Manila Standard - 2022 January 20 - Thursday

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WHO WARNS PANDEMIC FAR FROM OVER, CITES OUTBREAKS FLARE GLOBALLY THE World Health Organization has the past 24 hours. pose fresh measures while speeding up sus told reporters from the agency's head- cases soaring past 100,000 for the first warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is The highly transmissible Omicron the rollout of vaccine booster shots. quarters in Geneva. time on Wednesday and France reportfar from over, as France, Germany and strain has spread unabated around the "This pandemic is nowhere near over," Europe is at the epicenter of alarm- ing nearly half a million cases.

Brazil posted new records of infections in world, pushing some governments to im- WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- ing new outbreaks, with Germany's Next page

POPE FRANCIS DONATES P5M FOR ODETTE SURVIVORS NEWS / A2

HIGH-RANKING JI GETS 15-YR JAIL TERM FOR BALI BOMBINGS VOL. XXXV • NO. 339 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WORLD / B2

PH posts 2 Omicron deaths

First-ever fatalities unvaxxed elderlies, 492 new strain cases detected

By Willie Casas

HE country has registered its first two deaths from the Omicron variant of COVID-19, both of them unvaccinated senior citizens with pre-existing medical conditions, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

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The DOH said the two fatalities yielded 492 new Omicron cases. were both detected during the latest “While Omicron mostly presents Next page whole-genome sequencing, which

PEACOCKS AND A JAB.

A health worker administers a COVID-19 vaccine booster inside the newly renovated Manila Zoo on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. The zoo has been transformed into a vaccine site for booster jabs and pediatric vaccination. Danny Pata

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Workers get hiked cash assistance, sickness benefits

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E. Zurbano

DISINCENTIVE FOR THE UNVAXXED. A 'no vax, no ride'

signage is displayed prominently in a passenger bus plying along Taft Avenue in Manila on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has clarified that unvaccinated workers in industries allowed to operate under Alert Level 3 are exempted from the 'no vax, no ride' policy.

Norman Cruz

THE Employees' Compensation Commission has approved higher sickness benefits and cash assistance for workers who will contract COVID-19, among other diseases.

The Civil Service Commission also ruled on Wednesday that workers who had to skip work due to COVID-19 related quarantine, isolation or treatment are considered excused.

Based on the ECC recommendation, workers who will get sick will receive P600 per day in sickness benefit and Next page P30,000 in cash assistance.

3,293,625 22,958

270,728

53,044

82

2,969,853 36,611 (As of 4 PM, JANUARY 19)

More drugstores eyed as jab sites, third national vax campaign set

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Senators chide Rody okays P1.18b for frontliners’ SRA Agri chief over By Macon Ramos-Araneta fish import plan

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATORS have strongly objected to the decision of the Department of Agriculture to import some 60,000 metric tons of fishes such as galunggong and mackerel.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar Next page

of eligible private healthcare workers and non-Department of Health plantilla PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has personnel who are directly catering to or approved the release of P1.185 billion in contact with COVID-19 patients and charged against the 2021 Contingent who have yet to receive the benefit.

Next page Fund to cover the Special Risk Allowance

Unusual plea of super rich: Tax us MORE than 100 millionaires made an un- found that a wealth tax on the world's richest people could raise $2.52 trillion usual plea on Wednesday: "Tax us now."

Their appeal came as a study backed per year – enough to pay for COVID by wealthy individuals and nonprofits Next page

THE government hopes to expand a pilot program in which pharmacies will administer booster shots against COVID-19, even as it prepares for a third nationwide mass vaccination drive that will include minors.

In a briefing Wednesday, Presidential Adviser for the COVID-19 Response, Vivencio Dizon, said the government aims to pilot test its “Resbakuna sa Botika” for a week starting today (Thursday) before expanding it to other parts of the country.

In Metro Manila, The Generics Pharmacy, Generika Drugstore, Healthway Clinic, Mercury Drug, Watsons, QualiMed, and Southstar Drug will participate in the pilot test, he said.

“Tomorrow, we will open four Next page

Duterte receives Sinopham shot, no ill-effects yet

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte did not experience any side effects from his Sinopharm booster shot despite lack of studies and data on using the vaccine as a booster against COVID-19, Malacanang said Wednesday.

“He did not experience any adverse effects yet as far as we know. He received Sinopharm as a booster,” Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

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News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pope gives P5m for Odette aid P Church-run Radio Veritas reported on Wednesday the Holy Father, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, allocated the financial aid for the rehabilitation of damaged homes and churches in provinces severely damaged by the disaster.

"It is intended to be an immediate

expression of the Holy Father's sentiment of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected," the Vatican said in a statement.

During his Angelus last December 19, the Pope extended prayers for the victims of the disaster caused by the typhoon.

At present, the social arms of the church, including Caritas Philippines and

Caritas Manila, are conducting relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the ten dioceses that were severely damaged.

Caritas Manila has distributed up to PHP20 million in cash assistance to the affected areas.

These are the Dioceses of Surigao, Tagbilaran, and Talibon in Bohol, Maasin, Cebu, Kabankalan and Dumaguete in Negros provinces, Taytay and Puerto Princesa in Palawan and the Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro. On the other hand, Caritas Philippines, headed by national director Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, continues to visit affected areas to personally extend financial assistance

PH...

The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death in the country, after ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases.

The Philippines logged 22,958 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 3,293,625.

The positivity rate reached 43.5 percent, based on 62,531 tests conducted on Jan. 17.

There were 82 new fatalities, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 53,044.

The DOH also reported 36,611 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 2,969,853.

There were 270,728 active cases, of which 8,335 were asymptomatic; 257,632 were mild; 2,970 were moderate; 1,487 were severe; and 304 were critical.

Nationwide, 49 percent of ICU beds, 51 percent of isolation beds, 53 percent of ward beds, and 23 percent of ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 53 percent of ICU beds, 48 percent of isolation beds, 60 percent of ward beds, and 29 percent of ventilators, were in use.

On Tuesday, the DOH urged local governments with low vaccination rates to prepare their health care capacity, given the steep increase in COVID-19 cases in regions outside of Metro Manila.

The top regions with new virus infections this month are the capital region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, the Cordilleras, and Ilocos region, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Metro Manila's neighbors Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have experienced an increase in cases as well, Vergeire said.

The provinces' daily virus cases increased to 1,400 in the last week of December from 153 during the first week of the same month, Vergeire added.

“We're seeing a steep increase in the number of cases in other regions,” Vergeire said. “We can't say definitely or with certainty that this is Omicron, but based on what we see here in NCR (National Capital Region), we’re seeing the same trend.”

Some 18 areas have also been placed under Alert Level 3, the third in a fivestep level.

“Areas with low vaccination rates need to prepare their hospital capacity,” she said.

“Eighteen out of 99 areas were placed under Alert Level 3, many of these areas have less than 40 percent vaccination rate,” Vergeire said.

Areas under Alert Level 2 must also ramp up their vaccination rate, Vergeire said.

“All of our vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective,” Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, independent OCTA Research Group said the one-week COVID-19 growth rate in highly urbanized cities outside the NCRPlus continues to accelerate.

“While growth rates have slowed in NCR Plus, they are still accelerating in many HUCs outside NCR Plus,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said on Twitter.

NCR Plus refers to NCR and its adjacent provinces.

OCTA's data show the cities with the highest growth rate from Jan. 12 to 18 were Tacloban with 469 percent, Cebu with 378 percent, and Davao with 305 percent.

OCTA’s data also showed that Baguio City and the NCR have a severe level of average daily attack rate (ADAR) at 130.56 and 111.47, respectively.

Tacloban had the highest reproduction number at 4.59 as of Jan. 15, followed by Cebu City at 4.51 and Baguio City at 4.28.

The reproduction number in NCR was at 2.07.

Reproduction number refers to the number of people infected by one case.

A reproduction number below 1 indicates infections are slowing down.

coronavirus restrictions on a large part of the country, including Tokyo, on Wednesday as it battles record infections fueled

by Omicron.

The restrictions in 13 regions, which mainly target nightlife and are far less strict than a blanket lockdown, will be in place from Friday until mid-February.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the government aimed to be "fully prepared" in the fight against the latest wave of COVID-19.

"We will not have excessive fear, and will work in close coordination with re-

gional governments. With scientific assessments from experts, the cooperation of medical workers and above all else, the cooperation of the Japanese public, we will overcome this situation,” he said.

Elsewhere in the world, Brazil registered a new record number of daily cases of more than 137,000 on Tuesday.

The country suffered a devastating second wave last year with deaths topping 4,000 a day, pushing its death toll to the second highest in the world behind the United States.

China partially relaxed transport restrictions in the megacity of Xi'an where millions have been confined to their homes for weeks.

China's resumption of some inter-city train routes in Xi'an from Tuesday comes just before the Lunar New Year holiday later this month, traditionally a period of mass travel.

It also comes as Beijing battles multiple clusters that are testing its enforcement of a strict "zero-COVID" approach ahead of next month's Winter Olympics.

AFP

nationwide vaccination drive that targeted to fully vaccinate 54 million adults by the end of 2021.

So far, a total of 56,027,759 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated while 5,362,518 have received their booster shots.

Also on Wednesday, Senator Joel Villanueva said pharmacists and other personnel in private drug stores that will serve as COVID-19 vaccination centers must receive the benefits granted to health workers under the 2022 national budget and other laws.

“Frontline health workers fighting against COVID should be entitled to and receive every benefit that the government can provide. It is their right, and the very least we can do to honor their dedication to end the pandemic,” the chairman of the Senate labor and employment committee said.

“If they get infected while doing their work, they should get free medical care and receive monetary compensation. This is what the law and common decency tell us to do,” Villanueva said.

Under the General Appropriation Act for 2022, health care workers who get sick with COVID-19 shall receive P15,000 in compensation for mild or moderate cases; P100,000 for severe or critical; and P1 million if resulting in death.

While workers in private pharmacies are not demanding pay for “the valuable public service they will be doing,” the government should compensate them properly, he said.

Workers...

also said, may be required to adopt work-from-home arrangements, adding that it may depend on the nature of the particular workers' work in pursuant to the agency's guidelines on alternative work arrangements.

Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there was a need to apologize to the public because the “no vax, no ride” policy was not adequately explained.

Bello on Tuesday said workers in industries allowed under Alert Level 3 are exempted from the "no vaccination, no ride" policy as they render essential services.

He said implementers of the policy might have just forgotten that workers were not covered by the ban.

Maybe in their enthusiasm to protect the public, they forgot that workers are exempted, he added.

Bello said unvaccinated and partially vaccinated workers only need to present their company IDs for them to be allowed in public utility vehicles.

A lawmaker on Wednesday sought a congressional inquiry into what she said was an illegal and discriminatory policy.

In a resolution, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas urged the House committee on health and committee on transportation to ask transport officials and affected sectors about the implementation of DOTr Order No. 001-2022. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

OPE Francis has donated around 100,000 euros (P5 million) as initial financial assistance for the victims of Typhoon Odette, which lashed Mindanao, the Visayas and the Bicol Region and Palawan last month.

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with asymptomatic and mild disease, our data shows that those most at risk for fatalities are still the elderly and those with co-morbidities and unvaccinated,” the DOH said.

A total of 492 new cases of the Omicron variant have been detected from the 714 samples sequenced on Jan. 14, the DOH said. There were also 115 cases of the Delta variant.

Of the Omicron cases, 332 were local and 160 were returning overseas Filipinos.

The DOH said three cases are still active, two cases have died, and 467 cases have been tagged as recovered. There are 20 cases whose outcomes are still being verified.

To date, the total number of confirmed Omicron variant cases is 535.

Of the additional 115 Delta variant cases, 88 were local cases and 27 were returning overseas Filipinos.

The DOH urged the public to follow protective health protocols and adhere to minimum public health standards due to high transmissibility of the Omicron variant and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

WHO...

From A1

The UN health chief warned against dismissing Omicron as mild, as the dominant COVID strain continues to flare new outbreaks from Latin America to East Asia after it was first detected in southern Africa in November.

"Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading," he said.

Japan's government approved new

More...

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pharmacies in Metro Manila and on Friday, we will open three, including two clinics. And in the coming weeks, we will expand that. The goal is for us to bring vaccination closer to our countrymen so that they can be vaccinated even faster and more people can be vaccinated,” he said in Filipino.

Dizon said the pharmacies will administer only booster shots.

Meanwhile, he said, the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) is just waiting for daily cases to slow down before rolling out another round of the National Vaccination Days throughout the country.

The government aims to have 77 million Filipinos complete their COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the first quarter.

Acting presidential spokesman and Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is eyeing the first quarter of the year to conduct another nationwide vaccine drive to include minors.

He said the Omicron variant continues to pose a threat to the country’s health care system capacities, as he underscored the need to ramp up vaccination in other regions as the National Capital Region (NCR) and its neighboring provinces registered sharp increases in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Last year, the government conducted a

Duterte...

From A1

In his Talk to the People briefing on Jan. 6, Duterte mentioned in passing that he has received his booster shot.

The President received the Sinopharm vaccine for his initial vaccinations.

“Again, we reiterate that this is something between the President and his personal physician,” Nograles said.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Sinopharm for emergency use only last June, even though several administration allies and Duterte had admitted to using the Chinamade vaccine well before the agency authorized it.

The government is still waiting for data to recommend the best booster shots for individuals who have received

the Sinopharm vaccine as initial doses, Nograles said.

He noted that there is no adequate information yet from the vaccine's manufacturers as to what brands can be used as booster doses for those who got the Chinese-made vaccine as their primary dose series.

Even the Department of Health admitted that there was no data available elsewhere "abroad and in the country and even from Sinopharm" regarding this matter.

Despite this, discussions between the National Vaccination Operations Center and manufacturers are ongoing, Nograles said.

"Our discussions with the manufacturers are continuous so that we can provide recommendations as to the appropriate booster shots for those who got it as the first two doses," he said.

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"We have already submitted this to Malacañang," ECC executive director Stella Banawis said.

At present, workers stand to receive P480 in sickness benefit and P10,00 cash assistance which they can apply for with the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System.

Meanwhile, the CSC issued Resolution 2101122 which amended the interim guidelines on the use of leave credits for absences due to COVID 19-related quarantine or treatment.

“Absence from work for every instance of the required quarantine period, isolation, and/or treatment for government workers who are infected or identified as close contacts of a suspect, probable, and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19 while in the performance of their official functions (onsite or WFH arrangement) shall be considered as excused absence,” the commission said in the resolution.

The commission also cited the need to consider the predicament of government workers, aside from public health care workers, who are repeatedly exposed to COVID-19 in performing their official duties due to face-to-face interaction with clients and co-workers, or due to community transmission.

Government workers, the commission

Rody...

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Senator Christopher Go said it was just proper to give them additional compensation in recognition of their sacrifices.

The Department of Budget and Management has previously released P8.189 billion for SRA benefits which covered 497,043 healthcare workers.

The monthly SRA is at around P5,000, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a recent meeting with Duterte.

Duterte said the P5,000 SRA is "too small, considering the attendant danger to the health care workers."

"They should be given more. Take into account the possibility of danger, that they themselves will get the virus," the President said.

and determine the extent of the damage from the recent calamity.

The announcement of the donation emerged as officials said the number of families affected by Typhoon Odette had reached 2,336,249, more than a month after it swept through many areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

These affected families are in 8,910 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

"I will increase this. I cannot say yet by how much, though," Duterte said, adding that he will have to take it up with the Budget department.

Earlier, Go urged concerned authorities to exercise flexibility in implementing the terms of the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which serves as the legal basis for the SRA. Given the significant number of COVID-19 cases admitted in the country's healthcare institutions, Go said practically all healthcare workers are entitled to the benefit.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2421 which will provide health workers with a fixed monthly COVID-19 Risk Allowance for the duration of the current state of emergency in lieu of the SRA and other financial compensation granted under Bayanihan 2.

COVID BRIEFS 'Bar unvaxxed PAO chief from working' A HIGH government official who defies the administration's vaccination policy should not be allowed to report to work, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said.

Drilon said Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta's admission that she remains unvaccinated is "a slap in the face" of the government's vaccination campaign.

He said Acosta is putting the life, health and safety of her co-workers in danger.

“Until she gets vaccinated, she should be barred from reporting to work," Drilon said. Macon Ramos Araneta

Wear double masks amid Omicron threat HEALTH experts have advised the public to wear a surgical mask beneath a cloth mask amid the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant.

Dr. Edsel Salvana of the Department of Health-Technical Advisory Group said cloth masks alone were no longer sufficient due to the high viral load of Omicron.

"At the very least, a surgical mask is in order. You can combine a surgical mask with a cloth mask to improve the fit. But don’t wear two surgical masks,” Salvana said.

Salvana also recommended the use of the KN95 or the N95 masks. Willie Casas

11 antigen producers seek FDA approval POPE gives P5m for Odette survivors A total 11 manufacturers of self-administered antigen test kits have applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval, the Department of Health said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Roasrio Vergeire said the FDA would evaluate the antigen test kits before sending these to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for performance validation.

The Department of Trade and Industry is supporting the granting of special emergency use authorization to antigen manufacturers to facilitate the commercial sales of the home-based test kits. Willie Casas and Othel Campos

Senators...

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said Tuesday there was a need to import 60,000 metric tons of small pelagic fish to meet the demand for the first quarter of 2022 due to the damage incurred by the fishery sector from Typhoon Odette in December last year.

Dar also announced the signing of the Certificate of Necessity to Import after the assessment showed significant damage and reduced fish production, especially galunggong (round scad), sardines, and mackerel.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Dar said they were working to remedy the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ projection of a 119,000 MT fish supply deficiency during the first three months.

But Senators Imee Marcos, Francis Pangilinan, Panfilo Lacson and Emmanuel Pacquiao called on the government not to allow the importation, stressing it would kill the country's fish industry.

"Stop that importation," said Marcos as she noted that there were at least 35,000 metric tons still unsold from 2021 importation plus those still to be delivered for the first quarter of 2022. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Unusual...

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vaccines for everyone and pull 2.3 billion people out of poverty.

In an open letter to the World Economic Forum's online Davos meeting, 102 millionaires, including Disney heiress Abigail Disney, said the current tax system is unfair and "deliberately designed to make the rich richer."

"The world – every country in it – must demand the rich pay their fair share," the letter says. "Tax us, the rich, and tax us now."

Their plea follows a report by global charity Oxfam this week which said that the world's 10 wealthiest men doubled their fortunes to $1.5 trillion during the first two years of the pandemic while inequality and poverty soared.

"As millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair," says the letter circulated by groups including Patriotic Millionaires, Millionaires for Humanity, Tax me Now, and Oxfam.

"Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemic – yet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes." (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

VMS in vessels is voluntary, not mandatory: BFAR

TAX QUEUE.

Quezon City taxpayers line up at the lobby of the Quezon City Hall to renew and pay their business taxes. The deadline for payment/ renewal is on April 20.

Taxpayers are required to be fully vaccinated to enter Quezon City Hall. Manny Palmero

By Othel V. Campos THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared that the compliance of its controversial regulation which requires the installation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) and electronic reporting system (EPS) for commercial Philippine-flagged fishing vessels, will be voluntary, not mandatory.

During the virtual consultative meeting with the industry’s stakeholders on Tuesday, Atty. Michael Andayog, Officer-In-Charge of BFAR’s Fisheries Regulatory and Licensing Division (FRLD), announced that the installation of the VMS 100 transceiver as mandated by the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 is no longer mandatory.

“We are aiming for voluntary compliance by the commercial vessel (because) we are tentatively, we have a possible schedule for installation of VMS,” Andayog told the owners and operators of commercial Philippine-flagged fishing vessels who attended the consultation and orientation meeting called by BFAR. “So more or less voluntary. We are not saying mandatory or imposing this requirement as of now,” he said, even as he noted that there are companies that “have signified intention or interest to the compliance.”

IN BRIEF NGCP restores power in Bohol, other areas GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has restored all 69 kiloVolt (kV) transmission lines affected by Typhoon Odette after completing the UbayTrinidad-Carmen 69kV line serving the franchise areas of Bohol Electric Cooperative I and BOHECO II. NGCP said in a statement Wednesday the line was restored at 11:19 AM of January 18, 13 days ahead of its target schedule.

NGCP is working on restoring the two remaining 138kV lines in the province to establish a connection to the grid, and serve as an internal backbone. Alena Mae S. Flores

DOJ assigns prosecutors in probe vs 17 PNP men

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a panel of prosecutors to conduct the preliminary investigation of the murder complaint filed against 17 policemen allegedly involved in the killing of a couple during operations to ferret out persons suspected of links to communist groups in Region 4 on March 7, 2021

The DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General through spokesperson Assistant State Prosecutor Honey Rose Delgado on Wednesday said Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento himself assigned the prosecutors who will comprise the panel.

Delgado did not identify the members of the investigating panel. The panel has yet to issue subpoenas to

the 17 respondents as no setting has been made yet for the start of the preliminary investigation.

“No setting yet sa PI but we will coordinate with the panel kung kailan sila mag-set (No setting yet for the PI but we will coordinate with the panel as to when they will set it),” she assured,” Delgado said.

It can be recalled that the joint po-

lice-military operations in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal resulted in the deaths of nine activists and injuries to several others.

The deaths in the operations are being probed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which is a member of the AO 35 Inter-Agency Committee on InterAgency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of Persons.

Charged with murder by the NBI before the DOJ include members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Region IV-A.

Agents nab American wanted for child porn BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents arrested an American fugitive wanted in his homeland with 34 cases of child pornography.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. identified fugitive as Gregory Evans Nelson, 68, who was arrested at Brgy. Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

According to Manahan, a manhunt was conducted by the BI’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit (RIOU) 10 after receiving reports from US authorities that said alien is the subject of thirty-four arrest warrants in the United States for charges related to possession and distribution of child pornography. Vito Barcelo

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NO VAX, NO RIDE IN CAVITE. A minibus displays a “No Vaccine, No Ride” sign while plying the Rosario to Bacoor route in Cavite Province. The sign is meant for commuters to follow the local government’s health protocols in Cavite, which is under Alert Level 3. JR Josue

PrimeWater rolls out community-based bills payment for customers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRIMEWATER Silang (Cavite) with its joint-venture partner Silang Water District (SWD), said it has enhanced its Barangay Payment Partner (BPP) program that will give customers the option to pay their water bills in the nearest payment center instead of commuting to the town proper.

Aside from promoting hassle-free payment, the program is seen to create barangay-based consumerism during the current pandemic which will be beneficial to all.

The BPP is among the numerous service enhancements PrimeWater and its joint venture partner have accomplished in the last two years. It has also completed nine new pumping stations including four steel bolted tanks, and 267 km of pipelines laid throughout its concession since the partnership in 2019.

The BBP is a program derived from the concept of community-based online entrepreneurship that will give added income to payment partners who are also micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

It encouraged able members of the community to become payment partners as their additional source of income and at the same time, gave convenience to customers who do not have to travel far to settle their bills.

“This pandemic has stretched us to the core. Aside from our continuous efforts in keeping ourselves away from the virus, we also felt that there is a constant need to think of means on how to survive and carry on as a community,” said Abigail Mojica, PrimeWater Silang Branch Manager.

Govt, private sector pact on tech investments crucial to PH recovery THE government should continue its collaboration with the private sector to establish longterm and sustainable programs in the information technology (IT) sphere, according to a think-tank.

“Investments in technology contemplate the future; they generate exponential benefits not only to today’s Filipinos but the next generation,” said Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase ADRi. He said the prolonged lockdown hastened Filipinos’ adoption of technology not only in their professional but also in their personal lives.

“We learned it was possible to buy our groceries or medicine, talk to a doctor, and con-

duct our banking affairs online. Our children went to school online. Connectivity became a basic human need.”

But the government has its hands full with responding to the pandemic and to other problems like endemic corruption.

The private sector plays a crucial role in assisting the government to overcome challenges, and the public is aware of this crucial role.

Surveys by top polling firms Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia, both commissioned

by Stratbase, support Manhit’s statements that the people are cognizant of the crucial role that the private sector plays.

Cash aid program eyed by end-January THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is eyeing to start its cash aid program for private-sector workers affected by the implementation of Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila and other areas by the end of January.

The DOLE said it will start accepting applications for the program which will give a one-time P5,000 aid to affected workers.

DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said the draft guidelines for the program have already been presented to DOLE Secretary Sil-

vestre Bello III for his approval. The DOLE said the guidelines contain the requirements and eligibility for the agency’s P1-billion COVID Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP) 2022.

The DOLE said overall, CAMP 2022 is expected to benefit 200,000 workers nationwide.

Tutay said once signed by Bello, the guidelines will be made public and will be published in newspapers. The official said the DOLE is also looking at opening the applications for the cash aid by “next week.”

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11 mayors from CamSur pledge to back Marcos

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

KIDS’ VAX. Parents accompany their children who are scheduled to be inoculated with the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas campus in Cavite on Wednesday. The government targets to expand the inoculation drive to kids 5 to 11 years old by February. Gil Calinga

Robredo nixes postponement of village polls

By Rio N. Araja VICE President Leni Robredo is opposing another postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabayaan elections on Dec. 5 this year.

The presidential bet reasoned an election is a “democratic process where the people can make their voices heard.”

The postponement would only deprive the people to choose their leaders, Robredo said.

“The election is not just a simple installation of officials in a position, isn’t it? It is a democratic process to hear the voice of all. To postpone it anew would take a new law to be passed,” she said.

In November 2021, Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Almario filed a House Bill seeking the postponement of the barangay and SK elections to May 2024.

He stressed the need for the continuity in the delivery of government services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Robredo called on Filipinos to get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases continue to escalate in the country, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Robredo made a Facebook Live broadcast from Magarao, Camarines Sur, where she was observing the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Vaccine Express.

At a time when the government is cracking down on the unvaccinated, Robredo reiterated her stand against strong arm tactics to convince people to get their shots.

Robredo has consistently highlighted her Vaccine Express program as an example of how vaccination programs can reach out to people reluctant to get their shots against COVID-19.

The Vaccine Express program is a volunteer driven OVP initiative that offers free COVID-19 vaccination and helps local government units who have vaccine supplies but lack qualified personnel to administer them to the public.

It also gives incentives such as bags of rice, relief packages, and health kits to encourage people to get vaccinated.

Aside from its vaccination program, OVP also has the teleconsulation program, Bayanihan E-Konsulta, and its free antigen testing Swab Cab project as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

Comelec: No delaying cases against Marcos

By Rey E. Requejo

A

N OFFICIAL of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday shrugged off claims that they are delaying the resolution of the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., to allegedly favor one party.

“So, it is not correct to say that we are delaying in order to favor one party,” said First Division Presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon in a Facebook live video.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has stopped the Comelec from enforcing its

December 13, 2021 resolution, which declared Norman Cordero Marquez a “nuisance candidate” and cancelled his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the senatorial elections.

In a resolution, the SC issued a temporary restraining order enjoining the

Comelec and directed it to comment on Marquez’s petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of notice.

The TRO was issued on Wednesday

by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo “upon the written recommendation of the Member-in-Charge,” referring to the justice to whom the petition was assigned during raffle. A copy of Marquez’s petition was not available.

The Comelec also reset the start of the printing of the official ballots for the national and local elections to Thursday instead of yesterday due to various technical factors.

AT LEAST 11 mayors in Camarines Sur, a known bailiwick of Vice President Leni Robredo, have expressed support for the presidential bid of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during a private meeting in Makati City last Monday.

During the same meeting, the mayors urged Marcos to solve the decades-long insurgency problem in the province should he win the May 9 presidential elections.

The mayors at the meeting included Fermin Mabulo of San Fernando town; Migay Ibasco from Bula; Tom Bocago of Sipocot; Melanie Abarientos of Del Gallego; Weny Sabalbero of Cabusao; Nelson Legaspi of Canaman; Anthony Reyes from Milaor; Ed Severo of Calabanga; Chris Lizardo of Minalabac; Leonardo Agos of Gainza; and Boy Franco of Pamplona.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, will take on an innovative on-the-road campaign show starting February 1 amid social gathering restrictions due to the COVID-19 surge.

Dubbed “Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride,” Duterte shall campaign for her own vice presidential bid in the same way she pushed for Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s senatorial candidates in the 2019 elections—through motorbike rides.

Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF Defend academic freedom – UP profs A YEAR after the unilateral accord termination between the Department of National Defense and the University of the Philippines, the latter’s faculty members under the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) on Wednesday urged national candidates in the 2022 elections to take a stand to defend academic freedom.

“Candidates in the 2022 election, especially UP alumni running for office, must stand against red-tagging, book purgings, and other attacks on academic freedom that ultimately aim to repress dissenting voices and critical thinking in the University,” UP history professor Francisco Jayme Paolo Guiang of Tanggol Kasaysayan said. Rio N. Araja

DOE told to ensure power for elections

EDUCATION BOOST. Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman (second from left) listens to the emcee as the local government distributes laptops and printers to education personnel of the city on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Wednesday has asked the Department of Energy to ensure sufficient power supply in the summer especially during the May elections.

Deputy Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles made the statement as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) forecasted thin energy supply during the dry season due to increased demand, possibly affecting the national elections.

According to Nograles, “We should do everything to prevent outages especially during the elections. We do not want the credibility of the May 2022 elections to suffer just because we can’t solve brownouts.” Maricel V. Cruz

Ping: PH badly needs politics anchored on service, not self-interest

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson said of the two kinds of politics now emerging, he said the Philippines badly needs one that is anchored on service, not one based on self-interest.

He stressed this Wednesday as Filipinos continue to reel from a pandemic

and the effects of Typhoon Odette.

“During a pandemic and after a calamity, two kinds of politics emerge the politics of service helps the victims; the politics of interest helps the politicians,” he said.

He commended the government troops who continue to conduct, without fanfare, relief missions for victims

of Odette, which devastated several areas in the country late last year.

Earlier, he thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard for quietly helping deliver relief assistance to areas hit by Odette.

“When the cameras and photo ops stop and the victims are in danger of being forgotten, that’s when the real he-

roes emerge,” he noted.

In contrast, he reiterated there is never a time for politics of interest, including “calamity politics” where some personalities use disasters for publicity.

Throughout his public life, Lacson has earned a reputation for quietly helping victims of calamities as well as individuals in need.

Isko: Manila ready to procure anti-COVID Bexovid

MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday said the city government will soon have its own supply of the much anticipated antiviral drug Bexovid, the world’s first generic version of Pfizer’s Paxlovid, which is used for treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

Updating the public via Facebook live, Moreno said the city’s application for a

compassionate special permit (CSP) has been recently granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing the city government to procure Bexovid.

Also, he said the City of Manila’s aggressive campaign to vaccinate and provide booster shots to as many people as possible amid the surge in COVID-19 achieved positive results, after

more than 23,000 individuals took the jab on January 17, the highest figure registered since July of last year.

Domagoso made the disclosure after official data released by the Manila Health Department revealed that a total of 23,676 persons were vaccinated on Monday with either their first dose, second dose, or booster shot. Rey E. Requejo

Party-list to Ong: Surrender seat, salary, benefits

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST group rocked by internal dissension on Wednesday urged a nominee who has abandoned the group to formalize his resignation from the party and stop receiving salaries, benefits and other emoluments

given to the members of the House of Representatives.

Lawyer Jose Bartholomew Buenagua of Ang Probinsyano Party-List at the same time, urged former Ang Probinsyano party-list nominee Ronnie Ong to submit his resignation as well as documents proving that the House has

approved such resignation.

“We would like to state that Rep. Ronnie L. Ong, while publicly claiming he has resigned from Ang Probinsyano and has joined a new party list, has not yet submitted any formal resignation notice, document, or communication to our party,” Buenagua said in a statement.

IN MEMORIAM. A staffer arranges a collection of books written by the late National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil José at the Solidaridad bookstore owned by his family along Padre Faura in Malate Manila on Wednesday. Sionil died on January 6 aged 97 and was buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City on Tuesday, January 18. Danny Pata

Opinion Not enough basis

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

As elections draw near, we can expect more discussions, debates, and issues to surface.

We give credit to COMELEC for including Marcos in the printing of official ballots. While we await the decisions for the other disqualification cases, I am confident that COMELEC will see past the political agenda behind these and rule on the cases fair and square. The rule of law and right to due process must always be upheld.

At the end of the day, Marcos, Jr. has rectified the alleged violations he made.

He has exhibited his qualifications as a public officer when he won the elections several times after the finality of his tax cases. Without a clear case of disqualification, his right to run for public office remains unbridled.

As elections draw near, we can expect more discussions, debates, and issues to surface. Hence, it will be useful to keep an attentive eye, a listening ear, and a discerning mind for the months to come until election day. As I always say, I hope the people are more circumspect in choosing and electing the next leaders who will usher the country towards recovery. Our country needs leaders who are proven competent and genuinely dedicated to public service in both the local and national arena.

Defend academic freedom

O

NE YEAR after the Defense Department unilaterally ended the 1989 accord to keep police and military personnel off the campuses of the University of the Philippines (UP), the Senate has an opportunity to restore—and institutionally protect—the agreement that kept students and faculty safe from possible abuses.

In January 2021, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzano, citing alleged “clandestine recruitment” of students into communist organizations, said his department had ended the three-decade-old agreement with the premier state university that barred police and military personnel from entering any of its campuses without notifying school officials.

He charged that the agreement was being used by communist recruiters and supporters as a shield, and that it was being terminated for the reasons of national security and the safety of UP students.

The unilateral decision has since been denounced by university officials, lawmakers, activists and UP alumni, who saw it as a form of intimidation and an assault on academic freedom.

In September, the House of Representatives approved a bill institutionalizing the 1989 accord—but administration lickspittles filed a belated and irregular motion in Oc-

tober to block the bill, which passed on third reading on Sept. 21.

We will be watching our lawmakers and the sides they take on this issue.

In the upper chamber, meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Senate committee on higher education, said he was prepared to sponsor the committee report seeking to institutionalize the 1989 agreement to uphold academic freedom.

Senate Bill No. 2002 seeks to amend Republic Act 9500 or the UP Charter Act of 2008 to require prior notification on the entry of police and military units in all UP campuses.

“Except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency... no member of the AFP, the PNP, or other law enforcement agencies shall

or imprisonment” with the word “and,” to make it appear BBM should have been meted both penalties.

What, then, is the basis for Te’s group’s petition?

But more importantly, as pointed out by the Court of Appeals in its decision regarding the case, BBM did not commit tax evasion as taxes from his income, being a government official during the time in question, were automatically withheld. He, BBM, was found guilty of not filing his income tax returns during those periods, which the Court said, does not constitute tax evasion.

How can this group now rebuild its credibility?

Comelec’s Second Division stated it clearly, “Failure to file an income tax return is not a crime involving moral turpitude,” basing it on an earlier Supreme Court division ruling also involving Marcos.

Further, in a separate opinion, Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho, Jr. explained that the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, while contained in PD 1994, should expressly be written by the CA. And because it was not, then there’s no perpetual disqualification.

BBM’s spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez hit the nail on the head when he described the petition filed by Te’s group as a manifestation of their “mere creativity for writing and wanting what is not written in the law as basis to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Presidential Aspirant Bongbong Marcos is way too frivolous and unmeritorious to override the basic precepts of the Constitution.”

Nonetheless, Rodriguez said that “after granting the petitioners’ right to have their day in court where their case was fully heard and ventilated, the Comelec has unanimously spoken — the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Bongbong Marcos was denied.”

BBM avid supporter, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan senatorial bet Larry Gadon, said the Comelec decision was expected.

“I have predicted and expected the outcome of these nuisance cases which are intended to create some damage to the popularity of BBM which backfired as his ranking in all the surveys have even surged tremendously,” Gadon said

enter the premises of any of the UP campuses or regional units,” the bill reads.

The service of search and arrest warrants within UP premises shall be done after prior notification is given to the university, it added.

The bill also states that the arrest or detention of any UP student, faculty, or personnel anywhere in the Philippines must be reported immediately by the responsible head of the AFP, PNP, or other law enforcement agency unit to the university authorities. They shall not be subjected to custodial investigation without prior notice to UP authorities.

Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Sonny Angara, who all studied in UP, co-authored the bill. Activists have urged other UP alumni such as Senators Frank Drilon, Richard Gordon, Francis Pangilinan, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Aquilino Pimentel III and Cynthia Villar to support the bill.

We can probably discount administration loyalists and rabid anti-communists in the Senate, but in this election year, the public will be watching which of our lawmakers stand up for academic freedom, and which of them side with red tagging and intimidation.

AFP modernization

Stupidity or incompetence?

LAST Monday, the Second Division of the Commission on Elections dismissed the petition filed by a group, led by former Supreme Court spokesperson Ted Te, seeking to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard bearer, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. While I have always insisted in several discussions that the petitions against BBM would not prosper for several obvious reasons, I never imagined that the petition filed by Te, being a former SC spokesperson, would be dismissed either on the basis of stupidity or incompetence.

A lawyer of Te’s caliber surely should have not missed the constitutional provision on ex post facto law. I’m not a lawyer but I’ve learned about that in my political science class during college.

Using Presidential Decree 1994 which amended the 1977 tax code which took effect in 1986 and 1998 version of the tax code, Te’s group argued that BBM committed material misrepresentation in his CoC when he declared he was not meted a penalty of perpetual disqualification when he was convicted of “tax evasion” for his failure to file his income tax returns in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985.

While the 1998 version mandates a penalty of both fine and imprisonment for such offense, the 1985 amended tax code provides a choice of either fine or imprisonment.

First, assuming BBM was indeed convicted of tax evasion, the laws, as pointed out by Te’s group, would not apply to the PFP standard bearer as those laws took effect after the commission of “crime.”

The Second Division pointed out it was PD 1994 that made perpetual disqualification a penalty for tax convicts, and because it only became effective in 1986, it doesn’t cover the crimes of 1982 to 1984. As for taxable year 1985, Marcos was no longer a public officer when he was required to file his ITR in March 1986, as he and his family were forced into exile in February of that year.

In fact, it was Te’s group which committed misrepresentation when they substituted the word “or” in provision “fine

B1

EDITORIAL

Representative of the Second District of Ilocos Norte. Years before, he had also served as governor for two terms.

Hence, the political record of Marcos, Jr. is clear and indisputable. It seems that it is too late in the day to say otherwise.

JUST this week, the Commission on Elections Second Division released its decision dismissing the petition which urged Comelec to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. In its decision penned by Commissioner Socorro Inting, Comelec ruled that there was no false material representation in the filing of Marcos’ COC for President in the coming 2022 elections. The division also ruled that the penalty of perpetual disqualification from Presidential Decree No. 1994 does not apply to Marcos, Jr. I have to agree with the Comelec.

While indeed, Bongbong was convicted a few decades ago, the allegations and grounds cited in the petitions are not enough bases to disqualify him. The decision made by the Court of Appeals that is being questioned before COMELEC states that he was convicted for failure to file tax returns. While failure to file a tax return is a violation of the 1977 National Internal Revenue Code, this did not entail failure to pay taxes.

Bongbong did make payments of his taxes in the years cited by the petitioners.

Recall that in December last year, Marcos’s camp showed certification from the Bureau of Internal Revenue that it received payments for the years 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985. Clearly, the claims of non-payment are without merit.

Also, it bears noting that Bongbong has won a Senate seat in 2010 and, prior to this, a Congressional seat in 2007 as

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

IT USED to be that when we read about our Navy christening a “new” battleship, that ship is actually a 40-year-old refurbished surplus American navy ship turned over to us. Lately however, the AFP has been trumpeting new military acquisitions as part of our defense modernization program. The latest is the procurement of three batteries of the Indian manufactured land to ship supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles at a cost of about $375 million.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also just announced the procurement of additional 32 S-70i Black hawk helicopters from Poland to add to the 16 that were already delivered. This new procurement will cost more than $600 million. And, just a couple of weeks ago, Lorenzano also announced the artillery pieces, military trucks and light tanks acquired from Israel.

This did not include the contract that the Defense Department signed with Hyundai of South Korea for two navy corvettes to add to the two frigates that were already delivered. If we add the ten-brand new Coast Guard patrol ships acquired from Japan then our sea assets have increased quite a bit. The country seems to be quite in a hurry to modernize. One reason could be because the strategic picture in our neighborhood has changed radically.

Traditionally, our Armed Forces has always been inward looking.

The priority was in defeating the internal enemies of the state. Today, the national security situation inside the country has also changed. The government has signed a successful peace agreement with the MILF. The threat from the CPP/NPA has also been degraded to a degree that our defense establishment felt confident to shift to external defense. Admittedly, this move is heavily influenced by regional developments particularly in the South China Sea. As we all know, our giant neighbor China is claiming almost the entirety in a statement distributed to the media.

And despite the May 9 polls having multiple presidential candidates, Gadon predicts “BBM will win and he will be a majority elected president.”

However, I think that would be the

of the SCS and has occupied part of our exclusive economic zone.

The shift however, has exposed our total inadequacy to mount a credible defense in case of military emergency.

Since we have to play catchup with our neighbors, we seem to be on a buying binge. Of the so-called ASEAN 5 for instance, we are the only one without submarines. Catching up may not be so hard if we have all the resources but the problem is that we have always been plagued with the lack of it which necessitated careful and prudent allocation of resources so that the other needs of the country will not also suffer like health and education.

To us, it has always been a choice between guns or butter that’s why the choices were difficult. But because of external developments near our shores, we simply must address our external defense needs. We can no longer simply rely on the United States to give us their surplus defense equipment.

We have to look for other affordable sources.

Having modern weapons is not enough.

We also need the best training, organization and the right strategic plans.

For example, many of our Air Force helicopters are much older than the pilots flying them. This is the reason for the Black Hawk helicopter acquisition. Credit must be given to this administration and Secretary Lorenzana who worked tirelessly to convince Congress to loosen its purse and appropriate funds to modernize our military establishment to bring it at par with our neighbors. Hopefully, Congress will continue implementing the AFP Modernization Law passed during the term of the late President Noynoy Aquino. The 12 single-engine South Korean F-50 fighter planes now in the inventory of the Air Force least of all the worries now hounding Te’s group. Their problem now, especially Te, is rebuilding their credibility. Who would be hiring him as counsel now that he’s been exposed as someone whose knowledge of the law is questionable?

were also purchased during his term.

But compared to what our neighbors already have, all these acquisitions are still inadequate. Singapore and Thailand for instance are already looking at acquiring the fifth generation American F-35 stealth fighter jets. For us however, we are still studying the SAAB JAS 39 Gripen single engine multirole fighter jets of Sweden and the latest upgraded version of the fortyyear-old American F-16 Falcon which is the F-16V. As usual, the problem is cost as explained by Secretary Lorenzana.

Although we prefer American defense equipment, their prices are prohibitive.

This is the reason why we buy from cheaper sources like Turkey, from which we got attack helicopters.

Ordinarily, countries limit the sources of their military inventories to simplify logistics and maintenance.

We however, are maintaining American, British, Turkish, Israeli, Polish, South Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian hardware. Our AFP planners are almost certainly aware of the problems brought about by this situation but perhaps decided nonetheless to go ahead, believing that having the hardware outweighs the disadvantages.

We have to remember that having modern weapons is not enough.

We also need the best training, organization and the right strategic plans. We cannot for instance continue acquiring expensive air assets only to lose many of them by air accidents before using them in air combat as they are intended.

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Al-Qaeda-linked militant jailed for Bali bombings

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Blinken in Kiev for crisis talks amid warning of Russia attack

US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken landed in Kiev Wednesday for crisis talks with Ukraine’s leaders, after the 9/11 attacks on the United States, District Court. as diplomatic efforts to disN INDONESIAN ripped through two bars packed with forIndonesian prosecutors had said suade Russia from attacking court sentenced an eign tourists, and remain the deadliest Zulkarnaen set up the special JI cell and its pro-Western neighbour falmilitant assault in Indonesia’s history. described him as a “key asset” for the ter.

Al-Qaeda-linked a high-ranking member of group because of his experience a After talks last week failed CYANasMAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Islamist militant to 15 years theZulkarnaen, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group, trainer at militant camps in Afghanistan to ease fears, the White House in prison on Wednesday was arrested in December 2020 after and the Philippines. warned Tuesday that Russia spending nearly 18 years at large.

He was During the trial, Zulkarnaen denied inwas ready to attack Ukraine at for his role in the 2002 on trial for the Bali bombings, as well as volvement in the Bali bombings, but admit“any point.” bombings that killed more several other attacks carried out by the ted that they were carried out by his team.

It was a marked intensificaHe told the court that JI operatives did tion of its threat assessment than 200 people on the resort special unit under his command.

He “is guilty of committing terrorism not tell him about the attack in advance ahead of a meeting between island of Bali. and is sentenced to 15 years behind bars,” and that he was not involved in specific Blinken and Russian Foreign The blasts, which came just over a year said the presiding judge at East Jakarta planning. AFP Minister Sergei Lavrov expected in Geneva on Friday.

Hoping to show robust support ahead of the talks, the top US diplomat is making a oneday visit to Kiev in a show of support for Ukraine.

He was greeted by Ukrainian officials on an icy moonlit tarmac and will later meet President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Blinken heads Thursday to Berlin for four-way talks with Britain, France and Germany to seek Western unity.

“We’re now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine,” the White House’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

“No option is off the table,” she said, warning of an “extremely dangerous situation.”

And she said that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has created this crisis.”

Moscow has repeatedly WHITEOUT. A Palace guard stands for tourists in front of the snow-covered Gyeongbokgung Palace in denied that an invasion is central Seoul on January 19, 2022. AFP planned. AFP

A

Cambodia’s Kem calls for treason case to be dropped CAMBODIAN opposition leader Kem Sokha called Wednesday for treason charges against him to be dropped as his trial resumed after two years of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The case against the 68-yearold has been widely condemned as politically motivated and has dragged on for years.

He stands accused of conspiring with foreign entities to overthrow the government of strongman ruler Hun Sen, according to court documents – charges he vehemently denies.

As he left home on Wednesday, he urged the court to throw out the case.

“I have been waiting for so long for the court to proceed again so that these affairs can be finished,” he told reporters. Today, I hope the court will decide to drop the charges against me so that we can move forward to national reconciliation,” he said.

He added that he hoped he would be able to contest the national election in 2023.

Sokha’s trial began in January 2020, more than two years after

his arrest, but hearings were postponed in March that year following coronavirus restrictions.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in jail.

Sokha co-founded the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, once considered the main challenger to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) led by Hun Sen – who has ruled the country with an iron fist for 37 years.

Critics say Hun Sen has wound back democratic freedoms and used the courts to stifle opponents.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia

director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), said the “bogus, politically motivated charges” against Sokha should never have been brought to court.

“This whole charade has been about preventing anyone from using the ballot box to meaningfully contest Hun Sen’s leadership,” Robertson said in a statement.

Sokha was arrested in 2017 and his party dissolved ahead of widely criticized elections the following year – leaving the CPP to canter to victory virtually unopposed. AFP

Israel destroys Palestinian home in east Jerusalem ISRAELI police destroyed the home of a Palestinian family in the sensitive east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah early Wednesday, an AFP photographer reported.

The looming eviction of other families from Sheikh Jarrah in May last year fuelled an 11-day war between Israel and armed Palestinian factions in Gaza.

Before dawn, Israeli officers went to the home of the Salhiya family, threatened with eviction since 2017 and the center of an anti-eviction campaign in the Palestinian territories and further afield, according to a video posted online by the police.

Shortly afterwards, an AFP photographer witnessed the demolition of the house.

“Israel police completed the execution of an eviction order of illegal buildings built on grounds designated for a school for children with special needs from east Jerusalem,” a police statement said.

It said “members of the family living in the illegal buildings were given countless opportunities to hand over the land with consent.”

A police spokesman told AFP 18 family members and supporters were arrested during the operation for “violating a court order, violent fortification and disturbing public order,” but no clashes took place during the incident.

The Salhiya family has been facing the threat of eviction from their home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israel-annexed east Jerusalem since 2017, when the land where their home sits was allocated for school construction.

When police arrived to carry out the eviction order on Monday, Salhiya family members went up to the building’s roof with gas canisters, threatening to set the contents and themselves alight if they were forced out of their home. AFP

EVICTION. Israeli forces escort a man on crutches away from the ruins of a Palestinian house they demolished in Sheik Jarrah neighborhood on January 19, 2022. AFP

Fury over Hong Kong’s mass cull of hamsters, small pets over COVID HONG Kong’s government faced outrage Wednesday over its decision to cull hundreds of small animals after hamsters in a store tested positive for COVID-19.

Like China, Hong Kong maintains a staunch “zero-COVID” policy, stamping out the merest trace of the virus with contact tracing, mass testing, strict quarantines and prolonged social-distancing rules.

Their latest measures target hamsters and other small mammals – including chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs – which authorities on Tuesday said will be culled as a “precautionary measure.”

The drastic move came after hamsters

sold at the Little Boss pet shop tested positive for the Delta variant – now rare in Hong Kong.

Officials dressed in full PPE gear carried red garbage bags marked with biohazard warnings out of the shop on Tuesday night.

Authorities “strongly encouraged” anyone who bought a hamster after December 22 – right before Christmas – to give up their pet for culling.

Animal lovers across Hong Kong reacted with alarm: a Change.org petition garnered more than 23,000 signatures in less than a day, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) denounced the decision. AFP

Taiwan VP to attend Honduras inauguration with diplomatic ties in balance

(MS-JAN. 20, 2022)

TAIWAN said Wednesday its deputy leader will go to the inauguration of Honduran president-elect Xiomara Castro as the island faces the potential loss of yet another diplomatic ally in Latin America.

Castro said during campaigning that she would “immediately open diplomatic and commercial relations with mainland China” if she won.

Last month, neighboring Nicaragua switched its allegiance to Beijing, leaving Honduras as one of just 14 countries that still diplomatically recognize Taiwan rather than China.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its terri-

tory, to be retaken one day, by force if neces- tory in the November poll. sary, and has stepped up efforts to isolate it on “We have quite good communication and the world stage. interactions with president-elect Castro herself Taiwanese Vice President William Lai will and her team,” Yui told reporters when asked lead a 26-member delegation to attend the Jan- about her previous comments on recognising uary 27 inauguration, President Tsai Ing-wen’s Beijing. office said.

“They understand that ... the various coopHe is scheduled to hold a meeting with Cas- eration projects Taiwan has been promoting in tro “to exchange views on issues of mutual Honduras have really benefited the people,” he concern” during the six-day visit, according to said. deputy foreign minister Alexander Yui. Yui said in an interview with Honduran meTsai had said she hoped official relations dia last year that many promises from Beijing with Honduras would CYAN “continue to deepen” were unfulfilled MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK and left some countries in seriwhen congratulating Castro on her election vic- ous “debt traps.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

B3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market declines on profit taking

T

HE stock market retreated Wednesday on profit taking following a hefty sell-off on Wall Street overnight.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 82.42 points, or 1.1 percent, to 7,261.54 on a value turnover of 5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 103 to 75, with 50 issues unchanged.

Security Bank Corp., the eighth biggest lender in terms of assets, fell 4.5 percent to P107, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., dropped 3.3 percent to P204.40.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group declined 2.6 percent to P35, but Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitiz Group rose 5.5 percent to P33.55.

Meanwhile, growing fears about the US Federal Reserve’s plans to fight surging inflation by ramping up interest rates hit Asian markets again Wednesday, while oil prices extended their rally after a blast at a key pipeline.

A rise in prices since early 2021 has forced central banks around the world to

start winding back the colossal financial support put in place at the start of the pandemic, with many warning that failure to act could see them run out of control.

The stock market losses in New York continued in most of Asia on Wednesday.

Tokyo shed 2.8 percent, compounded by steep falls in market heavyweights Sony and Toyota.

Sony collapsed almost 13 percent—its biggest drop since 2008—on news that rival Microsoft would pay $69 billion for US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, betting big on the sector.

Toyota dived five percent after warning that it expected to miss its produc-

tion target for this fiscal year.

Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also in retreat.

However, Hong Kong edged up by the end following remarks from the Chinese central bank hinting it would unveil fresh economy-supporting measures, having cut interest rates on Monday for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Shanghai closed in negative territory.

Finance chiefs in several countries— including at the Bank of England—have already put the wheels in motion, but the main focus is on the Fed—the central bank of the world’s biggest economy— which has so far refrained from lifting rates, until now. With AFP

Oil prices hit 7-year highs on prospects of recovery NEW YORK—Oil prices hit their highest levels in more than seven years Tuesday, driven in part by hopes of a global economic recovery that would ramp up demand.

Stock markets however headed south, with US Treasury yields surging on expectations the Federal Reserve will have to unveil several interest rate hikes to tackle a worrying spike in inflation, leading the Dow to finish 1.5 percent lower on its first day back after a long holiday weekend.

European crude benchmark Brent North Sea reached $88.13 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate contract hit $85.74—the highest levels since October 2014—before easing slightly in later trading.

Expectations of Fed tightening continued to support the dollar.

A drone attack on Monday in Abu Dhabi claimed by Yemen’s Huthi rebels, which triggered a fuel tank blast that killed three people, also supported prices.

The group warned civilians and foreign firms in the United Arab Emirates to avoid “vital installations,” raising concerns about supplies from the crude-rich region.

“The suspected drone attack in Abu Dhabi underscores the ongoing threat against civilian and energy infrastructure in the region amid heightened regional tensions,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

“Reports of damage to fuel trucks and storage will concern oil market watchers, who are also keeping a close eye on the trajectory of ongoing nuclear talks between the US and Iran,” he added. AFP

World tourism set to return to normal by 2024—WTO MADRID, Spain—Tourism arrivals around the world are not expected to return to their pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest, the World Tourism Organization said Tuesday.

The highly contagious Omicron variant, though mild, will “disrupt the recovery” in early 2022 after last year saw four percent growth over 2020, according to the Madrid-based UN agency’s World Tourism Barometer.

Tourism revenue in 2020 was 72 percent down on the previous year— which closed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across world regions due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates and traveller confidence,” the UNWTO said in a press release.

In Europe and the Americas, foreign visitor arrivals surged by 19 percent and 17 percent, respectively, last year over 2020.

In the Middle East, however, arrivals declined by 24 percent in 2021, while in the Asia-Pacific region they were 65 percent below 2020 levels, and 94 percent down on pre-pandemic levels.

The statement said tourism professionals “see better prospects” for this year after turbulence in the early months because of the Omicron wave.

The agency predicts a 30 to 78 percent rise in international arrivals this year over 2021, while remaining far below 2019 levels.

Most experts say they do not foresee a return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024, it said. AFP

PSEi January 19, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 FAF 0.7 0.09 14.75% 2 HLCM 6.06 0.63 11.60% 3 BKR 1.8 0.15 9.09% 4 PRIM 1.3 0.1 8.33% 5 CIC 21.3 1.2 5.97% 6 VMC 2.54 0.14 5.83% 7 PHA 0.55 0.03 5.77% 8 AP 33.55 1.75 5.50% 9 I 0.84 0.04 5.00% 10 EVER 0.325 0.015 4.84%

NOT TO DRILLING. An activist holds a sign reading ‘Argentine Sea Without Oil’ during a demonstration against a project for offshore oil drilling off the coast of Mar del Plata, in this city about 400 km south of Buenos Aires, on January 18, 2022. AFP

Microsoft to buy gaming giant Activision Blizzard for $69b SAN FRANCISCO—Microsoft on Tuesday announced a landmark $69-billion deal to buy US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, betting big on the prospects of the video game market by scooping up the scandal-hit “Call of Duty” maker.

Acquiring the troubled but highly successful Activision will make Microsoft the third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony, Microsoft said—a major shift in the booming gaming world.

If the deal is confirmed, it will be the largest acquisition in the industry, far ahead of Take-Two’s $12.7 billion purchase of Zynga announced last week.

“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” Microsoft CEO Satya

Nadella said, referring to the virtual reality vision for the internet’s future.

Activision, the California-based maker of “Candy Crush,” has been hit by employee protests, departures, and a state lawsuit alleging it enabled toxic workplace conditions and sexual harassment against women.

Over the past seven months, the company has received about 700 reports of employee concerns over sexual assault, harassment or other misconduct, The Wall Street Journal has reported. In some cases, separate reports about the same incident have been received.

Nearly 20 percent of Activision Blizzard’s 9,500 employees have signed a petition calling for CEO Bobby Kotick to resign.

Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, but is expected to depart after the deal closes, the Journal reported.

The transaction—which is expected to be finalized by June 2023—is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory review and approval from Activision Blizzard’s shareholders.

“Acquiring Activision will help jump start Microsoft’s broader gaming endeavors and ultimately its move into the metaverse, with gaming the first monetization piece of the metaverse in our opinion,” Wedbush analysts said after the news broke.

“With Activision’s stock under heavy pressure (CEO related issues/overhang) over the last few months, Microsoft viewed this as the window of opportunity to acquire a unique asset that can propel its consumer strategy forward.”

This would be the largest buyout ever for the Redmond, Washington-based giant, well ahead of LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion. AFP

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 OPMB 0.01 -0.001 -9.09% 2 OPM 0.01 -0.001 -9.09% 3 MBC 9.02 -0.78 -7.96% 4 NOW 1.39 -0.11 -7.33% 5 X 0.4 -0.025 -5.88% 6 CA 45.55 -2.45 -5.10% 7 ANS 7.88 -0.42 -5.06% 8 ALLDY 0.59 -0.03 -4.84% 9 SECB 107 -5 -4.46% 10 UPM 0.0069 -0.0003 -4.17%

MOST ACTIVE

1 SPNEC 2 EMP 3 AP 4 ALI 5 MONDE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP) 213,286,000 349,118,720 17,274,600 326,493,558 9,239,100 306,645,630 7,333,800 257,328,585 14,146,700 234,195,462

6 ICT 1,061,350 219,028,066 7 SM 206,130 197,768,660 8 ACEN 20,666,400 196,310,072 9 SECB 1,750,430 189,803,990 10 SMPH 4,845,400 166,126,660

Disaster response wanting in Odette-ravaged regions THE Philippines does not learn from experience.

Super Typhoon Odette struck northeastern Mindanao and the central Philippines in December leaving a trail of destruction and killing over 400 people. About a month since Odette tore through these areas, typhoon victims are virtually left alone to pick up the pieces.

The government’s response to the disaster leaves much be desired. Those displaced were scouring for food, water and other basic necessities. Many were without temporary shelter, while others continue to suffer. Hundreds fell ill with diarrhea weeks after Odette wreaked havoc on southern Philippines.

The government in the aftermath of a disaster is bound to provide immediate assistance to the victims to improve their health and support their morale. Among other things, the state should build semi-permanent settlement in camps and other locations. Help may also include initial repairs to damaged infrastructure.

Disaster management must keep people safe and provide the basic needs of the people until the government or local government units find more permanent and sustainable solutions.

Rebuilding Rebuilding is another aspect of disaster management. Filipinos are by nature resilient.

They can easily get back on their feet and rebuild homes damaged by typhoons. But they need all the support they can get.

Thousands of Filipinos were left homeless

by Odette and they do not need another burden.

The sudden spike in the costs of construction materials, however, is compounding their miseries.

About 600,000 Filipinos were displaced by the typhoon as over 28,000 homes were destroyed in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands,

Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Palawan.

Similar to what happened when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013, the cost of construction materials, which are desperately needed by the thousands of people whose homes were destroyed by Odette last month, skyrocketed.

Residents of affected areas in Mindanao and Cebu have begun the process of rebuilding their homes. Unfortunately, the prices of some construction supplies have jumped due to high demand.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap has urged the national government to send construction supplies to the province, which has been severely hit by Typhoon Odette. The supply shortage in the province resulted in an increase in the prices of construction materials.

Complaints from netizens in the Visayas and Mindanao are now flooding social media as residents start to fix their houses damaged by the Category 5 winds when Odette made landfall nine times in the two islands.

Residents in Mindanao and Central Visayas who are desperately searching for construction materials to repair their home are also facing another hurdle—the implementation of Department of Trade and Industry’s Department Administrative Order (DAO) 20-10 series, which the DTI hurriedly issued in early 2020

without proper consultations with concerned industries.

The DAO mandates all raw materials used for roofing and general applications to submit product certification that their items are in compliance with the required thickness as specified in the directive. It generally covers all spectrum of the steel industry, including those that do not require specific thickness of steel coil materials in their operations and business areas.

Included in the DAO are foreign suppliers of galvanized flat sheet materials that are now required to submit PS License before their products can enter the local market.

The DTI issued a cease-and-desist order in 2020 preventing local steel makers to manufacture galvanized iron sheets that did not meet the agency’s specific thickness of steel coil materials.

The DTI should be reminded that its mandate is to make certain the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times, without denying legitimate businesses a fair return of investment.

Construction materials like cement, galvanized iron sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, batteries, electrical wires, light bulbs, and steel wires are part of these necessities.

DTI’s DAO 20-10 series, though, is counterproductive and anti-poor, especially now when the country is trying to recover from Odette. It will only further contribute to the skyrocketing prices of construction materials. This is the last thing that typhoon victims need in their darkest hour.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

B4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, January 19, 2022 -82.42 PTS. 7,261.54

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

859,128,309 69,899

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) 5,295,304,460.50 ADVANCES 75 DECLINES 103 UNCHANGED 50

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.3200

Japan

Yen

0.008725

0.4478

UK

Pound

1.359700

69.7798

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128343

6.5866

Switzerland

Franc

1.090156

55.9468

Canada

Dollar

0.799233

41.0166

Singapore

Dollar

0.740412

37.9979

Australia

Dollar

0.718200

36.8580

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

136.1454

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266539

13.6788

Brunei

Dollar

0.737681

37.8578

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030221

1.5509

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.9738

Euro

Euro

1.132900

58.1404

Korea

Won

0.000838

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.157389

8.0772

India

Rupee

0.013412

0.6883

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239120

12.2716

New Zealand

Dollar

0.676900

34.7385

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036311

1.8635 Source: BSP

PSE approves P10-b initial public offering application of CREIT

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Stock Exchange approved the P10.1-billion initial public offering plan of Citicore Energy REIT Corp., the country’s first energyfocused real estate investment trust, company officials said Wednesday.

CREIT plans to sell up to 3.2 billion common shares at a price of P3.15 apiece.

The IPO will enable the company to raise up to P10 billion in proceeds, which it will use to acquire properties in Bulacan and South Cotabato provinces.

CREIT is the real estate investment trust company owned by Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. and Citicore Solar Tarlac 1 Inc. The proposed offering will run from Feb. 2 to 8, with a target listing date of Feb. 17.

“CREIT is pleased to inform you that our application, both to the SEC and the PSE for the first Energy REIT, an alternative asset class combining the benefits of a stable and sustainable investment—for the environment, our communities and our children’s future—has been approved,” said CREIT president and chief executive Oliver Tan in a statement Aside from the PSE approval, the company received a pre-effective approval on Jan. 13 from the Securities and Exchange Commission which was based on updated third quarter of 2021 financial and operating results.

The company received on Nov. 16, 2021 an initial pre-effective clearance from the SEC based on its registration statement filing bearing first-half 2021 numbers.

“We are grateful for the insights and wisdom of both the SEC and PSE, for approving a landmark REIT product, paving the way for diversification of REIT products, ultimately benefitting the investing public,” said Tan. Unicapital Inc., the issue manager, and BDO Capital & Investment Corp. are the joint global coordinators. PNB Capital and Investment Corporation and Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines are the local underwriters while CIMB Investment Bank Bhd and CLSA Limited are the international bookrunners.

The company said it offers a unique value differentiation, with a green asset portfolio anchored on investing in and for the future.

POSITIVE WORKPLACE. Pfizer Philippines is certified as a positive workplace by Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture. In assessing the company for its certification, Great Place To Work surveyed a number of Pfizer employees, who have lauded the company for having an amazing workplace culture that allows them to grow and succeed. Pfizer successfully earned the achievement by reflecting their stated core values—courage, excellence, equity and joy—in their work environment. Through this framework, Pfizer employees enjoy a career with purpose, an inclusive community, equitable opportunities to grow and a quality work experience.

DOTR, Chinese firms sign P142-b PNR Bicol contract T

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Department of Transportation said Wednesday it signed a P142-billion contract with Chinese companies to build the first 380 kilometers of the Philippine National Railway Bicol Project from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay.

The agency through Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade signed the design-build contract with the joint venture of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co. Ltd. and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co. Ltd. The agreement covers the design, construction and electromechanical

works of the project.

“For our kababayans in the south who have dreamt of this project for so long, we are finally seeing the light of day.

This milestone is a huge leap towards realizing this long-awaited project—the PNR Bicol or the South Long Haul Project,” Tugade said.

“We are grateful to our development partners from China for supporting us in this endeavor and believing that the Filipino people deserve an improved quality of life,” he said.

Listed in both the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchange, CREC JV ranked 35th on the Fortune Global 500 list and fifth among China’s top 500 enterprises in 2021.

The first 380 kilometers of PNR Bicol from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay will span 39 cities and municipalities, four provinces and two regions. It will involve the construction of 23 stations, 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels and a 70-hectare depot in San Pablo, Laguna.

Banks in storm-hit areas preparing to resume operations

By Julito G. Rada

WATER CONTINGENCY. Manila Water Company Inc. readies its water supply contingency and augmentation programs, in coordination with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and National Water Resources Board, to help ensure availability of water to customers even during the dry months, when demand for water reaches its peak. These programs include operation of deep wells, maximization of the Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal, backwash water recovery and pressure management. Shown is the 63-year-old Balara Treatment Plant 2, Manila Water’s largest water treatment plant, whose yield comprise up to 75 percent of the company’s total production.

PAL keeps US flights as authorities resolve 5G transmitter issues PHILIPPINE Airlines said Wednesday it expects no cancellation of flights to the United States as American authorities resolved safety questions over the effect of new 5G transmitters on aircraft instruments when in the vicinity of certain airports.

The US Department of Transportation assured the aviation community that aircraft landing in US airports would not encounter interference from 5G radio waves, now that telecommunications companies agreed with the Biden administration to revise the deployment of the upgraded technology around key airports throughout the US.

“We welcome this development full of enthusiasm as we will be working with rail experts known for their efficiency and speed in building long haul railways,” said PNR general manager Junn Magno.

“This, along with our earnest goal to provide comfort and convenience to our commuters, will make this dream project a reality,” he said.

The project will be funded by official development assistance from China.

The Chinese government may finance up to 85 percent of the contract amount, with the balance to be funded by the local counterpart budget.

Along with future segments, PNR Bicol will consist of a 565-kilometer railway, connecting Metro Manila to the southern Luzon provinces of Sorsogon and Batangas.

Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Metro Manila and Bicol from 12 hours by road to as short as 4 hours.

PAL was preparing to cancel certain US-bound flights on remaining concerns over the 5G effect on flight safety.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority,” said PAL senior vice president for operations Stanley Ng. “We welcome the intervention of the US government and will continue to engage closely with the authorities, airports, aircraft makers and aviation safety professionals to ensure that every PAL flight is operated according to the highest safety standards,” Ng said.

The flag carrier said that in line with strict safety culture, it would continue to monitor developments and make ad-

justments if there would be changes that pose any impact on safety.

PAL flies regularly to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, and the continued safe operation of these flights will benefit the thousands of travelers, including US-based Filipinos, who prefer to fly on PAL’s convenient nonstop flights between Manila and the US mainland.

PAL flights to Honolulu and Guam and routes to other overseas destinations in Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East are not affected by the 5G concerns that involved only specific airports in the US mainland.

Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday it is closely coordinating with banks in areas affected

by Typhoon Odette to resume full operations.

“In the interim, affected banks have reported to the BSP that they have adopted shortened banking hours following power, telecommunication and internet disruptions caused by the typhoon,” the BSP said.

The BSP advised residents and consumers in these areas to adopt e-banking and digital payment services when possible and transact in banks and branch-lite units located in nearby areas where services are fully operational.

It said that to fast-track their return to full operations, affected banks were working with utility companies and other web service providers.

The banking community in affected areas said they were looking forward to the immediate full restoration of utility and internet services that would enable the resumption of banking operations.

The BSP assured regions devastated by the typhoon of adequate and uninterrupted supply of banknotes as the government, the private sector and international groups poured cash assistance in calamity-hit areas.

It also assured the public that it would continue to provide full tellering services and assist banks in their currency needs to meet demands in typhoon-struck provinces to support the immediate recovery of affected areas.

The government placed six regions under a state of calamity after Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc on Dec. 16. These areas are Regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13.

It said a state of calamity should speed up the flow of relief and rescue and the ensuing rehabilitation.

Manila Jockey sells 2.2-hectare Manila property to Megaworld

By Jenniffer B. Austria RACETRACK operator Manila Jockey Club Inc. said Wednesday it agreed to sell a 2.21-hectare property in Sta. Cruz, Manila to developer Megaworld Corp. for P1.88 billion.

The property forms part of the 16-hectare San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park—a mixed-use development in Manila and the former site of the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

“The definitive sale agreements shall be executed upon the submission of closing documents to the satisfaction of buyer,” said MJCI in a disclosure to the stock exchange Megaworld said in a separate disclosure the acquisition would expand the group’s portfolio in Manila.

“Currently, our big projects in the city of Manila are concentrated in Binondo district, particularly within our Lucky Chinatown project where we have a lifestyle mall, condominium towers, a cultural museum and a hotel. When we finalize the purchase of this land in San Lazaro, this will surely be part of our township portfolio expansion in Metro Manila,” said Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan. Megaworld has around 300 hectares of land bank across the National Capital Region covering nine integrated urban townships and lifestyle estates in Quezon City, Taguig City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, Pasig City and Manila.

The company has close to 5,000 hectares of land bank across the Philippines.

MJCI started to redevelop its old racetrack after transferring its horse racing operations to a 77-hectare property in Carmona, Cavite in 2003.

IN BRIEF Ford reports 35% growth in PH sales

FORD Philippines announced a 35-percent growth in vehicle sales to 20,008 units in 2021 from 14,820 units in 2020, led by the demand for Ford Ranger and Ford Territory sports utility vehicles.

The Ranger was the top-selling Ford vehicle in 2021, with full-year retail sales reaching 9,184 units. The Ranger remained the best-selling 4x4 pickup truck with 5,490 vehicles sold led by the Ranger Raptor, cornering a market share of 36 percent in the 4x4 pickup segment.

Ford expanded its pickup portfolio last year with the launche of the new Ranger lineup, the performance-ready FX4 MAX, and the limited-edition Raptor X, complementing the diverse needs and lifestyles of customers.

“The Ford Ranger drove our strong retail performance last year as we continue to offer a pickup truck that is tough, capable and versatile. We also strengthened our connection with our customers through ‘Live the Ranger Life’, which showcased how the Ford Ranger enables their needs, passions and goals in life,” said Ford Philippines managing director Michael Breen.

Othel V. Campos

5 firms established under the FIST law

FIVE financial institutions strategic transfer corporations were established since the law allowing the creation of these corporate entities was enacted in February 2021 to enable banks and other credit-granting institutions to efficiently offload bad loans and non-performing assets that they may have accumulated during the pandemic.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III two of the five FISTCs are 100-percent Filipino-owned, while the rest include the participation of Japanese and Swiss investors.

These FISTCs are the Philippine Equitable Recovery FIST-Asset Management Corp. and Philippine Recovery Co. FISTCAMC Inc. which are both Filipino-owned; Argo Global Servicing Philippines Inc., owned by Argo Global Investment Co. Ltd., a Japanese corporation; Resurgent Capital Inc. which has China Bank Capital Corp., a domestically registered investment banking subsidiary of China Banking Corp., among the incorporators; and Collectius FISTCAMC Private Limited Corp., which is wholly-owned by Switzerland-based Collectius 2 AG. Julito G. Rada

WESM set to resume operations in Visayas

THE Energy Regulatory Commission ordered the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. to resume the operations of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the Visayas grid, excluding Bohol.

“We have been closely monitoring and assessing the Visayas grid condition and upon assessment of the information gathered from the constant coordination with PEMC-Market Operator and with the National Grid Corporation of the PhilippinesVisayas System Operator, the commission views that market operations in the Visayas grid except Bohol are now ready to resume,” said ERC chairperson and chief executive Agnes Devanadera.

ERC suspended the operations of WESM in the Visayas Grid starting Dec. 16 amid the power system disturbance due to the impact of Typhoon Odette, causing the breach of Section 1.B, Article II of the ERC Resolution No. 12, Series of 2018. The WESM is the trading floor of electricity.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

Edwards lifts Wolves past Knicks, 112 to 110

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against RJ Barrett during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. AFP

11 PSC venues now available for SEAG training of athletes

By Peter Atencio

E

LEVEN of 15 venues inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and at the Philsports grounds in Pasig are now available for national athletes preparing for the coming Southeast Asian Games.

PSC commissioner and PH team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez

The national delegation’s chef de mission in Ramon Fernandez said this after he was updated on the status of the facilities that are under the care of the government sports agency.

Fernandez said they will gradually allow training under a bubble-type of setup in the coming days.

“We will bring in all under a bubble type of training one by one,” said Fernandez after he and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino had a virtual meeting with organizers of

the Hanoi 31st SEA Games Committee on Tuesday.

Among those that are ready for use are the track oval and the swimming pool area of the Philsports Complex.

Fernandez said bubble training, instead of face-to-face workouts, will have to do for now after the government raised the COVID-19 status in the National Capital Region and nearby areas to Alert Level 3 last week.

Under the guidelines of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the agency

will not allow the staging of contact sports.

But there will be exemptions and this involves those done under a bubble type setup as provided for under the guidelines adopted by the IATF, Games and Amusement Board and the PSC, with the approval of the local government units.

Fernandez said that athletes from the sport of wushu are the first to be allowed to undergo bubble training.

Last November, the agency opened its doors for the training of athletes in combat sports as among the first to use the PSC facilities.

Training was supposed to begin for the rest of the delegation in January, but the schedule was moved after Alert Level 3 in NCR was raised.

Among the sports disciplines which will undergo bubble training sessions are baseball and softball, taekwondo, table tennis, wushu, judo, wrestling, gymnastics, weightlifting and arnis.

Team Magsayo taps topnotch nutritionist Aro

By Randy Caluag MARK Magsayo has tapped topnotch sports nutritionist Jeaneth Aro as he takes on American Garry Russel Jr., for the World Boxing Council featherweight title on Jan. 23 (Sunday in Manila) at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

For Team Magsayo, it is very important that Aro personally takes care of the dietary needs of the Filipino challenger to keep his weight in check while maintaining his speed and power in his quest for a world title.

Aro has been providing nutritional instructions for Magsayo via online, but this time, she was called to join the Filipino boxer in the US. “Finally, after 15 months of online coaching, magkasama na rin kami sa wakas sa laban,” said Aro in her post.

“Huli man akong nakarating, nakahabol pa rin. Sabi nga ni Mark (Magsayo) ‘ Mam, talagang it’s meant to be’.”

Aro arrived on Tuesday in Philadelphia, three days before Magsayo’s about against Russel (31-1, 18 knockouts), who has not fought in nearly two years. Russel will defend his 126-pound title for the sixth time.

Magsayo, who is training under legendary coach Freddie Roach, is undefeated in 23 fights with 16 knockouts.

He is coming off a spectacular 10th-round knockout victory over Mexican Julio Ceja on Aug. 21 last year in the US. For the modern athlete, nutrition has become part of the scientific preparation for a big competition ahead. For Aro, it’s more important that she herself prepares the food for her athletes, just like what she has been

doing for current International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.

Also in the US training for his next defense, Ancajas was the first marquee client of Aro in professional boxing.

His coach, Joven Jimenez, claimed that Ancajas was no longer struggling to maintain his weight since being handled by Aro. In an interview on Manila Standard’s online program Sports Locker sometime ago, Aro said it was a wrong notion that an athlete should be deprived of food prior to his/her weighin or competition.

“They can eat good food. The right food and in the right preparation,” said Aro, who is also the nutritionist for national athletes in boxing and the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist, Sports nutritionist Jeaneth Aro with Mark Magsayo lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Former Perlas spikers join PLDT Home Fibr FORMER Perlas spikers Jules Samonte and Heather Guino-o have signed with PLDT Home Fibr for the 2022 Premier Volleyball League season.

Guino-o, 24, is a 5’7” outside hitter who played for Perlas for the last two seasons, while Samonte, 23, is a 5’9” middle blocker who made her Perlas debut late last year during the PNVF Champions League.

For Samonte -- who forwent her final year with Ateneo to turn pro, she is just glad to have found a team in PLDT. “I’m really grateful kasi biglaan lang din nadisband ‘yung Perlas,” she said. “Akala ko, I was going to be with them for another year pa. It was unfortunate na na-disband ‘yung Perlas but just grateful to have found a home in PLDT.” Unlike in Perlas where she had fellow Ateneans like Jho Maraguinot and Mich Morente to guide her, Maraguinot will be the only ex-Lady Eagle in the High Speed Hitters roster.

PLDT retained Rhea Dimaculangan, Chin Basas,

Jules Samonte

Eli Soyud, and Nieza Viray from last season while signing Kath Arado, Jessey De Leon, Mean Mendrez, Dell Palomata, Jovie Prado, Wendy Semana, Fiola Ceballos, and Lhara Clavano. The team also hired George Pascua to be their new head coach.

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Samonte shared that it is both exciting and nerve-wracking to be with this new team.

“It’s kind of exciting and nerve-wracking because lalabas na naman ako sa comfort zone ko and this time, wala na talaga akong ate na nakasama ko before,” said the UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year. “Magiging teammate ko rin ‘yung mga idol ko dati so ‘yun ‘yung exciting part. I know I’m going to learn a lot from my new teammates and the coaches.”

In her rookie year, Samonte admitted that she feels pressure. But the one-time UAAP champion is looking for one thing when the PVL season rolls around tentatively on February 16 -- constant improvements.

“First time ko magiging pro and get to play with all the teams in the PVL. This is also my first year outside of Ateneo kaya there’s sort of pressure,” she admitted. “But I just have to show what I have been working out for during the last two years.”

LOS ANGELES—Anthony Edwards scored a team-high 21 points and Karl Anthony-Towns had 20 as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied Tuesday to edge the mistake-prone New York Knicks 112-110.

The Timberwolves surrendered a 12-point lead but stayed in the game despite being outscored 40-25 in the third quarter and then outscored the Knicks 10-3 down the stretch.

D’Angelo Russell added 17 points and Jaylen Nowell chipped in 14 for the Wolves, who are 6-2 in their last eight games since falling to 16-20 with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on January 2.

Evan Fournier led all scorers with 27 points and Julius Randle finished with 21 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who dropped below .500 in the standings and are 8-5 in their last 13 games.

RJ Barrett finished with 17 points and also committed seven of the Knick’s 18 turnovers.

The Wolves held a 61-51 lead at halftime and a 78-73 advantage with 4:48 left in the third before the Knicks closed the quarter on an 18-8 run to claim a 91-86 lead.

Anthony-Towns converted the goahead three-point play with 29 seconds remaining moments after Russell came up with clutch defensive play down the stretch against the Knicks.

Minnesota got another solid performance from their reserves as Nowell and Malik Beasley came off the bench to score 14 and 10 points respectively. AFP

PH women’s football team starts AFC bid vs. Thailand THE Philippine national women’s football team is now ready to face the challenges that will confront them in the coming days.

National team coach Alen Stajcic said this as the Filipina booters get ready to play its first match in the 2022 Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup this Friday in Mumbai, India.

“We have been working hard for the last couple of months. There were a lot of challenges and we’ve put in a lot of hard work,” said Stajcic during an online pre-match huddle with Filipino scribes.

Thailand will be the Filipina booters’ first opponent on Friday at 5:30 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi, Mumbai.

Winning the game will be a tall order for the Philippines considering that Thailand is ranked no. 38th in the world.

The Filipinas are at no. 64, a big increase from being world no. 128 last month.

The tourney officially starts Thursday, with 12 countries competing for the continental cup honors. Matches will be played in three stadiums across India.

The competition will also serve as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in 2021, but the games were postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 event will see five nations qualify for the World Cup, while the remaining two advance to inter-confederation playoffs.

Australia is the highest-ranked national team in the tournament, while Japan, the 2018 champion, and China, are also after the crown.

Peter Atencio

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Sports

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

Messi back in full training for PSG club after COVID PARIS—Lionel Messi was back in full training with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 at the end of last year.

The Argentina attacker was seen warming up with his PSG teammates in a video clip posted by the club on Twitter.

Messi contracted the virus whilst on holiday in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina during Ligue 1’s winter break.

PSG announced on January 5 that he was back in France after testing negative but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is only now feeling fit enough to resume normal service.

He missed the French Cup match against Vannes and two league games, the 1-1 draw with Lyon and last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Brest.

Messi’s emotional move from Barcelona to the French capital side has not gone according to the script he, the fans, and his new employers would have liked.

Messi has scored only one goal in 11 league appearances for PSG, although he has netted five times in the Champions League.

He has missed a total of 10 Ligue 1 games since August through injuries, late return from Argentina duty, and then Covid-19.

He resumed individual training last Thursday, after which he told his fans on Instagram: “It has taken me longer than I thought to be OK but I’m almost recovered and I’m looking forward to getting back on the field.”

Messi could make his league return against Reims on Sunday. AFP

Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann during their men’s singles match on Day 3 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Nadal needed 5 match points to put away foe M ELBOURNE—Rafael Nadal needed five match points before putting away tenacious German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann at the Australian Open on Wednesday and continue his march towards a record 21st Grand Slam title.

The Spanish world number five was always in command in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win in 2hr 42 min in hot conditions on Rod Laver Arena to stride into round three.

“He is a player with big shots, good serve and he has very high potential,” Nadal said of the 126th-ranked Hanfmann, who put up more of a fight than the score suggested.

Next up for Nadal is either Russian 28th seed Karen Khachanov or French-

man Benjamin Bonzi.

Nadal, with two service breaks, took the opening set after 48 minutes with a backhand winner to the top corner.

The meticulous Spaniard kept moving Hanfmann around the court and claimed another service break with a forehand winner for 5-3 and served it out for a two-sets lead.

Another early service break had Nadal on the way in the third set

Osaka moves step closer to duel with no. 1 Barty

but he needed five match points to close it out.

His 5-0 record in 2022 is a strong start after an injury-disrupted last year, but he is yet to face a top-60 player in the new year.

Nadal, the only Australian Open champion in the men’s draw after nine-time winner Novak Djokovic’s deportation on the eve of the tournament, is vying with Djokovic and Roger Federer to reach a men’s record 21st Slam crown.

Nadal’s 2021 season ended prematurely in August because of his left foot injury before he contracted Covid-19 in December.

The Spanish great has played just 13 tournaments in the past two seasons. AFP

vivo Y76 5G: Power your mobile gaming quest with the best gaming smartphone EXPERIENCE your best mobile game moments yet with vivo Y76 5G—and get into the swing of things at the Battle of the Legends: Mobile Legends Bang Bang Tournament every Saturday, where vivo brand ambassadors and top esports gamers NEXPLAY Philippines and ECHO PH shall face off in one epic showmatch on February 14!

No matter how amazing your favorite mobile games may be, playing can only be truly awesome if your phone is equipped for the ultimate gaming experience, just like the way vivo Y76 5G is made.

Designed with young mobile game enthusiast in mind on a quest for the best possible gaming smartphone within their budget, the phone is heavy on processing firepower allowing you to just relish in the smooth graphics as you savor an advantage in frenzied online matches without hitches, and here are some reasons why:

Impressive Performance Enjoy a much better gaming experience without any disturbance with the vivo Y76 5G’s “Ultra Game Model 2.0”. This mode includes features like shortcut functions such as ability to accept background calls, hands-free, when the user is in the middle of the game. You can also be selective and just allow some calls from elected contacts.

The phone has a large battery capacity-, so there’s no need to worry about running out of powermid-game. It could last you more than four hours of non-stop gameplay. Should you need extra juice, phone fast charges at 44W, which gives you 70% recharge power in 32 minutes. Related to this, the phone has temperature cooling features that prevent it from overheating fast, helping you maintain that “cool under pressure” frame of mind while on extended

gameplay. The phone also comes with VEG (vivo Energy Guardian) technology, which reduces heating, living up to your active lifestyle and helps you stay connected 24/7.

The vivo Y76 5G’sawesome chipset supports full HD displays, helping reduce the blur in animations. It also makes scrolling through the interface a more pleasing experience giving you a suave sense of control of the gaming experience.

The phone’s high-performing 8GB RAM makes the gaming experience much smoother. It’s 12 GB Storage, meanwhile, gives you all the extra space you need to allow you to run some of the latest mobile games available on the app store.

Great Design It sports the best screen size for mobile

NBA expectations and disappointments, too THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO PLAYERS making three-point shots from everywhere, anytime and by anybody, including the big men.

Floaters and teardrop shots at seemingly impossible angles.

Teammates consciously looking for the open man the way the game is played in Europe.

Blow-bies on the way to the hoop with nary any defense encountered.

Euro steps, step-back jumpers and fadeaways.

Alley-oops and slam dunks dunks during games .

Young and eager players not awed at all competing against superstars and veterans.

Big men bringing down the ball from the other side, playing as if they were their teams’ point guards.

Watch an NBA game and these are the expectations you can have, but you need to watch out, too, for disappointments.

Let us see, what can you say about Golden State, more so with the successful return of Klay Thompson, the Phoenix Suns led by the ageless Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell and Utah, Ja Morant and his Grizzlies, throw in Dallas and Denver in the Western Conference.

While in the Eastern side, the Bulls, Nets, Heat, Bucks, the 76ers, Cavs and Hornets are all up there.

You see, there are different expectations in the NBA as far as teams are concerned.

For the teams above, most of them are those expected to make it to the playoffs easily.

Then, there are teams we expected to make it easily, but are so far disappointments, including the Celtics, Hawks, Trailblazers and the Lakers, currently in no. 7, the Knicks and the Clippers.

Of course, there are teams like Magic, Pistons, Rockets, Thunder, Pelicans and the Kings, who do not have any expectations and we share this with them.

But of course, the injuries to players including key players, have taken its toll on a lot of teams, affecting their current and post-season chances.

The fact is, a quick look at the list of injured players will show we can form an AllStar team, maybe even two teams at that.

Imagine players like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Stephen Curry, Draymond Greene, Jamal Murray, Damian Lillard, Zach Lavine, Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Michael PorterJr., Jrue Holiday, Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Derrick Rose, Kemba Walker, Jerami Grant, Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bognanovich, Ricky Rubio, Deandre Ayton, Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Kelly Oubre Jr , and Victor Oladipo.

And this list is not even complete.

Imagine Portland without Lillard, the Lakers without Davis, Houston without Wall, the Nets with no Durant and Kyrie Irving a part time player, and the Clippers without Leonard and George, even the Warriors, if Curry and Green will not be available for a long time. Other teams though are able to adapt

gaming. The phone’s rather huge 6.58 inches display hits the sweet spot for mobile gamers. Not too small nor too big, the vivo Y76 5G’s screen size is exactly what mobile game developers had in mind when designing their blockbuster games.

The phone also sports adequately thick bevels on the side that give an ample thumb zone—details which may seem not much for the average phone users but means a world of difference for devoted mobile gamers. with young players coming to fore.

And that is why player trades are supposed to happen and teams will start dealing and wheeling to beat the February 10 deadline, plugging holes in their lineups, letting go of disposable players, or looking ahead even to the far future.

And even if on the injured list, names like Grant, even Lillard, Kevin Love, Marcus Smart, and healthy ones like Russel Westbrook , Dennis Schroder, Wally Beal, and Ben Simmons are among those mentioned.

But I am really impressed with teams like Memphis, Minnesota, Cleveland, Chicago, Charlotte and Washington for being there in the top 10. These teams are among those who lost badly in the past, but are now winning.

The Bulls benefited the most from their pre-season buildup, getting DeMar deRozan, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball. Same with the Heat as Lowry joined them, the Wizards got better after unloading Westbrook, the Hornets struck a jackpot with LaMelo Ball, throw in Oubrey Jr., too, while Memphis, Cleveland and Minnesota have all rediscovered the joy of winning.

Biggest busts for me would be the Lakers with their souped-up lineup, but only winning half their games. Okay, without Davis at that,

MELBOURNE—Naomi Osaka stepped up the defense of her Australian Open title with a composed beating of Madison Brengle on Wednesday to move a step closer to a blockbuster clash with top seed Ashleigh Barty.

The Japanese 13th seed raced through the first set but had to work hard in the second on Rod Laver Arena before eliminating the 54thranked American 6-0, 6-4 in 65 minutes to make the third round.

She will meet another unseeded American next after Amanda Anisimova upset Tokyo Olympic champion and 22nd seed Belinda Bencic 6-2, 7-5.

Anisimova is on a seven-match win streak after claiming the Melbourne Summer Set title in the build-up to the Grand Slam and should pose a sterner test.

But if Osaka can win she faces the prospect of a mouth-watering fourth round battle with world number one and Wimbledon champion Barty, who has dropped just three games so far and looks in ominous touch.

The pair could meet early due to Osaka’s seeding -- her lowest at a Slam since the 2018 US Open -- after a truncated 2021 when she took time out to deal with mental health issues.

“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” she said. “The goal for me is just to have fun and I’m really grateful to my team because I feel we are accomplishing that.

“I returned pretty well today,” she added. “I’ve been really working on it during the off-season so glad it came in handy.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has won two of the past three Australian Opens, wasted little energy on Brengle in the first set. AFP

but I do not believe Westbrook fits in with the team. In fact, I do not know where he fits.

Also, I do not like the propensity of the Lakers to go for short cuts and doing away with developing team chemistry.

Boston is another big disappointment with the presence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Browne that some are questioning if these two can really play together, say the way Rozan and Lavine hit it off in Chicago.

There are a lot more games to be played before the playoffs, and I still would expect to see some changes in the Top 8 for each conference, especially in the 5th to 8th places. The current top 4 teams look like they can retain their standings.

Looking at my crystal ball (yes, I got a new digital one already), I still have to learn how it operates with so many apps and options, so no fearless predictions first, only fearful guesses.

I just hope that locally, the PBA finally gets back on its feet. I understand the league has been given a recommendation to resume and awaits the Inter Agency Task Force approval to resume operations.

And as I have said last year, the pandemic is not the only problem the PBA faces, I wish the league good luck.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

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A decade of vocal power and good music TO CELEBRATE her tenth year in the entertainment business, Morisette is staging the digital concert, Phoenix, on Jan. 23 and 24, to be streamed locally and internationally on ktx. ph.

The 25-year-old power belter promised that her first digital concert will be an “experience” as she and the people behind the production have been working tirelessly to mount this “important show.”

“In this concert, audiences will definitely hear their favorite songs. I chose every song and made sure that the setlist has a deep connection with myself and Singer Morisette is celebrating her 10th year in my journey as a singer,” Morisette the entertainment business.

stated.

“Viewers can expect my favorite covers and new original songs that I was able to co-write and coproduce. All the vocal ‘pasabog’ will be there. Everything that people miss about my performances. We tried to squeeze everything in for everyone to enjoy,” she carried on.

Morisette’s stardom is manifested in her extensive presence online. She has attained considerable attention on social media especially from international video reactors.

Touted as the “best singer” of her

‘Sisid’ dives into complex drama of gay romance

D

IVE into a sea of drama and passion, as Viva Films and Center Stage Productions present a film by award-winning director Brillante Mendoza, Sisid, starring Kylie Verzosa, Christine Bermas, Paolo Gumabao, and Vince Rillon.

Kylie Verzosa

eventually giving in to their sexual desires. But their affair takes an unprecedented turn when Abby finds out about The film, Jason and Dennis’ which does not affair and catches just bare flesh, them in the act. Abby’s but also emotions shock from her discovery and drama, follows made her illness worse, Marine Biologist Jason Paolo resulting in her hospitalization.

(Paolo Gumabao) and his Gumabao and Jason now has to choose wife Abby (Kylie Verzosa) Vince Rillon between Abby and Dennis, who go to Pola, Mindoro and someone will be left where first is tasked to lead brokenhearted. the rehabilitation and preservation “One thing I like about this of a fish sanctuary. There, he collaboration with Viva, they meets his diving assistant Dennis entrusted me with the story and the (Vince Rillon) and the two hit it off concept. After we agreed on the instantly. terms, they gave me all the freedom As they work together, Jason to make it a good film. I always take learns bits and pieces about Dennis that as a challenge if you were given and his family; and Dennis is moved by Jason’s passion for his work. They also find themselves in contradicting problems when Dennis got his girlfriend Tanya Christine (Christine Bermas) pregnant, Bermas while Jason and Abby have been struggling to have a baby for years, but to no avail because of Abby’s illness.

As days go by, Jason and Dennis develop romantic feelings for each other,

that freedom. I don’t take it sitting down,” Mendoza said of his tie-up with Viva.

“That freedom, I’ll make sure, it’s all worth it. That’s what artists are after. Ayaw ng mga artists ng nasasakal. Binibigay ‘to ng isang malaking company like Viva. Dapat pangalagaan mo ito. You should be responsible with that,” the awardwinning director went on.

Sisid had its world premiere via an exclusive digital event on Jan. 18 and started streaming on Vivamax Plus, the newest pay-per-view service of Viva, on Jan. 19.

Regular streaming will start on March 18 on Vivamax Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Macao, Vietnam, Brunei, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and USA. Nickie Wang

generation, Morisette rose to prominence because of her exceptional voice and musicality. After winning first runnerup in TV5’s talent search, Star Factor, and being one of the finalists of The Voice Philippines, Morisette went on to become a regular artist on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, ASAP. She released her debut album with Star Records, rolling out hits like “Diamante” and “Akin Ka Na Lang.” Her guesting on the popular radio/video show, “Wish

Bus,” reached 139 million views.

While her 2018 concert, Morisette is Made, a litmus test of her drawing power, filled the Araneta Coliseum to the rafters.

Morisette has been dubbed as “Asia’s Phoenix.” No wonder, her first digital concert, which she, herself produced, was aptly titled Phoenix.

Concert directors are Ed Lacson and Jason Max. In line with her goal to make it internationally, Morisette has evolved into a prolific singer-songwriter.

Her newly released EP, Signature, is number on iTunes not only in the Philippines but in other countries, as well.

BINI and BGYO in ‘Uplive WorldStage;’ ABS-CBN’s Jonathan Manalo to serve as judge ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo has been tapped to join the esteemed panel of judges in Uplive WorldStage, the annual global livestreamed singing competition organized by Uplive, the largest independent global video social entertainment platform. Breakout P-pop groups BINI and BGYO will also represent Filipino artists in the grand finals set on Jan. 23.

Manalo, a multi-awarded songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer, is one of the music personalities from all around the world who will pick the winner in this year’s competition, including Emmy and Grammy award winner Paula Abdul, Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer Nathan T. Wang, former Radio Disney VP and record label owner Ray De La Garza, Grammy-nominated producers Willie Baker and Chris Rosa, World Madam Global chairwoman and philanthropist Lisa Chen, and Chinese singer Sisi Zhang.

“I am very honored and grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent original Pilipino music (OPM) on the international stage. There’s nothing more thrilling than getting invited to a global event that champions talented singers and fresh talents from different parts of the world,” shared Manalo whose decorated career includes 75 multi-platinum and 100 gold Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) certifications.

Meanwhile, fresh from their breakthrough year with the release of their respective debut albums, successful joint digital concert, and their first international performance in Dubai, BINI and BGYO will be showcasing their talents at the Uplive WorldStage grand finals, which will be available on the Uplive app.

ABS-CBN is the official media partner of Uplive WorldStage, formerly known as Singing for the World, whose highly anticipated grand finals will be aired on the Uplive app on Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m.

Philippine time with catch-up on ABSCBN’s digital platforms, iWantTFC, and ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“Uplive continues to empower talent

Filipino girl group BINI

around the world, allowing artists to pursue their dreams while remaining connected to their roots,” said Andy Tian, CEO of AIG. “The global reach and local relevance of Uplive WorldStage is made possible by the cutting-edge technology we deliver to our users, giving them a seamless digital experience that enhances artistic expression and entertainment.”

The month-long competition is streamed live 24 hours a day and includes headto-head PK battles and a “party mode” where mentors, judges, and viewers can participate. The top 100 finalists receive talent host contracts from Uplive. There will be two top winners, one crowned by Paula Abdul as the overall winner and one “People’s Choice” winner crowned by other judges and viewers. Both winners will receive $5,000 in prize money, a virtual mentoring session with industry leaders, a recording contract, and a personalized song written by Grammynominated producers.

Uplive WorldStage winners will also have a chance to record at or join Uplive Boy Bands or Girl Bands in cooperation with KDS studios, which has produced albums for some of the biggest artists in the U.S. including Justin Timberlake, NSYNC, Usher, and Christina Aguilera.

Uplive Worldstage, which is now in its second year, is organized by Uplive, the largest independent global video social entertainment platform with more than 260 million registered users from over 150 countries.

ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo

Kylie Versoza (left) and Paolo Gumabao

GMA radio stations dominated airwaves in Mega Manila, key cities in 2021 GMA’s flagship radio stations continued to reign supreme in their respective categories in Mega Manila as well as Super Radyo and Barangay FM stations in the key cities of Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod.

Month after month in 2021, Super Radyo DZBB 594 remained the

‘Barangay Love Stories’ hosted

by Papa Dudut

undisputed highest rating AM radio station in Mega Manila with a total audience share of 37.7 percent based on Nielsen’s December 2021 Radio Audience Measurement data.

The station’s total reach for the month was at 1.64 million individuals, with 87.5 percent of which are loyal DZBB

‘Potpot and Friends’ with Papa Carlo and Papa Jepoy

listeners. In contrast, its nearest rival DZRH only tallied 24.6 percent or 1.1 million lower than DZBB’s reach.

The morning block was still the station’s highest-rating daypart driven by listenership from the 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. segment. This includes Super Balita sa Umaga, Saksi sa Dobol B,

‘Songbook’ with Papa Ding and Janna Chuchu

Melo del Prado sa Super Radyo, and Buena Manong Balita.

FM station Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! likewise held the top spot in Mega Manila up to the last month of 2021. It recorded a total audience share of 29.1 percent, which was almost double its competitor Love Radio DZMB’s 15.6 percent.

The station recorded a total reach of 6.19 million listeners with a station loyalty of 72.1 percent. Still the highestrating segment was the 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. timeslot, which consisted of the toprating program Barangay Love Stories.

Similarly, Talk to Papa, Potpot & Friends, and Songbook also topped the ranking in their respective timeslots.

Both stations have dominated the Mega Manila airwaves since 2020: DZBB has been in the top rank since May 2020 while Barangay LS 97.1 has ‘Talk to Papa’ with hosts Papa Ace, Papa Marky, and Papa King been number one since July 2020.

P-pop boy group BGYO

Meanwhile, according to Nielsen’s Radio Audience Measurement data for Q4 2021, Super Radyo DYSS AM emerged as the number one station in Cebu with an average audience share of 59.8 percent while its Iloilo counterpart Super Radyo DYSI AM was also the top station at 63 percent.

FM stations also posted winning numbers with Barangay FM 93.5 in Iloilo tallying 87.7 percent audience share as well as Barangay FM 107.1 in Bacolod with 55 percent.

Tune in to Super Radyo DZBB 594 and Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! as well as Super Radyo and Barangay FM stations from Monday to Sunday. Select DZBB programs are also simulcast via “Dobol B TV” on GTV and abroad via GMA News TV. Online, listeners can also catch these stations via live audio stream on www. gmanetwork.com/radio.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

A sustainable body-loving body butter

What’s your

‘hygge?’

H

ygge - h(y)o͞ oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/- is a Danish and Norwegian word describing that certain quality of coziness and conviviality linked with feelings of wellness and contentment. Associated with relaxation, indulgence, and gratitude, hygge is regarded as a defining Danish culture.

A hygge can help you feel some comfort and peace in a hectic world.

I first came across this word while scrolling through minimalist interior styles on my phone which I could apply in my apartment. Someone in the social media group posted a photo of a cozy corner at her home and said that it’s her “hygge.” And thus commenced my affinity with the word.

I’m sure we all have our own hygge. When I think of mine, a picture of me on a holiday at the beach, a nice hot latte on one hand, and a good book on the other come to mind. Surely, I can think of other scenarios, but that’s the closest memory I have of my hygge.

This way of life isn’t quite popular in the Philippines for various reasons. I’m sure many have been consciously practicing this kind of lifestyle. I grew up with the belief that to live a comfortable life, I must hustle and hustle. There was also that belief system that I needed to unlearn that having more or accumulating material stuff would make me happier.

The idea of relaxation, comfort, and indulgence just seemed like a luxury only select people could afford. Yet come to think of it, in 2015, when I spent a few days in Tinglayan, Kalinga to accompany a friend who wanted to have a tattoo from Whang-od, the “last” and oldest “mambabatok” (traditional Kalinga tattooist), I recall having a sense that the village people of Buscalan lived simple yet happy lives.

Being in that place surely knocked some sense into me.

Of course, I forgot all about these feelings of relaxation and contentment the moment I went back to the daily grind in Manila.

But it’s good to be always reminded of your “hygge,” whatever that means to you. In fact, why not always be in the pursuit of your hygge? And one doesn’t need to or shouldn’t come from a privileged space to feel this. A farmer can stare at his healthy crops while enjoying the fine weather, and that can be his hygge.

A plant-lover can find her hygge at the sight of the colorful blooms in her garden. Good music that feeds one’s soul. A perfectly brewed coffee and gentle rain perhaps. A walk with your dog at a park. A snuggle with a loved one while watching what-have-you on Netflix. It can be anything really. So, what is your hygge?

••• Speaking of comfort, I’ve been enjoying and benefitting from the nutrition of these soothing and refreshing tea selections from Healthy Options. If you’re a tea lover, you’ll certainly love their teas that are good supplements to boost your immunity against certain diseases. These are also effective supplements on your road to recovery from illnesses like common flu. They have anti-inflammatory botanicals and detoxifying blends to choose from for recovery or overall health. I get my Healthy Options teas from the branch closest to me. One can also order online, plus they offer nationwide delivery.

THE Body Shop launched the first-ever good in their skin.

Body Butter in 1992. Created in the kitchen Love yourself with The Body Shop’s of no less than The Body Shop Founder new, most nourishing, and sustainable Dame Anita Roddick, the very first Man- Body Butters ever for your skin type: go Body Butter was given its name by her Strawberry, British Rose, Pink Grapefruit, daughter who, while making a piece of Satsuma for normal skin; Moringa, Mango toast, simply said “it’s like butter…for your and the new Avocado for dry skin; Shea, body.” The rest is history.

Coconut, Argan and Olive for very dry Today, these iconic moisturizers are skin; and Almond Milk for dry, sensitive loved so much that one is sold every 3 sec- skin. onds across the world. And these bodyWith new fully recyclable packaging, loving favorites just got even better. The these are The Body Shop’s most sustainnew Body Butters are now registered by able Body Butters ever. They’re all made The Vegan Society (a gold standard for with aluminum lids and 100 percent revegan certification), made with at least 95 cycled plastic, including Community Fair percent ingredients of natural origin, love Trade recycled plastic collected off the skin with 96-hour moisture, and come in streets of Bengaluru, India, through The their most sustainable packaging yet made Body Shop’s trade partnership with Plastics with 100 percent recycled plastic tubs. for Change.

The new and improved Body Butters are The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade made with at least 95 percent natural origin partnership with Plastics for Change not only ingredients, including handcrafted Com- helps tackle the existing plastic problem but munity Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana, helps support around 2,500 marginalized which harnesses the nourishing power of waste pickers in India with access to more Community Fair Trade shea butter from sanitary working conditions and a fair price the Tungteiya Women’s Association in for the plastic waste they collect. northern Ghana. In true Fair Trade fashion, The Body Shop encourages its customers this helps provide financial independence to join its “Return, Recycle, Repeat” program for Ghanaian women. in partnership with SM Cares. To be a part Today, over 600 women from 11 vil- of the movement, simply return your empty, lages handcraft the shea butter using an clean, and dry containers to any of The Body 18-stage process of tradiShop stores located in the tional techniques, passed on malls and they will handle from mother to daughter for the recycling for you. generations.

The Body Shop through its partnership with SM Delivering 96 hours of intense moisture, their Body Cares’ Plastic Waste Collection Program ensures Butters leave your skin feeling soft and smooth without that your participation helps avoid plastics from filling feeling sticky. In fact, in a the oceans and adding to The Body Shop study, over 90 percent of users agreed the landfills.

The new Body Butter is formula easily melts into skin Avocado Body Butter is made and has a non-sticky feel, and with Hass avocado oil and available at The Body Shop stores and on its online store over 86 percent agreed the Community Fair Trade shea Body Butters made them feel butter. www.thebodyshop.com.ph.

Tea selections from Healthy Options The Body Shop’s new intensely creamy Body Butter comes in recyclable packaging.

Shea Body Butter now made with 97 percent ingredients of natural origins.

SNAPSHOT

MakatiMed renews pact with Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines

The author’s hygge is spending holidays on the beach while drinking a hot latte and reading a good book.

Still calling your salon for appointment? Get the Parlon app

Parlon founder Claire Ongcangco

By Tet Defensor

WE ENJOY the convenience of online food delivery and transport service, yet when it comes to beauty-related services, we book appointments the old fashion way. Either we directly call the salon, or maybe send a text message to our hairdresser. Some, simply drop by the establishment with high hopes of getting a slot.

Like most females, the salon trips of lawyer-business owner Claire Ongcangco are vital to existence. While some establishments have websites or Facebook pages, she always wondered why salons have not discovered the opportunities of digitalization.

“I love going to the salons. I love exploring and discovering new beauty products

and services and I always wonder why we can’t book salon appointments online when we can order food get a ride or book hotels online,” she stated.

When Claire isn’t in the salon, she is pounding on the keyboards developing software with her team. She is also a lawyer and a teacher of IT Entrepreneurship for almost eight years. For over 10 years, her company has produced websites and mobile apps for both start-ups we have and top Philippine companies.

After helping several businesses with their digital needs, the techie salon-goer felt it was the right time to embark on her own start-up adventure.

Parlon was launched in 2019 as a listing online platform to help customers book appointments for salons and wellness centers.

“The idea originated from my own pain point of not finding service menus of salons online. I parked the idea for many years because I was juggling law school, working, and teaching. When I passed the bar, I felt it was also the perfect time to start making my idea a reality,” Claire said.

The term “parlon” merges two important industry terms “parlor’ and “salon.” “Parlor” is the “Tita” version of the present-day salon.

“During our mother’s time it was called ‘beauty parlor,” she said.

MAKATI Medical Center (MakatiMed) has renewed its partnership with humanitarian Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines (Eye Bank).

MakatiMed’s Department of Ophthalmology and the Eye Bank formalized the renewal of the partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on World Sight Day. Showcasing their donor cards are (from left) Ellen Lagan, Eye Bank Manager, Sherman Valero, MD, MakatiMed Chairman Department of Ophthalmology, Ma. Dominga Padilla, MD, Eyebank President and CEO, and Saturnino Javier, MD, MakatiMed Medical Director.

The signing was broadcast live to the

“I pitched this idea during my salon sessions.

I also did cold calls via email and Instagram.

Initially, the challenge was setting up a meeting with the salon managers/owners. But once we were able to show our salon software, 99 percent of the time, they are game to be onboarded. In time business owners directly approach us to be part of Parlon,” Claire recalled.

Aside from the booking convenience, the app enables partner merchants to integrate all their services.

“They can manage all their, bookings, service menu, operational hours, customer database, and ecommerce transactions.”

As an industry that thrives on physical inParlon helps customers book appointments teraction, beauty, and wellness establishments for salons and wellness centers. greatly affected by the lockdowns during the The app was first available on Appstore pandemic.

“We were even classified as non-essential,” and just recently on Google Play.

Selling an innovative tool like Parlon is no she said.

To entice app users to “return” to salons easy task, but Claire managed to find a way Parlon offers all kinds of deals and discounts to capture her niche market.

MakatiMed and Eye Bank communities, and was virtually attended by Atty. Pilar Nenuca P. Almira, MakatiMed President and CEO and Reynaldo E. Santos, MD, President of Philippine Cornea Society. The event was concluded with a symbolic signing of an organ donation pledge card.

Both parties have also reiterated their commitment to the promotion of eye health, donation, and transplantation through patient education, counseling, and various public health endeavors.

For more information, contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www. makatimed.net.ph.

on haircuts, lashes, nails, and other services.

Thanks to the app’s partner merchants. It also comes with a magazine called Glow Getter, the perfect reading material while you are getting your hair and nails done. It features success stories of industry leaders, wellness hacks, treatments, and other interesting content about self-love and self-care. It also has a series called Behind the Chair, which features inspirational stories of business owners, like a salon whose employees are 90 percent single moms, or how a successful establishment in BGC started out in a small area at a co-working space.

More than just an app, Parlon intends to be a gamechanger.

“We have plans to accelerate on-demand beauty and wellness services, promote beauty tourism, and consolidate all beauty purchases in one ecosystem,” Claire ended.

Log on to Parlon.ph or visit Parlon Facebook page for more details.