Manila Standard - 2022 March 10 - Thursday

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Comelec suspends Rappler deal; ‘Regrettable,’ online news site says THE Commission on Elections has suspended the implementation of its voter information campaign deal with news site Rappler after the Office of the Solicitor General asked the Supreme Court to nullify it. Acting Comelec chairperson Socorro

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 28 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Inting signed the memorandum ordering the suspension, addressed to poll body spokesperson James Jimenez. “Given the allegations against Rappler and the subsequent filing of the petition with the Supreme Court, it is Next page

Govt eyes basic wage hike

P750 nationwide up for review, oil prices may hit P12/l next week • Palace considering fuel excise tax halt • Peso loses vs. dollar By Alena Mae S. Flores, Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE government is eyeing to raise the minimum wage nationwide to help workers and their families cope with a looming oil crisis as gasoline prices could rise by a staggering P12 per liter next week following the decision of the United States to ban imports of Russian oil, industry sources said.

President Rodrigo Duterte also met with finance officials to consider suspending excise taxes on fuel to soften the blow. “The increase in the price of diesel and gasoline will be different but if you are referring to a general number, an P8 to P12 per liter increase is correct,” said one industry source, who requested anonymity. Next page

US bans import of Russian oil, UK to follow suit THE United States has banned imports of Russian oil, firing one of its biggest economic weapons against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Britain said it would join the United States in phasing out Russian oil by year’s end while oil giants BP and Shell announced an immediate halt to Russian oil and gas purchases. The European Union also said it would slash gas imports by two-thirds. The spike in energy prices caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine will produce effects comparable to the 1973 oil shock, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned on Wednesday. “This has a name: stagflation, and it’s precisely what we want to avoid in 2022,” Le Maire told a conference in Paris. The current energy crisis was “comparable in intensity, in brutality, to the oil shock of 1973,” he said.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE. A woman counts dollar bills at a money exchange center in Mabini, Manila. The peso is facing headwinds from spiraling oil prices, breaching the 52-perdollar mark this week for the first time since Sept. 2019. Consumers are likewise bracing for a possible increase in prices of basic goods, including meat and vegetables as well as grocery items as the government rolls out a range of measures to cushion the economy from a possible energy price fallout. Inset photo (lower right) shows an inspector from the Department of Energy checking the price and the weight of a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder at a retail outlet in Parañaque City on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Norman Cruz and Danny Pata

PH trade deficit at $50b seen as global costs soar UN chief warns pandemic not yet controlled By Julito G. Rada

THE country may incur a record trade deficit of $50 billion this year as prices of global commodities led by oil, as well as natural gas, wheat, nickel and copper soar as a result of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, an economist said Wednesday. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort told

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Manila Standard that the country’s import bill and trade deficit could widen further this year. “The trade deficit estimate for 2022 would be wider -- around-$43 billion to $45 billion, after $43.1 billion in 2021,” Ricafort said. “However, in view of Russia’s invasion…, the country’s trade deficit could widen towards $50 billion in view of the sharp increase in global oil prices to new 13.5-year highs [since July 2008]

as well [as] sharp increase in the prices of other imported global commodities such as wheat and flour, soybeans, corn, other grains, and metals, all of which would increase the country’s oil and commodity import bill in the coming months,” Ricafort said. Furthermore, he said measures to further re-open the economy towards greater normalcy, especially in view of the proposal by the country’s econom-

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LTFRB allows provincial buses to resume interzonal trips THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has announced that provincial Public Utility Buses are now allowed back for inter-regional trips. Memorandum Circular 2022-023 covers public bus operators with valid

By Maricel V. Cruz OFFICIALS from Abra led by Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos and Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos joined Wednesday Solid North local executives in supporting the UniTeam presidential-vice presidential tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Before the candidates arrived, Rep. Bernos, a member of the Nacionalista Party, said the people of his province were excited to welcome the UniTeam candidates. “Abra is BBM-Sara country,” he said. The UniTeam slate, including its senatorial aspirants, held a motorcade and a rally in Abra before proceeding to Kalinga Wednesday afternoon. Next page

and existing certificates that assure public convenience, provisional authority, and the necessary special permits. The bureau also reminded that health and safety protocols must always be observed.

Buses plying the provincial commuter routes in the Calabazrzon region are now allowed back to take passengers in their original Araneta Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City. But provincial commuter routes with

pre-pandemic end point at Buendia, Makati, Pasay, and Manila will still have to use the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), including routes coming from Quezon Province,

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Abra is BBM-Sara country, part of Solid North—provincial execs

AFTER two years, the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over and could be prolonged further due to “scandalously unequal” vaccine distribution, the UN secretary-general warned Wednesday. “The pandemic’s most tragic toll has been on the health and lives of millions, with more than 446 million cases worldwide, more than six million deaths confirmed, and countless more grappling with worsening mental health,” said UN chief Antonio Guterres in a statement marking the second anniversary of the global crisis. Next page

Duterte orders probe of gone ‘sabungeros’ By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

SOLID NORTH. Presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. addresses the crown during a rally at the Abra Sports Complex on Wednesday. Ver Noveno

THE Palace on Tuesday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a joint investigation into the case of at least 34 missing cockfighting aficionados. Executive secretary Salavdor Medialdea signed a memorandum directing the PNP and NBI to submit their findings to the Office of the President and Department of Justice within 30 days. Next page

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News

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

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DOH: No spikes in Level 1 areas By Willie Casas

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HE Department of Health has not seen any increase in COVID-19 cases, nearly two weeks after Metro Manila and 38 other areas were de-escalated to the lowest alert level, the agency spokesperson said Wednesday.

Government “strictly monitors” the public’s mobility with constant reminders for them to follow minimum health standards, said DOH spokesperson and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. “At present, we have not seen any increase in COVID-19 cases since we have implemented Alert Level 1 in several areas in the country,” Vergeire said in a statement. “The government strictly monitors

the mobility of the public with incessant reminders on adherence to minimum public health standards as well as the national vaccination drive for those eligible to get inoculated,” Vergeire added.. The DOH earlier this week started releasing its COVID-19 case bulletins weekly instead of daily to focus more on severe and critical cases. The Philippines might log around 500 or fewer COVID-19 cases by the end of

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ic team to ease the nationwide Alert Level to the lowest 1, as well as additional measures to further re-open the economy such as the resumption of in-person schooling, among others, would also lead to increased economic and importation activities. However, Ricafort said the offsetting factors would include the country’s structural US dollar revenue inflows such as OFW remittances with at least $35 billion per year, business process outsourcing revenues with about $30 billion per year, and Philippine offshore gaming operations’ revenues, foreign tourism revenues, and foreign investment inflows. Ricafort said these offsetting factors might be “enough to cover the country’s trade deficit that could reach close to $50 billion for 2022 from the $43.1-billion shortfall in 2021. On Tuesday, reports said US President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and other energy imports in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The announcement triggered a surge in crude prices. Although still below the peak of $139.13 per barrel on Monday, the main international oil contract, Brent, jumped 6.8 percent to $131.63. Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he remained optimistic the gross domestic product growth target of 7 to 9 percent this year could still be attainable as a comprehensive set of measures would ease the impact of the war on the domestic economy and the rate of inflation.

Another industry source said forecasts of a sharp increase were driven by the current supply situation, the sanctions on Russia and the depreciation of the peso. Petro Gazz, however, announced on Wednesday it will be slashing prices of its fuel products from Thursday, March 10 (starting at 6 a.m.) to Sunday, March 13. The company said the move aims to “minimize the impact” of rising oil prices on customers. The rollback will be as follows: P5.85/ liter of diesel and P3.60/liter of gasoline. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) across the country to speed up the review of the minimum wages to help workers and their families cope with the looming oil crisis. Bello said the skyrocketing prices of oil products aggravated by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may be a compelling reason for the wage boards to recommend raising the minimum wages of workers. Several workers associations last week filed a petition with the Regional Tripartite Board seeking an additional P213 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila. If granted, the minimum wage hike will rise to P750 a day. The current daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR), for instance, of P537 may no longer be enough to cope with the price of basic commodities such as food, electricity and water bills. Bello, who chairs the Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, said the RTWPBs, along with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and representatives from both the labor and employers

LTFRB... From A1 Mimaropa (Southwestern Tagalog Region), and Bicol. The circular added provincial buses from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region are also allowed to drop off passengers in North Luzon Express Terminal where there are city buses that can take them to Metro Manila. Provincial buses from Central Luzon can pick up and drop off passengers at Araneta Cubao Terminal and NLET, depending on the route of the particular authorized unit. PUBs from the Visayas and Mindanao en route to the National Capital Region are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal. Buses going to Metro Manila are stationed there. The LTFRB reminds PUB operators to secure a QR code for each authorized unit before they can allow it out on the road. It can be downloaded from www.ltfrb.com.ph, and should be printed and posted on the unit’s front windshield. Metro Manila and 38 other areas were placed under Alert Level 1 until March 15.

Comelec... From A1 judicious for the Commission to hold in abeyance the implementation of the provisions of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) until the issues are settled and/or decision of the court is rendered,” Inting said. “All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred including coordination between the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA,” she added. Rappler said the “unilateral decision” of Inting was “regrettable.” “The Comelec’s own lawyers studied the contract with Rappler and found no

Duterte... From A1 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) was also ordered to look into possible violations of its e-sabong licensees. However, Malacanang has allowed “e-sabong” operations to continue despite calls from senators to stop the operation of online sabong due to the case of the missing sabungeros. “Unless otherwise directed, the operations of e-sabong licensees will remain unaffected, pending the result of the above-mentioned investigations,” Medialdea said in a memorandum dated

Abra... From A1 Gov. Bernos, a member of the National Unity Party, strongly asked her fellow Abreños to support BBM-Sara, describing the Partido Federal ng Pilipilegal obstacles. It was signed by both parties in good faith on February 24, 2022, with the intent of ensuring transparent and credible elections,” the online news site said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that Commissioner Inting, who signed off on this agreement as acting chairman less than two weeks ago, and who declared just a day ago that the commission would await the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter, has gone ahead and unilaterally given instructions to set our agreement aside,” Rappler added. Some former Comelec officials and advocates for clean elections also expressed concern over the decision of the poll body.

136 Pinoys wait for repatriation from Ukraine

the month, according to independent monitoring OCTA Research Group. The DOH has yet to release its forecast. The National Capital Region and 38 other areas shifted to Alert Level 1 or the “new normal” on March 1, allowing businesses and public transportation to operate at full capacity. Vaccination cards will no longer be required in public transportation but establishments such as gyms, restaurants, bars, and other enclosed spaces may require it, officials earlier said. Meanwhile, the DOH said the government plans to prioritize inoculating individuals in remote and far-flung areas on its fourth wave of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” national vaccination drive this month.

The government is eyeing to fully vaccinate 77 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by the end of March, and 90 million by the time President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office on June 30. The priority for the fourth national vaccination drive will be senior citizens who have not yet completed their primary dose series and those set for booster shots, the DOH earlier said. “The DOH, through the support of its partners, will reach remote and far-flung areas: locations where indigenous peoples reside and those living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs),” Vergeire said. Vergeire said they would conduct house-to-house vaccination to reach the senior citizens and boost the vac-

groups, as a matter of procedure, monitor the wage levels, assess the economic factors and provide recommendations for the adjustment of minimum wages all over the country. “Setting and adjusting the wage level is one of the most challenging parts of minimum wage fixing. Minimum wage cannot be very low as it will have very small effect in protecting workers and their families against poverty. If set too high, it will have an adverse employment effect. There should be a balance between two sets of considerations,” Bello said. RTWPBs nationwide receive petitions for minimum wage increase in their respective areas. “Every year, we have what we call an anniversary period where we make an assessment of all petitions received. One petition called for a uniform increase of P750 in the minimum wage nationwide,” Bello said. The Labor chief expressed confidence that the RTWPBs will submit their recommendations before the end of April. The cost of electricity, too, was expected to shoot up in March due to a tight supply, the biggest power distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said. “Movements in world crude oil prices affect Meralco’s generation costs indirectly, mainly through Malampaya gas prices. The current Malampaya price is based on world crude oil prices from July to December 2021, so that the price does not yet reflect the recent surge in oil prices. These will be priced into Malampaya beginning second quarter 2022, to be reflected beginning [with] the May 2022 generation charge,” Meralco vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said. He said this would affect the power supply agreements with the Sta. Rita, San Lorenzo, and San Gabriel natural gas plants, which account for around onethird of Meralco’s supply requirements.

Fernandez added that March bills are likely to go up as well due to a higher generation charge. Meralco noted that prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the trading floor of electricity, remained elevated in the February supply month, and despite the absence of a yellow alert, the secondary price cap was implemented 5.63 percent of the time. “Also expected to contribute to the generation charge is the higher share of supply from the WESM as a result of the scheduled maintenance and Quezon Power and San Lorenzo power plants. These maintenance shutdowns were performed in February to ensure availability of their supply during the dry months and the election period,” Fernandez said. He said the continuing depreciation of peso is also expected to magnify the effect of high fuel prices in the world market. “These are pass-through charges and as far as Meralco’s own cost is concerned, the distribution charge has not moved since its reduction in July 2015,” Fernandez said. In Congress, House energy committee chairman Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo joined calls for a special session aimed at passing a measure suspending the collection of excise taxes on fuel. Arroyo said the loss of income from suspending the excise tax could be offset by the windfall profit the government earned from the value-added tax. This, he said, was what happened during the term of his mother, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Before my mother’s term ended, there was also a spate of fuel price increases. To mitigate its impact, then President Arroyo utilized the windfall profit the government collected in excess of its projected revenue through the VAT and excise tax imposed on fuel,” Arroyo said.

March 8, 2022. At least 34 persons linked to e-sabong activities have been reported missing since April last year. Pagcor revealed that online cockfighting had been earning at least P640 million from operations since January this year. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said the NBI has uncovered a lead in its ongoing investigation into the missing “cockfight enthusiasts. “I am confident that the NBI and the PNP (Philippine National Police) will soon come up with positive results. It is improbable that 34 persons in strikingly similar situations would disappear without a trace,” Guevarra said.

Even before Tuesday’s memorandum from the Palace, Guevarra had issued an order to the NBI to investigate the disappearances. Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed disappointment at the Palace decision to let online cockfighting continue. “The disappointment of the Senate cannot compare to the disappointment of the families affected,” Sotto said in a press conference in Pasig City. “When I say families affected, I’m not only referring to those who have missing relatives but also those who complain about their kin who are getting addicted to e-sabong. It’s a double disappointment for them,” he said in Filipino.

“In 1973, as you know, the response caused an inflationary shock, leading central banks to massively increase their rates, which killed off growth,” Le Maire added. The first oil shock in the early 1970s was caused by the Yom Kippur war when Egyptian and Syrian forces launched an offensive against Israel. Six Arab members of the OPEC oil cartel declared an embargo on exports to countries supporting Israel, notably the United States. They quadrupled the oil price to $11.65 a barrel, provoking recessions in Western countries and steep inflation. On Tuesday, the United States also said the Kremlin’s prize geopolitical energy project, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, was now dead. “It is a hunk of metal at the bottom of the sea, I don’t think it will ever be revived,” Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told US lawmakers. New humanitarian corridors were set to open Wednesday for civilians trying to escape besieged cities in Ukraine. Russia said the routes would open in five cities that its forces have been shelling, but Kyiv has repeatedly warned Moscow is not genuinely looking to allow civilians to flee and on Tuesday accused Moscow of bombing one corridor. “Such actions are nothing other than a genocide,” the Ukrainian defense ministry wrote on Facebook. President Joe Biden said Tuesday the US oil embargo on Russia would cut “the main artery” of Moscow’s economy, and vowed Ukraine would “never be a victory” for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. AFP

nas standard-bearer as “a gentleman who has a proven competence and humane leadership.” “He (Marcos) is out to prove that he can lead this country to further progress,” she said before a huge rally at the Abra Sports Complex. Marcos thanked the local leaders led

by the Bernoses and the people of Abra for the warm and lively welcome to the UniTeam candidates He also campaigned for Duterte-Carpio, chairperson of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, who did not make it to the rally Wednesday. “She continues to send her message

of love to you and her message that we must love our country,” Marcos said in Tagalog. Senatorial candidates reelectionist Sen. Win Gatchalian, Harry Roque, Mark Villar, and Rodante Marcoleta joined Marcos during the political events in the landlocked province in the Cordilleras.

policy and budgetary decisions that prioritize the health of people in wealthy countries over the health of people in poor countries,” said Guterres. He added that the two-tiered recovery is “a recipe for more variants, more lockdowns and more sorrow and sacrifice in every country.” The statement concluded by calling on the whole world to “re-dedicate ourselves to ending this pandemic... and closing this sad chapter in humanity’s history, once and for all.” Over six million people have died worldwide from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Tuesday. A total of 6,003,081 people have suc-

cumbed to the virus, AFP counted at 1100 GMT. The milestone comes as the number of infections and deaths continues to plummet in most regions of the world, except in Asia, where Hong Kong is suffering its worst-ever outbreak, and Oceania, where New Zealand has recorded a jump in cases. Average global daily deaths over the past seven days have fallen to 7,170, down 18 percent in a week, continuing a trend seen since the peak of the Omicron wave in early February despite many countries relaxing restrictions. The United States has recorded 960,311 deaths from the coronavirus, followed by Brazil at 652,341 and India at 515,210. AFP

UN... From A1 “Thanks to unprecedented public health measures, and the extraordinarily rapid development and deployment of vaccines, many parts of the world are bringing the pandemic under control,” he said. “But it would be a grave mistake to think the pandemic is over.” Guterres noted that the “distribution of vaccines remains scandalously unequal,” and that while 1.5 billion doses of vaccine are produced each month, “nearly three billion people are still waiting for their first shot.” “This failure is the direct result of

MORE than a hundred Filipino nationals have been taken out of harm’s way amid the Ukraine-Russia war, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported Wednesday. In a Laging Handa briefing, Foreign Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said 63 Filipinos had been repatriated and more were expected to arrive March 9 and the coming days. At least 136, on the other hand, are waiting for their repatriation from different European nations after crossing Ukrainian borders. Prior to DFA’s first batch of repatriates, there were an estimated 380 Filipinos living and working in Ukraine. Arriola said “a little over a hundred” land-based overseas Filipinos are still inside the war-torn country and are reluctant to go home. As for the seafarers, the DFA is coordinating with their local manning agencies and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to facilitate their evacuation. In the meantime, Arriola advised them to hunker down and take cover, especially when shelling is intense and evacuation is not possible. “If that is the case, we have been advised by our security sector that you have to hunker down and take cover and wait until the firing subsides. You should not take the risk and leave your ships,” she said in Filipinos Arriola said most of the land-based Filipinos in Ukraine are in Lviv and Kyiv while the seafarers are in the Black Sea onboard their merchant ships.

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News OFW dept. chief leads appointees By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Abdullah Mama-o as secretary of the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DOMW), and named Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Undersecretary Anderson Ang Lo as the new Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao. Acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said the President also named PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag as his Cabinet Secretary, replacing Secretary Karlo Nograles who took oath as the new Civil Service Commission chairman this week. In a statement, Andanar confirmed Mama-o’s appointment. “Mama-o’s experience and qualifications in labor and diplomatic negotiations, among others, as the Presidential Adviser on OFW concerns, will be invaluable to his new position and Filipino migrant workers,” Andanar said. Lo’s appointment as Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao was also confirmed. Matibag took his oath before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday morning. Duterte also appointed two more justices, both from Davao, to the Court of Appeals as well as three deputies at the Office of the Ombudsman. Appointed to the appellate court were Davao City, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 52 Judge Ronald Tolentino, and University of Southern Philippines-School of Law (USEPSOL) Acting Dean Rogelio Largo. Tolentino would take over the vacancy left by former CA Associate Justice Stephen Cruz who compulsory retired on August 3, 2020, while Largo would fill in the post vacated by former CA Associate Justice Danton Bueser who retired on March 14, 2021. Malacañang also informed Gesmundo of the appointment of Assistant Ombudsman Jose Balmeo Jr. as the new Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO). With Rey E. Requejo

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Cops seize P1B shabu in Valenzuela By Jun David

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UTHORITIES seized 160 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” worth an estimated P1 billion and arrested two suspects in a buy-bust in Valenzuela City on Tuesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Dir. Gen. undersecretary Wilkins Villanueva, identified the two arrested suspects as Tianzhu Lyu, of Fujian China, and his female companion Meliza Villanueva. Lyu is an alleged drug kingpin, the

Philippine National Police (PNP) said. In a statement, the PNP said its personnel and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents conducted a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Karuhatan. The PNP also said the two suspects are

well-known drug dealers in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects. “The PNP vows to sustain with vigor anti-illegal drug police operations with a greater focus on high-value targets engaged in trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs, of course, in coordination with PDEA, to help boost the government’s campaign for criminal justice,” PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said. The PNP said it was around 3:30 p.m., when the combined forces of PDEA, PNP, AFP and NICA conducted

the said operation. The suspects immediately fell into the trap of the operatives, where poseur buyers were able to buy shabu from them. After exchanging the ordered item from the suspects and marked money from the pretending buyer, signaling that the operation was successful, it was there the two were quickly arrested by the backup operatives. According to Villanueva, the seizure of the said drugs was a result of a series of consecutive anti-drug operations in Cavite, Bulacan, Cebu and Negros Occidental where 231.2 kilos of shabu with a street value of P1.57 billion were also seized.

IN BRIEF Govt unlikely to cancel Russian deal on choppers DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the contract for the 17 Russian-made Mil Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters is unlikely to be scrapped for now despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “No, we do not see any likelihood of (of the contract) being scrapped as of this moment,” he said in a message to reporters when asked if the project will still push through despite the conflict. The DND chief added that the heavy-lift helicopter procurement project is a multi-year procurement contract and the delivery of the first batch will be in 24 months. “The heavy-lift helicopter procurement project with Russia is on track. The contract was signed and the down payment (was) done before the Ukraine crisis happened,” he said. “Will the Ukraine crisis affect the project? Only time will tell,” he added. The DND chief added that the P12.7 billion Mil Mi-17 contract was signed last November and a down payment was made last January. Lorenzana did not mention the amount given as a down payment.

MASSIVE SHABU HAUL. Police and anti-drug officials inspect about P1.88 billion worth shabu, weighing 160 kilograms, seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Arrested were Tianzhu Lyu of Fujian China and his accomplice Meliza Villanueva from Concepcion Tarlac. Andrew Rabulan

‘Use digital solutions as part of climate change initiatives’ THE Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship urged the government to incorporate digitalization into their climate initiatives, after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last week issued yet another update warning the world of the extreme and irreversible effects of global warming. “The government has to match the initiatives of the private sector,” said Felix Vitangcol, co-convenor of the advocacy group. “We are running out of time.” Vitangcol said the private sector had already made headway in this regard. “Some companies have already integrated digital technologies in their

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environment, social, and governance initiatives to boost effective stewardship of the environment.” “A good model is data-backed Liveable Cities Challenge (LCC) Dashboard project in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and Globe which contain multi-year data on local communities’ basic information such as labor, education, local economy, doing business, mobility and connectivity, health, urban environment, resiliency and emergency response, and safety and security,” Vitangcol said. The LCC dashboard utilizes data and innovation to help local communities and their governments spot local trends

and their correlations for the community stakeholders’ timely and effective decision-making and help determine areas for improvement. Erratic, intense, and frequent weather patterns like Typhoon Odette have long been battering the Philippines, an archipelago, and have caused untold damage in lives, properties, livelihoods and infrastructure. “The Department of Finance (DOF) reported that about 98.2 percent or P506.1 billion of the Philippines’ total economic losses, during the period of 2010 to 2020, can be attributed to climate-related events,” Vitangcol said. He added that according to the Na-

tional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), when the country was hit by three consecutive typhoons in the last quarter of 2020, infrastructure and agricultural damages amounted to P30.76 billion. But when the country was hit by Typhoon Odette alone during the last quarter of 2021, infrastructure and agricultural damages already amounted to P29 billion. Vitangcol underscored the importance of choosing the right leaders in the May 2022 elections. The next administration should prioritize enabling the country’s immediate transition to a data-driven and digitalenabled economy, Vitangcol said.

Salceda asks DA to prevent bird flu outbreak in Albay province By Maricel V. Cruz

CLASSROOM DISINFECTION. A maintenance worker disinfects a classroom as Grade 3 students fall in line to maintain physical distancing after the limited face-to-face class at Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School in Taguig City on Wednesday. Danny Pata

REP. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means has asked Agriculture Secretary William Dar for assistance in preventing and anticipating an avian flu outbreak in the province of Albay following reports of the H5N1 strain of avian flu, a highlyinfectious strain, being detected in Bula and Sipocot in Camarines Sur. “While my office is validating these reports, I am deeply concerned about a potential outbreak in these areas as Albay sources poultry products (particularly eggs) from these municipalities,” Salceda, wrote Dar on Wednesday. Salceda also noted that “the DA is already undertaking measures in affected areas in Central Luzon to

control the infection.” Salceda asked Dar “Whether RT-PCR tests are available or prepositioned to detect the virus in Albay; What biosafety measures can be taken by farmers and raisers to prevent the transmission of avian flu among their poultry; [and] What forms of assistance can the DA extend to poultry raisers in Albay to prevent the spread of avian flu.” Salceda also reassured Dar “of my full support for your efforts to prevent this disease from undermining our agricultural recovery.” Salceda also reemphasized his February 23 letter to the Secretary which sought to assure Dar of the support of the House of Representatives to the efforts of the agriculture department to fight bird flu outbreaks.

In landmark decision, DENR parcels out 2-ha. Lupang Arenda in Taytay By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a landmark decision said it has distributed a 2.01-hectare land at Lupang Arenda in Taytay, Rizal to the urban poor. Acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna said the land distribution has ended the decades-long wait of the beneficiaries to own the disputed land. He handed over the land titles to the beneficiary-members of the Samahang Masigasig ng Sitio Tapayan Homeowners Association (SAMATHOA) in Barangay Sta. Ana. He led the turnover of 41 original certificates of land

ownership to the member-beneficiaries of SAMATHOA who have been occupying the 2.01 hectares of land at Lupang Arenda. He expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for his directive to strengthen the land distribution and reform program in the country that benefited the members of SAMATHOA. He said the government commits to providing the rest of the land parcels which comprise the remaining three hectares of the proposed DENR Center in Rizal through the provision of a temporary ownership document. ““There are still 319 patents supposed to be given to you, however, these are underwater which cannot be titled,” he said.

“But in the meantime, I told PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer) and RED (Regional Executive Director) to issue a certificate of land allocation (CELA). The CELA is already like a land title but you are not yet required to pay tax since we cannot yet have it titled due to its location,” he raised. He urged the Rizal PENRO to expand the titling process in nearby towns. “I am challenging, the most competent PENRO, PENRO (Ramil) Limpiada that while we are working on distributing lands here in Lupang Arenda, we should also look into other areas in Taytay, in Antipolo, and other areas in the province that needs to be titled,” he said.

QC hall employees vow to end violence vs. women MALE employees of the Quezon City hall have signed up to end violence against women to mark the celebration of International Women’s Month. The city government relaunched Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere (MOVE) to help address gender-based violence in the city. QC MOVE is designed to invite more men to join the city’s charter and become active participants in eliminating violence against women. After multiple reports of sexual harassment, the city said it will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of violence, abuse, and sexual harassment in the LGU. In 2021, the city’s barangays received 3,981 reports of cases of physical and verbal abuse and sexual harassment against women based on the data from the city’s Gender and Development Council. MOVE members vowed, “never to commit, never to condone, and never to remain silent about VAW.” As of 2021, MOVE has organized in 73 chapters nationwide, including those within the national government agencies and local government units. Rio N. Araja

Baguio scraps visitor limit, sets COVID parameters THE Baguio City local government will no longer limit the number of visitors entering the city. Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the limit was lifted “to determine its threshold on tourist arrivals when the city was placed under Alert Level 2 in February.” “This is already the concept of our recovery. We will again engage with the private and business sectors for us to be able to create that enabling environment. We need to help them recover as we transition to the ‘new normal,” he said, in the statement. Baguio City is under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15. Magalong said the local government has set parameters to establish the threshold of visitors. These include managing traffic and the number of people in markets and malls. He said air quality, and crowd counting are also parameters being observed.

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

TODAY

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following Officials of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and Senior Officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Commission on Elections (COMELEC): 1. MR. SAIDAMEN BALT PANGARUNGAN

CHAIRMAN, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, for a term expiring on 02 February 2029, vice Sheriff M. Abas

2. MS. AIMEE S. TORREFRANCA-NERI

COMMISSIONER, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, for a term expiring on 02 February 2029, vice Rowena Amelia V. Guanzon

3. MR. GEORGE ERWIN M. GARCIA

COMMISSIONER, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, for a term expiring on 02 February 2029, vice Antonio T. Kho Jr.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): 1. ARTHUR P. TUGADE

to the rank of COLONEL, PAF (Res.)

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989. 8 March 2022.

(MS-MAR. 10, 2022)

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

A4

New poll exec Garcia vows to inhibit from clients’ cases

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

By Vito Barcelo

News

LEADING WOMAN. With a National Women’s Month banner behind her, Vice President Leni Robredo speaks to a crowd at

Bayugan City hall on Wednesday. The presidential candidate spent the day barnstorming Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte and capped her Caraga visit with a Grand People’s Rally in Butuan City in the afternoon. VP Leni Media Bureau

NEWLY appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner George Erwin Garcia said he will inhibit himself from the cases of his previous clients to dispel concerns of conflict of interest. “I prioritized inhibiting and withdrawing from all the cases where I am scheduled to have an appearance. Perhaps I cannot do anything because that is part of being a lawyer, but I will inhibit in all the cases I handled,” Garcia said in a radio interview. Malacanang confirmed the appointments of Garcia, Aimee Neri, and Saidamen Pangarungan as Comelec commissioners and chairperson, respectively, on Wednesday. Prior to his appointment, Garcia represented high-profile clients, including presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whom he represented in his 2016 electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. Garcia also previously represented presidential bets Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, and Senator Grace Poe in her disqualification case during the 2016 presidential race.

Comelec to review campaign guidelines, stops ‘Baklas’ work T By Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

HE Commission on Elections has agreed to revisit the resolution stating the rules on campaigning for the May 9 national elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Comelec Director Elaiza Sabile David confirmed this during a briefing at the House suffrage and electoral reforms committee on Wednesday. The poll body also said it has halted the removal of election materials in private areas following the order from the Supreme Court. In a briefing, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said during the en banc meeting of the Commission, “it was agreed that, of course, the Comelec will honor the TRO issued by the SC.”

Lacson warns of ‘lapses’ in distributing fuel subsidy By Macon Ramos-Araneta THERE should be no room for corruption or administrative lapses in the distribution of fuel subsidies to sectors affected by the continued rise in oil prices, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday. Lacson said authorities should learn from the past where aid from the Bayanihan funds failed to reach their intended beneficiaries, especially the public utility drivers. “Aside from the issue of possible corruption, there is the administrative issue of distributing the funds. We cannot afford a case of the aid coming too late, when the beneficiaries may have already died),” he said. Lacson recalled that while Congress passed the Bayanihan 2 to help the transport sector cope with the effects of the pandemic, the Commission on Audit later found that only one percent of the fund reached the intended recipients. “That’s why we see drivers begging in the streets,” he said. Otherwise, Lacson said doubling fuel subsidies for the transport sector and fuel discount vouchers for the agriculture sector to help them cope with the spiraling prices of oil is the right thing to do. “Due to the spiraling prices of oil in the world market, doubling the fuel subsidies and vouchers is the right thing to do as allowed under a special provision in the 2022 General Appropriations Act in order to contain inflation which is projected to hit 3.7 percent in 2022,” he said. Fuel prices have shot up in recent weeks and the situation is expected to worsen due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Cabinet’s economic development cluster is proposing to increase the fuel subsidy for public transport drivers from P2.5 billion to P5 billion; and the budget for fuel discount vouchers for farmers and fisherfolk from P500 million to P1.1 billion.

In Congress, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite asked if there will be changes in campaigning, as the alert level status amid the pandemic has been downgraded. David said the proposal of newly-appointed Comelec Commissioner George Garcia to review Resolution 10732 during the en banc meeting was approved. The new guidelines would be aligned with the existing alert level being implemented by the government, she added. “For now, there are no changes yet, but

I would like to share that earlier in the en banc meeting, there was a proposal by the newly-appointed Commissioner George Garcia for a revisit of Resolution 10732 and it was approved,” David said. “Because of that, you can expect some changes possibly on Resolution 10732 considering that during the time it was promulgated, it’s still stricter and the alert level was higher,” she added. David also clarified the entire resolution would be reviewed, not just some of its provisions. Under Section 29 of Comelec Resolution 10732, the poll body may modify the guidelines “as the circumstances may warrant, depending on the rules to be issued by the National Government or the IATF-MEID.” At present, Alert Level 1 is imposed in Metro Manila and in 38 areas across the country.

Meanwhile, David also reminded candidates to be cautious of their activities during the campaign season, including celebrations of their birthdays. This as Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. asked if he could celebrate his birthday in March with his constituents. On that day, the campaign period for local candidates will officially start. Barzaga is a reelectionist in the May 2022 polls. “I don’t like to celebrate my birthday on March 25 because a lot of my constituents no longer eat pork amid the Lenten Season. On March 26, if I could celebrate my birthday and if I can treat my constituents? I’m celebrating it every March 25, however, it always falls down in the campaign season,” Barzaga said. “I’m just clarifying it so I can tell my constituents, ‘I’m sorry I can not celebrate and treat you on my birthday,’” he added.

Isko to double ‘ayuda’ for virus-hit families to P600m By Rey E. Requejo IF ELECTED president, Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso said he will continue giving “ayuda,” to all Filipino families in the entire country, particularly during the first two years of his administration. “If I am able to serve as president, as I said before, we will provide food pack assistance under the Food Security Program of the city government throughout the country to reassure the people. As long as there is a pandemic, we will provide aid so that they have something to eat,” Moreno said, in interview with reporters on Monday. Under the Duterte administration, a P300 billion fund was allocated for the

giving of “ayuda” in the form of cash assistance to families whose livelihoods were badly affected by the lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreno previously said that if he becomes President, he will double the budget for “ayuda” to P600 billion to ensure that families affected with the COVID19-related lockdowns will not go hungry while the national government tries to provide jobs for them. The presidential candidate also said that he will go after the P203-billion Marcos estate tax liabilities and will use the money as additional “ayuda” to Filipino families. “What matters to me is the person and their pockets and stomachs. That is why I will provide this aid to the whole country

while the economy is still recovering because I do not want any hungry Filipinos,” the 47-year-old presidential candidate said. When asked by the media how he intends to fund the nationwide provision of food aid, Moreno said he would encourage more private sector participation in the government’s major infrastructure projects so that the funds intended for these flagship projects can be used for other government priorities. “We will continue with ‘Build, Build, Build’ but government money will no longer be used because we will have a PPP, the Public-Private Partnership. Development is still going on, but the government’s money will go to food for the people,” Moreno explained.

But Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan—Robredo’s current vice-presidential running mate—raised a “serious concern” over the appointment of Garcia on Tuesday, noting Garcia has no choice but to be professional about his new role. He reminded Garcia that if one is no longer a lawyer and is now a “judge,” he should be objective in deciding and be willing to inhibit in cases where he cannot decide objectively. Garcia added he also wrote to the clerk of court of the poll body and made a full disclosure of all the cases that he was involved in, whether he was the principal counsel or collaborating counsel or whatever nature of his appearance was. “I’m saying this early, I will not participate in these cases,” he added. Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body’s commissioners can always inhibit from certain cases as they deem necessary. “If there is conflict of interest, then concerned officials will certainly deal with it appropriately,” Jimenez said. “I believe he can do it. Actually, he should do it for the sake of his name, his reputation as well as that of his family,” said Pangilinan, who is seeking the vice presidency under the Liberal Party.

Women, human rights groups support Leni By Rio N. Araja FORMER officials and employees of the Philippine Commission on Women and over 150 human rights lawyers are supporting Vice President Leni Robredo in her presidential bid in the May 9 elections. The group believes the country needs an “extraordinary leader” like Robredo during these “extraordinary times” amid a slip in global rankings on gender equality and women due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission is the government policy-making and coordinating body on advancing the role of women in the country. More than 150 human rights lawyers are also backing Robredo’s bid, saying she is the only choice for president. “[This] has made the case for her stronger, if not, no longer subject to dispute,” the group said. It said while Robredo has only been a public official for nine years, she has been a public servant for most of her life. “She has brought her sense of solidarity with poor people, sharpened by all the time spent with them, to public office,” the group said, citing her experience at the alternative law group Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal, where she handled cases for women, children, the urban poor, workers and fisherfolk.

Story of Aeta grandpa breaks Manny’s heart

FERRY RIDE. Partido Reporma presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and running mate Tito Sotto (right) ride the Pasig ferry from Kalawaan station to Maybunga station on Wednesday after their courtesy call on Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. Also in photo is senatorial candidate Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II. Joey O. Razon

THE miserable plight of a 101-year-old Aeta grandfather broke the heart of PROMDI Party presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, as he brought his campaign to the Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga on Tuesday. Following a brief dialogue with centenarian Jungle Serrano, Pacquiao urged the Senate leadership to pass its version of the proposed amendments to Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 that will grant Filipinos who reach 101-yearsold a cash incentive of P1 million. Approved on third reading in the House of Representatives, the bill also provided for the release by government of P25,000 to a senior citizen when he reaches the age of 80, 85, 90 and 95. “I hope Senate will have time to either fast-track final reading approval of the bill or simply adopt the House version when

session resumes in May,” the presidential candidate said. At the same time, Pacquiao called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to swiftly review applications for availment of the P100,000 cash benefit for centenarians as provided under RA 10868. “Sana bigyan ng masusing pagtuon ang mga kaso na katulad ng kay Lolo Jungle. Malaking bagay para sa katulad niya ang cash incentive para sa kanilang medical needs and maintenance medicines,” said Pacquiao. Lolo Jungle, who has six children and 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren, told Pacquiao that he has yet to receive RA 10868 benefits because his case is still under verification. Like many members of cultural minorities, Lolo Jungle’s birth records could not be confirmed from civil registry records. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Binay bats for Nat’l Skills Education Council By Joel E. Zurbano FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay has proposed the creation of a National Skills Education Council (NSEC) to address unemployment by matching the skills of workers with the needs of industries and employers. “This is to address the problem of unemployment and underemployment, especially in this time of pandemic,” said Binay in a statement. The Philippine Statistics Authority pegged the country’s unemployment rate at 6.6 percent in December 2021. This translates to 3.27 million Filipinos without work. The country’s underemployment rate, meanwhile, stood at 14.7 percent during the same period.

Binay, who is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) where he serves as party chairman, also noted that more Filipinos have been actively looking for work, which he partly attributed to jobs-skills mismatches. “Schools and training agencies should be aware of the specific skills and knowledge that employers and industries need. This can be done through skills training partnerships patterned after the programs of the University of Makati,” he said. Binay said the proposed council will be composed of government, private sector, and labor representatives. The council will coordinate and advise schools of the necessary skills needed by employers and industries.

ISKO IN TARLAC. Aksyon Demokratiko candidate Manila Mayor Isko

Moreno Domagoso (center, in white shirt) and running mate doctor Willie Ong (blue shirt) along with their senatorial slate raise their hands at their campaign rally at Centro Mercato in Tarlac on Tuesday evening. Norman Cruz

Opinion Survey frontrunner is not election frontrunner

OPINION surveys inevitably give rise to leaders and laggards as survey respondents give expression to their preferences. The leaders are called frontrunners and the laggards are called tail-enders. Social Weather Stations (SWS), Pulse Asia - False Asia to its critics - and the other lesser opinionsurvey organizations insist with utmost fervor that the results of their surveys are not intended to produce a bandwagon effect - or the opposite thereof. Still, that is exactly the effect that the designation of individuals as frontrunners or tailenders produces among people whose support they seek. Despite SWS’ and Pulse Asia’s ardent declarations that they intended no such effect, that is exactly what is happening in this year ’s electoral contest for the presidency of the Philippines. The supporters of one of the candidates for that office, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. - a.k.a. Bongbong Marcos and BBM – are strongly suggesting that, with 55 percent of the responses in the Pulse Asia survey favoring the son of the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, their boy has become the frontrunner in the coming Presidential election. Come aboard the Marcos bandwagon, BBM and his gang are now saying to the voters in not-so-subtle fashion. Has a Marcos-is-winning bandwagon effect been brought into being by the opinion-survey organizations’ designation of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the frontrunner in their surveys? That seems to be the case. In media reports and commentaries on the contest for the Presidency BBM is referred to with increasing frequency as the

‘frontrunner,’ and some normally careful personages lately have taken to discussing his candidacy in frontrunnership terms. Such is the situation that a discerning observer is led to ask, as the title of the popular 1990s song does, “What’s going on?”

No one should be complicit in the propagation of the falsehood. Is Bongbong Marcos the ‘frontrunner ’ in the current contest for the Presidency? He is the frontrunner, yes, but only in the opinion surveys; he is, yes, the frontrunner in the collective opinion of 1,400 men and women composing the survey sample. But Bongbong Marcos, the Golden Age Boy, is not the frontrunner in the collective preference of approximately 62 million eligible voters. Being the No.1 presidential preference of 1,400 Filipinos is definitely not the same as being the No.1 preference of 62 million Filipinos. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not, I repeat not, the frontrunner in the 2022 contest for the position of President of the Philippines. To repeat, he definitely is the frontrunner in the voter-opinion surveys, but voter-opinion surveys are a far cry from the May 9 election. To suggest, as Mr. Marcos’s supporters are doing, that being the frontrunner in the former is the same as being the frontrunner in the latter is to engage in a grand but ultimately futile deception. People opposed to BBM’s candidacy who occasionally slip and refer to him as the frontrunner - as even some fellow-journalists sadly do - should stop doing so. No one should be complicit in the propagation of the falsehood that the dictator ’s son is the frontrunner in the current contest for the Presidency. The frontrunner he is not.

Time to shift to renewables powerless whenever global oil prices skyrocket. From this, we can easily deduce that there is a need to lessen our dependence on oil imports and, instead, explore indigenous sources. THIS week, Filipinos were shocked with the highest fuel price increase so far this 2022. On Monday night, vehicle owners queued to gasoline stations to fill their tanks to the brim. At midnight on Tuesday, the price of diesel went up by P5.85 per liter, gasoline by P3.60 per liter, and kerosene by P4.10 per liter. This did not exactly come as a surprise as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues in its second week. Last week, we also saw a steep increase in the price of LPG. Nevertheless, this week’s price hike shocked most of us as this logged as the tenth consecutive oil price increase. The Fuel Crisis Ad Hoc Committee of the House met with officials from the energy department, economic managers, and other concerned government agencies, and private entities to discuss potential solutions to these fuel price hikes. Recommendations include suspension of excise taxes, release of more fuel subsidies to drivers, increase in minimum fares, and review of the Oil Industry Deregulation Law. During the President’s Talk to the Nation, NEDA Secretary Karl Chua discussed measures to mitigate the impact of the fuel price hike to agriculture, power supply, transport sector, and inflation. These proposals seem plausible but remain debatable. What is clear, however, is that oil prices are volatile, and often we are left

There are sources available. We have various sources of renewable energy that can supplant the need for fuel. The Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates the inclusion of locally-sourced biofuels to diesel and gasoline sold in the country. Since its implementation, the use and processing of biodiesel in the country has expanded livelihood opportunities of coconut farmers and greatly contributed to the growth of the coconut industry. Pilipinas Shell and JNJ Industries have partnered with Quezon coconut farmers through their Project COCONUT to produce coconut oil for food products and biofuels. Apart from the economic benefits, various researches show that biodiesel is a cleaner and more efficient type of fuel that yields lower environmental emissions, higher mileage, and better car engine performance. At present, biofuels comprise 2 percent of the total volume of diesel fuel. Biodiesel groups and coco methyl ester producers have been pushing for the 5 percent blend volume total. At this point, let me echo their sentiments and urge the national government to consider the increase in the mandated coco biodiesel blend in fuels. While, understandably, there may be oppositions due to the possible higher costs, the benefits will outweigh the costs in the long

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EDITORIAL

Coexisting with COVID

I

T IS almost two years ago that specific areas in the Philippines were put on lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We can remember the uncertainty as we heard the first announcements that classes would be suspended, or that offices would be closed, or that public transportation would stop running.

Not much information was yet available in dealing with the virus. We were not sure if it thrived on surfaces. Suggested “remedies” made the rounds of social media. Supplies of face masks, alcohol and disinfectants dwindled. Vaccines were just a dream. Over the next few months, we saw the number of cases rise and fall. We heard many stories of heroism, but also of incompetence and abuse of power. At the beginning of this month, we found ourselves down to Alert Level 1, which is perhaps the closest to “normal” we have ever gotten in two years. Some schools are

reopening, offices are stopping work-from-home arrangements, malls and restaurants are seeing activity, and traffic is bad again.

Two years hence, the lessons are many. Certainly it is no cause for rejoicing. Across the globe, the death toll has surpassed 6 million. These are people who could still be with their families. More than 450 million have been sickened. Economies have been battered and are still trying to re-

cover. Two years hence, the lessons are many. The pandemic has exposed gaps in our health care system, and in our system of governance. It has shown us the instincts of our leaders and the ability of some people to take advantage of others during a crisis. It has allowed us to see who were inclined to defy odds to extend help to others. We had a preview of how our leaders make decisions during difficult times. We are told COVID is not yet going away. We are no longer stopping our way of life waiting for it to be extinguished. We will continue to live with the threat of the virus while we deal with other menaces as well – countries invading their smaller neighbors, politicians courting our votes, businesses staying afloat and people toiling to survive. Two years hence, we cannot yet say we are all the better for our COVID experience. Too much has been lost. The least we can do is learn our lessons well.

Senator Lacson’s disbelief

IN THE last Pulse Asia survey, Senator Ping Lacson was reported to have said that he was puzzled by the survey results because the figures did not square with what he was witnessing in his campaign sorties. He is not the only one saying this. Almost all the other candidates like the camps of VP Robredo and Senator Pacquiao are also saying it. Since surveys are all about statistics and random sampling, there is a rational explanation for the survey results but the reactions of the candidates are perfectly understandable. Senator Lacson was obviously referring to the multitude of people who are meeting him and his running mate Senate President Tito Sotto as they travel all over the country campaigning. Perhaps the better question to ask is why Ping Lacson is only rating between five to six per cent considering his record and the way his team is managing his campaign. To be fair with the good Senator, of all the presidential candidates, he is the most experienced, qualified and prepared. He has the best preparation when it comes to his familiarity with how the government works. This means that if the people elect him, he can hit the ground running. He and his running mate Senate President Sotto have presented to the electorate a well-prepared and extensively researched political platform and program of government. Yet, the electorate seems to be ignoring this, preferring to join a

run. The positive effects of investing on the development of coco diesel will not only be felt by the economy at large, but will flow even to individual farmers, thereby improving their living conditions. Apart from coco diesel, we have renewable energy sources alternative to diesel and gasoline. During President Arroyo’s administration, the use of compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel was promoted. Liquified natural gas has also been used in power generators.

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

bandwagon of candidates whose programs of government are practically nonexistent and prefer to go around provinces on motorcades instead of speaking to a live audience to explain their program of government. Senators Lacson and Sotto have also conducted a very high-level campaign keeping their barnstorming on issues and not denigrating their opponents on a personal level.

In one recent survey about voter preference, people were asked what kind of leader they want. Their response was that they prefer a strong, intelligent, incorruptible and experienced leader. If one looks at the background of Senators Lacson and Sotto, the tandem fits what the public is looking for. Senator Lacson for instance has made it his crusade to stamp out corruption in the government. Yet, this is not being reflected in the surveys. Why is this so, one might ask. Why would the public say one thing and do something different? Perhaps it is a question of the way Senators Lacson and Sotto are presenting their program of government to the voting population. Presentation, after all, even in business, can torpedo a well written and prepared program if not presented to the liking of the approving authority which in this case is the electorate. Perhaps it is about time that the Lacson campaign considered changing gear and modifying their marketing strategy. The question however, is would the two good senators be amenable to some modifications? Knowing Senator

Ping Lacson, it is doubtful whether he would be willing to do this. But it is something really worth considering. Otherwise, both will be staring at the specter of defeat come election day. The Lacson campaign must know that not all voters are intelligent and sophisticated. Many do not vote because they care what will happen to the country if they vote for the wrong candidate. In fact, many vote simply because of their impressions of a certain candidate. As we all know, there are the A, B, C, D and E classes in our society with the D and E classes constituting the bulk of the voters. Surely, the good senator realizes this and must try to woo voters from all the classes and not only in one or two which I suspect is where the bulk of their supporters are coming from. Doing this will however, necessitate a modification in campaign strategy like going down to the level of the so-called masses. Whether there is still time, of course, is something that the Lacson-Sotto campaign will have to figure out. Another reason as to the disparity between the crowds and the survey is that Senator Sotto is rating at about 30 per cent. This means that he has a realistic chance of winning. It could be that many in the crowds are Sotto supporters only. If this is the case, there must be an effort to convince those Sotto followers to support Senator Ping Lacson. But it does not seem to be the case because the surveys do not bear this out. The supporters of Senator Sotto should also go for Senator Lacson in order to maximize the benefits of a Lacson-Sotto administration if they win the election. There are just eight weeks left in the campaign and the window to be able to turn things around is narrowing. Let’s hope a formula can still be found.

Meanwhile, the use of solar panels in residences and commercial establishments is gradually gaining traction, as well as the use of electric vehicles and non-motorized means of transportation. Renewable energy sources are clearly available. However, its use requires huge investment in technology and significant support from the government. It is high time that the national government focuses on harnessing these indigenous renewable energy sources to

ensure reliable, sufficient, sustainable, eco-friendly, and affordable energy. I urge the energy department to prioritize the implementation of relevant policies on renewable energy, invest more on its development, and promote its use through subsidies and incentives. In the long run, shifting to these renewable and cleaner sources of energy will impact not only the environment, but also the local economy and the health of the Filipinos.

The window to turn things around is narrowing.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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World

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IAEA: Contact lost with nuclear data systems of Chernobyl plant T HE Chernobyl nuclear power plant is no longer transmitting data to the UN’s atomic watchdog, the agency said Tuesday [Wednesday, Manila time], as it voiced concern for staff working under Russian guard at the Ukrainian facility.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized the defunct plant, site of a 1986 disaster that killed hundreds and spread radioactive contamination west across Europe. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi “indicated that remote data transmission from safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chornobyl NPP had been lost,” the agency said in a statement. “The Agency is looking into the status of safeguards monitoring systems in other locations in Ukraine and will provide further information soon,” it said. The IAEA uses the term “safeguards” to describe technical measures it applies

to nuclear material and activities, with the objective of deterring the spread of nuclear weapons through early detection of the misuse of such material. More than 200 technical staff and guards remain trapped at the site, working 13 days straight since the Russian takeover. The situation for the staff “was worsening” at the site, the IAEA said, citing the Ukrainian nuclear regulator. The defunct plant sits inside an exclusion zone that houses decommissioned reactors as well as radioactive waste facilities. More than 2,000 staff still work at the

Zaporizhzhia alone has six reactors of a more modern, safer design than the one that melted down at Chernobyl. The IAEA said two of those were still operating, the plant’s personnel were working in shifts and radiation levels remained stable. On Wednesday, Russian news agency RIA Novosti published a video of a Russian national guard official in front of the Zaporizhzhia atomic plant saying Moscow’s forces were in full control of the site. “Currently, the plant is operating as normal. The management of the site is fulfilling its functions. The situation is fully controlled by the Russian national guard,” the official said. The official accused Ukraine of storing weapons at the facility. “A large number of armaments and ammunition, including heavy weapons, were discovered in the reactors of the plants,” after it was taken by Russian forces, the official said. AFP

plant as it requires constant management to prevent another nuclear disaster. The UN agency called on Russia to allow workers to rotate because rest and regular shifts were crucial to the site’s safety. “I’m deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation facing staff at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this entails for nuclear safety,” said Grossi. “I call on the forces in effective control of the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of personnel there.” With remote data transmission cut off and the Ukrainian regulator only able to contact the plant by email, Grossi reiterated his offer to travel to the site or elsewhere to secure “the commitment to the safety and security” of Ukraine’s power plants from all parties. Russia also attacked and seized Europe’s largest atomic power plant, Zaporizhzhia, last week, drawing accusations of “nuclear terror” from Kyiv.

IN BRIEF Clemency for disabled man on SG death row’ RIGHTS groups on Wednesday mounted a fresh eleventh-hour clemency appeal for a Malaysian man facing execution in Singapore for drug offenses, saying he suffers from mental and psychological disabilities. Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, now 34, was arrested in 2009 for trafficking a small amount of heroin into Singapore, which has some of the world’s toughest drug laws, and handed a then mandatory death sentence the following year. He was scheduled to be hanged in November but the verdict sparked criticism due to concerns he has intellectual disabilities, with the European Union and British billionaire Richard Branson among those condemning the decision. The appeal was made in separate letters sent by Amnesty International and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) to Singapore President Halimah Yacob through the citystate’s embassy in Malaysia. Nagaenthran’s lawyer Violet Netto had urged Singapore’s Court of Appeal last week to show “mercy” by allowing the prisoner to undergo an independent assessment by psychiatrists. The court has yet to issue a ruling on the appeal. Amnesty’s letter said Nagaenthran has been found “to have borderline intellectual functioning and cognitive deficits.” ADPAN said he is also suffering from a “psychological disability” and asked Singapore’s president to “grant clemency or intervene... to commute his death sentence.” AFP

China-linked hackers target six US states AT LEAST six US states have been targeted by hackers linked to China who exploited vulnerabilities in web programs, cybersecurity company Mandiant said on Tuesday. Notorious Chinese hacking group APT41 has been targeting US states in a tenacious and adaptive campaign, according to a Mandiant report. From last May to this February, the group compromised at least six state government networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in internet-facing programs including an animal health reporting app, according to Mandiant. Victims and data targeted by hackers were “consistent with an espionage operation” Mandiant said, but did not rule out that the motive could have been money given the group’s “history of moonlighting for personal financial gain.” APT41 quickly adapted attacks to take advantage of new computer vulnerabilities that were made public, according to Mandiant. For example, within hours of the Apache Foundation announcing a critical flaw, the hackers began taking advantage of it and compromised at least two US state governments “as well as their more traditional targets Manilain the insurance and telecommunicaStandard tions industries,” the report said. TODAY Mandiant researchers described APT41 as highly resourceful. “APT41’s recent activity against US state governments consists of significant new capabilities,” Mandiant researchers said. AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION The public is hereby notified that SOVEREIGN VENTURES INCORPORATED, a corporation organized and existing under Philippine laws, with registered address at Room 1504 Horizon Condominium, Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines, will be DISSOLVED through shortening of its corporate term in accordance with Section 136 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines. The corporation’s dissolution will automatically take effect on the day following the last day of its shortened corporate term as stated in the corporation’s amended articles of incorporation, without the need for the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of a certificate of dissolution

(MS-MAR. 10/17/24, 2022)

BUNKER UP. A woman hugs her cat inside a subway wagon in a underground metro station used as a bomb shelter in Kyiv on March 8, 2022. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, invoking the wartime defiance of British prime minister Winston Churchill, vows to ‘fight to the end’ in a historic virtual speech to UK lawmakers. AFP

Putin’s nuke threats are ‘extremely dangerous’ RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin is using nuclear “blackmail” to keep the international community from interfering in his Ukraine invasion, the head of the Nobel prize-winning group ICAN said. “This is one of the scariest moments really when it comes to nuclear weapons,” Beatrice Fihn, who leads the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, told AFP in an interview Tuesday. The 40-year-old Swede, who has spearheaded the group’s global efforts to ban the weapons of mass destruction since 2013, said she had never in her lifetime seen the nuclear threat level so high. “It is incredibly worrying and overwhelming.” Just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its pro-Western neighbour on February 24, Putin ordered his country’s nuclear forces to be put on high alert, sparking global alarm. Addressing the US Congress on Tuesday, Avril Haines, US Director of National Intelligence, described Putin’s move as “extremely unusual.” “We have not seen a public announcement from the Russians regarding a heightened nuclear alert status since the 1960s,” she pointed out. Fihn described the move as “extremely dangerous.” “Not only is this meant to instil fear in the whole world; it’s also meant to scare anyone from helping in Ukraine.” Countries during the Cold War argued that large nuclear arsenals served as deterrents, helping avoid conflict. Now Moscow was using its arsenal to enable conflict, she said. “Russia is using it to blackmail almost, to be able to invade Ukraine, and nobody can interfere.” The nuclear threat “is now being used in an extremely malicious and evil way, to... enable an illegal invasion of a country that doesn’t have nuclear weapons.” Would Putin actually use nuclear weapons? Fihn stressed she still did not think it was likely. But “it is not ruled out”, she said. “We are starting to worry that it might happen.” AFP

Mandatory COVID testing ‘not a priority’—HK leader HONG KONG’S leader said Wednesday that mandatory coronavirus testing was no longer a priority after plans for mass screening of all 7.4 million residents and an accompanying citywide lockdown triggered panic. Wednesday’s announcement by Carrie Lam comes after weeks of uncertainty and mixed messages from the government, fueling panic-buying sprees by residents snapping up vegetables, canned goods, frozen foods, and even over-the-counter medicine such as paracetamol, and testing kits. Thousands of foreign and Hong Kong residents have also fled the city, as the United States issued a travel advisory warning against visiting and cited the risk of children being separated from parents in COVID isolation units. But Wednesday’s announcement rolls back a late February proposal by Lam that three rounds of compulsory testing would happen, and authorities saying it would be carried out alongside a citywide lockdown and movement restrictions. “What we are doing now is planning and preparation but (mass testing) is not a priority for now,” she said, adding

that the plan for universal testing has not been nixed. “If we do it, it must be for the greatest benefit of Hong Kong,” Lam said. Health experts have criticized Lam’s administration for unclear messaging on where COVID-positive patients should go, the city’s low vaccination rates among the elderly and a lack of preparation for medical staffing and facilities. The city’s top medical adviser also came out last week to express doubts over the effectiveness of mass testing, especially since the city currently lacks sufficient isolation wards. Lam said Wednesday she was aware of the criticism, but defended her administration’s “adjustments.” “Policies and measures need to be adjusted as the situation develops,” she said. “Some people may say such adjustments are capricious – that’s a matter of opinions.” Despite two years of hard-won breathing room thanks to following the mainland’s zero-COVID strategy, Hong Kong is now in the throes of its worst-ever coronavirus outbreak fuelled by the extremely contagious Omicron variant.

WATER WORLD. A home inundated from an overflowing Hawkesbury River is pictured in the Windsor suburb of Sydney on March 9, 2022. AFP It has recorded more than half a million cases since the Omicron-fueled fifth wave kicked off in 2022, exponentially outstripping the total number of 12,000 infections the city saw in the pandemic’s first two years. It also now has one of the world’s highest

fatality rates in the developed world, the majority of deaths among its vaccine-hesitant elderly. Elderly care homes have been particularly hard-hit, as staff are downed with the virus, and Covid-positive patients are pushed away from overcrowded hospital wards. AFP

South Korea votes in tight presidential race

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SOUTH Koreans are voting Wednesday in a tightly fought presidential election with the deciding votes set to be cast by young people, whose top concerns are economic inequality and unemployment – not recent saber-rattling from the nuclear-armed North. Official figures showed high turnout of about 65 percent by 2 p.m. (0500 GMT), after record early voting, following a campaign dominated by mud-slinging between the two front runners, the incumbent Democratic Party’s Lee Jaemyung and the opposition conservative People Power Party’s Yoon Suk-yeol. The pair, both so unpopular local media have branded it the “election of the unfavorables,” have been neck and neck in the polls for months. Some 90 percent of the electorate sup-

ports one or the other. The choices of young swing voters will probably prove decisive, analysts said, adding the demographic’s top concerns were skyrocketing house prices in the capital Seoul, social inequality and stubborn youth unemployment. “I’m really worried about housing prices in Seoul and I hope the new president will focus on making people’s lives easier and better,” Park Ki-tae, 38, told AFP after casting his ballot. Both leading candidates have promised to build millions of new homes, although the left-leaning Lee relies more on public housing and the conservative Yoon on market-led solutions to the crisis. South Korean politics is famously adversarial. Presidents serve a single term

of five years and every living former leader has been jailed for corruption after leaving office. The two parties are ideologically poles apart, and observers say the key question is whether voters will kick out incumbent Moon Jae-in’s dovish liberals and usher in a new hawkish, fiscally conservative regime under Yoon. “Young voters are not loyal to any particular political party and thus can’t be defined by liberal-conservative ideology,” said Shin Yul, political science professor at Myongji University. “Turnouts and choices by those in their 20s will have a significant bearing on the outcome.” Voters, wearing masks and using hand sanitiser after the country recorded a record 342,446 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday

amid an Omicron spike, lined up to cast their ballots at polling stations. ]“What the country needs right now is change,” 71-year-old Hong Sungcheon told AFP at a polling station in southern Seoul. Polling booths opened at 6 a.m. and will shut at 6 p.m. For 90 minutes after closing, COVID-positive voters will be allowed to cast their ballots. More than a million people were isolating at home after testing positive, health authorities said. The country amended its electoral laws last month to ensure they would be able to vote. In a two-day early voting exercise last week, a record-breaking 37 percent of the 44 million people eligible cast their ballots—the highest number since the system was introduced in 2013. AFP

Business PSEi March 9, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 IPM 2 OPM 3 ATNB 4 ATN

LAST PRICE CHANGE 7 0.7 0.013 0.001 0.74 0.05 0.74 0.05

% CHANGE 11.11% 8.33% 7.25% 7.25%

5 6 7 8 9 10

1.53 7.35 0.26 1.94 2.5 47.5

6.99% 6.68% 6.12% 6.01% 5.49% 5.20%

DWC BLOOM MRC MM FERRO CA

0.1 0.46 0.015 0.11 0.13 2.35

TOP LOSERS 1 VUL 2 NI 3 MAB 4 MARC 5 ORE 6 COAL 7 NIKL 8 UPM 9 FNI

LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.17 -0.27 1.11 -0.25 0.01 -0.002 2.05 -0.39 1.15 -0.14 0.27 -0.03 8.57 -0.95 0.0076 -0.0008 3.15 -0.32

% CHANGE -18.75% -18.38% -16.67% -15.98% -10.85% -10.00% -9.98% -9.52% -9.22%

10

0.01

-9.09%

OV

-0.001

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market rises slightly; ICTSI and BPI lead gainers

S

TOCKS rose slightly Wednesday after crashing Tuesday, but investors remain edgy over skyrocketing oil prices after the United States and Britain moved to ban imports of Russian crude.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 12.15 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,989.88 on a value turnover of P10.7 billion. Losers, however, edged gainers, 108 to 102, with 33 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., climbed 2.7 percent to P225, while Bank of the Philippine Islands of the Ayala Group, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, advanced 2.5 percent to P93.25.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty Group, the second-biggest bank, gained 2.4 percent at P53.75, but Nickel Asia Corp., the largest nickel miner, fell 10 percent to P8.57 on profit taking. The rest of Asian equities were mixed Wednesday as three days of painful losses gave way to a semblance of stability, though oil prices extended gains But while the panic selling that characterized markets for two weeks eased, analysts warned of further volatility as Russia showed no sign of letting up on its invasion of Ukraine. The crisis has fueled fears that the fragile global recovery from COVID-19 will be replaced by a period of stagflation, in which inflation surges and economies flatline or contract. A crucial driver of equity selling has been rocketing commodities prices. Crude is the main worry as the removal of Russia’s output will compound an already tight market. Russia

is the world’s third-biggest oil producer. Wheat and metals including nickel have already hit record highs. Warnings that US President Joe Biden would put an embargo on imports from Russia sent Brent prices soaring to as high as $139 Monday—about $8 short of a 2008 record—before they retreated. However, confirmation of the ban Tuesday, and news that Britain would join by the end of the year, sent the black gold roaring up again. EU nations, which receive roughly 40 percent of their gas imports and one quarter of their oil from Russia, instead opted to set a goal of cutting their Russian gas imports by two-thirds. In Wednesday trade Brent was sitting at around $130, while WTI was hovering around $125. Biden’s announcement on oil also shot a hole in a rally on Wall Street, with all three main indexes ending in the red. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

1 SMPH 2 SM 3 ICT 4 BDO 5 NIKL

VOLUME 24,710,300 705,530 2,527,730 3,562,380 43,713,000

VALUE (PHP) 932,098,315 626,050,610 567,778,154 447,429,839 381,846,853

6 7 8 9

ALI BPI MBT TEL

10,201,900 3,577,590 6,138,670 160,110

380,402,240 333,155,379 330,272,981 296,133,790

10

URC

2,304,090

256,302,998

WEAKER GROWTH. A woman shops for bananas in Tokyo’s Sunamachi area on March 9, 2022. Japan’s fourth-quarter growth was weaker than initially thought, revised data showed on Wednesday, with household spending less robust than first estimated. The world’s third-largest economy grew 1.1 percent in the three months to December, less than the initially estimated 1.3 percent rebound, according to the Cabinet Office. AFP

Cathay Pacific cut loss in 2021 to $703m from $2.76b HONG KONG, China—Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday posted a loss of just over US$703 million for last year, a massive improvement on the record loss suffered in 2020 even as the airline struggled with tough travel restrictions. Chairman Patrick Healy said the company “continued to face serious challenges” and the overall loss for the year was “substantial” despite a considerable improvement in the second half. Cathay’s result was a vast improvement from its record losses of HK$21.6 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2020, which Healey described as the “most challenging” year in the airline’s sevendecade history. Cathay recorded an attributable loss of HK$5.5 billion for the full year, recovering ground in the second half of the year with a HK$2 billion attributable profit. “The exceptional performance of our cargo business, especially during the

second-half peak season, was extremely encouraging,” Healy said. The average estimate from analysts tracked by Bloomberg was for an annual loss of HK$9.8 billion. Cathay also beat its own forecast in January when it expected a net loss of HK$5.6 billion-HK$6.1 billion. Hong Kong has imposed some of the world’s harshest travel restrictions under its “zero-COVID” policy, isolating a city that was once one of the world’s largest logistics and transportation hubs. Cathay said passenger numbers were down 85 percent from 2020, with the airline flying just 1,965 passengers a day on average in 2021, and a far cry from the 35.2 million transported in pre-COVID 2019. Strict quarantine rules for aircrew that Hong Kong imposed in February 2021 were “very demanding” and had a “substantial impact” on Cathay’s travel business, Healy said. Cargo was the bright spot, how-

ever, with revenue up 32 percent to HK$32.38 billion. “Our cargo business performed exceptionally well,” Healy said, with Cathay’s freighter fleet operating at peak capacity towards the end of 2021 supplemented by extra cargo-only passenger flight operations. Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s tight travel restrictions, with flights from several countries banned, were expected to continue to impact operations in 2022 as the city battles a massive outbreak of Omicron COVID-19 infections. “We have had an extremely challenging start to 2022,” Healy said. For 2022, Cathay said it expected to operate around two percent of its precoronavirus passenger flight capacity, with the figure for cargo flight capacity remaining at less than one-third. “Though we are still facing many challenges, we have the utmost confidence in the long-term future of Cathay Pacific,” Healy said. AFP

McDonald’s, Coca-Cola also suspend their Russia outlets NEW YORK, United States—McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Starbucks on Tuesday bowed to public pressure and suspended their operations in Russia, joining the international corporate chorus of outrage over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Several of these companies, symbols of American cultural influence in the world, have been the subject of boycott calls on social media as investors have also begun to ask questions about their presence. “We cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,” the fast-food giant said, announcing the temporary closure all 850 restaurants in Russia, where it employs 62,000 people. Starbucks, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo announced their own decisions to halt or restrict business in quick succession, noting the growing human cost of the invasion. PepsiCo said that despite halting sales in Russia of its flagship beverage, as well as 7Up and Mirinda, it would continue to offer products like milk and baby food. “By continuing to operate, we will also continue to support the livelihoods of our 20,000 Russian associates and the 40,000 Russian agricultural workers in our supply chain,” PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said in a statement. Starbucks, which has 130 Kuwaiti conglomerate-run coffee shops in Russia, said all operations, including product shipments, will be suspended. A team from Yale University that keeps a list of companies with a significant presence in Russia said about 290 have announced withdrawal from the country since it invaded neighboring Ukraine, reminiscent of “the largescale corporate boycott of Apartheid South Africa in the 1980s.” About 30 multinationals still remain on the list of companies with significant exposure to Russia. Some companies, however, have noted the limits of their influence is halting business. Yum! Brands, whose 1,000 or so KFC restaurants and 50 Pizza Hut locations in Russia are almost all independently owned, announced Tuesday that it was halting operations at company-owned KFC locations. AFP

China inflation rate fell in February as food prices slowed down—data BEIJING, China—China’s factory-gate inflation eased to its slowest pace in eight months in February as consumer price growth also softened, data showed Wednesday, after new coronavirus curbs and a drop in food prices. The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, rose 8.8 percent on-year, the slowest rate since June last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), tracking a fall in coal prices. It was above the 8.6 percent forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists, but below the 9.5 percent in January. The rise in producer prices last month had been “affected by increased commodity prices globally such as crude oil and non-ferrous metals,” NBS senior statistician Dong Lijuan said in a statement. The consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of retail inflation, rose 0.9 percent onyear in February, the same level as in January. A steady fall in food prices—especially a 42 percent drop in the price of the staple meat pork compared to the previous year—has helped ease inflation worries. But disruptions to the global food supply due to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine are expected to affect prices in China, which relies on barley, sunflower oil, and corn imports from Ukraine, said Julian Evans-Pritchard, an analyst at Capital Economics. China’s leaders Saturday set a target of 5.5 percent GDP growth this year—the lowest annual goal since 1991—with Premier Li Keqiang warning of a “grave and uncertain” outlook as the war in Ukraine threatens to damage global supply chains. Analysts said cooling inflation could prompt the People’s Bank of China to provide more policy support to bolster the economy. AFP

Japan’s Fukushima region forges renewable future after nuclear disaster By Etienne Balmer and Harumi Ozawa NAMIE, Japan—Solar farms along tsunami-ravaged coastlines, green energy “micro-grids” and the experimental production of non-polluting hydrogen: 11 years after its nuclear nightmare, Japan’s Fukushima region is investing in a renewable future. On March 11, 2011, an earthquake unleashed a deadly tsunami on northeastern Japan, triggering a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant and forcing mass evacuations over radiation fears. One year later, Fukushima’s regional government set a goal of meeting all its energy needs with renewable power by 2040, a policy intended to help residents “reclaim” the place they call home, officials say. Substantial progress has been made, in part thanks to hefty financial support from the national government. Renewables accounted for 43 percent of Fukushima’s energy consumption in fiscal 2020, up from just 24 percent in 2011. But obstacles remain, from the higher cost for consumers to lingering concern over contamination. “A strong desire to never see a repeat

of such an accident was the most important starting point” for the green energy drive, Noriaki Saito, energy director at the prefecture’s planning department, told AFP. A gleaming field of solar panels now lines a coastal stretch north of the stricken Fukushima plant, in a location once earmarked for the region’s third nuclear power station, a project abandoned after the tsunami. Power from the site, which was completed in 2020 and is as big as 25 football pitches, is used to make hydrogen—a clean fuel when generated with renewable electricity, and one that Japan hopes will help it reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Fuel produced at the “Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field” in Namie has so far been used for small-scale purposes including at the Tokyo Olympics last year, and to refill locally run fuel-cell cars. “In the near future, much more renewable energy will come to the grid” in Japan, said Eiji Ohira of NEDO, the public research body managing the facility. The site aims eventually to draw renewable energy from the national grid on days when there is surplus production nationally, helping reduce wastage while

This picture taken on February 3, 2022 shows a general view of solar power generation facilities at the Fukushima hydrogen energy research field in the town of Namie in Fukushima prefecture. AFP

generating new green hydrogen, he told AFP. ‘Double-edged sword’ The Fukushima region already had hydroelectric dams, but wind farms are appearing in its mountains, biomass power plants are being constructed and solar fields have sprung up on land abandoned after the tsunami. Not everyone in the region has been won over, however.

Price is still a sticking point, according to Apollo Group, a small energy provider in Fukushima that has bolstered its renewable offerings in recent years. The price of solar-generated electricity is “a little higher” than conventional power, said CEO Motoaki Sagara. “When we explain this to our customers, they often say they prefer cheaper electricity. I feel like the understanding is still not there,” he told AFP.

Public subsidies gave Apollo impetus to switch, but Sagara calls them a “double-edged sword,” because businesses like his may come to rely on the cash and struggle without it. Micro-grids Another renewables project hoping to win over residents involves “microgrids,” where electricity is produced and consumed in the same place. Katsurao, a small village near the Fukushima plant, was evacuated because of radioactive contamination between 2011 and 2016 and now has only 450 residents, less than a third of its former population. A former rice field, used to store radioactive materials when workers conducted dangerous early decommissioning work, now hosts a solar farm whose electricity is routed directly to the village. The project has been operational since 2020 and Seiichi Suzuki, vicepresident of Katsurao Electric Power, calls the village Japan’s “first autonomous community with a micro-grid.” “The villagers... expressed a strong desire to live with natural sources of energy” when they returned to their homes following lengthy evacuations, he said. AFP

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

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, March 9, 2022 12.15 PTS. 6,989.88

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

16,801,933,576 129,645 10,726,444,324.85 102 108

UNCHANGED

33

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1950

Japan

Yen

0.008646

0.4513

UK

Pound

1.310700

68.4120

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127898

6.6756

Switzerland

Franc

1.076426

56.1841

Canada

Dollar

0.776398

40.5241

Singapore

Dollar

0.732708

38.2437

Australia

Dollar

0.726600

37.9249

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

138.4593

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266539

13.9120

Brunei

Dollar

0.730034

38.1041

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030130

1.5726

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2120

Euro

Euro

1.090300

56.9082

Korea

Won

0.000811

0.0423

China

Yuan

0.158240

8.2593

India

Rupee

0.013006

0.6788

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239234

12.4868

New Zealand

Dollar

0.680400

35.5135

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035312

1.8431 Source: BSP

Megaworld posted 36% profit growth to P9.9b last year MEGAWORLD Corp. said Wednesday net income rose 36 percent in 2021 to P9.9 billion from a year ago on the back of a double-digit growth in revenues. Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange revenues increased 17 percent to P50.8 billion from P43.5 billion in 2020 on higher real estates and office rental income. Real estate sales reached P31.1 billion, up 25 percent from P24.9 billion as construction activities picked up. Reservation sales also jumped 17 percent to P80 billion as the company launched 11 new residential and commercial lot projects with total sales value of P28 billion. “There has been a huge demand for titled lots, from both our residential and commercial offerings last year. We can see this trend to continue even this year,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said. Megaworld launched two new townships in the second half of 2021, including the 462-hectare Paragua Coastown in San Vicente, Palawan―the company’s first eco-tourism township and the 85-hectare Northwin Global City in Marilao and Bocaue, Bulacan. Rental income from office leasing business hit a record P11.1 billion as it closed around 236,000 square meters of new and renewal transactions. Office occupancy rate stood at 90 percent, a significant improvement from around 81 percent to 84 percent in 2020. Hotel and resorts business also registered a strong recovery, with revenues increasing by 30 percent to P1.9 billion. This was due to the consistent performance of the company’s in-city hotels and the opening of Kingsford Hotel in the company’s Westside City township within the Entertainment City in the second quarter of 2021. The company’s malls business continued to be affected by the pandemic as revenues were down by 10 percent to P2.3 billion “In 2021, we shifted gears from pandemic management to restarting our growth trajectory, and our initiatives on this front have begun to bear fruit. As our numbers have shown, all our business segments registered significant improvements, even as we continue to provide assistance to ensure the recovery of our various stakeholders,” Tan said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Metro Pacific raises 2022 spending to record P136b By Jenniffer B. Austria

I

NFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said Wednesday it earmarked P136 billion in 2022 capital expenditures, up 74.3 percent from P78 billion it spent last year.

Metro Pacific executive vice president and chief finance officer June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla said the power business would account for the bulk of the group’s spending this year with P57 billion, followed by tollways with P32 billion. Its water business will spend between P12 billion and P14 billion this year, while the railways unit budgeted P6 billion for capital expenditures. It said including the capex of PLDT Inc., Philex Mining Corp., PXP Energy

Corp. and Roxas Holdings Inc., which are also owned by Metro Pacific’s parent firm First Pacific Co. Ltd., total capital expenditures would reach P215 billion. Metro Pacific chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan said despite the aggressive capital spending plan, the company was weighing the possible negative impact of the rising oil prices on its business. Pangilinan said the elevated fuel prices could affect tollways business in terms of reduced traffic volume. He said while the rise in coal prices could affect electricity prices, they would not affect the bottom line of power retailer Manila Electric Co. Pangilinan said, however, that higher oil and commodity prices and electricity rates could impact inflation rate and affect the recovery of the domestic economy. “We should be on the lookout. I do hope economy will still grow despite the impact of these cost-push inflation.

If it doesn’t happen, then a slow economic growth combined with elevated inflation is not the ideal scenario,” Pangilinan said. Metro Pacific said net income in 2021 more than doubled to P10.1 billion following the gain recognized from the sale of Global Business Power and Don Muang Tollways. Core net income also grew by 20 precent to P12.3 billion last year, driven by improved traffic on its toll roads and higher volume of electricity sold by Meralco. It said core net income in the fourth quarter rose 14 percent to P2.8 billion from a year ago, reflecting improved performance despite the continued imposition of varying levels of quarantine across the country to contain the COVID- 19 pandemic, partially augmented by the impact of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law which lowered corporate income tax rates from 30 percent to 25 percent.

Manufacturing output increased 16.5% in January as capacity rose By Julito G. Rada THE manufacturing sector maintained double-digit growths both in terms of volume and value in January, as the economy continued to recover from the impact of the global health crisis. The Philippine Statistics Authority said in a report Wednesday the volume of production index grew 16.5 percent in January from a year ago, following the 21.3-percent increase in December. Data showed that the expansion in VoPI was brought about by the positive growth rates of 16 industry divisions. “Of these, manufacture of tobacco products; and manufacture of wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products were the major contributing factors with growth rates of 88.4 and 86.8 percent, respectively,” the PSA said. The value of production index for manufacturing posted a year-on-year increase of 21.3 percent in January, from a slightly faster annual growth rate of 22.1 percent in December. “The growth in VaPI for January 2022 was contributed by the upturns in 19 of the 22 industry divisions. Among these, the top contributor was manufacture of tobacco with 88.1 percent annual growth rate. On the other hand, the remaining three industry divisions recorded decreases with manufacture of wearing apparel registering the fastest annual decline of -22.4 percent,” the PSA said. It said the remaining six industry divisions recorded downturns, led by manufacture of wearing apparel with -24.2 percent annual rate.

IN BRIEF DTI proposes zero tariff on e-vehicles

GENDER EQUALITY. The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. board and management, along with the women leaders of the company, opens trading on March 8, International Women’s Day, with a bell ringing event in support of the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality program. Joining the event are (from left, by row) Capital Markets Integrity Corp. president Daisy Arce and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officer Renee Rubio; PSE general counsel Veronica Del Rosario, PSE treasurer Omelita Tiangco, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon, PSE corporate secretary Aissa Encarnacion and PSE issuer regulation division head Marigel Garcia; PSE technology division head Philip Driz, PSE capital markets development division head Mark Frederick Visda and PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran.

PSE clears Bank of Commerce’s initial public offering worth P3.5b THE Philippine Stock Exchange said Wednesday it approved the P3.5-billion initial public offering of Bank of Commerce, an affiliate of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. BoC plans to offer up to 280.6 million common shares at P12.50 apiece. The bank plans to use the net proceeds from the IPO to fund lending activities and finance capital expenditure requirements, in connection with the upgrading of its automated teller machine fleet and core banking system. Other proceeds will be used for the acquisition of investment securities to meet regulatory liquidity requirements. The public offering will run from March 16 to 22, with listing on the main board of the local bourse scheduled on March 31. Post-IPO, BoC will have a market capitalization of P17.53 billion and a public float of 22.9 percent.

FINANCIAL STABILITY. The Financial Stability Coordination Council, in its quarterly meeting, recognizes the fluidity of market conditions and assures the public that it is taking steps to sustain the recovery of the Philippine economy. The council also called on the collective effort of stakeholders as the financial system prepares for global developments which may have systemic risk implications. Leading the council meeting is FSCC executive committee chairman and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (second from left), with Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa and Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Emilio Aquino. Also in the meeting are BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier and FSCC technical secretariat head Johnny Noe Ravalo.

BoC provides banking products and services in deposit, commercial loans, credit card services, consumer banking, corporate banking, treasury, asset management, transaction banking and trusts and investments. It had a network of 140 branches and 257 ATMs as of Sept. 30, 2021. The bank engaged BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc. and PNB Capital Investment Corp. as the joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners for the transaction. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in December 2021 upgraded the banking license of Bank of Commerce from commercial to universal bank. Total assets of the bank grew 14 percent to P195 billion as of end-September from P171 billion as of end-2020. Jenniffer B. Austria

ATN Solar bares plan to list shares to fund projects By Alena Mae S. Flores ATN Holdings Inc. said Monday it plans to list the shares of solar subsidiary ATN Philippines Solar Energy Group Inc. through an initial public offering. “Based on discussions with financial advisers, the executive committee has recommended the IPO against listing by-way of introduction in listing ATN Solar shares in the Philippine Stock Exchange,” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. ATNH said an IPO would be viable for ATN Solar, given the supplemental listing rules specifically granted to renewable energy companies with the exemption of the three-year positive financial performance. “Further, the IPO route would have a shorter timeline needed to fund 100 megawatts of solar projects compared to the LBWI requiring a two-step process [LBWI and followon offering] for the listing of ATN Solar shares,” it said. ATNH said the current ATN Solar book value is at P0.90 per share, with expected listing price range of P2 to P2.50 percent share depending on market conditions. “Public listing of ATN Solar Shares may create additional liquidity and prospective value for shareholders of ATN Holdings and Transpacific Broadband Group Int’l Inc.,” it said. The approved ATN Solar’s IPO plan and associated cost of the application based on the above-mentioned budget and appointment of an investment banking group and underwriter, are subject to compliance to all rules and regulations of the relevant regulatory agencies. ATNH said ATN Solar would accelerate its renewable energy adoption given the projected power supply deficit arising from project delays related to the pandemic, the phasing out of coal power plants under UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP 26), the dwindling supply of Malampaya natural gas and the high oil prices exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war.

THE Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday proposed to cut the duties on imported electric vehicles to 0 from 30 percent as part of efforts to significantly reduce crude oil dependence in the light of the Russia-Ukraine war. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government should democratize access to cars of the future like e-vehicles to promote its expanded use in the Philippines. “We have to populate these vehicles so people may have options to using non-oil based transport. It think its about time we try to use vehicles that do not run on gas or diesel,” he said. Lopez said while this plan of action may not happen overnight, it would send feelers to vehicle dealers to start the importation of these vehicles and for car companies to bring more sustainable cars to the Philippines. “We are planning to allow more e-vehicle importation and side by side with this is the expansion of more charging sites to support the e-vehicle ecosystem,” he said. Othel V. Campos

DA set to approve importation of fish

THE Department of Agriculture is expected to approve the importation of 140,000 metric tons of small pelagic fish, such as galunggong or roundscad, mackerel and bonito in the first semester to beef up supply and stockpile for the future, in case of a prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It said stockpiling of fishes and other agricultural product is allowed to stave off food insufficiency threats that may stem from the ongoing war and plug the country’s deficit in fish inventory estimated at 200,000 MT. The volume is supposedly the second tranche of fish importation approved in 2021. For this particular importation, the government is keen on removing all nontariff barriers to expedite the arrival of imported fish. The department said numerous scenarios to fortify food supply were discussed during a cabinet meeting two days ago, including expansion of pork inventory from imports, restocking of poultry especially dressed chicken in cold storage facilities, securing rice and corn stocks as well as sugar and wheat. Othel V. Campos

Subway project hits 30% progress

THE Department of Transportation said Wednesday the overall completion of the P488.48-billion Metro Manila Subway Project reached 30.55 percent as of February this year. Transporation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the country’s first subway “is finally becoming a reality” after almost five decades and six administrations. “Delivering the Philippines’ first subway is not a one-agency affair. The fast-and-sure implementation of the MMSP requires an all-of-government approach, and one of DOTr’s most wide-ranging partnerships for the Metro Manila Subway Project is the partnership with the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Batan said. The DND and DOTr signed a right-ofway usage agreement in December 2020. “In the short to long term, DOTr will pay DND-AFP a recurring annual usufruct fee of 10 percent of latest zonal value and 5 percent of gross non-farebox revenues of the concerned subway stations upon start of operations,” Batan said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

PCA Jrs Tennis opens March 26

ON TO THE QUARTERFINALS. TNT's Mikey Williams scores on a layup against Terrafirma Dyip's Antonio Hester in a PBA Governors' Cup game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang Giga punched a seat to the quarterfinals following a 127-107 win.

WBC invalidates result of PH boxer’s defeat to Indonesian

By Randy Caluag

J

USTICE is served for Filipino boxer Jayson Vayson after the World Boxing Council invalidated his controversial decision loss to Indonesian Tibo Monabesa on Feb. 27 in Jakarta, Indonesia. “The WBC has decided to declare the fight (Monabesa vs Vayson) a No Contest and not recognize the victory of Monabesa. The WBC is hereby ordering a direct rematch for the WBC International Light Flyweight Championship,” said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman in a letter addressed to Indonesian Boxing Association president Manahan Situmorang. Sulaiman was referring to the title fight, where Vayson, despite knocking down Monabesa and showing full control of the action throughout the 10-round contest, still lost via split decision on Feb. 27 at the Holywings Night Club in the Indonesian capital. Boxing observers call it a “hometown decision” whenever a visiting boxer loses in a highly controversial manner

to a local fighter. Sulaiman said the WBC ring officials’ committee has reviewed the bout after “a grievance was presented to the WBC.” “The 10 judges who evaluated the fights during

A video grab of a dejected Filipino boxer Jayson Vayson (left) after losing via split decision to Indonesian Tibo Monabesa.

this process scored the fight in favor of the Philippine challenger by a wide margin. The WBC was informed that the panel of officials working the fight live were all locals and not a neutral one,” added Sulaiman. Interestingly, the local promoter of the bout, Holywings Sports Show, was the one that officially opposed the decision by making an open letter and asking the WBC to make a review. “We feel that the real victory should be won by the fighter from the Philippines, Jayson Vayson. Through this open letter, we hope that the WBC will be able to review the results of the match,” said the Holywings’ letter. The response of the WBC came after two weeks although Sulaiman clarified that the “honorable commission has the option to accept our ruling and change your records...or not accept our decision and keep such fight a victory for Monabesa.” But to the WBC, the title is deemed vacant and the two have to do a rematch if either one of them wants to get the crown. Sulaiman also offered an online seminar for the Indonesian judges and referees via Zoom under the WBC University platform, to help them improve their judging capabilities

Westbrook slams toxic Lakers fans LOS ANGELES—Russell Westbrook says his family no longer attends Los Angeles Lakers games because of the relentless abuse directed at him by the team’s fans. Westbrook has struggled to make an impact at the Lakers this season after joining the club last year, and is regularly subjected to heckling and catcalls during home games. The 33-year-old former MVP has been dubbed “Westbrick” by sections of the Lakers support over his poor form. On Monday, Westbrook’s wife Nina took to Twitter to speak out against the criticism, saying her family was subjected to “death wishes and “obscenities” on a daily basis. Speaking after the Lakers’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night,

Westbrook said his family now avoided going to games in person. “It affects them even going to games,” Westbrook said. “Like, I don’t even want to bring my kids to the game because I don’t want them to hear people calling their dad nicknames and other names for no reason because he’s playing the game that he loves. “It’s gotten so bad where my family don’t even want to go to home games, to any game ... and it’s just super unfortunate, man. And it’s super upsetting to me.” Asked for his reaction to his wife’s tweets, Westbrook replied: “I 100 percent stand behind my wife and how she’s feeling.” “When it comes to basketball, I don’t mind the criticism of missing and making shots,” he saiD.

“But the moment it becomes where my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue.” Westbrook said his “Westbrick” nickname was “shaming my name, my legacy for my kids.” “It’s a name that means, not just to me, but to my wife, to my mom, my dad, the ones that kind of paved the way for me,” he said. Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson has been sharply critical of Westbrook’s performances. In comments last weekend, Johnson said the Westbrook trade “could go down as the worst trade in Laker history.” However Johnson rallied in support of Westbrook on Tuesday, calling on Lakers fans to halt attacks on the player and his family.

Russell Westbrook AFP

“Laker Nation, it’s our responsibility to come together and support Russell Westbrook and his family,” Johnson wrote. AFP

Oconer, Navy try to regain top form before Ronda PH opens By Peter Atencio SORSOGON City— The cloudy weather, wet road conditions and light rains that fell once in awhile in the morning over the last two days since Tuesday, are helping George Oconer and a lot of other professional riders get used to the challenges ahead. With COVID alert levels down to their lowest, Oconer and his peers get a chance to try out the flat roads and the elements of this agricultural town before the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas fires off on Friday. Two years ago, Oconer never won a stage in the Ronda, but he still claimed the overall individual honors of the prestigious bikefest. That was before the country went into lockdown because of the pandemic and no races were held since the last stage of the LBC Ronda’s 10th anniversary bikefest. After enduring months in home quarantine, isolation and travel restrictions in his hometown in San Mateo, Rizal, the 30-year-old Oconer will be like numerous other riders from other participating teams. Everyone will try to get the “rust” off their bodies and bring back the best in themselves as they seek to find their courage and resolve, their strengths and weaknesses and the confidence to conquer the 1,406.2km road cycling, 13-team, 10-stage affair which will start in Sorsogon City and end in Baguio City.

C1

2020, are back with Ronald Oranza, El Joshua Carino, Ronald Lomotos, Junrey Navarra amd John Mark Camingao. They will also have national under-23 teammates Steve Horra and Jeremy Lizardo in their roster, with Reinhart Gorrantes as coach. Former Navyman Jan Paul Morales, who landed 12th overall the last time around, is now with Excellent Noodles, which is skippered by Santy Barnachea. The other squads are the Dominic Perez-led Go For Gold, the Reynaldo Navarro-captained Philippine Army, Marcelo Felipe’s Team Nueva Ecija, DReyna, Eagle Cement, Champ Café, Bike King Laguna, VPharma, Team Quezon Province and Team Ilocos Sur. “Hindi ko pa masabi kung kaya ko,” said Oconer, who will attempt to regain his form back during his daily workouts. “Pero kakayanin ko at gagawin ko ang lahat para makuha hanggang huli.” The first stage is a 12.3-km individual time trial around Sorsogon City, followed by a 59.4-km team time trial race. Past LBC Ronda Pilipinas champions George Oconer Third stage will be a 163-km massed start from (right), Ronald Oranza (middle) and Jan Paul Morales Sorsogon City to Legazpi City, followed by a 189.1 -km Oconer will once again lead his Philippine Navy- road fourth stage race from Legazpi City to Daet City. Sixth stage on Monday, will be more difficult, with Standard Insurance teammates as they shoot for cyriders trying to endure the various road conditions from cling glory, just like they did in 2020. The Navymen, who took overall team honors in Daet City in Camarines Norte to Lucena City in Quezon.

THE Philippine Tennis Association kicks off its new normal tennis activities when the Philippine Columbian Association hosts the Philta – PCA Juniors Tennis Tournament at the outdoor courts on March 26 to 28, 2022. The Philta-PCA Juniors is a Group 3-sanctioned event featuring the boys’ and girls’ 18-under, 16-under, 14-under, 12-under and the unisex 10-under divisions. Interested age groupers may register at the Philta online or with tournament referee Davis Alano at mobile no. 0917-9701098 or visit his Facebook messenger for more inquiries. Meanwhile, club talent Joshua Diva and France Idjao of Laguna won their respective divisions in the recent Philta CTW Community Tennis Festival at the Dapitan shellcourts in Manila. Diva edged Ralph Pagta lunan of Malolos, Bulacan 4-3 to capture the men’s elite level; while Idjao turned back Dane Basijan of Dapitan Tennis Club 4-1 to pocket the women’s elite jewel. In the recreation level, Cleo Morales of BF Homes Novaliches defeated Vince Lorenzo of Greenview Tennis Club Fairview 4-2 for the boys’ title, and Elyssa Abellera of Novaliches QC nipped Anie Mae Hipolito of Katarungan Tennis Club Muntinlupa, 4-3, for the girls’ division title. “This will be the start of Philtasanctioned tennis tournaments under the new normal situation in the country,” declared Philta president Atty. Antonio Cablitas.

Olivarez Open Cup marks tennis restart LOCAL tennis gets set for a bigger serving next week when the PPSPEPP Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship returns after a twoyear hiatus due to pandemic featuring the country’s leading players and rising stars at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat. Multi-titled and many-time national team spearhead Jeson Patrombon, young Jed Olivarez, durable Johnny Arcilla along with Vicente Anasta, Josshua Kinaadman, Mark Alcoseba, Norman Enriquez and Noel Damian, Jr. make up the merry mix of aces all geared up for a spirited battle for top honors in the weeklong championship. The long layoff only makes the title chase doubly exciting, the 32-player cast staying fit and in shape through regular training and workouts in the run-up to the staging of the event in new normal following the lowering of Covid alert levels in the country, particularly in the NCR Plus. Safety and health measures, meanwhile, will still be strictly enforced during the conduct of the tournament put up by the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala in its continuing effort to help develop the sport and at the same discover talents who could be tapped and trained for future national teams. Others vying for the top P30,000 purse in men’s singles are NJ Enriquez, Leander Lazaro, John Altiche, Rolando Ruel, Jr., Gabriel Tiamson, Stefano Gurria, and wild cards Luis Asistio, Axi Gonzaga, Rey Pascua and Aslan Carbonilla. Four others will join the cast from the qualifying phase. Also on tap is the men’s doubles, including the Legends 30s, 40s and 50s divisions with Dunlop, Rep, Eric Olivarez and the Olivarez Sports Center backing the event. The PPS-PEPP has been in the forefront of tennis development in the country the past decade or so with its annual nationwide series until the pandemic disrupted play in all sports. Meanwhile, Anasta and Patrombon, and Arcilla and Kyle Dandan banner the doubles’ field that includes the pairs of Olivarez and Pascua, and Damian and Lazaro. For details, contact event organizer and PPS-PEPP sports program development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SOUTH PREMIERE POWER CORP., WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND/OR INTERIM RELIEF AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SOUTH PREMIERE POWER CORP., Applicants. x-----------------------------------------------------------x

may not be publicly disclosed.3

Lack or unavailability of supply in itself shall not be considered as an Event of Force Majeure, unless the circumstances in Section 13.1. concur.”

24. MERALCO and SPPC hereby submit one (1) copy of each of the foregoing confidential documents in sealed envelopes, with the envelopes and each page of the documents marked “Confidential.”

10.Based on the foregoing, and given a certain set of assumptions, the effective rate under the MERALCO-SPPC PSA is PhP 6.4398 per kWh (at plant gate, VAT inclusive), as shown in the RATE IMPACT ANALYSIS below:

25. The interest of the consumers of MERALCO is sufficiently protected by the review and evaluation of the rates under the PSA by the Honorable Commission, without the need to disclose the contents of ANNEXES K-6 and series and “X and series.” The reasonableness and transparency of the prices of electricity is to be assured by the Honorable Commission through its own review and verification of the foregoing documents sought to be afforded confidential treatment in the evaluation and handling thereof. One copy each of the mentioned annexes will be placed in a sealed envelope, which will be tagged as “Confidential”, and will be submitted as integral parts hereof. 26. Lastly and corollary to the foregoing, MERALCO and SPPC would like to implore the discerning wisdom of the Honorable Commission to include in its issuance for this purpose the “procedures for handling or returning the confidential information, as may be appropriate, upon the close of the proceedings or at the end of the period.”3

ERC CASE NO._______RC

27. This is guided by the fact that MERALCO and SPPC will seek for the return of these sought to be declared confidential annexes after its utilization as evidence in this case and/or at the close of the proceedings hereof, so as to relieve the Honorable Commission of the burden of safekeeping the trade secrets of SPPC enclosed in the subject annexes.

JOINT APPLICATION WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND/OR INTERIM RELIEF AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION Applicants MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (“MERALCO”) and SOUTH PREMIERE POWER CORPORATION (“SPPC”), by undersigned counsel, and to this Honorable Commission, most respectfully state: That –

PRAYER Commission:

1. Applicant MERALCO is a private corporation existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office located at Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its counsel at the address indicated herein.

a) Immediately issue an Order GRANTING PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY and/or INTERIM RELIEF to authorize the immediate implementation of the MERALCO-SPPC PSA; b) Issue an Order TREATING ANNEXES “K-6 and series” and “X and series” and all other information contained therein as CONFIDENTIAL, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than officers and staff of this Honorable Commission, continuously protecting the said information from public disclosure by maintaining the same separate and apart from the records of the case, and ensuring that these are not divulged to unauthorized persons, and that the same will be returned to Applicants MERALCO and SPPC, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure; and

2. MERALCO has a legislative franchise to operate and maintain a distribution system in the cities/municipalities of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal and certain cities/municipalities/ barangays in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9209, and is authorized to charge all its customers for their electric consumption at the rates approved by the Honorable Commission. 3. Applicant SPPC is a private corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with address at 5th Floor, C5 Office Building Complex, #100 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., C5 Road, Bo. Ugong, Pasig City 1604 Metro Manila. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its counsel at the address indicated herein. 4. SPPC manages and controls the output of the 1,200 MW combined-cycle power generating facility fired on natural gas, located in Barangay Ilijan, Batangas on the island of Luzon (“Plant”), pursuant to, and in accordance with the IPPA Agreement executed between the Power Supplier and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (“PSALM”), with the conformity of the National Power Corporation (“NPC”). 5. In light of the anticipated thinning electricity operating margins leading up to the May 2022 elections, especially with upcoming simultaneous scheduled maintenance and possible forced outages of various power plants, MERALCO foresees a peaking capacity deficit in its portfolio from 26 February 2022 until 25 July 2022 for 260 MW, of which 170 MW is secured through this PSA. 6. Thus, in order to ensure continuous and reliable electricity for MERALCO’s customers, there is a need for MERALCO to source additional peaking capacity through bilateral power supply contracts. 7. Under Section 45(b) of Republic Act No. 9136 (EPIRA), it is provided that “Distribution Utilities may enter into bilateral power supply contracts subject to review by the ERC xxx.” 8.Accordingly, following the conduct of a Competitive Selection Process (“CSP”) for the procurement of 170 MW (net) peaking capacity, on 4 February 2022, MERALCO executed a Power Supply Agreement with SPPC (“MERALCO-SPPC PSA”), for the purchase of electric energy corresponding to 170 MW. The conduct of CSP proceeded as follows: 8.1 On 23 December 2021, MERALCO caused the first publication of an Invitation to Bid (“Invitation”), which contained the basic terms of reference, indicating a summary of the process and timelines of the CSP, and inviting power generation companies to submit an Expression of Interest and Confidentiality Undertaking on or before the deadline set out in said Invitation. At the same time, MERALCO caused the posting thereof on its website and the DOE’s CSP e-Portal, as well as posting in a conspicuous place of its principal office. 8.2 On 2 February 2022, the bidders submitted their compliance with the Bid Requirements. Thereafter, the respective submissions of the bidders were opened by the Third-Party Bids and Awards Committee (“TPBAC”). SPPC’s bid was declared as the best bid on even date. 8.3 On 3 February 2022, after confirming through conduct of a post-qualification evaluation that its proposed energy price was found to be the best bid, SPPC was declared by the TPBAC as the winning power supplier. 8.4 A copy of the TPBAC Summary-Report regarding the conduct of the CSP is attached as part of ANNEX “C”. 9. The MERALCO-SPPC PSA, a copy of which is attached as ANNEX “D” and made an integral part hereof, contains the following salient features: “2.2.

Term of Agreement 2.2.1. Subject to Article 3, this Agreement shall become effective on the Execution Date. 2.2.2.

2.2.3.

The term of this Agreement the (the “Term”) shall commence on the Operations Effective Date, and shall expire on July 25, 2022, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or extended by the application of Section 2.2.3. The Term may be renewed for an additional period of up to five (5) months under the same terms and conditions, at the option of Meralco, by giving prior written notice to Power Supplier at least thirty (30) Days prior to the end of the Term. xxx

Operations Effective Date The obligations of Power Supplier with respect to the Contract Capacity and Associated Energy shall commence on February 26, 2022 (the “Operations Effective Date”); provided that the conditions set out in Section 3.2.1 have been satisfied.

3.2.

Article 4 Sale and Purchase of Contract Capacity and Associated Energy 4.1.

Supply of Power

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from the Operations Effective Date until the expiration of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement: (a)

Power Supplier shall make Available to Meralco the Contract Capacity to be sourced from the Plant, the WESM or any other source, and deliver and sell to Meralco the Associated Energy, at the Contract Price determined in accordance with Appendix C; Meralco shall purchase from Power Supplier to the extent of Meralco’s relevant day-ahead nominations, the Associated Energy, at the Contract Price determined in accordance with Appendix C.

(b)

4.2.

Contract Price The Contract Price shall depend on the applicable load factor for the relevant Billing Period, as computed and shown in Schedule 1 of Appendix C, subject to twelve percent (12%) value-added tax (VAT); provided, that the Benefits to Host Communities Charges, if any, shall not form part of, and is excluded from the computation of the Contract Price. For the avoidance of doubt, all taxes pertaining to Power Supplier, including but not limited to the Benefits to Host Communities Charges, shall be shouldered by, and be for the sole account of, Power Supplier. Any violation of this Section 4.2 shall constitute a Power Supplier Event of Default as provided for under Section 14.1. xxx

Article 7. Outages 7.1.

Power Supplier shall not be entitled to any Outage during the Term of this Agreement. For clarity, this means that notwithstanding Outage of the Plant, Power Supplier shall make available the Contract Capacity and Associated Energy to Meralco.

7.2.

In case Power Supplier fails to deliver the Contract Capacity and Associated Energy to Meralco due to unavailability of supply from its Plant, WESM, and any other source, Power Supplier shall pay a fine equivalent to Nine Hundred Eight Philippine Peso (PhP908) multiplied by each MWh during a Day, which shall be used to reduce the generation charge to the consumers. For the avoidance of doubt, in case Power Supplier fails or refuses to supply Contract Capacity and Associated Energy despite availability thereof, then Section 14.3.1. shall apply.

Article 8. Reduction in Contract Capacity and Associated Energy 8.1.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.2., Meralco shall, from time to time, be entitled to a reduction in the Contract Capacity and Associated Energy (the “Reduction in Contract Capacity and Associated Energy”) equivalent to the reduction in the demand of its captive customers by reason of the enforcement of Retail Competition and Open Access, the Renewable Energy Law, other Laws and Legal Requirements.

8.2.

Meralco shall give a written notice to Power Supplier of such reduction at least five (5) Days prior to the first Day of the next Billing Period. Upon receipt by Power Supplier of such written notice, Meralco shall cease to have any rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Reduction in Contract Capacity and Associated Energy. xxx

12.2 ERC Approval 12.2.1. Upon receipt of the ERC Approval, Meralco shall provide a copy of such ERC Approval to Power Supplier. Power Supplier shall have ten (10) Days from the date of receipt from Meralco of such ERC Approval to notify Meralco in writing that: (i) it accepts such ERC Approval or (ii) it does not accept the ERC Approval, stating the grounds for non-acceptance. 12.2.2. In case of Power Supplier’s non-acceptance, it has the following options: (i)

Power Supplier shall be free to file a motion for reconsideration with the ERC. In case Power Supplier decides to file a motion for reconsideration, and pending resolution thereof by the ERC, the Parties shall implement the ERC Approval subject to any adjustment or amendment that the ERC may direct. Any order on a motion for reconsideration shall be treated as an ERC Approval for purposes of the processes under Section 12.2. If the ERC Approval requires any amendment to or modification of any provision of this Agreement that is not acceptable to either Party, acting reasonably, then the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to resolve the required amendment, including seeking a reconsideration by the ERC. If the Parties are unable to agree on the required amendment within thirty (30) Days from receipt of the ERC Approval resolving the motion for reconsideration, or if the motion for reconsideration is not resolved by the ERC within one hundred twenty (120) days after its filing, or the amendment is disapproved by the ERC, or approved by the ERC but still contains any material term or condition that is not acceptable to either Party, acting reasonably, then either Party may terminate this Agreement and the Bid Security shall be returned to Power Supplier. Meralco reserves the right to forfeit the Bid Security in the event that Power Supplier fails to comply with any order or directive of the ERC or to provide any document required by the ERC, resulting in non-performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

(ii)

If Power Supplier does not file a motion for reconsideration with the ERC and/or notifies Meralco that it intends to terminate this Agreement, Meralco shall have the right to forfeit the Bid Security to the extent of twenty-five percent (25%) thereof.

12.2.3.

If the ERC Approval requires any portion of the sum that has been paid by Meralco to Power Supplier to be adjusted, Power Supplier shall make the necessary adjustments in accordance with the direction of the ERC. In the event of any disallowance in the Contract Price, the same shall be for the account of Power Supplier.

12.2.4.

Following (i) a written notice of acceptance from Power Supplier with respect to the ERC Approval (including upon reconsideration under Section 12.2.2. above), or (ii) the lapse of the period referred to in Section 12.2.1. without Power Supplier communicating its acceptance or non-acceptance in writing, the acceptance date shall be considered as having occurred on the date of the written notice of acceptance or on the last Day of such period, as applicable (the “Acceptance Date”), provided, in each case, that Meralco has not filed any motion for reconsideration or appeal subsequent to Power Supplier’s acceptance of such ERC Approval and the Longstop Date has not occurred. For clarity, in case of (ii), upon lapse of the period, this Agreement will be implemented in accordance with the ERC Approval. xxx

13.2 Instance of Force Majeure Subject to the provisions of Section 13.1., Events of Force Majeure shall include, but not be limited to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(f)

acts of war or the public enemy whether war is declared or not; public disorders, civil disturbance, insurrection, rebellion, acts or campaigns of terrorism, piracy, embargo, sabotage, blockade, revolution, riots or violent demonstrations; explosions, fires, earthquakes, lightning, typhoon, tsunami, flood, cyclone, volcanic eruptions, landslide or other natural disasters, acts of God, epidemic, quarantine or plague; any action or aggregation of actions or failure to act by any Governmental Instrumentality, including expropriation, requisition, confiscation, nationalization or other compulsory acquisition; strikes, lockouts or other collective or industrial action by workers or employees other than non-manual personnel (in each instance, occurring in the Philippines); provided that any Party that seeks to invoke such a strike, lockout or other collective or industrial action as an Event of Force of Majeure must first utilize all reasonable efforts to continue performance of its obligations hereunder; and any Transmission Failure that prevents delivery by Power Supplier, or acceptance by Meralco, of Contract Capacity and Associated Energy. In case of disagreement as to the existence of a Transmission Failure, the Parties shall secure the necessary certification or advisory from the ERC, WESM or NGCP, which certification or advisory shall bind both Parties; For clarity, Power Supplier shall not be allowed to claim Force Majeure under Article 13 in case there is supply available from the WESM or any other source. xxx

13.5.

Event Not Excused

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable

11. MERALCO notes that the delivered rate of 6.5398 per kWh (VAT and line rental inclusive) is lower by about PhP 1.0016 per kWh than the effective cost of PhP 7.5414 per kWh (VAT and line rental inclusive), if the equivalent capacity under the MERALCO-SPPC PSA is to be sourced from the WESM. In fact, by sourcing the capacity through the MERALCO-SPPC PSA, MERALCO’s average blended generation rate will be reduced by about PhP 0.0185 per kWh (as seen in the RATE IMPACT ANALYSIS above) resulting in savings to consumers of about PhP 275.8 million.

c) After hearing on the merits, render a Decision APPROVING the MERALCO-SPPC PSA and the terms and conditions thereunder, including the price. Other reliefs, just and equitable under the circumstances, are likewise prayed for. Pasig City, 9 February 2022. MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY Co-Applicant Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City

12. In support of this Joint Application and the prayer for issuance of Provisional Authority or Interim Relief, the Judicial Affidavit of ENGR. WILHELMINA PLETO MANALAYSAY, MERALCO’s Energy Sourcing Engineer is attached as ANNEX “E” and made an integral part hereof.

By:

13. Likewise, in support of the instant Joint Application, the Applicants provide the following documents, which underwent the pre-filing conference and pre-filing marking of annexes w Description of Document MERALCO’s Secretary’s Certificate SPPC’s Secretary Certificates TPBAC Summary-Report regarding the conduct of the CSP MERALCO-SPPC PSA Write-up that the PSA is not under emergency procurement with a DOE-issued Certificate of Exemption Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Wilhelmina P. Manalaysay MERALCO’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws MERALCO’s Latest General Information Sheet (“GIS”) Verified Certification of True Copies of MERALCO’s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and GIS and of MERALCO’s Ultimate Parent Company, all of its subsidiaries and affiliates MERALCO’s Demand Side Management Program Write-up on the Non-Applicability of National Power Corporation (“NPC”) Certification regarding whether or not Transition Supply Contract (“TSC”) capacity and energy is expected to be available during the contractual period Excerpt of MERALCO’s Distribution Development Plan – Power Supply Procurement Plan (Supply and Demand Scenario); Average Daily Load Curve scenarios Details of Existing Suppliers Details of Power Supply Contract Utilization Details of SAIDI and SAIFI Estimation of the potential for a reduction in load supplied by MERALCO due to RCOA Write-up of no inconsistencies/differences from documents presented Documents showing MERALCO’s conduct of CSP (Annex K-6 and Series - Confidential)* SEC Certificate of Registration including the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of SPPC Verified Certification of the list of Board Directors and members of the Ultimate Parent Company, subsidiaries and all affiliates of SPPC Write up on the Non-Applicability of a Shareholders’ Agreement for SPPC The Corporate Structure showing the Ultimate Parent Company, Subsidiaries, and all Affiliates of SPPC General Information Sheet of SPPC Write up on the Non-Applicability of a Board of Investments (“BOI”) Certificate of Registration for SPPC Environmental Compliance Certificate (“ECC”) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) of KEPCO Ilijan Power Corporation (KIPC)/National Power Corporation (NPC) Certification from the ERC on the status of the COC of SPPC Write up on the Non-Applicability of a Certificate of Endorsement (“COE”) from the Department of Energy (“DOE”) regarding the Philippine Development Plan (“PDP”) for SPPC Write up on the Non-Applicability of Renewable Energy Service/Operating Contract and Certificate of Registration or Certification of Commerciality by an RE Developer and After Due Confirmation by the DOE Executive Summary of the PSA Transmission Service Agreement of NGCP and SPPC Single-line Diagram Connection Sources of Funds/Financial Plans; Generation Rate and Derivation (Confidential)*

Annex “A” “B” and “B-1”

FRANCIS DINO S. ANTONIO Roll of Attorneys No. 48145 PTR No. 8131470; 01/06/2022; Pasig City IBP No. 179335; 01/21/2022; RSM MCLE Compliance No. VII-0001788; 02 December 2019

“C” “D” “D-1” “E” “F” “G”

RAYMOND B. YAP Roll of Attorneys No. 55889 PTR No. 8131476; 01/06/2022; Pasig City IBP No. 179339; 01/21/2022; Capiz MCLE Compliance No. VII-0003278; Valid until 14 April 2025

“G-1” “H” “I”

ISAGANI C. CORUÑA II Roll of Attorneys No. 63123 PTR No. 8131478; 01/06/2022; Pasig City IBP No. 179340; 01/21/2022; RSM MCLE Compliance No. VII-0003269; Valid until 14 April 2025

“J” “J-1” “J-2” “J-3” “J-4”

EDGAR MICHAEL C. ROBLES Roll of Attorneys No. 62413 PTR No. 8131475; 01/06/2022; Pasig City IBP Lifetime No. 011798 MCLE Compliance No. VII-0001112; 17 October 2019

“J-5”

7th Floor, Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City Tel no. 1622-2260; Fax No: 1622-3550 Email: regaffairs@meralco.com.ph

“J-6” “K” and series “L”

SOUTH PREMIERE POWER CO. Co-Applicant

“M” By:

“N” “O”

JUPITER M. CABAGUIO Roll of Attorneys No. 47112 PTR No. 8123158 / 11 January 2022 / Pasig City IBP No. 06372 / Lifetime / Makati City MCLE Compliance No. VI – 0015891 / 13 December 2018 5th Floor, 100 Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue , C5 Road (North Bound), Pasig City Telephone No. (02) 8702 4579 / jcabaguio@smcgph.sanmiguel.com.ph

“P” “Q” “R”

“S” “T” AVELINO G. CEDO III Roll of Attorneys No. 54500 PTR No. 8123159 / 11 January 2022 / Pasig City IBP No. 010380 / Lifetime / PPLM MCLE Compliance No. VI-0011960 / 3 September 2018 5th Floor, 100 Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue , C5 Road (North Bound), Pasig City Telephone No. (02) 8702 4579 / acedoiii@smcgph.sanmiguel.com.ph

“U” and Series “V” “W” “W-1” “X” and Series

Financial model in soft copy containing derivation of rates (Confidential)* Cost Analysis (Confidential)* Explanation on the Fuel Procurement Process of SPPC Technical and Economic Characteristics of the Ilijan Plant Latest Audited Financial Statements of SPPC Certification regarding the net heat rate of SPPC Write up on the Simulation of the number of operating units necessary to meet the minimum energy off-take (“MEOT”) and/or additional energy/demand requirements of MERALCO

“Y and Series” “Z” “AA” and Series

Write up on the Non-Applicability of the Distribution Wheeling Service Agreement to SPPC Write up on the Non-Applicability of a Water Permit from the National Water Resources Board (“NWRB”) Explanation on the Potential Cost of Ancillary Service WESM Registration Certificate of SPPC *Subject of a Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INTERIM RELIEF 14. It bears emphasis that the MERALCO-SPPC PSA has a very competitive contract price for peaking capacity supply. In fact, such contract price is even lower than the previous offer received by MERALCO for a peaking plant. Other features of this PSA that shall clearly benefit customers include no outage allowance, and a guaranteed 100% availability of supply (for twelve [12] hours daily covering peak hours of MERALCO) due to the financial-type nature of this PSA, which is crucial in the upcoming summer season of 2022. 15. The MERALCO-SPPC PSA capacity is crucial for MERALCO’s supply requirement because of the anticipated thinning electricity operating margins leading up to the May 2022 elections, especially with upcoming simultaneous scheduled maintenance and possible forced outages of power plants, which will ultimately result in the exposure of MERALCO’s customers to the highly volatile prices of the WESM. 16. In fact, as early as January of this year, the Luzon Grid was placed on Yellow Alert on several occasions already despite cooler weather. The situation is further exacerbated by Indonesia’s recent decision to ban coal supply exports in order to protect its own domestic supply, thus, putting into peril critical fuel inventory of coal-fired power plants in the Philippines. On 18 January 2022, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) already issued a warning to the public that “thin operating margins (power in excess of demand, which is used to manage and balance the grid) is forecasted in the Luzon grid from April to June 2022 due to increase in demand during the summer, which includes the critical election period.”1 17. The MERALCO-SPPC PSA can help shield MERALCO’s customers from the looming supply deficiency because the supply availability under the MERALCO-SPPC PSA is guaranteed 100% (for twelve [12] hours daily covering Meralco’s peak hours) by SPPC and no outage allowance is provided therein. 18. Rule 14 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure (“ERC’s RRPP”) expressly provides for this Honorable Commission’s authority to issue a provisional authority or grant interim relief to immediately implement the MERALCO-SPPC PSA. Such issuance or grant will not only avert the situation where MERALCO would be constrained to source its capacity deficit from the WESM, thereby exposing its customers to volatile prices, but more importantly, the immediate implementation of the MERALCO-SPPC PSA would redound to the best interest of electric power consumers since aside from the very competitive rate, the supply availability under the MERALCO-SPPC PSA is guaranteed 100% by SPPC and no outage allowance is provided therein. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION 19. Under Rule 4 of the ERC’s RRPP, a party to any proceeding before the Honorable Commission may request that certain information not be disclosed and be treated as confidential, by describing with particularity the information to be treated as confidential, specifying the ground for the claim of confidential treatment of the information and, if applicable, specifying the period during which the information must not be disclosed. 20. With respect to the documents marked and attached as ANNEXES K-6 and series, MERALCO respectfully moves that these were requested by its TPBAC to be treated as confidential as it involves the financial proposals submitted by SPPC and the non-winning bidders of the CSP that was conducted (as discussed above). The said financial proposals include certain confidential and proprietary data and information that may be used by other generation companies in designing their offers/tariff structure/rate design in a manner that will undermine competition. 21. With respect to the documents marked and attached as ANNEXES “X and Series”, SPPC respectfully moves that these be treated as confidential and not be disclosed to any party for the reason that these contain non-public, proprietary information, data and calculations involving the investments, financial calculations, and business operations of SPPC. The data and information contained therein are part of the overall formula and process in arriving at the competitive rates of SPPC. These formula and process are specifically developed for the use of SPPC and are treated as trade secrets. If the information contained in these documents are unduly disclosed, it will seriously prejudice the competitiveness of SPPC. These documents are neither generally available to the public nor already in the possession of the Honorable Commission on a non-confidential basis. 22. In the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell Inc, 2 the Supreme Court defined “trade secret” as follows: “A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having commercial value. A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights.” (Emphasis supplied.) 23. The protection of trade secrets is likewise recognized by the Honorable Commission in its Decision in ERC Case No. 2015-111 RC: “In the case of PNOC RC, the documents sought to be protected from disclosure contains formula and pricing structures used in arriving at their proposed tariff. The prices cited in the documents were components of the proposed tariff. In fact, all three (3) documents were used by the Commission in evaluating the reasonableness of the proposed rate. In electric power industry [where] prices is a major consideration in selecting one’s supplier, it is apparent that the assumption used in arriving at one’s proposed tariff is considered a competitive leverage by one player against its competitors. Thus, the Commission resolved to treat the said documents confidential and

1

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1542057/ngcp-warns-of-thin-power-supply-in-luzon-grid-as-higher-demand-likely-duringdry-season

2

G. R. No. 172835, 13 December 2007

3

In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of the Power Supply Agreement Between Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc. – Area 2 (NEECO II – Area 2) and PNOC Renewables Corporation (PNOC RC) with Prayer for Provisional Authority, ERC Case No. 2015-111 RC, Decision dated 30 May 2017, p. 26.

4

Section 2, fifth paragraph’s letter (d.), ERC Revised Rules and Practice and Procedure (MS-MAR. 10, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment Bob Dylan will release a new book musing on the art of songwriting in November 2022

“The publication of Bob Dylan’s kaleidoscopically brilliant work will be an international celebration of songs by one of the greatest artists of our time,” said Jonathan Karp, head of Simon and Schuster, in a statement. “The Philosophy of Modern Song could only have been written by Bob Dylan. His voice is unique, and his work conveys his deep appreciation and understanding of songs, the people who bring those songs to life, and what songs mean to all of us.” Rumors of a Chronicles, Volume Two have swirled for years but fans will now have Philosophy to tide them over until — or if — that edition comes into public

New girl group poised to be the hottest P-pop act in town

A scene from Calista’s debut single ‘Race Car’

Called Calista, the group is composed of six members: Olive, Laiza, Anne, Denise, Elle, and Dain. Billed as the next big international pop (I-Pop) girl group, its management, Tyronne Escalante Artist Management (TEAM) and Merlion Events Production Inc. had to search all over the country for unique and talented individuals in order to form the multi-talented group. “We have been working together to bring to the international scene a girl group that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in t h e

Six-member girl group

C3

industry. At the moment, we are just focused on how we’re going to introduce their music to the world,” manager Tyrone Escalante said during the group’s grand launch held at Novotel Manila Araneta City Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City. The press launch was hosted by DJ Jhai Ho and featured performances by Billy Crawford and Niana Guerrero. During the grand media event, which coincided with International Women’s Day celebration, we learned that in March 2021, over 100 girls of all ages held their first round of auditions. The number was cut down to 50 percent, then 25 percent until the final six members were chosen. All of this occurred at breakneck speed and the group was formed within three months in the midst of the pandemic. Olive, the team leader of the group, came up with the name ‘Calista’ which she said meant the most beautiful or feminine.’ Since the group’s formation, the members have undergone extensive skills enhancement activities. The members spend their day training under g l o b a l l y r e n o w n e d choreographer Nesh and vocal strength with voice coaches Arnie Mendaros and Marnie Jereza. The girls also underwent body conditioning to build their stamina and p e r s o n a l i ty Calista

development and public relations classes with world-class coaches and experts. To accommodate their daily training, the members live together in one place. When they are not training, the members study online. “It’s absolutely incredible how Calista was formed and how these girls have endured training and studying in the midst of this pandemic. They’re exceedingly tough and we’re all very much proud of them. With all their hard work, we’re sure that they’re ready to wow the Philippines and the world,” Escalante added. To further introduce its music, the group will headline Vax to Normal concert happening on April 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. The concert will feature special performances by Yen Constantino, AC Bonifacio, Elmo Magalona, Andrea Brillantes, Darren Espanto, and Ken San Jose. The concert will be telecast on TV5 at 9:00 p.m. Merlion Events Production Inc. will be producing the concert while Nico Faustino will be directing the event. Dance icon Nesh Janiola choreographed the production numbers with the help of musical director Soc Mina. “The concert will also serve as our tribute concert to the country’s frontlines, especially healthcare workers who are in the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. The concert heralds the return of the country back to normal,” the group said. “We’re slowly working our way back to how things were before the pandemic. And this wouldn’t have been possible if not for our brave frontliners. They deserve all the praise, and this is our way of saying thanks. It’s been a tough two years, and we think it’s important to hold events like this concert to spread hope,” ended Anne, the team leader of Calista.

existence. Dylan, who burst onto the folk scene in New York in the early 1960s, has sold more than 125 million records around the world. The 80-year-old has maintained a rigorous touring schedule and is currently on a global jaunt set to continue into 2024. In 2020 he released his 39th studio album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, to critical acclaim. He notably won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”AFP

‘The Clash’ winners realize their dream as official GMA Music artists

Introducing Calista

B

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

Music legend Bob Dylan to release new book NOBEL laureate and folk-rock legend Bob Dylan will release a new book on songwriting in November, his publisher Simon and Schuster said Tuesday. The Philosophy of Modern Song — slated for publication on November 8 — is the first book of new writing Dylan has put out in nearly two decades, since Chronicles, Volume One came out in 2004. The beloved American poet and music artist began writing his latest book in 2010, and it’s comprised of more than 60 essays, musing on artists such as Hank Williams and Nina Simone, along with the craft of songwriting, his publisher said.

ANKING on the continuous rise of P-pop music on the world stage, a new girl group has been introduced aiming to get global attention with the release of its debut single, “Race Car,” written and composed by renowned music producer Marcus Davis.

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

By Patricia Taculao IN THE last few days of 2021, GMA7’s reality talent competition The Clash named its winners after a riveting performance from its contestants in the fourth season. Mariane Osabel, dubbed “The Ultimate Siren ng Iligan,” bagged the coveted title of grand champion with an unwavering execution of “Bakit Mahal Pa Rin Kita.” Among the rewards that Mariane received was an exclusive management contract with GMA-7, which came to fruition this month as the “certified contesera” signed a contract with GMA Music, making her an official member of the network’s music subsidiary. “Eto na talaga. Part na ako ng GMA Music and natupad na talaga pangarap ko. Kumbaga, secure na talaga,” she said during an online media conference. She continued by saying that she feels blessed for the rare opportunity and grateful to the network for its trust in her talent. Mariane was a fresh graduate before entering the reality singing contest. As she went on with her daily routine, she wanted to realize her childhood dream of becoming a recording artist. Even though Mariane’s journey as an artist with GMA Music has just begun, she already has big plans for her future. Among them is landing the chance to perform alongside the versatile and talented Filipino singer Lani Misalucha. The Clash grand winner also shared how grateful she is for the support from her family and her loyal fanbase, who encouraged her every step of the way. To show her thanks to the people of Iligan, Mariane hopes to hold her first

Vilmark Viray

‘The Clash’ season 4 grand winner Mariane Osabel

concert in her hometown and, eventually, in Araneta to cater to her fanbase in the metro. Meanwhile, The Clash Season 4 runner-up Vilmark Viray also received an offer for a contract with GMA Music, much to his excitement and surprise. “Hanggang ngayon ‘di ako makapaniwala. Sobrang overwhelmed talaga nararamdaman ko kasi wala sa plano and hindi ko ineexpect na mangyayari lahat ng ‘to,” Vilmark said. Unknown to many, Vilmark works as a full-time engineer. Before he entered The Clash, he focused his efforts on his career in the industry. Although Mark landed a contract with GMA Music, he has no immediate plans to relinquish his career as an engineer. However, if he comes to the point where he has to choose between the two, he’ll decide then. As a Pampanga native, Vilmark hopes to hold his first concert at the Philippine Arena to accommodate more fans and audiences from the provinces and the metro. However, the life of a recording artist is no easy task. Yet Vilmark doesn’t feel worried about a hectic schedule or getting tired from the process. Instead, he feels excited at the prospect of traveling around the Philippines and, someday, the world as he shares his talent. Vilmark added that it’s these experiences, among other things, that motivate him to enjoy his career as a singer. Both Mariane and Vilmark have a bright future ahead of them, and their contract with GMA Music serves as the stepping stone toward greater heights in their respective careers.

BINI, BGYO light up ‘Worldstage’ grand finals

P-pop girl group BINI

Breakout Pinoy boy group BGYO

FILIPINO talents were on full display as BINI and BGYO performed their respective hits “Born To Win” and “The Baddest” as special guests in the Uplive Worldstage Global Singing Competition, which streamed worldwide via the Uplive app. The two breakout P-pop groups from ABS-CBN sang and danced to their fans’ delight in the annual global singing tilt organized by Uplive, the

largest independent global video social entertainment platform. During the interviews before they took the stage, the girls and boys opened up about coping with the pandemic and their continuous rise in the music industry. “It’s really hard as everything is done virtually. We can’t meet other people, our families, friends, and our supporters so we try to make ourselves available through social media. We do livestreams as well. We get to communicate and connect with them through that,” Aiah shared. Their siblings in BGYO, meanwhile, are also doing well. “It has been amazing. We went through a lot of crazy things and we reached a lot of

goals we never thought we would reach. We’re with the ACEs every day and I think we just appreciate everything that comes into our life,” Nate said. BINI, composed of Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena, and Nate, Gelo, Akira, Mikki, and JL of BGYO are products of ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, and are currently signed with Star Magic, the Philippines’ biggest talent management and development agency. Since their respective debuts, the two groups have been capturing the attention and hearts of music fans all over the world. Aside from both having music videos with millions of views on YouTube, BINI was also featured in MTV Asia last year while BGYO hit number one on Billboard’s global Next

Big Sound chart. Aside from BINI and BGYO, also raising the flag for the Philippines in the Uplive Worldstage Global Singing Competition is Grand Prize winner Harvey Dave Nino from Isabela province. The gifted 22-year-old singer and performer bested 19 other finalists who were chosen from thousands of competitors from 150 regions in the world. He won a record deal, cash prize, and a hit song and video to be produced by a Grammy-winning producer. ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo was also tapped as one of the judges in Uplive WorldStage, alongside other respected music personalities from all around the world including Emmy and Grammy award winner Paula Abdul.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022

Celebrating Women’s Day every day

A

NNUALLY, every 8th of March, we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). It’s a day dedicated to the “social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. More than that, it is a “call to action” for gender equality or accelerating gender parity, as stated on International Women’s Day site. What is IWD’s origin or how did it come to be? Before it became an annual event recognized by the United Nations (UN), IWD started as a labor movement. To those unfamiliar with the (hi)story, in 1908, about “15,000 women marched through New York demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote.” The following year the Socialist Party of America announced the first National Woman’s Day. A story is also told about a German communist and women’s rights activist named Clara Zetkin, born in 1857, who came up with the idea of an international day for women at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. It was said that “the 100 women present at the conference, from 17 countries, agreed to it unanimously.” The result of which is the IWD first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. It was officially recognized by the UN in 1975, and since then, the IWD has been celebrated for women’s rights and world peace with a theme every year. Today, as stated in IWD, “it belongs to

IWD also highlights the strength, courage, and creativity of women

all groups collectively everywhere. It is not a country, group, or organization specific.” For this year, the campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. It calls for all groups, individuals, sectors, etc. to advocate for a gender-equal world — to take a stand and be part of a world that’s free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. IWD calls for a world that is “diverse, equitable, and inclusive. It calls for a world where difference is valued and celebrated. UNFPA launches ‘Here For Her’ campaign In the Philippines, there are specific issues related to gender inequality that need attention and immediate solution so that we can all celebrate and enjoy a sustainable future. Not only should these issues be addressed in a timely manner, but more importantly, collective efforts geared towards solving these problems must continue to prevail until we

For years, women have made notable contributions to different industries

achieve a world that’s free of gender-based biases and violence. In time for IWD, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, an international development agency that works on population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, launched the “Here For Her” campaign. In line with the causes that IWD advocates, “Here For Her” is a call to action campaign engaging all stakeholders to accelerate the pace in empowering women and girls to realize their rights and full potential.

IWD calls for a gender-equal world where difference is valued and celebrated Every March 8 is dedicated for women across the globe

The flagship campaign is launched to promote commitment to end preventable maternal deaths, end unintended pregnancies, and prevent gender-based violence and other harmful practices. “Every day, too many women die of preventable causes. We need gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow,” says Gustavo Gonzalez, United Nation’s Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. “Too often, the ones who suffer the most are the marginalized members of the society – women, pregnant women, children, among others. We must learn from their experience and ideas as these are important in solving problems, mitigating issues, and adapting to changes,” Gonzalez shared during the official launch of UNFPA’s “Here For Her” campaign done via Zoom and hosted by Dr. Daniel Laurel. “We call for everyone’s involvement in this campaign. The United Nations here in the Philippines along with its partners, urge for the participation of the public especially of the women in all sectors to be more involved in society. Because when women and girls have access to information, they become empowered and productive members of their communities and the society and they can be who they aim to be,” Gonzalez adds. For the “Here for Her” campaign, the theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” “Achieving gender equality is further

challenged by climate change. Women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation,” said Dr. Leila Sajii Joudane, UNFPA Country Representative to the Philippines. “Climate change is not genderneutral. It is a multiplier of existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. In the Philippines, some of the issues we want to tackle are the end of teenage pregnancy as well as child marriage. As we deal with these climate-related emergencies, we want to make sure that we are culturally sensitive, that we are inclusive, and that we leave no one behind. This is UNFPA’s commitment. And we are doing this to achieve equality and long-lasting peace,” Dr. Joudance ends. Since its inception in 1969, UNFPA has been leading in upholding the health and dignity of women and girls by preventing and responding to genderbased violence, addressing the delivery of emergency reproductive health kits, and ensuring safe childbirth, especially during humanitarian crises. These efforts are seen in previous calamities, including Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) which ravaged many parts of Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021. For more information on UNFPA Philippines, visit philippines.unfpa. org , and/or follow facebook.com/ UNFPAph/, instagram.com/unfpaph/, and twitter.com/UNFPAp

Caritas Philippines partners with Ceelin

International Women’s Month at Rustan’s

to boost immunity protection of Filipino children

CARITAS Philippines (Caritas), the humanitarian, development, and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), under the direction and supervision of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), forged a partnership with Ceelin, the leading brand of pediatric vitamins in the country, to boost the immunity of nutritionally-deficient children, most especially those living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). The advocacy project dubbed as “Pangakong Proteksyon: Immunity for All Kids”, will be incorporated in the Alay Kapwa legacy stewardship programs of Caritas, particularly under ‘Alay Para sa Kalusugan’, which is a 120-day family feeding program in six dioceses benefitting 300 families. It will be implemented by its network of social action centers located all over the country. Ceelin and Caritas’ inclusive approach will ensure that no kid is left behind regardless of gender, social status or religious affiliation. Apart from Caritas, there are also non-government organizations that will frontline the mobilization of the activities in the target areas. Fr. Antonio “Tony” Labiao, Executive Secretary of Caritas, said that the partnership with Ceelin “provides a very good opportunity to expand their legacy programs. “Salamat sa Unilab, at sa Ceelin, na walang sawang tumutulong sa Caritas Philippines, lalo na sa mga komunidad na palaging naaapektuhan ng mga bagyo.” Ceelin is one of the brands of Unilab, the country’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company. “May this be just a start of a real partnership to build our communities,” adds Fr. Labiao. Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, National Director of Caritas Philippines, also thanked Unilab for the partnership. He said, “With the vitamin supplements from Ceelin, we are very sure that it is not only the malnourished children who will benefit, even our 11 to 12 years old scholars will be able to take advantage of a fully loaded immunity protection especially now with the threat of COVID-19. We are very happy that our collaboration has the same goals—children who are healthy and protected and families having a better chance for a brighter future”. One of those scholars is Precious Heart Hinotan, a Grade 7 student from the Diocese of Kidapawan. Her family is among the 12 Muslim family beneficiaries in Sultan Kudarat. “Maraming salamat sa Unilab sa pagbibigay ng Ceelin vitamins sa amin,” Heart

said in a recorded video message during the launch of the joint advocacy. Beneficiaries especially from Visayas and Mindanao affected by Typhoon Odette are particularly grateful for the support. Fr. Raul Veneracio, Director of Caritas Jolo, extended the appreciation of participating families from Jolo and Tawi-Tawi, two the poorest provinces of the country. “Natutulungan natin ang mga Kristiyano, Muslim at mga Indigenous People na Badjao. Nagpapasalamat kami sa tulong para sa mga bata, makakarating po ito”. Other bishops expressed their gratitude as well to Ceelin for choosing Caritas as its advocacy partner. Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Cebu cited the important role of children and the youth in society. “Maski ang Panginoong Hesukristo ay mahal ang kabataan…tayo rin dapat natin ilapit ang kabataan sa ating puso sa pamamagitan ng pagsulong ng mga adbokasiya na makapagbibigay sa kanila ng kalusugan.” Ceelin’s brand ambassadors, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, will help promote the advocacy to encourage the public to take part in the program. As parents, they acknowledge the need to strengthen the immunity of children during the ongoing pandemic. Dantes cited that although good health is a basic right, access to it is limited. “All kids deserve to be protected and to have strong immunity and good health.” Rivera added that the Ceelin vitamins that will be given to the beneficiaries will have a long-term impact to their health. Caritas serves as the secretariat to 85 diocesan social action centers in the country, it represents the Philippines in Caritas Internationalis – a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations present in 201 countries around the world.

(Clockwise) Audrey Zubiri, Daphne Paez, Happy Ongpauco, Yanna Cowper during the Rustan’s Beauty Addict #GRLPWR Generation You Facebook Live event

By Patricia Taculao

Issa Litton

On the other hand, Happy believes that positivity is a mindset that needs to be cultivated to help people make the most out of life and even enjoy the little blessings that come their way. The insights from these notable personalities highlight the strength of women as they overcome challenges in life with grace and confidence. Still, Rustan’s has more in store for women as the celebration continues at the “Beauty Live” event hosted by Laura Lehmann via Instagram Live @iamlauralehmann on March 11 at 5:00 p.m. Apart from the live broadcasts on social media, Rustan’s also prepared special gifts and exclusive offers for women this month. Until March 15, shoppers can enjoy special discounts and gifts from Phyto, Palmer’s, RMS Beauty, Jane Iredale, Koh Gen Do, Sisley, Nuxe, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Neal’s Yard Remedies, and many more. Lastly, from March 11 to 13, an exclusive Gir Talk promo will be available where shoppers can use the code GRLPWR500 to avail of P500 off with a minimum purchase of P10,000. Those who want to receive exclusive deals can also become a Beauty Addict member for any purchase at Rustan’s The Beauty Source with no minimum amount required. Shoppers can also expect exciting gifts, such as earning five times more Beauty Addict points for all purchases made from March 5 to 15. Shoppers who will apply for membership until March 15 will also receive a complimentary eco tote and +50 bonus points upon signup.

IN MARCH, people from across the globe celebrate International Women’s Month to show their appreciation and awe for the women who dared to make a difference in society. Among the many establishments that joined in is Rustan’s, the Philippines’ leading department store. This year, Rustan’s The Beauty Source’s (RTBS) annual Women’s Month celebration launched a new theme title that calls women to be unapologetically bold and confident because the future belongs to women who are brave enough to use their femininity to make significant changes in society. Rustan’s Beauty Addict #GRLPWR Generation You Facebook Live event, hosted by Issa Litton, kicked off the celebrations by bringing women empowered women together to talk about their struggles, secrets, and more. Their guests include model and digital content producer Yanna Cowper; officer at the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. Audrey Zubiri; award-winning TV host and producer Daphne Paez; and founder of the Happy Concept Group Happy Ongpauco-Tiu. Among the topics that the women discussed is the time when they feel most confident and optimistic as well as how they combine their strength and femininity to navigate through challenges and make a difference in their communities to inspire other women to take charge themselves. For instance, Audrey explained that as a very optimistic person, she tends to look at the brighter side of life. Yet, this doesn’t mean that she’s unaware of the risks around her. But instead of focusing on the negative, These special offers are available in she remains positive by backing it up with the appropriate combination of work, support, Rustan’s stores, Personal Shopper On Call, and www.rustans.com. and preparation.