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FEWER JEEPS TO PLY ROUTES, SENATE TACKLES FUEL PRICE SPIKES By Alena Mae Flores SOME jeepney drivers plan to stop plying their routes next week as pump prices rise for the 11th straight week, a transport group said Sunday. In an interview on radio dzBB, 1-UTAK chair Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said commuters can expect fewer jeepneys in various routes nationwide by Tuesday or Wednesday.

“There will really be drivers who still stop operating. It's not that they're protesting or anything but they really don't make money anymore,” he said in Filipino. He said with the expected P12 per liter increase in diesel, drivers would have nothing to bring home. In its fuel price forecast for March 15 to 21, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said the price per liter of diesel could shoot

up by P12.20 to P12.30. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are expected to rise by between P6.80 and P7.00 per liter. Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president Mody Floranda on Sunday said the price shock would hurt drivers. In an interview also over radio dzBB, he asked why fuel prices rose weekly

when the oil companies do not import petroleum every week. If the oil companies maintain a 30-day stock, why does the government allow them to increase prices weekly, he asked. The Senate committee on energy will hold a hearing today (Monday, March 14) to ask the Department of Energy (DOE) and other agencies what they plan to do to mitigate the skyrocketing oil prices.

Over the weekend, Unioil Petroleum Philippines announced an unprecedented oil price hike of P12.20 to P12.30 per liter for diesel and P6.80 to P7 per liter for gasoline due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The high pump prices will take effect on Tuesday and the oil companies have not announced whether they will implement it on a staggered basis. Next page

Solon warns cost of bread to increase by P2.30 soon

By Rio N. Araja

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Sunday warned that the price of bread will go up as Russia's war in Ukraine drags on, and called for ways to keep “everyman's breakfast” affordable. Salceda, committee on ways and

means chairman, said the price of the average “Pinoy Tasty” loaf of bread could go up by P2.30 in the coming weeks as Russia and Ukraine are among the world's largest wheat producers. "The oil price impact on the price of loaf at around $110 per barrel of crude is

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 29 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Intel: Reds plotting poll strife

Claims rebels conspiring with a political group, report alarms Duterte

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte expressed alarm Saturday over an intelligence report saying communist insurgents were conniving with a political organization to sow discord during the coming election. “What I really am afraid of is the report of the intelligence community,” President Duterte said in an interview with Apollo Quiboloy, his spiritual adviser who is facing sex trafficking charges in the United States. “There's this grouping of communists,” he said, mentioning the "yellows" (dilawan) and another group whose name

he forgot, but without expounding or offering evidence. “Well of course, these communists are already [considered] a terrorist organization...The government is watching out for that kind of situation." The President also renewed a warning to politicians or groups planning to use violence to advance their political interests

in the coming elections, citing in particular the warring factions in Cotabato. “I will not allow terrorism in the election. I will not allow violence. Just campaign,” he said. On Thursday, presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson, citing his intelligence sources, said the campaign rally of one of his opponents, Vice President Leni Robredo, was infiltrated by communists. The senator added that he was still verifying reports that supposed communists front organization members were also present during Robredo's sorties in Iloilo and Bulacan—but denied he was red tagging his opponent. Next page

SEEING RED. President Rodrigo Duterte warns of a possible coalition by some political groups with communist rebels ahead of the May 9 elections during his interview with SMNI in Davao City aired Saturday evening.

Rody’s wishlist for successor: mayor/lawyer PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed hope his successor – from one of the 10 presidential candidates – is someone who is “compassionate and decisive" and, added, preferably a mayor and a lawyer like him. “First, the president should be a compassionate one, (the successor) should be pro-people,” he said in an exclusive interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired Saturday evening on SMNI. “Second, you must be decisive.” "I’m not saying it's the best quality, but one of the good qualities of a president, I hope [the next president] will be a lawyer. If you are a lawyer, you could make prompt decisions and know the repercussions," he said. Of the 10 presidential hopefuls, Francisco "Isko Moreno" has served as Manila City mayor, while Vice President Leni Robredo and Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. are both lawyers. Next page

Russian air strikes kill 35, hurt over 130 Nine presidential bets commit to attend Comelec debates TAKE YOUR PICK. Drinking cups bearing the images and names of five frontrunners in the May 9 presidential elections are sold at select 7-11 convenience stores.

Norman Cruz

NINE of 10 presidential candidates have committed to participate in the March 19 PiliPinas Debates organized by the Commission on Elections. In a Twitter post Sunday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the

following hopefuls had committed in writing to attend the debates: former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Senator

Panfilo Lacson and Senator Manny Pacquiao. Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo, businessman Faisal Mangondato, and lawyer and doctor Jose Montemayor Jr. have expressed their attendance in the debates verbally.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has not confirmed his attendance, either verbally or in writing. Earlier, Jimenez said candidates who would decline to attend the PiliPinas Next page

Du30: Rappler case for Comelec to rule

SARA PUSHES ON DESPITE BAD WEATHER NEWS / A6

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he will leave it up to newly-appointed Commission on Elections chairman Saidamen Balt Pangarungan to decide on the fate of the poll body's voter information campaign deal with news site Rappler. "I don't know what would be the take of Chairman Saidamen... I think [Comelec] has suspended it. But I have not really seen [that agreement," Duterte said. Last month, Solicitor General Jose Calida sent a letter to Comelec, asking it

to unilaterally rescind its memorandum of agreement with Rappler . Calida reiterated his claim that Rappler was a foreign corporation, and that its participation in the Philippine elections through the MOA was thus considered foreign interference, a violation of the country's election laws and the 1987 Constitution. Duterte agreed, acknowledging that the Securities and Exchange Commission had earlier revoked Rapper’s Certificate of Incorporation. Next page

THIRTY-FIVE people died and more than 130 were injured when Russian troops launched air strikes on a military training ground outside Ukraine's western city of Lviv, near the border with Poland, local officials said Sunday. Russia "launched an air strike on the International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security," the head of the Lviv regional administration, Maksym Kozytsky, said on his verified Facebook page. "I have to announce that, unfortunately, we have lost more heroes: 35 people died as a result of the shelling of the International Peacekeeping and Security Next page

‘UNCHARTED’ GETS BANNED IN VIETNAM DUE TO SCS MAP ENTERTAINMENT / B3

News

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

No talks yet on Level 0, says MMC By Willie Casas

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez told reporters he and his fellow mayors had held off on talks amid the identification of a new coronavirus variant identified by the World Health Organization as Deltacron. Asked for his own take on moving to Alert Level 0 from the present Alert Level 1, Olivarez said the status quo might be best for now. While some experts said NCR might be ripe for a pandemic exit, others still caution against further relaxing of restrictions due to various factors such as the 2022 election campaign period.

Meanwhile, the government may again fail to achieve the target of vaccinating 1.8 million more Filipinos during the fourth wave of the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" national vaccination drive, an official of the Department of Health said Sunday. Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, during a Super Radyo dzBB interview, reiterated that as of the second day of the three-day initiative, only 44.49 percent of the target were vaccinated, with 836,162 cumulative doses administered.

“It was difficult and there were many factors why we did not reach our target of 1.8 million. We might only reach around a million in three days,” Cabotaje said. Bayanihan, Bakunahan 4 was conducted from March 10 to 12, 2022, aiming to get more senior citizens and children vaccinated against COVID-19. One of the reasons for this failure to achieve the 1.8 million target was the rain showers and flooding in several areas, resulting in people not being able to go out and the vaccinators not being able to proceed with house-to-house jabs, Cabotaje said. Cabotaje said some Filipinos are also now complacent and think they no longer need the primary and booster doses as the COVID-19 infections nationwide have been decreasing. “Many are still unvaccinated, especially among seniors. It is very difficult for us to convince our seniors to get vaccinated because they say they have no-

Intel:...

rez also tweeted: "Over the course of this campaign, we have seen more than our fair share of attacks and fake news against VP Leni. But this blatant and persistent red-tagging, masked as "concern" is a new low." "Let us not be intimidated. Call out the lies," he added. Over the weekend, retired Air Force Col. Hector Tarrazona warned 1Sambayan convenor Antonio Carpio against forming any coalition with “known com-

munists.” “While I was very hopeful to see the coalition of different political groups, I was greatly disappointed to see known communists, whose ultimate goal is to overthrow the government, in the coalition,” Tarrazona said in his letter to Carpio, after joining a Zoom webinar of 1Sambayan. Tarrazona, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1968 who in 1986 persuaded the 15th Strike Wing to

ETRO Manila mayors have not discussed proposals thus far to deescalate the capital region, where 13 million people live, to Alert Level 0, the chairman of the Metro Manila Council has said.

From A1

Robredo's ally, senatorial candidate Sonny Trillanes, denied Lacson's allegations saying that Lacson's intel was wrong. Trillanes, a former soldier, said in a tweet there are no communists in Robredo's campaign team. Robredo's spokesman Barry Gutier-

Fewer... From A1

The Senate committee on energy led by chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has invited the oil companies and other government agencies to the hearing, which will begin at 11a.m. Also expected to attend are representatives from the power sector to discuss the impact of the high prices on electricity rates. Gatchalian said last week the Philippines will have to "brace for the worst" as oil prices continue to soar due to uncertainties brought about by Russia's war in Ukraine. "Nobody knows, we don't have a crystal ball that can predict when this crisis will end and as long as there's uncertainty, prices of oil and gas will go up, that's certain," Gatchalian said in an interview at CNN. "We've seen that in the past oil crises. We've seen that last year when the global economy opened, and with this uncertainty, we have to brace for the worst. Oiil prices might even reach $150 per barrel if this uncertainty persists," Gatchalian said. He said some analysts forecast the price of oil could reach $200 per barrel, but even more than the price, the Philippines will need to focus on energy security. "We have to also think of the worst when it comes to supply because in our policy, companies are mandated to store 30 days of inventory... I'm actually proposing to increase the minimum oil inventory to 45 days… and the government [can] subsidize the carrying cost because when these companies buy another 15 days, they have to pay for interest,” he said. He said the latest pronouncement of the US and the UK not purchasing Russian oil will have an impact on supply. "That will have a tremendous impact

because, where will the UK source their oil?” he said. He noted that oil prices have gone up by an average of 20 percent from 30 days ago. Gatchalian said he is open to suspending excise tax only "as a last resort" and only if the high oil prices continue over three months as it will take away about P90 billion from government coffers. "If you juxtapose that with Pantawid Pasada, Pantawid Pasada is only P5 billion. So giving out P5 billion versus taking away P90 billion is a big difference. But that should be the last resort," he said. Gatchalian said the Philippines has not discovered any major oil discovery since the Malampaya gas to power project. "We need to be more aggressive and we need to roll out the red carpet to investors because our regime is a deregulated regime, meaning private investments are welcome but we need to make it easier for them," he said. He said the country is also heavily dependent on foreign oil, which means 100 percent of its gasoline and diesel is supplied from abroad. "We import 100, almost 10 percent of our coal and that's 50 percent of our energy mix. So in other words throughout the years, we have relied so heavily on imported materials, and that makes us very susceptible to price shocks," he said. To cushion the impact to the transport sector, Gatchalian said the government is implementing the Pantawid Pasada program, which could take 60 days. "We have to also institutionalize a shock absorbing mechanism and this is the Pantawid Pasada, making sure that whenever there is an abrupt increase in prices, we can remit the cash to our drivers immediately. Instantaneously if we can," he said. He said the government needs to overcome the red tape and bureaucracy and use modern technology to immediately disburse funding to affected sectors.

Rody’s... From A1

Duterte said his successor should be competent enough to address several issues confronting the country, including the Philippines’ South China Sea disputes with China. “You should be prepared to tackle each and every problem,” Duterte said. Duterte, who earlier backed the presidential bid of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go who later withdrew, has yet to endorse any presidential candidate. But his PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has already formally endorsed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice-presidential candidate.

Du30:... From A1

He described Pangarungan as being "good" and having a "vast experience in public service.” Aside from the Rappler pact, Duterte said he believed Pangarungan would address issues hounding the Comelec, including the ballot printing which was reportedly not opened to election observation groups. Pangarungan, a former secretary of the National Commission on Muslim

Solon... From A1

around P0.40, while wheat has increased $100 per ton since Russia's incursion into Ukraine. I expect a transmission of around P1.90 per loaf over the coming weeks once milled wheat stocks begin to diminish and we start milling imports at higher prices," he said. “Because this is the everyman's breakfast, and this conflict appears to have dire nutritional consequences on the average Filipino. The oil price is already affecting some price transmission on other goods, especially agricultural produce and fish," he added. He said he expects 1.3 million Filipinos to become poorer as a result of higher oil prices this year. “Hunger may become more pervasive too, if wheat price increases do not see some abatement over the coming weeks," he said. "By the looks of it, even if Russia somehow withdraws, or some compromise is achieved that allows farmers in Ukraine to plant wheat, supply chain issues will linger because sanctions on Russia will not disappear overnight," he added. As a mitigating measure, he said the country should begin to secure its orders from alternative sources, such as Canada and the United States of America. He proposed three measures to mitigate the impact of the price increases on the Filipino diet and nutrition. "First, I urge the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council to direct the nutritional fortification of loaf bread, so that at the very least, if prices do increase, Filipino families will get nutritional value for money. Second, I am officially requesting the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that prices do not

The PDP-Laban Cusi faction also endorsed the following senatorial candidates: actor Robin Padilla, broadcaster Rey Langit, House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, former anti-corruption chief Greco Belgica, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, former Agrarian Reform chief John Castriciones, and former Energy Undersecretary Astra Pimentel. Guest candidates, the Cusi wing said, would be announced in the coming days. The group earlier said Duterte would campaign for nearly 6,600 national and local candidates starting March 25. It was not immediately clear if the President would campaign for his daughter or if he would be present in her campaign sorties. The Chief Executive said he has yet to decide whether to endorse a presidential candidate.

Filipinos, finished his Liberal Arts degree in 1971 and Law in 1976 at the San Beda College. Duterte said he did not believe Comelec disregarded the rule of opening ballot printing to election observation groups. “I do not believe it because I know everyone at Comelec,” he said. “I think the ballot is being printed at the Bureau of Printing. And I think, if there is a requirement that there should be witnesses, I am sure I have no reason to hear that this particular rule has been

disregarded. I have not yet heard of it,” he added. Poll watchdogs, including the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections, earlier criticized the Comelec for not allowing election observation groups to see preparations for the national elections. “Namfrel recommends opening up the facilities for observation during the election period until termination of operations,” it said. The group also expressed concern over the lack of guidelines to open up observation by accredited election

where to go so they don't need to get vaccinated,” she said. She noted that vaccination output remained low in the BARMM and Mimaropa Regions, having only inoculated 15,000 and 14,000 respectively during the first two days of the initiative. Due to this, Cabotaje said the Health Department would re-strategize and extend the Bayanihan, Bakunahan this coming week in areas with low vaccination rates. “We will extend the booster inoculation to Tuesday and then we will re-strategize. We know it’s hard but our health workers don’t give up. They will re-strategize in areas to reach our seniors. The suggestion of other regions is to continue the inoculation among senior citizens until Friday,” she said. Meanwhile, Cabotaje said pediatric vaccinations had a good turnout with 50 percent of those aged 12 to 17 already receiving their primary doses. support the EDSA Revolution, said there is no place for communists in the coalition. “You may have pleased a few thousand communists, but you will be losing the support of millions among the AFP and PNP personnel and their families, businessmen, farmers, and other Filipinos who have been victims of their terrorism, atrocities, and revolutionary taxation,” he told Carpio in his letter. “I hope you will correct this big political blunder,” he added. increase beyond the price transmission due to higher input costs. Without intensive monitoring, price increases tend to overshoot actual input cost increases. We saw that during the first few months of the TRAIN Law, when even products without an oil or sugar component would increase in prices,” he said. "Third, I am requesting the DOH and the local governments to work more closely to fully implement the country's mandatory feeding programs. Although there are no face-to-face classes, that does not stop LGUs from utilizing 20 percent of their Special Education Fund under Section 7 of RA 11037 towards feeding programs for school-age children. As we cannot implement these programs through schools, yet, we should be able to do them through barangays and day care centers instead," he said. “As I've warned earlier, the worst is yet to come about this conflict and its effect on Filipino families. The economy at large will be okay, I believe. We will still see good growth numbers. But the poor will suffer harder during this crisis, and we have a moral duty to make sure they don't fall too hard through the cracks," he said. “Relief to the severely distressed is a moral obligation for the government," he said. Last week, President Duterte said he was considering calling a special session of Congress to discuss a possible state of economic emergency and other recommendations of his Cabinet to mitigate the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the local economy. Senators on Tuesday supported calls for a special session to declare such an emergency, although Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi – a member of Duterte’s economic team -- said there is no need to do so yet, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine that has pushed oil prices to unprecedented levels.

Nine... From A1

Debates would not be allowed to air their electronic rally in the Comelec platform. The first presidential PiliPinas Debate would be held on March 19 at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. A second presidential debate is slated on April 3. The camp of Robredo said the Vice President will submit her formal written commitment "shortly." "But to be clear: VP Leni will be there for the Comelec debates,” Robredo's spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, said in a post on his official Twitter account. monitors of the operations in the various data centers where the Comelec Central Server, backup server, and transparency server are located, including access to regional hubs. Namfrel said Comelec should release guidelines to allow stakeholders, including accredited citizens' arms, to field observers in the various data centers and regional hubs during the election period until the termination of operations. In response, the Comelec said it was eyeing more observers of its preparations for the May polls.

DFA: 225 Pinoys repatriated from war-torn Ukraine REPATRIATED Filipinos from crisistorn Ukraine have reached 225, with the latest batch arriving on Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Foreign Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said there are still about 98 Filipinos outside of Ukraine awaiting repatriation while “a little over a hundred” chose to stay in the country because of work or marriage to locals. Arriola also reported some Filipino seafarers were still stranded in the eastern European country because of the conflict. “They are having a hard time evacuating because of the intense fighting where they are located,” she said. While the fighting has not reached the capital city of Kyiv, the DFA official appealed to Filipinos there to avail themselves of the repatriation services offered by the Philippine government. “We are really appealing to them to leave while it is not yet needed to ask for a humanitarian corridor,” Arriola added.

Russian... From A1

Centre," Kozytsky later wrote on Telegram, updating an initial toll of nine. "134 more with injuries of varying severity are in a military hospital," he added, saying the information on the toll was still being updated. Also on Sunday, Pope Francis issued a heartfelt plea for an end to the "massacre" and the "unacceptable armed attack" in Ukraine, which Russian invaded last month. Speaking after his weekly Angelus prayers Sunday, he condemned the "barbarity" of killing children and civilians, adding: "In the name of God... stop this massacre." Fires at the base have been almost fully extinguished and pyrotechnics experts were examining the debris, the governor said. The military base in Yavoriv, located some 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the city, was a training center for Ukrainian forces with foreign instructors, including from the United States and Canada. It was also a hub for joint exercises involving Ukrainian soldiers and NATO allies. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said "foreign instructors work here," although it was unclear whether any were present during the attacks. Foreign troops left Ukraine shortly before Russia launched an invasion of its pro-Western neighbor on February 24. The United States said on February 12 that it withdrew 150 of its instructors from Ukraine. Reznikov condemned the bombardment as a "new terrorist attack on peace & security near the EU-NATO border," calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone. "Action must be taken to stop this. Close the sky!" he wrote. Cruise missiles were fired from Russian planes located over the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the regional governor said. Washington on Saturday authorized $200 million in additional military equipment for Ukraine. Russia the same day warned that its troops could target supplies of Western weapons to Ukraine. Many Ukrainians have fled to relative safety in Lviv since the launch of Russia's invasion. A short drive from EU member Poland, the city is also a transit hub for those leaving Ukraine. Separately, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine said the city's airport was targeted in a strike. "Our morning in Frankivsk began with explosions. This is already the third strike on Frankivsk. They hit the airport," mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv said on Facebook. AFP

News IN BRIEF Better OFW protection via expanded insurance OVERSEAS Filipino workers are assured of greater protection amid the global health crisis with the expanded compulsory insurance coverage for rehires or “balik-manggagawa” and direct hires. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who chairs the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), said on Sunday the guidelines have been issued implementing the Expanded Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Rehires and Direct Hires. “The pandemic has left our migrant workers vulnerable to various risks and perils. By expanding the compulsory insurance coverage, we aim to extend the protection to all OFWs, at no cost to our workers,” Bello said. The insurance policy shall be effective for the duration of the migrant worker’s employment contract and assure coverage in case of death, disability, repatriation, medical emergency, and litigation. It provides for at least $15,000 in survivor’s benefit in case of accidental death; at least $10,000 in case of natural death; and at least $7,500 in disability benefit.

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

BUSINESS GROUPS URGE PH LEADERS:

Pivot to investment-driven economy

HE Philippines must now pivot to an investment-driven economy from a consumer-driven one to make it sustainable and resilient to future economic shocks, business leaders urged future government leaders in a roundtable discussion organized by think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute. “We need investments by the private sector because they are integral to national development as these endeavors create jobs, provide income security, and alleviate poverty,” said Stratbase ADR Institute professor Dindo Manhit. Manhit underscored the importance of transparency in attracting investments. “Transparency breeds good governance, which in turn creates the public

trust needed by a national leadership to bring the country forward to sustainable recovery post-elections and postpandemic,” he said. Ernest Bower IV, President and CEO of BowerGroupAsia (BGA), said the Philippines, relative to its neighbors, had traditionally leaned toward a more protective posture, focusing on protecting domestic business instead of enlarg-

ing the economy and encouraging national champions to scale and become regional and global leaders. “A new administration with confidence and a strong partnership with business can change that situation and drive new opportunities, equitable growth … creating jobs and driving more prosperity than ever before,” he said. Investment-led growth has always been the goal of public policy because it promotes sustainable and resilient economic growth, said former Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor for Monetary and Economics Sector Diwa Guinigundo.

“Investments could also help prepare economies to transition to the post-pandemic world. In particular, investments help alleviate economic scarring from labor productivity loss by helping people get back to work,” Guinigundo said in his paper, “Pursuing an Investment-Led, More Sustainable Economic Growth,” that was launched during the forum. “Pursuing policies that promote investments could therefore help the Philippines address the health and economic ramifications of the pandemic, and in the process, strengthen the economy’s traction towards early and quick recovery.”

Peace advocates urge vigilance vs. foreign forces By Nash B. Maulana

Centenarian is oldest booster shot recipient A CENTENARIAN from Barangay Bolaoit in Pangasinan became the oldest recipient of a COVID-19 booster shot in the town of Malasiqui during the fourth National Vaccination Days held from March 10-12, 2022. The COVID vaccination team led by the Department of Health-Ilocos Region and members of the Rural Health Unit of Malasiqui visited Claudio Miranda in his home to deliver his booster vax to complete his immunization against the novel coronavirus. Miranda turned 100 on November 1, 2021. He encouraged all senior citizens to get vaccinated and be protected against the dreaded COVID-19. Macon Ramos-Araneta

A SENSE OF NORMALCY. People enjoy watching the setting sun at Manila Bay on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Danny Pata

COTABATO CITY—Moro peace advocates urged the Bangsamoro government to be vigilant of probable transnational formation of allied military powers along the open lanes of the South Sulu Sea, which is feared to drag the country into a bigger international conflict than the regional South China Sea disputes. The Ranao Youth Council (RYC) said it did not want the fledgling Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to “end up as host” to the convergence of transnational military powers, with the Tawi-Tawi coves being a vast anchorage area for naval ships, amid the armed conflict in Eastern Europe. Carl Lacoto Ma-amor, RYC overall chairperson, said more Moro people have expressed fears the Tawi-Tawi coves will be used for naval anchorage, with Australia being the nearest military power.

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

We’re almost back

EDITORIAL

including Balikbayans, flying in and out of Clark International Airport. TPB formalized partnership with the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital Center (JBLGHC) for the RT-PCR Subsidy Program in Central Luzon during the ceremonial MOA signing held virtually last 23 February. “This program is part of the DOT and TPB’s efforts to promote domestic tourism with an incentive to the traveling public. Now, we will be extending the subsidy program to Central Luzon to ignite domestic travel in the region via Clark Airport to our countries’ major destinations,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones.

THE other day, the Department of Tourism announced that starting April 1, there will be no more limit to the number of international passengers arriving in all ports of entry in the country in accordance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ Resolution 164-A. The document states that submission of a negative laboratory-based antigen test result taken within 24 hours from departure is an alternate option for arriving passengers, in place of the initial requirement of a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin. In line with this, Philippine embassies and consulates will also resume visa processing starting on the same day. This development, according to Tourism Secretary Berna RomuloPuyat signals the country’s opening up to all fully vaccinated tourists from all countries, and means the country’s tourism industry is well on its way to recovery. The IATF Resolution 164-A also allows the entry of passport holders from Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR for a period not exceeding 14 days. IATF Resolution 164, on the other hand, approves the reciprocal recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates from Croatia, Cyprus, and Nepal which are among the 157 countries whose citizens can enter the Philippines without a visa under EO 408. “While our domestic tourists have been the pillar of our recovery, we are also excited to welcome more foreign visitors in the weeks ahead. Such a move to further ease our borders and recognize the vaccination certificates of other countries is very important, noting that our top foreign markets were part of the visa-free countries,” says Romulo-Puyat. To recall, the Philippines reopened its doors to foreign leisure travelers from visa-free countries on February 10. Based on the DOT’s data as of March 9 2022, the number of arrivals in the country’s main airports have reached 76,736. Of this number, 43,249 are foreign tourists, while 33,487 are balikbayans. Complementing the decision to lift the number of tourist arrival in the country, the Tourism Promotion Board and the DoT bared the expansion of their subsidy program for Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for qualified foreign and local travelers,

Safe travels. The RT-PCR Subsidy Program in Central Luzon will run until June 2022 offering free RT-PCR tests for 4,400 qualified unvaccinated or partially vaccinated domestic tourists and 50-percent discounted rate for 575 foreign travelers or balikbayans. Meanwhile, partner agencies, BCDA and JBLMGH, expressed their full support and cooperation for the successful implementation of the program. TPB-DOT RT-PCR Subsidy Program was launched in December 2020 as part of the recovery program of the agencies with Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) and University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UPPGH) as partner health facilities. To date, the program has benefitted more than 45,100 qualified domestic tourists. With this expansion, TPB and DOT are optimistic that it will harness and restore confidence of the public to travel particularly in regions 1, 2 and 3 and also sustain the newly revived flights from Clark to Boracay and Cebu, bringing in a total of 5,884 travelers moving domestically every month. The virus may still be here and some restrictions might still be in place, but at least, we are now slowly easing our way back to the old normal, especially on the tourism front. It seems we’re almost back. Anyway, to avail RT-PCR test, travelers must first register online to pre-schedule at https://www.tpb. gov.ph/r tpcr travel-centralluzon / and submit a valid governmentissued identification card, proof of hotel booking in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment, and proof of mode of travel such as airline or bus ticket. Happy and safe travels!

These bean counters don’t care

HERE is no education like adversity, the British statesman Benjamin Disraeli said. By that measure, we surely must have learned many valuable lessons in the last two years living under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sadly, however, the government seems bent on discarding one of the most valuable lessons we learned while in lockdown— that a substantial number of workers could do their jobs productively from home. Doing so kept employees safe, since they could work in relative isolation, remotely. There were subsidiary benefits as well. Workers no longer had to waste one or two agonizing hours commuting to and from their place of work, and therefore were more physically and mentally fit to provide a full day’s work. Earlier this month, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) rejected a petition from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to extend workfrom-home arrangements for registered information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, in view of rapidly rising fuel prices. But the Department of Finance (DOF) has been adamant that these companies located in economic zones—who were allowed to let 90 percent of their employees work from home during the pandemic— would no longer be allowed to do so after March 31, on pain of losing their tax incentives.

It’s the bottom line. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the work-from-home arrangement was “only a time-bound temporary measure” to deal with the surge of COVID-19 cases. “Given the increasing vaccination rate of Filipinos nationwide, we can now undertake safe measures for physical reporting of employees, including those working in the IT-BPM firms operating within ecozones and freeports.” Dominguez added that returning on-site would “pave the way for the recovery of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that depend on IT-BPM employees for their livelihood.” The response, unfortunately, is typical of the shortsightedness of the President’s economic team, that looks at short-term signs of recovery but ignores the long-term costs. Over the last two years, BPO and other office workers have shown they can be as productive if not more so working from

home than onsite. Giving these workers the option to work from home would not only ease traffic on our crowded streets, it would save a lot in fuel costs and relieve workers of the stress of commuting. These are concrete benefits whether or not there is a pandemic. The suggestion that compelling call center workers to return to work onsite would somehow save local micro, small and medium enterprises that depend on them for their livelihood is frankly ludicrous. These workers would spend on food, clothing and services, regardless of whether they go to work or work from home. This bean-counting mentality, unfortunately, is also being applied to calls to suspend excise taxes on fuel, in view of the dramatic price spiral in oil prices. The President’s economic team argues that doing so would cost the government P131 billion in revenues—without mentioning the windfall gains it would get from value-added taxes. Instead, the Department of Finance (DOF) says it favors “targeted” subsidies for drivers and operators of public utility vehicles, farmers and fishermen—blithely ignoring the fact that none of these measures will provide a whit of relief to ordinary working Filipinos who do not fall into any of those categories. All of this goes to show that the bean counters in the President’s economic team don’t really care about the welfare of ordinary working Filipinos. All they care about is their bottom line.

Fuel tax windfalls are insensitive EXPERTS say that the unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia, one of the major producers of oil and source of raw material indispensable to many industries, will have serious repercussions to the global economy. Rising fuel prices will affect our daily transportation expenses and the cost of operations of all sectors, most sensitive of which is the power sector which is largely dependent on imported fuel. In a meeting with the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA), the Department of Energy (DOE) warned that the impact of rising fuel prices alone could reach P9 per kWh – given the March 3 coal prices at US$446 per ton. PIPPA has already sought for intervention to avoid substantial increases in electricity rates. It is important to note that not all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives source the majority of their supply from coal power plants. The government should also carefully assess the impact of the surge in international oil prices on natural gas plants powered by the Malampaya facility. While the current share of coal is about 57 percent of the country’s generation mix, natural gas in Luzon, where the most productive regions are located, accounts for 27 percent (DOE 2020 Power Statistics). Although indigenous, Malampaya natural gas is priced in US dollars and indexed to international crude oil prices, hence it is affected by movements in international prices and peso depreciation. This means that millions of Meralco customers and distribution utilities are more exposed to the surge in international crude oil prices since Malampaya natural gas forms at least a third of its supply (MERALCO FY 2021 Financial and

Operating Results Presentation). Consumer group CitizenWatch Philippines, as well as transportation and industry leaders, are clamoring for urgent government intervention to ease the burden of soaring fuel and the consequent inflationary domino effect on commodities and electricity prices and other utilities. A temporary reprieve by suspending the Value Added Tax, (VAT) and excise tax on oil and coal is the common outcry.

These are really hard times. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has also recommended to the DOE to freeze further increases in Malampaya Natural gas prices. To put this in context, when international crude oil prices were at $42/Bbl (one barrel) in 2020 (World Bank Commodity “Pink Sheet” data), Malampaya natural gas price was at $6.7/GJ (One gigajoule of natural gas is approximately equivalent to 27 liters of fuel oil). In 2021, when oil increased to about $69/Bbl, Malampaya natural gas price was at $7.5/GJ. On March 7, 2022, Brent Crude soared to $130/BBl due to fears of a US and Europe ban on Russian products and delayed Iran nuclear talks. As Malampaya natural gas price adjusts quarterly, these increases will be charged to generators using Malampaya gas beginning April 2022, which will then be reflected in the May 2022 generation charge to end-users. According to Service Contract 38 of the Malampaya Project, the national government is entitled to a 60-percent share of net proceeds from Malampaya’s operations. Indexed to international crude oil prices in US dollars, higher crude oil prices and peso depreciation will also increase the government royalties.

According to DBM data, in 2019, royalties from Malampaya recorded as non-tax revenues were at P26.569 billion, and P19.079 billion in 2020. Since these royalties come from us consumers, it is but reasonable that we should benefit from these royalties. Before the full impact of extraordinary increases in fuel prices hits the country, the government must help unburden consumers by maintaining the Malampaya natural gas price at levels that will preserve 2021 royalties and utilize the Malampaya fund to subsidize electricity end-users. Even before the recent fuel price surges, power prices were already expected to rise this summer due to the tight power supply situation. Government should immediately start discussions with the Malampaya operator to freeze Malampaya prices. Otherwise, Malampaya prices will certainly increase this April 2022. If the government will use Malampaya royalties to subsidize consumers’ electric bills, the government’s economic managers should already start working on how the subsidy will reach consumers in time before seasonal consumption peaks in May and June. Power supply during the elections is critical. Based on the DOE’s power outlook last January 25, the worst-case scenarios there may be Yellow Alerts during Weeks of April 18-24, April 25-May 1, May 30June 5, and Red Alerts on weeks of May 16-22 and May 23-29. No alert expected on election week because of anticipated low demand given the non-working holiday, hopefully. The DOE is banking on GN Power Dinginin’s Unit 2 (668MW) coal plant to augment supply during its testing and commissioning period expected during the 2nd quarter – if there are no delays. Given the already dire situation of the large majority of Filipino consumers, the government should forego the tax revenue windfalls from souring fuel prices which would be insensitive during these hard times.

Amid pandemic and oil price woes, private jet business booms By Nathalie Olof-Ors AIRLINES may find themselves swept up in unprecedented turbulence— with air travel shunned over climate concerns, plagued by pandemic shutdowns and soaring oil prices. For private jet operators, however, business is booming. The appeal of private jets has taken off since the start of the pandemic, amid fear of catching COVID-19 and as widespread cancellations and stringent measures have turned flying commercial into a logistics headache. “The impact of COVID really forced people to look elsewhere for their travel needs,” said Philippe Scalabrini, who heads the southern European division of the international private aviation company VistaJet. “Anyone who can afford it wants an entire plane at their disposal,” he told AFP, adding that “private aviation, as whole, has had an incredible surge of demand over the past two years.” Numbers from air traffic regulator

Eurocontrol appear to confirm that. It found that private air travel nearly doubled its global market share between 2019 and 2021, when it stood at 12 percent. Luxury Standing inside the newest addition to the VistaJet fleet, the Global 7500 built by Canadian business jet maker Bombardier, Scalabrini showed off what air travel can look like in that exclusive market. Aboard the luxury plane, costing a whopping $72 million (65 million euros), clients can enjoy plush creamcoloured leather chairs, a large double bed, and wine tasting. To limit jet lag, the cabin pressure can be better regulated than on commercial flights, allowing clients to sleep as soundly “as at their cabin in SaintMoritz,” the chic Alpine ski resort, Scalabrini said. And their pets can travel in luxury as well, with toys and treats on demand. With annual contracts starting at 500,000 euros ($550,000), VistaJet’s

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Private air travel nearly doubled its global market share between 2019 and 2021. target audience includes wealthy individuals and business leaders, with growing numbers from the tech sector. “Obviously we see the evolution of clients following the macro-trends we see in the world,” Scalabrini said. ‘The COVID effect’ More than anything, the pandemic has driven the latest upsurge in demand. Scalabrini said “the Covid effect” last year helped VistaJet swell the number of flying hours sold by 90 percent. And the company, founded in 2004 by Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, announced last month the purchase of Air Hamburg, in a move it said would help grow its flying hours by another 30 percent.

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That announcement, however, landed just three days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Western countries unleashed a slew of harsh sanctions, sparking panic on markets and sending oil prices soaring. Scalabrini said it was “a bit early” to determine how the crisis would affect his company. “At the moment we cannot fly to Russia, we cannot fly to Ukraine unfortunately, so obviously there is an impact, but it’s a minimal impact,” he said, pointing out that Russian clients made up less than five percent of VistaJet’s turnover. “We’ve got clients all over the world.” Image issue While private jet companies may weather the crises currently gutting commercial aviation, they face the same outrage over air travel’s outsized contribution to climate change. A private jet flight pollutes 10 times more than a commercial flight, according to the Transport and Environment NGO.

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Environmental questions will in the long term be one of the biggest challenges facing business air travel, Philippe Berland, an air transport specialist with the Sia Partners consulting firm, told AFP. In the short term, however, he said the immediate question would be how the sector manages to absorb soaring oil prices, and also whether private jet companies can hold onto the clients they gained during the pandemic as commercial flights return to normal. “In this sector, where an hour of flying time is already very expensive, price is not the only factor,” Berland said, suggesting that some of the newly won clients may have grown accustomed to the ease and speed of departures with private jets. Pascal Fabre, aviation expert with the Alix Partners consultancy, said the sector was not very sensitive to rising oil prices. When you buy a plane “for several tens of millions of dollars,” he told AFP, “the fuel bill is not an issue.” AFP

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The lonely envoy: Moscow’s UN man finds himself on the defensive IT WAS the middle of an emergency session of the UN Security Council, late on the evening of February 23, and Vassily Nebenzia looked shaken – his face pale, his shoulders sagging. Russia, the country he represents at the United Nations, had just invaded Ukraine, sending shock waves around the world V a s s i l y that continue to reverberate today. At 60, Nebenzia—a bald man, massively built, who wears thin-framed glasses and often fiddles with his watch— was chairing the Council. It was a shocking first for the UN: The man presiding over the august body dedicated to defending global peace was also the representative of a nuclear power now waging war against a democracy. Did he know, when he opened the session and sat listening as his colleagues delivered impassioned pleas for Moscow to pull back the armed forces surrounding much of Ukraine – that they had already invaded? More generally, does he believe the words in the speeches he reads? “I don’t know, but I believe not,” one

PROTEST ACTION. Demonstrators carrying a giant Ukrainian flag march on the Santa Monica Pier during a rally in support of Ukraine in Santa Monica, California. AFP

UN: Multiple meetings

this week on Ukraine T HE United Nations will have multiple meetings this week about Russia’s war in Ukraine, though it is unclear if they will lead to the adoption of an official text, diplomats said.

On Monday, the Security Council will discuss the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Polish foreign minister Zbigniew Rau is expected to speak during the session, one of the diplomatic sources told AFP Saturday. Although this is an annual meeting, it will place special focus on the war in Ukraine and will likely see fresh calls for peace. For two weeks, a French-Mexican draft resolution on humanitarian aid has been debated by some council members. Members originally hoped to vote on the text in early March, but a date for a vote has not yet been set. On Friday, China’s ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun

told AFP he had not yet seen a finalized text. According to the draft version, obtained by AFP, the council would deplore “the dire humanitarian consequences of the hostilities against Ukraine.” The body would demand an “immediate cessation of hostilities,” particularly all attacks on civilians. The text would also require the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel and “persons in vulnerable situations” such as children. The draft is at risk of being vetoed by Russia, which has been rejecting all political texts, according to diplomats—some of whom have suggested the draft be submitted directly to the UN General Assembly. There is no veto power in the larger forum, but resolutions passed by the assembly are not binding like those passed by the Council. On March 2, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution that “deplores” Russia’s invasion of its neighbor and “demands” the immediate withdrawal of troops. A total of 141 countries voted in favor of the resolution and five against, with 35 abstaining. AFP

Millions locked down as China wrestles worst COVID outbreak MILLIONS of people across China endured lockdowns on Sunday as virus cases doubled to nearly 3,400 and anxiety mounted over the resilience of the country’s “zero-COVID” approach in the face of the worst outbreak in two years. A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai, lock down central neighborhoods in the southern tech powerhouse of Shenzhen as well as whole northeastern cities, as almost 18 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants. The city of Jilin – center of the outbreak in the northeast – was partially locked down Saturday, while residents of Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, were confined to their homes Sunday. China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has maintained a strict “zero-COVID” policy enforced by swift lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing when clusters have emerged. But the latest flare-up, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant and a spike in asymptomatic cases, is testing the efficacy of that approach. Zhang Yan, an official with the Jilin provincial health commission, conceded that local authorities’ virus response so far had been lacking. “The emergency response mechanism in some areas is not robust enough,” he said at a press briefing on Sunday. “There is insufficient understanding of the characteristics of the Omicron variant... and judgment has been inaccurate.” AFP

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF LINDA MARIE KOO REYNOLDS to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is LINDA MARIE KOO REYNOLDS, but I have also been known since childhood as _____ or I have been N/A . judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is 1332 PALM AVE., DASMARIÑAS VILLAGE City/Municipality of MAKATI CITY Province of METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 3. I was born on 20 MAY 1953, in STA MESA, MANILA Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 4. My father's name is WELLINGTON KOO, JR. and he was born on 30 JANUARY 1922, in WASHINGTON DC USA. He is a citizen or subject of CHINA. My mother's name is LOURDES TINSAY KOO and she was born on 31 OCTOBER 1924 in BALIUAG, BULACAN. She is a citizen or subject of PHILIPPINES. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is HOUSEWIFE and from which I derive an average annual income of N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A . (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:BS SPORTS SCIENCE, (2) name of school: UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS and (3) years graduated: 2016] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship. 6. My civil status is MARRIED, I was married on 26 AUGUST 1963 in NORTH HAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM. My wife's/ husband's name is DAVID JOHN REYNOLDS and she/he was born on in 29 DEC. 1953 in UNITED KINGDOM She/ he is a citizen or subject of UNITED KINGDOM and presently resides 1332 PALM AVE., DASMARIÑAS VILLAGE, MAKATI. 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have THREE (3) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name

GRAVEST OUTBREAK. Medical workers prepare to conduct nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 for residents in Jilin in China’s northeastern Jilin province on March 12, 2022. AFP

Two female employees stabbed in New York’s Museum of Modern Art TWO female employees were stabbed inside New York’s prestigious Museum of Modern Art on Saturday, allegedly by an angry patron, police said, causing the museum to be evacuated. The women were injured “in the back, in the collarbone, in the back of the neck” but are both “going to be ok,” said John Miller, New York police department deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism. The suspect, who had not been arrested as of late Saturday afternoon, was known to police as a regular visitor to MoMA, whose membership card had expired after “two incidents involving disorderly conduct” in recent days, Miller said. On Saturday, when the man was refused entry, “he became upset... then jumped over the reception desk and proceeded to attack and stab two employees of the museum multiple times,” Miller added. The two were rushed to the hospital following the attack, which occurred around 4:15 pm (2115 GMT). Officers put up a police cordon, and the museum remained closed for Saturday. Multiple news outlets, as well as social media posts, showed images of people standing outside the museum, a popular tourist destination, after being evacuated. MoMA includes artwork by artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo, to name a few. AFP

Date of Birth CHRISTIASN SOTTO 11/18/1973 ARA MARIE R. 8/11/1984 ZOBEL LORRAINE 12/12/1988 MARGAUX R. MAXINELL

Place of Birth USA MAKATI

Residence UNITED STATES MAKATI, PHILS.

MAKATI

MAKATI, PHILS

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School MARYKNOLL COLLEGE PHILIPPINE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Place of Dates of School Study QUEZONCITY 4/20/1968 MANILA CITY 4/6/1988

Highest Grade Completed ELEMENTARY HIGH SCHOOL

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: ENGLISH & FILIPINO 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child N/A

UN official told AFP, speaking on grounds of anonymity. Several ambassadors said they shared that impression. The Ukrainian ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, regularly asks Nebenzia if he is actually in touch with Moscow. British envoy Barbara Woodward, a specialist in Nebenzia Russian and Chinese affairs, reminded Nebenzia that “the great Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote: ‘Man is given not only one life, but also one conscience.’” “I know that you’ve spoken under instructions today, but I ask you to report faithfully back to Moscow what you have heard today —the urgency of this Council’s calls for peace.” Nebenzia did not respond to an AFP request for an interview. He has, in resigned tones, followed his government’s line at emergency meetings of the Council since war broke out, and further sessions are expected this week. Under the exasperated eyes of his foreign colleagues, he has read speeches denying media reports of the destruction of civilian sites. AFP

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139. I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship. 14. My character witnesses are MARIA LOURDES DE LEON BUENAVENTURA and JEAN MARIE TAN both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 58 MCKINLEY RD. BRGY FORBES PARK, MAKATI. and 109 CAMBRIDGE CIRCLE NORTH FORBES MAKATI respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. 15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ / ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ / ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139. Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 23 day of SEPTEMBER 2021. LINDA MARIE KOO REYNOLDS Name and Signature of Petitioner Contact Number: 0917-5202053 Email Address: lindakooreynolds@yahoo.com

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S. I, LINDA MARIE KOO REYNOLDS of legal age and a resident of 1332 PALM AVE., DASMARIÑAS VILLAGE, MAKATI after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

LINDA MARIE KOO REYNOLDS Name and Signature of Petitioner

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at QUEZON CITY, this 22 day of JUNE 2017.

Official authorized to administer oaths/ Notary Public

(MS-MAR. 14, 21 & 28, 2022)

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

Robredo seeks wider foothold in ‘Solid North’

ISKO’S SORTIE IN BULACAN. Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, aboard a truck, shake hands with supporters in a recent motorcade and campaign sortie in San Miguel, Bulacan.

By Rio N. Araja

THE camp of Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo on Sunday said she is planning to gain a foothold in the so-called Solid North. Ex-Ifugao representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. said they were “inspired” by the successful Isabela rally to push through with their planned campaign sorties in Northern Luzon. Over Robredo’s weekly dzXL radio program, he said they are planning to enter the stronghold of the Marcoses in Ilocos and La Union as well. “At first, they were apprehensive. They said it could be difficult to pursue a rally in Baguio City. But now with what happened in Isabela, we were encouraged to take the challenge to increase the attendees of the grand rally in Baguio City,” he said. “That is why that was a test case. In fact, that was such a huge challenge in Isabela,” he added. The grand rally at Echague, Isabela, Robredo’s first foray into the “Solid North” territory, surprised Robredo herself who was admittedly “nervous” about the sortie. As part of the sortie, Robredo and her running mate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan completed painting the rose on a pink mural when they made a quick stop in a privately-owned wall in Barangay Ipil in Echague. It was more than a simple gesture of the tandem adding the finishing touches on a work of art: it was the mural that has been restored after uniformed personnel painted over the original one under the “Operation Baklas” campaign of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Sara pushes on despite bad weather

By Rio N. Araja

ESPITE a canceled rally of the UniTeam, supporters have still felt the warmth of Davao City Mayor and vice presidential bet Sara Duterte’s presence.

“Bad weather has prompted the UniTeam to cancel at the last minute its scheduled grand rally in Parañaque City on Thursday evening, but this did not stop Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and the accompanying senatorial candidates to

meet with the gathered large throng of people,” the team’s statement read. Shortly after the cancellation of the rally was made due to the heavy downpour, Duterte moved toward the crowd to cheer them and convey her great appreciation for showing up in what could have been another big rally of the UniTeam.

UniTeam senatorial candidates Gilbert Teodoro, Gringo Honasan, and Harry Roque went down from the stage to thank their rain-soaked supporters before the rally was canceled. Ex-Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Benhur Abalos, campaign manager of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas presidential standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said they expected up to 50,000 Parañaque residents to show up at the UniTeam’s grand rally at the Aseana City. Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, House majority leader and Lakas-CMD presi-

dent, said the mammoth crowd that assembled at the Aseana City was a validation of the Filipinos’ preference of the incoming leadership of the BBM-Sara tandem. “The big number of people who showed up to show their support amid the bad weather was an affirmation of the UniTeam tandem as well as its leadership and great ability to steer the country for the next six years,” he said. Marcos, Jr. meanwhile called on Lagunenses to work with their administration after they win in May to attain economic recovery and progress for the country. With Rey E. Requejo

Ping: PH should be vigilant amid Nokor’s missile tests By Macon Ramos-Araneta

LENI IN ISABELA. Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, complete the rose on the mural in Barangay Ipil, Echague, Isabela that was painted over by uniformed personnel last month under the Comelec’s Oplan Baklas and later vandalized. Led by the Youth for Leni-Isabela volunteers, everyone chanted “Awan ti Solid North” during the tandem’s visit on Saturday, March 12. (VP Leni Media Bureau)

ASIDE from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Philippines will have to be “vigilant and prepared” over the situation in North Korea, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said over the weekend. Lacson cited continued reports of recent aggressive behavior from North Korea, including the firing of a suspected ballistic missile days before the presidential elections in South Korea. “We need to watch this carefully, this is very close to us and quite unpredictable,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security. He cited reports over the past weeks where North Korea has tested missiles twice. While North Korea claimed its tests last Feb. 26 and March 4 were connected to a new reconnaissance satellite program, the United States said analysis indicates it may be testing an ICBM.

A statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command said the “recent series” of ballistic missile launches by the DPRK “violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and pose a threat to the DPRK’s neighbors and the international community.” In response to North Korea’s activities, the US Indo-Pacific Command has increased its surveillance and reconnaissance collection in the Yellow Sea and enhanced readiness among its ballistic missile defense forces in the region. Lacson said the Philippines thus needs “to be equally vigilant as any flashpoint involving the Republic of Korea and Japan affects thousands of Filipinos in these two countries, aside from military responses from other quarters.” Last month, Lacson called for similar vigilance and preparedness on the situation in Ukraine. The economic effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been felt in the Philippines.

Isko vows to emulate courage, bravery of Ukraine’s Zelensky Party-list backs By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko standard-bearer and Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso has vowed that if elected president, he will emulate the courage and bravery of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in his war against poverty, hunger, and equality in the country. “With the mercy of God and the people,

I became president, and Doc Willie (Ong) became vice president, I don’t think of going to war. I don’t want us to join any kind of war. Because what I want is a war, for us to fight the hardships of the people, the pain of the stomach, the peace of mind in every Filipino’s life. That is the war I want to enter,” Moreno told reporters after a town hall meeting in San Miguel, Bulacan on Saturday.

“And what Zelensky is doing is worth emulating. Something for leaders to emulate. That a leader, not a coward, does not hide, is not afraid and accompanies his people, and he understands the situation of his people. And today, the war we face is a war of human poverty, human fear, human security, human future. that’s the war I will face, and I’ll be with you all the way,” Moreno said,

before more than a thousand supporters. The 47-year-old presidential bet has vowed that he will pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy that aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.

Defensor vows to fast-track regularization of QC workers CONGRESSMAN Michael “Mike” Defensor (Anakalusugan) has vowed to fast-track the grant of permanent status to long-time Quezon City Hall contractual employees if he is elected mayor of the country’s largest city. “The Quezon City government’s long-time contractual workers deserve to be regularized so that they can enjoy security of tenure and receive allowances as well as bonuses, including the 13th month pay,” Defensor said. “We are absolutely committed to regularizing them. It would be grossly unfair to continue to deprive them of the benefits of permanent employment,” Defensor said in a statement on Sunday. “In fact, our sense is, the Quezon City government has been generating huge savings every year partly at the

expense of long-time contractual employees who should have been regularized far in the past,” Defensor said. Defensor is the candidate for Quezon City mayor of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, who are running for president and vice president, respectively. “In Quezon City, we have many local government-employed day care teachers who have been at their jobs for more than 10 years, and yet they are still under service contracts. This is unacceptable,” Defensor said. “Our day care teachers serve as second parents. They are indispensable to the early development of our children,” Defensor, House committee on welfare of children vice chairperson, said.

ALL-WEATHER CAMPAIGN. Senatorial candidate Gregorio Honasan II shakes hands with supporters under pouring rain at the aborted UniTeam grand rally at Aseana City grounds in Parañaque City on Saturday. The event was canceled as heavy rains persisted and flooded some parts of Metro Manila. Joey Razon

move to cushion oil price hikes

THE Ang Probinsyano Party-List backed government moves to aid the transportation and agriculture sectors amid spiraling prices of petroleum products. “We are one with the government on its intensified steps to cushion the effects of the increase in oil prices, which could potentially impact our transportation fare and the prices of basic goods,” said Ang Probinsyano Party-List Rep. Alfred Delos Santos. The lawmaker was referring to the Department of Budget and Management’s release of a total of P3 billion to help public utility vehicle drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk as oil prices continue to soar amid the RussiaUkraine conflict. Delos Santos issued the statement as his party-list concluded another weeklong assistance drive in the Visayas.

Comelec urged to resolve 2019 poll protest in Lipa By Rey E. Requejo THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is being urged to resolve the election protest filed almost three years ago on May 23, 2019, involving the mayoralty election in Lipa City.

In a memorandum, Bernadette P. Sabili who challenged the proclamation of Eric B. Africa as mayor pleaded with the Comelec to immediately resolve the poll protest before the holding of the May 9, 2022 polls. On May 16, 2019, Africa was pro-

claimed mayor with 78,109 votes as against Sabili’s 76,511 votes or a margin of 1,598 votes. Sabili filed an election protest alleging “massive fraud, anomalies and irregularities” and, thus, the election “did not reflect the real and genuine voice of the electorate.”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY

As to the second ground, petitioner argues that since the court ruled that the respondent is the guilty spouse, his 1/2 share in the net profits of the “Culiat Property” must thus be forfeited in favor of his common children with the petitioner.

MANUELI T. DE CASTRO-ARCAYA, Petitioner,

The first ground raised by the petitioner was already exhaustively discussed in the assailed Decision.

Market braces for higher oil prices and Fed rate increase -versus- Civil Case No. R-QZN-19-06372-CV For: Legal Separation JOSEPH M. ARCAYA,

Respondent. x------------------------------------------------------x

DECISION

WHEREFORE, premises judgment is hereby rendered:

considered,

By Jenniffer B. Austria

To reiterate, the court rules that it is presumed part of the absolute community of property. There is no question that the property covered by TCT No. 004-2013003680 was acquired on February 21, 2013. Thus, it was acquired during the marriage of the parties. In this regard, Article 93 of the Family Code provides:

1. Granting the petition for legal separation with all the effects thereof as provided by law particularly Article 63 of the Family Code; 2. Dissolving the absolute community of property and directing the liquidation of the properties of the parties. The Decree of Legal Separation shall be issued only after full compliance with liquidation under the Family Code. 3. Awarding custody of the two (2) minor children Mikhaela Anne and Ma. Josephine to the petitioner with visitation rights granted to the respondent; 4. Petitioner and respondent are directed to jointly support Mikhaela Anne and Ma. Josephine in accordance with their means and the needs of the latter.. 5. Ordering the City Civil Registrar of Manila, City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority to record this Decision after it has become final and executory in accordance with law and upon payment by the petitioner of the lawful fees.

OLATILE trading at the stock market will continue this week as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on and push up local pump prices.

Analysts said the risk off sentiment will continue to dictate the market’s movement amid the geopolitical tension and fears of a possible hike in inflation and interest rates. Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said the market should brace for the result of the Federal Open Market Committee regular policy meeting scheduled this Pursuant to Sec. 16 (d) A.M. NO. 02-11-11 (Rule on Legal Separation), let the dispositive week. portion of the decision be published at the Analysts are expecting the Federal Reserve to anexpense of the petitioner, once in a newspaper nounce its first interest rate increase intoyears in bya raffle. bid to of general circulation be chosen curb inflation. Let a copy of the Decision be sent by “While there was a technical comeback later in ofthe registered mail to the last known address the respondent. week to out the index at a safe range above 7,000, brace for the full reaction to theSOFed’s expected move next ORDERED. week, even if some anxieties have been earlier Quezon City, Metrobaked Manila, in October 20, 2021. this year,” 2TradeAsia.com said. ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA “The silver lining during any (Sgd.) crisis, as the pandemic Presiding Judge Copy furnished: OSG - 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City (reg. mail) docket@osg.gov.ph ACP Arceli C. Ragsac OCP Quezon City acr .ocpqc@gmail.com Andres Padernal & Paras Law Offices 8th Floor Sagittarius Office Condominium H. V. dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati City 1209 (reg.mail) appartners@applawoffices.com

“Art. 93. Property acquired during the marriage is presumed to belong to the community, unless it is proved that it is one of those excluded therefrom.”

taught us in 2020, is that broad based meltdowns provide Aside fromto heraccumulate bare allegation that it was her openings companies of real value at a disfather who purchased the said property, no other count,” it added. proof was presented by the petitioner to support herThe claim. Philippine She likewise failed to substantiate Stock Exchange Index last week her claim that she and the petitioner were not slumped 3.1 percent tosaid 7,112.19 financially capable to purchase property. on worries about the impact of the steep rise in fuel prices on economic growth. Thus, the court finds no reason to reconsider itsAll rulingsub-indices on this ground. ended in red led by industrial which dropped 4.8 percent; holding firms which declined 3.6 With regard to the second ground, the court percent; which fellwith 3.50 granted the property petition for legal separation all percent; mining and oil the effects thereof3.5 as provided by law. which sank percent; financials which decreased 2.6 percent; and ofservices which For purposes clarity, however, the lost court 2.3 percent. resolves to grant motion only on were this Weekly top the price gainers Ginebra San Miguel ground. Pursuant to Articles 63 and 43(2) of Inc. which climbed 2.2 percent to P113.50; Aboitiz Powthe Family Code, respondent’s share in the profits ofwhich the “Culiat Property” forfeited to P34.90; and AC EnernetCorp., rose 1.9 ispercent in favor of the common children, namely, Josh ergy Corp., which climbed 1.8 allpercent to P8.28. Exequiel, Mikhaela Anne and Ma. Josephine, surnamed Arcaya. Weekly top price losers were Emperador Inc., which plunged 23.5 percent P14; Universal Robina Corp., WHEREFORE, premises toconsidered, the Partial Motion for (Re: which dropped 10Reconsideration percent to P107.70; and Cebu Air Inc., Decision Dated 20 October 2021) is granted as which lostground 8.9 percent to P43.20. to the second only. Wall Street, meanwhile, ended a downbeat week with The dispositive portion of the Decision further losses2021 Friday as traders braced for continued ecodated 20 October is amended to read, as follows: fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well nomic as 1.1. looming Reserve rate hikes, though European Granting Federal the petition for legal separation with all thesaw effects thereof With as provided indices gains. AFPby law particularly Article 63 of the Family Code;

1.2. Dissolving the absolute community of property and directing the liquidation of the properties of the parties. The Decree of Legal Separation shall be issued only after full compliance with liquidation under the Family Code; 1.3. Forfeiting the share of the respondent in the net profits of the property covered by TCT No. 004-2013003680 in favor of his common children with the petitioner, namely, Josh Exequiel, Mikhaela Anne and Ma. Josephine, all surnamed Arcaya;

Manueli T. De Castro-Arcaya Unit C, No. 59 Cenac\e Road Sanville Subdivision, Culiat Quezon City (reg. mail)

City Civil Registrar Quezon City (reg. mail) Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (reg. mail)

1.5. Petitioner and respondent are directed to jointly support Mikhaela Anne and .Ma. Josephine in accordance with their means and the needs of the latter;

1.6. Ordering the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Authority to record this Decision after it has become final and executory in accordance with REGIONAL TRIAL COURT law and upon payment by the petitioner of the NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION lawful fees. BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY xxx SO ORDERED. Superyacht Solaris, owned by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, which is under UK sanctions, MANUELI T. DE CASTRO-ARCAYA, Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 20, luxury yacht marinaPetitioner, Porto Montenegro, near Montenegrin city of Tivat, on the Adriatic coast, on March 12, 2021.”

YACHT WATCH.

sails towards the 2022. The owner of the London football club ‘Chelsea’ is among the Russian oligarchs against whom Great Britain imposed -versus- Civil Case No. R-QZN-19-06372-CV Pursuant to Sec. 16 (d) A.M. NO. 02-11-11 sanctions as part of the response to Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s ship ‘Sputnik,’ also For:the Legal Separation (Rule on Legal Separation), let the dispositive under British sanctions, left the luxury marina on Friday, local media AFP and this Order be portionreported. of the decision JOSEPH M. ARCAYA, Respondent. x------------------------------------------------------x

published at the expense of the petitioner, once in a newspaper .of general circulation to be chosen by raffle.

Fitch downgrades Russia oil, gas firms on default risk ORDER

For the consideration of the court is a Motion for Partial Reconsideration (Re: Decision Dated 20 October 2021) filed by the petitioner through counsel.

Let a copy of the Decision and this Order be sent by registered mail ‘to the last known address of the respondent.

PARIS, France—Credit rater Fitch foreign companies in rubles rather raters have classed Russia as at risk ORDERED of defaulting on its long-term soverSaturday downgraded 28 Russian than foreign currency. SO Quezon City, Metro Manila, January 6, 2022. Copies of the motion were furnished to eign debt due to sanctions. The move, announced as the ruble natural resources companies includthe Office of the Solicitor General, Assistant ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA City Prosecutor C. Ragsacwas and athe A credit rating cut makes it harder plunged, response to (Sgd.) internaing state gas giant Gazprom, warn- Arceli Presiding Judge respondent. The court has not received any on Russia for a company or country to borrow ing they risk defaulting on payments tional sanctions imposed comment. Copy furnished: money at manageable rates. under sanctions imposed for Russia’s because of its February OSG 24 - 134invasion. Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Petitioner’s motion is anchored on the Makati City (reg.backmail) docket@osg.gov.ph In an escalation of the sanctions, The decree, “against the invasion of Ukraine. following grounds: ACP Arcelisanctions C. Ragsac the United States and Britain said on Fitch Ratings said in a statement it drop of an escalating OCP Quezon City 1. The court erred in ruling that the property regime, could impose insurmount- March 8 they were cutting off Rushad lowered the rating on the compaacr .ocpqc@gmail.com covered by TCT No. 004-2013003680 (“Culiat Property’’) is presumed able barriersparttoof many corporates’ sian oil imports. nies, which also include oil producer Andres Padernal & Paras Law Offices the absolute community property .of the “Ongoing ratcheting up of sancability to make timely payments Lukoil and miner Rusal, from B to 8th Floor Sagittarius Office Condominium petitioner and the Respondent H. V. dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village tions, including restrictions in energy debt CC. The latter rating implies some on foreign- and local-currency Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati City 1209 (reg.mail) The court failed to declare the forfeiture to certain international creditors,” trade and imports, increase the probform of default on their 2.payments appartners@applawoffices.com of any of the respondent’s share in the absolute community property Fitch said.in favor of Manueli T. De Castro-Arcayaability of a policy response by Ruswas “probable.” common children considering that Unit C, No. 59agency, Cenac\e Roadsia, and further weaken its economy, Another rating It cited a Russian decree onthe theMarch respondent gave cause formajor legal Sanville Subdivision, Culiat separation eroding the operating environment Moodys, also downgraded Gazprom 5 that authorized Russian companies Quezon City (reg. mail) andtheLukoil this week. Three major for its corporates,” Fitch added. AFP to settle debts to certain blacklisted Joseph M. Arcaya Petitioner insists that “Culiat Property” was purchased by Manueli T. De Castro-Arcaya vs. Joseph M. Arcaya Civil Case No. R-QZN-1906372-CV her father as categorically stated in her Judicial Affidavit. She also maintains that respondent was incapable of purchasing a house or any real property because of his low income.

Civil Case No. R-QZN-21-01961-CV For: Annulment of Document & Damages

WILLEX C. TANTONGCO, WILLIAM C. TANTONGCO and WILBERT C. TANTONGCO, Defendants. x----------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION WILLIAM C. TANTONGCO No. 4011 Williams Rd., Richmond BC V7EIJ7, Canada or at 29-D Baler St., SFDM, Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City

WHEREFORE, on March 1, 2021 plaintiff filed a Complaint for the Annulment of Documents and Damages. WHEREFORE, on March 21, 2021, plaintiff filed a Motion to Admit Amended Complaint which was granted and admitted by this Court in an Order dated June 1, 2021. The Branch Clerk of Court issue a Summons upon defendants William C. Tantongco and Wilbert C.Tantongco requiring them to file an Answer to the Amended Complaint. WHEREAS, on June 17, 2021, the Sheriff of this Court filed a Sheriff’s Return stating that service of Summons to William C. Tantongco and Wilbert C. Tantongco are Unserved for the reason that they are currently out of the country and no definite date of retun. WHEREAS, on October 20, 2021, the plaintiff through his counsel, filed a Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication. The aforementioned defendants are in another country, beyond the territorial jurisdiction of this Court, and pursuant to Sec. 17, Rule 14 of the 2019 Revised Rules of Court on Civil Procedure, the instant motion is granted in an Order dated November 17, 2021. NOW THEREFORE, defendants William C. Tantongco and Wilbert C. Tantongco are hereby summoned and required to file with Regional Trial Court, Branch 91, National Capital Judicial Region, Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City, their verified Answer to the amended complaint within thirty (30) days from the last date of publication of this Summons. Failure of the defendants to file their Answer within the reglementary period, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and maybe granted relief applied for in the Complaint. WHEREFORE, let this summons together with the copy of the Complaint and the Order dated November 17, 2021 be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to PD 1079, at the expense of the plaintiff.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BEFORE ME, in Quezon City, Metro Manila this July 09, 2008 personally appeared with Community Tax Certificate No. 1640919 issued at Quezon City on February 27, 2008, known to me and to me known to be the same person who executed the foregoing “ABSOLUTE TRANSFER OF SHARE IN A CORPORATION” duly signed be her and her instrumental witness at the foot thereof and further acknowledge to me that the same is her free and voluntary act and deed therein set forth. (SGD.) ARTURO P. ZIALCITA Notary Public Until December 31, 2009 PTR No. A-8544079/Q.C. TIN No. 224-210-506-000 Roll No. 9246/Jan. 28, 1955 IBP No. 694287/CAL CITY/12Doc. No. 468 Page No. 45 Book No. 143 Series of 2008 12. Plaintiff, as well as his siblings Wilson, Thelly, Sally, Lily, Gerlie and Julie who are all oppositors in the above-mentioned petition for probate of Kim Tia’s will, first came to know about the existence of said Absolute Deed of Assignment only last October 2019 when they received, through counsel, copy of the Comment/ Opposition mentioned above. 13. Plaintiff made inquiries with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City regarding the said Absolute Deed of Assignment which appears to have been notarized by a certain Atty. Arturo P. Zialcita. Plaintiff was issued the following Certification dated October 23, 2019, to wit: CERTIFICATION TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS IS TO CERTIFY that per record on file with this office, Atty. ARTURO P. ZIALCITA was a duly commissioned Notary Public for and in Quezon City for the term beginning October 10, 2008 ending December 31, 2009. IT IS FURTHER CERTIFIED that, per verification of the OfficerIn-Charge of the Archives Section, Atty. Arturo P. Zialcita has no notarial report submitted for the month of July 2008. Hence, no certified true copy of the requested Absolute Deed of Assignment dated July 9, 2008 with Doc. No. 468, Page No. 45, Book No. 143, Series of 2008 allegedly executed by Kim Tia Chua Tantongco can be issued. This certification is issued upon the request of Mr. Willip Tantongco for whatever legal purposes this may serve. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 21, 2019.

By:

(SGD.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VII & Ex-Officio Sheriff MERCEDITA C. CARINO Asst. Clerk of Court

(Sgd.) ATTY. CHARISE ANN D. ALVARO Branch Clerk of Court

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, Quezon City BRANCH 91

-versus-

Checked by: (SGD.) TERESITA S. FABILA Record Officer III Notarial-In-Charge Verified by: (SGD.) GODFREY B. PALAD Clerk III

WILLIP C. TANTONGCO, Plaintiff,

A copy of the said Certification is hereto attached as Annex G Civil Case No. R-QZN-21-01961-CV For: ANNULMENT OF DOCUMENT and DAMAGES

WILLEX C. TANTONGCO, WILLIAM C. TANTONGCO and WILBERT C. TANTONGCO, Defendants. x---------------------------------------------x

ORDER For resolution is the “Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication” filed by the plaintiff, through counsel, before the OCCRTC on October 19, 2021, which was received by this Court on October 20, 2021. As alleged, summons on Wilbert and William Tantongco were returned unserved since both of them are residents of Canada and outside the territorial jurisdiction of this Court. Plaintiff therefore prays for leave of court to allow service of summons on the said defendants to be effected by publication. Acting on the motion and finding the same to be well-taken considering that the summons to defendants Wilbert and William Tantongco were returned unserved per Sheriff’s Report dated June 17, 2021 and pursuant to Sec. 17, Rule 14 of the 2019 Revised Rules on Civil Procedure, the instant motion is hereby GRANTED. Let the summons as against defendants Wilbert and William Tantongco be served or effected by publication pursuant to Sec. 17, Rule 14 of the 2019 Revised Rules of Civil Procedure. Defendants are ordered to produce the original copy of the Absolute Deed of Assignment relative to the subject matter of the instant case. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, November 17, 2021. (Sgd.) KATHLEEN ROSARIO D. DE LA CRUZ-ESPINOSA Presiding Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 91, Quezon City

-versus-

Among many other SOCIAL injustices and empowered Filipinas, gender roles on women have Hidilyn Diaz is the first-ever been a rather complex issue JOANNA MARZEL Olympic gold medalist of over the years. Also, whether CARDENAS the Philippines. Aside from women can discharge their being an athlete, Diaz is also responsibilities in their reen ight a member of the Philippine respective communities and industries has been a topical issue globally, Air Force. Moreover, Diaz uses her influence to educate the general public on political and social especially in underdeveloped nations. Sadly, women are usually perceived to be issues. Diaz’s principles are as substantial as the nurturing the family’s welfare and maintaining weights she lifts. Women upholding their rights, values, and the household. But, as Zaytoen Domingo (2022) has put it, “Gender equality is important not principles are remarkably emerging globally over only because it is a human right, but because it the years. MacKenzie Scott, Kamala Harris and is essential for building peaceful and prosperous Christine Lagarde have successfully represented nations. Therefore, making sure women and girls women across nations and industries. With this, have equal access to quality education, healthcare, more and more women are being inspired to do work opportunities, political representation, and more, believing that they can, thinking that they participation in economic decision-making is should and will. More women have found voices from those crucial to sustainable development and economic representing them, thereby allowing them to live progress.” Women have continuously fought for their comfortably and confidently. Gender equality position in society. But unfortunately, women programs to protect women’s rights are being who lack educational opportunities, economic pioneered by global institutions such as the United resources, power, and influence are overburdened Nations Asia Foundation, among others. Said with undue threats to their lives. Said gender initiatives are aimed at improving and developing imbalance is especially true in nations where women in general. Undeniably, as a woman myself, I also want to machismo is prevalent, thus, glorified. Fortunately, here in the Philippines, we have positively impact the industry I work for and the many women recognized globally for their community I live in. I acknowledge that my name efforts to uphold their principles, passion, and does not necessarily have to be as big as those social position. For instance, Maria Ressa (chief personalities mentioned earlier to make a positive executive officer, Rappler) received in October impact. But for it to be feasible, I have to work on 2021 the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize awarded nurturing my life’s purpose, vision and mission, to a Filipino. The Norwegian Nobel Committee be firm on my values and live a life centered on recognized Ressa’s constant pursuit of freedom of God. With this, I hope many other girls find inspiration expression. Another woman in action is the Vice President to live a purposeful and happy life in the future. Abante, babae! of the Philippines–Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo. Robredo has anchored her office’s multi-sectoral The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. programs on gender and development, medical, poverty, and others. Additionally, Robredo has del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can been at the forefront of handling the Philippines’ be reached at joanna_cardenas@dlsu.edu.ph. health crisis (i.e., COVID-19). Remarkably, The views expressed above are the author’s and Robredo has been awarded the Special Award for do not necessarily reflect the official position of Public Service at the People of the Year in 2021. DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

(initial)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA) S.S.

Witness the Hon. Kathleen Rosario D. De La Cruz-Espinosa, Presiding Judge of this Court, this 9th day of February 2022.

City Civil Registrar Quezon City (reg. mail)

(MStandard - Mar. xx, 2022)

(initial)

WILBERT C. TANTONGCO No. 47331 Westminster Hwy, Richmond BC Canada or at 33-D Baler St., SFDM, Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City

WILLIP C. TANTONGCO, Plaintiff,

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (reg. mail)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this July 9, 2008 at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF

-versus-

Lot 1, Block 23, Sta. Barbara Villas 1 Silangang San Mateo, Rizal (reg. mail)

Women making an impact

the books of the LA CAMPANA DEVELOPMENT CORPARATION.

(SGD.) KIM TIA CHUA TANTONGCO Shareholder/Assignor

WILLIP C. TANTONGCO, Plaintiff,

1.4. Awarding custody of the two (2) minor children Mikhaela Anne and Ma. Josephine to the petitioner with visitation rights granted to the respondent;

Joseph M. Arcaya Lot 1, Block 23, Sta. Barbara Villas 1 Silangang San Mateo, Rizal (reg. mail)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 91, QUEZON CITY

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Civil Case No. R-QZN-21-01961-CV Annulment of Document and Damages

WILLEX C. TANTONGCO, WILLIAM C. TANTONGCO and WILBERT C. TANTONGCO Defendants. x------------------------------------------x

AMENDED COMPLAINT Plaintiff, by counsel, unto the Honorable Court most respectfully states: 1. Plaintiff Willip C. Tantongco is of legal age, Filipino and a resident of No. 29-Baler St., SFDM, Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City 2. Defendant Willex C. Tantongco is of legal age, Canadian citizen and a resident of 29-C Baler St., SFDM, Quezon City where he may be served with summons and other processes of the Honorable Court 3. Defendant William C. Tantongco is of legal age, Canadian citizen and residing at No. 4011 Williams Rd, Richmond BC V7EIJ7, Canada. His last known address in the Philippines was at 29-D Baler St., SFDM, Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City where he may be served with summons and other processes of the Honorable Court 4. Defendant Wilbert C. Tantongco is of legal age, Canadian citizen and residing at No. 47331 Westminster Hwy, Richmond BC Canada. His last known address in the Philippines was at 33-D Baler St., SFDM, Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City where he may be served with summons and other processes of the Honorable Court 5. Plaintiff and defendants together with their siblings Wilson Tantongco, Thelly Tantongco, Sally Tantongco, Lily Tantongco, Gerlie Tantongco, and Julie Tantongco, are legitimate children and surviving heirs of the late spouses, Ricardo Tantongco and Kim Tia Chua Tantongco. Another sibling, Willy Tantongco, died on January 17, 2018. 6. Kim Tia died on September 24, 2015 leaving a Last Will and Testament, copy of which is hereto attached as Annex A 7. Willy Tantongco, during his lifetime, filed a petition for the probate of said Last Will and Testament before the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City docketed as Sp. Proc. No. 16-00588 and captioned In Re: Petition for Probate of the Notarial Will of the Late Kim Tia Chua Tantongco, Willy Tantongco, Petitioner. 8. In a Resolution dated March 26, 2019, the RTC (Branch 98) probate and approved the will. A copy of the Resolution is hereto attached as Annex B 9. Plaintiff was appointed court administrator of the estate of Kim Tia, proof of which are hereto attached as Annexes C, D and D-1 10. In the said probate proceeding, the defendants, through their counsel, submitted, sometime in October 2019, a copy of document denominated Absolute Deed of Assignment, as an attachment to their Comment/Opposition dated October 10, 2019. A copy of the Comment/Opposition is hereto attached as Annex E and the Absolute Deed of Assignment as Annex F 11. Said Absolute Deed of Assignment reads: ABSOLUTE DEED OF ASSIGNMENT KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: THAT I, KIM TIA CHUA TANTONGCO, of legal age, widow with postal address at No. 33 Baler Street, Barangay Bungad, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City Metro Manila do hereby declare that I am the legal owner of NINETY TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (92,500) shares of stock of the LA CAMPANA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, a duly registered corporation with postal address at 13-19 Serrano Laktaw Street, Dona Aurora, Galas District, Quezon City, Metro Manila with a par value of ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND (Php 9,250,000.00) PESOS, Philippine Currency. THAT I do hereby ABSOLUTELY, now and forever, CEDE, ASSING, CONVEY and TRANSFER to the following individuals: WILLIAM TANTONGCO, WILLY TANTONGCO, WILBERT TANTONGCO, WILLEX TANTONGCO and WILLIP TANTONGCO, as their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns all the rights, title, and interest for the total value of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (18,500) Shares each, common shares of stock at ONE HUNDRED (Php 100.00) PESOS par value of the LA CAMPANA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION which are free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances, the absolute title and peaceful possession of the same are hereby guaranteed and warranted. The same also authorize the corresponding officers of the corporation to make the necessary transfer of said shares of stock in

14. The said Absolute Deed of Assignment is fraudulent, spurious and void considering the facts and circumstances stated below, to wit: a. Kim Tia was confined at the Philippine Heart Center from July 4, 2008 to July 14, 2008 on a life-threatening illness, as evidenced by her medical records hereto attached as Annexes H, H-1 and H-2, when she purportedly signed the above-said Absolute Deed of Assignment and appeared before Notary Public Atty. Arturo P. Zialcita on the same date. b. Atty. Arturo P. Zialcita was not commissioned notary for and in Quezon City on the date the document was purportedly notarized before him per Certification of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court of Quezon City quoted above. c. No record of such Absolute Deed of Assignment purportedly executed by Kim Tia exists in the Archives Section of the Office of the Clerk of Court per the same Certication. d. In the acknowledgment, the document adverted to is an “ABSOLUTE TRANSFER OF SHARE IN A CORPORATION” and not an ABSOLUTE DEE OF ASSIGNMENT. e. There was no consideration for said transfer of shares. f. Kim Tia’s purported signature in the said Absolute Deed of Assignment is significantly at variance with her signatures in her Last Will and Testament. 15. As above said, defendants Willex, William and Wilbert are Canadian citizens; hence, assuming without conceding that the Absolute Deed of Assignment is not fraudulent and spurious, the same is nevertheless invalid and void inasmuch as it results in ownership by foreigners of more than 40% of real property in the Philippines in violation of the law and the Constitution, considering that real properties devoted to and used for commercial purpose located in Baler St., Quezon City and covered by TCT No. RT10007(24403) and TCT No. RT-10008(24402) of the Registry of Deeds of Quezon City are owned by Campana Development Corporation. Copies of said TCT No. RT-10007 (24403) and RT-10008(24402) are hereto attached as Annexes I and J, respectively. 16. Earnest efforts to settle the case amicably have proved futile. 17. Plaintiff, in order to protect his rights, is constrained to litigate and to engage the services of counsel for a fee of P150,000.00 plus P5,000.00 per court hearing. APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF PRELIMINARY INJUCTION AND/OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 18. Plaintiff re-pleads the foregoing allegations in so far as they are relevant and material hereto. 19. Plaintiff is entitled to the relief demanded the whole or part of which consists in enjoining the defendants, or any other person/s claiming rights under them, from exercising all rights, real or otherwise, arising from the transfer and assignment of shares of stock of La Campana. 20. The performance of the acts herein sought to be enjoined during the pendency of the litigation would probably work injustice to the applicant. 21. The defendants are attempting, threatening or procuring to be done some acts probably in violation of the rights of the applicant respecting the subject of the action and tending to render the judgment ineffectual. 22. Plaintiff is willing to post a bond in such amount as the court may determine to answer for whatever damages defendants may suffer as a consequence of the writ in the event it should later on be found that plaintiff is not entitled thereon. PRAYER WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, it is most respectfully prayed that (A) Upon the filing of this complaint, the Honorable Court issued a writ of preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order enjoining the defendants from exercising all rights, real or otherwise, arising from the Absolute Deed of Transfer subject of this action. (B) After trial, judgment be rendered declaring the Absolute Deed of Assignment subject matter of this action null and void and reverting to Kim Tia’s estate the same shares of stock of La Campana. (C) Awarding plaintiff and holding the defendants, jointly and severally, liable for attorney’s fees of P150,000.00 plus P5,000.00 per court hearing. Plaintiff prays for such other relief just and equitable in the premises. Quezon City, Philippines; March 3, 2021. ALDON GUADES & ASSOCIATES Counsel for the Plaintiff Suite 304 Señor Ivan de Palacio Building 139 Malakas St., Central District, Diliman, Quezon City By: (Sgd.) ANECIO ROJAS GUADES SC Roll No. 31074/04.05.80 MCLE VI No. 0000556/09.16.16 IBP No. 154471/01.21.21 PTR No. 2564514/Calbayog/01.20.20 Mobile No. 09278480088/09998798079 VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION I, WILLIP C.TANTONGCO, of legal age, under oath state that: I am plaintiff in the above-captioned case; I caused the preparation and filing of foregoing complaint; all the facts alleged therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and/or based on authentic records; the pleading is no filed to harass, cause unnecessary delay or needlessly increase the cost of litigation; and the factual allegations therein have evidentiary support. And I hereby certify that I have not heretofore filed or commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issues and parties, and none is pending, before any court, tribunal, agency or instrumentality of the government, save a criminal complaint for falsification docketed as XV-03-INV-19L-11159 before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City and still pending on appeal before the DOJ involving the same document subject of this case and Civil Case No. Civil Case No. R-20-05963 captioned Willip C. Tantongco, Plaintiff versus William C. Tantongco, Wilbert C. Tantongco and Willex C. Tantongco, Defendants before Branch 100, Quezon Regional Trial Court, Quezon which was dismissed on plaintiff’s Notice of Dismissal filed pursuant to Sec. 1, Rule 17 of the 2019 Amended Rules of Court (A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC); and I hereby further undertake that should any such case come to my knowledge, I shall inform the Honorable Court of such fact with five (5) days from the time I learn thereof. DONE this 3rd day of March 2021 at Quezon City, Philippines (Sgd.) WILLIP C.TANTONGCO SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 4TH day of March 2021, at Quezon City, Philippines; affiant exhibited to me his valid ID, photocopy of which is hereto attached.

Doc. No.187; Page No. 38; Book No. IX; Series of 2021.

(MStandard-Mar. 14, 21 & 28, 2022)

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

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

IN BRIEF JoyRide to launch car rides in Luzon, Cebu JOYRIDE over the weekend said it will roll out its car-hailing services in Luzon and Cebu by the end of the month. “Finally, commuters will now have another choice for safe, comfortable, and affordable car rides to their destination despite the ongoing pandemic and rising fuel prices,” said JoyRide senior vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala said. “JoyRide Car seeks not just to be another player in the market but a viable and highly competitive option in the car-hailing landscape,” he added. The JoyRide Car service, scheduled to be rolled out in the app by the end of March, will cover Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Metro Cebu. With the downgrade to Alert Level 1, mobility restrictions have also eased resulting in heavy vehicular traffic that has returned to the major thoroughfares in the metropolis. “With the expected surge of commuters under the new normal, JoyRide Car is committed to offer a comfortable, convenient, and affordable ride with our experienced driver-partners, and reliable assistance for both drivers and customers,” Eala said. Darwin G. Amojelar

LandBank okays over P100-b loans to LGUs

Business Garments and textile exports seen rising to $1.5b this year By Othel V. Campos

ARMENTS, textile and apparel exports are expected to reach $1.5 billion in 2022, up from $1.052 billion in 2021, as the country remains on the radar of major buyers overseas despite the lingering pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, a trade group said over the weekend.

The Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines said local industry players continued to receive orders, which other countries such as Vietnam, China,

India and Bangladesh could not serve because of their minimum volume requirement. “We will hit it [target] easily because we have all the orders right now on hand. We can now project that the $1.5 billion [exports volume] for 2022 yearend is just a walk in the park,” said FOBAP president Robert Young. Young, the cPhilippine Exporters Confederation Inc. trustee for textile, yarn and fabric sector, said the industry should protect its track record of being the second largest exporter of garments and textile in Asia despite the supply chain problem. The Ukraine-Russia crisis, however, may affect the industry’s target for 2022 because of the trade sanctions on Russia where the Philippines exports some products such as Levis and Inditex.

Industry data showed thatPhilippine shipments of apparel, textile and garments reached $1.052 billion in 2021. Garments and apparel exports hit $758 million, while textiles amounted to $294 million. Young said shipments including the $200 million worth of finished goods that were ready to be shipped by the end of 2021 but remained at the port because of supply chain issues, the 2021 figure topped $1.2 billion. “These goods only exited the port terminal facility last February,” he said. “FOBAP, six months ago, had a projection that exports would be $1.2 billion. We hit it. We are very optimistic for the Philippine economy that the garments business improved as compared to previous year. [We] really saw an increase in percentage despite the pandemic,” he said.

MOUNTAIN TUNNEL. Undersecretary Emil Sadain

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines said over the weekend it approved more than P100 billion in loans for 365 local government units nationwide as of end-January 2022, in line with its commitment to hasten the revival of local economies and communities affected by the pandemic. Under its RISE-UP LGUs (Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-Sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs) Lending Program, the bank extends loans to provincial, city, and municipal governments to finance COVID-19 response and recovery intervention projects. Eligible projects allowed under the RISE UP LGUs include the purchase of agricultural produce, acquisition of equipment and construction of facilities to link products to the market, including other programs and projects of the LGU that provide basic and support services, social welfare, healthcare, and other infrastructure activities. Since its launch in July 2020, the program has gained wide acceptance by LGUs that the state-run bank has increased its fund allocation to P150 billion―15 times more than the P10billion initial fund. Julito G. Rada

(center) of the Department of Public Works and HighwaysUnified Project Management Office Operations and chief implementer of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program leads the inspection of construction activities at the Davao City Bypass Construction Project. The excavation work at the northbound direction of the north portal will significantly speed up project delivery. Once completed, the bypass road will mitigate congestions in Davao City with the travel time between Barangay Sirawan in Toril District and Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City to be reduced to 49 minutes from 1 hour and 44 minutes.

SEC encourages virtual meetings THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) urged corporations to continue virtual stockholders’ meetings despite the impending return of the Philippines to Alert Level 1 and the loosening of public health and safety restrictions. The SEC said in a statement the holding of meetings through remote or other alternative means is provided under the Revised Corporation Code, and will promote greater transparency and accountability for the benefit of the corporation. “The provisions of the Revised Corporation Code for the virtual participation of shareholders or members, directors or trustees, and officers in meetings allow for greater stakeholder involvement in corporate governance,” SEC chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said. “Stronger stakeholder engagement brings in more insights that could translate (in)to wellgrounded decisions and innovations, as well as it promotes transparency and accountability in the decision-making. All these will ultimately redound to the benefit of the corporation,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Pandemic-related insurance claims reached P16.71b in two years By Julito G. Rada INSURANCE claims related to COVID-19 reached P16.71 billion between 2020 and 2021, with life insurance policies accounting for over half or around P9.05 billion of the payouts, data from the Insurance Commission show. Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that 23 percent or P3.89 billion of COVID-related claims were paid between the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 up to end-2020, while the bulk of 77 percent or P12.82 billion were claimed in 2021. Funa said for life insurance policies, the amount of P9.05 billion in claims

corresponded to about 9,500 death benefits. Dominguez said in Funa’s report that compared with data from the Department of Health of around 51,000 deaths as of end-2021 which were attributed to COVID-19, less than a fifth, or only 18.6 percent, were covered by insurance based on Insurance Commission data. Dominguez said the low insurance coverage rate for pandemic-related deaths underscores the importance of securing financial protection to prepare for emergencies and other unexpected incidents. Funa said the rest of the pandemicrelated insurance claims in 2020 and 2021 were from health maintenance organizations, which made up 39 percent or P6.44 billion of the payouts, mutual

USAID ASSISTANCE.

In observance of International Women’s Day and the Philippines’ National Women’s Month, United States Agency for International Development Philippines mission director Ryan Washburn (second from right) awards the 1,000th micro-grant to Pakaranon Women to support activities that strengthen response to gender-based violence. Washburn visited Marawi City, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to highlight USAID’s partnerships advancing women’s and youth empowerment and gender equality, and aiding the Marawi recovery and pandemic response.

benefit associations with a 5-percent share at P833 million and non-life policies with 2 percent or P382 million. “Notably, the out-patient benefit, meaning people who were not confined in the hospital, have the highest number of claims paid with 413,000 for the whole of 2021. Followed by claims under other benefits at 54,000,” Funa said. Funa said that in 2021, death benefits had the biggest share with P6.8 billion or 53 percent of the total payout, followed by in-patient benefits or those confined at hospitals at 27 percent or P3.5 billion. Out-patient benefits for 2021 accounted for 15 percent or P1.92 billion of the claims, Funa said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, March 11, 2022

-12.61PTS. 7,112.19

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

14,966,250,051 84,164 8,179,276,719.48

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

56 129 41

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1550

Japan

Yen

0.008611

0.4491

Pound

1.308800

68.2605

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127836

6.6673

Switzerland

Franc

1.075269

56.0807

Canada

Dollar

0.783269

40.8514

Singapore

Dollar

0.735835

38.3775

Australia

Dollar

0.735700

38.3704

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

138.3605

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266567

13.9028

Brunei

Dollar

0.733138

38.2368

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030211

1.5757

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2011

Euro

1.098700

57.3027

Korea

Won

0.000814

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.158183

8.2500

India

Rupee

0.013108

0.6836

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238892

12.4594

New Zealand

Dollar

0.686200

35.7888

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035275

1.8398 Source: BSP

Ovialand bares P1.5-b worth of public offering By Jenniffer B. Austria HOUSE-AND-LOT developer Ovialand Inc. plans to conduct a P1.5-billion initial public offering in June this year to fund expansion. Ovialand president Pammy Olivares-Vital said the company would use up to 60 percent of the proceeds from the fund-raising activity to acquire more land for future development. Ovialand plans to expand its landbank to 200 hectares over the next five years from 43 hectares. The property firm is looking to acquire 50 hectares this year. It has developments in Southern Luzon and is preparing to expand its presence in other parts of the country, according to Vital. “We want to establish presence in new regions to be able to serve a bigger market. The growth strategy is to become a market leader one region at a time,” she said. The company is expanding its capacity to build houses from 900 units a year to 3,000 units by 2025 and 6,000 units by 2030. Ovialand focuses on the mass housing market and sells houseand-lot packages from P1.8 million to P3.2 million. Ovialand recorded a 90-percent increase in 2021 revenues to P873 million from P462 million in 2020. It also delivered 430 units to clients last year. Majority of the sales were taken out by financing institutions such as PAG-IBIG Fund. It aims to complete 600 houses this year. Among its ongoing developments are Caliya in Candelaria, Quezon and Santevi in San Pablo, Laguna which are under joint venture with Japan-based Kyushu Yaesu Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Saibu Gas Holdings Co. Ltd. It also has other housing properties in Laguna such as Sannera and Savana in San Pablo and Terrazza de Santo Tomas in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Bank of Commerce prices IPO at P12 per share, targets P3.36b in proceeds BANK of Commerce, the lending arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., priced its initial public offering at P12 per share, the company said in a filing with the stock exchange over the weekend. The final offering price is slightly lower than the guidance and the maximum level of P12.50 apiece, as the IPO comes amid volatile market conditions brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war. BoC will raise up to P3.36 billion from the sale of 280.6 million common shares based on the final price offer. The public offering will run from March 16 to 22, with listing on the main board of the local bourse scheduled on March 31.

About 10 percent of BoC’s firm offer shares will be made available to local small investors, who may subscribe to the IPO through the PSE EASy website or mobile application. “Bank of Commerce is certainly a welcome addition to the roster of banking stocks in the PSE. This IPO will not only benefit the bank but its clients and future shareholders as well, more so now that it has been granted a universal bank license,” said PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon. 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. Jenniffer B. Austria

PanAsia Energy gets DOE clearance to proceed with grid impact study on 638-MW LNG plant in Bataan By Alena Mae S. Flores PANASIA Energy Inc. received clearance from the Department of Energy to proceed with a grid impact study on its planned 638-megawatt liquefied natural gas combined cycle power plant in Limay, Bataan. Panasia, a subsidiary of Millenium Energy Inc., won the bidding for the government’s 139,054-square-meter property in Barangay Luz and Barangay

Kitang II in Limay, Bataan with an offer of P1 billion in November last year. The project is one of the eight power generation projects approved by DOE as of February, with clearance to conduct the study on the impact of integrating their respective projects to the national power grid. The results of the grid impact study to be conducted by grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines will determine if the power projects can operate

reliably and with efficient cost. Other projects that were also approved for the study are the 555-MW Sapang Balen solar project of Sapang Balen Solar Sustainable Energy Corp. in Pampanga and Tarlac; the 250-MW Gened 2 hydro power plant of Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp. in Kabugao, Apaya; and the 180 MW multi-fuel gas turbine of Millenium tat the Navotas Fishport Complex in Navotas City.

Also included are the solar projects of PV Sinag Power Inc. in San Miguel, Pangasinan (81 MW) and the floating solar project in San Marcelino, Zambales (162 MW); Lumino Biomass Power Inc.’s 50-MW biomass plant in Surigao Del Sur; and Cabanglasan Hydropower Corp.’s 15-MW hydro project in Valencia, Bukidnon. The DOE approved in January the application of five power projects to

conduct a grid impact study. These include Cleantech Global Renewables Inc.’s 150-MW Tayabas wind project in Quezon; PV Sinag’s 124-MW Laguna Lake floating solar project; PAVI Green Renewable Energy Inc.’s 36-MW San Vicente solar project in Camarines Norte; Caraga Wind Energy Corp.’s 36MW wind project in Surigao del Norte; and Samal Solar Renewable Energy Corp.’s 57.57-MW solar project in Samal, Bataan.

Sports

Bulacan, Ilocos Sur turn back NBL foes THE Bulacan DF Republicans claimed their second victor y even as Redel Fabro scored 51 points in the Narvacan Panthers-Ilocos Sur’s f irst victor y in the NBL President’s Cup at the Quezon Convention Center last Saturday. The Republicans beat the FSD Makati Defenders, 10287, to take a 2-0 win-loss record lead in the homegrown professional league, while Fabro got the league’s scoring record as the Panthers beat the Cagayan Valley Water Buffalos, 119-99. Christian Necio delivered 18 points as Bulacan got off to a strong start to their NBL campaign, following up its win over Cagayan Valley last Sunday. Fabro got the NBL’s scoring record after bur ying 10 threes and adding 12 rebounds as the Panthers atoned for their opening day loss to Las Pinas. Paulo Casia and John Paul Reclusado also stepped up in the Nar vacan-Ilocos Sur win, adding 16 and 14 points apiece. Makati and Cagayan Valley are at the bottom with 0-1 and 0-2 records respectively.

Redel Fabro

Hidilyn Diaz

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

Southwoods Invitational braces for grand return

PSA honors PH’s best athletes of ‘21

ED by Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s Olympic heroes and top sports achievers of 2021 get a well-deserved tribute Monday during the annual celebration of the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the Diamond ballroom of the Diamond Hotel. Star of the night is no other than Diaz who will be honored with the coveted Athlete of the Year award by the country’s oldest media organization in the special two-hour affair presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Cignal TV. Program proper starts at 7:30 p.m. to be hosted by veteran broadcaster Sev Sarmenta and former courtside reporter and now news anchor Rizza Diaz. The 31-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga City provided one of the greatest moments in Philippine sports history last year when she gifted this

nation of 110 million people its first gold in the Olympics by winning in record fashion the women’s 55-kg class of the Tokyo Olympiad. This marks the third time in the last six years the local sportswriting community is recognizing Diaz with its highest individual award after first clinching it in 2016 (silver medal in Rio Olympics) and then two years later in 2018 (gold medal Jakarta Asian Games). Diaz leads a compact 39-man awardee, including medalists and participants in both the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, who comprised the 2021 PSA honor roll to be rec-

ognized in the traditional gala night also backed by MILO (official choco milk), 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philracom, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, MVP Sports Foundation, and Smart. All awardees, officials, guests, and PSA members are reminded to bring along their vaccination card to allow entry in the venue as part of the health and safety protocols of the hotel. Two of the country’s current world champions in golfer Yuka Saso and gymnast Carlos Yulo would also be recognized as recipients of the President’s Award to be awarded by PSA prexy Rey C. Lachica, sports editor of Tempo Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and bronze winner Eumir Marcial lead six other achievers who will be handed out with Major Awards that also include billiards champion Carlo Biado, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, grand slam winner Alex Eala, and boxing champions Nonito Donaire Jr., Jerwin Ancajas, and Johnriel Casimero.

THE Southwoods Invitational braces for a grand return in new normal after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic with a maximum number of 400 players all-geared up for action and reunion of sorts at the Masters and Legends courses in Carmona, Cavite. Unlike in previous editions of Manila Southwoods’ flagship memberguest tournament, the March 16-19 event will be held with restrictions, including sequential tee times and maintaining the wearing of face masks and physical distancing in all four days of the event backed by The Turf Company as title sponsor. The awards rites and major raffle program will be held via zoom at 5 p.m. on March 19. Tournament winners and sponsors will be invited to attend a photo op and lunch at 10:30 a.m. on March 26. Backing the event are Platinum sponsors Mitsubishi Motors Phil. Corp./Alpine Motors Corp., Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel, Agrexplore Corp., Abomar Equipment Sales Corp., Sojitz Fuso Phil. Corp., Kilo International Marketing Corp. and HBW Enterprises while The Manor & The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay and Leads Agricultural Products Corp. head the Gold backers list and Le Chef, Inc., Metro Rail Transit Dev’t. Corp., PGA Clubshares and PNOEZ are the Silver sponsors. Making up the Bronze sponsors roster are Alpha Quality, Ayala Land Premier, BDO, Camp John Hay Golf Club, Castillo-Laman-Tan-Pantaleon-San Jose Law Offices, Club Leisure Management Corp., Escala Tagaytay Hotel, Federal Maintenance & Management, Inc., Forest Hills Golf & Country Club, G&W Clubshares, GG&A Clubshares, Hernandez Engineering Works, HydroTech Irrigation, Manila Southwoods Manor, Mastech, Inc., Mit-Air, Inc., Smart Probe, Srixon, Puma and Warbird Security & Agency.

PLDT, Smart, MVPSF establish world-class facility for gymnasts

The 2,300-square meter MVPSF Gymnastics Center

PLDT, its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. and the MVP Sports Foundation ramp up their support for Filipino athletes, unveiling recently a world-class training facility for gymnasts. Situated within the Intramuros complex in Manila, the 2,300-square meter MVPSF Gymnastics Center complex will be equipped to train national athletes in artistic, aerobic, and trampoline gymnastics. A tall tent outside of the building will also be erected for the rhythmic gymnastics team. It will also house the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines office, conference rooms, lounge, lockers, coaches’ rooms, a clinic, a café, and even a meditation area for the well-being of the athletes while training. “Our investments in the country’s sports development bear fruit when we witness our athletes give their best while

representing the Philippines in the global arena. The victories they achieve and the pride they give our country are priceless,” said sports patron and PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. Pangilinan is also Chairman and Trustee of the MVPSF. “We at PLDT and Smart have always believed in the importance of sports in shaping individuals and communities for the better. This facility is just one our many efforts to ensure that Filipino athletes get the best support that we can possibly provide as they bring glory to our country,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO, MVPSF President and Trustee, and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) First Vice-President. For PLDT and Smart Head of Sports and MVPSF Executive Director Jude Turcuato,

this is also a way for the telco to contribute to nation-building. “Our mission is to be the driving force in the development of worldclass Filipino sports champions. We want to foster a culture of winning using the grassroots programs that we’ve established in various sporting events.” International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe, GAP President Cynthia Carrion, Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Celia Kiram, former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief in Mission Yasushi Yamamoto, POC Deputy Secretary-General Carl Sambrano, International Olympic Committee Executive Board Member Mikee Conjuanco-Jaworski, and other guests witnessed the inauguration of the facility.

Sports

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

Pamisa reaches Asian Junior Youth finals

Sityodtong awards 5 bonuses at ‘LIGHTS OUT’ ONE: LIGHTS OUT truly lived up to its name as fans experienced one of the best shows that ONE Championship has produced this year. The event saw nine of its bouts end by either KO or TKO, including all six bouts on the main card. That made the night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, March 11, truly special. With that, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong gave out five $50,000 performance bonuses, marking the first time that the martial artist-slash-entrepreneur handed out that much incentive at one event. And no one can deny that the winners deserved it. ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le took one of the bonuses as he bludgeoned his way to a 56-second KO finish over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon in one of the main events. The Vietnamese-American dropped one bomb after another as Tonon desperately went for a heel hook, resulting in Le’s 13th finish in as many wins – 12 of those coming via KO or TKO. In the other main event, John “Hands of Stone” Lineker not only walked out with the ONE Bantamweight World Title around his waist, but he also came out 50 grand richer. By knocking out the longtime king of the division in Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in the second round, “Hands of Stone” got the attention of Chatri Sityodtong, who awarded him the bonus. And by the looks of it, this won’t be Lineker’s last. The three other bonuses were handed out during the show’s ONE Super Series matchups. Chinese prodigy “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian opened the main card with a scintillating performance over former ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Josh “Timebomb” Tonna, making him one of the must-watch stars of the division. The 18-year-old ran through the veteran Aussie, eventually getting the finish in the second round of their kickboxing match. The English pair of Liam Nolan and Iman “Pretty Killer” Barlow wrapped up the night’s awardees after two lightning quick finishes on the lead card. Barlow landed a beautiful elbow to stop Daniela Lopez in their Muay Thai bout, while Nolan made short work of Kim Kyung Lock with knees, finishing the South Korean in just a minute and two seconds. The biggest show in ONE Championship history, ONE X, is just around the corner as it takes place on Saturday, 26 March, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Watch it live here: bit.ly/WatchONE | ONE Super App | ONE YouTube

Tommy Fleetwood of England lines up his putt on the first green during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2022 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. AFP

Fleetwood, Hoge share lead at Players in Miami M

IAMI—Fierce winds and cold temperatures created brutal conditions in Saturday’s darkness-halted second round of the Players Championship, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and American Tom Hoge sharing the lead. Elite golfers battled blustery breezes with 40 mph gusts all day and were already looking at a Monday finish after two days of torrential rain wreaked havoc at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. “When I got to 17 and 18, you couldn’t hardly stand up much less hit a golf shot,” American Kevin Kisner said after shooting a two-over 74. “It’s brutal. It’s pure luck and somewhat loss of integrity of the tournament.” The famed par-3 17th island green was buffeted by north winds and averaged 3.79 strokes, the most since 1984. “It was blowing so hard,” two-time

major winner Dustin Johnson said after a 73. Fleetwood and Hoge shared the 18hole lead on six-under par 66 after the first round was concluded Saturday, and Fleetwood managed to begin his second round before darkness struck after his tee shot at the fourth hole. Fleetwood reached the green in two at the par-5 second hole, then two-putted for birdie from 29 feet to seize the lead alone at 7-under, only to find the rough at the par-3 third and miss a 13foot par putt to make bogey. That left the Englishman level again with Hoge, who was among 24 players

whose second round start was postponed to Sunday as organizers prepared for a Monday finish. India’s Anirban Lahiri, Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and American Keith Mitchell shared second on 5-under with 18 holes to finish Sunday. Defending champion Justin Thomas and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson delivered the only bogey-free second rounds on Saturday, Thomas shooting 69 and Watson 68 despite the whipping winds that kept them out for six hours. “That was one of the best rounds I’ve played. It really was,” Thomas said. “It was insane. It was one of those rounds that’s fun when you’re at home but not so much fun when you have to play.” Watson said the key was “be committed to your shots, even if they go wild. I hit some wayward shots but I made the putts. That’s what kept the round going.” AFP

CAGAYAN de Oro’s Eljay Pamisa has barged into the finals of the The Asian Boxing Confederation Junior and Youth Championships at the Al Hossein Sports City in Amman, Jordan. Pamisa, 17, hammered out a spectacular win over Iran’s Nima Beygi Thursday, using effective counter attacks and deft footwork enroute to his golden showdown on Monday. He faces tough Anand Yadav of India in the gold-medal round of the event which drew 305 boxers from the region. The young bantamweight, who fights in the 54 kg category, was a silver medalist in the Asian Junior Championships in Al Fujaira, UAE in 2019 when he was in the 46 kg class. Other members of the team are junior boxers (15-16 yrs old) Robert Malunoc Jr. (46 kg), Justine Valero (48 kg) and Van Hendrich Abing (50 kg). Youth boxers (16-17 yrs old) are Reymond Lofranco (48 kg), John Wayne Vicera (51 kg) and Pamisa. Coaches are Elmer Pamisa and Gerson Nietes. Team Manager is ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo. Appointed by ASBC as Technical Delegate for the tournament is Karina Picson. Also in the event is 3-star International Referee-Judge Rolando Jose. Meanwhile, the ASBC held its Congress and Elections Saturday at the Marriott Bonvoy Hotel in the same city. Representing the Philippines were Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ed Picson and secretary general Manalo. Thailand’s Pichai Chunhavajira was elected as the new ASBC president besting his opponent Saken Polatov of Uzbekistan, 18 votes to 11. ABAP president Picson is one of the close advisers of the prominent Thai businessman-sportsman.

Oconer, Navymen strike, but Morales stays ahead By Peter Atencio DAET, Camarines Norte— Defending champion George Oconer and his teammates at Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance found a chance to bounce back, while Excellent Noodles’ Jan Paul Morales kept a tight grip on the red jersey in the wet 179.8-km Stage 4 of the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas at the Provincial Capitol here Sunday. The 29-year-old Oconer, the Navymen’s skipper, arrived at the crowded finish line in front of the Daet Provincial Capitol with Excellent Noodles’ Mervin Corpuz on his tail in four hours, 10 minutes and 12 seconds. Oconer started breaking away with a 12-man group after teammate Ronald Oranza also made his presence felt and ruled the King of the Mountain stage in Sipocot, some 18.1 kilometers to the finish line. DReyna rider Arjay Peralta took third, two seconds behind Oconer and Corpuz, after he joined a 10-man pack in pursuit of the pair. Using his familiarity of the route, Oconer kept a steady pace in the last five kilometers of the race, after he and

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Sebastian Korda during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. AFP

Navy Standard Insurance’s George Oconer raises his hand as he crosses the finish line, followed by Excellent Noodles’ Mervin Corpuz and Drey’s Arjay Peralta.

Corpuz left the final group that was trying to catch up with them. “Pakiramdam ko, kundisyon ako. Gagawin ko ang lahat, hanggang sa matapos,” said Oconer as he prepares

for longer distances in the next five stages. His Navymen teammates El Joshua Peralta and Ronald Oranza landed fourth and fifth, and their efforts pushed

the squad ahead of Excellent Noodles for the team stage honors. Morales, who helped keep Excellent Noodles on top of the general team standings, landed sixth, some 26 seconds behind Oconer. The 36-year-old Morales is still ahead in the race for the overall individual honors, but Corpuz has cut his lead, as he is now 20 seconds behind. Morales’ teammate Ryan Tugawin is third 38 seconds back, while Oranza is far behind by two minutes and 15 seconds. Navymen coach Reinhart Gorrantes said the rainy weather gave them a chance to make up for their unimpressive showings in the three previous stages. “Pumabor ang pagkakataon. Hindi namin ine-expect ito. Pero, talagang pinagtrabahuhan namin ito,” said Gorrantes. The Navymen saw action without one of their climbing specialists in Junrey Navarra, who fell ill and dropped out midway in Stage 3. Gorrantes said Navarra, who is recovering from tuberculosis, will be back in action soon.

Nadal ekes out Indian Wells win; no. 1 Medvedev cruises INDIAN WELLS—Rafael Nadal pulled off another great escape Saturday, rallying from two breaks down in the third set to beat young American Sebastian Korda in the second round at Indian Wells. As newly minted number one Daniil Medvedev — the man Nadal beat with an epic comeback in the Australian Open final — cruised to victory in his first match as the world’s top-ranked player, Nadal was made to work by 21-year-old Korda, ranked 38th in the world. “I feel very, very lucky today to be through,” Nadal said after a 6-2, 16, 7-6 (7/3) victory in the prestigious WTA and ATP Masters hard court tournament.

“Sebastian was playing some fantastic tennis. I didn’t play my best match without a doubt (but) a lot of credit to him that he played so aggressive and he put me in a lot of trouble.” Medvedev opened the action on Stadium court in the California desert and after saving a break point in the opening game had little trouble with 21-year-old Czech qualifier Tomas Machac, ranked 158th in the world. The reigning US Open champion wrapped up a 6-3, 6-2 victory in 70 minutes, although Medvedev said it “was not as easy as it seems” after he sealed the win on a third match point. The difference, he said, was consistency.

“If you look, the first set was pretty even. He made just a few unforced errors and maybe some bad decisions in crucial moments. That’s how tennis is sometimes,” Medvedev said. Medvedev said it was a “great feeling” to take the court as world number one, “something I’ve always dreamed of.” But he’ll have to reach the quarter-finals to prevent Novak Djokovic, absent this week due to US Covid-19 travel restrictions on the unvaccinated, from reclaiming the top spot. Medvedev, who has never made it past the fourth round in four prior appearances, next faces France’s Gael Monfils, who beat Serbian Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 6-4. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

Vietnam bans ‘Uncharted’ over South China Sea map

‘Uncharted’ stars Tom Holland (left) and Mark Wahlberg

VIETNAM has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing’s claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday. The action-andadventure caper Uncharted shows a map featuring the socalled nine-dash line,

which sets out Beijing’s expansive claims to the disputed waters, where Hanoi has rival claims. Sony’s movie, starring Mark Walhberg, Antonio Banderas, and Holland had been set for nationwide release on March 18. “During the movie review, the National Evaluation and Classification Council discovered that the image of the nine-dashed line appeared in the movie,” director of Vietnam’s Department of Cinema Vi Kien Thanh told

the state-controlled Zing news outlet. “Therefore, this movie will be banned from screening.” On the film’s official Facebook page, Vietnamese users left comments decrying the map. “Hoang Sa Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam!,” read one, referencing the contested Parcel and Spratly Islands. The long-running issue has been closely contested in the film world.

Aga Muhlach musings

FOR Manila’s Generation X, Aga Muhlach is the major dreamboat. And all men and women hold dearly in the deepest pockets of their hearts, a special memory of the man whose real name is Ariel. Since his first silver screen appearance in the classic coming-of-age movie of the middle-class Maryo delos Reyes’ Bagets, to his most current project, the feel-good reality show Bida Kayo Kay Aga (with its initial telecast on March 26, 7:00 p.m. on NET 25), Muhlach’s adoring GenX public, are forever amused and yes, the husband of Charlene Gonzales, and the father of the wonder twins, Andres and Atasha continue to enchant and enthrall. We love Muhlach for his most obvious physical attributes round expressive eyes, bewit dimples that beguile, boyish charms, a face that always looks oh-so-handsome in photographs, and the sexy man hidden inside his current dad bod state. Falling in love with him, I mean the characters he gave life on screen, is as easy as one, two, three. With the sweetest smile and true love’s kiss with the finest examples of leading ladies namely Mikee Cojuanco, Regine Velasquez, and Lea Salonga, all having the Aga Muhlach romantic onscreen experience. Real-life matter-of-the-heart episodes with Janice de Belen, Aiko Melendez, Ms. Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, and Charlene Mae Muhlach, with its legendary twists and turns can out plot a paperback novel that makes the collective hearts flutter. We believed and rooted for his characters, in his commitment and the

emotional truth he gave in all his movies, whether it’s a drama, romantic comedy or a thriller. We even remember movie moments he shared with the late great Nida Blanca in Miguelito, Vilma Santos in Nag-Iisang Bituin and Sinungaling Mong Puso, Maricel Soriano and Angelica Panginiban in A Love Story, Kristine Hernosa in All My Life, and of course, the most iconic were, becoming Jerry in Sana’y Maulit Muli and Tommy in Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal with Salonga and as Andrew, Vince and Jimboy, the three men he perfectly portrayed in the movies with Velasquez. Now, a different facet of him is guaranteed to seen in Bida Kayo Kay Aga. Muhlach and his team will scour the metropolis to find everyday heroes whose lives can be a source of inspiration to many. The dramatic actor believes that this show is his modest way of paying it forward to the people who are all instrumental in giving him the successes that he reached. The fact that he’ll get not only to meet, but converse with this modern day champions, Muhlach declares: “I am nervous and excited. You know, talking to them, hearing their stories, it feels good. There is so much negativity now and letting the audiences aware that there are quiet victors doing good in a community or within their family, these are human interest stories that must be made public.” He carries on: “Natutuwa naman sila to see me. I don’t think they are star struck kasi ako naman that celebrity thing never goes in my head. Even though I reached for the stars, my feet are always on the ground. Sharing a small amount of time with our chosen man of the hour, yung buhay nila talaga ang dapat ma-i-highlight and yes, what they do must not only get a round of applause or congratulations, they must be celebrated.” Real life lion hearts plus Aga Muhlach, now you know why Bida Kayo Kay Aga is a television must see.

Actor and now TV host Aga Muhlach

In the 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, scene featuring a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing’s control was cut in Vietnam. A year later, Hanoi pulled the animated DreamWorks film Abominable from screens over the same issue, with Netflix also told to ditch episodes of its Pine Gap series last year over similar scenes. AFP

Bianca Umali (left) plays Irene while Kelvin Miranda plays the role of Nestor, her boyfriend

Bianca (center) will be caught in a love triangle between Ken (left) and Kelvin

Ken Chan (left) plays Richard, Bianca’s geeky boss in the series

‘Mano Po Legacy’ Legacy’ unveils new twist in series’ second installment By Patricia Taculao

HE Mano Po Legacy returns with another exciting series that promises to delight viewers everywhere. Titled Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss, the primetime soap diverts from the usual intense drama to bring kilig and laughter as a romanticcomedy series.

“If you like the first Mano Po, which is actually a drama, you’re going to enjoy this one because you’re going to fall in love. Ang mahirap lang dito, sino pipiliin mo? ‘Yong boyfriend mo na nagmamahal sa’yo or ‘yong boss mo na nagmamahal din sa’yo,” said First Vice President for Program Management Department at Gma Network Inc. Jose Mari R. Abacan during the online mediacon for Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss. COO and Vice President of Regal Entertainment Inc. and Regal Multimedia Inc. Roselle Monteverde assures viewers that they’ll be surprised again with the new series of Mano Po with its cast, revelations, and script. “Kahit na rom-com ito, siguradong meron ding mga iconic lines na manggagaling sa

mga characters,” she said. Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss brings together Kapuso stars Bianca Umali, Ken Chan, and Kelvin Miranda to make audiences laugh, fall in love, and experience the struggle in choosing between two people who have strong feelings for you. Bianca plays Irene, known as the “bubbly assistant.” Ken plays Richard, the “geeky boss,” while Kelvin is Nestor, the “perfect BF.” Despite the lightheartedness of the upcoming series, Bianca, Ken, and Kelvin reportedly struggled with some of the scenes as they’re accustomed to playing dramatic roles. Bianca shared that her character in the series is far from her personality in real life, which is why she finds the role of Irene challenging. She found the extreme energy of her character to be somewhat tiring, considering that she has to remain bubbly throughout the production, yet it was a welcome experience for Bianca as she got to encounter a role outside her comfort zone. “Ngayon ko siguro napatunayan na na-underestimate ko ‘yong meaning ng comedy. Hindi siya pahinga from drama, it’s something else. It’s as good

as doing a heavy drama series,” she said. Bianca also prepares for the show by building a good relationship with her costars and understanding the script as best as she can during story cons. Also joining Bianca, Ken, and Kelvin are Ricardo Cepeda, the “patriarch”; Marina Benipayo, the “socialite mom”; and Pokwang, the “devoted single mom”; Teejay Marquez, the “charming boss”; Sarah Edwards, the “aggressive GF”; Sarah Holmes, the “bored bratinella”; and Blue Cailles, the “rocker BF.” Spearheaded by Easy Ferrer, the new installment of Mano Po marks several firsts for the director. “First time ko mag-teleserye na ako talaga ‘yong head, first time na ang Mano Po ay romcom kasi usually ay family saga ‘yan, first time makikita si Bianca at si Ken in a lighter scenario, and first time na ganito kalaki ‘yong cast,” he said. The director added that the production heads planned the series before and developed it as a rom-com, so audiences receive a wide range of genres through the Mano Po Legacy series. Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss premieres tonight at 9:35 on GMA Telebabad.

The star-studded cast of ‘Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss’

Liza Diño reappointed as FDCP head UNDERSECRETARY Mary Liza Diño has been reappointed for another three-year term as the Chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). FDCP Chairperson and CEO Diño took her oath before Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday. Also present in the oath-taking ceremony were representatives from DTI and the FDCP employees. Undersecretary Diño has served the national film agency after being appointed by President Rodrigo Roa

Duterte in 2016. Her three-year term was extended to 2021 and now, with the reappointment of her position, her term as Chairperson and CEO of the FDCP will be extended until 2025. DTI Secretary Lopez congratulated Undersecretary Diño saying, “I’m impressed with all the kind of work you’re doing and I wish you all the best. I know, under your leadership, mas gaganda pa ang ating film industry. Palakasin pa natin.” “On behalf of our team FDCP, onsite and online, maraming, maraming salamat,” said Undersecretary Diño during her oath-taking ceremony.

Since 2016, Undersecretary Diño has been pushing for programs and policies that would alleviate the working conditions of the local film industry workers and further develop and strengthen the industry. Some of her notable efforts during her term include the DoLE-FDCP JMC or the guidelines on working conditions for film and audiovisual film workers, Film Workers Summit, Film Industry Conference, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Philippine Film Industry Month, Full Circle Lab Philippines, talent and production development programs, and coproduction incentives.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño

Life

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

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022

A new era of travel

HE tourism industry is confident that 2022 is the year of travel. After two years of pandemicinduced lockdowns, Filipinos are beginning to pack their bags again for leisure trips. Taking advantage of the renewed hope towards tourism recovery, leading travel and leisure e-commerce platform Klook continues to break

boundaries by making consumer travel more meaningful and enjoyable with its new identity. The company has recently launched “Your World Of Joy” to play on joyful moments at the core of travel. “As we enter a new era of travel, this rebrand is our commitment to bring joy back to our customers who have missed the magic of traveling and be their goto travel and leisure app at home or abroad,” said Eric Gnock Fah, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Klook.

Dani Barretto

Kimpoy Feliciano

The Klook team

The company has distilled the main pain points of what consumers need and want today, and it’s providing experiences that truly incite joy. Klook has shifted gears to focus on domestic travel with the best prices guaranteed for local theme parks, water parks, and zoos. This includes new product offerings such as hotels, resorts, and F&B vouchers—completely bookable through the app.

Vince Velasco (left) and Ina Roa

Customers can experience Klook across three categories - play, stay, and move. The latest offers include hotels and staycations, car rentals, attraction passes, and services, including COVID-19 testing and travel-related insurance—all designed and created for the convenience and enjoyment of modern travelers. While domestic remains the brand’s

Dominique Roque

focus, cross-border travel is also on Klook’s radar. With the reopening of different borders, outbound travel from the Philippines is slowly becoming a reality. With this, Singapore has opened its borders to Philippine passport holders, and Klook also has been gearing up with new improvements to make the travel experience more seamless and convenient such as hotel options with Klook exclusive deals, enhanced attractions experience, and complete Singapore food trip guide. Kicking off the rebrand in the Philippines is Klook’s very first hybrid event with a virtual and onground launch event on March 4. Key influencers, media partners, merchants, and brand partners basked in the celebration of Klook’s new rebrand and bright new future. “We are hopeful that travel in the Philippines and across the world will return in full force soon. The rebrand is our commitment to inspire and enable more moments of joy, as we reimagine the way we travel in this new environment,” concluded Michelle Ho, General Manager of Klook Philippines.

Craving for a quick summer getaway?

That unique country in Oceania

Manjsssuyod White Sand Bar in Dumaguete

Paraw sailing in Boracay

THE summer season is almost here – that means many of us are planning long-overdue trips with friends and family to make up for the past months. With more domestic destinations easing restrictions and travel being more open for Filipinos, now is the perfect time for travelhungry individuals to finally go and make use of their CEB Super Pass, purchased last year. Launched in May 2021 by Cebu Pacific as part of its 25th anniversary, the CEB Super Pass is a first-of-its-kind product that lets travelers buy all they can, and fly when they can, across the airline’s widest domestic network. This P99 voucher already covers the base fare so passengers only have to pay taxes and fees upon redemption. For those who want a taste of the great outdoors, travelers can go trekking in Compostela Valley in Davao or Mapawa Nature Park in Cagayan De Oro. Travelers can also opt for a trip to the island of Palompon, 80km away from Tacloban, Panglao Island in Bohol, or Bulubadiangan Island in Iloilo to experience

A picturesque scene in Coron, Palawan

Several fun activities await tourists in Dahilayan, Bukidnon

their white sandy beaches. Many travelers are likewise looking for “workation” spots for a much-needed change in scenery. Cebu is definitely a great choice for delicious food and relaxing beach resorts to feel reinvigorated while working remotely, at the same time. Foodies will surely enjoy a traditional Mindanaoan boodle in General Santos, which is dubbed as “The Tuna Capital of the Philippines.” Wherever travelers choose to fly, they may redeem their CEB Super Pass flights now. Those who purchased in May 2021 may redeem their flights until May 24, for travel until May 31. While those who bought their vouchers in September 2021 have until September 23 to redeem them for travel until September 30. To redeem your CEB Super Pass visit https:// book.cebupacificair.com/Vouchers/Select.

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol

WHERE in the world can you find a country that speaks 852 languages and each of the communities that speak these languages has its own ethnic group with a distinctive culture? This is just one of the many unique The imposing facade of Radisson Hotel Group’s new 16-story features of that beautiful archipelago of more Grand Papua Hotel in downtown Port Moresby than 600 islands clustered in Oceania, off the north coast of Australia. Papua New Guinea active and 23 dormant volcanoes in the country, as (PNG) is a country of enviable natural resources, populated by warm, hospitable people, tourists enjoy the view of the volcanoes while feeling and bursting with many species of flora and fauna a little tremor themselves. There’s also Muschu Island, famous for its black beach, and the Nature that are indigenous to the region. In fact, PNG is where you find the Hooded Park that has a two-kilometer pathway for those who Pitohui, one of the very few poisonous birds in the want a leisurely stroll while communing with nature. There are many more tourist attractions in Papua world. Belonging to the oriole family, the bird gets its neurotoxin from what it eats---poisonous beetles. New Guinea, the reason why the Radisson Hotel Group Touching the bird’s skin and feathers causes numbness now has acquired management of the Grand Papua or a burning sensation that may lead to paralysis and Hotel, the global brand’s inaugural hotel in the country. Centrally located cardiac arrest. in Port Moresby and But that shouldn’t overlooking the Coral YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE scare visitors away Sea, the 16-storey hotel because the country AN INTERESTING QUESTION: Why are they has 156 spacious rooms offers a load of beautiful called apart-ments when they are stuck and suites, all featuring and easily accessible together? contemporary amenities attractions. There is and relaxing views of the Varirata National Park that gives tourists a breathtaking panoramic the city or the ocean. Guests staying on the Executive th view of the capital, Port Moresby, and the sea. floors have access to the 15 floor Executive Lounge, Here is where you can commune with Birds of which provides complimentary refreshments, Paradise that colorfully exhibit themselves in personalized services, and panoramic vistas, while flocks, much to the delight of leisure travelers who a dedicated ladies’ floor offers additional safety and want to garnish their social media platforms with peace of mind for female travelers. The guests’ wellness regimen is taken care of interesting photo ops. There is The Rainforest Habitat, a man-made, by the outdoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art reconstructed rainforest complete with the fitness center, soothing spa, and hair salon. There is indigenous species of flora and fauna under an a poolside terrace for daytime drinks and light bites, 11-meter-high canopy, located on the campus while a Grand Bar serves beverages and snacks of the University of Technology. The most throughout the day, and the Grand Brasserie offers interesting inhabitant of this rainforest is the Tree a modern à la carte menu and wine list. The hotel Kangaroo, the only macropod that lives in trees. caters to MICE events with its nine function rooms, This adorable creature, which has a long tail, looks flexible spaces that can house big corporate meetings more like a small bear, very different from those or social gatherings. As a member of Radisson Individuals, Grand marsupials that we see in Australia. A seismic experience can be had at the Volcanology Papua Hotel is now a part of the Radisson Hotel Observatory which monitors the activity of the 14 Group’s global platform, benefitting from the brand’s international awareness and experience, while also retaining the hotel’s own unique identity. The Grand Papua Hotel is part of Coral Sea Hotels, the largest chain of hotels in Papua New Guinea, owned by Steamships Limited and Radisson Individuals currently has 48 hotels in operation and under development globally. More information on this global hotel brand is available at www.radissonhotels.com. The colorful but dangerous Hooded Pitohui, found only in Papua New Guinea (Photo courtesy of e-bird.org)

The adorable Tree Kangaroo is the For feedback, I’m only macropod that lives in trees (Photo courtesy ofen.wikipedia.org) bobzozobrado@gmail.com