Manila Standard - 2021 July 20 - Tuesday

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Rody eyes return of tough controls Delta variant triggers call for serious alarm, localized lockdowns

By Willie Casas, Jun David, and Francisco Tuyay

T

HE Philippines may have to reimpose tougher restrictions to control the COVID-19 pandemic after the Department of Health confirmed the first few local cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus,

Metro mayors want kids to stay indoors Metro Manila mayors want the government to suspend its order allowing children five years and older to go outside their homes following concerns for their overall wellness amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos told President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night that the mayors voted unanimously to ask the national government to roll back its policy on letting children go out, as they were alarmed over the increase in infections in their areas and that kids were still unvaccinated and vulnerable to diseases.

President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night.

"The reported local cases in the country is a call for serious alarm and concern," Duterte said in his weekly televised briefing with his Cabinet.

"We may need to reimpose stricter restrictions to avoid mass gatherings and avoid superspreader events," he added, noting that some Asian countries such as Indonesia were already under stricter restrictions due to the Delta variant.

"I urge the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) ... to impose

VOL. XXXV • NO. 154 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Next page

TURNED BACK. In this handout from

the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese Navy Warship 189 is seen leaving the Marie Louise Bank in the West Philippine Sea after a successful challenge by the crew of the BRP Cabra (inset) on July 13, 147 nautical miles off the coast of El Nido, Palawan. PCG Photos

Coast Guard 3 died out of 35 Pinoys infected with variant shoos away China warship

By Willie Casas, Joel E. Zurbano, and Maricel V. Cruz

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG lauded members of the Philippine Coast Guard for driving away a Chinese naval warship spotted sailing in the country’s waters.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the PCG BRP Cabra issued a radio challenge and drove away a Chinese Navy warship spotted near the Marie Louise Bank in the West Philippine Sea on July 13.

“We salute our PCG. Congratulations to our brave PCG,” Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday.

“I’m sure in due course you will be given the proper recognition that you deserve. We salute you,” he added.

The Marie Louise Bank is situated around 147 nautical miles from the coast of El Nido, Palawan.

The PCG said BRP Cabra followed the Chinese vessel as it moved away from the Marie Louse Bank.

As the BRP Cabra reduced its distance from the Chinese vessel to 500 to 600 yards, or around 0.3 nautical mile, the Chinese vesselreportedly sent a radio message: “Philippine Coast Guard 4409, Next page

DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a message to the media, said the latest fatality was a 58year old female from Pandacan, Manila THE Department of Health confirmed who died on June 28.

Monday that three Filipinos have died Vergeire, earlier in the day, denied that after contracting the Delta variant of CO- another case was detected in Taguig as a VID-19. local infection.

Vergeire said one of the confirmed fatalities was a 78-year-old female from Baybay, Antique who died on May 30.

The other one is a 63-year-old Returning Overseas Filipino male, an MV Athens crew member who died on May 19, she said.

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Duterte vows to challenge VP immunity

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PINAY QUEENS.

Four Filipina beauty queens -- Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Miss International Kylie Verzosa, Miss Earth Angelia Ong, and Miss World Megan Young -- are featured on the cover of the 10th anniversary issue of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam magazine.

Verzosa said on Instagram that they 'are the women who best embody the greatness, and the glory of the Filipina.'

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 19)

1,513,396 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,651 47,190 NEW

ACTIVE

26,786

72

1,439,049

5,332

NEW

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

‘Sacks of cash’ meant to attract backers—Palace

By Maricel V. Cruz MALACAÑANG said Monday President Rodrigo Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June next year, seeks to challenge existing laws which do not extend immunity to sitting Vice Presidents—an indication he may run for vice president in 2022 in the belief he would win.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was referring to the comments by the President last Saturday when he floated the idea of running for vice president in 2022 for immunity.

Duterte’s critics—Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and

COVID-19 PH

ISLAMIC FESTIVAL. Muslims pray at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

Council tags NDF a ‘terror group’

THE Palace on Monday assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte would not use government funds in the 2022 national elections, saying his remark that he would bring “sacks of cash” to support candidates from the ruling PDP-Laban was aimed at raising funds from private individuals.

on Monday on the eve of President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of July 20, 2021 as a national regular holiday in observance of Eid al-Adha or the Festival of the Sacrifice. Eid alAdha is the second of the two major Islam festivals which honor the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail to God. Norman Cruz

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By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

the ATC stressed that the NDF was “an integral and inseparable part” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, which had been declared THE Anti-Terrorism Council has as terror groups last December. designated the National Democratic “Article X [of the 2016 CPP Front (NDF) as a terrorist organization Constitution] shows that the NDF aka due to its links to the communist rebels.

NDFP (National Democratic Front of Next page In a resolution dated June 23, 2021,

2 Aetas cleared of terrorist raps

By Rey E. Requejo, Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas AN OLONGAPO City court has junked the criminal complaint against two Aetas last year, who were accused of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

In a nine-page order, Judge Melani Pay Tadili of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court, Branch 97, said government prosecutors failed to present sufficient

evidence to establish the guilt of accused Japer Gurung and Junior Ramos.

The court granted the motion for demurrer to evidence filed by the Public Attorney’s Office on ground that the prosecution failed to establish the identities of the accused as members of the New People’s Army who figured in a gunfight with army soldiers in August last year.

The RTC judge also directed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to Next page

Emilio Mario “Lito” Osmeña

Osmeña, former Cebu gov, 82 FORMER Cebu governor Emilio Mario “Lito” Osmeña, known as the chief architect of Ceboom, the province's rapid economic development plan in the 1990s, passed away Monday evening. He was 82 Next page years old.

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News

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH gets 3.24m J&J vax from US T

From A1

this is Chinese Navy Warship 189. Please keep two nautical miles distance from me.”

The PCG said they were mindful of the Rules on the Use of Force (RUF) until the Chinese vessel cleared the area.

President Rodrigo Duterte had directed the country’s ships to continue the sovereign patrols in the disputed West Philippine Sea, assuring that the country has become “a little stronger” in dealing with China but will not start a war over the territorial conflict.

The President also vowed that the government would “not waver” in its position on the WPS but stressed the need to pursue a peaceful and rules-based resolution to the sea dispute with China.

On June 30, BRP Cabra chased away five Chinese ships and two Vietnamese vessels that were found inside the Marie Louise Bank.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the PCG said BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) monitored a “navy warship” with the PRC flag and marked with Chinese characters.

It said the BRP Cabra “calmly” sent a radio challenge to the navy warship while monitoring the ship’s movement using its radar.

“The PCG vessel moved closer to better see the activities of the Chinese Navy warship,” the Coast Guard said.

It said BRP Cabra, led by Commander Erwin Tolentino, did not receive a verbal response, prompting it to use its Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to issue a verbal challenge to the Chinese warship.

“After which, the vessel began moving away from the Marie Louise Bank.

It was followed by BRP Cabra to ensure that the ship leaves the Philippines’ EEZ,” the PCG said.

It noted that all actions by the BRP Cabra followed the “PCG manual on rules on the use of force within the Philippines’ EEZ” to ensure a “rules-based peaceful approach” in enforcing the country’s sovereignty and protecting its borders.

The PCG said BRP Cabra’s patrol at the Marie Louise Bank and the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan is part of its mission under “Task Force Pagsasanay.”

The shipment was provided directly to the Philippine government with the delivery via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, a global initiative to support equitable access to coronavirus jabs.

This was the first time the Philippines

has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a safe, trusted, and easy-to-store shot widely used in the United States.

US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires John Law and Acting USAID Mission Director Sean Callahan joined Foreign Affairs Secretary

Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, IATF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, NEDA Secretary Karl Chua, and other stakeholders at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in welcoming the arrival of the vaccines on July 16 and 17.

“This U.S. donation of vaccines from our domestic supply to the Philippines, our oldest treaty ally in Asia, demonstrates our close and abiding relationship, and how important this partnership is to us.

This one-shot, easy to store vaccine will protect millions of lives across the country,” Law said in a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila.

The Philippines previously received

Rody...

transferred, affecting their operations.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas has tightened border controls in the city to stem the surge of the disease and to guard against possible transmission of the Delta variant, as one case was detected in Pandan town in neighboring Antique province.

Through an executive order, Trenas said land, sea, and air travel into Iloilo City from within Panay Island is prohibited effective immediately until 11:59 p.m. of July 31.

Exempted from the order are persons who need to enter Iloilo City for work; for medical needs; for government services; for transport of goods and/or construction materials; humanitarian purposes; COVID-19 vaccination; returning overseas Filipino workers and city residents; residents of Iloilo and Guimaras provinces; and authorized persons outside residence (APORs).

Iloilo City was placed under an Enhanced Community Quarantine by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 last July 15 from a Modified ECQ the previous period. The city has averaged 96 new COVID-19 cases daily from July 1 to 17, Trenas noted in his order.

In Metro Manila, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan warned about the entry of the Delta variant in the NCR and ordered the city police to be stricter in monitoring gatherings.

“We had a meeting yesterday with the Metro Manila Mayors, IATF, and DOH, where they discussed the Delta variant which is very dangerous.

The Delta variant has entered NCR, it has spread in other cities,” Malapitan said at the flag-raising ceremony in Caloocan yesterday morning.

The mayor said he will also convene a meeting with the captains of each barangay, to ensure that the government health guidelines are implemented in their constituencies.

The Delta variant is more transmissible, and the probability of hospitalization is higher, Vergeire said.

“We just need to be very cautious. Let's implement our protocols for isolation of close contacts and those turning positive," she said.

Mobility will always be a risk and a factor in the virus' spread, she said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will continuously assess the situation in the National Capital Region (NCR), following proposals that the NCR Plus bubble be reinforced to keep the variant out, Vergeire said.

"When the surge happened in April, there were a lot of our personnel who re-

signed or transferred. That is why our bed capacity is limited, while other hospitals have downsized," De Grano said during a briefing.

"We have enough oxygen support, ventilators, but if there will be a surge, we cannot easily expand our intensive care units because it comes with huge expenses, with additional required equipment, as well as highly trained nurses and doctors," De Grano added.

Fear of another surge came as the Philippines detected 11 local cases of the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

The 11 were among the 35 Delta variant cases currently on record in the country.

Of the number, three deaths have been recorded, the DOH said (see related story below – Editors).

Private hospitals are mandated to allocate 30 percent of their capacity to COVID-19 patients.

De Grano urged the public to strictly observe minimum health protocols and get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 soon as a vaccine is available.

"We have problems with vaccine supply, but the local government units have been very quick in administering the vaccines," he said.

The Philippines has only been able to fully vaccinate about 3.5 million people.

This is below the target of vaccinating 58 million in highly urbanized areas by the end of the year.

The Philippines logged 5,651 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,513,396.

There were 72 new fatalities on Monday, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 26,786.

The DOH also reported 5,332 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 1,439,049.

There 47,561 active cases, of which 91.9 percent were mild, 1.9 percent were asymptomatic, 1.6 percent were critical, 2.7 percent were severe, and 1.88 percent were moderate.

The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 54 percent of the ICU beds, 46 percent of the isolation beds, 44 percent of the ward beds, and 36 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 43 percent of the ICU beds, 38 percent of the isolation beds, 34 percent of the ward beds, and 32 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

The independent OCTA Research Group on Monday urged the government to reimpose its bubble policy over Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal or NCR Plus, and maintain restrictions on children amid the threat of the highly contagious Delta variant.

OCTA fellow Guido David said a bubble policy would allow economic activity in Metro Manila to continue unhampered and eliminate the need for a tighter lockdown classification.

David also said restrictions on the movement of children should be reimposed since they are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

In other developments: • The DOH said some Delta variant cases have tested positive for COVID-19, even after being tagged as recoveries. Vergeire said nine local Delta variant cases and five returning overseas Filipinos who were earlier tagged as recoveries were asked to undergo a repeat quarantine and COVID-19 test. The initial results showed that some of them still tested positive, she added.

• A former National COVID-19 Task Force adviser on Sunday suspected that the number of local cases of the Delta variant in the country might be underreported, noting that there is a limited genome sequencing. “What the Department of Health should do is go to those particular hotspots in Mindanao or Visayas," Dr. Tony Leachon said in a report on "24 Oras Weekend." Patients who test positive for COVID-19 should then undergo genomic surveillance so that the authorities will know what they are dealing with, he added.

• The city of Manila traced 36 contacts of the three Delta variant cases earlier reported there, the DOH said Monday as it assured the public that the COVID-19 situation in the capital city was “manageable.”

“They were able to identify about 36 individuals already who came in contact with the three positive individuals with Delta variant in the city of Manila,” Vergeire said in a Palace briefing. Initial contact tracing yielded almost three dozen contacts, she added.

• Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar ordered police in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to help intensify the intelligence monitoring and regular patrol on the shores to prevent the illegal entry of people from neighboring countries amid the threat of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Eleazar visited the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to check on the morale and welfare of the local troops, as well as to get updates on the security measures being implemented in the three provinces that include measures to protect local residents from the threat of the coronavirus. Eleazar also tasked Police Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the deputy chief for administration, to prepare all the medical equipment and supplies for policemen.

and he is not wasting time reading the (ruling party's) PDP-Laban Constitution,” the senator said.

Pimentel said: “He knows that a vice president has no immunity from suit. He is just teasing us, and he is just checking the reaction of the public, including the lawyers, so he will know who are the bright ones.”

At the oath-taking of the new PDPLaban officials, Duterte said he would pursue the vice presidency in the 2022 national elections if his critics continue to threaten him with criminal complaints once he steps down from the presidency.

Roque did not elaborate on the President’s interest in immunity from prosecution.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said last year that a sitting vice president was not immune from suit in 2019 since the 1987 Constitution did not provide for such. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

‘Sacks...

“The President won’t use public funds but will help raise campaign funds from private sources to support the candidacies of the administration bets,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

He said there was nothing illegal with the President’s fundraising plans. especially since mounting a candidacy is very expensive.

Roque also said the President knows full well that it is illegal to use public funds for political purposes.

“It is an assurance to his party mates that not only will he physically campaign for them, he will also raise funds for them and that’s not prohibited by the Constitution or by the Omnibus Election Code,” Roque said.

“Democracy can be very

expensive,” he said. “Without legitimate fundraising, no candidate could manage to run for public office unless the person is wealthy.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government also denied allegations that billions of pesos in anti-insurgency funds allocated to the Davao Region will be used in the 2022 polls.

Davao Region received P4.3 billion of P16.24 billion funding for the government's anti-insurgency campaign, including P1.64 billion for Davao City, Duterte’s hometown.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Joel Egco said the government did not favor Davao when it allocated billions in funds to the area, noting that four out of five guerrilla fronts were operating in Davao Region. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

for Cebu and the country,” said Cebu City councilor Renato Osmeña Jr. in a separate Facebook post.

Lito was the grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña. His brother, former Senator Sonny Osmeña, passed

away last year.

He ran for president in 1998 but lost to Joseph Estrada.

Last month, Osmeña announced that his political party, Promdi, will participate in next year's elections.

All Delta variant carriers in the Philippines have been "again tested and quarantined," Vergeire said.

"All Delta variant cases are immediately re-assessed to determine their current clinical, laboratory, and isolation status. They shall be swabbed for repeat RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) at end of their isolation or upon determination that they were positive for the Delta variant,” Vergeire said.

"They shall remain in isolation while awaiting results. Those whose RT-PCR is negative, already asymptomatic, and have completed the minimum 10-day isolation may be discharged from isolation," she added.

The government is reviewing the contact tracing results of these cases "to identify RT-PCR positive close contacts whose samples may be eligible for sequencing," Vergeire said.

These measures were done a few days after the DOH confirmed that 11 Filipinos, who have no recent travel history, tested positive for the more contagious strain of COVID-19.

Local transmission of the Delta variant may already have happened, but authorities don’t know where it has spread, OCTA Research Fellow Guido David said Monday.

This was possible, David said, because the country does not get realtime results of genome sequencing to determine what strain of the coronavirus a person is infected with.

"The best that we can do is look at the data and see where the cases are rising. For me, even if we don’t wait for the confirmation (via genome sequencing), we can assume that there’s a Delta variant somewhere in the Philippines that is spreading. We need to be proactive," he added.

Meanwhile, a tugboat and a barge that recently came from Indonesia delayed their docking in Albay province after 12 crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

Indonesia is suffering from a deadly wave of the coronavirus powered by the Delta variant.

According to a GMA TV report on "24 Oras" on Monday, the vessels were supposed to dock at the Lidong Port in Sto. Domingo, Albay on Tuesday. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

2 Aetas...

a group of NPA members and the military took place.

However, the Aetas said they were merely leaving the area due to intense military operations and continued bombings in their ancestral lands.

The prosecution argued that Gurung and Ramos were positively identified as the perpetrators of the crime based on an eyewitness account.

It noted that 2Lt. Fritz Entoma and 2Lt. Ian Dominic Oran saw the two during the gunfight and that they knew their names and facial features because of profiling of suspects.

But the trial court noted that based on its perusal of the sworn statements of the two army officers, no declaration was made that they saw the accused during the gunfight.

The RTC also pointed out the “blatant inconsistency” from the declaration of Entoma and Oran that they were able to recognize Gurung and Ramos because they were shown pictures of the accused in a briefing before the operation, but in their sworn statements, they made no mention of being shown pictures of the two. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

By Rey E. Requejo

HE United States has successfully delivered a total of 3,240,850 one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Philippines as part of its worldwide effort to help end COVID-19.

From A1

existing restrictions with greater urgency," Duterte said.

The government is “aiming to promote total health," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said earlier in a separate briefing, when asked if the government would tighten quarantine protocols.

Duterte stressed the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, noting a Pulse Asia survey that showed 43% of Filipinos were now willing to get inoculated against the coronavirus.

“You must get the vaccines or you die,” Duterte said, adding those who didn't believe in the jabs should just stay at home.

Meanwhile, the country will have to beef up its oxygen supply to prepare for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The warning came after 16 people had been traced with the Delta variant -- 11 local cases reported in Northern Mindanao, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, and Central Luzon, and five who had returned from abroad.

While authorities want to arrest the spread of the variant, Roque said they are also preventing more people from going hungry should more areas of the country be placed under stricter lockdown.

“Our strategy, as much as possible, is we will have localized lockdowns, so that our compatriots can continue working,” he said.

The DOH has been preparing for another surge since the Delta variant was first reported in India, said Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“We are preparing for this Delta variant. As we said, it's just a matter of time before it enters,” Vergeire said in Filipino in an interview with ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Our hospitals are now more guided that they should be expanding their [number of COVID-19] beds already. Our local governments have been guided also [that] they should intensify their PDITR (prevent-detect-isolate-treat-reintegrate) response,” Vergeire said.

However, a group of private hospitals on Monday expressed concern about their ability to expand their intensive care units (ICUs) to deal with a potential surge in COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, head of the Philippine Hospital Association of the Philippines (PHAP), said many of their health care workers had either resigned or

Duterte...

From A1

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV—have threatened him with criminal charges over drug war killings, if not “tolerance” of Chinese incursions within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in West Philippine Sea. “Let us just say that it is an opportunity to challenge jurisprudence,” Roque, a lawyer like Duterte, said.

But Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Duterte was just "teasing" the public when he announced that he would run for vice president to escape possible criminal charges.

In an interview on GMA News Unang Balita, Pimentel said Duterte knew there was no provision in the 1987 Constitution that a vice president had immunity from suit.

"He is just teasing us. He is a lawyer, he is reading the Philippine Constitution

said Osmeña's son, Mimo, in a Facebook post.

From A1 “Thank for all that you have taught me, not only in politics but also in life.

“So long Dad! You will always be As one of the Osmeñas, I am proud of part of us. Thank you is not enough!” all the good things that you have done

Osmeña...

Council...

From A1

the Philippines) is the core and most consolidated group that provides support to the armed and organizational expansion of the CPP-NPA,” the resolution stated.

“Members of the NDF aka NDFP continue to lure and/or recruit people to join the NPA, while the CPP itself admitted and maintained, through public media releases as well as in CPP

documents and revelations of former members, the direct and indispensable role of the NDF aka NDFP in its armed operations,” it said.

With the designation of NDF as a terrorist group, the government through the Anti-Money Laundering Council can now order the freezing of the NDF’s funds and assets.

Under the law, the NDF, which was founded in 1973, may file for delisting before the ATC within 15 days from publication of the designation. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

From A1

From A1

immediately release Gurung and Ramos from jail unless they are being lawfully held in custody for any reason.

Gurung and Ramos had been accused of being members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) as they were caught while going down the mountain in Sitio Lumibao, Barangay Buhawen, San Marcelino Zambales where an encounter between

more than 7 million vaccine doses through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a global initiative run by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The United States is the largest monetary contributor to Gavi, having already donated over P100 billion ($2 billion) to the Alliance.

Meanwhile, Eastern Visayas region received on Monday 131,200 doses of the US-made Janssen single-dose coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines, along with 8,300 doses of AstraZeneca, that are seen to boost its residents' protection against the infection. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Coast...

3 died...

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News

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

Four female trafficking victims held at airport

MONDAY MORNING RUSH.

Commuters queue up as they wait for the public transport to take them to their their destination during Monday rush hour along Commonwealth avenue in Quezon City while traffic starts to build up, a scene replicated in many other areas as Metro Manila is beset by the lingering threat of the deadly COVID pandemic.

Manny Palmero

Taguig gifts top grads with LANI scholarships

By Joel E. Zurbano TAGUIG City has given graduating Grade 12 students from public high schools ₱15,000 worth of scholarship vouchers each for use in the college or university of their choice.

The voucher certificate entitles the bearer to claim the amount under the city’s Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need (LANI) Scholarship program, provided that the student enrolls in any tech-voc, certificate, or baccalaureate course.

“This voucher is part of the L.A.N.I Scholarship Program that persuades graduates to take up tertiary education.

To our beloved students, we have faced so much this year, let us get inspiration from this graduation. We will not abandon you. We are a loving and nurturing community, we are one family,” said Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano in his message for the graduating batch.

Apart from the P15,000 given to Grade 12 students, all Top 1 graduating students from Grades 6, 10, and 12 also received a cash incentive of ₱15,000, while the Top 2 students received ₱12,500.

The Top 3-10 elementary students also received P5,000 each while completers and senior high students received P7,500 each. Top 1 students in each elementary class also received 2,500, while Top 1 completer and senior high students from each class received P5,000.

“Taguig has always believed in the importance of education and continues to ensure that all Taguigenos avail of this right,” said Cayetano.

In February 2020, the local government passed Ordinance No. 6, a ₱700 Million Scholarship Program made to continue its existing projects.

Pagasa warns of flooding, landslides in western Luzon

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REAS in the western section of Luzon are increasingly becoming prone to flooding and rain-induced landslides, according to the weather agency, which warned residents to prepare for such possiblities.

“Such risk is becoming higher,” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hydrologist Adel Duran, citing as reason the increasing saturation of Luzon’s rain-affected western section.

The prevailing enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” may bring moderate to, at times heavy, rainfall that can trigger flooding and landslides there, Duran said.

In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Monday, PAGASA attributed the enhancement of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” at present to severe tropical

storm Fabian (international name “InFa”) in extreme northern Luzon, and a tropical storm west-northwest of this area.

“Fabian” was 1,055 km east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon as of 10 a.m.

Monday and will unlikely bring heavy rainfall over the country.

However, “habagat” rainfall is possible in the next 24 hours over Luzon’s westlying Region I (Ilocos), Zambales and Bataan provinces of Region III (Central Luzon), as well as Occidental Mindoro and Palawan provinces of Region IV-B (Mimaropa), the weather bureau said.

Either flash floods or landslides may

occur there from scattered to widespread moderate to at times heavy rainfall, PAGASA said in its daily weather forecast.

PAGASA noted “habagat” rainfall can raise water level in western Luzon’s major waterways and respective tributaries, and even cause water in these channels to overflow and flood surrounding areas.

Major Ilocos waterways that can be affected are La Union province’s Amburayan, Baroro, Lower Bauang and Aringay; Ilocos Norte province’s Bulu, Banban, Bacarra-Vintar, Laoag and Quiaoit; Pangasinan province’s Balincaguing and Alaminos and Ilocos Sur province’s Lower Abra, Silay-Sta. Maria and Buaya.

In Cordillera Administrative Region, the major waterways are Benguet province’s Upper Bauang and Abra province’s Upper Abra, Tineg and Ikmin.

NO TO. DECEPTION.

A woman holds a placard with the words “Kabataang Nasayang” showing a photo of a suspected CPP-NPA member. The groups League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia Pilipinas hold a rally to denounce the CPP-NPA’s recruitment of the youth at the University Avenue in Quezon City on Monday, July 19, 2021. Joey O. Razon

DAR adapts to new normal, revises rules on land-use conversion

By Rio Araja

THE Department of Agrarian Reform has amended certain provisions on land use to avoid conversion of any agricultural land without the agency’s clearance and to adapt to the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic through Administrative Order No. 3 of 2021.

“The new normal requires the adop-

tion of alternative modes to ensure the continuous delivery of services under the agrarian reform mandate,” Secretary John Castriciones said.

He said the application for conversion must be duly verified by the landowner or the landowner’s authorized representative and should contain certifications attesting that all supporting documents were issued by the proper

Navotas curfew as cases surge

By Jun David

DUE to the rising cases of coronavirus disease, Navotas City has decided to reimpose the 24-hour curfew for minors.

Mayor Toby Tiangco cited a July 17 report stating that Navotas posted a 105.06% 2-week growth rate of COVID cases, the highest in Metro Manila.

“In June, we had the lowest average daily attack rate in the region. We even recorded 41 active cases on June 25. Now, our active cases have multiplied almost four times. We cannot be complacent. We need to implement additional measures to keep our people safe, especially the children and vulnerable sectors,” he explained.

“Each of us wants our life to go back

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to normal. However, we are facing a pandemic and we need everyone’s support and cooperation in keeping each other safe,” he added.

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases passed a resolution allowing children aged 5 and above to go outdoors in areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ. According to Tiangco, Navotas was already preparing to implement the relaxed policy but decided to hold it off because of the steady rise of COVID cases.

“Our barangays have already sent a list of areas we could open for children. Unfortunately, our cases have gone up that’s why we needed to defer its implementation,” he said.

agencies.

The administrative order specified that application for conversions may be filed either personally, where the applicants are required to furnish the department with a hard or printed copy complete with documentary requirements; or by way of electronic filing (e-filing).

“If the applicant chooses to file his application online, the applicant must

furnish the Department with a soft or electronic copy of the application with the corresponding annexes through the Land Use Cases Division-Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance in case the land applied for conversion is more than five hectares, or to the concerned Regional Office if the land applied for conversion is five hectares and below,” the DAR chief said. Rio Araja

IMMIGRATION officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport stopped four female workers from leaving the country who were recruited to work as household service workers in Dubai, but pretended that they were going to work in Europe.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the passengers attempted to board an Emirates flight to Dubai at the NAIA Terminal 3 when they were intercepted by Immigration officers.

The women initially showed valid work permits and visas to Albania, but later admitted that they were actually hired to work as household service workers in Dubai. They likewise admitted that they were not going to proceed to the European country.

“This is a new modus operandi employed by human traffickers and illegal recruiters. They will obtain work permits and job contracts for their victims to work in another country, such as Albania or Maldives, when in fact Dubai is their actual work destination,” the BI chief stated.

“This is a type of third country recruitment, wherein victims are given documents for one country, but end up being deployed in another.

In many instances, victims are made to accept conditions that are otherwise not acceptable just to be deployed for work,” he said.

All four passengers presented documents showing they were hired to work either as housekeepers or warehouse staffers in Albania.

However, when pressed on their actual travel itinerary, they eventually confessed that they had been recruited to work as household service workers in Dubai and that they would be handed their job contracts and work visas upon arriving at the emirate. Vito Barcelo

House Speaker leads PNP rites

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Lord Allan Velasco on Monday lauded members of the Philippine National Police for their contributions in the fight against COVID-19, as he joined them in celebrating the 26th Police Community Relations Month.

Speaking during the event held at the PNP-National Capital Region Police Office headquarters in Taguig City, Velasco recognized the role of the country’s police force in keeping communities safe during the pandemic.

“I thank the police for their huge contribution in ensuring peace and order in the country. I know that their job has become even harder because of the ongoing pandemic,” Velasco said in Filipino.

“I also salute our uniformed personnel who have offered and sacrificed their lives, health and safety so that a greater part of the society would remain safe from the disease,” he added.

Velasco also emphasized the importance of the police and local communities working together to ensure peace and order and address criminality.

He said that in order for law enforcement to be truly effective, the police cannot operate alone; they must have the active support and assistance of citizens and communities.

“We need the cooperation of our citizens to further improve our guard against crime, illegal drugs and terrorism,” said Velasco.

Critical cooperation down to the barangay level is needed to ensure that our households and communities are more peaceful,” he said.

FENCED OFF.

Children and their mother are content with having to watch outside the fence of a public playground in Dasmarinas City, Cavite since the local government strictly prohibits children five years and below from all public playgrounds of the city with the health protocol against coronavirus diseases remains pending. JR Josue

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

Rody to make final push for tax reform bills PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to push for the immediate passage of other pending bills under his administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program in his final State of the Nation Address next Monday.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said the passage of the proposed Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act and the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediaries Taxation Act (PIFITA) would be a net plus for the country’s credit rating.

Both reforms are currently pending before the Senate.

He said Duterte is also expected to emphasize the need to create new revenue streams during his last SONA. “Some weeks ago, he mentioned the strategic importance of a well-regulated gaming sector to economic and fiscal recovery,” Salceda said.

Salceda said the House and Senate are expected to agree on a ratified version of the tax regime on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) a week after SONA. Another potent revenue stream, he said, is e-sabong taxes, which the House has already submitted to the Senate.

Mayor Vico Sotto

Sotto on seeking reelection next year: Definitely PASIG City Mayor Vico Sotto said he would “definitely” seek reelection in next year’s polls.

In a television interview, the first term mayor said while his administration has made headway in improving the lot of the residents of Pasig City, the achievements were limited given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Definitely,” he told ANC’s Headstart when asked if he would run for the mayoralty post again in the 2022 elections.

“We’ve made a lot of gains but in truth our efforts were limited because of the pandemic.”

“In the two years now that I have served as mayor, only 9 months were without the pandemic,” he added.

Despite the challenges brought about by the public health crisis, Sotto, who ended the almost three-decade reign of the Eusebio family in Pasig City, said the local government is “building momentum steadily.”

He also downplayed speculations that he will run for a national post next year.

“That is a big joke. First of all, I am only 32 years old,” he said.

The Constitution states that a presidential candidate should be at least 40 years old on the day of the election, while a senatorial bet should be at least 35 years old.

News CRAMMED. Residents flocked to the Ospital ng Maynila – some waiting as early as 6 p.m. the day before – to queue for their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine on Monday, 19 July 2021.

More than 1 million life-saving vaccines have been administered by the Manila city government since the vaccination rollout against the deadly virus began in March. Norman Cruz

ONLY FULLY-VACCINATED PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE BATASANG PAMBANSA

Swab tests required for 350 SONA guests

O

NLY about 350 fully-vaccinated guests will be allowed to physically attend the final State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 26, House secretarygeneral Mark Mendoza said yesterday.

“That 350 will already include senators, congressmen, other government officials, and guests,” Mendoza said.

“Only those who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter [Batasang Pambansa.]

That is one of the requirements of the Presidential Security Group,” he added.

He said the number of attendees has increased from only 50 last year upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agen-

cy Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“We can increase the audience now because they’re already fully vaccinated. At the same time, IATF relaxed the rules, 30 percent of capacity for the plenary can be used,” Mendoza said.

Vice President Leni Robredo is among those invited to physically attend the event, but Mendoza said his

office has yet to receive word whether she would accept it.

Former president Gloria MacapagalArroyo, on the other hand, already confirmed her attendance, Mendoza said.

All guests who will enter the plenary will be subjected to RT-PCR, while the rest will have to undergo antigen testing, Mendoza said.

“We will not fill the entire plenary. We will only allow around 60 individuals inside the plenary. The rest will be in the first and second galleries,” he added.

Zoom links would be given to those who will not be able to physically attend the SONA.

A week before President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address, labor advocates from Defend Jobs Philippines march toward the Department of Labor and Employment at Intramuros, Manila on July 19, 2021.

The demonstrators accused Duterte of failing to end contractualization of workers – a campaign promise of the chief executive.

Norman Cruz

Blended learning to continue Sept. 13–DepEd BLENDED learning will continue when classes open on Sept. 13, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said yesterday.

“President Duterte is looking at many aspects of our health situation [vis-a-vis allowing face-to-face classes],” Brioner said.

“So I’d like to clarify that when classes resume on Sept. 13, it will still be blended learning,” she added.

The Philippines is the only country in

the Southeast Asian region that has yet to resume face-to-face classes for basic education, the DepEd chief earlier said.

Blended learning mixes online classes with printed modules and television and radio broadcasts.

Last month, Duterte rejected a proposal from the Education department to allow limited face-to-face classes in 300 public schools nationwide.

“As for face-to-face classes, I am

not inclined to agree with you. We might differ in our opinions on the matter,” Duterte told Briones during a public address.

“It is difficult. I cannot gamble on the health of the children. I hope you will understand,” he added.

Briones earlier said there were originally 1,900 schools approved by DepEd regional directors for the pilot testing of limited face-to-face classes.

Upsilon Sigma Phi launches online 2022 voting campaign

FOR LEARNERS. Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new 10-storey Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila, on 19 July 2021. The new elementary school will have 227 air-conditioned classrooms. Norman Cruz

THE oldest Greek-letter Fraternity in Asia based in the University of the Philippines, the Upsilon Sigma Phi, in its continued effort to help create a politically mature and economically stable environment for all Filipinos, will be holding an online event entitled, “Alam ng Isa, Alam ng Lahat: 2022 National and Local Elections” on July 23, Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. live via Microsoft Teams.

The webinar, aimed at encouraging not only the youth but all eligible Filipino voters to participate in the upcoming 2022 national and local elections, features former Commission on Elections Commissioner Gregorio Larraza-

bal, the youngest to have held the position when he was appointed in 2009.

“The sanctity of the ballot and the youth’s involvement are very important as these will be the foundation of their future,” Larrazabal said. The former Comelec official will be discussing the value of exercising the civic duty of voting.

Moderating the webinar is UP College of Law Dean Edgardo Carlo Lasam Vistan, while UP Student Regent Renee Louise Co and University Student Council chairpersons of UP Los Baños and UP Mindanao, Siegfried Severino and Andryc Carbonilla, respectively, will serve as reactors.

P1.46b Estrella Pantaleon bridge opens end-July

By Vito Barcelo THE P1.46 billion Estrella-Pantaleon bridge will be open to traffic this month and is expected to reduce travel time between Makati and Mandaluyong to just 12 minutes from the usual 30 minutes, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar carried out a first drive along the new bridge yesterday.

Villar said the four-lane 506.46-meter pre-stressed concrete rigid frame bridge across the Pasig River connecting the cities of Mandaluyong and Makati is already complete and will be open to motorists soon.

DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Operations Emil Sadain said the main bridge and approach road were laid with layers of asphalt concrete base, binder and wearing course to ensure riding comfort and the safety of motorists.

The new bridge was designed to withstand high-intensity earthquakes, Sadain said.

The project, funded by a grant from China, is part of the EDSA decongestion program. It will also include a bicycle lane.

It replaces the old steel truss bridge which has only two lanes connecting Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City.

The old bridge, with a capacity of around 22,000 vehicles, was dismantled in January 2019 to make way for the expansion project.

The new bridge is expected to accommodate about 50,000 vehicles per day.

105 barangays in Caloocan COVID-free

By Jun David

AT LEAST 105 barangays in Caloocan city have been classified as COVID-free based on the last data released by the City Health Department.

This means that 55.85 percent of the total number of barangays in the city have no active cases of the disease, leaving only 83 barangays with active cases.

According to Mayor Oscar Malapitan, from 2,000 active cases in March, there are now only 342 active cases in Caloocan.

The total number of recoveries, on the other hand, stood at 37,304.

Malapitan said he is thankful for the continued solidarity of the people of Caloocan, especially the health workers who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.

“I know everyone is very tired but you are not giving up and you continue to play your role. Thank you very much for caring for the people of Caloocan,” he said.

At the same time, the Mayor warned about the Delta variant and continued to encourage residents to be vigilant by following health protocols.

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TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

50k phone numbers linked to Israeli spyware—reports

W

ASHINGTON ― An Israeli firm accused of supplying spyware to governments has been linked to a list of 50,000 smartphone numbers, including those of activists, journalists, business executives and politicians around the world, according to reports Sunday.

Israel’s NSO Group and its Pegasus malware have been in the headlines since at least 2016, when researchers accused it of helping spy on a dissident in the United Arab Emirates.

Sunday’s revelations raise privacy

and rights concerns, and reveal the farreaching extent to which the private Israeli company’s software may be being misused by its clients internationally.

The extent of the use of Pegasus was reported by The Washington Post, the

Guardian, Le Monde and other news outlets who collaborated on an investigation into a data leak.

The leak was of a list of more than 50,000 smartphone numbers believed to have been identified as people of interest by clients of NSO since 2016, the media outlets said.

The Post said the list was shared with the news organizations by Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based journalism nonprofit, and Amnesty International.

The newspaper said the total number of phones on the list that were actually targeted or surveilled is unknown.

The Post said 15,000 of the numbers on the list were in Mexico and included those of politicians, union representatives, journalists and government critics.

The list reportedly included the number of a Mexican freelance journalist who was murdered at a carwash. His phone was never found, and it was not clear if it had been hacked.

Indian investigative news website The Wire reported that 300 mobile phone numbers used in India—including those of government ministers, opposition politicians, journalists, scientists and rights activists—were on the list. AFP

Merkel visits flood-ravaged ‘surreal’ zone SCHULD, Germany—Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday she was horrified by the “surreal” devastation in the flood-ravaged region of western Germany, as the death toll in Germany and Belgium passed 190 with dozens of people still missing.

The veteran leader said the world must step up efforts to tackle the climate crisis, as global warming makes extreme weather events more likely.

“We must hurry,” she said. “We have to be faster in the fight against climate change.”

Wearing hiking boots and offering pandemic-safe fist bumps to rescue workers, Merkel walked through the village of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate state, one of the two hardest-hit regions in western Germany.

She listened to the accounts of residents where the swollen Ahr river swept away houses and left debris piled high in the streets.

Merkel, who is retiring from politics after September’s elections, described the damage as “surreal” and pledged quick aid to rebuild.

“It is shocking -- I can almost say that the German language doesn’t have words for the destruction that’s been wreaked,” she said.

At least 160 people have died since Wednesday in Germany’s worst flooding in living memory, police said.

Merkel was accompanied by Malu Dreyer, premier of Rhineland-Palatinate which has recorded 112 fatalities.

AsManila they navigated damaged roads Standard together, the chancellor gripped the TODAY hand of Dreyer, who has multiple sclerosis, to support her. AFP 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.

THAI PROTEST. A pro-democracy protester throws an object as others take cover from police water cannon behind a derogatory image of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut-Chan-O-Cha, as they march to Government House to call for his resignation in Bangkok on July 18. AFP

Australia to deport UK commentator over virus breach SYDNEY―Australia has cancelled far-right British commentator Katie Hopkins’s visa after she boasted about flouting the country’s strict hotel quarantine rules, a senior official said Monday.

Hopkins had flown into Sydney to appear on a reality television show when she posted a video on Instagram talking about answering the door naked and maskless to workers delivering meals to her hotel room, local media reported.

Most international arrivals to Australia are required to complete 14 days in mandatory isolation in a hotel, under rules designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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

Notice of Revocation Notice is hereby given to the public that Samsun Yurt Savunma Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (“SYS”), a company organized and existing under the laws of Turkey, hereby revokes any and all powers and/or authority it has granted to Atlantis Group II LLC and Barozzo Law to act on its behalf under the Letter Of Authorisation dated 7 November 2018 and Letter of Authorization dated 15 April 2021, respectively, as well as any other power or authority in any other contract, deed, instrument, and/or agreement whether oral or written. Warning is hereby given to the public that any act by Atlantis Group II LLC and/or Barozzo Law for and/or on behalf of SYS is unauthorized.

(MS-JULY 20/27 & AUGUST 3, 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.

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)

Jail time for US duo over Ghosn escape in Japan TOKYO—A Japan court on Monday sentenced an American fatherson duo who helped former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn flee the country to between 20 months and two years in prison.

The sentence is the first handed down in Japan in the Nissan saga, which began with former auto tycoon Ghosn’s shock arrest in Japan in 2018 on financial misconduct allegations.

Former US special forces operative Michael Taylor was sentenced to two years, while his son Peter received a sentence of 20 months.

The Taylors did not contest the allegations against them, admitting their role in the audacious escape that left Ghosn an international fugitive in Lebanon.

They had been facing up to three years in prison over the escape, which US prosecutors described as “one of the most brazen and wellorchestrated escape acts in recent history”.

The pair had both apologised in previous hearings, expressing remorse for helping Ghosn jump bail as he awaited trial in 2019.

Japanese prosecutors said earlier this month they were seeking a sentence of two years, 10 months for Michael, and two years, six months for Peter.

Their defence lawyers had argued that a suspended sentence was appropriate given their remorse.

They also argued that the pair’s 10-month detention in the United States before extradition should be considered in sentencing. The Taylors arrived in Tokyo in March after losing their battle against extradition. AFP

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Australia’s border agency “acted quickly to make sure that the visa on which she entered was cancelled” after the footage appeared.

“We will be getting her out of the country as soon as we can possibly arrange that,” Andrews told public broadcaster ABC. “She’s clearly not someone that we want to keep in this country for a second longer than we have to.”

Hopkins has long caused controversy by spouting racist, anti-Islamic and antimigrant views, and regularly speaks out against coronavirus measures such as lockdowns.

DRUGS BURNED.

Military police stand guard as officials burn seized illegal drugs to mark the United Nations’s special international day to fight drug abuse and illicit trafficking, during a ceremony in Phnom Penh on July 19. AFP

England lifts COVID curbs; Scientists warn of case surge LONDON—The British government on Monday lifted pandemic restrictions on daily life in England, scrapping all social distancing in a step slammed by scientists and opposition parties as a dangerous leap into the unknown.

From midnight (2300 GMT Sunday), nightclubs were able to reopen and other indoor venues allowed to run at full capacity, while legal mandates covering the wearing of masks and working from home were scrapped.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson -who is self-isolating after his health minister was infected -- urged the public to remain prudent and for any laggards to join the two-thirds of UK adults who are now fully vaccinated.

He defended the reopening -dubbed “freedom day” by some media -- despite scientists’ grave misgivings after daily infection rates in Britain topped 50,000, behind only Indonesia and Brazil.

“If we don’t do it now, then we’ll be opening up in the autumn, the winter months, when the virus has the advantage of the cold weather,” the prime minister said in a video message.

This week’s start of summer school holidays offered a “precious firebreak”, he said.

“If we don’t do it now, we’ve got to ask ourselves, when will we ever do it? So this is the right moment, but we’ve got to do it cautiously.”

Jonathan Ashworth, the opposition Labour party’s health spokesman, said the government was being “reckless”, echoing experts who say the reopening endangers global health.

“We are against opening up without any precautions in place,” Ashworth told BBC television, attacking in particular the government’s plan on masks.

After the success of the vaccination programme—which has now offered at least one dose to every adult in Britain—the government says any risks to hospital care are manageable. AFP

Andrews said Hopkins had been granted a visa with the support of a state government on the basis it would potentially be of economic benefit to the country.

“The fact that she was out there boasting about breaching quarantine was appalling,” Andrews said.

“It was a slap in the face for all those Australians who are currently in lockdown, and it’s just unacceptable behaviour. So, personally, I’m very pleased she’ll be leaving.”

About 12 million Australians CYAN are MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK currently under lockdown to curb outLOS ANGELES ― With oppressively breaks of the highly contagious Delta hot, dry weather looming over much of variant. AFP the Western US and Canada on Sunday, the enormous Bootleg Fire in Oregon grew again and authorities ordered new evacuations.

Bootleg, the largest of 80 major fires now active in the US, spread overnight from 274,000 acres to 290,000 acres -three times the size of the metropolis of Detroit, officials said.

Some 2,000 people have had to evacuate, with more following on Sunday.

Satellite imagery from the National Weather service showed a huge plume of smoke soaring from Bootleg, in southern Oregon, to the Canadian border, hundreds of miles to the northeast.

But, with firefighters making progress on Bootleg’s western flank, overall containment of the blaze more than tripled, to 22 percent.

Heavy winds and widespread lightning storms remained a serious threat.

Firefighters blamed lightning strikes for a fast-growing blaze in California’s Lake Tahoe tourist area. The so-called Tamarack Fire, fanned by fierce winds, has grown explosively to more than 20,000 acres, with zero containment so far.

The small nearby community of Markleeville, on the Nevada border, has been evacuated.

Scientists say climate change amplifies droughts which create ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. AFP

New evacuations ordered as blaze in Oregon grows

Jacob Zuma graft trial to resume after deadly South Africa violence PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa ― The long-running corruption trial of South Africa’s jailed ex-president Jacob Zuma was due to resume virtually on Monday, despite deadly violence that swept the nation after his imprisonment in an unrelated case.

Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.

He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has been charged with corruption and money laundering.

The trial started in May after numerous postponements and delays, as

Zuma’s legal team worked fervently to have the charges dropped.

Zuma, 79, who appeared in person for the opening, proclaimed his innocence.

Thales also pleaded not guilty, and the next hearing was set for Monday.

On June 29, Zuma was separately found guilty of contempt of South Africa’s top court for snubbing graft investigators probing his time as president.

He was jailed a week later.

- Teflon president South Africa was then plunged into chaos, with looting and rioting erupting in Zuma’s home region KwaZulu-Natal as well as Gauteng province, claiming more than 200 lives.

The unrest was widely seen as at least partially in response to Zuma’s imprisonment.

Monday’s hearing, which will be held virtually, could reignite tensions that had eased by the weekend, analysts warn.

“People will be watching the behaviour of judges,” said Sipho Seepe, a fellow of the University of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal.

“If they feel justice is not done, they will protest.”

Monday’s hearing will focus on an application by Zuma’s legal team for chief prosecutor Billy Downer to recuse himself from the case over claims he leaked information to the media. AFP

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Oil producers okay modest output boost from August

PSEi July 19, 2021

TOP GAINERS

VIENNA, Austria—The world’s leading oil producers agreed on Sunday to continue to modestly boost output from August reaching a compromise after the United Arab Emirates blocked a deal earlier this month.

An OPEC+ meeting decided to raise output by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) each month from August to help fuel a global economic recovery as the pandemic eases, the group’s Vienna-based secretariat said in a media statement.

The grouping will “assess market developments” in December, it said.

The deal also extends a deadline on capping output from April next year to the end of 2022.

Earlier in July, negotiations of OPEC+ members on easing production cuts became deadlocked due to a row between the world’s largest oil exporter Saudi Arabia and neighbor the United Arab Emirates.

Since May, the 23-member grouping, which also includes Russia, had raised oil output bit by bit, after slashing it more than a year ago when the coronavirus pandemic crushed demand.

The aim is to return to pre-pandemic production levels, with the alliance still pumping 5.8 million bpd less than it was before the pandemic.

In a rare challenge to OPEC leader Saudi Arabia, the UAE rejected the proposed deal earlier this month as “unjust,” leading to a stalemate.

But in a compromise, Sunday’s discussions agreed to adjust output quotas next May for the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Russia and Saudi Arabia itself, meaning their actual cuts will be less.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who chairs the OPEC group, declined to say how the new quotas were decided and beneficiaries chosen, saying it had been part of “consensus building.”

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told public television channel Rossia 24 that the meeting confirmed “our desire to be constructive and to find a consensus.”

“The pandemic is not yet overcome, but we are seeing that thanks to vaccination all over the world, demand for our production is recovering as is the use of cars and air planes,” he said. AFP

LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1

ACE

2.22

0.14

6.73%

2 3

PMPC KPPI

6.2 5.18

0.37 0.23

6.35% 4.65%

4

LAND

1.61

0.07

4.55%

5

MARC

1.22

0.05

4.27%

6

CLI

3

0.12

4.17%

7 8

SSI DELM

1.26 15.6

0.05 0.6

4.13% 4.00%

9

PNB

20.6

0.78

3.94%

10

JAS

2.18

0.08

3.81%

TOP LOSERS POP-UP FASHION VAN. Customers shop at Guikuri Moda’s pop-up fashion van in the Basque town of Ribabellosa, Spain on

July 17, 2021 as part of its travels to rural areas. AFP

Stock market sinks; Ayala issues, Metrobank decline

T

HE stock market slumped Monday along with the rest of Asia, following big losses on Wall Street as inflation and the spreading Delta coronavirus variant fueled worries about the global recovery, while oil prices also sank after top producers reached a deal to hike output.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 106.63 points, or 1.6 percent, to 6,587.20 on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 159 to 43, with 48 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group shed 3.9 percent to P34.10, while parent Ayala Corp. fell 3.3 percent to P745.

Robinson Land Corp. of the Gokongwei Group dropped 4.8 percent to P15.32, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty Group, the secondbiggest lender in terms of assets, declined 3.6 percent to P46.10.

The rest of Asian markets sank Monday. Hong Kong was the worst hit after the United States warned businesses about the “growing risks” of operating in the city as China tightens its grip, raising concerns about its future as a financial hub.

With vaccines being rolled out around the world and some governments easing lockdowns, equities enjoyed a healthy first half of 2021, with many markets hitting records or multi-year highs as traders bet on a strong rebound from the pandemic.

But the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant has thrown a spanner in the works as leaders in several countries—particularly those with slow inoculation programs—reimpose lockdowns and other containment measures.

Have you met Ms. Kindness?

WE ALL have that one person we can never forget. Maybe, it is your first love. Your first heartbreak. Your first teacher. Or even your first boss. Whoever that person is, they left a mark in your heart.

Mine is not a CEO nor someone who is holding a significant position in a company. She is someone who has shown light through her kindness. She serves with utmost generosity that you will never feel that it is only for show. It is who she is. Her heart to serve shows how she works with her hands. Her kindness can make you feel so good that you want to share it with others as well. I wonder how someone can serve and show kindness at the same time?

We live in a world where kindness is a rare commodity. Anyone can serve, but not everyone is kind enough to serve. It is easy to serve in the corporate world in exchange for money and other benefits. To show kindness is another thing. It can never be paid with money, but its ripple effect is priceless and life-changing.

I remember it was several years ago when I met Ms. Kindness. We were both on a mission at that time, and we were partnered to serve a local community. It was never a grandiose gesture of hers that made me realize how kind she was. It was in her little ways.

“Here’s a biscuit. I know you’re hungry.”

“I’ll help you set up your beddings.”

“Let’s pray for one another.”

Even when she was trying to correct me, she never made me feel that I was so wrong.

“How about you try changing your plan? Your plan A did not work out, but plan B to Z can.”

I thought that this mission would just teach me how I can use my life to serve others. But, Ms. Kindness showed me how service and compassion could make a difference. It made a difference in my life. It inspired me to serve with generosity. We were never paid for with the service we gave, but my outlook on life has changed since then.

Thanks to that one person who was

JUSTINE MANUEL

Green LiGht kindcourageous enough to serve with kind ness. To serve with no hidden agenda.

To serve with her whole heart.

You do not need to be a CEO or have a position in a company to show that you care. You can serve right where you are. We all can serve inside our homes, communities and companies.

This pandemic calls for compassion.

Just one act of generosity can impact several lives. This world is aching for another Ms. Kindness. Are you ready to become one?

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of her blog for the course, Issues, and Trends in Business: The CEO Series. Visit her blog at https:// justinermanuel.wordpress.com/.

Even in parts of the world where most people have been jabbed and re-openings continue, such as England, there is a growing concern about surging infections.

That has raised worries the recovery will not be as strong as first hoped.

After Wall Street’s sharp losses, Asia followed suit on Monday.

Hong Kong suffered sharp losses, with traders also weighing a US advisory on doing businesses there in light of China’s clampdown.

The much-anticipated report acknowledged the former British colony “retains many economic distinctions” from the mainland, including stronger protections of intellectual property, but raised concerns about the fragile working environment following the introduction of a national security law last year.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Mumbai, Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta and Wellington were also in the red. Shanghai ended flat. With AFP

LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1

OV

0.011

-0.001

-8.33%

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BCB BKR VVT GREEN SOC ZHI ORE BLOOM MAHB

5 1.38 16.16 3.04 0.73 0.213 0.92 6.08 1.98

-0.45 -0.12 -1.34 -0.24 -0.05 -0.014 -0.06 -0.37 -0.12

-8.26% -8.00% -7.66% -7.32% -6.41% -6.17% -6.12% -5.74% -5.71%

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

ACEN MONDE SM SMPH BDO AC MBT ALI JFC RLC

VOLUME 86972500 36547300 361240 8635200 2706600 368280 5298700 6665200 1055320 10172900

VALUE (PHP) 702463355 550134530 342922570 293144815 291664473 275946255 243845220 229209175 220849324 158894174

American companies fear China internet restraints in Hong Kong HONG KONG, China—US businesses in Hong Kong fear mainland Chinese internet curbs and want local authorities to commit to the free flow of information, the head of the city’s American Chamber of Commerce said Monday.

Hong Kong has long marketed itself as an international business center, free from China’s controls and the “Great Firewall” used to censor online content.

But Beijing has started remolding the city in its own authoritarian image as it cracks down on dissent following huge and often violent pro-democracy protests two years ago.

A sweeping new security law imposed last year has criminalized much dissent and given authorities a suite of new controls, including internet takedown powers.

The latest measure to worry business owners is a proposed privacy law that will hold international tech companies and their employees criminally liable for illegal content that users post.

Tara Joseph, president of the local American Chamber of Commerce, said

the government needed to address the business community’s concerns.

“One of the key attributes of Hong Kong is that you can go onto Google, you can go onto Facebook and any other platform you want versus what you can do in mainland China,” she told Bloomberg Television.

“So I do think it’s important for the government to recognize that and to be open and say we’re going to maintain that free flow of information.”

On Friday, the United States issued a rare advisory, warning businesses of the “growing risks” of operating in Hong Kong as China clamps down there.

The advisory highlighted concerns about data privacy, transparency and access to critical business information, as well as the risk of breaching US sanctions against Chinese officials and entities.

“It’s unusual for the US government to put out a business advisory, so something like that has shaken awake anyone who wasn’t aware of the changes or the new normal that we’re experiencing in Hong Kong,” Joseph said. AFP

Historic flood engulfs renowned Belgian chocolate factory

By Laetitia Drevet CHAUDFONTAINE, Belgium—As the floodwaters receded in the river valleys of industrial eastern Belgium, the smell of cocoa was mixed with the stench of spilled fuel oil and churned up river mud.

Among the many businesses knocked temporarily out of action by the unprecedented inundation was the Galler factory, home to one of the country’s iconic luxury chocolate brands.

Built on the banks of the now churning Vesdre river, in Vaux-sous-Chevremont in Chaudfontaine commune outside the city of Liege, the plant ships high-end bars to aficionados as far away as Japan.

In Belgium, which styles itself the world capital of chocolate, it is accredited to supply the royal court of Philippe, king of the Belgians, alongside the likes of Godiva and Leonidas.

But, after a week of torrential rains sent waves of water surging down the narrow valleys of this former coal-mining area near the German border, part of the front wall of the plant has collapsed.

Taking stock Tools and workstations are swept into piles, and muddy water has stained the walls 1.8 meters (six feet) above its normal level.

“It’s time to take stock,” said Valerie Stefenatto, the 32-year-old communications manager, as she walked the premises in rubber boots, telephone in hand.

“The priority now is to secure the factory and to get the electricity back on, to see if the machines are still working or not.”

Vats of raw ingredients had been knocked over or burst and the smell of chocolate drifted through the air.

At Galler and at other businesses across the south and east of the country, questions will be asked.

This photograph taken on July 17, 2021 shows destroyed equipment and buildings at the Galler chocolate factory, destroyed by a severe flooding following heavy rainfalls, in Vaux-sous-Chevremont, near Chaudfontaine. AFP

Why were meteorologists’ and climate scientists’ warnings unheeded? Why did the government not act?

Here, when the river level started to rise on Wednesday, staff stacked sandbags and shut off production, but they had no way of predicting the wall of water that hit on Thursday.

“The factory has been here since 1976.

We’ve never known a flood in Vauxsous-Chevremont,” Stefenatto sighed.

Things could have been worse. Stocks of finished chocolate were stored in a depot on higher ground, north of Liege, and the wider commune has seen five residents killed and dozens left homeless.

“We have colleagues who have lost everything,” Stefenatto said, as exhausted workers found plastic chairs on the parking area. “To get get back on our feet, we’ll have to focus on the morale of the troops.” AFP

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

B4

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, July 19, 2021

-106.63

6,587.20

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,106,331,825 116,871 6,538,186,888.73 43 159 48

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JULY 19, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.2030

Japan

Yen

0.009090

0.4563

UK

Pound

1.377100

69.1346

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128735

6.4629

Switzerland

Franc

1.088376

54.6397

Canada

Dollar

0.793147

39.8184

Singapore

Dollar

0.737354

37.0174

Australia

Dollar

0.739500

37.1251

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655619

133.3200

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

13.3853

Brunei

Dollar

0.734646

36.8814

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030544

1.5334

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.6689

Euro

Euro

1.181000

59.2897

Korea

Won

0.000876

0.0440

China

Yuan

0.154354

7.7490

India

Rupee

0.013404

0.6729

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237699

11.9332

New Zealand

Dollar

0.700000

35.1421

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035737

1.7941 Source: BSP

AirAsia PH plans to revive Clark hub in fourth quarter

Business Favored enterprises get over P480b in tax perks F

By Julito G. Rada

ISCAL incentives enjoyed by favored enterprises cost the government P481.7 billion in foregone revenues in 2019, or a year before the landmark congressional approval of the law that finally introduced bold reforms in the corporate income tax system, a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III shows.

The Department of Finance said in a statement Monday the amount declined from the P518.7 billion in tax perks given away by the government in 2018 through the various investment promotion agencies and through fiscal incentives granted to cooperatives.

The agency expects future fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to be rationalized to ensure they are performance-based, targeted, time-bound and transparent, following the enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for

Enterprises Law in March.

A report of the DOF-Domestic Finance Group showed that of the P481.7 billion worth of incentives granted to a select group of corporations in 2019, about P149.28 billion or almost a third were in the form of income tax incentives.

Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan of the DFG said at a recent DOF executive committee meeting these included income tax holiday accounting for P68.4 billion (14.2 percent); special

income tax rate for IPA-registered enterprises accounting for P66.41 billion (13.8 percent); and income tax incentives for cooperatives accounting for P14.47 billion (3 percent), The incentives for the value-added tax accounted for P283.45 billion (58.8 percent) of the incentives; exemptions from customs duties, P47.59 billion (9.88 percent); and the percentage tax incentive availed by cooperatives, P1.38 billion (0.29 percent), she said.

The study covered 11,431 enterprises that filed their tax returns, including 5,749 IPA-registered firms and 5,682 were cooperatives.

Habitan said that of those that availed of income tax incentives, 3,083 were IPA-registered companies and 4,371 were cooperatives.

These amounted to a total of 7,454 or 57.5 percent of the 11,431 enterprises that were granted income tax perks, she said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar AIRASIA Philippines said Monday it plans to revive its Clark hub by the fourth quarter or once the government further eases travel restrictions.

“AirAsia is one with the Filipino people in celebrating this milestone in infrastructure development. This will definitely boost our initiatives for a stronger rebound post pandemic,” AirAsia Philippines chief executive Ricardo Isla said.

“Once travel restrictions ease and demand picks up soon, we are eyeing to strategically restore AirAsia’s Clark hub hopefully by fourth quarter of 2021,” he said.

AirAsia began its Philippines operations in Clark in March 2012, making it one of the carriers actively boosting connectivity, mobility in various local economies in North and Central Luzon.

Pre pandemic, AirAsia Philippines flew to 10 domestic and three international destinations from Clark including Cagayan de Oro City, Caticlan, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Puerto Princesa City, Tacloban City, Incheon, Kaohsiung and Taipei.

AirAsia Philippines joined leaders of the government and industry partners in witnessing the inspection and dry run of the world-class passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport on July 17.

Dubbed as Asia’s next premier gateway for North and Central Luzon, the new terminal is expected to decongest passenger traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with its annual 8 million passenger capacity.

Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp., the operator and manager of the Clark International Airport, assured that the new terminal building was designed to be a space of safety, ease, and quiet, with peace of mind of travelers high in its priority, especially in this time of global health crisis.

LIPAD is composed of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Services Inc. and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changi Airports International.

INTERTERMINAL TRANSFERS.

Inter-terminal cargo transfers between Manila North Harbor (NorthPort) and Manila International Container Terminal play a key role in the operation of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s newly launched mega Manila port hub. The shared efficiencies within the ICTSI Group enable both terminals to facilitate seamless cargo movement at the Port of Manila.

PNB eyeing new license to operate a digital bank PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifth-largest lender in terms of assets controlled by tycoon Lucio Tan, is eyeing a new banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to open and operate a digital bank.

The PNB board of directors on July 7 approved and confirmed the conversion of Allied Integrated Holdings Inc. (formerly PNB Savings Bank) into a digital bank, subject to regulatory and other necessary approvals.

“We wish to clarify to the exchange that notwithstanding the conversion of Allied Integrated Holdings Inc. as the corporate entity for the digital bank, the bank will still apply for a new banking license under BSP Circular No. 1105 dated Dec. 2, 2020,” PNB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday.

The PNB informed the PSE on June 25 of its plan to put up a digital bank. It revised the disclosure to “clarify the disclosure submitted on July 7, 2021 regarding the establishment of a digital bank.”

PNB president and chief executive Jose Arnulfo Veloso earlier said the bank would push for digitization amid the global health crisis.

He said that as the pandemic inevitably reshaped how businesses were conducted and transformed customer behavior, PNB would focus on exploring new opportunities, particularly in the digital space, that would translate into new revenue streams for the bank, while mitigating the risks arising from operating in the new normal.

PNB’s net income in the first quarter climbed 34 percent year-on-year to P1.8 billion, on strong service fees and commission income, reduced operating expenses and significantly lower provisions for credit losses.

Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

A. Brown approves P1.5-b share sale

NEW CEBU BRIDGE. Cebu Cordova Link Expressway engineer Robert Uthwatt briefs Public Works Secretary Mark Villar on the construction of the 8.5-kilometer toll expressway that will be the third link between Mactan Island and mainland Cebu. With them are Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. president Allan Alfon (between Villar and Uthwatt), project director Daniel Munoz (second from right) and CCLEC project manager Herbert Laboy.

Udenna unit announces plan to drill new wells to ‘rejuvenate’ Malampaya

By Alena Mae S. Flores MALAMPAYA Energy XP Pte. Ltd., a unit of Udenna Corp., said Monday it will embark on a drilling campaign to “rejuvenate” the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan once it completes the acquisition of the 45-percent stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. Malampaya Energy, in a statement, assured the acquisition of the Spex stake was funded by reputable financial institutions. The company issued the statement in response to the concerns raised by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who questioned the group’s technical, financial and legal capability to become the operator of the Malampaya gas project.

Gatchalian questioned the low capitalization of Malampaya Energy and the high debts of Udenna, which is “creating a lot of concern in the financial market.”

Malampaya Energy said the capitalization of the company is only one element of a capital structure and is not on its own a reflection of its ability to fund the deals.

“The acquisition of SPEX is 100-per-

cent underwritten and funded via bank loans from our existing lenders. These full facility agreements have been provided to the relevant decision makers,” the company said.

It said the company would have over P10 billion in cash upon the Spex share sale completion.

“After the SPEX transaction is completed, Malampaya Energy will be focused on ensuring continued safe and reliable operations of the Malampaya asset, finalizing a bridging solution and the exploration program to augment Malampaya gas. DOE can attest to a number of exploration opportunities inside the SC38 license area and the consortium is going to mature these to the extent possible,” Malampaya Energy head Belinda Racela said.

The company said the Senate energy committee “looked at a very thin slice of information” and it is Malampaya Energy’s responsibility to work with the Department of Energy and PNOCExploration Corp. “to ensure all the facts are properly presented and the financing certainty and significant cash is known.”

Imported car sales rose 55% to 30,153 units in six months

By Othel V. Campos THE Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. said Monday its members sold 30,153 vehicles in the first half, up 55 percent from 19,509 units in the same period in 2020.

“It has been an uphill struggle for the automotive industry, more so among importers, but the recent numbers are encouraging. As our nation progresses towards achieving herd immunity, the automotive industry has proven resilient and poised to emerge stronger than ever,” said AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

Passenger car sales increased 26 percent in the six-month period to 7,707 units from 61,28 units a year ago, while those of the light commercial vehicle segment posted a growth of 64 percent to 21,684 units from 13,244 units. Commercial vehicle sales surged 456 percent to 762 from 137 units.

Agudo said the commercial vehicles segment continued to be AVID’s pillar of growth with Hyundai steadily driving segment sales through the national Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. It maintained the top spot in the bus segment and placed fourth in the truck segment.

AVID said sales in June also grew by 33 percent to 4,936 units from 3,698 units in June 2020.

Month-on-month sales improved 1 percent from 4,871 units delivered in May. Passenger car sales went up 19 percent to 1,350 from 1,131 units, while sales of light commercial vehicles dropped by 4 percent to 3,556 from 3,719 units. Commercial vehicles sold went up by 43 percent to 30 from 21 units.

“With better prospects ahead, we will continue to give our best to ensure the complete recovery of the industry. This much, we owe the Filipino people,” Agudo said.

A. BROWN Company Inc. said Monday its board of directors approved the issuance of up to P1.5 billion worth of preferred shares.

ABCI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the company would initially offer 15 million preferred shares at P100 apiece. ABCI said the preferred shares may or may not have the features of dividend rate step up and are redeemable in five years.

The preferred shares will be issued from the company’s 50 million preferred shares shelfregistration program to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ABCI appointed PNB Capital and Investment Corp. as the sole issue manager for the fund raising activity.

The company earlier said it would pursue expansion for its property, power and bulk water businesses to sustain the company’s growth momentum. Under the plan, the company plans to expand its power generation portfolio to include fully-owned subsidiary Vires Energy Corp.’s combined-cycle floating liquefied natural gas power plant in Simlong, Batangas.

Jenniffer B. Austria

DOE eyes offshore wind power projects THE Department of Energy said it is teaming up with Carbon Trust and the Global Wind Energy Council to help unlock the country’s offshore wind potential.

The DOE said it would hold a virtual workshop on Wednesday in partnership with Carbon Trust, which helps governments and companies achieve a low carbon footprint, and GWEC to determine how the Philippine government and the wind industry could jointly work together to develop the country’s offshore potential.

It said earlier the Philippines has an offshore wind power potential of over 170,000 megawatts.

Offshore wind projects are situated in bodies of water which are said to have stronger potential than onshore ones.

“Harnessing our wind energy resources would open up a limitless resource of reliable and indigenous clean energy, bringing us closer to our energy security and sustainability goals.

This development would also redound to the benefit of Filipinos through job generation, public health benefits, and the influx of significant inward capital investment,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

Alena Mae S. Flores

27th NRCE features roadmap for retail THE biggest and most important retail industry event in the country—the National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo—will be back for its 27th edition this year as industry players pursue a new roadmap that will trigger a “retail reboot” for the new normal.

The virtual 27th NRCE, which will showcase experts who will share ways to shape a collective vision to drive innovation and achieve sustainability goals while transitioning to a better normal, is organized by the Philippine Retailers Association and slated on Aug. 12 and 13.

“Retailers are now faced with questions like: how do you curate your strategies to help your business move forward? How do you launch an innovation? How do you turn your company’s weaknesses into strengths to withstand all the difficulties a crisis could bring? These are just some of the challenges that we will try to address at this year’s NRCE,” said PRA president Rosemarie Bosch Ong, who’s also the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot Inc.

Sports

Duterte leads tribute of 10 Sports Hall of Famers THE Philippine Sports Hall of Fame formally immortalized 10 Filipino sporting greats on Sunday in a glittering digital enshrinement ceremony that paid homage to their praiseworthy achievements.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte honored the 4th batch of PSHOF enshrinees starring football hero Paulino Alcantara, basketball idol Robert Jaworski, famed swimmer Eric Buhain, track and field celebrity Elma Muros and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Arianne Cerdena of bowling.

Also joining them in the pantheon of Filipino sports heroes are Dionisio Calvo (basketball and football coach), Gertrudes Lozada (swimming), Rogelio Onofre (athletics) and Olympic bronze medalist boxers Leopoldo Serrantes and Roel Velasco.

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to congratulate the newest batch of sports icons that we enshrined into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. On behalf of a grateful nation, let me thank our athletes for bringing pride and honor to our country,’’ said Duterte during the first fully digital ceremony aired by PTV4.

“Through your dedication and excellence in your respective sports, let your achievements inspire the younger generation of Filipinos to work harder in their chosen fields so that one day they can make our nation proud as you have made us all proud,’’ added Duterte.

Receiving the finely-crafted PSHOF trophy for Alcantara, hailed as the greatest Asian player in 2007 nearly a century since he made the country proud, was Miguel Angel Rocha, Alcantara’s great grandnephew.

Buhain, who saw action in the Olympics twice (1988 and 1992) and collected 13 gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games, shared insights for the next generation of athletes to achieve success while Jaworski, a multiple medalist in the international arena, continued to inspire others with his accomplishments.

“It’s a privilege that I’ve presided over the selection committee. It was not easy to decide who among our past heroes will be chosen. Not everyone can become a part of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame,’’ said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez.

“They are great examples for our youth, they are living heroes and these heroes will have an impact on the lives of our children, the future of our country,’’ added Ramirez, also the PSHOF Chairman.

Turn to C2

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

TUESDAY, JULY 20 , 2021

C1

Recyclable cardboard beds and mattresses for athletes are shown during a media tour at the Olympic and Paralympic Village for the Tokyo 2020 Games, in Tokyo. The cardboard beds at the Tokyo Olympic Village are “sturdy”, organizers reassured after a report warned they weren’t strong enough for sex. AFP

Tokyo Olympic beds are sturdy, IOC says after ‘anti-sex’ report

Carlos Yulo trains at the Teiko University gym in Tokyo, Japan.

No-spectator Olympics

tailor-fit for gymnast Yulo

By Riera U. Mallari

N

O spectators? No problem.

These Tokyo Olympic Games, where no fans, local or foreign, will be allowed, are tailor-made for Philippine gymnastics’ pride Carlos Yulo.

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion revealed this during her Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Tokyo, where she hopes to join Yulo as he embarks on a quest for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold.

“These games are made for Caloy,” said Carrion. “As you very well know, Caloy is a very shy person. He performs better in a calm, silent environment. So with him doing his routines without spectators is very much to his advantage.”

Carrion pointed out the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, where Yulo won two golds in the All-Around and his pet event the men’s floor exercise, to go with his five silver medals in the pommel horse, still rings, vault, and the parallel and horizontal bars.

For a world-class gymnast anticipated to sweep all his seven events in the biennial meet, it was not quite what everyone

expected from the reigning world champion, but Carrion had an explanation.

“You know how it is with fans. Everyone was shouting ‘Caloy, Caloy’ during his routines in the SEA Games and he was not built for that. He was not used to that. But through the years, Caloy has learned to filter the noise and learn to focus and concentrate. But in Japan, where there are no fans, that would be better,” Carrion explained.

The gymnastics chief also recalled the 2019 FIG Artistics Gymnastics World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany, where Yulo was the seventh-ranked finalist.

“Nobody knew him, so everyone was quiet. After his performance, everyone was stunned,” said Carrion, who revealed that her ward is now settled at the Tokyo Olympic Village.

“He’s really calm, he’s ready physically, mentally and spiritually when I spoke to

him yesterday (Saturday),” said Carrion, who is confident Yulo can win a gold in the floor exercise, and possibly, a silver in the vault or in the parallel bars.

Yulo starts his campaign on July 24 for the qualification of the apparatus. Finals of the individual all-around, if he qualifies, will be on July 28. The floor exercise finals will be on Aug. 1, vault on Aug. 2 and parallel bars on Aug. 3 along with horizontal bar. The pommel horse and rings finals are slated on Aug. 1 and 2.

“I’m the one who’s really nervous.

Caloy, he’s just okay,” said Carrion.

Yulo has been training in Japan over the last four years under Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, developing a bond and influence that go both ways, with the 4’11” Teikyo University student now able to speak Japanese fluently, and his mentor also knowing how to speak in Filipino.

“I asked him (Kugimiya), how’s the weather in Tokyo, he told me, ‘mainit’.

He speaks Tagalog (Filipino) better than me now,” said Carrion.

There are also plans to request the IATF for Yulo not to undergo the 7-day hotel quarantine period and just submit a negative RT-PCR test as some sort of an incentive if he wins the gold.

“When he wins the gold, not if,” confidently said Carrion.

TOKYO—The cardboard beds at the Tokyo Olympic Village are “sturdy”, organisers reassured on Monday, after a report warned they weren’t strong enough for sex.

Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan filmed himself jumping repeatedly on a bed to prove the point, after the report in the New York Post claimed the beds were deliberately flimsy to promote social distancing.

“The beds are meant to be anti-sex.

They’re made out of cardboard, yes, but apparently they’re meant to break with sudden movements. It’s fake -fake news!” McClenaghan said in the video posted on Twitter.

The official Olympics Twitter account thanked McClenaghan for “debunking the myth”, adding “the sustainable beds are sturdy!”

The report in the New York Post was based on a tweet, apparently tongue-in-cheek, by US distance runner Paul Chelimo who said the cardboard beds were “aimed at avoiding intimacy among athletes”.

“Beds will (only) be able to withstand the weight of a single person to avoid situations beyond sports,” he tweeted.

It’s not the first time the beds, which signal a commitment to sustainability, have come into question.

In January, manufacturer Airweave said they can withstand a weight of 200 kilos (440 pounds) and have been through rigorous stress tests, after Australian basketball player Andrew Bogut queried their durability.

“We’ve conducted experiments, like dropping weights on top of the beds,” a spokesperson told AFP. “As long as they stick to just two people in the bed, they should be strong enough to support the load.” AFP

Best-prepared PH team capable of winning medals

By Peter Atencio MEDALS can be expected from the 19 Filipino athletes seeing action in the Tokyo Olympics in the coming days.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez believes this because the present national delegation is the most prepared contingent since the 1924 Paris Olympics.

“This is the most prepared and strongest Philippine delegation since 1924. They will be the center of inspiration sa mga kabataan, especially in areas of value and character,” said Ramirez.

The PSC chief expressed his thoughts in the coming quadrennial meet in a Zoom huddle with scribes, some three days before he leaves for Japan with National Training Director Marc Velasco.

The present crop of Filipino athletes emerged after 96 athletes from 18 national sports associations trained, prepared and joined Olympic qualification competitions since coronavirus pandemic took place last year, even though there were travel restrictions in place in many countries.

Ramirez said the prospect of going to the Tokyo Games to watch Filipino athletes compete excites him.

Ramirez recalled that during the 1924 Paris Olympics, sports officials back then took a lot of effort in raising funds for the Philippine team to board a ship and head for the quadrennial meet. This was done with private funding alone, with little or no government support.

“Kaya very fortunate ang mga athletes na ito.

Kaya, it would be frustrating if no one delivers the gold, no one delivers a silver. Kaya ako excited pumunta because I thought that I can be a witness to

a historical gold medal win,” added Ramirez.

The present national delegation is considered as the second largest contingent that the country has assembled since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Included in the team are Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Eumir Felix Marcial (boxing), Irish Magno (boxing), Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Carlo Paalam (boxing), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting) and Cris Nievarez (rowing).

Also listed are Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Jayson Valdez (shooting), Juvic Pagunsan (golf), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Kristina Knott (athletics), Yuka Saso (golf), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Gebbie and Rule.

PSC chairman William Ramirez

Emirates SkyCargo takes only 8 flights to transport 247 horses from Liege to Tokyo

On Emirates SkyCargo’s modern and efficient Boeing 777 freighter aircraft capable of transporting around 100 tonnes of cargo per flight, it takes only eight flights to move 247 horses in 131 specially designed horse stalls, 59 grooms to look after the horses, 100 tonnes of special equipment and most importantly 20 tonnes of food and drink for the equine champions.

Eight more flights will fly the horses back to Liege from Tokyo.

DUBAI—As the eyes of sporting enthusiasts around the world turn to Tokyo, a group of very special champions are making their way to the Japanese capital on special flights operated by Emirates.

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates is operating eight charter flights to fly 247 horses from Liege to Tokyo. The first flight with 36 dressage horses has already landed at Haneda airport, Tokyo. Emirates will be operating an additional eight flights for the return journey from Tokyo to Liege.

The carrier is working with Peden Bloodstock, a leading international horse transportation specialist for this charter.

During the flights, the horses will be comfortably settled inside specially designed horse stalls. Emirates SkyCargo will be flying 131 horse stalls to transport the 247 horses. In addition, 59 grooms will also be flying with the horses on the eight flights to ensure that the horses are well cared for, fed, and watered during the journey from Liege to Haneda via a brief stopover in Dubai. Emirates will be transporting 20 tonnes of inflight food and drink for the horses along with 100 tonnes of special equipment for the onward journey from Liege.

Emirates has decades of experience in transporting horses across six continents for

international sporting events. Emirates is also the title sponsor of a number of prestigious global horse racing tournaments and is a sponsor of Godolphin, the world’s leading horse racing team.

Emirates has a fleet of modern Boeing 777 freighter aircraft and a well-trained team to ensure that horses have a comfortable and stress-free flight experience. Emirates SkyCargo complies with regulations set out by national and international authorities on live animal transport including IATA Live Animals regulations (LAR).

For further details on the transportation of the horses, please visit FEI’s media center.

C2

Sports

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

USA rallies to beat Spain in final tune-up for Olympics

US golfer Collin Morikawa celebrates winning the 149th British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George’s, Sandwich in south-east England. AFP

Morikawa wants more after Open triumph

S

ANDWICH—Collin Morikawa’s ambition has no limits after the 24-year-old sealed his second major with a flawless display on Sunday to win the British Open on debut.

The American finished on 15 under par to hold off compatriot Jordan Spieth as a crowd of 32,000 spectators at Royal St. George’s were treated to a titanic battle for the Claret Jug. Those in attendance may look back on Morikawa’s performance as a landmark moment for the world number four, who now has a pair of major titles to his credit in just over two years as a professional.

“I’ve had belief in myself since turning pro that I can do it,” said Morikawa.

“When it’s coming to these tournaments, courses and styles that I have

never played, I do my homework Monday to Wednesday to know what I need to do.”

Morikawa is the first male golfer to win two majors in his first eight appearances since 1934 after winning the 2020 US PGA Championship and he also finished in the top-10 at this year’s US PGA and US Open.

‘Best moments ever’

“I just want more. When you’re in these moments and you truly love what you do, and I love playing golf and competing against these guys, these are the best moments ever because the nerves push you to just be

a better person,” said Morikawa, who will now look to win an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Spieth did everything he could to test Morikawa’s mettle as the 2017 British Open champion played the final 12 holes in six under par, at one point cutting his rival’s lead to a single stroke.

But where others may have felt the heat in sweltering conditions as temperatures topped 30 degrees celsius on England’s south-east coast, Morikawa coolly completed a bogey-free 66 to finish four under for the day.

“I’m glad I look calm because the nerves are definitely up there, but you channel these nerves into excitement and energy,” added Morikawa.

Spieth knows better than most the demands that come with being a rising star in golf.

The now 27-year-old won back-to-

‘Dangerous’ Hamilton wins ‘hollow’ British Grand Prix after collision with Verstappen SILVERSTONE—Lewis Hamilton was accused of being “dangerous and disrespectful” in reviving his Formula One title defence by winning the British Grand Prix on Sunday after a first lap crash that left championship leader Max Verstappen complaining he had been “taken out”.

Hamilton retorted after the race that he would “not be bullied”.

Roared on by a crowd of more than 140,000, Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen on Copse corner on the first lap.

Verstappen refused to yield. The two touched wheels and the Red Bull went careening off the track and into the barrier. Hamilton drove on with just a broken wheel rim.

“Glad I’m ok,” tweeted Verstappen from hospital.

“Very disappointed with being taken out like this.”

His boss Cristian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, had already laid into Hamilton who won his home race for the eighth time.

“I hope Lewis is very happy with himself,” said Horner. “That’s a hollow victory.”

“Copse is one of the fastest corners in the world. You don’t stick a wheel up the inside. That’s just dirty driving.”

Hamilton said after the race that he had felt “a lot of anger after the shunt” and blamed Verstappen.

“I don’t feel he needs to be aggressive as he is,” he said. “I would never back down from anyone. I will not be bullied into being less aggressive.

“We needed the points. He left a gap and I went for it.”

Charles Leclerc grabbed the lead before racing was suspended while crews cleared away the Red Bull and Verstappen was taken to hospital for tests.

Verstappen was later discharged from hospital “fol-

Winner Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton embraces the trophy on the podium after the Formula One British Grand Prix motor race at Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England. AFP

lowing a thorough medical examination, without any major injuries,” said the team.

It was “a pretty impressive impact,” said Dr. Ian Roberts, Formula One’s medical rescue co-ordinator.

He said Verstappen was “a little winded to say the least” but added there were “no injuries apparent at the moment”.

Stewards imposed a 10 second-penalty, the second lightest punishment available to them, on Hamilton who was still able to chase down Leclerc.

“The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track,”

back Masters and US Open titles in 2015, a year in which he finished in the top four in all four majors.

He then triumphed at the 2017 British Open, but that was Spieth’s last major success and he only ended a four-year wait for a PGA victory in April at the Texas Open.

“Clearly, with the shots he’s hit and the putts he’s holed, he’s not afraid of high pressure situations and winning a major championship,” said an admiring Spieth of Morikawa.

“At 24, obviously there’s a bright future ahead.

“I think winning one (a major) can happen to a lot of people playing really good golf in one week, and I think winning two, he’s obviously proven that this stage is where he wants to be.

“He’s got the potential and the game, and the head, to be able to manage any kind of bumps in the road.” AFP

said Verstappen’s tweet. “Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour but we move on.”

Hamilton’s win ended Red Bull’s streak of five straight victories to cut Verstappen’s lead in the championship to eight points.

Monegasque Leclerc was second, 3.81sec back to revive Ferrari’s season.

The second Mercedes, driven by Finn Valtteri Bottas, who had allowed Hamilton to pass after the penalty, was third, ahead of the McLarens of Briton Lando Norris and Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

It was a bad afternoon for Red Bull with Sergio Perez finishing 16th and outside the points to drop from third to fifth in the standings.

‘It looked desperate’ Horner focused his frustration on Hamilton.

“I don’t care what Lewis said. That’s a hollow victory.”

“It shouldn’t be like that. Max has incurred a 51g accident. Lewis is a seven-time world champion. He shouldn’t be making manoeuvres like that, It’s unacceptable,” Horner said.

“It was dangerous, it looked desperate, he’s put a competitor in hospital.”

“The biggest result for us was that he was uninjured. I hope Lewis is very happy with himself.”

Horner was also dissatisfied with the punishment.

“It wasn’t much of a penalty,” Horner said.

Hamilton took his penalty during a pit stop when running second and came back on to the track in fifth place.

“Regardless of whether I agree with the penalty I just take it on the chin,” he said.

“I’m not going to let anything get in the way of the crowd’s enjoyment of the weekend and the national anthem and the British flag.”

“It was so physical, chasing down Charles. I was giving absolutely everything, didn’t know if my tyres were going to last.”

Leclerc was disappointed after having victory snatched away, but could still take pride in a strong drive and a first podium finish of the season.

“It’s difficult to enjoy 100 per cent,” he said. “I gave 200 per cent. I gave all of me but it was just not enough in the last two laps.” AFP

King LeBron reigns again as new ‘Space Jam’ tops box office LeBron James arrives at the Warner Bros Pictures world premiere of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at the Regal LA Live in Los Angeles, California. New Warner Bros. release “Space Jam: A New Legacy” rocketed to the top of the North American box office over the weekend, taking in an estimated $31.6 million in the best showing of a family film since Covid first hammered the industry. The live action/ animated movie—a sequel nearly 25 years after the original “Space Jam” with Michael Jordan -- has NBA superstar LeBron James teaming up with Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters in a high-stakes basketball game against a rogue artificial-intelligence entity threatening his son.

LOS ANGELES—New Warner Bros. release “Space Jam: A New Legacy” rocketed to the top of the North American box office over the weekend, taking in an estimated $31.6 million in the best showing of a family film since Covid first hammered the industry.

The live action/animated movie—a sequel nearly 25 years after the original “Space Jam” with Michael Jordan—has NBA superstar LeBron James teaming up with Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters in a high-stakes basketball game against a rogue artificial-intelligence entity threatening his son.

The film’s surprise showing, despite middling-to-terrible reviews—the New York Post called it an “abomination”—propelled it past last weekend’s leader, Disney superhero film “Black Widow.”

That Marvel Studios production, starring Scarlett Johansson, took in $25.6 million in

the Friday-through-Sunday period, down sharply from its $80.4 million opening, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.

In third place was Sony’s psychological thriller “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,” at $8.8 million. Taylor Russell and Logan Miller, reprising their roles in 2019’s “Escape Room,” face a series of deadly traps and puzzles set by the evil Minos.

Fourth place went to Universal’s “F9: The Fast Saga,” at $7.6 million, bringing the fourweek domestic total of the Vin Diesel/John Cena action thriller to $154 million.

And in fifth was Universal’s animated “Boss Baby: Family Business,” at $4.7 million.

Meantime, “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain”—the Focus Features/ CNN Films movie about the world-traveling chef -- had the best opening of a documentary this year, at $1.9 million. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Team USA got back on track as they came from behind to beat reigning world champion Spain 83-76, in their final exhibition game before heading to Tokyo for the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.

Damian Lillard scored a teamhigh 19 points and Kevin Durant finished with 14 for the USA, who lost their first two exhibition games to Nigeria and Australia before beating Argentina on Tuesday.

The Americans also had a game against Australia cancelled on Friday after Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal was ruled out of the Olympics due to health and safety protocols connected to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons was also put in health and safety protocols and Kevin Love was lost to an injury.

Just when it appeared the US might be running out of time to develop chemistry for a run at an Olympic medal, the team reversed its fortunes by rallying to beat Spain behind a balanced scoring attack.

Keldon Johnson shot seven-of-nine from the field and had 15 points and Zach LaVine chipped in 13 in the victory at the Arena in Las Vegas.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio scored a game-high 23 points for Spain.

Team USA got off to a quick start, going on a 7-0 run in the first few minutes of the game.

But Spain roared back with a run of their own to take a 18-14 lead after the opening quarter. Spain kept the pressure on and led 38-36 at the half.

Johnson scored 10 of his points in the third, with Lillard draining a threepointer with just over three minutes left to give them their first lead since the opening moments of the game— and they would go on to extend that to double digits.

The USA picked up where they left off at the start of the fourth, as LaVine had a huge quarter, scoring all 13 of his points, including a couple of highlight-reel dunks.

The US will travel to Tokyo on Monday and have a week to get ready for their first game of the men’s tournament against France, set for next Sunday.AFP

Duterte...

From C1

By virtue of Republic Act 8757 or the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Act, the PSHOF Selection Committee is chaired by Ramirez as PSC chairman with Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino as vice chairperson.

“Their names will be forever remembered as Filipino heroes in the field of sports. These are our heroes who will become an inspiration to our youth for the sacrifices and the achievements that they contributed to the country,’’ said Tolentino.

Dionisio Calvo’s daughter Judy Calvo-Olson received the posthumous award for his father, who coached and steered the men’s national basketball team to its best performances in the Olympics— fifth in the 1936 Berlin Games and 12th in 1948 London aside from a gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games.

“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, I assure you of my unrelenting and wholehearted support for our athletes and the entire sports community. Patuloy kong isusulong ang mga panukala at batas para sa mga atleta na magpapaunlad sa larangan ng sports sa bansa ng sa gayon ay makabuo tayo ng mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga hall of famers tulad ng 10 atleta na pinarangalan natin,’’ said Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Cerdena, Lozada, MurosPosadas and Velasco likewise expressed gratitude for their enshrinement as well as Serrantes and Onofre through their family members. Abdul Bashir Onofre spoke on behalf of his dad while Leodiles Serrantes read the message of his ailing father.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

C3

Angel Locsin vows to remain Kapamilya Angel Locsin is a solid Kapamilya.

WHILE a few stars are transferring networks and some talents are on the verge of leaving their mother studio, Angel Locsin maintained that she will remain as a Kapamilya and won’t leave ABS-CBN no matter what.

“I will stay here because I see it as just right. Especially at a point when it’s going through a lot, I will just be here. I can’t leave my friends here,” she averred.

Her public service program Iba ‘Yan just had its curtain call. And even if she still doesn’t have a follow-up show, she will remain a Kapamilya.

“It doesn’t mean that people should see me on television every day. I’m still okay. I can’t say that I’m that rich already.

VERY WANG

I

NICKIE WANG

T’S not every day that we see celebrity couple Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano on one screen.

But when we do, we could only gasp, “what a beautiful power couple.”

Individually, they have a lot of things on their plate. Toni is a multi-hyphenate actress, television host, singer, and entrepreneur, while Paul is a commercial and film director and producer.

Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment the actress and television host admitted that she wouldn’t be able to perform all her tasks without the help of her husband. And sure, they are good together working as partners.

“We’re able to develop better teamwork during this pandemic. We’re able to establish our roles. Paul is the encourager, the pusher, the risk-taker while I’m the person who kind of analyzes whether something is a good decision or not, sometimes I procrastinate and think twice. I’m the person who doesn't believe in myself that much and I need a person who will push me and remind me that I am capable of doing things possible,” Toni shared with the author during a virtual junket for PLDT Home.

“It’s a blessing when you work together with the person that you really love. It doesn’t happen a lot, but when it happens you just kind of be in that moment and be really thankful. When I work with my wife, usually it’s more of me working behind the camera,” Paul said in turn alluding to their family working together in one project as PLDT Home ambassadors.

“To have Seve in that mix is something that makes it extra special,” Paul added.

The Soriano family joins PLDT Home in its latest “Do it Better” campaign that inspires Filipino families to do things better at home powered by the country’s fastest home broadband. The campaign highlights how PLDT Home enables Filipinos to work more productively, learn faster, enjoy wider entertainment choices, enjoy better health, and discover limitless opportunities with the power of fast and reliable connectivity at home.

“We consider this partnership with PLDT as a blessing in this pandemic.

Even before they got us as ambassadors, we’re already part of their family,” Toni said.

“It took a lot of adjustment for me and my family during the first few months in the pandemic but we realized that not only can we do most of what we need to do at home, we can also do it better

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES Perhaps, I became wise enough to save over the years. I have few investments.

My family and I can still survive,” she said.

Angel also noted that even though people will not see her on the small screen on a regular basis, she will still be visible via her product endorsements and other platforms.

“I’m also grateful that there are still

other ways in which I can earn money. I still have endorsements and I can branch out into other platforms like YouTube.

Of course, I’ll be getting married also so I have to concentrate on that,” Angel explained.

Asked about some of her fellow ABSCBN talents who opted to leave and sought new management or transfer to other TV stations, the actress stated: “You know, I’m not in the position to judge them. I understand their predicament. They have to earn a living.

All of us have our respective paths to trek.

I’ll be happy for them if they’ll be able to find work in these difficult times.” Read full story on manilastandard.net

What Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano do better together Ruru Madrid tackles the lead role in ‘Lolong’ with Arra San Agustin (center) and Shaira Diaz as his leading ladies.

TV’s latest action-adventure ‘Lolong’ reveals star-studded cast

The Soriano family joins PLDT Home in its latest ‘Do it Better’ campaign that inspires Filipino families to do things better at home powered by the country’s fastest home broadband.

with PLDT Home. With shoots and other events moving to digital, having seamless connections allowed the shift to be easier,” the television host added.

Working from home meant that she had to convert her workspace into something suited for online hostings, meetings, and work commitments. This meant turning her makeup and dressing room into a workstation.

“We made a dedicated workspace at home where we can fulfill our work duties such as filming remotely, edit videos, and attend virtual meetings. Paul helped me set up our workspace at home,” she added.

Working out to keep themselves healthy is a priority for both Toni and Paul and being on lockdown meant that they had to stay physically active at home.

“In a pandemic, it’s important to keep ourselves healthy and one of the ways to do that is by making time for work out or exercise. We do workout together at home. It’s fun and has become a bonding experience for me and Toni,” Paul said.

Paul also had to adapt to a new working environment and shifted much of his work online—something he has done

successfully as he was able to complete five films at the height of the lockdowns.

But with all the changes in their lifestyles, Toni said that their biggest discovery is the blessing of spending time together.

“The pandemic taught me a lot of things such as appreciating what we have—being with Seve all the time, being a hands-on parent, and see him grow every day— these are things that I will never exchange for anything in the world and we count these as blessings,” she said.

Just like Toni, Paul and Seve, Filipino families are working harder to excel and achieve the lives that they aspire for despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The newly-launched “Do It Better” campaign with the Soriano family highlights all the great possibilities that families can achieve with the power of the fastest home broadband, PLDT Home.

Watch the “Do It Better” launch video on this link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ifhMY3XXCcY Discover how PLDT Home can power you to do things better at home, visit www. pldthome.com.

TELEVISION star Ruru Madrid will be joined by some of the biggest names in the local entertainment in the upcoming primetime series Lolong where he takes the titular role.

It was earlier announced that Shaira Diaz and Arra San Agustin will be Ruru’s leading ladies in what is dubbed as the Philippines’ biggest primetime adventure series of 2021.

The rest of the artists who will be part of the GMA Public Affairsproduced show were revealed last July 16.

Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Bembol Roco, Malou de Guzman, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Ian de Leon are part of the powerhouse cast of this exciting series about a man’s extraordinary friendship with a giant crocodile.

Joining them are Mikoy Morales, Paul Salas, DJ Durano, Marco Alcaraz, and Maui Taylor. Set to portray special roles as well are Leandro Baldemor and Priscilla Almeda.

Netizens expressed their excitement for the upcoming GMA primetime series when it dropped its official teaser on 24 Oras late last May, with some praising the graphics and animation used and even compared it to Disneyproduced shows.

The idea of making a crocodilethemed drama series came from award-winning journalist and host Jessica Soho, and Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho program manager, LJ Castel.

“I thought it would be interesting to weave reality with fiction and come up with a riveting adventure drama on primetime TV. I’m also hoping that the story would help educate our viewers about these fascinating but feared creatures with whom we share our many rivers, lakes, and seas,” Soho said through the production team.

She added that the inspiration came “from all the crocodile stories we follow on KMJS, even in far-away islands like Balabac in Palawan. Humans versus crocodiles!”

Dakila, who will be Lolong’s (Ruru) friend in the story, is made of fiberglass body and silicone skin. Referred to as the "highest paid actor" of the series, Dakila needs to be manned by 14 people.

Using pneumatic technology and an air compressor operated by a technician, Dakila’s tail can wag and his snout can open. Computergenerated imagery (CGI) will also be used to make the creature more realistic.

Lolong is produced by GMA Public Affairs—the same team behind some of the country’s toprating primetime series, Inday Will Always Love You, One of the Baes, Owe My Love, as well as the well-loved series that showcased stunning cinematography and superb visual narratives The Lost Recipe, Ilustrado, Alamat, and Sirkus, among others.

Directing Lolong are Rommel Penesa and Rado Peru.

Piolo, Alessandra strengthen dynamics in Netflix film ‘My Amanda’

By Maria Katrina Segui AFTER working together in the 2017 film, Kita Kita, Alessandra de Rossi and Piolo Pascual reunite on and off-screen for the Netflix original, My Amanda, which tells the platonic romance of two unusually close friends, Amanda and TJ. The film marks Alessandra’s directorial debut, describing it as a mixture of excitement and embarrassment, while Piolo co-produced under his production firm, Spring Films.

Alessandra, who took on many hats as the all-around woman of the project from acting, directing, writing, and producing, revealed that post-production work — sound design, CG, scoring, editing, color grading — was a “monster.” Directing was so physically draining that it took a toll on the actress’ health to the point of hospitalization, which happened three times in two weeks.

“She was getting disappointed, getting

frustrated because of the things that she wanted. She was just taking on so much stuff that she couldn't express,” Piolo recalled moments when Alessandra struggled as the director in a virtual conference.

Piolo also mentioned Alessandra and the film’s creative director, Joyce Bernal, would get into “big fights” during the shoot, but ultimately led to the betterment of the film.

“What's nice about their relationship is they're open. They learn from each other, especially you [Alessandra] from director Joyce,” he shared.

Apart from directing, Alessandra also penned the story, taking inspiration from her real-life friendship with men, particularly with her guy best friend, TJ, who shares the same name as Piolo’s character. She also cited Piolo and director Joyce’s friendship as another point of reference for Amanda and TJ’s dynamic relationship. The story aims to prove that platonic love between men and

Real-life best friends Piolo Pascual and Alessandra de Rossi as Amanda and TJ in ‘My Amanda.’

women is possible.

“That's what I wanted to talk about because all Pinoys are fans of romcoms. I decided to direct it because no one wanted to touch it. Because they found it a little bit unbelievable,” she explained about how My Amanda is a different take on love.

Piolo also talked about investing in the film as the producer. He revealed that the story pitch was presented to him as a gift, and it was not hard to approve as he has always trusted Alessandra’s craft ever

since Kita Kita.

“I didn't think twice because I knew it was a good film, and it's a good story to tell. As a producer, it's always risky to produce, but once you believe in a project, once you believe in the idea, you go all in, you dive headfirst.”

To be given support by the streaming giant Netflix was huge too, the two admitted.

“I've always wanted to showcase Philippine movies to the international

scene. We go to festivals to sell our films, we spend so much and we don't get distributed, and yet Netflix took a risk getting our film launched globally because I feel that we have a voice and that voice needs to be heard globally as Philippine filmmakers. I'm just happy that they gave us this chance to do it and I hope it will open doors for more,” Piolo shared.

According to the lead stars, the movie was in the works for three years and wrapped up before Netflix tapped them for a global launch, which gave them ample time to polish the film. The experience helped them come up with something so well-crafted as they were not bothered by deadlines.

“That was a good discipline for us, thanks to Netflix for it. Because of that, we're able to adjust and learn as well and grow as producers,” Piolo added.

My Amanda premiered on July 15 and is currently the second trending film on Netflix Philippines.

Life

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

C4

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021

By Jessica Asprer

“H

EALTHY learners tend to learn better.”

That was a statement of Department of Education undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, noting the increase in engagement among students served with hot meals in schools adopted by Joy Schools.

Joy Schools, Mondelez Philippines’ adopt-a-school program, recently celebrated its 10th year of making immediate and long-term impact on school children through feeding programs, nutrition education, teacher training, and parent participation.

Not only did the program’s activities drive attendance and active participation, but also contributed to better academic performance.

Following the improvement in nutrition, attendance had gone up to 93 percent partnered with a grade average of 82, according to communications manager Caitlin Punzalan.

The long-standing aim of Mondelez Philippines’ flagship community program is to give undernourished children in elementary schools a level playing field by targeting what is holding their potential back – the lack of basic nutrition.

“Step one has to do with balanced nutrition,” said Mondelez country director Ashish Pisharodi.

Sustainable practices

Holistic initiatives include a ninemonth feeding program for 100 undernourished students per school, nutrition education, and active play programs led by volunteers.

Mondelez zeroes in on nutrition and food aid for underprivileged children. But this, Pisharodi said, was a means to an end.

To encourage parents to provide good nutrition at home, 400 parents were equipped with urban vegetable gardens for them to grow fresh food on their own.

Joy Schools has also focused its advocacy on protecting the environment by converting classrooms into vibrant and interactive spaces. Plastic packaging was turned into eco-bricks used in the

A decade of empowerment through nutrition An adopt-a-school program recorded an increase in engagement, attendance, and grade among students served with nutritious meals.

PASSION FOR FOOD. Joy Schools, Mondelez Philippines’ flagship community program, marks its 10th anniversary of making immediate and long-term impact on underprivileged school children through feeding programs and nutrition education, among others.

nts to stude it given k g in rn . ols Lea ted scho in adop

slides, benches, and sheds of the plastic With the ongoing pandemic and the play areas. risk of unemployment, families said the The program made four recycled steady supply of food provided by the plastic play areas from 2019 to 2020. program was one of the things they were thankful for, according to Punzalan.

No child left behind To reach key stakeholders and enable Community feeding was discontin- learning at home, 568 home learning ued because of quarantine restrictions. kits, 150 laptops, and 81 Wi-Fi devices But the team, Pisharodi said, found were donated to the adopted schools. solutions to address hunger in the pandemic, “still holding the hands of our Nutrition at the heart of it adopted children and making sure to Joy Schools began in 2011 with a walk hand in hand with them”. feeding program for its first adopted The Joy Schools program, adapting school, Sampaloc Site II Elementary to the present situation, not only echoed School. Since then, they have had 19 hope and a healthy lifestyle to their stu- adopted schools, three of which were dents but also to their respective families. added just last year.

Complying with social distancing, “When Mondelez started helpweekly “veggie packs” were made ing us, the kids were given available for pickup at the schools and hope. Frequent absentees distributed to 100 families of severely started having perfect atundernourished students. tendance because they

Health-tech startup gets boost from Microsoft

A PHILIPPINE and Singapore-based health tech company gets Microsoft’s support to further accelerate its innovation in medical imaging.

Lifetrack Medical Systems offers a hybrid on-premise/cloud-based solution that enables affordable access, rapid transmission, and aggregation of medical imaging for emerging markets.

Its LifeSys platform simplifies radiologists’ workflows by connecting and distributing medical images from imaging centers to hospitals and single to multiple sites, including remote areas, within a single platform. This lowers treatment costs and makes medical imaging possible anytime, anywhere.

To date, over 2 million patient studies across 12 different countries have been diagnosed using Lifetrack’s platform.

“Our mission is to bring healthcare, particularly medical imaging, to two-thirds of the world that has no access to it. We can do this by improving the efficiency of radiologists and using the latest technologies to ensure that healthcare is accessible to all,” said Dr. Eric Schulze, chief executive officer and founder of Lifetrack Medical Systems.

The support from Microsoft comes at the heels of Lifetrack’s win at the inaugural regional 2020 Emerge X Competition held at the Philippine Startup week last year. The health-tech company was one of the four winners.

“Lifetrack’s innovative solution is a game-changer in the medical field. By making radiology more accessible and cost-efficient, treating illnesses and saving lives of people in developing countries become more within reach,”

were excited to eat healthy food,” shared Jeannette De Jesus of Col. E. de Leon Elementary School in Parañaque.

“We are passionate about food,” Pisharodi said. “Our purpose, really, is to empower people to snack right.”

Working hand in hand with DepEd Division Offices and implementing partner Philippine Business for Social Progress, Mondelez is eager to share this program with other markets, said corporate and government affairs country manager Joseph Fabul.

In its 10 years, Joy Schools has reached 5,378 beneficiaries. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan have also adopted the Joy Schools program.

Through Joy Schools, San Antonio said, ““Bayanihan is chilalive for the sake of the chil dren.” With Irah Marie Tan

Rhea Generics and Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines’ initial offering is a combination medication for the management of reversible bronchospasm associated with obstructive airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Rhea Generics offers affordable asthma, COPD management medication

Lifetrack Medical System, a health-tech startup based in the Philippines and Singapore, offers a hybrid on-premise/cloud-based solution that enables affordable access and rapid transmission of medical imaging.

said Abid Zaidi, chief operating officer of Microsoft Philippines.

Microsoft will provide Lifetrack access to its Microsoft Azure platform as well as an intensive mentorship and support program to accelerate its growth. The Emerge X Program sits within Microsoft’s Highway to a 100 Unicorns initiative which discovers and nurtures

high potential technology startups, and grows the ecosystem in emerging markets across the Asia Pacific.

“There is so much potential among our digital natives and we believe that with the right support, these natural innovators can potentially catalyze creative disruption in the economy – creating new opportunities as well as new markets,” added Zaidi.

HOMEGROWN generic medicine distributor Rhea Generics launches an affordable asthma and chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) medication.

The initial offering from Rhea Generics’ latest partnership with pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc. (BIPHI) is a combination medication for the management of reversible bronchospasm associated with obstructive airway diseases.

“BIPHI has been instrumental in the creation of the Rhea Generics medication for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As a result, we will now be offering a product with a lower price compared to competitors while delivering the same level of quality, efficacy, and safety as the innovator brand,” said Ne-

ogin Evangelista, president and general manager of Philusa Corporation.

According to Rhea Generics, the medicine is offered at up to 44 percent lower than other brands in the market.

“In today’s competitive and fastchanging world, our commitment to the research, development, and production of quality medicine must coincide with the drive to ensure greater access to our innovations,” said Yee Kok Cheong, general manager of BIPHI. As of 2018, the morbidity rate of respiratory illnesses in the Philippines was approximately 1.1 thousand per 100,000 people. Locally, COPD is among the top 10 causes of death in the country, while we rank 9th globally in terms of asthma mortality.

The generic drug is now available at all Mercury Drug stores.