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PINOYS START TO LEAVE UKRAINE AS SHELLFIRE ROCKS FRONTLINE THE first batch of Filipino repatriates from Ukraine arrived in Manila Friday as shellfire rang out in the Eastern European as the army and Moscow-backed separatists accused each other of provocations and US warnings of an imminent Russian invasion stoked international tension. “The Philippine government, through the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw, provided funding assistance to the six Filipinos who voluntarily requested to be repatriated to the country,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Four of the repatriates came from Kyiv while the other two took their flights from Lviv. “The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw, which is in active coordination with its Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Kyiv, is also cooperating closely with the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul to facilitate repatriation,” the DFA said. “This is to ensure that government assistance is available to the group at all transit points,” it added. Next page

Comelec to pursue ‘baklas’ VOL. XXXVI • NO. 6 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Property owners face raps for refusal to pull down oversized posters By Vito Barcelo

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned private property owners that they may face charges should they refuse to remove oversized campaign materials displayed on their premises. Under fire for taking down tarpaulins Comelec said regardless of where they are, and posters posted on private property, the the size of campaign materials should be Next page

ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. Members of

the Metro Manila Development Authority arrange seized campaign posters and tarpaulins at the MMDA satellite office in Sta. Mesa Manila during the ongoing Oplan Baklas on Friday, February 18, 2022. Presidential candidates habe raised concern about the removal of campaign posters inside private properties. Danny Pata Next page

Quarantine rule Govt urged to expand vax lifted for airline brand choices for children flight personnel By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Joel E. Zurbano and Willie Casas

HK domestic helpers ‘abandoned’ amid COVID-19 wave sweeping city WORST SURGE. People lie in hospital beds with temperatures falling at nighttime outside the Caritas Medical Center in Hong Kong as hospitals become overwhelmed with the city facing its worst COVID-19 wave to date. AFP HONG KONG'S foreign domestic positive, charities said Friday. workers are being "abandoned" in the Hong Kongers live in one of the current coronavirus wave sweeping the world's most densely packed cities and city, with some forced to sleep rough rely on some 370,000 foreign domestic Next page or being denied treatment after testing

THE government will no longer require airline flight personnel returning to the Philippines to undergo the mandatory facility-based quarantine as COVID-19 restrictions ease. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the move would mitigate personnel shortages and avoid significant disruptions to the workforce and operations of airlines. In a memo dated Feb. 7, the CAAP said the quarantine protocols were adjusted in favor of the flight and cabin crew members returning to the Philippines,

HEALTH experts on Friday urged the government to consider using more vaccine brands to meet its goal to vaccinate 39 million children against COVID-19. To date, the country only uses two vaccines—Pfizer and Moderna—to vaccinate adolescents 12-17, and a reformulated Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11, but Dr. Lulu Bravo of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and Dr. Benny Atienza of the Philippine Medical Association

Counterfeiting and Piracy as one of physical market piracy hotspots alongside 34 THE Philippines has been identified in others in 18 countries that comprise the the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) notorious market list (NML). According to the report, Greenhills 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for

By Rio N. Araja MALACAÑANG announced Friday the resignation of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu due to health reasons and the appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte of Rizalina Justol as the new chairperson of the Commission on Audit. Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the announcement

LACSON, SOTTO SEEK PROBE ON E-SABONG

LENI WANTS PWD LAW IMPLEMENTED

Shopping Center in San Juan, Metro Manila has many storefronts that sell counterfeit goods, including electronics, perfumes, watches, shoes, accessories, and fashion items. Next page

LA UNION GOV. BACKS UNITEAM

Cimatu quits DENR, Justol new COA chair

US Trade agency tags PH as market piracy hotspot By Othel V. Campos

said there should be more vaccine options to speed up the inoculation process. "Clinical trials are still ongoing for other brands such as Sinovac, a Korean vaccine, and [another] Chinese vaccine,” Bravo said, but added that Sinovac is already being used for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination in other countries such as Indonesia. She said other pediatric COVID-19 vaccines may be available in the near future as "they are already in advanced

CIMATU

JUSTOL

ISKO TO PROTECT 'FOOD BASKET' AREAS

3,648,925 PARTIDO Reporma presidential candidate Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III have called for a thorough investigation to find and give justice to 30 persons who went missing after going to a cockfight in Laguna.

IF ELECTED as the next President, Vice President Leni Robredo wants the full implementation of the law for the protection of persons with disability.

NEWS / A4

LA UNION Governor Emmanuel Ortega lll on Friday joined local officials from the 'Solid North' in rallying behind the tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

NEWS / A4

2,232

65,796

55,409

3,527,720

3,010

(As of 4 PM, FEBRUARY 18)

News

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH backs Asean-US partnership T

"The Philippines advocates and supports the granting of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to the United States for the most realistic and pragmatic of reasons: it remains, and in our view it will stay, the world’s leading force for the rule of law in international relations," he said during the Asean Ministers' Retreat in Cambodia. "The first great power in history to be

satisfied with international rules that all other countries and even competing powers can live by and work with to their benefit," he added. Locsin said he also looked forward to the convening of the proposed Asean-US Summit this year. The Philippines' endorsement of an Asean-India comprehensive strategic

partnership, on the other hand, came days after Indian Minister for External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited the country to reaffirm India's strong bilateral relations with the Philippines. "The Philippines extends all-out support to Singapore’s proposal to elevate the status of India to comprehensive and strategic partnership," Locsin said. Last February 14, Locsin said Asean and India could further enhance maritime cooperation. Meanwhile, Locsin said Asean leaders and US President Joe Biden were expected to meet this year, as he announced Manila's support for Washington to be granted strategic partner status by the regional bloc.

Comelec...

presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. Jimenez said the Comelec enforcers had obtained the consent of the owners of the private properties before entering and taking down the campaign materials. “I think it’s been lost in the conversation thus far that we didn’t enter those places without consent. In all of those cases that I know of for example, our Comelec officials have asked for permission. We asked to enter those areas,” Jimenez said. “We pointed out that the materials that were to be taken down were in violation of the rules and the property owners either consented to us taking them down or themselves said that they would take them down on their own again as far as yesterday was concerned I think it should be very clear that we were acting well within the scope of the resolution,” he said. He added that they have documents to show that the poll body officials had asked permission before they entered the property.

“We have documentary evidence in both cases where before entering our officials would actually talk to the people involved,” Jimenez added. Asked what they will do if the owners refuse them entry, he said their refusal will be respected. “That’s their right. They can refuse entry. What happens in practice is that they are advised of the violation and the next steps that the Comelec will take,” he added. “For example, if you have a situation where we see large posters on private property or large billboards on private property, we inform the property owners that those materials have to be taken down. If they refuse, then we serve them notice that they need to take them down. Then if they remain adamant, there may be filing of cases,” he added. For now, we will just document these by taking pictures and sending them to the law department of the Comelec central office, while giving time for the candidates to take them down,” he said.

Jimenez said the right to free speech is not absolute, saying “there are two kinds of speech here. Advocacy-based, which is protected, and speech that's simply a declarative statement, which is election propaganda." "The Supreme Court made a distinction between advocacies and declaring a vote for a candidate. We were acting within the scope of resolution," Jimenez added. Jimenez said those who oppose the Comelec position could submit position papers on the issue. "The Comelec is not deaf to the public, right? And if the public is raising a clamor as to what they're doing now, then we're not adverse to looking at our rules again," he added. He said so far, no official complaint has been lodged before the Comelec. The Palace said the Comelec is an independent constitutional body and its decision should be respected. Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said those with grievances have “legal recourse that they can explore.”

the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany and NATO, later on Friday to discuss the crisis. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the United Nations that Washington has intelligence showing that Moscow could order an invasion in the "coming days." Russia has denied it has any such plan and claims to have begun withdrawing some of the 149,000 troops that Ukraine now says are on its borders. But Putin has done nothing to dial down tensions, ordering the missile drills even as there are reports of an increase in shelling from Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. Visiting Poland, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington was seeing "more" Russian forces moving into the

Ukraine border region despite Moscow's announcements. On Thursday, a shell punched a hole in the wall of a kindergarten in governmentheld territory near the frontline in the Ukrainian village of Stanytsia Luganska. The 20 children and 18 adults inside escaped serious injury but the attack sparked international howls of protest. "The children were eating breakfast when it hit," school laundry worker Natalia Slesareva told AFP at the scene. "It hit the gym. After breakfast, the children had gym class. So, another 15 minutes, and everything could have been much, much worse." On Friday, part of the village remained without electricity. Konstantin Reutsky, director of the Vostok SOS aid agency, told AFP that houses and a shop had been

damaged. The Ukrainian joint command center said the rebels had violated the ceasefire 20 times between midnight and 9:00 a.m. Friday, while the Donetsk and Lugansk separatist groups said the army had fired 27 times. Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations will hold a virtual conference next Thursday with the Ukraine crisis high on the agenda, Germany, which holds the group's rotating presidency, said Friday. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Moscow needed to show "serious steps towards de-escalation." "With an unprecedented deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine and Cold War demands, Russia is challenging fundamental principles of the European peace order," Baerbock said. AFP

"For us staying home means we have to work," said Dolores Balladares Pallaez from the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, adding workers needed "compassion and help" from both the government and wider society. The coalition said Hong Kong police had also ramped up social distancing fines each weekend for domestic workers, with penalties up to double their monthly wage. But city leader Lam delivered an uncompromising message. "If you employ a foreign domestic worker, please use your best efforts to urge them... to stay home," she said. She also said police would strictly enforce a current ban on more than two people gathering in public and would fine migrant workers if they gathered in groups. "I'll say now, our law enforcement this Sunday will no longer be merciful," she said. Like mainland China, Hong Kong has stuck to a rigid zero-COVID policy that largely kept the virus out but left the international business hub cut off for the last two years. Those defences have now come crashing down with the highly infectious Omicron variant entry into the local community after infected flight crew and residents returned from overseas. On Friday authorities announced some 11,000 positive cases. A day earlier it was 12,000. Prior to the current outbreak, Hong Kong recorded just 12,000 infections for the whole pandemic. The surge has caught the government off guard with few preparations in place for dealing with zero-COVID being breached. AFP

Quarantine... including those with layovers in the country. It also stated that the flight personnel will no longer be placed under quarantine, but will self-monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. It also stated that air operators must ensure compliance with the relevant public health regulations, policies and established measures. CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said transportation must be arranged by the air operator between the aircraft and the crew's hotel rooms (if needed), while ensuring the observance of physical distancing and other health protocols. "At accommodation, only one crew member will be allowed to stay per hotel room; contact with other crew members is prohibited. Use of hotel common areas is also not allowed," he added. Apolonio said suspected COVID-19 positive crew members and those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during layover or in transit must immediately report to the air operator and seek medical assessment for monitoring. He added they will be "repatriated by appropriate mode of transportation to their domicile or residence." For crew members who have been found COVID-19 negative through evaluation in accordance with the procedures, the air operator may arrange their transportation to their domicile or residence. CAAP director general Capt. Jim Sydiongco said protocols have been established in response to the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade

to address the current insufficiency of manpower faced by local air operators due to the possibility of flight crew being exposed to COVID-19 positive individuals requiring quarantine. The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday the Philippines is now at “low risk” for COVID-19 cases due to wide vaccination coverage. The government has vaccinated some 62.2 million people, while 61.5 million have received an initial dose and 9.5 million have received booster shots as of Thursday. Some 2.6 million jabs were administered during the third round of the Bayanihan Bakunahan Program, which ends Friday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. Of the total figure, 551,392 were first doses, 1,082,916 were second doses, and 684,267 were booster shots, she said. Some 329,000 children ages 5 to 11, meantime, have received a COVID-19 jab in 482 vaccination sites nationwide, Vergeire added. “As more Filipinos are protected, we will always ensure that the reopening of the economy is safe,” she said in Filipino. All regions in the country except the Cordilleras and Davao region are under a "low risk" case classification and all regions have a negative two-week growth rate, Vergeire said. The health care capacity of all regions except Davao also have a "low risk" classification, Vergeire said. The public is urged to get their booster shots even after contracting COVID-19 as there are no studies on how long natural immunity will last, she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

outweigh the benefits--all of these claims are not based on science and should therefore not be entertained.,” Bravo said. She said getting COVID-19 carries a risk that children may become seriously ill or develop post-COVID-19 complications that may be severe, such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). "Naturally infected children can also spread the virus to others," she said. "Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk and protect children from developing COVID-19 in a safe and controlled way. It can also reduce the chance of spreading the virus to others." Atienza said so far there have been 54

sites used for jabbing the 5- to 11-year-old demographics. From Feb, 7 to 11, there have been a total of 69,800 children who have been vaccinated. He said the country is expecting some 15 million additional vaccine doses to arrive this month to help the government achieve its target coverage by May. The government is aiming to vaccinate more than 39.41 million children aged zero to 17 years old, of which 12.74 million are aged 12 to 17 years old, 15.56 million are 5 to 11 years old, and 11.11 million are 4 years old and below. The Philippines has so far vaccinated around 329,000 children aged 5

to 11 years old against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday. In a Palace briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said of the total number, only eight experienced adverse effects following immunization, which include rashes in the extremities, itchy throat, vomiting, and pain in the site of the injection with chills. Vergeire said the DOH is ensuring that the health workers in vaccination sites are prepared to respond to any adverse event that children may experience. She also gave assurance that the COVID-19 vaccines administered are safe and effective.

HE Philippines supports the elevation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ties with the United States and India to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.

From A1

regulated because it is election propaganda, not protected speech. “The Comelec may file cases against private property owners who will remain adamant on displaying oversized campaign posters displayed on their premises,” Jimenez warned. He said the Comelec has set the maximum size of campaign posters to two feet by three feet. The Comelec also observed that aside from oversized posters, campaign materials may not be nailed on trees, electric poles, and business and private structures which are outside of the Comelec-designated common poster areas. The Comelec started its Operation Baklas on Feb. 16 to remove “unlawful” election materials posted by political candidates, but immediately drew flak when enforcers removed campaign posters posted at the Quezon City headquarters of

Pinoys... From A1

On Friday, an AFP reporter near the frontline between government forces and rebel-held territory in the Lugansk region heard the thud of explosions and saw damaged civilian buildings. All eyes were on Russian President Vladimir Putin's next move as Moscow announced he will oversee a weekend drill of "strategic forces"—ballistic and cruise missiles. Russia has demanded that the United States withdraw all forces from NATO members in central and eastern Europe and is turning up the pressure on Ukraine. US President Joe Biden is to hold video talks with Western allies, including

HK... From A1

workers, the vast majority of whom are women from the Philippines and Indonesia who cook, clean, and care for their families. The warning came as Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam told residents to encourage helpers to stay indoors and said police would step up social distancing fines. The Chinese financial hub is currently in the throes of its worst-ever coronavirus outbreak, registering thousands of confirmed cases a day as hospitals reach breaking point. Foreign domestic workers must live with their employers, cannot swap jobs easily, and are only entitled to one day off a week. On Friday a coalition of groups representing migrant workers said the already grim pandemic conditions have plunged further in the current outbreak. Some workers had been sacked by employers after testing positive, forcing them to sleep outdoors. Others found themselves denied treatment at hospitals because they had lost their jobs. Eni Lestari, an Indonesian domestic worker and activist, said her peers had been on the "frontlines" helping families throughout the pandemic. "Now we are being neglected, we are being denied services, we are being abandoned," she told reporters. "We are very alarmed and we are very angry," she added. Activists said many Hong Kong employers were refusing to let their domestic workers leave often cramped apartments even on their day off, while some had been fired for taking their rest day.

Govt... From A1

clinical trials and therefore should be rolled out soon." At a forum organized by the Samahang Plaridel, Bravo and Atienza also allayed fears of parents amid the continued proliferation of misinformation and fake news regarding vaccination. Bravo also stressed the importance of avoiding vaccine fallacies by listening only to doctors and public health experts. “Claims such as excess deaths, behavioral changes in kids, that these vaccines are experimental, that the risks of vaccines

From A1

"We look forward to the convening of the proposed Asean-US Summit this year," said Locsin, adding the date for the meeting was being finalized. "Our leaders' engagement with President Joe Biden will further strengthen the Asean-US Strategic Partnership, which is a principal pillar of the evolving regional architecture," Locsin said The US is one of the Western states that do not recognize Myanmar's military leaders who seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on Feb. 1 last year. Suu Kyi, 76, and other officials were detained by the junta, which established the State Administration Council now led by Hlaing as chairman.

Fuel subsidy to resume April, says LTFRB OPERATORS of public utility vehicles and those providing delivery services are expected to receive another fuel subsidy from the government once the program resumes in April this year. “The DOTr and LTFRB are ready to continue the fuel subsidy program that is eyed to resume in April 2022,” the LTFRB said in a statement Friday. While the budget for the program has been approved under the General Appropriations Act of 2022, the LTFRB is still awaiting the release of the funds from the Department of Budget and Management. “Once released, the allotted funds will be given to the LBP to accelerate the distribution of the subsidy to beneficiaries,” the LTFRB said. The program, it said, will have a total 377,443 beneficiaries who will receive a fuel subsidy amounting to P6,500. These beneficiaries will include franchise grantees of traditional and modern PUVs, buses, mini-buses, taxis, UV Express, transport network vehicle services, and tourist transport services. Also included are tricycle operators under the purview of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and delivery services under the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. PNA (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Cimatu... From A1

Friday, noting that Justol's appointment paper was signed by the President on February 17. Nograles also said DENR Undersecretary Jim Sampulna had been designated as officer-in-charge of the department. "We wish Secretary Cimatu good health as he transitions from his decadeslong and stellar service in government to private life," Nograles said in a statement. In a letter from the Office of the President dated February 17, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed Cimatu that his resignation had been accepted effective immediately. Cimatu resigned Monday after serving the department since May 2017, after he was picked by Duterte to replace former Secretary Gina Lopez whose appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments. Cimatu is a retired Brigade Commander of the Philippine Army and was the 29th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He also once served as the country's Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East with the rank of Ambassador. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Cimatu was appointed as an overseer of the government's intensified pandemic response strategies in Cebu City on top of his job as DENR secretary. Meanwhile, Nograles confirmed the appointment of former DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda as Senior Deputy Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, replacing Abraham Bagasin. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

US... From A1

The report noted that despite established enforcement and monitoring agreements between the local government unit of San Juan and the multi-agency task force created by the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the illegal activities continue to thrive. “Sellers of counterfeit goods are reportedly becoming bolder in displaying and openly discussing the illicit nature of the counterfeit goods, instead of discretely hiding the counterfeit goods under the tables as they did in the past,” the report read. The US agency is concerned that the expansion of the Greenhills Shopping Mall, with a new seven-story building in the Greenhills area set to open in early 2022, may further embolden counterfeit sellers to defy the law and create problems with the original manufacturers of the pirated brands. The USTR stressed that commercialscale copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting cause significant financial losses for US right holders and legitimate businesses and undermines critical US comparative advantages in innovation and creativity. It also poses significant risks to consumer health and safety, it said. On a positive note, the NML review cited the Philippines Bureau of Customs for its efforts to seize counterfeit medicine and personal protective equipment, such as face masks, in Manila, as well as a substantial amount of counterfeit luxury goods from the Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Plaza, a shopping mall in Pasay City. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

IN BRIEF

JAPANESEKOREAN GARDEN IN BAGUIO. Mayor

SC mourns passing of Justice Nazario

CHIEF Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo led the judiciary in mourning the passing of retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Minita Chico Nazario last February 16. “Justice Nazario will always be remembered as one of those who broke barriers in the history of the Philippine Judiciary,” Gesmundo said. “The Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary join the loved ones of the late Hon. Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario in mourning her death. We offer our sincere and deep condolences and prayers,” the top magistrate added. Nazario was the first female magistrate and, later on, the first female presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court. Nazario served the government for 47 years, the last five years as SC justice until 2009. She was a regional trial court (RTC) judge before she was promoted to the Sandiganbayan in 1993. Ten years later, she was named Sandiganbayan presiding justice. Nazario, who was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1988 and was criminal law examiner in the 2000 Bar Examinations. Rey E. Requejo

Benjie Magalong and other government officials visited the Japanese-Korean garden that the Baguio Country Club has set up in its sprawling landscape in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

‘No fuel subsidies yet for farmers’ A MID the rising prices of oil, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will not yet give fuel subsidies to farmers and fisherfolks.

DA Secretary William Dar, in a press briefing, noted that the specific threshold that the government has set for giving the fuel subsidy has not yet been reached.

Dar said there is a “trigger mechanism” before the government can release the subsidy, and that mechanism is gasoline prices per barrel should hit $80 per barrel in the world market. The official said, “we are still far from there (the $80 per barrel threshold).” The DA has allocated P500 million for the fuel subsidies for 2022. Dar noted that aside from fuel subsidies, the government has “agricultural interventions” for farmers and fishers. Oil firms on Tuesday hiked pump

prices yet again, marking the seventh straight week of price increases. Earlier, The Department of Energy (DOE) warned that the high oil price trend may continue in the next two months and start tapering off only by May or June due to the continuing tightness in oil supply globally. DOE director for Oil Industry Management Bureau Rino Abad said supply problems from the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies helped

Qatar set to hold PH employment fair

push up prices. He said the oil supply shortage started last year, reaching around 1.85 million barrels per day, and OPEC and its allies committed to increase production but some of its member countries also suffered supply problems. Abad said demand also went up as most countries want to set up their strategic petroleum reserves. In 2021, gasoline went up by P17.65 per liter, diesel by P14.30 per liter and kerosene by P11.50 per liter.

US, allies seek ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific By Nash B. Maulana (Last of Two Parts) THE primary requisite for the U.S.’ and her close allies’ vital interests is having a free and open Indo-Pacific which “requires governments to make their choices to be assuring that shared domains are governed lawfully,” according to the facts sheet on U.S. IndoPacific Strategy declassified by the White House this month. The U.S. strategy begins with strengthening resilience within individual countries among allies to advance a free and open region, even as it underscores to roles of: 1) democratic institutions, a free press, and a vibrant civil society; as well as 2) improved fiscal transparency in the Indo-Pacific and having to expose corruption and drive reform; 3) the International Law to govern the region’s seas and skies; and 4) Advancing common approaches to critical and emerging technologies, the internet, and cyber space. The declassified document says the U.S. takes the lead to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” that is built among allies on a “collective capacity for a new age.” Indo-Pacific nations shall be adoptive of alliances, as well as the organizations and the rules that they together have helped build. The international and institutional alliances ought to build a collective capacity within and beyond the region, by: 1) Deepening the U.S. five regional treaty alliances with Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand; 2) Strengthening relationships with leading regional partners, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands; 3) Contributing to an empowered and unified ASEAN; 4) Strengthening the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between the U.S., India, Japan and Australia) and delivering on its commitments; 5) Supporting India’s continued rise and regional leadership; 6) Partnering to build resilience in the Pacific Islands; 7) Forging connections between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic; and 8) Expanding U.S. diplomatic presence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands; “The prosperity of everyday Americans is linked to the Indo-Pacific.” That fact requires investments to encourage innovation, strengthen economic competitiveness, produce good-paying jobs, rebuild supply chains, and expand economic opportunities for middle-class families— under which 1.5 billion peoples in the Indo-Pacific are envisaged to join the global middle class this decade.

EMPLOYMENT opportunities await Filipino migrant workers in Qatar as the host nation will be hosting an international event in November, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Doha reported on Friday. Labor Attache Adam Musa, in a virtual forum, said more jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors are available for workers in the Gulf nation which will host this year’s FIFA World Cup. “As of this moment, in-demand is the hospitality industry because of the need of FIFA, also in retail outlets, tourism-related sector. Tourism industry is a good prospect that would positively impact our workers’ community because Qatar is also inviting more tourists even after FIFA, and they will continue to sponsor world events,” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) official added. Musa said he is convinced that the holding of the sporting event will help improve the host nation’s economy and will create jobs. Musa said they are currently processing 250 job contracts a day. “In 2020 for a period of six months we were able to process about 3,000 workers. But now, every month more or less about 3,000. Based on that statistics, we will see there are workers who are returning and also new workers compared to 2020 figures, what I’m reporting is our 2021 figures. The gap is quite far so it proves that their economy is booming and the demand for Filipino workers is increasing,” he added.

Police arrest ASG member in Taguig City By Joel E. Zurbano

CRASH INVESTIGATION. Members of the SOCO investigate the crash site where three members of the Philippine Air Force died after their car crashed on the concrete barriers of the EDSA bus carousel at the exit of the EDSA-P. Tuazon tunnel in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday. Norman Cruz

DA defends sugar import plan, says it’s based on data DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said the department’s decision to import sugar “is based on data in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).” The DA has been questioned on its planned importation of sugar. A court also issued a temporary restraining order against the importation. But Dar said the department’s policy was “based on data” gathered with the PSA, and that the argument of the United Sugar Producers Federation, which

is opposing the importation, “should also be based on data” The federation filed the petition, which the Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Sagay City, Negros Occidental granted. Specifically, the TRO was against DA’s order to import 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar. Due to the court order, the Sugar Regulatory Administration temporarily halted the DA’s “Sugar Import Program.” Another group, the Unified and the Rural Sugar Planters Association Inc.

earlier expressed opposition of the said DA program. Dar noted that based on consumption in 2020 and 2021, the average monthly refined sugar withdrawal is at 82,562 metric tons. The official said without importation, the country only has a balance of 54,355 metric tons. He noted that the government is only importing “refined sugar” and that if there is no importation, the country’s sugar balance is less than the requirement for consumption

Salceda elated by Moody’s latest GDP growth outlook for PH By Maricel V. Cruz THE resident economist of the House of Representatives has said the upgrade of the country’s growth domestic product growth outlook from 5.6 percent to 6.2 percent for 2021 by the credit benchmarker Moody’s Analytics represents “a very strong shift in the world’s view of our prospects, especially moving forward after the pandemic.” Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda cited developments as the November FDI data showing the country recovering to pre-pandemic investment levels also signifies the world’s “vote of confidence in the enduring strength of our economic fundamentals, fortified with the moat of economic and fiscal reforms.” The growth projection for the Philippines is rosier than Indonesia’s 5.1 percent, Malaysia’s 5.4 percent, Singapore’s 4.6 percent, Taiwan’s 4.1 percent, and Thailand’s 3.2 percent. The country’s growth prospects are only second to those of Vietnam, at 6.5 percent.

“Of course, I’m happy with the projection, but I think we can still outdo it. We are working with the Cabinet to craft the transitional Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP) so that industries can already avail of tax incentives under the CREATE Law. That will put to rest investor uncertainty over the tax regime they’re falling under,” Salceda added. Salceda added the expected passage of the Public Service Act amendments, which will open all but six public services to full foreign ownership, will also be a “tide-changing boost to foreign investments.” “I expect December FDI figures to be stronger than those of November, and at least the investments of the First Quarter of 2021 to be marginally better than pre-pandemic levels,” Salceda said. “Finally, election spending will provide a marginal but not insignificant boost to growth. I am petitioning COMELEC to exempt all social welfare and aid programs from the elec-

ANOTHER suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group wanted for kidnapping in Sulu in 2002 and other crimes was arrested in Taguig City, police said on Friday. Southern Police District director P/ Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg identified the 31-years old suspect as Fahad Alih Dumayag, who uses the alias “Rustom” and “Abu Cola.” Dumayag was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted late last month by joint elements of the SPD Drug Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Division, Mobile Force Battalion, and Taguig Police Sub-Station 7. Seized from the suspect were 12 grams of shabu worth P81,600, a grenade, and one rifle grenade. “In the custodial debriefing made by DID together with members of the JTF-NCR (Joint Task Force-National Capital Region), and revelation of the confidential informant, it was established that the arrested drug suspect was indeed a member of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group under the group of Espilon Hapilon, Jamiri, and Undanan,” Macaraeg said. “The group was involved in the kidnapping of members of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Lamitan Siege wherein they took over a hospital and a church in June 2001. They also held priests and medical staff of St. Peter,” Macaraeg said.

tion spending ban, so that families can get out of the COVID slump faster this year,” Salceda added. Meanwhile, Salceda emphasized the need to fortify the Philippines from what global economic analysts are Manila warning about as “the coming lost REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES decade” where global growth is ex- Standard COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY pected to decline significantly after ANNOUNCEMENT recovery from COVID-19. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the “There will be a period of Commission on Appointments (CA) for the confirmation of global economic slowdown, as the ad interim appointment of: COMMISSION ON AUDIT countries naturally scale down their COVID spending and the Ms. RIZALINA NOVAL JUSTOL as CHAIRPERSON, Commission on Audit, for a term expiring on 02 February 2029, scars that industries took during vice Michael G. Aguinaldo the pandemic set in. You will The public may submit any information, written report, also begin to see the slowdown or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above interim appointment in seven (7) copies to the CA in productivity due to learning ad Secretariat, 6 Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal gaps during the school shut- Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. downs,” Salceda said. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA “Of course, the global average is Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 not this country’s destiny necessar- and 8551-1989. ily. We have bucked the global trend 17 February 2022. several times before during the Arroyo administration, especially HECTOR A. VILLACORTA during the Global Financial Crisis,” Secretary Salceda added. th

(MS-FEB. 19, 2022)

La Union gov joins NPC execs vowing support for Marcos-Duterte tandem By Maricel V. Cruz LA UNION Governor Emmanuel Ortega lll on Friday joined local officials from the “Solid North” in rallying behind the tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Ortega, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), declared his support for the UniTeam candidates during the latter’s courtesy call at the provincial capitol in San Fernando City, La Union. Meanwhile, Mayor Luis Singson Sr. of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur said he is overwhelmed is by the “volunteer-driven” campaign of the tandem of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standardbearer Marcos Jr. and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential candidate Duterte. Singson, Mayors League of the Philippines president, shared this to a crowd of supporters in Narvacan Thursday night as the BBM-Sara UniTeam carried out several campaign sorties in the province.

The UniTeam’s tenacity in pushing for platform-based discussions has paid off, resulting in a pre-election debate without the candidates’ usual freefor-all muckraking and name-calling Filipino voters have grown tired of for years, the Marcos camp said in a statement. They said the presidential debate organized by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) at the Okada Manila Hotel and Resorts on Tuesday “is seen by many as having the ideal format to encourage a free-flowing exchange of ideas among presidential candidates, giving voters a preview of their platforms and advocacies.” The three-part debate lasted for four hours and featured presidential frontrunner Marcos Jr., former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody De Guzman, and former defense chief Norberto Gonzales. “I am endorsing the candidacy of Mayor Sara for vice president. I believe in her capacity, siya ay mayor ng Davao City for a long time,” Ortega said.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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SELFIE SHOT. Lakas-CMD Vice Presidential Candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte takes a selfie with thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at the Eriguel covered court in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Agoo, La Union on Friday. Ver Noveno

30 COCKFIGHTING FANS MISSING SINCE JAN. 14

Lacson, Sotto seek probe on ‘e-sabong’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ARTIDO Reporma presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III have called for a thorough investigation to find and give justice to 30 persons who went missing after going to a cockfight in Laguna.

The Lacson-Sotto tandem said the “sabong” enthusiasts should be found right away because their lives were at stake. Some family members had already approached them to find the “sabungeros,” first reported missing January 14. Meanwhile, Lacson will be conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) in recognition of his over 50 years of outstanding contributions to government and public service. Lacson has been unanimously voted by the Board of Directors of the PMAAAI to receive the award for his “exemplary and unblemished service to the country” characterized by his “faithful adherence to the (PMA) virtues of Courage, Loyalty, and Integrity.” On the missing cockfight enthusiasts, Lacson said if he were still the chairman of the Senate public order committee – which is now headed by Senator Ronald

“Bato” Dela Rosa -- he would investigate the matter. Sotto said they got information that some of the relatives of the missing persons wanted to divulge something about the e-sabong (electronic or internet cockfighting operation). “So, we’ll find ways to be able to talk to them and if necessary, if none of the members of the Senate presently are not interested, we can always ask the chairman of the Committee on Games to conduct an investigation or hearing from that,” he said. “Given the urgency of the issue while the Senate is on regular adjournment, I am planning to conduct an inquiry as part of my committee’s oversight function over certain [government] agencies,” Dela Rosa, a former national police chief like Lacson, said. On Feb. 3, police said they were searching for three people from Laguna involved in the cockfighting business in a bid to shed light on the whereabouts of four of the 26 missing cockfight players. Senator Leila de Lima also aired concern over the incident. “These cases of successive disappearance of individuals engaged in gambling is a perplexing phenomenon which demands for answers and closure,” she said. “What’s this big mystery about missing or abducted sabungeros? Game-fixing syndicate? Is that the only theory? Why the seemingly slow pace of investigation? Are there true leads, persons of interest o suspects?” said De Lima. She said the disappearance of sabungeros should not be taken for granted, lest we want to hear reports of more persons missing.

Isko to protect ‘food basket’ farmers in Luzon areas By Rey E. Requejo

SHOE SHOPPING. Partido Reporma presidential bet

Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson holds the bag of leather shoes he bought at SM Baguio City on Friday as he returned to Summer Capital of the Philippines for a series of speaking engagements and other activities over two days starting Friday.

Leni eyes PWD law full implementation By Rio N. Araja IF elected as the next President, Vice President Leni Robredo wants the full implementation of the law for the protection of persons with disability. She vowed to provide mandatory health insurance for PWDs, saying the issue of disability is close to her since three of her in-laws – the father, brother, and sister of her late husband Jesse Robredo – are blind due to a genetic ailment. The Robredos founded the Lolo Jose Foundation, a charitable organization to help the blind. She recently signed a covenant with a coalition of leaders from the PWD sector with 21 other signatories from various disability-affiliated organizations. “You know, disability runs in the family. That is why it is something personal to us. This is not just an advocacy that we have adopted, but something personal we have to fight for since many members of the family have the disability,” Robredo said. “There are too many limitations if the buyin of the national government is not 100 percent. We still have too many things to do but if the national government does not take the issue to the heart, many of the opportunities for the PWDs are not being maximized,” the Vice President added.

MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has vowed that if elected president, his administration will provide full support and protection to Filipino farmers from the country’s so-called “food basket” to uplift their lives and ensure that there is food on the table of every Filipino family. Moreno made the assurance in a media interview at the provincial capitol building in San Fernando, La Union following a courtesy call with Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III as Team Isko embarked on a motorcade around the Ilocos Region province. “One of the sad things that is happening in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon is that your vegetable crops are gradually disappearing. Look at the garlic, it’s different, and a lot of it is missing due to the importation of Taiwanese garlic and garlic to China.” “In Central Luzon, our onion farmers are crying now, because the imported onions are flooding the market, because we allowed them,” the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate lamented. “Now, the price of rice is not rising yet, but it will increase, but the price of palay is not rising. So, these areas, Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, which is the food basket of our country, is greatly affected by negligence on the part of government agencies by not protecting their crops, particularly during the harvest season,” Moreno said. The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said that given the chance, among the first policies he would institute to protect farmers is to issue clear guidelines on the strict importation of agricultural products to make sure that local producers can sell their products first before importation is made; and clamp down on smuggling of agriculture products to protect the interests of local producers.

Cayetano targets education reforms in Senate SENATORIAL aspirant and Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has pushed for improved access and opportunities to education, saying this is key to the development of the nation. “My siblings and I were taught by our father, Senator Rene ‘Compañero’ Cayetano, that education is the key. Our mother was a teacher, our grandmother was a publicschool teacher, and my wife is a scholar,” Cayetano, a former House Speaker, said. Cayetano comes from a family of educators. His grandmother, Julianna Cabrera, and mother, Sandra Schramm, were both teachers. Meanwhile, his father, former Senator Renato Cayetano, was a professor in law school. He said he will push for greater government support for education once he completes his comeback to the Senate. “This is one of the matters I will push for because if you help parents in the educa-

tion of their children, it’s a weight off their shoulders especially in the middle of a pandemic where we’re all still recovering,” said Cayetano. The former Foreign Affairs secretary, who is gunning for a Senate seat in the May elections, said he plans to use Taguig City’s education and scholarship system as a blueprint for these future reforms. Taguig City has been providing students with free education and supplies from preschool to college in order to give them greater opportunities in the future. The cost of major school events, such as graduation programs and junior proms, are also shouldered by the city government. “From elementary school, uniforms are free. Even bags, notebooks, and hygiene kits with toothbrushes, as well as medical and dental check-ups… and we have computer-assisted learning programs from Singapore,” Cayetano said.Maricel V. Cruz

Opinion Guard that vote

THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the target of netizens’ unrelenting criticisms these days. COMELEC is blamed over reports that campaign collaterals favoring VicePresident Leni Robredo’s group put in private properties are either being taken down (in the case of tarpaulins) or painted over (in the case of murals) by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The incident in Santiago City, Isabela drew the ire of people especially since most campaign collaterals of candidate Leni Robredo are produced by volunteers using their own resources. In a statement, COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez said that those who have problems with what the poll body is doing should file a complaint. He added that they are just making sure that the laws are followed. Jimenez was referring to the Fair Elections Act and COMELEC Resolution No. 10730 regulating the posting of campaign paraphernalia. Allowed paper, cloth, and cardboard campaign paraphernalia are those not exceeding two by three (2 x 3) feet. Interestingly, recently-retired COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, in a tweet, shared her picture of her huge billboard in support of the party list P3PWD#54 mounted on a private building. Guanzon said, “My billboard is on private property, not paid for by P3PWD#54, not covered by Fair Elections Act and size 2x3 rule of @COMELEC Diocese of Bacolod vs COMELEC (2015) .jabjimenez” Guanzon was referring to the 2015 Supreme Court decision favoring the Diocese of Bacolod over the COMELEC in relation to tarpaulin sizes. The case involved two six by ten (6 x 10) tarps mounted in a private compound of the San Sebastian Cathedral of Bacolod. The SC decision said that COMELEC has “no legal basis to regulate expressions made by private citizens.” The Justices added that, “Petitioners are not candidates… COMELEC does not have the authority to regulate the enjoyment of the preferred right to freedom of expression exercised by a non-candidate in this case… Large tarpaulins… are fundamentally part of expression protected under Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution.” There is no Court higher than the Supreme Court. Clearly, therefore, the COMELEC should not as much as touch campaign materials mounted on private properties. The poll body’s spokesperson is just that, spokesperson. He is just the messenger. Because of the controversy surrounding “Oplan Baklas,” the ones who should be answerable are those who made the decision to take down campaign materials in private properties. The Acting COMELEC Chairperson should make clear where COMELEC stands on this issue. I have written before that because of recent retirements, instead of seven, there are only four COMELEC officials managing the campaign period and everything about the May elections. All of them were appointed to the position by outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte. Can they really do it? More importantly, can they be impartial especially since Duterte’s daughter is running as Vice President? How are our votes

going to be protected? How can we be sure of the elections’ integrity and that the electorate’s decision will be respected and will reign supreme? Citizens must guard the votes. As of December 14, 2021, there are over 67.5 million registered voters. This, by far is the biggest in the history of elections in the country. Despite the pandemic, Filipinos went out and registered so they can vote. This is a huge statement that the people want change for the better, and that they intend to be part of that change. There 65.7 domestic voters and around 1.8 million overseas voters. 56% of voters can be considered young as they belong to the ages between 18 and 41, while more than 12 million are senior citizen voters.

We have to ensure that the results reflect the people’s will. There are more female registered voters (33.6 million) than males (32 million). The top five regions with the highest concentration of voters are: Region IV-A almost 9.2 million, NCR more than 7.3 million, Region III nearly 7.3 million, Region VII more than 5.2 million, and Region VI, more than 5 million. Should Duterte not appoint new commissioners, the conduct of the elections potentially involving 67.5 voters, is in the hand of FOUR officials hand-picked by Duterte. With the controversies involving the COMELEC, i.e. the delay in the promulgation of the decision on petitions seeking Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s disqualification, and now “Oplan Baklas,” it is getting difficult to believe that the May elections will go as smoothly as we hope to. The Filipino people must then protect the vote. There are organizations that we hope can help. The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) is the more popular one. It has chapters in many places of the country and people can sign up as NAMFREL volunteers. NAMFREL has been the citizens’ arm in previous elections in the pursuit of honest and clean elections. There is also the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a non-partisan, non-profit organization with the mission and mandate to have clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections. The PPCRV is also accepting volunteers. Like NAMFREL, the PPCRV has also been involved in protecting the sanctity of the ballot. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) has a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for a genuine 2022 National and Local Elections, “to reaffirm the commitment to upholding the rule of law and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions. To pursue a Safe, Accountable, Transparent, and Inclusive elections that inspire national confidence,” says LENTE’s Facebook page. We have been repeatedly stressing that the coming elections are very crucial for the country and people. We must do all we can to make sure that the results truly reflect the people’s will. We, citizens, must guard that vote. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

later, her son Noynoy had the same opportunity. Instead, in the PNoy years, our terrible politics – of celebrities, family dynasties, and weak political parties – got cemented and paved the way for a President Duterte, the anti-thesis of Cory Aquino. And now, the dictator’s son Bongbong Marcos is well-positioned to win the Philippine presidency on May 9, 2022. That is not a certainty as there is still time to change the dynamics of the race. But it would be foolish and delusional not to consider that possibility. The irony of a Marcos return to power is that it has been enabled by the political system that the events of EDSA produced. Bongbong Marcos and the coalition of interests he has assembled represent the cream of our political elite and what they stand for – neoliberal economic policies, militaristic approaches to social conflict, celebrity politics, and political family dynasties. Marcos’ loyalists are challenging irrefutable facts and expounding half-truths and outright lies about the record of the Marcos dictatorship. There are of course attempts to push back against the revisionism. Among others, the Movement Against Disinformation, of which I am lead convenor, is doing that. We are active in the #FactsFirstPH coalition, led by Rappler, which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space and exacting accountability from those who harm it with lies. As a law professor in more than a dozen law schools, I bring as many of the classes I teach to the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani to celebrate the heroic lives of those Filipinos who fought against dictatorship. Those visits are always

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EDITORIAL

The irony of the Marcos return

NEXT week, we will remember the joy and hope many Filipinos felt when the Marcos dictatorship fell on February 26, 1986. As a result of the EDSA people power revolt, Cory Aquino ascended the presidency and established a revolutionary government that exercised both executive and legislative powers. As soon as she came to power, Cory’s priority agenda was to dismantle the structures of the dictatorship, repealing repressive laws, restoring civil liberties, and replacing the Marcos Constitution with the 1987 Constitution. EDSA was all about genuine change through sacrifice, love of country and fellow human beings, selflessness, good governance and a better life for all. However, despite the Cory government’s initiatives to restore democratic space and dismantle the structures of the old regime, fundamental and structural flaws that have historically plagued Philippine society stubbornly persisted - an economy ran by the elite and oligarchs, patronage and elitist politics, electoral system favoring the rich and the powerful, impunity or those who disregarded human rights and rule of law, and yes continuing poverty, social injustice, and social inequality. Cory had the singular opportunity to correct the systemic flaws in the political and economic landscape. But this did not happen. Two decades

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Salute to Filipino teachers

E GIVE our hand to the Manila-born Charles Darwin Magdaluyo, named 2022 Vystar Teacher of the Year, besting 180 other nominees from the Duval county in Florida, who considers teaching as his calling in life. A graduate of the Philippine Normal University, he went to the United States through an exchange teacher program and has been teaching human anatomy and physiology at the Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Florida for over three years, reported ABS-CBN. We appreciate the echoes of his declaration: “When we talk about establishing the trust and confidence of your students, it’s always going back to your purpose why you really want to become a teacher or why you want to do this...If you like what you are doing, you won’t feel like you are working in the classroom.” There is a stone in Magdaluyo’s statement that teaching is not just about competence. He is correct in shouting out that teaching is “about commitment and character (and that) when you feel like you have to do something, you have to do it.”

Great teachers always have compassion for their students. We underline the substance and the essence of his statement, reflecting on his calling that his point as an educator that his purpose in his calling “is not just to produce students who are strong in mind but also in character.” What displays his humanity as a son, more than a teacher, is his filial jargon that the award is not possible without the dedication and motivation of his parents. He also said: “When we talk about

establishing the trust and confidence of your students, it’s always going back to your purpose why you really want to become a teacher or why you want to do this. If you like what you are doing, you won’t feel like you are working in the classroom.” On the mode of teaching, Magdaluyo said he still prefers face-to-face classes over doing virtual learning, which the school has temporarily applied during the pandemic. “It makes it more challenging for me to do remediations, to help them out personally because I am very much particular, comfortable doing teaching when I am in front of my students so I can be a guide,” he said. We look at his person as a teacher, and find himself properly as an ultimate role model for his students. For indeed great teachers always have compassion for their students, understanding of their students’ personal lives, and appreciation for their academic goals and achievements. Teachers, verily, are role models for children to be positive, always try harder, and reach for the stars. Teacher Magdaluyo deserves our salute.

Harassment against BBM makes him more popular but the circumstances are similar except that the disqualification prejudge that BBM as guilty of a crime to which he has acquitted. To accept the newly hatched charge against him is to circumvent altogether the case against BBM. Retired commissioner Rowena Guanzon miserably failed to grasp this point. THIS is the only country where the opposition refuses to accept the finality of a court decision. The case against BBM has long been decided by the court, and adjudged final. Litigants must therefore accept the verdict. Our acceptance of the decision is our submission to due process and respect for the rule of law. Otherwise, there will be no end in court litigation and that could lead to chaos. The case of BBM is worrisome because the court has already acquitted him except that he should pay the fine and deficiency taxes as ordered. What gets the case against him much confusing is that the court acquitted him of the alleged crime and erased the penalty of imprisonment by letting him pay the fine and deficiency income taxes with interest. We, the voting public, could only surmise why the court erased the penalty of imprisonment based on the premise he did not commit a crime. It would be inconceivable and illogical to punish a man when the court itself finds him not guilty of the crime alluded to. To maintain that the accused is not guilty of nonpayment of tax would be anachronistic to punishing him. On the other hand, to demand that the Comelec cancel his certificate of candidacy is to collaterally charge BBM for a crime for which he was acquitted. Instead of the charge of non-payment of tax, the petitioners proceeded to directly disqualify him. For what? Note that the petition for the cancellation of his COC presupposes he was found guilty of the charge alluded to notwithstanding that the petition is a prohibition for him to exercise his right to participate in the electoral process for which he was not convicted. The disallowance of his COC is obviously different from his alleged non-payment of tax sobering because of the stories of torture, assassinations, and massacres from the Marcos era.

It has been enabled by the political system that the events of EDSA produced. I also connect these stories to the repression we have seen in the Duterte years. I talk a lot about my clients Leila De Lima, detained unjustly for five years now, and Myles Albasin who has also been unjustly detained for four years already. Just yesterday a wonderful woman, a doctor who has dedicated her life to the underprivileged in Mindanao, was arrested in San Juan,

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

This case is worrisome. Once the Comelec disqualifies BBM, he will forever be disqualified to run again for public office. Filing a different case for which he was acquitted is a modification of the case after the court erased that portion of the decision on the basis that BBM is not guilty of the alleged crime. The petition to disallow his COC in the guise of charging him a different crime amounts to an imposition of ex post facto law. BBM cannot be punished for an event that has yet to happen. Cancelling one’s COC is necessarily premised on conviction of a crime and carries the penalty of disqualification. This is a classic case of a crime metamorphosing to one which an accused has already been acquitted. It is inferentially it revives a case that has long been decided. As people sees it, the petition was filed by disgruntled group of anti-Marcos. In which case, such is beyond the jurisdiction of the Comelec to decide. The petitioners are deeply embedded in their cocoon of hatred and bigotry that blinds their objectivity, fairness and rationality. Allegedly, BBM has been convicted of a crime involving one of moral turpitude. There is in that allegation of retired justice Antonio Carpio a prejudgment of the case. Do these people understand what the system of withholding tax is? The Court of Appeals decision dated Oct. 21, 1997 states, “[it] did not categorically hold that [Marcos] is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude nor did it positively pronounce that [he is] meted the penalty of imprisonment of more than 18 months. There is likewise no definitive declaration by the said decision that herein respondent is perpetually disqualified Metro Manila. Quoting from her brother’s Facebook post: “Maria Natividad Marian Castro was arrested by elements of the San Juan Police in her brother’s home in San Juan, Metro Manila. The arresting police reportedly forcibly entered the house and destroyed the front door while others climbed over the walls of the house. Dr. Castro is a health worker who has set up community health centers and programs in Mindanao. She has long served the poor communities of Agusan del Norte who don’t have access to health services. As a health worker and human rights advocate, she was a victim of redtagging and attacks from state forces. On November 20, 2020, tarpaulins tagging her and other human rights defenders as “communist NPAs” were put up in public places all over Caraga by suspected state agents. She was reportedly accused of fabricated

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from holding public office.” The case has long been decided, and BBM has been elected several times to public office. In no instance has a case been filed and decided against him, except today where there is a great probability he will elected as our next President. How can the petitioners claim nonpayment of tax when the liability is based on our application of our system of withholding tax, meaning that tax is collected not from the taxpayer but from their employer? Whatever deficiency left in the amount of tax liability, it is the company’s fault, which in this case is the government, BBM being an elected government official. The only unusual thing is that the lady who claims to have been elected vice president in 2016 did not join the petition to disqualify BBM from running. This is a wonder because if there is anybody who is concerned in preventing his election, it is none other than Robredo. Disqualifying BBM is a vindication that she is more qualified to be elected and probably can shout to the whole world she deserves to be elected President than her political rival. If truly she believes she is right in her judgment of her political rival, she should have joined the petition. It will not only serve to vindicate her that BBM is not qualified but could equally affirm she was elected vice president in 2016 by the Filipino people. Alas, she refused to join which now puzzles many why she strangely inhibited from joining the petition. Before Rowena Guanzon retired as Comelec commissioner, she created a bruhaha by purposely leaking her decision disqualifying BBM as presidential candidate. She purposely leaked her obiter because the case was never assigned to her as ponente. Thus, in a bid to compel the Comelec to include her decision, with her misplaced decision disqualifying BBM, that obiter was excluded for the fact that she already retired from the service. (rpkapunan@gmail.com) Full version on www.manilastandard.net multiple charges of kidnapping and illegal detention, all related to her human rights advocacy. Several years ago, Dr. Naty was among the delegation in UN Geneva where she accompanied the Lumad (indigenous people of Mindanao) who were victims of militarization. She spoke there to seek help for the Lumad people. She is Class ‘84 high school valedictorian of St. Scholastica in Manila and in 2001 was awarded one of the 100 most outstanding graduates of St. Scholastica High School in the last century. She graduated from UP Manila - PGH Cum Laude in 1995.” Some of us think the dark days are only going to begin if a Marcos will return to power on June 30, 2022. Not true. We have been in the darkness for awhile now. It will just get worse. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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38 people sentenced to death over 2008 bombings in India

AN INDIAN court sentenced 38 people to death on Friday over a string of bomb blasts in 2008 that killed dozens in the western city of Ahmedabad. The court had on February 8 convicted 49 people over the coordinated attacks that killed 56, launching shrapnel through markets, buses and other public places in Gujarat state’s commercial hub. “Special judge A R Patel awarded the death sentence to 38 out of the 49 convicted,” said special public prosecutor Amit Patel. “Eleven of the convicted were sentenced to life imprisonment till death.” A group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility, and said the act was revenge for 2002 religious riots in the state that left some 1,000 people dead.

WHERE A KINDER SCHOOL USED TO BE. A woman stands

inside among debris after the reported shelling of a kindergarten in the settlement of Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine on February 17, 2022. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of a provocation by Moscow to justify military intervention in Ukraine after ‘disturbing’ reports of mutual accusations of bombing between the Ukrainian military and proRussian separatists. AFP

Nearly 80 people were charged for the 2008 Ahmedabad attacks but 28 were acquitted, according to prosecutor Amit Patel. The convicted were all found guilty of murder and criminal conspiracy, he added. The marathon trial lasted nearly a decade – thanks to India’s labyrinthine legal system – with more than 1,100 witnesses called to testify. It was dragged out by procedural delays, including a legal battle by four of the accused to retract confessions. Police also foiled a 2013 attempt by more than a dozen of the defendants to tunnel their way out of jail using food plates as digging tools. All 77 accused have been held in custody for years, with the exception of one who was bailed after a schizophrenia diagnosis. AFP

AS US WARNS UN TO EXPECT OFFENSIVE IN ‘COMING DAYS’

Russia pulls out more tanks near Ukraine New Zealand R police reject ussia said Friday it had begun withdrawing more tanks and other armoured vehicles from areas near Ukraine’s border after running war games that had raised concerns in the West. “Another military train carrying personnel and military equipment belonging to tank army units of the western military district returned to their permanent bases in the Nizhny Novgorod region after completing scheduled exercises,” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement. Separately, it said 10 Su-24 warplanes were redeploying from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula to airfields in other regions. Germany, for its part, accused Russia of endangering Europe’s security with demands that recall the Cold War, as Western leaders arrived for a Munich Manila

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Standard Notice is hereby given that Stock

TODAY

Certificate No. 458 – 5,000 shares, Stock Certificate No. 21 – 1,250 shares and Stock Certificate No. 2251 – 62 shares of 2GO Group, Inc. issued in the name of Liza G. Acab has been reported lost and the holder of the said shares have applied to the Company to issue duplicate share certificates. Any person who has a claim in respect of said shares should lodge the claims or inform the Company at its registered address within one (1) year from the last publication of this notice. If no claims/ objections are received during this period, the Company shall be free to issue duplicate share certificate. (MS-Feb 19, 26 & Mar 5, 2022)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT of ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RIGOBERTO MARCIANO SALAMANCA has been extra-judicially settled among his heirs WITH DEED OF ASSIGNMENT consisting of cash deposits in: • BPI New Farmers Branch QC SA No. 4273-0173-78 As per Doc. No. 346; Page No. 71; Book No. 23; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. ROQUE O. ROSALES. (MS-FEB. 19/26/MAR. 5, 2022)

ERRATUM This refers to the ad of PHILIPPINE BANK OF C O M M U N I C AT I O N S (“PBCOM”) last February 18, 2022. The ad should have read as NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS and not as published. For this we apologize, thus this erratum.

Security Conference set to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis. Fears are growing in the West that Russia is on the verge of invading its neighbor, with the United States warning of a possible attack in the “coming days.” Ahead of the annual, three-day conference’s opening ceremony, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Moscow needed to show “serious steps towards de-escalation.” “With an unprecedented deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine and Cold War demands, Russia is challenging fundamental principles of the European peace order,” Baerbock said

6 African states get mRNA production SIX African countries have been chosen to establish their own mRNA vaccine production, the World Health Organization said Friday, with the continent largely shut out of access to COVID jabs. Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia were selected as the first recipients of technology from the WHO’s global mRNA vaccine hub, in a push to ensure Africa can make its own jabs to fight the COVID and other diseases. “No other event like the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that reliance on a few companies to supply global public goods is limiting, and dangerous,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “The best way to address health emergencies and reach universal health coverage is to significantly increase the capacity of all regions to manufacture the health products they need.” Tedros has continually called for equitable access to vaccines in order to beat the pandemic, and rails against the way wealthy nations have hogged doses, leaving Africa lagging behind other continents in the global vaccination effort. A ceremony marking the mRNA tech transfer announcement was to be held Friday in Brussels at the summit between the European Union and the African Union. AFP

(MS-FEB. 19, 2022)

NOTICE

Notice hereby given that MERG REALTY CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) has filed with this Department for the change of project name from BROOKLYN HOUSE to FILMORE APARTMENTS, located at Filmore corner Casino Sts., Brgy. Palanan, Makati City, specifically described as Lot 10-D (LRC) Psd-119014, covered by TCT No. S-53310, Lot 10-A (LRC) Psd-119014, covered by TCT No. S-53311, Lot 10-C (LRC) Psd-119014, covered by TCT No. S-53312; Lot 10-B (LRC) Psd-119014, covered by TCT No. S-53313; and Lot 10-E (LRC) PSD-119014 covered by TCT No. 006-2017000841, having a total area of 284 square meters. The project has been previously issued Certificate of Registration No. 028105 and License to Sell No. 032440 both on August 03, 2017.

Notice hereby given that INNO REALTY CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) has filed with this Department a sworn registration statement for the sale of condominium units at AURORA 700 CONDMINIUM located at Aurora Blvd., Project 3, Quezon City specifically described as Lot 10-B of the subd. plan (LRC) Psd-27747; and covered by TCT No. N-330358 having total area of 770.50 square meters.

Notice hereby given that WJD PRIME PROPERTIES, INC. (Owner) and WJLAND INC. (Developer) has filed with this Department a sworn registration statement for the sale of lots/ units at INARO RESIDENCES located at Marelino St., Isadora Hills Subdivision, Brgy. Holy Spirit, District II, Quezon City specifically described as Lots 1 to 11 of the subd. plan Pcs00-015226; and covered by TCT Nos. 004-2018015099 to 004-2018015109 Iinclusive), respectively, having a total area of 1,008.00 square meters.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Jan. 11, 2022. (SGD.) COL. JEOFREY DELOS REYES TUPAS (Ret.) Regional Director (MS-FEB. 19 & 26, 2022)

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation through Investment-Incentivized Compliance by depositing in a trust account under Escrow Agreement between the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Inno Realty Corporation, and United Cococnut Planters Bank, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884. All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance by depositing in a trust account under Escrow Agreement between the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, WJLand, Inc. and China Banking Corporation-Trust and Asset Management Group, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884. All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila

(SGD.) COL. JEOFREY DELOS REYES TUPAS (Ret.) Regional Director

(MS-FEB. 19 & 26, 2022)

in a statement. Russian troops have all but encircled Ukraine during the Kremlin’s stand-off with the West over NATO’s expansion into eastern Europe. Before travelling to Munich, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the United Nations to expect an offensive in the “coming days,” likely preceded by a pretext to justify military action. Some feared such a moment had arrived on Thursday, when a spike in shellings on the front line damaged an eastern Ukrainian kindergarten and Russian-backed separatists blamed Kyiv for escalating hostilities. Russia has denied any invasion plans. But the Kremlin has also said it could be forced to respond militarily if Washington does not meet certain security demands. Moscow has so far declined to attend the Munich gathering, but the United

States said Blinken would meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov next week – provided no invasion had occurred before then. “It is a loss that Russia is not taking advantage of this opportunity,” Baerbock said. She added that the conference offered a chance “to discuss how we can still counter the logic of threats of violence and military escalation with the logic of dialogue.” Also travelling to Munich are US Vice President Kamala Harris, UN chief Antonio Guterres, EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven club of rich nations – including France, Britain, the US and Japan – will discuss the Ukraine crisis on the conference sidelines Saturday. AFP

calls to clear anti-vax camp

NEW Zealand police ruled out forcibly clearing anti-vaccination protesters camped around parliament in Wellington on Friday, saying they did not want to provoke violence on the streets of the capital. Police have taken a hands-off approach after an attempt to take control of the lawns late last week resulted in violent clashes and 120 arrests. Commissioner Andrew Coster acknowledged growing frustration CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK among Wellington residents and business owners as protest vehicles blocked downtown streets for the 11th day. But he insisted dialogue with the demonstration’s leaders was yielding positive results, even though the number of people squatting outside the legislature continues to swell. “Enforcement action taken by police runs the real risk of injury to the public, escalation in numbers of people, and a transition away from a largely peaceful protest to violence,” Coster said. “In our assessment, the only safe option at the present point in time is a continued focus on de-escalation.” The protesters, inspired by Canada’s “Freedom Convoy,” jammed roads with cars, trucks and campervans early last week, then set up camp on the lawns of parliament. They have erected tents and shelters, and organized portable toilets, food distribution points and childcare facilities. New Zealand’s largest news website said police had “seemingly ceded control” of the parliamentary precinct, pointing to the presence of protesters acting as self-styled security guards to monitor access to the grounds. Coster said about 800 people were at the camp, with more than 450 vehicles obstructing roads, and preCOVID SURGE. A makeshift camp set up for COVID-19 patients due to limited space inside is dicted numbers would increase over pictured outside the Caritas Medical Center in Hong Kong on February 18, 2022, as the city faces its the weekend. AFP worst coronavirus wave to date. AFP

Seoul eases COVID restrictions with daily cases at record high SOUTH Korea said it would ease pandemic restrictions Friday, even as the country’s daily caseload crossed 100,000 for the first time, with officials citing economic concerns over social distancing measures. The country reported a record 109,831 new infections for Thursday, with health experts warning this number could rise to 270,000 new cases a day next month. Despite the spike in cases, Seoul officials said they would ease restrictions by allowing cafes and restaurants to stay open an extra hour till 10 p.m. starting Saturday. “Considering the deepening difficulties of the people’s livelihood and economy, we have concluded that the minimum adjustment was inevitable,” Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said. The country will also drop its requirement that businesses including restaurants and cafes maintain handwritten visitor logs to allow for contact tracing, officials said. The vast majority of South Korea’s eligible population has been vaccinated and boosted, and despite the record number of infections in the country of 52 million people, death rates remain very low. “We are focusing on high-risk groups when it comes to epidemiological investigation and contact tracing management,” said Lee Ki-il, a health ministry official. “Extensive contact investigation is now proving to be somewhat ineffective,” they added.

People wait in line to be tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Seoul on February 18, 2022, after South Korea’s daily virus caseload crossed 100,000 for the first time. AFP

Seoul abandoned its vaunted “trace, test and treat” programme earlier this month, as a dramatic surge in Omicron cases threatened to overwhelm its healthcare system.

Instead of mass testing and aggressive contact tracing, the government is now asking patients with mild or moderate symptoms to look after themselves at home. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

Business

TODAY

PSEi February 18, 2022

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0.011 0.249 2.9 0.77 0.97 0.013 0.174 0.0098 1.64 0.169

MAB RLT CPM PHA ORE OPMB LCB OV MARC LC

0.0011 0.024 0.27 0.07 0.08 0.001 0.013 0.0007 0.11 0.009

11.11% 10.67% 10.27% 10.00% 8.99% 8.33% 8.07% 7.69% 7.19% 5.63%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3

OPM WIN VMC

0.012 0.28 2.41

-0.001 -0.02 -0.14

-7.69% -6.67% -5.49%

NRCP

0.68

-0.03

-4.23%

5 6

OM GEO

0.34 0.197

-0.015 -0.008

-4.23% -3.90%

GREEN

2.03

-0.08

-3.79%

SBS

-0.15

-3.61%

9 10

HI ALLHC

3.75 4.85

-0.14 -0.17

-3.60% -3.39%

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market down for 2 day; PLDT and Globe decline S nd

HARE prices fell for the second straight day Friday following a steep drop on Wall Street fueled by renewed fears that Russia will soon invade Ukraine, adding to longrunning angst about the Federal Reserve’s plans to hike interest rates.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 20.14 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,418.79 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 94 to 86, with 53 issues unchanged. PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, dropped 2.6 percent to P1,782, while rival Globe Telecom Inc. of the Ayala Group, the second-largest, declined 3.2 percent to P2,700. Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. decreased 2.5 per-

cent to P27.80, but major property developer Ayala Land Inc. rose 2.4 percent to P39.65. The rest of equity markets were mixed Friday. While tensions in Eastern Europe continue to absorb most of the attention, oil extended losses as traders grow increasingly optimistic of a deal on Iran’s nuclear program that could see it restart crude exports. After a disappointing start to the year, investors are still to get their mojo back as they contend with a range of risk-off issues including Russia-Ukraine, soaring inflation, imminent rate hikes, supply chain snarls and China’s COVID outbreaks. And analysts warned the uncertainty will likely last for some time. For now eyes are on the RussiaUkraine border after Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin’s forces could attack any time soon. There had been optimism the crisis had passed after Moscow said troops

were withdrawing but Western powers said there is no sign that is the case, while accusing it of preparing a “false flag operation” as a pretext for invasion. Putin denies he is planning any incursion but investors remain on edge as observers warn such a move could have wide-ranging implications for the world economic recovery, particularly with Russia being a major energy exporter. The mood was given a little help when Washington said Thursday that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov will meet next week if there is no invasion. All three main US indexes ended well down, with the Nasdaq almost three percent off, though Asia fared slightly better. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei and Wellington slipped, though Shanghai, Mumbai, Jakarta and Bangkok edged up slightly. Seoul was flat. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 2

ALI RLC

15,098,100 26,748,700

588,098,195 516,542,964

GLO

133,340

361,738,510

TEL

197,490

356,382,200

5 6

SM SMPH

364,420 8,590,500

336,907,195 327,295,555

CNVRG

9,937,200

277,379,985

ICT

1,156,320

246,895,364

9 10

MPI MBT

59,340,000 3,285,430

228,893,100 197,793,726

Air France-KLM slashed losses by half in 2021 PARIS, France—French-Dutch aviation giant Air France-KLM on Thursday said its net loss narrowed by more than half last year but would need more capital strengthening measures due to the pandemic. The airline’s losses totaled 3.3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) last year. It said the capital strengthening measures could amount to some 4.0 billion euros and acknowledged that the Omicron COVID-19 variant had hampered positive trends after a good start to the fourth quarter. “This new step in the recapitalization plan measures intends to further restore the equity position,” it said. The company said it would not be giving guidance for 2022 due to the uncertainty over the pandemic and over when Japan and China would fully reopen to travel. “After a good start of the fourth quarter and the reopening of the United States early November, the rise of the Omicron variant hampered in December the continuous increase in load factors for the medium haul and domestic traffic,” it said. Omicron also led to a spate of flight cancellations through January after a better than expected 4th quarter showing which brought operating profits of 178 million euros for that period—better than the corresponding period of 2019 before the health crisis hit. Despite the final quarter chink of light and the cutting back of losses compared with 2020’s 7.1 billion euros, the carrier’s net debt remains high, at 8.2 billion euros. The Delta virus variant seriously undermined the first half of 2021 to the extent that full-year sales came in at a disappointing 14.3 billion euros—29 percent better than 2020 but down a massive 47.5 percent on a year earlier. Group director general Benjamin Smith saw the final quarter take-off as representing “a turning point” but warned that “the crisis is not yet over” with the Omicron virus variant having further buffeted the industry. AFP

SHORTAGE. People queue to purchase cooking oil provided by the local government in Surabaya on February 18, 2022, in an effort to stabilize prices due to shortages. AFP

TUNIS, Tunisia—Every day at the family grocery stall in a Tunis market, Bilel Jani sees the reality of a biting economic crisis, which for many has overshadowed Tunisia’s latest political turmoil. “People here are poor,” he said, handing a meager bag of olives to a customer. “Most of our customers are living day-to-day. Monthly salaries these days don’t even cover a week.” The small North African country, roiled by years of political turmoil that deepened with President Kais Saied’s power grab last July, is also mired in a deep recession. Surging prices and job losses have hurt families that were already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic. This week, Tunisia started preliminary talks with the International Monetary Fund over a bailout package. Such a deal would likely mean cuts to subsidies and public sector wages, which many fear would spell more suffering for the most vulnerable. That could fuel the same kind of grievances that sparked a revolution a decade ago and brought down autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power. The economic crisis since then has pushed tens of thousands of Tunisians to seek better lives overseas. Arab Spring’s birthplace At the Halfaouine market in a winding street near central Tunis, Jani’s customers are already feeling

Tunisians shop at Halfaouine market near central Tunis on February 15, 2022. The small North African country, roiled by years of political turmoil that deepened with President Kais Saied’s power grab last July, is also mired in a deep recession. AFP

the pain. “People used to buy by the kilogram,” he said. “Now they just buy the absolute necessities.” His customer Delila Dridi said life was a struggle on her salary from the education ministry. “I earn 1,000 dinars ($348, 305 euros) a month and I used to have 100 or 60 dinars left over at the end,” she said. “Now I have to borrow to get to the end of the month.” Asked when things had started to deteriorate, she said “since Zine left.” Ben Ali had ruled with an iron fist. But in late 2010, in the neglected town of Sidi Bouzid, vegetable salesman Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in desperate protest against police harassment. That sparked a revolt which forced Ben Ali into exile and sparked the Arab Spring uprisings around the region. But rather than addressing corruption and structural economic problems, the dysfunctional democracy that followed was torn by an ideological showdown between Islamists and secularists. Successive governments staged hiring sprees to tamp down social unrest, inadvertently tripling the wage cost of Tunisia’s public sector, one of the world’s most bloated. Battling inflation Little was done to help poorer regions in a country with vast wealth disparities, said Romdhane Ben Amor of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit and Tunisia’s

economy shrank by more than nine percent while public debt spiraled. The International Crisis Group think-tank warned last month that the debt-burdened treasury “can barely cover the salaries owed to public-sector workers or honor commitments to repay external loans.” With both the government and private banks reluctant to lend to the private sector, about 80,000 small and medium-sized comManila panies have either declared Standard BUSINESS BRIDGERS INC. TODAY IS NOW HIRING!!!! bankruptcy or left the country since early 2020. MANDARIN ACCOUNT STAFFS “The economy is in a deep recession, debt is at unprec- We are looking for Mandarin Account Staffs who can Translate and edented levels and unemploy- interpret audio pieces of Mandarin language, making sure to maintain their ment is at 18 percent,” and original meaning, format and tone. much higher among the youth, Translator responsibilities include thoroughly understanding the context said economist Ezzedine Said- of given material, using specialized dictionaries and translation tools and proofreading finished pieces of work. ane. Inflation has remained stub- Qualifications: bornly high, in December hitting 6.6 percent on an annual- • 18 yrs old and above not beyond 55 years old • with experience in customer service ized basis. Those rising costs have • with good oral and written communication in Mandarin Laguage spelled misery for people rely- • with knowledge in computer application ing on stagnant salaries, pushyour applications thru email at andrea.jayme@bbi.com.ph and ing many of Tunisia’s once Submit contact Ms. Tina Reyes at 09166980851. Business Bridgers Inc registered large middle class towards address at 5th Floor Phinma Plaza Rockwell Poblacion Makati City poverty. “I’ve stopped buying lots of things because my salary doesn’t cover it,” said Dridi. AFP NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

(MS-FEB. 19, 2022)

Please take notice that the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS (“PBCOM”) will be held on Tuesday, 15 March 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually and can be accessed at the link provided in the Bank’s website at https://www.pbcom.com.ph/. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation for the Change in Primary and Secondary Purposes-from Commercial Bank to Universal Bank 4. Other Matters 5. Adjournment For purposes of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of February 14, 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting of Stockholders. Considering that certain community quarantine measures are still in place, PBCOM will be holding a virtual Special Meeting. The conduct of the Special Meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend, participate and vote only through proxy, remote communication or in absentia. The requirements and procedures for voting in absentia and participation through remote communication are set forth in the information Statement. Stockholders who choose to vote by proxy must submit and address their signed proxy to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at 5/F PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City or via e-mail at CorporateSecretary@ pbcom.com.ph not later than 5:00 p.m. on or before March 4, 2022. A copy of the Information Statement will be available upon request and will be uploaded in the Bank’s website at https://www.pbcom.com.ph/. PBCOM IS NOT SOLICITING PROXIES.

MICHAEL STEPHEN H. LAO Corporate Secretay (MS-FEB.19, 2022)

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Tunisians fear more economic pain as IMF talks over bailout loom By Paul Raymond

Stan

A cop upload

PBCO

(MS-FEB.1

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Business

SM BONDS. SM Investments Corp. lists its P15-billion fixed-rate bonds at Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp., its biggest issue since 2016. Investors snapped up the bonds, a strong testament to investor confidence on SM’s credit standing. Joining the virtual ceremony are (by row, from left) SM Investments executive vice president and treasurer Erwin Pato, senior vice president for legal Arthur Sy, senior vice president for finance Franklin Gomez, PDEx president and chief executive Antonino Nakpil, PDS Group executive director and head of market services Ma. Annabelle Bautista, SMIC consultant for investor relations and sustainability Timothy Daniels, China Bank Capital Corp. president Ryan Martin Tapia and BDO Capital & Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco.

EBT watcher Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines’ credit rating of “BBB,” which is a notch above minimum investment grade, with a negative outlook as the country demonstrated sustained recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippines maintained the same rating from Fitch throughout the pandemic, despite a wave of rating downgrades for many other countries during the same period. The outlook remained ‘negative’ since July 2021. “[Philippine economic recovery] should be supported by a pick-up in vaccination rates [92 percent of 54 million target individuals had been fully vac-

cinated as of December 2021], falling COVID-19 infection numbers, normalized economic activity―particularly in services―after tight containment measures in 2020 and part of 2021,” Fitch said in a report Friday. “The fiscal and monetary policy response, strong infrastructure spending and resilient remittances and exports is also boosting the recovery,” it said. Fitch’s rating affirmation followed the government’s announcement in January that the economy expanded by 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 on the back of renewed growth in consumption and investments. This brought full-year GDP growth to 5.6 percent, exceeding the target range of 5.0 percent to 5.5 percent and reversing the 9.6-percent contraction in 2020. Fitch kept the outlook on the BBB rating at “negative” as it cited risk factors such as the fiscal cost of the government’s COVID-19 response, the challenges arising from the unwinding of stimulus measures and post-election uncertainty, particularly on the continu-

ity of fiscal and economic policies. The debt watcher said the country’s fundamental policy strategies would continue, given the decades-long track record of sound economic performance. Government officials cited favorable prospects for the Philippines this year and over the medium term following the better-than-expected growth in 2021 and the structural reforms implemented over the past six years. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the government accommodated the huge cost of COVID-19 crisis response to help vulnerable sectors survive and recover from the crisis, largely because of President Duterte’s comprehensive tax reform program and his policy of prudent fiscal management and discipline. “But we are also mindful not to pass on to future generations unsustainable debt. Estimated to have reached around 54 percent of GDP in 2021, the general government’s debt remains manageable, and we expect this to remain at around the same level this year and the next,”

Dominguez said. Fitch said the general government debt-to-GDP ratio of the Philippines was still below that of its peer median. Dominguez said that, “considering the years of fiscal prudence, the rise in debt because of the pandemic did not prevent the country from having a favorable debt structure and ample access to low-cost funding.” Fitch estimates general government interest payments as a share of general government revenues at 9.0 percent in 2021. “Moreover, the Congress’ recent passage of game-changing economic reforms―namely the amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act and Public Service Act, which are meant to further open the economy to foreign investment―is a strong indication that the economic reform momentum will continue beyond the current administration. These reforms will help the Philippines return soon enough to its rapid economic growth and support faster fiscal consolidation,” Dominguez said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

PAL, Airbus agree to add seats, redo cabin of 15 aircraft

Friday, February 18, 2022

-20.14 PTS. 7,418.79

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,184,958,275 83,671

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

7,424,432,248.72

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

94 86 53

F oreign E xchange R ate

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines said Friday it signed an agreement with Airbus for cabin modification and to expand the material services program for its Airbus fleet. The cabin modification agreement covers 11 A320s, two A330-300s and two A350-900s. “Philippine Airlines believes that, as we exit the pandemic, our fleet restructuring strategy helps us to better adapt to changing market situations and ensure that we are well-positioned for recovery,” said PAL chief financial officer Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez. “Our aircraft deployment decisions and related technical support arrangements are tailored for a restructured network that suits a vastly different global environment,” he said. When completed, PAL’s A320s would have 24 extra seats to bring the total seat count to 180, a configuration that suits the airline’s requirements for short-haul inter-island domestic routes. The two A330s will gain an additional 50 seats to bring the total seat count to 359 for better airlift capability on key higher-density regional routes and repatriation flights. The A350s will gain another 18 seats for a total of 313 seats, which still preserves the roomy cabin layout and passenger-friendly experience that PAL Business Class and Economy Class travelers enjoy on the A350’s long-haul routes. PAL contracted Airbus to provide the relevant service bulletins and kits required for the cabin modification program, which comes as part of the carrier’s fleet restructuring plans. “We chose Airbus with the firm expectation that PAL will receive highquality service bulletins and timely updates to technical documentation, along with the highly-regarded extensive engineering support we expect from a leading aircraft manufacturer,” said Alvin Kendrich Limqueco, PAL senior vice president for supply chain management.

Century completing Makati development

CENTURY Properties Group through subsidiary Century City Development Corp. is set to complete its eighth and last building in Century City called Century Spire. Century City, located on Kalayaan Ave. in Makati City, has eight buildings, with over 5,000 units and over 640,000 sqm of gross floor area. Century Spire, whose architecture was designed by global architectural firm Studio Libeskind and common interior areas by premier international design house Armani/Casa, has 90,531 sq. m. of both for-sale residential and for-sale office space. It is now substantially completed with units being prepared to be physically turned over to clients. Century Diamond Tower, a Philippine Economic Zone Authority-accredited building and CCDC’s purely for lease office building, signed its first key tenant for 2022, an international BPO company, in addition to its tenants that have been signed prior to 2022. “The office market has proven to be resilient despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, but with restrictions gradually being lifted in the city, we see leasing becoming more upbeat this year,” CPG president and chief executive Marco Antonio said.

SMIC lists P15-b bonds at PDEx

Fitch affirms ‘BBB’ credit rating of PH By Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

GREENEST AIRLINE. Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading airline, participates

in the Singapore Airshow as the only Philippine carrier in the prestigious trade event to showcase its newest Airbus 330neo aircraft, bolstering its status as the greenest airline in Asia. It is the first time that Airbus chose a carrier from the Philippines to be featured in the Singapore Airshow. Cebu Pacific’s A33neo is on permanent display during the four-day event (Feb. 15 to 18), which is Asia’s most influential airshow held every two years for high-level government and military delegations and senior corporate executives from leading international aerospace companies.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.2880

Japan

Yen

0.008701

0.4463

Pound

1.362200

69.8645

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128223

6.5763

Switzerland

Franc

1.086838

55.7417

Canada

Dollar

0.787278

40.3779

Singapore

Dollar

0.744546

38.1863

Australia

Dollar

0.718300

36.8402

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

136.0533

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266503

13.6684

Brunei

Dollar

0.741785

38.0447

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.031124

1.5963

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.9651

Euro

1.136200

58.2734

Korea

Won

0.000834

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.157778

8.0921

India

Rupee

0.013316

0.6830

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238949

12.2552

New Zealand

Dollar

0.668700

34.2963

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035926

1.8426 Source: BSP

Bakery chain of Fruitas Holdings files application for P309-m IPO By Jenniffer B. Austria BALAI ni Fruitas Inc., the bakery chain of llisted Fruitas Holdings Inc., plans to raise up to P309 million from an initial public offering in March. Balai filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to 375 million in primary and secondary shares with an over-allotment option for another 37.5 million shares. It is selling the shares at a maximum price of P0.75 apiece. Balai plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund store network expansion, commissary set-up and po-

tential acquisition opportunities. Balai started operations in August 2005 when it opened its first kiosk serving fresh coconut-based beverages and desserts. In June, Fruitas acquired Balai which had only five outlets at that time. It now operates three brands: Balai Pandesal, which sells baked goods in community stores throughout neighborhoods and central business districts, Buko ni Fruitas and Fruitas House of Desserts, which both sell fruit-based desserts in high-traffic locations including malls and commercial centers. Using proceeds from the maiden

share offering, Balai plans to add 120 new stores by 2023 from 69 stores. The offer period was tentatively set on March 16 to March 22. The shares will be listed on the small, medium and emerging board of the Philippine Stock Exchange on March 30. The company tapped First Metro Investment Corp. as the issue manager, bookrunner and underwriter for the transaction. Aside from Balai, other companies planning IPOs this year include Citicore Energy REIT Corp., Bank of Commerce, CTS Global Equities Group Inc. and Raslag Corp.

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. on Friday listed P15 billion worth of fixedrate bonds at Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. after a strong demand from investors. SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the bond offering was 3.7 times oversubscribed, with demand reaching P55 billion, signifying investors’ confidence in the group’s credit standing. The P15-billion offering is SM Investments’ biggest issue since 2016. “We are pleased with the response to our bond issue. The hefty investor appetite for these securities was on the back of volatility around local interest rate sentiment with expectations of the US Federal Reserve hiking rates,” SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said. “This exercise mirrors investor confidence on SM’s credit quality and overall prospects for growth while increasing our funding flexibility and enhancing capital efficiency,” DyBuncio said. The offer size was P10 billion with an option to increase by up to P5 billion. The company set the interest rates for the Series I three-year retail bond at 3.5915 percent due 2025, and Series J, five-year retail bond at 4.7713 percent due 2027. Jenniffer B. Austria

San Miguel prices P30-b retail offering

DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. pegged the interest rates for its P30-billion retail bond offering. San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the five-year Series J bonds due 2027 will have a fixed interest rate equivalent to 5.2704 per annum, while the seven-year Series K bonds will have a fixed interest rate equivalent to 5.8434 percent per annum. The offer period will commence on Feb. 18 and end on Feb. 25. The bonds will be listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on March 4. Under the plan, San Miguel will issue P25 billion worth of fixed-rate peso bonds with an oversubscription for another P5 billion. The bonds will be issued as the first tranche from the company’s P60-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission early this week. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH asks European investors to back $500-m bond offer FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asked European investors to support the country’s first offering of at least $500 million in green bonds in the offshore debt market to help raise funds for clean energy projects and other sustainable initiatives to mitigate the impact of the worsening climate crisis. Dominguez said Friday the sale of the debt securities, known as environmental, social and governance sovereign bonds, would be done “in the coming weeks.” The Philippines’ maiden issuance of these green bonds forms part of the series of initiatives that the Duterte administration is undertaking to implement concrete actions in the fight against climate change, given the “disappointing” response of Western countries on the call to honor their $100-billion financing commitment to climate-vulnerable developing economies, Dominguez said. “We cannot wait for the bureaucrats in the industrialized world to take their sweet time splitting hairs on the idea that the countries that polluted and continue to pollute the most must bear the greater part of the financial burden of reversing global warming that they started 175 years ago. This is, for us, the essential meaning of climate justice,” said Dominguez in a pre-recorded message to the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. His message was delivered during the ECCP’s webinar with the theme “The Golden Age of Sustainability: Greening the Philippines.” Dominguez said that while the Philippines contributes only 0.3 percent to the global greenhouse gas emission, it boldly committed to reduce these by 75 percent in 2030, which would be done through actionable projects. Julito G. Rada

Savings of Pag-IBIG members in MP2 program soared 95% to hit record P26b in 2021 PAG-IBIG Fund members showed preference for the MP2 savings program in 2021 amid the ongoing health crisis, as total savings reached nearly P26 billion, setting yet another record for the amount saved voluntarily by members in a year, agency officials said Friday. Data showed members’ savings under the Modified Pag-IBIG 2 Savings Program amounted to P25.95 billion in 2021, achieving a staggering growth of 95 percent from the P13.23 billion col-

lected in 2020. “Even amid some uncertainties caused by the pandemic, the MP2 proved to be one of our most soughtafter programs. Because the MP2 has traditionally provided higher returns on savings, more and more members are preferring to grow their hard-earned savings in Pag-IBIG Fund,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

“As we finalize all reports for the year, we will be announcing the dividend rates for 2021 very soon. Helping create more financially secure Filipino workers is our contribution to the national government’s efforts towards economic recovery,” said del Rosario who also chairs the 11-member PagIBIG Fund board of trustees. The MP2 Savings Program is a special voluntary savings facility of PagIBIG Fund that comes with a maturity

period of five years. With a low entry point of a P500 minimum savings, it is designed for active Pag-IBIG Fund members who wish to save more and earn higher dividends, in addition to the mandatory Pag-IBIG Regular Savings they save every month. The program is also open to workers who were once Pag-IBIG members. These include pensioners and retirees, as long as they had at least two years’ worth of savings prior to retirement.

Sports

NLEX halts skid, extends Blackwater’s losing streak KJ McDaniels and four others led the NLEX Road Warriors as they swamped the Blackwater Elite Bossings, 117-97, Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The 6’5” McDaniels tallied 24 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Road Warriors who ended a three-game losing skid. The Bossings, who fell behind in the opening minutes of the first quarter, stayed winless after seven games. “After three straight losses, gusto namin ma-break iyung losing skid. After a good start of four winning games, we felt that if we lose again, this will be a big hole,” said Road Warriors’ coach Yeng Guiao. McDaniels delivered nine points in the second period, helping lift the Road Warriors by 17 points, 58-41, at halftime. Jericho Cruz provided 22 points, scoring 11 in the first period for the Warriors, who took charge immediately with a 34-14 spread. Kris Rosales added 18 points, making 11 in the third period as NLEX stayed in control, 92-76. Kevin Alas knocked in 15 points in the fourth and combined for 17 points with Cruz as NLEX nursed a 20-point edge until the end. Peter Atencio

Game fitness an issue for PH booters MATCH fitness was an issue for the Philippines after they took a 0-1 loss Cambodia on Thursday evening. Many players suffered from cramps as the game progressed, allowing the Cambodians to win and move closer to a place in the semifinals of the ASEAN Football Federation Under-23 Championship 2022. “That was our issue. We worked so hard. Physically, at the end, we had too many players who were struggling,” said Team Philippines’ coach Stewart Hall after their Group A game at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh. Hall said they will have a period of recovery when they prepare for their final game in the Group Stage against Brunei on Sunday. “Rest and recovery is critical. We’ll be OK, we’ll be OK,” added Hall in a post-match Zoom huddle with scribes. A late strike from Sin Sovanmakara some nine minutes before the whistle settled things for the host team, which picked up their second full points from two matches played. Cambodia, which earlier pulled off a 6-0 win over Brunei, is now near the first semis slot. The Philippines, which had many players not having much national or international exposure over the last two year, played a defensive game and hardly went on the attack. In one of the Philippines’ few attempts, Sandro Reyes managed to make an attempt, but was foiled by Cambodian keeper Hul Kimhuy.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

NLEX’s KJ McDaniels scores against Blackwater’s Shawn Glover in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Road Warriors, 117-97, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Athlete-beauty queen Regalado pours P500k prize to community By Randy Caluag

HERRY May Regalado was delighted to see her people in Kalibo, Aklan benefit from her efforts, not just for her being an athlete, but as a pageant queen as well.

In a social media post, Regalado, a multi-medalist in the martial arts sport of Pencak Silat, discussed the ongoing road-concreting project in Barangay Pook which she helped fund. “I couldn’t imagine that I will be able to help my community this way. Since I was a child, I used to run barefoot on this rough road, but now I just have to wait a few weeks and I can ride my motorcycle smoothly,” said the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games bronze medalist. The P500,000-worth road-concreting project was part of her winnings as Ms. Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2021, sponsored by the local government of Kalibo. “Sa wakas (finally), because the local residents and by-passers waited for it for decades,” she added in her post she entitled “Queen with a purpose.” Regalado, a World Championship silver medalist, clarified that some part of the road will be left untouched because it is owned

Cherry May Regalado bagged a bronzed medal in Pencak Silat in the 2019 SEA Games. She posted on social media the road-concreting project that was funded by her prize as pageant winner in Kalibo, Aklan.

by a government agency. “Pag-aari po kasi ng NIA ‘yung kalasada na ‘to. May kaunting part na maiiwan na hindi maabot ng project, na NIA na ang magpapaayos,” she said. Regalado is an active member of the Philippine Pencak Silat Association. After her bronze-medal finish in the Philippines SEA Games in 2019, she had gone back to her home province in Aklan, where she stayed until now since the siege of the COVID-19 virus in early 2020. She continued to train in Silat online, together with her teammates and coaches. She also joined beauty contests, including last year’s Kalibo Ati-Atihan. Regalado looks forward to representing the Philippines again in the Vietnam SEA Games slated for May.

POC eyes more talents in ‘26 winter games

THE Philippine Olympic Committee will encourage concerned national sports associations to search for athletes—both homegrown and heritage— who could qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano and Cortina in Italy. “It’s time to look for other talents not only in Alpine skiing, but also in other events like figure skating, bobsleigh, curling, snowboard and freestyle and cross-country skiing,” POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. “I believe that there’re a lot of talents abroad with Filipino blood who can represent the country.” Asa Miller was the country’s lone

representative in the Beijing Winter Games in men’s giant slalom and slalom. The two-time Winter Olympian, however, didn’t finish in both races. Tolentino said the POC will not hesitate to recruit more athletes through the help of Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation and Philippine Skating Union. These NSAs are headed by Jim Apelar and Nikki Cheng, respectively. “We will explore the Winter Games sports and we will try to find more Filipino talents,” Tolentino said. “I believe there are disciplines that we can excel in.” Tolentino said that despite Miller’s mishap in Beijing, his qualification alone in two events are already an

achievement. “Representing the Philippines in the Winter Olympics twice is absolutely big for us as a tropical nation,” he said. “We’re still proud of Asa.” The Philippines was the first tropical nation—also from Southeast Asia—to participate in the Winter Olympics with cousins Ben Nanasca and Juan Cipriano qualifying for Alpine skiing in the 1972 Sapporo Games. Only four other Filipinos, however, made it to the Winter Games—luger Raymond Ocampo (1988 Calgary), Alpine skier Michael Turuel (1992 Albertville), Figure skater Michael Christian Martinez (2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang) and Miller

(Pyeongchang and Beijing). Apelar, meanwhile, said he believes Miller will return for his third Winter Olympics, but named five other potential youngsters who has bright future in winter sports. They are 19-year-old Alpine skier Brandon Leitner, 21-year-old freestyle mogul skier Melvin Kangas, 24-year-old snowboard athlete Adrian Lee Tongko and 19-year-old skier Ana Noelle Wahleithner. Cheng, on the other hand, said they are closely looking at 18-year-old short track speed skater Julian Macaraeg and 16-year-old figure skater Sofia Frank as possible Winter Olympians in the future.

COVID-19, injury cripple Korea team for FIBA tourney By Peter Atencio

Ra Gun-Ah (right) with his teammates (fiba.basketball)

AN undermanned Korean national men’s basketball team will show up in Manila on Tuesday as more players have tested positive for COVID-19, leaving just 11 cagers without symptoms of the virus when their 14-day bubble training camp in Goyang ended Friday. A seventh unidentified player tested positive for the virus, while four others have complained of symptoms and were advised not to join the trip to Manila for the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers next week. Among the replacements named were Doo Kyungmin, Byeon Junhyeong Lee Jaedo, Lee Junghyun, An Youngjun, Lee Kwanhee, Lee Seunghyun, Kang Sangjae and Jang Jaeseok --all belonging to club

teams playing in the Korean Basketball league. “Three to four members are showing symptoms. We are bracing for the worst probability of not having even 10 healthy players for the tournament,” said the Korean Basketball Association in a statement. The coaching staff, headed by Cho Sang Yun, is revising the roster again and is set to name four new players to the team. Because of the alarming number of cases, the Goyang camp was halted and the remaining healthy players were told to go into isolation. A fine is set by FIBA for late changes done to a national roster, but the KBA said it is willing to shoulder the penalty, which host Philippines and the international federation could set. “It is difficult to even form a 12-man

team due to the latest infections. I am just hoping there will be no more infections,” said Cho. Basketball officials in Korea have been discovering positive COVID cases in the national squad after RT-PCR tests were done on Wednesday before prospective members of the team entered a training bubble in Goyang. Among those who were replaced from the 14-man pool were COVID-infected Moon Seonggon, Lee Seonghyun, Heo Hoon, Lee Woosuk, Kim Jongkyu and Ricardo Ratliffe. Choi Junyong is recovering from a sprained right ankle. Gilas will meet Korea twice on February 24 and 28. Then, the Philippines will clash with India on February 25 and then confront New Zealand on the 27th.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

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

Home/Design

CRADLE TO CRADLE GOLD

Buildings focus on health, safety with WELL, C2C standards

N 1993, the American Institute of Architects, through the Green Building Council, standardized how buildings can be designed, built, and operated so the environment is not compromised. Today, many countries in the world have their own set of green building standards.

“You also have WELL certifications; you have a lot happening in the area of green buildings,” said LIXIL’s corporate responsibility lead Priyanka Tanwar. “Climate change is not something that governments and leaders or individuals alone can handle, the private sector is a very big part of this picture, to actually drive the change that we want to see in the world today,” he explained. WELL and LEED Since 2014, the WELL building standards and certification have helped developers and designers create spaces that advance human health and well-being. WELL complements LEED in creating a framework for betterperforming buildings. The first Philippine WELL building, Menarco Tower, was certified Gold in 2019. Currently, there at least thirty more in the pipeline. “People often ask me what’s the difference between WELL and LEED or WELL and Green Star,” said Jack Noonan, vice president of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for the Asia Pacific. “I usually use water as an example. I’ll say: LEED or Green Star looks are water efficiency, how you can save water, while WELL looks at water quality—how you can use water safely and healthily.” Noonan pointed out that both are important. “It’s just that we are looking at things from different angles. Focusing on health, wellbeing, and safety will lead to more efficient water use or water conservation,” he said. Water quality from the tap In the arena of water conservation, WELL puts

forward an often-overlooked intervention: drink tap water; although, this comes with a caveat: drink from the tap when it is safe to do so. “We spend millions of dollars for water treatment and distribution only for water not to be used for drinking and not fit for human consumption, which renders the entire system unsustainable,” he said. Maintaining water quality and actually drinking the water from the tap are crucial to water conservation because it makes everyone vigilant about the water flow system and reduces the need for plastic bottled water adds Noonan. The water used in producing a bottle may be more than the water it can contain. The emissions generated by its transport may be avoided altogether. Doing their share Consumers are becoming more cognizant of their impact on the environment by adjusting their lifestyles, and are selecting spaces and products that align with their values. Private companies are also doing their share. “We are happy to share that GROHE a, which is one of our brands at LIXIL is now produced at plants, all of which across the world are carbon neutral,” said Tanwar. “Each of our fittings plants are completely carbon neutral in line with LIXIL’s environmental vision of 2020, which is focused on carbon neutrality and reducing the use of plastics.” “We follow the United Nations Global Compact guidelines, right from procurement to the entire manufacturing process,” Tanwar added. “Not only do we have carbon neutrality at our plants. We use about 50% of renewable electricity. And wherever possible, we recycle resources like water. We are concerned about what kind of plastics or resources are used in packaging.” Climate action via state-of-the-art faucets GROHE has officially entered the circular economy by achieving cradle to cradle (C2C) gold certifications for four of their products—three faucets ( BauEdge S-Size, Eurosmart S-Size, Eurosmart Kitchen) and the Tempesta shower rail set. In contrast to a linear model, C2C reduces the use of new resources through designing and manufacturing with the intent of using its components in its end-of-lifephase for the creation of new products.

GLOBAL HYPERSCALERS’ HAVEN Data center operator Beeinfotech PH recently opened its first data center (DC) in the Philippines. Dubbed“The Hive,”telco-neutral data facility features three floors capable of housing at least 3,000 server racks of up to 45U rack height. Combined with its network interconnect capabilities, disaster recovery seats, and security & network operations centers (SOC/NOC), The Hive answers the co-location needs of hyperscalers expanding their global footprint and enterprises undergoing digital transformation.“With the increased demand for digital services under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent efforts to improve the nation’s connectivity and IT infrastructure, now is the perfect time to welcome large-scale partners to the Philippines,” said Beeinfotech PH CEO Reynaldo Huergas.

PRIMED FOR TURNAROUND

AKI TOWER LAUNCHED. Real estate developer Federal Land, Inc. together with Nomura Real Estate Development and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. launched this week the third residential tower of The Seasons Residences – Aki Tower. Set to rise in Federal Land’s master-planned community Grand Central Park in Bonifacio Global City, The Seasons Residences is a mixed-use development featuring upscale residences, curated amenities, and the first Mitsukoshi in the country. The Seasons Residences features Japanese innovations meant to elevate the standards of comfort, and functionality for its residents. Each unit is equipped with a unique Japanese storage system, like kitchen floor storage, shoe cabinet, and bedroom closets (Shown in photo). The kitchens are fitted with a space-saving kitchen sink with draining and cutting boards to maximize counter space, a rangehood with Japanese oil filter technology, as well as air-washing tiles. To know more about Aki Tower, visit www.theseasonsresidences.ph.

Dream homes for the better normal

HOUSING developer Ovialand is poised to bring dream homes that meet the demands of today’s new normal—affordable homes in safe communities that give off a charming and rustic vibe. Among the homeowners enjoying their dream homes in the masterfully planned communities of Ovialand are Rich and Tet Taylo who live in Sannera, in San Pablo, Laguna (Shown in photo). “We want a place that is an ideal balance between rural and urban space, where you can go to establishments that can be found in the city like banks and stores.,” the Taylos explained. The couple shared that Sannera has carved spaces for them to bond with neighbors and establish a sense of community. For Wynona Estrellado, her Caliya home in Candelaria, Quezon is designed to cater to the Filipino family where safety and security are valued the most. She added that even though on a budget, was easy to invest in their affordable, fully finished, and ready-to-use residential unit.

PH property seen to rally as economy recovers THE Philippine economy expanded by 5.6% in 2021, a turnaround from a 9.6% contraction in 2020. Among the main contributors to the economic rebound were manufacturing and construction, including infrastructure implementation. The easing of mobility restrictions prior to the Omicron wave partly helped propel consumer spending. This positively influenced the household spending-driven Philippine economy. In a recent report, investment management company Colliers predicts that improving business and consumer sentiment should also buoy the property market, especially the office and residential segments. Remain strategic Developers were advised to remain strategic with their landbanking initiatives as they seek to capture pent up demand

for offices, residential units, retail spaces, and industrial parks and facilities beyond 2022. Stakeholders should maximize the delivery of infrastructure projects over the next 12 to 24 months. Colliers associate director for research Joey Bondoc said saw office deals in 2021 reached 422,400 square meters (4.5 million square feet), up 18% from 357,400 square meters (3.8 million square feet) in 2020. Traditional occupiers (include companies in various sectors such as legal, engineering and construction, government agencies and flexible workspace operators) continue to lead office space absorption, followed by outsourcing firms. Most of these companies took up spaces in Ortigas Center, the Makati central business district, and Fort Bonifacio. “Outside Metro Manila, we project a

sustained demand in Cebu, Pampanga and Iloilo,” Bondoc noted. Sustained take-up for residences In the residential front, Colliers recorded the completion of 8,731 units in 2021, up 159% from the 3,370 units delivered in 2020. These new units are located in the Bay Area and Fort Bonifacio. Colliers expects the delivery of 6,500 units per year from 2022 to 2026, with Bay Area likely accounting for 47% of new supply during the period. Colliers also noted a sustained take-up for house-and-lot and lot-only projects in areas outside the capital region in 2021. Among the popular locations were key urban areas in northern and southern Luzon, including Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas where residential projects are between 86% and 97% sold as of the end-2021.

SHFC RELEASES P2.2B-HOUSING LOANS. The Social Housing Finance Corporation

(SHFC) released about P2.2 billion worth of housing loans for low-income families, in 2021. Through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the agency provided homes to a total of 8,883 families across the country through roughly P1.6 billion in loan assistance last year. Meanwhile, the High Density Housing Program (HDH), a slum redevelopment strategy where informal settler families (ISFs) in Metro Manila are accommodated in multistory buildings, benefited some 2,034 families through P325.9 million in loan assistance in 2021. Shown here are SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling with DHSUD Sec. Eduardo del Rosario, Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla in the ceremonial turnover of housing units at Ciudad de Strike Phase 1.

Tech & Gadgets iPhone, Samsung perform fastest on Smart

WHETHER you are an iPhone fan or a proud Samsung user, you can only expect the fastest performance of your devices when connected to the Smart network, according to Ookla® the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence. Based Ookla’s analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data covering Q4 2021, iPhones connected to either Smart 5G or 4G/LTE network perform up to 1.8 times faster than iPhones on other network providers. On the other hand, Samsung devices on Smart 5G perform up to 1.8 times faster - while Samsung devices on Smart 4G/LTE perform up to 1.9 times faster than Samsung devices connected to other network providers. Moreover, Android devices are also fastest on Smart: they are up to 1.8 times faster on Smart 5G, and up to 1.4 times faster on Smart 4G/LTE - than Android devices connected to other network providers. Setting the 5G standard in thse Philippines “We all consider speed as a critical metric for network performance, and we’re glad that our aggressive network rollout has resulted in the fastest speeds, which translates to a significantly better experience for our customers - whether they are using iPhone, Samsung, or other Android devices,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. “With our industry-leading speeds and expanding 5G network footprint, Smart continues to set the 5G standard in the Philippines with the goal of improving the lives of Filipinos as they pursue their passions,” she added. To date, Smart has deployed 7,200 5G base stations around the country, paving the way for even more Filipinos to benefit from the ultrafast speeds of 5G for their hybrid work setup, virtual classes, online businesses, social media connections, or digital entertainment, among others. Fastest across devices and network technologies Based on Ookla’s report for Q4 2021, iPhones on Smart 5G posted a median download speed of 208.88 Mbps and median upload speed of 19.61 Mbps, while iPhones connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 112.72 Mbps and 9.57 Mbps, respectively. Moreover, Samsung devices on Smart 5G posted a median download speed of 239.12 Mbps and median upload speed of 25.58 Mbps, while Samsung devices connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 127.67 Mbps and 11.52 Mbps, respectively. On the other hand, iPhones on Smart 4G/LTE posted a median download speed of 49.35 Mbps and median upload speed of 7.47 Mbps, while iPhones connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 26.64 Mbps and 4.90 Mbps, respectively. Samsung devices on Smart 4G/LTE also posted a median download speed of 36.39 Mbps and median upload speed of 7.79 Mbps, while Samsung devices connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 18.75 Mbps and 4.39 Mbps, respectively. Meanwhile, Android devices on Smart 5G posted a median download speed of 227.50 Mbps and median upload speed of 24.78 Mbps, while Android devices connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 122.9 Mbps and 11.65 Mbps, respectively. Lastly, Android devices on Smart 4G/ LTE posted a median download speed of 22.2 Mbps and median upload speed of 6.63 Mbps, while Android devices connected to Smart’s closest competitor posted 16.28 Mbps and 6.25 Mbps, respectively. PH’s undisputed fastest 5G mobile network These results further strengthen Smart’s position as the country’s undisputed fastest mobile network, bagging the latest Speedtest Awards for Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed Score of 201.95, while its closest competitor posted a Speed ScoreTM of 116.08. For this feat, Smart posted a median download speed of 218.82 Mbps and a median upload speed of 22.46 Mbps, while its closest competitor posted a median download speed of 116.92 Mbps and a median upload speed of 10.81 Mbps. To experience the fastest 5G speeds, non-Smart customers can now make the Smart move without having to change their mobile number through Mobile Number Portability (MNP) at x.smart/ switch or via Smart’s GigaLife App.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Digital solutions to ease management of diabetes

HE Philippines is one of many Asian countries seeing an alarming rise of diabetes cases. Rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and an increasing dependence on electronic gadgets are all significant factors contributing to the uptick . As its management can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding, diabetes has a profound impact not only on the lives of patients, but also their loved ones.

According to estimates published by the International Diabetes Federation, about five million Filipinos live with diabetes . For adults between the ages of 20 to 79 years old, the prevalence rate for diabetes stands at about 6.3% . The challenges faced by Filipinos with Diabetes According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, diabetes is the 5th major cause of death in the country , and the situation for Filipinos with diabetes became even more complicated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a chronic condition, diabetes entails multimodal management that integrates medical nutritional therapy, exercise, pharmacologic therapy, close monitoring, and follow ups . However, quarantines, mobility restrictions, and the utilization of many healthcare resources to combat COVID-19 posed additional challenges to Filipinos with diabetes seeking treatment . Even before the pandemic, the ability to afford comprehensive treatment has hindered Filipinos with diabetes from using digital approaches to manage their conditions. The everyday challenges in care that Filipinos living with diabetes face create a greater need for balanced, holistic, and accessible diabetes management solutions. Digital solutions ease the complexities of diabetes management Technology’s role in healthcare has expanded exponentially over the past decades. The ability to store, share, and analyze health information is directly tied to improved technology. These developments allow patients to see their glucose levels in real-time – simplifying the care process for both patients and caregivers . these trends have created new paths for remote patient management that can positively impact diabetes care. These innovations in diabetes care also

For diabetes patients, mobile health innovations such as the mySugr app simplify the complexities surrounding their conditions.

enable healthcare providers to see the patient’s insulin therapy, stress levels, medication, carbohydrate intake and more, allowing the development of patient-centric approaches to care. Described as a collaborative effort between patients and healthcare providers, this approach can help lead to optimal clinical outcomes for patients living with diabetes . For diabetes patients, mobile health innovations such as the mySugr app simplify the complexities surrounding their conditions. By leveraging insights, multi-device connectivity and analytics, the mySugr app empowers patients to make lifestyle changes geared towards optimal health outcomes . Together with some colleagues, we conducted research presented at the 2021 International Diabetes Federation Congress that showed how utilization of mobile health apps such as mySugar

led to notable progress in blood sugar control for Filipino and Asian living with diabetes after six months. Moving forward with a holistic approach to diabetes care As the pandemic continues, and even when we transition to an endemic phase, access to diabetes medications and treatment will continue to be a challenge for Filipino patients . Filipinos living with diabetes must continue to be vigilant and pro-active in managing their conditions. By incorporating a holistic approach to diabetes management that involves proper nutrition, exercise, and data management powered by digital technology, Filipinos living with diabetes can stay on top of potential concerns and efficiently manage their conditions through this uncertain time and beyond.

Exploring online trading as an investment opportunity SMARTRADE, an advocate of financial literacy for Filipinos, has been helping Pinoys gain financial control and growth by offering 100% free learning sessions about investments such as online trading, something worth exploring especially now that everything has shifted online due to the pandemic. If you have been considering online trading as an investment option, here

are some things to keep in mind as you begin your journey into the world of trading. Start with your “why” and align with your core values. Why do you want to be a trader? Knowing your “why” and your core values will help determine how you are as a trader, the kind of trading strategy you will implement later on, and how it complements your lifestyle.

ATFX on Mt4 platform

Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to succeed. The game of trading requires hard work. It takes time and effort to master the rules of the game. And since there is money involved, it is best not to leave things to chance. One has to dive deep on indicators, financial indices, market updates, as well as managing risks and losses. Build resilience and emotional mastery. Trading comes with risk and it is important to fully understand this so that you are well-equipped to execute your trades and in case of losses, you have the resilience and emotional mastery to cope and bounce back. Never stop learning. Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, forex - these are the buzzwords in the world of trading. While there is still a big market for those who are more conservative when it comes to their trading portfolio, one cannot escape encountering these instruments that dominate the latest trades. If you want to always be on top of your game, you have to keep yourself abreast with these recent trends in the industry and see if it is something you can take advantage of. SmarTrade offers free learning sessions and one-on-one coaching on these topics

so you can try them out when you join trading platforms like ATFX. Partner with reputable trading platforms. With so many phishing sites nowadays trying to lure people, you have to be careful to deal only with reputable trading platforms so your resources are secure. A quick check on the Internet may give you an indication of how long the company has existed in the industry and the expanse of its global reach. One of these trading platforms and online trading broker is ATFX whose core mission is to make online trading accessible for its clients while offering the best experience a global brand has to offer. If you want to be a serious trader, these are just some of the tips you can quickly implement. To learn more about the ins and outs of online trading, you may sign up for SmarTrade’s free learning sessions. Additional resources on developing your financial acumen especially in trading are also available at www.smartradeph.com. SmarTrade’s learning sessions and online resources are perfect for both novice and advanced traders and are without any hidden fees or charges.

Flaunting vivo V23 Series 5G’s unique color-changing feature GLOBAL tech brand, vivo, has made waves for its industryleading smartphone innovations. The all-new vivo V23 Series 5G is no exception, as it is the world’s first color-changing vlogging phone. The phone is designed with Photochromic technology, which allows the back cover to change color under UV light: the warm Sunshine Gold variant switches to a tranquil Coast Green, while Stardust Black reveals a dazzling stargazing effect in blue. vivo’s designers have injected a relaxed and care free mood into the design of the V23 5G series, giving Filipinos a sense of comfort and warmth, while still being unique and distinctive. This design technology combines the minimalist style of the V23 Series 5G with vibrant colors to create a soothing and energizing design that evokes a cheerful vibe. Not only does it give the phone a stylish look, it lets users express their own unique hues and brings in an optimistic mood.

Photochromic fashion

The V23 Series 5G’s unique Photochromic design can complement any OOTD, making it a cool fashion accessory. For people who love color, Sunshine Gold/Coast Green is the perfect standout combination. Meanwhile, those who like it simple and neutral can match their outfits with Stardust Black and its dazzling blue counterpart.

Your hue, your rules

People, especially the younger generation, value selfexpression. With the V23 Series 5G’s Photochromic design technology, they can easily customize the back cover with a stencil. Just place the stencil over the case’s surface and shine a UV light on it so the shape or text appears. The best part is it’s a temporary design and can be changed the next day.

Big design in an ultra-slim build

Apart from its color-changing feature, the V23 Series 5G has a lightweight, ultraslim body. This design makes it easier to vlog and take photos, and it can fit any bag or pocket. This is vital for people who are often on the go and rely on their phones for daily tasks.

A vibrant way to create content

The V23 Series 5G’s Photochromic design is best flaunted while vlogging. Its industry-leading 50MP Autofocus Front Vlog Camera captures crystal-clear videos and selfies, while the 8MP Super-Wide Angle Camera ensures that more people can fit in one shot. These dual front cameras are complemented with a Dual-Tone Spotlight that brightens up faces in the The first color-changing phone launched by vivo, the V23 Series 5G dark, comfortably. Likewise, its custom- introduces the game-changing Photochromic design technology, ized JNV Sensor Chip offers additional which shifts the phone’s color from Sunshine Gold to Coast Green when exposed to UV light. lighting adjustments to shots. When taking photos, this phone has elevated portrait mode with its 64MP AutoThe vivo V23 Series 5G is the new stylish “it” phone that Focus Rear Bokeh Flare Portrait Camera. It delivers stunning allows people to express their true selves through its Photoimage quality for both people and scenic shots. Plus, it’s sup- chromic design and vlogging capabilities. It’s available in ported by two secondary cameras for varying photography vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, and its online styles: an 8MP 120° Super Wide-Angle Camera and a 2MP stores on Lazada and Shopee. Get the V23e for P19,999 and Macro Camera. the V23 5G for P27,999. Customers can cop them via Credit With great cameras and Photochromic design that stands Card and Home Credit payment. out, the V23 Series 5G can also level up mirror selfies when Get updates on official announcements by following vivo taking shots of full-body outfits. That way, anyone can #Vlog- Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out WithStyle. https://www.vivoglobal.ph for more product information.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Motoring

Adrenaline rush like no other with all-new Honda CBR650R

ONDA’S newest race-inspired performance bike is the ultimate companion from track day thrills to everyday commuting. Get ready as Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) is introducing another super sports bike that will make all heads turn: The All-New CBR650R. Featuring promising features from performance to styling, the 2022 CBR650R packs a punch in terms of sporty performance, starting from its liquid-cooled,

4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder engine which is Euro 5 compliant. With a maximum power output of 70.0 kW @12,000 rpm, and a maximum torque of 63.0 Nm @9,500 rpm, users will greatly enjoy its “do-it-all” power delivery - providing a strong mid-range and a zip of top end. It also comes with an “Assist/Slipper clutch”, which allows shifts with little effort on the lever and keeps the wheel on the ground even during very rapid downshifts. Another feature that will topple its rivals is its incredible handling qualities thanks to fine-tuned front and rear suspension settings, a 41mm SFF-BP USD Front Forks (Showa) for a supple ride, and a dual-channel ABS system - to name a few. For ensured safety, Honda’s Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology is a helpful feature to keep the rider doubly safe on the

road. It detects sudden braking in front or if there’s a need to stop unexpectedly. It also automatically activates the hazard lamps to warn any nearby vehicles. Moreover, it has a decidedly powerful Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) for added traction on slippery surfaces or during aggressive riding conditions. This allows the system to adjust its power delivery to optimize torque on its rear wheel, minimizing slip. The All-New CBR650R might be just the ticket to kick off the weekend long-ride habit - available at all Honda Flagship Stores Nationwide with a suggested retail price of Php530,000. For more details about Honda products and promos, visit our website www.hondaph.com. You may also check Honda products, available nationwide, in Honda 3S Dealerships and Multi-Brand Shops.

Hyundai’s ‘BiyaHenyo Caravan’ Series to boost Pinoy Smartrepreneurs

DOJ against removal of CDE requirement THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday clarified that it is against the removal of the Comprehensive Drivers’ Education (CDE) requirement for the renewal of drivers’ licenses with a 10-year validity period. This came in as a response to prior reports suggesting otherwise. Upon releasing their statement, Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar added that the department submitted a comment to Congress, which states that ”the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has the jurisdiction to impose restrictions on the renewal of the driver ’s licenses for 10 years, which includes the requirement of the CDE.” She added that ”the issuance

NLEX repairs 2 Pampanga bridges NLEX Corporation is undertaking the upgrading of its San Matias bridge in Sto. Tomas and the strengthening of the SCTEX Pasig-Potrero bridge in Porac both in Pampanga - as part of its continuing effort to ensure each motorist’s safety. The 80-meter San Matias bridge is located between the San Fernando and San Simon interchanges wherein two link slabs that connect the bridge decks on its southbound portion are being replaced to improve safety. The upgrading works also entail the enhancement of the bridge support and deck surface. Targeted for completion within one month, the works at the San Matias bridge require occasional lane closures. The project also

Maging Henyo sa Biyahe at Negosyo. HARI’s BiyaHenyo Caravan showcases the HD 48GT Modern PUV as smart mover of the transport sector business.

HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) aims to ramp up mobility opportunities for growing businesses by launching the nationwide BiyaHenyo Caravan, a dealer-based roadshow series featuring the smart benefits of owning and operating the Hyundai HD48 GT Modern PUV. “There is a smartrepreneur in every Filipino and we want to bring out the best of it,” said HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. “The BiyaHenyo

Caravan is our way of helping our transport smartrepreneurs position themselves for greater productivity and profitability to benefit, not only their businesses, but society as a whole because our progress depends on mobility.” Built to meet the demands of the transport industry, the solid HD48 GT Modern PUV completes Hyundai’s powerhouse lineup of mass transportation models which are known for comfort, efficiency, reliability, and safety.

Watch out for the Hyundai BiyaHenyo Caravan featuring the HD48 GT at an authorized Hyundai Trucks and Buses dealer near you. For schedules and updates, you may check out hyundai.ph/trucksandbuses, or through our official Facebook page at facebook.com/ hyundaitrucksandbusesph. Health guidelines and protocols will still be observed to ensure everyone’s safety at the commercial vehicle dealerships.

of a CDE certification of completion is a function necessary or incidental to the power of the LTO to issue driver ’s licenses.” Villar, however, said the law states that the function pertains to the LTO itself and does refer to authorizing LTOaccredited driving schools or institutions to exercise the power. Pursuant to Republic Act 10930 which amends the Land Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n and Tr a ff i c C o d e , t h e LTO s t a r t e d implementing the CDE in late October of last year wherein - a m o n g o t h e r s - d r i v e r ’s license validity periods are to be extended from five to 10 years from the previous three years for drivers with no violations.

involves the use of a Bailey bridge to allow Class 1 and 2 vehicles (cars, vans, small trucks, and buses) to cross over the link slab repair site. A counterflow lane is also open at the northbound carriageway to accommodate Class 3 vehicles or big trucks. The 720-meter Pasig-Potrero bridge, which serves as a vital link between Subic and Clark, is also being strengthened as the sand surrounding the piers have diminished due to quarrying operations, which has then affected the bridge’s structure. Apart from the said bridges, the tollway company is also continuously rehabilitating the five-kilometer Candaba Viaduct. At present, the girders and slabs are being upgraded to further ensure safety.