Manila Standard - 2021 November 9 - Tuesday

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Trade group, expert warn public not to relax in obeying protocols

By Willie Casas THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Monday it welcomed the easing of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions but was wary that stricter measures might be reimposed if con-

sumers and facilities became careless.

The country’s biggest business group said while it welcomed the shift to Alert Level 2 from 3 “we may again revert back to higher alert levels” if people and establishments don’t implement proper

DOJ: Vax no need for 4Ps

VOL. XXXV • NO. 267 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Galvez: Moves to suspend, not forfeit aid; Palace: Valid but needs law DILG: Only health portion of subsidy for P500 affected

DOUBLY SURE. Gloria Austria, 63, a volunteer at a vaccination facility in Marikina City, shows

her vaccination and 4Ps identification cards on Monday, as parents assist their children in getting inoculated against COVID-19 at the Marikina Sports Complex (inset). Manny Palmero

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Q

UALIFIED indigents cannot be deprived of the subsidy from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) even if they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.

This was as the Palace reiterated that requiring recipients of a government dole to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is a valid move but would require the law institutionalizing the 4Ps to be amended.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. also said it is possible to delay the release of subsidy for 4Ps beneficiaries if they remain unvaccinated, but not completely exclude them from the program.

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Metro mayors to require vaccine for ‘tiangge’ sellers

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

owners mandatory, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said on Monday.

“Since tiangges are seasonal and ofMAYORS in the National Capital Region agreed to make the vaccination ten last for only two months and sellof “tiangge” (flea market) workers and ers come from different areas, it is only

‘Wait for IATF’ as hizzoners lift face shield use

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2,805,294

By Joel E. Zurbano, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas METRO Manila mayors have recommended that the government scrap the mandatory use of face shields as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop in the National Capital Region (NCR).

But when Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed an executive order Monday lifting the face shield requirement in his city, the Palace reminded local executives that the rule

proper to require them to be vaccinated,” he said of the tiangge and pop-up night markets popular during the holidays, adding it was for the safety of the public.

2,087

32,077

44,521

91

2,728,696

3,510

(As of 4 PM, November 8)

STILL SHIELDED. Filipinos wear face shields as they attend Mass inside the Malate Catholic Church on Monday. Although Manila Mayor

Isko Moreno Domagoso signed an executive order lifting the face shield requirement in the capital, the Palace said local governments should wait for the IATF’s green light before doing so. Norman Cruz

Romualdezes hail Leyteños’ resiliency, fortitude in surviving ‘Yolanda’

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

EIGHT YEARS LATER. Presidential candidate and former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (left photo) meet thousands of Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban City on Monday. Earlier, members of the Power for People Coalition (P4P) offer flowers and light candles (right photo) as they remember the 6,000-plus victims of the 2013 typhoon at the Malate Church in Manila. Ver Noveno and Norman Cruz

US now allows foreign tourists into its borders

By Vito Barcelo

HOUSE Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-List Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez on Monday said the Waraynons’ resiliency will lead them to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19 following their gallant stand from Super Typhoon Yolanda’s destruction eight years ago.

The Romualdez couple was joined by presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who received a rock-star welcome from Leyteños, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Next page

THE United States reopened its land and air borders Monday to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against COVID-19, ending 20 months of travel restrictions that separated families, hobbled tourism, and strained diplomatic ties.

This coincided with preparations by the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration for the possible reopening of the country’s borders to foreign tourists amid the continuing decline in the number of COVID-19 cases.

“Our frontline officers at the airports are ready and prepared, and we assure Next page

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Ang: Gov’t can buy back Petron

By Alena Mae S. Flores, Maricel V. Cruz, and Darwin G. Amojelar

B

USINESSMAN Ramon Ang on Monday expressed willingness to sell back Petron Corp., the country’s biggest oil company, to the government at market value after a bill was filed to renationalize the oil company.

Ang, president and chief executive officer of Petron Corp., said he is open to suggestions for the government to acquire Petron anytime.

Petron owns the Philippines’ lone oil refinery with a capacity of 180,000 barrels per day, located in Bataan.

In a recent House hearing, Ang said he was even willing to give the government five years to pay for the company.

“I swear if the government wants to buy the company, just say so and I will sell it to you right away,” he said in Fili-

pino. “Do a valuation immediately.”

He said Petron lost P18 billion last year. Oil companies worldwide, including Petron, reeled from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“If you think the business is a jackpot, let the government buy it at market value. I don’t need to earn from the government,” he said.

San Miguel Corp., parent firm of Petron, started managing the oil company in 2009.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani

Metro...

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DOJ:...

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Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Abalos pointed out that people in tiangges came from different places and are only seasonal visitors, which means contact tracing would be a challenge.

The agreement came as the government aims to launch a National Vaccination Day at end-November to inoculate five million Filipinos.

The three-day event, set to coincide with National Heroes’ Day on Nov. 30 to honor medical frontliners, is part of the national government’s aggressive efforts to achieve population protection by December.

The government also remains optimistic in achieving its target of administering more than one million COVID-19 doses daily by employing different strategies to scale up the vaccination output of local government units.

“The President’s directives are clear — increase LGUs’ capacities, ramp up vaccination, mobilize all government assets, and impose sanctions, if necessary,” said NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. “All of these were discussed with local chief executives, together with the support they require from the national government. Bayanihan pa rin ito. Sisiguruhin natin na walang maiiwan at wala tayong iiwanan,” Galvez added.

Meanwhile, another shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last weekend.

Lawyer Wilben Mayor, of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 strategic communications group, thanked the United States government for facilitating the delivery of the additional 866,970 doses of Pfizer procured by the national government.

“These are very helpful doses for us, for the lives of the Filipinos,” Mayor said following the shipment’s arrival.

With the latest shipment, the Philippines has received a total 1,733,940 Pfizer vaccine doses for two consecutive days.

As of Nov. 7, a total 110,646,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been delivered to the country since February.

Last week, key officials of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the NTF met with provincial and city chief executives and discussed strategies that need to be implemented to achieve the country’s vaccination coverage target.

“All resources of the government will be mobilized to achieve our goal, and these will be complemented by our private sector partners. Because at the end of the day, we share a common vision, and that is, to protect lives and ensure the sustainable reopening of the Philippine economy,” Galvez said.

“We can delay and not forfeit it, so they’ll get it once they’re vaccinated,” he said in Monday’s Laging Handa program.

Guevarra, for his part, said: “For those who have already qualified under the 4Ps Act, they become legally entitled to the conditional cash transfer benefits, provided they continue to comply with all the conditions under Section 11 of the law.”

“The cash transfer is a transaction between the government, through the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), and the qualified household beneficiary,” he added.

Guevarra also said that Republic Act 11525, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, states that “vaccination cards shall not be an additional mandatory requirement for government transactions, among others.”

“Hence, non-vaccination against COVID-19 cannot be a ground for suspension or termination of conditional cash transfer benefits if the beneficiary household has already qualified, and continues to qualify, under the 4Ps Act,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued the statement after a proposal from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to exclude beneficiaries of the 4Ps from receiving their cash assistance unless they get vaccinated drew heavy fire from lawmakers, who said it was anti-poor.

“I think it is a valid reason to require vaccination in exchange... [for the] … benefits they will be getting from the 4Ps,” Roque said in a press briefing.

Romualdezes...

From A1 Romualdez during the 8th annual commemoration of the onslaught of the super typhoon (international name Haiyan) in 2013.

They remembered thousands of people in the city and across the country who perished in the killer storm -- one of the world’s most powerful typhoons in history -- as Tacloban was considered ground zero and bore the brunt of record rains and buildinghigh storm surges.

“Eight years after hitting rock bottom, Tacloban City and the entire Region VIII have moved on and recovered from the destruction of Yolanda.

We will continue to rise, and we will recover once again, this time from the

Trade...

From A1 health protocols.”

“We welcome the downgrading, and we hope the Filipino people will still be cautious in going out to public places,” said PCCI Secretary General Ruben Pascual.

He cited the increased turnout in public places such as parks and malls during the first weekend Metro Manila was under Alert Level 2.

Alert Level 2, which was imposed on Nov. 5, allows children to visit malls and other facilities.

“This is the first weekend, so we don’t have (data) but if it is any indication, if you have seen the parks, malls, restaurants, it was filled to the brim.

They were full. Even my grandchildren went to the BGC park, and when they saw how many people were around, they went back home, they were afraid,” Pascual said.

Business groups earlier lobbied for the lowering of restrictions to Alert Level 2 from 3 to increase operational capacity.

pandemic’s crippling effects,” Majority Leader Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, said.

Rep. Yedda Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on the welfare of children, credited the unity shown by the people behind Tacloban and Eastern Visayas’ for their immediate recovery from the devastation caused by Yolanda.

“It is through our solidarity as a region and as a community that we are able to look back into this day with strength and hope,” she said.

“Together we rise as people with resiliency and fortitude that we have gained from this experience,” Romualdez said, adding those who perished should not be forgotten, as their deaths raised awareness on disaster management and prevention not only in the country, but in the entire world.

Zarate has filed a bill for state-run Philippine National Oil Co. to reacquire Petron.

This developed as the oil firms implemented an oil price rollback effective Tuesday due to the softening of world oil demand.

Weaker economic data from China and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Europe have affected global demand.

“Petron will implement the following price rollbacks effective 6 a.m. on Nov 9: P1.00/liter rollback for gasoline; P0.60/liter rollback for diesel; and P.65/ liter rollback for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron said in its advisory.

Aside from Petron, other oil companies such as Chevron Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum, Seaoil Philippines, Cleanfuel, and PTT Philippines also cut prices.

On Nov. 2, the oil companies raised

prices. Gasoline increased by P1.10 to P1.15 per liter but diesel and kerosene decreased by P0.35 to P0.40 per liter and P0.40 per liter, respectively.

These resulted in year-to-date net increases of P21.95 per liter for gasoline, P18.10 per liter for diesel and P15.74 per liter for kerosene.

Meanwhile, the House committee on ways and means has created a technical working group (TWG) to craft the panel’s substitute bill reducing fuel excise taxes imposed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay, chairman of the panel, said the bill if approved would suspend excise taxes on diesel (from P6 per liter) and kerosene (from P5 per liter) from Dec. 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022, while reducing excise taxes on gasoline by as much as P3 per liter.

For this to happen, however, he said that RA 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act should be amended to include the requirement.

Earlier, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said many of the more than 4 million 4Ps beneficiaries had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and some even refused inoculation.

“The 4Ps is called a conditional transfer because before you can get your regular subsidy from the government, you have to meet certain conditions. We will just add another condition, which is vaccination,” he said.

Under fire for the “no vaccine, no subsidy” plan, Malaya on Monday clarified that the DILG did not seek to deny the whole amount under the 4Ps but only the health portion of the cash grant.

The 4Ps has two types of cash grants that are given out to household-beneficiaries: a health grant of P500 per household every month or a total of P6,000 every year, and an education grant of P300 per child every month for ten months, or a total of P3,000 every year.

A household may register a maximum of three children for the program. For a household with three children, a household may receive P1,400 every month, or a total of P15,000 every year for five years, from the two types of cash grants given to them.

While Galvez said forfeiting the 4Ps benefits may not be correct, he agreed that mandated vaccination is already necessary.

“In my opinion, it is high time to mandate vaccination,” he said.

The Department of Health has said it is open to making vaccines mandatory, but it would be treated as “last resort.”

Malaya also said his department’s pro-

posal “is actually a result of the clamor of our local government units for help from the DILG to have some sort of disincentive on the part of 4Ps beneficiaries.”

He said the 4 million 4Ps recipients “is simply the households and “if you multiply that by three or four or maybe six then you’ll get some 18 to 20 million Filipinos.’’

Based on DSWD data, Malaya said, only 12 percent of the households have been vaccinated.

“This is really a large segment of the population that we need to be vaccinated and we are running out of time and our target is to have population protection by the end of the year,” he told CNN Philippines.

Meanwhile, more senators opposed the DILG proposal.

Senator Joel Villanueva and committee on health chairman Senator Christophe Go said vaccination against COVID-19 should not be mandatory.

Villanueva noted that getting a jab is personal to an individual so that it would be better for the government to step up its information campaign on the vaccination program to encourage them to voluntarily get their jabs.

Since there is no law mandating vaccinations against the COVID-19, he said efforts must be exerted to further raise public awareness and confidence on how vaccines can protect communities.

A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations from Sept. 27 to 30 found that 64 percent or three out of every five adult Filipinos are willing to get vaccinated. This is up from 55 percent in June and double the percentage reported in May.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said this move would allow firms to recoup losses this year as spending surges during Christmas Holidays.

The economy could also gain P3.6 billion each week Metro Manila would be under Alert Level 2, estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority showed.

In related developments, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, a pediatric infectious diseases expert, urged parents to continue being cautious as children were now allowed in public areas in Metro Manila.

“It’s a little concerning, I have to admit. First off, I think we’ve been quite used to the fact that we haven’t seen kids outdoors for quite some time. And it takes a little getting used to,” she said.

While allowing freedom of movement is important for the mental health of children, she called on parents to keep their guards up.

“The virus is still there. It’s up to us to know how to defend ourselves properly against what’s circulating out there,” Lim said on ANC’s Rundown.

Health experts earlier advised the public to choose outdoor spaces where probability of COVID transmission was lower.

As many minors have yet to be vaccinated against the respiratory disease, complying with the minimum public health standards will offer them protection, she said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines logged on Monday 2,087 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total to 2,805,294, as all laboratories were operational while eight labs were not able to submit their data on time, the Department of Health reported.

This new number of cases is the lowest since March 2, 2021, when 2,063 fresh infections were posted.

Based on data in the last 14 days, the eight non-reporting laboratories contribute, on average, 0.8 percent of samples tested and 1.2 percent of positive individuals.

The DOH also reported 91 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 44,521.

The DOH also reported 3,510 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 2,728,696.

large parts of the world, including the European Union, Britain and China, India, and Brazil, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. the traveling public of uninterrupted serOverland visitors from Mexico and vice should they decide to travel to the Canada were also banned.

Philippines,” BI Commissioner Jaime Larger planes Morente said in a statement.

At Charles de Gaulle airport in The US ban, imposed by then President Donald Trump in early 2020 and Paris, Charlotte Boulais, 27, stood upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has in the queue to drop off her luggage, been widely criticized and become em- excited at the prospect of seeing her blematic of the upheavals caused by the friends again.

“I’m going to New York, we’re going pandemic.

At airports in Europe, passengers to sightsee with my husband and see queued excitedly to board planes bound friends who have been over there for for the US east coast, while long lines of a year-and-a-half and who we haven’t masked people, cars and motor homes seen because of Covid,” she said.

Over at London Heathrow Airport, two were seen before dawn at the borders planes from rival airlines British Airways with Mexico and Canada.

The United States closed its borders and Virgin Atlantic heading to New York after March 2020 to travelers from took off at the same time from parallel

US...

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Process claims faster, senators urge PhilHealth

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Sonny Angara on Monday warned of a possible health system failure as he called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to expedite processing the claims of hospitals.

Sen. Grace Poe also urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to release the 2020 Audit Report on PhilHealth to give legislators a clear picture of the state of its finances while discussion on the 2022 national budget is ongoing.

“We need to know exactly how much PhilHealth owes hospitals and healthcare workers. They must be paid soon, and the government must figure out where to get the funds,” Poe said.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) had threatened to withdraw from the PhilHealth system due to the delayed reimbursements of claims.

“They have long been complaining about the slow paced reimbursement of expenses incurred by hospitals to patients (PhilHealth beneficiaries),” said Angara.

If PhilHealth continues to fail to settle their obligations, Angara said hospitals might shut down operations and the public and those needing health services will be prejudiced.

He related that every year, millions of Filipinos are paying PhilHealth contributions automatically deducted from their salaries, Angara said this is in addition to the P70 billion subsidy of the national government to the funds of PhilHealth the previous year.

The Senate Finance committee chairperson also said the Anti-Red Tape Authority should inquire into the process of PhilHealth to determine the reason for the delayed health insurance claims of the hospital.

‘Wait...

From A1 is still in place and admonished them to follow “the chain of command.”

Members of Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of 17 mayors in NCR, came up with a resolution asking the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the public to do away with face shields except for some places that are considered critical, such as hospitals, health centers and public utility vehicles.

“We will recommend the scrapping of mandatory wearing of face shields to the IATF especially since the majority of the eligible population in Metro Manila are already fully vaccinated and the average daily attack rate as well as the number of COVID-19 cases is going down,” said Benjamin Abalos Jr., chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

“We will forward our official position to the IATF who will have the final say,” Abalos said.

Since December 2020, the IATF has been requiring the use of face shields in all public spaces to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

But in September, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the removal of this requirement except for closed, crowded and close contact areas.

IATF officials had said wearing face shields gives people more protection against the deadly coronavirus.

Former vice president Jejomar Binay said government officials obsess over the minor details such as face shields while neglecting the things that matter such as contact tracing, testing, and vaccination.

runways, to mark the occasion.

To cope with surging demand, airlines have increased the number of transatlantic flights and plan to use larger planes.

Dollar shortages

Along the US-Mexico border, many cities have faced economic struggles due to anti-Covid trade restrictions.

Underscoring anticipation of the reopening, currency exchange centers in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez were hit by a shortage of dollars.

The Ciudad Juarez government has implemented a special system to direct traffic, including installing portable toilets on the three bridges crossing into the United States “as waiting times of up to four hours are estimated,” said the local director of road safety, Cesar Alberto Tapia.

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Abalos warns of ‘garbage island’ risks in Parañaque

Hontiveros wants more jeepneys, buses to serve NCR

By Joel E. Zurbano

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow more buses and jeepneys to ply the National Capital Region (NCR) roads and provincial routes recommended by consultants of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

She added that this can be done even only on a provisional basis, and without derailing the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program to ensure the safety of commuters.

“A jampacked public transport can be a COVID superspreader. So that it’s about time that the DoTr allows traditional buses and jeepneys to ply their routes as we are expecting more commuters,” Hontiveros said.

The lawmaker’s call comes after Metro Manila finally lifted curfew ordinances due to a decline in COVID-19 cases. The government also allowed the passenger capacity of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to be increased to 70 percent.

Hontiveros stressed that the decline in COVID-19 cases does not mean restrictions could be “relaxed.”

Hontiveros stated that the additional number of PUVs on Metro Manila roads will not only reduce the long lines and waiting time in stations, but can also decrease the number of private cars clogging the streets.

Earlier, she urged DOTr to expand its service contracting program to address the plight of both drivers and commuters amid price hikes in petroleum products.

Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento of Samar, chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation meanwhile raised the need to create a long-term transportation infrastructure roadmap that would depoliticize the funding, implementation, and prioritization of all transportation-related projects.

Sarmiento made the statement as his committee has already approved the proposed House Bill 9468 which seeks to legislate a 30-year National Transportation Program (NTP) dubbed “The Future of Mobility in the Philippines Act.” Sarmiento is the principal author of the measure. With Maricel V. Cruz.

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FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES. Metro Manila

Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benhur Abalos inspects the desilting operations being conducted at the mouth of Paranaque River as part of the MMDA’s flood control program at the Marina Complex along Macapagal Blvd. on Monday. Danny Pata and Norman Cruz.

Senators OK bill to create marshals to protect judges S ENATORS on Monday approved a bill creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, under the Supreme Court.

Senate Bill 1947 was authored to secure and protect the members, officials, personnel, and property of the Judiciary.

Reports said the proposed Judiciary Marshals Act garnered with 21 affirmative votes, no negative vote, and one abstention.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa abstained from voting on the measure.

A key feature of Senate Bill 1947 is the creation of “judiciary marshals” who will be tasked to provide security as well as protect Judiciary members. These marshals will also be assigned to protect judges, lawyers, and other court personnel.

Aside from providing protection, the marshals can conduct assessments of threats and conduct investigations. Senate Bill 1947 further allows judiciary marshals to conduct probes or investigations on cases of allega-

tions of irregularities with members of the legal profession.

A chief marshal, to be appointed by the Supreme Court will oversee the operations of the judiciary marshals together with three deputy marshals who will be assigned in Luzon, Visaya, and in Mindanao.

Three deputies will have the same rank and privileges as a regional trial court judge.

The chief marshal and his or her three deputies must all be members of the Philippine Bar and must have held the rank of at least a full colonel in the Armed Forces or the National Police, or assistant director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Senator Richard Gordon was the main sponsor of the said bill.

Reports quoted Gordon citing that since 1999, more than 30 judges have been killed,

and only a small percent of the cases were resolved.

More than 150 lawyers, judges, and court staff have also been killed, prompting the need for judiciary marshals.

Back in June, the House of Representatives has expressed hope that the Senate will prioritize the passage of the said bil, as it can provide armed protection to trial judges, many of them killed in the line of duty while others faced threats to their personal safety.

The lower chamber recently passed the bill on third and final reading.

House Bill 9086 seeks to establish the Judiciary Marshals Service, which shall operate “as an independent, professional, and organized security force under the direct control and supervision of the Supreme Court.”

“The service may have up to 2,800 marshals, assuming at least one is detailed to every trial judge and every justice,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, the bill’s principal author, said.

Esperon: Gov’t addressing ‘unlawful’ activities in WPS

BUS MONITORING. The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) is closely monitoring the EDSA Taft Bus Carousel to ensure that safety protocols are still followed on public vehicles. Minors are also allowed to ride buses and jeeps as long as they are accompanied by a parent or adult. Norman Cruz

Housing, IOM forge disaster cooperation deal for at risk areas THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines have partnered to boost efforts to assist vulnerable Filipino communities.

Housing czar Eduardo del Rosario and IOM-Philippines Chief of Mission Kristin Dadey recently signed a cooperation agreement for a partnership in helping citizens in areas struck by natural or man-made calamities.

Del Rosario underscored the importance of cementing solid partnerships with international organizations in enhancing the Philippines’s disaster-preparedness programs especially as the country is frequented by typhoons and is at risk of natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Such a cooperation pact is significant amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of climate change.

“The signing of this cooperation agreement between our agency, the DHSUD, and the IOM is a hallmark occasion, especially during the National Shelter Month. It cements the commitment to promote post– disaster recovery policy of the country as a guide for the continuous improvement of the Philippines’ capacity to ensure full recovery of households and communities after environmental hazards,” Del Rosario said.

THE Philippines is sparing no effort in undertaking diplomatic actions against unlawful activities and other forms of incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the country’s top security adviser said.

“Nakatutok din ang gobyerno sa mga kaganapan sa West Philippine Sea. Sa nakaraang limang taon, ang NTF (National Task Force)-WPS ay nagpupulong linggu-linggo upang patuloy ang pagmamatyag at pagtuunan ang mga usaping kaugnay sa West Philippine Sea (The government continues to be focused on the West Philippines. For the past five years, NTF-WPS is continuing with its weekly meetings to monitor and focus on all issues on the WPS),” said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who is also chairperson of the NTF-WPS during his visit to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Mimaropa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Nov. 4.

He said this is part of the government’s whole-of-nation approach on the issue.

“We have a harmonized, coordinated,

and joint deployment of maritime assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), aimed at sustaining our presence,” Esperon said.

Esperon, quoting President Rodrigo Duterte during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2019, said “our national honor and territorial integrity shall be foremost in our mind. The West Philippine Sea is ours. There are no ifs and buts. It is ours.”

Also at the 75th Session of the Unied Nations General Assembly last Sept. 22, Duterte also said “the Philippines affirms that commitment in the South China Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and 2016 Arbitral Award.”

“That award is now part of International Law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish, or abandon.

We firmly reject attempts to undermine it,” the President added.

METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Banjamin Abalos Jr. has warned the public on the risks that a so-called “garbage island” can bring to rivers, waterways, and the nearby communities including Manila Bay. “If we don’t act up on this, more structures will be built in the area. But the most alarming possibility is its effect on the water flow along the river and the waste will be very toxic to the community and surrounding waters,” he explained.

The MMDA said it will remove the “garbage island” in Paranaque River made up of a mixture of garbage and silt where shanties are already constructed which serves as a resting place for fishermen in the area.

Abalos said it will take about three to four months to fully get rid of the pile of garbage in the river estimated to be 26,000 cubic meters in volume.

Abalos is also asking the public to help the government in its flood mitigation programs by reporting piles of trash obstructing waterways.

“I call on everyone to report to the MMDA problems like this where there is a mass of garbage that needs to be addressed and removed immediately,” said Abalos who recently inspected the desilting operations at the mouth of Parañaque River on Monday.

The official also said he is urging the public “to throw out garbage responsibly and practice recycling to lessen waste and help mitigate floods.”

Engineer Baltazar Melgar, head of the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, said that the process of removing all the garbage in the area will be tedious as all of these will be hauled and disposed of to the landfill.

New DAR chief promises more countryside dev‘t

By Rio N. Araja NEWLY-appointed Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz on Monday vowed to lead the Department of Agrarian Reform in bringing progress in the countryside by prioritizing the needs of the farmer-beneficiaries.

Outgoing DAR chief John Castriciones turned over the stewardship of the agency’s leadership to Cruz.

Cruz said he wants to fast-track the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries as well as the provision of support programs and services to farmers’ organizations and expedite the cases under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implementation.

“Under my leadership, the agency would double its effort to distribute all the remaining undistributed lands to the landless farmers, provide support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries and bring social justice in agrarian reform communities,” he said.

Farm consolidation may be the best path toward improving agriculture, livelihood, and productivity — the mega-farm and inclusive partnerships for agricultural competitiveness projects.

“Both initiatives are intended to improve market linkages and the competitiveness of farmers and aid the DAR in coordinating with institutional partners that can assist in the capital buildup, management skills, and research and development,” Cruz said.

Carlos makes his case as next PNP chief Southern Luzon.

Carlos is the latest addition A HIGHLY-TRAINED poto the PNP Command Group lice officer. A Tactical Fireafter his appointment as the arms Instructor, Specialist on Chief Directorial Staff, the Protective Security or VIP 4th in command in the PNP Security Operations, a Reshierarchy. The appointment cue Diver, Motorcycle Chief was confirmed in a statement Master Rider, and a seasoned sent to reporters by Eleazar.

Skydiver—skills acquired Carlos, the former spokesthrough trainings and rigorous person of the PNP during field deployment of a promisthe time of now Sen. Ronald ing leader who now sits in the “Bato” Dela Rosa, is an articfourth highest position of the Carlos ulate trailblazer who knows Philippine National Police – the ins and outs of the PNP The Chief of Directorial Staff (TCDS). organization.

Police Lieutenant General Dionardo He climbed the ladder of positions from a B. Carlos, known for his hashtag #ala- young junior lieutenant in Southern Luzon gangcarlos (Carlos Cares) can be con- who battled against NPA communist-terrorsidered the best contender for the Chief ists to leading municipal, city, provincial and PNP position by virtue of seniority, mer- regional police stations and offices. it, track record and service reputation.

Carlos was assigned to the most critical He stands strong to replace PGen. assignments in Luzon, Visayas and MindGuillermo Eleazar, who is set to retire anao. An operative himself who battled in on November 13, 2021. the highlands against the NPAs and Abu Carlos, a member of the PMA Sayyaf terrorists and defended the govern“Maringal” Class of 1988, formerly ment against military rebels in the counserved as PNP Director for Integrated try’s central financial district.

Police Operations in Visayas and in He later found himself combatting

By Roy Tomandao

DISINFECTION. Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council safety officers intensified sanitation and disinfection in common areas within the Quezon City Memorial Circle after opening the promenade for minors. The local government is also reminding parents or guardians of children who exercise and travel to continue to adhere to the health and safety protocols implemented in the area to ensure everyone is safe against the COVID-19 virus. Manny Palmero against illegal drugs and led in the dismantling of several shabu clandestine laboratories when he was assigned in Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) as an Intelligence Operative.

He is a decorated officer over the years. He is a Metrobank Foundation 2009 Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) lifetime achievement awardee. In 2013, he was recognized as Honorable and Outstanding Police Enforcer (HOPE) awardee by JCI Manila.

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FESTIVE COLORS.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Belenisimo exhibit in Tarlac gathered 54 entries that showcase the ingenuity and artistry of Tarlaqueños in the art of making belen. Lino Santos

‘Protect kids’ mental health as in-person classes resume‘

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel Cruz

Isko’s proposal to cut fuel tax gains support MANILA City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s proposal to slash excise tax on fuel by 50 percent has gained support in the House of Representatives with a number of lawmakers filing separate bills to lower the excise tax on fuel products.

Moreno, if elected president, earlier vowed to cut excise tax on petroleum products by 50 percent as this would directly benefit not only poor people but also the middle class who have been at the receiving end of the weekly price increases of crude oil.

“If we implement a tax cut on gasoline and petroleum products, we can expect more jeepneys plying their routes and they will earn more since there will be more commuters who are going to their places of work. When drivers earn more, they will have more buying power and this will further perk up the economy,” Moreno said.

This has been one of Moreno’s key messages during his “Listening Tour” that brought him to the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Cebu over the weekend.

During a talk before workers of BPO firms in Cebu City on Saturday, Moreno told his audience he felt vindicated with the number of bills filed in the Lower House echoing his tax cut on fuel.

“You see, if I’m wrong, if the tax cuts we’re talking about are not doable, why there are four bills suddenly filed in Congress seeking for the suspension of excise tax. I said that about three weeks ago and then someone filed it four days ago,” he said.

“If I am wrong, why would a congressman, who is not my party mate, think of the same thing? If what I say makes no sense, who would file that bill? I am an optimistic guy. I hope the measure is passed,” he added.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, file House Bill 10438 which calls for the lowering the excise tax on fuel products for six months, including zero tax for diesel, with the revenue to be foregone by the government estimated at more than P55 billion.

The measure, if signed into law, would exempt diesel and kerosene from excise tax and would reduce the charge on gasoline to P7 per liter from P10 per liter. The excise rate was set by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law and is enforced between Dec. 1, 2021 and June 1, 2022.

“Diesel is the poor man’s transport fuel.

Tricycles, motorcycle delivery riders, farmers, and jeepney drivers use diesel for their vehicles. Kerosene is the poor man’s cooking fuel. I believe that the biggest reduction should be on these commodities,” Salceda said in a statement. Rey E. Requejo

Military non-partisan in ’22 polls—Army chief A RMY commander Lt. Gen. Andres Centino assured the public that all military officers and enlisted personnel will remain non-partisan in next year’s elections.

“We have always been a professional organization and we abide by that. And I suppose in the coming elections, we will again be called together with the Philippine National Police as part of the main organization tapped by the Comelec,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines over the weekend.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier reminded troops to remain neutral and non-partisan ahead of the May 2022 elections.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits

soldiers from engaging in any partisan political activity, including campaigning for a certain candidate.

Earlier, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also reminded police officers in active duty to remain apolitical even in their social media posts and to refrain from campaigning for or against any political aspirant.

“While I am encouraging all police personnel to exercise their right to suffrage as citizens, they must remain apolitical in carrying out their mandate

as members of the PNP,” he said in a video message.

Eleazar also cautioned policemen from expressing their political leanings on social media as such would go against the organization’s non-partisan stance in politics.

“I am reminding all police personnel to be mindful of what they post on their social networking accounts and refrain from showing support for or campaigning against local or national political aspirants,” he said.

“These may be personal accounts maintained by PNP personnel but anything posted in them would ultimately reflect on the organization and put to question our apolitical stance.”

CAMPAIGN POSTERS. Huge tarpaulins expressing support for Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio as well as PDP-Laban vice presidential candidate Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go can be seen along the southbound side of EDSA in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Leni unveils ‘ambitious’ P500-m COVID response plan VICE President Leni Robredo explained an “ambitious” P500-billion COVID-19 response plan which she will prioritize should she win as president in the 2022 national elections.

“We have to be ambitious because our problem is huge,” she said.

The Vice President said many aspects of the plan are already being implemented by her office despite the OVP’s meager budget.

“We are able to execute some of the programs despite our meager budget, which we

decided to shift to COVID response. It is possible. We just need to be all hands on deck, all agencies committed, so that unused funds can be channeled for COVID response,” Robredo said.

She cited the discretionary funds of the Office of the President that amount to P4.5 billion and the special purpose funds of other agencies worth around P54 billion.

The Vice President said her plan will prioritize the payment of the medical claims of

10% more QC property tax discount pushed

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Quezon City government was urged Monday to give an additional 10-percent discount on real estate taxes of property owners in Quezon City starting in January 2022.

“This would be a pandemic relief to city residents and those who own pieces of real estate in Quezon City,” Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor said in a statement.

He said real estate owners in the city are at present entitled to a 20-percent discount if they advance their tax payments for the entire year during the first quarter.

“That is their entitlement for advancing their payments. On top of that, the city should give them a 10-percent discount because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a way of helping and giving back to taxpayers,” he said.

Defensor, who is running for city mayor in the May 2022 elections, added that the city could very well afford the additional tax reduction.

“Real estate revenues are just a small fraction of the city’s income. The bigger part comes from business taxes,” he said.

He said based on its own report, the city earned more than P22 billion last year from local taxes, in addition to billions in internal revenue allotments or share from national tax revenues turned over by the national government.

Earlier, he and his running mate, District 2 Councilor Winnie Castelo, proposed a five-percent business tax discount.

At the same time, Defensor reiterated his call for the city to scrap the increase in the tax on residential, commercial and industrial lots in Quezon City that is due to take effect in January 2023.

He said the increase, imposed under Ordinance 2556, is just suspended until December 2022 under at least two subsequent city ordinances.

He said if the people of Quezon City elect him and Castelo, they would permanently scrap the projected lot tax adjustment.

private hospitals from PhilHealth.

She said appointing a competed Health Secretary is also crucial for the country to recover from the pandemic.

“We will choose someone who is accountable, who will make the bureaucracy accountable, who has technical expertise and who empathizes with our countrymen,” she said as she hit the “slow” response now that she attributed to the shortcomings of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on the Department of Education and the Department of Health to initiate efforts to address the mental health and physical well-being of students and teachers as pilot testing of face-to-face classes (F2F) classes is set to start on November 15.

Marcos said the number of students going through mental health crises has increased rapidly due to the pandemic and prolonged lockdowns.

“Our government is doing the right thing to have pilot testing of F2F classes especially here in NCR where for a long time, minors are not allowed to go out, and now the return of students and teachers to schools we must focus on the mental health of children and teachers,” said Marcos, who is the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer.

“Of course, when these young people have mental health issues, apart from education, their physical health will also be affected, so we must give them due attention,” he added.

The PFP presidential bet cited neighboring countries like China which conducted F2F classes with special emphasis on the psychological state of each student and teachers.

“It’s good to see what other countries are doing. Let’s not look far. Like China, how did they start face to face classes and support children and teachers? Didn’t they have tests and didn’t they also put equipment in schools that will help students regain their energy and confidence,” he said.

“I am confident that our government will take these issues seriously. They have already allocated a budget for that so I am sure that this pilot testing of faceto-face classes will be smooth this coming November 15,” he added.

Meanwhile, an opposition leader in the House of Representatives on Monday slammed the Department of Education for the lack of preparation of schools for face-to-face classes.

Lacson-Sotto: Gov’t should buy 50% of domestic agriculture output

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PARTIDO Reporma chairman and presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the government should buy at least 50 percent of total agricultural output from Filipino farmers and fisherfolk to avert huge potential income losses.

According to his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the original idea for this kind of government intervention came from Partido Reporma secretary-general and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, who has already been implementing a similar program in his province.

“One of our programs for the farmers and fisherfolk is that 50 percent of their output will be bought by the government directly at their own price without the middleman,” Sotto said during a public forum held over the weekend during the sidelines of their weekly “Online Kumustahan” event at the Nevalga Farm assembly hall in Cabuyao City, Laguna.

By cutting out the middlemen in the process, it would help keep the food prices competitive in the local markets without affecting the potential earnings of farmers and fishermen, according to the vice presidential candidate.

Sotto explained this plan has already been incorporated into their Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) agenda, which will be their flagship program should he and Lacson both get elected as vice president and president of the country respectively.

At the core of the BRAVE policy is the rationalization of the entire budget process where local government units could have greater influence over the National Expenditure Program of the state, resulting in better public funding for more appropriate and inclusive social services.

CLEARING OPERATION. A member of the Manila Police District apprehends an illegal vendor along the sidewalk of Divisoria Market in Manila on Monday, November 8, 2021. Danny Pata

Opinion Chain of custody rule violated THIS is a follow-up column on the case against Julian Ongpin, who has been found allegedly in possession of prohibited drugs — cocaine — under Republic Act 9165, as amended by RA 10640, which provides for the so-called chain of custody rule.

This rule is meant to maintain the integrity of evidence in drug cases and make the case foolproof against adulteration or planting of evidence, without which there can only be reasonable doubt. And if there is reasonable doubt in the proof or evidence in a criminal case, the case should be dismissed.

Denis Manalo of the Denis Manalo Law Offices, which is handling the case for the benefit of Julian Ongpin, said that the circumstances under which the drugs were seized showed no justification for not complying with the mandatory guidelines implementing the chain of custody rule.

The case must be dismissed outright.

Chain of custody is defined as the duly recorded authorized movements and custody of seized drugs at each stage, from the time of seizure/confiscation to receipts in the forensic laboratory to safekeeping and to presentation in court for destruction.

Each link in the chain must properly be established by the prosecution. The first link is the seizure and marking. Second is the turnover of illegal drugs seized by the apprehending officer to the investigating officer. Third is the turnover by the investigating officer to the forensic chemist for laboratory examination. Fourth is the turnover and submission of the marked illegal drugs seized by the forensic chemist to the court.

In Julian’s case, the lawyer noted that the SOCO team, which seized the drugs, conducted the physical inventory and took photographs without the presence of the accused or his representative or counsel, an elected public official, a representative from the National Prosecution Service, or representative from the media.

Their justification for doing it, the lawyer stressed, was that they were not aware that the substance recovered from the room where Julian and his lady companion is, in fact, cocaine, a dangerous drug.

Thus, in asking for the dismissal of the case of drug charges, Manalo pointed out that since the Department of Justice filed the case despite the absence of such justification, therefore the court must exercise its discretion or either refuse to issue a commitment order or warrant of arrest, or just dismiss the case outright for lack of probable cause.

Manalo cited People vs. del Rosario, decided June 22, 2020, wherein the Supreme Court said that lapses in the chain of custody like lack of compliance with Section 21 of the Comprehensive Act on Dangerous Drugs RA 9165 renders acquittal proper. This is because serious uncertainty hangs over the identification of the corpus delicti that the prosecution introduced as evidence. In effect, Manalo said that the prosecution had no evidence given that the circumstances surrounding the handling of the seized drugs cast doubts on their source, identity and integrity.

As a lawyer myself, I think the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union should dismiss the case outright.

In raising an alleged violation of the chain of custody rule, Julian Ongpin’s lawyer claimed that during the inventory and markings of the seized drugs, there was only one civilian witness present (the duty officer of the hostel). Julian was not even present as required by law since he was brought to the hospital.

In a motion filed with the San Fernando City RTC, the lawyer cited People vs. Lim where the court said that in order to weed out orchestrated or poorly-built cases, it is mandatory that in their sworn statements and affidavits, the apprehending/ seizing officers must state their compliance with the requirement of Section 21. This says that in case of non-observance of the provisions of the provision, such officers must state the justification or explanation as well as steps taken, in order to observe the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized/ confiscated items.

If there is no justification or explanation expressly declared in the sworn statements or affidavits, the investigating fiscal must not immediately file the case in court and instead refer it to preliminary investigation, and that if the investigating fiscal filed sword the absence, then the court may exercise its discretion to either refuse to issue a commitment order or warrant of arrest, or dismiss the case outright for lack of probable cause.

I repeat, the case must be dismissed outright.

••• In the wake of surveys that say Bongbong Marcos is leading the presidential surveys, there have been some idiotic and dumb efforts on the part of the usual Marcos haters and the now “pinkos,” no longer “yellows,” to pin down Bongbong on alleged violation of law to pave the way for cancelling his COC or Certificate of Candidacy. He was supposedly found guilty for tax evasion.

But a 1997 Court of Appeals ruling found no proof to pin down Marcos on tax evasion charges. It did cite him for failure to file income tax returns (ITR). On Oct.11, 1997, in a ruling, the CA’s Special 3rd Division headed by then Associate Justice Gloria Paras as division chairman, and concurred with by Associate Justices Lourdes Tayao-Jaguros, the senior member, and Oswaldo Agcaoili, the junior member, it was found and affirmed that Marcos paid income taxes from 1982 to 1986 and was just fined. This is contrary to what retired Senior Justice of the Supreme Court Antonio Carpio said that Bongbong was convicted for undetermined imprisonment which carries a conviction for moral turpitude.

Moral turpitude disqualifies anybody from running for a public office.

Clearly, this is a desperate attempt to disqualify Bongbong.There has been a lot of black propaganda leveled against the former senator. We can expect the attacks to continue.

People should watch out for the possibility of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio declaring herself as BBM’s running mate come Nov. 15. If this happens, “tapos na ang boxing.”

••• The National Capital Region has been placed under Alert Level 2. But we should not be complacent, Sure, the daily cases of COVID-19 have declined, but that’s no assurance that we are now free from the virus. We should continue to observe protocol.

Ending endo It is hardly necessary to point out that a pre-endo employee is not entitled to regular-employee benefits and thus entails a lower labor cost to the employer.

TO RID the nation of corruption, crime and illegal drugs within six months was not the only extravagant promise that PDP-Laban candidate Rodrigo Duterte made during the course of the 2016 presidential campaign. There were others. One of the other extravagant Duterte campaign promises was to put an end to the endo (end of the contract) employment practice in this country.

Duterte was likewise unable to deliver on his endo promise.

Endo has been the affected business establishments’ response to the Labor Code provision that requires them to regularize - grant regular status to - employees upon completion of six months of service. Regular employees are entitled to all the fringe benefits mandated by law, including the benefits provided by the Social Security System, PhilHealth (Universal Healthcare System) and Pag-IBIG. End of contract under the endo practice comes before the completion of six months of employment.

It is morally right but economically wrong At the beginning of his term, with his labor-sector supporters demanding that he deliver on his campaign promise, Rodrigo Duterte made loud noises about going after the endo-practicing business enterprises and directing DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) to identify the businesses that were chronic evaders of the regularization-after-six-months legal provision. A few business enterprises that were vulnerable because of their well-known endo practice thought it best to comply with the new President’s anti-endo order. But when other large companies and some of the trade organizations started making noises about a possible legal challenge to the endo-outlawing order, Rodrigo Duterte backed down and signed into law a measure that definitely did not write firms to the endo employment practice.

More to the point, the new law was not

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How bad is ‘not bad’?

OLITICAL dynasties are “not bad” and are here to stay, President Duterte said in a recent speech in Surigao del Norte.

Speaking at the inauguration of a bridge, the President addressed himself to a province in which the congressman, the governor and the provincial administrator all had the same last name.

“You know, no offense intended, we are all the same,” said Duterte, whose daughter and son are mayor and vice mayor of his bailiwick, Davao City, and whose other son is a congressman representing Davao’s 1st District.

“But the provision in the Constitution about political dynasty, it will never push through no matter how hard they try,” the president added.

“Unless you change the whole picture, unless you change the Constitution, unless you change the culture — then maybe you can. But if we stay like this, we will have dynasties. And dynasties are not bad,” he said.

The constitutional provision that the President was referring to was Section 26 of Article II, which is a declaration of principles and state policies. It reads: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

What about the findings of this research?

But Congress, which is dominated by powerful political families, has thwarted this constitutional provision for more than three decades, simply by never passing a law that defines what a political dynasty is. With an estimated 70 percent of Congress belonging to one of many influential political families, it is small wonder that not a single anti-political dynasty bill has been passed since 1987.

But like the President, people who belong in a dynasty argue that it is not all too bad to let the people decide who they want in office—and if they all have the same last names, so be it.

Others argue that banning political dynasties would deprive society of qualified and competent officials, simply because they come from the same family.

None of these arguments, however, address the constitutional mandate that

states dynasties should be prohibited as a matter of state policy.

None of them, too, address the findings of a 2012 empirical analysis of political dynasties conducted by researchers from the Asian Institute of Management and the Ateneo de Manila University that found that jurisdictions with political dynasties “are characterized by lower standards of living, lower human development, and higher levels of deprivation and inequality.”

In their paper “Inequality in democracy: Insights from an empirical analysis of political dynasties in the 15th Philippine Congress,” Ronald U. Mendoza , Edsel L. Beja Jr , Victor S. Venida & David B. Yap found that “measures of poverty incidence, poverty gap and poverty severity are consistently higher in districts with dynastic legislators compared to other areas.”

“Specifically, jurisdictions with dynastic legislators tend to have poverty incidence that is five percentage points, poverty gap that is one percentage point, and poverty severity that is half a percentage point higher than other areas,” the paper observes. “Not surprisingly, the average income of districts with dynastic representatives is lower than those with non-dynastic representatives.”

Is this, we wonder, what the President meant when he said political dynasties are “not bad”?

Implementing the Paris Agreement veloping the supporting implementation architecture, i.e. bodies, working groups, the financial mechanism and its operating entities, and various processes established under the operational guidance of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement. These were all established to advance climate action and fulfill treaty objectives.

FOR this column and subsequent installments of this series on climate change, I borrow in toto from a working paper that I co-authored with colleagues Yamide Dagnet, Katia Simeonova, Nathan Cogswell, Mima Holt, and Nate Warszawski of the World Resources Institute. The title of the paper is self-explanatory: “Toward more effective implementation of the Paris Agreement: Learning from 30 years of experience”.

We start by pointing at how, since the early 1990s, countries have been working together under the United Nations to develop a framework for international action on climate change. This cooperation resulted in rules, principles, institutions, and procedures to guide and support global action. Most notably, we observe, countries have adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and have focused on its implementation, including through two operational agreements: the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

We continue: “As we enter this critical decade of action, many discussions and several other publications have begun to question whether the UN climate regime and its annual Conference of the Parties (COP) are fit for purpose.

“Over the past three decades, the multilateral climate negotiations have resulted in three major agreements: the UNFCCC (adopted 1992; entry into force 1994), the Kyoto Protocol (adopted 1997; entry into force 2005), and the Paris Agreement (adopted 2015; entry into force 2016). Since the entry into force of each treaty, Parties have focused attention on implementing the guidance pro- vided under each treaty.

Implementation of the UNFCCC remains ongoing while implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is concluding.”

We highlight how treaty negotiations (of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement) have drawn headlines and attention, even as governments have also invested significant effort into de-

the give-the-employers-hell endo that candidate Duterte had loudly promised during the 2016 campaign.

In all fairness to him, President Duterte probably really wanted Congress to send him a tough anti-endo measure for his signature. But the pressure of the business community on him and his Congressional allies was so strong that the new President had no choice but to accept the realities of the marketplace.

The anti-endo issue needs to be looked at on two levels: the moral and the economic. Morally speaking, it can be said that the practice of keeping employees from achieving regular status - by repeat-

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

Countries have been working on this since the early 1990s.

We also observe that: “As new topics arise or gain attention in the UN climate regime, those topics often arise on the negotiating agenda and then find their way to be part of the implementation architecture. As such, the implementation architecture has grown, especially since COP16 in Cancun in 2010. The expansion of architecture is a manifestation of growing momentum for implementation as these bodies allow for in-depth and substantive discussions and action on specific issues, for example, adaptation, or technology transfer, compared to limited hours during negotiation sessions. A proliferation of new bodies may not be the answer to the implementation challenge. Conversely, the growth of the implementation architecture should not alone prevent Parties from identifying and considering new approaches or platforms for addressing gaps in the implementation architecture. Despite the historical focus on mitigation efforts, and platforms like the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and the high-level climate champions, there is not a constituted body focused solely on the topic. Yet, expanding the implementation architecture may need to be carefully managed as this could likely require more resources. Some constituted bodies receive financial resources to produce analysis or hire external consultants (i.e., the Standing Committee on Finance) while other constituted bodies rely solely on the availability of staff support from the UN climate change secretariat and with pro bono support from nominated experts or government representatives.

edly contracting their services for less than 179 days at a time - is wrong. But from the economic standpoint, the standpoint of the bottom line, the endo employment practice is the right way for businessmen to go. The less benefits a business enterprises’ employees receive, the lower the enterprises’ labor cost and the better its prospects of operating profitably.

Assuming that it is observed by them religiously, the medium-size enterprises of this country are the ones that are hurt most by an anti-endo policy. Medium-size enterprises should be given every chance to become big enterprises; an anti-endo policy is a move in the opposite direction.

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We emphasize that: “The effective implementation of climate action toward the Paris Agreement’s goals is likely to require a broader means of cooperation, such as collaboration with and action by other multilateral fora and organizations. While the UN climate regime remains central to international climate governance by providing a unique multilateral space for negotiations, its role in advancing implementation of climate action can be complemented by other institutions. A key question becomes how do those institutions intersect with the UN climate regime’s implementation architecture.”

These include the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization or the International Maritime Organization with regard to climate mitigation in international aviation and maritime transportation. We point out that: “Ultimately achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement will require collaboration and action, not just from the UN climate regime or from the UN system, but collectively from all emerging efforts.”

Our paper also highlights the Convention’s financial mechanism, with two operating entities: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and in addition the Adaptation Fund. We observe that: “While operation of the GEF and GCF falls outside of the UN climate regime, the UN climate regime provides guidance. Compared to other elements of the implementation architecture, such as constituted bodies and work programs, which operate solely within the UN climate regime, governance and operation of the financial mechanism’s operating entities also occur independently. And while the focus of the financial mechanism insupporting Parties in taking domestic climate actions differs from other elements of the implementation architecture, the failure of developed countries to live up to their commitment of mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020 has eroded trust in the UN climate regime.”

This last issue will be negotiated in Glasgow and the summit’s success will depend on its successful conclusion.

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Given its experience with business-sector compliance with tough labor laws that are likely to hurt profitability, DOLE must have believed that a tough anti-endo Labor Code provision would be observed more in the breach than in the compliance. Morally right but economically wrong - that was President Duterte’s and Congress’s essential problem with enacting an anti-endo law.

Given Rodrigo Duterte’s backdown on endo, not one of the presidential candidates in the 2022 election is likely to promise to end the endo practice. Such a promise is likely to get no further this time around.

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Study: Climate to ruin world’s poorest

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LASGOW – The 65 most vulnerable nations will see GDP drop 20 percent on average by 2050 and 64 percent by 2100 if the world heats up 2.9 degrees Celsius, according to a report released Monday at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

Even if global temperature rises are capped at 1.5C, in keeping with the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal, the same countries would take a GDP hit of 13 percent by 2050 and 33 percent by the end of the century, the study commissioned by Christian Aid said.

To date, Earth’s average surface temperature has risen 1.1C compared to late 19th-century levels.

The findings from Christian Aid show that more than a third of the world’s nations urgently need help to build up resilience if their economies are to

withstand the onslaught of heatwaves, drought, floods, and storms made more intense and deadly by global warming.

“The ability of countries in the Global South to sustainably develop is seriously jeopardized,” said lead author Marina Andrijevic from Humboldt University in Berlin.

“Policy choices that we make right now are crucial for preventing further damage.”

Eight of the top 10 most affected countries are in Africa, with two in South America.

All 10 face GDP damage of more than 70 percent by 2100 under our current climate policy trajectory, and 40 percent

even if global warming is capped at 1.5C. The country facing the worst GDP loss is Sudan, which in September was left reeling from heavy rains and flash floods affecting more than 300,000 people.

The country would see a GDP reduction of 32 percent by 2050, and 84 percent by 2100 compared with if there was no climate change.

The countries covered by the report make up two key negotiating blocs at the UN climate talks, which run through Friday: the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

Sharp jump in number of people facing famine—UN ROME—The UN’s food agency said Monday the number of people on the edge of famine in 43 countries had risen to 45 million, as acute hunger spikes around the world.

The jump from 42 million people earlier in the year was largely down to a food security assessment that found another three million people facing famine in Afghanistan, the World Food Programme (WFP) said.

“Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We’ve got conflict, climate change and Covid-19 driving up the numbers of the acutely hungry,” WFP Executive Director David Beasley was quoted as saying.

“And the latest data show there are now more than 45 million people marching towards the brink of starvation,” he said after a trip to Afghanistan, where WFP is upping support for almost 23 million people.

“Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertilizer is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises like the one unfolding now in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen and Syria,” he added.

WFP said the cost of averting famine globally now stands at seven billion dollars, up from 6.6 billion dollars earlier in the year, but warned that traditional funding streams were overstretched.

Families facing acute food insecurity are being “forced to make devastating choices”, marrying off children early, pulling them out of school or feeding them locusts, wild leaves, or cactus.

“Meanwhile media reports from Afghanistan point to families reportedly being forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive,” it said. AFP

France’s Catholic Church to reply to child abuse

LEAFY SIDEWALK. A pedestrian uses an umbrella to shelter from the rain while hailing a taxi in Seoul on November 8. AFP

Christchurch mosque murderer weighing life-term appeal WELLINGTON—The Christchurch mosque attacker is considering appealing his unprecedented whole-of-life jail term, arguing guilty pleas made in the wake of the 2019 shootings were obtained under duress, his lawyer said Monday.

Self-proclaimed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism last year.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the first time a whole-life term has been handed down in New Zealand.

Tarrant did not offer a defense at the time, but his lawyer Tony Ellis said the Australian national was questioning his decision to plead guilty.

Ellis said the gunman, 31, had told

him the pleas were entered under duress because he was subject to “inhuman and degrading treatment” while being held on remand.

“He decided that the simplest way out was to plead guilty,” Ellis told Radio New Zealand.

Ellis reportedly took over as Tarrant’s lawyer ahead of a coroner’s inquiry into the March 2019 shootings and advised his client to exercise his right of appeal.

“He was sentenced to over 25 years, that is a sentence of no hope and that’s not allowed, that’s a breach of the Bill of Rights,” Ellis said.

Armed with an arsenal of semi-automatic weapons, Tarrant attacked Friday worshippers at Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque first, before moving on to the Linwood prayer centre, livestreaming

the killings as he went.

His victims were all Muslim and included children, women, and the elderly.

New Zealand does not have the death penalty and in sentencing in August last year, Judge Cameron Mander said he was imposing the harshest possible term for Tarrant’s “inhuman” actions.

“Your crimes are so wicked, that even if you are detained until you die it will not exhaust the requirements of punishment and denunciation,” Mander said at the time.

Ellis declined to comment when contacted by AFP, saying his client had instructed him to speak only to selected local media outlets.

There was no immediate response from the Coroner’s Court. AFP

US court to weigh FBI surveillance of mosque in California after 9/11

BIG STAR. Christmas decorations are displayed in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal on November 6. AFP

WASHINGTON—The US Supreme Court on Monday will take up a case involving three Muslim men in California who say they were surveilled at their mosque by the FBI after the September 11, 2001 attacks based solely on their religion.

The three men—Yassir Fazaga, imam of the Orange County Islamic Foundation, along with Ali Uddin Malik and Yasser Abdelrahim -- say the FBI sent a confidential informant to several mosques in the county in 2006 and 2007, ordering the man to pose as a convert and gather information.

“The FBI employed a paid informant person with a prior criminal history to infiltrate these mosques,” said Ahilan Arulanantham, a lawyer with the ACLU civil rights group who will represent the plaintiffs before the high court.

The informant, he said, “told every-

Nicaragua polls close with Daniel Ortega reelection sewn up MANAGUA—Nicaraguans voted Sunday in presidential elections denounced

by US President Joe Biden as a “sham,” as long-term leader Daniel Ortega derided his opponents—most of them jailed or in exile—as “terrorists.”

Polling stations closed at 6:00 pm (midnight GMT) after 11 hours of voting under the watchful eye of 30,000 police and soldiers maintaining what right groups described as a climate of fear.

With seven would-be presidential challengers detained since June, 75-year-old Ortega is assured a fourth consecutive five-year term—his fifth overall—with his wife and vice-presi-

Small island states are especially vulnerable to storm surges made worse by rising seas.

The study does not take into account adaptation measures, which could potentially alleviate some of the damage.

To date, rich governments have committed only modest sums to help poor countries adapt to climate impacts.

“Africa has the done the least to cause climate change yet this report shows it will face the most severe consequences. That is deeply unjust,” said Mohamed Adow, director of Nairobi-based climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa. AFP

dent, Rosario Murillo, 70, by his side.

Ortega faced five presidential contenders, but in name only -- all are dismissed as regime collaborators.

Results of the vote, which the opposition said was marked by mass abstention even as the government claimed a high turnout, are expected within hours.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement the outcome was “rigged” long before Sunday’s “sham” election.

“What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic,” the president said, adding

the pair now run Nicaragua “as autocrats.”

Former guerilla hero Ortega launched a new attack on his opponents Sunday, saying: “This day we are standing up to those who promote terrorism, finance war, to those who sow terror, death.”

He was referring to Nicaraguans who took part in massive protests against his government in 2018, which were met with a violent crackdown that claimed more than 300 lives in Central America’s poorest country.

Some 150 people have been jailed since then, including 39 opposition figures rounded up since June in the run-up to Sunday’s vote. AFP

body that he was a convert, that he was wanting to rediscover his French-Algerian roots.”

“He then was instructed by the FBI to gather as much information as possible on people in this community -- cell phones, email addresses, conversations, which he secretly recorded,” Arulanantham told reporters.

The ACLU says the informant recorded religious prayer groups in the mosque, leaving a secret recording device hidden in his car key fob, as well as secretly making videos in mosques, homes and businesses.

Arulanantham said the informant “started, again at his FBI handlers’ behalf, to try to incite violence, but he scared a bunch of people, when he was talking about things like bombing, Jihad and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan (and) they reported him to the FBI.” AFP

PARIS—France’s bishops will on Monday set out their plans to compensate victims of child sexual abuse by members of the clergy in a scandal that stretches back decades.

The 120 members of the Bishops’ Conference of France (CEF) meeting at the Catholic shrine of Lourdes will decide what measures to take after several days considering the issue.

The vote, which will take place behind closed doors, comes a month after a devastating independent report confirmed massive levels of child sexual abuse by priests dating as far back as the 1950s.

The report described what it called the “veil of silence” the Church cast over the offences and said that over the decades, 216,000 minors suffered sexual abuse by priests.

On Friday, France’s bishops for the first time formally recognized that the Church bore an “institutional responsibility” for the abuse.

Senior members of the clergy knelt and prayed on Saturday in a show of penance which, while welcomed by some victims of abuse, was dismissed by others as an empty gesture.

Campaigners are pressing for details of how the Church proposes to compensate the victims. They also want to know what reforms will be carried out to make sure the abuse never happens again.

The independent committee that produced last month’s report made 45 recommendations for the Church.

Monday’s response will be the “concrete translation” of those recommendations, Luc Crepy, the bishop of Versailles and the president of the CEP committee overseeing the issue, told journalists Sunday. AFP

Sierra Leone must learn from tanker blast, says leader FREETOWN—Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio said on Sunday the West African country “must learn” from the deaths of over 100 people killed in a fuel tanker explosion in the capital Freetown.

Three days of national mourning would begin on Monday with flags ordered to fly at half-mast and prayers held nationwide on Friday and Sunday, he said in a televised address to the nation.

“We are going to concentrate on helping those who are critically injured right now,” Bio said earlier in the day after returning from Britain, where he had been attending the COP26 climate conference.

Reiterating the government’s promise of free treatment for the injured, the president added that the country “must learn from this unfortunate incident”.

“Let us come together and learn from this, let us say never again it will happen,” he said.

The blast occurred when a fuel tanker collided with another truck at a petrol station on Friday night, according to witnesses. AFP

OPEN BORDER.

A US Homeland Security Border Patrol agent on horseback patrols the area near where the USMexico border fence meets the Pacific Ocean in Imperial Beach, California, on November 7, 2021, a day before travel restrictions are lifted on the US-Mexico border. The United States reopens its land and air borders Monday Nov. 8 to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against COVID-19. AFP

Business PSEi November 8, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

MAB DWC

0.0098 2.29

0.0007 0.15

7.69% 7.01%

3

CNVRG

35.2

2

6.02%

4

WIN

0.265

0.015

6.00%

5 6

EW PLC

9.98 0.485

0.56 0.025

5.94% 5.43%

7

ZHI

0.187

0.009

5.06%

8 9

CEBCP CIC

47.85 22.75

2.25 1.05

4.93% 4.84%

10

HOME

10.48

0.48

4.80%

B3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market sustains rally; Converge rises

S

TOCKS sustained their gains Monday on easing COVID-19 curbs, sparking optimism the economy will post a strong recovery toward the end of the year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 55.45 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,396.22 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Gainers edged losers, 107 to 101, with 44 issues unchanged.

Fiber broadband services provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. advanced 6 percent to P32.50, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications

firm, climbed 3.3 percent to P3,300.

Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, increased 3.5 percent to P3.27, while BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the largest lender in terms of assets, gained 3.1 percent at P133.

The rest of Asian markets were mixed Monday as long-running concerns about inflation offset forecast-busting economic data out of the United States and China, while tourism-linked firms rallied on optimism about the global reopening after Pfizer said its pill to treat COVID was highly effective.

Wall Street’s three main indexes clocked up records last week after figures showed more than half a million new US jobs were created last month, with hiring rebounding as new infections fall across

the country. Figures for the previous two months were also revised up.

The news provided fresh evidence that the world’s top economy is well on the recovery track as life slowly returns to some semblance of normal.

But optimism continues to be held back by worries about inflation, which has surged this year owing to a pick-up in demand, a spike in energy prices and supply chain snarls—forcing central banks around the world to start rowing back their massive pandemic-era support measures.

“Inflation is the major headwind right now,” Dana D’Auria, at Envestnet, told Bloomberg Television.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul and Wellington all fell but there were

SoftBank posted net loss of $3.5b in third quarter, 1st in 18 months

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

SPM OPM

2.02 0.01

-0.47 -0.001

-18.88% -9.09%

3

ABG

5.4

-0.5

-8.47%

4

OPMB

0.011

-0.001

-8.33%

5 6 7

MJC ALLDY CHI

1.81 0.71 6.4

-0.16 -0.06 -0.38

-8.12% -7.79% -5.60%

8 9 10

MFIN AB PHR

2.55 6.3 0.84

-0.15 -0.37 -0.04

-5.56% -5.55% -4.55%

MOST ACTIVE 1

SM

VOLUME 483200

VALUE (PHP) 473478130

2 3

AC CNVRG

523320 11275500

470791795 393438860

4 5

ALLDY ICT

478290000 1591350

354079100 306025253

6 7

BDO TEL

2123650 165560

281507544 273033390

8 9 10

GLO MBT URC

81970 5222700 1762430

269312930 263347115 235128163

REOPENED BORDERS. A tourist takes a selfie as the sun sets in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on November 7, 2021. The United States reopens its land and air borders Monday, November 8, to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against COVID-19, ending 20 months of restrictions on travel from around the globe that separated families, hobbled tourism and strained diplomatic ties. The ban, imposed by former president Donald Trump in early 2020 and upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has been widely criticized and become emblematic of the upheavals caused by the pandemic. The restrictions were particularly unpopular in Europe and US neighbors Canada and Mexico. AFP

Australia vows to sell coal ‘for decades,’ nixes summit call SYDNEY, Australia—Australia said Monday it will sell coal for “decades into the future” after spurning a pact to phase out the polluting fossil fuel to halt catastrophic climate change.

More than 40 countries pledged to eliminate coal use within decades during the COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow, which aims to cap the warming of Earth since the Industrial Revolution to between 1.5 and 2.0 degrees Celsius.

Australia, along with some other major coal users such as China and the United States, did not sign up.

“We have said very clearly we are not closing coal mines and we are not closing coal-fired power stations,” Australian Minister for Resources Keith Pitt told national broadcaster ABC.

Defending Australia’s decision, Pitt said Australia had some of the world’s highest quality coal.

“And that is why we will continue to have markets for decades into the future.

And if they’re buying... well, we are selling.”

Demand for coal is expected to rise until 2030, the minister claimed.

“If we aren’t to win that market, somebody else will,” Pitt added.

“I would much rather it be Australia’s high-quality product, delivering Australian jobs and building Australia’s economy than coming from Indonesia or Russia or elsewhere.”

Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of coal and natural gas, but has also suffered under increasingly extreme

climate-fueled droughts, floods and bushfires in recent years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government unveiled last month a 2050 net zero emissions target but the plan was criticized for lacking detail and relying heavily on as-yet-unknown technological breakthroughs.

The Minerals Council of Australia, which represents large miners such as BHP and Rio Tinto, has said a 2050 target is achievable through significant investment in technology.

Pitt said some 300,000 Australians’ jobs were reliant on the coal sector.

The Minerals Council of Australia itself says the coal industry directly employs 50,000 workers while supporting another 120,000 jobs. AFP

Chile’s Atacama desert is dumping ground for fast fashion leftovers

By Paula Bustamante ALTO HOSPICIO--A mountain of discarded clothing including Christmas sweaters and ski boots cuts a strange sight in Chile’s Atacama, the driest desert in the world, which is increasingly suffering from pollution created by fast fashion.

The social impact of rampant consumerism in the clothing industry— such as child labor in factories or derisory wages—is well-known, but the disastrous effect on the environment is less publicized.

Chile has long been a hub of secondhand and unsold clothing, made in China or Bangladesh and passing through Europe, Asia or the United States before arriving in Chile, where it is resold around Latin America.

Some 59,000 tons of clothing arrive each year at the Iquique port in the Alto Hospicio free zone in northern Chile.

Clothing merchants from the capital Santiago, 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) to the south, buy some, while much is smuggled out to other Latin American countries. But at least 39,000 tons that cannot be sold end up in rubbish dumps in the desert.

“This clothing arrives from all over the world,” Alex Carreno, a former employee in the port’s import area, told AFP. “What is not sold to Santiago nor sent to other countries stays in the free zone” as no one pays the necessary tariffs to take it away.

“The problem is that the clothing is not biodegradable and has chemical products, so it is not accepted in the municipal landfills,” said Franklin Zepeda, the founder of EcoFibra, a company that makes insulation panels using discarded clothing.

“I wanted to stop being the problem and start being the solution,” he told AFP about the firm he created in 2018.

gains in Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta.

Adding to inflation expectations is Joe Biden’s $1.2-trillion infrastructure bill that finally passed through Congress on Friday, giving the president a much-needed boost in his plan to push through vast spending measures to support the economy.

However, another proposal to stump up another $1.9 trillion for social and environmental programs continues to languish.

The US jobs report was followed Sunday by China saying exports had soared by a better-than-expected 27.1 percent in October as factories kept goods flowing out despite power outages in recent months caused by emission reduction targets, the surging price of coal and supply problems. With AFP

View of used clothes discarded in the Atacama desert, in Alto Hospicio, Iquique, Chile, on September 26, 2021. EcoFibra, Ecocitex and Sembra are circular economy projects that have textile waste as their raw material. The textile industry in Chile will be included in the law of Extended Responsibility of the Producer (REP), forcing clothes and textiles importers take charge of the waste they generate. AFP

Water waste According to a 2019 UN report, global clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014, and the industry is “responsible for 20 percent of total water waste on a global level.”

To make a single pair of jeans requires 7,500 liters (2,000 gallons) of water.

The same report said that clothing and footwear manufacturing contributes eight percent of global greenhouse gases, and that “every second, an amount of textiles equivalent to a garbage truck is buried or burnt.”

Whether the clothing piles are left out in the open or buried underground, they pollute the environment, releasing pollutants into the air or underground water channels.

Clothing, either synthetic or treated with chemicals, can take 200 years to

biodegrade and is as toxic as discarded tires or plastics.

Not all the clothing goes to waste: some of the poorest people from this region of 300,000 inhabitants pick through the dumps to find things they need or can sell in their local neighborhood.

Venezuelan migrants Sofia and Jenny, who crossed into Chile only a few days earlier on a 350-kilometer journey, search through a clothing pile as their babies crawl over it.

The women are looking for “things for the cold,” given the desert’s nighttime temperatures drop to levels unheard of in their tropical homeland.

Changing attitudes Chile, the richest country in South America, is known for the voracious consumerism of its inhabitants.

Fast fashion advertising “has helped to convince us that clothing makes us more attractive, that it makes us stylish and even cures our anxiety,” said Monica Zarini, who makes lamp shades, notebooks, containers and bags from recycled clothing.

Things are changing, though, according to Rosario Hevia, who opened a store to recycle children’s clothes before founding in 2019 Ecocitex, a company that creates yarn from pieces of discarded textiles and clothing in a poor state. The process uses neither water nor chemicals.

“For many years we consumed, and no one seemed to care that more and more textile waste was being generated,” she said.

“But now, people are starting to question themselves.” AFP

TOKYO—Japan’s SoftBank Group on Monday suffered its first quarterly net loss in 18 months owing to a plunge in its Vision Fund investments, including embattled Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba and ridehailing firm Didi Chuxing.

The telecoms-firm-turned-investment giant posted a net loss of 397.9 billion yen ($3.5 billion) in July-September, the first since January-March 2020, dragging first-half net profit down more than 80 percent on-year.

SoftBank Group has poured money into some of the tech world’s biggest names and hottest new ventures, from AI to biotech, through its $100-billion Vision Fund.

But those investments have proved tumultuous, with CEO Masayoshi Son saying Monday the firm was “in the middle of a blizzard.”

In total, SoftBank said its loss on investments during the quarter amounted to 1.66 trillion yen, including those incurred by its Vision Fund operations.

“We’re not proud of that,” Son said of the first-half results. “Our most important indicator, the net asset value, has decreased by six trillion yen. Just in three months. This is a big deal.”

Son said the results could be boiled down to one key factor: “In one word, Alibaba,” he said.

Shares in Alibaba Group Holding, SoftBank’s largest single investment, fell more than 30 percent in the three months ended September, according to Bloomberg, as authorities in China embarked on a crackdown on tech firms as part of a drive to tighten their grip on the economy. AFP

India’s mobile payment firm launches IPO MUMBAI, India—India’s biggest-ever initial public offering opened Monday with digital payments platform Paytm looking to raise nearly $2.5 billion, in what has already been a record year for share listings.

Paytm is backed by Chinese tycoon Jack Ma’s Ant Group, Japan’s SoftBank and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, which together own around a third of the company.

The firm was founded barely a decade ago by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the son of a schoolteacher who says he learned English by listening to rock music.

He was ranked India’s youngest dollar billionaire four years ago at the age of 38 and now has a net worth of $2.4 billion, according to Forbes. He owns a nearly 14-percent stake.

Paytm was issuing fresh shares worth 83 billion rupees ($1.1 billion), with existing shareholders selling stocks worth $1.34 billion, according to the prospectus.

The IPO is expected to make Paytm India’s most valuable tech company with a valuation of $20 billion, up 25 percent from two years ago.

The platform was launched in 2010 and quickly became synonymous with digital payments in a country traditionally dominated by cash transactions.

It has benefited from the government’s efforts to curb the use of cash— including the demonetization of nearly all banknotes in circulation five years ago—and most recently, from COVID. “I didn’t know corona would happen but Paytm was very useful to me during the pandemic,” Mumbai grocery shop owner Naina Thakur told AFP. Thakur said about a third of her customers pay her for milk, bread and other daily groceries via Paytm. AFP

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

B4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Business

P81-b Makati subway to enjoy tax incentives

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Fiscal Incentives Review Board approved the grant of tax incentives to the P81-billion subway project in Makati City that is expected to begin commercial operations by January 2026, the Department of Finance said in a statement Monday.

A majority of the five-member FIRB chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III approved last month the grant of a four-year of income tax holiday, followed by five years of enhanced deductions and duty exemption on importation for the construction, operation, management and maintenance of the rail project.

Dominguez made it clear that the

package of incentives would be confined only to the activity applied for, which is the rail operation.

“The incentives approved will not apply to the other business activities that would be generated from the subway operations, such as the lease of retail areas and advertising, which should be subject to the regular corporate income tax rate and other applicable taxes,” the

DOF said.

The FIRB said it considered the projected increase in economic productivity of P24.4 billion per year once the subway system becomes operational byn 2026.

This will be monitored, along with the other projected benefits, in accordance with the principle of granting incentives based on merit or performance embodied in the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises law.

Trade Secretary and FIRB co-chair Ramon Lopez said the productivity boost and other benefits would offset the economic costs that would be incurred by the government, such as foregone revenues.

Throughout the deliberations for the project, Dominguez said the Makati City government and the Department

of Transportation should work out the details on how to connect the proposed subway to the Metro Manila Subway project of the national government.

The subway project is a 10-kilometer railway system traversing Makati’s central business district and key points such as Ayala Ave., the Makati City Hall, the Poblacion Heritage Site, the University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and the other new districts in the city.

Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., the proponent of the project, said in March it started purchasing properties for the development of the main station of the underground rail system following the signing of a joint venture partnership between unit Makati City Subway Inc. and real estate and gaming entrepreneur Kevin Kristopher Wong.

SM Prime posted 9% profit growth in three quarters

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Monday nine-month net income rose 9 percent to P15.6 billion from P14.4 billion in the same period last year despite lower sales.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues dropped 6 percent in the first three quarters to P56.8 billion from P60.7 billion a year ago, on lower sales from residential and mall businesses.

Residential business, which accounted for 56 percent of sales, booked revenues of P32.1 billion, down 6 percent from P34.2 billion last year. Reservation sales rose 14 percent to P76.3 billion from P66.7 billion.

SM Prime said the strengthened online presence and continuous construction of residential projects boosted the take-up of SM Development Corp. in the first nine months.

Sales of its mall business in the Philippines declined 14 percent from last year’s P18.3 billion as the reimplementation of stricter community quarantine in August affected retail operation.

China malls reported a 28-percent increase in revenue to RMB 590 million from January to September from RMB 460 million a year ago.

“As the country continues to survive the pandemic, SM Prime will remain optimistic by providing support to the government as well as convenience, services and entertainment to its customers,” SM Prime president and chief executive Jeffrey Lim said.

The group’s commercial properties reported P3.8 billion in revenue in the first three quarters, slightly higher than its earnings last year.

The company’s hotel and convention center business registered P900-million revenues in the first nine months of 2021.

“SM Prime continues to develop new ways and solutions in its businesses by developing sustainable programs that provide safe and secure environment for all of its stakeholders. This is in line with our anticipation of welcoming more people in our establishments, primarily in our malls and other commercial facilities, where thousands of our partner-tenants can showcase their products and services this coming Holidays Season,” Lim said.

Monday, November 8, 2021 55.45 PTS. 7,396.22

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,338,098,782 102,036

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES

8,304,508,674.04 107 101

UNCHANGED

44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.4890

Japan

Yen

0.008822

0.4454

UK

Pound

1.348500

68.0844

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128487

6.4872

Switzerland

Franc

1.096251

55.3486

Canada

Dollar

0.803213

40.5534

Singapore

Dollar

0.740960

37.4103

Australia

Dollar

0.739200

37.3215

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

133.9409

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266610

13.4609

Brunei

Dollar

0.738225

37.2722

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030021

1.5157

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.7467

Euro

Euro

1.156100

58.3703

Korea

Won

0.000847

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.156270

7.8899

India

Rupee

0.013482

0.6807

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240500

12.1426

New Zealand

Dollar

0.710300

35.8623

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035920

1.8136 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Deposit accounts increase 51% in Q1 BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday the number of basic deposit accounts in the first quarter increased 51 percent to 7 million from 4.6 million in the same period last year.

A basic deposit account is a low-cost, nofrills account that features an initial deposit requirement capped at P100 and simplified identification requirements. It has no maintaining balance and dormancy charges.

“This can be attributed to BSP’s call for banks to promote use of the basic deposit accounts to foster financial inclusion,” Diokno said in a statement.

Data from the BSP showed that 132 banks were offering basic deposit accounts, with total deposits amounting to P4.8 billion in the first three months. This was an increase from the 121 banks with total BDA deposits of P4.0 billion a year ago.

The BSP introduced the basic deposit account framework in 2018 to encourage more Filipinos to open bank accounts. “Account ownership enables Filipinos to conduct financial transactions in a safe, convenient, and affordable manner. It is also a gateway to financial products and services like savings, loans, investments, and insurance,” Diokno said.

Julito G. Rada

Robinson Land’s income up by 47%

NEW TOWER. Horizon Land Property Development Corp., a subsidiary of real estate developer Federal Land Inc., holds the topping off ceremony for Palm Beach West Siargao Tower at Metro Park, a master-planned community in Manila Bay Area. Leading the ceremony are (from left) Richard Naval, head of construction management group; Nestor Mangio, president of NS Mangio Construction and Development; Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion, head of sales group; John Cabato, general manager of Horizon Land; Sean Go, owner of Go, Go & Go Partners; Gilbert Berba, head of urban planning and design group; Antonino Aligaen, head of technical project execution group; and Michael Salazar, head of product planning department.

Agriculture production contracted 2.5% in first 9 months

By Othel V. Campos AGRICULTURAL output dropped 2.5 percent in the first nine months, pulled down by lower harvests and output of the livestock and fisheries subsectors.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed crops, livestock and fisheries registered lower output, while poultry posted higher production.

Rice output grew 6.7 percent to 12.5 million metric tons in the nine-month period from 11.9 million MT in the same period in 2020. Corn harvests dropped 18.6 percent to 6.1 million MT from 6.4 million MT while banana production showed a slight contraction of 0.2 percent.

The PSA said agriculture and fisheries production in the third quarter contracted 2.6 percent from a year ago, “due to

PEZA reports 25% drop in new investments INVESTMENTS at the country’s economic zones dropped 25 percent in the first nine months to P51.2 billion from P68.27 billion in the same period in 2020.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Charito Plaza said the impact of pandemic to investments became more evident this year.

“Last year when the pandemic started, we have approved many projects already and those projects that were pending prior to the COVID outbreak were processed and approved consequently,” she said.

Plaza announced the latest data at the Global Biz forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Economic zone exports reached $40.67 billion in the first three quarters while employment continued to be strong with 1.6 million workers.

Plaza said business process

PSE INDEX CLOSING

outsourcing were operating at optimal capacity of 94 percent, which supported the economic recovery.

“We’ve seen a decline, but this does not mean that there’s no hope. In fact we’re still relieved that there are no export companies that moved out or closed shop due to difficulties during the pandemic,” she said.

She said that as business systems at the ecozones were deducted from gross income earned, companies were able to balance operations.

“While there were lockdowns on domestic enterprises, our exports continue because our operations are global. The vaccination helped a lot to keep companies operating,” she said.

Economic zones maintained 95-percent to 98-percent operability which produced many jobs and kep businesses afloat, Plaza said.

Othel V. Campos

the drop in crops, livestock and fisheries production.”

This was the fourth consecutive quarter that the sector ended in the red, following the 1.5-percent decline in the second quarter, 3.4-percent drop in the first quarter and 3.8-percent slide in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Crop production, which contributed 54 percent to the total agriculture and fisheries production, fell 0.2 percent in the third quarter.

Livestock, with a 15.3-percent share in sector’s production, recorded a 15.2-percent reduction in output. Hog output, the major contributor for livestock sector, decreased 17.8 percent.

Poultry production grew by 1.3 percent, while fisheries slowed down 0.4 percent.

The PSA said that at current prices, the value of production in agriculture

and fisheries amounted to P446.46 billion in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, the PSA said the secondquarter GDP growth rate was revised upward to 12.0 percent from the preliminary estimate of 11.8 percent. Major contributors to the revision were the growth rates in education, from 10.0 percent to 12.6 percent; financial and insurance activities, from 4.2 percent to 5.2 percent; and construction, from 25.7 percent to 27.1 percent.

The growth rate in net primary oncome (NPI) from the rest of the world recorded a downward revision from -53.8 percent to -54.4 percent. Meanwhile, the growth rate in the gross national income in the second quarter was also adjusted from 6.6 percent to 6.8 percent.

The PSA will release the third-quarter GDP figures Tuesday.

ROBINSONS Land Corp., the property arm of the Gokongwei Group, reported a 47-percent increase in net profit in the first nine months to P6.44 billion, fueled by rising business activity and improving operating conditions.

RLC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange nine-month consolidated revenues rose 41 percent to P30.88 billion, on higher sales from office leasing and mall businesses.

The company said that in the third quarter, net income grew 38 percent to P990 million.

“We sustained business recovery despite the re-imposition of stricter quarantine restrictions in August. As we head into the last quarter of the year, we are encouraged by the waning number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the progress of the government’s vaccination program, and increased mobility,” RLC president and chief executive Frederick Go said.

Sales from its mall business improved 14 percent in the third quarter on easing mobility restrictions. The company opened its 53rd shopping mall in La Union. Robinsons Place La Union is also its third mall in the llocos Region. Jenniffer B. Austria

Linseed seeks permit to build LNG terminal LINSEED Field Power Corp. applied with the Department of Energy for a permit to construct, expand, rehabilitate and modify its integrated liquefied natural gas import terminal in Barangay Ilijan, Batangas City.

Rino Abad, director of the Oil Industry Management Bureau, confirmed that Linseed submitted its PCERM application on Friday.

“Linseed’s application will still undergo evaluation,” Abad said.

The DOE also approved the transfer of the project application from Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Inc. to Linseed. AG&P will concentrate on being the project contractor.

Documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that Linseed’s LNG terminal project would cost about P14.6 billion and would be completed by June next year.

The proposed project is adjacent to the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan combined cycle power plant. Alena Mae S. Flores

WOMEN LEADERS. Sitel Group, one of the largest global providers of customer experience products and solutions, through its WELead women empowerment and support group, teams up with the Women Inter-Industry Network for the event ‘Sisterhood, Queen Bees and Female Misogyny’.

Joining the forum are (top from left) journalist Kara David; Hazel Zaida Delos-Santos, head of wholesale products at ING Shared Services; Pamela Donato, vice president for HR at Sitel PHANZ and WELead executive sponsor and chairwoman; (bottom from left) Winnie Rebancos, technology director at Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines; Jaz Torres Ong, founder and TV host of Wildlife Matters; and Suzy Roxas, psychologist.

Pag-IBIG Fund releases another record P65.48b in home loans PAG-IBIG Fund said Monday it surpassed its own record amid the ongoing pandemic by releasing more than P65 billion in home loans in the first nine months.

Officials said the agency released home loans worth P65.48 billion from January to September, the highest amount ever released compared to any previous nine-month period.

Compared to recent years, the amount disbursed so far this year grew 80 percent from P36.43 billion released in the same period in 2020 and was 11.5 percent higher than P58.73 billion released in the same period in 2019,

which was the fund’s best performing year.

“Even as the country continues to face the challenges posed by pandemic, Pag-IBIG Fund was able to set a new record in terms of housing loan takeouts by the end of the third quarter. This means that more and more Filipino workers are becoming homeowners which is good news as this growth contributes to the economic recovery efforts of the government led by President Rodrigo Duterte,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member

Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said the amount released as of September financed the acquisition of 77 percent more homes this year, totaling 63,765 units for its members.

He said of the P65.48 billion released, over P6.71 billion went to finance the acquisition of 15,456 socialized housing units for the minimum-wage and low-income sectors and that these socialized housing units made up more than 24 percent of the entire number of homes financed from January to September.

Sports

‘Far superior’ Verstappen wins Mexico Grand Prix MEXICO CITY—Max Verstappen cruised to victory at the Mexico Grand Prix on Sunday leaving defending champion Lewis Hamilton to admit the Red Bull car “is far superior”.

Hamilton clung on to finish second in his Mercedes holding off a late charge from Red Bull’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez.

“Their car is far superior this weekend and there was nothing we could really do about it,” said Hamilton.

Verstappen, who grabbed the lead on the first corner, finished 16.555sec ahead of Hamilton with Perez just over a second further back.

The Dutchman increased his lead in the world championship to 19 points from Hamilton with four races left.

“There’s still a long way to go,” Verstappen said. “It’s of course looking good but also it can turn around very quickly.”

Frenchman Pierre Gasly was fourth in an AlphaTauri followed by the Ferraris of Monegasque Charles LeClerc and Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton had expressed his surprise on Saturday after Mercedes secured a front-row lockout, with teammate Valtteri Bottas on pole.

The advantage did not survive the first corner, where almost all of the drama of the race happened in a few chaotic seconds.

Bottas and Hamilton started fast but as they headed into the turn side by side, Verstappen charged round the outside of the Finn.

The three cars went into the corner abreast but the Red Bull came out first.

“It was nice three wide and it was all about just trying to brake as late as you can,” said Verstappen.

“I kept it on the track, came from third to first and that was basically what made my race because I could just focus on myself, and we had incredible pace in the car,” said the Dutchman who won for the third time in Mexico.

‘Someone hit me’ As Hamilton gave chase, the Finn went for a spin.

“Someone hit me and caused me to spin,” Bottas complained on team radio after rejoining in last place.

The guilty party was Daniel Ricciardo, charging from row four. His McLaren lost a front wing.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was unhappy at the way Verstappen got through.

“That should not happen,” Wolff said.

“We had two cars in front and seemed to opened up the sea for Max to come around the outside. The spin afterwards when there could have been a third or fourth place is annoying to say the least.” AFP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

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Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium after winning the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix at the Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack in Mexico City. AFP

Hanoi SEA Games to focus on health, safety protocols

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippine delegation will face a lot of challenges in the coming 2022 Southeast Asian Games, with host Vietnam dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because Vietnam’s budget for the games has been cut, organizers have shifted their priority away from constructing new facilities and repairing venues.

While almost no new sporting venue has been constructed for the biennial meet, work and preparation for the games are now instead focused on

the establishment of health and safety protocols that will be followed by many delegations, which will be in Vietnam for the regional competitions.

Hanoi is still the main hub, while 11 other surrounding provinces will also assist in hosting other events, requiring lots of travelling for athletes, coaches and officials.

SMB trades Santos to NorthPort for Manuel

By Argie Paul Candare AFTER being traded to NorthPort last Friday, Vic Manuel is on the move again and will shipped for long-time San Miguel Beer player Arwind Santos in a one-on-one exchange by the Batang Pier with the Beermen.

The 40-yearold Santos finished his 12-year SMB Arwind Santos stay with a numerous accomplishments, including nine championships, two Finals MVPs and a Season MVP

award in 2013.

Coming off averages of 13.27 points, 7.45 rebounds and 1.91 assists in the Philippine Cup, the 6’4” forward will now partner with the team they eliminated during the quarterfinals in two close Vic Manuel g a m e s , headed by Greg Slaughter and Robert Bolick.

Meanwhile, Manuel will join forces with SMB’s towering bigs of six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Fil-Tongan Moala Tautuaa, along with high-powered guards namely Chris Ross, Terrence Romeo and CJ Perez.

And since no Athletes’ Village was built, delegates from participating countries will be housed in hotels near their competition venues.

“Maraming cities na babagsakan. Sa Hanoi ito, tapos, two to three provinces, so hiwa-hiwalay siya,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Vietnamese officials said the pandemic has presented many challenges in organizing and finding venues for the games.

“The pandemic is still very complicated in many provinces and cities across the country,” said Tran Duc Phan, deputy director of the National Sports Administration in the online edition of

Parks helps Nagoya win BOBBY Ray Parks Jr. played limited minutes, but he made his contributions count as he helped the Nagoya Diamond Dragons bounce back with a 100-90 triumph over Gunma on Sunday in the 2021-22 B.League season at Ota City Athletic Park Citizen’s Gymnasium.

The Filipino import, who made only 10 points in the first half, came off the bench in the third period and sank a putback in the seven-minute mark, handing the Diamond Dragons a comfortable 16-point cushion, 60-46.

This made up for Parks' Saturday performance of scoring only eight points during Nagoya’s 92-101 setback to Gunma.

Coty Clarke banged in 19 points for the Diamond Dragons, who moved to a share of fifth spot.

The Diamond Dragons share the same position in the West Division with Kiefer Ravena’s Shiga Lakestars and Matthew Aquino’s Shinshu Brave Warriors with their 6-5 win-loss record.

Parks and his Nagoya team will clash with Hiroshima on Wednesday.

Earlier, East Division leader Chiba Jets brought down the Shiga Lakestars for the second time this weekend in a 8983 win.

Christopher Smith hit 26 points for the Jets, who posted their eighth win in 11 matches to stay in charge of the East Division.

Ravena struck for 27 points for the Lakestars.

Peter Atencio

Touring ladies face uphill battle at Highlands TAGAYTAY—The ladies of the Philippine Golf Tour get into high gear after a virtual break-in at Eagle Ridge last week following a long layoff as they resume their spirited chase for top LPGT honors in the ICTSI Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Challenge starting Tuesday here.

It will indeed be a true test in the next three days as the tricky Highlands course offers practically all the elements needed to challenge not only the bidders’ shotmaking skills and mental toughness but also their endurance given the layout’s up-and-down makeup and contours, hazards and putting surface.

Some holes are also exposed to winds whipping in off all sides.

Harmie Constantino will be the marked player, having captured the ICTSI Aoki crown four days ago on amateur Mafy Singson’s late mishap while Chihiro Ikeda and Chanelle Avaricio hope to ride the momentum of their strong finishes to bolster their respective title

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

drive in the P750,000 championship put up by ICTSI. Avaricio got a big boost after scoring a hole-in-one during yesterday’s practice round. The Alabama State U product used a Ping 8-iron and Pro-V1 No. 3 ball in acing the 128-yard No. 9.

Ikeda, who won at the adjacent Midlands course via sudden death over Pauline del Rosario in 2019, rallied to finish third at Aoki while Avaricio, who had hoped for a top podium finish after placing second to Princess Superal at Sherwood Hills and Eagle Ridge-Norman before the LPGT went on another break last July, came out of nowhere to snare fourth place.

Marvi Monsalve, Sunshine Baraquiel and Daniella Uy are all due for a big finish along with former leg winner Sarah Ababa, Lovelyn Guioguio, Pamela Mariano, Apple Fudolin, Sheryl Villasensio and Florence Bisera.

Gretchen Villacencio, whose best

finish was runner-up to Superal at Riviera in 2018, rejoins the tour after missing last week’s action, eager to spring a surprise in the 54-hole tournament held under strict health and safety protocols.

Korean Jane Jeong is also out to make a mark in her pro debut.

Focus will also be on the amateurs with Singson hoping to come out stronger and tougher from last week’s late stumble, along with Laurea Duque and Burberry Zhang.

Eagle Ace Superal is also raring to atone for her forgettable showing last week while Keena Puzon and Arnie Taguines, the low amateur at Eagle Ridge-Norman, beef up the ranks in the event, the second of four bubble tournaments lined up by the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. after the three-month hiatus.

After a break next week, action heats up with the staging of the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Challenge on Nov. 24-26 while

Chanelle Avaricio holds her hole-in-one ball

the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Championship will be held Dec. 1-3 at the Couples and Langer courses in Silang, Cavite.

Vietnam Plus.

Authorities said that other than a new cycling track in Hòa Bình Province and a small tennis complex at the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Centre campus, there were no other facilities built for the games.

Phan said people who will be assisting in the games are now getting vaccinated.

At the moment, organizers are also tackling another challenge, which is pandemic control.

Work on this is now being done by the Health Subcommittee of the SEA Games 31’s Organising Board, the Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Nueva Ecija bounces back; Batangas halts 3-game slide Games Tuesday (Subic gym) 3:30 p.m. – Medical Depot vs Pasig 5:40 p.m. – Muntinlupa vs San Juan 7:50 p.m. – Manila vs Mtrans

NUEVA Ecija Besprens bounced back with a 79-76 overtime win over Medical Depot, while Mtrans Batangas City snapped a three-game skid Sunday in the FilBasket Subic Championship at the Subic Gym. Nueva Ecija banked on the heroics of Renz Palma and Mark Cruz in the last 40 seconds to recover from its 96-91 defeat to Muntinlupa Thursday and improve to a 4-3 win-loss record at solo fourth.

Palma brought the game into a 76all tie with a driving layup before Cruz drained three of his four charities to steer Nueva Ecija to victory.

Cruz finished with 14 points and eight rebounds while Palma chipped in 13 points, eight boards and six assists.

Simon Camacho scored 15 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort for Medical Depot, who fell to 3-3 in the middle standings.

Meanwhile, Mtrans Batangas smashed the Muntinlupa Defenders, 90-77, to tie with Medical Depot, Pasig-Sta. Lucia and Burlington EOG Sports at 3-3.

Mtrans whipped up a third-quarter storm by outscoring Muntinlupa, 2716, to turn its 47-45 halftime deficit to a 72-63 lead for good.

Jeff Viernes powered Mtrans with 16 points highlighted by four triples, while Mon Rogado drilled 16 points and hauled 12 rebounds.

Adi Santo and Andrian Celada contributed 13 and 12 points for Mtrans, who also took advantage of Muntinlupa’s 17 turnovers by converting it to 28 points.

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Sports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

PSC’s Para Games Online Chess starts Nov. 19

New England, Colorado nail top seeds in MLS playoffs LOS ANGELES—The New England Revolution and the Colorado Rapids clinched the top seeds in their respective conferences on the final day of the 2021 regular season for North America’s Major League Soccer.

The Western Conference Rapids and the East’s Revolution also earned first-round playoff byes.

Colorado secured the top spot by eliminating Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake qualified with a late goal in a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City and the Vancouver Whitecaps punched their ticket with a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders FC. In the East, Orlando City booked their spot with a 1-0 win over CF Montreal 2-0 and Atlanta United FC rallied past FC Cincinnati 2-1.

New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos scored his 19th goal in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia Union to win the Golden Boot award as the top scorer. Castellanos also had eight assists.

The Revolution won their first Supporters’ Shield as the team with the most regular season points. They also set an MLS record for points in a single season with 73, surpassing the 2019 LAFC’s previous mark of 72.

San Jose Earthquakes striker and all-time MLS leading goal scorer Chris Wondolowski announced his retirement following the Quakes’ 1-0 win over FC Dallas. Wondolowski scored the game’s only goal to extend his MLS record to 171.

Despite wrapping up their season with a victory, the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew did not make the postseason.

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets drives on Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. AFP

Durant lifts red-hot Nets past Raptors L

OS ANGELES—Kevin Durant scored 31 points to post his 10th consecutive game of 20 or more points, as the Brooklyn Nets routed the host Toronto Raptors 116-103 on Sunday.

Durant also had seven rebounds and seven assists, as Brooklyn won their fifth straight game in front of a crowd of 19,800 at Scotiabank Arena.

“Like we said since day one, he’s been unbelievable this season at both ends of the floor, rebounding, scoring, facilitating,” said Nets coach Steve Nash.

Durant was playing in Canada for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon while playing for the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA finals.

“The last time I was here was one of my lowest moments as a basketball player,” Durant said.

James Harden added 28 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Blake Grif-

fin had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Patty Mills came off the bench to score 13 points in the win.

“When he’s at that level, he makes us go,” Griffin said of Harden, who scored 16 of his 28 in the fourth quarter. “We, as a team, can go to a different level.”

Fred VanVleet had 21 points and eight assists for the Raptors, who have lost two in a row.

OG Anunoby added 16 points, Gary Trent had 14 and Precious Achiuwa scored 13 points.

Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, in his first game of the season after recovering from shoulder surgery, scored 15 points in 25 minutes of playing time.

Nash, of Victoria, British Columbia,

earned his first victory in his home country as a head coach.

“That means a lot,” Nash said. “This is a very special place for me. Not only Canada, but Toronto.

“I’ve spent so much of my time here, I have so many close friends, relationships and memories in this city. For me, this is definitely a sweet win.”

Elsewhere, Bradley Beal scored 30 points, and the Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 101-94, sending the reigning NBA champions to their fifth loss in the last six games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the struggling Bucks with 29 points and 18 rebounds in the first game of a fivegame road swing. Grayson Allen added 19 points for the Bucks.

In New York, Ricky Rubio nailed eight three-pointers and finished with 37 points and 10 assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 126-109 win over the New York Knicks. AFP

Medvedev marvels at Djokovic’s greatness PARIS—The tide is turning in tennis legend Novak Djokovic’s favour in gaining the respect he deserves from followers of the sport but he may have to wait for years post-retirement to be fully appreciated, says Daniil Medvedev.

World number two Medvedev was speaking after Djokovic had come back from a set down to beat him 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final in Paris for a record-breaking 37th Masters 1000 title on Sunday.

This came a day after the 34-year-old Serbian won his semi-final to assure himself of another milestone -- season-ending world number one for a seventh time.

In doing so he ended Medvedev’s slim hopes of toppling him, two months after the Russian dashed Djokovic’s dreams of a Grand Slam sweep in the US Open final.

Djokovic has spoken of the love he felt from the US Open crowd that day which has not always been the case elsewhere -- in the Wimbledon final this year he was riled on several occasions by spectators siding with opponent Matteo Berrettini.

For many years too he has been seen as

the odd one out of the three great rivals who have won 20 Grand Slams apiece.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are generally loved but the intense, deepthinking Serbian provokes lukewarm sentiments.

Medvedev, though, believes the man he calls “his friend” will eventually get the recognition he deserves for his achievements.

“I have the feeling that people start more and more to respect what he has done in tennis,” said Medvedev.

“Because, well, he continues to beat the records.

“I feel like unless they are real haters, which are not real fans, people start to see what he’s done and to see that he’s able to do more.”

‘Break all the records’ Medvedev says this comprehension of just how great a player Djokovic is will not reach full bloom quickly.

“I think that maybe ten years after he retires, because there is going to be people who will start watching tennis who will not have seen him play,” said Medvedev.

“Just like me, I didn’t see (Pete) Sam-

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their men’s single final tennis match on the last day of the ATP Paris Masters at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris. AFP

pras play, I was too young but I heard he coming to tennis who are just going to was amazing -- it’s going to be the same. read in Wikipedia what were the results.

“There are going to be new people “Who was the World No. 1 for most

OVER 150 para-athletes across the countr y will compete in the 2021 Philippine Sport Commission—Pilipinas Para Games Online Chess Competition which starts on November 19.

“We are launching this project in our effort to continue efforts to address our need for a truly comprehensive grassroots sports development program for our para-athletes, and continuously harness their full potential,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin.

Originally staged in three regional legs, the online chess competition will now be held in one nation-wide event, on six categories namely, Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Men, Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Women, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Men, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Women, and Physically Impaired Men and Physically Impaired Women.

The PPG is also held in partnership with the Philippine Paralympic Committee and the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists on the classification of registered para-athletes.

Competition starts on November 19 via Zoom, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will conclude on November 21.

Winners will receive medals, certificates of excellence and cash incentives.

To prepare the national para coaches and technical officials for this competition, a Para-Chess Online Technical Workshop started November 7. Six of our chess legends in GM Eugene Torre, GM Thomas Luther, GM Jayson Gonzales, IA/IO Casto Abundo, and IA/NM James Infiesto served as resource speakers.

“In a pandemic, we are focusing on chess as it appears to be one of the best solutions for our para-athletes to get themselves going again in sports,” expressed Agustin.

Registered para-athletes can complete and send their requirements to pilipinasparagames@gmail.com and its official Facebook page. Official list of participants will be announced on November 12. weeks, for most times in the end, and they are going to see Novak everywhere.

“That’s when people are going to start to understand, Okay, that’s amazing what he has done.”

Djokovic has a stock reply to questions as to how he rates his achievements.

“Of course, when I surpass one of the past champions, particularly someone that I looked up to when I was a kid like Pete Sampras (prior to Saturday he was tied with the American on six for finishing season-ending world number one), it means the world to me,” said Djokovic.

“It’s kind of a surreal feeling. But, yes, I mean, in general terms, it’s just difficult for me to reflect fully on what was achieved.

“Not just this week but just in general in my career, I can’t really devote myself to thinking about the historic achievements.”

Djokovic, though, makes no secret of his desire to keep setting new standards.

“It is an objective, yes, to prove that I can break all the records,” he said. “I’m very motivated to carry on.”

In his moment of triumph he offered encouragement to ‘The Octopus’, as Medvedev is known for his ability to retrieve balls from impossible positions.

“He’s a complete, all-round player,” said Djokovic. AFP

Mommy Caring tops Philracom-sponsored PSA Cup

PSA’s Randolph Leongson of Spin hands the trophy to jockey Lester de Jesus, who guided Mommy Caring to victory in the Philracom-sponsored PSA Cup on Sunday. Also shown are Phiralcom Chairman Aurelio “Reli” de Leon and Star’s Bryan Ulanday.

CARMONA, Cavite—Mommy Caring used an explosive start and ruled the 2021 PHILRACOM-Philippine Sportswriters Association Stakes Race with relative ease at San Lazaro Leisure Park on Sunday.

The progeny of Striding Ahead and On A Mission and bred by the Esguerra Farm and Stud of businessman Hermie Esguerra covered the 1,600-meter race in 1:41.9 (24’-24’-24’-28) to handily claim the P300,000 top purse for owner James Anthony Rabano.

“Inasahan ko na kami ang mananalo,” said jockey Lester de Jesus who personally requested that Mommy Caring would be the last to enter the gates before the gunstart. “Mabisyo siya kaya talagang nirequest ko na huli siyang papasok.”

It was a formula that worked to near perfection as the three-year-old horse came out strongly from gate No. 4 and never let go of the pole position, leading by two lengths heading into the far turn and by three through the homestretch.

“Born sprinter talaga at kampante siya na ang laro niya nasa unahan,” said trainer Ramon Nartea, with this triumph reminiscent of Mommy Caring’s victory in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-sponsored 3YO Maiden Stakes back in September. “Sigurado kaming walang mauuna sa kanya, so importante lang sa amin na i-keep niya yung pace at ‘wag lang hayaang humangos.”

Luke Skywalker staged a late rally and placed second worth P100,000 to the owner, while Tocque Bell settled

third for P50,000.

Money Changer, Arrabiata, and Roll Da Dice wound up fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, to get their shares in the P500,000 guaranteed pot.

The stakes race is for the benefit of the PSA, the oldest media organization in the Philippines which includes sports editors and sportswriters from the country’s leading broadsheets, tabloids, and online media, as it continues to extend assistance to its members in need and those impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The PSA leadership extended its gratitude to the Philippine Racing Commission for making this event possible, with PHILRACOM chairman Aurelio “Reli” de Leon vowing to make the stakes race an annual event for the horse racing public.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

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Pinky Tobiano’s tablescaping show featuring Vicki Belo re-airs on YouTube

Chemist Pinky Tobiano (left) with beauty expert and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo

BY POPULAR demand, Table Love by Pinky Tobiano brings back the episode that features Dr. Vicki Belo. It originally aired on ANC and iWant TV. In this episode, Belo gives a tour of Chemist Pinky Tobiano’s house. Viewers are treated to a visual delight— a display of Chemist’s plate collections.

Designs on these plates

were inspired by iconic designers Fornasetti, Hermes, Dior, Versace, and a lot more.

These plates were used by both Chemist Pinky and Dra. Vicki in the tablescaping that followed.

Another amazing visual the two lady hosts did was Tablescape On a Budget.

Chemist Pinky easily created a dazzling tablescape worth a thousand pesos only. She

Local films in the cinemas, please! – Herbert Bautista I

T’S been Herbert Bautista’s tradition to meet with the entertainment press whenever he has something important to share or even if he just wanted to bond with them.

Last week, the usual jolly Bistek, the name he is fondly called in showbiz circles, shared a meal with his showbiz writer friends and talked about his Senatorial bid, and whether he liked it or not, the issues that surround his colorful personal life.

While he was talking about the IATF decision to finally allow local cinemas to reopen on Nov. 10 after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showbiz scribes asked for his opinion on Kris Aquino’s engagement with Mel Sarmiento. He and the former TV host “were best of friends” for several years.

“Masaya ako dahil yung peace and quiet … yung ang hinahanap niya eh. Happy ako sa kanya,” said Bautista but admitted that he didn’t know he had no knowledge of Aquino’s social media announcement.

“I didn’t know she’s getting married.

I don’t follow all her posts,” he added.

M e a n while, Bautista expressed his conc e r n about

the lineup of movies that will be commercially exhibited starting Wednesday.

“It’s about time.

A lot of people will benefit from it and I’m thankful. However, I don’t see any local movies in the lineup,” he started.

“I’m one with them in rejoicing with the reopening of cinemas. I am so happy that the movie industry is slowly but surely rising from the effects of the pandemic. Pero sana inuna nila ang local movies. I just noticed na puro foreign films ang unang ipapalabas this month,” he carried on.

Bistek first made a name for himself as an actor/comedian before throwing his hat into and making an indelible mark in public service. He starred in 38 movies, with Silly Red Shoes being his latest (2019), and appeared in more than 30 TV shows.

His most recent TV project was the serialized version of his 1987 film Puto, which aired on TV5 and Sari Sari Channel.

The 53-yearold actor-politician is such an

industry stalwart that seeing movie workers lose their jobs from cinema closure during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic broke his heart.

“One of the most affected industries in the world is the entertainment sector. Ang daming nawalan ng hanap-buhay dahil sa pandemya. So ngayon, sana, suportahan naman natin ang muling pagbangon ng pelikulang Pilipino,” said Bautista.

With the scheduled theater Bautista now urges the public to go out and support local productions that braved protocol restraints to provide them muchneeded entertainment. This early, his sights are also trained on public support for movies that will make up this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) line-up.

Needless to say, the local TV and movie industry is closest to Senatorial aspirant’s heart. As such, bills that would benefit the industry and its workers will be on top of his priorities once elected to the Senate in the 2022 polls.

In addition to this, Bautista is poised as well to push for bills and programs that would cater to and benefit locally produced products, i.e. food, fabric, etc., that would boost and strengthen overall national pride. At the onset of the “new normal” campaign season, Senatoriable Herbert will put together interesting vlogs that would feature the best albeit oft-neglected aspects of Pinoy culture and everyday life for the infotainment of not just the Boomers and Gen Zs but more importantly, the Alpha generation as well.

Actor and Senatorial aspirant Herbert Bautista encourages local cinemas to prioritize commercially exhibiting local movies.

Stars urge Filipinos to protect their loved ones in new COVID-19 PSA WITH the threat of COVID-19 still present in the country, ABS-CBN’s top stars and news personalities urged Filipinos to continue following safety protocols and to get vaccinated to ensure the well-being of their loved ones during this pandemic.

In a public service ad released Nov. 5 on various ABS-CBN platforms, actors Coco Martin, Jodi Sta. Maria, Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, and Angel Locsin, together with TV Patrol anchors Henry Omaga-Diaz, Karen Davila, and Ber-

nadette Sembrano reminded the public on what they can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially among children and senior citizens at home.

These include getting inoculated when given the opportunity, wearing face masks properly, frequent handwashing or use of alcohol to disinfect hands, avoiding non-essential travel and going to crowded areas, and maintaining physical distance.

They also encouraged those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to immediately inform their Barangay Health Center and follow the instructions and medical advice given Off and onscreen couple Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil for new COVID-19 PSA.

to them.

Coco emphasized that while observing the protocols and taking all these precautionary measures may seem difficult, it is a sacrifice worth making to protect the people we love.

“Alam po natin na ito’y maaaring isang malaking abala, pero mas malaki pong problema kapag tayo’y lumala, makahawa ng iba, at lalo na po ng mga bata. Kaya po natin ito, para sa kanila,” said Coco Martin.

Apart from the public service ad, ABSCBN will also release a series of safety reminders infographics and informative features on its news platforms as part of its continuing efforts to empower the Filipino people in the fight against COVID-19, following its Ligtas Pilipinas sa COVID-19 awareness campaign in 2020.

used recycled bottles, greens and flowers bought from Dangwa, for a measly P10 only, or three pieces for P100. Plates and utensils bought from a known mall cost something less than P500.

But after the table exercise, there wasn’t any trace of cheapness in the finished tablescape.

“You don’t need an expensive budget to create a beau-

tiful set,” said Chemist Pinky who has been tagged “Queen of Tablescape.”

After the vlog, Belo took the challenge of tablescape under instruction from blindfolded Chemist Tobiano.

Subscribe to You Tube Channel of Dr. Vicki Belo and follow the Instagram account of tablelovebyPinky for more tablescaping inspirations and budgeted tablescape.

A scene from the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Eternals’

Despite mixed reviews, Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ still tops box office MARVEL’S new superhero film Eternals took in an estimated $71 million this weekend to top the North American box office, a strong pandemic-era opening if a bit below expectations, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

Written and directed by Chloe Zhao, fresh off her best-director Oscar win for Nomadland, the film faced some of the worst reviews of any Marvel film — the only one to draw a “rotten” rang on Rotten Tomatoes — but has fared well overseas, taking in an impressive $91 million.

Led by actors Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, and Gemma Chan, Eternals tells the tale of an immortal race of aliens who emerge from several millennia in hiding to save the Earth from the evil Deviants.

With Eternals gobbling up the biggest chunk of box office pie for the Fri-

day-through-Sunday period, previous leader Dune dropped to a very distant second place, at $7.6 million.

The Warner Bros. sci-fi thriller, based on the classic Frank Herbert opus, stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac.

It follows a family in the distant future fighting for survival on a desert planet plagued by monstrous sandworms.

United Artist’s James Bond film No Time to Die again placed third, at $6.2 million. The studio says it is Daniel Craig’s last time playing the suave spy.

Sony superhero film Venom: Let There Be Carnage, moved up a place this weekend, to fourth spot, taking in $4.5 million. Its domestic total is now close to $200 million.

And in fifth was 20th Century’s computer-animated sci-fi comedy Ron’s Gone Wrong, at $3.6 million. Its voice cast includes Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, and Olivia Colman. AFP

A bold move IN A recent interview, actor Edgar Allan Guzman was asked about his sexy pictorial for a popular underwear brand: a move that he thinks is good for his career.

“Yes, I think so!” he averred.

“When it was offered to me, I gave my nod right away. I’m happy that the feedback is positive.”

Many were surprised by this turn of events. Interestingly, what made him decide to undress and bare some skin?

“I guess this is something new for me. I think it’s about time that I offer something fresh to the viewers.

I want to show them another side of me. I want to show that I’m more confident now when it comes to doing sexy stuff.”

Just recently, he made waves in his guest appearance in Eugene Domingo’s top-rating GMA weekly comedy anthology Dear Uge in which he played the role of a macho dancer who does online performances.

“I didn’t think twice in committing to the role. I think that the offer coincides with my decision to appear in more daring portrayals.

I’m happy with my work there,” EA admitted.

Asked about his preparations

EA de Guzman bares skin is his latest endorsement for a local apparel brand.

for the daring projects, the actor shared that he had to tap the services of an instructor to help him achieve a “sexy and desirable physique.”

“Because gyms are still not operational, we did workouts at home through Zoom. For two months, I also observed a strict diet. No carbs for me. During that period, I was only eating eggs, fish, and chicken.

It was really a sacrifice but with the turnout, I have no regrets,” the 32-year-old actor affirmed.

Reacting to people’s feedback, EA said it somehow boosted his confidence.

“It’s very encouraging. I feel flattered every time I read comments like they find me sexy and that my built is just perfect,” EA ended.

Hallypop surprises avid viewers with non-stop entertainment DIGITAL channel has never been this exciting.

Viewers are in for more fun and entertainment as Hallypop adds four brandnew programs to its line-up of exceptional shows.

On Sunday, K-pop fans started to connect with their favorite K-pop idol from different generations in KBS Song Festival, a mainstay year-ender music show

in Korea since 1965. The show airs every Sunday, 6:30 p.m.

Take a glimpse at the lives of four K-pop idols as they create their own fashion style in the interactive fashion-beauty show, A Style for You featuring Heechul (Super Junior), Bora (Sistar), Hara (Kara), and Hani (EXID). It had a glitzy pilot episode on Monday, Nov. 8, at 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, viewers having a rough day

can enjoy a night of delightful music and conversation in Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook.

Hosted by Yu Huiyeol, and his one-man band, Toy, viewers are treated to stellar performances by talented musicians.

Unwind with the band every Wednesday, starting Nov.10, at 7:00 p.m.

Finally, join K-celebrity Dads as they look after their children for 48 hours while moms spend some much-needed me-time

in the reality-variety show, The Return of Superman.. Before leaving the house, moms write out tasks for the fathers and children to complete before the 48 hours end.

Don’t miss the banters, funny mishaps, and family lessons every Friday, starting Nov. 12, at 7:00 p.m.

Goo Hara of the girl group Kara in ‘Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook.’

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

C4

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Fully vaxxed frontliner got COVID-19, urges people to get vaccinated S

HE got the vaccine, then she got COVID-19. Now she’s urging everyone to get inoculated.

Farrah Visey is a registered nurse and clinical department manager at Makati Medical Center. Despite being exposed to COVID-positive patients almost every day, she initially wasn’t keen on getting vaccinated. “Number one akong kontra diyan,” she shares.

She eventually changed her mind, thanks to thorough information campaigns on the merits of vaccinations spread to employees by MakatiMed’s Infection Prevention and Control Unit.

Visey, who got her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine two weeks after she completed rabies shots for a dog bite, received her second dose in June.

Months later, she got the virus.

Visey had what is known a breakthrough infection, which means getting COVID-19 even after being fully vaccinated.

Weren’t vaccines supposed to be the silver bullet against the coronavirus? Yes and no, say experts.

“The initial vaccines were developed to prevent the Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strains,” explains Ma. Tarcela S. Gler, MD, an infectious diseases specialist at MakatiMed. “Breakthrough infections happen among vaccinated individu-

als who are exposed to new variants because the vaccines have lower efficacy to these variants.”

A breakthrough infection doesn’t mean that vaccines don’t work; rather, they prevent an individual from experiencing a more serious form of infection.

An August 2021 report of COVID-19 cases in MakatiMed confirms this. According to the report, unvaccinated patients outnumbered both fully and partially vaccinated patients with moderate, severe, and critical symptoms. Among the patients who expired while they were confined, 75 percent were unvaccinated.

“In MakatiMed, infections among healthcare workers who were vaccinated was 77 percent lower compared to those who were unvaccinated,” adds Dr. Gler.

Virus carrier Despite being around COVID-positive patients, Visey didn’t get infected at the hospital. One Saturday in August, she went to the house of a 70-year-old aunt whose blood sugar had spiked to 500-600 mg/dl (the ideal range for a person with diabetes is between 80-130 mg/dl).

As she administered insulin, the aunt, who had her shot of the COVID-19 vaccine a week before,

coughed on Visey’s face.

The nurse was wearing a face mask, no face shield.

VACCINES WORK. An infectious diseases specialist asserts vaccines remain the ‘best tool’ to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms, despite breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals.

While the aunt was admitted at the hospital, she tested positive for COVID-19. Upon hearing the news, Visey knew she could have carried the virus in her home.

Her hunch proved right. The following day, her husband (who had his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine) developed a runny nose. His swab test result came out positive. A week later, Visey’s swab test came out positive as well, after manifesting a little cough and colds and loss of smell.

Given their mild symptoms, neither she nor her husband needed to be confined. Instead, they isolated themselves at home for the mandatory 10-day period, during which Visey’s husband was symptom-free after three days, as was she, though it took a while for her to regain her sense of smell.

While recovering, Visey admitted feeling a fear of death. “COVID is really frightening, and a lot of patients categorized as critical die.”

But the ordeal also made her understand the value of the vaccine. “Yes, it definitely helped,” she confirms.

“When I was in isolation, I really appreciated the vaccine and thought that if I didn’t empower myself with knowledge about how vaccines work, I might have been one of those in the critical stage.”

Vaccine advocate Since then, she’s become more mindful about observing minimum health and safety protocols. She keeps her mask on, washes her hands, practices social distancing, and takes her vitamin C with zinc religiously.

The once vaccine-hesitant Visey has also become a vaccine advocate. Recently, she convinced a co-worker to get jabbed; in turn, that colleague talked family members into availing of the vaccine program in their respective communities. “No one knows who can get COVID-19—even people who don’t go out get it,” she points out. “If you can get the vaccine now, get it.”

“Vaccines are still the best tool to prevent severe infections for COVID-19,” avers Dr. Gler.

“Even if the vaccines have lesser efficacy to certain variants, they have been shown to have some activity. So, we need to push for vaccination for a certain mass of people, so we reach the herd immunity threshold.”

Female-led baby brand launches storybook about hope

How Dawn Zulueta

stays strong

ACTRESS Dawn Zulueta is the epitome of aging gracefully, embracing the changes while living her best life.

But even she knows that aging needs more than maintaining that youthful look and glow, it also means ensuring that our health allows us to enjoy it.

Boosting one’s immunity has become more imperative at a time when there is an increased threat in people’s well-being, especially as they age. A 2015 study found older people tend to develop more underlying, long-term health problems.

“The fact is, as we age, our immune health also weakens. The pandemic brought on uncertain times, so it’s good to be reminded to keep our immunity in check,” shared Zulueta in a post on Instagram.

Zulueta, together with host and news personality Suzi Entrata-Abrera and lifestyle influencer Chuckie Dreyfus, demonstrates that looking good and feeling good requires a holistic approach. They have recently shared the benefits of Mead Johnson’s Provital Immuna Plus in enhancing their immune systems.

Provital Immuna Plus is an adult milk brand with yeast beta-glucan, a key immune-boosting ingredient clinically proven to reduce symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection by 64 percent.

“The new normal has become a wake-up call for all of us to really value our health and a

Farrah Visey, nurse and clinical department manager at one of the leading healthcare institutions in the Philippines, got infected with COVID-19 months after being fully vaccinated. She only had mild symptoms.

A FAMILY-OWNED, femaleled baby care brand aims to spark hope amid the uncertainty of the pandemic with a storybook.

Tiny Buds wants to instill the value of hope into the hearts of parents and children with Seeds of Hope which tells the

Dawn Zulueta ages gracefully and healthy.

strong immune system. This is why Mead Johnson is proud to introduce Provital Immuna Plus while encouraging more Filipinos to embrace a healthier lifestyle,” said Aleli Arcilla, president and general manager of Reckitt Philippines.

“Our older population are some of the most at risk and vulnerable when there are serious health threats. The good thing is that they can do something about it by taking extra good care of themselves through proper nutrition, balanced diet, and exercise.”

In addition to yeast beta-glucan, the adult milk is also formulated with selenium and vitamin C, powerful antioxidants that help regulate immune function and strengthen defense. It also has vitamins A, C, E and zinc, which help promote normal immune function.

“Despite the pandemic, I know I can count on Provital Immuna Plus to help enhance my immunity so that I can start living like a pro,” enthused Zulueta.

Chuckie Dreyfuss and Suzi Entrata-Abrera drink the new Provital Immuna, an adult milk formulated to strengthen the immune system.

journey of Tiny, a tiny seed who faces adversity but never gives up to reach its goal. The adorable characters and story also explain where the Tiny Buds kingdom got its name.

Seeds of Hope was launched on Nov. 5 via an immersive mommy and baby livestream show on the brand’s Facebook page.

Tiny is now part of the Tiny Buds family, which includes Twiga the Grateful Giraffe, Haha the Happy Hippo, and Chabee the Tiny Buds offers baby care products free of Hungry Panda.

‘Seeds of Hope’ is a storybook about Tiny and how it never gives up amid adversity.

Mommies and daddies can take home Seeds of Hope together with a Tiny Grow Kit set as a free gift with minimum order of P1,111 on Nov. 11 on Tiny Buds’ official Lazada, Shopee, and Edamama stores.

harsh chemicals.

Keep your defenses up

WITH many establishments slowly reopening and allowing people to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles, health experts continue to remind everyone to not let their guards down.

Everyone is urged to remain vigilant through following established health protocols and getting vaccinated to prevent the cases from surging again.

One way to prevent the spread of the virus is by always carrying a trusted rubbing alcohol brand that contains at least 70 percent alcohol solution.

Amid relaxed restrictions and fewer COVID-positive cases, health experts remind everyone to not let their guards down and continue following established health protocols.

Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol, recommended by the Philippine Society for Microbiology, guarantees to kill 99.9 percent of common germs and bacteria on contact. It was tested effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli or E. coli, and Candida albicans.

The brand says it also provides up to 12 hours of protection upon constant use, and has moisturizing properties and is hypoallergenic.