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Vax for general public starts

Minors on Friday as gov’t ramps up drive after delivery of 100m doses Dominguez bats Galvez to LGUs: for gov’t subsidy Inoculation first for booster shots before politics By Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo

HE COVID-19 vaccination of the general adult population has already begun while the inoculation of children with comorbidities will start on Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

The government made the move last five priority sectors: health workers, the month after the initial rollout of jabs to elderly, people with health risks, essen-

By Julito G. Rada

tial workers, and indigents. Guidelines for the general public’s vaccination are based on the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and a DOH memorandum, said the agency’s spokesperson Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. “The vaccination of the general pop-

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III believes there is a need for the government to subsidize COVID-19 booster shots for the entire population in the long run for the economy to recover and safely reopen from the five-quarter technical recession it suffered since the first quarter of 2020. In an online briefing Monday, Dominguez said giving booster shots to those fully vaccinated would mean an Next page

By Joel E. Zurbano AS THE election period draws near, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Carlito Galvez Jr. has asked incumbent local officials to set aside political differences with their opponents and focus on the country’s inoculation program. Galvez also urged local government units to brace for more supplies and work closely with stakeholders to ramp up their vaccination rollout. Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 239 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

2,674,814 8,292

98,894

39,660

2,536,260

302

(As of 4 PM, October 11)

Palace: Ressa’s Nobel win proof PH press is free By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz THREE days after journalist and government critic Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Palace issued a terse statement saying her achievement was proof that press freedom was alive in the Philippines. “It’s a victory for a Filipino and we’re very happy for that,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in Monday’s regular briefing. “Press freedom is alive, and the proof is the Nobel Prize awarded to Maria Ressa,” Roque said, in the Palace’s first public comments on the award. Since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016, Ressa and Rappler have faced a series of criminal charges and investigations that media advocates describe as state harassment over their reporting, including stories critical of the government’s bloody war on drugs. Duterte has called Rappler a “fake news outlet,” and Ressa has been the target of several libel cases and abusive messages online.

NO MORE CUTS. Health workers from the Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute hold a ‘lunch break roving picket’ on Monday to condemn the P1-billion budget cut on maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of all government hospitals in the 2022 national budget. Manny Palmero

DOH: It’s real, cases declining; OCTA: Metro winning against Delta

By Willie Casas

THE decline in the number of COVID-19 cases is real, not artificial, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. “We have already confirmed that we are seeing that cases are decreasing based on not just the number of cases but also the number of admissions in our hospitals and the positivity rate,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo. This was as the independent OCTA Research Group said Metro Manila, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Next page

‘Bakunado Panalo’ raffle open to vaxxed Filipinos By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) has launched “Bakunado Panalo,” a text messaging-based raffle open to Filipinos vaccinated against COVID-19. The raffle, sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in collaboration with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), aims to incentivize vaccination against COVID-19 to increase vaccine willingness and

LISTUP RESTARTS. Voter applicants line up outside

Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila on Monday after the Commission on Elections resumed accepting registrations nationwide from October 11 until 31. Norman Cruz

4 ex-Health officials join call to lift ban on Cabinet from Senate probe By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

ban on Cabinet officials from attending the Senate probe into the alleged misuse of multibillion-peso COVID-19 FOUR former health secretaries have response funds. Former Health Secretaries Carmenrallied behind medical groups calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the cita Reodica, Manuel Dayrit, Enrique

Ona Jr, and Esperanza Cabral signed the statement asking Duterte not to “obstruct” Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigations into the alleged overpriced purchase of personal protective equipment by ordering Health

Secretary Francisco Duque III and other government officials to snub the Senate inquiry. Two lawyers’ groups -- the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Next page

Oil prices up for 7th week in a row By Alena Mae S. Flores

P1-BILLION CHECK. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma (2nd from left) turns over a check worth P1 billion to Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Collecting Officer Purita Belgica in a ceremony in Mandaluyong City on Monday. In April, the Department of Finance requested additional dividends from PCSO’s retained earnings from its charity fund for 2019. Joey Razon

THE country’s oil firms raised pump prices for the seventh consecutive week by as much as P1.50 per liter effective 12:01am Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. Chevron Philippines, Inc., PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, Unioil Petroleum Philippines and Cleanfuel announced the latest oil price hike of P1.50 per liter for diesel, P1.45 per liter for

Comelec: More men aspire for elective posts By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Marcelo

kerosene and P1.30 per liter for gasoline. “Effective 12:01AM Oct. 12, 2021, Caltex (CPI) will increase fuel prices of Platinum by P1.30 per liter, Silver by P1.30 per liter, diesel by P1.50 per liter and kerosene by P1.45 per liter,” CPI said in its advisory. Other oil companies are expected to follow suit. Over the weekend, Unioil said it expected diesel to go up by P1.40 to P1.50 per liter and gasoline by P1.20 to P1.30 per liter.

A MAJORITY of the aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for national and local positions during the eight-day filing period are men, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported Monday. Based on the poll body’s latest data, of the 97 filers for president, 78 or 80.41 percent are males while 19.59 percent or 19 are females. A total 29 aspirants have filed for the vice-presidential post, with 23 males or 79.31 percent and six females or 20.69 percent.

News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘More benefits for health workers’ By Maricel V. Cruz

BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives that seeks additional allowances and benefits for health care workers during the pandemic.

“to augment and strengthen these efforts and to properly recognize and compensate our heroes.” “It is imperative to increase the benefits and allowances that our health care workers receive during this public health crisis,” he added. The Vargas bill also sets a fixed monthly COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance for every month served during the state of national emergency in addition to the hazard pay granted under Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers. The bill also gives health care workers monthly Active Hazard Duty Pay, and in case of exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury or disease,

full coverage for all medical expenses by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth). The bill also extends life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals, or their cash equivalent, to health workers on active duty during the pandemic. The benefits under the Vargas bill “shall have retroactive application from July 1, 2021, and shall be exempt from income tax.” The added allowances and benefits cover all healthcare workers “who are engaged in health and health related work in health facilities during the state of public health emergency due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.”

‘Maring’ to exit PAR, threatens Babuyan Islands SEVERE tropical storm Maring is projected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility this morning, the state weather bureau said Monday evening, but “endangers” the Babuyan Islands and will bring heavy rains across some parts of Luzon, the weather bureau said Monday afternoon. Heavy rains are still expected to fall in northern Luzon even as heavy rains are still expected to fall in northern Luzon. In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the state weather bureau said Maring (international name: Kompasu) was last located 105 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center with 115 kph gusts while moving westward at 20 kph. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said strong winds were extending 850 km from the storm’s center. Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the following areas, which could experience damaging gale-force to stormforce winds within 24 hours: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Northern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Gamu, Roxas, Mallig, Quezon), Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Rio N. Araja

Among other key provisions, House Bill 10331, or the Allowances and Benefits for Health Care Workers Act, provides “just compensation” of P1 million in case of a health care worker’s death due to COVID-19 in the line of duty. The bill, authored by Assistant Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas also sets additional benefits of P100,000 in case of severe COVID-19 sickness, and P15,000 in case of mild or

moderate COVID-19 infection. “Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, health care workers have been at the vanguard of protecting the health and welfare of the general public as they risk their lives to serve and provide care especially for COVID-19 infected patients,” Vargas said in the bill’s explanatory note. He said while added benefits are already provided by law, there is a need

DOH:... From A1

UP Diliman grad tops Chemical Engineer exams

the country, was winning against the more infectious Delta variant. OCTA fellow Guido David said the reproduction number, or the number of people one COVID-19 case can infect, was 0.63 in Metro Manila, which was last seen from July 31 to Aug. 6. The COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila, on the other hand, is at 12 percent. According to the DOH COVID-19 tracker as of Oct. 9, the bed occupancy rate in the country was at 56.5 percent or 23,073 out of 40,830 beds were occupied. However, the ICU utilization rate was 70.48 percent or 3,137 out of 4,451 ICU beds. For the past week, the country has been recording fewer than 11,000 coronavirus cases but the DOH had observed that testing output also fell in many regions. As of Oct. 7, there were over 22.8 million fully vaccinated individuals in the country, representing 29.65 percent of the government’s target population, which is more than 77 million. Some 26 million others had received the first dose of the anti-virus jab. Vergeire noted that Metro Manila’s bed and ICU utilization remained high, and its average daily attack rate was at 19.7 percent. ADAR is the number of new cases over a two-week period, divided by the population. The National Capital Region is still under Alert Level 4 until Oct. 15 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Full story on manilastandard.net.

AL CHRISTIAN Regorgo Gobres of University of the Philippines-Diliman has topped the October 2021 Chemical Engineer Licensure Examinations, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Monday. Gobres gained a rating of 84 percent to top the list of 321 out of 679 Chemical Engineering graduates who success-

fully hurdled the examinations. The examination was given by the Board of Chemical Engineering in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi and Lucena this October 2021. The registration for the issuance of a Professional Identification Card (ID) and the Certificate of Registration will be done online from Nov. 15 to 19, the PRC said.

The UP Diliman grad was followed by Jeffrey Sibug Palcone of Adamson University, who got a 83.40 percent rating, and Alister Marc Bangsail Domilies of Saint Louis University, who got a 82.50 percent rating. UP Diliman was also named the top performing school with a 100 percent passing rate.

Vax... From A1

More than 23.1 million people are already fully vaccinated, while nearly 26.5 million others have received their first doses. The Philippines rolled out its vaccination program on March 1, a day after it received its first supply of the anti-coronavirus vaccines. At the Palace, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the government is on track to get herd immunity before the year ends since more than 100 million vaccine doses have been delivered since March. In a press briefing Roque said the continued supply of vaccines coming into the country, especially this October, has made it possible for the national government to expand the vaccination program to the general population and to children ages 12 to 17 years old with comorbidities. “Because of the steady supply of the vaccines, the initial rollout for the people with comorbidities and minors in the NCR will start Oct. 15,” Roque said. The Palace official added that the vaccination of the general population will also begin this month of October, per the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,

as stated in IATF Resolution No. 141. Roque said a shipment of almost 1 million (918,450) doses of Pfizer vaccines arrived on Oct. 10. The shipment is part of the 1.8 million total vaccine doses that were donated by the United States to the Philippines through the COVAX Facility. The remaining 924,300 doses are expected to be delivered later in the day, Roque said. Meanwhile, some 1.3 million doses of Moderna vaccines were also delivered on Saturday, Oct. 9, of which 885,700 doses were purchased by the national government, while 477,600 doses were procured by the private sector. There were also 2,132,140 doses of Moderna vaccines that were delivered on Oct. 8, of which 1,384,280 doses were procured by the national government and 747,860 doses were purchased by the private sector, he added. There are now almost 50 million or 49,673,491 total vaccine doses that have been administered nationwide, according to the Oct. 10, 2021 National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard. Of this number, 23,186,969 or 30.06 percent are fully vaccinated.

Bar Associate -- have also urged the President to recall his memorandum. But the Office of the Solicitor General defended the legality of Duterte’s decision to enjoin Cabinet members and other officials of the Executive department from appearing before the Senate inquiry into the multi-billion-peso purchases of medical supplies as response to the coronavirus disease pandemic. The OSG stressed that the ongoing hearings by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee were “not in aid of legislation” because there is no specific legislative measure that needs enactment by Congress. “For one, there is no reference to a clear and specific piece of legislation that the

investigation seeks to aid. For another, the questions propounded during the hearings do not appear to be relative to and in furtherance of any piece of legislation,” the OSG said, in a statement. “On the contrary, during the hearings, the Senators grill and treat the resource persons worse than criminals. Their obvious intent is to identify persons accountable for alleged irregularities which existing laws already penalize,” it added. Dr. Paulyn Ubial, Duterte’s first DOH chief, has also committed that she would join the call. Other signatories included ex-health undersecretaries and doctors Suzy Pineda, Juan Pablo Nañagas, and Madeleine de Rosas-Valera, and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, among others. The Philippine College of Physicians, in-

cluding its past presidents, signed a strongly worded letter of indignation and call to action addressed to the government. “The PCP, past presidents, and other people who have signed the statement think that the President is actually obstructing the investigation,” said Cabral. Maricar Limpin, president of PCP, assailed the President’s memorandum prohibiting officials and employees of the executive from attending the Blue Ribbon hearings presided by its chairman Sen. Richard Gordon. Limpin stressed that everybody deserved to know the truth and they would reject all efforts for a cover-up. Meanwhile, Limpin and Dr. Tony Leachon, former PCP president, lamented the Philippine Medical Association had not supported their protest. Full story on manilastandard.net.

justments to stand at a total net increase of P16.55 per liter for gasoline, P15 per liter for diesel and P12.74 per liter for kerosene, according to the Department of Energy. Gasoline currently sells from P48.54 to P73. 96 per liter and diesel from P42.15 to P59.37 per liter in the National Capital Region based on latest DOE data. Price depends on brand, location and competitive forces.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi last week called on oil companies to ensure their compliance with the minimum inventory requirements (MIR) amid the global oil supply outlook and forecasted higher world oil prices for the fourth quarter of the year. “I am directing all oil companies in the country to ensure adequate supply and come up with plans to mitigate possible price hikes of oil products

in the coming months,” Cusi said in a statement. “The DOE will continue to closely monitor global oil supply and price movements. As always, we are working with the downstream oil industry players to ensure that all mechanisms are in place to protect our consumers against the impact of such developments as much as possible,” the energy chief said.

Ressa, co-founder of news website Rappler, and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the prize on Friday for their efforts to “safeguard freedom of expression.” Press groups and rights activists have hailed Ressa’s prize as a triumph in a country ranked as one of the world’s most dangerous for journalists. Ressa, 58, said in an interview Saturday that she was still battling seven court cases, including an appeal of a cyber libel conviction, for which she faces up to six years in prison. Two other cyber libel cases were dismissed earlier this year. Ressa, who is also a US citizen, said she hoped the prize would help shield her and other journalists in the Philippines against physical attacks and online threats. “This ‘us against them’ was never the creation of the journalists, it was the creation of the people in power who wanted to use a type of leadership that divides society,” Ressa said. “I hope... this allows journalists to do our jobs well without fear.” Roque denied the government had created a “chilling effect” for media outlets, saying anyone who claimed that “should not be a journalist.” He also rejected suggestions Ressa’s Nobel Prize was “a slap” for the government, insisting “no one has ever been censored in the Philippines.” “Maria Ressa still has to clear her name before our courts,” Roque said, calling her a “convicted felon.” “We leave it to our courts to decide on her fate.” Ressa has gained international recognition for criticizing Duterte’s hardline anti-drug campaign that reportedly killed more than 12,000 people. She is currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, for which she faces up to six years in prison. Ressa said she was “stunned” when she was announced as a winner for the prestigious award. Full story on manilastandard.net.

percent. There are 253 available seats in the lower chamber in next year’s polls. The positions for governors and vice governors are 81 each. Out of the 281 filers for governor, 234 or 83.27 percent are males while 47 or 16.73 percent are females. For vice governor, 183 or 80.97 percent are men while 43 or 19.03 percent are women. For member of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 1,951 candidates are vying for 782 available positions. The number includes 1,570 males (80.47 percent) and 381 females (19.53 percent). For local government units, the positions for mayor and vice-mayor are 1,634 each. A total of 4,486 COCs filed for mayor, 3,592 of whom are males or 80.07 percent and 894 are females or 19.93 percent. Full story on manilastandard.net.

Dominguez... From A1

Dominguez said. He said booster shots might get a regular budget allocation from the government. “I cannot say beyond 2022, but I am sure that the succeeding administration will keep that in mind that these vaccines are really insurance and a necessary input now into the economy,” he said. Last week, Dominguez said the

government was looking to borrow around P45.3 billion ($900 million) from multilateral agencies to fund the purchase of booster shots against the COVID-19 virus. Dominguez said in the national government’s 2022 National Expenditure Program, there is an allocation of P45.3 billion for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots under unprogrammed appropriations.

inoculate as many people as possible,” he said. According to Galvez, the country has more than 36 million COVID-19 vac“With the steady arrival of vaccine doses in its national warehouses, cines, we call on our local leaders and which are scheduled for deployment regional directors to set aside political across the country. differences and focus on our efforts to “There’s no more problem with our

supply. The challenge now is throughput, administration, and demand. That’s why we are calling on the LGUs, the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) included, the mayors, governors, military, and the police force to do better in the vaccination program,” he said.

‘Bakunado... From A1 thank Filipinos for choosing to join the fight against the coronavirus, the DOH said in a statement. The raffle is powered by Zed and major telecom companies, will run from October to December this year, and will give out a total of P3 million in cash prizes. As countries all over the world continue to ramp up their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, the Philippines is not left behind, the Health Department added. However, lawmakers such as Albay Rep. Joey Salceda have said a vaccination incentive, such as an inoculation allowance, and better registration procedures might be better than a raffle to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Oil... From A1 On October 5, the oil companies implemented a price increase in domestic oil products, i.e. P1.45 to P1.50 per liter for gasoline, P2.00 to P2.10 per liter for diesel and P2.05 to P2.10 per liter for kerosene. These resulted in the year-to-date ad-

Comelec:... From A1 Male hopefuls numbering 139 or 78.98 of a total 176 aspirants have filed their COCs for senator while only 37 or 21.02 percent are females. Only 12 senatorial seats will be contested in next year’s polls. For party-list representatives, of the total 1,426 nominees, 1,052 were males or 73.77 percent while females were 374 or 26.23 percent. In the local positions, male aspirants also dominated those who are seeking to be elected in public office. For member of the House of Representatives, a total 733 have filed their respective COCs, 572 are males or 78.04 percent and 161 females or 21.96

ulation has begun or may begin among adults,” Vergeire said. “We call on local governments to designate special or dedicated lanes for senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.,” she said. It is up to local governments whether to open the vaccination for walk-ins or require registration, she added. Logistics are also being prepared for the inoculation of children aged 12 to 17 with health risks, Vergeire said. She assured the public that the government has the capacity to monitor any adverse effects from the vaccination. “We don’t need to worry,” she said in Filipino. “The government will not give the vaccine if it’s bad for children. Let’s remember that if it’s being given, the benefit outweighs the risks.” Almost 86.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the country, as of Sunday, of which, more than 49.6 million have already been administered.

4Fromex-Health... A1

investment in Filipino people’s health. “Without booster shots, I don’t think the economy can safely open. If we don’t have booster shots, we will have ups and downs in our economic recovery program. So, it is really mandatory that we provide vaccines,”

Galvez... From A1

Palace:... From A1

News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Locsin says DFA is going after passport fixers

‘COA should look into P5B housing funds’

By Rey E. Requejo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Risa Hontiveros urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to track the more than P5 billion collected from private housing developers in compliance with the Urban Development and Housing Act. The senator noted that out of the P5 billion—the total in escrow accounts under various names—P1.8 billion was reportedly spent by former Usec. Christopher Lloyd Lao during his 2018-2019 stint in the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and hundreds of millions could not be accounted for when he left HLURB. “I urge COA to look into this matter and immediately, and I urge DHSUD to cooperate without hesitation,” Hontiveros said. Hontiveros said when Lao was serving as CEO and commissioner of the HLURB, there was a “scheme” in which private developers gave a certain amount or “fee” for an expresslane alternative to their compliance with the requirements of the Balanced Housing Development Program Law. Under the said law, developers are mandated to allot a portion of their projects to socialized housing. She expressed her confusion over the fact that Lao was able to spend P1.8 billion “without the formal and documented knowledge of the agency.” According to Hontiveros, the scheme may also have been against the law as the funds raised and placed in escrow accounts with banks are only one-fourth of the amount stated in the law. If the law had been followed, the private sector would have created up to P20 billion in socialized housing units and this would have been a huge addition to the very small budget provided by the Department of Budget to housing agencies.

NICA: Communist groups extorting millions anew in poll-related schemes

EVIDENCE. Members of the Manila Police District gather evidence after a group of armed robbers shot and killed a businessman inside a store along Singalong Street in Manila. Norman Cruz

‘Prosecute’ suspect in Ambrocio death, US urged By Vito Barcelo

ALACAÑANG has urged the United States government to “investigate” and “prosecute” the alleged killer of Filipina nurse Maria Ambrocio in Times Square, New York City. “We call upon the US government to do what is incumbent upon any state where there is a killing,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press brieﬁng. Roque made the call following the death of 58-year-old Ambrocio, who is a health frontliner from Bayonne, New Jersey. All victims of violations of the right to life are entitled to a speedy domestic remedy, Roque said, eferring to the assault on Ambrocio by the homeless man, identiﬁed as Jermaine Foster, who was said to be mentally disturbed. Ambrocio had been on life support for

the head trauma she sustained after she was knocked down by Foster, 26, near Times Square. Ambrocio was walking with a fellow Filipino near Times Square after visiting the Philippine Consulate General when she was struck by the suspect who was reportedly being chased after grabbing a mobile phone from someone. According to a police report, Foster ﬁrst grabbed the mobile phone of a 29-yearold woman along West 41st Street and Broadway and then collided with Ambrocio, knocking the latter down as he ﬂed. The Philippine Consulate General in New York meanwhile called on authori-

By Willie Casas INTELLIGENCE reports obtained by National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) revealed that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) are extorting millions of pesos from politicians who wish to campaign and win in areas that the communist groups control, a statement from the PresiÍdential Task Force on Media Security said on Monday. The CPP-NPA-NDF is said to be making the collections through “permit to campaign” and “permit to win” schemes. According to NICA Deputy Director-General Abelardo Villacorta during the weekly virtual press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), for them to be able to campaign during elections, “the amount of P2 to P4 million must be paid by candidates vying for gubernatorial and congressional positions; P1 to P2 million for vice gubernatorial positions.” City mayors must shell out P500,000 to P 1 million, and councilors from P500,000 to P800,000, Villacorta added. Villacorta said 60 percent of the collections go to the CPP national organization while the remaining 40 percent will be used locally by the NPA to fund their terrorist activities. The official also revealed that the CPP-NPA-NDF will sometimes use “barangay officials as their negotiators” for extortions. The communist groups, Villacorta added, are now planning to get hold of presidential candidates whom they should support for some sort of “alliance building.”

ties to make streets safer following the assault. “We grieve with the family of our kababayan Maria Ambrocio, a health frontliner, who died from her injuries after she was knocked down by a homeless man near Philippine Consulate General in New York on Friday,” Consul General Elmer Cato said in a Twitter post. Ambrocio suffered head trauma and fought for her life for a day and a half at Bellevue Hospital. She was an oncology nurse at the Bayonne Medical Center in the state of New Jersey. “At 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Filipino Community] will hold a memorial mass for Maria Ambrocio at the St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street,” Cato said. He also urged Filipinos around the world to pray all together for the eternal repose of Ambrocio’s soul and for a safer New York.

MORE VACCINES.

An Emirates airline carrying 924,300 doses of the Pfizer vaccine landed at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday. Government officials were at the airport to welcome the arrival of the additional vaccines. Avito Dalan

DOH willing to compare notes with OCTA—Vergerie By Maricel V. Cruz DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) ofﬁcials on Monday said they are willing to sit with OCTA Research to come up with comprehensive and accurate data on COVID-19. At a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department is willing to coordinate with the independent research group “to discuss and align our assumptions, the models being used, and the public announce-

ments so that there will be no confusion among the public.” Vergerie made the statement in answer to the question of Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera if the DOH and OCTA would collaborate on COVID-19 metrics and projections. “Maybe the ﬁrst thing we should do is to compare notes with OCTA to talks and to align the assumptions being used to determine where we can have an alignment and then after that, we can discuss on these public announcements to avoid confusion among the public,” Vergeire said.

“We are always open to sit and discuss with them the things that need to be ﬂagged concerning the pandemic,” Vergeire added. Herrera cited the need for coordination between the two “so that the data which would be released to the public would be transparent.” Ranjit Rye, an OCTA Research fellow, said the group would continue working with the DOH. “We are in complete agreement with Usec. Vergeire. We’re working with her and the team. We will continue to work with them and if there’s a way that we can do early warning because that’s really what OCTA does, monitoring early warning,” Rye said.

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Monday assured the public, particularly those having difficulties in securing their passports, that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is going after “fixers” in the department. “Rest assured that the DFA is running after fixers,” Locsin said in his Twitter account. Locsin made the statement after a concerned individual informed the DFA chief of an alleged modus of some employees within the agency, including those who have already retired from service. The concerned netizen alleged that there is a “syndicate” of fixers within the agency who charge Filipinos unreasonable fees ranging from P2,500 to P3,500 for a slot and speedy processing of a passport. The concerned citizen urged Locsin to order an investigation into the passport-fixing scheme. Locsin also said the DFA will be opening more temporary offsite passport services (TOPS) located in malls in Metro Manila and other regions to accommodate the influx of applicants for passports. On October 6, the DFA announced that six TOPS located in malls in Metro Manila will continue to operate until December 2021 to handle increasing passports appointments. The six TOPS are located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Aura, Robinsons Place Las Pinas, Robinsons Place Magnolia, and Ayala Glorietta 3. “The department is also working to open more TOPS sites in other regions of the Philippines to serve more Filipinos living outside Metro Manila who need a passport,” the DFA said. Locsin also encouraged the public to follow the DFA’s and Foreign Undersecretary Brigido Dulay’s social media account to be updated where the sites are.

Lawmakers file resolution honoring Gascon for human rights leadership By Maricel V. Cruz A RESOLUTION citing the “courage and unwavering resolve” of the late Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights “to pursue and assert the mandates of the Commission” has been ﬁled at the House of Representatives. Gascon succumbed to COVID-19 on October 9, at age 57. Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun, who ﬁled the resolution on Monday, said Gascon faced “forbidding challenges to human rights in the country and pernicious attacks against his person and the institution.” The CHR came under attack in 2017 when 119 congressmen during the budget deliberations voted to give the CHR a measly P1,000 budget. Only 32 House lawmakers opposed the unfair allocation, one of them was Fortun. “…Chairman Chito was an untiring leader of the civil society and a constant light bearer at the forefront of countless collaborations and initiatives for the promotion and advancement of freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, transparent and accountable governance, and peace,” the resolution reads. “Pananaig ng Batas, Katarungan, at Karapatang Pantao and mga prinsipyong buong buhay ipinaglaban ni (Majesty of the law, justice and human rights are the principles that) Chairman Chito (fought for throughout his life),” Fortun said.

Villar pushes for ‘Brigada Eskwela’ home gardening program By Macon Ramos-Araneta

INSPECTION. Department of Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo inspects the minimum public health standard implemented at a fitness and health club center in SM Aura in Taguig City on Monday. Danny Pata

SEN. Cynthia A. Villar is urging the public to support the “Brigada Eskwela” program of the Department of Education (DepEd). Part of the program is promoting the “Gulayan sa Tahanan” or “Urban Vegetable Gardening at Home” activity, which Villar will be supporting by distributing seedlings of various vegetable seeds to schools all over the country. “This is my humble way of joining the ‘Brigada Eskwela,’ by giving them seeds and organic fertilizers from my composting and vermicomposting facilities which they can plant in the school compounds,” Villar, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture and food said.

The “Brigada Eskwela” will start this year, and aside from promoting sustainable food supply the program also stakeholders to communicate on how they can support the school during emergencies. Villar has also ﬁled various bills in the Senate to bring back school-based vegetable gardening or the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” activity. She ﬁled Senate Bill No. 147 or the Instructional Gardens Act, which mandates the establishment of instructional gardens in all elementary and secondary schools, public or private, making it a requirement for the creation and issuance of permits for schools. The bill aims to institutionalize the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” program to pro-

mote health awareness, good nutrition, and help curb malnutrition. As a proponent of vegetable gardening or backyard farming, the senator said she is happy that Filipinos now have a better appreciation and increased interest in growing their food during the ongoing community quarantines due to COVID-19. According to Villar, everybody needs to be productive while following the government’s “stay at home” policy to avoid getting infected with the virus. “By growing your food, you can be assured of having nutritious foods on the table while contributing to the country’s food sufﬁciency and sustainability,” she said.

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Leni warned against unity talks with Isko—Trillanes THE camp of former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has warned Vice President Leni Robredo against pursuing a partnership with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso even before the start of the so-called unity talks with other possible presidential bets. Trillanes said the Magdalo group, which he heads, profiled the personalities whom Robredo will have to talk to for a possible unified opposition candidate. “That’s precisely the reason why we were sounding the alarm bells when VP Leni considered to unite or align with Mayor Isko. We saw it as a danger zone,” Trillanes said. Trillanes earlier accused Domagoso of showing Robredo his “true face” after calling Robredo a “fake leader.” Domagoso’s public attack against the Vice President came after the hashtag #WithdrawIsko trended on Twitter after Robredo announced she is joining the presidential race. The Manila mayor questioned Robredo’s goal of unifying the country when she allegedly could not unify her own Liberal Party after filing her certificate of candidacy as an independent candidate. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Isko’s ‘Bilis Kilos’ governance agenda reaps wide support Edgardo Ramirez, office executive director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and lead convenor of the Christians for Peace Movement, gestures while delivering his speech during a strategic planning at Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City. Mark Navales

Palace: BARMM elections likely to be reset to 2025 P RESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said he expects the rescheduling of the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Roque said that instead of 2022, the BARMM polls may be reset to 2025. “I know that both Houses (of Congress) have passed this [measure]. So, there is no impediment for it to become law. It becomes a law if the President

does not sign it within a certain number of days,” he said. House Bill 10121 proposing to postpone the elections for three years was approved on September 15, a week after the Senate passed its version. The bill aims to give the next President the power to appoint the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). “For me, it would be smooth. I think the elections will really be postponed and the members of the BARMM will be appointed by the President,” said Roque. The BTA is the provisional law-making body of the BARMM, which is currently under a transition phase.

The transition plan is set to be completed in 2022 in time for the election of new regional officials and coinciding with the local and national polls on May 9. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted activities, including the third decommissioning phase. Some 12,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants have been decommissioned during the second phase of the normalization track that ran from August 2019 to March 2020. The normalization process includes not just the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons but also the transformation of several camps into productive and resilient communities.

Chavit withdraws bid for Ilocos Sur vice governor, gives way to son INCUMBENT Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson on Monday formally ended a possible face-off against a family member in next year’s polls, withdrawing his candidacy for vice governor in favor of his son, Governor Ryan Luis Singson. As he backed out from the race, Chavit’s daughter-in-law, Patricia Savellano-Singson, Ryan’s wife, likewise withdrew her certificate of candidacy for governor in favor of Jerry Singson, Chavit’s elder brother. With this development, Chavit Singson Jerry and Ryan Luis will run unopposed for governor and vice governor, respectively, in next year’s polls. “I am very grateful to everybody. I’m happy that Gov. Ryan and Ronald are now talking with each other. Let’s forget everything for the sake of the family,” the Singson patriarch said in a Facebook live video after he filed his withdrawal certificate at the Comelec provincial office. Singson admitted there had been some misunderstandings within the family circle which led to family members vying for the same position. Meanwhile, Ronald Singson, another son of Chavit, is running against reelectionist district representative Deogracias Victor Savellano, Patricia’s father and Ryan’s father-in-law. It is not yet known, however, if either one of the two will also back out for the sake of family relations.

SUPPORT for Aksyon Demokratiko presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso continued to snowball as he rolled out his 10-point “Bilis Kilos” agenda of governance. Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel said Domagoso “has a proven track record as an executive compared to the rest of the field.” “Why would Isko withdraw? Clearly, he is the more winnable and as much qualified to lead us out of this pandemic and the bad economic condition we are in. It’s high time that we all focus on the sad flight of the Filipinos and our country,” Ramel said. Political strategist Angelito Banayo, who heads the Manila mayor’s campaign team, said Domagoso and his running Domagoso mate, Doc Willie Ong, are campaigning on a people-centered platform and not based on the call of a few people or interest groups. Banayo said the10-point “Bilis Kilos” agenda of governance was mainly based on the many accomplishments of Domagoso as Manila mayor, which include the construction of mass housing for the poor of Baseco, Tondo and Binondo; the construction of a COVID-19 field hospital and a new Ospital ng Maynila; providing free antigen testing and free Remdisivir and Tocilizumab for COVID patients; and the continuous delivery of boxes of ayuda to residents. Rey E. Requejo

Marcos hails Aussie lifting of curbs on PH pineapples PARTIDO Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the decision of the Australian government to lift its anti-dumping measures on Philippine canned pineapples is a good development for Filipino farmers as they can finally export their products to the country after 15 years. Marcos said such development will not only strengthen the country’s pineapple sector but also the trade relations between the Philippines and Australia. The presidential aspirant said this would be beneficial to farmers, especially those in Northern Mindanao, the region being the leading pineapple producer in the country. Marcos Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Northern Mindanao accounted for 48.6 percent of the total pineapple production for the second quarter of 2021. Since the Philippines is the second largest producer of pineapples worldwide, Marcos said the increase in demand will result in an increase in earnings for local farmers. The PSA said in its annual report that pineapple was the most lucrative agricultural commodity in 2020, after recording a 526-percent return on investment (ROI) which is the highest among the 27 local farm and fish products in the country.

‘Serious’ prexy bet Dela Rosa willing to be replaced by Sara

AYUDA. Over 3,000 families in Navotas have received the second tranche of their emergency subsidy under the Bayanihan 1 Social Amelioration Program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)–National Capital Region, in coordination with the city government, started the distribution of the P5,000 cash assistance. Jojo Rabulan

Mamba seeks reelection as Cagayan governor with nephew as running mate

WHILE insisting that he is serious in running for president, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa on Monday said he is “very much willing” to withdraw his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. “Indeed, I will fight,” said Dela Rosa, adding that he has a fighting chance at winning in the 2022 national elections given his strong showing in the 2019 senatorial race where he placed fifth. “How big [a fighting chance], I can’t say, but still, I believe in my heart I have a chance,” he said. “I come with a clean heart – that is my best weapon. I am very much qualified. I am sincere. I am not plastic. I Dela Rosa can face all the risks [that come with the position].” But if the Davao Mayor agrees to be a substitute bet, Dela Rosa he will happily give way. “If she accepts the PDP-Laban offer to become our standard bearer, by all means, I will withdraw,” he said. “Very much willing [to withdraw]. Her winnability is so high and her capacity to lead is beyond question. But if she refuses, [then] I am a serious candidate,” Dela Rosa said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Ka Leody: Automatic voter registration for 18 and above

Gov. Manuel Mamba

By Jessica Bacud TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan— Governor Manuel Mamba filed his Certificate of Candidacy for reelection at the local office of the Commission on Elections here. Mamba is running under the Nacionalist Party with his nephew, Francisco “Franco” P. Mamba III, the eldest son of Tuao Mayor Francisco N. Mamba Jr., as vice governor. A physician by profession, Mamba is

Franco Mamba III

seeking his last term as governor of the province. “I have this vision for Cagayan province as a place to be proud of, a livable and peaceful locale to live in and a progressive locality,” he said. Under his CAGANDA 2025 program of governance, Mamba seeks to achieve the concreting of all provincial roads in Cagayan as well as connecting the towns and barangays through roadworks and bridges, among others.

LEODY de Guzman, the presidential candidate of Partido Lakas ng Masa party and the broader coalition Laban ng Masa, on Monday welcomed the extension of voter registration to October 30, but said the people should not be burdened by such bureaucratic procedures in the exercise of their constitutional rights. “Although the extension of voter registration will help to include more voters in the 2022 elections, voter registration should not be required,” he said. Voter registration, De Guzman said, is automatic in countries such as Israel, Chile, Argentina, and Hungary, among others. “It should be automatic that upon reaching 18 years of age, you become a voter. It should not be difDe Guzman ficult to exercise your right,” he added. A former garments worker and a veteran labor leader, De Guzman also asked employers to give paid leaves for workers on daily wage arrangements to be able to register, given that the Commission on Elections only set registration on working days. “I am saddened that many workers on no-work, no-pay arrangements would not be able to register,” he said.

Opinion Unseen hands at work vs BBM olition job against BBM. Some 35 years after the so-called EDSA “People’s Power” uprising, they still have the late President Marcos to blame for the Philippine society’s ills. Five presidents since the Martial Law strongman fled to Hawaii without shedding blood on EDSA, Marcos is still to blame. The Marcos children and grandchildren, particularly BBM, are now taking the blame for the horror stories parroted by thousands of “victims of Martial Law” who now demand reparation for being detained and tortured by the military. Martial law actually lasted only nine years from September 21, 1972 to January 17, 1981.

WITH the filing of certificates of candidacy over, now we know for certain who are duking it out in the upcoming 2022 elections notwithstanding the possibility of substitution until November 15. Inday Sara has repeatedly ruled out subbing as administration standard bearer, rejecting vying for the post which everybody else is dying to win as she intends to complete a third term as Davao City mayor. She is adamant in leading her hometown to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as Davao City remains its epicenter in Mindanao.

BBM was 15 and I was eight when Marcos imposed Proclamation 1081. Four months later, on January 17, 1973 international druglord Lim Seng alias Gan Suo So was executed by a firing squad in Fort Bonifacio. It was filmed and shown on television. Lim was the first and last convict executed by musketry but left an indelible mark of what Marcos called a “smiling Martial Law.” Until I reached college, I would say that despite widespread poverty, peace and order prevailed but it was after the lifting of Martial Law that the real horror stories began. Mass actions, particularly at Mendiola gateway to Malacañang, were a daily occurrence fueled by the assassination of former Senator Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983. I was already a beat reporter for the newspaper Malaya during the EDSA “People’s Power” uprising led by Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile. It was after Marcos left and the 30 years that followed EDSA that we lived through the nightmare of mass killings, commonly called “salvages,” known now as “extra-judicial killings (EJK). The Hacienda Luisita massacre and the Mendiola massacre took place during the term of Cory Aquino and so did the 1987 ambush-slaying of Leann Alejandro, chairman of the communist League of Filipino Students (LFS). It was during Noynoy Aquino’s time that Congress shamelessly caused the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona after the Supreme Court decided to award Hacienda Luisita lands to the farmers. Jonas Burgos, son of veteran journalist and publisher of Malaya Joe Burgos, was abducted allegedly by the military in 2007. The young activist has never been found until now. It was also during Cory Aquino’s administration that government officials feasted on “pork barrel”, namely the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and later on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) fund. Rampant corruption gripped most government agencies. Following the United States military bases pullout in 1992, Chinese incursion into the West Philippine Sea began. After Marcos fled, mayhem followed over three decades under the reign of oligarchs, trapos, warlords, drug lords, and gambling lords. But, they would rather harp on the Martial Law “horror stories” just to spoil BBM’s vision for the Filipino people.

These people choose to harp on the socalled horror stories of the past. The mayor herself and her family have not been spared from contracting the disease. She is in isolation now after testing positive for COVID-19 last weekend. Davao City Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte earlier had it one after the other recently. At age 43, Inday Sara can easily shake off the mild symptoms of COVID-19. Confidently young, she has a lot of time to showcase her leadership abilities and prove she has more than just the Duterte charisma to catapult her to the presidency. With Inday Sara out, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has emerged as the frontrunner in the presidential race and is being attacked like he never was since returning to Philippine politics. The Marcos charisma apparently still draws strong support from Filipinos who lived through the Martial Law years, the baby boomers and Gen-X. Why, BBM’s charisma even appeals to millenials and those belonging to the so-called Generation Z. Anti-Marcos personalities and Martial Law critics cannot accept the fact that Filipinos today embrace the vision that BBM offers. The naysayers are up in arms against what they describe as a “historical revisionism” that goes with the Marcoses’ resurrection in local politics. They have been silent throughout BBM’s successive stints in the House of Representatives (1992-1995, 2007-2010), as Ilocos Norte governor (1998-2007), and as senator (2010-2016). After being “robbed” of his supposed victory as vice president in the 2016 elections, BBM is running for president with the Solid North behind him and with more supporters in the Visayas and Mindanao. It was not until he came knocking on the door of Malacañang that the anti-Marcos minions came back like zombies, raising hell over BBM’s run in the upcoming elections. Some unseen hands are apparently orchestrating the black propaganda and dem-

Bongbong-Sara in the end SANTA Banana, I have been a journalist for more than seven decades, and I must confess I have never seen a local and national election as crowded as this one! I don’t know if my figures are correct, but as far as those vying for President and for Vice President, there are no more than 30, and my gulay, those running for the Senate are now 92. Those who have filed for the partylist contest were 192 as of the latest count!

Politicians are known for doublespeak. It is looking like a circus. They say that those running are in it for the love of the country. But, as I see it, many of them are running for something else, my gulay! In the presidential race, I can only count five who are running because they believe they can really help the country. They are Senator Ping Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, former Senator Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Leni Robredo. Those running for Vice President and

Senate President Tito Sotto, partylist Rep. Lito Atienza, Dr. Willie Ong and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. I have not listed the vice presidential running mate of Bongbong Marcos, but it looks like it will be Senator Christophere Lawrence “Bong” Go. Smart choice. If I were allowed to add to my list those I believe are worthy, they are Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda and all the reelectionists. For me it would be good to have former Vice President Jojo Binay, former Vice President Noli de Castro, former Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Senator Leila de Lima. My gulay, the senatorial race is certainly crowded. If I had not listed all the reelectionists, I beg your pardon. But, I know in the senatorial race like we have now, name recall will be a significant factor. There is also former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano who will try to make a comeback for the Senate. Clearly, former senators and entertainers have an edge. It’s both good and bad. Good, because there are more names to choose from, and bad because with the plurality of candidates, people cannot make the right choice. As I said, voters will just rely on name recall —not the best way to choose your next leader. From what I have heard, the presidential race will be a close one between Bongbong Marcos and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

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EDITORIAL

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

FILIPINO winning the Nobel Peace Prize would normally be cause for celebration. If this administration could celebrate the Olympic gold of a weightlifter and the victories of a pro-boxing senator, citing the pride they brought to the nation, why was there reluctance from the Palace to acknowledge a journalist who became the first Filipino to win the Nobel prize? Indeed, it was only three days after Maria Ressa, co-founder of the online news service Rappler, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside a Russian journalist, that the loquacious Palace spokesman grudgingly acknowledged the feat, using the award to say that press freedom was alive in the country. Prior to this, the only official acknowledgment came by way of a post on Twitter by the similarly loquacious Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who paid Ressa a backhanded compliment by saying she was “lucky” and that his former boss, the late President Cory Aquino, could have had that honor were it not for infighting among her allies. It is no secret, of course, that President Rodrigo Duterte despises Ressa, barring Rappler reporters from covering his events and attacking the news service as a purveyor of fake news for its critical coverage of his bloody war on drugs, which has taken thousands of lives. The government has also harassed Rap-

The Palace reluctantly breaks its silence. pler with accusations of illegal foreign ownership and tax evasion. It has also facilitated the filing of libel charges against Ressa— with the Justice Department extending the liability period of libel claims from one to 12 years to enable a businessman to sue her for a story published in 2012. She was later convicted on this charge, but has filed an appeal. In contrast to Malacañang, the Kremlin had issued a congratulatory statement to Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov almost on the day he was announced a winner, even though his newspaper Novaya Gazeta has been critical of the Russian authorities. “We can congratulate Dmitry Muratov,” a

Kremlin spokesman said. “He persistently works in accordance with his own ideals, he is devoted to them, he is talented, he is brave.” Not quite the presidential medal of merit, but it was an acknowledgment, nonetheless. Locsin was right, of course—Ressa was indeed lucky. By a simple twist of fate, she now joins the ranks of other Nobel laureates such as Barack Obama in 2009, Al Gore in 2007, Jimmy Carter in 2002, Kofi Annan in 2001, Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres in 1994, Nelson Mandela in 1993, Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990, and the Dalai Lama in 1989. All this because the Duterte administration did not understand or could not tolerate the role of media in society, and sought instead to silence a journalist by persecuting her and her organization. Ressa, perhaps, would not have had to exhibit the courage she did had they not gone after her hammer and tongs. It is tempting to imagine a gaggle of Palace officials in conference, wondering how to solve a problem like Maria. If they are at loss for words, perhaps they can simply cut and paste the remarks from the Kremlin. Or maybe they should take a victory lap and do what one clueless administration supporter did, by saying, Nobel Prize winners: Aquino, 0, Duterte 1. They are, after all, ultimately responsible for giving Ressa the opportunity to show her courage.

ICC jurisdiction over Duterte crimes organizations and media reports, communications from organizations received under Article 15(1) and (2) of the Statute, and official documents, which the Prosecutor further expounded into the two categories including: First, the killings committed during official law enforcement anti-drug operations, such as — 1. during purported ‘buy-bust’ operations, 2. killings during purported ‘Tokhang’ operations (police visits to drug suspects at their homes in order to urge them to abandon their involvement with drugs and to surrender to the police), 3. killings in the context of ‘One Time, Big Time’ operations, 4. killings in other official operations, such as at checkpoints, during patrols or during search or arrest operations, and, 5. killings of persons acknowledged to be in police custody or detention.

AT THE onset, I would like to mention that the Chamber decision lifts heavily from and quotes extensively Prosecutor Fatua Bensouda’s submissions as found in her Request for Investigation, to signify its agreement to the Prosecutor’s findings and observations as stated in her Request for investigation. As such, the reader will notice that many portions of the Chamber decision reflect the Prosecutor’s submissions, findings and observations unless the Chamber decides to inject its own evaluation and assessment on certain matters under consideration. Aside from the procedural aspect which we introduced in the first segment of this series, the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber also touches on its jurisdiction over the cases levelled by Prosecutor Fatua Bensouda against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of the war on drugs. The Chamber agrees with the Prosecutor that the crime, as alleged by the Prosecutor against President Duterte, is the crime against humanity of murder. How is this crime defined in the Rome Statute? Under Article 7(1)(a) of the Statute, a crime against humanity involves “any of the specified acts that are listed (‘underlying acts’) when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack (‘contextual elements’).” The Chamber notes that the “Prosecution provides a reasonable basis to believe that, between at least 1 July 2016 and 16 March 2019, members of Philippine security forces and other, often associated, perpetrators deliberately killed thousands of civilians suspected to be involved in drug activities. According to the Prosecutor, the relevant killings can be grouped into two broad categories: (i) those perpetrated during official law enforcement anti-drug operations or in closely related contexts; and (ii) those perpetrated outside of official operations.” The Chamber also takes into account the materials submitted by non-governmental

For vice president, it will also be a toss up between Bong Go and Senate President Tito Sotto. Go has done a lot with his Malasakit Center initiatives and what he has been doing to help distressed people during typhoons. With the support of Ilocanos for Bongbong, it will be Bong Go. The Bongbong-Bong Go tandem, to my mind, is as good as a Bongbong-Sara combination - a North and South team up, geographically and demographically speaking. When Filipinos vote a North and South combination, it is considered perfect. I was not surprised by the late filing of the COC of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for the presidency accompanied by

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

The Chamber decision lifts heavily from and quotes extensively Prosecutor Fatua Bensouda’s submissions. Included under the second category are the killings outside of official law enforcement operations which, as alleged by the Prosecutor, are killings where “there is information of a link to the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign, as ‘the perpetrators of such killings appear to include law enforcement officers who sought to conceal their true identity, private actors who coordinated with and were paid by the police, and in some cases other private individuals or groups instigated to act by the government’s [‘war on drugs’] campaign and statements by President Rodrigo Duterte calling for drug suspects to be killed’. Moreover, the Prosecutor alleges that the victim profile, motives and modus operandi indicate that there is a link to the so-called ‘war on

the Energy Secretary of Cusi-wing of the PDP-Laban. To my mind, it is for some strategy purpose in the case of Sara Duterte-Carpio, who I still believe will eventually run for vice president with Marcos as President. While Sara claims she is for reelection as Davao City mayor, knowing Philippine politics as it is, when politicians say one thing, you can expect another. Politicians are known for doublespeak. You may be wondering why I have not included 1Sambayan candidate Leni Robredo. It is simply because poll surveys continue to place her at the bottom of the heap of presidential wannabes. At this point, Robredo’s chances are considered nil.

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drugs’ campaign,” the Chamber adds. The Chamber further states that, “the supporting material provided by the Prosecutor sustains at this stage of the proceedings the submission that persons were killed by Philippine security forces or by other persons in execution of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign after 1 July 2016. Killings as part of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ were also referred to in the vast majority of the victims’ representations received xxx.” On the killings during ‘buy-bust’ operations, the Chamber reiterates the Prosecutor’s discussion in the Request, citing Article 15(3), mentioning a number of specific scenarios in which killings occurred. The Chamber takes into account the Prosecutor’s allegation that, “the first of these are killings during ‘buy-bust’ operations, defined and regulated in the police manual on anti-illegal drugs operations. Essentially, ‘buy-bust’ operations involve a ‘poseur buyer’ engaging in a transaction with a drug suspect, for the purpose of effecting an arrest.” Also mentioned are concrete examples of killings provided by the Prosecutor that allegedly occurred during Tokhang operations, killings during so-called ‘One Time, Big Time’ operations as well as killings during other official operations. At this point, the Chamber again touches on the consistent claim of self-defence by security forces noting that the claim is discredited by the systematic existence of “contradicting accounts of the killings, centering on the question of whether there existed in each case circumstances justifying the use of lethal force by the Philippine security forces.” By way of example, the Chamber notes that the “Philippine security forces have acknowledged that persons were killed during anti-drug operations, but have consistently claimed that the deaths resulted from officers acting in self-defense. Website: tonylavina.com deantonylavs Twitter: tonylav

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China-US row to shape climate future

ASHINGTON—Global momentum is building on the climate crisis but action will be impossible without two nations, China and the United States, which together account for more than half of emissions— and whose governments don’t get along.

Ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, experts believe that breakthrough US-China cooperation could be the catalyst for a historic agreement on climate change—but also that frosty ties between Washington and Beijing are not, so to speak, the end of the world.

Both nations have stepped up efforts to curb emissions, although analysts say that actions are far too modest to meet a UN-backed goal of keeping the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and avoiding the worst effects of climate change.

“If the national governments of China and the US are not able to agree on anything of substance, I think there may well be room for serious action anyway, because both countries are able and willing to do a lot on their own,” said Mary Nichols, who led major climate initiatives as chair of the California Air Resources Board. “But that doesn’t mean that it’s irrelevant,” she said. “Without an explicit agreement, other countries will be reluctant to act.” US President Joe Biden’s administration has described Beijing as his coun-

try’s top long-term challenge and raised pressure on concerns from human rights to Taiwan to trade but has sought engagement on climate. “It is not a mystery that China and the US have many differences. But on climate, cooperation—it is the only way to break free from the world’s current mutual suicide pact,” John Kerry, the US climate envoy, said in a recent speech. ‘Race to top’? Kerry has traveled twice to China despite a chill in relations. But on his latest visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a warning.

US, UK warn citizens of threat to Kabul hotels KABUL—The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Monday to avoid hotels in Afghanistan, days after dozens were killed at a mosque in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The Taliban, which seized power in August and declared an Islamic emirate, are seeking international recognition and assistance to avoid a humanitarian disaster and ease Afghanistan’s economic crisis. But, as the hardline Islamist group transitions from a rebel army to a governing power, they are struggling to contain the threat from the Afghanistan chapter of IS. “US citizens who are at or near the Serena Hotel should leave immediately,” the US State Department said, citing “security threats” in the area. “In light of the increased risks you are advised not to stay in hotels, particularly in Kabul (such as the Serena Hotel),” Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added. Since the Taliban takeover, many foreigners have left Afghanistan, but some journalists and aid workers remain in the capital. The well-known Serena, a luxury hotel popular with business travellers and foreign guests, has twice been the target of attacks by the Taliban. In 2014, just weeks before the presidential election, four teenage gunmen with pistols hidden in their socks managed to penetrate several layers of security, killing nine people, including an AFP journalist and members of his family. In 2008, a suicide bombing left six dead. In August, during a chaotic evacuation of foreign nationals and at-risk Afghans, NATO countries issued a chorus of warnings about an imminent threat, telling people to stay away from Kabul airport. Hours later, a suicide bomber detonated in a crowd gathered around one of the airport gates, killing scores of civilians and 13 American troops. AFP

Swap for food: Russian bootleg liquor kills 34

STILL ERUPTING. A man observes as the Cumbre Vieja volcano spews lava, ash and smoke, in Los Llanos de Aridane, in the

Canary Island of La Palma on October 10. It has been almost three weeks since La Cumbre Vieja began erupting, forcing 6,000 people from their homes as the lava scorched its way across 1,200 acres of land. Earlier on October 9, part of the volcano’s cone collapsed, sending new rivers of lava pouring down the slopes towards an industrial zone. AFP

Blackmail and scandal: Ex-top cop goes on trial in Spain MADRID—Notorious former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo, whose revelations have shaken Spain’s political and business elite to the core, goes on trial this week for blackmail and corruption. Over the last few years, dozens of powerful businessmen, high-ranking civil servants, ministers, and magistrates have been tainted by scandals involving this feared former policeman at the heart of the so-called “sewers of state”. With an air of mystery, a grey goatee and a beret perched on his bald head, Villarejo, 70, is accused of secretly recording conversations with the rich and powerful to either blackmail or discredit them on behalf of other prestigious clients. Although Villarejo is implicated in multiple cases, Wednesday’s trial will look at just three, all of which involve businessmen suspected of using his services to spy

on both colleagues and competitors. The trial, which will be held in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid, at the Audiencia Nacional, Spain’s top criminal court, is expected to continue until January. But many others are on the docket in this sprawling, complex investigation known as “the Villarejo case”, including some which have drawn even more media attention for their scandalous nature. “This first trial will be important for establishing the credibility of the Spanish judicial system,” said Manuel Bravo Perez, who co-wrote a book on the Villarejo case. “People are waiting with bated breath to see what happens during the trial,” he told AFP. ‘Corrupt copper’ If convicted for these first three of-

fences, Villarejo could face 109 years in jail, if prosecutors get their way. But the ex-police chief will attend the trial as a free man since the court lifted his pre-trial detention in March, after serving three years behind bars at a Madrid prison. Born into a modest family in the southern Andalusia region, Villarejo was “what you might call a ‘corrupt copper’—corrupt because he set up a private consulting business while he was still very much part of the police,” explained Bravo Perez. Several heavyweights of Spanish finance and industry have been accused of using his services, such as former head of BBVA bank Francisco Gonzalez or Ignacio Galan, chief executive of Spain’s top energy firm Iberdrola. AFP

1 dead, 17 hurt in Chile as cops clash with Mapuche indigenous protesters

BLAST MEMORIAL. People hold placards and portraits of victims during a rally to mark six years since a twin suicide attacks, in which 104 people died, in Istanbul on Sunday. On October 10, 2015, 104 people were killed in Turkey’s capital Ankara in explosions, which targeted activists during a peace rally organized by leftist and proKurdish opposition groups. AFP

SANTIAGO—One person died and 17 others were injured Sunday as riot police clashed with protesters in the Chilean capital during a rally by the indigenous Mapuche community. About a thousand activists -- many wearing ponchos and traditional headbands, and playing ceremonial drums -- marched near Plaza Italia in the center of Santiago, demanding autonomy for the Mapuche. When police moved in to disperse the protest with water cannon and tear gas, protesters responded with sticks and stones in a confrontation that lasted about 40 minutes, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. “A hooded group constantly attacked the police with fireworks”, said Enrique Monras Alvarez, chief of the police of the metropolitan area. “One of (the fireworks) hit one of the protesters, who was with the police.”

Algerian president demands ‘total respect’ from France ALGIERS—Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday demanded France’s “total respect”, following a row over visas and critical comments from Paris about the North African country. Last weekend, Algeria recalled its ambassador from Paris and banned French military planes from its airspace, which France regularly uses to reach its forces battling jihadists in the Sahel region to the south. The moves came after a bitter row over visas, followed by media reports that French President Emmanuel Macron had told descendants of Algeria’s 1954-1962 war of independence that Al-

“It is impossible for China-US climate cooperation to be elevated above the overall environment of China-US relations,” Wang said. The remarks raised concern in Washington that the Biden-Kerry approach could backfire, allowing China to use climate as leverage. But Chinese President Xi Jinping soon afterward took a major step by telling the United Nations that Beijing would stop funding coal in its overseas infrastructure-building blitz, although it is still investing at home in the dirty but politically sensitive form of energy. AFP

geria was ruled by a “political-military system” that had “totally re-written” its history. The office of Algeria’s president responded by saying the comments, which have not been denied, were an “interference” in the country’s internal affairs. On Sunday, Tebboune spoke publicly for the first time about the row, telling local media outlets the return of the Algerian ambassador to France was “conditional on total respect for the Algerian state”. “We forget that it (Algeria) was once a French colony... History should not be falsified,” he added. “We can’t act like nothing happened.”

Macron’s remarks last week to French daily Le Monde were widely picked up by Algerian media, which slammed them as “vitriolic”. The French president reportedly criticised what he called the “official history” which Algeria had written for itself, saying it was “not based on truths”. He was quoted as pondering: “Was there an Algerian nation before French colonisation? That’s the question.” And he also described Tebboune as being “trapped in a system which is very tough”. Relations between the two countries have often been strained but never have they hit the lows of recent days. AFP

Police bodycam footage showed Denisse Cortes, a lawyer with the Ombudsman’s Office, had walked over to speak to the officers when the missile struck. The 43-year-old was rushed to hospital, where she was operated on. “Unfortunately, the patient died during the intervention in the afternoon,” said a hospital statement. The Prosecutor’s Office had opened an investigation into “this disproportionate violence,” said Rodrigo Delgado, minister of the interior. Chilean police said in a statement that 17 police officers were also hurt in the clashes. A total of 10 people were arrested. The Chilean state has long been accused of discrimination against the Mapuche people, the country’s largest indigenous group, who centuries ago controlled vast areas of Chile but have since been marginalized. AFP

NO TO COVID LAWS.

MOSCOW—Authorities in central Russia said Sunday they are offering food in exchange for alcohol, after 34 people died from drinking bootleg liquor containing highly toxic methanol. The deaths are the latest in Russia from the consumption of a cheap alcohol substitute, a persistent problem in a country where 21 million people live below the poverty line. In the region of Orenburg, around 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) southeast of Moscow in the southern Urals, 67 people were laid low by the consumption of adulterated alcohol in the past week alone. Thirty-four of them have died, according to a statement from local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. Tests showed that the victims had consumed alcohol containing methanol, which unlike ethanol -- the usual form of alcohol found in drinks -- is highly toxic and can cause blindness even in very small doses. In some cases, the concentration in the body was three to five times higher than a lethal dose. As the amount of toxic alcohol already sold is unknown, the authorities in the area are offering residents of the eastern part of the Orenburg region groceries from local supermarkets in exchange for “alcoholic beverages of dubious quality,” Tass reported. The price of the foodstuffs offered will be “several times that of the alcohol,” according to the statement. According to Orenburg police, thousands of bottles of suspect alcohol have been seized from shops and warehouses in the region. Testing showed that many of those bottles contained the deadly methanol. AFP

US couple selling nuclear warship data arrested WASHINGTON—A US couple has been arrested in the state of West Virginia for allegedly selling information on nuclear warships to what they believed was a foreign state, the Justice Department said Sunday. Jonathan Toebbe, 42, who worked as a nuclear engineer for the US Navy, and his wife Diana, 45, were arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents on Saturday and charged with violating the Atomic Energy Act in a criminal complaint, the Justice Department said in a statement. For nearly a year, the couple “sold information known as restricted data concerning the design of nuclear powered warships to a person they believed was a representative of a foreign power,” the statement said, adding that the recipient of the information was in fact an undercover FBI agent. US nuclear-powered submarines were at the center of a major diplomatic crisis between Paris and Washington last month, when Australia scrapped a large contract to buy submarines from France. AFP

Protesters wear masks and full protection suits as they demonstrate in Geneva on October 9 during a rally against coronavirus measures, COVID-19 health pass and vaccination. On November 28, Swiss voters will be asked whether they accept laws passed by the government on March 19 that paved the way for the introduction of Switzerland’s COVID certificate, a system that provides proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test. AFP

Business PSEi October 11, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

SECB CNVRG

118.8 36

8.8 2.4

8.00% 7.14%

ABG

5.67

0.37

6.98%

ALI

2.15

6.35%

5 6

FGEN SMPH

30.8 35.15

1.8 1.9

6.21% 5.71%

MBT

49.1

2.6

5.59%

8 9

BDO AB

127.2 6.98

6.2 0.34

5.12% 5.12%

MWC

1.2

5.04%

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks surge; Converge, ALI advance

HE stock market jumped Monday on declining COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and improving economic prospects as the government moves to reopen further the economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index soared 217.15 points, or 3.1 percent to 7,124.01 on a value turnover of P11.8 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 122 to 60, with 58 issues unchanged. Fiber broadband service provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. advanced 7.1 percent to P36, while Security Bank

Corp., the eight biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 8 percent to P118.80. Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group rose 6.4 percent to P36, while First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group gained 6.2 percent at P30.80. Most Asian markets also rose on Monday to extend last week’s rally after US lawmakers averted a painful debt default, but another jump in oil prices added to inflation concerns as the Federal Reserve prepares to taper its ultra-loose monetary policy. A big miss on US jobs creation last month did little to change expectations that the Fed will start winding back its massive bond-buying program as it looks to keep a cap on price rises just

as the global recovery shows signs of slowing. The US Labor Department said just 194,000 new posts were taken up last month, less than half what was forecast, owing to weakness in the service sector, though there was an upward revision to gains in the previous two months. “Notwithstanding the soft payrolls headline, the inner strength in the report suggests the numbers have passed the Fed’s test for a ‘reasonable enough’ report to allow for a... tapering announcement in November,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril. Wall Street’s three main indexes ended in the red, but Asia fared much better in early exchanges on Monday.

Passengers board a Southwest Airlines airplane at Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank, California, October 10, 2021. Southwest Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights Sunday, part of a major weekend service disruption that the carrier attributed to weather and air traffic control issues. AFP

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

WLCON OPM

30.4 0.011

-4.55 -0.001

-13.02% -8.33%

PRIM

1.4

-0.1

-6.67%

NRCP

0.6

-0.04

-6.25%

5 6 7

PHR BHI MED

1.09 0.072 0.315

-0.07 -0.004 -0.015

-6.03% -5.26% -4.55%

8 9 10

CNPF PXP DIZ

26.3 6.12 5.74

-1.2 -0.25 -0.22

-4.36% -3.92% -3.69%

MOST ACTIVE 1

CNVRG

VOLUME 33,118,800

VALUE (PHP) 1,177,126,175

2 3

WLCON BDO

29,733,500 5,791,440

920,733,115 739,548,026

4 5

ALI ICT

16,359,900 2,482,330

579,619,340 461,728,326

6 7

BPI MBT

4,432,830 7,276,300

370,560,527 354,601,635

8 9 10

GLO FGEN TEL

104,970 9,658,200 162,780

324,694,410 295,585,120 272,111,615

Southwest cancels 1,085 flights due to traffic issues

US holiday purchases to be hit by delays, price hikes WASHINGTON—Delays and price hikes are anticipated in the United States for holiday merchandise, a Federal Reserve official warned Sunday, calling for more to be done to boost the workforce. “Right now, we see consumers trying to get out early and spend their money to get their goods before they run out,” Mary Daly, head of the San Francisco branch of the US central bank, told CBS. When shopping for the upcoming holidays, “people are buying it now and they’re being told oftentimes they can’t get it until after the holiday has passed,” she said. “So there are going to be delays,” as well as “some pressure on holiday item prices,” the Fed official said.

To address this, it will be necessary to “get more supply to the labor market, to the goods market.” In other words, to speed up the flow and production of goods, people who have left the labor market because of the coronavirus pandemic and now cannot return due to constraints such as childcare or health concerns, must be enabled to return to work. The US labor market, which showed a strong rebound in June and July, adding more than a million jobs in each month, slowed in August and September. In September, only 194,000 jobs were created. “It is a volatile period we’re in right now, COVID is not behind us, so I don’t

expect the job market to just be continuous,” Daly said. “It is going to have these ups and downs, especially with the Delta variant,” she added, referring to the coronavirus variant that has spurred recent upticks in cases. The Fed has said it wants to start tapering its asset purchases, which supported the United States during the pandemic, but it wants to see progress in the labor market before announcing the exact timing. Most economists believe that September’s disappointing job creation, however, should not be an obstacle to an announcement about tapering at the central bank’s next meeting in November. AFP

Turkish fires, drought endanger 92% of world pine honey supplies A photograph taken on September 23, 2021 shows beehives, in the village of Cokek, in the Mugla province, southwestern Turkey. Mugla is homeManila to around 3.5 million Standard of Turkey’s eight million bees, TODAY but pine honey production has been significantly affected by the worst forest fires in Turkey this summer, burning down the pine trees where the basra beetle lives. AFP

By Raziye Akkoc COCEK, Turkey—Beekeepers Mustafa Alti and his son Fehmi were kept busy tending to their hives before wildfires tore through a bucolic region of Turkey that makes most of the world’s prized pine honey. Now the Altis and generations of other honey farmers in Turkey’s Aegean province of Mugla are scrambling to find additional work and wondering how many decades it might take to get their old lives back on track. “Our means of existence is from beekeeping, but when the forests burned, our source of income fell,” said Fehmi, 47, next to his mountainside beehives in the fire-ravaged village of Cokek. “I do side jobs, I do some tree felling, that way we manage to make do.” Nearly 200,000 hectares of forests— more than five times the annual average— were scorched by fires across Turkey this year, turning luscious green coasts popular with tourists into ash. The summer disaster and an accompanying series of deadly floods made the climate—already weighing heavily on the minds of younger voters—a major issue two years before the next scheduled election. Signaling a political shift, Turkey’s parliament this week ended a five-year wait and ratified the Paris Agreement on cutting the greenhouse emissions that are blamed for global warming and abnormal weather events. But the damage has already been done in Mugla, where 80 percent of Turkey’s pine honey is produced. Turkey as a whole makes 92 percent of the world’s pine honey, meaning supplies of the thick, dark amber may be running low worldwide very soon. Special insect Turkey’s pine honey harvests were already suffering from drought when the wildfires hit, destroying the delicate balance between bees, trees, and the little insects at the heart of the production process. The honey is made by bees after they collect the sugary secretions of the tiny Basra beetle (Marchalina hellenica),

Tokyo was boosted after new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he was not considering hiking capital gains tax any time soon, soothing investor worries that the government was planning such a move. A rise in the dollar to a three-year high against the yen—on expectations for tighter US monetary policy—provided added support. Hong Kong jumped two percent with tech firms enjoying some much-needed buying after China fined food delivery giant Meituan less than expected over monopolistic practices. The firm ended up more than eight percent, ecommerce giant Alibaba climbed 7.9 percent, while gaming firm XD put on more than nine percent. With AFP

which lives on the sap of pine trees. Fehmi hopes the beetles will adapt to younger trees after the fires. But he also accepts that “it will take at least five or 10 years to get our previous income back.” His father Mustafa agrees, urging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to expand forested areas and plant young trees. “There’s no fixing a burnt house. Can you fix the dead? No. But new trees might come, a new generation,” Mustafa said. For now, though, the beekeepers are counting their losses and figuring out what comes next. The president of the Mugla Beekeepers’ Association, Veli Turk, expects his region’s honey production to plunge by up to 95 percent this year. “There is pretty much no Marmaris honey left,” he said. “This honey won’t come for another 60 years,” he predicted. “It’s not just Turkey. This honey would go everywhere in the world. It was a blessing. This is really a huge loss.” ‘So much loss’ Beekeeper Yasar Karayigit, 45, is thinking of switching to a different type of honey to keep his passion—and sole source of income—alive. “I love beekeeping, but to continue, I’ll have to pursue alternatives,” Karayigit said, mentioning royal jelly (or “bee milk”) and sunflower honey,

which involves additional costs. “But if we love the bees, we have to do this,” the father-of-three said. Ismail Atici, head of the Milas district Chamber of Agriculture in Mugla, said the price of pine honey has doubled from last year, threatening to make the popular breakfast food unaffordable for many Turks. He expects price rises to continue and supplies to become ever more scarce. “We will get to a point where even if you have money, you won’t be able to find those medicinal plants and medicinal honey,” Atici said. “It’s going to be very hard to find 100-percent pine honey,” beekeeper Karayigit agreed. “We have had so much loss.” ‘We must continue’ Looking ahead, the president of the Turkey Beekeepers’ Association, Ziya Sahin, suggests selectively introducing the Basra beetle to new areas of Mugla, expanding coverage from the current seven to 25 percent of local pine forests. “If we conduct transplantation of the beetle from one area to another and continue this for two successive years, we can protect the region’s dominance in the sector,” Sahin said. “There will be a serious drop in honey production if we don’t do this,” he added, calling this year the “worst” of his 50-year career. AFP

WASHINGTON—Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 1,000 flights Sunday, part of a major weekend service disruption that the carrier attributed to weather and air traffic control issues. The carrier cancelled 1,085 flights and counting on Sunday, or about 29 percent of its schedule—by far the highest rate of any airline—and delayed more than 900 others, according to airline tracker FlightAware. More than 800 Southwest flights were scrapped Saturday, FlightAware said. Southwest said in statement that the weather challenges began at Florida airports at the start of the weekend, and were compounded by unexpected air traffic control issues that triggered delays and prompted significant cancellations. “We’ve continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our operation with a focus on getting aircraft and crews repositioned to take care of our customers,” the airline said. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association sought to refute speculation that some pilots or other Southwest staff were participating in a work slowdown as a way to express opposition to the company’s decision to require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions,” the group said Saturday. AFP

(MS-OCT. 5 & 12, 2021)

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

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Business

July foreign direct investments soared 52% By Julito G. Rada

ET inflows of foreign direct investments jumped 52 percent in July to $1.3 billion from $831 million a year ago, driven by the country’s continued attractiveness to investors despite the global health crisis, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show. The figure brought the cumulative FDI net inflows in the first seven months to $5.6 billion, up 43.1 percent from the $3.9-billion net inflows registered in the same period last year. “This was mainly on account of the 78.7-percent expansion in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to $3.9 billion from $2.2 billion,” the BSP said in a statement.

Reinvestment of earnings reached $677 million in the seven-month period, or 19.3 percent higher than $567 million a year earlier. However, non-residents’ net investments in equity capital other than reinvestment of earnings declined by 12.4 percent to $1 billion from $1.1 billion. “The increase in FDI net inflows in July was due mainly to the 61.1-percent growth year-on-year in investments in

debt instruments to $1.1 billion from $667 million. Similarly, reinvestment of earnings rose by 87.1 percent to $155 million from $83 million,” the BSP said. Meanwhile, non-residents’ net investments in equity capital contracted by 58.3 percent to $34 million in July from $81 million in the same month in 2020. This developed as the 634.7-percent increase in equity capital withdrawals to $57 million from $8 million more than offset the 2.6-percent rise in equity capital placements to $91 million from $89 million. The bulk of the equity capital placements in July came from Japan, the United States and Hong Kong. Those investments were channeled mostly to manufacturing, real estate and financial and insurance industries. The BSP said that in the first seven

months, net investments in equity capital decreased by 12.4 percent because of the downturn in placements by 9.5 percent to $1.2 billion from $1.4 billion and the increase in withdrawals by 6.0 percent to $223 million from $210 million. Equity capital placements came mainly from Singapore, Japan and the United States and were infused mostly in manufacturing; financial and insurance; and electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning industries. The BSP statistics on FDI are compiled based on the balance of payments and international investment position. FDIs include investments by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor.

September car sales down 12% to 21,493 units By Othel V. Campos VEHICLE sales declined 12 percent in September from a year ago, but showed an improvement on a monthly basis, two industry groups said Monday. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report sales of members fell to 21,493 units in September from 24,523 units in the same month last year. Data showed that passenger car sales dropped 23.1 percent to 5,580 units from 8,556 units while those of commercial car sales dipped 6.6 percent to 14,913 from 15,967 units. CAMPI said sales on a monthly basis showed a 35.6-percent improvement in September from 15,487 units in August. “Amid the challenges, the industry’s optimism still lingers for a better sales performance in the fourth quarter this year. This is driven by the overall improved consumer confidence resulting from a more buoyant economic condition and household spending, according to the recent government data,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez. Gutierrez said the increasing sales performance was a favorable development in attaining the industry’s sales target as the year ends. Data showed that passenger car sales in increased 34.5 percent in September to 6,580 units from 4,079 units in August. Commercial vehicle sales declined 36.2 percent to 14,913 units in September from 10,953 units in the previous month. CAMPI said the sector in the first nine months posted a 29.5-percent increase in sales to 192,605 units from 158,013 units in the same period last year. Passenger car sales grew 38.3 percent to 60,982 units from 44,079 units while commercial vehicles reported a 25.7-percent increase to 139,623 units from 103,933 units. All commercial vehicle sub-segments posted higher sales.

PETRON Corp. said Monday it raised P18 billion from the issuance of peso fixed-rate bonds that it use to redeem the company’s Series A bonds, partially finance a power plant project and repay debt. Petron said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it completed the offering period from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5. Petron raised P9 billion from the Series E bonds due 2025 and another P9 billion Series F bonds due 2027, which were issued out of the P50-billion selfregistration of the company. The bonds will be listed and traded at Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on Oct. 12. “The company estimates that the net proceeds from the offer shall amount to approximately P17.783 billion, after fees, commissions and expenses,” Petron said in a previous disclosure. Petron plans to use proceeds from the bonds to redeem Series A bonds worth P13 billion issued on Oct. 27, 2016 with a fixed interest rate of 4.0032 percent per annum for a term of five years maturing on Oct. 27. A part of the proceeds will also be used to finance the construction

Monday, October 11, 2021

217.15 PTS. 7,124.01

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

2,436,304,840 114,901

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES

11,755,562,463.25 122 60

UNCHANGED

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.4870

Japan

Yen

0.008910

0.4498

Pound

1.362400

68.7835

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128454

6.4853

Switzerland

Franc

1.078981

54.4745

Canada

Dollar

0.801475

40.4641

Singapore

Dollar

0.738225

37.2708

Australia

Dollar

0.730400

36.8757

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653364

133.9604

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.4625

Brunei

Dollar

0.735510

37.1337

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029542

1.4915

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

13.7477

Euro

1.157400

58.4337

Korea

Won

0.000836

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.155183

7.8347

India

Rupee

0.013313

0.6721

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239464

12.0898

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691700

34.9219

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035625

1.7986 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF FedEx opens 800 jobs in Clark Freeport FEDEX Corp., one of the leading American logistics companies, said Monday it opened 800 job opportunities following the completion of a $30-million, 17,000 square meter state-ofthe-art gateway facility at Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone. “FedEx has always been at the forefront of defining what’s next for our customers. We remain focused on optimizing our air and ground network to meet evolving customer needs. Plans for the Clark Gateway have been in place since before the demand for e-commerce soared. With a finger on the pulse of global trade, we made this strategic investment to enhance connectivity and support for Philippine businesses venturing into international markets,” said Kawal Preet, FedEx Express president for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. The cargo terminal, equipped with the most modern package handling capabilities, supports 36 weekly flights. The facility’s expansive dedicated freight-handling area spans 630 square meters. The facility supports the growing e-commerce demand of bulk shipments and large itemse specially for the upcoming peak season shipping volumes. Othel V. Campos

Lyka bares plan to put up PH office

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas affirms its commitment to champion sustainable finance and entrench environmental, social and corporate governance principles into the Philippine financial system in a dialog with the International Monetary Fund and other Asian finance ministers. Joining the virtual dialog are (top, from left) IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Sayeh, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno, Indonesia Minister of Sri Mulyani Indrawati (bottom, from left) Thailand Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and Monetary Authority of Singapore Managing Director Ravi Menon.

AREIT, Ayala Land get SEC’s nod on P15.4-b asset swap By Jenniffer B. Austria AREIT Inc., the pioneer real estate investment trust company in the Philippines, said Monday it obtained the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission on its planned property-for-share swap with sponsor Ayala Land Inc. and subsidiaries. AREIT will issue 483.254 million common shares to Ayala Land subsidiaries Westview Commercial Ventures Corp. and Glensworth Development Inc. in exchange for key commercial assets to be infused into the company worth P15.46 billion. The properties involved in the property-for-share swap include Vertis North Commercial Development, Evotech Buildings 1 and 2, Bacolod Capitol Corporate Center,

Petron raises P18b from fixed-rate bonds By Alena Mae S. Flores

PSE INDEX CLOSING

of a power plant amounting to P3.3 billion. The project involves construction of a power plant in its 180,000-barrelper-day refinery in Limay, Bataan to increase the capacity of the power project from to 184 megawatts from 140 MW. The power plant is designed to generate power and steam required by the refinery, utilizing cheaper feedstock (petcoke) in lieu of more expensive fuel oil. Construction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022. Petron will also use part of the proceeds to pay existing indebtedness, specifically amortizations of various peso bilateral long-term facilities worth P1.483 billion in the fourth quarter. BDO Capital & Investment Corp. acted as sole issue manager for the offer while BDO Capital, China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. were the joint lead bookrunners and joint lead underwriters. Petron operates the only integrated oil refinery in the Philippines. The company had an overall market share of 22.1 percent of the Philippine oil market in 2020. It is also a leading oil player in Malaysia.

Ayala Northpoint Technohub and office condominium units at BPIPhilam Life Buildings in Makati and Alabang. Following the approval, the parties executed an amendment to Section 4.2 of the deed of exchange so that the recognition of income from the new assets would accrue to AREIT beginning Oct. 1, 2021, instead of Nov. 1, 2021. The swap will enable shareholders to partake in the contribution of the new assets starting in the fourth quarter of the year. In anticipation of the approval, AREIT declared its third-quarter dividends earlier than the regular schedule to provide shareholders with an equitable share in the company’s performance for the whole quarter, prior to the increase in the common shares in exchange for the

new assets. The new assets are expected to contribute significantly to earnings in the succeeding periods, increasing the potential dividend per share for AREIT shareholders. “The infusion of the commercial assets is part of ALI’s commitment as AREIT’s Sponsor to support AREIT’s growth plans of building a larger and more diversified portfolio. The transaction will increase ALI’s ownership in AREIT from 50.1 percent to 66 percent,” AREIT said. With the completion of the transaction, AREIT’s gross leasable area would reach 549,000 square meters. The share price of AREIT went up by 0.5 percent Monday to close at P40, while the stock of Ayala Land climbed 6.45 percent to P36.

LYKA, a social media platform that allows people to earn GEMs (gift cards in electronic mode) for posting, sharing or liking content on its app, said it plans to “immediately” put up an office in the Philippines and register as an operator of payment system in compliance with the order of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Lyka issued the statement over the weekend after the BSP on Friday denied the request of third-party Digital Spring Marketing and Advertising Inc. to be registered as an OPS of Lyka. “The management of Lyka respects the findings of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that the registration as operator of payment system should be accomplished by Lyka itself and not through a local third party, Digital Spring Marketing and Advertising Inc.,” it said. “In line with this recent development, Lyka Global shall register as an OPS as directed by BSP and will immediately put up its own office in the country,” it said. Lyka also said it would end its partnership with Digital Spring as “we take on the challenge of operating in the Philippines on our own.” Julito G. Rada

ICTSI unit hikes stake in Pakistan terminal ICTSI Mauritius Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc., raised its stake in a container terminal in Pakistan. ICTSI said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange ICTSI Mauritius concluded the acquisition of an additional 8.73-percent stake in Pakistan International Container Terminal Ltd. after 9,532,267 ordinary shares were crossed in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The transaction increased ICTSI Mauritius’ ownership in PICT from 71.68 percent to 80.41 percent. PICT earlier marked a milestone with the handling of its 10-millionth twenty-foot equivalent unit since commencing operations in 2002. Operating Berths 6 to 9 at the East Wharf of the Karachi Port, PICTl is the preferred terminal for the Indian subcontinent trade routes. The common-use terminal offers excellent connections to Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Western China hinterlands. Darwin G. Amojelar

CONVERGE ASSISTANCE. Leading

fiber broadband operator Converge ICT Solutions Inc. provides connectivity and digital support to students of the Philippine Science High School at four provincial learning hubs to help enable blended learning in the country’s top science high school amid the pandemic. Joining the virtual signing ceremony are (top, from left) Dr. Reynaldo Vea, chairman of the PSHS Foundation and Converge chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy, (bottom, from left) Converge president Maria Grace Uy, PSHS System executive director Lilia Habacon and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña.

Cebu Pacific offers ‘piso’ fare for domestic, international flights By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific announced Monday its piso fare promo for domestic and international destinations to spur travel amid the global pandemic. “As we enter the last quarter of the year, we are happy to have seen some positive developments in the travel industry. More and more people are gaining confidence to travel again, and we are happy to keep supporting our sector’s recovery through our trademark low fares,” said Cebu Pa-

cific vice president for marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog. The airline said passengers until Oct. 14 could enjoy CEB’s lowest base fare at only P1 to over 47 domestic routes and 11 international routes. The travel period is between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2022. Iyog said Cebu Pacific’s first-ever fiveday sale would will give every passenger the opportunity to plan ahead and book the much-awaited beach trip to Boracay, Bohol, Coron, Siargao; or visit family and friends in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan

de Oro, Clark; and more destinations across CEB’s widest domestic network. CEB flights to chosen international destinations such as Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka are also up for grabs. “We look forward to having more Juans on board again as we endeavor to safely bring you to your desired destinations for #MoreSmilesAhead,” said Iyog. CEB flies to 32 domestic destinations from its Manila and Cebu hubs, on top of nine international destinations from Manila.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Wire-to-wire win for Ko; Saso in a tie for 4th Yuka Saso of the Philippines hugs champion Jin Young Ko of Korea during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. AFP

Hotshots expect tough Bolts’ stand in Game 5 By Peter Atencio

HE Magnolia Hotshots have a chance to make it to the ﬁnals the next time they meet the Meralco Bolts on Thursday.

Hotshots’ coach Chito Victolero knows this will be a difficult encounter after they came up with an 81-69 beating of the Meralco last Sunday at the DHSVU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. “It’s hard to close out the series be-

cause their effort and aggressiveness are high,” said Victolero, expecting a tough stand from the Bolts in Game 5 now that the Hotshots have a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup semifinals.

Victolero said their two days of rest before they fight it out with the Bolts will give the team a chance to figure out their next moves. In Game 4, Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva and Marc Barroca led the Hotshots with 17 points apiece. And with Sangalang coming up with a near double-double average of 16.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games, he was able to earn the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors. During Sunday’s game, it was Sangalang’s inside game in the second

period which saw the Hotshots moving away, 38-26, with 5:04 left. Abueva’s two charities in the 7:51 of the third allowed the Hotshots to keep their distance by 16, 56-40. Barroca knocked in six points in the final period, with his two freebies in the final 20 seconds giving the Hotshots a 12-point edge in the remaining time. Reynel Hugnatan made 21 points for Meralco, which turned the ball over 22 times, yielding 26 points for Magnolia.

Palad-led T1 barges into upper bracket T1, led by Filipino skipper Carlo “Kuku” Palad, fought its way into the upper bracket with its 2-0 This allowed Palad’s squad to move up to fourth position in Group A of The International 10 group stage, pushed them into the best-of-three Round 1 main event. The good fortune of this South Korean team (formerly known as SK Telecom T1) came as Abed “Abed” Yusop’s Evil Geniuses stunned fans when they suddenly fell out of contention for the upper bracket encounters. EG slipped to sixth spot in Group A after a 1-1 draw with Team Undying and was relegated to the lower bracket. The 25-year-old Palad, now the skipper of T1 since joining the team last January, used the Necrophos character in their two encounters with TP. Thunder Predator has been eliminated from the

tournament after taking 16 straight losses. The Necrophos is a ranged intelligence hero most effective in team fights where he can damage enemies and heal allies simultaneously, while picking off key enemy heroes with his ultimate weapon. Palad, who is the former coach of Omega Esports, is seeking to lead T1 to its third title this year, after getting involved in T1’s conquests in the ESL One Summer 2021 and the Dota Pro Circuit 2021, particularly the Southeast Asian Division. T1’s fortunes reversed after they bounced back from 0-2 losses to Invictus Gaming, and the Evil Geniuses in the four-day best-of-two series of the Group Stage. Palad and teammates, which also includes Pinoy gamer Karl Baldovino, Kenny Deo and Matthew Filemon, then swept their B02 affairs with Virtus.

pro, OG, Team Aster, Alliance and Team Undying to end up in fourth spot in Group A with their 10-6 win-loss record. Invictus Gaming remained in front at 14-2, followed by Virtus.pro (11-5) and OG at 10-6. Team Undying (9-7) is in fifth, followed by the Evil Geniuses (9-7), Team Aster (9-7), and Alliance (4-12). All have been relegated to the lower bracket. Fnatic, which has Pinoy gamer Marco Polo Luis Fausto in its lineup, pulled off a 2-0 win over Team Secret, but still finished seventh in Group B. Since Palad turned pro in 2015, he has since earned around $800,072 in winnings for teams that he has joined. T1 will go up against PSG.LGD in the best-ofthree upper bracket clashes this Tuesday. Peter Atencio

Nike builds homecourts to invest in next generation of Filipinas NIKE is empowering the next generation of Filipina girls and driving a meaningful change in the community through the power of sport. Continuing on its partnership with Manila-based non-profit organization, Girls Got Game Philippines, Nike is today announcing the launch of two creativelydesigned, fully refurbished multi-purpose courts giving young girls a space to learn, grow and have fun, while increasing access to play and sport opportunities. The courts were unveiled on International Day Of The Girl, a day commemorated by the United Nations to celebrate

young girls and highlight the unique challenges they face every day. Jino Ferrer, country marketing manager, Nike Philippines, said: “Kids are made to play, yet many in the Philippines, particularly young girls, do not have access to sports. Nike and Girls Got Game are investing in the future of kids by giving them access to tools and training they need for success, building confidence on and off the court by exposing them to positive female role models and breaking down barriers to create inclusive communities.” Located at Sacred Heart Academy Turn to C2

Nike announces the launch of two creatively-designed, fully refurbished multi-purpose courts giving young girls a space to learn, grow and have fun, while increasing access to play and sport opportunities.

NEW YORK—South Korea’s Ko Jinyoung completed a wire-to-wire victory on Sunday to defend her LPGA Founders Cup title and match Annika Sorenstam’s record for consecutive sub-70 rounds. World number two Ko fired a fiveunder par 66 to finish on 18-under 266 after 72 holes at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. “I tried to do my best this week and I did,” Ko said. Germany’s Carolina Masson finished second on 270 after a closing 64, one off her career-low round, with American Elizabeth Szokol third on 273, one ahead of South Korean Lee6 Jeong-eun and reigning US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of the Philippines. Ko, who matched her LPGA careerlow round with an opening 63, captured her 10th career LPGA title and third of the year after taking the Volunteers of America Classic in July and last month’s Portland Classic. A week after settling for a disappointing runner-up finish at the LPGA ShopRite Classic, Ko became the fifth South Korean player to reach doubledigit LPGA titles. “I was really sad last week. Last week on Sunday wasn’t good play,” Ko said. “It was very different today. The back nine this week, it was huge.” Ko’s only major titles came in 2019 when she captured the ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship in France. Slogging through heavy rain that caused puddling over the final holes, Ko delivered her 14th consecutive round in the 60s to equal the LPGA one-season record run set in 2005 by Sweden’s Sorenstam. The 26-year-old from Seoul will try to break the mark when she tees off again October 21 in the BMW Ladies Championship at Busan, South Korea. “I’m going to go back to Korea,” she said. “I still have a chance to beat Annika. I will try and do my best.” Ko, who began the day with a fourshot lead, birdied the par-4 sixth and par-5 eighth, then pulled away with birdies at the par-4 12th, par-3 13th, par-5 15th and par-3 16th. Her lead was big enough to withstand a bogey at the par-4 17th before she closed with a par at the par-5 18th. Masson’s bogey-free round included a run of five birdies in a seven-hole span of the back nine that kept the pressure upon Ko until the last holes. Sharing sixth were Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Americans Jessica Korda and Lindsey Weaver and South Koreans Kim A-lim and Ryu So-yeon. AFP

Superbon believes he’s unlocked Petrosyan Riddle: He can’t take knees TO say that Superbon is prepared for one of the biggest fights of his career might be an understatement. The multi-titled Thai star will go against Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan for the inaugural ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE: FIRST STRIKE this Friday, October 15. For the 31-year-old, he thinks that his diverse background in both kickboxing and Muay Thai will give him enough of an edge to hurdle Petrosyan, who many fans consider the greatest kickboxer of all time. “I think I have no weaknesses. My strength is that I am a well-rounded fighter,” Superbon told ONEFC. com. “Also, with my Muay Thai background, can adapt my versatile Muay Thai skills to kickboxing. And, I’ve been through more experiences than him.” The Banchamek Gym star knows that it won’t be a walk in the park against the Armenian-Italian striker, but he’s convinced that he has his foe’s weaknesses figured out. And he plans to explot all of them on Friday night. “After I studied Petrosyan’s previous fights, I found that he couldn’t take knees so well,” he said. “For his strength, he has deadly punches and fast strikes. His danger lies in his striking techniques. He can land punches, and he kicks with incredible power and precision. He is a very strong fighter. However, I will counteract him by making a move first and attacking him whenever I see a chance.” But while most fighters would predict a knockout or a flashy finish, Superbon knows this will be a chess match between two high-level fighters.

Sports

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Nike...

Messi’s Argentina thrash Uruguay MONTEVIDEO—Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbors Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez rounded off a successful night for Lionel Scaloni’s team in Buenos Aires as they maintained their unbeaten start to the qualification campaign and closed the gap at the top of the single South American table to six points behind Brazil, who drew 0-0 with Colombia. “We played a great match, I think we’re improving a lot,” said Messi. “It was a tough match and we had to win it. “Uruguay sit back and are dangerous. Once we scored the first goal we started to find spaces and many appeared.” The first half was a classic end-toend thriller with both sides hitting the woodwork before Argentina opened the scoring. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez looked lively early on and had three gilt-edged chances, all from the corner of the six yard box. Two, including an acrobatic volley, were parried by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while his third effort came back off the near post. For Argentina, Giovani Lo Celso skewed wide form 10 yards and Lautaro Martinez was narrowly unable to direct De Paul’s cross on target. Lo Celso then broke from deep and rounded goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, but his shot crashed down off the bar onto the goalline before bouncing away to safety. Messi had a low shot from the D deflected inches past the post and then broke the deadlock in bizarre fashion. His chip into the box with the outside of his left boot was missed by Nicolas Gonzalez, whose presence seemed to deceive Muslera, the goalkeeper also missing the ball as it nestled in the bottom corner. Muslera flirted with disaster moments later when he dribbled past Martinez in his area but Uruguay’s nerves were rattled and Argentina doubled their lead with another scrapy goal. Messi’s pass was deflected into the path of Martinez whose miss-kick fell kindly for De Paul to stroke home. Martinez then had a chance to put the game to bed in first half stoppage time but shot straight at Muslera. He did secure the win, though, on 62 minutes when left unmarked at the back post to tap in De Paul’s cross. The second half did not match the thrill-a-minute first but Argentina controlled the game. It could have been worse for Uruguay but Muslera made a fine double save from Angel Di Maria and Messi in the last minute. Neymar fails to inspire Brazi The returning Neymar could not inspire Brazil to victory as hosts Colombia ended their perfect start to the qualification campaign in Barraquilla. The Selecao had won their first nine qualifiers, scoring 22 goals to lead the table by eight points before kick-off. Coach Tite’s side are still almost certain to qualify for next year’s finals in Qatar as they maintain a 13-point lead over fifth-placed Colombia, with the top four progressing autom a t i c a l l y. AFP

From C1

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets cheers from the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Unvaxxed Irving won’t play NBA home games N EW YORK—Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said the NBA team understands that star guard Kyrie Irving won’t be unavailable for home games because he remains unvaccinated for COVID-19.

A vaccination mandate by New York City means Irving may not play in home games unless he receives the injection. Similar regulations would keep the seven-time All-Star out in road games at San Francisco, Los Angeles and against the New York Knicks as well. “I think we recognize he’s not playing home games,” Nash said Sunday after practice. “So we’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much.” Irving took part in his first practice with his teammates at the team’s workout facility after a ruling Friday by the city that such sessions are in a “private office space” and therefore not covered by the rule, unlike games.

“We’re just starting to navigate this,” Nash said. “A new rule comes in Friday and here we are. “We’re trying to look at the big picture, the near-term. Right now, I’m not sure that we have as many answers. We’re just trying to re-implement him back into the training arena and get his body right and make decisions as we go.” While the team hopes for another rule change to allow Irving to play in home games, there’s no guarantee that will come at any point in a six-month NBA season that tips off October 19. “We assume he’s not going to be available for home games,” Nash said. “Anything can change. Who’s to say? The city’s ordinance could change? Anything could change.

“We’re just trying to remain flexible, open-minded and figure it out as we go because information is coming in by the half-day here.” Kevin Durant, the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player and a two-time NBA champion, and James Harden, the 2018 NBA MVP and a three-time league scoring champion, will power the Nets into the 2021-22 campaign no matter what Irving’s status might be. Nets forward Blake Griffin, a sixtime All-Star, says Irving moving in and out of the lineup isn’t such a challenge for the club. “It’s never really an issue of fitting in at all,” Griffin said. “I’ve known Kyrie for so long. When he’s around, the energy is better. You always notice his presence. So there’s no ‘getting used to’ —it’s just like he’s back and we’re here to support him however. “We’re always glad when he’s around.” The Nets are still working on fitness and conditioning issues with Irving after his missed time in the gym. AFP

School in Sta. Maria Bulacan, these courts were designed by artist and illustrator Jill Arteche, who celebrates Filipina culture through her whimsical artwork. Illustrated on the outdoor court, which represents the “Now”, are the young girls learning sports like volleyball, basketball, rugby and football while the indoor court features the young girls’ ambitions of the “Future” by becoming doctors, leaders and athletes, a reminder that their dreams are within reach. Added Ferrer: “We hope to inspire the next generation of Filipina girls to view the refurbished courts as a symbol of their goals and dreams and that accomplishing these, however small, is what brings a sense of achievement.” Said Mariana Lopa, managing director, Girls Got Game: “Sport has the power to transform a person, a community and even the world. Nike and Girls Got Game share a common purpose: to move the world forward through sport. We see girls as the changemakers who have the power to improve their communities. Through our sports clinics we coach them to build confidence and realize their full potential so they can have an equitable future.” Girls Got Game sports camps have so far helped more than 2,500 young girls across the Philippines in 10-14 year old age group who come primarily from economically-challenged households. The homecourt signifies a shift towards the future of sports as it will be a permanent safe place where aspiring Filipina athletes can socialize, express themselves freely and experience the joys of sport. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Got Game launched the “GGG Club” wherein they conduct sports camps online. Nike knows that by creating safe and fun places for girls to play, and with the right mindset and tools, like Nike’s latest coaching guide, anyone can help create an inclusive play and sport environment for girls. For more details about Nike’s Made to Play Coaching Guide, visit: https:// www.nike.com/pdf/coaching-girlsguide.pdf To learn more about Nike’s commitment to get kids moving, visit: https:// www.nike.com/made-to-play For more details on the story of Girls Got Game Philippines, visit: https:// www.facebook.com/girlsgotgameph/ https://instagram.com/ girlsgotgameph?utm_medium=copy_link

Delayed pitstop damages Lewis’ title hopes ISTANBUL—The surgical mask hid the gritted teeth but there was no escaping the frustration in the voice of Lewis Hamilton after he was forced to settle for fifth place in the Turkish Grand Prix after a bungled late pitstop. The seven-time world champion was running third in his Mercedes but the call for him to come in eight laps from the end to change his tyres, cost him two places and the lead in the championship. At the start of the race he led Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by two points but by the time they crossed the finish line, it was the Dutchman, who finished second, who was back in front, leading by six points with six races still to come. Mercedes argue that Hamilton’s tyres on a wet track were wearing badly and that he would have struggled to finish the race, let alone hold off the challenge of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. The champion, whose teammate Valtteri Bottas won the race, was not so sure, pointing

out that Alpine’s Estaeban Ocon completed the race on one set of tyres. “The tyres are bald so you don’t know how far they’re going to go so there’s definitely the worry of the life of the tyre,” said Hamilton who started in 11th after a 10-place enginerelated grid penalty. “But also I wasn’t really that fast at the end. I was struggling, had low grip. Not sure why. “Then all of a sudden I’d have not such bad pace but I was losing performance to guys behind.” Hamilton had resisted calls to come in earlier “In hindsight, I should either have stayed out or come in much earlier. “When you come in with eight laps to go you don’t have time to go through the graining of that medium tyre on a drying track. So I went through this sliding phase where I nearly lost almost lost more positions.” In the end, Hamilton, who was audibly angry with his team over the radio, had to use all his experience to hold off the charge of AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly. AFP

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (right) walks past winner Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas as he speaks to the press after the Formula One Grand Prix of Turkey at the Intercity Istanbul Park in Istanbul. AFP

Taurasi voted as WNBA’s Greatest Player of All Time

Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury shoots a free throw against the Chicago Sky during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Final at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP

NEW YORK—The WNBA announced that Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been voted by fans as the league’s greatest of all time. The “Vote for the GOAT” platform was part of the WNBA’s celebration of its landmark 25th season. Taurasi was announced as the greatest player in WNBA history today prior to Game 1 of the WNBA Finals 2021 presented by YouTube TV at Footprint Center in Phoenix. “Congratulations to Diana Taurasi on being voted as the Greatest WNBA player of all time by the fans who have followed her illustrious career and saw her rise above the rest,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “This well-deserved recognition reflects her sustained excellence on the court and her leading role in advancing the WNBA and women’s basketball and being a role model for young athletes everywhere. The opportunity to honor Dee is yet another special moment in celebration of our historic 25th season.” Taurasi has etched her name across the WNBA’s record books. She is the league’s career leader in points, field goals made and three-point field goals made in both the regular season and the playoffs. Her 14 All-WNBA Team selections are the most in league history, and her 10 WNBA All-Star selections are tied for second place. Playing her entire 17-year WNBA career with Phoenix, Taurasi has won three WNBA championships and

two WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards. She has also earned one regular-season WNBA MVP award. Taurasi was selected by the Mercury with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She has career averages of 19.4 points, 4.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 472 games. Taurasi has led the WNBA in scoring five times and in assists once. Fan voting to determine the GOAT was conducted on WNBA.com, the WNBA App and Twitter from Sept. 5-19. Fans were able to vote for any member of “The W25,” the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history, as selected by a panel of media members and women’s basketball pioneers. “The W25,” which was unveiled on Sept. 5, includes 10 current players: Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Griner, Angel McCoughtry, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi. Fifteen retired players are also among the honorees: Seimone Augustus, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Maya Moore, Ticha Penicheiro, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and Lindsay Whalen. For more information about “The W25,” visit WNBA.com. For being named the GOAT, Taurasi will receive a oneof-a-kind commemorative trophy, a basketball made of resin and marble, detailed with white mamba scales and

inscriptions that recognize her accomplishments. More on Taurasi Named “The GOAT” – the Greatest of All Time – during the league’s 25th season in 2021 Named one of “The W25” during the league’s 25th season in 2021 Named one of the WNBA’s “Top 20@20” during the league’s 20th season in 2016 Named one of the WNBA’s “Top 15 Players” during the league’s 15th season in 2011 Named WNBA All-Decade Team Honorable Mention during the league’s 10th season in 2006 14-time All-WNBA selection First Team – 2018, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2004 Second Team – 2020, 2017, 2016 and 2005 10-time WNBA All-Star selection – 2021, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2005 Five-time WNBA scoring leader – 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2006 Three-time WNBA champion – 2014, 2009 and 2007 Two-time WNBA Finals MVP – 2014 and 2009 WNBA Most Valuable Player – 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year – 2005 WNBA assists leader – 2014 Most points in the regular season (9,174) and playoffs (1,397)

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Lesha breaks new grounds with ‘Karma’ ELECTROPOP singer and now an independent artist Lesha is in an ecstatic mood. She’s totally over the moon with the release of “Karma,” the second single in her upcoming global collaboration visual album titled Sun Moon Rising set to drop early next year. In the new single, Lesha speaks her truth of having to deal with people in the past for only seeing her value when they are able to take advantage of her. She expresses how her past experiences and learnings molded her into the artist and person she is today which serves as her motivation to continue working smarter and harder because she believes that success is her best revenge. The excitement on the coming of “Karma” grew louder as soon as Lesha uploaded a teaser on her next single. The clamor from her followers even grew big-

ger when she showed some short video snippets of her upcoming song through her social media accounts (Instagram and Tiktok). Then a little earlier than its scheduled release, Lesha and her team decided to drop the music video in advance and now has garnered numerous views and comments. “Ever since I performed ‘Karma’ at my YouTube FanFest show this year, people have been messaging me to drop the song already cause they loved it so much! I randomly decided to sing ‘Karma’ for a TikTok video and it gained so much traction and views. In the comments, everyone was asking me to drop the song already, it was overwhelming,” Lesha excitedly shared. “Since the music video was ready to go live anyway, I decided to drop it a week

earlier than the actual release date,” she added. Just like her previous track “Sun, Moon, Rising,” Lesha is proud of doing things independently and collaborating with musician friends from all over the globe. Lesha produced and recorded her demo for “Karma” in her own bedroom and immediately sent it to the collaborator/co-producer from South Korea, Rebenn, and he took the lead from there. Another friend, Nephibis, a rapper from Baltimore USA, who Lesha previously collaborated with on a track for the Netflix film Project Power, was also cool to jump in for a verse. So the whole song made it in full circle. “During the premiere of the music video on YouTube I could see everyone commenting in the chat about how far

Vivamax goes global, announces Q4 releases

INE months since it started operations, Viva’s Vivamax has already reached one million subscribers, a milestone that makes it the Philippines’ fastest-growing streaming platform.

Vivamax started its streaming service in the Philippines before quickly venturing to the Middle East, and Europe. Shortly followed in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Starting this month, the streaming platform becomes available in Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, Macau, Vietnam, Maldives, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s global footprint expands in December as it enters the USA, Northern Marianas IslandSaipan, Guam, Hawaii, and Canada markets. The expansion move brings Vivamax’s global reach to 71 territories since going live. The phenomenal growth is made possible by Viva’s commitment to aggressively build Vivamax’s content lineup despite the challenges presented by the pan pandemic. With

new original movies premiering every week, coupled with the biggest library of both local and Korean movies, and a formidable lineup of Hollywood blockbusters, Vivamax has succeeded in bringing the cinema experience within everyone’s reach via their smartphones and through TV casting. Proof of this commitment is Vivamax’s impressive lineup of new movie releases for Q4 2021, featuring the biggest and hottest stars, covering the widest range of genres, and catering to the tastes of every Pinoy. Among this month’s release are: Darryl Yap’s romantic comedy Ang Manananggal Na Nahahati Ang Puso (Oct. 1) starring Aubrey Caraan, Marco Gallo, Chad Kinis, Lassy Marquez, MC Muah, Gina Pareño, and Teresa Loyzaga; Al Tantay’s ’s sexy comedy Shoot! Shoot! Di Ko Siya Titigilan (Oct. 8) top billed by Andrew E., AJ Raval, Sunshine Guimary, Juliana Parizcova Segovia, Wilbert Ross, and Ali Khat Khatibi; Mes de Guzman’s drama Ang PamilyPamily ang Hindi Lumuluha (Oct. 15) headlined by Sharon Cuneta, Niño Muhlach, and Moi Marcampo; Darryl Yap’s sexy comedy thriller Sarap Mong Patayin (Oct. 15) featuring Lassy Marquez, Kit Thompson, and Ariella Arida; RoRo man Perez Jr.’s ’s sexy thrillthrill er House Tour (Oct. 22) starring Cindy Miranda, Diego Loyzaga, SunSun shine Guimary, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Marco Gomez, and Rafa Siguion-Rey Siguion-Reyna; Miko Livelo’s comedy horror Sa Haba Ng Gabi (Oct. 29) with Kim MoNa lina, Candy Pangilinan, and Jerald Napoles in the cast. For the full Vivamax Q4 lineup, visit manilastandard.net/showbitz.html Viva’s prized star Sarah G

Yassi Pressman and JC Santos star in ‘More Than Blue’ streaming on Nov. 19.

‘HRNA’ is a digital concert featuring Adie, Arthur, Nery, Rob Deniel, and Unique.

Karen Davila returns to ‘TV Patrol,’ Pia Gutierrez joins ‘The World Tonight’ BROADCAST journalist Karen Davila returns as one of Velasquez the anchors of TV Patrol as ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast Gutierrez, who currently covers President Rodrigo Dustrengthens its mission to serve Filipinos worldwide with terte and is part of the Malacañang Press Corps, began her news and information that matter to them. career as a journalist in ABS-CBN’s regional station in BaDavila joins fellow seasoned news anchors Henry Oma- guio in 2006. She joined ABS-CBN News and Current Afga-Diaz and Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo in leading fairs in 2010. the 34-year-old news program. TV Patrol airs from Monday to Friday, 6:30 p.m. on ANC and The award-winning anchor of Headstart on ABS-CBN TeleRadyo on cable and satellite TV, overseas via TFC, and onNews Channel (ANC), first line on the ABS-CBN News became part of the newscast YouTube Channel, news.absfrom 2004 until 2010. She cbn.com, or listen to the audio was also one of the anchors streaming via the ABS-CBN of ABS-CBN’s late night Radio Service App. newscast Bandila prior to the The World Tonight airs broadcast shutdown in 2020. Monday to Friday, 9:00 p.m. Meanwhile, senior news on ANC and 10:40 p.m. on reporter Pia Gutierrez the Kapamilya Channel and takes Davila’s place in the is also available on iWantanchor desk of ANC’s The TFC, TFC, and other ABSWorld Tonight with Tony Broadcast journalists Karen Davila (left) and Pia Gutierrez. CBN News digital platforms.

I’ve come as an artist and how my music really deserves to be recognized globally. It was really touching to hear that my fans believe in me and my artistry so much. One even said he was crying all throughout the video cause he was just so amazed at my growth being a longtime fan, such a sweetheart,” Lesha exclaimed. Lesha dropped “Karma” on Oct. 8 and is now available on all digital music streaming platforms. Check out Lesha’s music on Spotify or watch the official music videos, covers, and learn more about music production on Lesha’s YouTube Channel. Lesha speaks her truth in the new single ‘Karma.’

Is Ai Ai delas Alas leaving the country for good? IN THE virtual junket for The Clash Season 4, judge and comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas said that she’d be leaving the country once her commitment with the talent reality singing competition has ended. She will stay in America to focus on her US citizenship. “I need to stay there for me to be able to petition my husband (Gerald Sibayan) in the future,” she said. “In life, we have priorities and this is an important one for me although I will still come back to the Philippines to visit my mother who is already old,” she added. For the 56-year-old actress, the move will give her time to concentrate on her married life, too. “Now I want to devote time to my role as a wife. Gerald is my priority. Apart from petitioning him, he needs a companion there in the US. What’s the use of our marriage if I’m here and he’s there? One thing more, it’s only now that I’ll go full blast on my Green Card. It was granted to me way back in 2015. So if you’ll count, in 2020, I should’ve spent five years and became a US citizen already,” she explained. “It’s only at this point when I decided to focus on it. The Lord gave me a chance to get hold of a Green Card then I’m just going to waste it? So now, I would like to do everything carI can to comply with the requirements,” Ai Ai car ried on. The ace comedienne also pointed out that their stay in the US will give her and Gerald the opportunity to have a baby. If ever, they are open to surrogacy. “It’s definitely part of the plan. I pray to God that everything will turn out well,” was her brief answer. Ai Ai’s much needed break on TV means she would only come to the country if her current show comes back for another season. “As of now, it’s only The Clash which can make me come back here from time to time. I love the show and I’m proud to be part of the panel of judges. The show always makes me feel excited,” she stated. “Like in our latest season, there are really lots of exex cellent and good-looking contestants. You’ll just get surprised that when the finals come, they all look like French actresses. It’s just amazing,” ended Ai Ai. Comedienne and ‘The Clash’ judge Ai Ai delas Alas.

GMA digital box drops special Christmas promo GMA Network unveils a special Christmas promo as it offers GMA Affordabox, with an SRP of P888, at a discounted price of only P799 until Dec. 31. The digital TV receiver allows viewers to enjoy superior quality of their favorite shows and movies in GMA’s six digital channels – GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart MovDingdong Dantes is ies, and DepEd TV - as one of the faces of GMA well as other available Affordabox. free-to-air channels in digital broadcast, depending on t heir areas. For an elevated enRizal, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Bohol, Cebu, tertainment experience, GMA Afford- Leyte, Bacolod (and adjacent areas), abox also offers great features that suit Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao every user’s viewing habits. The Per- del Norte, Misamis Oriental (includsonal Video Recorder feature lets users ing Cagayan de Oro City), Camiguin, record GMA programs so that they can with Iloilo and Guimaras as the latest watch and re-watch highlights of their additional areas. favorite Kapuso shows. For a discounted price of P799, with With the multimedia player, users no monthly fees, GMA Affordabox is can watch videos, listen to music, and clearly the perfect gift idea this Christview photos. GMA Affordabox also mas. It may be purchased in appliance has a functional auto-on alert feature stores and malls, or online via the ofand a nationwide Emergency Warning ficial GMA Store website as well as on Broadcast System (EWBS) that re- Shopee and Lazada. ceives alerts from the NDRRMC about For more details on GMA Affordcalamity warnings. abox, visit www.GMAaffordabox.com GMA Affordabox is available in se- and its official social media accounts lect locations in Metro Manila, Ben- via the handle @GMAaffordabox. For guet, La Union, Pangasinan, Bula- inquiries, contact (02) 8857-4627 or can, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, 0961-252-9393 from 8AM to 10PM, or Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon,

e-mail support@GMAaffordabox.com.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021

Pedia mom on keeping family healthy amid pandemic

Pediatric infectious diseases specialist Dr. Ma. Delta Aguilar encourages parents to have their children vaccinated following the recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule.

By Monica Sanchez

EDIATRICIAN and mother to three kids Dr. Ma. Delta Aguilar knows first-hand how it is to raise children amid a global health crisis. She even admits to being maselan, or careful when it comes to decisions regarding her family’s health.

As a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, Dr. Aguilar emphasizes one important thing parents must do to protect their children while a virulent disease has yet to be contained – getting their kids vaccinated. “I always make it a point to educate the parents about the importance of vaccinations,” says Dr. Aguilar. “I tell them that vaccines are vital to protect their children from severe illnesses, especially those vaccine-preventable diseases.” Routine immunization for children starts at birth. Vaccines for tuberculosis and Hepatitis B are given at birth; followed by pentavalent vaccine, oral polio vaccine, PCV for pneumonia and meningitis, inactivated polio vaccine, and MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella at prescribed schedules. Despite being “the most effective life-saving public health intervention in history”, vaccine hesitancy is common. To address this hurdle, the pedia mom educates parents and advises them to help their children understand how vaccines work. “My kids remain calm and at ease during their vaccinations because I took the time to explain

to them what to expect and how this will keep them healthy and strong,” shares Dr. Aguilar, whose kids are ages 10, 12, and 15. “I’m sure other parents will find a way to make their vaccination trip a pleasant experience,” she adds, as she cautions against associating needles or injection with punishment which may lead to childhood trauma and long-term fear and hesitancy. “We should not mention, ‘o, ‘pag hindi ka mabait, dadalhin kita sa doctor para ma-injectionan ka!’” says Dr. Aguilar. Equally important, according to the pediatrician, is keeping records of the child’s immunization history to avoid delays. “As a pediatrician, I do not blame the mom for the delay, but I always tell them that we can catch up,” she says. If local community restrictions have have caused parents to miss out on their child’s jab schedule, she advises parents to talk to their pediatrician about catching up and picking up from where they left off. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines releases childhood immunization schedules every year based on updated literature review,

experience, and premises current at the time of publication. “I understand that there are a lot of restrictions during the pandemic, and moms have a lot of other things on their minds. So I encourage them to catch up and provide them a timeframe when they can get their child vaccinated.” More information about the 2021 Childhood Immunization Schedule may be obtained from pediatricians or on the Facebook page of Call The Shots PH. In keeping children physically and mentally active while at home, the pedia mom also has a few tips. “I play board games with the kids, like Monopoly. And whoever loses will do 20 jumping jacks or run around the house a few times. I even bought badminton gear and a bicycle to get them to do some physical activities,” she shares. Other pediatrician-approved ways to keep children healthy during quarantine include ensuring they eat a balanced diet, observing proper hygiene, scheduling a time for kids to connect with their relatives and

Dr. Aguilar (right) with family. The pedia mom suggests engaging children in physical and mental activities at home to help them stay healthy and active.

friends (even virtually), and supporting their emotional and mental well-being through mindfulness activities.

Better vision on World Sight Day 2021 Call the Shots PH is an awareness campaign of MSD Philippines that aims to protect parents and their children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

HEALTH BULLETIN AstraZeneca reaches 10m dose vaccine shipment milestone in PH

Over 10 million doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca have been delivered to the Philippines as of Oct. 8.

BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL company AstraZeneca has delivered over 10 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines following its recent shipment in October. On Oct. 8, 661,100 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in the country to support our mass vaccination program. “The arrival of this latest batch will help ramp up the vaccination rollout among our workers as part of our effort to protect their ranks from the dreaded Delta variant. Having all of our workers vaccinated against COVID-19 will also contribute to the safe reopening of our economy that we are all hoping for in the last quarter of the year,” said Joey Concepcion, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go

Negosyo founder. In partnership with the national government, local government, and the private sector, the company says it is on track to deliver millions more doses between today and early next year through the COVAX facility. “Our collaboration with the government and private sector – which we define and practice as ‘bayanihan’ – is essential to our ongoing efforts to vaccinate people as quickly as possible during this pandemic,” said Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines country president. To date, more than 1.3 billion doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine have been released for supply to over 170 countries globally, and approximately two-thirds of these doses have been delivered to low- and lower-middle-income countries. More than 145 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered through the COVAX facility. In clinical trials, AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 jabs demonstrated 100 percent efficacy against severe disease and hospitalization after two doses. Real-world evidence shows the vaccine is around 80 to 90 percent effective against severe disease.

Hospital expands drive-thru non-COVID vaccination, swabbing services MAKATI Medical Center has recently opened a new drive-thru site for non-COVID adult vaccination to serve more patients. The Amorsolo Mile-Long Drive-Thru Vaccination Service is located along Amorsolo Street in Legazpi Village, Makati City. It is open to adult patients who want to get immunized with pneumococcal and flu vaccines from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The service is strictly by appointment through 8888-8999 or hcare@makatimed.net.ph and must be booked at least a day before the inoculation. The hospital has also extended the operations of its COVID-19 swabbing facilities at Convergys Parking and MakatiMed Dela Rosa Driveway, which are now open every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both sites offer COVID-19 RT-PCR Molecular Test and COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screening. Patients can pay via cash, GCash, or LOA options at the Convergys facility for same-day RT-PCR drive-thru services. Before the Drive-thru non-COVID vaccination service procedure, patients are advised to call MakatiMed On-Call at 8888- of Makati Med along Amorsolo Street in 8999 or MakatiMed COVID Hotline local 7335. Legazpi Village.

World Sight Day, celebrated annually on the second Thursday of October, aims to draw global attention to vision impairment and blindness.

IN CELEBRATION of World Sight Day on Oct. 14, an ophthalmic optics company reminds the public to care for their eye health. “Our sense of sight is essential to our day to day living. But with increased screen time during the lockdown, we have pushed our eyes to the limits which may have led us to experience eye strain and eye fatigue more often,” says Jinky Navo-Palteng, marketing manager of Essilor Philippines. “The celebration of World Sight Day reminds everyone to visit their eye doctor regularly and [maintain] good eye health habits.” Celebrated annually on the second Thursday of October, World Sight Day aims to draw global attention to vision impairment and blindness. According to the World Health Organization, there are at least 1 billion people globally who have near or distance vision impairment “that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed”. Vision impairment, WHO says, affects people of all ages, majority are over 50 years old. “Vision impairment and blindness can have major and long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities, and the ability to access public services,” it adds. Dr. Anthony Ayson, Essilor Philippines lens consult-

From left: Essilor marketing manager Jinky Navo, lens consultant Dr. Anthony Ayson, and consumer marketing executive JV Velasco at the virtual launch of the company’s EssiLove Night digital concert.

ant, highlighted during the company’s recent virtual event, its products from brands like Varilux and Crizal that have helped improve lives with better eyesight. To celebrate World Sight Day, Essilor is staging a series of events starting off with the EssiLove Night, a digital concert featuring Ben&Ben to raise awareness about poor vision and the need for regular eye exams. The online concert will be aired live on Essilor’s official Facebook page on Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. Essilor has extended its Multi Pair promo until Dec. 31 wherein customers buying one pair of prescription eyeglasses can purchase the second pair at 50 percent off.