Manila Standard - 2021 July 13 - Tuesday

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BRANSON: BIG BASH AFTER SPACE FLIGHT

ASTRONAUT FLOAT.

This handout photo courtesy of Virgin Galactic shows Sir Richard Branson (center) and other Unity 22 crew members at zero gravity, viewed as they flew into space aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel, a voyage he described as the "experience of a lifetime" -- and one he hopes will usher in an era of lucrative space tourism, on July 11. AFP

NEW MEXICO—Champagne flowed, guests cheered and Grammy-nominated singer Khalid debuted a new single: British billionaire Richard Branson threw himself a party in the desert to mark his successful first flight into space.

The eccentric septuagenarian founder of Virgin

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High risk: Kids under two DOH bares higher number of deaths than in other young groups

By Willie Casas

C

OVID-19 deaths are high among children under 2 years old, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, urging parents and guardians to make sure their kids follow health protocols.

At a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said experts were still studying why deaths were high among children younger than 2 who contracted COVID-19.

“High numbers of COVID-19 cases were observed among those less than 2 years old and as the age increases to 15 years old to 19 years old, that is where we see that infections are higher compared to other age groups,” Vergeire said in Filipino.

DOH data showed that in the 0 to

4 age group, there were 26,911 cases, with 218 deaths and 25,631 recoveries.

In the 5 to 9 age group, there were 27,970 cases, 33 deaths and 26,806 recoveries.

Among those aged 10 to 14, there were 38,419 cases, 63 deaths and 36,775 recoveries.

In the 15 to 19 age group, there were 58,587 cases, with 121 deaths and 56,163 recoveries.

Despite these figures, the government Next page

2ND VACCINE.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gets vaccinated with his second dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine by Health Secretary Francisco Duque while Senator Christopher Go looks on. Bong Go FB page

Third wave hits C. Visayas; expert blames it on mutation

By Willie Casas and Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Health Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (DOH RESU-7) said Monday Central Visayas was now on the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a television interview on Unang Balita, Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Caña, chief

of DOH RESU-7, said, “Yes. We are in a third wave now.”

“We have been monitoring the cases for the last 4 weeks in Central Visayas, not just Cebu City, and our epidemic curve shows an upward trend," she said.

Cana said there has been "an observably steady rise" in COVID-19 cases in the region within four weeks of Next page monitoring.

‘Faster rollout to stop Delta’ lockdowns to address the risks posed by

By Julito G. Rada, the Delta variant of COVID-19 rather Othel V. Campos and than placing the entire country under stricter community quarantines.

Macon Ramos-Araneta The Delta variant was first detected ECONOMIC managers favor a faster in India and has been causing concerns vaccination rollout and localized globally.

Next page

Duterte calls Pacquiao as ‘punch-drunk’

Zamora crows about having received 4 jabs

By Joyce Pangco Pañares and Vito Barcelo

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas THE congressman of San Juan City, Ronaldo Zamora, said Monday he had received four shots of COVID-19 vaccine since last year.

In a speaking engagement, Zamora, who delivered a speech without a face mask, started off saying in a mixture of English and Tagalog, "If you are wondering why Congressman Zamora is not wearing a mask, I will tell you—I have been vaccinated twice, twice over, four [doses]."

The government has not allowed vaccinated individuals to go around with masks.

But the Department of Health warned that doctors administering extra doses of COVID-19 vaccines to patients could face sanctions, as the agency had yet to approve the use of booster shots and the mixing and matching of jabs. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has accused Sen. Manny Pacquiao of being

Rody "really against" Sara candidacy

JABS SO FAR. Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez presented this list of around 20.7-million vaccines delivered to the country as of Monday to President Rodrigo Duterte last night. PCOO Photo

US reaffirms commitment to PH THE United States on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to come to the defense of the Philippines against any armed attack in the South China Sea. The reaffirmation was issued in time for the fifth anniversary of the arbitral ruling rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated Beijing’s excessive claims over the South China Sea

and upheld Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. The Biden administration also upheld the foreign policy laid down by former US President Donald Trump rejecting China's massive claim on the resourcerich waters.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Next page

“punch-drunk” or exhibiting symptoms

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 12)

1,478,061 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,204 49,701 NEW

ACTIVE

26,015

100

1,402,918

5,811

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, not to run for president in the 2022 elections. “I want to spare my daughter from the vagaries of politics. I will get hurt if she is maligned.”

Next page

Ex-DFA chief: China helped Rody

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo FORMER Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario disclosed Monday that China interfered in the 2016 national elections to help then presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte get elected.

"On February 22, 2019, we received information from a most reliable

international entity that high officials from China are bragging that they had been able to influence the 2016 Philippine elections so that Duterte would be president," Del Rosario said in his speech during the online forum on the commemoration of the Philippines' legal victory in the arbitral tribunal against China over the maritime dispute in the South China Sea. Next page

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News

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Rody fully vaxed: 2nd Sinopharm jab

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has received his second COVID-19 shot, completing his coronavirus inoculation some two months after he received his first jab, Malacañang said on Monday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III administered what appeared to be the second vaccine dose to Duterte, as seen in photos shared online by his former longtime aide Sen. Christopher Go. "I confirm that PRRD (Duterte) had his second dose of Sinopharm tonight before his meeting with select members of the IATF (inter-agency task force on COVID-19)," Palace spokesman Harry

Roque said in a message to reporters.

Officials said Duterte received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine developed

by Sinopharm on May 3. A video and photo of the supposed inoculation were released to the media.

The donated supplies of Sinopharm's vaccine candidate, from which Duterte's supposed first dose was sourced, was granted emergency use authorization

by the Philippines' drug regulator over a month later.

SC denies petition vs. Sinovac The Supreme Court has paved the way for the government to purchase and allow the use of Sinovac, a Chinese manufactured vaccine against the coronavirus disease.

This came as the SC dismissed the petition filed by former Mayor Pedrito Nepomuceno of Boac, Marinduque seeking to stop the government from purchasing Sinovac vaccines, saying President Rodrigo Duterte has been empowered by Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, to address the pandemic arising from the

HIgh...

the COVID-19 death toll to 26,015.

The DOH reported 5,811 people recovered recently, bringing total recoveries to 1,402,918.

There were 49,128 active cases, of which 89.6 percent were mild, 4.7 percent were asymptomatic, 1.5 percent were critical, 2.5 percent were severe, and 1.72 percent were moderate.

Nationwide, 57 percent of the ICU beds, 45 percent of the isolation beds, 42 percent of the ward beds, and 36 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 42 percent of the ICU beds, 37 percent of the isolation beds, 32 percent of the ward beds, and 30 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

On Sunday, the independent OCTA Research Group said the overall COVID-19 case fatality rate (CFR) in Metro Manila has dropped 26 percent, as local government units continue to implement vaccination programs OCTA, in its monitoring report, said the CFR decreased from 1.06 percent for the Jan. 1, to March 31 period to 0.78

percent during the June 1 to July 6 period.

"In comparison, the CFR in the NCR in 2020 was 2.32 percent, or more than two out of 100 cases were dying due to COVID," OCTA's report said.

Among senior citizens, the fatality rate also decreased by 27 percent, or from 5.78 percent from January to March 2021 to 4.29 percent from June to July 2021.

In the same period, the CFR for those aged 50 to 59 also decreased by 25 percent from 1.61 percent to 1.21 percent.

For the 40 to 49 age group, the case fatality rate fell by 60 percent from 0.62 percent to 0.37 percent.

The case fatality rate for the 18 to 29 age group remained at 0.13 percent.

The fatality rate among minors who are not covered yet by the vaccination program, went up from 0.07 percent to 0.20 percent.

"Currently 1 out of 500 cases below 18 years old die due to COVID-19," OCTA said.

According to OCTA, the drop in the fatality rate among those aged 40 and above may be due to the inoculation program.

OCTA said the decrease may also be attributed to continued improvements in hospital capacity and equipment as well as the efforts of health workers.

There is also a flat trend of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila, Bacolod, and Davao City, the OCTA report said.

"The trends in the Philippines, NCR and many of the 'hot' LGU are 'flat,'" the report said.

Also, flat trends were registered in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Baguio City and Calamba City in Laguna.

Moreover, the report indicates that the Philippines logged an average of 5,243 daily new COVID-19 cases in the past seven days. This was 5 percent lower than the previous week’s average, OCTA said.

The reproduction number in Metro Manila, meanwhile, increased from 0.90 recorded last April 21, 2021 to 0.91 as reported from July 4 to 10.

However, occupancy of intensive care units remained very high in Davao with 94 percent, Iloilo City with 98 percent and Santa Rosa, Laguna with 87 percent.

Last month, the OCTA research group urged the government to pay particular attention to Cebu Island, the second most COVID-19-affected area in the country after Metro Manila.

Majority of the coronavirus cases in Cebu are in Cebu City, which is administered independent from the province.

According to Caña, the main reason for the upward trend was the more transmissible variants of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

"The virus keeps on evolving as it is its nature to mutate resulting in different variants which increases the virus' transmissibility," Caña said.

Also seen as a likely reason for the trend is the gatherings held by some residents like weddings, fiestas, and birthday celebrations in the region.

"These events drive the transmission because you bring people together without observing the public health measures," Caña said.

Other reasons cited by the official were inappropriate use of public health and social measures and inequitable and uneven distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

In Manila, the DOH headquarters said it was verifying that statement by the regional health authorities.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, said Region 7 logged a two-week case growth rate of negative 7 percent and an average daily attack rate of 4.5 cases per 100,000 population.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of

Investigation was ready to conduct its own investigation of the reported missing coronavirus disease vaccines which were allegedly brought to a private house in Northern Samar.

“The NBI has a standing order from the DOJ to investigate the sale or administration of COVID-19 vaccines outside the authorized channels of distribution,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

“It will be ready to assist the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the provincial board of Northern Samar in any investigation of the subject incident,” he added.

The Justice Secretary made the assurance after the provincial government of Northern Samar started investigating the incident.

will exert effort to increase vaccination centers, including in malls and work places, and prioritizing areas of highest risk of infection," Chua said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, meanwhile, said the decision of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowing children more than 5 years old living in MGCQ and GCQ areas to go outdoors would "certainly improve the physical and psychological health of the kids and their parents."

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the IATF to extend the current general community quarantine (GCQ) in “NCR Plus” and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in 21 areas until July 15.

Metro Manila and Bulacan will stay under GCQ with some restrictions until July 15 along with the province Rizal, which is currently placed under GCQ “with heightened restrictions." (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Zamora...

as the one administered to President Rodrigo Duterte.

"If we got it from the same source, then we both received a bootleg (brand)," Zamora said, noting that it meant he would not have a document or vaccination form that would allow him to travel to other countries.

Zamora added that unlike the Philippines that accepts almost all brands, the US and European countries do not allow any Chinese-made vaccines. He said one could only enter if one got doses from Western brands like Pfizer, Moderna, or the single-shot Janssen vaccines.

He added that he completed his Sinopharm dose last December — ahead of the government's vaccination program rolled out in March this year.

He said it was his doctors who advised him to take not one, but two booster shots since he was immunodeficient. He later told reporters that he got Pfizer as his booster shots. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

ceding control of the Scarborough Shoal to China.

The Philippine and Chinese foreign ministries, China's embassy in Manila and the Philippine election commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Though Duterte is highly popular in the Philippines, his embrace of China and reluctance to criticize its foreign policy or maritime conduct has been controversial. The President has long maintained it was pointless and dangerous to challenge China.

During the Aquino administration, Del Rosario initiated the filing of a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherland, which rendered a ruling in favor of the Philippines in July 12, 2016 that invalidated Beijing’s massive claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

US...

ed for the rocket, which sat at the end of a 3.6 kilometer (2.2 miles) track. On board were Branson, two pilots and three other Virgin Galactic employees.

Also on hand, though unseen by the cameras, was SpaceX founder Elon Musk, another billionaire with galactic aspirations.

A TikTok star, a celebrity television presenter and a Canadian astronaut were among those poised, ready to commentate on the momentous event.

After the launch, the huge carrier plane climbed through the air for about 50 min-

From A1

has allowed children aged 5 and above to go outdoors in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) and a modified GCQ. Vergeire said this was because studies have shown that COVID-19 lockdowns affect the wellbeing of children.

“They experience issues both physically and mentally and their developmental stages are being hampered and affected because of the lockdowns, because they cannot interact properly with other people,” Vergeire said.

“That was why we made that recommendation, based on our experts, but it does not mean that we are giving too much freedom. We must still follow protocols.,” she said.

The Philippines logged 5,204 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,478,061.

There were 100 new fatalities, bringing

Third...

From A1

According to data from the DOH regional office, Central Visayas’ active cases as of July 10 totalled 8,241, including 419 new cases -- 108 from Cebu Province, 76 from Bohol, 45 from Negros Oriental, 9 from Siquijor, 114 from Cebu City, 39 from Lapu-Lapu City, and 28 from Mandaue City.

The region’s total recorded cases rose to 76,175, while its recoveries stood at 65,656. Total COVID-19 deaths in the region are at 2,278.

Despite the reported third wave, Cana said the region was better off now than it was during the second wave of the pandemic in February and March.

‘Faster...

From A1

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said Monday that although the government recognized the higher risk of the Deltavariant, this could be better managed by guarding borders and enforcing the health standards.

Chua said this could as well be managed by "imposing localized lockdowns in areas of transmission, rather than placing the entire country or large areas in general community quarantine or higher level of quarantine."

"Data shows that the far majority of people comply with health standards and need to work to address their hunger and other non-COVID health concerns," Chua said.

Chua added that the government's effort should be on accelerating the deployment of vaccines to protect the population.

"As supply resumes next week, we

Ex-DFA...

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"We believe that our Beijing post can easily validate this. Moreover, subsequent actions of the President lend more credence to this information," Del Rosario added.

When sought to provide more details, Del Rosario stressed that the information came from a “highly trustworthy" source.

But in Malacanang, Duterte's office described as "nonsense" del Rosario's suggestion that Beijing might have helped determine the outcome of a 2016 election that swept the Davao City mayor to the riverside Palace.

Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque, in his regular briefing, described Del Rosario's remarks as "nonsense" and called him a "proven traitor" before telling him to "shut up."

Roque has accused Del Rosario, during his time as foreign secretary, of

Branson:...

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Galactic arrived before dawn at Spaceport America, built in large part at his initiative, in the US state of New Mexico.

The sun rose on the building's futuristic glass facade, located in a region that boasts 340 days of good weather per year.

A small crowd of invited guests, baking under the hot sun, cheered as the space crew climbed into a black SUV and head-

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"We were not informed about this matter. This is something that they did between the individual and physician," DOH spokesperson and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press conference.

"The mixing and matching of boosters is not recommended right now because the evidence is still incomplete,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire said sanctions might be imposed against doctors administering different brands of COVID-19 vaccines to their patients.

She said health officials have yet to authorize the safety and effectivity of mixing and matching vaccines.

"I hope we all follow, align with the government's protocols,” she said.

Zamora intimated he received the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, the same

dreaded COVID-19.

The SC emphasized that RA 11494 mandated the President to exercise powers that are necessary and proper to undertake and implement COVID-19 response and recovery interventions.

“In the case of Sinovac vaccine, while many doubt its efficacy, it is not within the office of this Court to issue an order compelling the government to conduct further tests before the same can be distributed to the Filipino people,” it ruled.

DOH backs Sinovac The Department of Health assured the public once again that Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine was effective. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

230 China boats dump refuse in WPS—expert

By Rey E. Requejo APART from continuously violating the country’s maritime territorial domain, the more than 230 Chinese ships spotted recently in various areas within the West Philippine Sea have also apparently dumped tons of their refuse or raw sewage into the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Liz Derr, co-founder and CEO of US geospatial firm Simularity, made the disclosure during the webinar hosted by Stratbase ADR Institute on Monday.

The event celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Arbitral Award rendered by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines in July 12, 2016, where it invalidated China’s nine-dash line claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. “The hundreds of ships that are anchored there are dumping raw sewage onto the reefs they are occupying,” said Derr, citing verified satellite imagery. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PAO building up 100 Dengvaxia cases vs. Garin THE Public Attorney’s Office on Monday threatened to file fresh criminal suits against former Health Secretary Janette Garin, now a lawmaker for Iloilo, and former and incumbent health department officials in September before the Department of Justice for the deaths of seven more children who were inoculated with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

At a Zoom media briefing, Dr. Erwin Erfe, PAO forensics chief, said: “Our lawyers are already drafting the criminal cases for the seven deaths that were subjected to forensic examination.” “(At least) 101 civil cases are being prepared by the panel of PAO to be filed with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in September,” he added.

When asked if incumbent Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is included in the new criminal complaints, Erfe said: “He is included in the civil cases.”

PAO chief Persida Acosta added: “(Duque) is included, particularly in cases wherein he continued with the vaccination during his term.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Duterte...

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called on Beijing to stop aggressive and provocative acts in the South China Sea, warning that any attack on the Philippines will trigger a response from the US. The Philippines and the US have a 70-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty that binds America to defend its Asian ally from foreign aggression.

"The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020, policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," Blinken said.

Blinken's statement sustained the declaration of the Trump administration to support the 2016 Arbitral Award

rendered by the United Nations-backed PCA ruling.

"We call on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law, cease its provocative behavior, and take steps to reassure the international community that it is committed to the rules-based maritime order that respects the rights of all countries, big and small," Blinken said.

However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called Blinken’s statement “extremely irresponsible” and accused the US of “hyping” an “illegal award.”

“The award of the arbitration is illegal, null and void. It is nothing more than a piece of waste paper. China does not accept or participate in the arbitration, nor does it accept or recognize the award,” it said in a statement.

"The political agenda of the US to hype up the South China Sea issue by taking advantage of the 5th anniversary of the illegal award can't be more obvious," the ministry said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

of confusion or being stupefied after the lawmaker accused the government of losing at least P10.4 billion in public funds due to corruption.

“Pacquiao is punch-drunk – you all have your cell phones so I will leave it up to you to look up its definition. To be talking about P10 billion lost from nowhere – You think COA [Commission on Audit] will allow this? You think we will allow this? That is a statement from a guy who is punch-drunk,” he said.

Pacquiao earlier questioned the contract awarded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to e-wallet app Starpay for the disbursement of ayuda to some 1.8 million beneficiaries.

The senator said only 500,000 beneficiaries downloaded the app out of the 1.8 million beneficiaries that Starpay claimed to have served for a total funding of P14 billion.

“What happened to the 1.3 million who did not receive the funds? Where did the P10.4 billion funds go?” Pacquiao said in a press briefing before he left for the United States to train for his upcoming fight with Errol Spence Jr. next month.

Duterte, chairman of the PDP-Laban, is set to attend its national council meeting on July 17 that is expected to pave the way for the expulsion of Pacquio, the party's acting president, amid the widening rift inside the ruling party.

The Pacquiao wing last week issued a resolution expelling party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, deputy secretary general Melvin Matibag, and membership committee head Astra Naik.

Cusi, Matibag and Naik were accused of pushing for the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is not a member of the PDP-Laban. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

utes. The guests took refuge under a white tent, eating passed hors d'oeuvres while children ran about.

But they soon rushed back out again to witness the main event: the spaceship released from the plane, igniting its engine for a supersonic ascent to shouts of joy from the Earth-bound watchers.

"Welcome to space!" the commentator announced a few minutes later, just before the ship began its descent.

Branson's face filled the big screen, streamed in from the rocket: "I was once a

child with a dream, looking up to the stars.

Now I'm an adult in a spaceship!" he said to the crowd.

Wings and free tickets As the ship came back to Earth, Khalid took to the stage. Millions of listeners tuned in to hear him debut his newest song, "New Normal"—a wink towards future space tourism.

Once the landing was complete and the rocket parked only a few meters from the stage, Branson arrived.

After hugging his family, he stepped up on the platform to give out their astronaut

wings, official Federal Aviation Administration pins shaped like wings to symbolize their new status as astronauts.

Branson then popped open the champagne, liberally spraying it over himself and his crewmates before drinking it straight from the bottle.

The consummate showman, he also unveiled a competition for space enthusiasts to win two free tickets on Virgin Galactic flights through the website Omaze -- and a personal guided tour of Spaceport America. AFP

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News CHR, Biazon laud SC guide on body cams

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz THE Commission on Human Rights and a congressman on Monday welcomed a Supreme Court resolution outlining the guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras in serving search and arrest warrants.

“The Commission fully supports the creation of a legal framework to effectively implement the use of bodyworn cameras during police operations,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

“We have high hopes that this newly introduced technology to law enforcement and criminal justice system will result in better transparency and accountability, and thus may improve public’s trust in law enforcement legitimacy,” she added.

The CHR also pushed for the use of body-worn cameras as a preventive measure to reduce lethal force during police operations,to achieve improved resolution of complaints, and more effective evidence in judicial proceedings.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon stressed it still would be best to have a law institutionalizing the policy.

“We welcome the Supreme Court’s issuance of rules pertaining to the use of body cameras by law enforcement.

The rules issued by the court is what will make the body cameras effective since the footage gathered will accepted by the courts when presented as evidence,” he said.

“Without the SC’s ruling, the videos gathered may not be useful for prosecuting violators of the law. It’s also a safeguard against abuse,” Biazon added.

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12 Senators seek ‘troll farms’ probe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

WELVE senators are seeking a Senate probe on social media “troll farms,” describing them as “dangerous to democracy” and trolling considered as “lying and evil.”

In a statement Monday, Senator Francis Pangilonan cited reports that public funds “are oiling the operation of troll farms that spread fake news and misinformation on social media.”

Aside from Pangilinan, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, Richard

Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Grace Poe and Joel Villanueva signed the proposed Senate Resolution 768.

It asks the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry on the alleged state-backed and state-funded spreaders of fake information that affect millions of Filipinos.

Earlier, Lacson alleged that “a gov-

ernment undersecretary has been organizing internet troll farms across the country to target political rivals or those not aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.”

The senators said the allegation should not be dismissed because of the Filipinos’ heavy use of social media sites such as Facebook, making them vulnerable to the trolls’ fake information.

“Filipinos should know why government spends public funds on troll farm operators disguised as ‘public relations practitioners’ and ‘social media consultants’ who sow fake news rather than on COVID-19 assistance, health care, food security, jobs protection, educa-

tion, among others,” the resolution read.

A social media troll is “someone who creates conflict on sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit by posting messages that are particularly controversial or inflammatory with the sole intent of provoking an emotional response from other users,” the resolution said.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Election’s regulation of political ads in social media on those who officially become candidates upon filing of the Certificate of Candidacy is fair to everybody, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

He said this is fair especially those who have less campaign funds to use for campaign ads.

San Roque Dam nears critical level

BEAUTY QUEENS. Winners of the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant pose to the crows after the 2021 coronation night

held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. They are Bb. Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold (representing Masbate), Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Alexandra Panlilio (Cavite), Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita (Cagayan de Oro), Bb. Pilipinas Globe Maureen Ann Montagne (Batangas),1st runner-up Gabrielle Camille Basiano (Borongan), and 2nd runner-up Meiji Cruz (Valenzuela). Danny Pata

DIPPING water in San Roque Dam may hit the 225 meters critical low elevation this week.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Adel Duran is not discounting such possibility, noting San Roque Dam has not been receiving much water and is unlikely to immediately do so.

“With insufficient inflow, water in San Roque will likely dip to the low elevation there this week,” she said Monday.

PAGASA reported San Roque Dam’s 6 a.m. water level at 227 meters on Monday, just 2.00 meters above the critical low level.

Duran noted San Roque’s water level has been dipping at an average 0.40-meter recently and expected inflow will unlikely increase dramatically soon so there is possibility for water in the dam to already reach the critical low.

“In the next three days, the watershed where San Roque is may receive rain totaling 25 mm to 30 mm only -- that’s not a lot of inflow for the dam,” she said, noting PAGASA forecast belownormal rainfall there this July.

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Haitian police arrest president slay suspect with ‘political’ aim

HIT THE BEACH. This photo taken on July 11 shows people cooling off on a beach in Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong

province. AFP

PORT-AU-PRINCE―Haitian police announced Sunday they had arrested a Haitian national “who had political objectives” in recruiting the gunmen who assassinated President Jovenel Moise last week.

“This is an individual who entered Haiti on a private plane with political objectives,” said Leon Charles, head of the Haitian National Police.

Christian Emmanuel Sanon, 63, who is of Haitian nationality, arrived in the island nation in June accompanied by several Colombians, according to details provided at a press conference.

Several Haitian ministers were also at the conference.

“The mission then changed,” Charles said, explaining that the intent had originally been to arrest Moise, and the operation was mounted from within the country.

“Twenty-two other individuals entered Haiti,” Charles said.

Eighteen Colombian citizens have been arrested since Wednesday. By interrogating them, the Haitian police learned that Sanon had recruited 26 team members via a Florida-based Venezuelan security company named CTU. “When we, the police, blocked the progress of these bandits after they committed their crime, the first person that one of the assailants called was Christian Emmanuel Sanon.

“He contacted two other people that we consider to be the masterminds of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise,” Charles said, without disclosing the identity of the two other suspects.

Members of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Department, Justice Department, National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security arrived Sunday in Haiti and met with the director general of police. AFP

NZ PM calls APEC pandemic meeting

W

ELLINGTON ― New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern on Monday announced a hastily convened extraordinary meeting of APEC leaders aimed at improving the Asia-Pacific region’s response to COVID-19 and its economic impact.

Prime Minister Ardern is scheduled to host the annual 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit online in November, but called an additional virtual meeting this Friday to examine immediate action on the crisis.

She said US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

had confirmed they would participate, along with “the majority of other APEC leaders”.

“This is the first time in APEC’s history that leaders have had an additional meeting at leaders’ level and it reflects our desire to navigate together out of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic

crisis,” Ardern said in a statement.

“APEC economies have suffered their biggest contraction since (World War II) over the past year, with 81 million jobs lost -- responding collectively is vital to accelerate the economic recovery for the region.”

The APEC grouping brings together Pacific Rim countries ranging from the United States to Papua New Guinea, collectively accounting for about 60 percent of global GDP. As the host nation for 2021, New Zealand has already signalled its intention to expedite the trade of Covid-19 vaccines

and medical material across the region.

Ardern said Friday’s meeting would examine issues such as making vaccination rollouts more efficient and steps governments could take to protect jobs and the economy.

“I will be inviting discussion on immediate measures to achieve more coordinated regional action to assist recovery, as well as steps that will support inclusive and sustainable growth over the long term,” she said.

“APEC leaders will work together to get through the pandemic... because nobody is safe until everyone is safe.” AFP

Tech giants find workaround for jabs to Taiwan TAIPEI―Taiwanese tech giants Foxconn and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company announced Monday they will each donate five million coronavirus vaccine doses to the government in a deal with a China-based distributor.

Taipei has been struggling to secure enough vaccines for its population, and its precarious political status has been a major stumbling block.

As Taipei and Beijing accused each other of hampering vaccine deals, Foxconn and TSMC stepped in with a face-saving solution -- buying the Pfizer-BioNTech doses from a Chinese distributor and donating them to Taiwan.

“Me and my team feel the public anxiety and expectations on the vaccines and we are relieved to give the public an answer that relevant contracts have been signed,” Foxconn founder Terry Gou said in a post on his Facebook page.

“Beijing authorities have not offered any guidance or interfered with the vaccine acquisition process,” he said, adding that the vaccines will be shipped directly by German firm BioNTech. AFP

49 killed in Niger armed attack near border with Mali NIAMEY, Niger Five civilians, four soldiers and 40 armed attackers were killed Sunday in a clash in Niger’s restive southwest region near the border with Mali, the government said.

Around 100 heavily armed “terrorists” riding motorcycles attacked the Tchoma Bangou village, striking around 3 pm Sunday, Niger’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement read on public television that did not identify who it suspected was behind the latest deadly incident.

The “prompt and vigorous reaction” by the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), “made it possible to repel the attack and inflict heavy losses on the enemy”, the ministry said, adding that its soldiers had seized motorcycles and a cache of weapons, including AK47s and machine guns, from the assailants.

Tchoma Bangou is located in the Tillaberi region, bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, an area known as “the three borders” that has been regularly targeted by jihadist groups.

Tillaberi has been under a state of emergency since 2017. The authorities have banned motorbike traffic night and day for a year and ordered the closure of certain markets suspected of supplying “terrorists”.AFP

LONELY ROAD. Commuters make their way on Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on July 12, on the first day of stricter lockdown restrictions to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus. AFP

Thailand sees tougher curbs bite amid Bangkok curfew BANGKOK ― Over ten million people were placed under fresh Covid-19 restrictions and a curfew in the Thai capital Monday, as the kingdom battles a surge of cases worsened by the highly infectious Alpha and Delta variants.

Thailand has so far recorded more than 345,000 cases and 2,791 deaths -with the bulk of them coming in this latest wave that kicked off in April.

First detected in clubs frequented by the Thai elite and politicians at an upscale Bangkok nightlife district, the surge in infections has been exacerbated by a slow vaccine rollout and limited testing capacity.

In addition to the capital, nine other provinces that have seen steady upticks

in infections saw more restrictions bite.

Police checkpoints sprung up across Bangkok in the early hours of Monday as a curfew from 9 pm to 4 am came into force, with police wearing masks and facial shields stopping cars in the centre of the capital.

Residents are barred from gathering in groups of more than five people, while public transport networks will shut from 9 pm.

Supermarkets, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and electronics stores within malls will be able to stay open but other shops have shuttered.

The government of Prayut Chan-OCha has come under vociferous criticism for its handling of the pandemic

-- from its management and procurement of vaccines to ad hoc enforcement of rules to prevent the spread of Covid -- and anger is high among Thais at the new measures.

“The government decided to impose a lockdown but they don’t have compensatory measures for the people whatsoever,” said restaurant owner Arphawan Larangam.

Some say the movement restrictions should have come sooner before the brunt of the new highly contagious variants were felt among the population.

“The government does everything so slow. If they really want to impose a lockdown, they should’ve done it a lot sooner,” said Jit, a university student. AFP

Sydney virus cases spike as lockdown flounders

SYDNEY―Australia reported another spike in new coronavirus cases Monday, as a lockdown in the country’s largest city Sydney failed to halt a rapidly growing cluster of cases.

Health authorities reported 112 cases in Sydney in the last 24 hours, a record for this wave of infections, despite a citywide lockdown that is in its third week.

The virus has now spread to neighbourhoods across the sprawling city of five million people.

New South Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian said many of the latest infections were passed between family members and close friends who met despite a ban on meeting anyone outside your household.

Sydneysiders are currently ordered not to leave home unless for food shopping, medical treatment or daily exercise.

“If you put yourself at risk, you’re putting your entire family -- and that means extended family, as well as your closest friends and associates -at risk,” Berejiklian warned.

On Saturday a woman in her 90s died hours after testing positive for Covid-19, the first death from a locally acquired infection in Australia this year.

Sydney’s lockdown is slated to end Friday but authorities say that the target is now “highly unlikely” to be met.

The city is cut off almost entirely from the rest of the country under local travel bans.

New South Wales has recorded a total of 678 new infections since the latest outbreak began mid-June.

While that is low compared to most global cities, Australia has taken a zero-tolerance approach to community transmission throughout the pandemic.

Authorities have been quick to impose restrictions in an attempt to stamp out clusters early, and the country’s borders remain largely shut.

Only about 10 percent of Australians fully vaccinated. AFP

Rare anti-government protests erupt in Cuba over power, food shortages HAVANA―Thousands of Cubans took part in rare protests Sunday against the communist government, chanting, “Down with the dictatorship,” as President Miguel Diaz-Canel called on his supporters to confront the demonstrators.

The anti-government rallies started spontaneously in several cities as the country endures its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with chronic shortages of electricity and food.

Several hundred protesters marched through the capital Havana chanting, “We want liberty,” with a heavy military and police presence deployed after demonstrators massed outside the Capitol building.

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds, and at least ten people were arrested, while officers used plastic pipes

to beat protesters, AFP journalists witnessed.

Several thousand protesters -- mainly young people—also took to the streets of San Antonio de los Banos, a town 30 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of Havana.

Security forces arrived soon after the protests began, and Diaz-Canel later visited the town himself surrounded by party activists as residents heckled him, according to videos posted online.

The president delivered a combative television address, saying: “The order to fight has been given—into the street, revolutionaries!”

“We call on all revolutionaries of the country, all communists, to go out in the streets where these provocations occur... and to face them in a decisive, firm and courageous way.” AFP

‘CUBA LIBRE.’ People demonstrate, some holding Cuban and US National flags and placards, during a protest against the Cuban government in Miami on July 11.

Thousands of Cubans across the country took part in rare protests against the communist government, marching through several towns chanting, “Down with the dictatorship” and “We want liberty.” AFP

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News

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

House prodded to exert scrutiny on nat’l budget

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAROUSEL BLOCKED. Passengers of the Edsa Carousel Bus form a line atop the footbridge in front of Qmart Market along Edsa Cubao area in Quezon City while southbound traffic gets snarled with the opening of Skyway stage 3 due to congested vehicles at the exit point of Buendia, Makati. Manny Palmero

CHR, task force close ranks vs. communists THE Commission on Human Rights joined the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in condemning the nonstop violation of International Humanitarian Laws by the Communist Party of the Philippines - News People’s Army - National Democratic Front, especially the use of anti-personnel mine in their recent attack in Jipapad, Eastern Samar where scores of unarmed soldiers were killed and injured.

During the regular virtual press briefing of the NTF-ELCAC held last Monday, CHR Deputy Spokesperson Mark Siapno said, “Malinaw po iyan mula noong naglabas etong two recent cases―sa case ng magpinsang Absalon, kasama ng kaso sa Eastern Samar―we have continuously condemned the use of improvised explosive devices such as landmines, simply because it violates the spirit and principle of the International Humanitarian Law”.

“We condemn all forms of violence, the use of APMs,” Siapno said, adding that all “these crimes (by the NPA) are all accounted for,” assuring that the CHR will investigate and seek justice for the victims.

Manila Standard He also reiterated the government’scall TODAY for the CPP-NPA-NDF to be held accountable for all other crimes they have perpetrated against the Filipino people in violation of the IHL and Human Rights Laws from the moment they started this armed conflict.

Siapno said the latest ambush staged by the NPAs against the members of Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit in Easter Samar shows the reckless belief of communist terrorist groups that they are allowed to do anything in the pursuit of their ideology and supposed rights.

SELF-ADJUDICATION Notice is hereby given that the Estate of the late JOHN PHILIP GIBSON has been self-adjudicated by his spouse and lone heir, Maria Victoria Gutierrez Gibson: • Real Property  OCT No. 80224 (Tax Declaration No. F02409602/ Makati City) As per Doc No. 310; Page No. 63; Book No. II; Series of 2021 before Notary Public ATTY. SHERLUCK JUN C. VILLEGAS.

Foreign vloggers warned: Don’t sell products online

By Vito Barcelo

T

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that he issued the reminder after noticing numerous foreign vloggers posting videos in the Philippines.

According to Morente, while vlogging in itself is not prohibited, engaging in endorsements or using their platforms to sell products could be considered a violation of the conditions of their stay.

“Online videos of these influencers bring entertainment to many, which could

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW! email us at advertise@ manilastandard.net or call us at 8564-6229

(MS-July 13/20/27, 2021)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the following estates has been extra judicially settled among their heirs: I.

Estate of the late JULIAN CRUZ BERSOLA, JR. •

Real Properties  TCT No. 14433 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. C5-124-00146 / Pasay City)  TCT No. 17389 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. CS-124-00148 / Pasay City)

As per Doc No. 93; Page No. 20; Book No. 05; Series of 2021 before Notary Public ATTY. HOBERT N. LLUZ. II.

Estate of the late FELIPA DELA CRUZ BERSOLA •

Real Properties  TCT No. 14433 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. C5-124-00146 / Pasay City)  TCT No. 17389 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. CS-124-00148 / Pasay City)

•

Personal Properties  Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Savings Account No. 3729-0734-73  Common Shares (101,000 shares) in Cristelmon Homes, Inc.

As per Doc No. 92; Page No. 20; Book No. 05; Series of 2021 before Notary Public ATTY. HOBERT N. LLUZ. III.

Estate of the late ELVIRA BERSOLA TABANAO •

Real Properties  TCT No. 14433 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. C5-124-00146 / Pasay City)  TCT No. 17389 (w/ improvement covered by Tax Declaration No. CS-124-00148 / Pasay City)

•

Personal Properties  Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Savings Account No. 3729-0734-73  Common Shares (101,000 shares) in Cristelmon Homes, Inc.

HE Bureau of Immigration warned foreign vloggers in the country not to engage in any activity violating the conditions of their stay.

As per Doc No. 94; Page No. 20; Book No. 05; Series of 2021 before Notary Public ATTY. HOBERT N. LLUZ. (MS-July 13/20/27, 2021)

be a source of much-needed relief from the stress brought about by the pandemic.

Vloggers promoting the beautiful places in our country could even help revive and boost tourism,” he said.

“However, vlogging should not be used as a means to sell products. Accepting local endorsements, selling products, and engaging in other activities for profit while holding a temporary visitors’ visa is considered a deportable

offense,” he warned.

“Vloggers should not overstep their boundaries and perform actions only within the activities allowed in their visas. If found guilty, violators can face deportation and blacklisting from the Philippines,” he added.

In February, a social media influencer was charged by the BI for performing in gainful activity without permit or visa, after allegedly engaging in the online retail of notebooks, bags, and toiletries.

Similarly in India, New Zealand Youtuber Karl Rock has recently made headlines after he was reportedly denied entry and blacklisted for violating the terms and conditions of his visa for doing business activities on a tourist visa.

BACOLOD VAX.

The Emergency Operations CenterTask Force and the COVID-19 Vaccination Council, both chaired

by Mayor Bing Leonardia, continue this week with the vaccine rollout at the Andres Bonifacio Elementary Schoo Cluster for residents in nearby barangays who are under priority groups that include frontline healthcare workers (A1), senior citizens (A2), and adults with comorbidities (A3). As of July 9, the City has administered a total of 78,361 Sinovac and AstraZeneca jabs to Bacolod residents. PIO

TWO party-list congressmen on Monday asked the House of Representatives to scrutinize government borrowings after noting that about 25 percent of the current national budget is alloted to debt servicing.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption nominees Eddie Villanueva and Domeng Rivera in a statement urged Congress “to act on measures seeking to exert stricter and more judicious scrutiny and oversight on debt management.”

“Though we acknowledge the reality that loans are really a lucrative source of cash nowadays in view of the weakened fiscal position of the government due to COVID-19 pandemic, we must still continue to exert proper and reasonable oversight over the borrowing behavior of the government. We now have the propensity to acquire more loans to finance public programs,” said Villanueva, the Deputy Speaker on Good Governance and Moral Uprightness.

The Bureau of Treasury earlier said that the national government’s outstanding debt reached a new high of P11.07 trillion as of end of May 2021.

According to the report, 71.5 percent were domestic borrowings and the rest, or 28.5 percent, sourced abroad.

The country’s outstanding debt experienced a sharp increase starting last year due to the pandemic.

July 18 exam for CSE-PPT postponed

THE Civil Service Commission has deferred the conduct of the July 18, 2021 Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test in 18 testing centers until further notice.

The move was made in compliance with health protocols and implementation of strict community quarantines with the surge of COVID-19 cases.

The CSE-PPT was deferred in the following areas: Region I with testing centers in San Fernando City, La Union, and Vigan City; Region VI with testing centers in Bacolod City; Kalibo, Aklan; Iloilo City; Jordan, Guimaras; Roxas City; and San Jose, Antique; Region IX with testing centers in Zamboanga City; Pagadian City; Dipolog City; and Ipil, CYAN MAGENTA BLACKXI with Zamboanga YELLOW Sibugay; Region testing centers in Davao City; Tagum City; and Mati City; and Region XII with testing centers in Koronadal City; and General Santos City.

Since Negros Oriental in Region VII has been placed under Extended Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine until 15 July 2021, the July 18 CSE-PPT will also be deferred in Dumaguete City Testing Center.

Meanwhile, the CSE-PPT in Tagbilaran City and Siquijor in Region VII; and in Bongao, Tawi-tawi in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are to proceed subject to change depending on emerging/ evolving COVID-19 situation.

Filipinos in America press for review of quarantine protocols

OVERSEAS Filipinos in North America appealed to the Philippine’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) to review quarantine protocols especially those affecting inbound travelers to the Philippines, notably United States and Canada, even as the country is slowly opening up its economy.

They shared the view of a Philippine lawmaker who said those who have been fully vaccinated should undergo shortened isolation period when they come in for business or leisure activities.

“We agree with Senator Panfilo Lacson’s observation that the length of hotel quarantine be thoroughly reviewed and must go back to the 48-hour quarantine instead of spending seven to days in hotel for quarantine despite already being fully vaccinated,” said Access Care Services CEO Bing Zabala in reaction to a statement made by the senator.

In a recent statement, Lacson said, “We can accelerate our much-needed economic recovery if some of our health protocols - such as a hotel quarantine requirement lasting at least seven days to 10 days - are

revisited and made more responsive and sensible.”

According to the latest IATF Resolution (No. 123C, June 28, 2021 “arriving individuals fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history, and those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in “Green” countries/jurisdictions in the past fourteen days immediately preceding arrival, shall be required to undergo a seven (7) –day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the date of arrival being the first day.” Green countries refer to low coronavirus risk countries.

3 drug suspects slain, P36m down the drain

By Joel Zurbano THREE drug suspects were killed and P36.7 million worth of suspected illegal drugs were seized in separate operations on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, chief of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group, identified the slain suspects only by their aliases -- Paulo, Richard and Ricsan -- during a buy-bust in Pasig City.

Recovered from the suspects were four kilos of suspected shabu.

They were said to be members of the notorious Kenneth Maclan drug syndicate operating in the National Capital Region and Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4-A (Calabarzon).

The y were killed near the URC Warehouse Road in Barangay Rosario.

CHAIN REACTION.

Glass splinters lie visible on the ground while two vehicles are dented after a container truck rammed three vehicles and a motorcycle along Bonifacio Drive in Manila on Monday morning. The truck driver allegedly lost control of the wheel. No one was seriously injured in the incident.

Norman Cruz

News

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PSA rolls out national ID registration for military

Oil firms hike pump prices

by P1.15/li

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil players raised pump prices by as much P1.15 per liter effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P1.15 per liter, diesel by P0.60 per liter and kerosene by P0.65 per liter, the eighth consecutive week of price increases.

“Petro Gazz will implement a price hike on fuel products effective 6 a.m.

July 13, Tuesday. Diesel, P0.60 per liter and P1.15 per liter for gasoline,” the company said.

PTT Philippines, Total Philippines, Seaoil Philippines and Cleanfuel also announced the last oil price hike while other companies are expected to follow.

World oil prices have been trending upwards in the past weeks as world economies recover from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

A decline in US inventories and strong demand from China and India also buoyed oil prices.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines announced over the weekend that pump prices will likely go up this week. It forecasted gasoline to go up by P1.10 to P1.20 per liter and diesel by P0.60 to P0.70 per liter.

On July 6, the oil companies raised the price of gasoline by P0.50-P0.60 per liter and P0.10 per liter for diesel.

On the contrary, the price of kerosene decreased by P0.05 per liter.

These resulted in year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P12.35 per liter for gasoline, P10 per liter for diesel and P8.35 per liter for kerosene.

Meanwhile, the country’s net import bill declined by six percent in the first quarter to $1.864 billion from $1.977 billion on the back of lower volumes to 4,682 million liters from 6,321 million liters in the same period last year.

DepEd gives net load to 1m teachers, staff THE Department of Education has started releasing sim cards with internet load to about a million teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua said the internet load aims to “ensure ease in communication and unhampered delivery of services” as distance learning continues amid the pandemic.

The department has allocated P1.2 billion for the sim cards.

The funding was part of the P4.3 billion financial assistance given to DepEd through the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2.

Permanent, contractual, and local government unit-paid personnel working under DepEd schools and offices are eligible to receive the cards which will be distributed until July 23.

The sim cards will be activated with an initial 34-gigabyte load, which is consumable for one year, the DepEd said.

Division supply officers and school property custodians will register the sim cards to a website to allocate load for the succeeding months.

A7

PROUDLY VAXXED. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora puts a ‘100% Vaccinated’ sticker at a stall inside the Greenhills Shopping Center on July 12, 2021 as proof that all of its employees have been inoculated against COVID-19. As of yesterday, some 84,500 residents already received their vaccine shots against COVID-19. Manny Palmero

PNP on heightened alert vs. NPA attacks

By Francisco Tuyay

P

HILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has ordered policemen in Northern Samar to be on heightened alert against potential attacks

by New People’s Army rebels after a series of clashes that left a soldier and a village official dead.

“These terrorists will not stop sowing chaos and violence in our communities in their desire to prove they are not yet a spent force,” Eleazar said.

“They are hiding the truth that they are already weak and irrelevant and they no longer have the support of the masses in their senseless armed struggle. It is infuriating that they are now targeting civilians in their attacks,” he added.

In Las Navas Municipality, Private

First Class John Vincent Bocaboc was killed when his team clashed with at least ten NPA rebels in Barangay Victory on Friday.

A day after, Brgy. San Andres chairman Crispin Nali Mordido was shot dead by alleged rebels in neighboring Barangay Lourdes.

Last week, the Commission on Human Rights criticized the NPA for attacking government forces in Jipapad, Eastern Samar.

“We stress that even non-state actors

are bound to comply with international humanitarian law (IHL), alongside the government. In this incident, the indiscriminate use of improvised explosive devices, including landmines, continues to fail in distinguishing between civilians and combatants and protect especially civilians and communities from the ill effects of armed conflict, which violates the spirit of IHL,” CHR deputy spokesperson Marc Louis Siapno said.

“In the larger view, we reiterate that no ideology can justify violations of human rights nor be used as a reason to excuse themselves from any accountability. We urge the government to pursue the perpetrators of this act in keeping with the rule of law. CHR, through its office in Region VIII, shall also be pursuing an independent probe on this case,” he added.

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines urged its members to register for the national ID, which will help government troops run after criminals and terrorists.

“The national ID will not only provide us with a valid proof of identification. It will help government forces in hunting down terrorists, criminals and unscrupulous individuals who hide behind false identities,” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria said.

In coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority, the AFP facilitated the Philippine Identification System registration for military personnel, civilian human resources and dependents at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo.

The registration, which will run until August 10, will target around 15,000 registrants.

Among those who registered for their Philippine ID yesterday were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Usec. Ricardo Jalad.

“The AFP supports the implementation of PhilSys as it shares mutual concerns and interest for public welfare.This endeavour to ease our people’s access to government services will significantly help us in our effort to address the root cause of armed conflict and radicalization,” Gloria added.

Earlier, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua expressed confidence that the government will reach its 50 to 70 million target for national ID registrations by yearend.

He said some 37.2 million Filipinos registered have already accomplished Step 1 for the registration as of July 2.

PSA said some 16.2 million individuals have also completed Step 2 or the biometrics capture, while some 343,742 registrants have received their PhilID cards.

“The COVID-19 crisis underscores the need to provide unhampered access to banking and social services for all Filipinos, especially the poor.

This is why the President gave the directive to accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys to provide all Filipinos a unique and digitized ID,” Chua said in a statement. Francisco Tuyay

Baseco residents reap benefits of Villar’s livelihood projects

TRAVEL REGULATIONS. Stricter border control is being enforced to prevent travelers who have not or refuse to be swabbed from entering Baguio City. According to Lt. Col. Domingo Gambican, local policy operations officer, passing-through travelers need to fill up a form at the entry checkpoint, which in turn should be surrendered at the exit checkpoint.

QC closes 2 bars for violating protocols

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government has ordered the temporary closure of G-Side Bar on Tomas Morato Avenue and Ciso’s Gastrobar on Del Monte Avenue after photos and videos of their guests partying and violating social distancing protocols went viral on social media.

The Business Permits and Licensing said apart from violating the city’s latest general community quarantine guidelines, the establishments also violated public safety hours and minimum health protocols.

“The patrons of these bars even had the audacity to post in social media their wanton violation of health and safety protocols, oblivious to the fact that there are more transmissible variants now and public safety remains at risk,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“We support economic recovery and job creation but these should not be at the expense of public health. We will not hesitate to close down establishments if and when we find out these businesses are venues of super spreader events,” BPLD chief Margie Santos said.

On July 9, the Quezon City Task Force Disiplina, along with the Quezon City Police District, apprehended several individuals operating bars and clubs during an inspection in barangays Paligsahan and Timog.

Authorities also inspected nearby clubs and resto bars where some individuals were also apprehended for violating quarantine protocols.

Belmonte reminded the public that bars, karaoke bars, clubs and concert halls are still not allowed to operate.

BASECO residents are now benefiting from several projects being implemented by Senator Cynthia Villar as these provided them food security and created jobs while maintaining a clean environment.

“We are very thankful that we are part of the intervention dedicated to the improvement of Baseco and its residents. Soon, we can all be proud of our hard work and showcase Baseco as a model site for a community rehabilitation project coupled with urban agriculture,aquaculture and other livelihood projects,” said Villar, who has established more than 3,000 livelihood projects across the country.

As the chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee,

Villar introduced urban agriculture or gardening in Baseco as she encouraged residents to plant vegetables and provided them with seedlings and organic fertilizer.

Fishermen-residents in the area were also provided with fishing equipment.

Villar likewise initiated a project for building toilet facilities to stop open defecation in the area.

“We have been giving toilet bowls and building communal septic tanks to address the problem of sanitation in Baseco and afford residents access to a sanitary toilet facility,” she said.

Before the pandemic, Villar said she went to Tondo every week because of her several projects.

VIOLATORS.

The Quezon City government, led by the Business Permits and Licensing Department, closed the G-Side Nightclub on Tomas Morato Ave. and Ciso’s Gastrobar on Del Monte Ave. for alleged violations of health protocols.

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

A8

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

Sports

Avaricio resumes drive for golf breakthrough

FIGHT IS ON. Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr pose for the media following their press conference at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California. Their fight is scheduled on Aug. 21, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Catantan sisters stamp class in National Open THE Catantan sisters, Samantha and Janna, made their presence felt in the ongoing National Open Fencing championships in Ormoc City.

The elder Samantha, who settled for a silver medal at the North American Cup in Virginia last month, upstaged Maxine Esteban, 15-8, in the finals of the senior women’s foil during the second leg at the Superdome.

She reached the finals after turning back Justine Gail Tinio, 15-1, in the semifinals, and disposing of Eytria Olarte, 15-1, in the quarterfinals.

Taking a break from her studies at the Penn State University, the 19- year-old Catantan remains one of the top candidates for the national team that is being assembled for the Southeast Asian Games.

On the other hand, the younger Janna prevailed over Olarte, 15-6, in the junior finals’ action of the women’s foil.

In men’s action, SEA Games veteran Noelito Jose crushed Reynaldo Perez Jr., 15-4, for the gold medal in the senior men’s epee.

Jose is tipped to keep his seat in the national squad with Jylyn Nicanor, who claimed the gold medal in the distaff side.

Nicanor struck down Queen Denise Dalmacio, 15-3, for the gold in women’s sabre event.

Jaymee de los Santos ruled the women’s epee matches after putting away Hanniel Abella, 15-14, for the gold.

University of the East standout Arnel Obzunar dominated the junior men’s epee, with 15-8 triumph over Lorenzo Malvar in the finals.

Peter Atencio

Israel Olympic swimmers to train at New Clark City W

By Peter Atencio

ITH 11 days left before the Tokyo Olympics, the Israeli national swimming team arrived in the Philippines over the weekend to train at the New Clark City.

The 15-member Israeli squad immediately headed to Capas, Tarlac on Monday under tight security as the swimmers prepare for the quadrennial meet under a training bubble for almost a week. They chose the Philippines to acclimatize with its hot weather, the same humidity they expect to experience in Tokyo, Japan.

Philippine Swimming Inc. president Lailani Velasco said they welcome the presence of the Israeli swimmers in the country as PSI will be hosting them until they leave for Japan on July 19.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Israel’s Olympic swimming team to our country.

They are here to conduct their pre-Olympics training camp at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac until July 19,” said Velasco.

Unfortunately, no member of the

Philippine Navy dominates road race

Ronald Oranza raises his arms in triumph

The Milwaukee Mission FREE THROW SHOOTER NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ IF YOU told me during the preseason that the path towards winning the Western Conference championship is beating two LA teams and the squad of the freshly-minted Most Valuable Player, I’d say there is a very low chance of Phoenix surviving such an ordeal. So how are the Phoenix Suns defeating teams which, on paper, have more talent? It’s just All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker leading par players; journeymen Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, Dario Šarić, and E’Twaun Moore; veteran reserves Frank Kaminsky and Langston Galloway; and the unproven Deandre Ayton,

Philippine national swimming team will be allowed to get near them for the duration of their preparations.

Velasco said this is part of the security arrangements that both parties in the Philippines and Israel authorities agreed upon, and as part of COVID-19 restrictions.

Last week, swimming authorities in Israel revealed their roster, which is considered as the country’s largest-ever Olympic swimming team for the games.

This includes 12 pool swimmers, one open water swimmer and two artistic swimmers.

Seventeen-year-old rising star Anastasia Gorbenko, who will make her Olympic debut, will banner the Isaeli team with 29-year-old veteran Yakov Toumarkin, who will attend his third straight Games.

“I believe that this is the first time the

Philippines is hosting an elite group of Olympic swimmers, it is even more memorable and significant that this is happening amidst a global pandemic. As such, a ‘sports quarantine bubble’ is being followed,” said Velasco.

Gorbenko made it to the team after winning the gold medal in the women’s 200 individual medley at the European Championships last May. On the other hand, Toumarkin holds hree individual LC European Chamthree pionships ips to his name and was an Olympic finalist in the 200 backstroke during the London Games.

The Israelis will bring with them swimmers from the 2016 Olympic team, which includes Andi Murez, a Stanford alumna, who specializes in the women’s sprint freestyle events.

They also have Aviv Barzelay, a Texas A&M student athlete who will be the third hird female on the team. Shee was added after achieving the FINA A ‘B’ cut in the 200-meter backstroke.

BARELY missing scoring a career breakthrough the last time out, inform Chanelle Avaricio believes it’s just a matter of time – and breaks – before she could ever join the elite circle of winners on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

“I expected to play well because I came into the tournament prepared and ready to compete with the top players,” said Avaricio after falling short by one to fancied Princess Superal in the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Challenge last week.

But she hopes to accomplish what she had failed to do at Sherwood when the LPGT resumes tomorrow (Wednesday, July 14) with the P750,000 ICTSI Eagle Ridge Ladies Classic at the Norman course in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

The Alabama State U alumna actually got first to 209 total and was looking for a shot at the crown at least via playoff. But Superal, playing in a flight behind toting a similar sevenunder total, birdied the 17th then parred the last to snare the victory in the event marking the restart of the circuit after the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. suspended play last March due to the resurgence of coronavirus cases in NCR Plus.

But the setback is expected to further toughen up the rising star, who finished no higher than fourth in four events prior to the Sherwood foray. Handled by swing coach Mic Que, Avaricio has been diligently working on her game at the Hollow Ridge course in Laguna with former national mentor Boyet Zaragosa assisting her on course management.

“I really hope I’m gonna ride on this momentum and keep working hard for the tournaments to come,” said Avaricio, who also gets some tips from touring pro Ira Alido while citing her boyfriend’s help for her strong finish at Sherwood.

“I had some help from my boyfriend, who told me to focus on the right things while on the course and how to handle and keep up with the pressure.”

Pressure will surely mount as she steps up her drive for that first win against Superal, who will surely aim for a second straight victory while Harmie Constantino and Chihiro Chanelle Ikeda are out to make Avaricio up for their final round struggle last week.

Mikal Bridges, Torrey Craig.

Besides, basketball fans wanted the Lakers in the finals, or the Clippers, or Utah Jazz, or the Portland Trailblazers. They want the best of the West to duke it out with the highly-touted Brooklyn Nets in the East.

Fans wanted this level of superstar pedigree and offensive firepower for an entertaining seven-game finale of the NBA. They feel that these are the deserving teams.

But something else happened, and what’s really mind-boggling is Phoenix finishing second-best overall in the West and earning an early 2-0 series lead against Milwaukee despite a roster that’s far from superior compared to the profile of the teams they’ve faced, defeated, and subdued.

Sure, Chris Paul is point guard extraordinaire, but he is not alone in that rarefied air (and mind you, he missed crucial games during the Playoffs, temporarily replaced in

RONALD Oranza and Kate Jasmin Velasco did their Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance team proud in the PhiCycling National Trials for Road at the Clark Freeport Zone on Sunday.

Oranza won the men’s road race, while Velasco collected her second gold medal in the two-day trials presented by Standard Insurance, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, Bases Conversion Development Authority and Clark Development Corp.

Oranza, the pride of Villasis, Pangasinan, led a 1-2-3 finish by the Navymen in the 147.6-km road race that started and finished at the Clark Parade Grounds, clocking three hours, 18 minutes and 25.80 seconds George Oconer settled for the silver with a time of 3:18:32.15, while Ronald Lomotos bagged the bronze (3:18:35.23).

“We did our best to protect each other throughout the race,” said the 28-year-old Oranza. “That’s why we managed to book a 1-2-3 finish.”

“I am praying these trials will mark the return of cycling events all over the country,” added Oranza, one of several national team mainstays,

the rotation by Cameron Payne). Sure, Devin Booker is a perimeter assassin, but he is not the only sniper on active duty in today’s NBA. But why are they winning?

I think the answer is simple: their advantage is they found out early—strengths and weaknesses all considered—how to best play Phoenix Suns winning basketball. Not Devin Booker basketball. Not Chris Paul basketball. Phoenix Suns basketball. System reigns supreme, not the superstar(s).

And after winning Game 3, I think the Milwaukee Bucks are getting there, too. Finally.

After cruising past Miami, a Kyrie Irvingless Brooklyn forced the Nets-Bucks series to seven games, and East’s fifth-best team Atlanta even made it to 4-2. Who knows how things could’ve ended in the Eastern Conference championship if Trae Young wasn’t sidelined, right? It’s not because Atlanta is the better team, it is because Milwaukee plays without the focused ferocity you expect from East’s thirdbest regular-season team.

My point is despite the overwhelming talent of Milwaukee, the quality of their game lacks

whose performances were evaluated in the trials also supported by Go for Gold, Chooks-to-Go, GAC Motor, Gatorade, Versa, 7-Eleven, Le Tour de Filipinas, 7-Eleven, UBE Express Inc., Powerade, Wilkins, Coca-Cola, Shimano, Bike-X and MadCrank.

The event was organized by the PhilCycling headed by Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Velasco, winner of the individual time trial on Saturday, clocked 2:15:17.62 to rule the 80.70-km race, with teammate Mathilda Krogg making the podium with a 2:15:19.75 clocking.

Avegail Rombaon, switching her MTB with a road bike, broke a Navy domination by outsprinting Krogg in the final 50 meters to snatch the silver, crossing the line 1.76 seconds behind Velasco.

“I never expected to win today [the road race]. It was Marianne [Dacumos], our senior, who’s in our game plan, but I got the opportunity, so we didn’t let it slip away,” said Velasco, who lives in nearby Floridablanca, Pampanga. “This title is very important to us, and we dedicate this to our sponsors.”

confidence and promise, and that is a real headscratcher considering they have a core of veterans with enough Playoff experience to bring some gravitas. When they lost Games 1 and 2, one thing is evident—Milwaukee is unsure how to win against Phoenix. Unsure, not incapable.

There is no deliberate offensive action that creates problems for Phoenix’s defense, and despite sporadic bursts of life, their offense flatlines most of the time. It feels like they want to try something different every quarter, or every 5 minutes. Sometimes, it’s an aggressive Jrue Holiday taking the first shot as soon as he’s within range. Sometimes, it’s free-ranging Khris Middleton and forced two-pointers.

Sometimes, it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in isolation, slow to maneuver as he obviously favors his recently-injured leg. There is nothing wrong with diversifying your offensive set, but with Milwaukee, it feels like everyone is making the arbitrary decision to have their turn in offense based on a whim. And everyone is failing miserably. Some are not even trying at all, like PJ Tucker.

I’m saying this because how they played

Game 3 is very different; a complete 180-degree turn. It feels like they are finally shoulder-to-shoulder with Phoenix in terms of selfawareness on a team level. They finally know how to win the game their way. There is rhythm and flow and direction. There is motion and design and intent. The offense does not feel disjointed or arbitrary anymore. They are forcing Phoenix to deal with the offense they are setting and not settling for what Phoenix’s defense gives them. Their offense feels centered, and that is when Milwaukee is at their most dangerous, and when they start burrowing, they can create a hole fast enough and deep enough to send the opposing team to an early grave and bury them. Watching Game 3, you can almost feel Phoenix’s dying gasps as the lead of Milwaukee ballooned, and the prospect of winning—and enjoying an insurmountable advantage— completely slipping from Phoenix’s grasp.

What’s left to do now is accomplish that other thing Phoenix has already crossed out of their to-do list: play consistently. That’s a question for another day. Game 4 will show us the answer.

Business PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, July 12, 2021

78.95 PTS. 6,913.87

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,093,671,882 85,481 4,835,816,077.20 94 106 54

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.0830

Japan

Yen

0.009081

0.4548

UK

Pound

1.389400

69.5853

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128742

6.4478

Switzerland

Franc

1.093972

54.7894

Canada

Dollar

0.802955

40.2144

Singapore

Dollar

0.740357

37.0793

Australia

Dollar

0.748200

37.4721

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655549

132.9979

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

13.3530

Brunei

Dollar

0.737626

36.9425

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030713

1.5382

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.6369

Euro

Euro

1.187700

59.4836

Korea

Won

0.000874

0.0438

China

Yuan

0.154342

7.7299

India

Rupee

0.013426

0.6724

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238720

11.9558

New Zealand

Dollar

0.699800

35.0481

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035764

1.7912 Source: BSP

Sta. Lucia Land renews bid to sell P9.87b in shares PROPERTY developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. revived a plan to sell up to P9.87 billion worth of shares.

The company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would issue up to 2.5 billion common shares, with an overallotment option for another 500 million common shares at a price of P2.38 to P3.29 apiece.

The company will use net proceeds from the offering to partially fund the company’s capital expenditures for ongoing projects, strategic land banking, payment of short-term debts and for general corporate purposes, it said.

Assuming SLI sells all 3 billion offer shares at the maximum offering price of P3.29 apiece, the property firm said it will spend P5.57 billion to finance capital expenditures for new and ongoing projects.

It will also allot P3 billion to pay short term loans, P500 million for land acquisitions and P477.6 million for general corporate purposes.

The company’s outstanding shortterm lines amounted to P6.59 billion as of March 31, 2021 from various major local banks which carry interest rates from 3.75 percent to 4.75 percent per annum.

SLI said while its joint venture business model allowed the company to rapidly expand geographic reach, strategic land banking would allow it to achieve its goals more efficiently.

The company tentatively set the offer period from Sept. 15 to 21, 2021 while listing was scheduled on Sept.

28, 2021.

The company tapped China Bank Capital Corp. as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole bookrunner of the transaction.

SLI filed with the SEC in 2019 an application to sell 2.7 billion common shares with an overallotment of 500 million common shares. At that time, the property firm planned to sell the shares at P2.26 to P2.80 apiece.

The company decided to defer its planned follow-on offering, on renewed market volatility.

SLI, led by businessman Exequiel Robles, became a public company via the backdoor listing route in 2007.

The share price of SLI rose 2.3 percent Monday to P3.05.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

B1

Foreign investments jumped 114% in April

By Julito G. Rada

N

ET inflows of foreign direct investments surged 114 percent in April to $679 million from $317 million a year ago, on improving investor sentiment on the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

The BSP said in a statement the latest figure brought the FDI net inflows in the first four months to $3.1 billion, or 56.3 percent higher than $2 billion registered in the same period last year.

“The higher cumulative FDI net inflows was due to the improvements in all components, led by non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments, which rose by 115.2 percent to $1.9 billion from $897 million,” the BSP said.

Net placements of equity capital also grew 8.1 percent to $818 million from $756 million in the same month last year.

Reinvestment of earnings increased 2 percent in April to $307 million from $301 million a year earlier.

“FDI net inflows in April 2021 rose on the back of positive

foreign investor sentiment on the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and strong growth prospects,” the BSP said.

Non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments climbed by 121.2 percent in April to $500 million from $226 million in April 2020, while met investments in equity capital rose to $97 million from $3 million.

Equity capital placements increased by 131 percent to $108 million from $47 million, while withdrawals decreased by 75.1 percent to $11 million from $44 million.

Equity capital placements in April came mostly from Japan, the United States and Singapore. These were invested largely in the manufacturing and real estate industries.

The continued rise in net investments in equity capital in April resulted in a cumulative increase of 8.1 percent to $818 million in the first four months.

The BSP statistics on FDIs are compiled based on the balance of payments and international investment position. FDIs include investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary/ associate in its resident direct investor.

These data are separate from the investment approvals and commitments reported by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and other investment promotion agencies.

MerryMart buys 67% of Quezon pharmacy chain

By Jenniffer B. Austria SUPERMARKET operator MerryMart Consumer Corp. said Monday it expanded its footprint in the pharmaceutical distribution sector with the acquisition of a controlling stake in a major Quezon-based drugstore chain.

MerryMart said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement with Carlos Drugs-Lucena Inc. to acquire at least 67-percent stake in the pharmacy chain.

Carlos SuperDrug was founded in 1946 in Lucena City by the husband and wife team of Diomedes and Generosa Carlos. Carlos SuperDrug operates 27 branches.

“In addition to enhancing MerryMart’s range of pharmacy offerings, this transaction will give MerryMart greater market share in the region and increase its competitiveness whilst strengthening its supply chain as MerryMart continues to strive to deliver better value to its customers and stakeholders,” said MerryMart chief finance officer Hannah Yulo-Luccini.

Under the agreement, the management team of Carlos SuperDrug will continue to run the operations of the company in tandem with the MerryMart team.

“We are excited to soon work with the Carlos Group to further grow the business and at the same time welcome the Pharmacy DNA to the MerryMart ecosystem,” MerryMart chairman Edgar Sia II said.

“While the MerryMart Group continues on with its organic expansion, MerryMart will continue to keep its eyes open for merger and acquisitions opportunities in both the grocery and pharmacy space that would accelerate its growth to capitalize on the continued consolidation from traditional to modern retail in the Philippines,” Sia said.

The MerryMart group offers various grocery formats, including MerryMart Store, MerryMart Market, MerryMart Grocery, MerryMart Wholesale and Dark Groceries.

IN BRIEF PSE approves IPO of Filinvest REIT

MEGAWORLD VACCINATION. Megaworld Corp. reports the vaccination of 95 percent of its office-based employees, mostly in Metro Manila. This is equivalent to around 2,300 of 2,430 employees assigned in various office locations of the company such as Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio and McKinley Hill. Aside from the office-based employees, the company is also expediting the inoculation of 2,500 front-liners, particularly mall personnel such as security guards, housekeeping, concierge and parking staff and residential sales agents who are deployed in various sales offices around the country.

Meralco readies bidding on 3,920 MW of power supply, including renewables

By Alena Mae S. Flores ELECTRICITY retailer Manila Electric Co. will conduct a competitive selection process or public bidding on 3,920 megawatts of supply, including renewable energy, for its requirements until 2030.

“The forecasted supply considered a capacity allocation for baseload, intermediate and peaking supply requirements that would result in a least cost generation cost for Meralco’s captive customers,” the company said in its power supply procurement plan for 2021 to 2030.

Meralco will bid out about 1,520 MW this year. The power retailer will publish the CSP for 70 MW of baseload supply, 100 MW of renewable energy baseload supply and 850 MW of RE mid-merit supply this month.

The power supply agreement on the 70-MW baseload capacity is due to start next month while the 100 MW RE baseload deal is set to begin in March 2023.

The company will conduct a CSP on 1,000 MW of baseload supply and 200

MW of RE baseload supply next year with publication set in January.

Meralco will also need 1,200 MW of baseload supply starting March 2026 but the company has yet to announce when the CSP will be published. Meralco will also require 850 MW RE midmerit by March 2026.

Meralco vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said the utility was still waiting for the Department of Energy’s finalization of the amendments to the CSP guidelines.

The amendments include changing the composition of the third-party bids and awards committee, giving one seat to the Department of Energy and rules on unsolicited proposal.

Fernandez said the 70-MW baseload PSA is in compliance to the Supreme Court’s resolution on CSP. “The PSA, though already being implemented, was among those affected by the SC ruling. Thus, the 70 MW PSA is already being implemented, but will have to be subjected to CSP to comply with the SC decision,” Fernandez said.

WOOD PROCESSING PROJECT. A wood processing project is expected to create jobs and new export-oriented industries producing furniture and veneer that will tap unused wood from a 2,115-hectare community forest in Agusan del Sur and 1,932 hectares in Negros Oriental. The pilot ‘vertical integration’ project is envisioned to be replicated in logging areas across the country once proven successful under a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It receives a funding of $1.118 million from South Korea-based Asian Forest Cooperation Organization.

Vapes, HTPs to cut risks facing 17m PH smokers—doctor A RESPECTED Filipino family doctor and tobacco harm reduction advocate described vapes and heated tobacco products as considerably less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes that can reduce the risks faced by around 17 million Filipino smokers.

“We emphasized that the considerably less harmful products should not be taken off the shelves while the very much harmful product remains easily accessible and that the harm reduction potential of electronic vapor products should be maximized instead and regulated to minimize the risk to the youth and the non-smokers,” Dr. Lorenzo Mata Jr., president of advocacy group Quit For Good, said during the 4th Asia Harm Reduction Forum held virtually from Manila on June 28, 2021.

Quit for Good is a non-stock, nonprofit organization that seeks to spread awareness about the grave consequences of smoking tobacco and creating solutions to the tobacco smoking epidemic.

Mata is a strong believer in tobacco harm reduction which is defined by the 2021 Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction report as “a range of pragmatic policies, regulations and actions which either reduce health risks by providing safer forms of products or substances or encourage less risky behaviors.”

Data show that combustible tobacco smoking kills more than 8 million people each year, with more than 7 million of those deaths the result of direct tobacco use and 1.2 million the effect of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. “More upsetting is the fact that 80 percent of the world’s one billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines,” Mata said.

“In our country, there are almost 17 million smokers. And a shocking rate of more than 117,000 Filipinos die each year due to tobacco smoking.

Equally alarming is the measly quit rate of 4-percent measured as of 2015 which largely remained unchanged from 2009,” he said.

FILINVEST REIT Corp., a real estate investment trust, said Monday it received a notice of approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. to list 4.892 billion common shares under the main board of the PSE. The notice of the PSE board approval follows the receipt of the pre-effective letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission which favorably considered the registration statement of FILREIT. The base offer is up to 1,634,187,850 common shares at a price of up to P8.30 apiece, with an over-allotment option for another 163,418,785 common shares. The shares will represent 36.74 percent of FILREIT’s issued and outstanding capital stock after completion of the offering, assuming the over-allotment option is fully exercised.

The PSE also approved the proposed timetable of FILREIT’s IPO, including the pricing on July 19, the offering period on July 26 to Aug. 3 and listing on Aug. 12.

The property portfolio of FILREIT consists of 17 Grade A office buildings on prime property with over 300,000 square meters of gross leasable area.

DOTR spends P1b for bicycle lanes THE Department of Transportation said Monday it spent P1.09 billion for the installation of bike lanes in the National Capital Region, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao as part of the government’s goal to promote active transportation in the country.

The agency and the Department of Public Works and Highways completed the installation of 497 kilometers of pavement markings, physical separators and road signage in the three metropolitan areas. The completed bike lanes in Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and NCR will be inaugurated this month.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the installation of pavement markings, physical separators and road signage showed how committed the DOTr was in promoting active transportation and ensuring the safety of pedestrians.

“It is in fulfilling the desire of the public and commuters that the Department of Transportation has been implementing projects geared towards that end,” Tugade said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Dominguez warns vs sugar smuggling FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered the Bureau of Customs to be on alert for possible sugar smuggling, following reports that certain traders were exporting the commodity and replacing them with import volumes much bigger than what they had been shipping overseas.

“The sugar price domestically is much higher than the world market price. So, there is going to be an incentive for people to smuggle in sugar,” Dominguez said during a recent Department of Finance executive committee meeting.

Dominguez also told Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero that he received reports from officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Cebu about a company authorized to export sugar, but which shrewdly replaced its overseas shipments with volumes that were way higher than what it had exported. “Please keep an eye on those gaps,” Dominguez told Guerrero.

Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said he was coordinating with the Sugar Regulatory Administration to ensure that traders secure prior clearance from the BIR to be able to import sugar, in compliance with Dominguez’s earlier directive. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Japan’s taxi drivers face Olympics with no spectators TOKYO—In his white gloves, dark suit and tie, taxi driver Yuki Kawaguchi is ready to ferry passengers around Tokyo in style.

But while taking a cab in the Japanese capital is a luxurious experience, drivers face the constant threat of coronavirus infection, and recently suffered another blow to business when Olympic spectators were banned in Tokyo.

Kawaguchi, 26, turns up for work at his taxi firm in the busy district of Shinagawa in jeans and a baggy T-shirt.

After changing into his smart uniform, he takes a breathalyzer test and a temperature check, then enters his gleaming black taxi adorned with the logo of the virus-postponed 2020 Games.

Organizers decided last week to hold Olympic events in and around the city behind closed doors as COVID-19 infections rebounded.

The fan ban is “inevitable,” Kawaguchi told AFP, describing it as “the strongest step (organizers) can take short of cancellation”.

Japan has seen nearly 15,000 COVID-19 deaths, and around 17 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Kawaguchi said he wants to get a jab quickly, despite his concerns over side effects.

“I don’t deny that I want to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as we drive many people we don’t know.

“But at the same time I hear reports of side effects, so I have mixed feelings.”

A new virus state of emergency began in Tokyo on Monday, limiting alcohol sales and restaurant opening hours, as well as capping crowd sizes at events.

As passenger numbers fell during the pandemic, Kawaguchi’s employer Nihon Kotsu has made up for lost income with a goods delivery service.

During the Paralympic Games, which begin on August 24, Kawaguchi will drive designated taxis and shuttle buses for para-athletes and officials.

But until then, he will work his usual shift, he said, as he checked his mirror, made sure his mask was firmly in place, and drove off into the night.

AFP

PSEi July 12, 2021

TOP GAINERS

G20 PROTEST. Pedestrians walk past shoes and banners at Ponte degli Scalzi in Venice, on July 11, 2021, during a gathering called by the group ‘We are the tide’ to protest against the G20 meeting between finance ministers and central bankers. AFP

Stock market rises; ALI, Converge lead advances T HE stock market rallied Monday along with the rest of Asia, with traders buoyed by a record performance on Wall Street though fears about the fast-spreading Delta variant continue to weigh on sentiment.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 78.95 points, or 1.2 percent, to 6,913.87 on a value turnover of P4.8 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 106 to 94, with 54 issues unchanged.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a fiber internet service provider, rose 2.9 percent to P23.35, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., climbed 2.5 percent to P164.

Major property developer Ayala Land

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) secured a historic agreement on July 1 for a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15 percent, and to allow nations to tax a share of the profits of the world’s biggest companies regardless of where they are headquartered.

In a diplomatic document seen

by AFP late last month, Washington warned the EU that its plans for a bloc-wide digital levy, which it sees a discriminating against US technology firms, risked “entirely derailing” the negotiations at the OECD. Three EU countries—including Ireland, which has become a European base for a raft of US companies thanks to low tax rates—have yet to sign up to OECD agreement.

Yellen said she would seek to persuade them.

“I will use the opportunity to try to explain why we think that the few remaining EU countries that have not endorsed the inclusive framework, why we think it’s in the world’s interest, in their interests to be part of the agreement,” she said.AFP

Mitsubishi paid €25-m Dieselgate fine TOKYO—Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors confirmed Monday it paid a 25-million euro fine issued by German prosecutors over emissions fraud allegations earlier this year.

German authorities last year raided 10 sites as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars, with prosecutors saying they had opened a fraud investigation.

Mitsubishi Motors said Monday it was issued a fine notice of 25 million euros ($29.7 million at today’s rates) by the Frankfurt prosecutors office in late March.

“We have not brought an appeal against the fine notice,” a spokesman for the firm told AFP, adding the sum was paid “before the end of March.”

The order found no evidence that violations happened “knowingly or willfully,” and did not identify any fraudulent behavior, he added.

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

MA ALLHC

0.011 4.57

0.001 0.36

10.00% 8.55%

3 4

LFM WLCON

30.95 22

1.9 1.05

6.54% 5.01%

5 6

BHI APX

0.149 1.73

0.007 0.08

4.93% 4.85%

7 8

SFIP ARA

1.69 1.22

0.07 0.05

4.32% 4.27%

9 10

LBC MM

17.96 4.14

0.72 0.16

4.18% 4.02%

TOP LOSERS

Yellen urges EU to reconsider ‘discriminatory’ digital tax plan VENICE, Italy—US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday urged the European Union to reconsider its plans for a “discriminatory” digital tax, saying the new global reform deal should make it redundant.

Meeting in Venice, G20 ministers, including Yellen, on Saturday endorsed a plan agreed by 132 countries to overhaul the way multinational companies, including US digital giants, are taxed.

“The agreement that we’ve reached in the OECD framework discussion calls on countries to agree to dismantle existing digital taxes that the United States has regarded as discriminatory and to refrain from erecting similar measures in the future,” Yellen told reporters.

“So it’s really up to the European Commission and the members of the European Union to decide how to proceed. But those countries have agreed to avoid putting in place in the future and to dismantle taxes that are discriminatory against US firms.”

Yellen is due in Brussels on Monday for talks with Eurozone finance ministers.

Negotiations at the Organization for

LAST PRICE

Bloomberg News, meanwhile, cited a spokeswoman for Frankfurt prosecutors as saying the fine payment ended the investigation into the alleged fraud.

The settlement was sealed in March but had not been previously disclosed, Bloomberg added.

The probe focused on Mitsubishi diesel vehicles with 1.6- and 2.2-liter engines that were given Germany’s highest Euro 5 and Euro 6 ratings depending on their adherence to emissions standards.

Prosecutors said they suspected the engines were equipped with a so-called shutdown device that made them appear less polluting in lab tests than they are on the road.

The Mitsubishi probe was just one twist in the Dieselgate scandal that erupted in 2015 when Volkswagen Group admitted to installing software in 11 million vehicles to dupe pollution tests. AFP

Inc. advanced 2.6 percent to P36.95, while unit AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. jumped 8.6 percent to P4.57.

The rest of Asian markets advanced Monday after Wall Street hit new peaks over the weekend.

A decision by China’s central bank to loosen monetary policy slightly for lenders also provided support, while eyes will be on a string of big events this week, including US inflation data, interest rate decisions in several countries and Chinese second-quarter growth figures.

Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell will also be delivering a policy report to US lawmakers, which will be closely watched for an idea about its plans in light of the economy’s strong recovery and spiking virus cases.

Meanwhile, the corporate earnings season will be kicked off in earnest by big US banks including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

All three main US indexes ended Friday at new peaks thanks to optimism

that the global rebound will press on into next year despite worries that vaccines are not being rolled out quick enough in parts of the world as the Delta variant spreads.

Britain, the United States and Europe are all seeing jumps in new cases, though deaths remain low and hospitalizations are manageable for now.

Asia took up the baton. Tokyo jumped more than two percent, while Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Mumbai, Jakarta and Wellington were also well up.

However, analysts were worried that investors may be getting a little overreliant on the ultra-loose monetary policies of central banks.

“Unfortunately, it has to be recognized that going forward, the longer that rates remain where they are, the more that we look towards tapering, the more severe and acute could be the reaction,” Simon Ballard, of First Abu Dhabi Bank, told Bloomberg TV. With AFP

LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

OPMB PRMX

0.012 2.61

-0.001 -0.21

-7.69% -7.45%

3 4

GREEN MBC

3.51 9.81

-0.27 -0.71

-7.14% -6.75%

5 6

SGI CIP

1.21 174

-0.08 -11

-6.20% -5.95%

7 8 9 10

SLF LSC MHC LRW

2400 1 0.52 1.75

-150 -0.06 -0.03 -0.1

-5.88% -5.66% -5.45% -5.41%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ACEN CNVRG ALI SMPH GLO BPI BDO TEL SM BHI

VOLUME 38028200 12160100 6670400 6399100 95555 2084810 1580470 100105 126810 831610000

VALUE (PHP) 337248972 286287320 243513105 230384245 189295345 183027989.5 177954914 129199685 128727862.5 124022080

LA restaurants boost pay to lure wary workers

By Inés Bel Aiba LOS ANGELES—Businesses have reopened in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the United States, with “We’re hiring” signs everywhere. But if life has a preCOVID feel, a new challenge has arisen for restaurants: workers are not willing to return at any cost.

“We are dealing with a staffing shortage that I have not experienced in my career,” said Skyler Gamble, a manager at Acme Hospitality, which oversees several restaurants in Santa Barbara around two hours’ drive north of Los Angeles.

“Our experience in the last six to nine months as business levels have rebounded, is that fewer and fewer candidates respond to job postings.”

The hospitality industry was slammed by coronavirus and pandemic-related restrictions, shedding millions of jobs.

But any restaurateurs counting on a return to normal have experienced a rude awakening.

Classified ads abound on the internet—waiters, cooks and bartenders are in high demand.

But in a major shift in power, employers wanting to land a qualified worker increasingly have to stand out from the crowd.

Craig Martin, who owns Cafe 50’s on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, has to replace a cook. Faced with a lack of applications, he is offering a $2,000 hiring bonus—$500 per month over four months.

Like many who are trying to hire, Martin blames pandemic-related unemployment benefits for the apparent labor shortage.

Many former service industry employees are “not even thinking to look for jobs,” he said.

‘Not rushing back’ The reality is more complex, said Enrique Lopezlira, director of the lowwage work program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center.

Employers complaining about the market should acknowledge that they are simply unable to find workers “at the wage and quality of job” they are willing to offer, he said.

Many hospitality workers do not re-

In this file photo taken on January 28, 2021, a waitress takes customers’ orders in the outdoor seating area of a restaurant in Los Angeles. AFP

ceive paid sick leave or health care benefits, and are “still not willing to come back into the labor force because they still feel very much at risk of the virus,” particularly with COVID variants spreading, he said.

The issue of childcare, especially during the summer months, is also affecting women’s return to the workplace.

For University of California Berkeley economist Sylvia Allegretto, there is “definitely not a worker shortage.”

“But employers find it strange that workers are taking their best options as the economy opens up and not rushing back to the lowest paying jobs with low to no benefits,” said Allegretto.

‘Abused at work’ Before the pandemic, Kenzie McMillan worked as a waitress at a Hollywood restaurant.

Overnight in March 2020, she lost her job with “no heads up, no warning,” and without compensation.

When her former boss called in June last year asking her to return, she said no. Going back to work would have meant losing her unemployment benefits, and she feared passing the virus to a housemate who has an autoimmune disease.

“It’s not worth it, again I wasn’t getting paid enough,” said the 27 yearold, who did not get medical insurance at the restaurant job, and was getting “tired” from the physical demands of the work.

For Allegretto, it is clear that employers are going to have to “up their game to compete for workers.”

Both Acme Hospitality and Martin—of Cafe 50’s—said they have increased their wages.

But it is “hard to forecast” whether the improved pay and benefits currently on offer in many establishments will remain once the economy fully recovers, which is not likely until late next year, said Lopezlira.

“The whole workforce has changed,” said McMillan, who sees parallels with the #MeToo movement.

Women were exploited “for so long until they were like, ‘oh, actually I don’t have to do this and I can actually say no,’” she said.

McMillan found a new job in April, at a trendy Hollywood hotel, where she is paid $17.50 an hour and finally has medical insurance.

“We’ve realized that we don’t actually have to be abused at work,” she said. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

C3

A Kapuso through thick and thin

R

OMANTIC Balladeer Christian Bautista reaffirms his loyalty to GMA Network.

But despite inking another exclusive contract with his home network, Christian admits that he felt nervous at first as he was not sure if his contract would still get renewed.

“Of course, there was nervousness.

We all know that there’s a pandemic and everything’s not sure. But when I was given assurance that they would renew my contract, I had peace of mind already,” he says.

The singer-actor-host, dubbed as Asia’s

Christian Bautista renews his ties with GMA Network

TNT launches ‘Kilig-saya Express’ via LRT-1 PASSENGERS of LRT-1 are set to enjoy a fun-filled and selfiefriendly train ride experience from Baclaran to Balintawak stations as TNT launches the “Kilig-Saya Express” on July 19, Monday.

A creative and unique dress-up of the Light Rail Transit (LRT1) train, the “Kilig-Saya Express” features TNT ambassadors Sue Ramirez, Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo, and swoon-worthy Thai idols Nonkul Chanon (Bad Genius), Gulf Kanawut (TharnType: The Series), and Asian superstar Mario Maurer (Love of Siam, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Pee Mak) that aims to give commuters a dose of happiness and good vibes.

As part of the launch of the “Kilig-Saya Express,” TNT will treat the first 500 commuters per station (Baclaran, EDSA, Libertad, Gil Puyat, Vito Cruz, Quirino, Pedro Gil, UN Avenue, Central, Carriedo, Doroteo Jose, Bambang, Tayuman, Blumentritt, Abad Santos, R. Papa, 5th Avenue, and Balintawak) to a free one-way train pass, end-to-end route starting at 8:00 a.m.. To avail of the complimentary ride, just look for the TNT booth located at each of the 18 stations listed.

“TNT aims to give people the simple joys in life through a burst of positivity and happiness with our unique and relevant products and services. The ‘Kilig-Saya Express’ free train pass for the first 500 passengers per station on July 19 is just one of the many ways we are giving back to our loyal TNT customers by creating meaningful and memorable experiences,” says Miriam Z. Choa, FVP and Head of Prepaid Marketing at Smart.

The train event of the year is further enhanced by TNT’s newest data promo called Double GIGA Video: TNT subscribers

TNT launches the “Kilig-Saya Express” train featuring the faces of local stars Sarah Geronimo and Sue Ramirez, and Thai heartthrobs Nonkul Chanon, Gulf Kanawut, and Mario Maurer

can now enjoy up to 14 GB for YouTube, Cignal Play, iWant, and NBA (2 GB/day) plus 2 GB open access data for 7 days. To avail of Double GIGA Video, simply log into the GigaLife App and choose Double GIGA. Here’s a bonus: On July 19, ticket holders who will post a photo of their free ticket pass with the hashtag #TNTKiligSaya on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will receive an additional 50% discount upon purchase of Double GIGA Video 99. The data promo will be available at the TNT booth upon presentation of the proof of posting.

Streamers, superheroes battle for pandemic-era Emmy nods

Nominees for the Emmys -- TV's equivalent of the Oscars -- will be announced in a live-streamed ceremony, after which final-round voting begins.

By Amira Danica Pasion MUSIC artist Zack Tabudlo expressed his excitement as his single “Binibini” was featured in one of the much-anticipated segments in Binibining Pilipinas 2021.

On his Twitter and Instagram account, the singer shared a recorded moment when his single was played during the pageant’s evening gown competition.

“Such an honor to be part of this.

Good luck beautiful binibinis,” he said in the caption.

The track “Binibini” was released in March and has dominated several streaming sites such as Spotify apart from landing on different charts locally and internationally.

In addition, it also gained support from the social media platform TikTok as numerous videos were made accompanied by the song.

“Binibini” gained traction on YouTube amassing more than 49 million views in just a span of three months.

Even the live performances of the

TELEVISION shows binge-watched -- and even filmed -- during the coronavirus pandemic will vie for coveted Emmy nominations Tuesday, with Netflix's The Crown tipped to reign over a unique year for the small screen.

Like the rest of us, the Television Academy's 25,000 voters spent several months stuck at home, leaving them ample time to sift through a stripped-down selection of series from their sofas.

Nominees for TV's equivalent of the Oscars will be announced in a livestreamed ceremony starting at 1530 GMT, after which final-round voting begins for the 73rd Emmy Awards, set for Sept. 19.

Here are five things to look out for as the nominations are unveiled: Pandemic 'pandemonium' The arrival of COVID-19 early last year shut down filming and upended TV production schedules, meaning the overall number of Emmy contenders has fallen.

Heavyweights like Netflix's royal drama The Crown managed to wrap just before lockdown, while others including Hulu's dystopian saga "The Handmaid's Tale" rushed back to set as soon as

restrictions eased.

But the enforced hiatus meant popular shows like Succession, last year's best drama winner, failed to produce a season in time for this year's awards.

That has created room for newcomers -- especially in comedy, where Michael Douglas's The Kominsky Method is the sole nominee from last year running again.

The race for best comedy series "is going to have so much fresh blood in it," said IndieWire's TV awards editor Libby Hill.

"When your job is to have an idea of what's going to happen, a year like this is just pandemonium."

In recent years, Netflix has unseated HBO in the battle for the most nominations.

Given the streaming giant's prodigious output, that is unlikely to change this year, according to Hill, who describes premium cable channel HBO as the "niche arthouse to Netflix's megaplex."

But nominations don't necessarily translate into wins, and Netflix has somehow never won the Emmys for best drama, best comedy or best-limited series.

Could that change come September?

AFP, read full story on manilastandard.net

Binibinis dazzle in Zack Tabudlo’s heartbreak ditty single captured the hearts of the audience as the live duet of Tabudlo with Darren Espanto gained up to 3 million views on the same streaming platform.

The song had an English version by international singer-songwriter James Taylor-Watts or known as James TW. This new version had its official lyric video on Tabudlo’s YouTube account premiered on June 11 and already covered up to 1 million streams.

According to the young artist, “Binibini” was a song about two individuals who have mutual feelings for each other but patiently wait for the “right moment” to express their emotions.

Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold in shimmering pink ensemble during the long gown competition. (Inset) ‘Binibini’ singer Zack Tabudlo.

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES

Romantic Balladeer is very thankful that he is still an exclusive Kapuso talent.

“To still be offered a contract provides a great deal of humility and thankfulness that this network still trusts and supports me after so many years. That I’m still here working with and for them. It feels good as an artist.”

That’s why Christian vows to continue doing his best in his craft.

“I promise to do my best as a Kapuso in all the years that they will have me. If

they’ll have me, I will do my best to be there for them!”

It’s no secret that there are some Kapuso artists whose contracts weren’t renewed, the reason why they moved to rival stations. What can he say about it?

“Honestly, I’m not in the position to comment on that. I’ve also been there before. I know the feeling of transferring.

A dialogue takes place. All aspects get reviewed and analyzed. Sometimes, it happens that an artist is renewed but he or she wants to trek a different path, a different take or look on surrounding.”

As of now, he’s regularly seen in “All-Out Sundays” and will still serve as one of the judges in the new season of “The Clash.” Interestingly, does he miss acting? Read full story on manilastandard.net

ABS-CBN News enhances app allowing ‘readers’ listen to news stories STAYING updated on news stories that matter is now a lot easier for Filipinos as they can now listen to the articles being read and search for stories using their voice while using the ABS-CBN News App. The app is now able to read news stories to users who may not have the time or capability to read the articles, like those who are on the go or are multitasking.

To activate the feature, they simply need to click on the “Listen to article” icon in the menu located at the top of the screen and a voice will immediately read out the text.

Meanwhile, it is also simpler for users to find content on the ABS-CBN News App with the new voice search function.

Currently available on Android devices with text-to-speech function only, this feature can be activated by tapping on the microphone button on the upper left side of the app’s screen.

Once the prompt “Speak Now” appears, the user can mention the topic or keywords of the story he or she is looking for and the results will appear thereafter. Users can also use this feature to listen to articles by saying the word "play" followed by "Top Stories," "Editor’s Pick" or "Article."

With these latest enhancements, ABSCBN News hopes to deliver a better user experience to its audience in the mobile app space. The app can be downloaded for free on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Launched in 2019, the ABSCBN News App is part of the news

organization’s evolution to suit the needs of an increasingly digital audience. Apart from breaking news and a personalized news feed, it also offers audio streaming of TeleRadyo and quick access to videos of news programs and live coverage.

ABS-CBN news app is now able to read news stories to users who may not have the time or capability to read the articles.

TM kicks off 20th year with ‘Pinoy Fiesta’ event Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, and Alden Richards are introduced as the new faces of TM.

THIS year's Independence Day was extra special for Filipinos on social media as TM treated them to “TM Doble Dekada Tambayan LIVE Pinoy Fiesta,” an energetic and star-studded online show to kick off the countdown to the brand’s 20th anniversary happening in September.

Excited fans tuned in to the TM Tambayan Facebook page as they welcomed its new ka-TMs -- Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, and Alden Richards.

Adding zest to the event were The Juans, SB19, Matthaios and Donnalyn Bartolome, Riva Quenery, and Parokya ni Edgar. They played some classic games in true Pinoy style, from fiesta vibes mukbang, bingo, to a banderitas relay race.

Kristelle Dizon, the VP for Consumer Mobile Business of Globe, said that despite challenging circumstances, TM tirelessly worked to make the grand celebration of its 20th year possible.

“For Filipinos, being together means helping one another and fighting as one.

TM, always and forever, will be there to fight with you,” said Dizon.vices that enrich our digital experiences and make our lives easier.

Last May 18, TM launched the TM Doble Dekada Raffle where for as low as 10 pesos, subscribers can win over 20 million pesos worth of prizes such as 5G mobile phones, FunAral tuition assistance, and Puregold grocery package weekly. The raffle runs until Sept. 30.

The surprise and prizes don’t end there, because all subscribers have a chance to win P2 million and 500 thousand pesos FunKabuhayan package at the Grand Draw happening on Oct. 5.

To join the TM Doble Dekada raffle, just download the TM App on Google Play store or App store and register for a chance to win minor or major prizes in the weekly raffle draws -- including the P2 million cash prize.

For more information, text TMDOBLEDEKADA INFOto 8080 for free.

Life

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

B4

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

Experts, celeb discuss wellness from inside and out

By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano

T

Make time for exercise even if you don’t feel like it.

HE saying “health is wealth” has never been truer than it is today.

The ongoing global health crisis has magnified the importance of our overall well-being, from head to toe, inside and out.

A virtual talk, dubbed “What’s Your Daily Dose?”, held recently discussed some of the facets that promote and help achieve a truly healthy well-being, beginning with having a healthy mindset and working to have a healthy body amid a pandemic.

and we start working out. That’s how we start our day – even if we feel like ‘I don’t like it’, even if you feel lazy, even if you feel you’re not in the mood – it’s just really making time for it.”

Make time to work out

Nutritionist-dietitian Jo Sebastian highlighted the role food plays in a person’s well-being to better understand its value.

“There’s physical hunger, where you’re actually physically hungry and you need energy. There’s practical hunger, where you don’t have the appetite, but you feel that you have to fill yourself. There’s mouth-taste hunger, where you are craving something specific. And you have emotional hunger, which often happens because you’re going through [a] stressful event,” Se-

The pandemic has made celebrity endorser Camille Prats-Yambao realize the importance of health and “why we should make it our top priority”.

Recognizing its value, she commits to working out even when she does not feel like doing it. It’s all about the mindset, according to her.

“For me and my husband,” Prats-Yambao related, “we make it [working out] our top priority. Each morning, we get up, we get dressed, and we go down to our garage

Have a good relationship with food

Family psychologist Dr. Michele Alignay highlights how stress can affect a person’s wellbeing.

Puritan’s Pride brand ambassador Camille Prats-Yambao with nutritionist-dietitian Jo Sebastian and fitness trainer Carla Piscoso at the virtual talk ‘What’s Your Daily Dose?’

bastian explained.

With this in mind, fitness trainer Carla Piscoso talked about building a good relationship with food, particularly its role in a person’s emotions.

“Sometimes I feel bad when I eat or when I eat too much. But at the end of the day, just don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to diet. It’s okay to think of food as something as a good thing rather than associating it with something bad,” Piscoso shared.

Sebastian seconded, “Food is not a bad way to cope with your emotions.

Food has more to offer than simply fuel; it’s also comfort, it’s memories, it’s culture and tradition.”

Boost the immune system

With a virus still around, mutating even, extra care and precaution is necessary, so much so that dermatologist Dr. Winlove Mojica said today was the

worst time to get sick.

“We have to do everything to stay alive, especially now that more people are getting vaccinated against the virus.

We need to have a strong immunity to fight the pandemic,” said Dr. Mojica.

He said the best way to boost the immune system was good nutrition.

“Kailangan maayos ang ating pagkain [since] our diet is the main source of vitamins and minerals that keep our immune system functioning at its best,” he explained.

Dr. Mojica also discussed the vitamins and minerals that help fight harmful substances, including vitamins A, C, and D, iron, and zinc. To avoid vitamin deficiency, the medical expert recommended variety in meals following the prescribed “Pinggang Pinoy” of the Science and Technology department’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

Need consultation? Telemedicine services available in PH

Don’t forget mental health

According to family psychologist Dr. Michele Alignay, the physical body reacts if a person is stressed, hence the importance of caring for our mental health.

“There is no health without mental health,” she reiterated in her brief discussion.

She said there were eight “daily doses” a person needed to be mentally healthy: having a better physical condition, being happy and optimistic, being open and self-aware, keeping healthy social connections, practicing mindfulness, de-stressing appropriately, being clear with your life purpose, and creating self-care strategies.

The talk was hosted by Puritan’s Pride, a company offering vitamins and supplements. The insightful discussion coincided with the introduction of Prats-Yambao as the firm’s brand ambassador.

Vitamins, supplements, and other healthcare products available at Watsons.

tant who will transfer the patient to a specialist doctor. Eprescription and care plan will be sent to the patient’s email TELEMEDICINE or telehealth has helped bridged the gap after the teleconsultation.

COVID-19 created between patients and healthcare providSt. Luke’s Medical Center ers. It may be done via electronic and telecommunication For teleconsultation appointments in Quezon City, contact technologies, thereby lessening physical contact which is (02) 8723-0101 local 4219 or 0999-221-2310 (SMS or Viber). ideal in the current situation.

For patients needing quick consultation or those requiring Meanwhile, the Bonifacio Global City branch can be reached prescription among other telemedicine services may check through (02) 8789-7700 local 5096 or 0998-582-2371 (SMS or Viber). out the following:

By Thea Andrea C. Magueriano

Makati Medical Center

Makati Med’s TeleMD consultation services are available for adults and pediatric patients (newborn to 18 years old).

Patients may consult for a single visit (from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) or avail of a package.

The Basic package comes with five TeleMD consultations for five days, a homecare guide, and a COVID HomeCare Pack. An Extended package gives patients 10 consultations for 14 days, a homecare guide, a COVID HomeCare Pack, and a medical certificate.

Call (02) 8888-8999 local 2189 or 2832 or email MMCHealthHub@makatimed.net.ph.

Kitika offers 24/7 unlimited consultation.

Kitika

With four simple steps – download, sign up, subscribe, and consult through the Kitika app (available on Google Play Store), the patient will have unlimited access to doctors, nurses, and general practitioners 24/7.

The consultation works in three steps: triage, teleconsultation, and treatment plan.

After receiving a call from the patient, the request nurses will perform a triage to assess the condition. The message will then be transferred to licensed doctors who will provide an initial medical impression and recommend a treatment plan where they may prescribe medication or refer to one of their partner specialists.

Medgate

Teleconsultation and e-prescription are offered by Medgate.

Teleconsultation, e-prescription, and medicine delivery are the services offered by international teleconsultation provider Medgate.

Call its hotlines (02 8424-1737 / 0917-536-2156 / 0919 - 058 - 050 0), then get an assessment from a telemedicine assis-

Licensed doctors at KonsultaMD.

KonsultaMD

As a subscription-based telehealth service, users get 24/7 access to licensed doctors for e-prescription, e-medical certificate, e-laboratory request, general health information, proper medication, and mental health services.

Create a KonsultaMD account, choose a subscription plan, call (02) 7798-8000 or download the app, and consult with a doctor. The first consultation through KonsultaMD is free.

Access to vitamins and supplements made easy WITH its over 800 stores nationwide and online channels, Watsons affords Filipinos easy access to vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medications, and personal care products.

Among its wide range of items available in store and online includes Conzace Softgel Capsules which are formulated with zinc, vitamins A, C, and E to help boost immunity and improve the condition of hair and skin.

Ideal for those who have difficulty taking capsules and tablets are Watsons Vitamin C + Zinc + Vitamin D and Watsons B Complex 2500mg effervescent tablets as well as Berocca effervescent vitamin tablets with magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin C, and all eight B vitamins.

Essentiale Forte, which provides nutritional support in the management of damaged liver due to chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and other causes, is also available at Watsons.

Propan TLC for kids helps boost child’s appetite and energy and has Chlorella Growth Factor to enhance growth, while Fern C Capsules contain vitamin C that hastens wound healing and increases the body’s resistance against infectious diseases.

Those who prefer all-natural food sup-

The health and beauty store carries a wide range of personal care products.

plement, Lola Remedios is also available.

Oral care products include Oral B Cross Action Indicator Toothbrush and Listerine Total Care All-In-One Mouthwash. Personal care brands include Senka Perfect White Clay Cleanser and Gyne Pro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash, among many others.

Go to www.watsons.com.ph/store-finder to find the nearest store, or order online via www.watsons.com.ph or the Watsons app.