Manila Standard - 2021 October 23 - Saturday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

SUPERSPREADER? A day after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned that public complacency amid eased community quarantine restrictions could lead to a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, the Manila Bay Coordinating Office on Friday extended the area of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach from 140 meters to 200 meters as thousands of visitors flock to the area at any given time. 'We will extend it as needed. If we see a surge of visitors this coming weekend, we have provisions to extend the area up to 300 meters. By that time, the area will reach 12,000 square meters or 1.2 hectares, which we project can accommodate 5,000 people at any given time,' MBCO Deputy Executive Director Jacob Meimban Jr. said.

Next page

No jab? No case to lose job DOLE clarifies unvaxxed workers can only be furloughed, not fired

By Vito Barcelo

Second phase of vax for kids rolls out, adds more hospitals

U

NDER fire for saying employers could fire unvaccinated employees, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reversed himself yet again, saying that companies cannot fire workers who refuse to get vaccinated, but are allowed to order them not to report to work.

VOL. XXXV • NO. 250 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Willie Casas, Joel E Zurbano, Macon RamosAraneta, Rio N. Araja and Jun David THE second phase of pediatric vaccination against COVID-19 began Friday, as the government rolled out the campaign to the entire National Capital Region.

To mark the start of the Phase II, ceremonial vaccinations were held at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Paranaque and Quezon City General Hospital with DOH Undersecretary Roger Tong-an and Department of Interior Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya attending the ceremonies.

“Not being vaccinated is no basis to dismiss [a worker]. But you can tell the employee, ‘If you do not want to get vaccinated, do not report to work for the meantime,’” Bello said.

Bello came under heavy criticism for saying that quarantine guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF) formed a legal basis for employers to dismiss or withhold the salary of workers who refuse to get Next page vaccinated.

2,745,889 5,823

66,838

41,520

283

2,637,531

4,748

(As of 4 PM, OCTOBER 22)

Children ages12 to 17 years old pose for a photo souvenir after getting their first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Ospital ng Maynila on October 22, 2021.

Norman Cruz

Next page

In-person college classes in low-risk areas eyed Solons favor THE possibility of face-to-face classes

by January in areas with low COVID-19 cases is being studied by the Commission on Higher Education or CHED. CHED chairperson Prospero de Vera III said the plan was not yet doable for

now because only 27 percent of college students nationwide were vaccinated.

Aside from facing low COVID-19 risk, areas where these classes would be rolled out should also have a high vaccination rate, sufficient public transportation, and

A worker cleans the memorial tombs at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City more than a week before All Soul's Day. Some local government units are asking the national government to allow the opening of public cemeteries from October 30 to 31, according to League of Provinces of the Philippines president Marinduque Gov. Presibitero Velasco Jr. In Metro Manila, a resolution was earlier passed mandating the closure of 29 public cemeteries in the region from October 29 to November 2 to prevent mass gatherings that could become COVID superspreader events. Manny Palmero

the go signal of local governments in charge of contact-tracing, De Vera added.

“If local governments are not convinced and they are not part of the planning, it will be difficult to open Next page

Guevarra racing vs. time to look into 6,000 EJKs

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday the Department of Justice review panel would examine as many as it could the cases of deaths arising from illegal drugs operations before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2022.

“It all depends on the manpower resources that we can muster and the extent of cooperation that the PNP (Philippine National Police) will extend to us,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

Guevarra admitted that records and files on illegal drugs operations “are not consolidated or centralized in a single office but are to be found in the various regional offices of the PNP.”

China ignores PH protests, vows to keep patrols in SCS

By Rey E. Requejo DESPITE more than 200 diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines accusing China of repeatedly harassing its patrol vessels, particularly in the West Philip-

pine Sea, Beijing defended its actions and vowed to continue its law enforcement activities in the disputed South China Sea, describing them as "legitimate and justified."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

Wang Wenbin stressed that China’s activities would continue despite Manila's repeated protests against harassment by China while conducting maritime patrols in Philippine territorial waters.

Next page

Next page

ALEC BALDWIN FIRES PROP GUN, KILLS ONE WORLD / B2

gov’t control on oil prices

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE chairman of the House committee on energy on Friday supported a Department of Energy (DOE) recommendation to amend the Oil Deregulation Law, to allow the government to intervene to address sudden and prolonged oil price hikes.

Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo said he received a letter from Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi requesting Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to provide a framework for government intervention, and to require the unbundling of the cost of retail products to determine their true and the passon costs.

"I welcome the proposal of the DOE to amend the Oil Deregulation Law after oil prices escalated over the past eight weeks,” Arroyo said in a statement. “As chairman of the House committee on energy, I have long pushed for a special mechanism to prevent overpricing in emergency situations. The Oil Deregulation Law does not give oil companies blanket authority to take advantage of consumers.”

Next page

A2

News

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NO HOSTAGE TAKING, ONLY REFUSAL TO COOPERATE

Senators blame Pharmally execs S

PH logs 5,823 new COVID infections THE Philippines logged on Friday 5,823 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,745,889, the Department of Health reported.

The DOH also reported 283 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 41,520.

The positivity rate stood at 11.6 percent, the DOH said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Risa Hontiveros said they were bound to follow the orders of the senators with regard to the inquiry.

"To cooperate in the Senate means they should submit the documents subject of subpoena duces tecum or as asked by a senator," stressed Sotto.

He even recommended to the Pharmally executives to read the Philippine Constitution.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon has ordered the arrest and detention in the Senate of siblings Mohit and Twinkle Dargani who were declared in contempt of court for refusing to submit documents earlier subpoenaed by the committee.

Mohit is corporate secretary and treasurer of Pharmally while Twinkle sits as the company’s president.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Major General Rene Samonte said the Darganis

went missing after they were ordered arrested.

He said the Darganis were not found in any of their three condominium units as of Tuesday night although condo staff and security personnel have confirmed that they own the condominium units in BGC in Taguig and Greenhills in San Juan.

Hontiveros was baffled why Pharmally executives could not be seen.

"First, Ms. (Krizie) Mago after she confirmed the tampering of face shields, now it's Mr. (Mohit) Dargani on overpricing," said Hontiveros while referring to the instance when Mago, another Pharmally executive, went missing after confirming that the face shields delivered to the Department of Health were tampered.

With the many Blue Ribbon committee hearings on the issue, Hontiveros pointed out the documents being asked by the senators from them were yet to be completed.

"What we have been asking for are basic

documentary records of their transactions.

These are documents that they are required to maintain for tax purposes. So where are they?" she said.

If Pharmally cannot document the cost of goods sold, she said their tax deficiency might reach several billion pesos.

Based on the evidence presented in the Senate, the senator said Pharmally should be audited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue "Let me just remind Mr. Dargani that all resource persons in the hearings were under oath. If they are changing their statements or if there are discrepancies, they are disrespecting the Blue Ribbon Committee and the Filipino people," she said.

"The Chairman is within his power to hold them in contempt, and I fully support the committee’s efforts to find the Dargani siblings," she added.

In a statement, Mohit said the Blue ribbon committee failed to treat them justly.

Rather than impartially listening to them, he said the senators tried to get them to incriminate themselves.

"They want us detained because we asserted our rights, they can’t get what they want to hear from us. The President has nothing to do with their transactions with PS-DBM. We are being falsely accused for political gain.”

"They treat us like criminals whose lives aren’t worthy of living anymore. We tried our best to cooperate and respect them, but

No...

that employers may impose, terminating them from work is a cure worse than the disease. We demand that Secretary Bello withdraw this statement,” Rene Magtubo, PM chairman said.

“We do not agree with the interpretation of Secretary Bello that the IATF resolution on alert levels can form the legal basis for terminating employees. Said resolution on vaccination is never and should never be part of just and authorized causes for terminating employment contracts,” he said.

“The IATF resolution only requires fully vaccinated workers for the opening of certain services but the DOLE secretary overstretched its application to justify the ongoing, illegal ‘no jab, no pay’ and ‘no jab, no work’ schemes by companies,” the TUCP said.

“TUCP wants all qualified workers to voluntarily be vaccinated. We understand the importance and need to get vaccinated, it is for the workers and their families health too, but let us not forget the main problem still confronting us is the lack of vaccine supply and the inability of workers to get vaccination slots,” it said.

For his part, Bello said employers have the discretion whether or not to accept unvaccinated workers, saying this was not a form of discrimination.

The DOLE chief said being vaccinated can be considered as a qualification for the job—a reversal of his earlier positions on the nonpayment of workers and discrimination on the basis of a worker’s vaccination status.

The TUCP blasted Bello for giving

more weight to “a mere IATF resolution” to the Labor Code, which prohibits the nonpayment of wages for work done.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay also pointed out that the Vaccination Act of 2021 specifically provides that a vaccination card is not a condition for employment.

"We remind Secretary Bello, that the IATF resolution does not say that unvaccinated workers, under Alert Level 3, can be fired by employers or have their salaries withheld, for not being able to submit a complete vaccination card. In short, the position of Secretary Bello is absolutely without legal basis and will now promote a rampant disregard for worker's rights at a time when, the secretary is aware, these workers and their rights are most vulnerable to violation,” the TUCP said.

been getting the physical activities that the growing children should,” he said. “The lockdown may have also affected their mental health. As such, we are urging that eligible children and adolescents be registered following your hospital’s mechanisms. As with other vaccines, make sure that the doses are completed on schedule.

And most importantly, in the time of the pandemic, practice minimum public health standards to protect from getting infected and infecting others with COVID-19 and its variants.”

The DOH also reminded everyone covered in the Pediatric A3 Group to first secure a vaccination schedule with the hospital and bring the following on the day of vaccination: 1.) medical certificate detailing the child’s comorbidity, 2.) valid IDs of both the child and the parent or guardian, and 3.) any proof of filiation like the birth certificate.

The vaccine recipient must also be accompanied by the parent or guardian at the vaccination site.

The government declared the first week of the pediatric vaccination a success.

“We’re very happy to report that the vaccination of children was very successful in the first week,” said National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez made the announcement following the arrival of 1,014,390 doses of government-procured Pfizer vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday.

The government started inoculating minors (persons aged 12-17 years old) on Oct. 15.

The initial stage involved eight hospitals in Metro Manila targeting 15-17 years old individuals with comorbidity or those belonging to Pediatric A3 category.

Galvez had also recommended that children of health care workers be inocu-

lated first.

On Friday, an additional 23 hospitals in the National Capital Region joined the second phase of the program.

Galvez said more than 4,000 children have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, with only four reported cases of minor adverse reactions.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava said she had visited one of the hospitals in Metro Manila to witness the inoculation of children.

“We’re delighted that more is coming in the Philippines specifically because we’re vaccinating children ages 12 and above. I had the opportunity to visit a hospital in Manila today when I saw some of the children being vaccinated,” Variava said.

The latest Pfizer vaccine shipment will be allocated to local government units in Cebu, Davao, and Metro Manila.

To date, 11,682,450 doses out of the 40 million doses of Pfizer vaccines purchased by the government from the USbased pharmaceutical firm have been delivered to the country.

The Manila city government on Thursday kicked off its mass vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17, said Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.

Domagoso said the first batch of minors who got jabbed all came from the fifth district of Manila, where Ospital ng Maynila is located.

He also renewed his call to the adult members of the family to pre-register their children or wards so they can avail of the free vaccination too.

The vaccination of minors, the Manila mayor said, intends to prepare them for the face-to-face classes. He noted that they should also be protected since they belong to the age group most at risk of getting infected.

Domagoso said the city government has been preparing for the mass inoculation of minors for months, with about

50,000 already pre-registered.

About 23,354 vaccines have been reserved for this age group and the city government is still waiting for vaccine doses from the national government.

THE Quezon City government, meanwhile, has opened its online booking for the vaccination of minors with co-morbidities aged 12 to 17 to give them protection against COVID-19.

“We have seen in the past months how the virus has been affecting our kids as well. It’s high time that we expand the vaccination program to them. We, in the local government, would like to assure everyone that the inoculation process for the children will be as smooth, if not better, as the ones we had for the adults,” Belmonte said.

The kick-off activity was at the Quezon City General Hospital.

Dr. Maria Lourdes Eleria of the QC Task Force Vax to Normal said that Pfizer and Moderna would be used in the inoculation since these two vaccines were the only ones approved by the FDA for use by the target group.

Also on Friday, Mayor Oscar Malapitan observed the first day of vaccination in Caloocan City for young people aged 12 to 17 years old with comorbidity or illness.

Two local hospitals, Caloocan City Medical Center (CCMC) and Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC) were open Friday to vaccinate the children with the Pfizer vaccine.

The two hospitals said they were ready to receive 200 slots each Friday along with those who booked their online appointment slots.

Walk-ins are also allowed for the said age group until 2 p.m. as long as they make sure that the requirements are complete.

The first to be vaccinated was Dan Alfred Garcia, 17, a Grade 12 student.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to increase the production and supply of crude oil by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) and will meet on Nov. 4 to reassess the situation.

Cusi said the Philippines uses about 425,000 bpd, representing only 0.4 percent of the world supply.

Arroyo said it is time to reexamine the books of oil companies to see if they are taking advantage of the crisis to rake in profits.

Cusi earlier said prices of petroleum products are expected to further increase until early next year with the current shortage in oil supply in the world market.

He attributed the oil price hike in the past eight weeks mainly to developments in the global market.

Global supply is still lacking about 3 million bpd as oil producers and exporters are only supplying 100 million bpd while the demand is at 103 million bpd.

Meanwhile, the DOE said it is hoping

to tap the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to assist the transport sector in the wake of the high oil prices.

"There is a law where we can get assistance and that is Section 82 of the TRAIN Law where the excise tax can be used in times or situations like this one," DOE Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said in a virtual briefing.

Section 82 states that five years from the effectivity of the Act, the yearly incremental revenues can be

used for fuel vouchers to qualified franchise holders of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and for fare discount from all public utility vehicles (except trucks for hire and school transport service) in the amount equivalent to 10 percent of the authorized fare.

"We discussed that in Congress and one of the things taken into consideration is that what was being collected is still there," Erguiza said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

to conduct law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with domestic laws and international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Wang said in a press conference in Beijing on Oct.21.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said

over 200 diplomatic protests were lodged against China over "unlawful radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns" during patrols by Philippine vessels within the West Philippine Sea. China and the Philippines have been embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly in its south-

ern part called the Spratlys.

In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated the ninedash line claims of China over the South China Sea and upheld Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. A vital trading and shipping lane and

also home to rich oil and mineral deposits, the South China Sea is claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

China's vast territorial claims in the waters have sparked tensions and violent confrontations with smaller claimants, like the Philippines and Vietnam.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae S. Flores

ENATORS dismissed the claims of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation executives that they were being held hostage during the Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the alleged anomalies that marred the multi-billion procurement of medical supplies for COVID response.

From A1

Backpedalling on his claim that employers could withhold payment to unvaccinated workers, Bello said Friday that companies may apply a “no work, no pay” policy if the employees do not report to work.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed Bello III for justifying a “no jab, no work” and a “no jab, no pay” policy, saying it is the Department of Labor and Employment that is supposed to protect workers and save jobs.

“While refusing unvaccinated workers to work in facilities prohibited by alert levels is a practical health measure

Second...

From A1

Mayor Edwin Olivarez of Parañaque, Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan, and Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City were at the events in their respective jurisdictions.

“As with the vaccination process of the adults, the vaccination for children will be closely monitored to detect adverse events following immunization to ensure the safety of our young vaccine recipients,” Tong-An said during the ceremonial vaccination at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Phase 2 adds to the initial list of eight hospitals participating in the pediatric vaccination. The additions to the list include Caloocan City Medical Center (North and South), Ospital ng Malabon, Navotas City Hospital, Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, Marikina Sports Complex which is near Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City General Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City, Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Makati, SM Megamall Mega Vaccination Site which is near Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Ospital ng Parañaque 1, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, and Pasay City General Hospital. St. Luke’s Medical Center - Global City will also cater to the municipality of Pateros.

Tong-An said vaccinating children would make a better environment, saying the lockdown has stunted their growth socially.

“They have not, since the start of the pandemic, been able to go to school through which they are taught to socialize with children and other adults. They have not been able to meet with other family members and relatives due to restrictions. They have not

Solons...

From A1

In the Oct. 18 letter, Cusi cited the need to revise the law to allow the government to address the sudden and prolonged oil price spikes.

"The country is currently facing a prolonged oil price spike due to continuing rise in world market price resulting from the sudden global increase in demand and unanticipated lack of supply," he said.

China...

From A1

"China's position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear-cut. It is legitimate and reasonable for China's maritime law enforcement authorities

this was completely out of harmony with accepted legal standards," added Mohit.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Senate Hearing on the Department of Energy's budget for 2022 became a venue for certain political interests.

"While the DOE recognizes the prerogative of the Committee to conduct its hearing in a manner that preserves the integrity and order of the proceedings, it is our view that the budget hearing may have been used unwittingly as a platform to advocate certain political interests," Cusi said in a letter to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

He said the hearing was marred by issues raised by some members of the Senate that "sought to portray DOE as a perpetrator of fraud" in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

He said the accusations against DOE and other entities that accompanied Senator Manny Pacquiao's opening statement were "malicious" and inaccurate and were intended to malign.

During the hearing, Pacquiao asked Melvin Matibag, the president of the National Transmission Corporation, on the involvement of the DOE with the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), operator of the WESM where Matibag’s wife is reportedly one of the incorporators.

COVID BRIEFS

NCR reproduction rate declines further THE COVID-19 reproduction number in the National Capital Region has decreased to 0.46 from 0.59 a week ago, the independent OCTA Research Group said Friday.

The figure was also slightly lower than Thursday's 0.47, OCTA said.

Reproduction rate refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

Temper optimism, virus expert says AN EXPERT has told the public to be “cautiously optimistic” even as the number of COVID-19 cases declined in the country.

"We need to tell the public to be optimistic but cautiously, cautiously optimistic because still, 4,000 is way beyond our previous peaks,” Prof. Jomar Rabajante of the University of the Philippines COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team said during an interview on TeleRadyo. Willie Casas

Guevarra...

From A1

“We may also consider random sampling of cases from all regions. It is possible that certain patterns may be observed without having to examine each and every case,” he said.

Justice Undersecretary Adrian Ferdinand Sugay earlier said the DOJ might not be able to finish the review of the thousands of cases involving deaths during the illegal drugs operations.

“There are so many. We only have a few months to do it,” Sugay said, noting that the number of cases had reached over 6,000.

Sugay said the instruction given by Guevarra was to review cases that took place in urban areas first.

PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Sugay said, has expressed his “willingness, readiness to make available the records of these cases" to the DOJ. Fifty-two cases involving deaths in drug war operations had been reviewed by the Justice department so far.

The results had been given to the President, the PNP and to the National Bureau of Investigation which was ordered by Guevarra to conduct case buildups and to file charges if evidence warranted.

In-person...

From A1

universities immediately,” he said.

CHED aims to finish the guidelines in November or December, he added.

Last January, the government approved face-to-face classes for medical courses.

Less than 1 percent of students caught COVID-19, De Vera said. None of the students or staff died or were hospitalized, he added.

Around 71 percent of faculty and personnel have been vaccinated nationwide, he said, adding “Our assessment is the implementation of guidelines for medical and allied health colleges was good.”

He said this was why President Rodrigo Duterte in September allowed more in-person classes for more programs, including maritime schools, engineering and technology, and tourism and travel management.

News

A3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Customs probes luxury car showrooms in QC, Pampanga Joel E. Zurbano

LUXURY CARS. Bureau of Customs official Alvin Enciso inspects two luxury cars in QC showroom as part the government’s campaign to go after suspected smugglers of vehicles, especially luxury cars (Bureau of Customs).

Lawmaker seeks creation of combat sports commission

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEGISLATOR has called for the creation of a combat sports commission to oversee the grant of welfare benefits and incentives to athletes in combat sports.

These athletes wll include boxers, kickboxers, and mixed martial artists, among others.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, author of House Bill (HB) 9443, said the proposed Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission (PBCSC) will become the single agency to formulate, initiate, plan and implement a national policy for the growth of professional boxing and other combat sports in the country.

HB 9443 is now being consolidated with other similar bills by the joint technical working group (TWG) of the House committees on government reorganization and on games and amusements.

“The commission will be tasked to provide and implement the necessary incentives and benefits long overdue to all professional boxers and combat sports athletes who have brought honor and prestige to our country,” Villafuerte said.

“For all the accolades that our boxers and combatant champions bring, it is high time that their welfare is prioritized,” he added.

Villafuerte said under his bill, all professional boxers and combat sports athletes shall be enrolled with the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or PAG-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits being offered by these state-run firms as provided under the law.

Boxers and other combat sports athletes will also be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax, and any other travel-related taxes or fees if they are to compete in international competitions, as provided under Villafuerte’s measure.

THE Bureau of Customs is investigating car showrooms in Quezon City and Pampanga in line with the government’s campaign to go after suspected smugglers of vehicles, especially luxury cars.

On Thursday, members of the Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS) have inspected showrooms in Xavierville, Quezon City, and San Simon, Pampanga suspected to be storing smuggled luxury cars and other motor vehicles with an estimated value of P500 million.

The inspection was conducted by the MICP-CIIS led by its chief Alvin Enciso in close coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Coast Guard following intelligence report that smuggled luxury cars were stored in the area.

The composite team proceeded to the showrooms armed with the Letter of Authority (LOA) signed and issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guer-

Arrest of Ongpin looms for drug possesion rap Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Regional Trial Court in San Fernando City in La Union is expected to soon issue a warrant of arrest against Julian Roberto Ongpin after his criminal case for illegal possession of dangerous drugs has been raffled off to Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. of RTC Branch 27.

Agacita was the same magistrate who issued a precautionary hold departure order against Ongpin when the charge for illegal possession of dangerous drugs was under preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice.

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar revealed on Friday that the illegal possession of drug case against Ongpin was assigned to Agacita.

Under the rules, Agacita has to determine if there is probable cause for the issuance of an arrest order.

“As of this morning (Oct. 22), a warrant of arrest has yet to be issued,” Villar said, in a text message to reporters.

Ongpin, son of billionaire-businessman Roberto Ongpin, has been charged with violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Danger-

ous Drugs Act of 2002.

Section 11, Article II of RA 9165 imposes a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million for possession of 10 grams or more of dangerous drugs such as cocaine.

Illegal possession of dangerous drugs of 10 grams or more is a non-bailable offense.

Ongpin has been a person of interest in the Sept. 18 death of artist Breanna “Bree” Jonson. He and Breanna checked in at a hotel in San Juan, La Union last Sept. 17.

In the morning of Sept. 18, Breanna was found “motionless” inside the hotel room and was declared dead in a hospital.

The police recovered 12.6 grams of cocaine inside the room the couple occupied.

Ongpin was arrested. The police report stated that both Ongpin and Jonson tested positive for cocaine use.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform wants a P12.8-billion budget for 2022 to implement its programs.

The DAR said it plans to use the budget for land reform, agrarian peace and stability, sustainable development, social justice, and industrialization in the rural areas.

Undersecretary for Finance Lucius Jun-

Five arrested for La Union illegal quarry LA UNION police arrested five individuals for allegedly engaging in illegal quarry operations along the TubaoAringay River in the municipality of Tubao in violation of national laws and provincial ordinances.

Police records showed that at 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 19, joint personnel from 2nd La Union Provincial Mobile Force Company and Tubao Police Station, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of La Union, and Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB), responded to a reported illegal quarrying activity at Tubao-Aringay River in Barangay Halog West, Tubao, La Union.

The investigating team then caught the five suspects “quarrying/excavating rocks and stones at Tubao (Aringay) River” using heavy equipment and transport vehicles.

The suspects were found operating a LiuGong PayLoader, a Hyundai Excavator Backhoe, a Sinotruck Dump Truck, and an Isuzu Mini Dump Truck on the site. “They failed to show any pertinent documents with their quarrying activity,” the police said.

Chinese General warns public vs. fake negative RT-PCR results

EXTRACTION. A faculty member of the National University’s College of Dentistry demonstrates cavity extraction during the

Commission on Higher Education inspection and awarding of a certificate to conduct limited face-to-face classes at the NU College of Dentistry in Pasay City. DANNY PATA

DAR wants P12.8b budget for 2022; eyes more land distribution RioN.Araja

rero.

The inspections resulted in the discovery of luxury cars such as Lamborghini and Ferrari, and motorcycles or big bikes such as Ducati.

Also found were several bulletproof sports utility vehicles, customized sports cars, trucks, boats, among others.

Enciso said all the motor vehicles were without appropriate importation documents.

The authorities gave the establishment owners 15 days to show proof of importation documents, or the goods will be subjected to seizure and forfeiture under Section 224 concerning Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

In mid-June, the same team seized P16 million worth of smuggled luxury vehicles, including a white 2021 Land Cruiser; a red 2016 Nissan GTR, and black 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe.

Enciso said the series of operations is in line with the bureau’s campaign dubbed “Coplan Tsekot” aimed to prevent the illegal importation of vehicles into the country.

jun Malsi said as of January, the department has a remaining 513,286 hectares of agricultural lands for distribution to landless farmers.

“Bulk of the proposed budget would be used to support the three major programs of DAR, namely: the Agrarian Justice Delivery (AJD) Program, Land Tenure Security (LTS) Program, and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustain-

ability Program,” he said.

Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Office Luis Meinrado Pangulayan disclosed that among the DAR’s remaining lands to be distributed are idle governmentowned lands under Executive Order No. 75, and problematic lands that involve legal issues.

“Under E.O. 75, the DAR will distribute 206,099 hectares of land. The distribution

of idle government-owned lands is a top priority of the Department following the issuance by the President of Executive Order No. 75, series of 2019,” he said.

Senator Cynthia Villar, committee on food, agriculture, and agrarian reform, asked for the report of the most difficult land problems to be submitted on Oct. 29 before the final hearing of the DAR’s budget in November.

THE Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) has warned the public against individuals offering fake RT-PCR negative test results from CGHMC. In a statement, the CGHMC said this scheme is made by using an RTPCR test result and altering the name and personal details of the patient who underwent the COVID testing. It is replaced with the name of another person and corresponding personal details.

The fake RT-PCR test result allows a person to obtain a negative RT-PCR test result without the need to undergo an actual swabbing procedure irrespective of his or her health status, the hospital said.

Moreover, fake RT-PCR test results gravely endanger public health and make a mockery of the efforts of both public and private sectors including our medical front-liners who make daily sacrifices to provide accurate, safe and reliable COVID-19 testing to safeguard public health and beat this pandemic, the CGHMC further said.

Cebu teacher among finalists in ‘Global Teacher Prize’ BRYANT Acar, a science teacher from Science and Technology Education Center - Senior High School (STEC-SHS) in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu has made it to the Top 10 of the prestigious Global Teacher Prize (GTP) 2021.

Nominated by his students and colleagues for the prestigious international award due to his various contributions to his school and region, Acar has joined nine other finalists from other countries vying for the $1 million award presented annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to

their profession.

“Being in the Top 10 is something I did not expect. There are so many teachers with high qualifications and great accomplishments, so many of us are clueless as to who will make it to the list,” Acar said.

Transferring from a comfortable teaching post in a university in search of a greater purpose, Acar landed at STEC-SHS, a small school without a science laboratory, in 2016.

With his perseverance and love for science, he has trained his students, used his connections to universities to link his

school to laboratories that they can use to practice, and developed teaching modules, textbooks, worksheets, and learning resources replicated by 10 neighboring science schools. His students are now national and international winners of various science competitions.

“I draw inspiration from the students and the value of resilience. I should never give up because of this pandemic. This did not cripple me from giving my best in teaching. The platform may have changed to online but a motivated teacher will always find a way to rise to the occasion,” Acar said.

PENSION FOR SENIORS. The local government of Tabaco City distributes

social pensions for senior citizens for the second semester. Each senior citizen received P3,000 for the months of July to December. NORMAN CRUZ

A4

News

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

SNIFF, SPOT. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group launches its own Narcotics Detection Dogs (NDD) at the Manila Harbour Center, where ten K9 Dogs will be deployed with their handlers. Norman Cruz

Binay: Prepare food for areas under lockdown

By Joel E. Zurbano FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday urged the national government to provide food and other basic needs to residents of fourth and fifth-class municipalities to be placed under granular lockdown.

Such assistance from the national government, according to Binay, should be received by residents on time.

“This government is notorious for delays in releasing aid to LGUs (local government units). I hope this will not happen during the granular lockdowns,” he said in a statement.

The lockdowns in the provinces “should not add to the hardships of our fellow Filipinos already suffering from the economic effects of the pandemic,” added Binay, who is running for senator in the May 2022 elections.

The former VP welcomed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) saying it is open to a deferment of the alert level system outside Metro Manila as requested by the League of Provinces.

Under the alert level system, local governments have the authority to place certain areas under granular lockdown.

Residents in these locked-down areas are provided food and necessities.

“The reality is that not all local governments have the resources to implement granular lockdowns,” Binay said, adding that fourth class and fifth class municipalities outside Metro Manila are “barely able to provide basic services even before the pandemic.”

Estrada, Tingog give wheelchairs to Leyte elderly TINGOG Party-list nominee and actress-singer Karla Estrada on Friday led the donation of brand-new wheelchairs in Leyte to boost the morale of elderly residents by improving their mobility.

The distribution of wheelchairs by Tingog Party-list group led by Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on the Welfare of Children, has been its mission as it gives inspiration and possible job opportunities to beneficiaries despite their physical handicap.

The Tingog Party-list group cited the importance of pursuing community support services and programs aimed at providing convenience and improving the mobility of people with physical impairment.

In her speech, Estrada, the mother of actor and recording artist Daniel Padilla, expressed deep gratitude to the Burawanons for their continued support to Tingog Party-list.

Anecita Sernal, a 92-year-old beneficiary, was filled with emotion as she thanked Tingog for giving her a wheelchair that will improve her mobility.

At the same time, Estrada paid a courtesy visit to Burauen, Leyte Mayor Juanito Renomeron, Jr. who expressed his deep appreciation to Tingog’s assistance to the elderly sector and other programs for his constituents. Maricel V. Cruz

Rumors soar as Sara, Marcos both in Cebu

By Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio were both in Cebu on Friday, fueling speculation they were preparing to cement their tandem for the May 2022 elections.

Marcos arrived in Cebu City to launch his regional campaign headquarters there and paid a courtesy call to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, as representatives for both said the meeting was simply “cordial.”

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio was visiting her cousin, Cebu Province 5th District Board member Red Duterte, the Davao mayor announced herself on her official Facebook page.

Although neither camp declared they were in fact meeting in the Queen City of the South, rumors of a Marcos-Duterte ticket for next year’s polls grew after a poster was being circulated on social media with “Inday Sara” billed as vice president to “BBM.” This is contrary to many expectations that the Davao mayor would become the Duterte administration’s standardbearer by substitution, after the ruling

PDP-Laban told Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to file his certificate of candidacy for president hours before the October 8 deadline.

Dela Rosa later admitted it would be better if Duterte-Carpio would run in his stead, as he filed his COC at the Commission on Elections wearing a shirt with the logo of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) – the regional party led by the Davao mayor.

“Good evening, everyone. My visit to Cebu is confirmed. I am talking now to my cousin, Cebu 5th District Board Member Red Duterte. Thank you very much,” Duterte-Carpio said in Filipino on FB, with five photos of her alighting from a plane, walking into the MactanCebu airport, and being seated at a table talking to her cousin and two other men.

HOLIDAY CANDLES.

A candlemaker designs new candles at a factory in Caloocan City on Friday. In the coming weeks leading to the observance of All Saints Day, candles will become a hot commodity as Filipinos remember their departed loved ones. Manny Palmero

Torres-Gomez vouches for leadership of Ping, Tito LEYTE Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, who rejected endorsements from political parties to join their senatorial lineup, has vouched for the leadership of Partido Reporma presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, for next year’s national elections.

“I admire the duo of Sen. Ping and Sen. Sotto very much because from the start they bonded together under a platform of peace and order, and countryside development- issues very close to the heart of a ‘probinsyana’ like me,” stressed Torres-Gomez.

The congresswoman was the Guest Speaker during Ormoc City’s 75th

Charter Day celebration and in the event of Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte for the oathtaking of Partido Reporma members of Leyte.

Lacson is seeking the country’s highest post for the second time, while Sotto is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, where he sits as president. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Matula is in, Colmenares out for Leni VICE President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo has named labor leader Sonny Matula as her 12th bet on her Senate slate for the coming 2022 elections – leaving out another aspirant from the left, Neri Colmenares.

The Vice President announced this, three days after Matula of the Labor Party Philippines and others under the umbrella group Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni (ALL 4 Leni) expressed unconditional support for Robredo’s 2022 presidential bid, whether Matula made the Senate slate or not.

“I am pushing Sonny Matula of the Labor Party of the Philippines. He has a clear track record in fighting for the rights of Filipino workers and stood up against big corporations with his principles and skill as a lawyer,” Robredo said in a video message.

“Attorney Matula has been pushing for labor rights, an advocacy that I have also been fighting for way before I entered politics. As a labor advocate, I am assured that he will fight for what is right, what is good and what is just,” she added.

Matula will join the 11 Senate bets earlier announced by Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, which include incumbent Senators Richard Gordon, Joel Villanueva, Miguel Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros, and Leila de Lima, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, former congressman Teddy Baguilat, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, and Alex Lacson of Kapatiran.

In a statement, Colmenares reiterated that those who will complete Robredo’s senatorial slate is a decision to be made by the Vice President.

“My non-inclusion in her slate does not preclude us from continuing engagement and cooperation with her campaign on urgent issues that concern our people,” Colmenares said.

“The most urgent of these issues is preventing a Marcos restoration and a Duterte extension amid the continuing pandemic and the worsening crisis in the country,” he added.

Bello: Isko just ‘Duterte 2.0’ on agriculture

By Macon Ramos-Araneta LABAN ng Masa vice presidential candidate Walden Bello on Friday hit presidential candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for being nothing more than a “Duterte 2.0” when it comes to agriculture.

Commenting on the agriculture plan presented by Manila Mayor Domagoso yesterday in Tarlac, Bello said the latter’s proposals are just a rehashed version of President Rodrigo Duterte’s failed anti-farmer policy.

Bello said: “It is disappointing that, despite promising to be on the side of the poor, Moreno sounds more like a Duterte wannabe: instead of siding with our farmers, he too is hellbent on becoming a stooge of the WTO (World Trade Organization) and an underling of giant multinational agri-companies and their local billionaire agents.”

Meanwhile, Domagoso likely would not “adopt” candidates for his senatorial slate.

To date, the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate has only three Senate contenders on his ticket -- Mindanao civic leader Samira Mutoc, entrepreneur Carl Balita, and lawyer Jopet Sison.

This is Mutoc’s second shot at the Senate run after her 2019 bid under the “Otso Diretso” slate of the Liberal Party. Balita and Sison are both firsttime Senate candidates.

Also, Domagoso on Friday backed the creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which is separate and independent from the existing Department of Agriculture.

PRO 3 posts big weeklong busts

By Jun David

VAX CHECK. The staff at a restaurant in SM City Dasmariñas asks customers to present

their vaccine cards for inspection to check if they are fully vaccinated before dining in on Friday. Only 30 percent of a restaurant’s capacity are allowed to dine inside, and they need to follow health protocols against COVID-19. JR Josue

ELEMENTS of Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 neutralized four drug personalities and arrested 141 others, while confiscating more than P263 million worth of “shabu” in weeklong operations.

PRO 3 Regional Director, Police/ Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon, said they conducted continuous police operations to eradicate different activities in their campaign against illegal drugs, which is the priority program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In a report submitted to de Leon, PRO 3 conducted 96 police operations

that resulted in the arrest of 141 personalities and the death of one person from October 8 to 14.

Another buy-bust operation saw four Chinese drug personalities neutralized in Angeles City, Pampanga as PRO 3 confiscated 38,000 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P262.2 million.

Other operations also resulted in a total confiscation of 201.921 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P1,373,062, and 1,006 grams of marijuana with an estimated value of P120,720.

All arrested drug personalities were properly charged in court.

Opinion What more can you ask for? waste-to-energy technologies to the PUP community.

“This green initiative can be utilized especially in the areas of instruction, curriculum, research and development, and extension work,” says Prof. Jimmy Fernando, CES Chief.

The project, dubbed as Waste-to-Energy Technology Center and Laboratory, includes the collection, filtering, and conversion of WCO into energy using the Renergy System equipment of Japan for use in diesel engine generators, charging stations of electric vehicles, and other sustainable usage of WCO. WCO is classified as hazardous waste under Republic Act 6969 or “An Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes.”

In Metro Manila, undetermined amounts of WCO are drained to the canals, tributaries that eventually flow to the Pasig River and eventually to Manila Bay becoming one of the main pollutants in Manila Bay. Aside from producing these board toppers and embarking on projects aimed at benefitting the environment, PUP, under Muhi’s stewardship, has been active in doing research works published in international Scopus-indexed journals and the web of science.

For this year, it has already produced 94 publications from its research. Recently, the PUP Center for Environmental Technologies and Compliance Program, along with Adamson University, University of the Philippines—Diliman Science and UP—Diliman synergistic air and water quality sensing system with purification devices using local materials for MSMEs. Of the total amount, PUP will get P13,882,608.80, P10,783,179.40 for the first year of the project and P3,099,429.40 in the second year. Target beneficiaries of the project are local communities, micro small medium enterprises in manufacturing and recycling industries.

All these were accomplished in such a short period of time. No wonder PUP graduates have emerged as the top choice of employers.

And for P12 per unit, what more can one ask for?

Muhi can never describe these feat better: Mula sa ‘yo, para sa bayan.

Sintang paaralan.

DESPITE wanting in high-end facilities readily available in other universities, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines continues to deliver, giving those schools charging exorbitant tuition fees a run for their money —literally.

The other day, the Professional Regulatory Commission released the results of the licensure examination for nutritionist dieticians, with PUP student—Chino Kairo Ronquillo Serrano topping the exam, besting students from other schools.

This is my sintang paaralan.

Last month, it was also a PUP student—Bryan Bautista Estaris who topped the licensure examination for electrical engineers.

PUP President Manuel Muhi, who’s only in his second year as school prexy, must be doing a good job in producing these topnotchers despite the fact the state university’s budget requests have been consistently slashed by half for the past years.

PUP, of late, has also been active in environmental projects. Earlier this week, PUP, in partnership with Renergy System, Inc., opened a Waste Cooking Oil-to-Energy Laboratory in its main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila called the project a “green initiative” of the University.

Muhi said, “the PUP community has a gargantuan task to save and care for the environment.”

“The importance of recycling our waste must be the priority of everyone to reduce the amount of waste produced, contribute to the conservation of many non-renewable resources,” Muhi said, adding, “we can now find better ways of recycling cooking oil without harming the environment.”

The PUP Center for Environmental Studies described the WCO-to-energy laboratory as a “green initiative” that opens greater availability of

Cooperating with the world to achieve a net-zero future

By Minister Chang Tzi-chin Environmental Protection Administration Republic of China (Taiwan) AS the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the world, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere keep setting record highs. The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in August 2021 strongly confirmed that human activity has furthered the warming of the atmosphere, oceans, and land.

The atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, and biosphere have all undergone broad and rapid changes. The weather in 2021 has also been unstable, as can be seen by the winter storm in the US state of Texas that severely damaged the energy system and the record-setting temperatures of nearly 50 degrees Celsius on the North American west coast. By the same token, Western Europe and China have suffered from heavy rains. In addition, Taiwan experienced its worst drought in more than 50 years, which was followed by abnormally heavy rainfall. One can clearly see how climate change has profoundly affected the whole world.

With extreme weather events challenging the entire globe today, the United Nations calls on all countries to implement the Paris Agreement and take more proactive steps. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan strives to integrate with global efforts to mitigate climate change.

President Tsai Ing-wen declared on this year’s Earth Day (April 22) that realizing net-zero emissions by 2050 is the goal of the world, including Taiwan.

She also unveiled clear greenhouse gas emission targets for Taiwan. At the 33rd meeting of the National Council for Sustainable Development, Premier Su Tseng-chang announced the inclusion of the 2050 net-zero emission target in the amendment bill for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to actively reduce carbon emissions.

More and stronger management mechanisms and incentive systems will be introduced with other vital amendments so as to enhance governance efficiency, introduce carbon pricing mechanisms, and adapt strategies for climate change.

Such measures aim to encourage private investment in research and development, as well as public participation in the sustainable development of Taiwan.

Taiwan has established long-term reduction targets and is planning a practical path to attain 2050 net-zero emissions. The Executive Yuan has coordinated relevant ministries and agencies, convened a working group on paths to net-zero emissions, and sought professional consultation from Academia Sinica and the Industrial Technology Research Institute. Four working groups have been formed to focus on the areas of decarbonized energy, industry and energy efficiency, green transportation and vehicle electrification, and carbon-negative technology so as to carry out interministerial techni-

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

B1

EDITORIAL

T

COVID lies in wait

HE reported slowdown in COVID-19 infections the past few weeks has raised many to the level of self-congratulation and a kind of conceit that is enabling them to go out of their homes and discard the basic health protocols.

possibility of a surge in the next four to six months.

There were 5,823 new cases Friday, bringing the total number of infected to 2.48 million in the Philippines.

It remains out there.

Nationwide, 58 percent of ICU beds, 45 percent of isolation beds, 43 percent of ward beds, and 42 percent of ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 52 percent of ICU beds, 37 percent of isolation beds, 40 percent of ward beds, and 37 percent of ventilators, were in use.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire herself said the alert level for the National Capital Region could be lowered if the number of infections continues to decline.

In an interview on CNN Philippines,

Instance, many flocked recently to the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach and other areas with eased lockdown restrictions in Metro Manila, where 13 million of the country’s 110 million population live.

This dash to crowd-gathering places has prompted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to warn against the possibility of a fresh wave of cases in the next few months, calling these as “super spreader events” which could raise the

she said the NCR’s current seven-day moving average in COVID-19 cases was 1,156.

Vergeire said a less than 500 average, like in the months before the case surge in March and April, was a “comfortable number” for the lowering of the alert level.

The independent OCTA Research Group also said COVID-19 cases in the Philippines were expected to decrease to pre-Delta surge levels by the end of October amid the continued decrease in reproduction numbers.

In a tweet, OCTA fellow Guido David noted that reproduction numbers both nationwide and in the National Capital Region were continuing to go down.

But the reduction in infections and deaths notwithstanding, we urge the public to continue being on guard.

The unseen virus is dangerous. It is still there lying in wait for the next prey.

Refusing to go with the current IT IS truly appalling to witness how our so-called intelligentsia class vigorously came to the defense of an alien claiming to be Filipino against one who denounced the award intended to slander the government and its people. They never bothered to see that the award was meant to denigrate their own kind by one who has his own literary genre.

F. Sionil Jose has his accolades, not from foreign literary guilds, but in recognition of his own talent and made a niche in the field of literature. The local media, instead of analyzing how society works and how people interact, chose to remain aloof and treated themselves as apart from the common sentiment of our people. They remain arrogant, howling in concert, why Jose came out with such outrageous commentaries against a foreign stooge.

He was branded as one fighting a lost cause. The hypocritical mainstream media were almost unanimous in their condemnation of Jose and equating his denunciation of the Nobel Peace Prize as in defiance to the norm of civil society. Worse, he was denounced for it seems his statement appears in conformity with the Duterte administration.

Objectively, Jose was simply true to

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that Taiwan’s industries are an extremely reliable and significant partner in the global supply chain. cal assessments. With respect to energy and industrial policies, short-, medium-, and long-term markers for 2030, 2040, and 2050 will be set on the path toward net-zero emissions. In addition, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and other relevant ministries and agencies have launched a public consultation on visions for 2050 to facilitate social dialogue on critical issues such as agricultural and forestry carbon sinks, net-zero buildings, green transportation, low-carbon industries, economic instruments, and just transformation. With diverse participation from all sectors and research and development investment in innovative technology, Taiwan will seek the most suitable climate governance path for its sustainable development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that Taiwan’s industries are an extremely reliable and significant partner in the global supply chain. Countries worldwide have successively proposed new goals on net-zero emissions to bring

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

his word, which is to speak of the truth in opposing those who blindly tow to falsities. For this, the media committed a blunder because that pushed them into the precipice of being on the defensive to tell the truth. The hypocrites started mudslinging Jose --that betrays all their pretension of decency. They accused him of being an old man who allegedly had lost his cause.

What has Ressa done, indeed?

They cannot disparage him the way they do the politicians. He is a literary giant ajudged by his class that made him a Sionil. Maybe next to Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, no Filipino writer has achieved that feat of having written 14 novels translated into 28 languages.

Those who could not hold their tongue took the occasion to praise the award without directly attacking Jose.

It was their way of atoning for all these years they are collaborating with the US to meddle in our internal affairs.

But if one may ask, what accomplishment has Ressa done to be accorded an award? Maybe the literary accomplishments of Jose were personal to him, but that is something nobody can deny unless he earned it through malfeasance and other forms of shenanigans.

In the award given to Ressa, the fundaabout a net-zero economy. The Taiwan government aims to formulate a clear and comprehensive carbon reduction path and green growth strategy. Cooperation with private enterprises plays a critical role in these efforts. The Taiwan Climate Alliance, formed by eight ICT companies, has set the goal of using renewable energy in 100 percent of their manufacturing processes by 2050 and will lead other manufacturers in the supply chain to jointly reach this target.

In addition, the Taiwan Alliance for Net Zero Emission, formed by traditional manufacturing, technology, finance, and service industries, seeks to attain net-zero carbon emissions at office sites by 2030 and at production sites by 2050. To support the climate actions of enterprises and other actors in the private sector, the Taiwan government has implemented financial mechanisms such as green financing and green bonds, thus creating a virtuous circle in the investment and industrial pursuit of sustainable development.

Taiwan, situated in a region highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, has long been actively engaged in policy formulation, the establishment of related legal systems, energy transformation, technological research and development, industrial innovation, social transformation, and environmental sustainability in response to climate change. It hopes to actively construct a sustainable green homeland from the

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

mental question is: What has she accomplished? If the committee cannot point to any accomplishment she achieved, it can also be called a kind of flattery. Nonetheless, the Nobel Peace Prize is now used as an instrument to malign the government.

It is on this score why Jose is unforgiving in hitting hard on Ressa.

Ressa, as a foreign correspondent, went beyond the limits of news reporting. Her site wrote narratives that Duterte is crook, a mad killer and a foul-mouthed bully. But that manifests how these hypocrites carry on with their faith.

Moreover, the condemnation by Jose is his blunt disapproval of the mainstream media’s role of their being an apologist of US imperialism. Jose knows that the awardee is an operator of US propaganda in this country. His criticism was to debunk the falsities peddled

by Rappler. The award is funded by the US and from the National Endowment for Democracy, a new outfit for the dreaded CIA. Those who came to defend Ressa did not mind that they are in fact in alliance with the communists, unmindful that the local CPP, NPA and NDF have been branded by the US authorities as terrorist organizations. Their synchronized political line goes all the way to the US State Department, the Nobel Peace committee and to the EU and NATO. Full version on www.manilastandard.net facets of supply, manufacturing, demand, and environmental protection.

Furthermore, Taiwan will continue to share its experiences and capabilities with the international community to overcome this crisis.

The spirit of cooperating and working together remains key to accelerating and extending global efforts. Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, it will always seek to be a model citizen for the international community. We will continue to work with all other countries to foster a global net-zero emissions future and a more resilient living environment for coming generations and to realize intergenerational justice.

MORE OPINION ONLINE

(www.manilastandard.net)

State policy to systematically kill citizens

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

B2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

N OTICE

World

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC. (Formerly: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Lumina Tuguegarao Phase 2 and Phase 3) with 427 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Brgy. Caraig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Myanmar junta re-arrests over 100 released in amnesty—group

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC. (Formerly: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Lumina Rosario Phase 4) with 132 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Brgy. Quilib, Rosario, Batangas.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC. (Formerly: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Lumina Tuguegarao Phase 1 and Phase 1 Classic) with 803 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Brgy. Caraig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

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

(MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

N OTICE

FESTIVE LIGHTS. Fireworks light the sky above Dubai during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Eye, known as Ain Dubai, the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, located in the Emirati city, near the Dubai Marina, on October 21, 2021. AFP

Biden says US to defend Taiwan vs. China attack T HE United States would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked

by China, President Joe Biden said Thursday, a declaration welcomed by the democratic island that risks fury from Beijing.

Authoritarian China regards self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if needed.

Beijing’s sabre-rattling has ramped up in recent years, exacerbating fears the island of 23 million people could become a major global flashpoint.

At a CNN town hall, Biden was asked whether the US would come to Taiwan’s defence if China invaded. “Yes,” he responded. “We have a commitment to that.”

Biden’s statement was at odds with the long-held US policy known as “strategic ambiguity,” where Washington helps build Taiwan’s defenses but does not explicitly prom-

ise to come to the island’s help.

The policy is designed to deter a Chinese invasion and also discourage Taiwan from formally declaring independence, something Beijing regards as a red line.

Biden’s comments were welcomed on Friday by Taiwan, which has pushed to bolster international alliances to protect itself from Beijing.

“The US government has demonstrated, through actual actions, their rock solid support for Taiwan,” presidential office spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement.

Biden made a similar pledge in August during an interview with ABC, insisting that the US would always defend key allies, including Taiwan, despite the withdrawal from Afghanistan in the face of the victorious Taliban.

Biden said the United States made a “sacred commitment” to defend NATO allies in Canada and Europe and it’s the “same with Japan, same with South Korea, same with Taiwan.”

The White House subsequently told reporters on both occasions that US policy on Taiwan “has not changed.” AFP

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC. (Formerly: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Lumina Rosario Phase 1) with 667 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Brgy. Quilib, Rosario, Batangas.

EASED RESTRICTIONS. Diners enjoy a Japanese teppanyaki meal in Melbourne’s Chinatown on October 22, 2021, as Australia’s second largest city reopened after enduring one of the world’s most prolonged series of pandemic lockdowns.

AFP

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES PAMPANGA, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Bria Homes San Fernando) with 660 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Brgy. Calulut, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES CAGAYAN, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Camella Prima Butuan Subdivision) with 451 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES CAGAYAN, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg., B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Camella Butuan-Phase 7 Subdivision) with 111 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List-Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at Barangay Villa Kananga, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

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

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 23, 2021)

Campaign vs. stealthing, or secretly removing condom ONE day while having sex with a date, Brooke had a terrifying realization: “There was no longer a condom on.”

“At that moment, my heart kind of sank,” said Brooke, whose name has been changed for her privacy.

The 2020 incident left her anxious and depressed, worried she might become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection.

But most of all, she wondered: had she been assaulted?

“Stealthing,” a fairly new term, is when someone removes a condom during sex without the consent of their partner.

In the United States, the fight against this long-taboo practice is gaining momentum, marked by a major victory in early October when California became the first US state to pass a law banning the act.

Brooke, who was 28 at the time and a student in Tennessee, “felt like I was responding to how I would have responded to a rape.”

But she found contradicting information online, she said, “until I finally learned that I could call it a form of assault.”

The experience has had long-term effects on her well-being. She felt

“very panicky, very stressed” during sex and would check “constantly” to make sure the condom was still on.

But “being able to articulate it as a form of assault,” she told AFP, “helps you to process that and come to terms and understand that it’s not the victim’s fault.”

US elected officials are fighting to make stealthing clearly prohibited by law, which would let victims file complaints more easily.

Among such representatives is Cristina Garcia, who proposed the California bill in the wake of her own experiences.AFP

MYANMAR’S junta has re-arrested more than 100 anti-coup protesters freed in a recent amnesty, according to a local monitoring group that tracks detentions and killings in the country.

The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since the February coup, with more than 1,100 killed in a crackdown on dissent and over 8,000 arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

On Monday, the military announced it would free more than 5,000 people over the three-day Buddhist Thadingyut festival, sending anxious families rushing to jails in the hope of being reunited with their loved ones.

The true number of those released across the country is difficult to verify, and many were freed only after signing documents promising not to re-offend.

At least 110 of those pardoned have since been re-arrested, according to the AAPP. “Some were... re-arrested as soon as they arrived home,” it said in a statement Thursday.

“Some others were told they were on the released list, taken to the jail entrance, only to be taken back to prison in the face of additional charges.”

Myanmar authorities released more than 2,000 anti-coup protesters from prisons across the country in June, including journalists critical of the military government.

Those still in custody include the American journalist Danny Fenster, who has been held since being arrested on May 24. AFP

Seven Rohingya killed in refugee camp assault GUNMEN killed at least seven people and left others wounded in an assault Friday on an Islamic seminary in a Rohingya refugee camp on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, police said.

The attackers shot some victims and stabbed others with knives, a regional police chief said.

The killings come as tensions mount in the camps that house more than 900,000 refugees from Myanmar, after a Rohingya community leader was shot dead outside his office three weeks ago.

Four people were killed instantly in Friday’s attack and three others died at a hospital in the Balukhali camp. Police did not say how many people were wounded.

“We arrested one attacker immediately after the incident,” Shihab Kaisar Khan, regional chief for an armed police battalion, told reporters.

The man was found with a gun, six rounds of ammunition and a knife, he added.

Many Rohingya activists have gone into hiding since the killing of rights advocate Mohib Ullah by unknown assailants.

Some activists have blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) for the killing. ARSA is the militant group behind attacks on Myanmar security forces in 2017 that set off a military clampdown and a mass exodus into Bangladesh of 740,000 Rohingya. AFP

Prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin kills woman on set, wounds director US ACTOR Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun that killed a cinematographer and wounded the director on a film set in New Mexico, US law enforcement said Friday.

The incident took place on the set of “Rust,” where Baldwin is playing the lead in a 19th century western about an accidental killing.

Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza “were shot Manila OF LOSS AFFIDAVIT when a prop Standard Name of theTODAY Issuer: JOLLIBEE firearm was FOODS CORPORATION d i s c h a rg e d Name of the Stockholder: LOURDES MEDALLA ABELA by Alec Stock Certificate No.: C000056925 Baldwin,” No. of Shares : 1,625 the sheriff in Stock Certificate No.: C000078558 No. of Shares : 406 Santa Fe said As per Doc. No. 226; Page No. 52; Book No. 114; in a stateSeries of 2021 before Notary Public ment.

ATTY. RUBEN T.M. RAMIREZ Hutchins, MS-OCT. 9/16/23, 2021)

42, was transported to hospital by helicopter but died of her wounds, while Souza, 48, was taken by ambulance and is receiving treatment.

“Mr. Baldwin was interviewed by detectives,” Santa Fe sheriff spokesman Juan Rios told AFP. “He provided statements and answered their questions. He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.”

The Santa Fe New Mexican published pictures of a distraught-looking Baldwin which it said were taken in the parking lot of the set after the tragedy.

The paper said its reporter had seen the actor in tears after he had been questioned by investigators.AFP

CYAN

CLIMATE ACTIVISTS. Some 300 participants pose nude for American art

photographer Spencer Tunick, working on a photo installation in the desert landscape surrounding the southeastern Israeli city of Arad, designed to draw world attention to the importance of preserving and restoring the Dead Sea, a unique natural resource and one of Israel’s most famous tourist attractions. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business Evergrande pays overdue interest on offshore bond BEIJING, China—China’s troubled property giant Evergrande has made a key offshore interest payment a day ahead of a weekend deadline, state media said Friday, averting a default and buying the embattled company a reprieve as it struggles under a mountain of debt.

The crisis at one of the nation’s biggest property developers has hammered investor sentiment, rattled the key real estate market and fueled fears of a spillover into the wider economy.

Evergrande is reported to have missed at least $150 million in offshore bond payments and while it had a 30-day grace period on some of them, there had been a general expectation it would not be able to meet its obligations.

However, on Friday the state-backed Securities Times said the developer had wired $83.5 million for an overseas payment first due on September 23, citing “relevant channels.” It said bondholders would receive the payout before Saturday—the end of the grace period.

The news comes just a day after the company said the planned sale of its property services arm for $2.58 billion had fallen through and warned it could not guarantee it would meet its debt obligations, putting it on course for a default and possible restructuring.

Fears about an Evergrande failure have rattled markets, and shares in the firm have collapsed more than 80 percent since the start of the year. It rose more than four percent Friday in Hong Kong.

But observers warned the firm was still teetering, with several other dollar bond payments still to navigate before the end of the year.

“They may be able to pay this interest, and maybe they can pay another interest—basically they have an interest payment every two weeks or so-–but at some point... there’s going to be an amount of principal maturing, and that one’s multibillion,” Chen Long, partner at research firm Plenum, told AFP. “If you look at the fundamentals of the company, that hasn’t changed.”

Beijing began last year clamping down on the country’s colossal property sector—estimates say it accounts for a quarter of the economy—in a bid to rein in excessive debt, with measures to restrict borrowing cutting off companies’ ability to complete projects. AFP

B3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market falls to end six-day rally

S

HARE prices retreated Friday on profit taking to snap a six-day rally that sent the benchmark index above the 7,300-point mark.

all-time high since the start of September as traders grow optimistic that companies are weathering a range of issues including surging inflation, supply chain snarls and slowing economic growth.

Surging prices around the world and central banks’ moves to end their financial largesse have acted as a major drag on markets for months owing to the prospect that the era of cheap cash is coming to an end.

“The bout of investor nervousness has proven transitory, even as inflationary signals persist,” said Geir Lode, at investment manager Federated Hermes.

“Equity markets are back on the rise as investors shrug off their recent concerns, with major indices near all-time highs. Earnings season is now underway in the US and while it is early days, the initial flurry of earnings have been well received.

“The supply squeeze combined with increased demand is particularly challenging, but blue-chip companies that can prove their ability to maintain profitability in an inflationary environment are likely to be well rewarded.”

With South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand among the countries already lifting interest rates—and

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 22.11 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,289.61 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 105 to 82, with 57 issues unchanged.

AC Energy Corp., a unit of the Ayala Group, dropped 3.8 percent to P11.04, while noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. declined 2.3 percent to P16.20.

Jollibee Foods Corp, the biggest fast-food chain, lost 2.5 percent at P225.20, while LTG Group Inc. of airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan slipped 2.1 percent to P10.22.

The rest of the markets in Asia fluctuated Friday following a record-breaking lead from Wall Street, while a report that troubled developer China Evergrande had paid interest on an overdue bond a day before the deadline eased concerns over a default.

Another round of positive earnings provided a further lift to Wall Street with the S&P 500 hitting its first

Manila

Standard

TODAY

TEXTILE REVIVAL. Employees work on a sewing machine at the ‘atelier resilience’ (resilience

workshop) in Roubaix, northern France, on October 21, 2021. From cutting-edge designers to fashion behemoths, projects to produce clothing again in northern France are multiplying, driven by the upheaval of the health crisis. But this old textile land is struggling to find workers. AFP

France caps fuel prices following protests PARIS, France—France on Thursday sought to defuse growing anger about record fuel prices, announcing a cap until the end of 2022 and aid for poor households struggling with energy bills.

Almost three years since the start of “yellow vest” protests that rocked French President Emmanuel Macron’s government, Prime Minister Jean Castex said 100 euros ($116) would be paid to those earning less than 2,000 euros a month to help them with rising energy prices.

This will affect some 38 million people, he said, adding that “petrol prices will be frozen for the whole of 2022.”

Like all countries, France has been hit by a surge in oil and gas prices since the middle of the year caused by a spike in global demand and supply shortages.

But Macron has particular reason to worry: the violent anti-government protests of 2018 by low-income voters in fluorescent yellow safety vests were sparked by anger over rising fuel prices and attempts to tax heavily polluting vehicles.

In six months’ time, the 43-year-old head of state is also set to seek a second term— and was hoping to build his campaign around his record on job creation and tax cuts.

“We obviously want to protect French people, above all those people who work hard and are taking the full force of these price rises,” government spokesman Ga-

briel Attal told journalists on Wednesday.

Last weekend, small protests were held in some rural areas and small towns—the heartland of “yellow vest” discontent— suggesting the first rumblings of dissent over recent rises.

Average diesel prices hit an all-time record last week of 1.5583 euros a liter, while petrol neared a 10-year high at 1.6567 euros a liter, slightly below the all-time record reached in April 2012, official data shows.

The price of diesel has risen 29 percent over the past year—seven percent just in the last month—while the cheapest unleaded petrol is up 25 percent on the year and 5 percent in the past month, according to the website carbu.com.

For Macron, who remains the favorite for next April’s election, the response to the energy crunch could be vital ahead of a poll in which his far-right opponents are already campaigning on immigration, Islam and French identity.

Eight out of 10 households have a vehicle, according to official statistics.

Attal was clear about the threat to the president’s economic record after five years of tax cuts and efforts to raise the purchasing power of French consumers.

“We don’t want the rise in energy prices, particularly petrol, to wipe out these measures,” he said on Wednesday. “It’s not the case yet today, but the rises are nibbling away at these efforts.” AFP

This picture taken on October 20, 2021 in Paris shows a gas station where fuel prices rose to nearly two euros per liter as global energy prices have soared as economies bounce back from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

the Bank of England expected to act soon—all eyes are on the Federal Reserve, which has indicated it will begin winding back its bond-buying program by the year’s end.

Observers widely expect it to announce a move next month, but the key question is when it will lift borrowing costs. Some have estimated as soon as mid-2022.

After a blockbuster start to the week, the Asian rally has petered out in the past two days.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai and Jakarta rose but there were losses in Shanghai, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei.

The mood in Hong Kong was lifted by a report that Evergrande had made a key offshore interest payment—just before Saturday’s deadline—on an offshore bond.

Fears that the property giant could collapse and send shock waves through the Chinese economy have rattled buyers and markets, and shares plunged as the group resumed trading Thursday after a two-week halt.

But on Friday, the state-backed Securities Times said the firm had wired an $83.5-million payment first due on September 23, citing “relevant channels.” Saturday was the last day of a 30-day grace period. With AFP

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

B4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, October 22, 2021

-22.11 PTS. 7,289.61

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

785,356,672 79,333 5,317,377,188.13

ADVANCES 82 DECLINES 105 UNCHANGED 57

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.8150

Japan

Yen

0.008773

0.4458

UK

Pound

1.379700

70.1095

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128617

6.5357

Switzerland

Franc

1.089206

55.3480

Canada

Dollar

0.808473

41.0826

Singapore

Dollar

0.742390

37.7245

Australia

Dollar

0.746700

37.9436

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653364

134.8307

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

13.5481

Brunei

Dollar

0.739645

37.5851

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029958

1.5223

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.8355

Euro

Euro

1.162800

59.0877

Korea

Won

0.000848

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.156446

7.9498

India

Rupee

0.013358

0.6788

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240616

12.2269

New Zealand

Dollar

0.715400

36.3531

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035947

1.8266 Source: BSP

A

IRASIA Philippines said Friday it plans to rehire some of its laid-off workers by the second quarter next year as it sees recovery in the domestic market.

“Rehiring to us is a top priority. As a matter of fact, hopefully by second quarter (2022), we will see if we are coming to that,” AirAsia Philippines chief executive Ricky Isla said in a virtual briefing.

“There will be more aircraft, more destinations, additional destinations or flights so that’s the first thing we will

Korean e-vehicle firm to invest P5b in Negros Occidental

By Othel V. Campos KOREAN automotive manufacturer EnPlus Co. Ltd. expressed interest to invest P5 billion in an electronic vehicle manufacturing facility on a 30-hectare site in Negros Occidental province.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority said the Korean company planned to produce e-vehicles, including cars and e-jeepneys “EnPlus, a Korean company, is [now] our partner in investing in the countryside and believing in [the] Philippines as an investment haven in Asia. We appreciate EnPlus in their commitment and alliance with us towards making the Philippines a clean, sustainable and environment-friendly country,” said PEZA director-general Charito Plaza.

EnPlus signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding as the first electronic vehicle manufacturer to be registered under PEZA. Plaza said the company would receive special incentives for investing in pioneering projects.

The MOU between PEZA and EnPlus is in line with the agency’s goal for a resilient economic zone development specifically in regions outside Metro Manila.

PEZA said EVs would be better for the environment as they emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than traditional vehicles using petrol or diesel. Globally, electric cars have yet to be mainstreamed.

EnPlus chairman and chief executive Ahn Young Yong thanked the Philippines for allowing the company to supply more than 100 units of pump trucks, water trunks, aerial ladder and rescue trucks in 2020.

He said the company would like to make a better world and provide more fire trucks and electric vehicles to the Philippines.

“With this, we would like to expand our business in your country to manufacture environment and energy-friendly vehicles starting with your jeepneys since they are the most popular mode of transportation in your country,” he said.

Exports to corner 50% of revenues, says D&L

FOOD ingredients manufacturer D&L Industries Inc. said it expects the exports business to account for 50 percent of total production over the next few years.

D&L said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday the exports business will be driven by products where the company has a competitive advantage like food and oleochemicals that continue to gain traction in the global market.

Aside from their perceived natural antiviral and antibacterial and antifungal properties, coconut-based products are also benefiting from a shift toward more sustainable consumption trends. Coconut derivatives serve as non-toxic substitutes for petroleumbased raw materials used in many applications, such as personal hygiene and home cleaning products.

D&L exports currently account for 33 percent of total revenues.

Sales more than doubled in the first half of the year from pre-pandemic level in 2019 and rose 70 percent from the 2020 level.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Feed producers seek 5% tariff on yellow corn

SMC FOOD RELIEF. San Miguel Corp.’s pandemic food relief drive that began in March 2020 yields close to two million pieces of nutribun and pandesal breads throughout Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, while its feeding center in Tondo continues to provide food aid to over 200,000 families living in Manila’s poorest districts. While the company’s pandemic response shifts largely towards supporting the nationwide vaccination effort, the company continues to provide food support for the underprivileged who are most vulnerable to hunger.

AirAsia PH to rehire laid-off workers

By Darwin G. Amojelar

IN BRIEF

[do] to rehire pilots, cabin crews, engineers, and maintenance people,” he said.

AIrAsia laid off 624 employees at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It retained about 1,500 staff to serve its domestic and international operations.

When asked about the number of staff to be rehired, Isla said the airline was assessing its operations. “We cannot give you the details at this point. Right now, we are looking at a workforce that is sufficient to our aircraft and our destinations,” he said.

Ray Berja, chief financial officer of AirAsia Philippines, said the company was expecting to get back around 15 percent of its pre-COVID capacity by end of the year.

“By first quarter next year, we opt

to achieve 90-percent pre-COVID domestic capacity. During the summer, hopefully we can achieve 104 percent pre-COVID because we will open new domestic destinations towards the second quarter of next year,” he said.

AirAsia Philippines mounts daily flights from Manila to Boracay, Cebu and Tacloban. The airline will continue to fly to Iloilo (4 times weekly), Davao, Bohol and Zamboanga (3 times weekly), Puerto Princesa, Bacolod and General Santos City (twice weekly) on schedule.

AirAsia said that since the easing of travel restrictions in September, the airline’s load factor continued to increase.

AirAsia’s average load factor reached 73 percent in the first half of October.

Top destinations include Bacolod, Bo-

hol, Cebu and Boracay.

Seats sold from Aug. 16 Oct. 14 for Boracay increased by 173 percent from July to mid-August. The Boracay route was followed by Bohol which registered 137-percent growth and Cebu with 68-percent increase.

“The noticeable increase in seats sold and our healthy load factor shows that we are ending 2021 with a very strong path to recovery. Due to strong pentup demand, we are confident that the increased flight frequency will support our guests’ clamor to fly again and reconnect with their families in the provinces,” AirAsia spokesperson Steve Dailisan said.

The budget airline also plans to start flights between Manila and Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand by December.

LIMA ESTATE OFFERING.

With numerous open spaces, recreation areas, and strict implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols, Lima Estate serves as a safe haven for the Philippine Football Federation and its member clubs.

The 794-hectare industrial-anchored township located in Lipa-Malvar Batangas is known for being the largest ad best-selling privately owned industrial estate in the Philippines, with its own central business district that includes world-class sporting facilities.

The Aboitiz Pitch is one of the largest artificial turfs in Luzon and can be utilized to play multiple sports including football.

BIR and Customs collections rose by 9.3% to P2t in nine months

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Friday combined revenues raised by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs increased 9.4 percent in the first nine months from a year ago, driven by the government’s intensified collection efforts.

Dominguez said in a message to reporters the tax take by the two agencies reached P2.03 trillion from January to September, up by 9.3 percent from the same period last year.

He said the BIR’s nine-month collection hit P1.54 trillion, breaching the prior year’s achievement by 6.9 percent.

Customs’ collection from January to September amounted to P469.80 billion, up by 18 percent from the same period in 2020.

Meanwhile, the BIR said it padlocked 322 establishments in the first nine months for various tax code violations, which resulted in collections of P1.867 billion in back taxes.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said in a report during the DOF executive committee meeting that this accomplishment under the Oplan Kandado program included shutting down the operations of two establishments in September, which yielded P290 million in tax collections.

Guballa also said the BIR rolled out its Internal Revenue Integrated SystemTaxpayer Registration System in the third quarter in all revenue district offices, except in 12 offices that do not yet have fiber optics capabilities.

“The RDOs now have an electronic facility for capturing, monitoring and reporting taxpayer’s primary and secondary registration data—whether individual or non-individual, and whether with or without businesses,” Guballa said.

Dominguez earlier ordered the BIR and the BOC to further intensify their operations against tax cheats, in keeping with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on graft and corruption.

THE country’s animal feed producers are seeking the issuance of an executive order cutting the tariff on yellow corn to 5 percent to ease inflation pressures on food and address the worsening challenges faced by the local feed milling and livestock sectors.

A uniform tariff of 5 percent is expected to immediately create a level playing field for livestock growers, most especially swine raisers adversely affected by the entry into the country of low-price imported pork.

President Duterte in June issued EO 133 and EO 134 allowing the import of pork meat for 2021 to augment the diminished local pork availability caused by the African swine fever (ASF).

It has become doubly harder for hog raisers to recover from the ASF with corn feed supply currently affected by a tightness in the Southeast Asian and record-high prices in the world market. The Philippines is now increasingly importing from countries outside of Southeast Asia.

PICPA holds annual convention Nov. 4-7

THE Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the national accredited professional organization for accountancy in the country, will be holding its 76th Annual National Convention with the theme, “TRANSFORM: Embracing Possibilities. Realizing Potentials.”

The event to be held virtually from November 24 to 27, 2021 via a specially developed platform with microsites and other features, will be hosted by the PICPA Metro Manila Geographical Area Office, the Metro Manila Region Council and Chapters.

The PICPA Annual National Convention is one of the most significant events for Filipino CPAs. It aims to further advance their professional development through highly relevant and timely topics that will be discussed during the various plenary, breakout and sectoral technical sessions, with topics that will include recent developments in the CPA Licensure Examination and regulations affecting the practices of professional accountants, especially controversial tax issuances.

SEC approves A Brown’s P5-b share offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the P5-billion maiden preferred share offering of A Brown Company Inc. ABCI’s shelf registration covers up to 50 million cumulative, non-voting, non-participating, non-convertible and redeemable perpetual preferred shares.

The preferred shares may be issued in one or more tranches within three years.

For the first tranche, ABCI is selling 10 million preferred shares at P100 each, with an over-allotment option for another 5 million preferred shares.

The preferred shares will be listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Net proceeds from the fund raising activity will be used to finance the development of real estate projects, land banking, funding requirements of subsidiary Irradiation Solutions Inc. and other general corporate purposes.

The company plans to allocate P600 million for property developments in Tanay, Rizal; Bukidnon; Butuan City, Misamis Oriental; and Cagayan de Oro City.

It allocated P400 million for landbanking initiatives in Tanay, Rizal; Cagayan de Oro; Butuan City; and Bukidnon.

The company is also looking at new areas where it can consolidate sizable portions to come up with integrated mixed-use developments. It has 293 hectares in its land bank.

Meanwhile, about P350 million from the proceeds will fund Irradiation Solutions, which is developing the Tanay Multipurpose Irradiation Facility Project.

AC Energy eyes 80% stake in a joint venture putting up 200-MW Cagayan solar project

By Alena Mae S. Flores AC ENERGY Corp. of the Ayala Group may take an economic stake of up 80 percent in its joint venture with CleanTech Global Renewables Inc. to develop the 200-megawatt Lal-lo Solar Power Project in Lal-lo, Cagayan.

AC Energy president and chief executive Eric Francia declined to disclose the investment in the joint venture project.

“We’ll disclose that once we were issued the NTP [notice to proceed].

We’re still in negotiations with the EPC [engineering, procurement and construction], so we don’t have a firm capex [capital expenditures] yet, but its 200 MW,” Francia said during a virtual briefing.

He said AC Energy’s partnership structure is a combination of common and preferred shares. The company can only disclose its economic stake com-

prising of different classes of shares, said Francia.

“To simplify these things, we just say approximately 80-percent economic stake because that’s our usual structure among partners,” Francia said.

AC Energy approved early this week the joint venture with CleanTech, a local renewable energy developer that is building the solar project in Cagayan.

The Cagayan solar project site is

deemed ideal for solar projects given the area’s high resource quality, flat landscape and potential for expansion because of the adjacent lots that can be acquired and developed.

Meanwhile, Francia said the company was still on the lookout for acquisition opportunities.

“We will continue to work. Our business development is very active. We have a lot of cash in balance sheet, ready to be deployed,” Francia said.

Sports

Real Madrid, Abbott team up to support kids’ health globally ABBOTT PARK, Ill. and MADRID, Spain—Abbott recently announced it has entered into a threeyear agreement to be the Health Sciences and Nutrition Partner of the Real Madrid Football Club and Global Partner of the Real Madrid Foundation—an organization founded by the club to promote the values inherent in sport to children globally.

The partnership will encompass education, sports and social welfare activities in support of at-risk children in 80 countries, as well as nutritional support for the first men’s and women’s and Academy teams and new product innovation and development.

Real Madrid is one of the most successful and recognized sports clubs in the world and is supported by more than 600 million fans globally. In 1997 the club launched the Real Madrid Foundation to support social and cultural integration for at-risk children around the world through sport, through teaching values such as teamwork, respect, collaboration—and physical fitness.

“Football is a universal sport that’s played, watched and loved around the world,” said Daniel Salvadori, executive vice president of Abbott’s nutrition business. “Abbott and The Real Madrid Foundation have the same goal: to nourish children around the world so they can have better health and can achieve their potential. The combination of our collective efforts will enable us to reach more people and have even greater long-lasting impact in the lives of tens of thousands of children around the world.”

Working with local partners, the Real Madrid Foundation identifies and brings together local children in key at-risk areas—usually in remote, rural communities. The schools cover many different activities, ranging from healthy snacks and dental hygiene, to after school programs that involve health education and sports training. Each program includes a local social or environmental activity, such as healthcare facility visits. The children are screened for key health indicators at the beginning of each program and supported nutritionally throughout. The Real Madrid Foundation also runs week-long clinics for children who wish to improve their game with the Real Madrid methodology.

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

TNT’s Troy Rosario maneuvers his way around Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. The Tropang Giga won. 105-93 to grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Hot shooting night nets Tropang Giga 2-0 lead

By Peter Atencio

T

NT Tropang Giga set numerous records and endured a fightback from a struggling Magnolia to grab a 105-93 win and a 2-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga Friday night.

The Tropang Giga scored the most points in a quarter when they led at 4027 in the opening period, a feat no PBA squad in the last 10 years has ever accomplished.

This set up the tempo for the Tropang Giga the rest of way, with super rookie Mikey Williams spearheading TNT’s assault for the second straight game with 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Jayson Castro added 16 points and five boards for TNT. “It’s execution and selflessness, the

willingness of the players to make the extra passes and find the open guy,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

Troy Rosario and BJ Heruela helped Williams and Castro with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Tropang Giga, who are now two matches closer to a 4-0 sweep of the championship series.

TNT also finished with the second all-time most triples recorded in a finals’ match of 17 treys, when Williams drilled one with 4:29 to go, giving the Tropang Giga a 100-89 cushion.

The PBA finals’ record for most made 3s in a game was 18 by San Miguel Beer in its 2019 Commissioner’s Cup Game 2 Finals against TNT. Williams’ final trey allowed TNT to finally move away after Magnolia threatened to within six points off Calvin Abueva’s split charity, 84-90, with 8:33 remaining.

“We often say that the ball has energy.

So, if they’re willing to share it, they just have to find the open man, and that’s what led to the hot shooting in the first half,” added Reyes.

The Tropang Giga also knocked in the most triples in a quarter with 13, with BJ Heruela, accounting for two of four, RR Pogoy and Williams sending one each as the Tropang established a 22-10 spread with 4:36 left.

It was almost a duplicate of the 11 treys buried by TNT in Game 1 of 2011 Governors’ Cup title series against Petron Blaze, a game which the Texters unfortu-

Azkals’ Under-23 team: Best players available FIL-DUTCH goalie Quincy Kammeraad will be one of the many new faces, who will be part of the Philippine Azkals’ national men’s under-23 team, which team manager Dan Palami called as the “best players available.”

The 20-year-old Kammeraad is now in Singapore with the rest of his teammates to get ready for action in the Asian Football Confederation under-23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers.

There were 23 players called up for the qualifiers, including Kammeraad, midfielders Oliver Bias and Mark Winhoffer, and defender Justin Baas.

The four are members of the senior lineup during the recent preliminary joint qualifiers Round 2 last June in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

“It (team) has a balance of those who played for the Azkals, and those who played in the professionals. Everybody’s checked out,” said Azkals’ coach Scott Cooper before the team went into their first day of practice.

The members of the squad were finally assembled following a training camp and two friendlies that were held in the past month in Qatar.

Collegiate booter Enrico Mangaoang, a goalie from de La Salle University, also made the cut with Jessie Reil Semblante, another goalkeeper

from Mendiola FC. Matches are set from Oct 25 to 31 in Singapore.

“What we always tried to do is get represented by the best players available,” said manager Palami, who said local players were picked after they conducted a closed-circuit training bubble last September at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas.

The Philippines is bunched in Group H, with the Azkals meeting defending champion Korea Republic, host Singapore, and Timor-Leste at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Fil-Italian booters Paolo Nicola Perez and Christian Rontini were also welcomed into the squad with Fil-British David Setter, Jethro Borlongan, Dennis Chung and Yrick Gallantes.

The others are Mandy Ignacio, Oscari Kekkonen, Jacob Maniti, Sandro Reyes, Nathan Rilloraza, Mark Swainston, Shanden Vergara, Kieran Hayes, Miguel Antonio Mendoza, Marcel Ouano and Jens Sebastian Rasmussen.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said they have high hopes for the team, and commended the coaching staff and management for their hard work and resilience in confronting the challenges that are taking place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Peter Atencio

Quincy Kammeraad

Jordan, Robertson lead NBA’s 75th anniversary team LOS ANGELES—Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and LeBron James highlight the National Basketball Association’s 75th anniversary team which was announced on Thursday.

The members of the team have won a total of 158 NBA championships and amassed 730 all-star selections leading up to the league’s landmark 75th anniversary season which began on Tuesday with the Milwaukee Bucks unveiling their championship banner.

A panel of voters were asked to choose the 75 greatest players of all-time, but the league ended up settling on 76 players instead of 75. They did not rank the players

C1

The 75th anniversary patch seen on the arm of a Houston Rockets player before a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

by number or position.

There are six international stars from a half dozen countries, comprising Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Patrick Ewing (Jamaica), Steve Nash (Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria) and Tim Duncan (US Virgin Islands).

Eleven active players also got the nod: Antetokounmpo, James, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.

The voting panel included several current and former players who are also named to the team including Rick Barry, Julius Erving, Stephen Curry, and Scottie Pippen. AFP

nately lost, 88-89.

“We talked about it (40-point output) at halftime. And we knew it was not going to last. In the end, we are still going to need to defend, rely on our defense to win this game,” said Reyes.

With both squads already in penalty in the second quarter, the Tropang Giga coasted to a record-setting 66-50 first half edge.

Three consecutive three-pointers from JP Erram, Heruela and Williams kept the Tropang Giga up by 18, 54-36, with 7:33 remaining.

Ian Sangalang, returning from a back injury in Game 1, drilled in 12 of his game-high 25 points in the third canto as he helped put Magnolia within range, 7482, with his layup at the 1:57 mark.

The Hotshots continued to rally in the third, cutting TNT’s lead by seven off Jio Jalalon’s three-pointer at the buzzer, 79-86.

Dela Cruz rips 50-meter PH breaststroke swim record CAPAS, Tarlac—Thanya Dela Cruz broke a pre-pandemic national record in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke to set the tone on the first day of 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. Swimming National Selection, Friday at the New Clark City Aquatic Center.

The 18-year-old from Marikina City erased the previous record with a new mark of 32.89 seconds, breaking Joy Rodgers’ 32.93 established in the very same venue back in December 2019 during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Rodgers ended up behind Dela Cruz with a finish of 33.94 seconds.

Dela Cruz, an Ayala Harpoons Swim Club standout, also topped the field of eight swimmers in the women’s 50-meter freestyle with 27.92 seconds, way ahead of second-placed Trixie Ortiguera of Tarlac Mako Sharks SC’s 29.31 seconds.

“Sobrang saya kasi sobrang tagal nating hindi nakapag-swim. I mean, so coming here wala namang expectations, just to get back the feeling lang,” Dela Cruz said. “I didn’t expect na magrerecord.”

SEA Games’ campaigner Sacho Ilustre clocked the fastest time in the men’s 100-meter butterfly with 57.13 seconds, just a few ticks away from upstart Joshua Ang of the Golden Sea Eagles who clocked in at 57.44.

Ayala Harpoons’ Miguel Barreto also held his fort in the men’s 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:07.37, as QC Buccaneers’ Chloe Daos touched at 4:39.21 to take the women’s side.

Ryan Marco Tirol, also of the Harpoons, topped the men’s 50-meter breaststroke with 30.05 seconds. Meanwhile, John Niel Paderes and Shayne Lugay won the men’s and women’s 100-meter backstroke with 1:01.22 and 1:10.38, respectively.

C2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

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

S

MDC’s Park Residences project in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is a greeneryfilled haven of pocket gardens and parks that provide one with that much-needed respite from a hectic week at work. Linear parks in a bucolic setting makes possible nature walks and creative thinking in solitude.

Home/Design

TURNING DREAMS TO REALITY

SMDC goes to town with sustainable medium rise havens

road for some weekend adventure to the metro or to the mountains? With SMDC’s prime location and well-connected developments, everything is minutes away.

SMDC goes beyond building structures through inclusive designs that are responsive to the needs of every member of the family: play grounds for the young and adults, tree-lined pathways that offer healthy walks to seniors and PWDs and generous amenities that enable families, friends and neighbors to come together.

APPRECIATING VALUE An SMDC property requires a minimal capital outlay. Meanwhile, It’s complete and connected development, exceptional upkeep and management, will ensure high future value. Its premium location will cause its value to appreciate over time, assuring one of a solid investment for the future.

For more information on SMDC, visit https://smdc.com.

This kind of dream garden concept is offered at all of SMDC’s medium-rise developments.

INTEGRATED COMMUNITIES SMDC builds integrated communities that provides for one’s needs while being good to the planet. A quick fix to a hunger pang is just a short walk away, Running low on cash? Want to take to the

Creating opportunity

NEW locators at Aboitiz InfraCapital’s integrated economic centers are positioned to avail of tax benefits, thanks to the government’s Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, or the CREATE Law, which aims to provide lower taxes to qualified companies.

Touted as the replacement of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act, or CITIRA, CREATE is set to give businesses a much-needed boost after being passed into law, amid the economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under CREATE, new exporters based in places such as Lipa-Malvar, Batangas and

Balamban, Cebu, can enjoy as much as seven years of Income Tax Holiday (ITH), and 10 years of Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT), or Enhanced Deductions (ED) regime.

Last year, Aboitiz InfraCapital unveiled expansion plans for LIMA Estate and West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP), in response to the strong demand for industrial and commercial spaces in Batangas and Cebu.

The first phase of LIMA’s industrial expansion of 34 hectares is now open for reservations and under construction.

It will become available for locators to construct in by Q2 of 2022.

SANTOS KNIGHT FRANK BAGS BEST AGENCY PLUM.

Santos Knight Frank recently won in the categories of “Best Real Estate Agency (Single Office),” “Best Leasing Agency,” and “Best Property Consultancy” in the Philippines for 2021-2022 at the Asia Pacific Property Awards. These were part of the International Property Awards (IPA) that celebrates achievements of residential and commercial property professionals worldwide. Since 2012, Santos Knight Frank has received 31 awards from the IPA. This includes an 8-year winning streak in the Best Leasing Agency and 7 years in the Best Real Estate Agency categories. Santos Knight Frank has facilitated more than 4 million sqm of office space transactions, including the largest office leasing deal in Philippine real estate history. During the pandemic, Santos Knight Frank closed the largest land portfolio transaction in Cebu and the biggest office leasing deal of 2020 in the highly important business district of Bonifacio Global City.

REDEFINING FAMILY LIVING.

Caliya by Ovialand is for people who want to live away from the Metro, but still enjoy the convenience and lifestyle they need.

Located in Candelaria, Quezon, just 1.45 hrs from Metro Manila – Caliya is masterplanned residential community that offers contemporary homes for families looking for value. “Filipinos can buy a home that provides all their families’ needs at an accessible price point,” said Pammy Olivares-Vital, president of Ovialand.

Caliya offers a range of house and lot units such as the Townhouse Classic, which has a 45 sqm lot area; the Luxe End Townhouse, which has a 58 sqm area; and the Duplex, the biggest unit with a 63 sqm lot area. “Ovialand was built with the vision of addressing the needs of Filipino families aspiring to own their first home,” Olivares-Vital averred. “The pandemic should not stop families from buying a home they deserve.”

HOUSING DEAL FOR MISAMIS ORIENTAL FAMILIES INKED. The Social

BALANCING LEISURE, BUSINESS AT MIMOSA. Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is cementing its stature as a live-work-play township after bagging the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines award at the recent Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021. The development is carefully master planned at the heart of a global community to seamlessly welcome activity and density while preserving its mature landscapes. Despite the pandemic, it continues to thrive, as seen through its nonstop developments, which has surpassed the five-billion investment pledge on the first quarter of 2021 as part of the lease agreement with the Clark Development Corporation. Ongoing projects include the Quest Plus Conference Center, the Mimosa Plus Golf Course, Retail Strip, and two WorkPlus Office Buildings. Projects that are slated to begin soon are the Golf Ridge Private Estate by Filigree, The Crib Co-living, Filinvest Mimosa Lifemalls, and six WorkPlus Office Buildings. Strategically located in Clark Freeport Zone, the project is accessible via infrastructure which such as the Clark International Airport Expansion, Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Subic-Clark Railway Project, and the Malolos-Clark Railway.

Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) recently entered into an agreement with the local government of Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental for the implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) in the municipality. The deal, which will help some 1,000 families, was signed by Mayor Rey Buhisan and SHFC Cagayan de Oro manager Janet Lumayag (Shown in photo). The CMP allows legally organized communities of informal settler families to purchase the land they occupy, or would like to relocate to. So far, the program has benefitted 380,000 households across the country through over P18.3 billion in loans since 1989.

Tech & Gadgets

By Nijel Aquino and Mary Umlas

A

FACE mask that protects both the wearer and the environment was made possible by a student from General Santos City by harnessing natural properties of a local and familiar plant—taro.

With her research entitled as TAKIP, meaning “to cover”, Kiara Cartojano, came up with the concept of applying the hydrophobic characteristics of the natural wax found on heart-shaped taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) leaves to cloth or cotton masks to mimic the disposable surgical masks widely used by the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cartojano worries that the existing problem with pollution is crippled by the negligence of people toward proper waste disposal of face masks.

“It will be just thrown anywhere and it will be sort of a contributing factor in the already huge [problem of] pollution that we have,” the 19-year-old student said.

The science behind TAKIP is simple: a layer of taro wax is applied to the front or outside part of a reusable cotton mask. The wax layer is naturally hydrophobic, which means it can repel water.

“The taro leaf is known for its super hydrophobic characteristic. So that means if you drop water on it, magmemaintain 'yung shape niya na round shape sa leaf,” Cartojano explained.

The widelyavailable disposable surgical face masks consist of three layers, with the outermost layer providing the hydrophobic protection Kiara Cartojano

GenSan student develops plant-based face mask

TAKIP puts an outside taro wax layer on a reusable cotton face mask in order to enhance it.

for the wearer. The only difference is that it is a single-use product, which produces waste.

“TAKIP literally puts an outside taro wax layer sa reusable cotton face mask that we already use in order to enhance it. ‘Yung similarities niya sa disposable face mask is that ginagaya niya ‘yung outer layer ng disposable face mask, to have the same protection as ‘yung disposable face mask,” Cartojano stated, citing the similarities of TAKIP with other masks.

Since taro is a common plant in the country, Cartojano’s TAKIP face mask is not only sourced locally, but it would also have less impact on the environment because it

is also used with an already available reusable cotton or cloth face mask.

As for the process of extracting the wax, Cartojano used hexane which is a chemical commonly used as a solvent. Besides hexane, a reusable cotton mask would be the only material needed in creating TAKIP, which makes it rather inexpensive to make.

The young researcher has set her heart to have passion for creating sustainable products since she was young. In fact, she started participating in research competitions as early as fourth grade due to her mom’s influence.

“I have joined research competitions ever since I was young, mga grade four siguro, and I guess 'yung mom ko, which is a major influence for that, has always been my coach in research competitions and she always challenge me to make my own research topics,” Cartojano told Manila Standard. “[The] research that I’ve done throughout the years, it made me realize na 'yung problem as big as pollution will always be there if we don’t do something about it, so it's better to take small steps or small actions rather than do nothing at all. By that thinking I was interested in creating something for a sustainable environment,” she added.

Even though her research was merely

one of her final requirements in Shalom Crest Wizard Academy last year, TAKIP took 4th place during a competition at the University of the Philippines Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students (UP ALCHEMES).

It has also received a citation in the Virtual Innovation Competition 2021 Malaysia.

“I feel grateful to compete in those competitions especially sa UP ALCHEMES because 'yung panel po noon were able to criticize my work. They were able to point out 'yung mga lacking. Through 'yung criticisms na 'yun, pwede pa pong mastrengthen 'yung what needs to be improved sa study,” Cartojano shared.

However, she also said that she does not have any further plans for the development of TAKIP. “So far ngayon kasi I’m quite busy sa first year college ko, so for now I really don’t have anything planned for TAKIP or if I want to pursue it, pero if opportunity arises for me to develop it, I will,” she said.

Cartojano made a similar statement when asked about the possibility of making TAKIP commercially-available, but she said that it is possibly the same with the price of a surgical face mask.

The Globe Group pushes for PH digital readiness THE private sector is taking the lead in infrastructure investment to improve internet connectivity and bring down costs, and the government must follow suit if it wants to boost digital infrastructure and build economic resiliency, an executive of leading digital enterprise The Globe Group said.

In a virtual town hall discussion called Digital Readiness PH: Fostering a Digital Empowerment Agenda organized recently

by Stratbase ADR Institute, Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Corporate Communications of Globe, said her company is investing $2.1 billion in capital expenditure this year to develop the digital infrastructure that the country needs.

“We targeted a million fiber lines this year and we were able to hit that target as early as September,” she said. “We have made 4G the default technology for mobile data and we are aggressively expanding into 5G to enable services like AI, IoT, robotics,

among others.”

Crisanto said that Internet prices have considerably gone down in terms of price per GB and GB allocation. “Today a customer can get as much as 16 gigabytes only by paying P6 per GB. The same is true for homes. Our home prepaid Wi-Fi price per GB has gone down.

From P23 per GB, now it’s P7.”

She notes, however, that challenges still hound the Philippines in this area.

“We have to be able to digitize government. We’re ranking 63rd in the world in terms of infrastructure and 67th in various e-government indicators.”

Crisanto said that the main issue is no longer internet speed, per se, but the seamless connection across various places in the archipelago. “We always ask ourselves, is connectivity consistently good across all locations?” For a country that has consistently ranked first in the world in terms of time spent on social media, internet penetration has inched up to 65%.

Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Corporate Communications of Globe

Globe itself has made significant strides, starting from the reimagining of its role in

Mariwasa launches 2 new products KNOWING the importance of sturdy and stylish minimalistic shades that are chic and easy on the flooring, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc. recently eyes. Having them in a room can liven up the space released two new products—vinyl resilient floor- while presenting a relaxing aura.

The recommended area of application for Mariwasa’s ing and tile grout—that promote style, comfort, and vinyl tiles is in living rooms and bedrooms, where homequality materials to homeowners. owners usually feel relaxed and seek comfort.

Stylish 30x30 cm vinyl flooring With Mariwasa’s new Available in 30x30 cm size, vinyl tile collection, homeMariwasa’s new vinyl flooring owners can enjoy sturdy and line boasts quality with style. stylish floor tiles without The tiles are made from going through the hassle of polyvinyl chloride, known installment and maintenance, throughout the world for their or going over their budget. sturdiness. Homeowners can Since the tiles are made continue their daily activities from polyvinyl chloride, and even engage in rigorous they are easy to maintain, ones without worrying about easy to install, waterproof, breaking their tiles or leaving and cost-saving. unwanted marks on them.

Tile Grout: a Professional Mariwasa’s vinyl floor Finish tiles also come in a variety When applying tiles, of designs to meet their cusone way to make sure that tomers’ preferences.

Tile Grout: A professional finish they’re installed correctly For a more rustic feeling, the vinyl comes in shades of brown and wood patterns and durably is by using tile grout. Tile grouts are any that are easy on the eyes and invoke a welcome feel- suitable products used to fill the joints between all ing in the space. Mariwasa also developed a design that types of tiles. It secures the tile to its base and acts as maintains the cozy vibe while giving off a sense of luxury a sealant to prevent moisture from penetrating joints.

Since Mariwasa is presenting itself as a one-stop-shop through the “Meteor” vinyl floor tile. It features earthy yet where homeowners can get housing fixtures and installaregal tones, such as bronze, in an intricate pattern.

But for homeowners looking for a more modern tion materials, it also released a new tile grout product to approach, the vinyl tiles also come in bright and help homeowners build or maintain their homes.

society. “Globe is no longer only a telecommunications company. It is now a digital solutions and digital platform company— The Globe Group—an ecosystem of many different companies that are all fostering digital technologies.”

According to the recent study on digital payments in the Asia Pacific region by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the Philippines has the highest number of “e-cash adopters” among 10 countries in region topping at 37% followed by India (23%), Australia (15%), Vietnam (14%), Indonesia (13%) and Thailand (13%), and Singapore (11%).

“COVID 19 accelerated digital adoption among Filipino consumers especially in the area of e-payments and e-commerce and that a lot of economic activities are now being done online, including the micro and small and medium enterprises,” Crisanto said.

Globe has also been focusing on the education sector, putting up Global Filipino

C3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Tala raises $145m Series E to become largest platform for underbanked TALA, the global technology company building the world’s most accessible financial services, announced today a $145 million Series E fundraise led

by Upstart with participation from the Stellar Development Foundation. New investors Kindred Ventures and the J. Safra Group, along with existing investors including IVP, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital, and PayPal Ventures also joined the round, bringing Tala’s total funding to more than $350 million.

Tala will use the investment to accelerate the rollout of its new financial account experience, which provides customers with fresh tools to borrow, save, and manage their money, all through Tala’s top-rated consumer finance app. Tala will also grow its world-class team across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, India, and the United States and pull forward plans for both geographic and product expansion, including crypto offerings.

Tala has already been testing its new product lines in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand for digital financial services.

Tala moved quickly to meet that demand, leveraging technology the company had developed to scale its pioneering mobile credit product and bridge digital and cash ecosystems across multiple geographies.

In addition to payments and savings, Tala’s evolved account will offer an expanded range of personalized credit options, including longer-term loans and credit that can be configured to match customers’ income cycles. Since launching in Nairobi in 2014, Tala has delivered more than $2.7 billion in credit to more than 6 million customers across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India. More than 12,000 new users sign up for Tala services every day.

Leveraging the Stellar network, Tala will also use this funding to develop the first mass-market crypto product for emerging markets, advancing a core promise of digital currency ecosystems by making more affordable and equitable financial tools available to populations that can benefit the most from the crypto economy.

Schools that provide 21st-century learning in all 17 regions in the Philippines. Among other education-related initiatives are the training of teachers covering not just the usual curriculum but mental health, the acknowledgment of parents’ crucial role in distance learning, and the building of an IT Academy and creation of a technopreneurship module with De La Salle University.

“We should really start pushing STEM education because it will create the future,” Crisanto said.

The virtual town hall held brought together representatives of information and communication technology organizations who articulated the current state of our digital readiness and proposed ways to accelerate the achievement of this aim.

Among the speakers were DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan, who affirmed the government’s commitment to the transformation, beginning with actual physical connectivity highways through the National Broadband Network. The country is also working to bring connectivity to various parts of the country, including unserved and underserved areas.

PLDT underscores importance of innovation BUSINESSES need to be agile across their operations and participate in digital ecosystems to succeed in the post-pandemic world according to the country’s largest integrated telecommunications provider PLDT. During the recent Franchise Asia Philippines Virtual International Conference, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio stressed that Filipinos need to embrace resilience and adaptability to overcome the difficulties brought by the pandemic.

“It has become imperative to adapt and act fast—pivoting processes and operations to survive, and build resilience for a sustainable future ahead,” said Panlilio.

The PLDT executive said that the past year had presented the significance of digital transformation in every industry, which now redefines how businesses operate. Panlilio said companies strived to digitize their core processes by putting digital transformation on the top of their priority list as a long-term investment.

“It is the incubation of technology, purpose, and balance that drives people growth, business strategies, and sustainability. At the center of it all is still the customer. Hence, it is imperative to go beyond the hype of new technologies and discover how they can shape our future,” he added.

Given this scenario, PLDT and Smart have been leveraging digital technology and a robust network to deliver a world-class customer experience at the forefront of breakthrough innovations in the telco industry.

“PLDT and Smart are establishing programs that can effectively identify, evaluate, and incubate digitization to transform ourselves. By doing so, we are also creating new opportunities and harnessing advanced technologies to chart a path to the next horizon, mindful of our civic duty to help with economic recovery and overall nation-building,” Panlilio said.

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

Motoring

Get luxurious with Vespa Sprint S T

HROUGHOUT history, Vespa has showcased its ability to keep up with trends designing vehicles that not only move people but also their emotions.

With the new Vespa Sprint S with TFT, this signature element is designed to meet the needs of the modern world shapers.

This Vespa is made for all those looking for a truly elevated icon of design & cutting-edge exclusivity to match their vision of a dynamic modern world, those that enjoy being fashion-forward, eye-catching, and progressive in every movement; those that don’t want to sit back and settle for what they already have, and are always looking upwards and forwards.

Vespa Sprint S 2021 is the answer for all the values that they are seeking: extravagant and eye-opening aesthetics with added connectivity, exclusive for a dynamic lifestyle.

The Italian Vespa Design Center has defined the exclusive color combination with contrasting and mirrored elements to create two different outfits that match the same fashionforward and forward-looking soul while keeping the Italian DNA unchanged.

The lavish Bronzo Antico steel body presents a precious futuristic theme to be admired daily, enhanced by the contrasting black finishing that adds more exclusivity to this upfront combination. Its complementary is a hyper

A well-rounded tire for the all-around van PHILIPPINE driving conditions can be tough, whether in the city or on provincial roads.

On both roads, drivers have to brake on wet roads, endure long driving, and deal with tire-damaging debris. All could wreak havoc on any well-managed fleet.

Unless, of course, these are anticipated by choosing the right tires to begin with.

Choosing the right tires would, of course, depend on their intended use.

Fortunately, there is a happy intersection where commercial vans, pickups, and light trucks can agree on a tire that delivers the comfortable ride expected of a tire on a passenger van, the durability exacted from a tire on a light truck, and the value for money of a tire designed as a tough all-arounder.

Yes, there are tires for whether your fleet ferries passengers or light cargo.

One of the most popular was the UE168, which has now given way to an upgrade, the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5.

Being the successor to the well-received UE168 certainly sets the bar high. The upgrades offered by the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 focus on things most important to a fleet owner: economy, safety and durability. These three factors are crucial, especially for those who want to get as

much value from their vehicles while minimizing unexpected expenses like frequent tire replacement, or accidents caused by the inability of the tire to endure road conditions.

The new pattern design on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 focuses on comfort and safety, while the improvements on the materials and construction design target the tire’s durability. Combining all three means fuel savings and spending less on costly maintenance and tire replacements.

One of the most visible differences is that where the UE168 is round-profiled, the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is squareprofiled. This improves upon the UE168 in many aspects: rolling resistance (up 11%), mileage (increased by 30%), noise reduction (up by 2%), and braking distance (reduced by 6%).

This is made possible by very wellconsidered design tweaks. A wider shoulder width, coupled with the new pattern and construction, increased the contact patch by 4%. This means more even wearing on the tire, making them not just durable, but the costs more predictable for business owners and managers who want their consumable expenses all laid out and neatly followed.

The upgrades offered by the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 focus on things most important to a fleet owner: economy, safety and durability.

Costs like drill damage from getting a stone trapped in a groove are prevented by designing continuous 3D wave grooves into the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5.

Together with the variable sipe design, this also achieves excellent aquaplaning resistance and safe braking even in wet road conditions. This brings an added bonus of reducing pattern noise.

Another durability tweak on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is an innovative belt design using extra-fine woven composite material coupled with an advanced bead construction for heavy loading.

The result is a more even distribution of structural stress on the tire, translating to reduced heat and a prolonged tire life.

This material-and-construction upgrade gives 30% longer life to the tire than its predecessor.

A new compound formula further maximizes these construction design improvements. The compound used on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is specially crafted to produce low heat generation, high reactiveness and high flexibility, while also increasing the life of the tire.

This translates to enhanced mileage and economized short to medium heavy trips in the city.

Not bad for an all-arounder tire.

sophisticated Nero Opaco with bronze finishing; a high note for those who appreciate the beauty of modernity.The diamond-shaped saddle design adds a major touch of luxury to the bike, a fashion statement in motion.

The TFT (Thin-Films Transistors) screen on top of the successful Vespa Sprint, is the icing on the cake for the 2021 Vespa range, bringing users the ultimate experience with enhanced connectivity to the smartphone with the VESPA MIA system.

Vespa Sprint S 2021 has a contemporary style that speaks louder than any word. It is for the classy people who desire the modern way of traveling Vespa brings, combining bold attitude and connectivity, versatility, and unicity.

Vespa Sprint S with TFT dashboard turns vision into motion, and trend into movement. It’s the cutting-edge scooter designed to elevate the style of its rider, to thrive under the spotlight, to savor the limelight, and to become irresistible.

Hamilton cheerful, but realistic ahead of Texan test AUSTIN — Lewis Hamilton adopted a cheerful, but realistic stance on Thursday after arriving in Texas ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.

It is a race he badly needs to win to boost his hopes of landing an unprecedented eighth world title, a prospect he conceded as being very difficult to achieve.

The Mercedes driver, who is seeking a record-increasing sixth win at the Circuit of the Americas to overhaul Dutch rival Max Verstappen’s six-point lead with six races to go, said he was taking the title run-in one race at a time.

“It’s important to win every race somehow, you know, maximising our points – that’s our goal over these next six races – and it’s going to be incredibly difficult,” he said.

“And there will be moments where we can perhaps edge them (Red Bull) out and I don’t like to assume that Mexico is not going to be strong, but they are usually very strong in Mexico.

“So, I think it’s going to be close. A lot can happen in these six races and so I think we just take it one race at a time and then give it everything we’ve got.”

Hamilton and Mercedes have a dominant record in Texas, the champion having won five times since the inaugural race in 2012 and taken seven podiums in eight contests.

He added he senses the race had grown in status and size in recent years as F1 established itself in America as a major sport, partly due to the success of the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’.

“I think we already knew from the beginning that there was huge potential here,” he said.

“My first race in the US was 2007, but already I’d been to a NASCAR race, been to an NFL game and an NBA game. I’ve seen how it is – they’re crazy about sports over here.

“And there’s never enough sports.

There’s always more action and the progress I’ve seen over the years has been huge.

“Of course, over the last couple of years, it’s been the steepest rise —more and more people talking about it and more and more people engaging.

“The amount of emails and messages I get from people who I’ve known for years in the States, but who never knew what I

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP talks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 21, 2021 in Austin, Texas. AFP

was doing... Now they’re hooked so I think a lot of them are coming this weekend.”

Asked about his relationship with title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull, Hamilton told reporters it had not changed since last year despite the intensity of their battle for the championship and two crashes.

“There’s not really a huge amount to say,” he said.

“We have limited communication.

“Some of the drivers hang out more than others,” he added.

“I wouldn’t say I particularly closely hang out with anybody here so like last year we would just see each other at the track and say ‘hi’.

“We’ll do the same this year. It’s no different this year for me personally.”

Verstappen revealed earlier Thursday that he was this year refusing to take part in the 2021 edition of the Netflix series. He said he had not enjoyed the way in which he had been represented in previous series and suggested that some rivalries had been faked.

The series has been credited with doubling F1’s viewing figures, according to the United States’ F1 rights-holder ESPN. “It’s amazing to be back here,” said Hamilton.

“It’s a place of great, great memories for me. It’s such a huge country and having just one race here for sure isn’t enough.” AFP