Manila Standard - 2022 February 25 - Friday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

S

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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

manilastandard.net

RUSSIAN GROUND FORCES CROSS INTO UKRAINE, FULL-SCALE ASSAULT ON RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives in the proWestern neighbor.

Russian air strikes hit military facilities across the country and ground forces moved in from the north, south

and east, triggering condemnation from Western leaders and warnings of massive sanctions.

"I have decided to proceed with a special military operation," Putin said in a television announcement in the early hours of Thursday.

Shortly afterwards, the first

bombardments were heard in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and several other cities, according to AFP correspondents.

At least 68 people were killed, including both soldiers and civilians, according to an AFP tally from various Ukrainian official sources.

In the deadliest single strike reported

by the authorities, 18 people were killed at a military base near Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odessa.

Ukraine's border guards said Russian forces had reached the region around the capital, Kyiv.

More than 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians died in the first hours

of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Thursday.

"I know that more than 40 have been killed and several dozen wounded.

I am aware of nearly 10 civilian losses," presidential administration aide Oleksiy Arestovych told reporters.

Next page

US, allies scramble to hit back, vow to deal Russia with ‘harshest sanctions’ VOL. XXXVI • NO. 12 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH in for grim outlook, braces for hard impact

WORLD leaders on Thursday swiftly condemned Russia's military attack on Ukraine, with Western capitals vowing to escalate sanctions against Moscow while the head of the United Nations demanded the conflict end immediately.

"The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces," US President Joe Biden said shortly after the operation began.

“Russia alone is responsible for the

death and destruction this attack will bring… The world will hold Russia accountable," he declared.

UN chief Antonio Guterres made a Next page

Crisis triggers peso fall, oil topping $100, fear of wheat shortage, flour price hikes

By Alena Mae Flores, Julito G. Rada and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Philippines will have to “brace for impact” as the Russian invasion of Ukraine pushes oil prices north of $100 a barrel, and as a scarcity of wheat, much of which comes from the two countries and other parts of Europe, drives up the cost of flour.

Worries over the war in Europe also caused the peso to weaken vis-a-vis the US dollar.

Rino Abad, director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau said oil prices were already high, given the insufficient daily production and the uncertainty over the Ukrainian crisis.

“Last week the reports from Bloomberg and CNBC pointed to a projected Next page

Bloodshed, tears in Ukraine as Moscow invasion begins A SON wept over the body of his father among the wreckage of a missile strike in a residential district in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuguiv as the country woke up Thursday to a Russian invasion.

"I told him to leave," the man sobbed, next to the twisted ruins of a car.

Nearby a woman screamed curses into the wintry sky.

A missile crater, some four to five

metres wide, was scoured into the earth between two devastated fivestorey apartment buildings.

Firefighters battled to extinguish the remains of a blaze.

Several other buildings on the street were seriously damaged, their windows shattered and door frame hanging in the frigid morning air.

It was among the first reported damage after Russia launched an Next page

MOUNTING DEATH TOLL. (Top) Emergency personnel work at the crash site of a Ukrainian military plane with 14 people on board south of Kyiv on February 24, 2022. (Middle) On the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv, a body is stretched out on the ground after a series of bombings as Russian armed forces to invade Ukraine from several directions. (Bottom) Ukrainian military vehicles move past Independence square in central Kyiv on February 24, 2022. Air raid sirens rang out in Ukraine's downtown, with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a 'full-scale invasion' was underway. AFP

Hospitals seek delay in Alert Level 1 shift

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Private Hospitals Association Philippines (PHAPI) urged the government Thursday to delay for two more weeks and monitor the trend of COVID-19 cases

before deescalating the National Capital if that is the decision of the IATF, we will Region to Alert Level 1. follow,” De Grano said.

PHAPI president Jose de Grano said De Grano said the hospitals group was people might disregard the minimum Next page health standards with the planned shift to the lowest alert level.

“On our part, our recommendation is if possible, we wait for two more weeks. But

Duque eyes travel ban on Hong Kong

By Vito Barcelo

SUSTAINABILITY EXHIBIT. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and Phivolcs head Renato Solidum Jr. look at exhibit panels during the launch of the multi-mall exhibit of the sustainability and resilience initiatives of SM Prime Holdings Inc. and DOST at the SM Mall of Asia. The exhibit has opened simultaneously in SM City Baguio, SM City Bacolod and SM City Davao and will run until March 20, 2022.

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday the government was checking if there would be aneed to impose a travel ban on Hong Kong, now on its fifth COVID-19 wave due to the more transmissible Omicron variant.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Duque said: “We will check because what is frightening in Hong Kong is that many of their senior citizens are not yet vaccinated. Only around 30 percent of

them have, that’s why you could see the patients already outside of hospitals.”

He said Hong Kong had a bigger problem with senior citizens than the Philippines, adding “Senior citizens there really don’t want to get vaccinated, and only a few of them have. Maybe 90 percent of those getting hospitalized are elderly.”

Several overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong who got infected with the virus were among those forced to wait outside hospitals for treatment as medical facilities are at full capacity.

Next page

3,657,342 1,745

55,079

56,165

188

3,546,098

2,045

(As of 4 PM, FEBRUARY 24)

A2

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOH: Even rebels should get vaxxed

By Willie Casas

Duque issued his statement while explaining the plans of the government to ramp up the vaccination drive in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) where several armed groups are believed to be located.

“For us, honestly, we choose no one in our vaccination, as long as they are Filipino,” Duque said, when asked on how the government would respond in case members of the Abu Sayyaf or the New People's Army fall in line to get vaccinated.

“You shouldn't deny them the vaccine because they could also be sources of infection if you don't cover them,” Duque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte in January said that spare COVID-19 vaccines could be given to NPA members so they can get protection against the viral disease.

“If there are spare [vaccines]. Only if there are spare [items]. You cannot be prioritized because you are enemies of the government,” Duterte said during the second part of the President’s Talk to the People aired January 25.

In response, Communist Party of the Philippines chief information officer Marco Valbuena said Duterete’s “fiendish and fascist mindset” was revealed in

PH...

these be based on world market prices.

He said Congress could amend the law to allow government intervention to address the oil price spikes.

But Victorio Dimagiba, president of Laban Konsyumer Inc. said the government should get its act together and provide assistance to consumers in the wake of the oil price crunch.

“Government should get out of hiding in their air-conditioned rooms and give out financial assistance to consumers which are long overdue,” he said.

Meanwhile, flour prices are also expected to rise as a large part of the world’s wheat supply comes from Russia, Ukraine and other parts of Europe.

Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said a supply chain disruption could develop if the war escalates.

The peso, meanwhile, depreciated by 33 centavos against the greenback on Thursday, weighed down by the Russian attacks on military installations in Ukraine that caused oil prices breaching the $100 per barrel level.

The local currency closed at 51.34, down from 51.1 on Wednesday. Total volume traded reached $1.16 billion, up from $934 million previously.

The weaker peso was triggered by the Russian attacks that sent the benchmark Brent crude oil prices above US$100 a barrel, said Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

He said the peso's exchange rate against the US dollar on Thursday was among the

weakest for the local unit in about four weeks, after US President Biden warned about severe sanctions on Russia, on top of additional sanctions overnight on the builder of the Nord Stream 2 and its corporate officials.

The peso was also weaker after the local stock market, PSEi, declined to the lowest in 1.5-months amid increased global market risk aversion, Ricafort said.

Ricafort also said the Brent crude oil price breaching above the $100 mark was a new seven-year high "that could further increase the country’s oil import bill and also could lead to some uptick in inflation."

The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee said on Thursday that P3 billion will be released by the government to assist workers in the transport sector, as well as farmers and fisherfolk that are affected by rising oil prices.

In a statement, DBCC—composed of the heads of the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, and Department of Budget and Management—said it is closely monitoring the factors affecting the oil prices in the country.

"Given recent developments, the government remains ready to provide targeted relief assistance and support to address the impact of the oil price hike for affected sectors, especially public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk," it said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, meanwhile, said it is sticking to its previ-

emergency meeting to discuss the attack.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President (Volodymyr) Zelensky to discuss next steps…President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively."

European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel posted their reaction on Twitter.

"In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives. We will hold the Kremlin accountable."

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Russia faced "unprecedented isolation" and would be hit with the "harshest sanctions" the EU has ever imposed.

"This is not a question of blocs. This is not a question of diplomatic power games. It's a matter of life and death. It is about the future of our global commu-

nity," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lashed out at an "unscrupulous act" by Putin and spoke to Zelensky to express his country's "full solidarity."

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned the world "will not forget this day of shame."

"This attack will have severe political and economic consequences for Russia," Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Russia to immediately put an end to its military operations, saying the country had decided to “wage war” on Ukraine.

"France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands by Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war," he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Russian attack was a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of Russia's obligations under international law and

announced “a military operation” in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, and to "demilitarize and de-nazify" its pro-Western neighbor.

"I have made the decision of a military operation," he said in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT).

He went on to denounce what he called a "genocide" orchestrated by Ukraine in the country's east, as well as what he called the aggressive policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) towards Russia.

"For this, we will strive to achieve demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine," said Putin, promising to bring "to court those who have committed many crimes, responsible for the bloodshed of civilians, including Russian citizens.”

The Russian leader addressed the Ukrainian military, calling on soldiers to "lay down your arms", before issuing an assurance that they could "leave the battlefield without hindrance.”

He said that he did not want an "occupation" of Ukraine, but its "demilitarization".

Putin then warned any country that sought to interfere, saying “they must know that the response of Russia will be immediate and will lead to consequences that you have never known before.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Bloodshed...

negative, our airport would allow them entry regardless of whatever country they come from,” Duque said.

“If there is no test, they will be barred entry. If they tested negative but are unvaccinated, they have to undergo quarantine,” Duque said.

Earlier on, the Philippines mulled the possibility of sending a medical team to Hong Kong to assist overseas Filipino

workers who have tested positive for COVID-19, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said. “[Labor Secretary Silvestre III] Bello said this is what we are planning [to do]...

Some of our OFWs are in the isolation facility by the Hong Kong authorities.

So, there must also be coordination, proper coordination with the Hong Kong authorities,” OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said.

T

HE vaccination drive in the country should not be denied to anyone, even the private armed group members, as they could also be a cause of COVID-19 infections, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

From A1

uptick in Brent crude price from US$ 90 to US$120 in the coming days,” Abad said. “If this projected increase actually happens then its impact will be to increase our domestic pump price.”

Oil company officials could offer no estimate as yet on the impact on local pump prices next week, but said procurement of oil already required higher capital.

“The Philippines will have to brace for impact in the next few days as soon as we see more clarity on the actions of various parties involved in the Ukraine crisis,” said Terry Ridon, a convenor of Infrawatch Ph, an infrastructure think tank.

Ridon said the first order on the Ukraine crisis is for the international community to call for a de-escalation of the ongoing conflict and revert to diplomatic processes.

“The crisis impacts not only oil prices but the stability of the international economy. Unless the international community ensures an immediate de-escalation to the crisis, the outlook for the international economy will be grim: stock indexes and crypto prices have fallen in the past few days with no signs of abating,” Ridon said.

Energy Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said the government could not act on high pump prices because the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998 mandates that

US...

From A1

direct and personal plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin after an emergency Security Council session, urging him to stop the attack "in the name of humanity."

"In the name of humanity, do not allow in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century," he said.

"The conflict must stop now," added the UN chief, who said it was the "saddest day" of his tenure.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia had "chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country."

The attack "puts at risk countless civilian lives," Stoltenberg said in a statement, describing it as a "grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to EuroAtlantic security."

NATO ambassadors were to hold an

Russian...

From A1

Ukraine's military command said Thursday that government forces had killed "around 50 Russian occupiers" while repulsing an attack on a town on the frontline with Moscow-backed rebels.

The death toll could not be immediately confirmed.

"Shchastya is under control. Fifty Russian occupiers were killed.

Another Russian plane was destroyed in the Kramatorsk district. This is the sixth," the armed forces general staff said on Twitter.

A Ukrainian military plane with 14 people aboard crashed south of Kyiv on Thursday, the emergency service said.

The service said it was "still determining how many people died."

The head of the Ukrainian military said Thursday he had received orders from President Volodymyr Zelensky to repel a Russian invasion of his country.

"The supreme commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gave orders to inflict maximum losses against the aggressor," Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny said.

Just before the invasion began, Putin

Duque...

From A1

Meanwhile, the Philippines opened its borders for business and leisure travelers starting February 10, for the first time in two years since the pandemic hit.

“For the vaccinated, the protocols remain. They have to present a predeparture test within 48 hours. If they test

From A1

invasion of Ukraine early Thursday, with explosions heard in several locations across the country in the early morning hours.

Sergiy, 67, tried to use the leg of an Ikea table to block up his smashed window. The leg stuck out into the air.

He had received a few bruises but said he was fine.

"I'm going to stay here, my daughter is in Kyiv and it's the same there," he told AFP. In Sergiy's opinion, the missile has targeted the nearby military airfield, close to Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and just some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Russian border.

"It was one of the targets that Putin had cited, I'm not even surprised," he said, refusing to give his surname.

"We will hang in there."

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the direction of the airfield -- one of a raft of strategic locations across the country pounded by Moscow's firepower in an opening barrage.

A policeman said the toll from the bombardment was still being "evaluated" without giving more details.

Teenager Anastasia clutched her grey cat as she watched her grandfather in a

this statement as he is using the medical service as a “weapon of war.”

Valbuena admitted that a huge number of the NPA remained unvaccinated against COVID-19 as the vaccination centers are far and they do not have the money for travel.

Duterte also earlier requested the nurses among communist rebels to help increase the country's health workforce during the pandemic.

Duque said government troops, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, could help in bringing the vaccines in BARMM as there are still areas there infested with NPA and other armed groups.

Expressway traffic back to pre-pandemic levels—MPTC

By Darwin G. Amojelar

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp., the operator of expressways in the north and south of Manila, said Thursday vehicle traffic had returned to pre-pandemic level as it unveiled a travel companion app to provide a variety of mobility solutions to motorists.

"Right now, the expressway business is looking a lot better than in 2020, even last year. For this month, our traffic is already exceeding a little bit of 2019. So, ous inflation forecast of 2 to 4 percent for we can say we are exceeding the pre-pan2022 and 2023 despite the war in Ukraine. demic level already by February," Rodri"I know that many people are getting go Franco, president and chief executive nervous because of the Russia-Ukraine of MPTC, said during the virtual launch incident and of course the rising oil prices of MPT DriveHub. The average daily vehicle entries on but… the situation is fluid," BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in an online all its domestic tollways (NLEX, Cavitex and SCTEX) reached 535,503 in 2019, briefing Thursday.

Diokno earlier projected inflation higher from 474,529 in 2018.

In 2020, average daily vehicle traffic might remain within the target range of 2 to 4 percent as long as oil prices remained stood at only 388,820 .

"Hopefully, there will no longer be below $95 per barrel.

"There will be no change in our [infla- any surge that will result in some mobility restrictions. If that holds, then we tion] forecast,” he said.

Earlier, Arnel Ty of the LPG Marketers think there would be traffic growth yearAssociation warned that if Russia invades on-year in the magnitude of 10 percent," Ukraine and oil prices continue to spike, Franco said.

“With the growing demand for mobilthis could lead to a serious global shortage of the commodity. Other analysts fear that ity solutions amid an accelerated digital world oil prices could go as high at $120 transformation in the Philippines, we found it necessary to strengthen our purper barrel.

The Department of Energy, however, suit for innovation," he added.

Franco said MPT DriveHub was part said there was enough oil supply to meet of the company's business diversification the country's demand.

Also on Thursday, presidential candi- initiatives that will help realize its goal date Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that of providing the ultimate mobility experithe Russian invasion of Ukraine could ence to motorists.

MPT DriveHub enables its users to set a precedent that could have an impact on the Philippines’ maritime dispute with easily manage their RFID accounts.

Whether to check their balances or reChina.

"What is dangerous for us, if a prec- load their accounts, it ensures a smoother edent was established that Russia can in- and more efficient journey. It also allows vade what they're claiming as their terri- users to easily calculate their toll fees to tory, a precedent might be established, it prepare payments ahead.

Moreover, MPT DriveHub gives its might happen to… our islands in the West users the power of information, providPhilippine Sea," he said.

"I hope it won't happen. Those are im- ing them with the necessary data to plan plications that we cannot guess," he said. and schedule their journey.

With this feature, users will be able to know where the nearest pit stops are for the Charter of the United Nations. dining, bathroom breaks, gas-ups, or even He said he would meet with partners shopping for last-minute pasalubong. from the Group of Seven to shape a col- MPT DriveHub also provides users with lective response, including additional relevant traffic advisory and updates. sanctions to those announced earlier in the week.

"These reckless and dangerous acts will not go unpunished,” he said.

The Organization for Security and Co- From A1 operation in Europe (OSCE), of which Russia is a member, said "this attack on Ukraine also wary of the possible surge in COputs the lives of millions of people at grave VID-19 cases, considering the ongoing risk and is a gross breach of international election campaign period.

“We are just worried that after the shift law and Russia’s commitments."

The statement was issued by the to Alert Level 1, if we ease the restricOSCE's current chairman, Polish Foreign tions too much, people will not follow the Minister Zbigniew Rau, and the organi- minimum protocols. We might suddenly zation's secretary general, Helga Maria have a surge,” he said.

Mayors in the National Capital ReSchmid.

During the charged UN emergency gion agreed to recommend the deescalameeting, the Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy tion of the region's status to Alert Level 1 Kyslytsya implored the council, chaired from Alert Level 2 starting March 1.

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and

by Russia to "do everything possible to stop the war." AFP (See full story online interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. at manilastandard.net) All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be wheelchair being loaded onto a minibus undertaken at full on-site or venue/seatwaiting to rush them to a nearby village.

"We could never have expected this. ing capacity provided it is consistent with We're going to the village, we hope the minimum public health standards.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, war will spare us there," she said. for his part, said NCR was already ready Ukrainian military personnel and trucks swarmed around the town as the to shift to the loosest alert level with its government in Kyiv insisted its forces current metrics.

Duque said Metro Manila's metrics would do all they could to protect were already “ripe” for it to further ease Ukraine.

Across Ukraine's vulnerable eastern its alert status.

“It does not mean that what I would front civilians and soldiers scrambled to react as one of the world's most powerful say is already the position of the collecmilitaries began what authorities warned tive IATF, but if you would ask me, NCR has already passed the metrics. It is ripe, was a "full-scale invasion.”

Some 300 kilometres to the south in in other words,” he said.

Duque said that 83 percent of NCR’s the key port city of Mariupol – close to the frontline where Russia-backed separatists senior citizens had been vaccinated, while have been fighting Ukraine – authorities over 100 percent of its target population were rushing to evacuate civilians as are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. fighting raged.

OCTA Research on Tuesday also reLocal official Alexiy Babchenko said ported that the positivity rate in the NCR they were starting to move people out of has decreased to 4.9 percent, lower than two areas to the nearest railway station – the recommended 5 percent of the World but the violence was too heavy to begin in Health Organization. another location.

OCTA said this was the first time "It is under heavy artillery," he told the positivity rate in the NCR decreased AFP. to less than 5 percent since December Yevgeny Kaplin, head of the 26, 2021 prior to the COVID-19 surge humanitarian organisation Proliska, said caused by the more transmissible Omiattacks were going on across the entire cron variant. frontline that had divided Ukrainian NCR also remained at "low risk" clasforces from an enclave held by Russian- sification for COVID-19 with an average backed rebels. AFP daily attack rate (ADAR) of 2.85 and a reproduction number of 2.85, it added.

As of Wednesday, Cacdac said eight out OCTA Research Fellow Guido David of 76 OFWs who have been infected with said that coronavirus cases in Metro MaCOVID-19 were confined in hospitals. nila continue to drop.

“Eight are in the hospital, admitted to “We are projecting maybe less than the hospital and all the rest are in isolation 200 cases per day in NCR by March 1," facilities. It’s either they are in employer’s said David. home isolation -- mostly in employer’s Meanwhile, medical and data experts home isolation – or Hong Kong government said a safe pandemic exit is possible, and isolation or in non-government organization the private sector and individual citizens isolation,” he added. (See full story online will play a big role in it. (See full story at manilastandard.net) online at manilastandard.net)

Hospitals...

News

A3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Binay promises to solve country’s clean and potable water woes

By Joel E. Zurbano

EDSA ICONS. A worker cleans the statues at the People Power Monument at Dasmariñas, Cavite Province, in preparation for the

commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, on February 25. The statues at the monument featured former President Corazon Aquino, former Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, former President Fidel Valdez Ramos, former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senator Gringo Honasan, former Senator Butch Aquino, and journalist June Keithley. Norman Cruz

Defensor calls for support of oil taxes bill

By Maricel V. Cruz REP. Mike Defensor of Anakalusugan party-list on Thursday urged leaders of Congress to recommend to President Duterte the calling of the legislature to a special session to approve bills that would suspend excise taxes on oil products.

Defensor said Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Senate President Vicente Sotto lll should endorse to the President the proposal of partylist colleagues Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna for the holding of a special session.

“I support the proposal of my colleagues. We have to act fast to provide relief to our people in the wake of soaring gas prices, which have now increased by more than P20 per liter due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the heightening tensions between Russia and Ukraine and its western allies,” he said.

He said Congress should not wait for street protests and threats of crippling transport and labor strikes before suspending or scrapping fuel taxes to bring down the pump prices of petroleum products.

“We don’t have control over the worsening situation in Russia-Ukraine, but we certainly have control over the taxes we have imposed on our people,” Defensor stressed.

He added that no one wishes a shooting war in eastern Europe, “but if fighting erupts, that will surely send the price of crude oil in the world market and fuel prices skyrocketing.”

He noted that tensions have already caused the cost of crude oil to soar to almost $100 per barrel from $60 last year.

“What do we do if the price of oil hits $120-$130 per barrel and domestic fuel prices breach P100 per liter?” he asked.

He pointed out that he is addressing his appeal to Velasco and Sotto because under the Constitution, it is the President who has the power to convene Congress to a special session any time during its adjournment.

SENATORIAL candidate Jejomar Binay on Thursday said if he wins, he will push a measure to solve the country’s problem on clean and potable water.

The former vice president said more public and private partnerships are needed to ensure access to clean and potable water for more Filipinos.

Binay cited a report from the Unicef-World Health Organization stating that only 47.46 percent of Filipinos had access to safely managed drinking water in 2020.

“The lack of clean and safe water would affect the health of our countrymen,” he said.

Binay made the statement after Manila Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) officials said they were preparing mitigation programs to address potential water shortages in April.

Binay said he will work to foster greater cooperation among local gov-

‘Govt seized P24.9b fake goods in 2021’

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) reported Thursday the successful efforts of the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) in intercepting P24.9 billion worth of counterfeit goods in 2021.

The IPOPHIL issued the statement, following the report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) citing the Philippines as a counterfeit hotspot.

The 13-member of NCIPR, which IPOPHL leads as acting chair, reported intensified inspection and raid operations last year that surpassed 2020’s P9.8 billion of seized fake products.

“This showed our return to normal of our raid and search operations. We have to repeat our record seizures to increase ef-

forts and recognize the unwavering commitment of the NCIPR given that this record was achieved, even with pandemic restrictions. We also strategized on directing our efforts to the bigger fish by targeting large warehouses and logistics sectors in various cities which proved to be hotspots for counterfeit goods,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel S. Barba in a press briefing Thursday in celebration of the agency’s 25th founding year.

In 2021, the NCIPR issued 324 search

warrants compared to the 109 in 2021 while the IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) received a record-high of 152 counterfeiting and piracy complaints from right holders and reports from citizens.

This surpassed the previous record of 121 complaints and reports received in 2020 when e-commerce grew at a phenomenal rate amid the pandemic. Of the 152 reports and complaints received last year, 76 percent were of counterfeit goods and the remaining 24 percent were of pirated content, the NCIPR said.

IPOPHL and the NCIPR are also working closely with local government units to help them institutionalize counterfeiting and anti-piracy policy which will ensure the strict implementation of the IP code and foster a culture of fair business practices and respect for IP rights at the local level.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. Relatives of the

39 missing persons involved in ‘e-sabong’ testify before a Senate inquiry. Merlyn Gomez (in pink), mother of one of the victims; the father of John Claude Inonog (in a black hoodie); Isabelita Baccay (in gray) weeps for her sons James, 40, and Marlon, 20; and Rowelyn Ebit (in red), the partner of Melbert Santos. The committee, chaired

by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, is looking into the rising number of missing persons allegedly involved in “sabong” (cockfight) and “e-sabong” related incidents.

(Senate PRIB)

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will not enforce today the number coding scheme for the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

“The MMDA suspended the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (MUVVRP) or the number coding

scheme from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Feb. 25 Friday, a special nonworking holiday,” the agency stated in its advisory Thursday.

This means vehicles with plate numbers ending in 9 and 0 will be allowed to travel on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila during coding hours from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The MMDA started implementing the af-

ternoon number coding scheme late last year covering private cars only.

Exempted from the policy are public utility vehicles (PUVs), Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, motor vehicles carrying essential and perishable goods.

The MMDA suspended the number coding scheme early in 2021 when the government imposed a community quarantine in

Metro Manila amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

The agency’s number coding system was devised to keep vehicles out of major thoroughfares on certain days based on the last digit of the license plate.

The system corresponds to 1 and 2 for Monday, 3 and 4 for Tuesday, 5 and 6 for Wednesday, 7 and 8 for Thursday, and 9 and 0 for Friday.

Million trees foundation plants 5.2 million saplings in watershed projects

WATERSHED PLANNING. Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MFTI) president

Melandrew Velasco leads the distribution of token awards to participants of a strategic planning activity to develop a watershed restoration roadmap. The sessions took place inside the La Mesa Dam Compound in Novaliches, Quezon City.

IN BRIEF CA affirms conviction of cop in Maguindanao massacre THE Court of Appeals has sustained its decision that reversed the ruling issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that found a senior police officer not guilty as accessory in the Maguindanao massacre.

In a two-page resolution dated February 21, 2022, the CA’s Sixth Division junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Senior Police Officer 2 Badawi Bakal seeking to overturn its decision issued on June 14, 2021.

The appellate court ruled that Bakal failed to raise new arguments in his motion that would justify the setting aside of its June 14, 2021 decision.

In the said ruling, the CA granted the petition filed by Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and set aside the ruling issued by QC RTC Branch 221 Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes insofar as it acquitted Bakal as an accessory to the 57 counts of murder filed against 101 individuals for their involvement in the massacre that took place November 23, 2009 and left 57 people dead, including 31 members of media. Rey E. Requejo

BI reminds foreigners in PH to file annual reports THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded foreign nationals living in the Philippines that they have only until March 1 to file their 2022 annual report (AR).

In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that as in previous years, this year’s March 1 AR deadline will not be extended as the alien registration act provides that BI-registered aliens should report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

Morente said that aliens who fail to file their AR may be meted sanctions, which include fines or deportation.

Thus, he urged aliens who have not yet filed their AR to immediately secure their slots through the BI’s online appointment system.

Under the rules, all foreign nationals registered under the BI who are holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas are obliged to comply with the annual reportorial requirement. Vito Barcelo

MMDA suspends number coding in celebration of EDSA People Power Joel E. Zurbano

ernment units, local water districts, national government agencies, and the private sector.

He said among the issues that need to be addressed include finding new water sources for a growing population, finding sufficient funds for new water projects, and ensuring resilient water system structures.

“These problems will be among those we will find solutions to under our water and health service program,” added Binay.

The former vice president said these concerns also need to be addressed to meet the global target of having clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Binay, who is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), was also the mayor of Makati City during the administration of the late former President Corazon Aquino.

He is a guest candidate of presidential bets Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao in the May 9 elections.

MORE than five million seedlings have been planted from 2017-to 2021 through the Annual Million Trees Challenge project of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

This was jointly reported by MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas and Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MFTI) president Melandrew Velasco during the strategic planning activity to develop a watershed restoration roadmap held at MWSS La Mesa

Guesthouse inside the La Mesa Dam Compound in Novaliches, Quezon City.

According to the report from 20172021, a total of 5,212,344 seedlings have been planted in beneficiary watersheds. Of this number, 2,512,754 were planted in Ipo-Angat; 853,580 in La Mesa; 404,043 in Laguna de Bay; 257,099 in Kaliwa Umiray; 1,040,964 in Upper Marikina; and 143,904 in Manila Bay. Thus far, the AMTC has met its targets.

Govt agents seize party drugs, cannabis in NAIA GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have intercepted in Pasay City four shipments loaded with smuggled party drug ecstasy and cannabis.

The first seizure made by Customs - NAIA operatives at the Central Mail Exchange Center involved a shipment orginated from Germany which contained 394 pieces of ecstasy tablets with an estimated market value of P669,800.

The second shipment came from the United States and loaded with 425 grams of cannabis and cannabis oils worth P247,200.

Two other shipments were intercepted at the warehouses of Federal Express and DHL and were also contained cannabis oils.

The owners or consignees will be held liable for technical smuggling for misdeclaring the content of the shipments as vitamins and vape cartridges.

Customs Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan her team made the seizures with the help from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and members of the NAIA Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIADITG). Joel E. Zurbano

A4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

News

IN BRIEF

Warm welcome for UniTeam in Ilocos Sur LED by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson and League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Luis “Chavit” Singson, the northern province recently laid out a warm welcome for the UniTeam ticket of presidential race frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (all pictured), and their senatorial candidates.

Governor Singson expressed his full support to the UniTeam electoral slate, adding that LMP President Chavit, his father, firmly backs the Ilocos Sur chief executive’s political decisions.

Displaying their unity on stage following the grand rally in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur last February 17 were senatorial bets Robin Padilla and Harry Roque, VP candidate Sara Duterte, LMP chief and Narvacan Mayor Singson, presidential bet Marcos Jr., Governor Singson, and senatoriables Larry Gadon, Dante Marcoleta, and Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.

Sara meets Oriental Mindoro leaders

RED THRONG. UniTeam presidential candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. waves to thousands of supporters at the football field of Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo during a grand rally. Ver Noveno

’Letter needed to take down poll posters’ THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will let illegal campaign posters stay up in private properties – with the property owner risking a case of an election offense.

The poll body also said Thursday it will require its field officers to ask for written consent before entering private places during the conduct of “Oplan Baklas,” its drive to remove improper campaign materials ahead of the May 9 elections.

This was explained by the poll body in a briefing amid complaints from the camps of candidates and their supporters over the removal of their materials endorsing particular candidates, and in some cases whitewashing walls already decorated for a specific presidential bet or party.

Spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec will release an updated set of guidelines in campaign rules, which includes presenting consent forms to private property owners before dismantling oversized election paraphernalia under “Baklas.”

“The poll body will update the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act to include a process that authorities have to follow when approaching private properties,” he said. Vito Barcelo

UniTeam vows to solve sugar industry woes

LAKAS-Christian Muslim Democrats vice presidential bet Sara Duterte has thanked Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor and House Representatives Paulino Leachon and Alfonso Umali Jr. of the province’s 1st and 2nd districts, respectively, for supporting her candidacy.

“Thank you very much for the time and opportunity you have given me to be with you, get to know you, and be able to give a short message for all of you,” Duterte said during her separate visit to the province’s key leaders Wednesday.

Meanwhile, former Health Secretary and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, backed the candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte in the May 9 national elections.

In an ambush interview in Iloilo, Garin – who served in the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III -- said she opted to support the BBM-Sara tandem because “I believe in their call for unity.”

She also said with a Marcos presidency unity is a goal “to deliver to the people because he wants to disprove the allegations against him.” Maricel V. Cruz

10 prexy bets confirmed for debate, says Comelec A

By Vito Barcelo

LL 10 presidential aspirants in the May 9 national elections, including former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. have confirmed their attendance for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) debate on March 19, its spokesperson James Jimenez said.

Apart from Marcos, the candidates attending the debate are Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Muslim bet Faisal Mangondato, and cardiologist-lawyer Jose Montemayor Jr. Jimenez said no questions will be giv-

en in advance to candidates, and no “kodigo” (cheat sheet) will also be allowed on the podium.

The poll body spokesman said the campaign team of Marcos Jr., who earlier shunned some independentlyhosted forums, has confirmed his attendance.

Marcos last attended the debate of SMNI Network owned by televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who endorsed

his and his running-mate Sara Duterte’s bids for the 2022 polls.

Jimenez added the Comelec will be sponsoring three debates.

The poll body earlier said there is no law requiring candidates to participate in public debates, and that the Comelec cannot oblige the candidates to show up.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said it will also organize a debate for vice presidential candidates set on March 20. However, only eight out of nine VP bets will be attending — Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Sara Duterte-Carpio, Manny Lopez, Willie Ong, Kiko Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio, and Vicente Sotto III. “All VP candidates confirmed except one who, unfortunately, I think will be undergoing surgery… (Rep.) Lito Atienza,” he said.

LENI IN CEBU.

Vice President Leni Robredo meets with fisherfolk of Brgy.

Tangke, Talisay City, Cebu on Thursday.

The presidential candidate was welcomed by Joksan Brazuela, Vice President of the Mananagat sa Tangke Pamo Association (MATAPA), and dozens of eager supporters. VP Leni Media Bureau

By Maricel V. Cruz THE UniTeam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has promised to look into the problems of the sugar industry and offer possible solutions.

The candidates made the promise in the course of a dialogue in Bacolod City late Wednesday with sugar planters and farmers and local officials in Negros Occidental, the country’s biggest sugar producer.

Some 25 of the province’s 31 town mayors and several lawmakers committed their support to the BBM-Sara ticket as well.

Marcos said the support of local officials is a “very good development” for Duterte and their senatorial candidates.

Duterte said their dialogue with sugar planters and farmers centered on the problems besetting their industry.

Mayor Ella Celestina Yulo of Moises Padillla town, one of the mayors who attended the dialogue, said it is important for the government to find solutions to the problems of sugar producing provinces.

Sugar producers have earlier complained about continued sugar importation.

Aside from Negros Occidental, other sugar-producing provinces include Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Batangas, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

Isko vows equality for, inclusion of LGBTQI community

By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko standard-bearer Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has assured that if elected president, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community would not just be protected but would also be part of his governance.

“I don’t like prejudice and there should be no prejudice. In Manila, in our own lit-

tle way, there is no man, no woman, no gay, no lesbian, no poor, no middle class, no rich, in the eyes of the government they are all equal,” Moreno said, when interviewed by reporters in Marikina City on what the LGBTQI sector can expect under a Moreno administration.

“That is also my goal, God is merciful, and with human help, I will equalize the rights and opportunities of every Filipino in Mindanao, in the Visayas, in Luzon.

Don’t preempt chopper crash probe, but PNP chief must explain it — Ping

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENTIAL candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson called on the public not to preempt the investigation involving Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos over the crash of the state-owned helicopter that was supposed to pick him up from the posh Balesin resort in Quezon over the weekend.

Lacson said it is proper that the Department of the Interior and Local Government, led by

Secretary Eduardo Ano, defend Carlos in the meantime since the investigation is underway.

One policeman died while the pilot and co-pilot were injured when the Airbus chopper crashed into a mountain in Real, Quezon.

The PNP chief has expressed his regrets over the incident.

The Partido Reporma standard-bearer said the investigation should look into the “gray area” -- the official function used as the reason to dispatch the PNP chopper to fetch the police chief.

Only now can they see a government where people come first. People are important, people are important,” Moreno added.

The presidential bet stressed that equality, diversity, and inclusivity will be part of his good governance programs as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda which is his blueprint to hasten human and economic growth once elected president.

Constitution framers, CFC support Leni

By Rio N. Araja FRAMERS of the 1987 Constitution are backing the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo in the May 2022 elections.

They also endorsed the vice-presidential bid of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, citing the Leni-Kiko tandem’s adherence to the basic tenets of the Constitution such as respect for human rights.

The framers include Felicitas Arroyo, Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Florangel Braid, Hilario Davide Jr., Edmundo Garcia, Christian Monsod, Rene Sarmiento, Jaime Tadeo, and Wilfrido Villacorta.

They said Adolfo Azcuna, as a current member of the Philippine Judicial Academy, had inhibited.

The Catholic group Couples for Christ (CFC) International Council also said Robredo met their criteria — honorable, honest, competent and a God-fearing public servant.

“We began our discussion of the criteria on the premise and realization that there is no perfect candidate. At the end of our prayerful immersion and meaningful discussion, the members of the International Council [of CFC] reached the decision to support the presidential candidacy of Leni Robredo,” it said in a statement.

“We arrived at our individual decision to support Leni Robredo after much prayer, discernment, and dialogue.

We expect you to do the same and go through the same process of discernment we went through. Should your decision differ from ours, we will respect your choice in the spirit of love and brotherhood that has characterized, and will continue to characterize, our being CFC,” it added.

“We recall the events of the 1986 People’s Power Revolt this time some 36 years ago, which led to the drafting of a new Fundamental Law for our country,” the constitutional group said.

“The heart of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the Article on Social Justice and Human Rights which responds to the aspirations of the most vulnerable sectors of our society, particularly, the farmers and workers, the rural and urban poor, persons with disabilities, women, and members of people’s organizations.”

FARMERS’ PROTEST. The

Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) protest in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform office in Quezon City on Thursday to condemn a politician for supposedly grabbing 200 hectares of agricultural land in Brgy. Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac.

Manny Palmero

Opinion Entertaining hearsay HEARSAY or rumors are talk or opinions widely disseminated with no discernable source (Webster Dictionary). Empires, kingdoms, governments, and even modern institutions have fallen due to war, economic strife, political misunderstandings, and even religious disagreements. The only thing common among the aforementioned methods, is that they were, in one way or another, fueled by hearsay or rumor.

Rumors, though baseless, spread like wildfire. These are constructed and disseminated to influence someone who is ignorant, gullible, undiscerning, or prejudiced. These are harmless accusations, most of the time, and more so for “wound[s that] can be assuaged by the balm of a clear conscience” (The United States v. Perfecto, G.R. No. 16924, March 23, 1922).

However, it cannot be denied that the subject of the rumor may suffer indignity, disrepute, and defamation. Sadly, spreading hearsay, rumor mongering and sharing “gossip” are enjoyable pastimes for most people, educated or not. This is also the reason why “a public officer must not be too thin-skinned with reference to comment upon his official acts” (United States v. Perfecto).

History is replete with the catastrophic consequences of gossip. Jesus Christ was not spared from gossip by the Pharisees who plotted to destroy him (Matthew 12:14).

Anne Boleyn was rumored to have had an incestuous relationship with her brother, which, no doubt, contributed to the case against her, eventually led to her beheading. The Salem Witch Trials, which originated in Massachusetts, also featured rumor mongering of unfounded accusations of witchcraft among the original colonists, leading to the killing of many innocent women.

Rumors and hearsay also are a central theme in the Pulitzer prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson, a black man, was accused of raping a white woman.

Rumors travelled fast in an already prejudiced fictional Southern town in the States, leading to his unlawful conviction, despite the fact that it was Ms. Ewell, the “victim,” that came on to him.

Powered by rumors and hasty imputations, Cicero banished an insurgent, Ca-

tiline, from Rome, without due process.

Relying only on intelligence reports from his spies and informers, Cicero, in an impassioned speech that is a staple in oratorical contests, charged Cataline with treason and exiled him. This was Cicero’s finest hour, but by modern standards, was there evidence against his foe?

These and many more events in political and religious history were shaped by hearsay and rumors. This is one of the reasons why modern rules on evidence, including that of the Philippines, exclude hearsay evidence in our courts. As a general rule, only matters known to the witnesses, by their own personal knowledge and derived from their perception, can be admitted by the court; therefore, these witnesses will have to be presented in court.

History is replete with the catastrophic consequences of gossip.

However, despite the dissent against hearsay, Philippine courts still accept certain kinds of information derived from hearsay.

These are known in the Rules on Evidence as the Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule. The reader might quip: Why is hearsay evidence accepted by the court as valid, albeit in a few circumstances? It is because of the assumption that the source of the facts, or the custodian of the data, and additionally, its nature, are reliable and trustworthy.

A dying declaration is a statement made by a dying person to another who did not witness the circumstances leading to the declarant’s death. It is the recipient of the declaration who will testify in court (Section 38, Rule 130). While this is hearsay, it is given a certain level of reliability because a dying person is expected not to lie.

This dying declaration can be refuted by proof that the declarant was not dying when the declaration was made, or conversely, that the declarant or recipient of the declaration did not accurately perceive the facts. Similarly, a Declaration against Interest is made by a person who is deceased or is unable to testify (Section 40, Rule 130). This is trustworthy because human nature is generally self-preserving, advancing his own interest.

Full version on www.manilastandard.net

to stop the speculations, claiming that they, as a family, have yet to release a statement, the netizens can’t seem to deny the links, especially in a notoriously ruthless political landscape like Cavite’s, my gulay.

It also doesn’t help that there’s a video circulating of a gathering for Kawit Mayor and reelectionist Angelo Abaya. In it the one taking the video was asking a man in a face mask,”Anong gagawin mo sa tarpaulin ng mga kalaban natin? (What are you going to do with the tarpaulins of our enemies?)”

The circus, the mudslinging, the violence The man in the face mask responded by extending his hand out as if holding a gun, then pantomiming gun recoil;. That response was met with a bit of levity from the video taker. My gulay! Who are these psychopaths?

Tragically, another life, that of a public servant, was taken due to violence, probably to intimidate, or silence, political opposition.

It has officially begun. The idealist in me hopes to see less of that type of news as the campaign period goes. But, the realist in me tells me not to hold my breath, Santa Banana!

••• At this point, with the commanding lead of Bongbong Marcos over all the other aspirants, their only hope is to unite to form a single unified opposition. But, my gulay, even that may be a long shot!

There was a time before the 90-day campaign period started some of the aspirants wanted Vice President Leni Robredo to unite with some of the other aspirants to form a united opposition. But, the problem was at that time, who will be the united opposition’s leader. That is when self-interest prevailed over good.

In a country like the Philippines, it is imperative to have a united opposition to act as check and balance. Assent and dissent must always be protected, otherwise, there can only be tyranny. This is what I have been

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

B1

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

It has begun

THE campaign period officially kicked off two weeks ago, and now election fever is gripping the nation. I’m actually quite impressed that the overall tone of almost every camp has been positive. While, yes, there is a bit of direct mudslinging here and there, they seem to be more like puddle splashes rather than the usual mudballs.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the election-related violence, especially in the provinces. Yes, there have been some casualties as early as last year, but things like these happening right at the start of the campaign period just hit differently.

Just last week, I heard of an incident in the Southern Luzon region. It involved a Barangay Kagawad in Kawit, Cavite. According to the reporter, Kagawad Crisanto Villanueva was just in front of his house, one morning, when a motorcycle riding gunman shot him twice; one in the face and one in the chest. Santa Banana! The man probably barely had his morning coffee and he’s already been force-fed two bullets for breakfast!

After doing the dastardly deed, the assailant revved his motorcycle away and was never seen again. “Kagawad Cris,” as the official was known in the community, was rushed to the hospital, but he was proclaimed dead an hour after the shooting incident.

One of the politicians that first expressed his sadness and condolences to the bereaved Villanueva family was Cavite First District Congressman, and Kawit mayoralty candidate, Francis Gerald “Boy Blue” Abaya.

Cris was one of Abaya’s trusted allies in Kawit.

When news, my gulay, of Cris’ murder hot social; media, speculations about the motive behind his murder all pointed to politics While Cris’ family came out to and spoke

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Collateral damage

T

HE Russian invasion of Ukraine, as in any war and geopolitical upheaval, will result in deaths to combatants and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. It will push up prices in the global commodities market because of feared supply disruptions, especially on oil, wheat and corn.

The invasion will trigger a new refugee crisis as some Ukrainians flee for safety to neighboring Poland to avoid the war. Ukraine’s economy may also suffer once the European Union limits its ties to the Russianoccupied nation of 43 million.

Soaring oil prices are one of the knee-jerk reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Crude prices surged past $100 per barrel yesterday, the first time since September 2014, while commodities including wheat jumped on supply uncertainties from the two warring nations. Russia and Ukraine combined account for al-

most a third of wheat’s world trade.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is the world’s fourth-largest corn exporter and accounts for about 22 percent of the global trade.

The invasion will trigger crises on several fronts.

But the Russia-Ukraine crisis will not likely result in a region-wide conflict, with the Western powers opting to confine their response to sanctions

against the invading country. The US and its allies have not committed themselves to intervene militarily to defend Ukraine.

Crude prices, which directly influence the cost of electricity and other commodities relying on oilfueled transportation, will likely increase further. Russia is one of the world’s biggest oil and gas producers while Ukraine serves as the main transit route for Russian natural gas sold to Europe. Europe will immediately feel the impact of soaring oil and gas prices as the region looks for an alternative supplier elsewhere.

The Philippines, in the meantime, will have to brace itself for higher prices of oil and gas, which is used as fuel in some power plants. The Philippines, like many other nations still struggling to reopen their economy, will have to adjust to soaring commodity prices and literally conserve energy to tide it over until the Russia-Ukraine conflict subsides.

Outgoing Senator Drilon is probably getting senile

OUTGOING Senator Franklin Drilon is probably getting senile already. At 76 years old, he seems to have forgotten what the Constitution provides. Being a lawyer and a veteran legislator, that is embarrassing.

In July 2020, the House of Representatives of Congress refused to renew the legislative franchise of broadcast giant ABSCBN Corporation, which expired earlier that year. The House took the view that ABS-CBN violated the terms of its previous franchise.

Under the Constitution, Congress has the unbridled power and discretion not to renew any legislative franchise that has already expired. If Congress does not want to renew an expired franchise, there is nothing Malacañang or the Supreme Court can do about that. The Supreme Court itself said so in its decision promulgated on August 25, 2020.

At the time the House committee on legislative franchises was deliberating on the application of ABS-CBN to renew its expired franchise, several House members and senators lobbied for the renewal of the broadcast giant’s license. It was a very low moment in the history of Congress, because many of the legislators who lobbied for the renewal had vested interests in the continued operations of ABS-CBN. Among the legislators who threw delicadeza to the wind and called for the ABSCBN franchise renewal despite the apparent conflict of interest involved include Representatives Joy Myra Tambunting and Joselito Atienza, and Senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Grace Poe. Tambunting used to be an executive of ABS-CBN; Atienza’s son was then a well-

advocating, a united and strong opposition, strong enough to act as the check and balance of a current government that can abuse its power.

I am not saying this because I expect that Bongbong Marcos will likely abuse power, but the lower echelons could. This is where the country urgently needs a strong united opposition.

The challenges facing the next president are indeed daunting, especially so with the expectation of the ending of the COVID-19 pandemic, called “ENDemic”, which could be expected at the end of this year. With the new normal, the challenges that the new president will face must be difficult. The new president will have to face the need for the country to go back to pre-pandemic days. Santa Banana, this will be one of the most critical and urgent issues for the country at this point in time.

The questions that will face the new president are unemployment with no less than about four million Filipinos without jobs and

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

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

paid talent of the network; Angara’s wife also worked for the network; and ABSCBN pays Poe’s family for the right to broadcast films of her late father, box office king Fernando Poe, Jr. ABS-CBN tried to portray itself as a victim of a vengeful administration, but it toned down on its self-serving propaganda after the August 2020 decision of the Supreme Court exposed that there is no truth to the protestations of the network.

He does not seem to know the provisions of the Constitution.

Despite the expiration of its legislative franchise, ABS-CBN is still on the air today, mainly through its cable television facility Sky Cable, and its temporary but nonetheless illegal use of the franchise of Zoe Broadcasting, which broadcasts as the A2Z Channel (A for ABS-CBN; 2 for ABS-CBN’s flagship television channel 2; and Z for Zoe).

That arrangement is illegal because under the legislative franchise of Zoe Broadcasting does not allow it to share its franchise with anyone else without the prior permission of Congress. My last check with Congress shows that no such permission has been obtained by Zoe from Congress.

By violating its own legislative franchise, Zoe Broadcasting is courting the strong possibility that Congress will revoke its license to broadcast.

In February 2021, I formally requested the National Telecommunications Commission to investigate the ABS-CBN-Zoe deal. NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba promised to look into it. Almost a year has passed but Cordoba has not informed me of the results of his promised investigation. I am considering filing administrative raps against Cordoba.

Last month, Tambunting filed House livelihood. How will the new leader address this? We need to resuscitate the economy, especially the small and medium industries.

But how, when this will cost a lot of money that the country doesn’t have and already is overburdened by debt?

Most importantly, what the new president needs most is the cooperation of the private sector and the public to meet this new challenge. It will be most critical and overwhelming for the new president.

Will the elections be honest and orderly?

Insofar as surveys are concerned, one big factor is the so-called bandwagon mentality, where those undecided will join the bandwagon of a winning candidate like BBM/ Sara.

In short, poll surveys do have a great influence on the decision of people whom to vote for. Santa Banana! Poll surveys are important especially to businessmen when they want to launch a new product. I believe that poll surveys are also important for people to decide finally whom to vote for.

Bill No. 7923 which provides that a broadcast network whose franchise has expired shall be allowed to continue its broadcast operations during the pendency of its application for the renewal of its expired franchise. Obviously, Tambunting’s bill favors ABS-CBN. Tambunting seems unaware that the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that what may not be done directly, should not be done indirectly.

Solicitor General Jose Calida says House Bill No. 7923 wants to allow a broadcast facility to operate even without a franchise, in violation of the constitutional principles governing legislative franchises in the first place.

By the way, Calida is affiliated with the political party of Zoe Broadcasting owner and pastor Eddie Villanueva and his son, Senator Joel Villanueva. Father and son have successfully used their church as a stepping stone to political power and influence.

The big surprise is that Drilon filed Senate Bill No. 1530 which echoes House Bill No. 7923.

Both bills do not sit well with Cavite Representative Jesus Crispin Remulla of the House committee on legislative franchises. Remulla was mainly responsible for the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise last year.

According to Remulla, ABS-CBN does not deserve the renewal because it had been using the franchise of the Amcara Broadcasting Network, which is a violation of the provisions of the now-expired franchise of ABS-CBN. Further, Remulla scored Drilon for meddling in the exclusive domain of the House. Under the Constitution, a bill calling for the issuance or renewal of a legislative franchise for a private corporation must emanate from the House, and not from the Senate.

As a lawyer and a veteran legislator, Drilon ought to be aware of that provision in the Constitution, unless he’s getting senile already.

Fortunately for the public interest, Drilon is considering retiring from politics once his current term ends in June this year.

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net)

EDSA after 36 years: what has changed?

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Israeli strikes kill six near Syrian capital AT LEAST six pro-government fighters, including Syrian troops, were killed in Israeli air strikes Thursday targeting positions held by Iran-backed groups near the capital Damascus, a war monitor reported.

It is the fourth time this month that Israeli strikes have been reported inside Syria, keeping up a campaign against proIranian forces supporting the Damascus government in the more than decade-old civil war.

“Israeli strikes killed six people, including two Syrian troops and four Iranbacked militia fighters whose nationalities remain unknown,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based monitor, which has an extensive network of sources across the country, said the raids “targeted positions and arm depots” operated by Iranbacked groups near Damascus airport, destroying several weapon caches.

The strikes also targeted air defenses south of Damascus, said the Observatory, which did not elaborate on any damage.

The official SANA news agency said air defenses intercepted most of the missiles but three soldiers were killed.

The latest raids follow Israel’s bombardment this week of a Syrian town near the armistice line on the Golan Heights, and strikes on a Syrian military post on February 17, and on anti-aircraft batteries at the start of the month.

The Observatory said Israel has carried out raids in Syria at least six times since the start of the year.

Asked about the latest strikes, an Israeli army spokesman said: “We don’t comment on reports in foreign media.”

Since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes inside the country, targeting government positions as well as allied Iran-backed forces and fighters of the Shiite militant movement Hezbollah.

While Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria, it has acknowledged mounting hundreds since 2011.

According to the Israeli military, it hit around 50 targets inside Syria in 2020. AFP

‘Hunger hotspot’ Colombia: People scrounge for food

RUSHING TO BUILD COVID WARDS. This photo shows a general view of the construction site of a temporary isolation

facility to house COVID-19 coronavirus patients being built at Kai Tak, the site of the city’s old airport which closed in 1998, in Hong Kong on February 24, 2022. AFP

HK invokes emergency powers to fight outbreak

H

ONG KONG’s government invoked emergency powers on Thursday to allow doctors, nurses and other personnel from the Chinese mainland to help combat a spiraling coronavirus outbreak.

The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of its worst-ever COVID wave, registering thousands of cases every day, overwhelming hospitals and government efforts to isolate all infected people in dedicated units.

Hong Kong authorities have followed a zero-COVID strategy similar to mainland China that kept infections mostly at bay throughout the pandemic.

But they were caught flat-footed when the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through those defences, and have since increasingly called on the Chinese mainland for help.

“Hong Kong is now facing a very dire epidemic situation which continues to deteriorate rapidly,” the government said in its statement announcing the use of emergency powers.

Chinese mainland medics are not currently allowed to operate in Hong Kong without passing local exams and meeting licensing regulations.

The emergency powers “exempt certain persons or projects from all relevant statutory requirements... so as to increase Hong Kong’s epidemic control capacity for containing the fifth wave within a short period of time,” the statement said.

The move came after Chinese President Xi Jinping last week ordered Hong Kong to take “all necessary measures” to bring the outbreak under control, signalling Hong Kong would not be allowed to move towards living with the virus like much of the rest of the world.

Allowing mainland medics to work in Hong Kong has been a source of debate for years.

Even before the pandemic, supporters argued it could alleviate shortages in the city’s stretched healthcare system.

Local medical practitioners in the past have objected, citing issues such as language and cultural barriers – though critics have dismissed such talk as protectionism.

Hong Kong was supposed to operate as a semi-autonomous region from China, after the territory returned from British colonial rule in 1997. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 278 COLUMBIA OWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., As duly reprensented by Ms. Diseree B. Sedigo, Defendants, CIVIL CASE NO. R-MND-19-00821-CV For: Enforcement of Lien -versusRODOLFO V. CRUZ, Plaintiff, x-------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SALE ON EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY WHEREAS, by virtue of Writ of Execution issued by HON. JAIME FORTUNATO A. CARINGAL, Presiding Judge of the Branch 278, Regional Trial Court, Mandaluyong City, on March 24, 2021, in Civil Case No.R-MND-19-00821-CV wherein COLUMBIA OWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., As duly reprensented by Ms. Diseree B. Sedigo as the plaintiff and Mr. RODOLFO V. CRUZ as the defendant, with postal address at No. 27 Milkway Drive, Blue Ridge II, Quezon City, for the recovery of the sum of Four Million Seven hundred Seventeen Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Seven and 59/100 Pesos (Php 4,717,167.59) as well as One Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Pesos (Php 165,000.00) by way of attorney’s fees, Levy was made by Sheriff WILLIAM T. CHENG on February 10, 2022 , thru the Registry of Deeds of Mandaluyong City, on rights, interest, and participation of said defendant Mr. RODOLFO V. CRUZ in the following condominium unit together with all the improvements existing thereon to wit:

WHERE THE FUTURE LIVES.

An Emirati woman is pictured inside the ‘Museum of The Future’ on February 23, 2022, one day after its opening in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. AFP

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 5182 Registry of Deeds - City of Mandaluyong LEVEL: Tenth Floor UNIT : 102 UNIT TYPE: Studio type with parking spaces B-48 and B-49 UNIT AREA (SQ.M.): 139.00 of THE COLUMBIA TOWER in the diagramatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 9588/T-48 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY, with an area of one thousand one hundred eighty three (1183) square meter.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of said Writ of Execution and in accordance with Rule 39, Section 19, of the Rules of Court, Sheriff WILLIAM T. CHENG will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGERS CHECK and in Philippine Currency on March 25, 2022 at 09:00 A.M. or soon thereafter at the New Hall of Justice of Mandaluyong City, Regional Trial Court Branch 278, Maysilo Cirlce, Mandaluyong City, the rights, interest and participation of defendant Mr. RODOLFO V. CRUZ, in the above described real property in order to satisfy said Writ of Execution, together with interest, costs, sheriff’s fees and the expense of sale.

“All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.”

“In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on April 13, 2022 or soon thereafter without further notice.”

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

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, February 11, 2022 (Sgd.) WILLIAM T. CHENG Sheriff IV WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on Execution under penalty of Law. Copy Furnished: VILLAREAL LAW Counsel for the plaintiff Suite 304 Web Jet Bldg., 64 Quezon Ave., cor ..

BMA Ave. Quezon City Columbia Owners Association, Inc. Plaintiff GIF Columbia Tower, Ortigas Ave, Mandaluyong City Rodolfo Cruz Defendant 27 Milkyway Drive, Blue Ridge II, Quezon city Vicente R. Munoz, Michael R. Munoz, and Dorothy R. Munoz 51 Sparrow St. Green Meadows Subdivision Quezon City Antonio O. Mendoza Deputy Sheriff RTC Branch 58, Makati City (Manila Standard-Feb. 18, 25 & Mar. 4, 2022)

Prince Harry sues major British newspaper group BRITAIN’S Prince Harry has launched new a request for British police protection under legal action against one of the country’s bigwraps. gest newspaper groups, a spokesperson said Markle, 40, and Harry, 37, live in California Wednesday. after stepping down from royal duties in 2019, The complaint against Associated Newspawhich caused them to lose their UK taxpayerpers – which publishes the Daily Mail, Mail paid protection. on Sunday and MailOnline – follows his wife Last month, Harry appealed to the UK courts Meghan Markle’s recent victory in a separate, after the government refused to allow him to long-running case against the same group. pay for police protection out of his own pocket, A spokesperson for the pair told AFP that arguing the decision means he cannot return a complaint had been filed by Harry, without home. specifying its nature or the publication being A lawyer for Harry told a London court last sued. week that the UK “will always be his home,” Prince Harry Multiple UK media reports said Harry – but that his own private security team in the US Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson – was suing for libel over does not have adequate jurisdiction or access to UK intela Mail on Sunday article alleging he had sought to keep ligence necessary to keep his family safe. AFP

WHILE the Colombian government fumes over being listed as a “hunger hotspot” by UN agencies, Heidy Garzon – a single mother of nine – worries where her family’s next meal will come from.

“We don’t know what we’re going to eat tonight,” Garzon told AFP in a shantytown neighborhood of Ciudad Bolivar in the south of Bogota, two toddlers in diapers clinging to her legs.

Garzon, 38, and her kids live in a ramshackle shanty with six beds to a single clay-floored room in the poorest, most violent part of Ciudad Bolivar.

Most days, they are lucky to eat two meals a day.

On the day AFP visited, the family of 10 breakfasted on a few eggs, some chocolate and corn patties called arepas.

They also shared a mango given to them by a shopkeeper.

“Hunger is terrible,” Garzon said, adding it is “terrible to feel hungry and not be able to do anything” about it.

Last month, a report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme stated that “7.3 million Colombians are food insecure and in need of food assistance in 2022.”

The list of 20 “hunger hotspots” also included Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

In Colombia, the UN agencies blamed “a combination of political instability, economic challenges and the ongoing impact of the regional migratory crisis amplified by internal displacement.”

Colombia took umbrage at its inclusion on the list, for which it said there was a lack of “factual support, methodological definition and clarity.” The government in Bogota demanded that the “hunger hotspot” designation be removed.

Garzon, who said she was not aware of the diplomatic debacle, claimed not to have received any government help since coronavirus handouts stopped a few months ago. AFP

Battle over future of spytech NSO A COURT fight within Israeli spytech firm NSO Group has shed new light on the crisis engulfing the company, including tensions over whether to keep selling malware to autocrats to stay afloat.

NSO was already mired in debt before an investigation revealed last year that its Pegasus phone hacking software had been used to spy on hundreds of journalists, dissidents and activists worldwide.

Now the surveillance tech giant is teetering, especially after being banned by the United States.

AFP has reviewed hundreds of pages of court documents from a dispute involving NSO, its creditors and the Berkeley Research Group (BRG), majority shareholders of NSO’s parent company.

The documents suggest creditors have sought to push NSO, based in the Tel Aviv suburb of Herzliya, to continue selling Pegasus to “elevated risk” countries with questionable human rights records, in order to maintain revenues.

But Berkeley Research has demanded a halt to suspect sales without more internal reviews, citing an “absolute need for [NSO] to address the underlying issues” that saw it blacklisted.

The tensions surfaced in a Tel Aviv court case where BRG is seeking to force the spinoff of three subsidiaries, including a maker of anti-drone equipment, arguing the smaller companies risk being brought down by the Pegasus scandal. AFP

US authorizes 1st condom for anal sex use

THE US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized the first condom for use during anal intercourse, in what was hailed as a victory for sexual health by experts.

Although people already use condoms for anal sex – as is recommended by health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – regulators across the world had only previously allowed companies to officially market their products as “safe and effective” for vaginal use.

Sexual health advocates considered this an unmet public health need since unprotected anal intercourse carries the greatest risk of HIV transmission via sexual exposure, with one study finding that 69 percent of men who have sex with men would use condoms more frequently if they were FDA-indicated.

Wednesday’s authorization of Global Protection Corp’s One Male Condom follows a clinical trial involving more than 500 people, carried out

by Emory University.

“The FDA’s authorization of a condom that is specifically indicated, evaluated and labeled for anal intercourse may improve the likelihood of condom use during anal intercourse,” said agency scientist Courtney Lias in a statement.

The condom is also indicated to prevent sexually transmitted infections – and as a contraceptive – during vaginal sex.

“We want people to have lots of sex – but we also want them to be empowered and informed,” said Davin Wedel, president of Global Protection Corp, which makes the condom brand that is available in 54 sizes, and incorporates a paper template to help each user find the right size. AFP

ANAL WIN. This illustration photo shows ‘One’ condoms displayed on a table in Washington, DC, on February 23, 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first condom for use during anal intercourse, in what was hailed as a victory for sexual health by experts. AFP

Business PSEi February 24, 2022

TOP GAINERS 1 2

PXP OPM

LAST PRICE 6.55 0.013

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.7 11.97% 0.001 8.33%

3 4

PX RLT

6.06 0.27

0.43 0.015

7.64% 5.88%

5 6 7

PNX APL LCB

10.74 0.068 0.17

0.52 0.003 0.007

5.09% 4.62% 4.29%

8 9 10

CEU PRF3B LC

6.85 1130 0.172

0.25 40 0.006

3.79% 3.67% 3.61%

TOP LOSERS 1

KEEPR

LAST PRICE 1.21

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.17 -12.32%

2 3 4

MACAY PHA FEU

5.7 0.75 532

-0.8 -0.1 -61

-12.31% -11.76% -10.29%

5 6 7

MRC MAC TBGI

0.27 5.6 0.335

-0.03 -0.59 -0.035

-10.00% -9.53% -9.46%

8 9 10

MM DIZ ATN

2.1 4.87 0.64

-0.21 -0.47 -0.06

-9.09% -8.80% -8.57%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MBT ICT BDO SMPH SM ALI CREIT MONDE DITO GLO

VOLUME 11,343,510 3,165,180 4,849,480 11,416,500 480,190 8,293,800 113,911,000 19,719,800 46,378,900 90,070

VALUE (PHP) 683,123,853 678,434,146 638,636,152 436,028,645 422,899,580 313,847,970 312,327,830 298,034,812 296,996,621 240,831,820

Russian central bank to intervene as ruble, Moscow exchange tumble MOSCOW, Russia—Russia’s central bank said Thursday in would intervene as the ruble tumbled to a record low and the Moscow Stock Exchange reopened down 14 percent after Moscow launched a military attack on Ukraine.

“To stabilize the situation on the financial market, the Bank of Russia has decided to start interventions in the foreign exchange market,” the central bank said in a statement.

The measures are intended to provide “additional liquidity to the banking sector” in Russia, with Western sanctions looming after the military operation announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Bank of Russia will ensure the maintenance of financial stability and continuity of the operation of financial institutions, using all necessary tools,” it said.

The central bank added that it and other financial institutions “have clear action plans for any scenario.”

The announcement came as the ruble-dominated Moex index opened down 13.97 percent, according to the exchange’s website, while the dollar-dominated RTS was down 20.16 percent.

The exchange had announced a temporary suspension of trading earlier on Thursday.

The ruble meanwhile fell by nine percent to 90 against the US dollar at 0542 GMT, hitting an all-time low minutes after Putin announced the military operation.

It then bounced back slightly, but remained down 5.4 percent from the previous day’s close as of 0707 GMT. Oil prices rocketed more than six percent with Brent cruising past $100, for the first time since September 2014, while other commodities including wheat rallied on fears about supplies from the resource-rich region. Aluminum hit a record high.

Safe have assets also surged, with gold hitting a more than oneyear high, the Japanese yen piling higher against the dollar and the Swiss franc hitting a five-year high on the euro. AFP

B3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slump as oil prices surpass $100

T

HE stock market plunged Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent forces into Ukraine, accelerating fears of a major war in eastern Europe.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 151.98 points, or 2.1 percent, to 7,212.23 on a value turnover of P9.9 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 168 to 43, with 34 issues unchanged.

DITO CME Holdings Corp., the third major mobile phone player, sank 7 percent to P6.14, while noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. fell 6.3 percent to P14.80.

Citicore Energy REIT Corp. dropped 4.9 percent to P2.70, while BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the biggest lender in terms of assets, declined. 3.5 percent to P130.10.

Oil prices, meanwhile, soared past

$100 and safe havens rallied while equities tumbled Thursday.

After weeks of warnings from the United States and other powers, the Kremlin—which is said to have around 200,000 lined up—ordered a wide-ranging offensive into its neighbor, days after saying it would provide “peacekeepers” to two breakaway regions.

The Russian president said in a surprise statement on television: “I have made the decision of a military operation.”

He also vowed retaliation against anyone who interfered and called on the Ukraine military to lay down its arms.

There were later reports of incursions from several directions, with Ukraine’s border guard service saying Russian tanks and other heavy equipment crossed the frontier.

The news sparked a furious reaction from world leaders and pledges to ramp up sanctions on Moscow.

Oil prices rocketed more than six percent with Brent cruising past $100,

for the first time since September 2014, while other commodities including wheat rallied on fears about supplies from the resource-rich region. Aluminum hit a record high.

Safe have assets also surged, with gold hitting a more than one-year high, the Japanese yen piling higher against the dollar and the Swiss franc hitting a five-year high on the euro.

The dollar was up nine percent against the ruble, which has been battered in recent weeks on worries about the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, while the Moscow Stock Exchange plunged almost 14 percent after suspending trading earlier in the day.

The country’s central bank said it was intervening to “stabilize the situation.”

Asian equities plunged, with Hong Kong, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore and Wellington down at least three percent, while Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and Manila fell more than two percent. There were also steep losses in Tokyo, Shanghai and Jakarta. With AFP

SURGING PRICES. Gas stations are seen in Bethesda, Maryland on February 23, 2022.

Wall Street stocks fell February 22, 2022 after US President Joe Biden unveiled fresh sanctions on Moscow, while a surge in oil prices was limited by expectations the measures would not impact Russia’s crude production.

AFP

Russia push on Ukraine rings in major Gulf nations DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— Russia’s assault on Ukraine is reverberating in the energy-rich Gulf, where top oil and gas producers face economic and political dilemmas in easing sky-high prices and alleviating shortages in Europe.

As oil prices broke past $100 per barrel and risks of supply disruptions grew, eyes in Europe were increasingly focusing on oil kingpin Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, one of the biggest natural gas exporters.

And the calculations in Riyadh and Doha are much more nuanced than maximizing financial gain from soaring prices, as market constraints and alliances with both the West and Russia are also paramount.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia “are facing a reality in which their main exports are in high demand,” Karen Young, director of the Program on Economics and Energy at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told AFP. But she said the capacity to ramp up oil production and transport new supplies of liquefied natural gas was “not so simple.”

“Investment conditions for either are not quick enough or at the ready to be a superhero in the advent of a collapse of Russian oil and gas to Europe or globally,” Young added.

Russian gas accounts for about 40 percent of the European market, leaving the latter highly exposed to supply disruptions resulting from the conflict.

A similar logic applies to the 2.3 million barrels of Russian crude that heads west each day through a network of pipelines.

There were hopes in Europe and the United States that Qatar, one of the world’s biggest LNG exporters, could temporarily redirect exports destined for Asian markets.

Meanwhile, some major oil importers have called on the OPEC+ alliance of producing nations to pump faster and put pressure on the likes of Saudi Arabia to use some of their spare capacity.

But these two ultra-wealthy Gulf nations, like other energy-producing neighboring countries, are treading carefully. AFP

A blight on the beach, old flip flops given makeover in Kenya

By Nick Perry KILIFI, Kenya—Tangled in seaweed, buried in sand, washed up in rock pools—tattered old flip flops are an eyesore on Kenya’s beaches, flushed out of rivers or carried across the sea from Asia and beyond.

They are the footwear of choice for much of the world but cheap flip flops, like other plastic trash, are polluting oceans and pristine white-sand beaches like Kilifi on the Indian Ocean.

“Rich, poor, everybody has got a pair,” said Lillian Mulupi from Ocean Sole, a Kenyan enterprise that recycles discarded flip flops and other plastic garbage found on beaches and waterways into colorful sculptures and children’s toys.

“Since they’re very easy to afford, when a pair is done you just throw it away and get a new one. So you get a lot of it ending up on our beaches.”

The rising scourge of marine litter will be front and center when negotiations for an international plastics treaty begin later this month at a UN environment meeting in the Kenyan capital.

Plastic has been found in the smallest of plankton and the largest of whales, and pressure is growing for an international agreement to tackle what has been called an ecological crisis.

Governments are being urged to agree on a treaty framework in Nairobi to curb plastic pollution “from source to sea” and to develop ways of reusing the plastic already in circulation.

Less than 10 percent of plastic is recycled, with most dumped in

oceans and landfill.

From “the deepest ocean trench to the Arctic, you are finding plastics,” UN Environment Program executive director Inger Andersen told AFP in an interview this week.

“You could weep.”

Trash to treasure The crisis is plainly visible in Kilifi, where enormous volumes of plastic bottle caps, toothbrushes, candy wrappers and flip flops were collected in a single hour by volunteers during a recent beach clean-up.

“We can collect as much as a ton from a two-kilometer (1.2-mile) stretch of

beach,” said Mulupi, who organizes regular clean-ups along the Kenyan coast involving about 150 volunteers.

One of them is Sally Adolwa, who finds garbage from across the globe in the quiet dunes that fringe her local beach.

“Trash has come from as far as India, the Philippines. Sometimes we are shocked,” she told AFP. Beneath a tree, sacks bulging with refuse are sorted into categories, with hard plastics and PET bottles put aside to be sold to recyclers.

The flip flops—mostly cheap, modern varieties made of foam and other plastic

Grace Wangare-executive accountant, displays finished toy octopus made from pieces of discarded flip-flops, at the Ocean Sole flip- flop recycling company shop in Nairobi on February 09, 2022. They are the footwear of choice for much of the world but cheap flip flops, like other plastic trash, are polluting oceans and pristine white-sand beaches like Kilifi on the Indian Ocean. AFP

materials that mimic rubber—are purchased by Ocean Sole, allowing collectors to earn a little extra cash to support their families.

They are sent to a workshop in Nairobi, thoroughly cleaned, and glued together into multi-colored slabs.

Dozens of artisans—mostly former woodworkers—skilfully carve them into miniature turtles and whales, custom wall hangings and animal sculptures big and small for sale, mostly abroad.

Off cuts and harder plastic unsuitable for sculpting are shredded into filler for mattresses, cushions and dog beds.

Plastic insulating Styrofoam salvaged from dumped refrigerators is used as a mould for larger works, including elephants and towering giraffes that can sell for many hundreds of dollars.

“Even we can do masterpieces that take about 2,000 flip flops,” said production supervisor Jonathan Lenato.

Drop in the ocean Flip flops aren’t just sourced from the sea but rivers and canals in the slums of Nairobi, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities with a major landfill problem.

“We receive—weekly—about 1.2 tons.

Turn this into a month, then a year... It’s a lot of flip flops,” said Lenato.

All in all, Ocean Sole says it recycles between 750,000 and one million flip flops a year, and has created around 100 full-time jobs.

But they are working against the tide: some estimates suggest between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic enter the world’s waterways every year, a figure expected to sharply rise in coming decades without action. AFP

Qantas registered big six-month loss of $14b on travel shutdowns, Omicron SYDNEY, Australia—Australian airline Qantas reported Thursday a large six-month loss as it weathered global coronavirus-related travel shutdowns, with Omicron extending its woes.

Qantas said it had now lost more than Aus$20 billion (US$14 billion) in revenue since the start of the pandemic.

The airline said it could see a gradual recovery ahead for flights in the second half of its financial year, which ends

June 30, 2022.

Domestic flights were expected to be operating at 90-100 percent of pre-pandemic capacity by June 30 this year, Qantas said.

But international flights were still expected to be running at less than half of pre-pandemic capacity by the same time.

Qantas said its underlying loss—a closely watched measure of its performance—grew to Aus$1.28 billion in

the six months to December 31 from a loss of Aus$1.01 billion a year earlier.

Chief executive Alan Joyce said an outbreak of the Delta variant in July 2021 cut most Australians off from each other for months, just as travel had been starting to return to normal.

“And then, just as demand was building again for the Christmas holidays, the Omicron variant emerged, putting another dent in consumer confidence,” Joyce said.

“In all honesty, it’s been a real rollercoaster.”

Qantas said revenue grew 32 percent year-on-year to Aus$3.07 billion in the six months to December 31.

But spending on staff and aircraft rose in the period.

Qantas’ net loss narrowed to Aus$456 million from more than Aus$1.0 billion a year earlier, but this was largely thanks to a sale of surplus land in Sydney. AFP

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

B4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

SPNEC board OKs purchase of Solar PH assets SOLAR Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. said Thursday its board approved an asset-for-share swap worth P60.932 billion involving the acquisition of the entire outstanding shares of Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. and its affiliates in various entities.

SPNEC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would acquire Solar Philippines assets through an asset-for-share swap, with SPNEC’s parent subscribing to 24,373,050,000 shares of SPNEC at P2.50 per share.

“This share swap is supported by a third-party valuation and fairness opinion by FTI Consulting Philippines Inc., an independent financial advisor accredited with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Stock Exchange,” SPNEC said.

The assets involved in the share swap include Solar Philippines Calatagan Corp., Solar Philippines Tarlac Corp., Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp., Terra Solar Philippines Inc., SP Holdings Inc., Solar Philippines Batangas Baseload Corp., Solar Philippines Tarlac Baseload Corp., Solar Philippines Central Luzon Corp., Solar Philippines South Luzon Corp. and Solar Philippines Southern Tagalog Corp.

Other companies are Solar Philippines Eastern Corp., Solar Philippines Western Corp., Solar Philippines Visayas Corp., Solar Philippines Central Visayas Corp., Solar Philippines Southern Mindanao Corp., Solar Philippines Batangas Corp., Solar Philippines Retail Electricity, Inc., Laguna Solar Rooftop Corp., Solar Philippines Rooftop Corp. and Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. SPNEC said the share swap would be enabled by the increase in authorized capital stock for approval at SPNEC’s stockholder’s meeting set on March 7, 2022 and is subject to regulatory approvals.

SPNEC said earlier it aimed to complete the development of 10,000 megawatts of solar projects with the help of the capital markets. On Feb. 14, the SPNEC board approved the conduct of a stock rights offering where eligible stockholders would have the opportunity to subscribe to shares, subject to terms to be determined by management and relevant requirements and regulatory approvals.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

PXP Energy set to drill two wells in Recto Bank

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

XP Energy Corp., the oil and gas exploration unit of Philex Mining Corp., said Thursday it will drill two appraisal wells in the gas-rich Recto Bank this year along with subsidiary Forum Energy Plc. “Each of Forum and PXP Energy [the group] is focused on fulfilling its work commitments for 2022 which have been approved by the Philippine government, including the drilling of two appraisal wells over the Sampaguita gas discovery in SC [Service Contract] 72,” PXP Energy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange, PXP Energy’s work program involves the drilling of two exploratory wells in SC 72 on or before June. SC 72 contains the Sampaguita gas discovery, which

has an estimated gas in place of 3.4 trillion cubic feet.

Forum Energy through Forum GSEC 101 Ltd. operates SC 72 or Recto Bank with a 70-percent participating interest.

PXP Energy chairman Manuel Pangilinan, who was previously skeptical of drilling operations in SC 72 in the West Philippine Sea amid territorial dispute with China, said that with the spike in world oil prices, there is a need to secure the Philippines’ own indigenous resources and not rely on foreign suppliers of fuel.

PXP Energy said it would also conduct 3D seismic survey in SC 75 in northwest Palawan.

“Meanwhile, the group shall continue to pursue explorations with respect to its other projects in the Philippines including SC40 and SC74,” PXP Energy said.

The company posted a net loss of P3.14 billion in 2021, wider than the P76.27-million loss in 2020. Core net loss was lower at P32.5 million in 2021, compared to P49.5 billion in 2020.

Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent company

reached P1.714 billion in 2021, up from P56.1-million loss in 2020 largely as a result of a P1.655-billion provision for impairment of the carrying value (net of the settlement sum) of oil and gas assets related to Peru block Z-38.

The company’s 53.43-percent owned subsidiary Pitkin Petroleum Ltd. and wholly-owned subsidiary Pitkin Petroleum Peru Z-38 SRL signed a deed of settlement and release with KEI (Peru Z-38) Pty Ltd. and its wholly-owned branch KEI Pty Ltd Sucursal del Peru wholly-owned

by Karoon Energy Ltd. over Pitkin Peru’s dispute with KEI Peru in Block Z-38 in offshore Peru in September last year.

Under the deed, KEI agreed to pay $9.6 million in cash to Pitkin in full and final settlement of all claims in connection with Block Z-38. KEI paid the settlement sum in October.

Consolidated petroleum revenues surged by 112.2 percent last year to P64.2 million from P30.3 million in 2020 coming from a 75.4 percent rise in average price of Galoc crude sale at $69.58 per barrel compared to $38.18 per barrel in 2020.

Thursday, February 24, 2022 -151.98 PTS. 7,212.23

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

2,816,416,567 132,348 9,938,179,671.79

ADVANCES DECLINES

43 168

UNCHANGED

34

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.2710

Japan

Yen

0.008698

0.4460

UK

Pound

1.354600

69.4517

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128126

6.5691

Switzerland

Franc

1.089206

55.8447

Canada

Dollar

0.785484

40.2726

Singapore

Dollar

0.742776

38.0829

Australia

Dollar

0.723300

37.0843

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652801

136.0118

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266546

13.6661

Brunei

Dollar

0.740028

37.9420

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030979

1.5883

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.9604

Euro

Euro

1.131300

58.0029

Korea

Won

0.000839

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.158373

8.1199

India

Rupee

0.013399

0.6870

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239006

12.2541

New Zealand

Dollar

0.677200

34.7207

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035863

1.8387 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Wilcon’s net earnings increase 76% to P2.56b WILCON Depot Inc. said Thursday net income climbed 76.8 percent in 2021 from a year ago, despite the prolonged surge of COVID-19 cases.

The company said net income amounted to P2.56 billion last year, up from P1.45 billion in 2020 as net sales went up 21.6 percent to P27.5 billion, on improved sales performance in Luzon which remained operational despite the pandemic.

It said that at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020, Luzon, where 76 percent of Wilcon’s branches were located then, was placed under lockdown, requiring all branches in the region to be closed for two months.

The company was able to open 10 stores in 2021, including nine depots and one smaller format—Home Essentials.

The depot format stores accounted for 97.4 percent of total net sales amounting to P26.79 billion, driving company-wide total sales growth at 22.1 percent year-onyear and comparable sales growth at 12.3 percent. Darwin G. Amojelar

Food manufacturers support sugar imports

CONVERGE-SWELDOMO TIEUP. Leading fiber internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. signs a partnership agreement with SweldoMo to push a shared vision of empowering businesses through reliable and efficient digital solutions. Leading the contract signing are (from left) Converge national SME sales head Blue Aldridge, corporate sales group head Rose Abarquez, chief operating officer Jesus Romero, SweldoMo chief marketing and sales officer Nino Obach and Converge wholesale and enterprise sales group head Alan Ronald Smyth. With the partnership, SweldoMo will be a part of Converge ‘Workplace’ that aims to provide automated solutions to make managing businesses easier and more efficient.

Metrobank posted 60% rise in income books P42.8-b profit; ChinaBank’s earnings climb by 25% to P22.2b last year BDO

By Julito G. Rada METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, said Thursday net income in 2021 jumped 60 percent year-on-year to P22.2 billion on the strength of core businesses and despite the lingering global health crisis.

Metrobank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange earnings more than doubled to P6.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021, boosted by the decline in provisions as the loan portfolio stayed healthy.

“Robust fees and other income as well as lower operating expenses further drove strong earnings performance,” it said.

The bank said with solid capital base and better profitability, its board of directors approved a new dividend policy of increasing the regular cash dividends from P1.00 to P1.60 per share for the year, payable on a semi-annual basis at P0.80 per share.

A special cash dividend of P1.40 per share was also declared for a total of P3.00 per share for the year.

Metrobank president Fabian Dee said the positive performance in 2021 validated the bank’s strategies of fortifying its balance sheet and proactive provisioning during the pandemic.

“The bank has emerged stronger and well-prepared to meet the needs of our stakeholders as the economy moves towards full recovery,” Dee said.

Operating income reached P101.4 billion in 2021. Net interest margin has stabilized at 3.4 percent since the second quarter of 2021. The sequential quarterly recovery in corporate and credit card loans has likewise been sustained, reflecting improving business and consumer confidence.

The 12-percent increase in low-cost current and savings accounts to P1.5 trillion continued to help trim overall funding cost. Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING

BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender led by the Sy Group, said Thursday net income rose 51-percent in 2021 to P42.8 billion from P28.2 billion in 2020, driven by the doubledigit expansion in non-interest income and normalized provisions.

The bank said in a statement the remarkable performance last year signaled “normalization to pre-pandemic levels.” The 2021 net profit was P1.4 billion short of the record net profit of P44.2 billion in 2019.

“BDO’s full-year profits were buoyed by an 11-percent increase in non-interest income and normalized provisions. This reflects the bank’s operational resiliency

notwithstanding COVID-19-related headwinds depressing loan activity for much of 2021,” it said.

“Overall business conditions appeared to be improving late 2021 however, with loan growth accelerating to 6 percent, ahead of the industry’s 5 percent, as the government began to ease quarantine protocols and mobility restrictions,” it said.

Total deposits rose 8 percent year on year, driven by the 13-percent expansion in current account/savings account deposits—a testament to the strength of the overall franchise. Total capital base stood at P424.5 billion while the capital adequacy ratio—a measure of financial strength—was at 14.6 percent, comfortably above the regulatory minimum.

Meanwhile, China Banking Corp. said

net income rose 25 percent in 2021 to P15.1 billion from P12.1 billion in 2020, on the back of sustained core business growth and effective cost management.

The bank said the 2021 performance translated into an improved return on equity and return on assets of 13.6 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

ChinaBank president William Whang said the 2021 results reflected their disciplined execution of strategies and commitment to supporting their customers and employees.

“As we increasingly automate and digitize to navigate the continuing challenges of this pandemic, we are focusing on actions and investments that will redound to superior banking experiences and improved financial outcomes,” he said.

THE Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. said Thursday it fully supports the decision of the Sugar Regulatory Administration to allow the importation of 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar by food manufacturers for crop year 20212022 as stated in Sugar Order No. 3.

“Due to the current local shortage of refined sugar that conforms with the quality requirements of food manufacturers, particularly premium and bottler’s grade refined sugar, we join the SRA in its assessment that there is an urgent need for such importation,” PCFMI said in a statement.

The chamber, organized in 1959 by leading food and beverage producers, is the most recognized voice of the food manufacturing industry in the country.

With 107 members, it represents companies engaged in the local manufacturing and distribution of essential commodities such as milk, coffee, bakery products and noodles.

Several members of the group warned that their stock of refined sugar will be exhausted by March. Othel V. Campos

BPI AMTC releases best performing funds BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp., the wealth management arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, reported remarkable performance among its unit investment trust funds, collectively known as BPI Invest.

Exhibiting resilience amid the headwinds that came with the pandemic, among its roster of top-performing funds this year are BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds, BPI Invest Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index Fund, BPI Invest US Dollar Short Term Fund, and BPI Invest Money Market Fund.

“Investing in 2021 presented unique challenges. The world economy was earlier anticipated to be fully reopened by this year as the life-saving vaccines became available globally. Instead, the world faced two new COVID-19 virus variants, bringing back lockdowns and market volatility. Investors who remained invested in diversified assets through these uncertain times saw their portfolio yield positive rewards, at a time when current market yields have remained low,” said BPI AMTC chief investment officer Smith Chua.

EU Parliament endorses tobacco harm reduction

SEAHORSE SERVICE. Subic Bay International Terminals is now part of the rotation of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s expanded Seahorse Service, providing industries in northern and central Luzon with a reliable link to global markets especially Europe and the United States. Industries including agriculture, automotive, electronics, construction and garments can take advantage of the service’s connection to major transshipment hubs like Singapore, Vung Tau and Tanjung Pelepas and the seamless connectivity to MSC’s global ocean liner network to ship their products worldwide.

THE European Parliament became the first legislature in the world to adopt a tobacco harm reduction perspective when it retained a pro-vaping provision in the landmark report on how to strengthen Europe in the fight against cancer that killed 1.3 million people in the region in 2020.

Members of the European Parliament on Feb. 16 voted 652 in favor of and 15 against the December 2021 report by the Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer which included the THR perspective in the broader campaign against cancer.

The THR perspective in the BECA report is reflected in the declaration that the committee “considers electronic cigarettes could allow some smokers to progressively quit smoking”. This makes the European Parliament the first chamber in the world to officially recognize THR as a public health policy, according to the Independent European Vape Alliance.

The Parliament also thumbed down attempts by a political faction to lift the report’s harm reduction declaration, according

to IEVA. THR refers to a pragmatic approach to end the global smoking epidemic which affects 1.1 billion people worldwide.

It involves the use of less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs) and snus to reduce the 8 million annual death toll from the smoking problem.

BECA Rapporteur Véronique TrilletLenoir, in a presentation before the Parliament, described the “Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer” report as historic in terms of ambition, objectives and resources. “We will finally be able to fight effectively, together, against the health inequalities that persist within the European Union and respond to the needs of millions of Europeans affected by this disease. Today, the European Health Union is moving forward,” she said.

The IEVA said the eventual approval of the report is “a landmark declaration by the European Parliament, which should go a long way to reassuring smokers of the health benefits that a switch to vaping can bring”.

Sports

Season 84 of UAAP opens on March 26 SEASON 84 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines begins on March 26.

Host De La Salle University is planning to have men’s basketball and women’s volleyball tournaments up and running by April.

Organizers are keen on holding events by summer after all eight UAAP member schools have gone into training sessions for Season 84 since last month under a full bubble setup.

Players who are part of the defending men’s basketball and women’s volleyball titleholders Ateneo de Manila University have already been doing their workouts from inside their Katipunan campus as early as January.

Student-athletes from University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, De La Salle University, Adamson University and National University have gone into bubble training as well.

Organizers are now a planning a quadruple-header schedule on every playdate.

The league will soon finalize its plans once it gains the nod of local government units involved, the Department of Health, the Commission on Higher Education and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for the resumption of play.

Season 83 was halted in March 2020 after the government imposed a series of lockdowns to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league will now air its games on TV5, after parting ways with long-time broadcaster ABS-CBN back in 2020.

Peter Atencio

Obiena’s exclusion from PH pool lamented

THE Philippine Olympic Committee praised Ernest John “EJ” Obiena’s calculated season that already earned him two gold medals in the European indoor circuit but lamented the Asian record holder’s continued exclusion from the athletics association’s national pool.

“How many more gold medals should EJ win for him to be reinstated in the national pool?” POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Thursday asked on Thursday. “The people just can’t wait long enough for a national athletic treasure to be ignored.”

Obiena picked up two gold medals in a 10-day span—the first at the Orlen Cup (Lodz) and the second only on Wednesday at the Orlen Copernicus Cup (Torun Arena) both in Poland. He won both with similar leaps of 5.81 meters.

The 26-year-old Obiena started the season by undergoing surgery in January to fix a left knee injury. He has since competed in five meets in the European indoor circuit under a calculated training and competition program with renowned Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov.

“If the SEA [Southeast Asian] Games and even the Asian Games are held tomorrow, EJ will easily sweep the gold medals in both competitions,” Tolentino said. “It’s crystal clear, EJ is a guaranteed gold winner in both.”

Obiena owns the Asian record in men’s pole vault of 5.93 meters he set last September in Innsbruck, Austria— numbers that easily surpassed the Asian Games record of 5.70m Japan’s Seito Yamamoto set in Jakarta 2018.

The SEA Games? Obiena set the record of 5.45 meters at the New Clark City in December 2019.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

C1

REBOUND BATTLE. Columbian Dyip’s Antonio Hester battles Meralco’s Aaron Black for the rebound in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Bolts, 107-95, at the Ynares

Center in Antipolo.

Gilas PH vows not to take tall India team for granted

By Peter Atencio

G

ILAS Pilipinas won’t take a tall, 12-man national team from India for granted when they clash Friday in the second window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier at the Araneta Coliseum.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes noted that Team India has players, who have been together for almost 10 years, which is the reason Filipinos expect an interesting match with them when they clash at 6 p.m. today.

“No. 1 for India is their size. Over the years, we have seen India develop into a legitimate basketball competitor,” said Reyes after Thurs-

day’s practice.

India, which arrived on Monday afternoon, is a tall squad coached by Veselin Matić They have with them developmental players in NBA Academy’s Pranav Prince and Princepal Singh, who played with young Filipino star Kai Sotto in the NBA G League.

Veterans like 6’10” Amritpal Singh,

6’4” guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and 6’2” point guard Muin Bek Hafeez are backing up these young talents.

They also have pros like 6’8” Aravind Annadurai, who plays for Income Tax India, along with 6’6” Manoj Belur Manjunatha of Karnataka, 6’11” Palpreet Singh Brar of Indian Railways, 6’3” Rajeev Kumar of SSCB, 6’2” Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan of Tanil Nadu and 6’8” Prashant Singh Rawat of Uttarakhand.

“Their skills have tremendously improved,” added Reyes.

Gilas will have two rookies in Kib Montalbo and Tzaddy Rangel coming in as late additions.

The 26-year-old Montalbo will test his skills as a 6-foot combo guard, who plays for TNT. Rangel, 25, is a 6’7” big man taken in by NLEX in the 2021 PBA Gilas draft.

They will join other Gilas players Angelo Kouame of Ateneo, San-En’s Thirdy Ravena, Toyama’s Dwight Ramos, free agent Juan Gomez de Liano, Lebron Lopez of Overtime Elite; and Gilas draftees William Navarro of Northport and Jaydee Tungcab of TNT. PBA veterans Roger Pogoy, Kelly Williams, Gab Banal and Robert Bolick of NorthPort are also with the team.

POC chief Tolentino is PSA Executive of the Year Rep. Abraham Tolentino

THE man at the helm of the country’s Olympic governing body will be recognized for the huge role he played in bringing together the most successful campaign the Philippines had in the Olympiad.

Philippine Olympic Comm i t t e e president Abraham ‘Ba mbol’ Tolentino will be recognized with the Executive of the Year Award during the San Miguel Cor porationPhilippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night for guiding the country in finally bagging its first ever Olympic gold medal.

Tolentino is one of 33 personalities to be feted in the March 14 gala night at the Diamond Hotel presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, POC, and Cignal TV. The POC chief is in good company as previous recipients of the award handed out by the country’s oldest media organization included Ramon S. Ang, Manny V. Pangilinan, William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, Wilfred Uytengsu, Ricky Vargas, Jude Echauz, Philip Ella Juico, and Willie Marcial.

The event, also backed by the Philippine Basketball Association, MILO, 1Pacman, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, Smart, Philracom, and the MVP Sports Foundation, will be held face-to-face, but due to strict health guidelines only 50 percent of the ballroom capacity will be allowed.

Last year, the SMC-PSA awards night was held virtually.

Tolentino, also congressman from the eight district of Cavite, kept an eagle eye on the country’s preparations

for the Tokyo Olympics for almost two years after the Summer Games was initially postponed at the height of the global pandemic in 2020.

It turned out, the long wait was worth it as the country finally bagged its f irst ever Olympic gold after almost a centur y behind the record-breaking feat of Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

The boxing trio of Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial sweetened the pot by winning a pair of silver and bronze medals that capped the Philippines’ most productive campaign in its entire Olympic participation.

The stint also saw the country parading potential medal winners in other fronts such as gymnast Carlos Yulo, golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and skateboarder Margielyn Didal.

Tolentino also serves as president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines or PhilCycling.

Tanduay 1st Filipino rum brand to open bar at Minnesota Timberwolves’ Target Center AS part of its partnership with the National Basketball Association’s Minnesota Timberwolves, Tanduay was granted the right to open a bar at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Called the Tanduay City View Lounge, it is the first bar by a Filipino rum brand.

“Timberwolves fans are very excited about the addition of the Tanduay bar.

The space gives fans on the 200th level the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Tanduay cocktail while they are watching a game,” said David Manley, Partnership Activation Manager, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

He added that Timberwolves fans are loving the Tanduay-inspired cocktails with their tropical flavors. These include the Tanduay New Fashion (Tanduay Gold Rum with cherry and bitters) and Tanduay Tropic Tease

(Tanduay Silver Rum with a splash of pineapple and cranberry juice).

“Tanduay’s Silver and Gold rum products are welcome additions at Timberwolves games. Fans are eager to try them,” Manley further said.

The Tanduay City View Lounge is available to fans as soon as the gates open until the end of the third quarter.

Earlier, Tanduay and the Timberwolves released Tanduay rum bottles with branded packaging in Minnesota.

The iconic Philippine rum brand also have TV-visible courtside rotation LED and basket pad LED signages, pole pads, and arena signages at Target Center.

Tanduay’s partnership with the Timberwolves and other teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is part of its international expansion plan,

making the brand more visible to the millions of viewers of the NBA games.

It is currently in partnership with five of the league’s teams.

The rum brand has entered several U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, and the territory of Guam. Tanduay products are also sold in China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany.

Tanduay is one of the most-awarded rum brands in the world. Most recently, it was named Brand of the Year 20212022 at the recent World Branding Awards at Kensington Palace. Tanduay was the only brand to receive such an award under the Alcoholic Beverages Rum category.

Tanduay bar at Target Center

C2

Sports

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Pacatiw underdog vs Andrade at FULL CIRCLE

Nadal rolls in Acapulco for best career start ACAPULCO—Rafael Nadal achieved his best start to an ATP Tour season on Tuesday, improving to 12-0 this year by defeating Stefan Kozlov to reach the Mexican Open quarter-finals.

The 35-year-old Spanish lefthander eliminated the US lucky loser 6-0, 6-3, advancing to a Thursday matchup against 39th-ranked American Tommy Paul, whom he has never played before.

“Always it’s important to win as quick as possible, but the most important thing is to win,” Nadal said.

“Tonight has been straight sets.

That’s great news and I’ll try to be ready for tomorrow again against a tough opponent.”

The victory kept Nadal unbeaten over a dozen matches in 2022, his best career start to any year, surpassing the 11-0 run in 2014 that ended with a loss to Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the Australian Open final.

Nadal won his men’s record 21st Grand Slam title at last month’s Australian Open, breaking the career mark of 20 Slam crowns he had shared with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

World number five Nadal, seeking his 91st career ATP title and fourth Acapulco crown, also won a warm-up tournament last month in Melbourne.

Nadal broke for a 2-0 lead when Kozlov netted a backhand and broke again on forehand smashes in the fourth and sixth games to sweep the opening set in 32 minutes.

Another forehand smash to break put Nadal ahead 3-1 in the second set but Kozlov broke back within 4-3 when Nadal netted a backhand volley.

Kozlov handed back the break in the next game on a botched backhand and Nadal held serve once more to advance after 76 minutes.

“A little bit of a strange match,” Nadal said. “Kozlov has a different style than most other players, so you need to be very careful.

“Sometimes you are able to win points in a row, but then if you start to play at his rhythm, it’s very difficult because he has great control from the baseline and he’s very smart.”

Medvedev advances Reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, whom Nadal rallied past in five sets in the Australian Open final, beat Spain’s 68th-ranked Pablo Andujar 6-1, 6-2 to continue his quest for the world number one ranking.

“It’s pretty tough conditions, quite humid. Even if we play at night it’s quite hot,” second-ranked Medvedev said. “The faster the matches, the better you’re going to feel for the next one.”

Medvedev and Nadal could meet in a Friday semi-final.

If Medvedev wins the Acapulco title, he will overtake Djokovic atop the rankings no matter how the Serbian star fares this week at Dubai.

Medvedev would become the 27th player to reach world number one and only the third Russian, joining Yevgeny Kafelnikov (1999) and Marat Safin (2000-01).

The last player outside of Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Britain’s Andy Murray to sit atop the rankings was American Andy Roddick in February 2004. AFP

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton gets in his car in the pit during the first day of the Formula One (F1) pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmelo, Barcelona province. AFP

Hamilton calls for more non-biased F1 stewards B

ARCELONA— Lewis Hamilton called for more “non-biased” officials in Formula 1 as McLaren’s Lando Norris set the fastest time on the opening day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Ahead of the new 2022 season, Hamilton said some stewards are too close to certain drivers. He also said there should be more female officials on the circuit.

The seven-time world champion was dramatically pipped to the title by Max Verstappen in December, when Hamilton and Mercedes claimed Red Bull had influenced the decisions in a hugely controversial final race in Abu Dhabi.

Race director Michael Masi has since been removed, with the role now split into two.

Asked if the change would result in better decision-making, Hamilton said: “We need to make sure we have

na-Catalunya before stepping into the new Mercedes W13 car in the afternoon.

Hamilton recorded the fifth fastest time of the day, with 1min 20.929 sec.

“I feel the freshest that I ever have,” he said. “Of course, there are so many different ways you can re-focus and get recentred, and I would say this break was one of the best I’ve ever experienced.”

“It was definitely more about being present and in the moment, and creating memories,” said Hamilton, who used his break to spend time with his family.

“I know sometimes in life, we get so focussed and stuck into certain things like work that we forget to do those things.

“So it was a great time, just refreshing with the family. It was the best period of time I’ve actually ever had with my family.”

In the first outing for the heavily redesigned cars, Norris recorded a time of 1:19.568 in the afternoon session, eclipsing the morning’s fastest time of 1:20.165 set by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc Hamilton drove only 50 laps while Verstappen totalled 147, the most of any driver, and his best time of 1:22.246 left him ninth. AFP

Mobile Legends-PH rookies take over THE opening week of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional LeaguePhilippines (MPL-PH) Season 9 was a surprising turn of events.

Blacklist International, the most-projected team to lead the games, stumbled in their first few matches. On the other hand, both TNC and ECHO gave astonishingly amazing performances, becoming the top teams to conclude the week. They were not at the top of power ranking predictions, but these underdogs shocked everyone with their gaming strategy.

For TNC, the historic esports organization tried different approaches to set up a formidable team.

While the team has yet to earn its MPL stripes, they will not bide their time for too long with Shemaiah Daniel “SDzyz” Chu on their side. It is worth noting that this promising athlete has the third-highest recorded total kills

Ulaanbaatar it is THE Philippine Azkals will go to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia on June 8 to 14, 2022 to secure a ticket back to the biggest football tournament in the continent for the second time in our history.

In the just concluded draw for the final round of AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round, the Philippines was drawn in Group B along with Palestine, Yemen and host Mongolia.

Some 24 teams reached the final

non-biased stewards too.

“Race drivers, some are very, very good friends with certain individuals, some travel with some individuals, take a more keen liking to some.

“I think (F1 needs) people who have no biases, and are super central when it comes to making decisions.”

F1 races usually have four stewards to help race control look at incidents on the track. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff backed away from Hamilton’s accusations of bias.

“I think we need professionalism in the stewards’ room,” said Wolff. “I don’t think there is a conscious bias to be honest. It’s intelligent people.”

Red Bull’s Christian Horner said: “I would agree with Toto that I don’t think there’s an intended bias. I’m not aware of any stewards travelling with drivers to races.”

Hamilton said there should also be more female stewards to boost diversity in the sport.

“It would be awesome to have a male and female as the two race directors,” he said.

The 37-year-old was speaking on the first day of pre-season at the Circuit de Barcelo-

round and were divided into six groups.

Eleven spots will be up for grabs in the tournament proper in China next year.

Twelve teams have already qualified in the tournament, plus host China.

The Azkals are hoping to secure one of the 11 slots remaining after making their debut in the 2019 Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates.

They will have to play their best football in three games to do so.

Under the rules, the top teams in each of the six groups will automatically book their spots in the 2023 Asian Cup. The next five best second placed teams will get the remaining slots.

Which is easier said than done.

The Azkals don’t have the luxury of time to prepare. As of the moment, they have yet to regroup and train in a while. While the Philippine Football

Federation earlier announced that the team will have a camp next month, no confirmation on the actual date and venue has been made.

Against its opponents in Group B, the Philippines has decent results.

The Azkals have a 1-1-1 record against Palestine. Their initial meeting on March 23, 2011, a friendly, ended in 0-0 draw. The Azkals won during their second encounter, 4-3, in an AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on March 19, 2021, but the Palestinians evened the score with 1-0 win on May 30, 2014.

Against Yemen, the Philippines had two draws, 2-2 and 1-1 in AFC Asian Cup games in September and October 2017. Two years earlier, the Azkals won their first match against Yemen, 2-0, in September, but the Yemenis got their revenge in a 1-0 victory two months later. Both games were part of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Against the host, the Philippines has a 1-1 record with the Mongolians in

two international friendlies on February 9 and March 15, 2011. The Azkals won the first game, 2-0, but lost the second, 2-1.

These games, however, will not matter anymore once the qualifiers kick off less that four months from now. And for sure, a different Philippine side will face Palestine, Yemen and Mongolia in UlaanBaatar.

Still keeping my fingers crossed that the best possible Azkals team can be assembled in time. Like in the next week or two. And the coming FIFA window dates will definitely help Dan Palami’s team.

Football is such a beautiful game that it gives even the most underrated teams a chance to knock down even the greatest team on the tournament on any given day.

Unlike in politics, men fighting for honor and fame for their respective countries face each other fair and square on the pitch. They don’t have

JEREMY “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw is coming into ONE: FULL CIRCLE as the underdog as he takes on no. 4-ranked bantamweight contender Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade this February 25 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

But as tough as this draw is, his Team Lakay peers are defiant in saying that there’s no wall that can’t be scaled and Pacatiw, as hardworking as he is, will find a way to beat Andrade.

“I’m very excited to watch Jeremy Pacatiw in his upcoming fight and we will soon see what he has prepared for in this fight,” said Stephen “The Sniper” Loman.

Jhanlo Mark “The Machine” Sangiao agreed, saying, “He will be facing a tough athlete and I’m sure that this will be an explosive night!”

If the duo’s confidence in Pacatiw feels a bit surprising, one should consider that they have witnessed The Juggernaut put in the work in the leadup to this bout.

After all, there’s no better way for Pacatiw than to follow up his promotional debut, where he dominated Chen “The Ghost” Rui to a unanimous decision win at ONE: BATTLEGROUND in July last year, than to deliver an encore performance.

“Jeremy is ready. He’s been preparing for this fight for months and I saw the dedication he has in his training. He has worked hard for this fight,” said Sangiao.

Loman also shared that Pacatiw has been tireless in adding more weapons to his game, from the vaunted striking that Team Lakay fighters have come to be known for, to the enhanced grappling game that they have added to their arsenal over the past few years.

“We are working on all aspects.

Focusing our training on one area is not a smart thing to do since mixed martial arts dictates that we have to be fully equipped. And I can say that Jeremy has been training hard and is very dedicated. He works on everything, from striking to wrestling to his ground game,” he said.

For Loman, who is currently ranked no. 3 in the same weight class, power will be Pacatiw’s biggest edge over his Brazilian opponent.

(21), most MVPs (3), second-most secured Turtle (10), and most secured Lord (8) in just WK 1.

Meanwhile, Jomarie “Escalera” Delos Santos is leading the pack in damage dealt/gold. He came from humble beginnings and was a jeepney driver before becoming one of the breakthrough Filipino esports athletes. This all-new roster comprised of rookies will find its spark and blaze a trail to their rise in the league.

On the other hand, ECHO seems to have made the right decision to explore aggressive trades and player scouting in building a superteam.

From the original Sunsparks roster to the Aura PH squad, this version of the ECHO cast is probably the strongest ever, crushing Smart Omega in Week 1. The “TzyBros,” namely Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Jankurt Russel “KurtTzy” Matira, and Frediemar Alaga “3MarTzy” Serafico showed outstanding performance.

But will they claim victory against TNC?

the luxury of choosing their opponents or the venue of the battle. And they can’t do a no-show without suffering the consequences. Despite the huge expectations and demands for excellent results, most football players relish the battles ahead in which they can prove they are worthy to don the national colors, to represent their people’s hopes and aspirations. Most importantly, they know which is their right arm from their left.

Looking at weather forecasts in June in the Mongolian capital, the Azkals will need more than winter jackets against the cold weather and tough opposition. They need a fire within for three full games to accomplish the goal against three teams bent of securing their own spots, too, in China.

And they need a ton of courage, which I can’t say to someone who pretends to champion the Filipinos’ cause.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

C3

Max Collins is ready for summer AS THE weather heats up, actress Max Collins hits her favorite beach destinations to chase sunlight. Growing up in the island paradise of Boracay, she has fond memories of idyllic childhoods spent swimming on the beach, watching the sunset, playing ultimate frisbee, and hanging out with friends.

“I love summer because everyone seems to be in a good mood. There’s lots of sun and happy people,” Max says.

After wrapping up To Have and To Hold with Carla Abellana and Rocco Nacino, she is taking summer head on by preparing for swimsuit season with a Kapuso star Max Collins looks stunning in a matching diet and fitness regimen.

“I make sure to do my workouts every green bikini set

Former Miss Caloocan vies for Miss Elite 2022 title in Egypt

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION

than 40 countries around the world to vie as successor of reigning Miss Elite Fernanda Pumar of Mexico. *** MISS Caloocan 2019 Shannon Tampon will Empowered Men and Women of the Year awardees named represent the Philippines in All roads lead to the 5th the prestigious Miss Elite Philippine Empowered Men 2022 pageant set in Egypt and Women of the Year from June 10 to 18. Due to 2022 awards at Teatrino the proximity of the pageant, Promenade Greenhills, San Tampon was hand-picked Juan City on March 26, at and officially crowned by 6:00 p.m.

ProMedia Philippines.

The ceremony is Together with Hiyas presented by the founders ng Pilipinas, Tampon was of Mrs. Model Mom introduced to the media Philippines, Outstanding during a sashing and crowning Men and Women of the ceremony held at the Laurel Year, Philippine Faces of House in Mandaluyong City Success and Philippines on February 20.

Best Quality Brand.

The 5-foot-7 beauty was Recipients are chosen based a Marketing Graduate and on their inspiring life stories is currently pursuing a BS and successful careers.

Mechanical Engineering The 5th Philippine degree. She loves rescuing Empowered Men and stray animals and is an Women of the Year advocate against animal 2022 is for the benefit of cruelty. She was runner-up in BEST Magazine’s charity Miss Philippines Earth 2019 projects Good Samaritan and a finalist in Miss Bikini Nursing Home for Elderly, Philippines 2019.

Philippine Orthopedic “Her dedication to train Center’s Charity Ward and varied experience in the for Children Male and pageant industry through the Female Adult ward, Brgy. years are enough testimonials Cawa-Cawa, Dapitan City, for us to say that she is Zamboanga Del Norte, crown-worthy,” said national Carmelites Abandon director Eva Patalinjug.

Shannon Tampon Children, Sicayab Dipolog Miss Elite, now in its City and Nia Road Brgy. second year, is organized

by Stefano Douaihy and will feature more Pinyahan Quezon City.

Gigi De Lana’s ‘Domination’ at Resorts World Manila AWARD-WINNING Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) is setting the stage for singing sensation, Gigi De Lana.

Fresh from headlining YouTube Music Night and performing at the 1MX Dubai last December, Gigi De Lana, with her band The Gigi Vibes, will be rocking the concert stage in her first on-ground solo concert, Gigi and The Gigi Vibes Domination happening this March 5, 8:00 p.m., at NPAT. Gigi rose to fame from her stint in It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan.

As she welcomed the year 2022, she released her self-titled debut album featuring her hit single and breakup anthem “Sakalam,” including “Nasa’yo Ako,” the official soundtrack of the series “Viral Scandal”, and her famous remake of “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita.” Get the chance to finally experience Gigi’s sensational vocals live with her amazing band, The Gigi Vibes, composed of Jon Cruz on keyboard, Jake Manalo on guitar, and Romeo Marquez on drums.

Gigi and The Gigi Vibes Domination is co-produced by Full House Theater Company and ABS-CBN

Singing sensation Gigi De Lana

Events. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld: P8,000 (Platinum), P7,000 (SVIP), P6,000 (VIP), P5,000 (gold), P3,500 (silver) and P1,500 (Bronze). The show will also be available online via KTX.ph with ticket prices at P695 (SVIP), P495 (VIP), and P195 (regular).

To know more about Gigi De Lana and the Gigi Vibes Domination and RWM’s entertainment schedule, visit www.rwmanila.com or follow @ rwmanila on Facebook and Twitter, and @resortsworldmanila on Instagram.

PEOPLE…

…are talking about Loisa Andalio

Since her days as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother, Loisa continues to gain a loyal fanbase as an actress. And it seems that her career has nowhere else to go but up. The young actress recently signed a contract with Star Magic, keeping her ties with the ABS-CBN. Loisa, who walked the Star Magic with the grace and elegance of a leading lady, thrilled her supporters even further as they learned that she and her boyfriend, Ronnie Alonte, will

day, usually with fitness coach Inigo Hizon which I mix up with yoga or Pilates sessions with Citadel Bernardo.

Eating healthy is also so important! I replace one meal a day with salad or kamote and egg, and I don’t eat after 7:00 p.m. Staying hydrated has been difficult for me but it’s something I’ve been working on,” Max reveals.

She also has skincare solutions that help her have a healthy glow. “I visit Le Meur Aesthetics every other week to get a facial, diode or laser hair removal, and I also do the Em Sculpt Neo to tone my body. Every few months, I make sure to get some Botox treatments and do the Youth 360 regimen that tightens the skin

to help keep me looking youthful. I’m so lazy to follow a skincare regimen so I leave it all up to Le Meur to pamper my skin the proper way.”

Le Meur Aesthetics, one of the most trusted brands in the country when it comes to the latest in French technology, has brought global beauty innovations to help Filipinas achieve healthier and more beautiful skin and body. The brand is immersed into giving their clients an incomparable experience that comes along with the best quality service so that their endorsers be a defining figure in the beauty industry through empowering people of all ages.

For her beauty inspiration, she cites Le Meur Aesthetics founder Mae Ng.

“She truly is a beautiful woman because not only is she beautiful physically, but she is also a boss at the age of 27. She’s intelligent, powerful, and confident and I find that sexy. I love working with empowered women who love to empower others. I also love how Le Meur is so dedicated to giving Filipinas the best in French skincare technology and beauty treatments,” she shares.

While many women may feel insecure about how they look, especially in revealing swimsuits while at the beach, she advises, “Own your beauty. Don’t compare yourself with others, but help yourself be the best version of yourself.

You owe it to yourself.”

Star Magic Ball, international prods among big-ticket events for Star Magic artists this 2022

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

ABS-CBN stars and production heads

ABS-CBN entertainment production head Laurenti Dyogi (second from right) with Kapamilya stars (from left) Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Zanjoe Marudo, and Jake Cuenca (rightmost)

A

Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi with the nine Kapamilya stars Edward Barber (left) and Ai Dela Cruz

BS-CBN entertainment production head Laurenti Dyogi was a vision of pride when he congratulated the Star Magic artists who renewed their ties with the media company’s talent management agency in a grand event held Wednesday.

Billed Kapamilya Strong 2022, the star-studded event had Regine VelasquezAlcasid, Gary Valenciano, Zanjoe Marudo, Erich Gonzales, Jake Cuenca, Jolina Magdangal, Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte, Sam Milby, Shaina Magdayao, and Gerald Anderson sign fresh contracts with Star Magic.

The event culminated with the announcement of Star Magic’s year-long 30th anniversary celebration and the performance of the agency’s latest theme song “Tatak Star Magic” (composed by Nyoy Volante) by Star Magic artists Kyle Echarri, CJ Navato, Jelay Pilones, Lara Maigue, and Jed Madela.

Talking to select members of the entertainment press, Dyogi said that he’s proud that they’re able to hone the talents of their artists while at the same time becoming a leading player in content creation. He also maintained that the media company will focus on celebrities who chose to stay amid the non-renewal of its franchise.

“Importante sa amin kung sino yung nandito, those people who decided to stay.

I don’t want to entertain the idea if there are stars who’d return because that might not even happen,” he started.

“Imagine what we were doing during the pandemic, at a time na talagang gipit and now that we’re slowly standing on our feet.

I don’t like to even spend my energy and my time thinking about who left because

continue to work together for more kilig-filled projects.

Wilma Doesnt

Actress and model Wilma Doesnt has posted photos of her prenup shoot with fiance Gerick Parin.

While the photos were evident of the couple’s chemistry and their simple elegance, netizens couldn’t help but poke some harmless fun at the headlines ‘Wilma Doesnt share prenup photos.’ The wordplay was creative and witty, but nothing beats the anticipation of Wilma Doesnt becoming Wilma Doesnt Parin after the wedding.

they’ve decided to move on and left. I’d like to pour my energy and my focus and my love to the ones who are here kasi iyon naman ang importante, e, iyong kasama mo ngayon sa hirap at ginhawa,” he carried on.

After the signing, Dyogi shared the exciting plans they have to celebrate the 30 glorious years of talent management and development of Star Magic in the media conference with the Star Magic artists that was hosted by Edward Barber and MYX VJ Ai Dela Cruz.

“We’d like to thank the men and women who really started Star Magic, to FMG, to Mr. M., to Ms. Mariole. Maraming salamat for laying the foundation and for building Star Magic. This time we are venturing into a new era of Star Magic in the 30 more years to come,” he said.

This year, Star Magic will bring its stars all over the world once again through global events in collaboration with TFC. It will also bring back the star-studded sports events, and the iconic Star Magic Ball red carpet event together with ABS-CBN’s Creative Programs, Inc. (CPI).

Star Magic Studio will also partner with Star Cinema, Mavx Productions, and Regal Entertainment for films showcasing the talent of its stable of stars and offer more music from its formidable singers via Star Magic Records. Fans can also expect their idols in more projects with top Philippine lifestyle brands like Metro and Mega and in

…are not talking about Doc. Willie Ong

After his running mate, presidential candidate Isko Moreno, went to Maguindanao for a campaign sortie, the vice-presidential aspirant admitted to feeling hurt as he was left behind from the trip. Voters and netizens are now speculating what’s happening between the two candidates, especially about their teamwork. Hopefully, it’s not the foreshadowing of what can be likened to a bad break-up, as Willie already experienced being left behind and replaced by someone else in a short time.

Gary Valenciano

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid

more original content on YouTube, Kumu, and other digital platforms.

For three decades, Star Magic has served as home and training ground to the biggest and brightest names in Philippine entertainment. It has provided workshops in acting, dance, art, script appreciation, styling, and voice production as well as physical fitness training to develop well-rounded and world-class performers with discipline and the proper work ethic. Star Magic artists are also encouraged to use their influence for good through supporting advocacies like those of ABS-CBN Foundation.

Revisit the historic signing of eleven Kapamilya stars and the announcement of Star Magic’s 30th anniversary celebration in the airing of the Kapamilya Strong 2022 event on TFC, the Filipino Channel on February 26 and 27 ( 9:00 a.m. in North of Latin America territories; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. in Europe, Middle East, and Africa; 9:00 a.m. in Asia and 11:00 a.m. in Guam).

Robin Padilla

Showbiz and politics are no strangers to each other which is why we are no longer surprised when someone who is known for his backward views on societal issues guns for a public post. Now vying for a position in the Senate, Robin has raised both doubts and support from the public. He even butted heads with retired COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who is much more knowledgeable and experienced in holding a public office. Echoing what a presidential aspirant said, someone’s desire to serve is not enough, experience should be part of the main requirements, too.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

C4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Alvin with his cheerleaders—Dad Rodel, Mom Beth, and Kuya Allan

Alvin now uses his designs for real people

Alvin Ocampo and his creations on customized dolls

Start small, dream big

N

OT too long ago, 28-year-old fashion designer and doll artist Alvin Dave Ocampo graced the front page of Manila Standard. His creations have been featured both on print and television. The claim to fame? Alvin accurately turns celebrities’ fashion pieces into miniature replicas.

Alvin (right) with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

Alvin (left) with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

A frustrated fashion enthusiast in 2014, Alvin started cutting fabrics and dressing up dolls. He always knew he wanted to take a fashion design course but the idea did not sit well with Alvin’s parents years ago. Instead, he ended up finishing a Tourism Management degree with the goal of becoming a flight attendant.

The airline job turned out so elusive that Alvin decided to join the family’s construction company to start earning his keep. The clerical job allowed him to have free time for his doll dressmaking. That was something he has always wanted to do even as a kid but did not get the chance to.

“I remember sweating when I couldn’t find it under my bed,” Alvin recalled describing a sixth grade memory of that moment when his well-kept doll was confiscated at home. “I discreetly bought it with my own money so I really felt sad.”

Alvin’s interest in dolls dates back to his childhood days when gendered beliefs on toys were still prevalent. The old notion that dolls are exclusively for girls hindered him from freely playing with the toys. It was Kuya Allan, his older brother, who became Alvin’s hero.

At a time when the sight of boys playing with dolls was frowned upon, Allan turned his room into a secret play place for Alvin.

“While he was playing video games, I was in one corner happily playing with my doll,” Alvin excitedly shared in the vernacular.

I had to pause and wipe my tears during our interview as I was deeply touched by the genuine sibling love. Alvin added that even now that Allan is based in Qatar, his brother shows support and pushes him to pursue the craft.

The seemingly small act of kindness paved the way for Alvin’s success. His doll versions of local celebrities like Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Kathryn Bernardo, Maja Salvador, Maymay Entrata, Kisses Delavin, Lovi Poe, Rabiya Mateo, Marian Rivera, Enchong Dee, Tony Labrusca, JC Alcantara, and his personal favorite, Heart Evangelista, have gone viral on Instagram. The hard work behind each piece (a single dress could take him three weeks to finish!) earned Alvin a following on social media and opportunities started knocking on his door.

Requests for TV and print features, invitation from a media outfit to produce celebrity-inspired dolls, collaboration with the world’s most iconic doll brand for an exhibit, and inquiries from foreign clients landed on Alvin’s lap in no time. By just doing what he loved, his small projects started getting big. In fact, he is now a couturier creating gowns and dresses for real women.

More than the attention from his celebrity subjects and approval from renowned designers, Alvin said he values his parents’ trust and confidence. His mom eventually bought him a sewing machine so he could level up from hand stitching and his dad encouraging him to enroll at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines to hone his craft are displays of support he truly cherishes to this day. Alvin’s boyfriend Emerson has also become a part of the solid support system.

Asked to give advice to aspiring doll artists and fellow fashion design students, the self-made designer opened up on how he stitched his way to success. He said, “Put a premium on the quality of your work over instant popularity. While it is tempting to track the number of likes you will immediately get when you pounce on trending topics, it is more important to live up to your own standards and monitor your work’s progress.”

“You should not wait for others to believe in you. You have to trust yourself, show up, and do what you have to do,” Alvin concluded.

Follow Alvin’s creative journey on Instagram (@its_me_alvin).

For your random thoughts and feedback, e-mail the author at kate.adajar@gmail.com.

Resbakuna kids have more fun at Skyranch GOOD health and great fun merged when total of 180 kids aged 5 to 11 recently received their first shot of Pfizer vaccines at Skyranch in Tagaytay City, Cavite. Skyranch, which was selected by the Department of Health (DOH) as one of the launching sites of the government’s nationwide Resbakuna Kids simultaneous immunization program.

With the Skyranch and its rides, attractions, and open spaces as a backdrop, the program became an exciting event for the SuperKids. Some came dressed as their favorite cartoon characters as they bravely got their jabs and were rewarded with treats, gift packs, and free rides at the park. They also found new friends as Skyranch mascots played and posed with the kids to keep them entertained.

In this joint partnership with the Tagaytay City Government, DOH and SM – Skyranch, SM guaranteed that safety and health protocols were followed during the pediatric vaccination.

The launching ceremony was graced

by Health Undersecretary Dr. Roger Tong-An, DOH Assistant Regional Director Leda Hernandez, Tagaytay City Vice Mayor Reymond Ambion, Tagaytay City Councilor Athena Tolentino, Congressional candidate Aniela Tolentino, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nelson Soriano, Tagaytay City Health Officer Dr. Liza Capupus, Provincial HealthvTeam Leader Dr. Armida Camposagrado, and SM Operations Assistant Vice-President Lorenzo Calingasan IV. SM promises to continue supporting and assisting the government to beat COVID-19 and be an instrument in uplifting the quality of life for the communities they serve.

Little Ironman poses with his vaccination card after his first Pfizer shot

A kiddie participant with King Lionel the Skyranch mascot, SM Life Style Entertainment Vice-President Ruby Ann Reyes (leftmost), and SM operations AVP Lorenzo Calingasan IV (center) A pretty girl as Ariel from The Little Mermaid receives her free cotton candy as a reward for getting her COVID-19 vaccine

Celebrities talk about value of health in new campaign Charo Santos-Concio

AFTER facing much uncertainty amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos who are eager to secure their health and ensure a brighter future will find an ally in Sun Life, as it launches a campaign dubbed “Partner in Health.”

Featuring Charo Santos-Concio, Matteo Guidicelli, and Piolo Pascual, the campaign consists of digital videos where they will talk about lessons from past experiences which paved the way towards their brighter future. One of these is investing in their health. The videos will be shared on Sun Life’s Facebook

page (www.facebook.com/SunLifePH) and YouTube channel (www.youtube. com/SunLifePH).

Complementing the videos is “Safe Space,” a series of webinars focusing on mental health to be conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. (PMHA). The pilot stream, entitled “Love ‘em, Hate ‘em, Stress ‘em: Mental Wellness for the Family,” will be held on April 9. It will be followed by “Imperfect Balance: How Mental Wellness Bridges Work and Life” on May 14. The series will close on

Matteo Guidicelli

June 18 with “You are Worth It: Illuminating a Path towards Holistic Health.”

To make the learning series more fun and interactive, Sun Life will also engage followers of its Facebook page through bite-sized content dubbed “Mind Your Health,” which promotes holistic wellness and mental health.

Sun Life is also collaborating with education technology platform Edukasyon.ph to spread its health advocacy to the younger generation. This will be done through a nationwide awareness campaign featuring articles, quizzes,

Piolo Pascual

and informative social posts promoting holistic health. Learning Quests, a gamified online learning module, may also be utilized by those who wish to learn more about the topic.

Meanwhile, for those ready to own a health protection product, they may choose from Sun Life’s diverse offerings such as SUN First Aid Plus, SUN Fit & Well Advantage, and Sun ICU Protect. Those who wish to know more about these products may avail of a free consultation with a preferred Sun Life advisor or they

may connect with one through www. bit.ly/advisormatch.

“As we continuously endeavor to bring our lives back to normal, let us not forget the lessons we have learned from the past two years. Our health is an important factor in securing a brighter future, and so keeping ourselves healthy is truly worth it,” says Sun Life President Alex Narciso. “It would be Sun Life’s honor to walk this journey with them.

With this campaign, we are reemphasizing our commitment to be the Filipino’s partner in health.”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

(MS-FEB. 25, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK