Manila Standard - 2022 April 2- Saturday

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2ND COMELEC DEBATE WITH NEW FORMAT SET SUNDAY NEWS / A4

MOSCOW: KYIV'S 1ST AIR STRIKE ON RUSSIAN SOIL HITS FUEL DEPOT NEWS / A2

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 48 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Imee: Tax issue ‘rotten politics’ Questions timing of raising the issue, claims amount still unresolved

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Imee Marcos on Friday said tirades against her brother, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. over the alleged failure of their family to pay P203 billion in estate taxes was merely part of a “demolition job."

The senator questioned the timing of the emergence of the issue after the lapse of many years.

"Why did it suddenly come out? Indeed, they were just trying to destroy (Bongbong). This is rotten politics," Senator Marcos said.

She said the ploy would not work because people had grown tired of “repeatedly maligning us.”

The senator also said the latest attack against her brother, the frontrunner in all presidential surveys, would no longer sway people's support for him.

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Rody nixes new reclamation bids in Manila, Cebu

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to halt the acceptance of applications for reclamation activities in Manila and Cebu province, saying massive reclamation projects have become breeding grounds for corruption.

Duterte issued the directive to acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna as he disclosed that he had fired at least six Cabinet members because of their supposed involvement in questionable mega projects.

During a speech in Lapu-Lapu City Thursday night, the President also said he Next page

PRE-RAMADAN CLEANUP. More than a hundred Muslim personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard spruce up the Golden Mosque in Quiapo ahead of the start of the month-long Ramadan today (Saturday). Norman Cruz

Comelec warns Smartmatic over breach, sanctions up

By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections has warned Smartmatic that the security breach in its system should not happen again, adding that it was only waiting for a report from the National Bureau of Investigation before taking action against the service provider.

“We told Smartmatic that this should not happen again,” Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said at a briefing Friday, referring to the breach as a “very unfortunate incident that created a lot of problems.”

He assured the public that the Come-

lec would not allow anyone to undermine public confidence in the electoral system.

“That is our pledge,” he said. “That’s why I ordered full transparency without compromising the security of the ballots and the SD cards,” he added.

Smartmatic International said it has already fired the employee who allowed a group of hackers to copy election data from a company laptop and assured the government that the security breach did not compromise the system that will be used in the May polls.

“They emphasized to us that the data leak does not have anything to do with the elections in 2022,” said “What was

leaked were data concerning [the] internal organization and activities. They assured us that the security of the ballots and the configured SD cards was not compromised by that leak,” Pangarungan said.

Pangarungan and Commissioners George Garcia and Rey Bulay met with officials of the Comelec’s service provider on Thursday.

Earlier, Senator Imee Marcos revealed that an employee of Smartmatic supposedly allowed a group of hackers to copy election data from a laptop issued by the company.

Marcos's revelation led to calls for a Next page

DOE assures outages won’t affect elections

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy is hopeful there will be no outages during the election period as contingency measures have been put in place to ensure reliable Next page power supply.

Palace says Duterte, Xi to meet online Apr. 8, but gives no details

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG confirmed that outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte would have a talk online with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping, but said it was still in the preparatory stage.

Acting Deputy presidential spokesperson Kris Ablan made the statement after Duterte said Thursday evening that Xi, who initiated the talk, had expressed his intention for the virtual

meeting.

“The meeting would not be faceto-face. What we know is it will be held online on April 8,” Ablan said in a press briefing.

“Insofar as we’re concerned, this meeting is still in the preparatory stage,” Ablan added.

However, the Palace official did not provide details about what Duterte and Xi might discuss.

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FIGHTING FIRE. Teachers from Araullo High School in Manila undergo training on how to extinguish a fire on Friday, April 1, 2022. Danny Pata

E-games $615m heist ‘external breach’ THROWBACK PHOTO. China's President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Duterte toast during a state banquet at the Malacañan Palace on Nov. 20, 2018. The two leaders are set to meet virtually on April 8.

BLOCKCHAIN project Ronin, behind the popular online game Axie Infinity, said Friday it had made some headway in probing a cyber heist that compromised $615 million in virtual assets, citing an "external breach."

This followed a warning from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to the public regarding the risks of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) following the reported theft from a digital ledger used by players of Axie Infinity.

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Du30 may halt e-sabong if it be disruptive PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has said he may be forced to order the suspension of e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations if the situation gets out of hand.

Duterte made the statement in a speech delivered Thursday evening in Lapu-Lapu City, as he noted more Filipinos getting addicted to online cockfighting.

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News

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Moscow accuses Kyiv of air strike M

OSCOW on Friday accused Kyiv of carrying out its first air strike on Russian soil, further dashing hopes of any deescalation in President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.

Peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials resumed via video, but Moscow warned that the helicopter attack on a fuel depot in the town of Belgorod would hamper negotiations.

After over a month of a military campaign that has reduced parts of Ukraine to rubble, Moscow said in peace talks earlier this week it would scale back attacks on the capital Kyiv and the city of Chernigiv.

But Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was consolidating and preparing "powerful strikes" in the country's east and south, joining a chorus of Western assessments that Moscow troops were regrouping.

"This is part of their tactics," said Zelensky in a late-night address.

"We know that they are moving

away from the areas where we are beating them to focus on others that are very important... where it can be difficult for us," he said.

In particular, he warned, the situation in the country's south and east was "very difficult."

"In Donbas and Mariupol, in the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army is accumulating the potential for attacks, powerful attacks," he said.

Washington echoed that assessment, with a senior US defense official saying Russia's focus on Donbas could herald a "longer, more prolonged conflict."

Fears grew that the theater of war may yet grow, as Russia for the first time on Friday accused Ukraine of an air strike with helicopters hitting Rosneft's fuel storage facility in the western town of Belgorod, around 40

Imee:...

ment of multi-billion estate taxes set at P23 billion already became final and executory in 1999.

Senator Marcos said the estate tax case would continue regardless of who wins the elections as the case will remain in court. She said her family would not move to block the case.

Senator Marcos also said many things have happened during the last 36 years that have muddled the issue.

"We are sort of dizzy on these taxes," she said.

Saying that all debts to the government should be settled, Senator Marcos said their family has faced all the charges filed against them.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, the spokesperson for Marcos Jr, has repeatedly said that the ownership of the properties which are subject of the estate tax had yet to be settled. Rodriguez also said the issue was "all politics."

George Briones, general counsel of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, said the Supreme Court ruled with finality on the P23 billion in estate tax owed by the Marcoses, and not the remainder of the P203 billion which may still be subject to reconciliation.

Marcos Jr. is running for president under the PFP. "What is final is the P23 billion in assessment,” Briones said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“What I am saying is the figure of P203 billion is not final because that is still subject to reconciliation,” he added.

From A1

She acknowledged that there was a tax assessment in 1997, but many things have happened since then.

"Some assessed and taxed properties were given to the so-called cronies. They do not belong to us in the first place -- these properties that were returned to the owners," she said.

The senator said others were also sold by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

"We are asking how much was sold—that will go against the tax payment," she said.

"So we were asking the PCGG and BIR a long time ago, several decades ago, what's really the amount? Different agencies have been giving different amounts," she said.

She also said her mother Imelda and her lawyers have yet to receive a demand letter for the unpaid estate tax, which court records showed was initially set at P23 billion but had reportedly ballooned to P203 billion over the decades.

Earlier, the BIR said it had sent a demand letter to the Marcoses regarding their tax liabilities amounting to P203.819 billion last year.

The Department of Finance said the BIR continues to demand the Marcos family to settle their estate tax debt.

An entry of judgment from the Supreme Court showed that the assess-

Rody...

From A1

would no longer entertain or accept any new appointments.

Duterte said he could not support reclamation activities because they would benefit just the “big” companies, saying he would let his successor decide on the proposed reclamation activities.

“You know in these government’s reclamation projects, only the billionaires venture into that. Those who don’t have money or those who only use their communication skills as capital could never work because it would end in corruption because you joined the business with just small capital, eventually, you will still sell it to the big corporations. So, I said, ‘Pursue them’,” he said.

“I have plenty of work to do. A lot of people are going to Davao because I’m winding up, so to speak. A lot of people want to see me. But I won’t anymore, I won’t sign appointments, nor will I approve huge amounts of money for projects,” Duterte said.

“And then the discretion for the reclamation areas in Manila. I said it’s either I’ll suspend it for the meantime and just leave it to the next administration,” Duterte said.

However, the President refused to identify the Cabinet officials and did not elaborate on the supposed shady reclamation proposals.

“When I became President, I heard reports of corruption. So acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna is new because I fired them all. I won’t name anybody because it’s painful for them for this to have happened. But you know, whether you helped me during the elections or contributed something good, I am very thankful,” he said.

In 2017, Duterte sacked Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismail Sueno, citing loss of trust and confidence.

Sueno was in charge of local governments and the national police, making him among the most powerful Cabinet members. He has denied any

wrongdoing in the past.

“But you know, even if we are friends, I have fired you… I’m not fond of announcing to the media about—in the process, I’ve fired five or six Cabinet members because of corruption,” he added.

“I’m not campaigning, I’m just talking about what ails the system.

I’m not even naming names, but to those who are listening now, did you know about this? But if you ask me, I’ll say who are the Cabinet members that I fired. I fired them a long time ago. I’ve probably fired around six of them,” he said.

In the wake of the President’s statements, his acting spokesman Martin Andanar said there was no corruption issue against resigned Environment secretary Roy Cimatu, who he said resigned because of health issues.

When Duterte said he had directed the DENR to stop the processing of applications for reclamation activities, he was not referring to Cimatu, Andanar said.

Cimatu, a retired chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, submitted his resignation to Duterte’s office on Feb. 17 due to health reasons.

Cimatu was named as DENR chief in May 2017, after the Commission on Appointments rejected the appointment of former Environment secretary Gina Lopez.

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Cimatu was also tapped as an overseer of the government’s intensified pandemic response strategies in Cebu City on top of his job as DENR secretary.

In an online Palace press briefing, acting deputy presidential spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan said the Palace would let the legal process run its course over the alleged involvement of sacked Cabinet officials in corruption.

“If it involves DENR officials, the executive branch is following the right process,” Ablan said in Filipino.

“We will follow the right procedures if there is proof of corruption. So we have to trust our institutions and we have to trust our processes.”

kilometers (25 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

"There was a fire at the petrol depot because of an air strike carried out by two Ukrainian army helicopters, which entered Russian territory at a low altitude," Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on messaging app Telegram.

The consequence of the accusation was swiftly made clear by the Kremlin.

"Of course, this is not something that can be perceived as creating comfortable conditions for the continuation of negotiations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to ongoing peace talks.

Russia launched its offensive on February 24 on its neighbour, expecting to quickly take Kyiv and topple Zelensky's government.

But a ferocious Ukrainian fightback and logistics and tactical problems scuppered such plans.

Meanwhile Russia has faced unprecedented Western sanctions that have led multinationals to quit the country en masse.

The number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's war in their country has crossed 4.1 million, the United Nations said Friday, adding: "This tragedy must stop."

The flow of people escaping across the western borders to flee the Russian assault has settled at around 40,000 a day over the past week.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said 4,102,876 Ukrainians had fled the country since the February 24 invasion – a figure up 43,771 on Thursday's numbers.

More than 3.4 million fled in March.

"Forced to run for their lives.

Forced to leave their homes. Forced to be apart from family. This tragedy must stop," UNHCR said.

Women and children account for 90 percent of those who have fled. Half of those are children. Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are eligible for military call-up and cannot leave.

UNICEF, the UN children's agency, says more than half of the country's estimated 7.5 million children have been displaced – 2.5 million internally and two million abroad. AFP

Comelec...

He said 94.68 percent of the 67 million ballots have already been printed.

From A1

Senate investigation of the incident.

Pangarungan said preparations for the May 9 elections are now in full swing as election materials such as vote counting machines (VCMs) and other automated election system (AES) supplies will be transported to different areas of the country starting April 2.

“With merely 38 days before Dday—the May 9 national and local elections, all preparations for the elections are in full swing Pangarungan said during the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the hosting of four online services for the polls, including the voters’ precinct finder.

The search tool will allow voters to find out ahead of Election Day which polling center and specific precinct they are assigned to on May 9.

The DICT will also host a voter registration status verifier, an online voter’s certificate application, and an election results website.

Pangarungan said the printing of manual official ballots as well as the final testing and sealing of the ballots is almost complete.

DOE...

From A1

"We are very confident. Aside from being confident, we have to be prepared for any contingency. We need to be able to immediately respond," Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said Friday.

He said the strategy involved prioritizing certain areas like canvassing and polling centers and closely coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"If rotational outages are implemented – we'll focus on polling centers and canvassing centers...We’re not saying that that is the general picture, what we’re saying is we are prepared for any contingency," the energy official said.

He gave assurances that DOE and others were working to ensure available supply.

Mario Marasigan, director of DOE's Power Bureau, said they had identified several contingencies such as delaying the maintenance schedule

E-games...

From A1

About 35 percent of traffic in Axie Infinity comes from the Philippines, accounting for the biggest share of its 2.5 million daily active Bridget Rose Mesina-Romero, BSP Payment System Oversight Department Deputy Director, called on the public to exercise caution over play-to-earn games, noting the risks that come with them.

“We have been reminding the public that they should be aware of how these games work, the risks attendant to them, and they should for example know how they can have recourse or remedies,” she said in a virtual briefing Thursday.

“They should only place funds that they are willing to lose because of the risks,” Mesina-Romero added.

Investigators are on the trail of the hackers, watching the money as it moves around a system that critics call the Wild West of finance. They are playing catch-up: the gaming company that got scammed apparently did not even notice for six days.

But the Ronin Network disclosed to users that on March 23, hackers drained Ethereum and USDC cryptocurrencies

“All these measures are being undertaken to make sure that your Comelec delivers fair and transparent elections,” he said.

Meanwhile, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said that electionrelated items are now being deployed from the agency’s warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to local hubs nationwide, including vote counting machines (VCM), external batteries and ballot boxes.

The VCM external batteries and the ballot boxes will be deployed until April 10.

Non-accountable forms and supplies were deployed Feb. 16 to provincial and city treasurers in priority areas.

The dispatch of the VCMs, consolidation and canvassing system machines, and transmission equipment will be from April 2 to 19 April, he said.

Meanwhile, official ballots and the indelible ink coming from the National Printing Office will be deployed to city and municipal treasurers from April 20 to May 5.

“Notice has been given to all political parties, political candidates, partylist groups and accredited citizens’ arms of the commission through the modes mandated by law,” he added.

Du30...

From A1

He said he would not hesitate to halt the operations of e-sabong, if the issues concerning the betting game became “very serious.”

“Just study if it is true or not. It’s getting to be a very serious problem for the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

This as he lamented that online cockfighting lured many Filipino families, as well as police officers and minors.

Duterte, however, said the possible suspension of e-sabong operations could not be done in haste because the government was earning millions of pesos from the gaming industry.

“Congressmen want to stop the operations of e-sabong. Why would I order its suspension? The e-sabong is giving us P640 million a month,” he said.

“We are short of funds, that's why I allow the continuation of its operations.”

The disappearance of over 30 cockfight aficionados prompted lawmakers to conduct an inquiry and urged Duterte to stop the operations of e-sabong.

Last month, Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos urged all unit commanders to inspect the gadgets of their subordinates to determine the policemen hooked on online cockfighting.

At least three cops tagged in esabong abductions are now under restrictive custody at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon and are set to face charges in the coming days.

To promote “transparency” in esabong, Duterte earlier asked Congress to regulate the operations of the betting game by issuing a legislative franchise.

Palace...

From A1

of large hydro power plants, transfer of supply from Visayas to Luzon and the commissioning of the GNPower Dinginin unit 2 with a capacity of 668 MW. He said the power generators were committed to make available all optimized capacities while at least 400 MW of battery storage were also undergoing testing and commissioning.

For the Visayas, 70 MW diesel gensets are on hand and ready to go into the system, he said.

"We are still collating how many RE, batteries, and including Mariveles plant since it can contribute 150 MW," Marasigan said.

He said Manila Electric Co. had been in talks with participants of the interruptible load program who were ready to deload about 500 MW of capacity if needed.

Marasigan said they would meet with Meralco to further increase the ILP participants.

The officials reiterated calls for energy efficiency and conservation during the dry months when demand is high.

Duterte earlier revealed he was scheduled to talk to Xi this month as he admitted being worried about a possible spillover of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia to the Philippines.

“There would be serious trouble if the Ukraine crisis escalates into a nuclear war. China will not just sit idly there, it will respond and it will seize Taiwan,” the President said.

“The problem is, the Philippines would also be affected if there’s a fullscale war because there are Americans here,” Duterte added.

Duterte said he would not take sides, saying “I’m not taking sides. I just don’t want [a] war to enter my country.”

“President Xi and I will talk because… perhaps… so I can say that the Philippines might really be included in the vortex of war here,” he said.

"If Russia is hit with a nuclear weapon or if it strikes first, then there’s going to be serious trouble, and China will not just sit idly there,” he added..

The President said the Philippines would undoubtedly be affected by a “full-scale war” because of the presence of American forces in the country.

Despite this, Duterte reiterated that he would not allow the country’s soldiers to participate in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said Duterte might serve as a peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine, should world leaders ask for his help, considering the Philippines’ “neutral position and constitutionally-mandated foreign policy of peace with all nations.”

The Philippines is one of the nations that voted for the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the scale of humanitarian woes caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The UNGA resolution calls on all parties to provide full protection for civilians fleeing armed conflict and violence and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid among those who are in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

worth $615 million, in one of largest thefts ever in the crypto world.

Ronin was developed by Vietnam-based Sky Mavis to service the cryptocurrency exchange needs of Axie Infinity players, a significant portion of which are Filipino.

"While the investigations are ongoing, at this point we are certain that this was an external breach. All evidence points to this attack being socially engineered, rather than a technical flaw," the company said in a newsletter.

Examples of socially engineered attacks include smishing or phishing, where cyber criminals rely on manipulation and human emotion to coax victims into providing information or access to networks such as Ronin.

While this seems to imply the attack was not the result of any design flaws in the system, the Ronin Network still pledged to improve security.

"We are committed to ensuring that all of the drained funds are recovered or reimbursed, and we are continuing conversations with our stakeholders to determine the best course of action," it said in a statement.

The hack is one of the biggest to hit the crypto world, raising huge questions about security in an industry that only recently burst into the mainstream thanks

to celebrity promotions and promises of untold wealth.

Axie Infinity maker Sky Mavis said they were made aware of the security breach on Tuesday, after Ronin said hackers gained access to private keys to withdraw digital funds.

The firm said it would recover or reimburse the funds, easing the anxiety of gamers—particularly in the Philippines where hundreds of thousands play Axie Infinity.

The BSP earlier said it is monitoring transactions involving Axie Infinity’s small love potions (SLPs), which users can either cash out or use to breed new Axies or digital pets. The central bank earlier noted that SLPs are excluded from its scope under the guidelines for Virtual Asset Service Providers, as its regulatory focus is on the exchange of fiat money for virtual assets.

Sky Mavis is not registered as an operator of payment systems, and the BSP said it is in coordination with other regulators to determine whether the firm should fall under such a category.

“Since this is a digital field, it creates a borderless area where fraudsters can really enter and perform illicit activities, so the public should practice cyber hygiene in order to protect your personal data and identity,” Romero said.

News

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

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Manila pledges P5.1m aid to Afghanistan

QUIAPO CHURCH WELCOMES BACK DEVOTEES. With normalcy settling in, Quiapo church resumes its “Pahalik” rite for devotees of the Black Nazarene with a bit of modification. The faithful are allowed only to touch the feet of the icon, not kiss as in the usual tradition. Joey O. Razon

Duque favors free medicines policy

By Willie Casas

H

EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said he favors a government policy of free medicines for the people.

However, the Secretary expressed concerns over limited resources to bankroll such program.

Duque, in a radio interview, cited the difficulty of pushing the free medicines program due to current low revenue collections from businesses and workers affected by the pandemic.

“First of all, the collection of taxes

from our businesses, we know that many of them have closed. Some people lost their jobs and revenue collection is low. It would be hard to introduce this program now,” Duque said.

He indicated however, that providing free medicines for the people would be possible in a healthier economic environment.

A survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), commissioned by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), showed nearly all of the citizenry opined that the government should provide free medicines.

Released on Thursday, the survey showed that 96 percent of adult respondents said the government “should definitely” provide free medicines, while 17 percent said “should probably” provide free medicines to those who need them.

The survey revealed the issues on the high out-of-pocket spending of Filipi-

nos when it comes to healthcare, the PHAP said in a statement.

“With Filipinos paying mostly for their own medicines, the survey found that medicines ranked first as the most burdensome healthcare expense, followed by payment for doctor’s fees, laboratory fees, and hospital room if hospitalized,” the PHAP said.

The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,440 adult respondents nationwide from December 12 to December 16, 2021.

The respondents consisted of 360 each in Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

THE Philippine government has pledged $100,000 (approximately P5.1 million) to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva said ON Friday.

“This is in line with our strong humanitarian tradition and solidarity with the Afghan people,” the agency said in a statement.

The pledge was made during a high-level meeting called by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and co-hosted by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Qatar.

The UN-coordinated relief operation for Afghanistan is appealing for $4.4 billion, three times the amount requested in 2021.

A year after the Taliban fighters seized the Afghan capital and took over the country, Afghanistan was plunged into an economic and humanitarian crisis of disastrous proportions.

“Without immediate action, we face a starvation and malnutrition crisis in Afghanistan,” the UN chief said.

Guterres said the Afghan people were already selling their children and even body parts in order to feed their families. With the country’s “effectively collapsed” economy, the UN said there was “very little” cash that even international aid could barely function.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), food security levels have “plunged at an alarming rate, leaving half the population facing acute hunger, including nine million in a state of emergency food insecurity – the highest number in the world.”

MMDA: Modified number coding to start after May 9 polls THE implementation of a new number coding scheme to further lessen the volume of vehicular traffic in Metro Manila may begin after the May 9 elections, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday.

In a briefing, Undersecretary and MMDA general manager Frisco San Juan Jr said studies on the proposed 40 to 50 percent vehicle reduction plans were still ongoing.

“We are still in discussion with other government agencies so they can give their suggestion on which of the two (plans) should be upheld. Its implementation may happen after the elections,” San Juan said.

The MMDA earlier proposed two

possible changes to its Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP)—commonly known as number coding or color-coding.

One option seeking a 50-percent volume reduction calls for vehicles with license plates ending in even numbers are banned major roads on Tuesdays and Fridays, while plates ending with odd numbers are banned on Mondays and Thursdays.

The other option is a 40-percent reduction plan wherein vehicles will be barred in the metropolis two days a week with a varied schedule based on their license plate.

Both options will only be implemented during rush hours—morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

FREE HAIRCUT, ANYONE? Barbers in Barangay Quirino 3-A, Project 3 in Quezon City apparently lost part of their day’s earning as female beauticians offered free haircut for everybody, courtesy of their barangay officials. Manny Palmero

Quiapo Church resumes ‘pahalik’ for devotees To raise funds for ayuda, solon wants 5% savings in govt agencies

WITH the so-called “new normal” settling in as the pandemic safety protocols were being relaxed, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more popularly known as the Quiapo Church, on Friday resumed the traditional “pahalik” (kissing) of the religious icon by devotees.

Parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong clarified that the term “pahalik” does not involve actual kissing, but limited only to touching the Black Nazarene enshrined at the altar of the basilica on Quezon Blvd. in Quiapo, Manila “It’s not literally kissing the image, we just call it like that but it means, the people can touch the image. We will have ushers

there to assist them, and (allow them to) touch the feet of the Black Nazarene,” the prelate said in an interview.

He also reminded the devotees to strictly observe minimum health protocols being implemented by the government.

“Before they will be allowed to touch the image, they have to sanitize, spray alcohol on their hands. Allowing them to be literally close to the image and pray at the feet of the Black Nazarene,” Badong said.

He said the “pahalik” ritual started at 4 a.m. and will run until the closing of the church.

While there is no limit on the number of people allowed inside the church, Badong reminded them to line up orderly

and practice safe physical distancing.

“The line going to the altar is now at the back of Carriedo Street side, Evangelista Street. The former entrance in Quezon Boulevard is already closed,” he added.

Asked if the resumption of the “pahalik” is in connection with the observance of Holy Week, Badong said; “Yes, and we would like to remind them to follow the basic protocols (of) wearing face mask and (observing) social distancing. One has to be a disciplined devotee if you want to visit here.”

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 1 whereby full-scale church activities are allowed.

By Maricel V. Cruz SENATORIAL candidate and Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday filed a bill mandating all government agencies to save five percent of their budgets to raise P250 billion to fund direct financial assistance to Filipino families.

House Bill 10832 entitled the “Mandatory Savings Act of 2022” enjoins all government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, financial

institutions (GFIs), and instrumentalities, as well as government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) to allocate five percent in budgetary savings by streamlining their activities and scaling down projects deemed inessential.

“Basically, it’s a legislative authority mandating a five-percent savings, then allowing the government the f lexibility to use this during challenging times,” Cayetano told reporters.

Customs nab Chinese with fake PH passport

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents at the Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) have intercepted a Chinese national who tried to leave the country using a fake Philippine passport.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Chinese introduced himself as Mark Anthony Cobeng, 33, when apprehended before he

could leave for Maldives aboard a private jet.

Morente said Immigration officer Lourdes Mercado became suspicious as she noticed discrepancies in the biopage of the alien’s passport, which appeared to be counterfeit.

“Upon seeing irregularities in the travel document, the officer pro-

ceeded to interview the passenger.

That was when they noticed that the passenger did not even know how to speak basic Filipino words,” Morente said.

The Immigration chief said the foreigner was in the company of another Chinese national who voluntarily deferred his flight. Vito Barcelo

106 Navotenos complete tech-voc courses TRAFFIC BACK TO NORMAL. Without doubt, life in Metro Manila is going back to

normal with the pandemic gradually easing out. On Friday, traffic along the northbound lane of EDSA was bumper-to-bumper, reminiscent of the pre-pandemic days situation, prompting authorities to think of some drastic measures to solve the problem. Ben Briones

A TECHNICAL and vocational training school in Navotas City continues to turn out skilled workers, with the latest batch of 106 Navotenos successfully completing their respective courses.

“We congratulate all our graduates and commend them for taking the opportunity to upgrade their skills and

improve their abilities. We will have more and numerous employment opportunities once our 343-hectare Tanza Airport Support Services have been completed,” Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

The latest batch who completed their technical and vocational train-

ing at the Navotas Vocational Training and Assessment (NAVOTAAS) Institute consisted of 22 who took up shielded metal arc welding ; 24 in food and beverage services; 23 in baking; six in tailoring; and seven in manicure and pedicure services leading to beauty care. Jun David

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News

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

Retired police, military generals back Lacson

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHECKPOINT. Members of the Manila Police District (MPD) look at the documents of motorcycle riders at a checkpoint along Quezon Boulevard in Manila on Friday. A total of 2,132 people have been arrested so far for violating the election gun ban, the Philippine National Police said. Joey O. Razon

NEARLY 300 retired police and military generals, as well as former government officials on Friday are rallying behind presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson who was dropped by the Partido Reporma its standard bearer in the May 9 elections.

They publicly aired their unswerving faith, trust and loyalty to Lacson in a signed manifesto of support amid his uphill battle in the 2022 national elections.

In a press conference held at the Ri-Rance 2 Corporate Center in Parañaque City, ex- Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop led a group of volunteers and retired servicemen in announcing their decision to stand with Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III. The event was also attended by former Cabinet secretaries and past officials of the PNP, AFP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and their attached organizations—a number of whom worked with Lacson and served under different administrations.

Acop assumed the responsibility of being the overall campaign manager of Lacson with former BIR commissioner Atty. Kim Jacinto-Henares as the assistant campaign manager.

Lacson’s spokesperso. Ashley Acedillo. said Acop is now in charge of running the presidential campaign of the three-term senator through the Lacson-Sotto Support Group (LSSG) and its organized units across 59 provinces nationwide.

The decision was made after Lacson separated himself from Partido Reporma last week.

“We wanted to meet to inform our countrymen that Ping Lacson is not backing out from the presidential race… And we, his supporters, are also not backing down from this fight,” he said.

Jacinto-Henares also shut down pointless suggestions from some people in the opposing camps for Lacson to just withdraw his candidacy. She noted that those who could not measure up to Lacson are probably the ones who should consider quitting, not Lacson, who is the best candidate.

Comelec debates set; BBM yet to confirm T

By Vito Barcelo

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said everything is ready for the second Pilipinas Debates 2022 scheduled on April 3, but Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has yet to confirm if he will attend the presidential debates.

The nine presidential candidates C. Abella, Leodegario “Leody” Q. De who confirmed their attendance to Guzman, Francisco “Isko” M. Domathe Comelec were Ernesto “Ernie” goso, Norberto “Bert” B. Gonzales,

Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Emmanuel “Manny Pacman” D. Pacquiao, Faisal “Fai” M. Mangondato, Jose “Joey” C. Montemayor Jr., and Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the format of the second presidential debate will be changed.

The second presidential debate will have “one general question that will be posted for all the candidates to answer, and this will happen at the start of the debate.”

“For each succeeding segment, the candidates will be divided into groups of three where each group will be given one question to debate,” he said.

As such, he said there will be three questions for each succeeding segment.

Groups of threes will change with each segment, Jimenez said, saying each group will be randomly pre-determined through a drawing of lots before the start of the debate.

The participating presidential candidates will each be given a

60-second closing statement. They will be given 60 seconds each for their closing statement.

Candidates were only given 90 seconds to answer in the previous debate sponsored by the poll body. Meanwhile, the Town Hall debates for presidential and vice-presidential candidates will take place on April 23 and 24, respectively.

Currently, the only sanction being imposed by the poll body to debate skippers is depriving them of the right to use Comelec’s e-rally platforms.

Robredo vows to continue to aid Marawi VICE President Leni Robredo reaffirmed her love for Lanao del Sur, which she called her “second home,” committing to bring more help for them should she be elected in the 2022 presidential race.

The mood was jovial on Robredo’s return to the city of Marawi for the “LeniWanagMarawi: Lanao Del Sur People’s Rally” for the Leni-Kiko tandem. Maranaos from all walks of life gathered and painted the streets of Marawi City pink to show their support for Robredo and her running-mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

She also expressed to continue supporting Marawi and Lanao Del Sur, while slamming other

politicians who seem to have focused on Marawi only during the election season.

In Marawi City alone, Robredo said her office, through the help of its partners, was able to bring more than P100 million worth of assistance to aid the city’s rehabilitation from the 2017 war. The Office of the Vice President also put up Community Learning Hubs and school buildings and supported the livelihood of women weavers in Brgy.

Dayawan.

The University of the Philippines’ Student Council at the Diliman campus in Quezon City meanwhile endorsed the Robre-

do-Pangilinan tandem in the 2022 elections. “The endorsement is premised on the broad desire to defeat the Marcos-Duterte alliance and on significant points of unities on people’s issues,” it said.

In a Facebook post, the council disclosed that it has passed Resolution No. 2022-03 to endorse the Leni-Kiko tandem.

Robredo and Pangilinan are both graduates of economics degree in 1986 and Bachelor of Arts in English, Major in Comparative Literature at UP Diliman, respectively.

The UP Los Baños’ University Student Council is also supporting Robredo and Pangilinan.

With Rio N. Araja.

Partido Federal party says ‘support’ for Isko claim ‘irresponsible, fake’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on Friday described as fake news an alleged statement declaring support for Isko Moreno’s presidential bid which was issued by Abubakar Mangelen, who claims to be the party’s national chairperson.

Gen. Tom GT Lantion, PFP National Secretary-General, stressed that the PFP is endorsing only one candidate, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who is the party’s standard-bearer.

“The Legitimate and accredited PFP National Directorate, PFP officers’ men and women members vehemently condemn in strongest term the irresponsible fake announcement of an impostor Mangelen about PFP’s support

transferring to Isko,” he said in a statement.

Lantion further pointed out that Mangelen and his cohorts filed a disqualification case with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Marcos, duly-elected PFP National Chairman.

However, it was thrown out and unanimously dismissed by the second division, which was chaired by Commissioner Socorro Inting, for lack of merit.

“It was just a mere scrap of paper. The Mangelen resolution is without basis, null and void, fake news!” he added.

Lantion also disclosed that the PFP general counsel and legal officer will file a case of usurpation and other criminal acts committed by Mangelen, who, he reiterated, was an impostor.

IN FRONT OF SUPPORTERS. Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte deliver her message to thousands of women supporters during a jampacked proclamation rally at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Ver Noveno

Manny: Turn Pasig River into tourist spot INSTEAD of building a skyway along the Pasig River, PROMDI presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao said he would prefer developing Metro Manila’s main waterway into a tourist destination similar to the Brisbane River in Australia.

In a press briefing at the Iloilo City Hall following his courtesy call to Mayor Jerry Treñas, Pacquiao said the Pasig River Expressway project (PAREX) which is being pushed by San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang is a laudable project but this could cause irreversible damage on the Pasig River.

If elected president, he would push for an honest-to-goodness clean-up and rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

He said the river also needs to be dredged to remove the heavy silt that has turned its once-pristine waters into murky sewage.

“I have a plan for Pasig River.

That’s very beautiful to develop.

We just have to dredge it, clean the water and develop the surroundings, and the easement,” he said.

Pacquiao’s idea to turn Pasig River from a filthy eyesore to a beautiful promenade and river ferry superhighway came when he inspected its entire stretch all the way to Laguna

before the pandemic.

He noted that it is worthy to invest in the clean-up and rehabilitation of the Pasig River because of its potential as a major attraction for tourists.

Instead of a skyway along the river, Pacquiao should put up a modern end-to-end river ferry s which can be integrated into a multi-modal transport system for Metro Manila.

On the other hand, building an expressway on top of the river could seriously damage the river and can even cause severe flooding in its surrounding areas.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Allocate more funds for child health care—Binay

By Joel E. Zurbano

UNITED Nationalists Alliance (UNA) party senatorial candidate Jejomar Binay on Friday said the government must allocate more funds needed to bring down child malnutrition levels in the country.

“We should provide the needed funds for all government programs aimed at addressing child malnutrition, and at the same time encourage partnerships with the business sector and civil society,” he said.

The former vice president said the priorities should include an expanded immunization program, human milk bank, feeding program, and other similar initiatives.

Binay cited a 2021 World Bank report that said there has been almost no improvement in the prevalence of malnutrition in the country for nearly 30 years.

The report added that 29 percent, or one in three children younger than five years old, suffer from stunting as a result of malnutrition.

Binay said malnutrition programs should focus on regions identified in the World Bank report where stunting exceeded 40 per cent of the population.

These are the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 45 percent, Mimaropa with 41 percent, and Bicol, Western Visayas, and

PHOTO OP.

Re-electionist Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil of Lingayen, Pangasinan pose for a photo opportunity with his constituents in Barangay Sabangan during a meeting de avance.

Soccksargen, with 40 percent.

Binay said that promoting nutritional adequacy, especially to high-risk groups like children, has long been his priority.

“We have pioneered programs in Makati to decrease the number of children suffering from hunger and malnutrition. As a result, Makati has one of the lowest malnutrition rates in the country,” said Binay, who served as city chief executive of Makati from 1986 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2010 before serving the country as vice president.

Makati’s malnutrition rate is at 0.54 per cent. “Investing in the future of our youth involves taking care of their education and their health,” Binay said.

Ang Probinsyano supports calls to protect party-list system in PH ANG Probinsyano Party-List yesterday said the partylist system should never be abused amid Malacanang’s comments that many party-list congressmen are either communist insurgents or controlled by or are billionaires themselves.

In separate interviews over One Balita Pilipinas and Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Number 50 Ang Probinsyano Party-List Rep. Alfred Delos Santos said party-list groups should genuinely represent the interest of marginalized sectors.

“The party-list system should not be used as gateway of those aspiring seats in Congress, nor should it be used by people allegedly serving as legal fronts of communist rebels seeking to overthrow the government,” Delos Santos said.

The lawmaker pointed out the important role that party-list groups play in the country’s political system because they are the voice of the marginalized or under-represented sectors.

“We are aware of reports that there are doubts

on some party-list groups but from our end, I can very well say that we are among the most active members of Congress who are doing everything we can to push for the betterment of the marginalized sectors that we are representing,” Delos Santos said.

The Number 50 Ang Probinsyano Party-List, which pushes for equal opportunities for all probinsyanos, vowed to continue crafting measures that seek to promote access to education, livelihood, food and

health for people in the countryside.

“As someone who grew up and was educated in the province, I have seen the inequality in terms of opportunities. That is why I know what I am fighting for, I know what bills we need to craft to improve the lives of our fellow probinsyanos,” Delos Santos said.

He cited, as an example, the need to equip farmers with technology in order for them to increase their produce and become more competitive.

Opinion Mercy and justice THE Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, as the gospel last week on the prodigal son, once again highlights the infinite mercy and compassion of God. It narrates an incident where an adulterous woman was presented before the Lord by the Pharisees and scribes. They asked him if the punishment was to stone her to death.

And this they asked Jesus to challenge him into disobeying the Law of Moses. To say that the woman be stoned to death is to go against the character of Jesus, but then again to refrain from doing so is to defy the law.

Here, Jesus’ enemies were trying to set him up into a lose-lose situation.

But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. When they continued asking him, he lifted himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground. But they, hearing this, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee? When the woman replied No, Jesus said: to her: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.

Under the Mosaic law, specifically the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, adultery was considered a serious offense which merited the capital punishment of death by stoning. The scribes and the Pharisees asked Jesus about what he would do with the adulterous woman to set a trap and find a reason to accuse him. But the Lord, knowing their intent, answered his detractors with a very ingenious solution to the moral quandary presented. He who has no sin cast the first stone, was his reply to them, knowing how hypocritical and uncompromising the Pharisees and scribes were about the law.

This event in the life of Jesus gives us two different perspectives of looking at the law of God. From the perspective of Jesus, the spirit of the law takes precedence over what is written.

God, being who he is, the law cannot be read apart from his nature, which is love, mercy and compassion. In the scripture, Jesus, who is without sin, did not condemn the adulteress. On the contrary, he extended mercy to the sinner but, at the same time, exhorted her to mend her ways. By his answer, Jesus was telling his listeners to obey the law but at the

‘Existential question’ Euthanasia is only authorized in a few countries around the world.

In Belgium, which will mark two decades

same time temper it with mercy and compassion. Ultimately, it was Jesus’ desire to lead the sinner to the path of righteousness, not to condemn her.

From the perspective of the Pharisees, the law was but an instrument to assert authority, a device to protect their standing in the community. Yet for all their sanctimonious talk about legality, these bunch of “holy persons” did everything to avoid the law when it suited them. They followed the law only for show.

In this particular occasion, they pretended to be willing to mete the punishment prescribed

by Moses,. i.e/ to severely punish the adulterous woman, yet they did so only because of their burning desire for revenge, and envy at the growing popularity of the Messiah.

We should choose leaders who will govern with integrity, not hypocrisy.

In electing public officials for the May 9 polls, we must be very careful to choose only the candidates who practice what they preach, much unlike the Pharisees. Leaders who will govern with integrity, not hypocrisy.

They lead with pure intentions, setting good examples to inspire others to follow. And like Jesus himself, govern with mercy and a just hand. We must avoid vindictive leaders who weaponized law to get even at their opponents or use them for self-promotion and advancement. This is what President Duterte did to Senator Leila De Lima.

Justice and mercy must come together.

As has often been chanted, there is no peace without justice. Mercy is available to all persons who repent, but justice and accountability will still be needed.

Pope Francis, in The Name of God Is Mercy which document his conversations with Andrea Tornielli, summarizes this very well: “We need to ask for the grace to recognize ourselves as sinners. The more we acknowledge that we are in need, the more shame and humility we feel, the sooner we will feel his embrace of grace. Jesus waits for us, he goes ahead of us, he extends his hand to us, he is patient with us. God is faithful. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, no one can put a limit on the love of the all-forgiving God. Just by looking at him, just by raising our eyes from ourselves and our wounds, we leave an opening for the action of his grace. Jesus performs miracles with our sins, with what we are, with our nothingness, with our wretchedness.”

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of euthanasia in May, some 40 French citizens also benefitted from the practice last year.

The decision to ask for euthanasia as endof-life care remains a “difficult and existential question”, Kersten said.

“It’s neither a patient’s right, nor a doctor’s duty,” to have euthanasia, she added.

In the Netherlands, euthanasia can only be carried out under strict conditions set down in Dutch law.

Children aged up to 16 need the permission of their parents and guardians, while parents must be involved in the process for children aged 16 and 17. From 18, any Dutch citizen may ask for assisted death.

In all cases, the patient must have “unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement” and must have requested to die in a way that is “voluntary, well considered and with full conviction”.

Other criteria apply as well, like the absence of a reasonable alternative to the patient’s situation.

Doctors, too, cannot be forced to perform euthanasia.

‘Die at home’ The Euthanasia Expertise Centre helps doctors through the process by sharing knowledge and providing guidance. At the same time, the center helps patients whose doctors refuse to help them.

The center, established in 2012, is a foundation but patient care is reimbursed by health insurers.

It first positioned itself as the “Levenseindekliniek”, Dutch for “End-of-life clinic”, offering on-site euthanasia.

But even before the start, it became apparent that most patients preferred to die at home, Kersten said.

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‘Dying with dignity’: Dutch mark 20 years of euthanasia GOLDEN butterflies adorn the walls of the Netherland’s only euthanasia expertise center, put up in remembrance of thousands of patients who have chosen to die with dignity over the past two decades.

Situated in a leafy upmarket suburb of The Hague, the Euthanasia Expertise Centre is the only one of its kind, giving information, assisting medical doctors and providing euthanasia as end-of-life care, which was legalized in a world first in the Netherlands on April 1, 2002.

Belgium soon followed later that year and Spain last year became the sixth country to adopt euthanasia — the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve a person’s suffering, for instance through a lethal injection given by a doctor.

The number of people seeking euthanasia is growing in the Netherlands, with some 7,666 last year, up by more than 10 percent from the year before, according to official figures.

The vast majority are aged 60 or over, suffering from cancer or other terminal illnesses.

“Twenty years ago, when the law was passed it was known, but certainly not used as often as today,” said Sonja Kersten, director of the Euthanasia Expertise Centre.

The reasons are many: an ageing Dutch population; the fact that euthanasia is no longer a taboo subject and society has opened up to the issue.

“Dying with dignity is a debate that’s growing within Dutch society, which is quite open to the subject,” Kersten said.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

A snappy salute

S

EVEN years after graduation from the nonpareil Philippine Military Academy, Cotabato-born Jul Laiza Mae Camposano-Beran has notched a distinguishing, if consequential, feather in her cap: first female jet fighter pilot of the country’s Air Force.

1st Lt. Camposano-Beran, who gained around 180 hours of flying time in the two propeller-driven T-41D or the Cessna R-172 before graduating in 2017 from the Philippine Air Force Flying School, has been checked out as the first female pilot and wingman ready to operate an AS-211 fighter pilot in the ranks of the Philippine Air Force.

She continued to gain altitude as she flew the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260MP in the Basic Phase of her military pilot training.

Her recognition on Thursday coincided with the last day of Women’s Month, which made Camposano-Beran, from the PAF’s 5th Fighter Wing stationed at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, a tall frame and a graven image among the women of this country.

She knows exactly what it means to have flown the trainer jet AS-211, converted by the PAF into a light combat aircraft.

She indeed has blazed a trail.

We join her family and the rest of the country in executing a snappy salute to the junior Air Force officer whose demeanor at the finish line of the Women’s Month suggests self-effacement, whose completion of the combat training included air-to-air, air-to-ground, and airto-surface drills.

A footnote to this extraordinary feat is that two other female pilots are still under-

going training on flying and handling an AS-211 fighter jet.

The PAF also has other female pilots capable of flying the AW-109 helicopter, the MG-520 attack helicopter, and the turboprop Super Tucano bomber planes.

She has started to be a backset pilot of the more modern FA-50 fighter jets.

She will eventually transition to the FA50, which means it will be a long flight above the Philippine clouds, with her seniors saying this may mean after 300 hours of flying time, she will be evaluated if she can handle FA-50, then she can transition to the FA-50, the PAF’s primary jet fighter capable of speeds of Mach 1.5 acquired from South Korea in 2015.

Unquestionably, Camposano-Beran has underlined one axiom: anybody, male or female, can achieve any dream, however big it is, if they work hard enough for it.

She has blazed a trail: with the thousands of feet she has achieved in altitude, her discipline and determination as well as passion for her calling – something the younger men and women who dream big as well can encode in their radar screens.

Presidential debates THE presidential debate is truly lamentable.

It seems that candidates do not know or are confused about the issues. This can be gleaned at how they analyze issues which indicate that either they do not understand or just picked them up thinking it will help elect them than in educating our people about the purpose of our democracy.

This is sad because our system of freewheeling democracy involves discussion of issues. Often, many equate democracy as extension of their freedom but not to measure their ability to analyze as aspiring political leader. As host, political debates have become a sort of tradition, and people unwittingly calling it a “wrangle”. He who can talk much louder, has the ability to rudely interrupt, to inject topic considered as out-of-line, or one who has made it his forte to insult his opponents is considered a champion.

Since debates are hosted by people who are politically inclined, it is most likely that the questions asked by the host, acting as moderator, are often designed to embarrass or humiliate one candidate. The louder the applause from the audience is treated as affirmation to carry on the debates more so if the moderator managed to pin down his rival.

On the whole, a candidate who can give his wishy-washy response without the audience distinguishing whether he or she is the smartest or the dumbest of the candidates is treated as a hero.

Those who refuse to participate in what some say as a free-for-all wrangle is branded as a coward, insinuating the candidate is hiding something he could not possibly answer.

Thus, the gullible audience are made to judge and prosecute all rolled into one.

People who are knowledgeable of the important issues often get tired of what the candidates are talking about. The debate easily gets boring especially if one is given by his/her heathen analysis of the issue. Either he or she is seen as an ignoramus pretending to be knowledgeable or worse, a demagogue riding on public passion. After all, it is not democracy that is important, but the number of people who will vote irrespective on how he assesses the issues presented to him.

For instance, one presidential candidate gave a one-liner observation of what is going on in Ukraine. Her one-line jab at Russia for allegedly committing aggression was intend-

It is only authorized in a few countries around the world.

Today, the center can call upon a network of about 140 doctors and nurses around the country, employed by the Euthanasia Expertise Centre.

Most euthanasia requests, however, are handled by the patient’s own physician, with

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

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ed to appease her alien political brokers although it is clear she has little understanding why it erupted into a full-blown conflict. Her statement was a payment for their support for her candidacy.

Likewise, nobody talks much about the “green party” that is so popular in Germany.

The party is concerned about our environment. Unfortunately, nobody talks about this issue, especially now where there is a sharp rise in the cost of fuel energy. All that the candidate rants are the sharp rise in the price of fuel, yet continues to applaud the US for imposing a world-wide ban on the sale of Russian oil. It never came to the mind of our candidates that banning the importation of Russian fuel could engender retaliation.

Candidates simply show their confusion about the issues.

While the US could easily pass on the price of fuel to local distributors, our candidates never think of the possibility that the US could even profit while jacking up their export of oil from this country. Right now, the US is negotiating with Venezuela, Iran and Qatar to obtain oil at discounted prices. US importation of oil and natural gas from these countries is intended to stabilize the price of oil. This means the US could forgo their oil embargo and re-open the pipeline to buyers if that would serve their interest.

As stated, the US is negotiating now with Iran, Venezuela and Qatar. From the grapevine, the US is seeking a 25 to 30 percent discount from these countries they once considered as “rogue states”. What is deplorable is the possibility of the US reselling their oil imports at 15 to 10 percent discount to us.

To recall, Cory Aquino mothballed the BNPP after faithfully paying Westinghouse for the full amount in 2012. No candidate today dared to open his mouth that the Plant today is an empty shell. All the machinery and equipment to operate a nuclear plant have long been removed and resold by the contractor. This explains why the reopening of the BNPP is considered costly because all were disposed of after a pacto de retro sale with us getting nothing.

In our haste to replace our diesel-fired generation plants, the advocates of the Clean

whom they already have a relationship of trust. Last year, this was the case for 80 percent of euthanasias performed in the country.

“There are however still doctors in the Netherlands who are opposed to euthanasia,” said Kersten, adding “they have every right”.

The center’s medical team itself provided euthanasia to nearly 900 people in 2020, out of nearly 3,000 requests, with figures on the rise.

About 20 percent had dementia or psychiatric disorders.

The Netherlands’ highest court ruled in

Air Act had all of them replaced with cleaner natural gas that fueled generators to keep our environment clean. We were also forced to make use of the wind and solar energy just to meet the increasing demand for clean energy. We were fortunate that China was able to introduce their much-reduced cost windmills and improved the efficiency of its solar panels.

Their introduction of wind power and solar energy proved to be timely to our quest to industrialize. The country was able to import windmills made in China instead of those costly ones made in Europe. The same can be said of those solar panels. Unfortunately, one distributor of solar energy was able to monopolize the business so that nobody can use the system without the permission from the franchisor.

Despite our attempt to get oil, nobody from the candidates admitted that our current misery is the result of the decision to stop the mining and production of coal, hypocritically thinking that coal is inefficient and blamed as the cause of environmental pollution. Today, we are importing coal from Indonesia. Most of our industries, including the power generation plants have all been replaced by the costly natural gas extracted in Malampaya which is about to be depleted by 2025.

Even a candidate claiming to represent his own class has no idea on how he could go about exhuming our people from poverty. He has no idea that water is needed to irrigate the farmland, and next to that is the supply of fertilizer. Many of these projects have long been built and implemented by the Marcos administration, yet they continue to deny all his achievements. Candidates today are caught in their own delusion.

First, they revised the original land reform program of Marcos. They reduced the hectarage only to find out that the farmland would not suffice to economically sustain every farmer and his family. The concept of land distribution is based on his ability to pay the land, and on the reasonable amount of harvest to help alleviate his livelihood. The Cory Aquino administration revised the formula to erase the past. This caused a financial burden to many. Farmers were not able to pay the monthly amortization and instead abandoned their farm lots for subdivision purposes. rpkapunan@gmail.com Full version on www.manilastandard.net

2020 that doctors can euthanize patients with severe dementia without the fear of prosecution.

It concerns patients with advanced dementia who are no longer mentally competent, but who previously had a clear request for euthanasia.

The decision followed a landmark case, not related to the Expertise center, in which a doctor was acquitted of providing euthanasia on a woman in 2016 with severe Alzheimer’s disease, who earlier requested the procedure. AFP

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US warns India vs. ‘unreliable’ Moscow ahead of envoy visit NEW DELHI -- The US has warned India against warming up to Russia, ahead of a visit by Moscow’s top diplomat to press New Delhi to resist Western pressure to condemn its invasion of Ukraine.

India has abstained from UN resolutions censuring Moscow and continues to buy Russian oil from its “longstanding and time-tested friend” and biggest supplier of arms.

But Delhi shares Western alarm over Beijing’s assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, with 20 Indian and four Chinese troops killed in a brawl on their disputed Himalayan border in 2020.

Daleep Singh, Washington’s chief sanctions strategist, was quoted by local media in a visit to Delhi as saying that India could not rely on Russia if there was another clash.

“Russia is going to be the junior partner in this relationship with China. And the more leverage that China gains over Russia, the less favorable that is for India,” Singh was quoted as saying on Thursday.

“I don’t think anyone would believe that

if China once again breached the Line of (Actual) Control, that Russia would come running to India’s defense,” he said, referring to the India-China border.

Moscow, facing massive Western sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February, has declared a “no-limits partnership” with China, which has also failed to condemn Russia’s actions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Delhi late Thursday from China, where he had hailed Beijing as part of a new “multipolar, just, democratic world order”.

On Friday Lavrov was due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

India and Russia are working on a rupee-ruble mechanism to facilitate trade and get around Western sanctions on Russian banks, according to media reports.

Russia has written to India’s defense ministry requesting clearance of payments worth $1.3 billion that have been halted since last month, according to the local Economic Times newspaper. AFP

PEDESTRIAN CONTROL. Ukrainian servicemen control passers-by after a bombardment in a street of Kharkiv on March

31 during Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Authorities at the eastern city of Kharkiv, which has suffered relentless shelling, on Thursday reported it was hammered by 47 artillery strikes and 380 rocket bombardments. AFP

EU to rethink China ties over Russia

B

RUSSELS — The European Union holds a virtual summit with China on Friday amid increasing alarm over Beijing’s growing proximity with Moscow and its reluctance to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold the videoconference with EU leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, carrying through on an annual exercise that was skipped last year as tensions simmered.

“The meeting will focus on the role we are urging China to play, to be on the side of the principles of international law without ambiguity and exert all the necessary influence and pressure on Russia,” said French

nority, followed by Beijing’s trade coercion of EU-member Lithuania over Taiwan, soured preparations for the meeting.

The downgrade in relations came surprisingly quickly after the EU and China secured an investment deal in late 2020 long sought by Germany.

Human rights concerns, and US pressure on the EU, sapped momentum, sowing distrust and sinking diplomatic ties.

Relations have suffered further as Beijing abstains from condemning Moscow’s assault on Ukraine. Some in the EU see the emergence of a Chinese-Russian bloc against the US, EU and their more liberal-minded allies.

In a meeting with Russian counterpart

European affairs minister Clement Beaune, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

“This was not the initial purpose of the summit but it necessarily became one,” Beaune said, though he insisted other topics such as climate and trade “would not disappear”.

The EU-China summit is usually an effort to deepen trade ties. But last year’s exchange of tit-for-tat sanctions over the plight of China’s Uyghur mi-

Sergei Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said that “China-Russia cooperation has no limits”, repeating a line used by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi. The friendship between Russia and China “is clearly directed towards creating a new world order in which authoritarian great power politics would dominate over the international rule of law,” said German MEP Reinhard Buetikofer, a frequent critic of Beijing.

But given China’s close commercial ties to Europe, “China’s ways of dealing with Russia’s aggression is a convoluted effort to be on Russia’s side without paying too much of a price for that,” added Buetikofer, one of several MEPs sanctioned by China.

Solomons leader rules out hosting Chinese military

IN BRIEF Hungary PM faces united opposition BUDAPEST — After a tense campaign dominated by Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, Hungarians will vote in a general election on Sunday with polls giving the edge to incumbent nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

But for the first time in its 12 years in office Orban’s Fidesz party will face a united opposition coalition.

Fidesz’s poll lead is narrow and “all options are on the table”, Bulcsu Hunyadi, analyst with the independent Political Capital institute, told AFP. Hunyadi says the “mobilization in the last few days” will be key in turning out the estimated half a million undecided voters in the country of 9.7 million.

On Friday Orban, 58, will hold a final rally in the town of Szekesfehervar, less than a hour from the capital Budapest, while his rival from the opposition coalition Peter Marki-Zay will hold his last event in the capital on Saturday, just a few hours before polls open the next morning. AFP

SYDNEY — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said Friday Europe war casts his government would not allow a Chinese military base to be built in his counshadow on Serbia try “under its watch” as he defended a CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK BELGRADE — With war raging in Eupending security agreement with Beijing. rope, Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Sogavare, echoing a fiery speech he Vucic has promised the electorate continued Y made to Honiara’s parliament this week, stability ahead of nation-wide elections this dismissed concerns the deal would alSunday, in a contest that has largely been low China a base in the South Pacific and overshadowed by Ukraine. labelled the claims as “misinformation After a decade in power, the ruling cenpromoted by anti-government commentatre-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) tors”. led by Vucic looks likely to extend their rule If China was to set up its military base over the country, according to recent polls. in the Pacific, “it would have done so with The country of some 7 million will elect either Papua New Guinea or Fiji,” he said the president, deputies for the 250-seat parin a statement, arguing that they were liament along with contests in several muamong the first South Pacific nations to nicipalities. establish bilateral relations with Beijing.

The Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, how“Government is conscious of the seever, has cast a long pall over the vote that observers had earlier predicted would focus curity ramification of hosting a military on issues like environment, corruption, and base, and it will not be careless to allow rights. such initiative to take place under its Vucic has deftly used the invasion of watch,” he said.

Ukraine to his advantage — by stoking fear of A draft version of the agreement, leakedYELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA potential bouts of instability while offering aslast week, detailed measures to allow Chisurances that he alone can prevent the country fact, an attempt was made to inform Mr. Prudente by sending him a letter dated ublic Of The Philippines nese security and naval deployments to September 14, 2017, a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “F”.

GIONAL TRIAL COURT from falling into any such crisis. AFP SRI LANKA RIOTS .

A protester throws an object at a bus next to a burning police car during a demonstration outside the the crisis-hit Pacific Island nation. nal Capital Judicial Region The Petitioners had no inkling before last 2017 that the subject property had

anch 104, Quezon City

nd FLORDELIZA POONIN . POONIN, Petitioners, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION R-QZN-17-12574-CV

ENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, ER’SOFFICE, QUEZON CITY NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE, Respondents.

--------------------------------------------x ATRICK S. PRUDENTE ewport Street, East Fairview, QC

ired, within ninety (90) days after the last mmons and the complaint, to file with this the plaintiff/s, your answer to the complaint u fail to answer within the time fixed, the gment by default and may be granted the mplaint.

under the seal of the Court, this 15th day of

) LOWELL FREDERICK A. MADRILEÑO Clerk of Court V

BLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES GIONAL TRIAL COURT L CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION NCH 104, QUEZON CITY

Sri Lankan president’s home already been sold at an auction sale. When they asked for a copy of theManila Tax Declaration last 2017, they found out that the said tax declaration is still in their names. A copy of the said Tax Declaration is hereto attached as Annex “G”.

to call for his resignation in Colombo on March 31. AFP

Standard

TODAY

By reason of this, the Certificate of Sale, Warrant of Levy and similar documents issued by the Respondent Assessor’s Office should be invalidated and set aside.

Instead, the Petitioners should be allowed to redeem the property.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Court decide in favor of the Plaintiff and against the Respondents more particularly as follows: 1. The Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale on the said property be cancelled and set aside; 2. The subject property be reverted back to the Petitioners as its former owners; and 3. The Petitioners be allowed to redeem the subject property.

Order remedies just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, November___, 2018.

(Sgd.) BERNARDITA S. FORTUNO Counsel for the Petitioners Attorney’s Roll No. 39406 MCLE Comp VI-9014 until April 14, 2022 PTR No. 5520331 QC 1-3-2018 IBP No. 019428 QC 12-27-17 DOMINGUEZ, DELANI, DOMINGUEZ & FORTUNO LAW OFFICES 21-G F. Castillo St., Proj. 4, QC pictures of were Tel No. persons (02) 399-6279;who 0917-822-5073

REMEMBRANCE. View of killed or went missing during the 1964-1985 dictatorship, during a demo on the 58th anniversary of the nd FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION F. POONIN, military coup at Ibirapuera Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 31. AFP Petitioners,

Case No. R-QZN- 17-12574-CV Manila

WE SEBASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, both of legal age, Filipinos, married and with the above stated addresses, after being duly sworn to in accordance with the law, do hereby depose and state that.

Standard NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC TODAY

ENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, 1. We are Petitioners in this case; ER’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, 2. I have caused the filing of the foregoing Amended Petition for Annulment of QUEZON CITY AND We would like to inform general that the Official Warrant ofthe Levy and Certificate of Public Sale; ENTE 3. The allegationswith therein are true and correct to the best of our personal Receipt booklet of SKY Cable series number 1969238 Respondents. knowledge and authentic documents; and ---------------------------------------x to 1969250 was reported as lost receipts.

Any transactions 4. We hereby certify that neither we nor our counsel has commenced any ORDER similar these action or proceeding involving the same raised herein before entered and issued with receipts will be issues considered nullthe -trial, the Court notes the presence of petitioners Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency and to the and void. for Quezon City best of our knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending threat and if we Fortunu, as well as counsel nne Odtujan. should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding is pending before and the aforesaid court or bodies, we undertake to report such fact within five (5) days fested that per Sheriff’s Return of Service, private If found, contact us attherefrom Jhanrenz Corporation, address #19 -C to this Honorable Court. udente was not served Summons, and prayed that Cmpd.

S.notVillanueva November 28,St. 2018.Bgy. Ibaba, Malabon City. Tel. said respondent,Abanad through publication, which was .

No. (02) 83762572 / (02) 89218493. Look for Ms. Tessie San (Sgd.) SEBASTIAN V. POONIN (Sgd.) FLORDELIZA F. POONIN ns be served uponJuan. respondent Noel Patrick Prudente, Petitioner Petitioner (MS-APRIL 2/4/9/11, 2022) xpense of the petitioners, pursuant to the Rules.

OSCA (Nagcarlan) 0008656 UMID 006-0069-2599-2

s cancelled and reset to March 3, 2022 at 9:30 in

festation filed by petitioners, through counsel stating to the dropping of the Assessor’s Office but are the Treasurer’s Office as one of the defendants.

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 28th day of November, 2018 here in Quezon City, Metro Manila by Petitioners having exhibited their respective identification under their signatures.

Sri Lanka steps up security as anger over economy boils over COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s capital was under heavy security on Friday after hundreds of protesters tried to storm the president’s home in a night of violence and anger at a dire economic crisis.

The South Asian nation is seeing severe shortages of essentials, sharp price rises and crippling power cuts in its most painful downturn since independence in 1948. Many fear it will default on its debts.

Thursday night’s unrest saw hundreds of people, rallied by unidentified social media activists, march on President Gotabaya’s home demanding his resignation.

They set two military buses and a police jeep ablaze, threw bricks to attack officers and barricaded a main road into Colombo with burning tyres.

One person was critically injured and

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an ExtraJudicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late Fernando A. Lacerona. The heirs all of legal age, over personal properties, per deed executed on 17 March 2022 before Notary Public of Atty.

Gerald Alan Quebral In Quezon City, per Doc. No. 165; Page No 33; Book No XX11; Series of 2022 (MS-MAR. 19/26/APR. 2, 2022)

Chile, Bolivia face off over river at UN court

THE HAGUE — Chile opens a case police said five officers were hurt in runagainst Bolivia at the UN’s highest court ning battles. Forty-five people were arFriday over a river both countries claim rested. rights to, the latest instalment of waterSecurity forces fired into the crowd related rows between the South American and used tear gas and water cannon to neighbours. disperse the demonstrators. It was not imChile wants the International Court of Justice to declare the Silala river, which mediately clear if they used live rounds or flows from Bolivia an “international water rubber bullets. course” and give it equal rights to its waters.

An overnight curfew was lifted early Santiago claims it has been denied Friday morning, but police and military those water rights since 1999. presence was beefed up around the city, Back in 2016 it dragged La Paz before where a burnt-out wreckage of a bus was the Hague-based ICJ -- set up after World still blocking the road to Rajapaksa’s War II to rule in disputes between countries. house.

In a legal game of ping-pong, Bolivia Rajapaksa’s office said Friday that then counter-sued Chile, asking the ICJ the protesters wanted to create an “Arab to rule that it had “sovereignty... over the artificial flow of Silala waters enSpring” — a reference to anti-governgineered, enhanced, or produced in its ment protests in response to corruption territory,” and demanded that Chile pay and economic stagnation that gripped the compensation. AFP Middle East over a decade ago. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Boy, 12, latest death from NY City gun violence NEW YORK — A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed as he sat in a parked car Thursday night in New York City, police said, shining a light on surging gun violence in the US megacity.

A young woman in the driver’s seat was also shot multiple times, while an eight-year-old girl in the

back of the vehicle was uninjured, police added.

The three had been waiting for food in the city’s Brooklyn neighborhood when gunfire was reported at about 8pm, police inspector Michael Kemper told a late-night press briefing.

“In the passenger seat, there was a

12-year-old boy who had been shot multiple times. He died on the spot,” Kemper said.

The driver, 20, was “expected to survive” after being taken to hospital for surgery, he added.

Police did not say whether the victims had been targeted or hit by stray bullets. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

B3

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

OPEC+ okays modest hike in oil production

PSEi April 1, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1

LAND

LAST PRICE 0.91

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.07 8.33%

2 3 4

APL ACE AXLM

0.047 1.75 2.6

0.003 0.1 0.13

6.82% 6.06% 5.26%

5 6 7

ATNB PBB CEU

0.62 9.1 6.83

0.03 0.44 0.31

5.08% 5.08% 4.75%

8 9 10

AB CDC ABG

5.95 0.73 4

0.25 0.03 0.15

4.39% 4.29% 3.90%

TOP LOSERS 1 2

DWC GERI

LAST PRICE 1.76 0.88

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.14 -7.37% -0.06 -6.38%

3 4

BC PRMX

6.62 2.46

-0.38 -0.14

-5.43% -5.38%

5 6 7

BLOOM BEL ATI

6.5 1.28 13.4

-0.34 -0.06 -0.58

-4.97% -4.48% -4.15%

8 9 10

ORE ACEX DNL

0.95 16.8 7.72

-0.04 -0.6 -0.27

-4.04% -3.45% -3.38%

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

ALI SMPH CNVRG ICT BDO URC TEL SM SCC ACEN

VOLUME 10,123,500 8,514,800 10,345,600 1,354,510 1,978,020 1,954,000 121,085 212,900 4,425,400 13,592,800

VALUE (PHP) 353,588,090 320,125,955 308,839,425 305,113,874 260,277,264 233,000,267 218,822,920 190,160,500 136,391,955 118,504,090

CHERRY BLOSSOMS. A Toden Arakawa Line tram, also known as Tokyo Sakura Tram (right) waits for the traffic near Asukayama Park with blooming cherry blossom, at evening hour in Tokyo on March 31, 2022. AFP

Stock market retreats; PLDT, URC lead losers S TOCKS retreated Friday on mild profit taking as traders assess the impact of the war in Ukraine and the Federal Reserve’s plans to fight surging inflation by ramping up interest rates.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 50.59 points, or 0.7 percent, to 7,152.88 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 106 to 65, with 46 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc. of the Salim Group, the biggest telecommunications firm, fell 3 percent to P1,795, while Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, the largest snack food maker, declined 1.4 percent to P119.30.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group dropped 1.2 percent to P898, but International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator and owned by

tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., added 0.8 percent to P226.60 The rest of Asian equities were mixed Friday after their worst quarter since the early days of the pandemic.

And oil extended a sell-off following Thursday’s plunge in response to news that the United States would release a million barrels a day from its reserves as it looks to rein in a price rally fueled by Russia’s conflict.

All three main indexes on Wall Street finished more than one percent down but Asia ended mixed after a poor start.

Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei and Wellington were all down but Hong Kong finished higher thanks to a late rally while Shanghai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok were also up.

Investors suffered a torrid first three months, with markets across the planet first plunged into turmoil over central bank moves to tighten policy and reel in their COVID-era financial support measures, and then by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Inflation had already rocketed to multi-

decade highs in several countries before the war in eastern Europe exacerbated the problem as crucial crude supplies from Russia were slashed and sent its price to six-year highs above $100.

The developments came as profit-takers cashed out after a near two-year rally fueled by central bank and government largesse.

Despite a pick-up in recent weeks, most indexes finished the quarter in the red.

Traders are struggling to ascertain the outlook for the next three months, with the war showing no signs of ending and the Federal Reserve just getting started on its campaign of sharp rate hikes.

The second quarter of 2022 “is going to start as messily as the first quarter has finished, with markets buffeted by a multitude of strong winds from various directions, with the outcome no clearer for the future than ever,” said OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley.

And Anwiti Bahuguna, at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, told Bloomberg Television that a lowering of growth forecasts for the United States, Europe and China are “something to watch very carefully.” With AFP

Cod of war: Ukraine batters British fish and chip shops

By Brigitte Dusseau BRIGHTON, United Kingdom―They have weathered the storm of Brexit and COVID, and are fighting the tide of rising inflation. But thousands of Britain’s fish and chip shops could be sunk by the war in Ukraine.

At Captain’s, in the seaside resort of Brighton, on England’s south coast, owner Pam Sandhu is normally not one to complain.

Yet the shelves of her large refrigerators are empty when they should be full of fresh white fish ready to be dipped in batter and deep fried, then served to hungry customers with piping hot chips.

In ordinary times, Russia supplied between 30 and 40 percent of the fish sold in British fish and chip shops, mostly cod and haddock, said Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF).

Ukraine is the world’s biggest exporter of vegetable oil, which is used for deep frying what the NFFF calls Britain’s “undisputed national dish.”

“With this war in Ukraine, there is no fish available or a very small amount,” Sandhu told AFP. “Before we were ordering in large quantities.

“Now there is only a minimum order that we can get. The price has doubled from what we paid last year.”

The vegetable oil has also become hard to come by, she added, and meanwhile the UK’s introduction in mid-March of a 35-percent tariff on the import of white fish from Russia has begun to bite.

At the same time, fish and chip shop proprietors are also being hit by rising energy prices.

On a sunny spring Friday in late March, Sandhu was worrying whether she would even have enough fish to get through the weekend.

She has been in the business for 30 years, often working seven days a week, and said she has never known as many problems with supplies or pressure on costs.

Sandhu’s restaurant has a terrace that looks out onto Brighton’s pebble beach and pier. She bought it three years ago and had planned to open in March 2020.

Then came COVID, followed by rising

Fish and Chips are pictured before being served at lunchtime at Captain’s Fish and Chip shop in Brighton on March 25, 2022. AFP

inflation and now the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. It’s been the perfect storm for fish and chips vendors.

Price hike Fish and chips, first served as a single dish in the 1860s, has long been a workingclass staple, although demographic and dietary changes have seen its popularity wane in recent years.

The takeaway favorite, covered in lashings of salt and vinegar, used to be wrapped in old newspaper and is typically served with mushy peas or tartare sauce.

“We’ve always been seen as a cheap meal so our margins have always been quite low and we work on volume,” said the NFFF’s Crook.

“Unfortunately now with the inflationary price it is very difficult to protect your margins, in fact they’re wiped out.”

Crook, a fish and chip shop owner in Lancashire, northwest England, has increased his prices by 50 pence ($0.66, 0.58 euros) a portion to £8.50.

Fish has became even more expensive because some British trawlers are staying in port due to the high cost of fuel.

“It’s just not worth them going out and setting sail, so that’s further pressure on the supply of fish and it’s driving pressure further north,” he explained.

Meanwhile sales tax (VAT) is going

back up to 20 percent having been cut to 12.5 percent during the pandemic.

All of which could put as many as 3,000 of the country’s 10,000 fish and chip shops out of business, said Crook.

“It will probably happen in the next six months. I think there is going to be that much pressure on people,” he predicted.

Cheaper than chips Sandhu is hoping that her reputation and the quality of her fish and chips will help her ride out the storm.

She has not increased her prices but is keeping a close eye on her competitors.

“We have to keep the customer happy but I can’t work for nothing. I have a home to feed,” she added.

Cheaper hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage rolls are now on the menu.

But regular customer Sharon Patterson said she will keep coming, whatever happens.

“Fish and chips have been part of my world ever since I existed,” she said, sitting on the terrace alongside her mother, who is in her eighties.

“We do have to keep supporting all our local businesses and as long as I can afford it, I will come down and have fish and chips whenever I can.

“It’s part of my growing up. It’s part of my culture.” AFP

VIENNA, Austria—The OPEC group of oil producing countries and its Russia-led allies agreed on another modest oil output increase on Thursday, ignoring Western pressure to significantly boost production as the Ukraine conflict has rocked prices.

While OPEC refused to budge, the United States said it would tap its strategic stockpile by a record amount in a bid to cool soaring prices.

The 13 members of the Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and 10 countries spearheaded by Russia backed an increase of 432,000 barrels per day in May, marginally higher than in previous months.

The group, known as OPEC+, said in a statement following a ministerial meeting that the “continuing oil market fundamentals and the consensus on the outlook pointed to a well-balanced market.”

It added that the “current volatility is not caused by fundamentals, but by ongoing geopolitical developments.”

But Capital Economics, a research firm, questioned whether the group would be able to meet the target.

“We doubt they will,” said Edward Gardner, the firm’s commodities economist.

“Production in Russia, which has the same quota as Saudi Arabia, is more likely to decrease than increase this year due to Western sanctions reducing demand for its exports,” Gardner said.

He also noted that OPEC+ was already struggling to meet its quotas before the war.

The United States has urged OPEC+, as the alliance is known, to boost production as high energy prices have contributed to soaring inflation across the world, which has threatened to severely derail the recovery from the COVID pandemic.

Crude prices have spiked over fears of a major supply shortfall after Moscow invaded Ukraine on February 24. Russia is the world’s second biggest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia. AFP

US bares sanctions against 21 Russian tech companies WASHINGTON, United States—The United States hit a series of Russian tech firms with sanctions Thursday, including the nation’s largest chip maker, in the latest punitive move against Vladimir Putin’s “war machine.”

The US Treasury said the sanctions targeted networks and technology companies that were “instrumental” to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mikron, the largest Russian manufacturer and exporter of microelectronics, was among 21 entities and 13 individuals listed for penalties, including the blocking of any property in the United States.

“Russia not only continues to violate the sovereignty of Ukraine with its unprovoked aggression but also has escalated its attacks striking civilians and population centers,” said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

“We will continue to target Putin’s war machine with sanc-

tions from every angle, until this senseless war of choice is over,” she added.

Also named were AO NII-Vektor, a software and communication technology firm, hardware sector company T-Platforms as well as Molecular Electronics Research Institute (MERI), which does work for the Russian government, Treasury said.

As a result of the sanctions, all US property of the targeted people and firms is blocked and must be reported to the US government.

The penalties also take aim at Moscow-based OOO Serniya Engineering, which Treasury said is at the center of a network that seeks to evade sanctions by working to hide final users of “critical Western technology,” such as Russian intelligence and military agencies.

A series of people alleged to be working on behalf of Serniya were named in the sanctions. AFP

Trade stopped in 33 firms listed in HK HONG KONG, China—More than 30 firms, including at least two major Chinese property developers, saw trading in their shares halted in Hong Kong on Friday after they failed to report annual results.

The move deepens uncertainty for China’s embattled property sector, which has been struggling after a clampdown by Beijing suddenly turned off the liquidity taps.

It also comes as China’s wider economy battles with sweeping lockdowns in key cities including Shanghai after a surge of coronavirus infections.

Major Chinese developers Shimao Group and Sunac China were among at least 33 companies suspended on Friday.

The firms had all failed to publish their unaudited annual results by a March 31 deadline.

This year’s trading suspension figure compares with more than 50 for 2021 and at least nine for 2020, according to Bloomberg News.

In a notice to Hong Kong’s stock exchange, Shimao said it could not report annual results on time because of the latest coronavirus outbreak, which resulted in the “lockdown of the office building of the company’s headquarters in Shanghai.”

Some staff involved in preparing annual results have also been quarantined without a clear date of when virus-control measures will be eased, Shimao added.

Because of virus-related delays, Hong Kong’s stock exchange allowed firms to submit unaudited figures by March 31 and the audited version by April 30 to avoid suspension. AFP

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

B4

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, April 1, 2022

-50.59 PTS. 7,152.88

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

15,203,059,591 68,752 5,401,927,300.93 65 106 46

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.9060

Japan

Yen

0.008219

0.4266

UK

Pound

1.314100

68.2097

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127676

6.6272

Switzerland

Franc

1.083893

56.2606

Canada

Dollar

0.799808

41.5148

Singapore

Dollar

0.738225

38.3183

Australia

Dollar

0.748500

38.8516

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652027

137.6561

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266567

13.8364

Brunei

Dollar

0.735510

38.1774

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030075

1.5611

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.1333

Euro

Euro

1.107000

57.4599

Korea

Won

0.000824

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.157746

8.1880

India

Rupee

0.013175

0.6839

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237925

12.3497

New Zealand

Dollar

0.693300

35.9864

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034947

1.8140 Source: BSP

The board of SM Investments Corp. approved the acquisition of an 81-percent stake in Allfirst Equity Holdings Inc., the holding company of Philippine Geothermal Production Company Inc., which operates the Tiwi and Mak-Ban steam fields. Tiwi is the first commercial-scale geothermal steam field development in Southeast Asia, followed by Mak-Ban, both in operation since 1979. The two generate geothermal steam sufficient to produce 300 megawatts of electricity.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

S

M Investments Corp., the holding company of the Sy family, said Friday it is set to take full control of Philippine Geothermal Production Company Inc., which operates the Tiwi and Mak-Ban steam fields.

Both fields are in operation since 1979. They generate geothermal steam sufficient to produce about 300 megawatts of electricity. The geothermal power plants are being operated separately by Aboitiz Power Corp.

SM Investments said in addition to the two producing steam fields, PGPC also has several other greenfield concession areas for geothermal steam production which it will develop moving forward.

“As a leading sustainability advo-

cate, SMIC is pleased to invest directly in clean renewable energy-related production, which is a national priority and aligned with our commitments to environmental stewardship and to tackling climate change. Renewable geothermal energy production contributes to carbon reduction efforts and is aligned to UN Sustainability Goals,” said SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio.

The transaction will be structured as a share swap based on a P26.6-billion enterprise valuation of PGPC, resulting in the issuance of 17.4 million SMIC shares based on a 60-day volume weighted average price of P903.88 per share.

The transaction will be accretive to SMIC based on 2021 earnings.

SMIC said the valuation is based on the cash flow of the existing geothermal

steam fields and does not impute any value to the other concession areas in the portfolio of PGPC which are in developmental stage.

All further upside from the production of these developmental concession areas are for the benefit of SMIC shareholders, it said.

DyBuncio said the transaction would also create value to the minority shareholders and ensure alignment of the interests of all shareholders in the geothermal property.

“PGPC is expected to generate significant carbon offsets reported under the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures framework,” he said.

The transaction will bring SMIC’s ownership in PGPC to 100 percent, and will be included in SMIC’s portfolio investments in future reporting.

57-ha. expansion of Lima Estate to offer 22,000 jobs ABOITIZ InfraCapital Corp., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, broke ground on the 57-hectare industrial expansion of the Lima Estate in Batangas province.

The expansion will host new locators and create an additional 22,000 jobs for the surrounding communities in the Lipa-Malvar industrial corridor, it said.

The development is a part of the larger 150-hectare expansion to bring new inventory to market for new locators in South Luzon, which will be executed by Aboitiz Construction.

“As we continue to welcome new locators and businesses to Lima, there will be continuous transformation of the Estate, through the introduction of new product lines, smart city features, and sustainability initiatives—all meant to cater to increasingly discerning and sophisticated businesses, while also raising the standard of development in the countryside,” Lima Land Inc. president and AIC Economic Estates head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa said.

De Mesa said the estate has more than doubled its size to nearly 1,000 hectares since it was acquired by Aboitiz in 2013—opening the area to new investments and more job opportunities.

He also shared the upcoming development of the PEZA-registered Lima Tower One which is in the process of acquiring BERDE-accreditation, along with the Lima Estate’s partnership with the Philippine Green Building Council to participate in a pilot program for District Certification.

AIC president and chief executive Cosette Canilao expressed optimism in harnessing the strategic location of the Lima Estate.

“This expansion is envisioned to support and enable international and domestic enterprises who would like to locate or expand in South Luzon.

I am confident that soon, Lima will be widely recognized as an economic hub and center of progress in the region, uplifting the lives of thousands and thousands of Filipinos,” Canilao said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Hot money yields $274-m net inflows FOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money yielded net inflows of $274 million in February, resulting from the $945-million gross inflows and $670-million gross outflows, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

The BSP said in a statement the February net inflows were larger than January figure of $15 million.

Data show that the country received $945 million worth of gross inflows in February, up by 29.1 percent or $213 million from $731 million in January.

“Majority of investments [or 79.3 percent] registered were in PSE-listed securities [investments mainly in banks; property; holding firms; food, beverage and tobacco; and transportation services] while the remaining 20.7 percent went to investments in peso government securities,” the BSP said.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong were the top five investor countries in February. Julito G. Rada

GCash sees sustained growth on new services

SM Group taking over Tiwi, Mak-Ban SM Investments said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the acquisition of the 81-percent stake of related parties in Allfirst Equity Holdings Inc. in exchange for shares in SMIC, subject to a valuation confirmation by an independent appraiser.

Allfirst is the holding company for PGPC, operator of Tiwi, the first commercial-scale geothermal steam field development in Southeast Asia in Albay and Mak-Ban in Laguna and Batangas.

IN BRIEF

GCASH, the country’s leading mobile wallet, said Friday it expects to sustain its growth momentum as it offers new digital business solutions for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

“After reaching acquisition targets, launching new products and growing our presence in the MSME community, it’s imperative to sustain this momentum and leap forward to more growth opportunities,” GCash president and chief executive Martha Sazon said.

The company is offering GCash Pro, a digital business solution that helps small entrepreneurs future-proof and expand their business amid the recent global pandemic.

“We need to be aware of the challenges faced by these entrepreneurs and strengthen our position as a business partner for growth, beyond payments,” Sazon said.

GCash continues to enable business owners to provide seamless service to their customers, track sales and increase their wallet limit. Darwin G. Amojelar

KFC announces full vaccination of staff KFC Philippines said customers can now dine with confidence at its branches nationwide with all its personnel already fullyvaccinated against COVID-19.

It said that aside from earning the distinction of being the first quick-service restaurant in the country to have fully-vaccinated staff, KFC is also known for implementing stringent health and safety protocols in-store, with its crew being made to regularly wash not just their hands but up to their elbows, similar to what surgeons are doing. KFC personnel are also receiving flu vaccines annually.

“Our customers are guaranteed a safe and fun experience when they dine in at any KFC branch nationwide to enjoy Colonel’s fried chicken. Our in-store crews are fully vaccinated and well-trained to make sure the customers’ welfare and safety are prioritized as they satisfy their ‘OG’ cravings at all our branches,” KFC Philippines generalmanager Jojo Marcelo said.

Ortigas Land bares first office building project in Greenhills

BANK OF COMMERCE LISTING. Bank of Commerce, an affiliate of San Miguel Corp., marks its listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange with a bell-ringing ceremony. Joining the event are (from left, by row) BNCOM president and chief executive Michelangelo Aguilar and PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon; BNCOM vice chairman Benedicta Du-Baladad, BNCOM chairman Ambassador Francis Chua, PSE chairman Jose Pardo and PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran; BNCOM chief finance officer Antonio Laquindanum, BNCOM director Roberto Benares, PSE issuer regulation division head Marigel Garcia and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officer Renee Rubio.

Ecozone firms asked to submit request for 70/30 WFH scheme

By Othel V. Campos COMPANIES in economic zones are required to submit letter of request to qualify for the 70/30 work-from-home ratio extension until June 20, 2022, or they may lose the incentives they are enjoying as Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered locators.

The IT Business Process Association of the Philippines said the same procedure was the norm during pre-pandemic period when an ITBPO company saw the need for flexible work based on the Telecommuting Act. “RBEs [registered-business enterprises] need to submit a letter of request to PEZA addressed to director-general

Charito Plaza as soon as possible. The letter of request needs to be signed by the highest authority in the office, like the country head or president and not the HR jead or head of facilities,” ITBPAP said.

The group said in a recent membership meeting the 70-percent on-site and 30-percent WFH or remote work would be based on headcount.

The Fiscal Incentives Review Board earlier denied the request of PEZA to extend the 90 percent WFH arrangement until September 28, 2022.

According to the FIRB, the WFH arrangement is only a time-bound temporary measure adopted during the surge of the pandemic, and the return-to-office

order is necessary to help bounce back from the crisis.

RBEs that have not yet filed their letters of request should comply with the mandatory directive that all workers should return to the base of work, according to ITBPAP. Plaza said PEZA is supportive of the hybrid work scheme and would call on the new administration to allow all RBEs to practice the hybrid work set-up.

“The present law says that 70/30 is the most we can provide as a leeway, and we have to let the new administration to address this new hybrid scheme to institutionalize the work-from-home program,” she said.

ORTIGAS Land Corp. unveiled Thursday the company’s first office development project in Greenhills, San Juan City that is expected to support the projected increase in demand as companies start to return to work on-site.

The 15-story building has gross leasable area of about 40,000 square meters, while the gross usable area is around 30,000 sq. m. It is expected to be completed by May 2023.

Ortigas Land head of office business unit Trina Chan said the company is optimistic on the improving business climate as the company goes full speed ahead with the construction of GH Tower at the center of the GreenHills commercial strip.

“With opening of GH Tower in the heart of GreenHills Center, we welcome a new face of commerce where connections are made and businesses thrive. With Green Hills Center currently undergoing redevelopment, we want to revitalize and transform the community into a complete one stop destination for shop, live, work play amenities for productive and well-rounded individuals,” she said in a briefing.

She said the addition of GH Tower at Greenhills Center as a prime back-tooffice location would provide full convenience, bringing all of one’s needs in a centralized location.

OLC is working for the accreditation of the building as a registered IT-business process management property by the Philippine Export Zone Authority, she said.

The CBRE Group expects the property sector to see two more quarters of increased vacancy “before all the recovery signs impact on the vacancy numbers.”

Othel V. Campos

MPIC gains full ownership of Landco Pacific after acquiring 61.9% stake worth P429m

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific Investments Corp. said Friday it acquired an additional 61.9-percent stake in upscale real estate developer Landco Pacific Corp. for P429.33 million.

MPIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed deeds of absolute sale of shares with AB Holdings Corp. and certain individuals for the acquisition of 61.9 percent of the issued and out-

standing capital stock of Landco Pacific.

MPIC holds a 38.1-percent ownership interest in the developer.

Landco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MPIC, with 100-percent stake after the transaction.

Landco is a pioneer in the real estate business with more than 30 years of experience in developing world-class resorts and leisure communities.

“The transaction is expected to expand

MPIC’s footprint in the real estate business,” MPIC said.

MPIC signed a P1.6-billion investment agreement with Dusit International of Thailand in 2020 to develop and jointly manage hospitality and residential properties in the Philippines.

MPIC’s newest real estate, hospitality and tourism subsidiary, Metro Vantage Properties Inc., will lead the design, development, marketing and sales of the

real estate properties, while Dusit Thani Philippines will oversee the hospitality and tourism side of the business.

The conglomerate reported a core net income of P12.3 billion in 2021, higher by 20 percent than P12.2 billion in 2020.

MPIC allocated P136 billion in 2021 capital expenditures, up from P78 billion in 2021.

MPIC has business interests in power, rail, water, tollways, hospitals, logistics and real estate.

Chooks 6th place in FIBA 3x3 Dubai DUBAI—Cebu Chooks finished in sixth place overall in its debut tournament, the 2022 FIBA 3x3 Dubai Expo Super Quest, Wednesday evening here.

The quartet of Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Brandon Ramirez, and Mike Nzeusseu went 1-2 in a tough Pool B in this level eight FIBA 3x3 tournament held at the Expo Sports Arena.

Figuring in a do-or-die game against world no. 2 Antwerp of Belgium, Cebu Chooks could not sustain the momentum it got from its win against USA’s Chicago earlier, bowing to the Belgians, 19-12.

Cebu Chooks’ sole win in the competition came against USA’s Chicago -- a team bannered by USA’s no. 3 player Craig Moore and no. 4 Zahir Carrington, taking a 21-15 (8:14) triumph.

Tallo led the way for Cebu Chooks with 10 points built on three deuces in the contest.

In its very first game, Cebu Chooks almost stunned 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalists Riga of Latvia, falling short late in a 21-17 (9:07.5) loss.

With 1:17 left and Riga clinging to a 17-16 lead, world no. 1 Nauris Miezis knocked down a two-ball to put Riga just two points away from taking the game.

Though Tallo was able to score on a nifty move inside, the 31-year-old Miezis knocked down a one-legged deuce to seal the win for Riga with 52.5 seconds to spare.

Miezis had 18 points in the contest built on five deuces.

“We still have a lot to work on,” said Cebu Chooks head trainer Aldin Ayo. “We had a lot of lapses in our interior defense, especially during our game against Belgium (Antwerp).

Hopefully, we can fix this by the time we host the Manila Super Quest next month.”

Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas, meanwhile, was proud of the stand put up by the Philippine team as it finished a respectable sixth place in the competition.

“Our team gave a good accord of themselves, especially against Riga -- a team that has been together for almost a decade,” said the sports patron. “We plan on adding more wide-bodied versatile players not just to this team but also our second team to match the physicality of the Europeans.”

Antwerp ended up topping the tournament while Poland’s Warsaw finished second.

Sports

ANOTHER series of performance trials will be held this month to determine if there will be more qualifiers to the national athletics’ pool for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The date for the meet is set from April 21 and 22 at the Philsports oval in Pasig, and national training director Renato Unso is upbeat that all members of the national squad can make the cut.

“There are more than 30 who have qualified. It would be better if all 50 of them made it,” said Unso.

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Vietnam sets ‘unique’ health st protocols for 31 SEA Games T

POC chief Rep. Abraham Tolentino

HE 31st Southeast Asian Games slated from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam will impose health and safety protocols that are unique to the host country.

The organizers, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also announced during a virtual SEA Games Federation meeting on Friday afternoon that there will be 256 events for the men and 242 for the women for a total of 498 events in 40 sports.

But making this edition of the SEA Games that Vietnam is hosting for only the second time since 2003—with Hanoi as main hub anew—are its unique health and safety protocols against the pandemic.

The organizers, according to Tolentino, would only allow delegation officials to go from one distant area to

another during the games.

“Athletes and coaches will be confined to their respective areas and hotels for the duration of their stay,” Tolentino said.

But—Tolentino added—the organizers would allow athletes and coaches to visit restaurants, bars, shopping centers and tourists spots only within their areas.

Interestingly, the organizers don’t include proofs of vaccination against COVID-19, said Tolentino who added that Vietnam has designated 3,000 volunteers to work the non-sports matters of the games.

“Countries can also change an athlete or athletes, who test positive of the

There are now 34 pool members who have made the bronze-medal standard that the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association set for prospective entries to the national squad to the SEA Games.

This now includes all the Filipino medallists of the 2019 SEA Games.

Unso said there were six additional qualifiers during the March trials.

Among the new qualifiers is men’s 4x100 meter relay specialist Anfernee Lopena, who hit the bronze medal cutoff time of 10.52 seconds, and sprinter Maureen Schrijvers.

Relay specialists Eloisa Luzon, Jessel Lumapas also made it, along

with long distance specialists Richard Salano and Jerald Zabala.

Among those who made cut early on were Carter Lilly (800m), Yaccine Guermali (1500m and 5000m), Mariano Masano(1500m), Sony Wagdos (5000m), Clinton Kingsley Bautista (110 meter hurdles and Eric Cray 400 meter hurdles.

Top Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena is the latest addition to the roster, following the success of mediation talks with PATAFA officials.

The list also includes Mark Harry Diones (triple jump), William Morrison (shotput and discus), Melvin

Calano (javelin),Aries Toledo and Janry Ubas (decathlon), Kristina Knott (100m and 200m).

Kayla and Kyla Richardson (100m) are in the list with Mia Guillergan (5000m), Joida Gagnao (5000m and 3000m steeplechase, Robyn Lauren Brown ( 400-meter hurdles), Christine Hallasgo (marathon).

Mary Joy Tabal (marathon) also made it with Natalie Uy (pole vault) and heptathlete Alexie Caimoso and Sarah Dequinan, Louie Agawa (1500m), John Albert Mantua (shotput), Hokett Delos Santos (pole vault), Alfrence Braza (1500 meter run) and Marestella Torres (long jump).

SSC Stags score bounce-back win in NCAA Games today (La Salle Greenhills Gym) 12 noon – CSB vs Arellano 3 p.m. – LPU vs EAC SAN Sebastian entered the win column with a 63-58 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Friday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym. The Stags held Jielo Razon to a single basket in the final 10 minutes of play after the Altas guard scored 20 in the first three quarters.

Kim Aurin, who dropped 20 points in Perpetual’s 77-56 victory over Jose Rizal University, could only muster seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. “’Yung endgame nila, they will always have the mentality na we have to play good defense and titignan

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

Cebu Chooks’ Mike Nzeusseu dunks the ball in a FIBA 3x3 tournament game at the Expo Sports Arena in Dubai.

PATAFA hoping all 50 bets make SEAG cut

By Peter Atencio

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

Perpetual’s Mark Omega jockeys for rebound position against Mark Omega of SSC.

natin ‘yung offense natin and that’s what’s happened,” said coach Egay Macaraya after San Sebastian rebounded from its season-opening 63-65 loss to Arellano.

JM Calma, Rommel Calahat and Ken Villapando conspired in the Stags’ 9-0 run to build a 6355 advantage with 33.1 seconds remaining.

Calahat led San Sebastian with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a reserve role.

“Nag-adjust po kami. Kinalimutan namin ‘yung last game (against the Chiefs). Inisip lang namin na mag-bounce back ngayon,” said Calahat.

Calma had 14 points, nine boards and two blocks while Ichie Altamirano was the other Stag in double digits with 12 points.

virus before the games start, but not anymore when the competitions are ongoing,” Tolentino said. “Football is exempted from the rule because it allows teams to have extra players.”

Fans or spectators?

“The hosts said that would depend on the COVID situation in the area or cluster,” Tolentino said. “If the figures are high, fans won’t be allowed in the venues, if their low, then they’ll be allowed to watch the games.”

The wires indicated that Vietnam posted more than 92,000 new cases on Thursday.

The Philippines will be leaning on 584 athletes in 39 sports in its bid to retain its overall championship in the regional games.

Team Philippines will fly to Hanoi in batches with the main bulk departing on May 10.

HD Spikers sweep Angels, move closer to PVL finals Games tomorrow (Sunday) 11 a.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Army (Consolation round) 3 p.m. – Creamline vs Choco Mucho 6 p.m. – Petro Gazz vw Cignal IN COMMAND or in pursuit, Cignal HD knew the drill – stay focused and never give up.

Trailing down the stretch in all three sets, the HD Spikers stuck to their game plan and never wavered, hacking out a string of squeakers for a 25-21, 25-23, 2523 victory and closer to the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Finals at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The HD Spikers used their veteran smarts to rattle the Angels and flashed the poise and character that win big-time championships, overcoming deficits in the clutch while shutting down their rivals to pound out the win and seize the opener of their best-of-three semifinal series.

“I was very happy (for the win) and at the same time I enjoyed the game, ‘grabe yung labanan, ayaw magpatalo ng bawat isa,’” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos.

Cignal goes for the clincher at 6 p.m. tomorrow with Creamline and Choco Mucho disputing their other finals berth in their side of the semis at presstime.

With Rachel Anne Daquis and Ces Molina providing the leadership, Angeli Araneta and Rosely Doria supplying the key blasts and Ria Meneses dominating the middle with her quick hits and blocks, the HD Spikers shrugged off the Angels’ gritty plays majority of the way then unleashed a series of strong finishing kicks to fashion out the sweep in one hour and 26 minutes.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

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

Home/Design

BAMBOO FOR LIFE.

At a supply facility in Nasugbu, Batangas, bamboo is treated and prepared for use in the construction of housing.

RESORT COMMUNITY BY THE BAY. Real estate developer

Federal Land, Inc., which celebrates its 50th year in the industry, is building a resort community within reach, without leaving the comfort of the city. Palm Beach West, a fourtower resort-inspired development, is one of Manila Bay area’s exclusive condominium developments located in Federal Land’s Metro Park, a sprawling 36-hectare master planned community. The area is one of the fastest emerging central business districts in the country. “So just as the sun symbolizes a hopeful tomorrow, Palm Beach West offers a life that is always sunny,” said Gilbert Berba, head of urban planning and design group at Federal Land. Palm Beach West is neighbor to the stylish Blue Bay Walk and Met Live shopping centers, PEZA-accredited office tower iMet BPO, Le Pavillon, and Le Parc event places, and a petfriendly park. The area also boasts an upscale community of casino resorts and hotels, top-notch schools, and premier hospitals. To know more about Palm Beach West, please visit www.federalland.ph.

Recreational enclave down south

THE Nustar resort and Casino Complex, perched on the picturesque island of Kawit along the South Road Properties in Cebu City, is set to make a soft opening this year.

The first of its kind and the biggest lifestyle and entertainment destination outside Manila, it promises redefine five-star luxury, gaming, entertainment and leisure in the southern Philippines.

A flagship project of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. of the Gokongwei Group, the sprawling property will include hotel brands such as the 379-room Fili Urban Resort and Grand Summit Hotel, all

to be managed by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).

The planned casino will have a floor area of 21,000 square meters, 1,500 machines and 250 tables. The recreational enclave is expected to be a hub for domestic and international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), with its spacious exhibition halls, elegant ballrooms, and high-tech support facilities suited for big events. The property will also have a water theme park and viewing deck located at the pinnacle of the main Nustar Hotel tower, overlooking the mountains and the seas of Cebu (Shown in photo).

Lowly bamboo declares war on climate change

N

ASUGBU, Batangas—In a world fighting the accelerating effects of climate change, an abundant, resilient, and sustainable construction material has proven itself to be one of the best tools in mitigating this environmental phenomenon: bamboo.

“Bamboo is able to take carbon out of the atmosphere faster than almost any other plant,” said Pablo Jorillo, general manager of Base Bahay Foundation.

“The housing sector and construction industry at large can tplay a great role in reducing our carbon emissions if they are able to use bamboo as a mainstream building material,” Jorillo claimed.

Practical way to do battle With the amount of carbon dioxide increasing in our atmosphere because of human activities--mainly the burning of fossil fuels--and therefore amplifying the warming effect of trapped greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration has become one of the most effective ways to reduce the levels of carbon in our atmosphere.

Carbon sequestration is recognized by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as one of the most practical ways to combat climate change—and bamboo, explained Jorillo, is a natural and renewable resource that is able to rapidly sequester carbon in biomass and soil.

Sustainable construction material Bamboo naturally sequesters carbon in the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and naturally stores it in its culms. When it is harvested, treated, and eventually used as building material, Jorillo says the sequestered carbon still stays in the bamboo biomass. This presents bamboo as a truly sustainable construction material, as opposed to steel, cement, and glass, the manufacturing of which represents 11 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in 2018, according to the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019.

The same report states that the buildings and construction sector accounted for 36 percent of final energy use, and 39 percent of energyand process-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2018.

GREENFIELD BOOSTS MANDA’S EMERGENCY GAME. Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II recently led

the turnover of two firetrucks and five ambulances to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and several barangays to boost the city’s emergency response. Two units of 54-meter aerial ladders were turned over to BFP Mandaluyong during the ceremony.

Also present was Greenfield Development Corporation’s chairman and president, Jeffrey D.Y. Campos. The five ambulance units worth P2.4 million each from the Department of Health were given to Barangay Addition Hills, Barangay Hulo, Barangay Vergara, Command and Control Center (C3), and the National Center for Mental Health. The fire trucks are capable of responding to fires occurring in buildings as high as 18-storeys, while the ambulances are fully equipped with state-of-the art emergency medical instruments. These will bolster the crisis response capability of Mandaluyong City and contribute to the protection of various communities, including the Greenfield District.

Using bamboo, on the other hand, has a completely opposite effect. A carbon pool is created when you use harvested wood like bamboo. Bamboo products such as houses, furniture, boards, or engineered bamboo are durable and can store carbon for a long time, hence becoming a carbon pool or carbon reservoir. Carbon storage in harvested biomass is more significant in bamboo than in trees because of the former’s fast growth and renewability.

Global reference As a non-profit that advocates for and implements the use of CementBamboo Frame Technology in affordable housing, Base Bahay Foundation is leading the charge on research and innovation surrounding the use of bamboo for the affordable housing sector, and, eventually, the construction industry at large.

Initiated by the Hilti Foundation in 2014 to provide alternative and affordable housing solutions to people in the Asia Pacific that are exposed to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, Base Bahay’s CementBamboo Frame Technology is certified by the Accreditation of Innovative Technologies for Housing (AITECH) by the National Housing Authority.

Ultimately, what Base Bahay aims to achieve is to incorporate the mainstream use of bamboo in the National Building Code, so as to standardize its use across all kinds of structures.

“Our vision is to be the global reference for bamboo and sustainable construction, in order to help countries find alternative construction methods,” Jorillo said.

For more information on Base Bahay Foundation and ongoing projects, visit http://www.base-builds.com.

HOUSING LOAN TAKE OUT KING.

INNOVATION HUB. SM Development Corporation (SMDC), is helping redefine the urban-dwelling landscape in Jaro, Iloilo with Glade Residences, a development which provides a front seat to Iloilo’s transformation, and the opportunity to thrive at the crossroads of growth. Iloilo is a city poised to be a ‘premier innovation hub’ by 2030 due to its well-connected infrastructure, a fine risk-reduction management program, and the arrival of several big companies, seen to push the city towards being ‘the next economic epicenter’ in the Philippines. Glade Residences is master-planned in such a way that it gives easy access to the best of Iloilo, along with a coveted, low-carbonfootprint lifestyle. Every unit at Glade Residences is carefully structured to allow natural light and ventilation to illuminate living spaces (As shown in photo), and improve one’s well-being.

Mass housing company Ovialand Inc. (OLI), was recently recognized as a real estate player with one of the “highest amount of housing loan take outs in South Luzon” during the PagIBIG Fund Chairman’s Report for 2021.

Ovialand Inc. also ranked 13th corporate-wide among Pag-IBIG Fund’s list of top-performing real estate developers in the country. The company is focused on delivering house and lot units in Southern Luzon. By 2023, Ovialand is set to begin its developments in the region of Northern Metro Manila and Central Luzon. “We are grateful to have Pag-IBIG as our partner in providing more than 1,000 housing units to our clients, making their dreams of owning a home a reality,“ said Ovialand president and chief executive officer Pammy Olivares-Vital.

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

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AS PH RANKED WORST IN ASIA

Globe intensifies drive vs. piracy

G

LOBE has further intensified its drive against illegal streaming and downloading of content as the Philippines, together with Vietnam and Malaysia, again topped the list of Asian countries with the highest piracy rates.

Piracy has been a lingering problem around the world, posing a danger to the viability of businesses and the livelihood of content creators, and also exposing users to malware and other online threats.

“The ill-effects of online piracy cannot be underestimated. Globe continues to ramp up initiatives to mitigate, if not fully stop piracy, and make a positive societal impact. We also work with coalitions and partners like the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and the IPOPHL to help address these challenges,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

The recent YouGov 2022 Piracy Landscape Survey commissioned by AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) revealed that 61% of local respondents have consumed pirated content. Their primary sources are social media and messaging platforms at 44 percent.

Movie snippets are usually shown on Facebook and TikTok, while pirated content is sold in the Facebook marketplace. People also share illegally downloaded materials via messaging apps such as Telegram.

Other sources of pirated content include streaming and torrent sites at 20% and illicit streaming devices and apps, also at 20%.

While piracy continues to be a major concern in the country, there remains a high consumption of legal content. The survey showed that 81% of respondents said they consume content through legitimate platforms, although the figure is still the lowest in the region.

AVIA is now looking at commissioning YouGov to conduct the survey at the end of every year to help identify where, how, and why consumers are accessing illegal content and the impact of enforcement actions. It is also talking with social media platforms to

discuss the possibility of taking down pirated content.

“The Philippines not only has one of the highest piracy consumption rates in the Asia Pacific region, but the lowest consumption rate of legitimate content from those countries surveyed. However, there is hope. The Philippines also has the high-

est percentage of consumers who would use legitimate content if their access to pirate services was blocked, and the highest percentage of consumers in the region in countries that do not currently block pirate sites who believe that blocking pirate sites is the best measure to reduce piracy,” said

CAP General Manager Matthew Cheetham.

“With these factors in mind, we encourage the Philippine government to urgently amend the current copyright legislation to allow for an efficient and effective regulatory site blocking regime,” he said.

On the other hand, Globe educates its customers on how to become responsible and intelligent custodians of content since the launch of the #PlayItRight campaign in 2017. The initiative cuts across several industries such as film, music, gaming, digital literacy, and education.

Aside from blocking confirmed illegal piracy sites, the campaign makes consumers aware that piracy websites can be hotbeds for illegal online activities, malware, and other cybersecurity threats.

Through its Digital Thumbprint Program, Globe has maximized its influence within the education and entertainment sectors. The advocacy has been integrated into the K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education in 2019.

Globe supports efforts to modernize the country’s intellectual property law, with several bills pending in Congress that aim to boost protection of intellectual property rights. Among the amendments sought is granting greater power to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to take down or block online sites violating copyright laws and penalize violators with steeper fines.

In line with its campaign for a safer Internet, Globe also hopes to see the enactment of the bill amending the law which penalizes online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, which Congress is expected to ratify within the year. The measure aims to expand child protection against cyber threats and address gaps in existing laws such as the Anti-Child Pornography Act, the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discriminaton Act, and the AntiTrafficking in Persons Act. Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

It is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs. To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

LG, BigWash The SM Store's Shop & Share, Mastercard gift team up to e-tablets to 1,210 SM Foundation scholars keep Unihealth pandemic proof THROUGOUT the entirety of the COVID pandemic, frontliners have been hard at work to ensure the health and safety of everyone. They’ve been working round the clock, some even pulling 24-48 hour shifts just to help out. Knowing just how much they’ve sacrificed, communities, organizations, and companies have also stepped up to assist frontliners.

LG Philippines is one of the companies who’ve been continuously giving aid to frontliners for the duration of the pandemic. The South Korean tech giant has collaborated with hospitals, local governments, and nonprofits in order to give assistance to healthcare workers.

Just recently, LG partnered with one of its distributors, BigWash, to give a donation of commercial washers to Unihealth Hospital in Paranaque. LG donated 3 sets of Giant C Max and 2 sets of Titan C Max washers while BigWash took care of the installation.

These commercial washers, through the hygiene care system technology, guarantee that Unihealth’s linens and PPEs are clean and sanitized.

To formally hand over the donation, executives from all three companies held a small ribbon-cutting ceremony. Jun Lee, Commercial Laundry Product Director, LGEPH, Hyunsu "Suraj" Chang, APAC Regional Sales and Marketing Manager of Commercial Laundry, LG, Geanie A. Cerna-Lopez, MD, FPOGS, FPSUOG, MHSA, Unihealth President and CEO, Carl Victor R. Domingo, MBA, MHM, Unihealth Hospital Administrator, Imelda P. Cirillo, LLB, MBA, MHA, Unihealth Corporate Secretary, Melicia E. Maronilla, MD, MHA, Unihealth Corporate Treasurer, and Philip Lee of BigWash Managing Director attended the event.

Speaking about the donation, LGEPH Commercial Laundry Product Director Jun Lee says “Our frontliners sacrificed a lot to help the community. We at LG owe them our life and this donation is a symbol of our gratitude for their unwavering commitment.” Visit www.lg.com/ph/ commercial-laundry and LG Commercial Laundry PH Facebook page for more information regarding commercial laundry solutions.

SM Foundation’s 1,210 scholars across the Philippines are now better equipped for their studies through the electronic tablets gifted by Mastercard, The SM Store, and their customers.

Shop & Share campaign, which ran for three days in October 2021, allowed The SM Store shoppers nationwide to take part in the initiative.

For every Mastercard transaction in-store or via the Personal Shopper, regardless of the amount, Mastercard gave P100 to the drive geared towards supporting the online learning of select student beneficiaries.

“Shop & Share with Mastercard is a great example of a shared value in action. Through simple business-as-usual transactions in our stores using Mastercard, we were able to raise funds to buy electronic tablets for SM Foundation’s scholars,” said Chelo Monasterio, The SM Store president. “We are fortunate to have found an ally in Mastercard to give back through this campaign.”

Mastercard Country Manager Simon

SM Foundation scholars expressed support to The SM Store, Mastercard and SM Foundation during the online turn over ceremony held March 26, 2022 via Zoom. The SM Store led by its President Chelo Monasterio (top leftmost), and Mastercard executives led by its Country Manager Simon Calasanz (top center) attended the ceremony.

Calasanz reiterated how partnerships could his hope for the scholars receiving the ehelp make big goals a reality, and this is tablets. "I hope the e-tablets will make a

positive impact in your education and in your lives. Perhaps, one day, it could be your initiatives driving financial inclusion and sustainability in the country."

In turn, Eleanor Lansang, SM Foundation Senior Assistant Vice President for Scholarship Program, highlighted the importance of students being equipped with the right devices for their learning.

“With your support, we are able to empower students, giving them a fighting chance in their current education and, eventually, the workplace.

This will enable them to uplift the economic status of their families and eventually inspire them to spread social good in their respective communities,” Lansang said.

In addition to supporting SM Foundation’s programs on education, health, and disaster response The SM Store also implements regular corporate social responsibility programs to share happiness to communities through various donation drives such Share Your Extras, Share Shoes, Donate A Book, and Share A Toy. Year round, all branches house coin boxes for the benefit of the company’s partner organizations, such as UNICEF, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Good Neighbors Philippines, and World Vision.

METAEDU pavilion’s ‘Play to Learn, Learn to Earn’ highlights Metaverse, NFT at Smart City Summit Expo THE Smart City Summit & Expo from March 22 to 25 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2 showcased more than 60 Taiwanese smart education industry software and hardware manufacturers.

The exhibitors included the METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion—an exhibition that, consistent to METAEDU’s brand spirit, represents a world in which the future of education will use an array of hybrid technologies and application services to integrate virtual and real world utilities.

METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion represents a world in which the future of education will use an array of hybrid technologies and application services to integrate virtual and real world utilities.

METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion: “Play to Learn, Learn to Earn” Commissioned by Taiwan’s Industrial Development Bureau, the administrative agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion took the theme of “Play to Learn, Learn to Earn” while connecting popular keywords such as Metaverse, Digital Transformation, Non Fungible Tokens and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance.

To exhibit the the software and hardware capabilities of Taiwan’s smart education industry, the pavilion was further divided into 4 segments: Designing of Courses with Live Shows (課程; Sparking Proactivity (自發; Enabling Interactivity and Communications (互動; and Common Good (共好.

Attendees at the SCSE 2022, the ninth iteration of the tradeshow, also enjoyed an array of activities organized based on Taiwan’s “108 curriculum” and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The exhibition area was even specially designed to include an exclusive and limited number of 250 NFT digital skill badges which were offered to visitors who completed a series of tasks put forth by METAEDU. Holders of this badge obtained the right to join all METAEDU events in the future and will receive product offers or course discounts from time to time. This exciting giveaway truly embodied the “Play to Learn, Learn to Earn” experience for exhibition visitors.

METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion Highlights

The METAEDU Smart Education Pavilion focused on contemporary topics such as Digital Transformation, Metaverse, Non Fungible Tokens and ESG. Through forums and panel discussions, insights of experts brought together the imagination of the smart education industry and the gradual formation of the outlines of the future of smart education.

Specifically, education’s relationships with the Metaverse, ESG, and Certification were discussed and dissected upon: Metaverse X Education As technology continues to allow learning to be presented in new ways, education will no longer be subject to any form, location, language or time. Since the infrastructure of the Metaverse has not yet been set, industry experts discussed how EdTech companies should cooperate with each other in the virtual-real hybrid learning platform to seize the opportunity in the early-stage development of the Metaverse era.

ESG X Education The “108 curriculum” combines the United Nations SDGs with new thinking and actions to break the framework of education to ensure inclusive and equitable highquality education. At the same time, it allows people from all walks of life to enjoy lifelong learning opportunities.

Facing the environmental Issues of ESG sustainable development, industry experts touched upon the topic of how businesses should start to improve and make changes in order to coexist and mutually benefit from operating in today’s society.

MILO RIVERA Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

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NTRODUCED first on the global stage of EICMA 2021, the Aprilia SR GT is a compact GT scooter designed to reinject the fun into everyday riding in the city, but also over long distances and less traveled paths, thanks to equipment inspired by the enduro world that makes it the ideal companion in every situation.

With the Aprilia SR GT, an active riding position and motorcycle-inspired wide, naked handlebar offer ultimate control, while long-travel suspension and increased ground clearance ensure any obstacle is easily surmounted when riding in the city. And the tyres, with their generous cross-section and “all terrain” tread design, allow the rider to adventure on any surface, from asphalt to cobblestones and white roads.

All of this is combined with the unmistakable Aprilia sports design, the latest i-get engines (174cc) complete with Start & Stop system for topclass performance, and comprehensive equipment that includes full LED lights, LCD instrumentation and the APRILIA MIA connectivity system (optional).

A unique style, with sports lines and a nod to the motorcycle world The versatility of Aprilia SR GT is immediately clear from its style details, with strong references to the racing character of Aprilia sports bikes, but also the off-road world.

Side-on, Aprilia SR GT is compact, with reduced overhang and taut, dynamic lines that emphasize its sports nature. As well as housing the tank, the central tunnel serves to connect the front and rear, giving SR GT the appearance of a motorcycle.

Added to this is the license plate, which is positioned on the rear wheel to leave a slimmer tail section.

Perfectly integrated into the design, the passenger grab handles, and full LED rear light cluster complete with turn signals also make an impression.

Standing out at the front is the full LED three-element light cluster, typical of Noale sports bikes, as well as the double fairing that emerges to the sides of the shield, but there is also a clear enduro influence, with the suspended windscreen and wide, naked handlebar that contributes to a sense of total control, particularly when maneuvering at low speed in city traffic.

The instrumentation is fully digital, the large LCD display providing all vehicle data, as well as a wide range of travel information, which can be selected with the MODE button on the

Motoring ALL-NEW APRILIA SR GT

Gritty, fun scooter built for every purpose ready for PH roads

left-hand control block. If the APRILIA MIA connectivity system (available on request) is present, once a smartphone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth, the instrument panel will also display notifications regarding incoming calls and messages. The system also enables call management using the specific connectivity button on the right-hand control block and the use of vocal commands to make calls or play music, by activating a playlist.

Unstoppable in the city and ready for adventure Aprilia SR GT is designed to make any trip a thrill. Know-how in the frame field is fully exploited by Aprilia technicians in creating the chassis, a guarantee of precise dynamic behavior.

A double cradle frame in high-strength steel tubing is paired with brand-new long-travel suspension developed specifically for this model.

The front boasts a Showa fork with 33 mm stanchions and 122 mm of travel, 22% more than that of its closest competitor, while the rear features two double-acting Showa shock absorbers with coil spring and five-position adjustable pre-load, and travel equating to 102 mm, which is 7% more than the competition.

With its sophisticated chassis, a weight of just 144 kg with a full tank (148 kg for the SR GT 200) and light alloy rims - 14” at the front and 13” at the rear - with wide crosssection tyres (110/80 and 130/70), Aprilia SR GT offers excellent agility and handling in traffic, but is also stable at more sustained speeds. The

Test drives, exclusive promos, 2 new model previews await GAC Motor PH-MIAS booth-goers GAC Motor Philippines will make its comeback with two vehicles to preview at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show on April 7 to 10, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Anticipating the excitement of show goers to attend a physical event, GAC Motor PH will be amplifying its exhibit by having a preview of GAC Motor’s two (2) brand-new car models. Customers who are eager to see these models in flesh are invited to visit the GAC Motor PH booth during the four-day motor show.

Along with the vehicle preview,

GAC Motor PH will also display its full vehicle line-up: the GS3, GS8, GN6, GN8 Master’s Edition, and the All-New GS4.

Customers and show goers may also test drive any of the unit models and may avail of an all-in low down payment for as low as Php 37,000 when they reserve or purchase a unit at the MIAS event. The exclusive promo comes with a five-year warranty or 150,000 kms whichever comes first, an initial LTO Registration and Chattel Mortgage, and a free one (1) year Comprehensive Insurance with Acts of Nature through selected bank partners.

Aprilia SR GT also stands out for its minimum ground clearance of 175 mm, a never-before-seen value for traditional compact GT scooters. This allows the rider to easily surmount any bumps in the road and descend from any altitude. All these characteristics, together with “all-terrain” tyres with a slightly knobby tread, make the Aprilia SR GT extremely flexible and suited to any type of use.

Unstoppable in the city, where obstacles such as cobblestones, tram lines, manhole covers, potholes and uneven asphalt are common, SR GT is also ready for exciting journeys, during which the rider can even leave the asphalt and venture onto white roads.

A gritty Sport version joins the range As well as a more classic version, Aprilia SR GT also offers a Sport trim, which boasts grittier, more sportsoriented graphics and finishes.

Aprilia SR GT is available in three colors, Aprilia Black, Street Grey and Infinity Blue, each paired with silvery grey footpegs, sides and passenger grab handles.

The Sport version comes even closer to the typical liveries of Aprilia sports bikes, offering Street Gold, Iridium Grey and Red Raceway matte color schemes, which are combined with red painted wheels and a two-color black and grey saddle with red stitching. The

silvery grey footpegs feature Aprilia lettering, while the central tunnel and sides are matte black, with passenger grab handles to match the vehicle. A large ‘a’ for Aprilia features at the sides of the shield.

Latest generation i-get engines, for top-class performance Aprilia SR GT also makes a mark on the compact GT scooter segment with its engine power and efficiency.

Belonging to the i-get family, this pair of very modern Euro 5-approved units with electronic injection, four valves and liquid cooling are the product of know-how at the Piaggio Group R&D center for scooter engines, the most important in Europe.

The Aprilia SR GT 200 introduces the brand-new 174 cc single-cylinder, which boasts 13 kW of power at 8500 rpm and 16.5 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm. Values of absolute reference, which ensure elasticity, rapid pick-up and a smooth ride in all conditions.

Results that are achieved with meticulous work across a large number of components, with the aim of optimizing the thermodynamic performance.

Better engine performance also calls for more efficient heat extraction, while the CVT transmission complete with larger clutch is revised in order to suit the engine’s new power curve.

All models in the Aprilia SR GT range are equipped with the Start &

Stop system known as RISS (Regulator Inverter Start & Stop System). The system does away with the traditional starter, which is replaced with a brushless electrical device installed directly on the crankshaft. There are many advantages, not least a quieter start, increased lightness and reliability, and lower fuel consumption. The Start & Stop system automatically switches off the engine 1 to 5 seconds after the scooter has stopped (depending on whether the engine has reached its correct operating temperature or not).

A slight twist of the throttle is enough to instantly re-start the engine, in total silence, as there is no traditional starter.

All of which translates into engines that are extremely frugal in their fuel consumption, with a WMTC cycle distance of 40 km/l for SR GT 125 and 38.5 km/l for SR GT 200.

Vehicle Warranty With the Aprilia SR GT you will enjoy not only fantastic performance and safety features, but also the expertise of our experienced official Aprilia network for an extended 12-months warranty beyond the standard 24 month term. Aprilia SR GT comes with standard 3 years warranty to grant you Safety and peace of mind, so that you’ll enjoy every ride to the max! Terms and conditions apply, please refer to your dealer/Aprilia manual for additional information pertaining to warranty service.

Get your scooter ready for summer WHAT’S cooler than riding around on a scooter during the summer?

Having the freedom to go wherever the road takes you, whatever the road may be.

To do this means laying down the groundwork, literally, by choosing the right kind of scooter tires and tire patterns to match your driving style and the condition of the roads ahead. Choose a brand that offers a wide variety that meets the demands when it comes to Safety, Economy and Performance You can start by checking out the scooter tire choices from MAXXIS. Its three best-selling scooter tires already cover a wide range of riding styles and preferences, from the VICTRA S98, the Green Devil MAG1, and for the best deals on economy and performance, the MAV6. These MAXXIS tire patterns and sizes also range in size from 13 inches to 14 inches.

The VICTRA S98 ST offers excellent control and stability at high speeds. It’s recommended for scooter use on both motorsports tracks and highway terrain or city roads.

Excellent cornering grip, traction and braking performance thanks to its wider grooves, even on wet roads.

The MA-G1, better known as The Green Devil, is designed with superior cornering grip and traction for better control and stability. High-speed rides are not a challenge; that’s because special tread patterns and rubber compound and formulation ensure safety even in high-speed rides. The product

is engineered to have a strong pull and grip even when cornering in all angles. Both urban and sport riders will find these scooter tires ideal for their riding style.

And to make every road as smooth as a tarmac, there’s the MAV6. Its unique flame-look pattern sips and spits water with ease, and when the road is dry, provides extra grip. It’s the all-weather tire that is surprisingly longlived, owing to its crisscross groove pattern that helps it postpone wear. It fits under-bone types and scooters, and provides value for money considering its performance and versatility.

And this summer, take the chance to upgrade your scooter’s wheels and score a pair of cool MAXXIS arm sleeves, for free! Simply buy two tires from April 1 to June 30 at any participating MAXXIS Tires dealers sporting the promo streamer to get a free set of MAXXIS arm sleeves. This deal is available for any of these tire models: MA-G1, VICTRA S98, M6233W, M6234W, MAV-6, M6167H, and the M6029W. You can check out the specifics of the promo at the MAXXIS website For driving on Philippine roads this summer, whether it’s on the sports track or city streets, match the right tire with the right gear and get ready to hit the roads.

Visit the MAXXIS website for more details.