.5419

India

Rupee

0.013448

0.6550

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240964

11.7359

New Zealand

Dollar

0.699000

34.0441

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035882

1.7476 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Peso depreciates to 49.11 per dollar THE peso on Thursday weakened to an 11-month low against the US dollar on seasonal increase in imports and stronger manufacturing data.

The peso lost P0.31 to close at 49.11, down from 48.8 per greenback on Wednesday. It was the local currency’s weakest level since settling at 49.15 a dollar on July 30, 2020.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the peso’s weakness could be attributed to the stronger Philippine manufacturing data and better employment figures in May. Ricafort said these data “could suggest further re-opening of the economy with NCR at GCQ since May 15, 2021, leading to pick-up in the economy as well as importation.”

“The peso is also weaker amid the expected seasonal increase in imports in the third quarter 2021,” Ricafort said. Julito G. Rada

Cirtek to expand production capacity

DIGITAL PROVINCE. Converge ICT Solutions Inc. co-founder and chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy and his wife Converge co-founder and president Grace Uy pay a courtesy call to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to express the company’s commitment to the development of Cebu into a world-class digital province with the rollout of its fiber broadband services. Converge officially launched its high-speed fiber broadband service in Visayas, marking its entry with the grand opening of its regional corporate office and the ceremonial launch of its Mandaue business center.

PH registers third sharpest drop in visitor arrivals in Asia

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines ranked third among countries in Asia with the highest drop in visitor arrivals last year, based on a report on global tourism released by the United Nation Conference on Trade and Development.

It showed an 84-percent drop in tourist arrivals in the Philippines, after Mongolia at -89 percent and China at -88 percent. Nepal with -81 percent and Malaysia with -79 percent rounded up the top 5 countries in Asia with the steepest decline in tourism arrivals.

The report said the most affected regions globally were Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, North Africa and South Asia. Least affected were North America, Western Europe and

the Caribbean.

This showed the greatest impact was felt on developing countries, according to the report. The reduction in tourist arrivals across developing nations was relatively consistent, mostly between 60 percent and 80 percent, the report said.

Nearly all countries implemented travel restrictions of one sort or another, such as travel bans, visa controls and quarantines, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

International tourism came to a halt in April and May 2020. Global inbound tourist arrivals declined 74 percent between January and December 2020, representing a decrease of 1 billion trips. If the pre-COVID months of January and February 2020 were excluded, the fall in arrivals would reach

84 percent, the report said.

Tourism is an important source of income for many developing countries, accounting for 50 percent of total exports for many small economies, particularly Small Islands Developing States such as Maldives and Saint Lucia. Tourism has relatively low barriers to entry and employs a high share of young people and women.

UNWTO estimated that 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs were at stake.

It said that in the Philippines, practically 80 percent to 90 percent of the local labor force in the tourism sector was adversely affected at the height of the pandemic in March to May 2020.

Tourism workers were either laid off or placed on long-term furlough.

SEMICONDUCTOR manufacturer Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. said Thursday it will expand production capacity by 25 percent in the first half of 2022 on increased demand from clients.

Cirtek said in a disclosure to the stock exchange semiconductor unit Cirtek Electronics Corp. started procuring additional equipment to support the surge in demand from customers.

It said that with the new orders obtained in the first quarter of 2021, its manufacturing capacity was already running at 100 percent. The acquisition of new equipment will initially hike capacity by an additional 25 percent, it said.

Cirtek senior vice president for marketing Tony Callueng said the company secured three new customers in early 2021 from major telecom players in Europe that would complement the company’s growth trajectory. “Due to the industry’s bullish outlook, supply chain backlogs and chip demand outpacing supply, customers have even started to consign equipment to Cirtek as insurance for production capacity on top of Cirtek’s own internal equipment,” the company said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

DOE asked to enforce green energy auction SOLAR developers are calling for the immediate implementation of the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program to help add power generation capacity starting next year.

GEAP, which has been launched by DOE to do away with the feed-in tariff policy that imposed an additional financial burden on consumers, was supposed to be launched in June.

“There has been a call for the immediate implementation of GEAP,” said Salvador Antonio Castro, president and chief executive of Cleantech Global Renewables during the Asian Solar Summit held virtually.

DOE is fast tracking the establishment of GEAP with an initial 2000 MW to augment RE capacity in the grid. The pricing program will support RE generators in securing power supply agreements and selling their energy.

Castro said the renewable energy sector was waiting for GEAP, which is “an auction of approximately 2000 MW of renewable on an annual basis for the next 10 years or the equivalent of 10 gigawatts over that 10 year period.” Alena Mae S. Flores

BDO warns clients vs. debit, credit card scams BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s larger lender controlled by the Sy family, on Thursday reminded clients on how to protect themselves against debit or credit card scams.

“Scams are becoming increasingly ‘authentic’ and ‘sophisticated.’ But there are ways to spot and outsmart them,” BDO said in a statement.

“The first is never share your one-time PIN or OTP, card/account/reference number, or three-digit CVV with anyone, even if the person calling tells you he or she is from the bank. Real bank representatives will never ask for any of these confidential information,” it said.

“Second, do not verify your account by clicking on a link sent via email or SMS. These links will redirect you to a website that imitates the bank’s official website. These fake websites are used to steal your information,” it said.

BDO said it would only send links to share information such as card promotions. It said when clients encounter suspicious emails, they should send

them to ReportPhish@bdo.com.ph.

“Third, transact only using BDO Digital Banking app or BDO Pay,” it said.

If a client uses the web browser, just type online.bdo.com.ph on the address bar to access the BDO Digital Banking account. BDO said it would never ask clients to log in to their Digital Banking account through a link.

“Fourth, if BDO monitors a suspicious transaction, the bank sends a transaction alert notification to its cardholder’s registered mobile number.

Using its legitimate sender ID--BDOAlert, the bank will provide the amount charged to the cardholder’s debit or credit card, and the merchant where the item was purchased. The cardholder will then be asked to verify the transaction via SMS,” it said.

If the cardholder did not make the transaction, they are advised to call BDO Customer Contact Center Hotline at (02) 8631-8000 or message BDO Customer Care with a blue verified checkmark on Facebook Messenger.

METRO PACIFIC PROJECTS. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the MVP Group of Companies, which are led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan, present several infrastructure projects in Malacañang Palace. Attending the presentation are (from left) Senator Bong Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. managing director for government and public affairs Mike Toledo and Philippine National Railways general manager Jun Magno.

Sports

Despite loss, Gilas gets high praise from Serbia coach THE Serbian Eagles were caught by surprise by the ferocity that the young Gilas Pilipinas showed during their Olympic Qualifying Tournament encounter in Belgrade early Thursday.

Coach Igor Kokoskov said their 83-76 beating of the Philippines was an ugly one, since they did not show that much aggression. The former Phoenix Suns coach also gave the Filipinos high praise of their gritty stand.

“The Philippines played as a team, and I want to congratulate them on that. They fought,” said Kokoskov.

“Another thing, I wish Jovic a speedy recovery. He left the match early. We want him back as soon as possible. We will know more after the review. We have a lot of new names, and some guys were missing.

We didn’t react, we overthought. We defended instead of being in an attacking rhythm. It wasn’t nice again, but we won,” added Kokoskov.

Playing before a hometown crowd of over a thousand fans, Serbia scored its second straight victory at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on Thursday.

With Boban Marjanovic leading in double-double figures with 25 points and 10 rebounds, the reigning Olympic silver medalists advanced to the semifinals.

“The goal was to win the game.

And it was not cute, it was not pretty,” said Kokoskov, a day after Serbia turned back the Dominican Republic, 94-76.

The Philippines, led by Ange Kouame with 17 points and 7 rebounds, kept the Eagles on their toes when they rallied back from a 34-45 halftime deficit.

Defying the court leadership of veteran point guard Milos Teodosic, Gilas went on the offensive in the fourth and moved within reach in the last 42 seconds of the third period off a floater from Kai Sotto, 62-67, following SJ Belangel’s assist.

“We did not show a good game, we did not have a rhythm that’s why we had a close game,” added team skipper Danilo Andjusic.

A triple from Carl Tamayo and a jumper from Mike Nieto at the 9:18 mark in the last period allowed Gilas to tie the match, 67-all.

This stunned the Serbs, who was not expecting the Philippines to put up such a big fight.

Then, the Serbs tried to remain ahead on the efforts of Marjanovic, Danilo Andjusic and Stefan Jovic, 73-67, in the last 5:26 of the third. AFP

By Peter Atencio

E

RNEST John “EJ” Obiena no longer worries about the numbers that he’s going into hit as he prepares for the Tokyo Olympics.

Obiena said this as he once again shattered his own Philippine outdoor pole vault mark last Thursday.

“I’m not focusing on any number. I’m happy that I’m getting into higher heights,” said Obiena after clearing 5.87 meters in the Irena Szwewinska Memorial/Bydgoszcz Cup in Poland.

This earned Obiena the silver medal after he finished behind American pole

vaulter Chris Nilson, who made it in 5.92 meters.

“It doesn’t matter and this is not just about the competition,” added the 25-year-old Obiena.

Obiena’s feat surpassed the 5.85-meter record that he set in Mossingen, Germany last month.

Polish bet Piotr Lisek of Poland took the bronze with his 5.82-meter effort.

Ernest John Obiena

Races will be in Men and Women Individual Time Trial and Criterium on July 10 and Road on July 11. All par t icipants — cyclists, race officials, staff, among others—were subjected to at least one RTPCR and Antigen tests as prescribed by the health protocols set by POC Medical Director Dr. Jose Raul Canlas.

High anticipation over the return of road cycling drew enthusiastic support from Go for Gold, Chooks-to-Go, GAC Motor (official mobility partner), Gatorade (official sports drink), Versa (communications partner), 7-Eleven, Le Tour de Filipinas, 7-Eleven, UBE Express Inc., Powerade, Wilkins, CocaCola, Shimano, Bike-X and MadCrank.

Race officials, organizers and staff will be billeted at the Quest Hotel Plus Conference Center, while cyclists will return to their homes right after the awarding ceremonies for their events.

The Clark Parade Grounds is the main (start-finish) finish venue. The ITT races are set at 24.6 kms for the men and 18 kms for the women, the criterium will be over a 2.3-km circuit at the Clark Parade Grounds while the road races will be on a 24.6-km loop (six laps for the men and four laps for the women).

Unapologetic Casimero taunts Donaire WORLD Boxing Organization bantamweight king John Riel Casimero took a swipe at fellow Filipino champ Nonito Donaire for calling off their supposed unification bout slated for Aug. 14 in the U.S. “‘Pag gusto may paraan, ‘pag ayaw ang dami dahilan! Aminin mo na, takot kalang!,” wrote Casimero on his social media page, referring to the World Boxing Council titlist, who backed out for what he claimed acts of disrespect to him and his family.

Casimero started a barrage of pro-

C1

Obiena: No target number, just get higher on way to Olympics

COMPETITIVE cycling completes its 1-2 punch against the pandemic with the staging of the PhilCycling National Trials for Road on July 10 and 11 at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

After the successful staging of the National Mountain Bike Trials in Danao City last June 11 to 13, it’s the turn of the road cyclists to get into action, thanks to the collaboration among the PhilCycling, Standard Insurance, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Clark Development Corp.

“Competitive cycling’s been out for more than one and a half years now, but we’re back to racing, thanks to the private sector suppor t and the government’s endearing effort to beat the pandemic through sports,” Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

The PhilCycling had to secure the approval of the Philippine Sports Commission and as importantly the Central Luzon (Region 3) Regional Task Force, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Province of Pampanga and the Department of Tourism for the races that will be staged in a bubble environment.

By Randy Caluag

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto battles fellow giant Boban Marjanovic for the rebound. fiba.basketball

PhilCycling National Trials for Road slated

Rep. Abraham Tolentino

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

vocative social media posts following the announcement of their unification bout. Some observers see it as Casimero’s way of marketing the matchup between two Filipino champions.

Meanwhile, Donaire’s wife-manager-trainer Rachel demanded that Casimero be enrolled to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association that would require him to undergo doping tests prior to their bout.

Although the process got delayed, Casimero’s camp obliged and VADA confirmed it on its twitter page.

When it looked like the fight was all

set, Donaire claimed in an interview that Casimero and his team disrespected his family, prompting him to call off the fight.

“I’m at a point where I don’t need all this stuff, it’s gonna be my rules or get the heck out of it. First he disrespected me my family, my kids, my wife,” Donaire said. “If the fight is gonna go through, definitely an apology (by Casimero), to my wife, to my team for the disrespect (is needed).”

But boxing observers find Donaire’s reasons for backing off the fight as lame excuses.

Great boxers before him also en-

countered hasher trash-talking from opponents, but nobody opted out of the fights.

Mike Tyson said he would eat Lennox Lewis’ children; Ricardo Mayorga made insulting remarks against Oscar de la Hoya’s wife; Keith Thurman said he will crucify Pacquiao and called him bunny rabbit, but all these fights pushed through.

Interestingly, Donaire has not been seen practicing with about 45 days to go into their bout, nor has he assembled a training team. On the other hand, Casimero has been running and training for a month.

After breaking the national mark on his second try, Obiena went for a height of 5.92 meters, but missed all three tries.

He is now set to go to the BauhasGalan, another international athletics meet, on July 4 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium in Sweden.

Obiena said he will get a heavy pole in time for his campaign in the Tokyo Olympics.

He has two poles with him and uses them despite their minor damage during his campaign since the beginning of the year.

His training partner Thiago Braz of Brazil, shared fourth with Lisek.

Eala’s Wimby build-up off to roaring start ALEX Eala’s build-up towards Wimbledon is off to a roaring start as the Filipina tennis star beat Darja Vidmanova of Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in the J1 Roehampton tournament on Thursday morning (Philippine time) in London.

The 16-year old tennis sensation and long-time Globe ambassador is looking to conquer Wimbledon and win her third grand slam tournament in her young but decorated career. But first, she is looking to gain some more experience playing on grass and is using this International Tennis Federation (ITF) Grade 1 tournament to further sharpen her skills heading to the 2021 Wimbledon tournament, which starts on Monday, July 5, 2021.

The no. 3 ranked juniors player in the world had no trouble disposing of the 18year old Vidmanova, who is currently ranked no. 35 in the ITF juniors rankings.

Eala’s next opponent will be Matilde Paoletti of Italy.

Meanwhile, Eala was also victorious in the doubles tournament as she and 18-year old Indonesian Priska Madelyn Nugroho slipped past Nicole Rivkin of Germany and Hanne Vandewinkel of Belgium, 7-6, 7-5. The Eala-Nugroho tandem has had tremendous success in the past, winning the Australian Open girls’ doubles title back in 2020.

Alex Eala

C2

Sports

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

PH athletes join virtual seminar on Anti-Doping Regulations

Virtual learning of sports, PE in PSC’s Rise Up Shape Up VIRTUAL learning of sports and physical education will take centre stage in the Philippine Sports Commission’s Rise Up Shape Up this coming Saturday, July 3.

The webisode will showcase the different stories and insights of sports educators and women coaches in the new normal mode of learning caused by the present global health crisis.

University of the Philippines Community Recreations Director and UP College of Human Kinetics assistant professor Michiko S. Aseron will talk about Kinetika Online—a public service of the UP-CHK that encourages people to do exercise during the lockdown.

“The web series does not only promote balance in physical, mental, and emotional health but also supports the promotion of sports on a digital platform,” said PSC Women in Sports oversight Commissioner Celia Kiram.

Joining Prof. Aseron in the episode is Dr. Jenny Lee Victor-Esiong of the Benguet State University Institute of Human Kinetics.

She will discuss the strategies in transforming online classes to a better platform for sports and movement. Dr. Esiong serves as the university dance sports coach since 2008. She used to be a dance troupe member, a varsity player of basketball and soccer and has competed nationally from 1998-2002.

De La Salle University faculty member Karina Crisostomo will also join the webisode to give some tips on Managing Stress in Online Learning.

“The PSC women in sports program wanted to highlight our women educators, coaches, and athletes to inspire young girls to get active and be involved in sports as a form of empowerment,” said Kiram.

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns protects the ball against Reggie Jackson and Paul George of the LA Clippers during the second half in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Paul stars as Suns rout Clippers to reach finals L

OS ANGEE;S Chris Paul erupted for 41 points to lead the Phoenix Suns into the NBA Finals on Wednesday with a series-clinching 130-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Suns—who squandered the opportunity to wrap up the Western Conference Finals at home on Monday— ebounded at the Staples Center with an emphatic win, taking the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Phoenix will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Atlanta Hawks in the bestof-seven championship round.

It is only the third NBA Finals appearance in franchise history for the Suns, and the team’s first since 1993.

They failed to even reach the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons before the 2020-2021 campaign.

Paul was the architect of the Suns’ win. The 36-year-old, 11-time NBA All-Star drew on all of his experience to get Phoenix over the line.

Wednesday’s win finally gives Paul the chance to shed his tag as one of the greatest players in NBA history to

Britain’s Andy Murray wins a point against Oscar Otte in their men’s singles second round match on the third day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2021.

never win a championship.

In 16 glittering seasons in the league, Paul has never reached the NBA Finals in a career littered with near-misses during spells with the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns.

“Damn this feels good,” said Paul, who joined the Suns last year from Oklahoma City. “It has been a lot of work, going to a new team, everybody staying the course.

“Sixteen years of this, 16 years of surgeries, of hard work, of losses— bad losses. We’re going to enjoy tonight.

“I’m just so happy for all the people around me. To do it here against a team I have the utmost respect for—I’ll always be a Clipper. I love these fans.”

Suns coach Monty Williams saluted his veteran’s winning mentality.

“If you can learn anything from Chris Paul, it’s to keep going,” Williams said.

“Don’t quit. Serve others. He cares about his teammates.”

Beverley ejected The Suns looked to be cruising to victory after jumping to a 17-point lead near the end of the third quarter.

But the Clippers came roaring back with 10 unanswered points to cut the lead to seven, Nicolas Batum’s three-pointer rousing the home fans into thinking another comeback was on the cards.

Paul took that rally as his cue to impose himself on the contest, rattling off eight points without reply to restore a healthy cushion at 97-82.

A four-point play from Paul midway through the fourth quarter took the Suns to a 19-point lead at 111-92, and there was no way back for the Clippers.

Frustration mounted with Phoenix effectively bottling up Clippers ace Paul George—the 41-point hero from game five.

Another Paul three-pointer put the Suns 118-92 ahead, and the Clippers’ Patrick Beverley boiled over—shoving the veteran to the ground and promptly being ejected from the game. AFP

THE Philippine Sports CommissionPhilippine National Anti-Doping Organization, in collaboration with the Philippine Olympic Committee, recently conducted a virtual seminar on Anti-Doping Regulations for Tokyo Olympiad bound Team Philippines.

Dr. Alejandro Pineda, Jr., Head of PHI-NADO facilitated the webinar, which was attended by NSAs officials, coaches, athletes and representatives from 11 sports namely Athletics, Boxing, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Rowing, Skating, Shooting, Swimming, Taekwondo and Weightlifting.

Chef de Mission and Philippine Football Federation President Mariano Araneta gave the opening remarks.

Major issues in anti-doping program, including the 2021 Prohibited List, The Code and International Standards, Doping Control Process, Registered Testing Pool and Therapeutic Use Exemptions Dr. Alejandro Pineda were tackled and explained by Dr. Pineda.

“Education is the best and most effective tool in disseminating information drive about Anti-Doping,” said Dr. Pineda, also a board director in the Southeast Asian Anti-Doping Organization.

“The Principle of Strict Liability: You, and only you, are responsible for what goes into your body,” he added.

“Malaking bagay po ang ganitong seminar para aware po kami sa mga dapat naming iwasan na kainin at inuming supplement. Kailangan po talagang alam namin na hindi kami dapat basta umiinom lang ng vitamins at supplement without consulting our coaches, officials at expert sa PHINADO,” said skateboarding champion Margilyn Didal, one of 17 athletes who qualified to Tokyo Olympics set July 23 to August 8.

Murray, Djokovic march to 3rd round LONDON—Andy Murray rolled back the years to stage a thrilling Wimbledon fightback on Wednesday as defending champion Novak Djokovic played almost flawless tennis to reach the third round for the 15th time.

Murray, the 2013 and 2016 champion, battled back to defeat German qualifier Oscar Otte 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 under the roof of Centre Court.

The British star, playing in the singles event for the first time since 2017, and ranked a lowly 118 after suffering hip and groin injuries, avoided what would have been his earliest exit from the tournament.

“What an atmosphere to play in at the end,” said 34-year-old Murray after seeing off his 151st-ranked opponent.

“I needed everyone’s help tonight. I did a great job, played some top shots at the end but it was a tough match.”

Murray, who became the latest player to slip and fall on the Centre Court surface, will face Canadian 10th seed Denis Shapovalov for a place in the last 16.

World number one Djokovic, chasing a sixth Wimbledon and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title, eased to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over 102nd-ranked Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

He fell on at least five occasions on Centre Court, the day after Serena Williams suffered a tearful, tournament-ending injury due to similar slips.

Djokovic, 34, cruised to victory over the man he defeated in the 2018 final without facing a single break point and committing just six unforced errors.

“I have a nice connection with the crowd,” said Djokovic.

“I also seem to be having a really nice connection with the grass. I don’t recall falling so much in the first two matches at Wimbledon.”

Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios, ranked 60, but a quarter-finalist on debut in 2014, won his first match since the Australian Open in February, defeating French 21st seed Ugo Humbert before declaring: “Not bad for a part-time player”.

Kyrgios triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 9-7 in a match held over from Tuesday evening when the final set was level at 3-3.

“Ugo is an incredible kid and I knew I was a massive underdog,” said Kyrgios after firing 23 aces and 51 winners past the Halle champion.

Kyrgios also shrugged off an ugly-looking fall in the 13th game of the final set when his right knee buckled beneath him.

On Tuesday, he was overheard muttering that Court One was “a joke”.

As the tournament played catch-up after two days hit by rain, recriminations continued over the state of the All England Club courts.

Williams said she was “heartbroken” to have had to withdraw as her pursuit of Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles was again thwarted.

Her fall came not long after French player Adrian Mannarino had slipped and hurt himself on the same part of Centre Court on Tuesday.

‘Meticulous’ courts He too had to retire with his match against Roger Federer level at two sets apiece.

Despite the criticism, the All England Club insisted that the courts are up to standard.

“The preparation of the grass courts has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years,” the club said in a statement.

“The grass plant is at its most lush and green, which does result in additional moisture on what is a natural surface.”

Fourth seed Sofia Kenin was knocked out in the second round, losing 6-2, 6-4 to fellow American Madison Brengle. AFP

Hamilton heads to Austrian GP facing uphill battle to revive F1 title defense SPIELBERG—Lewis Hamilton faces an uphill battle to keep his title defence alive and to slow Max Verstappen’s momentum this weekend when the Formula One circus reassembles at the Red Bull Ring for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

Just five days after the Styrian event in which the Dutchman drove to a commanding lights-to-flag triumph at the same scenic circuit—finishing more than 35 seconds clear of Mercedes’ seven-time champion— Verstappen is hoping for a repeat.

Another win would be Verstappen’s fifth of the season and extend his 18-point lead on the 36-year-old Briton, who has gone four outings without a victory and called on his team to rekindle the form that earned them the last seven constructors championship titles.

“I don’t accept anything,” said Hamilton in response to suggestions that Mercedes’ decision to develop next year’s car at the expense of the current one will condemn him to a per-

formance deficit for the rest of this season.

“I think we’ve still got many races ahead of us and we’ve got to keep pushing. We’re world champions... and we can definitely improve if we put our minds to it.

“If we’re not going to develop and improve our car for the rest of the year, this is the result you’re going to see, because, as I said, they’ve really eked out performance in the last few races.

“I’m not going to question the team’s logic and how they go through their process, (but) give us an upgrade. We would love an upgrade, but I don’t think it’s in the pipeline at the moment.”

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff made clear no major upgrades were planned this year following last Sunday’s race in which Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas finished second and third behind Verstappen.

But technical boss James Allison revealed on the F1 Nation podcast that the

team would be upgrading their W12 car.

“What Toto points out is that next year’s rules are a big and hairy affair and demand a huge amount of attention,” said Allison.

“So, most of the focus of our factory has switched over, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things still in the food chain from prior to that focus switch.”

He added that Mercedes “have a reasonable number of things that are going to make our car faster in the coming races”.

‘Never good enough’ Verstappen, mindful that Mercedes are expected to fight back, has encouraged Red Bull to keep developing their car as much as possible.

“Yes, we do have a very good package, but I want to see it every weekend because each track is different,” he said. “It’s still about finding the perfect set-up because it can be quite sensitive in some areas to make it work—and it’s never good enough. AFP

Lewis Hamilton

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

C3

‘First Yaya’ airs touching finale

S

ANYA LOPEZ is biding television goodbye as Yaya Melody in the primetime series that has won the hearts of viewers with its enthralling plot and gripping performances from the cast.

In its final week, Yaya Melody convinces President Glenn (Gabby Concepcion) not to withdraw from his position as the President to which he agrees. Luis (Gardo Versoza), President Glenn’s political foe disguised as an ally, is enraged by his competitor’s bold statement against him and plots his revenge to assassinate President Glenn. Will this be the end of Melody and President Glenn’s fairytale-like romance?

Playing equally

vital roles in the series are Pancho Magno as PSG Conrad Enriquez, Ms. Pilar Pilapil as Blesilda Acosta, Cassy Legaspi as Nina Acosta, Joaquin Domagoso as Jonas, Maxine Medina as Lorraine Prado, Kakai Bautista as Pepita, Cai Cortez as

Norma, Thou Reyes as Yessey, Patricia Coma as Nicole Acosta, Clarence Delgado as Nathan, Thia Thomalla as PSG Val Canete, Jon Lucas as Titus de Villa, Glenda Garcia as Marni Tupaz, Sandy Andolong as Edna Reyes, Buboy Garovillo as Florencio Reyes, Analyn Barro as Gemrose Reyes, Anjo Damiles as Jasper, and Jerrick Dolormente as Lloyd Reyes.

Gabby reveals what he will miss the most in the series, “I’ll miss all the fun. Hindi naman parating masaya sa set pero ito kakaiba dahil ngayon lang ako nakaranas na kahit sa set o sa labas, talagang masaya kami. Hindi ko malilimutan ‘yung samahan ng buong cast, staff, at production team.»

Sanya, in turn, describes how her first titular role changed her life, “Mas lumalim po ‘yung pagkakakilala ko lalo na sa mga kasambahay sa buhay natin. I realized that everyone, ven our helpers at home, encounter problems. Dito mas nakilala ko ‘yung sarili ko at natutunan ko na sa buhay natin hindi lang sarili natin ‘yung mahalaga, pati na rin ‘yung buhay ng ibang tao.”

The show’s director, LA Madridejos, reveals what he believes to be the secret behind Sanya and Gabby’s undeniable on-screen chemistry, “Basically kung ano ‘yung nangyari kina Yaya Melody and PGA, ganoon din ‘yung nangyari sa chemistry nina Sanya and Gabby.”

“They’re chemistry is something that’s natural. Iyon ‘yung masarap sa hinayaan mo mag-grow sila. Tapos untiunti, kahit wala kang ibinibigay na instructions, meroon na silang inputs and nagagawa na at alam mo na na-invibe na nila ‘yung buong character.»

First Yaya – under the helm of Madridejos and associate director Rechie del Carmen - concludes tonight.

Sanya Lopez as Yaya Melody and Gabby Concepcion as President Glenn in the toprater ‘First Yaya’

Local Blinks reunite with BLACKPINK in exclusive fan event

By Mheryll L. Alforte RECORD-breaking K-pop quartet BLACKPINK, composed of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, got reunited with their Filipino fans in a virtual event made possible by Globe’s Kmmunity.

In its campaign to reinvent ways in the digital world, the local telco, through Kmmunity, made sure the online fan event would be a platform to bring Blinks closer to their favorite idols.

During the event, the quartet was asked to play games and try locally-made Ukulele, jackstones, and the traditional fan or pamaypay, abaniko. The group was also amazed by the miniature Philippine jeepney, banig, and Philippine mancala game Sungka. These items were suggested via fan poll.

“Oh I love this! I really want it. Can I please have it?” Rosé said upon seeing the banig.

“This is like a travel package. You put this (banig) on the floor, you fan with that (abaniko), and you play the Ukulele,” Jisoo said.

The K-pop quartet collectively expressed that all the gifts and items made them want to visit their Filipino fans again.

“Seeing all this makes me want to visit (the Philippines) again,” Jisoo said.

Lisa added, “I really want to go again.”

The group last visited the country in February 2019 when they staged a concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“It was so great, everyone’s energy was just wow!” Lisa said when asked about their experience during the Manila leg.

“They (Filipino fans) were very talented, super energetic, and showed some very “hot” reactions,” Rosé added.

Kanto Canta finalists compilation out now

FILIPINO music gets a spirited lift with the release of 15 new songs crafted by local artists showcasing the beauty of the Philippine language and indigenous instruments.

Rising label Widescope Entertainment ensured that the set of music, all finalists of online band competition Kanto Canta, is easily accessible to the general listening public, having dropped it today (July 2) in digital music stores.

The 15 tracks are as follows: “Alab Ng Sining” (Teatro de Sta. Luisa), “Anihan Na” (IMCC Kapagintaw Ethno-Rock Band), “Bahay Kubo” (Midnight Project), “Bakit Sa’yo Pa rin (Far East Bronxx), “Drayb” (1:07 Productions), “Istorya Ng Bangka (Musikanektica), “Kabataan, Awitin Mo” (Lakbay Santa Marcela), “Ngiti” (Up High), “Padayon” (Kuntaw Mindanao), “Pag-ibig Ang Tulay” (The BratCave), “Reseta” (Abel), “Simulan Natin” (Noel D. Bernaldo), “Tahanan” (Letrang Norte), “Tinabangay” (Alex B. Lim), and “Ugatin” (Baybayin).

The contest is a project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Kanto Kultura arm that initiates the promotion of various forms of artistic expression that are essentially Filipino. Widescope Entertainment was tapped as its record label partner handling the songs’ distribution and publishing aspects.

“We unify our strengths to bring out the best in Filipino artistry in the world of music. We believe in this vision we share for the future of OPM,” expressed Widescope Entertainment president Vic de Vera on the partnership between CCP and Widescope.

Widescope Entertainment emerged in the

midst of pandemic and quickly made waves by discovering and developing new artists and signing a number of established, relevant acts. It has in its fold former domestic label director of international outfit MCA Music Neil Gregorio as entertainment director and ex-Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel as Artist & Repertoire manager.

The songs in the Kanto Canta compilation made the cut from a big pool of pre-qualifiers. They were recorded using mobile phones.

In the realm of digital platforms, all tracks are already winners even if a Finals Night staged via FB Live on June 30 singled out specific tracks as victors. Besides, the competition’s main objective is to collectively promote world music Filipino acts and their clever use of the Pinoy tongue and traditional musical instruments.

The Top 15 likewise each received a P15,000 prize, along with unlimited opportunities to promote their compositions.

CCP President Nick Lizaso expressed that Kanto Canta is a “necessary support to our Filipino artists” and that “it is an honor and pleasure” to work with Widescope.

A one-stop shop for musicians aiming to have their songs properly produced and released, Widescope Entertainment has vowed to deliver quality music and exceptional artists. Ebe himself noted, “I like the company’s direction and I’m always thrilled to share what I know. OPM needs to keep going.”

The Kanto Canta online competition made sure that happens. The compilation that comes with it is a testament to its will to empower Filipino music, yes, for the record.

Paraluman phenomenon K-Pop royalties Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa Since then, the girl group had only met fans earlier this year through their record-breaking digital concert “The Show”, making Show You Like That another anticipated virtual experience brought to Globe Telecom subscribers and Filipino fans.

Fans based in the Philippines also prepared dance covers that captured the attention of the K-pop royalties. There was also a special video prepared by Filipino Blinks all around the country.

BLACKPINK is among the world-class roster of Globe Telecom’s endorsers since last year December 2020. The group is known for their hit songs “Boombayah,” “Ddu-du ddu-du,” and “Kill This Love,” among others.

RED Fiber expands coverage THE country’s newest broadband service from Radius Telecoms, Inc. (Radius), in partnership with Cignal TV, announced on Thursday that it has expanded its fiber optic network in Mega Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas), Clark and Cebu areas, providing more residential users with fast, stable, and

Kanto Canta is a project by the CCP to promote the Filipino language and indigenous instruments.

reliable Internet service.

Running on Radius’ 100 percent pure end-to-end fiber network, RED Fiber showcases the technological prowess of fiber optic by delivering high-speed internet and content. RED Fiber customers can decide between several packages that fit their needs and budget, with added bundles and

RED Fiber guarantees a consistent streaming experience and reduced network downtime compared to other providers.

an option for no lock-in arrangement for prospective subscribers.

With their choice of a suitable service package, RED households can opt for Internet Only Plans or Dual Play Plans which is their internet plus IPTV content provided by Cignal TV. Radius is a 100 percent Meralco company, sharing a reputation for outstanding service and reliability known among generations of Filipinos.

“We understand how important it is for every household to have reliable and stable internet connection, especially in this fast-evolving digital era. Today, we live in a global world where people’s lives are more interconnected not only for leisure and entertainment, but more so for business, education, and the crucial exchange of economic and political information that shape our daily lives,” said Radius Telecoms, Inc. President & CEO Quiel C. Delgado.

As a new industry player, it boasts of unparalleled 24/7 customer service and guaranteed customer satisfaction, with a 90-Day Internet Guarantee Program where new subscribers can discontinue their contract without a pre-termination fee.

For more information on RED Fiber subscription plans and application requirements, visit www.redfiber.com.

ily frontman Kean THERE’S this obsesCipriano quickly sion among local musaw Adie›s potential sicians for the Tagalog when the latter word paraluman, which submitted an entry is understandable as it YUGEL for his band’s Open is one referring to “a LOSORATA Collab songwriting woman who inspires competition where you artistically.” the winner got to Old history claims it is a favorite word among Filipino poets collaborate with his famed group. The of the early 19th century, while the cur- collaboration went beyond the contest as rent generation’s affection for the word the young dude from Laguna was handed had to do with Ely Buendia’s clever a recording and management deal.

Adie’s debut single “Luha” was a muchuse in an Eraserheads classic after he described someone from his childhood needed bright spot in the pandemic-ravas looking like Paraluman – a Filipina aged music scene as it has gained traction actress with German blood named Sigrid of more than 700 thousand streams since it was released late last year. von Giese christened with For its phenomenal run, such a screen name in the “Paraluman” benefited 1940s. further from a sweet-plotA quick check on digited music video featuring tal stores revealed that a today’s most admired cute number of singers have chick Ivana Alawi and unput out songs with the tider the direction of multitle “Paraluman” which talented actress Bela Pashould make you think dilla. The short film has there may have been a now amassed 2.7 million songwriting contest given views on YouTube after it the same title to work on premiered last June 5. to, not to mention there’s Even the real ina band that goes by the spiration behind the name Paraluman. song, Sunshine Cruz’s I won’t be surprised daughter Angelina, offers if a couple of these arta celebrity connection ists would want to retitle that can easily turn into their tracks to veer away click counts. from any possible mix“Naniniwala ako na sa up confusion. Fortunately kanta talaga ang susi,” for Adie, an assuming expressed Kean who boy-next-door breakout, joined Adie in a recent it shouldn’t be a major Adie, who revealed that he concern since his own wrote his viral hit “Paraluman” zoom presser. “One good song is one good song “Paraluman,” released after seeing Sunshine Cruz’s and kapag na-capture just last March, has taken daughter Angelina on social the cake with nearly 5.5 media, is pictured here on the mo ang listeners kasi madaling maintindihan ang million Spotify streams set of the song’s music video over a three-month run. featuring hottie Ivana Alawi in kwento mo, that’s it.”

Adie, who loves to The song enjoyed being the title role and directed by draw and play basketball, at the top of Spotify Viral actress Bela Padilla. cited Moira Dela Torre as 50 (in the Philippines) for a key musical influence. weeks, and got playlisted in Trending Tracks, OPM Rising, among One can expect he gained quite a following by doing covers of hugot songs. His other prominent playlists.

“The song’s success is way beyond my quick rise though must have made him imagination,” stated Adie who’s a prized reconsider stretching his preferences. “I’m willing to explore ang iba’t ibang type of catch of O/C Records.

The said label’s head and Callal- songs,” he noted.

Life

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

C4

TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021

Batangas’ new leisure tourism estates The Crusoe Cabins have a panoramic view of Batangas’ picture-perfect sunset.

L

ANDCO Pacific Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, is a pioneering real estate developer in the country. They are known for creating world-class leisure communities that offer innovative lifestyle experiences, setting a new standard of living for our countrymen.

Just the other day, the more-than-30year-old pioneer developer unveiled its newest master-planned leisure tourism estates (LTE), Club Laiya and CaSoBe, offering mixed-use residential and commercial lots situated in popular tourist destinations.

Club Laiya, located in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, is a 24-hectare master-planned estate that features leisure living in a true resort community, highlighting wide open spaces and beautiful promenades, with parks and a retail area.

Its Seaside District provides various offerings serving the tourist market and those who have chosen to invest in a property. The leisure-seekers have direct access to Laiya’s expansive white sand beaches and to the resort amenities in the estate. Water sports enthusiasts can have their fill of windsurfing, kayaking, and yachting.

CaSoBe, a creative acronym for Calatagan South Beach, is a 15-hectare premium estate offering a more laid-back resort lifestyle in an intimate setting, by

The surreal Cocoons offer a unique alternative to beachside accommodations.

The blue-painted roads and distinctive lamppost design are Millennial Resorts’ trademark.

The Aquaria’s main thrill is its three-story water slide.

providing relaxation and entertainment servation measures, and LEED (Lead- ing local businesses. attractions. Harbour Estates are lots of- ership in Energy and Environmental It was a delight to see my friend, fered within CaSoBe and are either com- Design) Certification, to highlight their Patrick Gregorio, resurrect from semimercial or residential or both. Investors green building strategies. retirement and is now active again as Landco president and chief executive consultant for Millennial Resorts. He will enjoy the benefit of owning a propErickson Manzano proudly announced proudly bannered these two projects as erty in a thriving resort setting.

These two LTEs are only 2-3 hours that these two tourism and lifestyle des- the game-changers in our country’s hosaway by car from Manila and are min- tinations, designed with a community pitality industry because they offer an unconventional experience utes away from local facilithat weary, urban dwellties like a hospital, public ers hanker for. Its roads are market, school, pharmacy, YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE painted blue, the manhole chapel, and interesting LAW OF PROBABILITY: The probability of being watched covers have unique decor, tourist attractions in the is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. the sidewalks look artsy, province. Both beachside and even the lampposts properties have delightful have a unique design, as design elements that offer a setting, have various resort amenities shown in the accompanying photos. relaxing ambience.

Elevating the resort lifestyle experiAs premium LTEs, Club Laiya and perfect for weekend getaways. They CaSoBe are commendable because they can also be venues for social events and ence to unprecedented heights, Milboth promote the three main principles conferences, or simply for “work-from- lennial Resorts offers a wide range of of sustainable tourism: environment, paradise” arrangements. Investors can amenities at both properties: from uneconomy, and culture. Both are also use their properties as their residence, conventional accommodations, like the aiming for EDGE (Excellence in Design or beach house, or their second home, or surreal capsule-like rooms of Cocoons, for Greater Efficiencies) Certification, as a commercial enterprise, consequent- to the rustic, beachfront Crusoe Cabins to banner their energy and water con- ly helping boost tourism and jumpstart- which have panoramic views of Calata-

WORKSHOPS

Oscar Peñaranda conducts memoir writing class

Poet and storyteller Oscar Peñaranda

AWARD-winning short story writer and educator Dr. Oscar Peñaranda will be conducting a six-session memoir writing workshop at Sunshine Place Online.

Peñaranda, a Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas Award recipient, will teach the class about the abstract/concreteness of things through the senses, functions of language, and parts of a word, among others.

Students will write about topics such as Coming of Age, Courtship, and Characters in Your Life, to name a few. The final session’s culminating activity will have each participant present, along with family and friends, their respective writings.

The workshop is scheduled Mondays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 5, 12, 19, 26, August 2 and 9. It is open to seniors at full workshop rate of P4,800 and non-seniors at P6,720.

Call (02) 856- 4144, 856- 4162, 0917-515-5656, or email online.sunshineplace@gmail.com for inquiries.

gan’s picture-perfect sunset.

Complementing the beach experience are Aquaria, a water park with a three-story water slide at CaSoBe and the Beach Club at Club Laiya. For those looking for culinary delights, there is Captain Barbozza restaurant. It is also a bar that serves all types of cocktail mixes anybody can dream of. Corporate events and weddings will find their perfect settings either at Canopy or at Isle. If one is looking for a modern and hip beachside working space, there is always Colony to ensure one’s continuous productivity.

Landco has indeed created a new standard for luxury beachside living, the perfect environment for the discerning investor or the imaginative homeowner or the fun-seeking tourist. More information on these new premium estates is available at www.landco.ph.

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

CONCERTS

The sun shines in Sunshine Place’s online show

The space awaits–National Planetarium reopens Soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila

The National Planetarium Exhibition Hall in Ermita, Manila is now open. (Photo courtesy of the National Museum Philippines)

By Jessica Asprer READY to go to outer space? The National Planetarium reopened Thursday after over a year of closing its doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Museum of the Philippines announced in a Facebook post that the National Planetarium Exhibition Hall is allowing walk-ins, but only 20 persons for every 30-minute session will be accommodated.

The planetarium is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

(morning session) and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (afternoon session).

Only persons 15 years old and above will be admitted upon presentation of a valid ID. Fully vaccinated senior citizens will be let in upon presentation of their vaccination cards.

The standard safety protocols will be enforced: guests with temperature of 37.5-degree Celsius and above or those with f lu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter; visitors are required to fill out the health declaration form before entering; face

masks and shields must be worn at all times; and a physical distance of at least two meters between persons who do not belong to the same household must be observed.

Planetarium shows are not available yet.

The reopening follows the easing on restrictions in Metro Manila, allowing local museums and cultural centers to reopen at limited capacity provided that health protocols are followed.

The National Art Gallery, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Filipino People reopened on June 19.

Tenor Ivan Nery

MARKING the return of Sunshine Classics online concert series of recreation center Sunshine Place is a voice and piano concerto.

Dubbed Singing in Sunshine, happening on Sunshine Place’s YouTube channel, features soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila and tenor Ivan Nery, accompanied by renowned Filipino pianist Mariel Ilusorio.

Singing in Sunshine will feature an all-French program, with songs like “Ange Adorable” (Charles Gounod, from Romeo and Juliet), “L’heure Exquise” (Reynaldo Hahn, from Chanson’s Arises), “Vainement Ma Bien Aimée” (Edouard Lalo, from the King of Y’s), “Elle a fui la Tourterelle” (Jacques Offenbach, from Tales of Hoffmann), and “La Vie en Rose” (Edith Piaf), to name a few.

Package ticket rates are available for all five concerts in the series.

Four, three, and solo concert rates are also offered. Those who pur- Pianist Mariel Ilusorio chase tickets will receive a private Contact Ilusorio at 0917-709-2255 link to the concert, which they can view throughout the year as many or marielilusorio@hotmail.com for ticket purchases and reservations. times as they want.