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Gov’t prepares for the worst Sets 4-door policy to keep Omicron out, but variant’s entry ‘inevitable’

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Julito G. Rada

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to “shoot dead” the new threat posed by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, even as his government is prepared for the worst-case scenario and will ensure the safety of the public, the Palace said Monday.

NCR remains Alert Level 2 until December 15 VOL. XXXV • NO. 288 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

This developed as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of

WHO warns world of ‘very high’ risk amid spread of deadly strain THE World Health Organization warned Monday the new COVID-19 Omicron variant posed a “very high” risk globally, despite uncertainties about the danger and contagion levels of the new strain.

The UN health agency said the COVID strain, first discovered in southern Africa, was a “highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations... some of which are concerning and may be associated with immune escape potential and higher transmissibility.”

“The likelihood of potential further spread of Omicron at the global level is high,” WHO cautioned in a technical note.

The Philippines said it would temporarily suspend plans to allow fully vaccinated tourists entry, in a bid to prevent the variant taking off in a country where most of the population remains unvaccinated.

Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the recommendation to keep Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 from Dec. 1 to 15, acting spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

Also on Monday, economists urged the government to consider preemptive measures to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant, saying failure to do this might again lead to punishing lockdowns that would derail the economy’s recovery.

The entry of the heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is a matter of when, and not if, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned Monday.

But under Alert Level 2, the second lowest in the new COVID-19 alert level system, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity Next page

2,832,375

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SUPER MUTANT. Images of the Delta

and Omicron variants of the coronavirus from the Bambino Gesu hospital in Rome, showing mutations compared to the original SARS CoV-2 spike. The world must study the wreckage of COVID-19 and say ‘never again’ by striking a pandemic preparedness treaty, the World Health Organization said Monday. AFP

665

16,289

48,501

141

2,767,587

993

(As of 4 PM, November 29)

PH holds vaxxed tourist entry, dampens recovery

By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz THE Philippines has temporarily suspended a decision to allow fully vaccinated tourists entry in a bid to prevent a new, heavily mutated coronavirus variant taking off in the country where most of the population remains unvaccinated.

The decision is a major blow to tour-

ism operators across the archipelago, which have been devastated by a plunge in international visitors and restrictions on domestic travel since borders shut in March 2020.

Tourism is a major driver of the country’s economy, accounting for nearly 13 percent of gross domestic product in 2019, when more than 8 million people

visited, official data shows.

That slumped to 5.4 percent last year as tourist arrivals plummeted 82 percent to 1.48 million.

It comes as the government on Monday launched a three-day vaccination drive targeting 9 million people as young as 12 in an effort to accelerate the roll-out of Next page

PHARMALLY EXECS NOW IN PASAY JAIL NEWS / A2

Curbs creeping back: face shield use, color coding, border controls

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it is ready to enforce the mandatory use of face shields if the government decides to reimpose the requirement in the face of the threat

posed by the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also announced on Monday it will enforce this week an afternoon rush hour number coding scheme covering private cars only.

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KIDS FIRST. Health Secretary Francisco Duque (left photo) inoculates a teenager during a ceremonial vaccination to start the National COVID-19 Vaccination Day at Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City, with Mayor Marcy Teodoro watching. Meanwhile in Sampaloc, Manila, a mother cuddles her two-month-old baby while accompanying her four other children for a second dose of Pfizer vaccine at the Moises Salvador Elementary School. Manny Palmero and Danny Pata

Nat’l vax drive hits only 500k of 3m target on first day EVEN as President Rodrigo Duterte expressed confidence the Philippines will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic through more inoculations, only over 500,000 Filipinos were confirmed to receive vaccines for the first

Monumento: More than a city landmark TODAY, in many towns from south to north, Filipinos, anxious over the claws of coronavirus 2019

the three million inoculation target per day.

NVOC chairperson Myrna Cabotaje said only 903 out of 1,600 local government units participating in the Next page

House extends 2021 budget ‘til Dec. 31 ‘22 for infra works

REMEMBERING BONIFACIO

By Honor Blanco Cabie

day of the three-day national vaccination drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

According to the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), a total of 547,628 jabs were administered yesterday -- only about 17 percent of

and challenged by a new variant discovered in South Africa, will stand up virtually to pay tribute to Andres Bonifacio, considered by Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon 11518, the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2021, to enable agencies Ramos-Araneta THE House of Representatives approved Monday on third and final reading the bill extending the validity of the 2021 General Appropriations Act until Dec. 31, 2022 by a vote of 168-6-0.

The bill amends Section 62 of the general provisions of Republic Act

to fully utilize the allocated budget for this year.

Under the bill, the appropriations for infrastructure capital outlays, including subsidy releases to government-owned and -controlled corporations for infrastructure projects, shall be valid for obligation until Next page

OMICRON A CURSE ON PASTOR’S FOES NEWS / A2

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

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‘Ombudsman can probe Pharmally’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HERE is probable cause to prompt the Office of the Ombudsman to launch a formal investigation against government officials and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executives involved in the questionable government purchases of COVID-19 supplies in 2020, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Monday.

least, a probable cause has been established to warrant the formal investigation either in the fiscal’s office or in the Ombudsman,” Drilon said in an interview with ANC. He said there’s already a prima facie case and he expected the Ombudsman, as it has done in the past, to monitor the ongoing Senate investigation into the alleged anomalous procurement of COVID-19 s upplies.

For now, Drilon said the Senate could keep Pharmally director Linconn Ong and the firm’s corporate secretary and treasurer Mohit Dargani at the Pasay City Jail until the end of the 18th Congress.

“Under the decisions of the Supreme Court, until the expiration of the life of this Congress [which is] June 30,

2022,” he said.

In a statement, Gordon stressed that in the exercise of its powers and prerogatives, the Committee, when faced “with lying witnesses and disrespectful resource persons,” is not bereft of compulsory processes to ensure that the institution of the Senate “is respected, its honor preserved, and its integrity maintained whole.”

In the investigation into the DOH expenditures of funds for COVID-19 response, he said the Committee’s work has faced obstacles to deter, delay, or otherwise side-track its course.

“Pharmally Pharmaceutical Executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani, as well as Linconn Ong, have been evasive in answering questions, and giving uttered lies, and spewed falsities,” he

would be a potential return to hard lockdowns and as experience had shown, prevention was always less costly than the cure.

But Nograles said the government is acting “with a sense of urgency” to keep the variant out of the country as it scrapped a plan to allow the entry of some vaccinated foreign tourists starting Dec. 1 and banned the entry of travelers from countries in its “red list.”

On Sunday, the COVID-19 task force placed Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy under the red list. The travel bans initially covered only South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique.

A former adviser to the government’s COVID-19 task force, Dr. Tony Leachon, urged the government to include Hong Kong, where the Omicron variant has been detected, and which has a high number of Filipino workers.

But Nograles said only countries with local cases of the Omicron variant would be put in the red list.

He said this was why Hong Kong was not included in the red list, he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday called for strict border controls and minimum public health standards following the classification of Omicron as a COVID-19 variant of concern.

Dr. Alethea de Guzman, director of the DOH epidemiology bureau, said the Omicron variant or B.1.1.529 has a total of 50 mutations, of which 30 are found in the spike protein region.

Due to these mutations, it is “possible that the Omicron variant may have

increased transmissibility and immune evasion,” the DOH said.

Further studies have to be made on the variant’s transmissibility and impact on vaccine efficacy, it added.

“We heightened our monitoring and response because we’ve seen many mutations, to delay as much as possible the variant’s entry to the Philippines,” De Guzman said in Filipino.

Local governments are urged to quickly identify and isolate new cases while all eligible samples of returning overseas Filipinos will undergo genome sequencing, De Guzman said.

“With or without Omicron, we need to fully vaccinate everyone as large a percentage as possible, and parallel to that, provide booster dosage to three priority populations,” De Guzman said.

“We’re still studying the rollout of booster doses to other priority groups such as A4,” she said.

The country on Monday began its three-day national vaccination drive which aims to inoculate at least 9 million more individuals in a bid to reach its minimum target of immunizing 50 million people against COVID-19 this year.

All areas in the country are under a low risk case classification at the moment, with low occupancy of bed and intensive care units, De Guzman said.

Meanwhile, the director of the UP National Institutes of Health Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, was hopeful that the Omicron variant will fizzle out, since early data suggests it isn’t more deadly and most cases are showing mild symptoms.

days,” Bravo said in Filipino during an interview on radio dzBB. “Definitely, the RT-PCR testing should be done a few days into the quarantine,” she added.

Hong Kong remains on the country’s yellow list amid calls from the Department of Health (DOH) and other experts to impose travel restrictions on the Chinese territory.

Under the yellow list, travelers are required to undergo facility-based quarantine, but they may be discharged from the facility once they test negative for COVID-19.

Travelers who also provide a negative RT-PCR within three days upon arrival in the country should still undergo quarantine, Bravo said.

But Bravo observed that initial reports indicated that the Omicron variant does not cause severe symptoms.

ument – inaugurated in 1929 – was called by thousands as Monumento, a euphemism for the 45-foot pylon and figures cast in bronze at the intersections of Samson Road, MacArthur Highway, Rizal Avenue and EDSA. Each year, in the run up to Bonifacio Say, the stone monument is given a facelift. 2021 is not an exception despite COVID-19.

MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos said reimposing the car coding was one way of preventing the spread of Omicron, as it will limit people’s mobility even as traffic levels are nearing their pre-pandemic levels.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also appealed to mall operators to “be responsible enough” to control the entry of crowds in their establishments, as he scolded them for allowing masses of people to build up indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, the Philippines logged 665 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 2,832,375. The new cases figure is the lowest since July 14, 2020, with 634 new cases.

The COVID-19 positivity rate was at 2.1 percent. The country’s total COVID-19 tests were 32,639, conducted on Nov. 27. This is the lowest since Nov. 23, with 2.3 percent positivity rate.

In a press briefing, PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said they would carry out the instructions of the IATF. “If that will help in preventing the spread of COVID-19, we leave it up to the experts,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He said their face shields have been set aside, but are still there, ready for use.

Earlier, acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said the government is contemplating making the use of face shields mandatory again as added protection against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

54 million by yearend.

“This is our single biggest push to fast-track vaccination and reach our target of 70 percent population protection nationwide,” Duterte said during the launch event at SM City Masinag in Antipolo City, Rizal.

“With God’s abiding grace, and with our genuine malasakit (concern) for our fellow Filipinos, we will overcome this pandemic and come out stronger and better as a nation,” he said.

However, Cabotaje said some LGUs were unable to accommodate walk-in patients, others experienced an overwhelming response, and some LGUs had difficulty submitting reports.

She urged children who were not

accommodated to schedule an appointment.

“Some LGUs could have grouped the children using Pfizer. In some areas, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may not be available,” Cabotaje added, saying LGUs may extend their hours and add more teams to address the challenges.

The President urged the public to continue following health protocols like the wearing of face masks, handwashing, and physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

“I call on every Filipino for your continued cooperation in fighting against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and continuing to follow our minimum public health standards,” he said.

This developed as Pharmally officials Linconn Ong and Mohit Dargani, both cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, were transferred on Monday to the Pasay City Jail from the Senate detention facility.

Ong, the firm’s director and Dargani, the corporate secretary and treasurer, had repeatedly refused to heed the order to turn over the financial documents of

their firm by the committee chaired by Senator Richard Gordon.

The officials of the firm, which bagged the biggest contract in the Department of Health’s procurement of medical equipment against COVID-19, arrived at the Pasay City Jail shortly before 2 p.m.

“I believe, as a lawyer, as a former secretary of Justice, that at the very

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Manila had hoped to revive the country’s battered economy by allowing jabbed tourists entry as of Wednesday.

To date, no deaths connected with the Omicron variant have been reported, WHO added.

But even if the new variant does not prove more dangerous or deadly than previous ones, if it spreads more easily it will spark more cases and more pressure on health systems, and thus more deaths, the organisation said.

“If another major surge of COVID-19 takes place driven by Omicron, consequences may be severe,” it said, concluding that “the overall global risk related to the new VOC (variant of concern) Omicron is assessed as very high.”

WHO said countries should enhance their surveillance to try to get a clear overview of where and how fast it was spreading.

It also urged accelerated vaccination against COVID, especially among vulnerable populations who have yet to receive any jabs.

But it has cautioned against imposing travel bans, fearing that blocking travel from countries where new variants are first spotted could be unfair and dissuade surveillance.

“With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity,” said WHO regional director Matshidiso Moeti.

A growing list of countries has imposed travel restrictions on southern Africa, including Britain, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated) and 70% capacity outdoors, as the country seeks to reopen the economy.

“Gusto kong patayin ‘yan kaya lang hindi ko malaman kung saan ko—gusto kong barilin ‘yan buang na ‘yan,” Duterte said in a meeting with the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

[I want to kill that but I don’t know where—I want to shoot that fool.]

Earlier in a press briefing, acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles reminded the public to put safety first during holiday celebrations by continuing to comply with minimum health standards.

“We have activated our four-door policy to prevent the Omicron variant from entering the country,” he said, referring to border control, active surveillance including test and trace, early isolation, and treatment of all who test positive and the vaccination program.

The Omicron variant, which was first detected in Botswana, Southern Africa, has been declared as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“In terms of health care measures, I may not be in a position to make recommendations. But insofar as border closures can help limit the spread of a possibly more virulent or transmissible diseases, then perhaps authorities can and should deploy them,” ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report on Monday.

Mapa said the worst-case scenario

Emergency meeting

jabs (see related story – Editors).

So far, the country has not reported any cases of the Omicron strain, which was first detected in South Africa and has since spread around the globe.

Manila announced plans last week to allow fully vaccinated tourists from most countries to enter from December 1 as it seeks to revive the nation’s battered economy.

But the government’s COVID-19 task force reversed course over the weekend as it announced the suspension of flights from seven European countries, in addition to an earlier ban on arrivals from several African nations.

“The IATF deemed it necessary to suspend the entry of foreign tourists, given

worldwide concerns over the Omicron variant,” Bureau of Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said Monday, using the acronym for the task force.

The government has eased virus restrictions in recent weeks as the daily infection rate hovers at the lowest level since the beginning of the year and the nationwide vaccination rate increases.

But the emergence of Omicron has raised fears curbs could be reimposed.

A health expert on Monday urged the government to re-impose the 14-day quarantine period for travelers from Hong Kong even after testing negative for COVID-19 amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

Philippine Foundation for Vaccination director Dr. Lulu Bravo gave the recommendation when asked if the Philippines should impose travel restrictions again.

“If the previous [quarantine period] was 10 days, we can extend that to 14

lived government in the Philippine islands. Through his work, Bonifacio helped the Philippines break free from Spanish colonial rule.

Bonifacio goes by so many titles of distinctions: Supremo of the Katipunan, The Great Plebeian, the Unofficial First President of the Independent Philippines, and the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

Most likely, focus on the celebration – virtual, given the health restrictions imposed by the pandemic – would be the Bonifacio monument in Caloocan City, touched on the north end by the 23.8-km EDSA, previously known as Highway 54, the main thoroughfare in the national metropolis.

For many years the Bonifacio Mon-

Meanwhile, G7 health ministers were to hold an emergency meeting Monday on the new Omicron COVID-19 strain spreading across the globe and forcing border closures, as experts race to understand what the variant means for the fight to end the pandemic.

The meeting was called by G7 chair Britain, which is among a steadily growing number of countries detecting cases of the heavily mutated new strain.

“We know we are now in a race against time,” said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Vaccine manufacturers needed two to three weeks “to get a full picture of the quality of the mutations”, she added.

Monumento:...

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They say Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 -- May 10, 1897) was a leader of the Philippine Revolution and the president of the Tagalog Republic, a short-

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From A1 Dec. 31, 2022, while the completion of construction, inspection, and payment shall be made no later than Dec. 31, 2022.

The bill also provides that appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses and other capital outlays shall likewise be valid for obligation until Dec. 31, 2022, while the delivery, inspection, and payment shall be made not later than Dec. 31, 2022.

Last week, the committee chaired by ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap approved House Bill 10373 that seeks to extend the availability of the 2021 appropria-

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tions from Dec. 31, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2022, to allow the agencies to fully utilize the allocated budget for 2021.

The P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022 reached the Senate three weeks ago, as Senate finance panel chairman Sen. Sonny Angara endorsed for plenary approval Committee Report No. 332, which contains the 2022 General Appropriations Bill.

The chamber wants to pass the national budget for next year by the first week of December, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.

It is considered the biggest budget in the country’s history as it intends to fight COVID-19 and help the economy get back on track.

Fate ‘much worse than Omicron’ for critics—Quiboloy

Nat’l...

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During the launching of the Vax Day drive dubbed “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” Duterte said it is very important for Filipinos to take a whole-of-nation approach to win against the coronavirus that has sorely plagued the country for almost two years.

The vaccination program aims to administer nine million COVID-19 vaccines in three days – down from an original goal of 15 million -- to bring the number of immunized Filipinos to

PASTOR Apollo Quiboloy, head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect who is a self-declared “appointed son of God,” has warned that the world and his accusers will suffer a fate “much worse than the Omicron virus” if he is continuously “hurt and persecuted.”

Quiboloy, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spiritual adviser, faces child sex trafficking and financial fraud charges in the United States.

The sect leader on Sunday shot back at his accusers, calling it the “biggest assault and fire of persecution” that “maligned” his reputation.

Quiboloy declared during the Sunday worship service in Davao City, also the president’s hometown, that there will be a rise of “flesh-eating bacteria immune to any vaccine” that will afflict his alleged persecutors.

“Various variants of the COVID-19 are only an introduction. If you keep hurting, persecuting, and harming the appointed son in the kingdom, you will see much worse than the Omicron virus,” he told his followers.

“You might see in the future, people walking their flesh rotting away, but they’re still alive. Flesh-eating bacteria that are immune to any vaccine will come and destroy the inhabitants of the earth,” he added.

In the complaint against him, Quiboloy allegedly used his influence as religious chief to entice or coerce girls and young women to have sex with him during what they termed as “night duties”.

But Quiboloy belied the allegations.

He admonished his “persecutors” of receiving a far worse judgment for “the way you treat the appointed son.”

“The day of the Lord is here — do not ever, ever play a joke, or continue to pursue the persecution of the appointed son because the Father in heaven has already declared through the appointed son. No one can escape this,” Quiboloy said.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House panel OKs higher discounts for seniors bill

More rebels abandoning armed struggle, task force says OVER 20,000 people linked to the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have surrendered and abandoned the local armed struggle through the effective whole-of-nation approach of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

During the virtual press briefing of the NTF-ELCAC on Monday, Defense Undersecretary and Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) chair Reynaldo Mapagu disclosed that since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the government has recorded a total of 20,579 surrenderees, which included 5,262 NPA Fighters, 3,414 members of Militia ng Bayan, 7,626 mass supporters, and 2,224 underground mass organization members.

Mapagu said that these former rebels have revealed to authorities the locations of 51 NPA arms caches nationwide yielding 245 firearms and 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-personnel mines (APMs).

According to the TFBL chair, “the recovery of these arms cache is reflective of the dwindling warm bodies in the NPA which is a result of the efforts of the NTF-ELCAC, the continuous military and police operations and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), the government’s flagship program for the reintegration of former members of the CPP-NPANDF.” Mapagu added that the government has spent over half a billion pesos in various programs to aid former rebels to live peaceful and productive lives.

He said that as of Nov. 28, a total of P485,462,013.90 worth of assistance were given to 6,418 individual former rebels nationwide.

Of the total, 6,164 of them received immediate cash assistance; 3,744 were given livelihood assistance; 5,198 for reintegration assistance; and, 1,430 received remuneration from surrendering their firearms.

VAX DAY MEDICAL SUPPLIES. Navy personnel load medical paraphernalia into a Multipurpose Assault Craft of the Philippine Navy. The vessel transported 34 boxes of syringes and needles to Sulu. The paraphernalia is intended for the three-day National Vaccination Days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

PH maritime zone bill hurdles second reading T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading the bill declaring the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines.

The House approved, through a voice vote, House Bill 9981 that proposes “to promote territorial integrity and improve maritime governance and law enforcement.”

The measure declares the maritime zones of the Philippines to establish the legal bases by which social, economic, commercial, and other activities may be conducted.

It defines maritime zones of the Philippines as those that comprise the internal waters, the archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf.

One of the bill’s authors, Deputy

Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the bill’s enactment would strengthen the country’s position on the West Philippine Sea. Rodriguez’s proposed definition of the country’s maritime territory includes the Chinese-occupied Scarborough or Panatag Shoal off Zambales and Pangasinan, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground of Filipinos.

Rodriguez said the Philippines, as a signatory and party to the 1983 UNCLOS, “recognizes the establishment of various maritime zones and jurisdiction of coastal states, including its own, over which

sovereignty and appurtenant sovereign rights can be exercised.”

According to the bill, “all territories of the Philippines shall generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) meanwhile said it is regularly providing supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The AFP said aside from food and other supplies, the troops manning the ship are also being replaced by others because they cannot be deployed for long periods.

The BRP Sierra Madre has been placed in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, and is considered a Philippine government post manned by AFP personnel.

Chinese Coast Guard vessels earlier blocked and water cannoned two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal, a move that was condemned by the government

P509-m agri-border control facility to rise in Subic

NEW FACILITY IN SUBIC. SBMA chair and administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Agriculture Secretary William Dar seal the agreement for the construction of the country’s first Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture located at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a control facility for fresh and frozen agri-fishery commodities entering the country through the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SBMA chair and administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Agriculture Secretary William Dar formalized the agreement on Friday, following initial talks in July.

The proposed Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture (CEFA) in Subic—the first of five such facilities planned to be built nationwide—will cost P509.5 million and will facilitate 100-percent inspection of agri-fishery cargoes arriving here.

“It will also enhance industrial and commercial activities in Subic and foster the free flow of goods in the Freeport Zone,” Eisma noted.

The project supports the national government’s thrust to strengthen the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health as mandated by Republic Act No. 10611, or “An Act to Strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory

System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health and Facilitate Market Access of Local Foods and Food Products.”

Dar said the Subic CEFA will ideally be constructed in a 2,000-sqm area along the San Bernardino Road near Subic’s New Container Terminal. The CEFA will be completed within eight months upon the start of construction, he added.

Dar said the DA will use the property strictly as a “first border facility” to thoroughly inspect imported containerized agri-fishery commodities and prevent the entry of transboundary agri fishery pests and diseases.

He said the facility will house examination areas and laboratories intended for the execution quarantine and inspection protocols enforced by the agency’s Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

“We have also taken into consideration the volume of cargoes arriving here,” Dar pointed out. “We expect 26,000 containers of meat, meat products, fisheries and plant commodities to enter the Subic Freeport each year,” he added, citing the need to examine all these cargoes.

King Sue Ham: 91 years of tradition and celebration KING Sue Ham continues to deliver highquality products to the Philippines in its 91year history.

Among all the meals that you’ve probably had and shared, none is more tied to tradition and memories than ham. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it. Family celebrations, from birthdays to anniversaries, often serve the ham as the festive meal centerpiece.

Ham is a symbol of joy, anticipation, and festivities--and for 91 years, one brand stood the test of time and celebrated every joyous occasion along with us: King Sue Ham. Whether you need to pack a sandwich for lunch or serve a breathtaking main dish for a special occasion, the distinctive flavors that King Sue Ham is known for have long been the go-to for discerning palates.

It’s no surprise why in addition to its Sweet Ham and Hawaiian Ham, its gourmet sausages, Chorizo Bilbao, Pork and Chicken Tocino, and Corned Beef are all must-haves in every Filipino household today, whether it’s for ma-

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jor celebrations, holidays, or everyday pantry essentials.

King Sue Ham’s goal was simple and its tagline says it all--”Taste Fit For A King.”

Through the years, its signature products have remained staples across households because the brand maintained the exceptional quality and flavor that they were first known for.

The brand’s impressive history starts with King Sue Ham’s founder, Mr. Cu Un Kay, who traveled from Fujian province in China to the Philippines, and painstakingly perfected the handcrafted process of the Chinese Ham Bone-in that you know and love todayFor nearly a century, King Sue Ham has been welcomed into homes and been part of celebrations because they stayed true to their heritage of quality and flavor. King Sue Ham has been a huge part of your family and your family history and they are honored to have the opportunity to build more memories in the years to come.

THE House Committee on Ways and Means on Monday approved a substitute bill increasing the senior citizens’ discount on water and power bills to 10 percent, and exempt such bills from Value Added Tax (VAT).

Chaired by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay, the committee approved the measure in substitution of House Bills 1903 and 3040 which seeks to amend Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Salceda explained the exemption would still be subject to a cap on consumption, but for electricity consumption, the cap is also increased in the substitute bill from 100 kilowatt hours to 150. The cap on water is kept at 30 cubic meters.

“We are approving this measure and commending the authors, senior members of this Committee such as Senior Vice Chair Estrellita Suansing, and Rep. Mark Go, for the objectives of this proposal,” Salceda said.

Salceda moved to have the measure approved without amendment.

Salceda also emphasized that the measure contains a safeguard against abuse.

“The measure explicitly states that the senior has to be living in the household subject to the exemptions and discounts,” Salceda said.

Once approved, the measure directs, the National Commission of Senior Citizens, in consultation with the Energy Regulatory Commission, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and other concerned utility regulatory agencies, as well as national organizations of senior citizens, to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the measure.

Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF NPC launches probe on fake job text scam THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) has formally launched an investigation into whether telcos exercised due diligence and accountability in transacting with data aggregators linked to the sending of texts offering spurious jobs and investment schemes to millions of Filipinos.

On Monday, the NPC sent Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and Dito Telecommunity Corp. orders to submit within five days documents and information that will provide the commission specifics on their data flows and transactions involving data aggregators.

The commission also sent orders to Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc. and GCash (Mynt-Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)–– the main payment channels where victims are directed to deposit their investments. The investment accounts invariably become inaccessible to the victims after they had been enticed to deposit larger sums in exchange for bigger commission. Othel Campos

220 beneficiaries get CLOAs in Mindanao THE Department of Agrarian Reform on Monday gave the green light to release the certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and jumpstart the distribution of titles to 220 identified beneficiaries in a 346-hectare land out of the 700-hectare Mindoro State University.

“The MinSU (formerly Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT), located in barangay A cate and Villa Cerveza, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, was placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Prgram pursuant to Executive Order No. 75, series of 2019,” Secretary Bernie Cruz said.

He revealed that there were issues during the coverage of the property under EO 75, including the claim of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples of the 101 hectares as ancestral domain.

“During the online deliberation on June 30, 2020, the DAR provincial office proposed not to include the 101 hectares because of the issue with the NCIP,” he said. Rio N. Araja

Cops seize P102-m shabu in Caloocan City buy-bust

HIGH-QUALITY FOOD PRODUCTS. King Sue Ham’s headquarters (circa 1956-1957) in this vintage photograph. King Sue Ham continues to deliver highquality food products to the Philippines in its 91-year history.

As King Sue Ham continues to establish itself as a staple in mo ern households, the company consistently innovates to introduce new products to its line. King Sue Ham has sought to offer options that are delicious and flavorful, that’ll surely create such interesting compliments to

home-cooked meals and restaurant offerings as it seeks to innovate and expand its portfolio. And like its original, signature product, its entire line is developed one product at a time, fo lowing the meticulous methods of its founder to ensure flavor, quality, and consistency.

POLICE and anti-narcotics agents arrested a drug suspect and seized P102 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Caloocan City early Monday.

Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, chief of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG), said suspect Randy Rafael, 42, resident of Pasay City, was arrested along Baesa Road, Barangay 161 around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

He yielded one Chinese tea pack containing 1 kilo of shabu, the subject of sale.

Also confiscated from the operation were 14 other Chinese tea packs containing more or less 1 kilo each of shabu estimated to be worth P102 million, two genuine P1,000 bills used as buy-bust money, boodle money, and a mobile phone.

Medina said the arrested suspect is working for a Chinese personality, identified only as alias “Lim” whom authorities described as a distributor of illegal drugs in the National Capital Region and nearby areas. Joel Zubano

A4

Binay: Hasten vax drive amid Omicron threat

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

By Joel E. Zurbano

COURTESY CALL. House Speaker Lord Alan Velasco (third from right) is joined by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (second from right), Deputy Speaker Michael Romero (right), Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera (second from left) and Deputy Speaker Pablo Rimpy Bondoc (left) during a courtesy call of Heather Variava (third from left), the charge d’ affaires of the US Embassy in Manila. Jun Cabasag

News

Lawyer: BBM qualified to run; pushes for face-to-face hearing F ORMER Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is qualified to run for president in the upcoming 2022 elections, lawyer Estelito Mendoza said in a five-page answer to the summons issued by the Commission on Elections in connection with the petition seeking to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy.

matter of hearing the petition, considering of a virtual or video conference,” Marcos’ lic office as he was convicted by a Quezon that the petition refers to the highest elec- plea read.

City court for his multiple failure to file his tive position in government and calls for The case stemmed from the petition to income tax return (ITR) from 1982 to 1985.

They argued that his conviction perpetAnother disqualification case against Marcos filed by Martial Law ually disqualified him from seeking any survivor and human rights victim Bonifacio Ilagan was raffled off to the public office as the same involves moral Commission on Elections’ First Division. At least 89 petitions seeking turpitude. the cancellation or denial of due course of Marcos’ COC have so far been But Marcos’ camp, thru Mendoza, lodged before Comelec. countered this by saying that the petition will show that it is “bereft of any specific the participation of the people in general, cancel Marcos’ CoC lodged by Fr. Chris- allegation of a material representation re[it is respectfully prayed] that the petition tian Buenafe and several others, claiming quired under Section 74 of the Omnibus be heard by face-to-face argument instead that the former senator cannot run for pub- Election Code.”

BEYOND MERE SUSTENANCE.

Marcos, through Mendoza, sought the outright dismissal of the petition, and that the same be heard by face-to-face argument instead of a virtual or video conference.

“Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed that the petition be dismissed. On the

Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso enjoys a local delicacy as he interacts with residents inside a public market at San Pablo City, Laguna, during a ‘listening tour’ visit.

Norman Cruz

Leni seeks more than double funds for agri sector

By Othel V. Campos VICE President Leni Robredo announced Monday her plans to double the share of the agriculture sector to 3.4 percent of the government’s annual budget to P116 billion if she wins the presidential race next year.

“My commitment is to double the agriculture’s share to the total annual budget which now is around 1.7 percent. That is about P116 billion, twice more than the current P58 billion allocated to agriculture,” she said Monday during the “Halalan 2021 Para sa Agrikultura” forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. She, however, acknowledged that increasing the budget will not be enough to support the sector.

“There has to be a fair distribution of funds among sub sectors. Those needing the most support will be given what is due them,” she said.

“We should give merit where it is due.

We have to justify the amount of support given to a subsector, the same goes for per commodity basis,” Robredo added.

Lacson vows to end decades-old system of corruption

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PARTIDO Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has renewed his vow to end corruption in government projects where up to 40 percent of the costs are lost “depending on the greed of those who implement them.”

Lacson, who is seeking the presidency in the 2022 national elections, promised to bring down the decades-old system of graft perpetuated by government officials.

He said that even as the national debt has ballooned to P11.9 trillion, Filipinos still are not benefitting from the

projects these funds are supposed to be earmarked for.

“For example, the government implements a project worth ten million pesos, but not all ten million goes into the project. It is reduced by 20 percent, 30 percent, sometimes 40 percent depending on the greed, the gluttony of those implementing it,” he said in Partido Reporma’s “Online Kumustahan” on Saturday from San Rafael, Bulacan.

About P320 billion in funds annually are unused from the borrowings of the government that should be going to investment, infrastructure, and livelihood projects, said the veteran senator

who has watched the nation’s coffers for nearly 18 years.

“Just look around you… especially when you go to the remote villages.

Where is our [national] budget going every year?” he said.

Compounding the problem is the neglect and incompetence of the government that Lacson said should not be taken for granted by Filipinos.

“If we don’t get mad, and if we just laugh at the anomalies we see, it looks like we have a huge problem. It’s like we’re letting them get away with it, ‘that’s just how the system is,’ which I think is wrong,” he said.

FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday urged the government to take the opportunity to vaccinate more Filipinos while the number of active COVID-19 cases are low.

“The health department is telling us that we cannot prevent the entry of the Omicron variant here in the country. A health official said we can only slow it down, but not stop it. So right now we should be preparing,” said Binay.

Binay, who is running for senator in the May 9, 2022 elections, said the travel ban on select countries is a good sign that the government is finally being proactive.

“But it needs to also focus on strengthening our health defenses while cases are still down,” he said.

Binay said the government must use this moment when there are low cases to inoculate more people, especially those outside Metro Manila.

“More importantly, we should have an efficient health system. December and January should be devoted to strengthening our defenses against a newer, more infectious variant,” he said.

Binay said if there is enough medicine and supplies, as well as nurses and health workers, and effective testing and contract tracing, “we would be better prepared in case we have another surge because of the Omicron variant.”

“We need to protect our people from any further harm, and our economy from any further damage. The key is to make health a priority and to make sure that the health front is managed competently,” he added.

Higher prices, need to increase salaries Pinoys’ top concerns FIVE of the top seven most urgent national concerns of Filipinos have to do with the economy as most expressed the belief that the government should collaborate with the private sector to accelerate economic development, separate Stratbasecommissioned surveys found.

These findings were discussed alongside the need for multi-stakeholder cooperation and investments during the first Session of the virtual Pilipinas Conference 2021, Sustaining Economic Recovery Post-Pandemic Towards 2022 & Beyond, organized by Stratbase ADR Institute.

“We continue to advocate for a more investment-driven growth,” said Prof.

Dindo Manhit, Stratbase ADRi President.

“We need to establish a favorable environment for businesses so we can attract not only domestic but even foreign investments, generate jobs, spur consumption, and address generational inequality,” he added.

A Pulse Asia survey conducted September 6 to 11 identified Filipinos’ most urgent national economic concerns as controlling inflation (41 percent), increasing the pay of workers (40 percent), reducing poverty (29 percent), creating more jobs (25 percent) and providing assistance/ subsidy to those who lost jobs and livelihood because of COVID (19 percent).

Meanwhile, having a secure or wellpaying job or source of income (47 percent) followed the desire to stay healthy and avoid illness as Filipinos’ most pressing personal concern.

Meanwhile, Social Weather Stations found that 57 percent of Filipinos believe their quality of life got worse in the past 12 months, with only 13 percent saying it got better and 29 percent saying it was unchanged. This drop was the steepest across all administrations since the SWS started doing the survey in the mid-1980s.

The survey was done nationwide from September 12-16 this year.

Isko, Doc Willie urge hospitals to brace for Omicron entry

By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENTIAL tandem Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Dr. Willie Ong on Monday urged hospitals nationwide to prepare for the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Moreno lauded the Duterte administration for making vaccination a priority with the three-day national vaccination drive that will run until December 1.

“We in the City of Manila fully support the three-day national vaccination drive launched by the Duterte administration as this will be a big boost to the current vaccination efforts by local government units. We urge our people to have themselves vaccinated immediately in preparation for the new Omicron variant,” Moreno said.

He said all LGUs should prepare for Omicron, a variant said to be worse

than Delta, and this would mean preparing hospital beds and securing antiviral drugs such as Remdesivir, Tocilizumab and the new drug Molnupiravir.

“We have to prepare since Omicron could be worse than Delta. We should have sufficient hospital beds and medicines. Vaccination needs to be accelerated, including opening booster shots for everyone who is six months after their second dose,” Moreno said.

Pandemic will not result in cancellation of 2022 polls–Comelec DONATION. TINGOG party-list nominee Jude Acidre distributes 37 portable sound system units (inset) for 37 barangays chapels in Barugo, Leyte under the St. Joseph Parish.

AN OFFICIAL of the Commission on Elections on Monday said it is unlikely that the May 2022 elections on a national scale will be cancelled if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.

“Unlikely, because when we say we cancel elections that means the conditions for free and fair elections don’t exist,” Comelec

spokesperson James Jimenez said in a press conference.

“When you have a surge, that is not the case. People have to be extra careful, yes, but not losing the possibility of free and fair elections. So, it is unlikely that we would not hold the elections,” he added.

Jimenz said cancellations might happen in

an area, but “certainly not on a national scale.”

“Remember you are also talking about a nationwide election that is synchronized across the entire nation. What may be possible is that in one location, if all of your BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors) were infected by COVID-19, and you cannot replace them, then it’s possible to cancel the polls but only in that area,” he said.

Opinion You cannot fool all the people all the time IT’S A shame how politicians make up stories just to besmirch the reputation of their rival candidates nearing election season.

Some fictitious claims are simply unbelievable that they tend to undermine the intelligence of the Filipino voters.

One alias “Tiburcio Marcos” is one of those nincompoops who petitioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to nullify the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (BBM) for President on the grounds that BBM is actually an “impostor.”

Tiburcio claims that he himself remains the only living son of the late President Marcos and the real BBM had died in 1975.

Huh? I told my barber I would not be surprised if some politician says BBM is actu-

Next they will say BBM is an alien. ally a space alien, an extra-terrestrial.

Tiburcio should be reminded of an adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

A blind item pitched by President Duterte that a presidential candidate is into cocaine use has been a convenient bandwagon to jump on to level innuendos against BBM. Senators Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto tandem stooped and took Digong’s bait for that all-important 15-minutes of fame, submitting to drug tests at the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Authority (PDEA), proving negative for cocaine.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and running mate Dr. Willie Ong followed suit to take the drug test at PDEA; they had negative results.

BBM in turn underwent drug-testing at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, yielding negative results even as BBM’s spokesman Atty. Vic Rodriguez said the presidential race frontrunner “does not feel alluded to” by the rumor.

In support of BBM, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio likewise tested negative to cocaine and other drugs in Davao City.

It’s nothing more than a shallow and pretentious “sour grapes” and it appears the only way to beat the BBM-Sara Uniteam is

to discredit BBM and Inday Sara.

Left with no legitimate issue to raise against BBM, rival candidates and critics harp on BBM’s choice to get tested for cocaine use at a private hospital and not a government facility.

They are parroting one another in insisting that the drug test should have been done at PDEA or the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime laboratory.

And yet, the PDEA officials say that its mandate is to perform “forensic” drug testing, referring to drug laboratory procedures involving pending drug cases.

They clarified that routinary drug testing may be done by any reputable facility duly-accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).

Tell me, which of these presidential hopefuls would question the reputation and credibility of St. Luke’s Medical Center as an institution and the integrity of its drug test which is authorized by DOH? To simply say without justification that such drug tests must be taken at PDEA or other government facilities only is pure hogwash.

These blabbermouths who parrot one another to earn their five-second TV soundbytes know that such drug tests done at St. Luke’s Medical Center are without question as valid and as reliable as those of PDEA. Truth be told, the country’s private hospitals and medical facilities were a lot of help through the COVID-19 pandemic, as government hospital services under the corruption-ridden DOH were practically non-existent.

Note that the drug test result presented by presidential wannabe Manny Pacquiao was done by the Nevada Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) prior to his career-ending loss to Yordenis Ugas in August.

Both administration standard-bearer Sen. Bong Go and opposition stalwart Leni Robredo have also said they are ready to take a comprehensive drug test, “if necessary.”

Much ado about nothing?

The Comelec stressed that drug testing is no longer a requirement in submitting the certificate of candidacy (COC) like it used to be.

Almost 48,000 individuals and partylists are vying for some 18,000 positions up for grabs in the May 9, 2022 polls, of which 97 people want to become the next president.

How many of these presidential hopefuls are submitting to drug tests?

At least 28 individuals are running for vice president and 174 are vying for Senate seats.

How many more of them would jump on the “cocaine bandwagon” to make the news?

Challenges for the next president

SANTA Banana, there are a lot of challenges awaiting the next president and vice president, whoever they may be.

The first challenge is how to handle what could be the “new normal” just in case the COVID-19 pandemic eases much further.

Then, there is the continuing problem of rising incidence of poverty. The pandemic worsened the lot of the poor and the jobless.

Almost four million people lost their jobs.

The aspirants should come out with a plan on how to solve the problem. This is a gargantuan one!

One thing that the next president could do is to have the 1987 Constitution amended, particularly its economic provisions which restrict the entry of foreign investments.

That restrictive and suppressive 60-40 provision must be changed if we expect foreign investors to come.

Still, there is the question of how much.

Amending the charter is never easy. People are always wary that our national leaders may take advantage of the opportunity to perpetuate themselves in power.

Another problem in constitutional amendments is our government structure.

We have two chambers -- the House of Representatives and the Senate that must have to vote for constitutional amendments. That alone is a problem hard to tackle.

Then, there is still the problem of illegal drugs. This is continuing since President Duterte’s “war” on illegal drugs has been a big failure. He thought killing everyone involved would solve the problem. He does not realize that addicts are victims, too.

This has led to the accusation that he has

committed crimes against humanity.

The next president must realize that there is no substitute for a holistic approach in dealing with illegal drugs. It starts with prevention, law enforcement, prosecution, and then rehabilitation, which constitutes 50 percent of the problem. It is just a matter of supply and demand for so long there is a demand for illegal drugs, cartels and syndicates are always there to furnish the supply.

Even the US and Europe have this problem.

And then there is graft and corruption, another Duterte “war” that failed.

Having been a journalist for over seven decades, I know for a fact that so long as there is human discretion and intervention in government transactions and contracts, the temptation to steal is always there.

They are so many and so complex that I wonder why people still seek this position.

Just to solve this problem is a big challenge for the next President. Duterte made it work by recycling corrupt officials to other posts in government. Only a saint can possibly stop smuggling and corruption at Customs.

Still, there are ways to minimize this problem. Government could well resume the hiring of pre-shipment inspection by the Societe Generale de Surveillance like it did years ago until politicians, who were benefiting from the corrupt system, wielded their influence.

They launched a well-funded campaign for the cancellation of the SGS contract for being too expensive.

There is also that ongoing territorial dispute with China.

Santa banana, will all these problem, I

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EDITORIAL

It’s the sex charges, dummy

L

IKE any self-proclaimed deity would, Apollo Quiboloy, the self-appointed “son of God” and “owner of the universe” seems unperturbed by the sex trafficking charges filed against him by the United States government.

In the week since those charges were filed, Quiboloy, the good friend and spiritual adviser of President Duterte, has threatened to rain diseases on mankind worse than the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and has tried to smear the President’s political rivals with a broad, red brush.

Quiboloy and other officials of his Kingdom of Jesus Christ said the public should stop the “false accusations” against him or else the world will continue to suffer from the pandemic.

“Do not ever ever play a joke, or continue to pursue the persecution of the appointed son because the Father in heaven has already declared through the appointed son. No one can escape this,” Quiboloy declared during his Sunday worship service in Davao City.

“The way you treat the appointed son of God here is the way the world is going to receive its judgment,” Quiboloy said.

“If you keep on hurting, persecuting, and harming the appointed son of the kingdom, you will see much worse than the Omicron virus,” Quiboloy said. “You might see in the future people walking, their flesh rotting away but they’re still alive. Flesh-eating

The Palace has been conspicuously silent. bacteria that are immune to any vaccine that will come.”

Earlier in the week, Quiboloy showed he was not too preoccupied by the US indictment, which charged that he and leaders of his organization recruited girls—members of his flock as young as 12--to work to work as personal assistants or “pastorals” to him, preparing his meals, cleaning his homes, giving him massages and having sex with him during what was called “night duty,” or face “eternal damnation.”

But while his friend and spiritual disciple in the Palace remained silent about the sex charges, Quiboloy was quick to smear as communists the President’s political rivals, presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, as well as the left-wing Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.

In a program on his “Sonshine Media

Network,” Quiboloy called them “communist lovers,” and branded the Makabayan bloc as the “Kamatayan (death) bloc.”

Taking a page from the red-tagging National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Quiboloy challenged the Makabayan bloc to condemn the “human rights violations” committed by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

In the past, Quiboloy had criticized Robredo for seeking to abolish the NTFELCAC, and Pacquiao for taking two leftist politicians into his senatorial slate.

Domagoso had also earned Quiboloy’s ire by taking part in peace talks with the communists—ironically initiated by his disciple, President Duterte himself, during the early part of his term.

Robredo and Moreno have denied Quiboloy’s wild claims, and a spokesman for Pacquiao quipped that allegations made by anyone who claims to be a deity should not be taken seriously.

But to ignore Quiboloy would be a mistake. He would like nothing better than to be left alone. All this talk about fire and brimstone and communists hiding behind every bush, we know, is aimed at distracting the public away from the ungodly activities at the heart of his most recent and serious indictment. Let us not take our eyes off that ball. To adapt a phrase from the successful US presidential campaign of Bill Clinton, it’s the sex charges, stupid.

We need nurses in Congress YESTERDAY, November 29, we saw the mass action organized by the Nurses United Party-List in front of the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros “to urge the government agency to approve their party-list who legitimately represents the marginalized sector of nurses and health workers in Congress and health advocates for the people.”

Earlier, the Comelec’s First Division had dismissed its application for accreditation. This serves as a huge obstacle for them to join the 2022 polls.

Nurses United Party-List is a sectoral regional party-list with members from various cities in the National Capital Region. Although they are seeking registration to represent only a small part of the nursing profession, the party-list has placed great weight on nurses representing fellow nurses in Congress—and not merely through a supposed representative or advocate.

Among its legislative agenda should the party-list be accredited, and later elected, are to (1) “[improve] the salaries and benefits of our health workers”; (2) “guarantee access of the ordinary people, marginalized sector to free, comprehensive, quality health services including free and quality safe medicines in the country”; and (3) “ensure that health is really a priority of the government in terms of budgeting, in terms of hiring personnel, without contractualizing”. These reinforce the party-list’s commitment not only to sectoral needs, but also to the wider concerns of healthcare delivery system in the Philippines.

It is a big push for the nurses’ party-list to have the support of senatorial candidate and former party-list representative Neri Colmenares, who now chairs the Makabayan bloc. They also have the support of presidential candidate Mayor Isko Moreno and his running mate Dr. Willie Ong as well as prominent health advocate Dr. Minguita Padilla.

Colmenares characterized the Comelec’s denial as a “big injustice suffered by our wonder why people still run for presidency. It takes a strong leader to meet these challenges. *** In my more than seven decades as a journalist, I know that during the last months of his reign, the President normally become lameduck president. And it seems that President Duterte is no exception.

His former “alalay” or sidekick Bong Go is now, my gulay, hinting that he may have to withdraw his presidential bid. From the

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

pandemic heroes. It disenfranchises the rank and file of our health sector who deserve the best representation in Congress.”

“By its action, Comelec has denied [Nurses United] Partylist the opportunity to voice out in Congress our nurses’ demand to increase their entry-level pay in government hospitals to Salary Grade 15. NU has also been ardent in calling for the timely release of hazard pay and other benefits that health workers deserve, especially in fighting the health crisis.”

Our society is sick, our politics corrupt.

I am aware of the technical issues related to this application. But documents have been submitted to address the question of representation. I am hoping that the Comelec will now reconsider its decision and do the right thing.

Colmenares reminds us what the party-list system should really stand for.

“The party-list system was meant to empower the marginalized and not provide a backdoor to power for traditional politicians and moneyed interests. Given the bastardization of traditional politics, Comelec should ensure that marginalized sectors are genuinely represented in Congress.” He continues: “I urge Comelec to reconsider this decision and let NU Partylist participate in the 2022 Elections.

They are legitimate members of the sector and not some fly-by-night group eager for political power. If other preposterous party-lists are allowed to participate, then more so should NU, as the latter are genuine health workers fighting the injustices in the health sector.”

This further supports the state policy provided in Republic Act No. 7941, or the “Party-List System Act”: “The State shall promote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through a party-list system […], which will enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate start, my gulay, I had always had the belief that Go was being forced by Duterte to run for president, if only to cut down the lead of Bongbong Marcos.

Duterte is against Bongbong having Sara become BBM’s running mate obviously ran against her father’s wishes.

Nothing could show how big and wide the divide between father and daughter is with Sara becoming Bongbong’s vice presidential candidate.

Bong Go should just quit.

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

legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of Representatives.”

With this backdrop, I emphasize today, as I have repeatedly called for before, the need for Comelec’s wise judgment and independence. Yes, there is a need to be particularly stringent with party-list accreditations and prevent it from being abused by traditional politicians. The party-list system must be protected and kept functioning, despite repeated calls by certain personalities for its abolition (which would require a constitutional amendment). As we saw the light of the party-list in Makabayan bloc, we should see the same light in Nurses United.

It could not be stressed enough that having a nurses’ party-list is timely and would lead the Congress to a better position. The COVID-19 pandemic placed the working conditions of Philippine healthcare workers under a spotlight: meager and delayed pay and benefits, lack of access to equipment and protection, and absence of institutional representation. Add to that the deployment bans for healthcare workers floated early in the COVID crisis. Reduced health budget in 2022. Who else could best see through the political noise and smoke? No other than our nurses in the frontlines.

Yes, we need nurses to care for Filipinos in hospitals and health centers. We also need nurses to champion Filipino health workers in Congress.

In a broader context, as we remember our national hero Andres Bonifacio today, we recognize that our society is sick, our politics corrupt. We need nurses in Congress to heal that too.

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High-stakes Iran nuke talks restart V IENNA—Five months after they were suspended, international talks on Iran’s nuclear programme will restart on Monday in Vienna with analysts foreseeing major obstacles to any speedy resumption of the 2015 nuclear deal.

The talks paused in June on a positive note, with diplomats saying they were “close” to an agreement, but the arrival of ultraconservative Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in office has changed the outlook.

starting, the mood music is downbeat.

The US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley has said that Tehran’s attitude “doesn’t augur well for the talks”.

“If they start getting too close, too close for comfort, then of course we will not be prepared to sit idly,” Malley told the US National Public Radio earlier this week.

The 2015 deal, also known as the Iran ignored appeals from Western countries to restart the talks Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for several months, all the while (JCPOA), offered a lifting of some of strengthening the capabilities of its the array of economic sanctions Iran had been under in return for strict nuclear programme.

While the talks are now finally re- curbs on its nuclear programme. AFP

BARBADOS TURNOVER. Britain’s

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (center) chats with Barbados President-elect Dame Sandra Mason (right) as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (left) looks on at Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, Barbados, on November 28. Barbados is about to cut ties with the British monarchy, and this week replaces its head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, with her current representative, Governor General Sandra Mason. AFP

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

(MS-NOV. 30, 2021)

Dutch cops nab couple ‘fleeing’ COVID-19 hotel THE HAGUE—Dutch border police said Sunday they arrested a couple on a plane after they fled a quarantine hotel where Covidpositive passengers from South African flights were staying.

The drama came after Dutch authorities said that 61 people who arrived on two flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Friday had tested positive for the coronavirus, 13 of them with the new Omicron variant.

One of the members of the couple had tested positive for Covid-19 and went into isolation, while the other person was negative but in quarantine, according to public health authority spokeswoman Stefanie van Waardenburg.

She added that both were back in isolation, but not at the same hotel.

They are a Spanish man, 30 and a Portuguese woman, aged 28, police spokesman Stan Verberkt told AFP. “The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at Schiphol has arrested a couple this evening who had fled from a quarantine hotel,” Verberkt said.

“The arrests took place in a plane that was about to take off. They were on a plane that was about to depart for Spain at around 6:00 pm,” he added.

Border police are now laying charges with the Dutch public prosecutor’s office against the couple for jeopardising public safety, he said. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Business

TODAY

IN BRIEF

PAL expanding Iloilo routes to Cebu, Davao

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) on Monday said it is expanding Iloilo services by relaunching routes from Iloilo to Cebu and General Santos City as well as Davao next month.

The expanded route network will increase connectivity between Visayas and Mindanao just in time for the peak holiday season, enabling more people to reunite with families in their home provinces.

Beyond the holidays, the new flights will help foster economic recovery as various parts of Visayas and Mindanao reopen for business and tourism.

“As travel restrictions ease, we are happy to reopen these prime routes to and from Iloilo City just in time to host more passengers this coming Christmas season,” Harry Inoferio, PAL senior assistant vice president for Philippine sales, said.

Inoferio said the new routes will help the airline in the urgent task of reviving domestic tourism.

“We also hope to restore more of our prepandemic routes and mount new services in the coming months, while strictly adhering to the latest health and safety protocols set by all Local Government Units (LGUs) involved,” he added. Darwin G. Amojelar

Shakey’s Pizza opens 50th Peri-Peri outlet

RESTAURANT chain Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. opened its 50th Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar store as part of an aggressive store expansion for the full reopening of the economy.

Shakey’s 50th Peri-Peri store is located in Matalino, Quezon City, a thriving residential area, and a well-known food hub in Metro Manila.

After acquiring the brand in 2019 with 23 stores in the Metro, Shakey’s has more than doubled the store network of Peri-Peri.

“We are delighted to open our 50th Peri-Peri Store. Even during this pandemic, the brand has demonstrated strong performance, and all the new stores have received very strong market acceptance,” Shakey’s president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday.

To adapt to the changed consumer behaviour because of the pandemic, Peri-Peri’s store formats are especially designed to cater to off-premise dining while independent stores offer park and order options.

Jenniffer B. Austria

SM Investments bags 3 Alpha magazine awards

SM INVESTMENTS Corp. takes home three awards conferred by Hong Kongbased Alpha Southeast Asia magazine.

In the recent 11th Institutional Investor Corporate Awards 2021, SM received the nods from some of the 502 individual investors and analysts who voted to clinch the following recognitions: Most Organized Investor Relations, Best Senior Management Investor Relations (IR) Support, and Strongest Adherence to Corporate Governance.

The company topped two out of the three categories by garnering the highest number of votes for the Best Senior Management IR Support, the 7th consecutive year for SM, and Strongest Adherence to Corporate Governance, its 8th year. For the Most Organized Investor Relations, this is the 10th year SM received this award.

SM Investments Consultant for Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels said the awards are especially meaningful this time around, considering the challenges every industry has faced with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal professionals join forces to push for clean elections

TWO major organizations joined hands to push a shared agenda of ensuring clean, orderly and honest local and national elections next year.

The cooperation was formalized during the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the mandatory organization of lawyers in the country, and the cause-oriented Legal Network for Truthful Elections.

“The IBP will be helping educate and capacitate the public on the different electoral laws, issues and processes.

Through our regional chapters and legal aid offices, we hope to file cases against election law violators to set an example and be a deterrent to future violators,” IBP national president Burt Estrada said during the signing ceremony.

Former IBP national president and LENTE original convenor Jose Vicente Salazar said he is excited with the renewed and invigorated partnership between the two national associations at this critical juncture of Philippine history and ahead of elections on May 9, 2022.

“All elections are vital, albeit on different levels, hence, it is the duty and responsibility of the electorate themselves, and that includes us, practitioners of the legal profession, to safeguard our right to select our leaders on the basis of honesty, integrity, and capability to efficiently steer our nation’s state of affairs,” Salazar said.

LENTE founding chairman Christian Monsod underscored the role of lawyers and law students in ensuring that the rule of law would be upheld, and the voice of the people especially the vulnerable sectors, would be heard.

Monsod was a former chairman of the Commission on Elections and one of the organizers of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections.

LENTE executive director Ona Caritos said the partnership among the legal professionals and various stakeholders including the general public would be pivotal to have a “genuine 2022 elections.”

B3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Diokno expects November inflation to moderate to 3.7%

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday inflation in November 2021 would likely moderate to 3.7 percent from 4.6 percent in October, following a series of oil price rollbacks and the appreciation of the peso against major currencies.

Diokno said in a statement the November inflation would settle within a range of 3.3 percent to 4.1 percent, with the lower oil prices offsetting the higher electricity rates.

“Higher electricity and LPG prices along with uptick in the prices of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are the primary sources of inflationary pressures for

the month,” Diokno said.

“These could be offset in part by rollbacks in domestic petroleum prices and the appreciation of the peso,” he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation eased to a two-month low of 4.6 percent in October from 4.8 percent in September, pulled down by lower annual increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The October print, however, remained faster than the 2.5 percent inflation in the same month last year. This brought the average inflation from January to October to 4.5 percent, still above the 2021 target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Diokno said earlier inflation was expected to average above the target range in 2021 but would ease close to the midpoint of the target range in 2022 and 2023.

He said the balance of risks to the inflation outlook remained on the upside for the remaining months of 2022, but continued to be broadly balanced for 2022 and 2023.

The private sector’s inflation expectation is also consistent with inflation reverting back to the target by 2022. In 2020, inflation averaged 2.6 percent, below the midpoint of the target range.

The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, retained the overnight borrowing rate at a record low of 2 percent on Nov. 18 to continue supporting economic recovery amid the pandemic.

It was the eighth straight monetary policy meeting where the policy rate was kept at 2 percent since Nov. 19, 2020.

The board said also inflation was projected to settle close to the midpoint of the target range in 2022 and 2023.

Diokno said while the risks to the inflation outlook shifted towards the upside for 2022, they remained broadly balanced for 2023. Upside risks are mainly linked to the potential impact of weather disturbances on the prices of key food items, petitions for transport fare hikes and the possibility of a prolonged recovery of domestic pork supply.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, November 29, 2021 -77.56 PTS. 7,200.88

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,997,331,899 153,438 28,020,901,537.36 57 150 45

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.4580

Japan

Yen

0.008796

0.4438

UK

Pound

1.334300

67.3261

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128230

6.4702

Switzerland

Franc

1.082251

54.6082

Canada

Dollar

0.784437

39.5811

Singapore

Dollar

0.729661

36.8172

Australia

Dollar

0.713700

36.0119

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

133.8586

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

13.4511

Brunei

Dollar

0.727008

36.6834

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029762

1.5017

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.7391

Euro

Euro

1.130400

57.0377

Korea

Won

0.000837

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.156421

7.8927

India

Rupee

0.013326

0.6724

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236016

11.9089

New Zealand

Dollar

0.683400

34.4830

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035890

1.8109 Source: BSP

Ayala sells all shares in BPO subsidiary HCX

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. on Monday will sell its shares in business processing outsourcing firm HCX Technology Partners Inc. to Asti Business Services Inc. (ASBI) for an undisclosed amount.

Ayala Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday it signed an agreement to sell 14.25 million shares or 100 percent of its stake in HCX to ASBI. HCX, formerly called HRMall Inc., is a full-fledged systems integration company offering human capital, customer relationship management and digital solutions to clients.

It was established by the group in 2016 as a shared services center providing human capital management services to the Ayala Group of companies.

It offers managed payroll outsourcing, infrastructure, personnel and knowledge management services.

“With its strong expertise in proNEW COURIER. Flash Express, the fastest-growing courier and logistics service company in the Philippines, officially presents viding business process and shared its full services through a grand launch and press conference in Parañaque City with the theme ‘Fast Forward with Flash Express’. service support, IT systems integraFlash Express Philippines general manager John de Guzman-Tarampi (third from left) presents the company’s services and plans tion and consultancy services, and that involve hiring 10,000 Filipinos this year. With Tarampi are (from left) Flash Express Philippines public relations and partnerships having a wide clientele network, manager Reginald Rex Pumihic, spokesperson and head of legal and compliance Sherry Lou Bernabe, shareholder representative ABSI is best positioned to take HCX Tony Luo, head of legal express operations Niquee Louise Yap Espiritu and marketing director Dave Khodr. to its next phase of growth,’ Ayala Corp. said.

ABSI is a business process solutions company under a unit of Asticom Technology Inc. It provides we also take this opportunity to reiterate stead of paying expensive fees. solutions and support services to sevBy Darwin G. Amojelar our call for the reduction and/or ratioHB 9851, approved by the House of eral industries, including telecommunications, technology, banking, THE country’s two largest telecom nalization of SUF for other spectrum/ Representatives and transmitted to the Senate on September 22, is an effort by fintech, logistics and e-commerce. companies want the government to re- frequencies,” PLDT Group said.

Spectrum fees imposed on PTEs are legislators to regulate exorbitant SUFs Ayala Corp. is one of the country’s duce other spectrum fees (SUF) after largest conglomerates with investCongress passed the Zero Spectrum becoming unreasonable and excessive, levied on telecoms firms, which in turn said PLDT. SUF must be set at modest is expected to help “promote the accelments in banking, real estate, power User Fee for Telcos Using Wi-Fi Act. generation, telecommunications and The bill mandates the Department of levels with a view to recovering only the eration of internet use in the country and technology and EXTRA-JUDICIAL healthcare services. NOTICE OF LOSS Information and Communications Tech- regulator’s spectrum management costs the expansion of WiFi For and under- SETTLEMENT of infrastructure in unserved NOTICEstarted IS HEREBY GIVEN The conglomerate to exit nology (DICT) and the National Tele- as mandated by law, it added.

ESTATE THE ST. JOHN COLLEGES “We have been actively pursuing served areas.” fast ad BPO sector inTHAT 2014 to focus NOS. on communications Commission (NTC) to STOCK CERTIFICATE Notice the is hereby given F-886 (36 share), C-1011 (18 estate the Globe earlier called for the samethat theother fastof growing businesses. effectively establish the zero SUF policy the lowering of spectrum user fees shares), F-1001 (49 shares), results, late MARTIN AUGUSTO C-1381 Ayala (23 shares),Corp.’s F-1117 (172 MANJONthis has month, and regulation by not imposing charges, with the NTC and Congress, since we zero rating of spectrum user’s fees forARAULLO Early shares), C-1862 (82 shares), extra-judicially settled please internationally con-been logistics unit entered an agreenor collecting fees from telcos for using believe that telecommunications is frequencies that are F-1152 into (51 shares), C-1998 (24 among his heirs consisting C-2231 (2067stake shares) now an essential service that should sidered as unlicensedcall frequencies, sinceof: ment to acquire ashares), controlling WiFi or wireless data networks.

ISSUED TO ALBERTO ALCASID • 1/3 Condominium Unit No. be made more affordable for users,” “SUFs that are set too high in combiBEENbillion.

REPORTED in Air21 HoldingsRIVERA Inc. HAVE for P6 “We will most likely end with rough1110 Brent Bldg. Pasig MISSING, PER AFFIDAVIT OF Ayala Corp. In the first nine ly the same P2.4 billion expenditure said Globe Telecom Inc. chief lawyer nation with taxes, regulatory fees and City.

LOSS DATED NOV.months 4, 2021 AND RECORDED DOC. NO. 315, other charges onAdvertising public telecommunica-As per ofDoc. the No. year217;registered a AS 70-percent on SUF for 2021. While PLDT, Inc. Froilan Castelo.

PAGE NO. 64, BOOK NO. 6, Page No. 45; Book No. He said reducing the SUF would altions entities (PTEs) negatively impact SEREIES OF 2021 OF NOTARY increase net income to P19.4 bil(PLDT) and Smart Communications, CCCXXX; Series ofin 2021 Department PUBLIC AARON S. TOLENTINO Notary Public ATTY. lion on the improved performance of Inc. (Smart) thank the House for passing low telcos to divert essential resources economic growth and impedes digitalbefore OF PARAÑAQUE CITY, METRO DOMINGO B. TEJERO. MANILA. most of its business units. the subject Zero Wifi spectrum fees bill, to much needed network projects in- transformation.”8564-6229

PLDT, Globe Telecom want other spectrum fees lowered

(MS-NOV. 12,19 & 26, 2021)

ICTSI-BLOOMBERRY VACCINATION. The

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

vaccination support initiative of International Container Terminal Services Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. administers over 300,000 doses of mRNA Moderna vaccines since the ICTSIsponsored vaccination sites at Solaire Resort and Casino and at the Nayong Pilipino Foundation property in Parañaque City opened midyear. The SolaireICTSI Foundation Vaccination Center -Nayong Pilipino Foundation, which opened in August, administered 158,515 doses while the SIVC-Solaire administered 150,737 doses for a combined 309,252 doses as of Nov. 22.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of the proposed NEW CEBU INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER PORT PROJECT of the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOTr) to be located in BARANGAY TAYUD, MUNICIPALITY OF CONSOLACION, CEBU. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed NEW CEBU INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER PORT PROJECT to attend the Public Hearings scheduled as follows:

Pueblo de Oro starts commercial center projects

By Othel V. Campos PUEBLO de Oro Development Corp., the property development arm of the ICCP Group, began the construction of commercial centers in its residential communities to improve the access of residents to daily essentials.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for more accessible retail centers that are less dense, with open air design rather than big box malls with high population,” said PDO president and chief operating officer Prim Nolido.

Nolido said the construction of commercial strips started within their projects in Cebu province and Cagayan de Oro City. A similar setup is being planned for residential developments in

(MS-NOV. 26, DEC. 3 & 10, 2021)

Pampanga and Batangas.

PDO broke ground for Pueblo de Oro Townsquare, a three-level commercial strip at Sitio Judas Belt, Babag II, Lapu-Lapu City in October. It is located within the Pueblo de Oro Cebu Communities, which houses the La Aldea Del Mar and Park Place residential subdivisions.

Pueblo de Oro Townsquare will have six retail units, with sizes ranging from 13.78 to 51.70 square meters and one anchor store with a size of 214.61 square meters. The group is targeting a convenience store or pharmacy as their major tenant with the other units to be leased to smaller retailers such as bakeries, meatshops, water stations and other stores that cater to the needs of the community. Construction cost is estimated at P32 million.

Date

Time

Venue

07 December 2021

9:00 AM Registration Starts at 8:00AM

On-Site: 5th Floor Consolacion Municipal Hall, Consolacion Online: Zoom Meeting ID: 833 7093 3614 Passcode: 433302 Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom. us/j/83370933614?pwd=U 2ZRMm4vc3hwVkVONVJ GTEExMjdlUT09

The Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIS of the aforementioned project by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The project’s EIS and Executive Summary for the Public are downloadable at the EMB 7 website: Environmental Management Bureau Region 7 (emb.gov.ph) (kindly access the “Announcement” link found in the EMB 7 website).

Should you have questions and clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us through our designated focal person for this Department, Engr.

Mario Tan of the Cebu Port Authority via email at ncipp@cpa.gov.ph and/or mobile number +63 9 1763 1 9800, or the LTI Environmental focal person, Mr. Emmanuel Cleofas, LTI Managing Director, Ms. Rachel A. Vasquez, at +63 2 8637 8209, and Arup Environmental Coordinator, Ms. Nicole Guerra at +63 2 3485 8167.

(MS-NOV. 26 & 30, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

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

B4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

BELGRADE—Novak Djokovic “probably won’t” play the Australian Open in January over mandatory Covid vaccination rules, the world number one’s father said on Sunday, likening the restrictions to “blackmail”.

The 34-year-old Djokovic, who would be bidding for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, has refused to say whether or not he has been vaccinated against coronavirus.

But Australian Open tournament chief Craig Tiley has said that all players must be inoculated to take part.

“Of course he would want to go with all his heart,” Djokovic’s father Srdjan told Serbian channel Prda TV. “Because he is a sportsman and there are a lot of our people, the (Serbian) diaspora, there who would be delighted to see Novak.

“But I really don’t know if that will happen.

Probably not under these conditions, with this blackmail and when it’s done that way.”

Srdjan Djokovic also defended his son’s “exclusive and personal right” to be vaccinated or not, and claimed that even he did not know if Novak had received the jab.

Tiley last week revealed that Djokovic “has said that he views this as a private matter for himself”.

“We would love to see Novak here. He knows that he’ll have to be vaccinated to play here,” he added.

Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, is level on 20 Grand Slam singles triumphs with old rivals Rafael Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during the men’s doubles group stage match between Serbia and Germany of the Davis Cup tennis tournament.

Nadal and Roger Federer. AFP

Djokovic ‘probably won’t play Aussie Open’

PSC sets deadline for Obiena, PATAFA to submit to mediation REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Municipal Registry of Quezon City, Metro Manila.

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL Other just and equitable reliefs REGION under the premises are likewise most BRANCH 229, QUEZON CITY Respectfully prayed for.

IN THE MATTER OF THE CANCELLATION Finding the verified petition sufficient OF ANNOTATION AND THE REGISTERED in form and substance, the Court gives AFFIDAVIT OF LEGITIMATION IN THE due course thereto.

CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ANTHONY FANUGAO ABALOS, WHEREFORE, let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper ANTHONY FANUGAO ABALOS a.k.a. of national circulation once a week ANTHONY CABATBAT FANUGAO, for three (3) consecutive weeks at Petitioner, the expense of the petitioner, upon coordination with the office of the -versusClerk of Court, Regional Trial Court of Case No. R-QZN-21-05839-SP Quezon City. Hearing on the Petition is hereby set before this Court on CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, LOCAL December 1, 2021 at 8:30 o’clock CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY in the morning, at which time and THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, place, any person having interest in the RODENCIO C. ABALOS, VICTORIA F. Petition may appear.

ABALOS AND ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE SO ORDERED. INSTANT PETITION, Respondents.

July 27, 2021, Quezon City, Metro x------------------------------------------------------x Manila.

ORDER OF HEARING AND PUBLICATION

(Sgd.) CLETO R. VILLACORTA, III Presiding Judge

A verified petition was filed on June 28, 2021 by petitioner through counsel praying that after notice, publication, and hearing, judgment be rendered ordering the respondent Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and Civil Registrar General to CANCEL the registration of the affidavit of Legitimation of Anthony Fanugao Abalos aka Anthony Cabatbat Fanugao registered at the City /

Cc: Atty. Dongil T. Calugay – PAO, QC Anthony Fanugao Abalos – Door B Iglesia Cruz Compound corner Gutierrez Compound, Sitio Burol, Brgy. San Juan, Taytay, Rizal RTC-OCC, QC

(MStandard-Nov. 16, 23 & 30, 2021)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, -versus-

FRE-MC21-1318 EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY 4118

MALAY MEISIN DE LEON TAN, Mortgagor, X----------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended

by Act 4118 filed by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, against MALAY MEISIN DE LEON TAN, Mortgagor, with given address at (a) Blk 3 Lot 1 Monterey St., Sta. Monica 2 Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal (b) Unit 2702 Acqua Private Residences, Dettifoss Tower, Coronado, Hulo, Mandaluyong City, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of October 7, 2021, amounts to NINE MILLION NINETY FIVE THOUSAND AND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY NINE PESOS and 15/100 (Php 9,095,879.15) ONLY, Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGERS CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 15th day of December, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter in front of the main entrance of the Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the Condominium unit together with all the improvements existing thereon to wit: CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 008-2021000050 Registry of Deeds – City of Mandaluyong IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the unit identified and described as: DETTIFOSS TOWER FLOOR NUMBER: 27 UNIT NUMBER: 2702 TOTAL UNIT AREA: 110.89 SQM.

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippine Sports Commission Board on Monday revealed that it is still waiting for the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and pole vaulter EJ Obiena to return the Mediation Submission Agreement, which the commission forwarded to the two parties last November 25, 2021 in an effort to resolve the conflict between the two.

In a special board meeting on Monday, the PSC Board, expressing concern over the delay, agreed to set December 15 as a target date by which time all parties are expected to have submitted to the proposed mediation.

Last week, Obiena got tangled in controversy after the PATAFA alleged that he may have falsified his liquidation reports and failed to turn over payment of 85,000 euros for his coach Vitaly Petrov.

The PATAFA formed two investigating panels, which are now evaluating the affidavits of top World Athletics official Sergey Bubka and the writ-

SISTA Super Sealers ended the dream run of guest team Pioneer Pro Tibay behind a 20-13 victory to run away with the title in Leg 3 of the PBA 3x3 Lakas Ng Tatlo on Sunday.

Kenneth Mocon poured in nine points in the winner-take-all finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, while RJ Argamino, Prince Rivero, and Leo De Vera took care of the rest in handing the team, representing the Rain or Shine franchise, its first championship in the three-a-side tournament.

The victory was worth P100,000 for a side that never even qualified to the knockout stage during the maiden leg held last week.

Coach Juven Formacil referred to the championship as a ‘blessing.’

“I’m very proud of the guys, they’re all heart every game,” he said.

Mocon and Argamino sparked for the Super Sealers early on, hitting from the o u t - side to give the team a 7-4 lead and turn around a game they

trailed earlier.

Pioneer Pro Tibay played catch-up the rest of the way and sealed its best finish in the tournament so far at second place worth P50,000.

Sista went undefeated in six games, topping Pool B with a 3-0 record, before beating Limitless Appmasters in the quarterfinals, 17-16, and Purefoods TJ Titans in the semis, 19-15, to reach the championship round.

Meanwhile, Pioneer emerged as the third best team in Pool A at 2-2, then edged out fellow guest team Platinum Karaoke in the Final Eight, 21-19, and denying Terrafirma in the semifinals, 16-15, to arrange the title duel with the Super Sealers.

Members of the Sista Super Sealers take a selfie after their title conquest.

Pioneer is composed of Gian Abrigo, Carlo De Chavez, Carlo Escalambre, Matt Salem finished with a game- brera in helping defray the family’s and Christian Rivera, with Lester Del high 11 points to help the franchise hospital expenses. The 30-year-old big Rosario as head coach. achieve its best finish in the tournament. man is still confined after collapsing In the battle for third, Terrafirma salMore importantly, the prize money in the team dressing room following vaged the P30,000 prize purse by defeat- the Dyip won will be given by the its game against Barangay Ginebra ing Purefoods, 21-16. team to injured captain Roider Ca- during the previous leg.

Singson eyes 1st pro crown at Langer

In the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on Transfer Certificate of Title 2011001016 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of TWO THOUSAND SEVENTY-TWO (2,072) Square Meter, xxxxxx “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date” “In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 22, 2021 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without further notice.”

Prospective bidders or buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, November 8, 2021.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF BY: (Sgd.) GERMAN R.REYES Sheriff IV Copy furnished: Philippine Savings Bank PSBank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeño Street Makati City

WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriffs Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law.

LIPA CITY—Go for Gold-Air Force found the VNS Manileño Spikers a tough nut to crack before carving out a 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 15-11 victory in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League men’s inaugurals Monday at the Aquamarine Recreational Center here.

With the Manileño Spikers closing in a 11-13, Kim Malabunga’s kill put the Aguilas at match point before Mark Alfafara closed out the exciting two-hour, 11-minute contest with a block on Roniey Adviento.

After earning their first win in the three-team Pool A, coach Dante Alinsunurin and Go for Gold know they cannot afford to be complacent when his troops shoot for a spot in the semifinals against the Basilan Steel Spikers Amin-Anak Mindanao at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Any team can beat everybody,” said Alinsunurin, whose Aguilas have only trained two weeks before the competition. “We have a fresh start and the team which is very determined to win will reach on top.”

Alfafara had five blocks overall to finish with 19 points to go with nine digs while Malabunga and John Vic de Guzman each had 16 points for Go for Gold.

It was De Guzman who earned the distinction to score the firstever point in the men’s Champions League, nailing an attack off a a Jessie Lopez set.

A long-time Philippine team captain who was a part of the Southeast Asian Games silver medal-winning squad in 2019 that revived the country’s men’s volleyball program, De Guzman was delighted to have the federation-owned national league to get going.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity because after the SEA Games in 2019, the program was cut kasi due to the pandemic,” said De Guzman.

“We are very thankful that club men’s volleyball is back and our goal in the future is to encourage the young aspirants to continue the legacy for our men’s national volleyball team,” he added.

Sista Super rules PBA 3x3 Leg 3

OF “ACQUA PRIVATE RESIDENCES” CONDOMINIUM PROJECT

Malay Meisin De Leon Tan (a) Blk 3 Lot 1 Monterey St., Sta. Monica Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal (b) Unit 2702 Acqua Private Residences, Dettifoss Tower Coronado, Hulo, Mandaluyong City

ten statement of Petrov, who initially alleged that he “did not receive any monthly coach’s fees for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021,” for his services to Obiena. He later retracted his statement in a zoom conference with the Filipino pole vaulter, saying he was already paid in full.

“Again, my role is to facilitate communication between the parties, not to decide who is right or wrong. Mediation is the best option for now so the parties can reconcile, open communication lines, and continue the work that needs to be done. The parties owe it to the government and the Filipino people

to resolve the issues amicably. A failed mediation will be detrimental to both parties,” said PSC chairman William Ramirez.

“As an elder of the Philippine sports community, I am asking them to submit to mediation for their mutual benefit.” Ramirez said, adding that as the chairman of the sports agency, he is duty-bound to explore ways to help resolve the issue.

The PSC understands that the other aspect of the dispute involves an internal process within the PATAFA and World Athletics. This notwithstanding, the PSC vows to help the parties reach a settlement agreement while protecting government interest.

In relation to this, the PSC board reiterated its position in upholding the implementation of the ‘NO LIQUIDATION, NO FUNDING’ policy -- a guideline put in place during Ramirez’s administration to aid the swifter liquidation of problematic accounts and has so far resulted to an estimated 80% decline in unliquidated

Go for Gold outlasts VNS Manileño in men’s opener

Mafy Singson has crowded the pros for the top podium finish in the last three Ladies Philippine Golf Tour events.

MAFY Singson, who with Laurea Duque stirred up play at the Couples course last week, looks not only to add the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Championship crown to her growing list of low amateur trophies, but also nail the overall crown when the event is fired off tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 1) in Silang, Cavite.

The rising Davaoeña star has crowded the pros for the top podium finish in the last three Ladies Philippine Golf Tour events held in bubble setup but has been unsuccessful with shaky stretch-run performances. She placed second at Eagle Ridge-Aoki, ended up fifth at Highlands and tied for fourth at Riviera-Couples.

But the pro crown looks so enticing not just for her but for the rest of the amateurs, including Eagle Ace Superal and Arnie

Taguines, although they will not only be facing an equally fired-up pro cast but a Langer layout kept in championship condition to test not only their shotmaking skills and putting but also their mental toughness.

“We’re still in the bubble, so I can’t go out to practice. But I did some workouts and stretching and got enough rest,” said Singson, bracing for a grueling three-day battle of wits and endurance at one of the country’s toughest courses.

Duque, the low amateur at Aoki last March, also put herself in strong contention at Couples but reeled back with two backside bogeys. She also blew the lead in the battle for low amateur honors on a closing double-bogey and ended up sixth, enabling Singson to claim the diadem again.

Duque, however, won’t be around this

week to honor a previous commitment, making Singson a solid favorite to reign again in the ranks and a top contender for the overall championship.

The amateurs have been providing a refreshing challenge to the touring ladies in the pandemic-hit season while sharpening their skills and gaining more experience as they build up for various international competitions next season.

The compact pro field is also all primed up for another tough grind with Chanelle Avaricio seeking to complete a sweep of the Riviera titles after scoring a breakthrough at Couples in big fashion and the likes of Harmie Constantino, Chihiro Ikeda and Sunshine Baraquiel raring to fuel their respective title drive with strong starts.

(MStandard-Nov. 16, 23 & 30, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Nurturing Responsible Mining

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

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How mining

can become sustainable

A general view of an open cast coal mining area is pictured at Singrauli in India’s Madhya Pradesh state on November 18, 2021. AFP

P. Y. Deligero

M

INING is known as the process of extracting useful minerals from the earth. Coal, gold, and iron are some of the most common materials continuously mined. It has helped countless civilizations progress throughout time.

In the Philippines, mining was already prevalent during the pre-colonial period.

Indigenous communities in several regions of the archipelago mined for gold, copper, and many other minerals. Surviving artifacts found in museums and the possession of indigenous people demonstrate the handiwork of the early Filipinos in mining ore and transforming them into items for decor or work.

Mining proved to become relevant in the progression of society because of how it provides necessary materials used in infrastruc-

ADVOCATING SUSTAINABLE MINING People are becoming more conscious about the state of the environment, they’ve also come up with solutions to make activities like sustainable mining.

Several mining companies in the Philippines have already taken steps towards mitigating the environmental impacts of their operations.

These include reducing energy and water consumption, limiting waste production, minimizing land disturbances, preventing on-site pollution, and ensuring the efforts on closures and reclamations of sites are carried out to the highest levels.

Mines usually use a large amount of water and land in their operations. But by diverting surface water and pumping groundwater,

A grand slam in responsible mining

HMC has rehabilitated a total of 275.36 hectares and additionally planted in 634.01 hectares outside its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement, effectively creating a forest with vigorous flora and fauna that showcase how biodiversity is restored in a mined-out area. This is the highest tribute to the sound rehabilitation program of HMC.

A GRAND slam win for a mining company simply means being the best in class in its responsible conduct of business—in its forest management and environment enhancement and protection; its social responsibility programs and in providing safety in the workplace and the communities.

Hinatuan Mining Corp., a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. swept the major honors this year from the country’s most prestigious award-giving body in the mining industry – the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA).

“It’s our first time and it’s a grand

mines can reduce both the quantity and quality of water available downstream for aquatic ecosystems and other purposes.

As for energy consumption, mining companies can look into alternative energy sources such as solar or wind power. Reducing energy usage can allow mines to reduce greenhouse gases and extend the

tures, household items, and more. The first commercial mine was eventually established in Benguet, Central Luzon, with several others following suit by starting more commercial mining entities around the country.

Despite the advantages that come from mining, several repercussions come with its process. One of the biggest concerns is the environmental impact of mining.

slam! We still can’t believe it but that these awards were accorded to us during this most difficult time of the pandemic, makes this moment doubly exulting.

Everyone was emotional when the news first broke, this is the reason for our existence, said Engr. Francis Arañes, HMC’s Resident Mine Manager.

HMC, with operations in Hinatuan Island, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte, took home the Presidential award for surface mining operations; the Best Mining Forest in the Metallic category; the winner of the Safest Surface Mining Operations; and the Turn to C4

life of fossil fuel reserves.

Creating a proper waste disposal system can also become vital to curbing the environmental impact of mines.

Companies can begin by investing in equipment that helps in turning waste into reusable material while adopting new policies that allow for a more ecofriendly waste disposal routine.

Since mines consume large amounts of water, the resource can be reused on mining sites as grey water for washing equipment or other purposes. Mining companies can practice reusing and recycling water and be sure that all unusable water is disposed of safely and Turn to C4

Robust third-quarter performance sees Marcventures profit hit P790m AFTER a strong third-quarter showing, Marcventures Holdings Inc. (MHI) consolidated income surged to P790.31 million, a steep 384% increase versus last year’s numbers during the same period.

The nearly P800 million profit posted was in large part thanks to the company’s mining arm, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp (MMDC), which the MHI describes as a silver lining “amid the unstable weather conditions on the first half of the year coupled with the difficulties brought by the pandemic.”

With a 30% increase amounting to P183.02 million, this brings a solid growth of P627.13 million , a 384% rise compared to last year’s income of P163.79 million from the same period, according to a statement released by the company.

As per MHI, MMDC’s Year to Date Revenue of P2,851.32 million is 7% lower than the P3,054.29 million target, but “shows a major growth” of P1,088.57 million, a 62% increase, side by side with last year’s revenue of P1,762.75 million.

“With significant changes in operations and management and the support of the LGUs and leading government agencies, MMDC completed 25 shipments in the 3rd quarter bringing the year-to-date total to 30. It missed the target of

31 but surpassed last year’s 22 boatloads,” it added in the statement.

MMDC’s YTD Net Income of P875.73 million, posed a 17% rise from the P746.74-million target.

More importantly, it tripled 2020’s P282.21 million a distinct P593.52 million increase or 210% year-onyear growth.

“MMDC’s solid financial standing signifies its commitment to preserve the environment and support its host communities,” the company said.

MMDC continues to provide livelihood opportunities, educational and health assistance to all 42 communities in the municipalities Cantillan, Carrascal and Madrid, in Surigao del Sur. NQA CERTIFICATION FOR MMDC MMDC was recently granted continued certification by NQA Philippines Inc. after passing the 2-day Stage 1 Surveillance Audit for its In-

tegrated Management System.

The completed audit certified that the requirements for ISO 9001:2015 —Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015—Environmental Management System and ISO 45001:2018 —Occupational Health and Safety Management System have all been fulfilled by MMDC. On the 2nd day of surveillance a tree planting activity was conducted

by MMDC personnel together with NQA Auditor at the Pili mined-out site prior to the declaration of findings. The trees planted will be evaluated on the Stage 2 Surveillance Audit in 2022.

NQA Philippines provides accredited ISO standard certification for companies and organizations. The ISO is an international standardsetting body promotes worldwide propriety, industrial and commercial standards.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

Cinema ‘76’s special event with the press was highlighted with the screening of the blockbuster film ‘Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings.’

A

FTER almost two years of halted operations due to the pandemic, Cinema 76 Film Society has finally reopened its Anonas branch in Quezon City.

To mark its opening week, blockbuster titles like Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, and Princess Diana’s biopic Spencer are made available for cinemagoers while Marvel Studios’ Eternals unspools tomorrow. This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival entries will also be screened come Christmas time.

The microcinema, known as a populist venue to watch films not usually released in major theaters, was no stranger to the economic effects of the lockdown imposed in March 2020. Cinema 76 had to let go of some of its staff despite all hopes that movie theaters would reopen last year.

Last September, Cinema ‘76 posted an announcement on the permanent closure of its San Juan branch, which prompted thousands of Cinema ‘76 patrons and movie fans to share their cherished memories of the beloved microcinema’s original location.

To pivot during these challenging times, the company opened its movie-themed Cinema 76 Cafe in June, attracting cinephiles who missed the experience of being inside a cinema. Some of the mi-

Movie lovers’ best-kept secret

crocinema’s staff underwent training to serve as baristas at Cinema 76 Cafe.

Despite being a newcomer in the F&B industry, the cafe enjoyed raves from the public.

Now, Cinema ‘76 is primed for imminent recovery. Following the eased restrictions on film exhibitions, Cinema ‘76 opened its doors once again on Nov. 17.

“A lot of people have been requesting for us to reopen soon and we are delighted to finally welcome everyone back to Cinema ‘76,” said Daphne Chi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cinema 76.

Chi added that Cinema ‘76 made sure film buffs will have a safe theater experience by following safety protocols mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ATF) and Quezon City COVID-19 guidelines.

This includes regular cleaning and disinfection of the cinema before and after the screening and presentation of full vaccination cards, including minors. Moviegoers are also encouraged to come earlier than their screening time to allow for health checks and to fill out digital contact tracing forms upon entry. Food and drinks are also not allowed inside the cinema but patrons enjoy drinks and meals at the open-air Cafe just below Cinema ‘76.

Chiu also shared that Cinema ‘76 is open for private screenings “especially for those who would feel more comfortable sharing the

Cinema ’76 Café is a hidden gem for moviegoers and film lovers.

cinema with their loved ones.

Cinema ‘76 is located on the third floor of Anonas LRT City Center along Aurora Boulevard. It can also be accessed via a bridgeway from the Anonas LRT-2 Station.

For booking inquiries, email cinema76filmsociety@amail.com or 0977-705-4276. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #kitakitsSaCinema76 and follow Cinema 76 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

‘Encanto’ enchants moviegoers

FDCP, DFA hold tribute fest for Kidlat Tahimik TO HONOR the invaluable contributions of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik to the development of independent Philippine Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Public and Cultural Diplomacy arms hold free screenings and a talkback session until Dec. 8.

The National Artist, born Eric de Guia, is known for his films that often critique neocolonialism, and his bamboo camera which symbolizes his exceptional local storytelling.

The “Tribute to Kidlat Tahimik: Lolo of Filipino Indie Cinema” aims to boost the creative industry and showcase Philippine culture by featuring his award-winning and internationally-acclaimed films.

Kidlat Tahimik has received accolades from local and international award-giving bodies such as Cinemalaya, Gawad Urian, Prince Claus Fund, Amiens International Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival through decades of his career.

Five notable works from the National Artist will be screened for free on the Vimeo Channel including the following: Perfumed Nightmares (1977), Sino Lumikha ng Yoyo? Sino ang Lumikha ng Moon Buggy? (1979), Turumba (1981), Bakit Dilaw ang Gitna ng Bahaghari? (1994), and Balikbayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment Redux III (2015).

Additionally, the “Talkback with Kidlat Tahimik” will be moderated today by professor, writer, and producer Jag Garcia via Zoom.

“Through this retrospective and talkback session with National Artist and Father of Philippine Independent Cinema Kidlat Tahimik, made possible by a partnership with DFA, audiences, especially our local independent filmmakers will hear from the National Artist himself. As we shine the spotlight on his films, we hope to see more independent films influenced by local stories and our culture on the silver screen in the near future,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The event is also in line with FDCP’s marking of the first Philippine Film Industry Month last September, as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 1085, with the theme “Ngayon Ang Bagong Sinemula,” which celebrates the heritage, significance, and legacy of Philippine Cinema.

To view the films, register through this link: https://bit.ly/KT_FestivalRegis- ‘Lolo of Filipino Indie Cinema,’ is a film tration. To join the talkback session, festival tribute to National Artist Kidlat register at https://bit.ly/KT_Talkback- Tahimik organized by the FDCP and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Session.

‘Encanto’ is an American computer-animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios.

DISNEY’S new animated musical fantasy film Encanto has topped the North American box office for the three-day weekend, taking in an estimated $27 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

Its numbers fell short of previous family-oriented Thanksgiving weekend releases such as Frozen II and Coco but were still seen as a sign that family films are starting to return to health in the pandemic era.

With original music by Lin-

Manuel Miranda, Encanto tells the story of a family in the mountains of Colombia endowed with special powers — except for daughter Mirabel, who ends up having to save the others. Voice actors include Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, and Diane Guerrero.

Also faring well was Sony’s family-friendly Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The latest chapter in the wacky supernatural franchise took in an estimated $24.5 million

to place second for the Fridaythrough-Sunday period.

Directed by Jason Reitman, whose father Ivan Reitman made the original 37 years ago, Afterlife stars Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and Mckenna Grace in a ghostly tale that has shape-shifted from 1980s Manhattan to today’s small-town Oklahoma.

Further reflecting Hollywood’s gradual recovery, Ridley Scott’s new crime drama House of Gucci placed third at $14.2 million, a healthy showing for an adultoriented film at a time when Covid fears have kept many older viewers at home.

The MGM/United Artists film stars Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, the onetime head of the famed Gucci fashion house, and Lady Gaga — again drawing

Oscar buzz three years after A Star Is Born — as Patrizia Reggiani, the vengeful ex-wife who in 1995 hired a hitman to murder Gucci outside his Milan office.

The star-laden cast also includes Al Pacino, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Irons, and Jared Leto.

Disney/Marvel superhero film Eternals placed fourth, at $7.9 million, while surpassing an accumulated $150 million domestically.

Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, and Gemma Chan star in the story of an immortal race of aliens who emerge from hiding to save the Earth.

In fifth was Sony and Screen Gems’ new Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. The video game adaptation took in $5.3 mil-

lion, with Kaya Scodelario and Robbie Amell starring. AFP

Ces Drilon makes acting debut via ‘Boys’ Lockdown’ spin-off THE much-anticipated teaser video for Love Team: Beyond Boys’Lockdown, a spin-off of the 2020 hit Boys Love series Boys’ Lockdown, dropped yesterday enthralling viewers as stars Ali King and Alec Kevin return as fictional versions of themselves as they live out a stranger than fiction scenario of developing “real” feelings while shooting on the set of their show.

Award-winning news anAward-winning news anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon is described in the series as a strong and independent woman with great maternal instincts.

chor and lifestyle purveyor Ces OreñaDrilon joins the cast as the mother of Ali, a strong and independent woman with great maternal instincts. On playing the part, Drilon shares, “I am thrilled and excited. Like I said before, now is the time to explore new things and do things outside one’s comfort zone.”

As a celebrity and SOGIE Equality Bill advocate herself, Drilon who plays a significant role in the show adds, “I think it’s about time. It’s time to tell the story of the LGBTQIA+ and their own unique love stories.”

The Love Team teaser video premiere also marked the start of the series’ Kickstarter fundraising campaign (https://bit.ly/LOVETEAMKickstart-

er), a first in the history of the boys’ love series genre in the Philippines.

The show producers are counting on the global fan support received by Season One to help reach the overall production budget.

The crowdfunding campaign will run until Jan. 27. Donors will enjoy perks such as executive producer and associate producer credits, personalized video greetings, and more.

Produced by Ticket2Me, Bit by Bit Company, and 2TinCans PH, Love Team takes on a meta approach as it picks up and tells a parallel story where Boys’ Lockdown left off in Season 1.

Read full story on www.manilastandard.net.

Digitally restored Laurice Guillen film on Sagip Kapamilya fest ABS-CBN Film Restoration moves today’s viewers with another heartwarming family-drama film as it premieres the digitally restored and remastered version of Star Cinema’s 2010 hit Sa’yo Laman directed by Laurice Guillen.

Starring Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, and Bea Alonzo, the film is part of Sagip Pelikula Festival on KTX.ph starting today.

The premiere of Sa’yo Lamang is a part of the Sagip Pelikula Festival’s ongoing tribute to the career of Christopher de Leon, featuring screenings of his other restored cinematic classics, including Dekada ‘70, Cain at Abel, Eskapo, among many others.

Guillen, who’s also known for the film Tanging Yaman, comes another film ready to move viewers with its heartfelt drama, featuring the story of Dianne (Bea) and how she managed a happy life for her mother Amanda (Lorna) and her siblings despite living without a father who deserted them for his mistress.

Ten years after their father Franco (Christopher) left for his other woman, he suddenly made his return to his family, seeking forgiveness from them. Although Dianne has been warning them about accepting him again into their lives, Amanda and the rest of their family welcomed Franco

to start anew.

Reluctant to recognize him as their father once more, the dispute between Dianne and Franco only worsens, leading to other heated confrontations among their family.

Despite the turmoil caused due to Franco’s unexpected return, will Dianne learn to forgive and accept her father to mend their broken family?

Also starring in the film are Coco Martin, Enchong Dee, Miles Ocampo, Shaina Magdayao, Diether Ocampo, Zanjoe Marudo, Empress Schuck, Lauren Young, Dominic Ochoa, John A scene from the 2010 family drama ‘Sa’yo Lamang.’

Manalo, and Igi Boy Flores.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

HOME AND STYLE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

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Bella Hadid, Bretman Rock dazzle in Michael Kors’ new campaign MICHAEL Kors has unveiled its new Holiday 2021 ad campaign for Michael Kors and Michael Kors Mens, photographed by Sean Thomas, with video

by Shane Sigler, and starring a star-studded cast including Michael Kors, Bella Hadid, Bretman Rock, Lori Harvey, and Tina Leung.

Shot on location at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport and at The Skylark rooftop lounge, the camcam paign captures the jet-set chic and easy glamour of Bella Hadid and friends as they journey to New York City to spend the holidays and ring in the New Year together.

From plane to tarmac to a glittering holiday party hosted by Michael, each image embodies the

R

LC Residences is true to its promise of building homes that speak of the high quality of living. In its latest development South of Metro, home seekers looking for worklife balance and efficiency finally found their match.

Woodsville Crest is a nature-inspired development that gives residents the opportunity to rest and recharge when they come home to their own breathing spaces sprawled around the property. Strategically located at Merville, Paranaque, it’s a worthy investment for urban achievers with a dream to succeed in their career and at the same time indulge in their personal pursuits.

If you’re all for innovation, the Smart Home features of the units surely sound appealing. The studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units are all equipped with fiber-optic readiness that helps you control smart devices and appliances with ease. Woodsville Crest also aims to elevate your home with built-in unit upgrades, including the must-have workfrom-home provision, among others.

There’s still more to your Woodsville Crest purchase. Homebuyers are entitled to storage solutions and even bike parking slots to accomplish goals with no worries in a property that takes very good care of their assets and supports their hobbies.

You also don’t need to travel far to bask in verdant landscapes and have a retreat. Condo dwellers here can al-

Shot on location at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport and at The Skylark rooftop lounge, the campaign captures the jet-set chic and easy glamour of Bella Hadid and friends.

warm, joyful spirit of the holidays, as well as the many reasons we love New York.

“This holiday season, we really wanted to capture the heart of the holidays: traveling to celebrate with the loved ones we’ve missed so much,” says Michael Kors.

“And what better way to do that than by sharing luxurious gifts and hitting the town, looking fabulous while you’re on the go? We all deserve a little extra joy, love, and glamour this season.”

The campaign highlights a versatile range of streamlined looks, from sleek knit dresses to cool separates in a palette of earthy neutrals, vibrant hues, and dazzling silver-and-black accents. Key handbags for the season include the Karlie satchel, Greenwich crossbody bag, SoHo shoulder bag, and Hamilton Legacy satchel. Chain-link details, logo taping, and high-shine studs infuse them with a modern-meetsclassic Kors appeal.

Smart home for urban achievers

Woodsville Crest is a nature-inspired development located South of Manila.

ready have a relaxing escape with nature as soon as they step foot in the many amenities of the property. Whether you want to hang out with friends and families or spend a well-earned me-time, you may choose among the open spaces within the Woodsville Complex, such as the dreamy veranda, jog trails, pools, and the clubhouse featuring a lounge

The studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units are all built-in unit upgrades, including the must-have work-from-home provision, among others.

area. There are other amenities for your every need as well, including function rooms, a co-working space, and a gym.

Because RLC Residences is all in on giving you the purposeful life you deserve, getting to and from life’s essentials won’t be a hassle at Woodsville Crest. Its familiar location values your time and energy as it intentionally places you within

reach of big business districts in Alabang, Makati, and Bonifacio Global City, with access to two main highways as well as entry points to major thoroughfares like EDSA, SLEX, C5, and C6.

Described as an oasis South of Metro, RLC Residences aims to provide a sanctuary for the urban achievers when they invest at Woodsville Crest.

Condo dwellers at Woodsville Crest can already have a relaxing escape with nature as soon as they step foot in the many amenities of the property.

Shopee closes year with 12.12 promo, launches Dingdong and Zia as new ambassadors

The father and daughter tandem of Dingdong and Zia Dantes banners Shopee’s Christmas sale promo.

SouthSHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in South east Asia and Taiwan, closes the year with its annual 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, the most joyful year-end celebration in the region. 12.12 is set to bring a smile to users as they shop from the widest variety of products to reward themselves and their loved ones during the happiest time of the year.

Through the 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, shoppers locan also spread the holiday cheer to their favorite lo cal businesses, with 2 times more items sold by local businesses this year. Users can look forward to a delightful celebration throughout the festive season.

In the past year, Shopee has brought fun exto users with exciting giveaways and ex bilclusive content, recording over 13 bil lion engagements and views across its social media channels. This 12.12, users can expect even more entertainment and engagement with a brand-new commercial featuring international superstar Jackie Chan and performances by popular K-Pop group Tomorrow X Together.

Together To get into the Pinoy family spirit of the celebholidays, Shopee also welcomes first-ever celeb rity father-and-daughter brand ambassadors, DingDantes. dong and Zia Dantes

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Every 12.12, Shopee comes together with our users to celebrate the milestones and achievements over the past year. This year, we would like to show our appreciation to all our users for letting us be part of their daily lives. Many more users are now using digital services, and local businesses are increasingly embracing the shift online.”

“We are glad to have been able to adapt to their evolving needs this past year and we will continue to help more people benefit from the digital economy as we head into a new year. We look forward to celebrating the year-end with all our users as we bring smiles to one another this holiday season,” Yu ended.

Smart ambassador Maine Mendoza

Smart gives back to subscribers with bigger, better GigaMania LEADING mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is making the holiday season even more special by giving back to subscribers and turning them into big winners via this year’s GigaMania promo on the GigaLife App. Running until Feb. 6, Smart’s GigaMania promo offers millions worth of prizes in the form of daily freebies like data vouchers and GigaPay credits; weekly gadgets including iPhones, MacBook Air, Samsung devices, and gaming consoles; and a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid as grand prize. To know more about this Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), visit www.toyota.com.ph/corolla-cross.

More ways to win, more prizes, more winners “GigaMania is our annual big celebration to give back to our loyal and new subscribers, who are the reason for our continued growth. We are grateful that more Filipinos are entrusting their digital life to Smart, so we are leveling up GigaMania this year by having more ways to win, more prizes, and definitely more winners,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

GigaMania is open to all Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, Smart Bro, Prepaid WiFi and TNT subscribers who only need to download or update their GigaLife App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery, log in, and register to join the promo.

Upon successful registration, subscribers can start earning and accumulating GigaPoints as raffle entries for every transaction on the app – from buying prepaid promos, paying monthly bills, or doing simple challenges within the GigaLife App, among others.

Meanwhile, apart from big prizes, this year’s GigaMania will also soon enable subscribers to unlock more freebies and perks every time they log into the app through upcoming fun challenges. Up for grabs in these upcoming in-app activities are more GigaPoints, free GIGA Promos, GigaPay credits, and data freebies to keep subscribers connected to their favorite apps and sites.

C4 || TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 A grand slam...

From C1

winner of the Safest Mining Operation; plus, the individual awards of Best Surface Safety Inspector and Best Surface Miner accorded to HMC’s employees, Aldrin L. Resullar and Jennifer Q. Inting, respectively.

The PMIEA is the highest accolade awarded to a mining company. The evaluation and assessment for this year’s awardees encountered extra challenges with the threats of COVID-19 in the backdrop where movements were limited, the economy threatened, operations delayed, and bringing services to the communities were among the biggest challenges to the company’s community workers.

HMC had set its eyes on these awards for years.

The company remains steadfast, focusing on specific goals that the

Nurturing Responsible Mining award giving body monitors and measures, such as the actual number of hectares to be rehabilitated as mandated by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, even going outside of their areas of responsibility in supporting the Philippine National Greening Program; building a robust forest within the mine site, highlighting eco-tourism programs; setting up its host and neighboring communities to sustainable economic development programs; among other things. And to ensure that compliance is above and beyond its mandate, HMC underscores the efficiency of reporting, of transparency, giving importance to its Information, Education and Communication programs.

“The bar in honoring mining companies has been set even higher, what with the added focus on the principles of ESG— Environment, Social and Governance — in the midst of ongoing debates about

climate change,” says Engr. Aloysius C. Diaz, NAC SVP and Head of Production.

Diaz says the miners, HMC in particular, are now even more cognizant of peer reviews because the world has become more critical in holding the industry accountable for a greener, healthier, and safer future.

PMIEA evaluates all facets of a mining company’s responsible and sustainable business practices, keenly focusing on environmental protection and management; and ensuring the health and safety of employees and the total wellbeing of the people in the communities that they serve.

The Hinatuan mine site, also known as the “Tagana-an Nickel Project”, is located in Hinatuan Island, Barangay Talavera, municipality of Tagana-an, province of Surigao del Norte. Its area of operations is within the Surigao Mineral Reservation.

Renewable energy provider SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) overcame COVID-19 associated challenges to conclude successful tree planting activities in celebration of World Environment Month.

Through its partnership with Tinongdan Indigenous Peoples Organization Inc. (TINPO), SNAP-Benguet facilitated tree planting activities in Camaya, Binga, and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet.

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responsibly.

There may also be some scrap materials from mines that cause environmental pollution. Fortunately, these can also be recycled or sold to companies that can reuse them to reduce the amount of waste produced on-site.

Allowing shutdown mines to continue to stand open is a hazard not only to the community but to the environment too.

Often these mines still have hazardous waste on the property which can leak into the soil and water table or come into contact with the surrounding humans and animals living close by.

However, the best step that mining companies can do towards sustainability is to focus on mines that have been shut down. These mines can lead to illegal mining activity, which is why it’s important to close and reclaim them. Taking apart the mining processing facilities and plants will allow the pipelines to be drained and wastes disposed of properly and safely.

Focusing on more environment-friendly mining operations should also be a concern of the local government. While some mining companies may have shifted to more sustainable practices, lax regulations may encourage unsustainable practices to persist.

Mining remains a crucial operation in today’s world, as it was in the early years. Without mining, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the comforts that we have today. However, its negative impact on the environment can no longer go unnoticed, especially with climate change continuing to pose a threat.

Sustainable mining presents the most plausible solution for the survivability of mining in future generations.

Not only will it mitigate the harmful effects it has on the environment, but it will also preserve available natural resources that could last for years to come.