Manila Standard - 2021 September 21 - Tuesday by Manila Standard

Face-to-face classes okayed 120 schools in ‘minimal risk’ areas to participate in a two-month trial

VOL. XXXV • NO. 218 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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

P TO 120 schools will be reopened for limited in-person classes for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in a pilot approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, officials said Monday.

“After thorough consideration and consultations with stakeholders, I have decided to approve the request. This is how we go forward,” the President said later in a televised address. While nearly every country in the

Granular zones in MM drop to 140 from 171

world has already partially or fully reopened schools for face-to-face lessons, the Philippines has kept them closed since March 2020. “We have to pilot face-to-face (classes) because this is not just an issue for

education, it’s an issue for the children’s mental health,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters. “It’s also an issue for the economy because we might lose a generation if we don’t have face-to-face (classes),” he added. Under guidelines approved by Duterte Monday, up to a hundred public schools in areas considered “minimal risk” for virus transmission will be allowed to take part in the two-month trial. Twenty private schools can also Next page

MEANS OF STUDY. In this file

photo taken on March 3, 2021, registered teachers wearing face masks and shields against COVID-19 conduct a teleconferencing with students at a local government-sanctioned online tutorial class in Taguig City. Inset shows a teacher and some pupils going over modules at the Calay Indigenous Peoples’ School in Sarangani province. These scenes could be replicated as the government gives the gosignal for limited face-to-face classes. AFP with DepEd. PR photo

INSPECTION. Trade Secretary

Ramon Lopez, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, and MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. (from left) inspect a restaurant inside the Rockwell Power Plant Mall in Makati on Monday, to check if the diner follows the COVID-19 protocols set by the government. Danny Pata

176,850

36,934

146

(As of 4 PM, SEPTEMBER 20)

DOH admits 10k vax doses gone to waste

AROUND 140 areas in 72 barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR) are under granular lockdown, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday, a slight drop from the 171 the government reported the previous day as some villages saw their coronavirus restrictions removed. This compares with the nationwide tally, according to the Department of Health, of some 97 areas in the country under Alert Level 4, the highest for COVID-19. The pandemic caused at least 155 deaths in the Philippines each day in

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

Fraud audit on Pharmally deal urged, House out to scrap PS-DBM between the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and Pharmally PharSENATE Minority Leader Franklin maceutical Corp. The call for a special audit came as a Drilon on Monday called for a special audit on the multibillion-peso contracts lawmaker in the House of Representa-

18,937

2,171,832 20,171

By Willie Casas, Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

2,385,616

tives filed a bill to abolish the PS-DBM. Drilon on Monday said the regular annual audit conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA) may not be sufficient to establish overpricing of the government’s purchase of COVID-19

medical supplies from the company. “First, I am asking COA to conduct a fraud audit because we saw there’s an anomaly… in PS-DBM,” he told ABSCBN’s Teleradyo in an interview. Next page

ABOUT 10,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been wasted since the country began its immunization campaign in March, a figure the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday was within the global standard. “When we look at the number of vaccines that were already provided to the population, which is about 40 plus million already, [and] comparing [this] to 10,000, this would yield a very, very Next page

Red Cross probed for wrong COVID-19 test results By Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Health has begun its investigation into allegations that the Philippine Red Cross released wrong results of COVID-19 tests done on health workers.

As the congressional hearing into the alleged overpriced medical supplies and equipment procured by the government for its COVID-19 response resumed, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta of SAGIP party-list group disclosed that 44 out of 49 health workers in Subic

Rody to Dick: You got P88m pork? By Joyce Pangco Panares

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN. Despite the lingering pandemic, SM City Masinag

in Antipolo City hopes to uplift spirits and bring cheers to shoppers as employees adorn its entrance area with holiday ornaments and a countdown to Christmas Day -- 100 days starting September 16, to be exact. Manny Palmero

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte yesterday asked Senator Richard Gordon whether it is true that he “parked” at least P88 million in pork barrel funds with the Philippine Red Cross. “I want to know – did you accept P88 million? From your PDAF [priority development assistance fund]? If this is true… You parked your PDAF and co-

mingled it with the money of the Red Cross. What you got – now the money is lost forever, if this is true?” the President said in his pre-recorded Talk to the People aired late Monday evening. Duterte, however, admitted that he is unsure of the figure because “somebody just whispered it in my ear.” “If this is not true, then forgive me. But if it is true, you must answer it. I Next page

tested positive after availing of PRC’s COVID-19 t ests. “It’s about a certain number of personnel in a hospital in Subic who were tested positive by the PRC laboratory in Subic. They are all vaccinated staff of Next page

VILLAR, PACQUIAO SENATE’S RICHEST NEWS / A2

PACMAN ‘DONE WITH BOXING’ SPORTS / C2

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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Villar, Pacquiao still richest senators By Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Senate of the Philippines has two billionaires, with Senator Cynthia A. Villar as the wealthiest member of the Upper Chamber, followed by world boxing champ Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

P3,187,092,600.69 through boxing. He is the only eight-division world champion in the history of the sport. De Lima, who has been detained over alleged drug charges, is the poorest with declared assets of P9,544,111.68. Next are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto at third (P581,071,657.97) and Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri in fourth (P220,736,702.43). Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. came in fifth with P179,958,909.30 and Sen. Sonny Angara was sixth with a net worth of P150,898,358. Sen. Franklin Drilon is the 7th richest with P106,862,853 followed by Sen. Grace Poe with P101,327,620.48.

The SALN of the other senators are: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian P91,213,596.57; Senate President Vicente Sotto III - P85,643,477.63; Sen. Pia Cayetano - P84,591,678.21; Sen. Richard Gordon - P77,569,572.39; Sen. Lito Lapid – P74,948,600; Sen. Francis Tolentino - P59,812,000; Sen. Nancy Binay - P59,770,251.00; Sen. Panfilo Lacson - P58,330,268.50, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III - P37,203,400; Sen. Imee Marcos - P36,270,467; Sen. Ronald dela Rosa - P34, 383,136.29; Sen. Joel Villanueva - P33,029,725; Sen. Francis Pangilinan - P23,941,333.25; Sen. Bong Go - P22,274,508.68; and Sen. Risa Hontiveros - P16,720,359.73.

Since she became a senator in 2013, Villar has remained the richest member of the Senate -- and Sen. Leila De Lima the poorest based on their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2020. Villar’s husband -- former Senate President and real estate tycoon Manny

Villar -- was listed as the richest Filipino in the Forbes World’s Billionaires List this 2021. The senator, whose family owns Vista Land and Vista Mall, among others, is worth P3,875,696,435. Next is Pacquiao, who has amassed his net worth and earnings of

Fraud... From A1

Palace: No Rody links to Davao Death Squad

The Senate leader said the Ombudsman could also conduct a fact-finding investigation on the allegedly anomalous deals, using some of the evidence gathered in the Blue Ribbon hearings. Despite having a paid-up capital of only P625,000, Drilon noted that Pharmally bagged P8.7-billion worth of contracts in 2020 to supply the Philippines medical supplies like PPEs, face shields and face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the awarded contracts to Pharmally may have reached almost P12 billion as of June 2021. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will resume its hearing on Sept. 21 when the panel receives more documents from PS-DBM and Pharmally. Drilon said the Senate might come up with a committee report of the investigation in November. Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said more Senate hearings are needed to fully uncover the alleged anomalies behind the supposed overpriced medical supplies procured by the Philippine government. “I don’t think one more hearing will be sufficient to thresh out the issues. There is so much information coming out. And not all senators have had their turn to ask questions,” he said. He said their concern revolves around the issue of corruption. “That is why I said that as far as the inquiry looking into irregularities, we support the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee,” he said. In spite of the resource persons’ refusal to cooperate, Lacson said the facts are slowly emerging on the transfer of P42 billion from the DOH to the PS-DBM. Lacson also said the Executive Department should support the Senate probe, especially since President Rodrigo Duterte himself had said he wanted to eradicate corruption. He said the investigation is targeting not personalities but the issue of corruption. “After all, we are all after the same thing,” he said. Meanwhile, a bill has been filed at the House of Representatives abolishing the PS-DBM. House Bill 10222, authored by Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus, also mandates national government agencies, including stateowned or controlled corporations, colleges and universities, and local government units (LGUs) to do their own procurement of supplies after the PS-DBM is abolished. Appearing in the House hearing, former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang on Monday said it was his “friends” who helped Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. with its finances in purchasing COVID-19 supplies last year. Yang, through his interpreter, said he only referred some friends who could help Pharmally with its finances. In seeking the scrapping of the DBM’s procurement arm, Rodriguez said the office has faced “many issues and controversies, the most recent of which was the transfer of P42 billion by the Department of Health for face shields, face masks, personal protective equipment, and other Covid-19 pandemic-related purchases.”

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

DOH... From A1 small percentage,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online briefing. Vergeire said a wastage rate of 5 percent is acceptable based on the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). “The 10,000 [vaccine doses lost] were still within the acceptable range,” she added. Logistics issues and “unforeseen events” such as power outages and storms were among the causes of wast-

Harry Roque said in an interview on ABS-CBN. Roque also dismissed claims by self-confessed DDS members Arturo Lascañas and Edgar Matobato about Duterte supposedly ordering killings in Davao City. “I knew about them even before. We went to the site where they allegedly buried bodies. We conducted a dig with Peruvian anthropologist Pablo Baraybar and we only found a skeleton of a

dog,” Roque said. The Palace official made the reaction in response to the International Criminal Court’s decision to look into killings in Davao from November 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016, the time when Duterte served both as mayor and vice mayor. The Davao Death Squad is a controversial vigilante group in Davao City that allegedly conducted operations against drug suspects and other criminals.

Fund and many teachers for a return to in-person learning amid concerns the prolonged closure was exacerbating an education crisis in the country. It is not clear when the pilot will begin, or which schools or areas will be included. A “blended learning” program, which involves online classes, printed materials and lessons broadcast on television and social media, will continue. Party-list Rep. France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said the decision was long overdue. Fifteen-year-olds in the Philippines were at or near the bottom in reading, mathematics, and science, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Most students attend public schools where large class sizes, outdated teaching methods, lack of investment in basic infrastructure such as toilets, and poverty have been blamed for youngsters lagging. ACT urged the government to retrofit classrooms for safe limited face-to-face classes; install health facilities such as adequate comfort rooms, hand-washing facilities, school clinic, and others; hire health and sanitation personnel; conduct health checks and mass testing on all education workers and learners who will participate in in-classroom learning; provide free medical supplies and personal protective equipment; ensure a safe mode of transportation; and implement health protocols such as reducing the class size

to a maximum of 15 students. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian thanked the President for allowing the dry run of limited face-to-face classes in areas with minimal risk of COVID-19. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate basic education committee, said this was a significant step forward in efforts to restore normalcy in the education sector. A party-list lawmaker, meanwhile, voiced concern over the conduct of limited face-to-face classes. Rep. Alfredo Garbin, Jr. said that faceto-face classes should happen only if the attending students, their teachers, and the transport drivers are fully vaccinated and minimum health standards are met. “Anything less would be unsafe for students, teachers, and their families,” Garbin said in a statement. “When full vaccination of the teachers and 18+ students are achieved, the first to reopen should be the colleges, universities, and technical-vocational, and alternate learning classes because the students are adults in these schools,” he said. Rep. Alfred Vargas of Quezon City urged national government agencies to address several concerns raised by teachers and education advocacy groups before beginning limited faceto-face classes this school year. These concerns range from additional hazard pay for teachers, enforcement of health protocols, and identifying courses where face-to-face classes are indispensable.

August, the highest since it began early last year, the Department of Health reported Monday. In an update, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 155 deaths surpassed the previous record set in April (135). In a message to reporters, the PNP said the 140 areas could be broken down into 76 areas in 22 barangays in three cities under the Northern Police District; 19 areas in 12 barangays in two cities under the Eastern Police District; three areas in three barangays in two cities under the Southern Police District; and 42 areas in 35 barangays under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City Police District. Although the police data did not specify which NCR villages had their granular lockdowns removed, data obtained by the Standard from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority showed there were no barangays under granular lockdown as

of Sept. 20. The MMDA data also showed that 3,093 families were affected by granular lockdowns, with the majority confined to 831 households. Shuttered “units” – unclear if housing or condominium units – were next at 101, followed by “compound” lockdowns at 48. No areas under the Manila Police District are under granular lockdown, the PNP said, but around 333 police officers and 480 “force multipliers” were closely watching the rest of the Metro Manila areas. Meanwhile, Vergeire said in an interview on ANC: “For now, we have 97 areas in the country where we are at Alert Level 4. And when we talk about Alert Level 4, your hospital utilization is more than 70 percent already.” “It is that risk that we need to monitor, and we need to augment our resources so that we can further expand,” she said, as the DOH hoped that vaccinations would help lower the number of severe and critical cases in hospitals. Also, Malacañang denied on Monday the government would implement the new alert level system nationwide by

October 1. The 5-level alert system accompanied by granular lockdowns is being tested in Metro Manila until Sept. 30 or next Thursday. “This is just a pilot. This will not be implemented yet on a nationwide basis come October,” said Palace spokesman Harry Roque. Government hopes the system could better contain COVID-19 outbreaks and spur business activity. The Philippines logged on Monday 18,937 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,385,616, as all laboratories were operational, and five labs were not able to submit their data on time, DOH reported. The independent OCTA Research group, at the same time, said the increase in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region might have already peaked – which the DOH continued to dispute. OCTA, in its latest update, said the NCR had an average of 5,319 new cases from September 13 to 19, down 13 percent from the previous week’s tally of 5,916 cases.

age, she said. The Philippines has so far administered 41.41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with 18.56 million Filipinos now fully vaccinated, the government said. The private medical cold-chain company Pharmserve Express Inc. (PEI), meanwhile, said no vaccines were wasted while they were stored, packed, and distributed to local governments since April 2021. PEI President Andrian Perez issued the statement after the DOH acknowledged that 10,000 doses of vaccines had been wasted since the government began its inoculation program. Health Undersecretary Myrna

Cabotaje said the “biggest wastage” was recorded in a storage facility at a major vaccination site in Filinvest, Muntinlupa City, due to change in temperature in that facility. The number also includes the vaccines that were damaged during a fire in South Cotabato and the jabs that were spoiled after a freezer was left unplugged in North Cotabato. There were instances in which some vials were dropped or had no labels. Also on Monday, the Commission on Human Rights expressed support for prioritizing health workers in the administration of COVID-19 booster shots.

MALACANANG denied that President Rodrigo Duterte is linked to the alleged Davao Death Squad (DDS) but confirmed the vigilante group is real. “From my own investigation, while I confirm the existence of the Davao Death Squad, I found no evidence that then mayor Duterte Rodrigo Duterte was involved,” Presidential spokesman

Face-to-face... From A1 participate. Classrooms will be open to children in kindergarten to grade three, and senior high school, but the number of students and hours spent in face-to-face lessons will be limited. Kindergarten classes will be limited to 12 learners and should not last more than three hours per session. Grade Levels 1 to 3 will have 16 learners each at three hours maximum. Only 20 technical-vocational learners will be allowed in five senior high schools. They will be allowed to have in-person classes for a maximum of four hours only. Roque said classes will be held on halfdays and will only be every other week. Schools wanting to take part will be assessed for their preparedness and need approval from local governments to reopen. Written consent from parents will be required. “If the pilot class is safe, if it is effective, then we will gradually increase it,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones. She said the pilot face-to-face classes could start in two months. Duterte rejected previous proposals for a pilot reopening of schools for fear children could catch COVID-19 and infect elderly relatives. But there have been growing calls from the United Nations Children’s

Granular... From A1

Rody... From A1 am going to insist that the Commission on Audit conduct an audit on the Red Cross,” the President added. Duterte said the Blue Ribbon inquiry led by Gordon was meant to besmirch his reputation and that of his administration “because the election is just around the corner.” “Your intentions are clearer than day… Why are you trying to cook something there? We do not even know the ingredients you were cooking up,” he said.

JBC to vet bids for SC associate justice position By Rey E. Requejo THE Judicial and Bar Council has announced that it is now accepting applications and nominations for the associate justice post in the Supreme Court, which will be left vacant when Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang reaches compulsory retirement age of 70 on January 9, 2022. The seven-member JBC concurrently chaired by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo also opened for reception of the application and recommendation for five posts of associate justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) and more than 70 judgeship posts in four judicial regions in Mindanao. The JBC, which is the constitutional office that vets and nominates appointments to the judiciary, said the deadline for the application or nomination is on November 2, 2021. Vacant posts in the appellate court were those left by Associate Justices Jhosep Y. Lopez who was promoted to the SC on Jan. 25, 2021; Danton Q. Bueser who retired on March 14, 2021; Franchito N. Diamante who passed away May 4, 2021; Edgardo T. Lloren who retired August 8, 2021; and Elihu a Ybanez who will retire on November 2, 2021. For judicial regions IX, X, XI, and XII, vacant judgeship posts are for the regional trial court (RTC), municipal trial courts (MTC), municipal circuit trial courts (MCTC), and Shari’a district court (SDC). These are in the provinces of Basilan, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Sulu, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

Red Cross... From A1 the hospitals and because they doubt the result that they became positive, they have themselves retested on September 6, it happened last September 3,” Marcoleta said. “After three days, they have themselves retested in another facility and 44 out of 49 false positive, nag-negative silang lahat,” Marcoleta added. Rep. David Suarez of Quezon, vicechairperson of the committee, said the wrong COVID-19 test results would have “definitely caused mental anguish, anxiety, and stress to the health workers who tested positive.” “Mr. Chair I would like to stress this point because Secretary Duque, 14 days isolation is no joke. And I do understand that 14 days of isolation is necessary for those who are truly tested positive. So, we really need to look into how the testing is being done especially if this testing is being paid for. We are looking here if COVID0-19 cases are on the rise. How sure are we?” Suarez said. In response, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine is now investigating the issue raised by Marcoleta. “I have with me the actual communication coming from a complainant, but who has requested anonymity. But I do confirm there is that complaint, which is being investigated now by the Lab Network, headed by Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago, whom I believe relayed to the RITM to do an evaluation or assessment of this complaint,” Duque said. He said the RITM will forward the result of its evaluation to the Health Facility Service Regulatory Bureau, which in turn will determine possible sanctions and actions to be taken to avert a similar incident in the future. The President stressed that COA itself said there was no overpricing nor ghost deliveries in the multi-billionpeso supply contracts awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. “What else are you looking for? COA already said there was no overpricing, no ghost deliveries. Tell us what you are looking for so we can present what you need,” he added. Duterte said Gordon fashioned himself to be a graft buster when the hearing was really “a fishing expedition, a witch hunt.” Gordon earlier insisted there was “intrinsic overpricing” in the P8.68 billion contracts awarded to Pharmally.

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PNP task force to probe slay of Abra doctor PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Monday ordered the creation of a special task force that would probe the killing of a doctor who ran for mayor in the 2019 elections in Pilar town, Abra. Eleazar said the task force would ensure the speedy investigation of the death of Dr. Amor Trina Dait and vowed that all angles would be investigated to bring the perpetrators to justice. “I have issued an order to the regional director of the Police Regional OfﬁceCAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) to form a special investigation task group to expedite the investigation in this case,” Eleazar said in Filipino in a video message sent to reporters Monday. Dait, a resident doctor of La Paz District Hospital, was gunned down inside her residence in Barangay Poblacion Saturday night. Eleazar has extended his condolences to Dait’s family and assured them that he would personally follow up on the case. “On behalf of the men and women of the PNP, I extend my sincere condolences to the medical community and the family of Dr. Amor Trina Dait. I assure you that I will personally focus on this case,” he said. As the national and local elections draw near, Eleazar ordered police commanders to start security preparations to ensure peaceful polls. “This incident only encouraged us to be more aggressive in our campaign against private armed groups and loose ﬁrearms to ensure the peace, honest and orderly conduct of the elections in the next year,” Eleazar said. Residents in the area are urged to provide more information about the incident and possible suspects.

NEUST project plants trees vs. COVID pandemic THE Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) CIT-Faculty Association has embarked on a tree-planting project that aims to maintain and uphold the stability of clean and green environment with the theme “Puno Ng Buhay 2021” Plant and Plant Against Pandemic. It is based on the belief that “the more we can restore and preserve biodiversity along with common sense consumption practices, the more we can maintain the health of the environment,” the group said in a statement. “Serving the community and establishing projects is one of interesting part of extension service. You are extending your precious time, effort, comradeship and sometimes your personal funds without return, you’ll do all you can to share your devotion, knowledge, and expertise to help community,” they said. The College of Industrial Technology —Extension Service Unit launched on Sept. 17 the community outreach activities and the tree planting. The CIT FA was able to plant 100 Narra and 100 Molave seedlings and 50 assorted fruit-bearing trees to its extension partners, the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Erlinda Park and Sambahayan at Bagong Buhay and Kalikid Norte in Cabanatuan City. Dr. Feliciano P. Jacoba, president of NEUST approved the request of Prof. Medel E. Aloroy to conduct tree planting activity to the CIT-Extension partner, the Center for Community Transformation located Bagong Buhay, Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija. This activity was gloriously accepted by Ruth Callanta, president of CCT, through Froilan H. Parado, the Executive Director of CCT.

5.2m Filipinos to benefit from BDP program, says Esperon By Maricel V. Cruz

SWEARING IN. Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice takes his oath before Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso as a new member of the Aksyon Demokratiko political party at the Kapetolyo in Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila on Monday. Also sworn in by Domagoso, the new president of the party founded by the late senator Raul Roco, are Caloocan City Councilors Alou Nubla, Christopher Malonzo, Alex Mangasar, Ricardo Bagus, Jacob Cabochan, and Russel Ramirez. Norman Cruz

DOJ to start probing cases vs. Joma, Reds By Rey E. Requejo

HE Department of Justice will soon start its preliminary investigation of the three criminal complaints filed by alleged rebel returnees against Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison and several others CPP members. Assistant State Prosecutor Honey Rose Delgado, spokesperson for the DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General, said on Monday that a panel of prosecutors has been created to conduct the preliminary probe. This came after two former cadres of the CPP-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, Kurt Russel Olaes Sosa and Joy James Saguino, filed criminal charges against Sison and three other respondents: Lean Porquia, Karen Edaniel and Vince Hugo Villena. Sosa and Saguino accused Sison and the three others of violations of Section 4(i) of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended, for recruiting a child to engage in armed activities; and Section 10(a) of RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,

Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The communist rebel-returnees were assisted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in filing the complaints. In his complaint filed last Sept. 1, Saguino named as respondents Sison, Porquia and Edaniel, while Sosa’s complaint filed last Sept. 3 named Sison and Villena as respondents. “Both complaints were already docketed (NPS Docket Nos. XVI-INV21I-002803 and XVI-INV-21I-002834) and forwarded to the chairperson of the appropriate task force for assignment to a panel of prosecutors for the conduct of the preliminary investigation,” the OPG said in a statement issued last September 7. “Saguino claimed that he was allegedly re-

cruited in June 2007 at the University of the Philippines — Visayas, Iloilo Campus when he was still a 16-year-old student,” it added. In the case of Sosa, OPG said the complainant claimed that he was a 17-yearold journalism student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines — Sta. Mesa when he was recruited to join the CPP-NPA-NDF on 01 May 2015. The OPG noted that the two complaints are related to the complaint of another rebel returnee, Lady Desiree Collado Miranda, who ﬁled it before the DOJ last August 23 with the assistance of the PNP-CIDG. It said that in her complaint, Miranda named as respondents Sison, and suspected NPA members Redsa Balatan, Rey Dela Pena and Joel Caliwliw. She accused Sison and Balatan of having violated Section 4(i) of RA 9208 and Section 10(a) of RA 7610. Miranda accused Dela Pena and Caliwliw of two counts and four counts, respectively, of rape in violation of Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). The PNP-CIDG had said that Miranda was “recruited at the age of 14 as a member of Anakbayan, a CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) front organization.”

AN estimated 5.2 million Filipinos are expected to benefit from the Duterte administration’s flagship program called Barangay Development Program (BDP) for 2021 and 2022. In defending the budget of the BDP in a congressional hearing on Monday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the program has been instrumental in addressing the conditions of the conflict-affected communities in far- flung areas, and “in realizing the long sought-for development that they have been seeking.” For 2022, about 1,406 barangays will be included in the BDP program and will each receive P20 million worth of infrastructure projects that include farm-to-market roads, barangay health centers, potable water systems, school buildings, and livelihood programs. The proposed budget for the BDP in 2022 is pegged at P28.2 billion. “Through the BDP, we at the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) see that this batch of 1,406 barangays will be emancipated from the influence of the Communist Terrorists and become peaceful and productive societies,” said Esperon, vice chairman of the NTF-ELCAC. “Testimonies abound from the youth, barangay captains, and residents on the efficacy and effectiveness of the BDP,” he said. The first batch of 822 barangays were funded from the General Appropriations Act of 2021 at P20 million each, or a total of P16.44 billion. Esperon stressed that the second batch of BDP beneficiaries or the 1,406 barangays went through the Community Support Program, initiated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from 2020 to the first quarter of 2021. The fund for these projects is now included in the National Expenditure Program being deliberated by Congress. For 2022, most of the beneficiaries will be from Region V (Bicol); Region XI (Davao Region); Region XIII (CARAGA); Region X (Northern Mindanao); Region VIII (Eastern Visayas); Region VI (Western Visayas) and others, Esperon said.

Gawad Sine Abreño winners

NEUST TREES. Attending the tree-planting activities are Marcelo B. Bulalayao – Dean, College of Industrial Technology-NEUST; Medel E. Aloroy – CIT Extension Unit Head and President, Faculty Association; Froilan H. Parado – Executive Director; Teodora V. Balala – Manager, CCT Cooperative; and Renato de Jesus – In-charge CCT tree planting.

BANGUED, Abra—Winners in the week-long 3rd Gawad Sine Abreño for the Abrenian Heritage Film Festival 2021, in celebration of the Philippine Film Industry via Zoom, have been named, the organizers said. The virtual awarding program on Sept. 12 was attended by the Sine Abreño Board Members, Festival Jury Members, ﬁlmmakers, and friends from the region, which included singing of the Cordillera Hymn and messages from Ms. Jovita Ganongan, OIC Regional Director, DOT-Cordillera; Sine Abreño Board Member, Dr. Maria Teresa Beñas; and FDCP Chair and CEO, Undersecretary Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra. The winners were Best Director: Gabb Gantala for Naimbag nga Panagkasangaymo, Nang; Best Narrative: Naimbag nga Panagkasangaymo, Nang by Gabb Gantala; Best Documentary Film: Sam-it Ken Pait by Edmar Delos Santos; Best Festival Picture: Sam-it Ken Pait by Edmar Delos Santos; Jury’ Choice: Dalluyon by Jeisther Timothy Galano; Best Festival Performance: Jek Jumawan for Nagbuwa Nga Gugma; Best Sound Design: Dalluyon by Jeisther Timothy Galano; Best Editing: Naimbag nga Panagkasangaymo, Nang by Gabb Gantala; Best Visual Design: Dalluyon by Jeisther Timothy Galano; Special Citation for Cultural Promotion: Panaglaga by Melver Ritz Gomez. Special Citation for Emerging Ilokano Filmmakers: Gabb Gantala, and Jeisther Timothy Galano; Video Citations from jury members: Kristoffer ‘Tops’ Brugada, Martika Ramirez Escobar, Kevin Pison Piamonte, Arjanmar Rebeta, were played during the awarding. While Jury President Emmanuel Dela Cruz delivered his citation. Honor Blanco Cabie

Villar airs call for National Clean Up Month By Macon Ramos-Araneta

POSTAL LOCKDOWN. Signs are seen at the windows of the Marikina Central Post Office on Monday after it was locked down due to the COVID-19 infection of six employees. The office will undergo disinfection and will be back in operation after two weeks, the city government said. Manny Palmero

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar renewed her pitch for a clean and green environment as she joined the nation in observance of the National Clean Up Month this September by virtue of Proclamation No. 244. The World Clean and Green Week is also observed from September 17 to 23 every year. The events encourage all communities to clean up and conserve the environment as the country’s contribution to the worldwide environmental preservation efforts. Prior to the pandemic, Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, has been leading series of clean-up activities and mangrove planting in different parts of the

National Capital Region. “We would like to again and again instill in the minds of the public awareness on the importance of having a clean and green environment in our lives, especially now that we are facing a global health crisis,” said Villar. “The children of our children and our great, great grandchildren would deﬁnitely reap the gains of our initiatives in working for s healthy environment and preserving them,” added Villar. Aside from mangrove planting, the senator has also been pushing for urban gardening and repeatedly calling on the public to grow their own foods even in small patches of lands and empty containers. Furthermore, the senator has been actively participating in programs to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay, touted as having the best sunset in the world.

More than a decade after the Supreme Court issued a mandamus compelling government agencies and local government units to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay, Villar admitted “we still have a long way to go before we restore the bay to its pristine condition.” She continues to be at the forefront of the ﬁght against Manila Bay reclamation to preserve the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park, a 175-hectare critical area situated south of Manila Bay. The wetland is one of international importance that was accorded protection against the threat of reclamation through the Villar-authored Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act. The senator wants to put more areas under government protection through the E-NIPAS Act.

Supporters urge Sara: Run regardless of dad’s VP plans

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

By Maricel V. Cruz

News

HONK AGAINST CORRUPTION. Catholic nuns and teaching staff of St. Scholastica’s College in Manila hold a noise barrage in Leon Guinto St. on September 20, 2021. The group condemned the systemic corruption in government and called on the Filipino people to shun corrupt politicians in next year’s elections. Norman Cruz

‘Leni, Isko top contenders for opposition slate’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta VICE President Leni Robredo and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso are the top contenders in 1Sambayan’s selection process for a unified opposition ticket in the 2022 polls, coalition member Etta Rosales said Monday. Asked during the online forum of 1Sambayan, Rosales, a former chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, said the group is expected to announce its choice for the presidency within the month. “It is divided. The clamor for VP Leni is strong. But there are also groups calling for Isko. It’s going to be a matter of days before a decision is reached,” she said. As for Senator Manny Pacquiao, Rosales said he is still part of the selection process of 1Sambayan. “The process is inclusive, as long as they are willing to dialogue. Isko and Leni already had a dialogue. Pacquiao is also willing to dialogue,” she added. Domagoso confirmed having met with Robredo and Pacquiao. “We’re trying to reach out to each and every one,” he said, adding that there is no harm in listening. “I’m not at liberty to discuss the details. But I can confirm there was a meeting and hopefully there will be more meetings where we can discuss things,” the Manila mayor added. Pacquiao on Sunday declared he would run for President after accepting the nomination of his party-mates in their faction of the ruling PDP-Laban party. Robredo, for her part, said she is ready to run for president if she is chosen as the united opposition’s bet.

Leonardia asks Bacolod election officer to inhibit BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia has expressed alarm over the sudden and extremely unusual influx of transferee-registrants from other towns and cities in Negros Occidental early last week. Leonardia, who is the current president of the League of Cities in the Philippines, has also called on lawyer Ma. Fatima Aspan to inhibit herself from assuming as acting Bacolod poll officer to preserve the integrity of the ongoing voter registration process. Aspan is the current provincial election supervisor for Negros Occidental, who was designated as Bacolod election officer in an acting capacity starting Sept. 14 by Comelec Regional Director Wilfredo Jay Balisado after a staff of the Bacolod Comelec tested positive for COVID-19. Incumbent Bacolod election officer Kathrina Trinio-Cana tested negative for COVID but had to undergo quarantine together with her other personnel. In his Sept. 17 letter to Aspan, Leonardia highlighted that her designation was temporary and good only until incumbent election officer Cana posted a negative result in her RTPCR test. “Despite the fact that EO (Kathrina Trinio) Cana has tested negative for Covid, you did not have the delicadeza to return to your regular post as the PES,” Leonardia added.

DOH: Don’t use antigen for COC filing of ’22 bets T By Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo

HE Department of Health on Monday said it is against requiring antigen tests for individuals who will participate in the filing of their certificates of candidacy for the May 2022 elections.

“We do not recommend the rapid antigen test kits to be used as a screening test for people who will vote or for people who’re going to join events,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. “Antigen tests must be used appropriately so there is no question regarding the results,” she added. The Commission on Elections earlier said candidates filing their COCs must present a negative COVID-19 test result,

taken 24 hours earlier, before entering the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City from October 1 to 8. Antigen tests will be offered on site. Comelec personnel receiving the COC or certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA), Comelec security personnel, military and police officials as well as media personnel deployed to cover the filing are also required to present a negative test result. The Health Technology Assessment

Council (HTAC), an independent advisory body, recommends rapid antigen tests for these purposes only: targeted screening and diagnosis of suspected and probable COVID-19 cases; testing of patients in the hospital setting where the turnaround time is critical; targeted screening and diagnosis of suspect and probable cases in presumptive outbreaks where the result of the RT-PCR of one suspect has not yet been released and in settings where RT-PCR is not immediately available or when delayed release of result or prolonged turnaround time is expected (i.e., more than 48 hours); local border screening at points of entry for individuals traveling from areas with a high daily positivity rate over a seven-day period; and international border screening at points of entry

MARSHALS RULE. The MRT-3 management strictly enforces health and safety protocols throughout the MRT-3 line to protect passengers from the threat of COVID-19. Platform marshals remind passengers to follow appropriate social distancing and to wear their face masks and face shields correctly. Train marshals ensure that passengers follow the aforementioned health and safety protocols, in addition to the no-eating, no-drinking, and no-talking policy.

‘Solid South’ federalists endorse Marcos for president By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta MEMBERS of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) formally announced their endorsement for the presidential candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. During their National Convention held in Tupi, South Cotabato, PFP passed a resolution endorsing Marcos as their

presidential candidate for the May 2022 national elections. PFP General Council George Briones said the endorsement was made after some members reached out to him expressing that they want Marcos for next year’s presidential polls. “Let us pray for Senator Bongbong Marcos so that he can make the right decision because it is not easy to run for president of the Philippines, es-

pecially in this day and age,” Briones said. Meeting Marcos for the first time, Briones described him as someone who is intelligent, educated, down-to-earth, not foul-mouthed, and has a great sense of humor. “We all have notebooks, we have fountain pens, we write. He (Bong Bong) also studies the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas,” he said.

SUPPORTERS of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday urged her to run for president in the 2022 elections regardless of her father’s vice presidential plans. “I believe that Mayor Duterte is the best person to succeed her father,” said former congressman and President Rodrigo Duterte’s own adviser on political affairs, Secretary Jacinto Paras. “The need of the country and the clamor of the people for the best leader possible takes precedence over any family commitment that only one Duterte can run for national office,” he added. Paras described the presidential daughter as having the most experience running an executive office, and is “the most diligent and righteous for the post.” The Davao City mayor has consistently led the list of top bets for the presidency in all independent surveys conducted so far. Duterte-Carpio, however, said she will no longer seek the highest position, citing a family consensus that only one Duterte will run for a national post. Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, spokesperson of a citizens’ movement urging Duterte-Carpio to run for president, said the mayor “is the perfect person to lead the country in the next six years due to her experience and genuine empathy for the Filipino people.” Paras maintained that in hierarchy of values, “what comes first is God, country, then family.” “If you go into politics, your service is to the nation, to your people,” he said. “Now if you get increasing leads in all surveys, it’s clear what the people want. In this case, they want a leader who can continue the good projects of her predecessor and lead the country to recovery.” “One cannot choose the niceties of a family agreement over this higher calling,” he added.

Palace: Pacquiao prexy bid ok but not under PDP By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACAÑANG said Senator Manny Pacquiao is free to seek the presidency in next year’s elections, but not under the ruling party PDP-Laban which is led by its chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte. “It is his right to seek public office. But I do not know what the decision of the Comelec will be, if he will be allowed to run under PDP-Laban in the elections,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Roque issued the statement a day after the former boxing champ turned politician announced his presidential bid during the national assembly of the PDP wing led by Pacquiao and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III. The PDP-Laban faction headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier asked the Comelec to declare the Pimentel faction as an illegitimate political party. The party’s secretary-general, Melvin Matibag, said the declaration of Pacquiao as standard bearer of the other faction was illegal. “They can declare his candidacy for presidency but they shouldn’t use the PDP-Laban since it’s illegal,” Matibag said. He said the legitimate national convention was the one held on Sept. 8 where Sen. Bong Go and Duterte were endorsed as the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. Go rejected the nomination but Duterte accepted. Pimentel, for his part, accused Matibag of peddling “bluff news.” Meanwhile, the Cusi wing said it has not initiated negotiations for a possible alliance with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Fourth consecutive oil price hike: P0.85/li By Alena Mae Flores OIL firms have implemented a hefty P0.85 per liter hike in pump prices effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the increase in world oil prices week on week. The price of gasoline and diesel will increase by P0.80 per liter while kerosene will go up P0.85 per liter, triggering the fourth weekly consecutive oil price increase. “Petron will implement the following price increase effective 6 a.m. on Sep 21: P0.80/li for gasoline; P0.80/li for diesel; and P0.85/li for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory. Oil prices went up last week amid higher demand globally and the lingering impact of Hurricane Ida on production. Over the weekend, Unioil Petroleum Philippines forecasted an increase in pump prices for September 21 to 27 of

P0.80 to P0.90 per liter for both diesel and gasoline. On September 14, the oil companies implemented a price increase in domestic oil products of P0.35 to P0.40 per liter for gasoline, P0.35 per liter for diesel and P0.15 per liter for kerosene. These resulted in year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P13.75 per liter for gasoline, P11.25 per liter for diesel and P8.85 per liter for kerosene, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). DOE monitoring showed that oil prices trended higher last week “on the back of strengthened demand outlooks and concerns that sustained US Gulf production outages could pressure near-term supply outlooks.” Meanwhile, DOE said Asian gasoline market strengthened on the back of an uptick in regional demand as mobility restrictions were further eased in key consuming countries.

AIMING FOR THAT FESTIVE MOOD. With less than a hundred days to go

before Christmas, workers from the Taguig City Hall install lanterns from Pampanga on September 20, 2021. Danny Pata

Opinion The deaths are not minimal is widespread on social media sites like Facebook, shared by anxious people who seek answers from proper authorities. By the way, the group called “Gising Maharlika” also advocated the legalization of marijuana use. I understand the Manila Police District (MPD) chose to exercise maximum tolerance and allowed the group to march from Mehan Garden across the Manila City Hall to Liwasang Bonifacio. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar, who was apparently caught sleeping on the job on a Sunday, warned yesterday that such anti-vaccine rallies will no longer be tolerated and that participants will be arrested. Who doesn’t wish that the COVID pandemic would soon dissipate, so that we can go back to a normal way of life or start living what is called “new normal?” According to the OCTA research group, there are “early indications” that the increase of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila may have reached its peak, and hopefully we would soon see the flattening of the curve. Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire was quick to retort that it was too early to tell if the surge has reached its plateau. But she agrees with OCTA’s David Guido that continued compliance with health protocols will eventually slow down the increase in COVID-19 infections. We strongly hope, too, that this pilot granular lockdown/alert system of community quarantine will work this time, particularly in Metro Manila. Correct me if I’m wrong. Those areas/ compount/street/barangay under lockdown are essentially under the strict enhanced community quarantine where one cannot go in and out. The rest of the localities are essentially under general community quarantine, thereby allowing partial reopening of businesses and livelihood activities. I wish the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) came up with this “granular lockdown” back then instead of recommending to the President for Luzon-wide lockdown last year, which totally devastated the country’s economy, businesses and people’s livelihood. It’s been one big horrific nightmare. •• A fifth-grader, Dastine Danielle, was eight years old in February last year when she prayed to God for help in the discovery of a vaccine against Covid. We certainly got the vaccines she and we all prayed for. Dastine Danielle who turns 10 in April also prayed that we wake up one morning and find that the disease gone.

FOR over one year and eight months, we have been in this crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted more than 229 million people, killing more than 4.7 million across the globe as of Sunday, September 19. Although most people who get sick with COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, experience mild to moderate symptoms and eventually recover, still many become seriously ill and require intensive medical attention.

And COVID-19 is not a hoax. Since a group of Chinese tourists carried the coronavirus from Wuhan, China, total COVID-19 cases in the country have reached 2,366,479. This includes a death toll of 36,788. This should not be regarded as “minimal.” The rising number of COVID victims represents family members who met an untimely death. They are parents, children, relatives, healthcare workers, and other frontliners like policemen, soldiers, media members, public figures, celebrities, and overseas Filipino workers. I am simply flabbergasted by a group of people who staged a rally last Sunday in Manila to demonstrate their belief that COVID-19 is a “hoax.” It’s easy to say they are those who may have totally lost it, maybe as a result of prolonged lockdown, deprivation and hunger. They may be a small group, no more than 100 crackpots, but they clearly violated health protocols on social gathering and physical distancing, as they urge the public to do away with wearing face masks and face shields. They protested the continued implementation of community quarantine, such as the granular lockdowns. They also reject getting vaccinated, claiming that COVID-19 is “non-existent.” They carried streamers showing off the pictures of supposed people who died from complications caused by vaccinations. As I’ve said, this may be a small group organized by who knows who, but they may be spouting disinformation about COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines. The fake news on “vaccine deaths”

Duterte a ‘persona non-grata’ THE proposed investigation of the International Criminal Court presents an interesting study. President Rodrigo Duterte is accused of committing crimes against humanity. An ICC pre-trial chamber has approved the conduct of an investigation on complaints filed against President Duterte. The crimes are said to have been committed during his bloody war on illegal drugs during the period between July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019. The ICC investigation will include the deaths in the Davao area. They were allegedly committed between Nov. 1, 2011 and June 30, 2016; they were believed to have been perpetrated by the Davao Death Squad when Duterte was Davao City mayor. Official reports from the police list over 6,000 killings during the illegal drug war of Duterte, but unofficial estimates place the killings at 28,000. We all know that there are extra-judicial killings. Meanwhile, the so-called war continues. President Duterte says that he won’t cooperate with the proposed investigation by the ICC, hoping that it will just wither away after some time. He also says that this is an intrusion into the country’s jurisdiction and sovereignty after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute. What next? What else can the ICC do given that Duterte refuses to participate? This stalemate between Duterte and the ICC is a big letdown on the part of families to get justice for the killings of their loved ones. The ICC would just have to declare him a “persona non-grata,” a label which will stick in the world of nations, my gulay!

Here’s an interesting twist. PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar now says that since the PNP has nothing to hide, it is open to an investigation. The period covers a time when the country was still under the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute. Eleazar was quoted to have said: “We are ready and we’ve always been ready to be investigated. We want to know who has committed wrongdoings to be held accountable.” Sure, but if President Duterte tells Eleazar to keep quiet, can the latter really do anything?

If he refuses to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, what’s next? For one thing, the PNP has always been understating the number of killings. Despite attacks by several human rights groups and other institutions about Deterte’s refusal to face an ICC investigation, it seems not much can be done. I pity the families of those killed. •• I would not be surprised that at the rate Duterte is going, Senator Richard Gordon may make a bid for the presidency. The personal attacks have been making him an underdog. He has been called fat, and has been accused of making the Philippine Red Cross his milking cow. In my over seven decades as a lawyer-journalist, I know for a fact that when a President attacks a critic personally, the people tend to side with the victim. •• Every election year, people complain about the prevalence of political dynasties wherein three or more members of a family get elected in various positions of

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EDITORIAL

Which way to the united front?

S more and more candidates declare their intention to run for president in next year’s elections, it is becoming increasingly clear that an opposition plan to field a unified ticket to challenge and overwhelm President Duterte’s anointed successor is untenable. The latest politician to throw his hat into the ring was boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao, who now hopes to parlay a stellar—and lucrative--boxing career and a lackluster track record as a legislator marked by habitual absenteeism into a successful presidential run. Pacquiao did not start out as an opposition figure and allied himself with the President—until doing so ran against his personal ambitions. His desire to run, in fact, has created a rift in the ruling PDP-Laban, the other half of which supports Mr. Duterte’s absurd and cynical run for the vice presidency as a way to sidestep the constitutional ban on a second presidential term. This faction of the ruling party has elected to support whoever Mr. Duterte picks to be his running mate—a position that has fueled all sorts of speculation that involve, among others, his daughter and a former senator whose very

The numbers simply aren’t there. name evokes memories of martial law from 49 years ago. In the meantime, the 1Sambayan coalition of anti-administration forces has been quiet. Early on, it had ruled out supporting Pacquiao, while Senator Panfilo Lacson, who has also declared his intention to run for president again after failing twice, has declined a nomination from 1Sambayan. They may yet agree on who among six nominees named in June will be their standard bearer—but with so many other candidates outside of the coalition in the running, this will by no means be a unified front capable of overwhelming the administration ticket.

But then, the notion of a united front in Philippine politics—with the notable exception of a few cases—seems illusory. Given the wide range of political views and ambitions and our embrace of firstpast-the-post voting, as opposed to a tworound system, we have never really united around any leader. Mr. Duterte, despite the posturing of his supporters, won only 39 percent of the popular vote in 2016. The late President Benigno Aquino III won with a higher 42 percent of the popular vote in 2010, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before him won the presidency with 40 percent of the popular vote in 2004. Even the populist Joseph Estrada won with only 40 percent of the vote in 1998. Fidel Ramos won with only 24 percent of the vote in 1992, the first election held under the 1987 Constitution. In none of these instances did we have a majority president—although many of them behaved as if they had received that mandate. The opposition may yet pull off an upset in 2022 with a single, common slate, but history suggests that given the fragmented nature of our politics, the numbers for a truly unified front simply aren’t there.

The Marcos and Duterte records

ONE of the first acts of President Duterte when he assumed office was to order the remains of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Despite howls of protest by the families of the Martial Law victims, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Duterte. This was not surprising considering that on various occasions Duterte expressed his admiration to the strongman whom he considered an idol. According to Amnesty International, the Marcos Martial Law regime killed more than 3,000 people. Some 34,000 were tortured, and 70,000 were imprisoned. Similar developments occurred in Duterte’s campaign against War on Drugs where an estimated 20 thousand or so victims have been executed, mostly through extrajudicial killings. Hundred have been illegally arrested and detained, although the exact number cannot be fully determined for lack of available recording. Duterte has his share of acts to undermine the opposition and democratic institutions. He controls the Lower House through a supermajority which readily kowtows to his bidding and intimidates, files cases and hurls ad hominem attacks and insults against the opposition and the more independent members of the Senate. They sought the impeachment of the chief magistrate who dared question his policies, particularly the war on drugs. To date, Senator Leila de Lima remains in detention for what many perceive as, trumped-up cases. Lately, Duterte’s vitriol is directed against Senators Ping Lacson and Richard Gordon for probing an ex-economic government or get appointed to several government positions. The Duterte family of Davao City is the perfect example. President Duterte is already President, while his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, mayor of Davao City. A son is vice mayor, and another son is representative. I can cite many more examples where political dynasties abound. A family of a Southern Tagalog province has as its governor, a former congressman, his wife is vice governor, a son a city mayor, a daughter representative of the province, and another son a city councilor. A well-known multi-billionaire’s family in Metro Manila has a senator, a city mayor daughter, a representative, another son of a cabinet member of the Duterte administration, an in-law undersecretary of the department of justice, Santa Banana, the list can go on and on. So what can be done about it? Shall this country eternally be ruled by political dynasties? While the 1987 Constitution bans political dynasties, there has been no enabling law for it. And why should lawmakers pass something to their detriment? I believe if there are candidates who

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

adviser over alleged anomalous transactions in relation to the government’s pandemic spending. Like Marcos, he tried to clamp down on media outfits such as Rappler and with his allies in Congress, instigated the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. Just like Marcos, Duterte used the military and the police force as instruments of repression and oppression. Both appointed military and police officers to plum posts and sinecures, enticing them with material inducements as well as encouraged security forces to exterminate the enemies of the state resulting in impunity, abuse of authority and the breakdown of the rule of law.

One has to ask why we have been so cursed as a country.

For Marcos the enemies were the political opposition, Communists and its armed guerrillas and the Muslim separatists in the South whereas Duterte’s perceived enemies are the drug users/pushers, common criminals and the political opposition. Both regimes weaponized the laws to demobilize the opposition and suppress dissent. Despite the dismal human rights records of the two regimes, what set them apart is the extent of popular support. Marcos’ repressive acts were quite unpopular with violent protests and widespread condemnation from opposing groups but there also was relative acquiescence from the general populace in part due to the control of media and other state apparatuses. On the other hand, Duterte’s drug war and the fight against miscreants and criminals remain popular even after incidents of extrajudicial killings became prevalent. In part, Duterte’s popularity may be want to be president of the republic, it would be a challenge for them to undertake a change in our political structure banning more than three members of a family from getting elected or appointed to a government position. That is a beginning. I believe it can be done. It could well begin with a new president, banning more than three members of a family from getting elected or getting appointed in government positions. That would be a real change and a new beginning. Voters elect members of a family because they know they have the money. And considering that there are so many poor people who hardly have enough on the table to keep their bodies and souls together, the “masa” are blinded by money. They gravitate around a family who can feed them. That is a real problem, and the reason why political dynasties prevail in every election. •• I could not believe it but I got more than 300 greetings on Facebook during my birthday last September 15. Since I cannot reciprocate and thank them all I’ll just thank them all in this column. God bless them all!

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

ascribed to the legions of supporters, resembling a cult following, and citizens, tired of well-nigh rampaging and seemingly insoluble criminality, attracted by his direct and straightforward approach to societal issues. The dominance of fear and violence in effect makes Duterte’s regime a de facto dictatorship, akin to the Marcos-era -- sans martial rule. Much has been said about the corruption and extravagance of the 20-year Marcos regime. The plunder of the economy was such that the Marcos years was characterized as a kleptocracy earning the dubious record in the Guinness book of world records as “Greatest Robbery of a Government” to the tune of $5 billion to $10 billion. Corruption then was so rampant not just in the public sector but also reared its ugly head – more insidiously – in the private sector. Monopolies and profitable businesses were apportioned to the relatives as well to favoured cronies who pillaged the country’s coffers as if their own personal account such that by the time the Marcoses fled into exile the economy was moribund.Duterte’s campaign promise was to, among others, eradicate corruption in government. “If I fail, kill me.” This was Duterte’s dare should he fail to curb corruption within his first six months in office. Yet despite half-hearted measures to run after the corrupt, the Duterte government has its own share of controversies of corruption and anomalous transactions involving public funds, like the smuggling of meth in 2017 and 2018, freedom for sale in the New Bilibid Prisons, PhilHealth plunder, pastillas human trafficking scheme and the most recent one -- the procurement of allegedly overpriced face masks and face shields. This is now being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Some have said we are seeing corruption of epic proportions today. Many are of the view that crimes against humanity have been committed in these last five years. This is not the first time in our history that human rights and integrity in government has been so wantonly destroyed. With Marcos and Duterte, one has to ask why we have been so cursed as a country. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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In accordance with the NTC guidelines, here’s the online mechanics for DITO 99 promo:

d. e. f. 3)

Only those with device compatible with the DITO SIM card and has passed the location validation may avail the promo. Device and location compatibility shall be assessed during the online ordering process. The list of available devices shall be available at DITO’s website (https://www.dito.ph/). Network locked phones, aside from DITO’s, and phones blocked by government agencies shall be considered as non-compatible devices. DITO shall have the sole discretion on whether a particular device is compatible with DITO SIM cards. In case of dispute on device compatibility, the list, and records of DITO shall prevail. Promo is only valid for the subscriber’s DITO compatible mobile phone where the purchased DITO SIM and Promo are installed.

b. c. d. e.

b. c. d.

How to Activate the Promo a.

b. 8)

Open Shopee and search for DITO in the Shopee Mall (DITO Telecommunity) account or DITO SIM. Click on DITO SIM product in DITO’s shop in Shopee. Select the SIM type compatible exactly to your handset and click Buy Now. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via Shopee partner courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery is subject to the terms and conditions of Shopee and their partner couriers. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App. You may also reach out to Shopee or its partner couriers pursuant to their terms and conditions.

Insert the DITO SIM in the prescreened DITO compatible device or other DITO compatible devices. The 25GB high-speed data, onnet call, and on-net text promo shall be automatically enabled upon activation of the SIM Card. To activate the SIM card, subscribers may turn on their data, attempt a call or send an SMS. Subscribers will receive confirmation via SMS for the activation of the SIM card and the promo.

Once availed, the promo is non-refundable / non-replaceable / nonexchangeable. The promo must be availed and activated within 30 days from the date the DITO SIM was successfully delivered. The SIM card shall expire if not activated within “1” year from purchase. The promo cannot be used in conjunction with any unlimited promo offers, discount available and other exclusive promo offers.

10) The promo cannot be converted to cash, credit, or other goods and services of DITO. 11) By availing of the promo, the subscriber confirms that he/she has read, understood, and agrees to the promo mechanics, its terms and conditions, the terms and conditions of the SIM card. Subscriber also agrees not to use the SIM card and/or promo for illicit or illegal means. 12) For any concerns and/or inquiries regarding the promo, information may be sent to customerservice@dito.ph. All matters and disputes will be subject to the final decision of DITO Telecommunity. All decisions made by DITO Telecommunity pertaining to the promo will be deemed final and irrevocable, with the prior concurrence of DTI.

Last week the US announced a new three-way security pact with Australia and Britain, as part of a strategic partnership under which American nuclear submarines will be supplied to Canberra. “These are extremely undesirable and dangerous acts which will upset the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region and trigger off a chain of nuclear arms race,” North Korean state media KCNA quoted a foreign ministry official as saying. “This shows that the US is the chief culprit toppling the international nuclear non-proliferation system,” they added. France, which chose a fullfledged confrontation with the US due to the loss of a mega-contract for submarines for Australia, is making a risky bet and other nations are not rushing to its defense.

France has taken the extraordinary step of pulling its ambassadors from both Washington and Canberra for consultations. Bertrand Badie, an international relations professor at the Sciences Po institute in Paris, said France had put itself in a position where it can only appear to be backing down or losing face once its ambassador returns to the US, its historical ally. “When you get into a crisis like this, you better know where the exit is,” Badie said. Australia said it decided that nuclear submarines were a better choice to ensure its maritime edge as it announced a new three-way alliance with the US and Britain widely seen as aimed at China – whose rise has been the overriding priority of US President Joe Biden’s administration. AFP

ERUPTION. Mount Cumbre Vieja erupts in El Paso, spewing out columns of smoke, ash and lava as seen from Los Llanos de Aridane on the Canary island of La Palma on September 19, 2021. Cumbre Vieja straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island and has erupted twice in the 20th century, first in 1949 then again in 1971. AFP

Via Lazada Mall:

A STUDENT opened fire on a university campus in central Russia on Monday killing at least eight people, investigators said, in the second mass shooting at an education facility this year. Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said several people were also injured in the attack at Perm State University and that the suspect had been wounded while being detained. Investigators previously said that five people were killed and another six wounded. Russia has relatively few school shootings due to normally tight security in education facilities and because of difficulty of buying firearms legally, although it is possible to register hunting rifles. Videos circulating on social media showed students throwing belongings from windows from buildings on campus before jumping to flee the shooter. State media played amateur footage reportedly taken during the attack showing an individual dressed in black tactical clothing, including a helmet, carrying a weapon and walking through the campus. The last such deadly attack took place in May 2021, when a 19-year-old gunman opened fire in his old school in the central Russian city of Kazan, killing nine people. Investigators said that man suffered from a brain disorder. But he was deemed fit to receive a license for the semi-automatic shotgun he used in the attack. AFP

Via Shopee: a. Open Shopee and search for DITO in the Shopee Mall (DITO Telecommunity) account or DITO SIM. b. Click on DITO SIM product in DITO’s shop in Shopee. c. Select the SIM type compatible exactly to your handset and click Buy Now. d. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via Shopee partner courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery is subject to the terms and conditions of Shopee and their partner couriers. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App. You may also reach out to Shopee or its partner couriers pursuant to their terms and conditions. 7)

How to Activate the Promo a. Insert the DITO SIM in the prescreened DITO compatible device or other DITO compatible devices. The 10GB high-speed data, onnet call, and on-net text promo shall be automatically enabled upon activation of the SIM Card. To activate the SIM card, subscribers may turn on their data, attempt a call or send an SMS. b. Subscribers will receive confirmation via SMS for the activation of the SIM card and the promo.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-122325 Series of 2021 (MS-SEPT. 21, 2021)

ORTH Korea’s foreign ministry on Monday said a new US alliance in the Indo-Pacific and Washington’s recent submarine contract with Australia could trigger a “nuclear arms race” in the region.

MINDANAO: Agusan Del Norte: City of Butuan; Agusan del Sur: Rosario, San Francisco, Trento, Bayugan, Santa Josefa; Compostela Valley: Monkayo; Davao del Norte: Santo Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Panabo, Tagum, Carmen, Island City of Samal; Davao del Sur: Santa Cruz, Bansalan, Davao City, Digos, Hagonoy; Davao de Oro: Montevista, Compostela, Nabunturan, Maco; Cotabato: Kidapawan, Makilala; South Cotabato: General Santos City, Polomolok; Bukidnon: Malaybalay, City of Valencia, Quezon, Don Carlos, Manolo Fortich, Baungon, Libona, Impasug-ong, Maramag; Lanao Del Norte: Linamon; Misamis Oriental: Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro, Claveria, Talisayan, Manticao, Sugbongcogon, Medina, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Balingoan, Naawan, Villanueva, City of El Salvador, Jasaan, Opol, Tagoloan, City of Gingoog, Lugait; Gitagum, Laguindingan, Libertad, Initao; Saranggani: Alabel

a. Open Lazada and search for DITO in the Lazada Mall (DITO Telecommunity) account or DITO SIM. b. Click on DITO SIM product in DITO’s shop in Lazada Mall. c. Go thru handset validation using the link displayed in the Product Description Section. d. Select the SIM type compatible exactly to your handset and click Buy Now. e. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via Lazada partner courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery is subject to the terms and conditions of Lazada and their partner couriers. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may reach out send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App. You may also reach out to Lazada or its partner couriers pursuant to their terms and conditions.

Open Lazada and search for DITO in the Lazada Mall (DITO Telecommunity) account or DITO SIM. Click on DITO SIM product in DITO’s shop in Lazada Mall. Go thru handset validation using the link displayed in the Product Description Section. Select the SIM type compatible exactly to your handset and click Buy Now. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via Lazada partner courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery is subject to the terms and conditions of Lazada and their partner couriers. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may reach out send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App. You may also reach out to Lazada or its partner couriers pursuant to their terms and conditions.

Via Shopee: a.

US submarine deal may trigger ‘nuclear arms race’—N. Korea

VISAYAS: Cebu: Toledo City, Balamban, Barili, Carcar, Cebu City, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Danao, Liloan, Mandaue, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Lapu Lapu, Dumanjug, Talisay, Moalboal, Bogo City, San Remigio, Sogod, Alcantara, Santander, Ginatilan, Daanbantayan; Negros Occidental: Bacolod City, Kabankalan, Pulupandan, Silay City, Valladolid, Binalbagan; Iloilo: Iloilo City, Oton; Negros Oriental: Dumaguete, Valencia, Sibulan

Promo shall only be offered in the following cities and municipalities in the following: LUZON: NCR: Manila, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasay, Taguig, Pateros, Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Marikina, Las Pinas; Pangasinan: Basista, Binmaley, Dagupan, Manaoag, Mangatarem, San Manuel, San Carlos City, Lingayen (Capital), San Nicolas, Alaminos, Bolinao, Urdaneta, Urbiztondo, Bani, Bugallon, Mangaldan, Santa Barbara, Malasiqui, Laoac, Dasol, Aguilar, Bautista, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Tayug; Bulacan: Pandi, San Jose del Monte, Malolos, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Hagonoy, Bulacan, Plaridel, Baliuag, Guiguinto, Bustos, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Santa Maria, San Rafael, Pulilan, Balagtas (Bigaa), Norzagaray; Nueva Ecija: Llanera, Palayan City, Santa Rosa, Santo Domingo Science City of Munoz, Talavera, Cabanatuan, Gapan City, San Leonardo, San Jose, General Mamerto Natividad, Rizal, Zaragoza, General Tinio (Papaya), Licab, Jaen, Quezon, Lupao; Nueva Vizcaya: Dupax del Norte; Pampanga: Angeles, Mabalacat, Mexico, Guagua, San Fernando, Magalang, San Simon, Lubao, Bacolor; Tarlac: Capas, Tarlac City, Concepcion, Gerona, Moncada, La Paz, Ramos, San Manuel, Pura, Victoria; Zambales: Olongapo, Subic; Bataan: Balanga, Dinalupihan, Orani; Batangas: Alitagtag, Bauan, Cuenca, San Jose, Ibaan, Batangas City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Pascual, Santo Tomas, Lipa City, Talisay, Tanauan City, Taysan, Balete, Padre Garcia, San Juan, Balayan, Calaca, San Luis, Taal, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, Laurel, Lemery; Cavite: Kawit, Bacoor, Imus, Tagaytay City, Silang, Dasmarinas, Carmona, Amadeo, Rosario, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, General Trias, Trece Martirez, Tanza, Magallanes. Naic, Maragondon; Laguna: San Pedro, Sta Rosa, Binan, Cabuyao, Los Banos, Calamba City, Victoria, Calauan, Alaminos, San Pablo, Majayjay, Luisiana, Rizal, Nagcarlan; Rizal: Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay; Quezon: Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Pagbilao, San Antonio, Sariaya, Lucban

How to buy the “10GB Data” package Via the DITO Website, DITO App and DITO Facebook account: a. Go to DITO’s Promo Page at (https://dito.ph/promo-page.html) or DITO’s Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/DITO.ph/) or Go to “Purchase your DITO SIM” in the DITO App login page. Scan the promo QR code or access the promo link to access the DITO Online Store. In the DITO Online Store or DITO App, check if your handset is compatible and location covered by the promo. Read, understand, and accept the terms and condition of the SIM card, Welcome Offer Promo, and privacy policy. b. Purchase the “10GB Data” package. Customers can pay using credit/debit cards and various e-wallet as indicated in the online store. Customers will be asked to input their name, email address, contact number and delivery address where the DITO packaged will be delivered, delivery is valid within the promo areas only. c. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via third-party courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery schedule may be subject to change by the third-party couriers depending on its terms and conditions or force majeure. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may reach out send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App.

Prerequisites: a. Only those with device compatible with the DITO SIM card and has passed the location validation may avail the promo. Device and location compatibility shall be assessed during the online ordering process. The list of available devices shall be available at DITO’s website (https://www.dito.ph/). Network locked phones, aside from DITO’s, and phones blocked by government agencies shall be considered as non-compatible devices. DITO shall have the sole discretion on whether a particular device is compatible with DITO SIM cards. In case of dispute on device compatibility, the list, and records of DITO shall prevail. b. Promo is only valid for the subscriber’s DITO compatible mobile phone where the purchased DITO SIM and Promo are installed.

Go to DITO’s Promo Page at (https://dito.ph/promo-page.html) or DITO’s Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/DITO.ph/). Scan the promo QR code or access the promo link to access the DITO Online Store. In the DITO Online Store, check if your handset is compatible and location covered by the promo. Read, understand, and accept the terms and condition of the SIM card, Welcome Offer Promo, and privacy policy. Purchase the “25GB Data” package. Customers can pay using credit/debit cards and various e-wallet as indicated in the online store. Customers will be asked to input their name, email address, contact number and delivery address where the DITO packaged will be delivered, delivery is valid within the promo areas only. The promo package shall be delivered to the customer via third-party courier and may be subject to a delivery fee. Delivery schedule may be subject to change by the third-party couriers depending on its terms and conditions or force majeure. If you are unable to receive your order or received a damaged SIM card, you may reach out send an email to customerservice@dito.ph or send your concerns via DITO’s Facebook messenger or using the DITO App.

Promo shall only be offered in the following new cities and municipalities in the following:

The Php 99 promo + Php 40 SIM bundle is priced at Php 139.00 and is inclusive of the following: a. SIM card with 1GB data valid for 7 days b. 10GB Data for 30 days upon activation of the SIM card. c. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls for 30 days upon activation of the SIM Card. d. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO SMS for 30 days upon activation of the SIM Card e. 300 minutes of calls to other networks f. Unlimited texts to other networks

How to buy the “25GB Data” package Via the DITO Website and DITO Facebook account: a.

The promo package must be purchased within this period. SIM and promo must be activated within 30 days from delivery. Promo will not activate beyond the 30-day delivery period.

Prerequisites: a.

SIM card 25GB Data for 30 days upon activation of the SIM card. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls for 30 days upon activation of the SIM Card. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO SMS for 30 days upon activation of the SIM Card 300 minutes of calls to other networks Unlimited texts to other networks

World

Promo will be available starting from September 24 – September 30, 2021 in the following additional areas as approved by DTI-FTEB: Bulacan: Balagtas (Bigaa) Pampanga: Bacolor Pangasinan: Santa Barbara, Malasiqui Negros Oriental: Sibulan

The Php 199 promo + Php 40 SIM bundle is priced at Php 239.00 and is inclusive of the following: a. b. c.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Promo Mechanics:

Bulacan: Balagtas (Bigaa) Pampanga: Bacolor Pangasinan: Santa Barbara, Malasiqui Negros Oriental: Sibulan The promo package must be purchased within this period. SIM and promo must be activated within 30 days from delivery. Promo will not activate beyond the 30-day delivery period.

(MS-SEPT. 21, 2021)

IN BRIEF 8 dead in Russian campus shooting

Amsterdam opens Holocaust memorial

A HOLOCAUST memorial inscribed with the names of more than 102,000 Dutch Jews killed during World War II was inaugurated in Amsterdam over the weekend. Consisting of a brick labyrinth topped with mirror-like stainless steel, which forms the letters of a Hebrew word meaning “in memory of,” every brick has the name of a victim inscribed on it, along with their date of birth and the age they were when they died. “It was moving. I just saw the name of one of my friends,” survivor Jacqueline Ruud told AFP. “I still have a photo of her at home,” adding that she also had known the country’s most famous Holocaust victim, the diarist Anne Frank. “This memorial makes us face up to our responsibility,” caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the ceremony on Sunday, which the Dutch king also attended. “Responsibility of whether more should have been done to save people during the war... responsibility for the icy welcome that greeted the small group that returned from the hell of war.” “It’s a dark page in the history of our country,” he said. Many Dutch citizens, along with the police and railways, actively collaborated with the German occupation to round up Jews and send them to concentration camps. AFP

Afghan women outraged at ‘work ban’ THE Taliban’s effective ban on women working sank in on Monday, sparking rage over the dramatic loss of rights after millions of female teachers and girls were barred from secondary school education. After pledging a softer version of their brutal and repressive regime of the 1990s, the Islamic fundamentalists are tightening their control of women’s freedoms one month after seizing power. “I may as well be dead,” said one woman, who was sacked from her senior role at the ministry of foreign affairs. “I was in charge of a whole department and there were many women working with me... now we have all lost our jobs,” she told AFP, insisting she not be identified for fear of reprisals. The acting mayor of the capital Kabul has said any municipal jobs currently held by women would be filled by men. That came after the education ministry ordered male teachers and students back to secondary school at the weekend, but made no mention of the country’s millions of women educators and girl pupils. The Taliban on Friday also appeared to shut down the former government’s ministry of women’s affairs and replaced it with one that earned notoriety during their first stint in power for enforcing religious doctrine. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Share prices decline; DITO, Alliance Global lead losers S ROYAL BIKERS. Crown Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eleonore of Belgium ride their bikes during the Car Free Sunday in the Ghent city center, on September 19, 2021. In several cities and towns across Belgium, a Sunday without cars or other motorized transport is organized. AFP

Evergrande contagion fears send HK stocks plummeting HONG KONG, China—Fears of a contagion from the potential collapse of battered Chinese real estate giant Evergrande sent property shares plunging in Hong Kong on Monday, with the firm expected to default on upcoming interest payments this week. The firm, one of the country’s biggest developers, is on the brink of collapse as it wallows in debts of more than $300 billion, raising concerns of a spillover into the domestic and global economy. The crisis has triggered rare protests outside the company’s offices in several Chinese cities by investors and suppliers— some of whom claim they are owed as much as $1 million— demanding their money. Adding to the anger, it emerged at the weekend that six top executives would face “severe punishment” for redeeming financial products before telling retail investors that the firm could not pay them on time. The firm said they must return

the cash they redeemed “within a time limit,” adding that its investment arm must “strictly follow the announced repayment plan to ensure fairness and impartiality.” The crisis sent shares in the firm diving around 17 percent Monday, leaving it down around 90 percent from the start of the year. Other property firms were also in the firing line, with Henderson Land losing and New World Development each around 12 percent lower. Sun Hung Kai Properties shed nine percent. Meanwhile, insurance giant Ping An lost around eight percent. China Minsheng Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China were all down around three to five percent. The dash for the exit left the Hang Seng Index down more than four percent. Analysts say a lack of comment from Beijing and a holiday in China are only adding to the uncertainty. AFP

HARE prices fell Monday along with the rest of Asia, with sentiment dragged by the Federal Reserve’s plans to taper monetary policy, surging Delta infections and signs of weakness in the global recovery.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index Manila 54.95 points, or 0.8 percent, to dropped Standard 6,857.90 TODAY on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 165 to 42, with 36 issues unchanged.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Manila

Promo Mechanics: 1) Promo will be available starting from September 24 – September 30, 2021 in the following additional areas as approved by DTI-FTEB:

Promo Mechanics:

4. Approval of the Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2020. 5. Ratification of Management Acts. 6. Amendment of the Articles of lncorporation to: (i) Reclassify the Preferred Class A and B Shares with par value of One Peso (Php1.00) per share, to Common Shares with par value of One Peso (Php 1.00) per share, and delete all provisions relating to the Preferred Class A and B Shares; (ii) Increase the authorized capital stock to Seven Billion Pesos (Php 7,000,000,000.00) divided into Seven Billion (7,000,000,000) Common Shares with a par value of One Peso (Php 1.00) per share; (iii) Delete all provisions relating to banking operations; and (iv) Include a provision prohibiting foreign ownership of shares.

11. Election of Board of Directors. 12. Appointment of External Auditor. 13. Other Matters.

For any question about the conduct of the virtual meeting, you may refer to the Frequently Asked Questions at https://conveneagm.com/ph/primemedia or email mdc.prim@gmail.com Makati City, 21 September 2021.

MAILA LOURDES G. DE CASTRO Corporate Secretary

Prerequisites: a. Must have a valid and working DITO prepaid SIM card installed in one DITO compatible phone. The list of outlets selling the SIM card can be found in DITO’s website (https://www.dito.ph). b. Must have an existing DITO load of at least Php 99.00. The list of outlets selling the DITO load can be found in DITO’s website (https://www.dito. ph). c. Installed and working DITO App in device.

How to download and install DITO App: Download and install the DITO App via the link included in the activation SMS. The activation SMS will be sent to the SUBSCRIBER after activation of the SIM card. (note – use of the DITO App will not use or require any data allocation from the subscriber, free WiFi access shall be available in the DITO’s partner stores for application downloading and promo activation purposes, subscribers may also use the 1 GB data allocation included with the SIM card to download and activate the promo) Create and Log-in on the DITO App – initial password will be given via CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SMS.

How to avail the promo: a. Log-in on the DITO App. b. Go to the App Home Page then select the 10GB Data Promo. c. Subscriber must click on the confirmation button to proceed with the purchase of the offer. d. Subscriber will receive confirmation via APP and SMS.

Promo shall only be offered in the following areas:

Promo shall only be offered in the following new areas:

LUZON: NCR: Manila, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasay, Taguig, Pateros, Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Marikina, Las Pinas; Pangasinan: Basista, Binmaley, Dagupan, Manaoag, Mangatarem, San Manuel, San Carlos City, Lingayen (Capital), San Nicolas, Alaminos, Bolinao, Urdaneta, Urbiztondo, Bani, Bugallon, Mangaldan, Santa Barbara, Malasiqui, Laoac, Dasol, Aguilar, Bautista, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Tayug; Bulacan: Pandi, San Jose del Monte, Malolos, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Hagonoy, Bulacan, Plaridel, Baliuag, Guiguinto, Bustos, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Santa Maria, San Rafael, Pulilan, Balagtas (Bigaa), Norzagaray; Nueva Ecija: Llanera, Palayan City, Santa Rosa, Santo Domingo Science City of Munoz, Talavera, Cabanatuan, Gapan City, San Leonardo, San Jose, General Mamerto Natividad, Rizal, Zaragoza, General Tinio (Papaya), Licab, Jaen, Quezon, Lupao; Nueva Vizcaya: Dupax del Norte; Pampanga: Angeles, Mabalacat, Mexico, Guagua, San Fernando, Magalang, San Simon, Lubao, Bacolor; Tarlac: Capas, Tarlac City, Concepcion, Gerona, Moncada, La Paz, Ramos, San Manuel, Pura, Victoria; Zambales: Olongapo, Subic; Bataan: Balanga, Dinalupihan, Orani; Batangas: Alitagtag, Bauan, Cuenca, San Jose, Ibaan, Batangas City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Pascual, Santo Tomas, Lipa City, Talisay, Tanauan City, Taysan, Balete, Padre Garcia, San Juan, Balayan, Calaca, San Luis, Taal, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, Laurel, Lemery; Cavite: Kawit, Bacoor, Imus, Tagaytay City, Silang, Dasmarinas, Carmona, Amadeo, Rosario, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, General Trias, Trece Martirez, Tanza, Magallanes. Naic, Maragondon; Laguna: San Pedro, Sta Rosa, Binan, Cabuyao, Los Banos, Calamba City, Victoria, Calauan, Alaminos, San Pablo, Majayjay, Luisiana, Rizal, Nagcarlan; Rizal: Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay; Quezon: Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Pagbilao, San Antonio, Sariaya, Lucban VISAYAS: Cebu: Toledo City, Balamban, Barili, Carcar, Cebu City, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Danao, Liloan, Mandaue, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Lapu Lapu, Dumanjug, Talisay, Moalboal, Bogo City, San Remigio, Sogod, Alcantara, Santander, Ginatilan, Daanbantayan; Negros Occidental: Bacolod City, Kabankalan, Pulupandan, Silay City, Valladolid, Binalbagan; Iloilo: Iloilo City, Oton; Negros Oriental: Dumaguete, Valencia, Sibulan MINDANAO: Agusan Del Norte: City of Butuan; Agusan del Sur: Rosario, San Francisco, Trento, Bayugan, Santa Josefa; Compostela Valley: Monkayo; Davao del Norte: Santo Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Panabo, Tagum, Carmen, Island City of Samal; Davao del Sur: Santa Cruz, Bansalan, Davao City, Digos, Hagonoy; Davao de Oro: Montevista, Compostela, Nabunturan, Maco; Cotabato: Kidapawan, Makilala; South Cotabato: General Santos City, Polomolok; Bukidnon: Malaybalay, City of Valencia, Quezon, Don Carlos, Manolo Fortich, Baungon, Libona, Impasug-ong, Maramag; Lanao Del Norte: Linamon; Misamis Oriental: Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro, Claveria, Talisayan, Manticao, Sugbongcogon, Medina, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Balingoan, Naawan, Villanueva, City of El Salvador, Jasaan, Opol, Tagoloan, City of Gingoog, Lugait; Gitagum, Laguindingan, Libertad, Initao; Saranggani: Alabel

Promo resubscription is allowed even if the current subscription is active. The remaining data and off-net minutes allocation from the previous subscription will be carried over to the latest subscription.

Once availed, the promo is non-refundable / non-replaceable / nonexchangeable. Promo is only valid for the subscriber’s DITO compatible mobile phone where the purchased DITO SIM and Promo are installed.

Once availed, the promo is non-refundable / non-replaceable / non exchangeable. Promo is only valid for the subscriber’s DITO compatible mobile phone where the purchased DITO SIM and Promo are installed.

Promo cannot be used in conjunction with any unlimited promo offers, discount available and exclusive promo offers.

10) Promo cannot be converted to cash, credit, or other goods and services.

11) By availing of the promo, the subscriber confirms that he/she has read, understood, and agreed to the promo mechanics, its terms, and conditions. Subscriber also agrees not to use the SIM and/or promo for illicit or illegal means.

12) For any concerns and/or inquiries regarding the promo, information may be sent to customerservice@dito.ph. All matters and disputes will be subject to the final decision of DITO Telecommunity. All decisions made by DITO Telecommunity pertaining to the promo will be deemed final and irrevocable, with the prior concurrence of DTI.

* All proxies which have been previously submitted shall remain valid unless revoked. (MS-SEPT. 21 & 22, 2021)

10. Authority to accept private placements for up to 300,000,000 common shares to be issued at a price equivalent to the par value of PhP 1.00 per share.

The promo is priced at Php 99.00 and is inclusive of the following: a. 10GB Data for 30 days upon activation of the promo. b. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls for 30 days upon activation of the promo. c. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO SMS for 30 days upon activation of the promo. d. 300 minutes of calls to other mobile networks e. Unlimited texts to other mobile networks

9. Waiver by the minority stockholders of the rights or public offer requirement under the PSE Additional Listing Rule.

Pursuant to SEC’s Notice dated 16 March 2021 , a copy of the Notice of the meeting, Definitive Information Statement, Management Report, minutes of the previous meeting of the stockholders, and other documents related to the meeting may be accessed through the Corporation’s website https://www. primemediaholdingsinc.com/ and PSE Edge.

How to avail the promo: a. Log-in on the DITO App. b. Go to the App Home Page then select the 25GB Data Promo. c. Subscriber must click on the confirmation button to proceed with the purchase of the offer. d. Subscriber will receive confirmation via APP and SMS.

3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Stockholders’ Meeting.

For purposes of the meeting, stockholders of record as of 12 August 2021 are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the said meeting. Stockholders intending to participate by remote communication should pre-register at https://conveneagm. com/ph/primemedia on or before 03 October 2021. Please refer to the Procedure for Participation and Voting at the 2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (attached to the Definitive Information Statement) for detailed information on participation by remote communication and voting in absentia (electronic voting) or by proxy.

Create and Log-in on the DITO App – initial password will be given via SMS.

2. Proof of Notice and Certification of Quorum.

14. Adjournment.

1. Call to Order.

Approval of the subscription by the major shareholders of Philippine CollectiveMedia Corp. (“PCMC Shareholders”) to One Billion Six Hundred Seventy Nine Million Nine Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Four Hundred (1,679,966,400) common shares to be issued out of the proposed increase in authorized capital stock, in consideration of the assignment and transfer of PCMC shares representing 99.9% of the outstanding capital stock of PCMC.

The promo must be activated within the promo period. Promos activated after the promo period shall not take effect.

Prerequisites: a. Must have a valid and working DITO prepaid SIM card installed in one DITO compatible phone. The list of outlets selling the SIM card can be found in DITO’s website (https://www.dito.ph). b. Must have an existing DITO load of at least Php 199.00. The list of outlets selling the DITO load can be found in DITO’s website (https:// www.dito.ph). c. Installed and working DITO App in device.

The agenda of the meeting is as follows:

The promo is priced at Php 199.00 and is inclusive of the following: a. 25GB Data for 30 days upon activation of the promo. b. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls for 30 days upon activation of the promo. c. Unlimited DITO-to-DITO SMS for 30 days upon activation of the promo. d. 300 minutes of calls to other mobile networks e. Unlimited texts to other mobile networks

The promo must be activated within the promo period. Promos activated after the promo period shall not take effect.

Please be advised that the annual meeting of stockholders of PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held virtually on 13 October 2021 (Wednesday) at 2:00 p.m. To ensure and safeguard everyone’s health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no physical venue for the meeting. The meeting will be held virtually via remote communication at https://conveneagm. com/ph/primemedia, with the Chairman of the meeting presiding from Makati City.

Amendment of the By-laws to: (i) delete all provisions relating to banking operations, and (ii) to authorize the holding of virtual meetings by the stockholders, Board of Directors and Board Committees.

Bulacan: Balagtas (Bigaa) Pampanga: Bacolor Pangasinan: Santa Barbara, Malasiqui Negros Oriental: Sibulan

To All Stockholders:

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In accordance with the NTC guidelines, here’s the offline mechanics for DITO 99 promo:

TODAY

PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

pany, which is drowning in debts of more than $300 billion, has shattered confidence on trading floors, with property companies and banks in Hong Kong taking the brunt of the selling. Hong Kong shed 3.3 percent, with Evergrande down almost 19 percent briefly before ending 10 percent off. New World Development dived 12.3 percent and Henderson Land tanked 13.2 percent. The Hang Seng Property Index dropped more than six percent, its worst performance since May 2020. Analyst Philip Tse, of BOCOM International Holdings, warned “there will be further downside” unless leaders give a clear signal on Evergrande or ease up on their clampdown on the real estate sector. With AFP

In accordance with the NTC guidelines, heres the mechanics for 25GB promo for offline:

Standard

DITO CME Holdings Corp., the third mobile phone company, declined 4.4 percent to P7.81, while Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan sank 5.2 percent to P10.22. DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group decreased 3.2 percent to P6.85, but PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, rose 2.6 percent to P1,510. The rest of Asian markets slumped Monday on fears about contagion from a possible collapse of teetering property giant China Evergrande. Hong Kong again led the losses with EvManila ergrande due to pay interest on some of its Standard loans and bonds this week, with observers TODAY expecting it to default. Uncertainty about the future of the com-

(MS-SEPT. 21, 2021)

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-118950 Series of 2021

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-123441 Series of 2021 (MS-SEPT. 21, 2021)

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Business

PayMaya gets digital banking license By Darwin G. Amojelar

OYAGER Innovations through financial technology arm PayMaya Philippines secured an approval from the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to establish a digital bank.

Called Maya Bank, the digital bank will leverage PayMaya’s successful track record of being at the forefront of accelerating financial inclusion in the country. With the digital banking license, Maya Bank’s primary focus will be the

largely unbanked and underserved population of consumers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It also intends to promote digital financial services among the youth, women, senior citizens and other underbanked segments. “The digital transformation of our country is at the top of the PLDT group’s agenda, and this development is a big step forward for Voyager and PayMaya. Maya Bank will be a key vehicle in hastening digital adoption among Filipinos through inclusive financial services,” said Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of PLDT, Voyager and PayMaya. “We are very excited to work with the BSP to leapfrog the Philippine financial ecosystem by speedily developing and launching innovative digital banking

services, especially for the underserved segments,” said Shailesh Baidwan, president of Voyager and PayMaya. “With Maya Bank and PayMaya, we will provide a powerhouse suite of intuitive, transparent, and readily accessible digital financial services relevant to Filipinos, in support of the country’s financial inclusion goals,” he said. PayMaya is the only financial technology company in the Philippines that operates an end-to-end FinServ (financial services) ecosystem with its widely used leading e-wallet, the most extensive on-ground digital remittance network through Smart Padala and the largest non-bank merchant payments processing business. The BSP earlier announced that it would limit the digital bank licenses

to seven, with six now granted, including Maya Bank’s. The window for the submission of applications from new entrants, including converting banks, closed on Aug. 31. Both PayMaya and the soon-to-beestablished Maya Bank will spearhead Voyager’s digital financial services thrust, supporting the BSP’s goals of digitizing 50 percent of the total volume of retail payments and expanding the financially included to 70 percent of Filipino adults by 2023. Voyager raised an additional $167 million in June to accelerate the growth of PayMaya’s digital payments business and expand to new and inclusive products, such as credit, insurance, savings, and investments through the soon-to-beestablished digital bank.

Bangko Sentral likely to keep rate at 2% this week By Julito G. Rada MOODY’S Analytics, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corp., said Monday it expects the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to keep the overnight borrowing rate at a record-low of 2 percent this week to support the economy amid the continued onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moody’s Analytics said in its Asia Pacific economic preview the central banks of Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines were expected to keep settings on hold this week, “with policy settings firmly in accommodative territory.” It said “the Philippines and Indonesia continue to battle domestic infection waves that have disrupted their respective recoveries.” Earlier this month, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the economy showed tentative signs of recovery although the outlook remained uncertain with the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Diokno, in an online briefing, cited the movement of people and the rising purchasing manager’s index in manufacturing. He said “recent indicators of activity suggest that the economy has turned a corner.” He said the “rising trend of the mobility and purchasing manager’s indices suggested that economic activity continued to gradually rise closer to pre-pandemic levels after the steep decline in 2020.” Diokno said the BSP had ample monetary policy space and that the current accommodative policy settings represented appropriate stimulus to demand. He said the accommodative policy settings should be allowed to continue to work their way through the economy to bolster private consumption and investment. “The BSP’s monetary policy remains oriented towards supporting ongoing economic recovery amid supply-side pressures and the presence of economic slack as well as the downside risks to domestic demand from the impact of the protracted COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Monday, September 20, 2021 -54.95 PTS. 6,857.90

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

2,285,794,291 104,571

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES

7,227,090,989.85 42 165

UNCHANGED

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.9730

Japan

Yen

0.009095

0.4545

Pound

1.373600

68.6429

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128495

6.4213

Switzerland

Franc

1.073653

53.6537

Canada

Dollar

0.783699

39.1638

Singapore

Dollar

0.741785

37.0692

Australia

Dollar

0.725900

36.2754

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653364

132.5966

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

13.3258

Brunei

Dollar

0.739044

36.9322

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030093

1.5038

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.6062

Euro

1.173000

58.6183

Korea

Won

0.000847

0.0423

China

Yuan

0.154899

7.7408

India

Rupee

0.013570

0.6781

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239808

11.9839

New Zealand

Dollar

0.703400

35.1510

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035982

1.7981 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Common rail station finished by December

THE Department of Transportation on Monday said the construction of the common station linking Metro Manila’s railway lines and the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 will be completed by December this year. Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said during a briefing the construction of civil works for the Common Station would be finally completed by December this year. The P2.8 billion Common Station features a 13,700-square meter concourse area which will seamlessly interconnect the rail lines of LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the much-awaited Metro Manila Subway. The common station project has been stalled since 2009, but Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade settled the dispute on the location leading to its groundbreaking in September 2017. Tugade navigated through the dispute of various stakeholders of the project, including two conglomerates who were vying for better vantage point. Once operational, the Common Station is expected to serve about 478,000 passengers daily. Darwin G. Amojelar

Angeles set to build new slaughterhouse

BEST FOR THE WORLD. Generation Hope Inc., the pioneering social enterprise and makers of the bottled water brand Hope in Bottle, and the first Certified B Corp in the Philippines, is honored as a Best for the World B Corp. The recognition is administered by B Lab, the global nonprofit organization that certifies and mobilizes Certified B Corps, and awarded to organizations in the top 5 percent of B Corps in its size group worldwide for their sustainable business practices. HOPE is the first Filipino company to be recognized as a Certified B Corp in 2017. Shown are students at a HOPE classroom in Lagao 2nd Bario Elementary School in General Santos City. The classroom was built in 2019 with Sanicare and LBC Foundation Inc.

Megaworld spending P40b to develop Palawan township By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Monday it will spend P40 billion over the next 10 to 15 years to develop 462 hectares of beachfront property in San Vicente, Palawan into an eco-tourism township. Megaworld said in a statement the project Paragua Coastown would have several components, including hotels and resorts, health and wellness sanctuaries, cultural center, educational institutions, a shop house district, residential developments such as private villas, serviced apartments, themed residential villages, and a mangrove reserve park. “As we grow our sustainable developments portfolio, this new township in the beautiful town of San Vicente in Palawan will showcase the best of sustainable tourism and green living,” said

PAL unveils plan to add international and domestic flights in fourth quarter PHILIPPINE Airlines said Monday it is expanding its international and domestic flights by the fourth quarter in anticipation of tourist and business travel revival as the Philippines ramps up vaccination and improves travel and economic conditions nationwide. The flag carrier said by late October, it would increase flights to San Francisco, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Guam, Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Nagoya and Fukuoka while continuing special flights to Auckland, Vietnam and points in Australia. More flights to Honolulu and Taipei will come online by the last week of November. The airline’s winter season schedule also includes regular flights to New York JFK, Seoul, Saudi Arabia, Vancouver, Toronto and other Asian destinations. PAL said that on domestic routes, it would add flight frequencies to Iloilo, Legazpi, Butuan, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Roxas City. PAL’s Cebu hub will see additional frequencies between Cebu and Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Butuan and Davao.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

“As travel restrictions ease, we are progressively increasing flights on high-density routes and operating special commercial and repatriation flights to build passenger traffic,” said PAL senior vice president and chief strategy and planning officer Dexter Lee. “While demand may not come back to pre-pandemic levels until 2024, we will implement a fleet and network plan that will maintain Philippine Airlines as a market leader in the international and domestic sectors,” he said. PAL steadily built up operations in recent months, now averaging 27 percent of the pre-pandemic flights on 70 percent of its route network. PAL secured an approval from US Bankruptcy Court in New York to access the first $20 million from a $505-million loan facility to support operations. The airline plans to exit from the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy process by end of the year. PAL reported total comprehensive loss amounting to P18.04 billion in the first half, down 18 percent from the P22.02billion comprehensive loss in the same period last year.Darwin G. Amojelar

Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan, “While we transform it into a worldclass development, we also commit to the preservation of the island’s biodiversity,” Tan said. Paragua Coastown will be Megaworld’s 27th township project. It is strategically located within a few minutes from San Vicente Airport, which serves regular flights to and from Manila and Clark. It features some of the most beautiful beaches along the coastline of San Vicente, including Port Barton, one of the most famous tourist attractions of the town known for its 22 small islands. The first area to be developed is around 83 hectares of land in Kemdeng, which has its own beach line. “More than just sustainable tourism, our vision for this expansive Palawan

property is to provide an opportunity to those who want the island-life to live and even raise their families here. Aside from the preserved natural surroundings of the beach, mountains and cliffs of San Vicente, we will also provide the facilities and amenities for holistic wellness for our future residents,” Tan said. San Vicente is the home to the longest beach in the Philippines called Long Beach. It is the second longest beach in Southeast Asia covering almost 15 kilometers of coastline or three times longer than Boracay’s famous white beach. Megaworld’s other 26 masterplanned integrated urban townships, integrated lifestyle communities are located in various parts of the country including Boracay, Cebu, Batangas, Cavite, Antipolo, Bacolod, Davao and Iloilo. The share price of Megaworld slipped 1.7 percent Monday to P2.87.

ANGELES CITY–The city government and its private partner the Cabanatuan EACA Agroventures Inc. will build here a modern slaughterhouse costing P80 million following the recent signing of memorandum of agreement on the project. Angeles chief adviser IC Calaguas said said the construction of the new slaughterhouse will be done under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme. The project will be equipped with new technology for slaughterhouses. Calaguas said EACA Agroventures would lease the property from the city government for 25 years under the MOA. He said the EACA would shoulder the construction cost, including the operation and maintenance of the slaughterhouse. After 25 years, Calaguas said the EACA will be turned over to the city government. Lito Corpuz, general manager of the Angeles City Slaughterhouse, said the new slaughterhouse would be accredited with the National Meat Services Inspection. Jess Malabanan

Excise tax collections from cigarettes up 31%

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P83 billion worth of excise tax from cigarettes in the first seven months, up 31 percent from the P63 billion in the same period last year. An analysis done by the Department of Finance based on data from the BIR show Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Co. Inc. remained the top cigarette manufacturer with excise tax payments of P42.04 billion from Jan.1 to July 31, up 6.9 percent from P39.3 billion during the same period last year. DOF Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan said in her report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III despite Japan Tobacco International (Philippines) Inc. registering the highest year-on-year excise tax increase of 73.1 percent for the same period, it remained at the second spot in terms of market share with P38.8 billion in excise taxes paid. JTI paid P22.4 billion in excise taxes from January to July of 2020, which means JTI’s tax payments grew P16.4 billion in the same period this year. “Based on the actual volume as of July 2021, cigarette excise tax collections reached P82.97 billion or a 31-percent increase than last year’s collections of P63.3 billion,” Habitan said during a recent DOF executive committee meeting. Julito G. Rada

FINANCIAL INCLUSIVITY.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion (top row, left) signs a memorandum of agreement with Agriculture Secretary William Dar (center) and Land Bank of the Philippines president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo (right) to promote inclusive growth through financial inclusivity and accessibility for agri-enterprises, farmers and fisherfolks in the country. The partnership aims to provide financial accessibility in support of the country’s ‘agripreneurs’ affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With them are (second row, from left) senior adviser for agri-preneurship and Mindanao program head Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian and LandBank senior vice president Filipina Monje.

EDC launches campaign to attain net zero carbon emissions in PH By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp., the country’s largest geothermal company, said Monday it launched a multi-sectoral movement toward attaining net zero carbon emissions among businesses in the Philippines. Dubbed the Net Zero Carbon Alliance, EDC controlled by First Gen Corp. is spearheading the movement for the country to become carbon neutral, in line with

the Department of Energy’s goal to reduce emissions by as much as 75 percent as part of the government’s contributions to the landmark global Conference of the Parties 21 Paris Climate Change Agreement. “We are putting into action our revitalized mission in the Lopez Group to ‘forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future’ by seeking partnerships and synergies with fellow enterprises

in the country,” said EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco. The Net Zero Carbon program is strategically developed to provide partners with a roadmap to attain carbon neutrality through the sharing of best practices and scaling up of carbon emission offsetting and tracking, as well as assistance in obtaining third-party certification of carbon emissions and offsets, and even access to “green” financing.

Tennis chief Cablitas willing to step down

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

By Peter Atencio A CHANGE in leadership is coming in the Philippine Tennis Association. PHILTA president Atty. Antonio Cablitas said this after the Philippines was barred by the International Tennis Federation from competing in international team competitions, including this year’s Davis Cup. Cablitas, in a recent radio interview, said he is ready to vacate his post and give way to a new leader. The PHILTA chief, who is in a feud with officials of another group from within the tennis community, the United Tennis Philippines, plans to give way to long-time board member Oscar Hilado. Cablitas explained that the PHILTA is in the midst of presenting its new set of officers and a revised charter before the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Securities and Exchange Commission. After that, they will go back to the ITF and appeal for the lifting of a two-year sanction imposed on PHILTA. “Something will move forward from here, because I don’t intend to stay long. I will hand this to Mr. Hilado at ayoko sa pulitiko,” said Cablitas, adding that this was among the things he discussed with Senator Bong Go, who inquired about the status of the association. PHILTA officials came out with a synopsis which explained the the association’s status. “We hope that the ITF leadership will be enlightened as to PHILTA’s initiatives and successes since June 2017. We also appeal that appropriate actions be taken by the ITF leadership, if only to rectify a clearly erroneous recommendation of suspension which has absolutely no basis and clearly unfounded,” added Cablitas in a statement. The suspension of the organization was enforced by the ITF last year when four PHILTA Trustees, identified as founding members of the UTP, filed complaints before an ITF-created Independent Tribunal in February 2020. The UTP, led by businessmansports Jean Henri Lhuillier, detailed its misunderstandings with other members of the PHILTA board.

Sports John Riel Casimero (left) and Nonito Donaire have been trading insults on social media, fuelling what is turning out to be an interesting showdown between the two world champions.

Donaire-Casimero word war escalates, fight contract ready By Randy Caluag

HE word war on social media between Filipino world boxing champions John Riehl Casimero and Nonito Donaire has erupted anew.

The good news, though, is that a fight contract has been laid down, as claimed by Donaire, who is asking for Casimero to sign the dotted line to make the unification bout happen sometime in December, but not without some scathing thrash talks. “Nauntog na ba utak mo boy? Nagdemanda ka, hindi ako aatras sa kontrata kahit may trashtalk at sumunod ako. As long as magpa-VADA testing ka at nag-agree ka, kaya may mga kontrata (na) ipinadala sa ‘yo para pirmahan mo,” said Donaire, the World Boxing

Council bantamweight champion. “Pa-check up ka sa doctor muna, baka nasira na utak mo. Natutulog ka ba John Riel Reponte Casimero?” added Donaire in response to a post by Casimero. In a post on Facebook under his social media name—Quadro Alas It’s My Boy—Casimero dared Donaire to finally meet him on the ring. “Aba tika (teka) Nonita, nag-iingay ka na naman diyan. Baka ‘pag patulan kita aatras ka na naman,” the World Boxing Organization bantamweight

champion wrote. Casimero, who went back home to his hometown in Leyte last week, replied that he has not yet received any contract, but assured Donaire that he will sign it once it is sent to him. “Nonito Donaire Jr., malapit na akong pumunta diyan sa US. ‘Yan ang hinintay ko, na ikaw ang lumapit sa akin. Wala pa talaga akong natanggap na papel o kontrata galing sa ‘yo. Wala akong inaayawan na laban. Bisaya ni Bai John Riel Reponte Casimero.” But in a posted reply written in Bisaya, Donaire said the contract has already been sent to the Voluntary AntiDoping Association and to Casimero’s management team in the US. Donaire, a future boxing Hall of Famer with a fight record of 41 wins (27KOs) and 6 losses, backed out of

Vietnam has until October to decide on SEA Games THE 31st Southeast Asian Games that Vietnam was supposed to host this December is in a deep quandary—no thanks to the unabated COVID-19 pandemic. The SEA Games Federation, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, gave Vietnam an ultimatum in October to decide whether to hold the Games in 2022 or cancel them outright. “The consensus was for Vietnam to make a decision, otherwise, the 31st SEA Games would be canceled,” Tolentino said. The federation met online last Friday and Tolentino said that a late May 2022 schedule was decided as the most convenient and logical for all 11 member countries. “There are three major Asian and two international competitions in 2022,” Tolentino said. “That leaves Vietnam a very small window to hold the SEA Games.” The Thailand Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games are scheduled from March 10 to 20, Hangzhou Asian Games from September 10 to 25 and Shantou Asian Youth Games from December 20 to 28. The Beijing Winter Olympics are set from February 4 to 20 and the Interna-

FREE THROW SHOOTER NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ

Crossroads HANSEL Emmanuel Donato Domínguez made the Life Christian Academy high school basketball team roster. Now, he has his first Division 1 offer, courtesy of Tennessee State University. He is not the first basketball player with one arm to gain popularity and success. Zach Hodskins played college ball for the University of Florida for two years, before trying his luck in Germany with Cottbus. It got me thinking: we haven’t seen a one-armed basketball player in the NBA. But it won’t be long now, I’m sure. Hansel and Zach have already proven that players

tional Olympic Committee-sanctioned World Games are from July 7 to 22 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Newlycrowned US Open champion Carlo Biado won the 9-ball gold medal at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland. “All these five competitions are major events, they are staged once every four years,” Tolentino said. The schedule for the Hanoi 31st SEA Games is as crucial as the Vietnamese government’s decision on holding the games in May. “Cambodia, the host of the 32nd SEA Games, decided to hold the competitions in February 2023, after the Chinese New Year for that year,” Tolentino said. “And that’s the reason why Vietnam could only have until the latter part of May to host.” Cambodia, Tolentino said, emphasized that it needs its own comfortable window—eight months if Vietnam hosts in May—to guarantee its successful first hosting of the games. “We understand the situation of Cambodia because as hosts in 2019, we had two years at least to prepare for our successful campaign and hosting,” Tolentino said. “Cambodia wants to excel in its hosting debut and, in fact, all infrastructure and collaterals for the 32nd with one arm can compete at a high level; they should be taken seriously. Don’t put them in the team just to be made a spectacle of oddity, in the same league as circus performers eating fire and swords. They’re basketball players, just like everyone else. I think the NBA will see the signing of a player with one arm as a positive development, a good step in the right direction, in the time of inclusivity, equity, and opportunity. That all quarters will definitely be accepting of this kind of development is the reason why I don’t see this as the fork in the road that will challenge and transform the NBA and professional team sports. Something else is on the horizon, something that can either be empowering or divisive. Here is where I think it gets interesting: what if a person with one arm playing for the NBA decides to wear prosthetics? Before you say, “I’m sure it is not a big deal”, think about where this road leads and the doors it will open. Imagine a lumbering 7 footer who spends most of the time on the bench hob-

POC president Rep. Abraham Tolentino

SEA Games are ready.” If Hanoi is canceled, Tolentino said Vietnam could take its turn in 2027. “Thailand is host of the 33rd edition in bled by knee injuries opting for a prosthetic leg. It could finally remove the knee injury in the equation, and the prosthetic legs can even make him run faster, jump higher, and yes, even grow taller. Two new legs and he becomes a different person, and what he can now do changes his role in the team and his value in the league. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Bionic contact lenses, according to Science Alert are “three times better than 20/20—the universal standard for normal vision” and that “it can shift focus from close range objects to objects any distance away faster than the human eye is able to.” Can you imagine how much point guards and wing players will improve with this level of vision? If I am an NBA player and I want this surgically implanted after an accident that damaged my eyes, will the league allow it? Let’s go one step further: imagine a technology that connects the bionic lens with the prosthetic arm(s), automatically calibrating to give you the optimal shooting

2025 and as of now, Laos or Brunei has yet to confirm for 2027,” he said. “If these two countries pull back, then Vietnam gets its turn back.” form in any given situation (think Vegeta’s Geiger Counter and the Winter Soldier’s cybernetic arm combined). That, I guess, is how you make next-generation super shooters, and with it, the rise of more evil villains, too: imagine sports betting and game-fixing syndicates employing the services of hackers to disrupt the technology and impact technology-aided performance vulnerable to cyber-attack. You are about to attempt a game-winning jump shot when suddenly, your bionic eyes and arms shut down and reboot. It will become a complicated world without existing norms and precedents, and a new line in the sand should be drawn to include rules, laws, and ethical guidelines. I won’t envy the man or woman that has to make the decision on the matter of normalizing the use of human enhancement technology. If I say yes, I have to deal with those who think this creates an unfair advantage. I have to defend the decision against accusations Turn to C2

the supposed unification bout with Casimero due to what he claimed were disrespectful remarks against him and his wife by Casimero and his team on social media. Casimero fought Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux instead and won by a unanimous decision to retain his WBO crown and improve his record to 31 wins (21 KOs) against only four losses. World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue of Japan has also called out Casimero but no concrete steps were taken for what could be an intriguing matchup between two exciting fighters. Donaire, meanwhile, has been aching for a rematch with Inoue, who barely beat him in their first meeting in November, 2019.

PSA Forum discusses Biado’s win THE Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum will have for its special guest the newest toast of Philippine sports in Carlo Biado, fresh from his triumphant campaign in the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City. The former caddie turned pool hero is going to talk and look back on his journey in becoming the first Filipino to win the US Open after the legendary Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes last won the crown in 1994. The 37-year-old Biado, a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, rallied back to defeat Aloysius Yapp of Singapore in the final, 13-8, and win the $50,000 prize money. Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines Secretary-General Robert Mananquil will join Biado in the weekly online Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Meanwhile, Philippine Racing Commission Chairman Reli De Leon leads the first part of the 10:00 a.m. session also powered by Smart and Upstream Media as the official webcast partner, as he delves on the latest in the horseracing industry, including the staging of the third and final leg of the Philippine Triple Crown series this coming October. De Leon will be with Philracom Executive Director Andrew Buencamino and Deputy Executive Director Ronald Corpuz in the Forum livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page f b.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also officially shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Sports

TODAY Republic

of the Philippines GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

It’s official: No more boxing for Pacquiao S By Peter Atencio

EN. Manny Pacquiao is done with boxing. The 42-year-old ﬁghting senator said this hours after accepting a nomination from his political allies to run for the presidency of the Philippines next year.

Pacquiao talked about his decision to hang his gloves during a 27-minute, one-on-one interview on “Toni Talks”, the vlog of actress Toni Gonzaga on Youtube. “(Ang) boxing career ko, tapos na ang boxing career ko,” said Pacquiao, who is the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing and has won 12 major world titles. Pacquiao said he has been into boxing for 30 years since he was introduced to the sport at the age of 12. The decision to end his career comes a month after he absorbed a unanimous decision loss to Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who retained his World Boxing Association welterweight title. Pacquiao used to hold the crown, but he was stripped of his belt for failing to defend it last year. “Kasi matagal na naman ako sa pagbo-boxing at ang pamilya ko, sabi nila, tama na,” said Pacquiao, who turned pro at age 16. “Nagtuloy-tuloy lang ako, kasi, passion ko ito,” said Pacquiao. Now that he has formed a boxing outfit called MP Promotions, Pacquiao said he will focus helping aspiring and promising boxers in their development. “Magsu-support na lang ako ng mga boksingero para magkaroon tayo ng champion ulit,”

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

said Pacquiao. And he does not want the next Filipino boxing icon be known as the new Manny Pacquiao. “Hindi puwedeng sabihin na next Manny Pacquiao. Dahil ang Manny Pacquiao ay hindi tungkol sa kanyang sarili, kungdi sa Panginoon,” said Pacquiao, adding that it was God, who gave him the blessings to be a good fighter when he was just starting out. He has record of 62–7–2 as a professional, with 39 wins by knockout. “Sino ang mag-aakala magkakaroon ako ng accomplishment na ganu’n? Mula sa isang batang nagtitinda ng pandesal na magiging world champion, at makikilala sa mundo bilang 8-division champion. (Kung) Sabihin ko ito nu’ng bata pa ako, walang maniniwala. But with God, all things are possible,” added Pacquiao.

Wilson recalls PH team journey

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. 2.

Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only. Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted.

The sale IP-RUs is on an “As-Is, Where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is, Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 10963 or the Tax Reform Act for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, the selling price of GSIS properties above PhP2 million shall be subject to twelve percent (12%) Value-Added Tax (VAT).

Purchase offers are only accepted in CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK/S payable within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension. A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

10.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus the 12% VAT, if applicable, shall be in the form of a MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

11.

A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

17.

The deposit equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT shall be paid not later than 3:00 PM on the day of bidding. The 90% balance of the bid amount plus 12% VAT shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension. Sample Computation: Bid Amount is PhP2,610,000.00 Deposit - (10% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = PhP 261,000.00 + 31,320.00 = PhP292,320.00 Balance - (90% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = PhP2,349,000.00 + 281,880.00 = PhP2,630,880.00

18.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s total deposit.

19.

In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS.

20.

GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

21.

For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 7976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396 or send an email at mbgonda@gsis.gov.ph, chplogdat@gsis.gov.ph, mmmagbanua@gsis.gov.ph, amqjulian@gsis.gov.ph, or jsvicaldo@gsis.gov.ph.

Only the participating bidder shall enter the bidding room.

The bidder must properly wear a facemask and face shield any time.

Social distancing must be strictly observed.

Bringing of ballpen is encouraged.

Please follow the health and safety protocols before entering the GSIS Building.

Additional health and safety measures shall be published on the GSIS website page once the IATF issues additional or new guidelines.

Present the sealed Bid Envelope enclosing eligibility documents between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM to the RPAMD Secretariat.

Properly accomplished bid form;

Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT, if applicable.

Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is being represented by another person.

Two (2) proofs of occupancy, if the bidders is the occupant of the subject property:

GUIDE FOR BIDDERS

a. b.

13.

Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and Valid Government Issued ID with an address showing that the bidder is currently residing in the subject property, or c. Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name that shows he/she is currently residing in the subject property. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope).

The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: A. B.

If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder. He/she must also pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding.

15.

The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents:

Ensure to read and follow the General Guidelines;

•

Ensure that the downloadable Bid form is properly accomplished; and

•

Ensure that the Bid form contained in the sealed envelope;

Make sure to final check the content of the sealed bid envelope before proceeding to the Bid Box.

Only participating Bidders will proceed to the Bid Box to drop the sealed Bid Envelope (ask assistance of RPAMD Secretariat/Personnel only).

Once the sealed envelope is inside the Bid Box, we are refrained from retrieving the envelope.

Opening of Bids will immediately follow.

He/she participated in actual bidding and Inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy inside his/her bid envelope as indicated in Number 9 of these guidelines

14.

•

If the winning bidder is an individual, a. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) b. photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a government-issued ID) If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) c. Articles of Incorporation (if corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC

parents migrated to US. Wilson scored the winning goal during the 92nd minute after receiving a pass from teammate Camille Rodriguez. Her winning goal carried the Malditas past Nepal, 2-1, in their opening game as the Philippines moved closer to qualifying in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 last Saturday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Philippines next clashes with Hong Kong on Friday, with another win allowing the Malditas to earn a seat to the tournament proper next year. A total of 12 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament in India. Wilson first tried out for the Philippine team when she was still in college at the University of San Francisco back in 2012. She saw action in the AFF women’s championships back in 2013 and 2016. Peter Atencio

Crossroads... From C1

HEALTH PROTOCOLS UNDER NEW NORMAL

ALL participating bidders shall insert the following documents in a bid envelope: 1)

12.

Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located If the winning bidder is a cooperative, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration c. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

16.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

Sale of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) shall be through competitive public bidding.

CAMILLE Wilson is glad to be able to play for the Philippine Malditas national women’s football team again. Back after a five-year absence, the 25-year-old Wilson said it has been quite a journey as she was able to return to the national squad this year. The 5’4” Wilson, who plays as a midfield, had been bothered by a hamstring injury when she went through a training camp last month. But physical therapy and good rehabilitation during the camp and tryouts held at the Orange County, California in the United States, allowed her to get back in shape. “Unfortunately, I had a hamstring injury during the closed camp. So I had to quickly regain my playing fitness as well as game fitness. And it was a tough journey for me,” said Wilson, whose

(MS-SEPT. 20/21/22, 2021)

that this is enabling the elite rich, which is a good point; expect human enhancement technology to be costly and not something everyone can afford. I will help decide whether or not it is ok for perfectly healthy athletes to have parts of their bodies replaced and enhanced. If I say no, I have to deal with being accused of having prejudicial disposition, with being labelled as close-minded, and with being branded as the enemy of technology, the future, and the forward-thinkers. And let’s assume the practice of athletes undergoing human enhancement finally becomes acceptable, I’m sure the proponents of performance-enhancing drugs are not far behind: if you can alter bone and sinew, why not blood and the body’s chemical constitution? For years, they have been vilified. Now, they’d think that vindication has finally arrived. Considering the rate our technology is progressing, it is difficult to simply dismiss these possibilities as mere science and speculative fiction. I must admit that this feels like falling into the rabbit hole, but that’s where the offseason will take you, after the news of free agency, transfers, and new signings have died down. And I’d rather find myself engrossed in this topic, rather than come across one more clickbait Internet gossip masking as sports news—such insufferable inane content deserving of an unenviable elevated status in the ranks of idiocy. The NBA—and every professional sports league—is a living organism that continues to evolve. How technology can alter the human body (and how accepting society is of this transformation) could be the first big evolutionary leap that will dramatically change sports as we know it. I’ll see everyone at the crossroads. I want to know where this road will take us, and what will become of us once this finally comes to pass.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Netflix dominates Emmys with ‘Crown’ sweep and ‘Queen’s Gambit’ win “THE Crown” swept the drama awards at the Emmys on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) to finally coronate Netflix with a top prize on television’s biggest night, as the streaming giant also claimed best limited series honors for “The Queen’s Gambit.” Netflix has transformed the TV landscape since creating its first original show in 2012, but had never won any top series prize before Sunday’s ceremony — the small-screen equivalent of the Oscars. In the comedy categories, Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” was the big winner. A reduced audience of top television stars gathered in person for the event in Los Angeles for the first time in two years — it was held at a partially outdoor venue due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. The fourth season of the wildly popular British royal series depicted the ill-fated marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Olivia Colman — who previously won an Oscar for playing Britain’s Queen Anne in “The Favourite” — scooped best actress for portraying her descendant Queen Elizabeth II.

Colman paid tribute to her father who died during the COVID-19 pandemic and “would have loved all of this,” as she collected an award that had been widely expected to go to her co-star Emma Corrin, who portrayed a young Diana. Josh O’Connor, named best actor for playing Charles, praised Corrin as a “force of nature” and said making the show had been “the most rewarding two years of my life.” “The Crown” also won both supporting actor prizes — including one for Gillian Anderson for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher — and awards for best writing and directing. Its tally including technical awards handed out before Sunday’s ceremony came to 11 — tied this year with “The Queen’s Gambit,” and one short of the drama record held by “Game of Thrones.” “The Queen’s Gambit,” a limited series about a troubled orphaned girl who storms the world of professional chess, sent chessboard sales skyrocketing worldwide on its release last October. AFP, read full story on manilastandard.net

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ star Anya Taylor-Joy wowed fashion fans in a Dior gown at the Emmys.

Rayver Cruz’s fulfilling journey

‘Don’t Go Changing’

Ylona Garcia

Fast-emerging pop artist Ylona Garcia invites her fans into her world via a music video, which is featured in 88rising’s ‘Head in the Clouds III’ album.

ydney-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ylona Garcia has released a brilliant slice of power pop breakup balladry entitled “Don’t Go Changing” via 88rising. Produced by industry veterans Jonas Jeberg (Panic! At The Disco, Demi Lovato, The Jonas Brothers, Selena

Gomez) and Marcus Lomax (Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus), the Filipino-Australian trailblazer and 88rising newcomer effortlessly uses emotionally telling vocals to grieve through different stages of letting go. “‘Don’t Go Changing’ is a song that embraces truth towards life’s many mysteries, tough love in particular,” Ylona says of the single. To create the song’s video, Ylona Garcia invited her fans onto the mainstage. Personal footage of the cultural roots of these fans are included in the music video. The final music

video features photos and videos from across the globe, shot by real fans, each representing a slice of each creator’s life beautifully juxtaposed with that of Ylona’s. Following the hit single “California (feat. Warren Hue),” “Don’t Go Changing” is also the newest single off the upcoming “Head In The Clouds III,” 88rising’s game-changing third installation of the world-building, collaborative effort bringing together rising artists from East to West. An album of 88’s closest friends, family, and collaborators that brings together

listeners from around the world, HITC3 is due out in early 2022. “Don’t Go Changing” is the first of three music videos from 88rising’s upcoming visual album, “Head In The Clouds 3,” which will be released in tandem with the record. The music video is directed by Louis Browne, known for his work with Jack Newsome, Ellie Goulding, and Rich Brian. Fans are encouraged to get even closer to the music and artists they love by sharing their own cultural roots content to be featured alongside Ylona in the final music video.

15 female finalists advance to ‘Your Song of Excellence’ next round

‘Your Song of Excellence’ judges (from left) Bituin Escalante, Jay Durias, Frenchie Dy, and Paulo Zarate.

THE journey of the 15 aspiring female singers towards fulfilling their musical dreams is set to carry on after making it to the “Your Song of Excellence” top 15 finalists. Raising the bar for singing excellence in the country, these finalists from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have earned their spots by wowing celebrity judges and OPM icons Bituin Escalante, Jay Durias, Frenchie Dy, and Paulo Zarate with their notable online performances and memorable stories. Presenting the top 15 female finalists who are now one step closer to winning the biggest online singing competition this 2021 are: From the islands of Luzon, the five finalists are Angelika Keith De Guzman from Pampanga, Daniella Langres from Cavite, Kyla Jade Jose from Marikina, Rana Singh from Rizal and Stephanie Aseron from Oriental Mindoro; Coming from Visayas are Julia Faith Joaquin from Bohol, Anjanette Fajardo from Capiz, Julyann Uy,

Veronica Jañola, and Therese Quiruben, who are all from Cebu; Finally, from Mindanao are Edel M Quibol from General Santos, Ricalyn Martinez from Davao del Norte, Ella Mae Sabando, Noreen Gamos, and Alyanna Marie Espiritu, who are all from Davao City. The public may then vote for their favorite female performers to advance to the regional finals. Voting for the female regional finalists will be done on Taiwan Excellence Facebook Page (https://m.facebook. com/TaiwanExcellence.ph). They may support their chosen singer by commenting the hashtag of the finalist together with the contest’s official hashtag: #YourSongOfExcellence. All 15 female finalists would then be judged based on the following criteria: 40 percent online audience impact, 25 percent voice quality, 25 percent creative musicality, and 10 percent stage presence. The three most excellent regional female performers out of the 15 will receive P10,000 each and will go head-

to-head come Oct. 30 at Your Song of Excellence finals night. Apart from the prizes and the prestige, the regional finalists would also get the chance to be mentored by Your Song of Excellence host singer Floyd Tena and “The Clash Season 1” contestant Jasmine Fitzgerald. Three grand winners will be chosen per category and will have the chance to fulfill their dreams of signing up for a recording deal from Ivory Music. To top it off, they will also be taking home half a million peso prize pool composed of cash and gifts. “Go and follow your dreams, we are proud to support Filipino talent and salute your strong Filipino spirit. Good luck to all the finalists,” said Chien-Chung Huang, CEO of Ju Tian Cleantech. “Your Song of Excellence” is organized by Taiwan Excellence together with its premiere partners Aromase and Ju Tian Cleantech. Also joining Taiwan Excellence in this endeavor are its major partners ACER, Annie’s Way, ASUS, FECA, Johnson Fitness & Wellness, PC Express, Predator, Republic of Gamers, Tatung, and Transcend.

Leveling up mobile TV viewing experience GMA Now levels up users’ mobile TV viewing experience with new features and improvements to make their interactive smart TV on the go even more enjoyable! Since GMA Now’s launch last February, product creator GMA New Media, Inc., GMA Network’s digital media and technology arm, has been continuously developing additions to the mobile dongle that enhance the user experience, not only for DTT but also in its OTT and interactive components. GMA Now users can now save and share clips of their favorite Kapuso shows with the new Screen Recording feature. To activate, simply tap the record button on the TV player and allow the required permissions. Recorded clips will automatically be stored in the phone’s Gallery. The smartphone used should have at least 100MB of free storage in order to record. Another new feature is the Picture-in-Picture (PIP) Mode that allows users to multitask while enjoying GMA’s news, public affairs, and entertainment shows. As users switch to other apps while watching, the GMA Now TV player automatically floats above the other apps, allowing continuous digital TV viewing. This feature requires Android 8.0 Oreo and above.

On top of these exciting updates, GMA Now also further enhanced its existing features. Full episode videos of Kapuso shows are now available on the newly redesigned Videos tab while Groupee Chat is now made more fun and interactive with new Groupee stickers. Users can enjoy these new features by updating their GMA Now app on the Google Play Store. GMA Now is a mobile digital TV receiver that allows Android smartphone users to watch the live broadcast of the Kapuso channels GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart Movies, and DepEd TV as well as other free-to-air channels accessible in their area. Compatible with any Android smartphone that runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher, GMA Now is available in portions of Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Baguio City, Pangasinan, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod City, as well as in Guimaras and Iloilo. GMA Now can be purchased at the special retail price of only P599. Promo is extended until Oct. 27.

Alden Richards as the face of GMA Now.

Ravyer Cruz lists Heart Evangelista and young actress Kyline Alcantara as the stars whom he would want to share the screen with in his next TV project.

AFTER renewing his contract with GMA Network, Rayver Cruz said that he’s extremely thankful to his mother studio for all the opportunities it has given him since he transferred three years ago. The 32-year-old actor describes his journey with GMA as a fulfilling one. “They brought out the best in me. They unleashed my true potential. That’s what I like best with my stay in the Kapuso lot,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment. Rayver believes that as a GMA artist, he was able to broaden his horizon. “They made me realize that I can do a lot of things. They successfully tapped my other capabilities and show them to the viewers. Like I never thought I’ll be able to do hosting in ‘The Clash’ and singing in ‘All-Out Sundays.’ This of course, aside from the acting assignments they give me like my currently airing afternoon soap opera ‘Nagbabagang Luha,’” he said. “GMA capitalized on my potential and fielded me in various projects that would further hone my skills. They’re good at seeing the directions I should take. Now, I’m more confident than ever with myself, especially with hosting. I feel that I can do it competently now unlike before,” Rayver added. He is satisfied with the way his mother network maps out his career it makes him think that he would ever leave GMA in case he received any offer from rival networks. “Even to consider such thought, it’s not in my mind. I’m happy with my present home studio. I opt to stay here in GMA. They know where to put me. That’s why I signed up with them again,” he exclaimed. With his renewed partnership with the Kapuso Network, Rayver wanted to explore other avenues where he can showcase his other talents. “If there’s one thing though which I want to be recognized more, it’s my singing. I know that I can carry a tune. Hope that I’ll be given more exposure as a singer.” As for the stars he’d love to share the screen for the first time as leading lady, the actor listed Kyline Alcantara and Heart Evangelista as his first choices. “Kyline is much younger than I am, I know. And it would also be a great experience to collaborate with Heart,” Rayver noted ending the interview with a message for the audiences of “Nagbabagang Luha” where he shares stellar billing with Glaiza de Castro, Mike Tan, and Claire Castro. “It feels good to hear that the viewers are affected by the developments in the story. In our social media accounts, you can read encouraging feedback from people. We are always trending on Twitter. We’re very proud of this,” Rayver ended.

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Life

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Infection prevention on top of vaccination

BREATHE CLEAN. Hydroxyl radicals, called ‘nature’s detergent’, are naturally occurring highly reactive components that help purify the air.

PANASONIC LAUNCHES COVID-FIGHTING WINDOW-TYPE AIR CONDITIONER By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano

everal tools and technologies claiming to prevent or fight the virus have emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Widespread use, however, does not equate to effectiveness; some claims are often unfounded, others anecdotal. Fortunately there are those confirmed by science.

Panasonic’s proprietary nanoe X technology works by applying high voltage to moisture collected in the air to produce hydroxyl radicals contained in water.

ring highly reactive components found in the lowest layer of the atmosphere (troposphere) that “purify the air”, according to Dr. Rontgene Solante, chief of adult infectious diseases and tropical medicine at San Lazaro Hospital. The nanoe X air conditioner collects moisture in the air and applies high voltage to it to produce hydroxyl radicals contained in water, which have a longer lifespan than those in the air. According to Panasonic, the nanoe X air conditioners are capable of providing 24-

On July 31, 2020, Panasonic verified the effectiveness of its proprietary nanoe X technology in suppressing the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It tapped the Osaka Prefecture University to confirm the capabilities of this technology which showed 99 percent inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 in three hours. The study in Japan was later confirmed on Oct. 26 by Texcell, a research institute in Paris, France, reporting an inhibitory effect of 99.99 percent in a 45-liter enclosed space within two hours. This COVID-fighting technology is present in Panasonic’s newly launched window-type Premium WAC Inverter XU Series air conditioner and in various splittype air conditioner units and portable generators launched prior.

What is nanoe X

Panasonic has been conducting con- Panasonic Air-Conditioning Philippines president and chief executive tinuous research on nanoe X technology Masaru Toyota (middle) with PACPH communications and product since 1997. It has been found to inhibit planning manager Francis Serrato and host CJ Hirro at the launch bacteria, fungi, viruses, and allergens usof Panasonic Premium WAC Inverter XU Series Window Type with ing hydroxyl radicals – naturally occurnanoe X technology.

Lockdown and body pain

From left: Engr. Francis Serrato, Dr. Camilo Roa, Jr., and Dr. Rontgene Solante

for smokers, all the huffing and puffing damages the disk, which may protrude and cause pain. To avoid back pain while in front of a computer monitor, Dr. Macrohon recommended positioning it within eye level “so you need not slouch or strain your neck muscles”. She also emphasized the importance of taking breaks in between viewing or web meetings.

Knee pain

The lockdown may have turned a lot of people into fitness buffs, but overexercising is not good for the knee. The number one cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA) or degeneration of the joint. It can be hereditary, the chance of getting it increases when one reaches the age of 45. Early signs include an exceptionally warm feeling on the knee, visible deformity, difficulty in bending or squatting or climbing stairs, and cracking sound when getting up. Obesity is another major cause of OA. Dr. Bee Giok Tan-Sales explained, “For every pound gained, the impact on the knee increases two to three times when walking and three to five times Back pain is common among people aged 30 years old and above. when running.” Dr. Sales also By Tet Defensor cautioned those who often wear ALL that web meetings and K-drama high heels, “Stimarathons from your laptop can trigletto is the killer, ger movement-related pain, according it can lead to knee to experts. pain,” she said. If In the webicon “Pain, Pain Go wearing heels is Away”, the specialists from Carnecessary, the safdinal Santos Medical Center’s er alternative are (CSMC) Rehabilitation Department shoes with thick discussed several ways to alleviheels, “at least ate movement-related pain common Life in lockdown may be causing individuals movement-related pain. one and a half in the current work-from-home arinch,” she said. rangement. No pain According to Dr. Joanna Macrohon, To keep our backs healthy and the pain can range from simple muscle strong, Dr. Macrohon suggested aches to stabbing sensation that radilow-impact exercises like brisk ates down the arm or leg. It may be trigwalking, swimming, yoga, Pilates, gered by muscle strain, ruptured disk, and tai-chi. arthritis, or osteoporosis. Flexibility exercises like stretchBack pain ing for the quadriceps and hamThere are several factors that strings, Dr. Sales said, would help increase a person’s chances of dethe knee. She also shared studies veloping back pain. It is common showing how collagen has been among people aged 30 years old and very helpful to patients with early above mainly because aging causes arthritis. “Ultrasound tests show wear and tear of the joints and musthat collagen has some positive efcles. Other factors are lack of exerfect in preserving and protecting cise, excess body weight, improper the cartilage. The thinning out has lifting, depression and anxiety, and slowed down.” smoking. Like any physical disorder, early Depression and anxiety can lead detection is key. If pain persists after to back pain because people tend seven days of medication and home to slouch when they are stressed. remedies, then it is time to see a spe“Slouching strains the muscles which Overexercising can damage joints and cialist. leads to pain,” said Dr. Macrohon. As increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

hour protection against viruses, allergens, pollutants, and mold. They can inhibit both airborne and adhered substances. The window-type is suitable for home use. “Having this nanoe X technology is an advantage over ordinary air conditioning units,” asserted Dr. Solante. Dr. Camilo C. Roa, Jr., the global governor of the American College of Chest Physicians, seconded, saying, “The nanoe X will add to the layer of protection. We should not rely on just one or two layers of protection, we need to do everything so the person and the family are protected.” Both medical experts agree on supplementing vaccines and minimum public health standards with science-backed technologies that are good for the people and environment. The nanoe X air conditioners produce ozone “within the level acceptable by the standard”, according to Engr. Francis Serrato of Panasonic Air Conditioning Philippines. “Vaccination can protect us from transmitting the infection. If we are vaccinated, we’re also protected from hospitalization and death. But aside from vaccination, infection prevention is also needed, which is the use of masks, shields, and, if you’re in closed space, adequate ventilation,” said Dr. Solante

RLC Residences inoculates homeowners, staff IN an effort to drive the number of vaccinated Filipinos, property developer RLC Residences launched a vaccination program for its residents and onsite staff members. The program kicked off on August 20 with a round of first doses for homeowners living in RLC Residences properties in Mandaluyong City, which include Gateway Residences, Gateway Garden Ridge, Sonata Private Residences, and Axis Residences. Official residents and their families were all qualified for inoculation, with senior citizens and persons with disabilities prioritized by receiving their first shot inside their homes. Onsite property management team members, including housekeeping, security, and technical staff, were also included as vaccine recipients. Following the initial roll-out, RLC Residences is pursuing the expansion of the program to other properties in Pasig and Quezon City, such as The Pearl Place, East of Galleria, The Sapphire Bloc, Vimana Verde, Acacia Escalades, The Magnolia Residences, Escalades at the 20th, Escalades East Tower, and Galleria Regency. With this initiative already in place, RLC Residences aims to safeguard

Senior homeowners receive their first dose inside their homes.

Gateway Regency residents line up for their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

their spaces for their homeowners and employees with vaccines and strict compliance with national pandemic protocols. Just recently, Axis Residences and Radiance Manila Bay received their Safety Seal certifications from the local government units of Mandaluyong and Pasay, respectively, for complying with the minimum public health standards. To learn more about RLC Residences and the communities it nurtures, visit www.rlcresidences.com or check its Facebook (@RLCResidencesPH) and Instagram (@rlc_residences) pages.

Vaccination for Sonata Private Residences homeowners held at the property’s garden area (top) and function room (bottom) on Sept. 1

First batch of Axis Residences homeowners inoculated at Robinson’s Mall Forum on Aug. 20.