Manila Standard - 2021 October 2 - Saturday

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Mago under House custody

'Whistleblower' seeks protection to speak freely on Pharmally issues

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE whistleblower in the ongoing legislative investigation into the alleged overpriced and tampered personal protective equipment for medical frontliners on Friday night voluntarily entered into protective custody of the House of Representatives after being incommunicado for almost a week now.

Pharmally executive Krizle Grace livered to the Department of Health, was Mago, who said her firm tampered with placed under House protection DIWA the expiration dates of the face shields deNext page

DOH holds its pending supplies from Pharmally THE Department of Health (DOH) said it has started investigating reports that the manufacturing dates on face shields procured from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. were tampered with, and has suspended pending deliveries from the company.

Upon the directive of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the department is conducting a comprehensive review of procurement transactions, including the inspection of incoming or currently housed stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) procured from Pharmally, either directly or indirectly, Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 229 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte bars Cabinet officials from attending Gordon probe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered members of the executive department to ignore Senator Richard Gordon's summons to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, which is investigating irregularities in his administration’s purchases of medical supplies during the INCOMMUNICADO NO MORE. Krizle Mago, who blew the lid on the COVID-19 pandemic. tampered face shields sold by Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. to the Department of During his Talk to the People briefing, Health, is now under the protective custody of the House of Representatives. Mago has been Duterte hit Gordon’s statement that the incommunicado for almost a week now, prompting the Senate to request assistance from senators would continue the probe "until the National Bureau of Investigation. Mago is shown in this photo with Arturo Catarate, a kingdom come" until they got some answers.

Senate won't order their arrest

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza and Senator Manny Pacquiao

15,566

130,268

38,493

199

2,396,726 23,483 (As of 4 PM, OCTOBER 1)

Rody eyes US trip to express thanks for vax

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has said he may visit the United States to personally thank the American government for donating COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines.

Duterte’s statement followed the arrival of 5 million doses of COVID-19 Next page

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staff of the House of Representatives.

Former Senator Loren Legarda

2,565,487

“’Till kingdom come? Who are they to say that. That is a very undemocratic statement,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Duterte, who has come to the defense of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., the company at the heart of the scandal, a undercapitalized startup that bagged P8 billion in government contracts, said Gordon was “playing God” for having his Cabinet members attend the hearings while there is a pandemic.

He told Health Secretary Francisco Duque and the head of the national

Senator Manny Pacquiao HEAD Philippine is theGuard first presidential Coast showcases to file his itscandidate floating and aerial certificate of candidacy assets via a capability (COC) Friday atbefore the demonstration Harbor Garden new members ofTent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza the PCG Auxilliary along with his running Executive Squadron. mate, Buhay partyPCG Commandant list Rep.George Lito Atienza.

Admiral V. Among senatorial Ursabia Jr.the during thl hopefuls, Senator assets via a former capability Loren Legardabefore was the demonstration firstmembers to file herofCOC. Six new presidential, three vice the PCG Auxilliary presidential, and 14 Executive Squadron. senatorial candidates PCG Commandant trooped to Sofitel Admiral George V. during the first of filing Ursabia Jr.day during the of COCs. Linohow Santos, demo explains CG Norman Cruz and units work to uphold Danny the safetyPata of lives

Reelectionist Senator Risa Hontiveros

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto

Pacquiao-Atienza tandem leads 'early birds' to file COCs

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta AT least six people—including boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao— filed their certificates of candidacy for president for the May 2022 polls during the first day of filing in Pasay City, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.

The four other would-be presidential bets were identified as Dave Aguila, Dr. Jose C. Montemayor, Ley Ordenas, Laurencio Yulaga and Edmundo Rubi.

Pacquiao was accompanied by Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who will run as his vice president under the Promdi party.

Among those who have filed for the Senate race are Rep. Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero, Senator

Risa Hontiveros, Lutgardo Barbo, Abner Afuang, Bay Maylanie Esmael, Norman Marquez, and Bertito Del Mundo.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said people who were declared as nuisance candidates in the 2016 elections may still file their COCs for the May 2022 polls.

Jimenez said all COCs will undergo a screening process before they are given due course.

Those identified as possible nuisance candidates will be given an opportunity to defend their candidacy.

“There will be a hearing for that,” Jimenez said.

Under Comelec rules, the commission can file cases to declare a candidate a nuisance candidate.

These are candidates who make a mockery of the election, cause confusion Next page

Solons beat deadline, OK budget

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives met its self-imposed deadline Thursday night when it passed on third and final reading the proposed P5.024-trillion 2022 national budget, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Friday, expressing gratitude to President Duterte who certified the bill as urgent.

“The President’s certification allowed us to fulfill our commitment to pass the measure before we go on a month-long break so there will be sufficient time to enact the national budget before the year ends,” Velasco said.

The House went on a five-week recess beginning October 1 to give way

for the filing of certificates of candidacy of the bets in the May 22 elections.

Velasco also thanked House members and employees for ensuring that the legislative chamber was able to carry out with reasonable dispatch its constitutional mandate to scrutinize and approve the annual budget.

The House chief specifically thanked the Deputy Speakers, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano, Chair Eric Yap and vice chairs of the Committee on Appropriations, the Secretariat, congressional staff, security personnel and admin support staff, and frontliners of the House Medical Service for their commitment and hard work. Next page

Lawmakers led by Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (in Barong) applaud House Speaker Lord Alan Velasco for the speedy approval on third and final reading Thursday night of the proposed P5.024 trillion national budget for 2022. Ver Noveno

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Duterte rejects booster shots

By Vito Barcelo

In his late night public address, Duterte with getting the two vaccine doses against said there were some still not satisfied COVID-19.

"You know there are people really who are not content or not confident with two shots," he said.

“It is not good. Others want to feel secure, but any doctor would tell you that it is bad, bad as bad. Imagine, you want multiple vaccine shots," he added.

The President said that receiving more than the two recommended doses could pose health risks since it could raise antibodies to dangerous levels.

Duterte also claimed that getting a booster shot was not tantamount to having “full” protection against the novel coronavirus.

He added that giving a third shot would deprive others who want to get inoculated, considering the limited supply of vaccines in the country.

"When you do multiple doses, you deprive your countrymen, the others who have yet to get vaccinated,” he said.

inform you that Ms. Krizle Grace Mago of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation has been placed under the protective custody of the House of Representatives. Ms. Mago, on her own volition, arrived at the premises of the House of Representatives at exactly 6:30 p.m. this evening."

"Should you require her participation in any of your hearings, please communicate with the Committee Secretariat and we will make the necessary arrangements for it,” Aglipay added.

Gordon earlier offered to place Mago under protective custody of the chamber but the Senate lost contact with her starting Saturday evening.

Part of Mago's letter that Aglipay sent

to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco dated Sept.

30, 2021 stated: "The protective custody that I am requesting from the HOR would help me speak freely without unnecessary compulsion from anyone."

"Presently I cannot speak freely about the ongoing investigation on the alleged overprice of medical equipment without feeling threatened due to the undue influence and pressure exerted from various sources."

"Also now, I came across the information from the news that the police and NBI are tracking me down including my grandparents' home in the province and took photos and videos without their consent. I truly regret that I am be-

ing treated like a fugitive from justice,” Mago added.

Aglipay's committee initiated the probe in light of the findings of the Commission on Audit on the “discrepancies” in the management of COVID-19 funds entrusted to the DOH last year, particularly in the procurement of P42.4 billion worth of medical supplies and equipment.

The DOH had earlier confirmed that P41.4 billion of that amount was paid to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PSDBM), which was tasked to handle bigticket government procurements for the pandemic.

sponse, boost internet connectivity, provide sufficient power supply, and put an end to corruption by jailing erring officials.

"I am running not only for myself and my family, but for the Filipino people, so the youth can be given a better future," he said.

Before he became a senator, Pacquiao served as congressman of Sarangani province in 2010.

Two former senators were among the early birds in filing their certificates of candidacy.

Those who filed their COC were House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero and Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Legarda currently serves in the House of Representatives, representing the lone District of Antique.

Before her election to the current position in May 2019, she was a three-term senator who chaired the committees on finance, foreign relations, economic affairs, environment and climate change.

She has authored numerous laws currently being used during the pandemic.

Escudero, also a former senator, filed his COC through lawyer George Garcia.

Escudero said he hopes to help the country recover from the pandemic as a lawmaker.

He said his platform would focus on empowering local governments.

Escudero studied Political Science at the University of the Philippines where he also obtained his law degree.

Two years after having been admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1994, he took up Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. The 51-year-old Escudero was also a three term congressman of Sorsogon from 1998 until 2007. He was a senator for two terms or 12 years.

In 2016, he ran for vice president but was defeated by Vice President Leni Robredo.

Legarda and Escudero will run under the National People's Coalition (NPC) party led by vice presidential candidate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Before filing her COC, Hontiveros launched her campaign platform Healthy Buhay and Hanapbuhay through the roll out of Healthy Pinas Mobile Clinic.

The mobile clinic served the Baseco residents and provided free medical services such as doctor’s consultation, Xray, blood chemistry, and ECG. She officially filed her candidacy for reelection.

The Comelec said the first day of filing of COCs was “peaceful and organized.”

In other developments: • Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on

Friday filed his certificate of candidacy before the local Comelec office, formalizing his re-election bid. Sotto arrived at the local Comelec office in Pasig around 9 a.m., and was accompanied by his celebrity parents Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes. In 2022, he said, he plans to make up for the time COVID-19 took away from the city.

• Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian is seeking a return to the House of Representatives, to replace his brother Wes, who will seek the mayoralty. Their brother, SenatorSherwin Gatchalian, has yet to announce which position he is going for. He earlier said he was eyeing the vice presidency.

• Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas was the earliest to file a COC for governor of Nueva Ecija.

Her running mate, former vice governor Edward Thomas Joson, was represented by his counsel Bembol Castillo.

They are expected to slug it out with incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali and his brother, incumbent Vice Gov. Anthony Umali.

• House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao vowed to further accelerate the province’s development and progress as he formally launched his bid for the gubernatorial post on Friday. He is the younger brother of boxing champ Pacquiao.

The DOH assures that prior to sending out any procured items for use by our health care workers, these are duly inspected.

Likewise, health facilities have to inspect, count, and verify the items they received from the DOH,” said lawyer Charade Mercado-Grande, undersecretary of the Health Regulation Team.

The DOH added that it would further implement stringent measures of inspection during delivery to ensure procured supplies are neither damaged nor have exceeded their shelf life.

The department also underscored that it does not tolerate practices of tampering with any procured supplies.

“The DOH has decided to suspend acceptance and further deliveries of face shields from Pharmally, pending the conclusion of the investigations in the department. We are aware of the statements made by Pharmally employees about the tampering of the production date on the certificate. Out of prudence and caution, the DOH has decided to suspend the succeeding deliveries to protect the interest and safety of our health care workers,” Grande said.

Duterte...

COVID-19 response, Secretary Carlito Galvez, to “pull back” and refocus their attention on the pandemic.

“Never mind Gordon. He is nothing,” Duterte said.

“Do not do what Gordon says because he is treading on dangerous ground,” he added.

On Sept. 14, Duterte said he had barred his Cabinet members from attending the Senate probe into the Pharmally mess.

Two days later, he allowed Duque and Galvez to "complete the story" at the Senate probe.

"Well, I'm telling you now, I have ordered [Executive] Secretary [Salvador] Medialdea to prepare the... memorandum to all in the executive department [to] no longer obey your summons because you said kingdom come,” Duterte said, clearly addressing Gordon.

Duterte said Gordon was "overstepping" his jurisdiction and that the senator committed an "abuse of discretion."

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate would not order Cabinet members arrested for staying away from the hearings.

"Respect and prudence towards a co-equal part of our government is still alive and well on the part of the Senate," Sotto said.

He said the Constitution states the Senate "may request" them to appear, so it is clear that it is not obligatory.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said President Rodrigo Duterte is desperately trying to cover up the mess with Pharmally. He said there is more reason for the people to believe that corruption is being concealed.

He also said memo of the President will be futile due to the damning testimonies given during the Senate Blue Ribbon probe into the misuse of billions of pesos in COVID-19 pandemic response funds.

He noted that the testimonies of non-Cabinet officials rather than his Cabinet members exposed the massive corruption.

"The truth will still be uncovered even if the members of the Cabinet refuse to attend,” Pangilinan said.

of certificates of candidacy for local and national bets for the May 2022 elections.

Velasco said it was "highly important" that the 2022 General Appropriations Act was passed on time to avoid a re-enacted spending program and pave the way for an uninterrupted government operation as the nation continues to battle COVID-19.

“The swift and smooth passage of the proposed 2022 national budget shows our collective commitment and resolve to help our kababayans and economy build back better and hasten economic recovery through the effective delivery of government services,” Velasco said in his adjournment speech.

The House approval came just more than one month after Duterte – through the Department of Budget and Management – submitted to Congress the National Expenditure Program, which assisted lawmakers in the review and deliberation of the proposed national budget for next year.

Soon after receiving the NEP on August 23, the House began its committee deliberations on the money measure..

During the entire process, Velasco said the chamber had not only “committed and delivered a budget responsive to the needs of our people,” but also initiated reforms to ensure its timely passage.

“When all is said and done, we hope that our people can look back at this period and see that we have done our duties despite the present crisis. We pushed for the budget, but always with respect to the concerns of the Minority,” Velasco said.

The proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for next year is equivalent to 22.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and is higher by 11.5 percent than the current 2021 budget.

By sector, social services will receive the biggest chunk of the 2022 budget with P1.922 trillion, which will fund health-related services such as continued implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, procurement of personal protective equipment, among others. Education-related programs, including the implementation of the Universal Access to Tertiary Education, is also prioritized.

Next is the economic services sec-

tor, which gets P1.474 trillion largely to support flagship programs under the government’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

The general public services sector is allocated with P862.7 billion, debt burden with P541.3 billion, and defense sector with P224.4 billion.

Among the departments and agencies, the education sector covering the Department of Education, State Universities and Colleges and the Commission on Higher Education, receives the highest allocation with P773.6 billion.

This is followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways with P686.1 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government, P250.4 billion; Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corp., P242 billion; Department of National Defense, P222 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P191.4 billion; Department of Transportation, P151.3 billion; Department of Agriculture and National Irrigation Authority, P103.5 billion; the Judiciary, P45 billion; and Department of Labor and Employment, P44.9 billion.

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte rejected the administration of a third dose of vaccine against COVID-19, saying receiving "multiple" shots was "dangerous" and it would also deprive other Filipinos of the vaccines.

Mago...

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party-list Rep. Michael Edgar Aglipay said.

Aglipay, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said the House took custody of Mago at 6:30 p.m. yesterday.

"She is now safely inside the premises of the House of Representatives," Aglipay said.

In a letter to Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Aglipay said: "In adherence to inter-parliamentary courtesy, may we

Pacquiao-...

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among voters by having a name similar to registered candidates, or who by other acts or circumstances clearly demonstrate they have no bona fide intention to run for public office.

Pacquiao was the first presidential aspirant to file his COC at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

Pacquiao and Atienza are running under the Promdi political party, which is an ally of the ruling PDP-Laban, which has split into two factions—the other supporting President Rodrigo Duterte for vice president.

The Comelec has yet to settle which faction can legitimately claim to lead the PDP-Laban.

Pacquiao said he chose Atienza because he saw his sincerity, inspiration and desire to help the country.

Atienza served as mayor of Manila for three terms or nine years -- from 1998 to 2007 -- and as a party-list representative for Buhay since 2013.

He previously served as Environment secretary from 2007 to 2009 in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

If elected President, Pacquiao said he would focus on poverty alleviation, improve the COVID-19 pandemic re-

DOH...

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through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), the DOH said in a news release issued Friday.

Pharmally previously won the bid for the face shield contract with the DOH, a separate procurement from PS-DBM. The procurement of the face shields was done through a competitive bidding process wherein eight prospective bidders submitted their prices for the face shields in March 2021.

The DOH said Pharmally has delivered more than 500,000 pieces of face shields.

However, the department has not yet paid Pharmally as it has yet to complete the deliveries of the procured face shields.

“We are fast-tracking our investigation on the face shields delivered to the DOH and if those are the ones being referred to in the Senate hearing. If the face shields are proven to be tampered with, we would definitely take necessary legal remedies.

Solons...

From A1

“In the end, we have collectively moved to make a difference for our country,” Velasco said.

The 2022 national budget is focused on getting the Philippines back on the road towards full recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

“This fiscally responsible budget offers a blueprint to help the country recover fully and effectively from the devastating effects of the pandemic and chart a better path forward,” Velasco said.

The lower chamber passed House Bill 10153, or the 2022 General Appropriations Bill by a 238-6 vote. The measure is the last full year budget to be enacted under the administration of President Duterte.

The House leadership had earlier set September 30 as the target date for the passage of the all-important budget measure, being the last session day before the chamber adjourned for a monthlong break in time for the October filing

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COVID ROUNDUP Healthcare use in three regions ‘critical‘—DOH

HEALTHCARE utilization in three regions remains at critical risk amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the One Hospital Command Center said on Friday.

During the Laging Handa briefing, Dr. Marylaine Padlan of the One Hospital Command Center identified the regions as Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 2 and Caraga.

Under high-risk level are Region 4B or Mimaropa, Region 5 and Region 9, she said.

Reproduction number

THE National Capital Region’s COVID-19 reproduction number continues to go down, dropping to 0.84 on Friday from 0.98 a week ago, the OCTA Research Group said.

Reproduction number refers to the number of people that one COVID-19 case can infect.

A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David, in a tweet, said NCR – which will remain under Alert Level 4 from October 1 to 15 – had an average of 3,711 new cases from September 24 to 30, or 17 percent lower than the previous week.

COVID updates

THE country logged on Friday 15,566 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,565,487, with five laboratories not able to submit their data on time, the Department of Health reported.

The DOH also reported 199 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 38,493, which is 1.5 percent of the total.

There were 23,483 new recoveries, bringing the total active cases to 130,268.

Budget cuts

FOUR specialty hospitals in Quezon City that are doubling as COVID-19 treatment facilities will suffer budget cuts amounting to P961 million next year, a House leader said Friday.

“It’s ironic that we are in the middle of a pandemic and we are not giving our hospitals enough financial support. We are even cutting their budgets,” Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo of the city’s second district said.

Based on budget documents submitted to Congress, Castelo said the Lung Center of the Philippines, a COVID-19 referral hospital, would have P405 million in 2022, P100 million lower than its P505million budget this year.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, which also treats patients suffering from the highly infectious novel coronavirus and its various variants, will have P9 million less than its present funding of P1,271,442,000, she added.

Financial subsidy for the Philippine Heart Center, on the other hand, would go down by P29 million to P1,766,827,000. Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

Rody...

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vaccines donated by the US government.

“We have vaccines and they have already arrived. This was said by Secretary (Carlito) Galvez and Secretary (Francisco) Duque that America donated 5 million,” the President said in his pre-recorded public address late Thursday.

“America is very kind. I may visit there just to thank the American government and the people. What does America look like?” he said.

The President earlier moved to terminate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement with the Americans but withdrew his decision following his July meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III. He admitted that America’s COVID-19 vaccine donations played a role in his decision not to terminate the VFA. In 2017, former US President Donald Trump invited the Filipino leader to visit the US but he declined.

As of Thursday, Duterte said the Philippines received more than 71 million vaccine doses against COVID-19.

The government purchased 46 million doses, while 16 million doses came from the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility.

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Standard

PDEA seizes over P1b shabu, 3 suspects nabbed in Bacoor TODAY

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday seized 149 kilograms of shabu worth more than P1 billion and arrested three suspected drug peddlers in Bacoor City, Cavite.

Authorities identified the suspects as Jorlan San Jose, 26; Joseph Maurin, 38, and Joan Lumanog, 27, all residents of Talatag, Bukidnon.

Several PDEA agents acted as buyers of shabu and transacted with the suspects to buy P1,000 worth of shabu in Barangay Molino 3 on Thursday morning.

The suspects were caught redhanded receiving the money when police and PDEA agents cornered them. Seized from the suspect were 149 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.0281 billion.

BUSTED. The PDEA and Bacoor CPS seized 149 kilos of shabu and arrested three drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Bacoor, Cavite. The confiscated contraband has a street value of more than P1 billion. JR Josue

Brace for court case backlog amid pandemic – Chief Justice

By Rey E. Requejo

C

HIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo said he is expecting a backlog of cases in various regional trial courts due to lockdowns imposed by the government to control the spread of COVID-19.

In his speech during the convention of the Philippine Judges Association, Gesmundo stressed that the physical closure of courts and the reduction in the number of court staff would certainly affect the resolution of cases in the lower courts.

“The restrictions imposed upon us, however, require us to be more creative and more adept in managing our courts. This early, we should already predict and prepare for an inevitable backlog of cases due to

the lockdowns and mandated court operations with reduced workforces,” Gesmundo said.

According to the top magistrate, RTC judges should find ways to enable themselves to continue to adjudicate cases that have been brought before their courts.

“We must act quickly and stem the tide. Let us keep the increased dockets manageable by timely interventions,” he stressed.

One of the mitigating measures

applied by the RTCs is prioritization.

It can be noted that the lower court should give primacy to cases involving women and children; cases with urgent reliefs such as applications for temporary restraining orders, writ of preliminary injunction, writ of habeas corpus, and writ of kalikasan; cases that involve government expropriation and infrastructure projects; and motions and interlocutory incidents that affect the liberty of the accused in criminal cases, and the integrity and dignity of human life in all cases.

Gesmundo said the judges should also encourage alternative dispute resolutions (ADR).

“Let us strongly encourage litigants to resort to mediation, judicial

dispute resolution, and other forms of ADR, in and out of court,” he added.

Gesmundo urged judges to also maximize the use of technology to dispense justice in real-time, “even if not face-to-face when the people need it or when the circumstances demand it.”

The Chief Justice further said that he would anchor his tenure on four cornerstones -- integrity, competence, probity, and independence in the next 5 years or until his mandatory retirement at the age of 70.

He expects the judges would also abide by these four cornerstones.

“It is our individual and collective responsibility to observe strict compliance with these standards in delivering justice.”

Trafficking, child abuse raps filed against Joma LUISA Dela Cruz Espina, whose daughter Louvaine “Beng” Erika was recruited by the New People’s Army in 2018 has filed anew multiple criminal complaints for child abuse and child trafficking against Communist Party chairman Jose Maria Sison.

Espina was accompanied by members of the Philippine National Police and several former NPA cadres who acted as witnesses in the case.

Aside from Sison, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago and Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo were also named in the child abuse complaint filed on Friday with the Department of Justice.

Filed before the DOJ are charges for violation of Section 3 in relation to

Section 3(a)(b) of Republic Act (RA) 9208 otherwise known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 (RA 10364), as well as RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, were slapped against Sison and other respondents for recruiting students and other minors to their armed struggle to topple the government.

Besides Sison and Elago, criminal complaints were also filed against the following personalities: Kylie Paul Anareta, Sittie Sharine Amerol, Lalaine Ramos, Alexis Danday, Einstein Recedes, Caryl Jane Bequillo, and all other officers and members of Anakbayan.

MINIATURE INDAY SARA. A PWD toy maker, Jordan Elpedes from Sampaloc, Manila shows his dolls in the image of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio that he sells for P1,000 each. Danny Pata

Senate moves closer to creating OFW dept. Suspension of merger ByMaconRamos-Araneta SENATOR Joel Villanueva said senators have wrapped up their interpellation of a bill creating the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos (DMWOF).

Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor committee, said the termination of the period of interpellation and debates “means we’re entering the last quarter of the

game.”

When Congress resumes sessions next month, he said the bill will be entering the period of amendments where senators will “further polish and improve” the bill.

Villanueva described the DMWOF bill, which he sponsored and defended in plenary, as having undergone a “line by line” examination by both majority and minority senators.

“It is as if the proposed department were a building and senators took a floor-byfloor, room-by-room review of the blueprint.,” Villanueva said.

He explained that the lengthy debates allowed senators to delineate the roles of the DFA, DOLE, and DMWOF “to expedite onsite assistance to our OFWs and implement preventive interventions.”

DAR distributes disputed Palawan land to farmers Rio N. Araja THE Department of Agrarian Reform has given certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to 757 farmers in a disputed land in Coron, Palawan.

The government awarded the CLOAs in the land formerly owned by the Philippine Agribusiness Center Corp. (PACECO), which have also been occupied by “farmer-intruders” who reportedly refused to give up the land.

Out of 887 hectares aggregate area, only 814 hectares were initially placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in 1993 and were issued CLOAs and distributed to 757 beneficiaries in 2012.

The farmers were each awarded a 300-square meter-home lot and an average of one hectare of agricultural land.

Daisy Magbanua, acting provincial agrarian reform program officer, said DAR has necessitated bringing the services of the uniformed personnel to help ensure peace and order in the course of implementation of its writ of installation.

“This option is embodied in the DAR-Department of National Defense-Department of Interior and Local Government Joint Circular No. 5. Series of 2002, which contained the Enforcement of the Agrarian Laws and Program through the intervention of the PNP and military personnel for the successful implementation of CARP,” she added.

of Grab, Move It hailed

By Rio N. Araja THE Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) on Friday lauded the decision of the Department of Transportation to suspend the app merger of Grab Philippines and Move It for an ongoing motorcycle taxi pilot run.

The suspension means commuters will no longer be able to use the Grab app to book a motorcycle taxi service from Move It. Grab and Move It earlier signed a partnership, where commuters can book a ride from Move It through the Grab platform.

Ariel Inton, president of LCSP the group said the “app-in-app” arrangement “circumvented” the motorcycle pilot run’s programs and objectives.

In a statement, lawyer Noel Valerio, LCSP spokesman, described the alliance between Grab PH and Move It as “dubious” in nature: “It is clearly a circumvention of the (pilot) program’s guidelines since Grab, which is based in Singapore, is not part of the pilot study of the government.”

“It is also not authorized to offer motorcycle ride-hailing services, putting the lives of the passengers and riders in danger,” he added.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor said the agency has already ordered the two app-hailing transport companies to stop implementing the app merger to give way for an inquiry on the matter.

(MS-OCT. 2, 2021)

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Cayetano nixes presidential run, cites ‘division’ TAGUIG-PATEROS Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said Friday he would not run for president in next year’s elections.

In a radio interview, Cayetano said he would not seek the highest position in the country because he does not want to “divide the nation further at a time when unity is what is most needed.”

“We did our best but together with the family and close supporters, I will not be running for president of the Republic of the Philippines in 2022,” he said.

Cayetano ran for vice president as President Rodrigo Duterte’s running mate in 2016, but was a distant third to eventual Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he wants to focus on drafting a five-year economic recovery plan that can be adopted by the candidates for president, as well as pushing for the proposal to provide P10,000 in direct stimulus to every Filipino family amid the pandemic.

“Your role and what you can do to help is more important than the position,” he said.

Cayetano said he could open lines of communication with presidential candidates and share new ideas in dealing with the pandemic.

“Since it’s not coming from a presidential candidate and it’s not just one person advocating it, I hope they will embrace it and accept it because we really need a plan,” he said.

News

SUDDEN SHOWER. Motorists along the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City deal with a sudden downpour on a sunny Friday afternoon. Revoli Cortez

PAIRING WITH DRILON AS VP FLOATED

Leni moves listup to Camsur town

By Rio N. Araja

V

ICE President Leni Robredo has transferred her voter’s registration from Naga City to Magarao town, both in her home province of Camarines Sur.

She decided to transfer registration upon the advice of her legal team, according to her spokesperson Ibarra Gutierrez.

“Yes, she did so, at the advice of her lawyers who wanted consistency in her actual residence at the moment,” the Robredo camp said in a statement.

Gutierrez said the Vice President has yet to decide if she would run for presi-

dent in the 2022 national elections or not.

“She’s been very clear that insofar as the possibility of a gubernatorial run is concerned, that has to wait for a decision on running for president in 2022,” he cited.

While 1Sambayanan picked Robredo to run for president, several local officials of Camarines Sur wanted her to seek a gu-

bernatorial seat, where Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte is the incumbent.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva believes that Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon would be a fitting candidate for vice president.

Robredo should consider choosing the veteran lawmaker as her running mate, he said.

“Vice President Leni is the obvious choice for opposition candidate. VP Leni is respectable, hardworking, and compassionate, as have we seen during the pandemic,” Villanueva said in statement.

“As for her choice of [vice president] if she decides to run for President, one

MMDA execs resign, gear up for House bids

Juliang Ongpin appears at DOJ, gives affidavit

By Joel E. Zurbano

By Rey E. Requejo THE son of prominent businessman Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin appeared on Friday before a panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice to answer the illegal drugs charges filed against him by the police authorities.

Julian Roberto Ongpin has become a person of interest in the death of Filipino artist Breanna “Bree” Jonson, his girlfriend, last Sept. 18 in La Union.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the young Ongpin, the son of the former trade and industry minister, has submitted his counteraffidavit for the drug complaint for possession of cocaine.

During the proceedings, Malcontento said the complainants from the Philippine National Police (PNP) submitted their supplemental affidavit and provided a copy to Ongpin.

“Respondent (Ongpin) requested time to study and answer the supplemental affidavit,” Malcontento said.

The DOJ official said the next hearing is scheduled on October 8 at 10 am for the submission of additional counter affidavits, if any, and clarificatory hearing.

“If no new matters/issues are raised by the parties, the case will be submitted for resolution,” he stressed.

element she can consider was the result of the previous senatorial elections, our Minority Leader Sen. Frank Drilon,” Villanueva opined.

“He is our 2016 senatorial elections topnotcher with more than 18 million votes garnered — highly competent, unblemished track record, brilliant and hardworking,” he added.

Before the Senate adjourned its plenary sessions last Wednesday, Drilon was teased by his colleagues about running in the 2022 elections.

“He should [run], he’s very qualified,” Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said.

BACK AT WORSHIP. Devotees attend the first Friday of October devotional mass at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Under government guidelines, religious events are allowed up to 20% of the venue capacity. Norman Cruz

Isla, Phoenix to hike LPG prices twice in one week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

TWO more oil firms announced Friday they will raise the price of their liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by about P7.36 per kilo this month to reflect the higher contract price of LPG in the world market.

Isla LPG, which markets the Solane brand, and Phoenix LPG Phils., Inc. which sells Phoenix Super LPG, implemented the price hike in two installments.

Isla LPG increased the price of Solane products by P4 per kilo effective 6:01am October 1. The second price hike on LPG of P3.36 per kilo will take effect at 6:01 a.m. October 8.

Phoenix LPG also raised its LPG products at 12:01 a.m. October 1 and also raised autoLPG prices by P2.25 per liter.

It will likewise increase LPG prices

by P3.35 per kilo and autoLPG by P1.90 per liter effective 12:01 a.m. October 8.

LPG contract price went up by US$131.50 per metric ton in October to US$796.50 per MT from $665 per MT in September.

Petron Corp. also raised its LPG prices by P4 per kilo effective 12:01 a.m. on October 1 and is set to implement another P3.40 per-kilo increase effective 12:01 a.m. on October 8.

This translates to P81 per kilo for an 11-kilo tank, one of the highest increases in LPG prices in the past years.

TWO Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officials announced their resignation on Friday in preparation for their plan to seek elective posts in the May 2022 elections.

In a Zoom meeting with reporters, MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said he already submitted his resignation letter, and its effectivity will be on Oct. 4.

“Thank you for this meeting. I’m here to announce that I resign general manager of the MMDA, effective October 4, because I intend to run as the first lawmaker for the 3rd District of Rizal province, the San Mateo area,” he said.

Garcia said he is set to file his certificate of candidacy on Oct. 5. When asked who would be the next MMDA general manager, he said it is up to the decision of Malacanang.

In a press statement, MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago also announced her departure from the agency effective Oct. 1 to focus on her run for a party-list slot in the House of Representatives.

“I will run as a Representative for the Malasakit Movement Partylist.

Under my banner, I will work for standard benefits of Barangay Representatives, Kagawads, Barangay Tanod Frontliners and Barangay Health Workers,” she said.

‘PS-DBM bungled P5.53b order to DepEd too’

By Maricel V. Cruz THE nominee of a party-list group advocating reforms in the educational system on Friday revealed the failure of the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service to deliver learning materials worth some P5.53 billion that were ordered by the Department of Education.

Assistant Minority Leader France Castro said DBM-PS’s failure to deliver the essential materials for continuing education

hinders millions of learners from access to quality education.

Castro, the nominee to the House of Representatives of ACT-Teachers, said the annual audit report of the Commission on Audit shows that the DepEd has P6.65 billion in outstanding fund transfers to PS-DBM. Of that amount, 83 percent or P5.53 billion was meant for the procurement of computer hardware and software (P5.03 billion) and various instructional and learning materials and textbooks (P502.83 million).

Broadcast journo throws hat into QC councilor ring BAYWATCH. A patrol boat from the Philippine National Police Maritime Group patrols Manila Bay near the back of Hotel Sofitel on Friday as aspirants filed their certificate of candidacy for the 2022 national and local elections. Danny Pata

VETERAN broadcast journalist Doland Castro is running for councilor in District 1, Quezon City.

“I realized that I want to serve the people. I prayed to the Lord,” he told the Manila Standard in an interview.

Castro said he is leaving his first love – broadcast journalism.

“Should I win, I wish to devote my time and commitment to directly help the jobless people and to legislate measures related to livelihood,” the ABSCBN reporter added.

In the past six months, Castro said he has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Author-

ity to bring down to the people various skills trainings on livelihood.

“I am happy to report that there are people that I and TESDA have helped,” he said.

“I believe nothing is impossible if I am given the break,” Castro said.

Rio N. Araja

Opinion Block the e-sabong bill HOW would you feel if you found out that your son in high school is addicted to gambling?

A friend recently told me that they found out that his teenager nephew has been addicted to e-sabong. The boy used to be a consistent honor student but his grades have suffered much. He also learned to steal. His parents were wondering why their store sales have been significantly going down only to find that their son has been stealing from them to bet on e-sabong. The boy connived with their driver to pay his bets through the e-sabong platform of G-cash.

What will happen to our children?

I will not be surprised if there are similar cases out there involving children. While nobody would want our children to become gamblers, the problem goes beyond children. Rep. Eddie Villanueva recently said that his office has received information on four (4) gambling-related suicides that occurred during this pandemic.

Gambling is generally disliked. We are familiar with the effects of gambling addiction on individuals and their families. That is why, there should be strict regulations that must be followed by LEGAL gambling operators. “Sabong” or cockfight has been deeply entrenched in Filipino culture. Cockfighting arenas are scattered in urban and rural areas and cockfights usually happen during weekends.

But what can happen when sabong goes online in a big way? The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has already granted licenses to five e-sabong operators. Since the pandemic started, e-sabong has been proliferating and bets that are paid online can go as low as P100.00. We can expect this gambling activity to be even more widespread because of what the House of Representatives (HOR) has done recently.

House Bill No. 10199, or “An Act granting Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. a franchise to operate offsite betting activities on duly-licensed cockfighting, derbies, and other similar activities through online or other modern means, anywhere in the Philippines” has been approved separately by the Committee on Legislative Franchises and Committee on Ways and Means on September 10,2021. It was passed on Third and Final Reading on September 28. Why the big rush?

In less than a month, the HOR has granted Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. a twenty five (25)

year-franchise to operate e-sabong anywhere in the country. The bill had four (4) authors and at least 23 co-authors which gives us an idea on how strong the push was for its passage. However, former Party List Representative Angelo Palmones has raised questions on the need to pass the said bill because the group has already been granted a license by PAGCOR. Palmones added that Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. is owned by Atong Ang who was convicted by the Sandiganbayan anti-graft Court of “corruption of a public official” for his involvement in the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada. Ang was jailed for two years for this crime.

“The fact that our sitting congressmen prioritized this measure amid a pandemic that has killed over 37,000 people in less than two years is sickening. Ang kailangan ng Pilipino ngayon ay tunay na tulong laban sa COVID-19, hindi ang dagdag na pagkakataon na magsugal. Esabong shouldn’t be a priority measure!” Palmones emphasized.

One cannot disagree with the former Representative. The haste by which the HOR granted Ang’s group the franchise is, at the very least, puzzling. Why prioritize it when it is not needed and millions of Filipinos are scraping the barrel because of this pandemic? Our legislators should be hard at work in trying to craft laws that will ease the people’s burdens and help government defeat the COVID-19 virus. A bill on e-sabong during a pandemic is insulting.

If this becomes a law, we can expect more problems, not solutions to problems. I will not be surprised if out of desperation due to poverty, more and more of our people will “try their luck” in e-sabong. They will gamble away their last money in the hope of winning big. This is not an exaggeration because I know first-hand how poor people in rural areas bet their last few pesos on “jueteng”. It is the same mentality.

All restrictions will be gone and even children can learn gambling early on. Because children are expected to be online for their classes, access to gambling sites will be easy.

Parents cannot and are not expected to hover at their children’s shoulders 24/7. Just like my friend’s nephew, children can get addicted and learn to do other bad things like stealing. Their grades will likely suffer.

We have heard many horror stories on the effects of gambling addiction on families. If the e-sabong bill that the HOR passed becomes a law, we may very well be gambling our children’s future away. We may also be looking at more families destroyed by gambling – while Atong Ang and other operators have a grand time with the money that should have been used for the welfare of families.

The e-sabong bill should not become a law.

We need to speak up and block it. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

117 and growing

YESTERDAY, October 1, marked the 117th founding anniversary of my alma mater, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. It was also the school that bred other top media personalities, corporate executives and government functionaries.

It was during my stint there as a student when people started referring to PUP as the People’s University for the low tuition fees it offered, complemented by quality education.

PUP, for a time, was considered as the biggest university in the country in terms of student population with no less than 40,000 students tucked in its system.

Ironically, it was also during that time when it was considered another diploma mill, as it lived up to its reputation then as “a producer of blue-collared jobs.” It seemed PUP students then had already accepted the fact they could not compete with private schools, especially the Church-run universities. To land in the Top 20 in any Board Exam then was already a reason for celebration.

Those days are gone. After decades of pushing forward for the betterment of the institution – a joint collaboration of the students and university officials – PUP has now evolved as one of the toptier universities in the country – with no less than the two most recent university presidents aggressively pushing for the changes: Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman and Dr. Manuel Muhi.

Actually, I had the privilege of working with both of them during my student days – de Guzman or Dekong in the student publication, The Catalyst; and Muhi or Bong, both with The Catalyst and the Student Council. I still recall an instance when I

cannot think of a title for a poem I wrote for a friend, and it was Bong who came up with the title.

Anyway, Bong’s accomplishments since assuming the presidency just last year, before the pandemic hit us, have been so impressive.

In terms of Academics, PUP scored big in the Registered Electronic Engineer Licensure Examination 2021 and the Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination 2021, landing Number 1 and Number 2 respectively (So, who says PUP graduates cannot top any Board Exam?).

It was also during this short period that Dr. Muhi was able to secure the accreditation of nine programs and courses across branches and campuses in the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines.

I am proud to be a PUP graduate.

He then led the university in partnering with the Commission on Audit, along with other government and non-government agencies in offering Public Policy courses.

Of course, basic in providing quality education is the hiring of faculty members who are experts in their fields and won various awards from local and international award giving bodies, which Bong made sure of.

In terms of research, Dr. Muhi was able to effect the higher number of publications of university-initiated research in ISI-Scopus indexed journals, which is considered the number one abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed journals which contains more than 70 million items like scientific articles, conference proceedings, book chapters, lecture notes, and books.

Under Bong’s watch, PUP was able to receive grants for research projects

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EDITORIAL

Enough time

W

E call on firsttime registrants for the May 2022 national and local elections as well as those whose status have either been deactivated or just plain inactive to take advantage of the extended registration period.

pandemic which reined in the people’s mobility for months from the time voters registration began.

We encourage registrants to take advantage of the extension.

We share the hope of national legislators that the Comelec will use the one-month extension to ramp up voter registration and ensure that more people can vote next year and give more space to thousands whose registration was delayed because of the public health emergency.

The Comelec has exceeded by 1 million its target new registrants of 4.3 million for the whole registration period, surpassing its target number of new voter registrants for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

The House of Representatives and the Senate this week unanimously approved a measure seeking to extend the voter registration deadline for another 30 days.

There is logic in extending the registration period from the original September 30 deadline to avoid widespread voter disenfranchisement, considering the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus

At the same time, Comelec is looking to have at least 60 million registered voters for the 2022 national polls.

The health crisis has been prolonged beyond the eye range of the authorities and many prospective voters, chiefly the first registrants and those who want to activate their inactive status or want to apply for change in voting precincts because of lockdowns, must not be disenfranchised.

This is why we encourage registrants to take advantage of the extension and go to the nearest Comelec registration areas in their barangays or towns to avail themselves of this political right conferred on them by the Constitution.

This right is intended to enable them to participate in the process of government to assure the elected leaders their powers are derived from the consent of the governed.

A misplaced alliance WHEN the US and UK opted to scrap the agreement entered into by Australia with France for the building of diesel-powered submarines, many political analysts failed to comprehend why France termed it as “a stab in the back.”

Political analysts consider the issue one of far-ranging implications. It is not just about the scrapping of a contract but of substituting a party to the contract and forming a new military alliance in the Pacific without naming the enemy.

Notably, France has been observed as a major arms supplier to most countries in Asia, and the US has been irritated by this “solo flight” maneuvering to obtain arms contracts and often stepping into the shoes of big Western Corporations.

There was even that incident where France built a helicopter transport ordered by Russia called Mistral at a cost of $1.2 billion.

The delivery was stopped at the behest of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Everybody knows the US was behind the scrapping of the deal. Politics work handin-hand to affect the relations even among allies.

Before the emergence of China as an economic power, Australia had a healthy economic relationship with that country. Its relations soon soured after the US focused its policy of “pivot to Asia” to contain China.

What offended France was not the decision to junk the contract but the loss of about $40 billion. from Commission on Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology and other government and non-government agencies.

And its effects on the PUP graduates?

Today, PUP alumni have been recognized

by Jobstreet as most preferred graduates of employers and have landed reputable jobs in the fields of engineering, science, accountancy, business, broadcasting among others.

And yet, despite all these, PUP has not turned its back on its social responsibilities.

At the height of the pandemic, PUP, under Bong’s tutelage, organized its own Community Pantries, produced local alcohols for distribution to adopted barangays, police stations and hospitals near the school; produced face-shields for PUP faculty members and employees who are frontliners during the onset of the pandemic.

Launched “Pamantasang Bayan: Education on Wheels” – an education-onwheels program which aims to bring the quality of PUP education to out-of-school youths; and also, the “Salin Kaalaman: Lingap Komunidad” – a series of extension programs which aim to capacitate different sectors of society with various knowledge

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Anita F. Grefal

Baldwin R. Felipe

Edgar M. Valmorida

Although the alliance made no mention of China, what visibly irritated President Macron was the inclusion of the UK in the new contract. It would have been less painful if the US alone substituted France for the deal. The US can always say it has the technology and knowhow to manufacture nuclear-powered submarines that could hardly be detected by sonar and could dive deeper and stay longer underwater to meet Australia’s defense requirements.

This issue has farranging implications.

France knew very well that the US has been in the business of manufacturing submarines including the fitting of nuclear weapons ranging from conventional ICBM to cruise missiles. The change in manufacturer and the entry of the UK as an added party to the alliance dubbed as AUKUS, referring to Australia, United Kingdom and the US did not directly affect China. Rather, its attention focused on when and where this type of submarine will be deployed in the Pacific, and the payload that could offset the strategic balance.

Almost all nuclear-powered submarines in use by countries allied to the US, including those equipped with the latest US-made Trident missiles now in the service of the Royal Navy, were constructed and built with US technology. This sharing of technology provided incentive to the UK to participate in the contract, and the decision was an indictment that French technology was inferior. and skills helpful for their development.

All these accomplishments were achieved in less than two years. And to think its budgetary request has consistently been cut by half every year. For 2019, only P1,599,163,000 was granted out of its request of P3,539,261,000; in 2010, PUP was granted P1,808,762,000 out its original request of P3,933,456,000; in 2021, PUP got P1,950,650,000 even as it requested P4,045,143,000.

For 2022, PUP submitted a budgetary request of P2,993,230,000 but only P1,887,360,000 was reflected in the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Department of Budget and Management to Congress.

Imagine what more could PUP, under Dr. Muhi’s leadership, could accomplish if the university could secure the needed funding?

But knowing Bong, I’m sure he could do better even if his budget would come in trickles. His accomplishments for the past two years speak for themselves. And we believe under his leadership, PUP would continue to grow for the betterment of everyone.

Happy 117th! Salut!

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Nonetheless, the participation of the UK was seen as rather redundant. Others are even speculating that AUKUS cemented the US-UK alliance. The UK has proven itself to be more reliable; that its loyalty to the US dates back to the 50s when it contributed an expeditionary force to fight alongside the US against China in the Korean War. Yet, the US sees the UK’s participation in the contract as an attempt to economically saddle that country. As British commentator George Galloway said, “the British is the only colonizer that has been reduced to a colony by its former colony.”

Maybe US perception and judgment toward the UK speaks the truth that the UK, Australia and the US share the same language and have common cultural heritage.

Australia in this case can be used as spare tire in the event of conflict using the whole of AsiaPacific as Maginot Line. It is the watershed in the US-Australia alliance.

The creation of the “Five Eyes,” an informal alliance among the English-speaking nations led by the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, was no accident but a consciously sorted out propaganda to entice the former colonies of Great Britain to accept the return of the UK with a sense of nostalgia.

There is racism in wanting to revive the glory of the by-gone days where Australia was made a dumping ground for prisoners sentenced to live in exile.

Allowing the lost empire to wade anew in the South China Sea and the Pacific will not contribute to the member-countries’ economic development as what China is doing to countries that joined its Belt and Road Initiative.

The rise of China is a foregone conclusion, and no Western technology can reverse that. Locsin and his ilk should reassess that the arms buildup is merely in response to the increasing Western militarization in the South China Sea using the countries in the region as ponies.

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How the ICC works

Everyman Take a bow, general

By Melandrew T. Velasco

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor

Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

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Trade accord between India, Australia done by end 2022

IN BRIEF Australia to ease 18-month-old border closure

AUSTRALIA will begin to reopen its borders next month, the country’s prime minister said Friday, 18 months after citizens were banned from travelling overseas without permission.

Scott Morrison said vaccinated Australians would be able to return home and travel overseas “within weeks” as 80 percent vaccination targets are met.

On March 20 last year, Australia introduced some of the world’s toughest border restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

For the last 560 days countless international flights have been grounded, and overseas travel has slowed to a trickle.

Families have been split across continents, an estimated 30,000 nationals were stranded overseas and foreign residents were stuck in the country unable to see friends or relatives.

More than 100,000 requests to enter or leave the country were denied in the first five months of this year alone, according to Department of Home Affairs data.

“The time has come to give Australians their life back. We’re getting ready for that, and Australia will be ready for takeoff, very soon,” Morrison said.

He also announced that vaccinated residents would be able to home quarantine for seven days on their return, dodging the current mandatory and costly 14-day hotel quarantine.

The exact timing of the border reopenings will depend on when Australian states reach their 80 percent vaccination targets, and crucially on local political approval.

The most populous state of New South Wales currently has 64 percent of those aged over 16 fully vaccinated and has indicated it will hit 70 and 80 percent targets this month.

But most Australian states – most notably West Australia and Queensland – still have no widespread community transmission, are persuing a strategy of “COVID-zero” and remain shut to other parts of the country.

Friday’s announcements could mean that within a month it is easier for those in Sydney or Melbourne to travel to London or New York than to go to Perth or Brisbane.

Australian flag carrier Qantas welcomed the decision, announcing it would restart flights to London and Los Angeles on November 14.AFP

Sri Lanka lifts lockdown, save for night curfew

SRI LANKA on Friday lifted a near six-week lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus but maintained a night curfew and a ban on public gatherings and parties.

Daily deaths had jumped to over 250 with 4,000 infections after Sri Lankans celebrated the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April, but case numbers have since eased.

The health ministry on Friday urged companies to encourage staff to work from home but there was no decision yet on reopening schools that have been closed since March last year.

“It is imperative to maintain the progress made to curb Covid-19 infections and the dreaded daily death toll,” Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Official figures show that nearly 13,000 people have died of the virus, with more than half a million infections, but health sector experts say the actual numbers could be at least twice as much.

The easing of restrictions came as the government aggressively pushed a vaccination drive, fully inoculating 56 percent of the population of 21 million.

Alongside the six-hour night curfew, the health ministry said that inter-provincial travel would remain banned.

Numbers attending weddings and funerals will be restricted to a maximum of 10 till October 15.

Permission has been granted for sporting events to go ahead but without spectators. AFP

LARGEST GATHERING. People attend the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020. The United Arab Emirates hopes to welcome about 25 million visitors for Expo-2020 Dubai, the first universal exhibition held in the Middle East and the largest event globally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

Pro-democracy resistance, military in deadly impasse

C

orpses piled high next to a rice field in northern Myanmar show the bloody consequence of a hotblooded, uncoordinated attack by villagers on battlehardened junta troops.

Eight months after deposing Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, Myanmar’s military regime finds itself mired in a bloody stalemate, unable to crush fighters resisting its rule who are themselves not strong enough to topple a powerful army.

“We need to be wise with our timing and plan,” a member of the local “People’s Defense Force” told AFP after the

September 25 clash in the small northwestern village of Gone Nyin.

Similar clashes between anti-coup militias and junta troops have escalated in recent weeks, along with bomb blasts and targeted killings of those suspected of collaborating with the regime, leading to bloody reprisals on both sides.

Local media last week reported a whole family – including a 12-year-old child – had been shot dead for allegedly helping troops during a search for protesters.

Dissidents have also attacked and disabled cell towers belonging to a military-owned company to deprive the junta of revenue.

A parallel government made up largely of lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s party has also sought to fan the flames, calling for a “defensive war” against junta troops and assets.

Villagers have accused soldiers of torching their homes and massacring their neighbours in acts of vengeance directed at those resisting military rule.

Almost the entire population of the western town of Thantlang fled after troops fired artillery shells following clashes with anti-junta fighters last month, a 50-year-old resident told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Terrified inhabitants had used buckets of water to fight a blaze that started after a shell hit a house and threatened to consume others in the neighbourhood, he said.

The fire service was not working because the wife of the head of the fire department was hit by a shell fragment during the fighting, he said, with the tide turning thanks to a sudden change in the weather. AFP

SHOW OF FORCE.

South Korean military officials watch a flypast as they participate in an exercise on the 73rd anniversary of Armed Forces Day in Pohang on October 1, 2021. AFP

Finland to start giving Canada court to weigh extradition of fashion executive FASHION executive Peter Nygard, uled for five days in November but was them, according to the indictment.

COVID jab to minks wanted in the United States for alleged unexpectedly pushed up to this week He targeted women and girls from FINLAND will begin vaccinating minks on fur farms against COVID-19 after authorities granted temporary approval for an experimental vaccine, the country’s regulator said Friday.

The conditional usage permit “is valid until the end of December, by which time the applicant has to provide further data,” said senior inspector Liisa Kaartinen of the Finnish Food Authority, which oversees veterinary activities.

Such conditional permits can be granted during a pandemic when no other vaccine is available.

Minks are bred for their fur and have been found at particular risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.

“We have prepared about half a million doses now, which should be enough to vaccinate all animals twice,” said Jussi Peura, research director at the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association, which developed the vaccine together with researchers from Helsinki University.

Because clinical trials have not yet been carried out, the jab cannot be distributed commercially and must be used in conjunction with strict procedures on Finland’s 1,000 fur farms to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus.

The vaccine approval applies only to Finland, where so far no cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified among minks, and where transmission rates among humans have remained some of the lowest in the European Union.

The breeders’ association believes its vaccine is the first to receive such approval in the EU. AFP

sex crimes, is to appear in a Canadian court Friday for an extradition hearing.

Held in prison since his arrest in Winnipeg, Manitoba last December, the 80-year-old Finnish-Canadian millionaire faces nine charges in the United States, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

These involve dozens of victims in the United States, the Bahamas and Canada, and include minors, according to the New York federal attorney overseeing the case.

His extradition trial had been sched-

and is only expected to last one hour.

Earlier this year Nygard was denied bail on grounds he might tamper with witnesses or his accusers. The judge noted he had breached court orders on at least five past occasions and that the accusations against him were “disturbing.”

His alleged crimes, US prosecutors said, took place between 1990 and 2020.

Nygard and his alleged accomplices, including employees of his group, “used force, fraud, and coercion to cause women and minors to have sex” with

disadvantaged economic backgrounds or who had histories of abuse, using “the ruse of modelling and other fashion industry jobs” to lure them, it said.

His company’s funds were said to have then been used to host dinner parties, poker games and so-called “pamper parties” where minor girls were drugged and women assaulted if they did not comply with his sexual demands.

Corporate accounts were also tapped to pay for victims’ travel, living expenses, plastic surgery, abortions and child support, said prosecutors. AFP

AUSTRALIA and India hope to reach a long-pending landmark trade deal by the end of 2022, according to a joint statement released on Friday announcing the formal relaunch of stalled negotiations.

Bilateral trade was around $17 billion last year, with India exporting its key services sector and Australian coal going the other way.

Both are members of the Quad alliance with the United States and Japan, and are looking to deepen strategic ties to counter China as well as economically and in other areas.

Following trade ministers’ talks in New Delhi, the two countries backed the “expeditious negotiation” of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

In the meantime they plan to reach an “early harvest” interim deal by the end this year under which some duties will already be cut.

The two sides hope for a “balanced trade agreement that encourages expanded trade and investment flows to the benefit of both of our economies, and that reflects a shared commitment to the rules-based international trading system”, the statement said.

India was Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner and sixth-largest export market in 2020.

Negotiations on a comprehensive deal between India and Australia were launched more than a decade ago but stalled in 2015.

In recent months New Delhi has also sought to revive trade talks with other countries including the United States, the European Union and Britain. AFP

Under pandemic spotlight, Nobel prize season back COVID-19 vaccine pioneers, media watchdogs, climate activists and Belarus opposition leaders are just some of those tipped for Nobel glory when the latest prize recipients are announced from Monday against the background of the pandemic.

Launched 120 years ago, the medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace awards created by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, as well as the more recent economics prize, will be given out in Stockholm and Oslo from October 4-11.

While the list of contenders is a closely guarded secret, Nobel experts say research on messenger RNA (mRNA), which forms the basis of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, is a hot favourite for the medicine or chemistry prizes.

“It would be a mistake if the Nobel Committee did not give the prize to mRNA vaccine technology,” Swedish science journalist Ulrika Bjorksten told AFP. She cited as possible laureates Katalin Kariko of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States, whose pioneering research led directly to the first mRNA vaccines.

These have been injected into over a billion people worldwide in a race to ease a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 4.7 million people. AFP

‘Unprecedented’ malnutrition hits war-torn Tigray region—UN report THE UN warned of “unprecedented” malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia’s war-hit Tigray region, in a report published hours after the government sparked outrage by expelling senior UN officials.

The latest situation report from the UN’s humanitarian coordination office, posted online late Thursday, also described “alarming” malnutrition among children as fears of mass starvation grow nearly 11 months after northern Ethiopia erupted in conflict.

“Of the more than 15,000 pregnant and lactating women screened during the reporting period, more than 12,000 women, or about 79 per cent, were diagnosed with acute malnutrition,” the report said.

The level of moderate malnutrition among children under five “is also exceeding the global emergency threshold of 15 per cent, at about 18 per cent, while cases of children with severe malnutrition

is 2.4 per cent, above the alarming 2 per cent level,” it said.

On Thursday Ethiopia announced it would expel seven senior UN officials for “meddling” in its affairs, including the local heads of the UN children’s agency UNICEF and its humanitarian coordination office.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked” by the decision, and diplomats said an emergency UN Security Council meeting would be held behind closed doors Friday to discuss the matter.

The UN officials were given 72 hours to leave the country.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray last November to topple the regional ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a move he said was in response to TPLF attacks on army camps. AFP

MOTHERLY LOVE. The female panda Huan-Huan cuddles her cub Fleur de Coton

after breastfeeding her in their box at The Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France. AFP

Business

B3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ho Chi Minh lifts 3-month lockdown

PSEi October 1, 2021

TOP GAINERS

1 OPM 2 EVER 3 MJIC 4 SOC

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 0.01 -0.001 -9.09% 0.365 -0.025 -6.41% 1.31 -0.08 -5.76% 0.7 -0.04 -5.41%

5 KPPI 3.86 -0.22 -5.39% 6 APL 0.109 -0.006 -5.22% 7 PTC 100 -5 -4.76% 8 CAT 13.64 -0.66 -4.62% 9 TBGI 0.34 -0.015 -4.23% 10 NI 1.06 -0.04 -3.64%

TOP LOSERS

LAST %

PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 MJC 1.98 -0.32 -13.91% 2 IMP 1.47 -0.18 -10.91% 3 REG 2.52 -0.24 -8.70% 4 ROX 1.29 -0.12 -8.51% 5 AXLM 2.53 -0.22 -8.00% 6 SOC 0.65 -0.05 -7.14% 7 GLO 3000 -200 -6.25% 8 SEVN 85 -5.45 -6.03% 9 MAC 4.27 -0.25 -5.53% 10 MB 0.4 -0.02 -4.76%

MOST ACTIVE

1 MONDE 2 MREIT 3 EMP 4 CNVRG 5 ACEN 6 AC 7 BDO 8 GLO 9 SM 10 DMC

VOLUME VALUE (PHP) 34,203,200 645,575,178 33,478,300 558,509,022 29,410,900 521,799,844 9,476,400 376,749,325 21,228,300 244,327,532 283,430 232,301,275 1,740,810 195,186,978 62,815 191,046,370 184,280 180,302,715 23,909,200 175,541,486

People planning to return to their hometowns wait at a checkpoint to leave Ho Chi Minh City in the early hours of October 1, 2021, following the easing of strict COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions that had been in place for the past three months. AFP

Stock market falls slightly; Megaworld’s MREIT climbs

S

TOCKS fell Friday on mild profit taking and signs that the global recovery is losing steam.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 29.28 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,923.60 on a value turnover of nearly P22 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 103 to 86, with 53 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, dropped 2.4 percent to P1,640, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. declined 2.5 percent to P32.65.

MREIT Inc., the newly-listed real estate investment trust company of Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, rose 3.7 percent to P16.70 on its market debut, while AC Energy Corp. of the Ayala Group climbed 3 percent to P11.62.

Meanwhile, the Asian markets sank Friday as investors tracked another hefty sell-off on Wall Street, concerned about the prospect of higher borrowing costs and a possible US debt default.

While the fourth quarter is generally considered a strong period for traders, it has started in much the same fashion as the previous one ended, with uncertainty replacing optimism that the worst of the pandemic is over.

All three main indexes on Wall Street ended in the red on Thursday, with the S&P shedding more than four percent in September.

And Asia followed suit.

Tokyo fell more than two percent as investors brushed off the closely watched Tankan business survey showing confidence among major Japanese manufacturers had improved for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Sydney lost more than two percent despite news that Australia will begin to reopen its borders in November af-

ter 18 months of restrictions.

Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Mumbai and Jakarta also fell, though Wellington was flat.

Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets were closed for a holiday.

News that US lawmakers had finally passed legislation to avert a costly government shutdown did little to allay concerns about the fact that they are unable to agree a deal to raise the debt limit.

Top officials including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell have warned that failure to do so before the cash runs out in mid-October would leave the country unable to pay its bills and default, leading to an economic catastrophe.

At the same time, Democrats continue to bicker among themselves over Joe Biden’s multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure and social spending bills, which will still face a tough passage through Congress. With AFP

A million bolivars become one as Venezuela tweaks weak currency

By Esteban Rojas and Javier Tovar CARACAS, Venezuela—For the third time in 13 years, Venezuela on Friday will slash zeroes off its inflation-battered currency, the bolivar. This time, it will shed six zeroes, for a total of 14 since 2008.

With that, a million bolivars will overnight become one—still the equivalent of about 25 US dollar cents.

Venezuela’s central bank announced the move last month to simplify transactions, with consumers scrambling to make payment for even the most basic goods or services.

Seven one-million bolivar notes—the highest denomination and very hard to come by—are required to pay in cash for one loaf of bread in the once-rich oilproducing nation now battling the highest inflation in the world.

Venezuela’s GDP has plummeted by 80 percent since 2013 as the oil price crashed and output dwindled during decades of under-investment and mismanagement by successive socialist governments.

Teacher Marelys Guerrero, 43, is one of the many Venezuelans who receives a salary in the millions of bolivars that are worth nothing.

“We earn, fortnightly, less than $3,” she told AFP in Caracas.

Rent for an apartment in a modest suburb of the capital starts from about

A man at the booth of an exchange office displaying old bills of the Venezuelan national currency, the Bolivar, at Chacao neighborhood, in Caracas, on September 21, 2021. The Venezuelan currency practically lost all of its value amid hyperinflation, huge devaluations and constant depreciation. AFP

$150, while a basket of basic groceries for a family of five costs about $220.

Most payments in bolivars are done by debit card or bank transfer, but seventy percent of transactions are now conducted in dollars, according to private sector estimates, and prices on many shop shelves are displayed in the US currency, to keep things simpler.

‘I’ll buy your dollar!’

On Friday, Venezuela becomes the South American country to have removed the most zeroes from its currency. It lost three in 2008 under now-de-

ceased President Hugo Chavez, whose successor Nicolas Maduro eliminated five more in 2018.

The bolivar is now worth so little that children use it for play money.

In Venezuela’s border regions, besides the dollar, it is common to also pay for goods in Colombian pesos or Brazilian reais, and even grams of gold.

In the rest of the country, cash is used almost exclusively for purchasing public transport tickets, but even this presents a headache as notes are scarce and can only be obtained by standing in

long queues at the bank.

“I’ll buy your dollar!”—children with thick wads of bolivar bills yell at buses that, along with bus stops, have become informal currency exchange offices.

“We pay one dollar for four million bolivars. The fare costs two million,” said William Hernandez, a 56-year-old bus driver.

The government will issue new banknotes in denominations of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 bolivars, as well as a one-bolivar coin after Friday’s change.

But the government has also said that it wants the economy to become entirely digital, a move, experts say, is meant to avoid printing money that will just continue devaluing.

“If inflation behaves as it has in recent months, it is very likely that in about three or four years the government will have to reconvert again,” Luis Arturo Barcenas of economic consultancy Ecoanalitica told AFP. ‘It’s a relief’ The bolivar has lost nearly all its value in just over a decade—shedding almost 73 percent in 2021 alone.

The country’s annual budget of 115 billion bolivars in 2007—then the equivalent of $50 billion—if held in bolivars, would be worth less than a dollar today. AFP

Dubai opens glitzy Expo with extravagant ceremony despite pandemic DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Dubai opened its extravagant Expo 2020 on Thursday with a flashy ceremony boasting fireworks and lights displays as it attempts to woo the world despite the pandemic.

The domed Al Wasl Plaza, centerpiece of the vast Expo site, was lit by spectacular projections as Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared the $7-billion event open.

“The entire world gathers in the UAE as we inaugurate together, with the blessing of Allah, Expo 2020 Dubai,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Chinese pianist Lang Lang was among the star performers and blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli closed the show in front of Dubai’s royal rulers.

The ceremony kicks off a six-month world fair attended by more than 190 countries, despite the European parliament’s call for member states to boycott

over the United Arab Emirates’ human rights record.

Organizers are hoping for 25 million visits to Expo 2020, the first in the Middle East, which is set to be the most attended event since the pandemic.

This year’s Tokyo Olympics went ahead largely without fans.

However, travel restrictions remain in place around the globe during a spectacle that was conceived pre-COVID-19 and is starting a year late.

Organizers did not respond to a request for details on ticket sales, but discounts are already being offered and Dubai government employees have been given six days off to attend.

Themes of sustainability and the planet’s future were prevalent in the lavish show at Al Wasl Plaza, centerpiece of the vast Expo site which sprawls across an area twice the size of Monaco.

Futuristic constructions dot the purpose-built showground in the Dubai suburbs, where countries

are bidding to outdo each other for ingenuity and innovation.

The recent record of Expos is patchy, with the 2017 edition in Kazakhstan tainted by corruption, and violent protests in Milan in 2015 by demonstrators angered by the event’s cost.

The first world exhibition was held in London in 1851, when it was housed in the newly built Crystal Palace. The Paris edition of 1889 featured the Eiffel Tower, then intended as a temporary attraction.

Expo 2020 will be unmistakeably tinged by the pandemic, with masks and social distancing mandatory on site. Visitors need to be vaccinated or have a negative PCR test to enter.

The United Arab Emirates, population 10 million, has reported a sharp drop in coronavirus cases, falling below 300 this week—less than half the figure a fortnight earlier. AFP

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh City on Friday lifted a stayat-home order that had kept its nine million residents indoors for three months and devastated business in Vietnam’s economic hub.

To curb a fast-spreading wave of COVID-19—which struck the southern metropolis particularly hard—residents have been unable to leave home, even for food, and almost all travel in and out of the area was suspended.

Almost half of Vietnam’s total 790,000 virus cases were reported in the city, along with three-quarters of the country’s deaths.

But after a gradual fall in cases, soldiers began dismantling road barriers on Friday and removing hundreds of checkpoints that had separated city districts.

“I am happy,” said Tran Van Vu, who owns a store selling fruit, vegetables and meat and had planned to expand his business before the pandemic.

“During the lockdown our company was affected a lot... we didn’t have enough delivery men as they had to be tested every two days and it was costly for the company.”

Roads were busy for the first time in months after most businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen and vaccinated people permitted to move freely within the city.

Although authorities have kept a ban on travel to other provinces, thousands of families traveling by motorbike gathered at a checkpoint on the way out of the city, hoping to return to their hometowns.

Vietnam was once hailed as a model for virus containment, but the country struggled to stop the spread of a fourth wave of infection that began in April in northern industrial parks and quickly traveled south.

More than a third of Vietnam’s 100 million people were under stay-athome orders this summer, bringing the country’s important manufacturing industry to its knees and breaking supply chains.

Its economy suffered its heaviest contraction on record in the third quarter, officials said Wednesday.

Factories in industrial parks and goods transportation services are among businesses allowed to open, authorities have said.

Less than 10 percent of Vietnamese are fully vaccinated but Ho Chi Minh City had been allocated the biggest number of jabs with almost all the city’s adults inoculated. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ILOILO SOUTHPRIME DEVELOPERS INC., with office address at Avanceiia Street, Brgy. North Avanceña, Molo, Iloilo City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (The Flats Residences) with 304 residential units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE ACT) and the Preferred List - Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Q. Abeto St., Brgy. Abeto-Mirasol, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 2, 2021)

NOTICE OF LOSS OF STOCK CERTIFICATE NOTICE is hereby given that the followingStock Certificate issued by the Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Iloilo Inc. was declared burned or damaged in the affidavit of Loss executed by the registered holder and recorded in the notarial register of Atty. Nestor M. Sorilla of Iloilo City on July 14, 2021 as Doc No. 305; Page No. 62; Book No. VI; Series of 2021.

Name of Certificate No. of Registered No. Shares Holder WINSTON G. BERBEDER

000341

10

If no adverse claim regarding the above certificate of stock is presented to the Corporate Secretary of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Iloilo Inc. at Ungka 1 Jaro Iloilo City, within one (1) year from the last publication of this Notice, The right to make such claim shall be forever barred and the corporation shall in its books the above certificate of stock and issue new certificate in lieu of thereof.

MS-SEPT. 18/25 & OCT. 2, 2021)

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

B4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, October 1, 2021

-29.28 PTS. 6,923.60

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

2,324,866,582 85,560 21,991,058,370.75

ADVANCES 103 DECLINES 86 UNCHANGED 53

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.8790

Japan

Yen

0.008986

0.4572

UK

Pound

1.347500

68.5595

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128442

6.5350

Switzerland

Franc

1.072846

54.5853

Canada

Dollar

0.788706

40.1286

Singapore

Dollar

0.736594

37.4772

Australia

Dollar

0.722700

36.7703

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

134.9683

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

13.5666

Brunei

Dollar

0.733891

37.3396

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029533

1.5026

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.8529

Euro

Euro

1.158400

58.9382

Korea

Won

0.000844

0.0429

China

Yuan

0.154524

7.8620

India

Rupee

0.013484

0.6861

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238949

12.1575

New Zealand

Dollar

0.689800

35.0963

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035983

1.8308 Source: BSP

P

HILIPPINE Airlines Inc. said Friday it secured a US court approval to gain access to its debtor-in-possession financing amounting to $505 million, a core feature of the flag carrier’s restructuring plan.

“This important step confirms that our recovery process is on track as we continue to work hard on securing a fully consensual reorganization plan in an efficient manner,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria.

SAN MIGUEL TRIBUTE. San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang leads the company’s senior management team in paying tribute to SMC personnel who succumbed to COVID-19 since the pandemic began during a simple mass held at the company’s Pasig City offices. The headquarters serve as vaccination site for its NCR-based employees—as part of activities marking the company’s 131st anniversary. Ang, who was joined by the business heads of the diversified conglomerate’s food and beverage, power, fuel and infrastructure businesses and members of Ligtas Lahat employee vaccination task force, called on all SMC employees nationwide to honor their fallen colleagues and continue the work of serving the public and answering a higher purpose.

“We want to thank our lenders, aviation partners and other creditors for their high level of support and confidence in the future of PAL. We also appreciate the support of our valued customers as we continue to serve travelers and the Philippine economy,” he said.

PAL’s DIP financing totals about $505 million, consisting of a $250-million first lien secured Tranche A multi-draw term loan, of which $20 million was drawn following approvals on the “First Day” court hearing on Sept. 9 and a second lien secured Tranche B multi-draw term loan facility of $255 million.

“With approval to fully access our DIP financing, PAL has the additional liquidity needed to meet our current and future obligations and to continue operating as usual. PAL will emerge a leaner and more competitive airline thanks to

our hardworking employees, the resolute commitment of our majority shareholder and the strong support from our stakeholders and creditors,” said PAL chief financial officer Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez.

“We’re grateful that the court saw fit to approve our motions, and we’re told it was a most efficient Chapter 11 hearing for a case of this complexity,” he said.

PAL said that aside from the approval of the DIP financing, the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted other approvals on a final basis including PAL’s motions for customer programs, critical and foreign vendors, employee compensation and authorization to implement the airline’s restructuring support agreements with stakeholders. These approvals will enable PAL to emerge as a stronger and

San Miguel Food to shutter meat plant in Indonesia

better-capitalized airline, it said.

PAL said it would continue to operate flights in the normal course of business in accordance with safety regulations and expects to continue to meet financial obligations throughout the Chapter 11 process to employees, customers, the government, and its lessors, lenders, suppliers and other creditors.

The airline expects to exit from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding by end of the year.

PAL also filed for recognition in Pasay Court as required under the Philippine Financial Insolvency and Rehabilitation Act of 2010.

The airline incurred comprehensive loss of P18.04 billi1on in the first half, down 18 percent from P22.02-billion comprehensive loss in the same period last year.

SM’S DIGITAL EXPANSION.

SM Markets, the supermarket business of SM, serves more communities around the country as it expands its presence online. SM Markets Online, via https:// smmarkets.ph/, is available in 70 branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and key cities in Luzon and Visayas.

It aims to make the service available in 100 locations covering most of the key areas in the country by the end of 2021. SM Markets is the mother brand of SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore Market.

By Jenniffer B. Austria SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., the food and beverage subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., is closing down its meat processing business in Indonesia as part of rationalization.

SMFB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange PT San Miguel Foods Indonesia, a 75-25 joint venture between the company and PT Hero Intiputra, would cease operations on Oct. 31, 2021.

The company said the decision would enable it to streamline its businesses and focus on expansion in the Philippines. No other details were disclosed, including impact on overall business.

PTSMFI produces and markets Halal processed meats which are sold under the Farmhouse and Vida brands.

SMFB earlier said it would spend P30 billion in capital expenditures this year to build seven feed mills across the country.

The company is also expanding its feed mill capacity in Isabela, Davao, Cebu and Bulacan.

SMFB is engaged in manufacturing and marketing of processed meat products. In 2018, San Miguel consolidated its food manufacturing and beer business under SMFB. The company is now operating in three business segments: beer and non-alcoholic beverages, spirits and food.

SMFB said first-half consolidated net income climbed by 137 percent in the first half to P17.36 billion from a year ago and surpassed prepandemic profit in the first half of 2019. Consolidated revenues grew 20 percent to P146.79 billion in the six-month period, while operating income more than doubled to P 23.04 billion, driven by improvements in volumes and selling prices across the divisions and continued group-wide cost-containment efforts and operational efficiencies.

The share price of SMFB was nearly unchanged at P75.95 on Friday.

Manila Water bags Pangasinan water deal THE provincial government of Pangasinan presented the notice of award for the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a bulk water facility under a concession agreement to the consortium of Manila Water Company Inc. and wholly-owned subsidiary Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc. The consortium submitted in September 2016 an unsolicited proposal to Pangasinan province. After the initial evaluation of Pangasinan Public-Private Partnership Selection Committee, a notice of acceptance was issued in November 2018. Negotiations ensued and the joint certifications of successful negotiations were signed in July 2019.

Manila Water is expected to invest P8 billion over the 25-year contract duration for the implementation of capital expenditure programs that will increase water supply in the province.

Upon completion of conditions, Manila Water’s consortium will sign a concession agreement with the provincial government to implement the development of the bulk water supply project that will provide as much as 200 million liters of water per day by year 2025.

GDP growth seen to be sluggish in Q3

Court allows PAL to tap $505-m fund

By Darwin G. Amojelar

IN BRIEF

Megaworld’s MREIT unit advances 3.7% in stock market debut THE share price of MREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust company of Megaworld Corp., rose 3.7 percent on its maiden offering Friday amid plans to boost its office portfolio over the next two years.

MREIT’s stock hit a high of P17.16 on Friday from its initial public offering price of P16.10 before closing at P16.70.

MREIT president and chief executive Kevin Andrew Tan said during the listing ceremony Megaworld would inject around 100,000 square meters of prime office assets from Eastwood City, McKinley Hill and Iloilo Business Park to the company by end-2022.

Megaworld also has 331,000 sq. m. of office space in Uptown Bonifacio in Taguig City that are scheduled for completion

before the end of the year. Another 70,000 sq. m. of prime office spaces are set to be completed in three years.

“These prime office and commercial assets can be potentially injected into MREIT. With BGC having the highest office rental rates among major business districts in the country, these fresh assets can truly bulk up MREIT’s portfolio, increase its rental revenues, and of course, grow the distribution yields for our investors,” Tan said.

MREIT’s initial portfolio consists of 10 prime office buildings covering around 224,431 sq. m. in Eastwood City, McKinley Hill and Iloilo Business Park.

These offices are being leased by the biggest BPO companies operating in the

Philippines.

“So far, we have poured in an estimated P150 billion into these three townships in over a decade that has translated into more than 130,000 jobs in IT and BPO, retail, hotel and tourism, construction, and in various industries that form part of our townships,” Tan said.

Megaworld is also constructing a new tower, Worldwide Plaza, which will be the future headquarters of the Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., the leading global banking and financial services provider.

MREIT is the fifth REIT company to have listed in the local bourse. It raised P15.3 billion from the maiden share offering. Jenniffer B. Austria

A BANK economist said Friday he expects a sluggish gross domestic product growth in the third quarter as the spread of the more virulent Delta variant of COVID-10 prompted the government to implement stricter quarantine restrictions in August that affected mobility and economic activities.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa noted in a report the slowdown of the Purchasing Managers’ Index in manufacturing to its lowest reading this year at 46.4 percent in August.

“The Delta variant exacted its mark on 3Q [third quarter] economic activity, slowing average PMI manufacturing to the lowest reading for the year,” Mapa said.

PMI manufacturing managed a modest expansion in September as quarantine measures were relaxed midway through the month. PMI for September improved to 50.9 with the twoweek relaxation of curbs although overall production output, new orders, input purchasing and employment all fell for the month.

Firms cited weak consumer demand, ECQ measures and resignations as the reason for lower employment. Julito G. Rada

Cebu Pacific settles refund complaints CEBU Pacific said Friday it settled all the refund complaints that were filed at the Civil Aeronautics Board amounting to P8.18 billion.

The airline said that as of August, it cleared 2,842 cases that were filed at the CAB since 2020. The airline also refunded a total of P8.18 billion as of September.

Cebu Pacific issued P479 million in refunds to customers from July to September. Previously, the airline announced that it had refunded passengers P7.7 billion from January 2020 until June 2021.

“As of August, the airline had verified cases totaling 2,842 and discussed with CAB the resolution of these complaints. This is a positive development directly benefiting affected passengers after the Coronavirus pandemic grounded air travel,” said Wyrlou Samodio, head of Cebu Pacific legal and enforcement division.

“This shows that CAB and CEB, by working together, prioritized passenger concerns at the most crucial time,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

DOTR taps Spanish company to design MRT Line 4 project THE Department of Transportation said Friday it signed a P1.4-billion contract with a Spanish company for the detailed architectural and engineering design of the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 project.

It said the mobilization of the MRT 4 project started after it issued the notice of award to IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A. on Sept. 17.

IDOM, as the detailed architectural and engineering design consultant, will prepare the project’s preliminary design, detailed engineering and tender designs, the loan processing documents, financial and economical assessments, the project/ loan safeguards documents and bidding documents for the MRT-4 project.

Under the agreement, IDOM is also tasked to determine the proper mode of transportation along the alignment and provide the methodology on ridership validation.

Funded by an official development assistance from the Asian Development Bank, the P59.3 billion MRT-4 is a proposed railway mass-transit system intended to serve and connect the eastern part of Metro Manila and the highlypopulated areas of Rizal province.

“This partnership between Spain and the Philippines has resulted in a lot of benefits and advantages because contracts executed with the assistance patronage of the government of Spain is assured of quality and meeting timelines and deadlines,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

“You can be sure that there will be quality of performances, there will be no lack in funding and this project will be done and accomplished in the timelines set for ourselves,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Operator Shell announces start of Malampaya field’s 20-day maintenance shutdown

By Alena Mae S. Flores SHELL Philippines Exploration B.V., the operator of Service Contract 38 or the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan, announced the start of a 20-day maintenance shutdown on Saturday, as the government and industry stakeholders assured adequate power supply during the period.

Production from the Malampaya gas field declined to 79,054 million standard cubic feet as of September from 141,732

mmcsf in 2020. The bulk of the production this year went to power at 76,040 mmcsf, latest data from the Department of Energy showed.

“Preparations and contingencies are in place, including strict health protocols.

This is a result of 12 months of planning with our gas plant customers and the Department of Energy,” Spex said.

Spex said the scheduled maintenance shutdown would ensure continued reliability of the Malampaya offshore and onshore facilities.

The DOE also assured there would be adequate power during the entire shutdown period and the agency would monitor the situation daily.

“There were no red flags raised by [our] bureaus,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said.

Manila Electric Co. vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said the First Gas natural gas plants, which use the LNG from Malampaya, would be asked to run on liquid fuel during the period.

He said Meralco also asked the Energy Regulatory Commission about implementing the contract for the supply of electric energy with the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. for 90 megawatts beginning Sept.

29.

State-run PSALM manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp. under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. “It will be up to PSALM on the actual plants to be used to supply Meralco,” Fernandez said.

Sports

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

76ers’ Embiid unhappy with ‘disrespectful’ Ben Simmons

Joel Embiid last week hit back at reports of a rift between him and Ben Simmons, saying he hoped the former number one draft pick could be persuaded to stay with the Sixers. AFP

By Peter Atencio

K

IEFER Ravena looks forward to his first game in the Japan B.League, interestingly against his brother Thirdy this weekend.

The 27-year-old Ravena said this in a video message as his team Shiga Lakestars went into practice for their game against the SanEn NeoPhoenix, which will see action with his younger brother, Thirdy, in the lineup.

“I’m excited to play against my brother. And hopefully, we will come out victorious,” said Ravena during a presentation done by sports media distribution company Tap Digital Media Ventures.

The Lakestars and the NeoPhoenix have two scheduled games this weekend, with the first tip-off at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday at the Ukaru-chan Arena in Otsu, Shiga, Japan.

After that, the two squads meet again on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

This will be the first time the Ravena brothers will face each other while playing for opposing teams.

The younger Thirdy was the first Filipino cager to join the B.League last year.

Then, seven other blue-chip basketball players from the Philippine collegiate ranks and the Philippine Basketball Association followed suit and

Ravena vs Ravena in B.League faceoff

Kiefer Ravena

Thirdy Ravena

followed the money.

This included Kiefer, who left the NLEX Road Warriors.

Also set for to play in the coming days are former University of the Philippines

star Kobe Paras, who will be playing for the Niigata Albirex BB. Paras’ team will take on the Kyoto Hannaryz, while Javi Gomez de Liano’s Ibaraki Robots faces the Akita

PH athletes’ training in Baguio City gets going BUBBLE training for members of the national team in Baguio City will be done in different places.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission said this following talks with local government unit of the City of Pines.

Fernandez said the PSC facilities at the Teachers’ Camp should be able to accommodate around 200 athletes during normal times.

But because of coronavirus restrictions that are now in place, only half of this number can be accommodated.

“Around 200 plus and puwede sa mga dorms in normal times. Kaso, 50% na lang ang puwede,” said Fernandez in a radio interview on PSC Hour.

The national karatedo team has already entered the bubble, while the national boxing contingent is returning to resume working out as well at the National Teachers’ Camp this week.

Members of the national athletics’ team are set to go their separate ways at the facility near Burnham Park and will stay at dormitories provided by the Department of Education.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association has also made arrangements for special permits from the local government unit of Baguio City.

They seek authorization for longdistance and middle-distance runners, so they can run and jog around without any light respiratory gear covering their faces.

For now, the preparation of Filipino athletes are geared towards their participation in the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand from March 10 to 20.

There’s also the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25. Peter Atencio Sports officials are still waiting for final word on the status of the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. Peter Atencio

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Northern Happinets.

On the other hand, former TNT star Bobby Ray Parks and the Nagoya Dophins will battles the Sun Rockers Shibuya.

Other young Filipino prospects in the B.League are Dwight Ramos (Toyama Grouses, B1), Juan Gomez De Liano (Earth Friends Tokyo Z, B2) and Kemark Carino (Aomori Wat’s, B2).

Tap Digital Media Ventures will be responsible for airing the B.League games over television and digital platforms exclusively in the Philippines for the 2021-22 Season.

And this is through Tap Go’s television and digital platforms, according to marketing exec Rely San Agustin.

“We have eight young great names in Philippine basketball playing in Japan. We have seen the trend of Filipino athletes making a breakthrough internationally. And we want to bring it to the Filipino audience,” Business Development Officer Chiqui Reyes.

TapDMV plans to broadcast 51 games of the B.League, aired mainly on “TAP Sports”, “TAP GO” and their social media platforms.

NEW YORK—Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid on Thursday accused unsettled star Ben Simmons of “disrespecting” his team-mates as he attempts to force a trade out of the club.

In comments to reporters, Embiid hit back at suggestions coming from Simmons’s camp this week that he wanted to leave was because he felt the team was being built to suit Embiid’s skills.

“The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives,” Embiid said, bristling at suggestions the team was being built around him.

“It was kind of surprising to see,” he said. “We got rid of Jimmy (Butler) just to make sure he needed the ball in his hands, and that’s the decision they made. Like I said it’s surprising.”

Australian star Simmons has told the Sixers he wants to leave the club and has refused to report for pre-season training.

Simmons’s future in Philadelphia has been the subject of speculation since the team lost a decisive Game 7 to Atlanta in last season’s playoffs, with Simmons’s offensive output shrivelling in the crucial final quarter.

That led to Sixers coach Doc Rivers questioning whether Simmons could be a championship-winning point guard.

Earlier this month, Embiid had also hit back at reports of a rift between him and Simmons, saying he hoped the former number one draft pick could be persuaded to stay at the club.

“I love playing with Ben,” Embiid said. “Stats don’t lie. He’s an amazing player and we all didn’t get the job done ... I hope everyone is back cuz we know we’re good enough to win.” AFP

Coach stresses Abueva’s importance to Magnolia

Calvin Abueva

CALVIN Abueva and the Magnolia Hotshots are a match made in heaven.

Hotshots’ coach Chito Victolero said this after Abueva came off the bench and finished with a monster game for the team on Thursday evening.

“Si Calvin, malaking tulong sa amin sa depensa at opensa, sa nagagawa niyang hustle, energy and extra possession. Mas magandang nandito siya sa amin kesa ibang team,” said Victolero.

The Magnolia coach talked about the importance of having the 6’3” Abueva around after the Hotshots eked out a 96-86 triumph over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to sweep their first round quarterfinal series in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The 33-year-old Abueva had dou-

ble-double of 20 markers on 6-for-11 shooting, to go with a season-high 19 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.

And his performance made Abueva one of the leading candidates for Best Player of the Conference honors.

Since Abueva joined the Hotshots following a trade from the Phoenix Fuel Masters, the former San Sebastian Stag has developed chemistry with his teammates, which eased Victolero’s worries before the season started. “‘Yun lang naman ang worry ko before, na baka kulangin kami sa chemistry. Now, nakikita ko na sa kanila that they work hard together when they go to practice,” added Victolero.

Victolero said Abueva was a big threat to the Hotshots, and when the latter helped the Fuel Masters in get-

ting Magnolia eliminated in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

With their sweep of the Painters, the Hotshots are back in the semifinals for the first time in two years.

The Hotshots earlier took Game 1 of their best-of-three series with Rain or Shine with a 81-70 win.

With the Hotshots now in the semis, Abueva’s wish is for them to reach the championship round.

“Matagal na, eight years na (on having been in the finals). Sana makapasok at makuha namin,” said Abueva, recalling that he last won a championship when he was with Alaska back in 2013.

Magnolia will now wait for the winner of the Meralco-NLEX series to find out their semis opponent.

Peter Atencio

Boxing, MMA pay tribute to Pacquiao

By Randy Caluag THE unparalleled greatness of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has made an impact not only in boxing, but also in the whole martial arts community.

Pacquiao, who formally announced his retirement via a social media video on Thursday, is not just admired for his exploits inside the ring but off it.

Orient Pacific Boxing Federation vice president Hubert Minn views Pacquiao as “one of all-time best in the sport of boxing, especially in the OPBF.” “But not primarily because of his boxing accomplishments, but more due to his humanness,” said the veteran World Boxing Council boxing ring official, who has now taken the role as the second-highest official of the OPBF. Minn, a Hawaiian who openly admires Filipino boxers, said Pacquiao is a “great representative of the Filipino culture.”

Pacquiao was former OPBF champion in 1997 when as a flyweight campaigner, he knocked out Thai Chokchai Chokvivat in Mandaluyong. After a successful defense of the title, he went on to become the WBC flyweight king when he knocked out another Thai, Chatchai Sasakul, in December 1998.

Pacquiao started moving up from one weight division after another and while he’s stamping his class in the brutal sport of boxing, his soft heart has endeared him to the poor people, especially in his home province in Socsargen.

“A humane person is one who shows great compassion and caring for others, including animals, and who tries

whenever possible to alleviate another’s suffering. The idea of being humane is linked to a higher level of a person’s character,” said Minn.

Mark Sangiao, founder and head coach of Team Lakay that has been making waves in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, expressed his gratefulness to Pacquiao for serving as an inspiration not only in sports, but in every soul that dreams to be someone and something in a world where achieving is almost impossible.

“Thank you for giving your all, for being the great Pacquiao we know. May the Great Force be with you always and let me say how grateful we are in my Igorot language —‘Iyaman Apo,’” said Sangiao.

One of Pacquiao’s close friends in boxing, Gerry Penalosa, had mixed emotions when the boxing senator finally bid boxing goodbye.

“Nakakalungkot but happy at the same time, madadagdagan ang oras niya sa family (niya). Mami-miss namin ang isang Manny Pacquiao sa itaas ng boxing ring, na naka-unite sa Filipino people everytime na lumaban siya.

Thank you, Manny.”

Boxing analyst Nissi Icasiano summed it all up in Manny’s 26 years as a pro boxer—62 wins in 72 fights; 39 victories by way of knockout; 13 world titles in eight different weight classes; three-time fighter of the year; Fighter of the Decade awardee and the only eight-division world champion.

“There is no denying that he singlehandedly changed boxing’s landscape in its entirety. This generation is very

Philippine boxing icon and senator Manny Pacquiao shows his certificate of candidacy as presidential aspirant. AFP

fortunate to have witnessed all the wonders he has done inside the ring. Truly, his caliber as an athlete comes only once in a lifetime.”

While doing boxing, Pacquiao’s political journey has brought him to the halls of the Senate.

On Friday, Pacquiao filed a candidacy that he hopes would bring him to the Malacañang Palace.

Another journey for this man of destiny.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Ridgewood Towers Premier on track

R

IDGEWOOD Towers Premier, a mixed-use building along C5 Road and near SM Aura Premier of Bonifacio Global City (BGC), is now more than 70% complete with construction recently reaching the 17th floor.

The final project of developer C-5 Mansions Development Corp. for Ridgewood Square, the 31-storey building features 1-bedroom units and 2-bedroom corner units with balcony.

Ridgewood Towers Premier will also host the Ridgewood Premier Hotel, from the 15th to 19th floors.

The hotel units are being marketed

by C-5 Mansions’ sister firm, Novel Residential Concepts Inc. Investors and aspiring homeowners can get more information on the project by calling (0917) 808-4905, or sending an email to ptan.ridgewoodtowers@ gmail.com.

South Luzon top developer gets PAG-IBIG nod

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING STANDOUT. Megawide Construction Corp. was recently named as one of Asia’s Most Outstanding Companies in Asiamoney’s recently concluded Outstanding Companies Poll for 2021. The company barged into the win column for its achievements in the construction and engineering sector.

“This a humbling achievement that encourages us to relentlessly pursue our vision of engineering a first world Philippines,” said Megawide chairman Edgar Saavedra. Megawide is currently eyeing more infrastructure deals such as the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Rail-South Line, Saavedra added. The company has participated in over P100 billion government infrastructure projects spanning airports, classrooms, transport exchanges and railway systems, and secured awards for big ticket projects such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, construction of the Clark International Airport (Shown here during an inspection by Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, at center) , the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, and the Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project.

OVIALAND Inc. was recently recognized by the Home Development Mutual Fund as the no. 3 PAG-IBIG Fund Accredited Developer in South Luzon for the first half of 2021.

The award was given in line with Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive Filipino communities (BALAI), the national government’s shelter program that envisions strong family togetherness.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with PAG-IBIG Fund,” said Pammy Olivares-Vital, president

of Ovialand, said.

“They have made homeownership easy and accessible for all their members – especially during the time of the pandemic when many Filipinos desired security and stability in their own homes.”

Ovialand currently has a presence in Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon. In Batangas, Ovialand launched Terraza de Sto.Tomas in 2014. Overall, Ovialand now has 2,500 house and lot units for its housing portfolio in Laguna.

DESIGN AWARDS TILT CALLS FOR ENTRIES. If you are a retail and project architect, designer, property developer or hotel operator, it’s that time of the year to prepare your entries for the KOHLER Bold Design Awards (KBDA). Hosted by Kohler Asia Pacific Kitchen & Bath, the international design contest celebrates professionals who innovate within the hospitality, residential and commercial property industries This year, awards will be given in the categories of Living (Apartment, Villa); Travel (Urban hotel, Resort); Leisure (Restaurant & bar, Retail store); Commercial; Innovation; Sustainability; Prodigies; Influencers; The Icon; and Best of Best Projects. Winners, be announced during a gala awards ceremony in February 2022) will not only be presented with a trophy, but their works will also be showcased on KOHLER’s social media platforms, literatures and collaterals, as well as exposure in regional media. For additional information, contact the Kohler Asia Pacific team at Kohlerasiapacific@kohler.com.

SEAMLESS LIVING AT BGC. Property developer Federal Land Inc. (FLI) is building a mixed-use community called Grand Central Park (GCP) in North Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The 10-hectare masterplanned community is home to exclusive contemporary residences, various dining destinations, and retail and lifestyle hubs. “These are unusual times. And with developments such as GCP, we are able to offer personal and holistic growth to our residents even at a time when moving and living fully seem difficult,” said Federal Land Sales group head Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion. Strategically located at North Bonifacio Global City, GCP sits at the crossroads where two progressive cities converge–Taguig City and Makati City. The development features the five-star hotel Grand Hyatt Manila; the luxury Grand Hyatt Manila Residences; five premium residential towers Madison Park West, Park West, Central Park West, Time Square West, and Park Avenue; the Japanese-inspired residences The Seasons Residences, and the country’s first Mitsukoshi.

UP group bags Habitat prize A TEAM of Philippine instructors and civil engineers from the academic community recently won the ‘Habitat for Humanity Challenge: Increasing resilience to earthquakes and typhoons for homes with no foundations’ in the Philippines.

The University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Construction Engineering and Management Group, represented by Dean Ashton Plamenco, Dr. Diocel Harold Aquino, Dr. Fernando Germar, and Ammiel Barros will be awarded $25,000 for their winning solution.

It involved retrofitting foundations for low-income homes. The global challenge was launched in October 2020.

Tech & Gadgets

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

New video games, classics featured in Nintendo Direct

Contactless transactions easier with BTI Payments

By Nijel Matthew Aquino and John Raphael Mendoza

N

EW video games, updates and even a film were revealed in the latest Nintendo Direct held virtually recently.

September's Nintendo Direct featured numerous game titles to be released this year and next, mostly for the Switch platform—which is getting a new OLED model next month. The event also coincided with the Japanese video game company’s 123rd founding anniversary.

Among the games highlighted in the Direct was Bayonetta 3. An action-adventure game developed by Platinum Games, the trailer played in the event put an end to a lack of updates since its initial reveal in 2017. This is the third instalment in the Bayonetta series, which stars its eponymous protagonist, and is set to be released for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

Other games that received updates about their release were Metroid Dread, which will be released on Oct. 8, following the story after the events of Metroid Fusion in 2002 – the first Metroid title for Nintendo. Third-person shooter Splatoon 3 also revealed its release date in the trailer featured in Direct, while Square Enix’s Triangle Strategy also set its release to the Switch platform after opening its demo earlier this year. Both games are slated for 2022.

Nintendo also announced its new online membership tier available for subscription. The subscription service features games from the classic Nintendo 64 (N64) and Sega Genesis which will be ported to the Switch online store and will also set for sale wireless controllers for each respective platforms. Among the N64 and Sega games to be ported are Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Ecco the Dolphin.

They also revealed in their showcase about the games

Metroid Dread

that will be released this year.

Mario Party Superstars features boards from the Nintendo 64 era, where the two have been revealed. Nintendo revealed that there will be three more areas that will appear in the game, Woody Woods, Yoshi’s Tropical Island and Horror Land. Its release date will be on October 29, 2021.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars which is a Yoko-Tarot card game that was made by Square Enix will be coming out on October 28, 2021. It's a whole new type of strategy game which is played with cards and on cards giving choices to the player about what to do next. The game combines parts of Reigns, Gwent, Final Fantasy and Hand of Fate.

The second half of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity expansion will be released on October 29, 2021. Its second half titled, Guardian of Remembrance, will continue the story of the base game. In addition, two new characters will be added in the game, Purah and Robbie from the Breath of the Wild.

Other games that will be released this year are Disney Magical World 2 Enchanted Edition, Animal Crossing New Horizon in October, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic on November 11, Dying Light 2 Stay Human Platinum Edition on October 19, Castlevania Advanced Collection, Actraiser Renaissance, Delta Rune, Hot Wheels Unleashed on September 30, and Surviving the Aftermath.

Cherry Prepaid opens 4th Concept Store in Davao DAVAO CITY—There’s no stopping Cherry Prepaid from doing more for its stakeholders. CherryMobile Communications, Inc., the company behind Cherry Prepaid, launches its fourth Concept Store here, to the delight of local residents.

CMCI was founded in 2014 by Maynard Ngu, its Chairman and CEO, and launched Cherry Prepaid in November 2015.

“Relative to the pursuit of CHERRY, which is to provide cost-efficient technology to all Filipinos, we have partnered with Globe Telecom to launch Cherry Prepaid, and crafted campaigns and promos that will appeal to our consumers and let them stay connected at affordable rates. Now, we want to go even a step further by creating the Cherry Prepaid Partner Program, which provides additional income, especially dur-

ing these trying times, to our Partner Agents in perpetuity,” said Ngu. Last September 24, a new Cherry Prepaid concept store was unveiled in Davao City following the success of the Imus, Lucena and Tagum store openings. The company emphasized its goal to have stores in most major cities in the country within the year.

During the national media press conference held on September 28, Jacy Chua, CMCI President and COO, led a virtual walkthrough of its Davao City store and announced the opportunities that await Cherry Prepaid partners and subscribers.

“The goal is to provide cost-efficient technology to all Filipinos. So all our offers are designed to cater to the needs of our target consumers, to be able to stay connected at affordable rates.” says Chua. “Cherry

prepaid strives and focuses on ways we can provide more to our kababayans, especially during this very difficult time.

Commissions can be received continuously

by Cherry Prepaid Partners as long as the subscriber they activated continues to keep their sim-card active. Partners are entitled to get a commission from every load top-up of the subscriber, regardless of where they purchase it from.”

The Davao City concept store is the fourth Master Distributor branch in the Philippines, catering to all potential business partners under the Cherry Prepaid Partner Program within the Davao City area.

“Anyone can be a Cherry Prepaid Partner. We have different programs that individuals or businesses can be part of, providing additional income of P5,000 to P50,000

monthly,” added Chua.

Cherry Prepaid’s Davao City and Tagum City Master Distributor, Dino Ginete, shared “The Cherry Prepaid Partner Program is something new to the industry, and not only provides a more sustainable business but also helps provide Filipinos a new business opportunity amid this pandemic. We ourselves, and I’m sure along with millions of other Filipinos, suffered financially caused by this pandemic. Many lost their jobs and livelihoods were affected. A lot of Filipinos are continuing to find ways to boost their income. This partnership ensures that everyone, all the types of Partners, share in the growth and progress of Cherry Prepaid.”

FINANCIAL technology companies like BTI Payments Inc. answers the pressing need for contactless payment services at many convenient locations nationwide.

Even before the pandemic hit, BTI Payments Inc., a member of the Banktech Group and a subsidiary of Banktech, a leader in specialized payment and technology solutions in Australia and across the South Asian region, saw that one of the reasons why a huge chunk of the Philippine population remains unbanked, is mainly due to a lack of accessibility. There are still quite a number of locations in the country where banks are inadequately numbered to sufficiently provide the needs of its residents.

To answer this urgent need, in 2015, BTI Payments Inc. innovated and offered technology-driven products through its Cash Connect ATMs and Pay&Go self-payment kiosks— providing convenient access to cash in and cash out, especially in underserved or unserved areas.

Its 600 owned and operated selfpayment kiosks, certified by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and strategically placed nationwide, offer a variety of convenient services including e-cash, e-wallet loading, bills payments, and mobile phone top-ups.

In addition, these Pay&Go machines were recently upgraded to ensure that transactions are processed in real time, with a 24-hour customer care hotline to address any concerns users may have regarding their transactions.

Meanwhile, its Cash Connect ATMs, fully accredited by BancNet, provides easy and secure access to cash. These ATMs are located near communities, residential areas, and workplaces— allowing consumers to conveniently withdraw cash along their regular routes and veer away from common places like malls where ATMs are already widely available.

Navigating the Cloud Migration Journey with the Right Skills

Cherry Prepaid Sales Team with Ace Telecoms Master Distributor in Davao City

By Amit Mehta,

Head of AWS Training and Certification, India

Virtual forum: COVID gaps stress need for responsive health agenda FAILURE in leadership, gross mismanagement, and a disconnect between approaches and results in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic are straining the Philippines’ already-fragile and fragmented health system, experts said during a virtual forum of the Stratbase Albert Del Rosario Institute and advocacy group Universal Healthcare Watch held recently.

Professor Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase ADRi institute said, “As the government moved towards another quarantine scheme, while the country continues to face an uptrend surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, it is vital to provide our healthcare system with adequate resources to constantly respond with the needs of the public.”

“The government should prioritize the implementation of the UHC Law, together with other health laws and allocate adequate resources for their operationalization based on sound data and evidence-based information,” he said.

“Various stakeholders can proactively collaborate in the decision-making process so that through this wholeof-society approach the country’s health systems could achieve better health outcomes with a greater sense of accountability in healthcare delivery,” Manhit said.

Manhit stressed, “We must demand complete visibility and reckoning of performance. Disruptions brought by the pandemic is a tried excuse that

we should no longer tolerate. We need responsive performance and good governance.”

“Filipinos do not need political rhetoric. We will not be swayed by words anymore,” Manhit said.

One of the speakers, Dr. Leni Jara, Executive Director for the Council for Health and Development, said testing, contact tracing and treatment capability remain woefully inadequate.

“We still have a very high positivity rate, 29%, despite our under-testing. And yet we are already in seventh position as far as the number of cases of COVID is concerned,” said Dr. Jara.

“COVID testing is not accessible for everybody because most of them are in urban centers – 116 in Metro Manila, 18 in Cebu, and 10 other provinces that have it.

There are 31 provinces that don’t have testing centers.”

Despite the fact that the demand for free mass testing has never been granted, now come reports that testing kits worth P500 million simply expired and were not used.

“It’s revolting for me,” she said.

She added that inadequate contact tracing has caused the persistence in the community transmission of the virus, that hospitals lack medicines and the capacity to cope with the number of patients. And while the government sees vaccines as the solution, herd immunity cannot be achieved at the rate we are rolling out vaccines.

AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives, and many Asian countries are still battling high daily infection counts, our reliance on the internet has become more pronounced than ever.

The way people have used technology to find innovative solutions to the challenges presented by the pandemic has been remarkable.

Organizations worldwide have transformed operational cloud initiatives into strategic necessities for their survival. Faced with the need to pivot rapidly to new ways of operating, companies have been forced to accelerate their digital transformation, rapidly adopting cloud technology - and learning fast that it is no longer business as usual, and it may never be.

Yet, amid the speed to pivot, organizations need the right skills to benefit from the array of capabilities that the cloud offers.

The First Step: Securing HR and IT Alignment Organizations can’t digitally transform by pushing a button and letting the cloud take over. A range of digital skills are required, and workers with these skills are in short supply. A recent study by AlphaBeta Research, commissioned by AWS titled “Unlocking APAC’s Digital Potential: Changing Digital Skill Needs and Policy Approaches”, covered six Asian countries— Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia. It found the number of workers applying digital skills in these countries will have to increase five-fold (from 149 million in 2020 to 819 million in 2025). Similarly, the research notes that the number of workers needing advanced cloud skills is expected to triple.

Many companies in our region are still just starting to understand the complexities and specialization needed to effectively manage a cloud environment.

Cloud technology is still relatively new. It emerged as a new technology field around 15 years ago, and the advances in cloud capabilities like machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have evolved so rapidly that it’s understandable that many organizations, while eager to adopt the latest technology, don’t know where to start.

Many companies also have no idea what a cloud-first organization looks like—how it’ architected, built, operated, and what human resources are needed for it to function correctly. How many workers are needed? Which skills? How to find these workers?

To address these questions, companies need to create strong alignment between their IT and human resource (HR) teams.

This ensures hiring, training, and management is carried out in a synchronized and carefully considered way that results in cloud-ready teams. This will not only enable teams to upskill and stay relevant in today’s digital world, but help organizations to thrive.

Adopting a Cloud-First Mindset Once organizations have crossed this first hurdle, they must adopt a cloud-first mindset—cloud must be the foundation of their IT strategy to reap the maximum benefits that hyperscale compute power presents.

Traditional on-premises IT infrastructure has many failings that the

cloud addresses, such as improved energy efficiency, reduced emissions, lower cost, agility, scalability, security… the list goes on. In terms of the skills needed, traditional on-premises infrastructure requires specialized workers who each take care of a siloed part of the IT infrastructure.

Individual teams or workers with their toolbox of skills separately handle compute, storage, networks, security, applications, server maintenance, hardware, Operating Systems (OS), virtualization software and software updates, and patch management.

With a cloud infrastructure, the service provider manages these tasks, which means the roles that previously handled these duties can evolve into cross-functional cloud engineer functions, with multiple potential specialties.

Identifying the Right Skills There are several roles that are most in-demand when it comes to cloud skills. In the AlphaBeta study, cloud architecture design consistently emerged as the top in-demand skill. As the amount of data grows, the cloud’s architecture needs more careful design and high levels of security. Another advanced cloud computing skill is the ability to help organizations transition from on premises-based to cloud-based infrastructure. This is expected to become more critical, especially in non-technology sectors like manufacturing, learning, and retail.

Other forms of digital expertise that complement cloud computing, including cybersecurity skills and AI and ML capabilities, are also becoming more important. In all the six countries studied, the research found that the average worker will require seven new digital skills by 2025, including knowledge of data mining and data science techniques, and the ability to create large-scale data models.

Resources are at hand to help companies and individuals bridge the skills gap and establish the right team for the cloud. AWS is committed to equipping individuals and organizations with the knowledge they need to realize their cloud goals and move their company—and careers—forward. This includes more than 500 free, on-demand online courses to help build knowledge and expertise, with many courses available in multiple languages. AWS also collaborates with educational institutions and local governments to provide students workers access to cloud training.

Easing the Transition Once migrated to cloud, organizations need to consider how to best reskill workers who previously managed on-premises infrastructure. The good news is that most on-premises skills are easily transferrable with training, and retraining legacy workers is the best option to nurture innovation in organizations. To fully unlock the potential of cloud capabilities, upskilling existing IT staff is essential, and the cloud presents opportunities to innovate in ways that are interesting and refreshing to many traditional IT workers. Companies must also educate themselves on their cloud readiness and talent capacity and have a clear picture of the makeup of their IT team. A learning needs analysis can help with this – allowing companies to make the right decisions about who can be reskilled, and where their workers can add the most value in this new digital world.

Migrating to the cloud is not a one-click solution to a company’s digital challenges. The right skills are required, and many of these skills are a few short trainings away for existing, traditional IT staff.

This journey needs careful planning, the right team, and a clear destination. With these, the path to digital transformation becomes clearer and easier to follow.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

Motoring

T

RUE to its commitment to bring exciting, smart, and luxurious vehicles complemented with a new level of vehicle ownership to Filipinos, Sojitz G Auto Philippines network expansion plans for the Geely brand continues with the inauguration of 3 more dealer outlets. SGAP is adding GeelyMarilao, Bulacan; Geely Sumulong Highway, Cainta Rizal; and Geely Dagupan, Pangasinan to its roster of operational dealerships.

Geely Marilao, SGAP’s second dealership in Bulacan, is owned and operated by Autospeedygo Group under the Autospectrum Corporation.

Autospeedygoalso operates Geely Baliuag in Bulacan which started operations last March.

Geely Marilao is situated at 150 Mc Arthur Highway, Marilao, Bulacan. It is a 1,300sqm showroom and service center which can accommodate a 5-car showroom display and 7 service work bays. The dealership is open from Monday to Saturday 8:00AM – 6:00PM. Meantime, the Autohub group, which also owns Geely Quezon Avenue, has also established a new dealership in the East of Metro Manila. Geely be catering to its customers in Marikina and Rizal.

Autohub group has been in the Philippine automotive business for over two decades.

Through the years, it has established its name and credibility through the luxury European brands it handled.

Geely Sumulong is located at Sumulong Highway, Cainta Rizal.

SEPTEMBER SWING. Geely Dagupan is one of three SGAP dealer outlets to open in September.

Geely

Gung-ho! goes on expansion binge Its440sqm showroom can display 5 cars while its offsite service center has work bays for six vehicles. The dealership is open from Monday to Saturday, 8:30AM-5:30PM. SGAP is capped off September with the opening of Geely Dagupan, Pangasinan. This is Geely’s first dealership in Northern Luzon, operated

by the Motorcentrum Corporation under the Guanzon Group of Companies.

Geely Dagupan, Pangasinan is located along the Jose de Venecia Highway in Pangasinan. Its 465sqm Showroom can display 5 cars while its service center has work bays for 5 vehicles. This outlet in Pangasinan will be open from Monday to Saturday, 8:30AM-5:30PM.

True lies about the Pasig River Expressway project SAN Miguel Corporation and Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture Group, Inc have had initial discussions for a potential consulting agreement for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project.

Palafox is one of the master-planners of one of our major projects and in our regular meetings with him, he has expressed strong belief in the need to increase accessibility between the eastern and western corridors of Metro Manila as part of a broader strategy towards decongesting Metro Manila, and easing the many negative impacts of traffic.

There is no formal engagement with Palafox, but we have been in discussion, something that we have been very clear from the start – that we want him to help us do PAREX right.

We’ve come to learn from him, however, that forces critical of the project have been exerting pressure on him, his associates, and his family to drop the project. We believe this is part of an orchestrated and continuing demolition job to paint the project as the opposite of what it truly is.

Despite public pronouncements we’ve made committing to undertake the project at a level of sustainability never before done by any other private company—including the P2-billion cleanup of the Pasig River and its longterm rehabilitation; integration of a Bus Rapid Transit system, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian walkways; and our intent to tap Arch. Palafox to ensure the project will integrate green architecture principles— those leading others to denounce the project are manipulative and singleminded in their goal of creating distrust

for PAREX for their own agenda.

Some of the lies that have been propagated: Lie: PAREX will destroy Pasig River.

TRUTH: Pasig River has long been considered biologically dead and has been reduced to a flowing dumpsite for solid waste, industrial and chemical wastes, and sewage. In terms of solid wastes, bathymetric studies we have conducted place the depth of the river at now just 1 ½ meters at the mouth of the Marikina River and Manggahan river. Meanwhile the Pandacan and Manila Bay areas are down to two meters. This is a major cause of flooding. But SMC is taking action.

We are mounting the largest river cleanup and rehabilitation effort for the Pasig River. We will spend P2 billion initially to extract at least 3 million metric tons of solid waste from the river to allow it to channel floodwaters more effectively.

This will also allow for safer operations of water ferries.

Lie: Photos circulating that PAREX will cover the entire Pasig River.

TRUTH: PAREX will be built only on the banks of Pasig River, its posts occupying only 1 meter of the average 200 meters width of the Pasig River.

Adaptations to the environment and local surroundings are part of our commitments with the government and local government units. All valid concerns will also be addressed during the Detailed Engineering Design development phase for the project.

Lie: PAREX is anti-poor. It will only benefit the privileged who use cars.

TRUTH: We have announced the PAREX will be a hybrid expressway, accommodating multiple modes

SMC president Ramon S. Ang (left) and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea take the wraps off the marker for the Parex Project in the presence of Transport Secretary Art Tugade (right) as shown in this file photo.

of transportation.

Apart from accommodating motor vehicles, it will also feature a modern and efficient public transport system in the form of a Bus Rapid Transit that will run on both the Skyway and PAREX. This will enable faster, more reliable, safer, comfortable and affordable commutes to and from the northern, southern, eastern, and western areas of Metro Manila.

Lie: PAREX will worsen pollution and induce people to buy more cars.

TRUTH: It is not expressways that induce people to buy more cars. It is poor or insufficient public transportation, pollution, and even personal progress of people. The number of vehicles will continue to rise with or without PAREX. Traffic and pollution will worsen if we do not build efficient, multi-purpose, futureready infrastructure such as the PAREX. Through well-designed infrastructure, we will decongest our cities, make trips faster and more economical, and help reduce air pollution caused by hours of stand-still traffic all over Metro Manila--including in city or residential streets that motorists use as “short cut” routes. Providing better, more efficient alternative public transport in the form of PAREX’s BRT and other ongoing mass rail projects, will also lessen the use of cars. PAREX will also not be exclusive to vehicles. It will incorporate bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas, to provide a safer environment for people to use alternative ways of getting from one place to another.

Lie: RSA said Palafox signed up for PAREX. Truth: RSA said in all of the company’s related statements that it “is tapping Palafox.” Meaning, discussions are ongoing. Palafox signified his intention to think about the project and see how he can marry both his and RSA’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive, green, hybrid infrastructure that will benefit both people and the environment.

There are many more issues that have been raised to paint the project in a negative light, and we will take the time to explain to the public, so they can properly appreciate the merits of the project.

In the meantime, we express our full support and confidence on Arch. Palafox and his team, whom we see can help us level up Philippine infrastructure to benefit people, the economy, and the environment.

With the project now formally approved by government, we can move forward with engaging design consultants and working on the detailed

SGAP President and CEO, Yosuke Nishi said, “We are really ecstatic that we were able to open 4 outlets this month of September, inspite of the challenges brought by the pandemic.

This month alone we were able to open Sta. Rosa, Laguna followed by Marilao, Bulacan; Sumulong Highway, Cainta;and Pangasinan. These bring

the total Geely outlets to 19, with more to be opened by yearend.”

“We thank our business partners the Autospeedygo Group, Autohub Group, and the Guanzon Group for their confidence and commitment to the Geely brand through the opening of additional outlets under their respective franchises.”, Nishi added.

Qatar to hold its first ever

Formula One Grand Prix World champion Lewis Hamilton will be fighting to retain his title when Qatar hosts its first ever Grand Prix on November 21. AFP

QATAR will hold its first ever Formula One Grand Prix in November replacing the cancelled Australian GP, organisers announced on Friday.

The race will take place at the Losail International Circuit north of Doha on November 21 and will form the first part of a Middle Eastern ending to the Formula One season as it will be followed by races in Saudi Arabia and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Qatar has also signed a 10-year deal to host Formula One from 2023.

The Australian GP, traditionally a season-opener, was moved towards the end of the season in a bid to ensure it could go ahead in the light of Covid-19 restrictions.

In spite of that, it was cancelled for a second year running.

“We are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023,” said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“We have shown that we can continue to adapt and there is huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix.

“The huge effort from all the teams, F1 and the FIA has made it possible to deliver a 22 race calendar, something that is very impressive during a challenging year and something we can all be proud of.”

The Losail Circuit opened in 2004 and has hosted Moto GP since then, under floodlights which will also be used for the Grand Prix.

In its statement, F1 said it would confirm the venue for the race in Qatar from 2023 onward at a later date, suggesting a possible change from Losail.

It is the latest sporting coup for gas-rich Qatar, which will host the football World Cup in 2022. AFP design.

This is the phase where all valid concerns of stakeholders will be taken into consideration—and where Arch.

Palafox and his team can provide us invaluable help.

Our track record of initiatives speak for itself. San Miguel today is perhaps one of the most invested and committed in terms of nation-building, improving the lives of Filipinos, and saving the environment.

Of the many projects being done today to narrow our infrastructure deficit, PAREX stands out as a longterm, inclusive, and sustainable solution to traffic congestion, flooding, public transport inadequacies, and decades of Pasig River pollution.

There are those who only cry for the long-dead Pasig river to be “saved” now—after being indifferent to it and our many other rivers that have suffered the same fate, for so many decades.

But today, SMC has the capability, resources, and engineering talent to

clean-up, rehabilitate, and take care of the river for the long-term, even as we will rely on it help solve our cities’ many problems: ease traffic congestion, improve accessibility and mobility for everyday commuters, revitalize our economy, create jobs, and arrest severe pollution caused by hours of stand-still traffic. All these at no cost to taxpayers and government.

It will be a great disservice to millions of Filipinos who will benefit from the multiple benefits of this project, if a vocal, passionate, but perhaps misinformed sectors of society, will be swayed to inaction or the status quo.

We remain steadfast in our mission of being part of the solution, of doing things right, showing malasakit for our people and environment, and supporting nationbuilding for the common good. We thank our national government and our Metro Manila local government units for their support and collaboration, as we work to ensure PAREX becomes the project we all dream it to be.