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Rody: I support no one but Sara PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he is “not supporting any candidate—except, of course, my daughter,” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president in the May 9 general elections.

The President also pushed for changing the Constitution, saying it was “easy” for the country’s elite to get elected to public office through the par-

ty-list system.

Duterte said the constitution was patterned nearly “word for word” after that of the United States and failed to account for “what will follow.”

In a speech at an evacuation center for Taal Volcano evacuees in Batangas province on Monday, Duterte said, “Ako wala na, tapos na ako. (I am done.)”

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VOL. XXXVI • NO. 54 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

P470 pay hike in NCR nixed

TUCP bares no details yet from region’s wage board for rejection

By Vito Barcelo and Alena Mae S. Flores

VIDEO GREETING. Former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo (left) receives birthday greetings from ex-President Joseph Estrada in a video call through senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada during a rally for the UniTeam at Arroyo’s hometown of Lubao, Pampanga on Monday. Arroyo turns 75 today (see related photo on A4).

Ver Noveno

T

HE tripartite wage and productivity board of the National Capital Region has rejected a labor group’s petition for a P470 increase in the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila.

Arroyo, who turns 75 today, endorses UniTeam tandem

By Maricel V. Cruz

idential bet Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to become a good President, UNITEAM presidential candidate former President Gloria MacapagalFerdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Arroyo said Monday night. needs someone like Lakas-Christian Arroyo, who was also celebrating Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice-presNext page

Why BBM ticks? China says PH priority in neighborhood diplomacy Here’s why, per survey poll execs

By Rey E. Requejo

By Joel E. Zurbano THE wide margin that presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. enjoys over other contenders ahead of the May 9 polls can be attributed to a vast political machinery, a targeted messaging, and the support of his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

These were the observations made

by OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David and Publicus Asia executive director Aureli Sinsuat during Monday’s Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum hosted by Jullie Yap-Daza.

“The BBM camp did not just do their homework – they planned for this well.

They have the political machinery,” David said.

THE top diplomats of China and the Philippines met over the weekend, as the former said it has always considered Manila as a priority in Beijing’s neighborhood diplomacy.

China also reiterated its commitment to speed up the construction of key in-

frastructure projects in the country, according to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang met his counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., on Sunday when the latter visited Tunxi in East China’s Anhui Province.

Wang stressed the Philippines is a “good neighbor” of China.

“Wang said China always takes the Philippines as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and China’s good-neighborly and friendly policy toward the Philippines has maintained continuity and stability,” the embassy said in a statement.

The Chinese leader also reaffirmed China’s commitment to helping the Next page

Govt eyes sixmonth validity for vax cards THE government is considering having vaccination cards expire in six months to push people into getting booster shots against COVID-19.

In a briefing Monday, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said this was among the measures the government is considering to increase the number of people with booster shots.

As of March 30, 65,885,048 people were already fully vaccinated

POLL SURVEY TALK. The in-person Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel resumes at the Manila Hotel on Monday with guests Dr. Guido David (left) of OCTA Research and lawyer Aureli Sinsuat (center) of Publicus Asia expounding the interpretations of election surveys in the forum moderated by Jullie Yap-Daza (right), Samahang Plaridel Vice Chairperson.

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Enrile claims DOF can’t pass on to Marcos estate tax liabilities AN ALLY of the Marcos family, former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, said Monday that presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is not responsible for the estate tax that the Department of Finance wants to collect.

Enrile, a lawyer and a tax expert, said any tax liabilities that the Marcos estate now faces cannot be passed on to Marcos, especially since most of them are still being heard in the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

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By Willie Casas

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By Rey E. Requejo

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesperson Alan Tanjusay revealed the wage board’s decision in a text message but did not give any details.

The TUCP on March 14 filed for a P470 increase in the NCR’s daily minimum wage, which would raise the daily minimum to P1,007.

The labor group cited hunger, malnutrition, and the steep increase in the prices of fuel and other basic goods as reasons for seeking the wage increase.

This developed as the country’s oil firms cut pump prices by as much as P2.30 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

Apart from gasoline prices going down by P2.30 per liter, oil firms also cut the price diesel by P1.85 per liter and kerosene by P1.65 per liter.

“PTT Philippines to implement the following price rollbacks effective 6am Tuesday, April 5, 2022: Gasoline

by P2.30/liter and diesel by P1.85 per liter,” the company said.

Cleanfuel, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, and Chevron (Caltex) also announced their respective price cuts.

“Clearly, our minimum wage earners and their families have fallen from the category of low-income to newly poor. This is a sad commentary on the social condition in our country where those who break their backs to sustain and expand the economy are now wallowing in poverty,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said in a statement.

Enrile said that before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) can charge Marcos and his mother—former first lady Imelda Marcos—as administrators of the family estate, the case must first be settled in court.

The Department of Finance recently said it is expediting the BIR’s collection of estate tax, which was originally P23 billion but that has now ballooned to P203 billion.

In December, the BIR wrote to the Marcos heirs to request the payment of Next page

Olivia Rodrigo, Fil-Am pop star, wins Grammy LAS VEGAS—Pop phenom Olivia Rodrigo on Sunday scored the coveted Grammy for Best New Artist, an expected win that caps a year of milestones for the breakout star.

“This is my biggest dream come true,” said the 19-year-old Rodrigo, who bested a crowded field including rappers Saweetie—also a Filipino-American—and The Kid Laroi to win the prestigious prize.

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PROUD PINAY. Olivia Rodrigo poses with her awards for Best New

Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Pop Vocal Album from the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3. AFP

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Over 300 election hotspots—PNP

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified more than 300 possible “areas of concern” during the May 9 national elections, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Monday.

the past two polls, possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries. Yellow areas are considered “areas of concern.”

Orange areas have a recorded presence of armed groups such as the New People’s Army that may interrupt the polls. These are considered “areas of immediate concern.”

Meanwhile, red areas meet the parameters for yellow and orange areas.

They will be placed under Comelec control. Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas with a possibility for violence and intense political fights among local candidates.

Of these “areas of concern” the PNP recommended that around 100 munici-

palities and 14 cities be placed under the red category.

“In the last meeting, the red areas all over the country were 100 municipalities and 14 cities. Now we will look at the update we have color-coded, we have green, we will not have a problem with green areas. We continue monitoring the yellow and orange, but we focus on the red colored areas,” PNP Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

The Comelec is also looking to allow its chief Saidamen Pangarungan to classify areas under “Comelec control” to fast-track its preparations just over a month before the May 9 polls.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that “election hotspots” were now called “areas of concern.”

Densing said the declaration of the areas of concern by the Commission on Elections had been delayed as the poll body is still thoroughly verifying the condition in these places.

Last week, Comelec Commissioner

George Garcia said the areas of concern would be announced on March 31.

The PNP classified the areas in the country into four color-coded categories: green, yellow, orange, and red.

Areas classified as green are considered generally peaceful for the conduct of elections, according to the PNP. Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in

China...

From A1

DepEd: 17k schools selected for in-person classes

Philippines with infrastructure and pandemic response.

“China is ready to speed up the construction of key infrastructure projects with the Philippines and continue to provide Covid-19 vaccine assistance and enhance public health cooperation according to the needs of the Philippines,” Wang said.

The Chinese embassy revealed that both leaders also discussed the issue of the West Philippine Sea. They agreed that this should not be “the total of the relationship” between the two Asian countries and that maritime issues should be placed in an appropriate position in bilateral relations.

“The two sides should remove disturbances, calmly and properly manage differences and not let them affect the overall situation of China-Philippines relations,” Wang said.

For his part, Locsin said the Philippines-China relations have become increasingly mature, and bilateral practical cooperation has achieved historic results, bringing lasting benefits to both sides.

“As a responsible major country, China is committed to independence and peaceful development, setting a new example in a turbulent world,” the Chinese embassy said, quoting Locsin.

“China has long promoted the development of other countries in the region through its own development and played an irreplaceable role in global economic growth,” it said.

Why...

From A1 He noted that in surveys conducted before the filing of the certificates of candidacy last year, Marcos’ numbers were in the 20 to 25 percent range.

“After the filing of the COC, the number jumped – skyrocketed – to where he is now,” David added.

He said Duterte-Carpio’s active campaign for Marcos also helped prop up his standing in all pre-election surveys.

“There was synergy. It was true to their message: there was unity [that worked to their advantage],” he said.

Sinsuat said an endorsement of another candidate from Duterte-Carpio’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, may increase the numbers of his anointed one, but he is unsure if it will be enough to change the standing of the presidential aspirants a little over a month to go before the May 9 polls.

Earlier, political analyst Tony La Viña, a former dean of the Ateneo School of Government, told ABS-CBN that Marcos is leading because his campaign has projected him well to voters.

“Of course, there is a combination of factors. But, for me, this is not about even Marcos [historical] revisionism winning, is it? It’s the failure of the other campaigns to articulate a better future under them than under Marcos,” he said.

Rody:...

From A1 “I am not supporting any candidate—except, of course, my daughter.

Ako, boboto talaga ako sa anak ko (I will vote for my daughter),” the President said.

The President had chosen his longtime aide Sen. Christopher Go to replace him, but the lawmaker pulled out of the contest in December. Sara Duterte then became the running mate of presidential survey frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Since then, the elder Duterte has

Comelec backs teachers’ OT pay for poll service THE Commission on Elections (Comelec), the government’s poll watchdog, will help teachers on their appeal for an overtime pay when they are on duty on May 9, election day, as well as for the removal of tax on their honorarium, Commissioner George Garcia said Monday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Garcia said the constitutional body would look into the appeal of teachers and endorse it to concerned agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“We hope the Comelec can help bring this to the BIR if they can waive the tax on the pay of teachers for their service on election day,” Garcia said.

In a meeting with Teachers’ Dignity Coalition on Sunday, Garcia said the appeal for overtime pay was also discussed, an appeal echoed by another group, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, whose secretary general Raymond Basiliosaid the voting process was expected to be longer with COVID-19 protocols to be enforced on May 9.

The poll body earlier said voting hours on the May 9 national and local elections would be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Comelec sets May 9, 2022 voting hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Basilio stressed that teachers might start to work as early as 3 a.m. to get election paraphernalia, prepare the polling precincts and ensure all systems are working.

He said the group had requested for a dialogue with Comelec since January.

THE Department of Education (DepEd) reported Monday that 17,479 public and private schools have been nominated to conduct face-to-face classes.

The report coincided with the release of a recent statement from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that less than 15 percent of Filipino children can read a simple text at age 10, prompting a lawmaker to urge the government to open all schools in the country for limited in-person classes.

The finding in the UNICEF’s latest joint report with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO) and World Bank “translates to a learning poverty of more than 85 percent,” said Senate Basic Education Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian.

The figure is slightly lower than the 90 percent learning poverty reported by the World Bank last November.

The World Bank defines learning poverty as the inability of a child to “read and understand simple text by age 10.”

Based on the agency’s quick count, 17,054 public and 425 private schools are ready to resume physical classes as of March 28, stopped by the government

in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

DepEd said these schools were either fully compliant with the department’s School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) or compliant but with pending local government unit concurrence.

“We are optimistic with this upward trend on the number of schools already implementing classroom-based learning. With support from the Central and Regional Offices, we are keen on reintroducing physical classes to more localities in the country,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said, according to a DepEd press release.

P470...

From A1

conflict between Russia and Ukraine may be a compelling reason for the wage boards to recommend raising the minimum wages of workers.

The current daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR) of P537 may no longer be enough to cope with the price of basic commodities such as food, electricity, and water bills.

Bello, who chairs the Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, said the RTWPBs, along with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and representatives from both the labor and employers’ groups, as a matter of procedure, monitor the wage levels, assess the economic factors, and provide recommendations for the adjustment of minimum wages all over the country.

RTWPBs nationwide receive petitions for minimum wage increase in their respective areas.

“Every year, we have what we call an anniversary period where we make an assessment of all petitions received.

One petition called for a uniform in-

crease of P750 in the minimum wage nationwide,” Bello said.

The Labor chief expressed confidence that the RTWPBs will submit their recommendations before the end of April.

The peace talks between Russia and Ukraine had an influence on oil trading last week.

According to Reuters, oil prices declined on Friday after the announcement of International Energy Agency (IEA) to join the stockpile release following the US decision to let go of one million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil until May. This developed after the oil firms increased the price of kerosene by as much as P3.27 per kilogram effective April 1.

On March 29, oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P3.40 per liter, diesel by P8.65 per liter and kerosene by P9.40 per liter.

Prior to that, the oil companies cut prices of domestic oil products, rolling back gasoline prices by P5.45 to P5.50 per liter, diesel by P11.45 per to P11.50 per liter, and kerosene by P8.55 per liter on March 22.

let’s ensure that we help the UniTeam),” Arroyo said, as she thanked her “kabalen” for supporting her and electing then-Senator Noli de Castro as the country’s vice president in the 2004 elections.

“Kailangan ni BBM (Bongbong Marcos), kahit matalino siya, para maging magaling na presidente, kailangan niya si Mayor Inday Sara Duterte bilang bise presidente. ‘Yun ang isang dahilan bakit ine-endorse natin si Mayor Sara,” added Arroyo, who was vice president to President Joseph Estrada from 1998 to 2001.

Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is a multi-term Davao City mayor who became Lakas-CMD chairperson just before launching her bid for the country’s second-highest

elective post.

Throughout the campaign, Sara Duterte has repeatedly mentioned how Davao became the eighth richest city in the country and cleared its debt under her watch.

“Pangalawa, sa laki ng tulong naman ni Presidente Rody Duterte dito sa atin sa Pampanga (Second, because the President has helped us so much here in Pampanga),” Arroyo said, citing another reason why she prefers the lady mayor for VP. “Kaya suklian natin siya… Dapat landslide si Inday Sara (Let’s pay it back…

Inday Sara should win by a landslide,” said Arroyo, who was also House Speaker from 2018 to 2019 and could return to that post in the next Congress.

the corresponding tax.

But for Enrile, the job of estate administrators is “to gather the assets, gather the liabilities, and then establish the partition plan, and sell the assets to pay liabilities.”

He said in case the administrators are not able to sell the assets for liquidation of liabilities, and it is included in the tax returns, there is still no violation for Bongbong Marcos.

He said Marcos needs to consolidate all assets and liabilities, then liquidate them.

“Then after paying the liabilities ... after paying all the taxes they will submit to the court ... partition of estates ... he has to file an estate return,” he said.

Enrile added that this is a long process, because some of the properties or assets are considered ill-gotten wealth of the government.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling on June 5, 1997 on Marcoses’ estate tax liability, there are still pending issues related to the abandoned property that must be resolved.

Meanwhile, former Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Edwin Abella said the roles of an estate “executor” and “administrator” are different.

“That’s why the tax identification number (TIN) is different,” Abella said.

“It means that the government or the BIR in particular just needs to go after the estate itself,” he said.

Abella said even President Rodrigo Duterte “cannot reverse the decision nor preempt and make the decision himself. The tax code is clear on this.”

est ever artist to debut atop Billboard’s top songs chart, where she spent eight straight weeks at number one.

The Fil-Am artist from California teased “drivers license” on social media for months before dropping it ahead of her release of “Sour,” which propelled Rodrigo to the front of this year’s Grammy nomination pack.

A fangirl of Taylor Swift and Lorde, both of whom she’s cited as songwriting

influences, Rodrigo also grew up listening to rock bands including the Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, and riot grrrl acts.

Another surprise came in the form of Rodrigo making a cameo in Korean superstar group BTS’ phenomenal performance at the Grammys.

Much to the glee -- and jealousy -of BTS fans, the secret-agent-themed “Butter” performance opened with the members of BTS in different locations.

The most notable one, apart from Jungkook emerging from the ceiling, was V leaning in to whisper something to Rodrigo, with his hand resting on her chair.

Rodrigo’s jaw dropped afterward with a somewhat concerned expression on her face, and V proceeded to present her a card that he later threw in the air.

Fans were quick to react to the interaction, with some squealing in joy with the unexpected pairing. AFP

Govt...

From A1

should it display any significant change in characteristics,” the DOH said.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said he wants the entire country under Alert Level 1 to ease COVID-19 restrictions and improve the economy.

In a radio interview, Año said the government has lowered the requirements to place an area under Alert Level 1, easing the required vaccination rate of the A2 population from the previous 80 percent to the current 70 percent.

According to the WHO, the XE recombinant is a mutant of the BA.1 and the BA.2 sub-variants of Omicron.

The WHO said XE belongs to the

Omicron variant until “significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported.”

On the other hand, the DOH said it is also continuously monitoring case trends with the assistance of the Philippine Genome Center.

“In this light, the DOH reminds the public that vaccines, in addition to adhering to the minimum public health standards and now, more importantly, everyone, especially our elderly, the immunocompromised, those with comorbidities, and children are highly encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted,” the DOH said.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) National Wages and Productivity Commission says the daily minimum wage in the NCR ranges from P500 to P537.

The TUCP pointed out that the present monthly take-home pay of P12,843.48 was “far below” the supposed monthly wage of P16,625 poverty threshold for a family of five in Metro Manila.

Earlier, the government said it wanted to raise the minimum wage nationwide to help workers and their families cope with sharply rising fuel prices that have driven up commodity prices all around.

At the time, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) across the country to speed up the review of the minimum wages to help workers and their families cope with the looming oil crisis.

Bello said the skyrocketing prices of oil products aggravated by the ongoing

Arroyo,...

From A1 her 75th birthday on Tuesday, formalized her endorsement of the VP bid of Duterte, who succeeded the country’s 14th President as chairperson of Lakas-CMD. Arroyo, who is running unopposed for Congress in Pampanga’s second district, and Duterte were together on stage in a campaign rally in front of thousands in Lubao, when the former began to talk about the upcoming May 9 polls.

“Kaya ngayon naman, tiyakin natin na UniTeam ang tutulungan natin (So now,

Olivia...

From A1 The artist who launched her career as an actor on the Disney Channel released her debut single “drivers license” last year to commercial acclaim and critical praise for its minimalist production and cathartic, emotionally raw lyricism.

The song made Rodrigo the young-

been cryptic about who he wants to see in Malacanang after he steps down on June 30.

On electoral reforms, the President said: “The rich, all over the Philippines, all the millionaires have party-lists.

Those who do not have party-lists buy one. During elections, since they have money, they win.”

“When the time comes, I am talking about the young ones, the mayors, congressmen, (to) change the constitution. Under this constitution, it is easy to be a billionaire in public office, if he or she wants. Some are straight. The problem is the opportunists,” he added.

against COVID-19 but only 12,018,418 people have received a booster shot, and most of these are in Metro Manila.

Also, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is in constant coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding XE, a possible new coronavirus variant linked to the highly transmissible Omicron.

“Observation and monitoring are still ongoing on whether the variant would be categorized as a sub-variant of Omicron or a new variant to be named by WHO

Enrile...

From A1

News

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

Rody: Ramadan a time for reflection, discipline

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Duterte on Monday joined Muslims in the observance of the holy of month of Ramadan, as he expressed hopes the occasion would bring spiritual renewal and enlightenment for the Muslim population and the nation as a whole amid the present challenges.

“This sacred month is not only a period for Muslims to concentrate on prayer and making amends, but also a time for them to experience and enjoy Allah’s mercy,” the President said in a message released by the Palace.

“Similar to how the period of fasting ends with feasting, it is my hope that all

your efforts for discipline and reflection will be rewarded with revelation, as well as deeper connection with Allah,” the Chief Executive said.

“May this occasion likewise allow the teachings of the Qur’an to take precedence over all your decisions – even the smallest ones. Let the enlightenment that

comes with your contemplation lead you to live with integrity for yourselves and for the nation, especially now when it is needed most,” Duterte added.

The Bangsamoro government has announced that the observance of Ramadan in the country started on April 3.

For Muslims, Ramadan is the annual month-long commemoration of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad of the first verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book.

Ramadan is one of the Muslims’ foundations inscribed in the Qur’an. Muslims practice fasting during the day for the whole month to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of the less fortunate.

Meanwhile, civil servants in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are now allowed to go home from work at 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim on Monday also modified the working hours of officials and employees during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Fasting from sunrise to dusk by ablebodied Muslims started on April 3 and will end on May 2.

“Muslim officials and employees who shall observe fasting during the holy month are allowed to observe flexible working hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” Ebrahim said in Memorandum Circular No. 0051.

“After the end of Ramadan, all officials and employees shall revert to their respective regular working hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he added.

Ahead of the start of the fasting month, Ebrahim urged all Bangsamoro to spread love. He also called on the public to continue observing physical distancing since the threat of Covid-19 still exists and “is still around us.”

“We hurdled the pandemic, I believe time will come that this pandemic will end,” he said in the vernacular.

Ramadan, the holiest observance among Muslims worldwide, comes at a time when the country is at the peak of the campaign period for the May 9 national and local polls.

SC okays filing of graft raps against ex-Nueva Ecija solon

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has upheld a resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the indictment of former Rep. Rodolfo Antonino (Nueva Ecija, 4th Dist.) for two counts of graft and malversation in connection with the alleged anomalous use of his P15-million Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel funds for 2007.

In a 13-page ruling, the SC’s Third Division denied the petition filed by Antonino seeking the reversal of the Ombudsman resolution issued on January 11, 2017, on the ground of grave abuse of discretion.

The high court tossed out Antonino’s claim that the documents used as basis of the Ombudsman’s filing of the charges against him were spurious, and that his signatures thereon were forged.

Antonino was referring to the documents authorizing and signifying the release of his pork barrel funds to the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) and Buhay Mo Mahal Ko

Foundation, Inc. (BMMKFI).

He argued that his 2007 PDAF allocations were transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and that his priority projects were implemented by the same agency through NE4 Incorporated.

According to Antonino, this was confirmed by the Department of Budget and Management when it released a copy the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) indicating DSWD as the implementing agency of the first tranche of his PDAF. The former lawmaker thus asserted that he could not have assigned the same tranche of his PDAF to another agency.

In its decision, the Ombudsman noted that Antonino requested and directly endorsed NABCOR and BMMKFI to the DA as implementors of his livelihood training kits (LTK) project.

It noted that on March 22, 2007, BMMKFI through Antonino, exclusively procured from C.C. Barredo 7,275 sets of LTKs worth P2,000.00 each or a total of P14.55 million.

ROGER, SIR. OVER AND OUT. Manila Police District Director Brigadier General Leo Francisco checks the cellphones of his men following an order by Philippine National Police chief Dionardo Carlos enjoining all unit commanders to regularly inspect the mobile phones of their subordinates. Norman Cruz

Landmine kills rookie cop, injures 5 others

By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN City--A rookie policeman was reported killed on Monday, while five of his companions were wounded in a landmine explosion in the outskirts of Las Navas town, in Northern Samar.

The fatality was identified as Patrolman Harvie Cortez Lovino, 30, married, assigned at 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC) based in Catarman town.

Wounded in the explosion were Patrolmen Rico Borja and Leandro Luciano Bulosan, Army Cpl. Arvin Papong,

Pfc. Whilydel Jic Rodona, Pfc. Wilmer Del Monte.

Brigadier General Bernard Banac, director of Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, condemned the planting of the bomb by suspected communist rebel groups.

“It is a display of disrespect for human rights...and their destruction of the peace in Northern Samar,” Banac said.

Authorities said the incident took place at about 7 a.m. in Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas, while the combined police-Army team operatives were on their way to a remote barangay in Catubig, Northern Samar, for a community support program.

Meanwhile, Banac said such attacks by rebel groups

“will never shake the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

“We will intensify our operations against insurgency and crime throughout the Eastern Visayas region,” Banac added.

Eastern Visayas, particularly Samar Island, has remained a stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

24,000 rebels surrendered through NTF-ELCAC—Badoy THE surrender of nearly 24,000 communist rebels is overwhelming proof of the success of a holistic being implemented by the National Task Force to End Local CommunistsArmed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), paving the way for a genuine and lasting peace, a Malacanang official said on Monday.

NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson for Sectoral Concerns and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy issued the observation during weekly virtual press conference, in response to remarks made by reelectionist Senator Leila de Lima who cited alleged failure of the task force.

“She must have been talking about herself as she is in a desperate situation. She’s (in jail) for being corrupt. Very unfit for na-

JOJO GETS HUG AT DREAMLAND. A resi-

dent of Dreamland Village hugs former Vice President andsenatorial candidate Jejomar Binay upon his arrival Sunday. Dreamland is a resettlement site in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan built by the Makati City government in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK). during Binay’s term as city mayor.

tional office,” Badoy said, referring to De Lima who served as Justice Secretary during the Aquino administration and who has been detained in Camp Crame since 2017 for illegal drug trafficking.

Navy Captain Ferdinand Buscato, executive director of Task Force Balik Loob, reported that among the 23,641 former members of various Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) who laid down arms, 2,052 were considered “violent extremists.”

Most of the former communist rebels who surrendered, Buscato said, are now enjoying the fruits of their return to the folds of the law, as they have already been reintegrated to society with NTF-ELCAC’s assistance including livelihood for their families.

PAO asks Raffy Tulfo to apologize, spare agency from politics THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is demanding a public apology from senatorial bet and television host Raffy Tulfo over allegation of “absenteeism” to represent indigent clients during inquest proceedings.

At a news conference in Quezon City, PAO chief Persida Acosta urged Tulfo to spare PAO from politics.

“It is unfair for PAO lawyers to be ac-

cused of failure to represent the accused during inquest,” Persida told reporters.

“That is a hasty generalization from Mr. T,” she stressed.

In a CNN Philippines interview, Tulfo said if he is elected as senator, he would put up a free legal assistance clinic with lawyers reporting directly to him and to closely work with PAO. He lamented that “if you go to inquest

proceedings, you will notice that the poor are not well-represented by PAO.” “Mr. T, please spare PAO from politics. Stop using PAO for personal gain,” Persida said.

According to her, the agency has represented 85,533 persons during inquest investigation and custodial interrogation in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, PAO handled 787,124 cases,

serve 9,707,274 clients and secure the acquittals in 13,804 cases filed against the poor and the underprivileged, she noted.

From 2016 to 2021, PAO has served 63,739,837 clients, including 985,051 persons who were represented by PAO during inquest investigation and custodial interrogation, and 106,562 individuals who were acquitted of their criminal charges, she said. Rio N. Araja

Robredo: Build typhoon-resilient infrastructures, evacuation sites WITH the Philippines being on the typhoon path, Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo batted for “sturdy, typhoon-resilient” public infrastructures, especially evacuation centers.

Robredo made the observation during the signing of a covenant with community leaders in Borongan, Eastern Samar.

“Your province and the entire Samar Island are just like Bicol. We are always being hit by typhoons so we need to look for permanent solution, “Robredo told local officials led by Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

Robredo said places that lie on the typhoon’s regular path should embrace “permanent solutions” like building resiliency.

She said not only government buildings must be erected to withstand powerful typhoons, but also schools and houses.

Robredo said adaptation measures should cover agriculture, including the selection of crops that are resistant to the impact of climate change.

Former Rep. Teddy Baguilat, who is running for senator under the Leni-Kiko banner, noted that the Vice President is the only candidate with a firm grasp of how disaster resilience, response, and mitigation should be undertaken.

“She is a boots-on-the-ground person.

Others merely read about global warming from teleprompters. VP is a first responder to the damage it (typhoon) is doing,” Baguilat stressed.

“This experience of seeing the effects of climate change first hand, plus the mastery of the policies involved, and of the programs required, make her the perfect leader to preside over a nation of 110 million that is one of the most disaster-prone (countries) in the world,” he added. Macon Ramos-Araneta

GSIS reopens P30k-computer loan until June 30

BACK IN BUSINESS. A Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane gets a cold welcome—a water cannon salute actually--upon its inaugural flight arrival at the Davao City airport. SIA now officially serves Davao City in addition to Cebu City, taking over the route vacated by SilkAir in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reopening its Ginhawa for All (GFAL) Computer Loan until June 30, 2022.

“Gusto naming mabigyan ng ginhawa ang ating mga miyembro na hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapag-avail nito noong nakaraang taon. Hopefully, the additional threemonth application period will give them sufficient time to apply for the loan,” GSIS President and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

The GFAL Computer Loan is a lending window that grants a P30,000-assistance to GSIS members for the purchase of a computer unit for their work-from-home arrangement or

their children’s virtual classes. Under the program, GSIS members may borrow P30,000, payable in three years with 6 percent interest per annum. Members may apply for it online.

“The monthly amortization for the loan is only P983.33 and application may be done online through the newly-launched GSIS Touch mobile app, the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks, overthe-counter, or through drop boxes in all GSIS branches and extension offices nationwide,” Macasaet added.

Qualified to apply for the loan are active members with permanent appointments who have at least three monthly premium contribu-

tions for both personal and government shares; employed in an agency which is not classified as “suspended;” have no pending administrative or criminal case; and are not on leave of absence without pay.

In addition, they should have no GSIS Financial Assistance Loan arrearages; no past due GSIS loan (except housing loan); and have a minimum net take-home pay requirement as provided in the General Appropriations Act after all required monthly obligations have been deducted.

The proceeds of the loan will be credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or Unified Multipurpose Identification (UMID) card.

More governors agree to support BBM, Inday Sara in May elections

A4

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

News

By Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENTIAL frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said that at least 10 more governors from different provinces in the country have expressed their full support to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer during a meeting Sunday night at the BBM national headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Marcos stressed that apart from concerns and priority programs in their respective provinces, the informal but intimate meeting with the local chief executives, that coincided with the second Commission on Elections (Comelec) presidential debate, also tackled vote protection for the upcoming May 9 elections.

“Vote protection, that’s what we talked about so that we can make sure that the election goes well. Count all the votes and there will be no problems,” Marcos said.

The governors were led by Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

Also present were Govs. Imelda Dimaporo, of Lanao del Norte; Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, of La Union; Nancy Catamco, of Cotabato; Esteban Evan Contreras, of Capiz; Damian Mercado, of Southern Leyte; Ferdi-

nand Tubban of Kalinga; Joy Bernos of Abra; Jerry Dalipog of Ifugao; and Camiguin gubernatorial bet Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.

In Pampanga, Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga’s third district and mayors and other local officials in his constituency today announced their support for the UniTeam tandem.

He said he is hoping that the UniTeam tandem would likewise be open to his proposal to introduce “meaningful political changes in our Constitution that will help sustain our country’s growth.”

Marcos said his aim is to fast-track the government system “as soon as the new administration takes over and make it work to ensure immediate economic recovery.”

Marcos further emphasized that he will ensure a strong health care system that will empower the doctors and nurses, who suffered immensely during the onslaught of the pandemic.

With Maricel V. Cruz

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GMA.’ Pampanga Rep Mikey Arroyo with Lakas-CMD vice presidential Candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte sings “Happy Birthday” to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during birthday Rally at Lubao, Pampanga. Ver Noveno

Inday Sara’s birthday wish for Gloria: ‘Good health’

By Maricel V. Cruz LAKAS Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential bet Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte traveled to Lubao, Pampanga late afternoon Monday to greet former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a happy birthday during a campaign rally.

The former Chief Executive turns 75 this Tuesday. She is virtually assured of a congressional comeback as representative of Pampanga’s second district since she has no opponent.

Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda also joined the event. They also had a meet-and-greet with local officials in Pampanga’s 3rd District led by Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

By Joel E. Zurbano

LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM IN MIMAROPA. Supporters welcome Panfilo

“Ping” Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, as they took their good governance agenda to this island province of MiMaRoPa. The presidential tandem then held a town hall meeting—a staple event during their campaign sorties— at the Romblon Public Theater.

VICE President Leni Robredo said the strength of her presidential campaign is derived from the hard work of her supporters united in fighting for their future, and that it is the light of a home – “ilaw ng tahanan” and a reference to mothers – who would lead the people to this bright future.

Robredo, the only female presidential candidate, made the comment in her closing remarks in the second installment of the Pilipinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point.

Robredo said the strength of the cause comes from those who still attend rallies after being forbidden, those who spend their own funds for campaign materials, those who go from house to house, convincing others to join them.

Most of all, she said the campaign’s strength comes from hope for a brighter tomorrow.

In the Visayas, thegroup Ikaw Muna Pilipinas in the Visayas on Monday with-

‘Don’t waste your vote, elect most qualified candidate’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENTIAL candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson has urged Filipino voters to elect the most qualified person for the toughest job of leading the country so that votes will not be wasted.

The real wasted votes, he noted, are those that would go to unrightful victors and the thieves who have no right to be voted into office. “Have mercy on our Filipino people,” he said.

He also told voters that just because someone is not faring well in the surveys means he is not worth voting for.

In his closing statement at the second round of the ‘PiliPinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point,’ Sunday evening, Lacson pointed out that no votes will ever be wasted on a candidate like him, who is already prepared to take the reins of leadership and steer the nation toward a better direction.

“I love my country. I am ready to defend it against foreign invaders and the powerful individuals who are abusing our underprivileged citizens. We keep hearing that a vote might be wasted on someone who is more qualified but seems unlikely to win,” he said.

During the latest debate hosted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Lacson presented anew some of the good policies he is prepared to implement once he is elected president. This include a plan to strengthen the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

One of the topics discussed during the forum was the possibility of granting CHR ‘quasi-judicial function’ to secure its “fiscal autonomy” like the judiciary and other independent constitutional commissions.

In response, Lacson noted that while the Constitution itself did not give the CHR prosecutorial powers as part of its

mandate, he as president could authorize more financial support for the agency to enhance and strengthen its role in protecting the civil and political rights of Filipinos.

Meanwhile, chherful Romblonmanos and festive vibes greet the Lacson-Sotto tandemn on their trip to the ‘Marble Capital.”

Exuberant crowd welcomed presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, as they took their good governance agenda to this island province of MiMaRoPa. Lacson, Sotto and senatorial aspirant Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol began their activities here with courtesy calls on provincial Governor Jose ‘Otik’ Riano and municipal Mayor Gerard Montojo.

It was followed by a visit to the St. Joseph Cathedral, one of the historic landmarks in the capital town.

Isko promises to prioritize potable water services in Ilocos, Mindanao AKSYON Demokratiko standardbearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Sunday vowed that if elected president, he will prioritize the access to clean, potable water for millions of Filipinos who still have no access to clean water right inside their homes, despite being one of the minimum basic needs of a human being.

Based on the data he received, Moreno deplored that only 33 percent of the population in the Ilocos region has access to clean and potable water while in Mindanao, there is an area in the southern island where only 8 percent of the population has access to clean drinking water.

“That’s why they get a lot of pain,

Mrs. Arroyo said she was happy that Duterte attended her “birthday rally.”

The event was also attended by senatorial candidates Herbert Bautista, Gringo Honasan, Rodante Marcoleta, Mark Villar, Win Gatchalian, Gibo Teodoro, Larry Gadon, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla and Sal Panelo.

In Bulacan, Inday Sara praised the makers of Filipino barong and wedding gowns at the Disenyo Pandi Bagong Barrio in Bulacan for their “world-class talent and initiative in preserving handmade Filipino textile.”

The Davao City mayor went on a campaign sortie in Pandi, Bulacan and got fitted for her own Filipiniana.She had a meet and greet with dressmakers in the Pandi sortie.

Supporters want to ‘fight for their future’ as polls near, says Robredo

Binay: Include food producers in fuel subsidy program UNITED Nationalist Alliance party senatorial candidate Jejomar Binay on Monday urged the government to include fruit and vegetable farmers in its fuel subsidy program in order to keep food prices affordable.

The former vice president said fruit and vegetable farmers have to shoulder higher fuel costs for transporting their products. He added these farmers are also suffering from the high price of fuel, but they cannot raise the price of their product.

“Government should include them in the fuel subsidy program which is only limited to corn farmers and fisherfolks using motorized bancas,” he said.

In March, the government started distributing P6,500 fuel subsidies to over 377,000 qualified public utility vehicle drivers and operators to help alleviate their plight due to the series of price hikes on fuel brought by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The subsidy could be claimed through cash cards issued by the Landbank of the Philippines that can be used in accredited fuel stations.

Binay said the government should set aside P1.1 billion as fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolks.

He also said government should expand its programs to buy directly from farmers and shoulder the cost of transportation and delivery.

“Let’s make it a form of subsidy, where government agencies transport and deliver to consumers instead of middlemen,” Binay said.

Duterte wished Mrs. Arroyo a long, happy, more productive and fulfilling life.

“We wish her (Arroyo) good health, of course lagi iyan and we wish her happiness and we wish her heart’s desire for the next 2, 3, 4, 50 years more,” Duterte said as she sang a birthday song for Arroyo together with Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.

A bouquet of flowers and cake were given to Arroyo who described Monday’s event as her “birthday rally” beside the municipal hall of Lubao.

Through UniTeam senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada greeted Arroyo a happy birthday over the phone.

I mean, stomach ache and diarrhea in the region. So, my countrymen, we’ll make this watershed protected.

If we can rebuild and make it better for efficient use of a two-pronged approach-you have water for irrigation and you have water for energy source.

Then I will invest on that. May awa ang Diyos,” Moreno said during the Commission on Elections-sponsored“ PiliPinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point Part 2. ” The Manila city mayor said he will also ask existing cooperatives. regardless if they are owned or not by big corporations, to invest in providing clean water to all households.

Rey E. Requejo

‘BUS NI ISKO.’ Two buses loaded with youth supporters of Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and his running-mate Dr. Willie Ong have officially rolled out “Bus ni Isko,” a campaign caravan to reach out to convince young Filipino voters to “Switch to Isko.”

drew its support from presidential bet Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to back the presidential bid of Robredo.

The group said that Moreno is not doing well in the poll surveys, and that Robredo has the best chance of preventing ex-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to win.

More than 12,000 doctors on Monday endorsed Robredo to be the country’s next president. The group called “Doctors for Leni” said Robredo “really showed up” at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also expressed its support for Robredo’s running-mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan.

“We are more than 12,000 Filipino doctors from different parts of the country. We are the witnesses of the adverse effects of wrong governance now that the pandemic has brought about severe poverty and death among our health workers and other fellow Filipinos,” its statement of support read. With Rio N. Araja

Pacquiao bats for creation of water department in PH PROMDI Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao raised the need to create a separate government agency tasked to manage and regulate the use of this precious natural resource.

During the Commission on Elections second “PiliPinas Presidential Debates,” Pacquiao said that it is about time that the government should have its own Department of Water.

The department will have jurisdiction over the regulation, management, and development of the country’s water resources, including the sewerage system.

According to Pacquiao, pollution, climate change, overpopulation, illegal logging, and the shrinking watershed areas are pushing a lot of pressure on private water concessionaires to have an adequate water supply, especially during the dry season.

Adequate irrigation is also a problem for the country’s 10 million farmers even if the archipelago is surrounded by water.

During the rainy season and typhoons, he said many parts of the country are inundated with floodwaters that even cause death and widespread destruction but only a fraction end up in water reservoirs to be processed for public use.

Pacquiao has been batting for the creation of the Department of Water as he raised the need to integrate, synchronize and systematize the operation, regulation, and management of the country’s water resource.

Three years ago, Pacquiao has filed Senate Bill 195 seeking the creation of the Department of Water Resources “which will holistically integrate all measures designed to ensure the availability and quality of water, and synchronize all the acts of all government agencies that have water-related functions.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Opinion Nearly entire global population breathing polluted air — WHO A FULL 99 percent of people on Earth breathe air containing too many pollutants, the World Health Organization said Monday, blaming poor air quality for millions of deaths each year.

Fresh data from the UN health agency showed that every corner of the globe is dealing with air pollution, although the problem is much worse in poorer countries.

“Almost the entire global population (99 percent) breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits, and threatens their health,” the agency said in a statement.

In its previous report four years ago, WHO had already found that over 90 percent of the global population was affected, but it has since tightened its limits, it said.

Every corner of the globe is dealing with air pollution, although the problem is much worse in poorer countries.

“The evidence base for the harm caused by air pollution has been growing rapidly and points to significant harm caused by even low levels of many air pollutants,” WHO said.

While UN data last year indicated that pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions caused short-lived improvements in air quality, WHO said air pollution remains a towering problem.

“After surviving a pandemic, it is unacceptable to still have seven million preventable deaths and countless preventable lost years of good health due to air pollution,” Maria Neira, the head of the WHO’s department of public health and environment, said in a statement.

WHO’s study provides air quality data from more than 6,000 cities and towns across 117 countries.

The findings were alarming, the organisation said, and highlighted the impor-

Viruses that could save millions of lives

By Irakli Metreveli IT MAY seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives.

In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and “friendly” viruses.

This small nation in the Caucasus has pioneered research on a groundbreaking way to tackle the looming nightmare of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics on which the world depends.

Long overlooked in the West, bacteriophages or bacteria-eating viruses are now being used on some of the most difficult medical cases, including a Belgian woman who developed a life-threatening infection after being injured in the 2016 Brussels airport bombing.

After two years of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages sent from Tbilisi cured her infection in three months.

“We use those phages that kill harmful bacteria” to cure patients when antibiotics fail, Mzia Kutateladze of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages told AFP. Even a banal infection can “kill a patient because the pathogen has developed resistance to antibiotics,” Kutateladze said.

In such cases, phagotherapy “is one of the best alternatives”, she added.

Phages have been known about for a century, but were largely forgotten and dismissed after antibiotics revolutionized medicine in the 1930s.

Stalin’s henchman It didn’t help that the man who did most to develop them, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava, was executed in 1937 on the orders of another Georgian, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin’s most notorious henchman and the head of his secret police.

Eliava had worked in the Pasteur Institute in Paris with French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d’Herelle, one of the two men credited with discovering phages, and persuaded Stalin to invite him to Tbilisi in 1934.

But their collaboration was cut short when Beria had Eliava killed, although his motive still remains a mystery.

With the World Health Organization now declaring antimicrobial resistance a global health crisis, phages are making a comeback, especially as they can target bacteria while leaving human cells intact.

A recent study warned that superbugs could kill as many as 10 million people a year when antimicrobial resistance due to overuse of antibiotics reaches a tipping point. That could come within three decades.

‘Training’ viruses While phages-based medicines cannot completely replace antibiotics, researchers say they have major pluses in being cheap, not having side-effects nor damaging organs or gut flora.

These are the friendly kind.

“We produce six standard phages that are of wide spectrum and can heal multiple infectious diseases,” said Eliava Institute physician Lia Nadareishvili.

In some 10 to 15 percent of patients, however, standard phages don’t work and “we have to find ones capable of killing the particular bacterial strain,” she added.

Tailored phages to target rare infections can be selected from the institute’s massive collection — the world’s richest — or be found in sewage or polluted water or soil, Kutateladze said.

The institute can even “train” phages so that “they can kill more and more different harmful bacteria.”

“It is a cheap and easily accessible therapy,” she added.

Last-resort treatment A 34-year-old American mechanical engineer suffering from a chronic bacterial disease for six years told AFP he “already felt improvement” after two weeks at the Tbilisi institute.

“I’ve tried every possible treatment in the United States,” said Andrew, who would only give his first name.

He is one of the hundreds of patients from around the globe who arrive in Geor-

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tance of rapidly curbing fossil fuel use.

‘Healthier energy systems’ WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that worries over soaring energy prices, due in part to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, should help propel change.

“Current energy concerns highlight the importance of speeding up the transition to cleaner, healthier energy systems,” he said in a statement.

“High fossil fuel prices, energy security, and the urgency of addressing the twin health challenges of air pollution and climate change, underscore the pressing need to move faster towards a world that is much less dependent on fossil fuels.”

The report provides data on concentrations of dangerous particulate matter with a diameter of between 2.5 and 10 micrometres (PM10), and particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5).

PM2.5 includes toxins like sulfate and black carbon, which pose the greatest health risks since they can penetrate deep into the lungs or cardiovascular system.

And for the first time, the report also provides ground measurements of annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a common urban pollutant, which is associated with respiratory diseases, particularly asthma.

The report found problems related to particulate pollution were far worse in poorer countries, but that most cities had trouble with nitrogen dioxide.

While the air in 17 percent of cities in high-income countries fell below WHO’s air quality guidelines for PM2.5 or PM10, less than one percent of cities in low and middle-income countries complied with the recommended thresholds, the report said.

Out of the around 4,000 cities across 74 countries that collected NO2 data, measurements meanwhile showed only 23 percent of people breathed annual average concentrations of the gas that met levels in WHO’s recently updated guidelines. AFP

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

W

Have you no decency?

E were gratified to learn that a judge in Agusan del Sur dismissed the kidnapping charges against Dr. Natividad “Dr. Naty” Castro, a doctor who who was snatched away by police and military agents from her home in San Juan City in February and flown to the province without the knowledge of her lawyers or her family. There she was detained at a provincial jail for 42 days.

In dismissing the charges against Castro, a doctor who helped poor communities, acting Presiding Judge Fernando Fudalan Jr. of the Bayugan City Regional Trial Court, found there was no probable cause in the state’s case.

Fudulan also said police and the prosecutor denied Castro’s right to due process when they did not subpoena her to answer the kidnapping charges on the excuse that she was an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who had “no permanent address.”

“A preliminary investigation without a subpoena being issued to the respondent is offensive to due process,” Fudalan said in his ruling. “Either intentional or a product of omission, the same produces a serious effect repugnant to respondent’s right to liberty.”

Despite the court’s harsh rebuke, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice were unrepentant, and continued their red-tagging.

“The PNP reserves the right to seek

further legal remedies that may convince the court to reconsider,” PNP public information officer Police Brig.

Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba said in a statement.

They tag meddlesome social workers as communists and ruin their reputation—and let them try to defend themselves.

“We do not see this particular case involving a ranking member of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, as a setback in the continuing campaign to account for persons wanted by the law, especially

those identified with domestic terrorist groups and its affiliate organizations,” Alba added.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said his department could conduct another preliminary investigation so that Castro could disprove the allegations against her, apparently disregarding the long-held notion that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.

But such are the ways of the system of McCarthyism that this administration has embraced.

Tag meddlesome social workers as communists and ruin their reputation— and let them try to defend themselves.

After his own reign of red-baiting terror, US Senator Joseph McCarthy was finally exposed as the cruel bully he was on national TV, when a lawyer working for the US Army, defended one of the senator’s victims, telling him: “Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness.” When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, “Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough.

Have you no sense of decency?”

It is high time someone asked the same question to the members of the benighted National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which has been behind the ongoing red witch hunt—but then, we already know the answer.

The man who chose hell IN THE wake of the ongoing campaign period for national and local aspirants, I love recounting this tale of the man who chose hell.

Once, there was a man who died and found himself before St. Peter, the gatekeeper of heaven. St. Peter asked the man, “Where do you want to go, heaven or hell? “ The man answered, “Can I see hell first?”

St. Peter pointed to an elevator to his left. The man entered it and down and down it went.

When the elevator stopped and its door opened, the man was greeted by a goodlooking man in a tuxedo and beside him was a beautiful woman in a bikini, carrying a tray of white and red wine. The girl offered the man a glass, and the handsome man took the man around hell. The man told the host, “Hell is not bad after all,” when he saw naked women all over the place, and bacchanalian feasts everywhere.

The man was very happy when he saw his “barkada” who told him, “Come, join us.”

The man said to himself, “This is the place for me.”

After several hours, the man told his host that he would like to see St. Peter again. So, he took the elevator up and up and up it went to St. Peter. The man told St. Peter that after seeing hell, he would like to see heaven. So, St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates to Heaven.

The man saw everybody, all very happy and contented, with sweet music and cherubims flying all over the place.

But, there was something that the man missed in heaven, the excitement and thrill he missed while on earth that he found in hell. So, the man went back to St. Peter and told him that he preferred hell. So, he took the elevator again and down the elevator went.

When the elevator door opened, lo and behold, he saw Satan with coterie of hideous demons, with fire all over the place, with people getting tortured, tormented and screaming, by hideous and ugly monsters and demons.

“What happened?”,he told Satan, “Yesterday when I came here hell was a beautiful place and I wanted to stay.”

Satan told him, “Well, yesterday we were campaigning. And today, you voted.”

Well, that’s the story of the man who chose hell.

There must be a lesson or two in this tale gia every year for last-resort treatment, said Nadareishvili.

With the traditional antimicrobial armoury depleting rapidly, more clinical studies are needed so that phagotherapy can be more widely approved, Kutateladze argued.

In 2019, the United States Food and Drug

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

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

where a man chose hell instead of heaven because if you counted on all the campaign promises of aspirants of both national and local positions as being fulfilled, it could be heaven on earth. Sadly, most of the promises of past candidates have not been fulfilled.

Take President Duterte, for example. Has he fulfilled all his campaign promises like ending illegal drugs, criminality and corruption in government?

It’s for this reason why this tale of a man wanting to go to hell reminds me so much of election promises.

••• Candidates for President trailing behind Bongbong Marcos and his teammate Sara Duterte-Carpio tell us the poll surveys are just that, poll surveys.

Yes, it’s true that only the results of election day will bear the truth who the next president will be. It’s also true that poll surveys are just the result of surveys at the time when it was done. But, in answer to doubting Thomases saying that the findings are all wrong, I am led to wonder – what are poll surveys even for?

Indeed, what are all these many poll surveys finding Bongbong Marcos as way ahead by as much as 40 percent, no less? Are they all wrong? From where I sit, poll surveys let the public know what the score is at a certain point.

Poll surveys are necessary during election periods for candidates. It lets them how they are faring so that they can correct themselves when they are failing and to let them watch out for pitfalls, if they are leading.

My gulay, poll surveys work both ways, to let those trailing behind to work harder and for those leading, not to be too complacent because things can go awry.

I have seen in my over 70 years as a journalist, about poll surveys not coming right at the end. But when all surveys find that the BBM-Sara tandem remains the frontrunner by great percentage points, then I say the tailenders must work harder.

Spending of tail-enders in all poll surveys, like Senator Ping Lacson and Senator Manny Pacquiao, at the rate poll surveys giving them

only 2 to 8 percentage points, while Bongbong Marcos is already way ahead over 60 percentage, they should be worried.

••• Can BBM maintain his commanding lead until Election Day? My answer to this question is a big fat YES, unless some man-made miracles happen on Election Day, like when the Smartmatic counting machine suddenly performs a miracle.

In our kind of elections, I know for a fact that miracles do happen, like when a precinct registers a zero vote for somebody, considering the fact that a national candidate for president has a watcher in that precinct. Santa Banana, can you imagine zero votes for anybody even if there is a watcher there to safeguard his votes?

It is for this reason why I warn supporters of Bongbong not to be complacent on Election day before some man-made miracles do happen to frustrate the will of the people.

••• Speaking of surveys, the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations had two major concerns of the people which will surely challenge the incoming president. Utmost in the minds of people are jobs and high prices as an aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As I have said in an earlier column, the most challenging problems the next president will have to face are economic recovery, unemployment caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now high prices.

If the next president will be Bongbong, he will surely need the help of the people, the tycoons and taipans and his most senior advisers to confront these problems. He must solicit the best minds for his cabinet.

••• When President Duterte campaigned in Cebu last week, endorsing no less than 17 senatorial candidates, he boasted to have dismissed no less than five or six members of his cabinet for corruption, without mentioning any names.

I started recalling events during Duterte’s presidency so I could remember who those were. I cannot remember any.

••• Starting this Friday, April 8, I will go on a two-week leave for a well-deserved rest which my doctor prescribed. I will be back on Friday, the 22nd of April.

Administration (FDA) authorized a clinical study on the use of bacteriophages to cure secondary infections in COVID patients.

Beyond medicine, phages are already being used to stop food going off, and they “can be used in agriculture to protect crops and animals from harmful bacteria,” Kutateladze said.

The institute has already conducted research on bacteria targeting cotton and rice.

Bacteriophages also have potential to counter biological weapons and combat bioterrorism, with Canadian researchers publishing a 2017 study on using them to counter an anthrax attack on crowded public places. AFP

Let’s not be that man.

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Shanghai defends separating kids with COVID from parents SHANGHAI health officials on Monday defended a policy of separating babies and young children from their parents if they test positive for COVID-19, as frustration at the city’s tough virus controls builds.

Around 25 million people in Shanghai, China’s largest city and financial center, remain locked down as authorities try to snuff out the country’s most severe virus outbreak since the end of the first pandemic wave in early 2020.

Under China’s unbending virus controls, anyone found positive – even if they are asymptomatic or have a mild infection – must be isolated from noninfected people.

That includes children who test positive but whose family members do not, health officials confirmed on Monday, defending a policy which has spread anxiety and outrage across the city.

“If the child is younger than seven years old, those children will receive

treatment in a public health center,” Wu Qianyu, an official from the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said Monday.

“For older children or teenagers... we are mainly isolating them in centralized (quarantine) places.”

Parents and guardians have taken to social media to voice their anger at the policy.

“Parents need to meet ‘conditions’ to accompany their children? That’s absurd... it should be their most basic right,” one unnamed commenter wrote on social media platform Weibo.

Unverified videos of babies and young children in state-run wards have been widely shared.

But Shanghai official Wu said the policy was integral to virus “prevention and control work.”

“We have made it clear that children whose parents are also positive... can live in the same place as the children,” she added. AFP

DEFIANT HOPE. The newlyweds, medical volunteers – a nurse in an oncology clinic and a doctor before the start of the

Russian invasion of Ukraine – Nastya Gracheva and Anton Sokolov, pose for a photograph in a ruined courtyard of shopping and office complex in central Kharkiv on April 3, 2022. From the beginning of the Russian aggression, they began to provide free medical care to those in need at home, and when they ran out of medicines, they began to collect money and purchase medicines for residents of the city who needed them. AFP

OUTRAGE GROWS OVER ‘WAR CRIMES’

Zelensky calls Russian troops murderers U KRAINE’S President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russian troops “murderers, torturers, rapists, looters” on Monday after dozens of bodies were found near Kyiv, triggering global outrage and vows of tough new sanctions on Moscow.

Local authorities said they had been forced to dig communal graves to bury the dead accumulating in the streets, including some found with their hands bound behind their backs, in scenes that sent shockwaves through international capitals more than a month into Russia’s invasion.

Despite Russian denials of responsibility, condemnation was swift, with Western leaders, NATO and the UN all voicing horror at reports of civilian murders in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, and elsewhere.

Zelensky was unsparing in his nightly video message, warning “concentrated

evil has come to our land.”

Speaking in Ukrainian, he described Russian troops as “murderers, torturers, rapists, looters, who call themselves the army and who deserve only death after what they did.”

Switching to Russian, he continued: “I want every mother of every Russian soldier to see the bodies of the killed people in Bucha, in Irpin, in Hostomel.”

“I want all the leaders of the Russian Federation to see how their orders are being fulfilled.”

Zelensky said he had created a special body to investigate killings in areas from which Russian troops have withdrawn

around the capital, as Moscow refocuses its energies on southeastern Ukraine.

The scale of the killings is still being pieced together, but Ukrainian prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova said 410 civilian bodies had been recovered so far.

And Bucha’s mayor Anatoly Fedoruk told AFP that 280 bodies were placed in mass graves because it was impossible to bury them in cemeteries within firing range.

Satellite imagery firm Maxar released pictures it said showed a mass grave located in the grounds of a church in the town.

UN to release handbook of climate change solutions for ‘livable’ future UN CLIMATE experts are set to release what is expected to be the definitive guide to halting global warming on Monday, in a report that lays out how societies and economies must transform to ensure a “livable” future.

With war in Ukraine spurring an urgent energy rethink in the West, analysts say the latest report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will also be an important resource for nations seeking a rapid transition away from Russian oil and gas.

In recent months the IPCC has published the first two instalments in a trilogy of mammoth scientific assessments covering how greenhouse gas pollution is heating the planet and what that means for life on Earth.

This third report will outline what to do about it.

But that answer has sweeping political ramifications as climate solutions touch on virtually all aspects of modern life – and require significant investment.

Two weeks of grueling negotiations have seen nearly 200 nations struggling to thrash out line-by-line a high-level “summary for policymakers” that distils the hundreds of pages of underlying REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217 – QUEZON CITY rtc1qzn217@judiciary.gov.ph IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCE AND DECLARATION OF CAPACITY TO REMARRY UNDER ARTICLE 26, FAMILY CODE.

assessment.

That meeting was supposed to wrap up on Friday, but dragged on through the weekend. The IPCC assessment was originally due to be published publicly on Monday at 0900 GMT, but will now be released at 1500GMT. “Everybody has something to lose and everybody has something to gain,” said one person close to the process.

Easy answers are unlikely, with the IPCC expected to detail the need for transformational changes to energy generation and industry, as well as to cities, transportation and food systems.

To save the world from the worst ravages of climate change, the report is also expected to warn that slashing carbon dioxide pollution is no longer enough.

And technologies that are not yet operating to scale will need to be ramped up enormously to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere.

A 1.5C cap on global warming – the aspirational goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord – has been embraced as a target by most of the world’s nations.

Barely 1.1C of warming so far has ushered in a devastating surge of deadly extreme weather across the globe.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned last month that major Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is economies are allowing carbon hereby given that said petition is pollution to increase when drastic hereby set for hearing on April 20, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning cuts are needed. before this Court located at Room 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice – “We are sleepwalking to a cliAnnex, Diliman, Quezon City at which mate catastrophe,” he said. place and on which date and time, any person who has been objections In February, the IPCC reto the petition may appear and file his port on past, present and future opposition thereto. climate change impacts and Let copy of this Fourth Order be published at the expense of the vulnerabilities detailed what petitioner, once a week for three (3) Guterres called an “atlas of huconsecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the man suffering.” AFP Philippines. Likewise, let a copy of

CHERRY MOYA MONTESA a.k.a.

“CHERRY MONTESA HORIUCHI”, Petitioner, -versusCIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-20-01620-CV For: Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce and Declaration of Capacity to the petition with its annexes and this Remarry Order be furnished to the Office of the NATIONAL STATISTICIAN AND Solicitor General, Office of the City CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF Prosecutor of Quezon City, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS City, Philippine Statistics Authority, AUTHORITY AND KOJI HORIUCHI, Quezon City and be posted in the Respondent.

Bulletin Board of the Office of the x-----------------------------------------------x Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, ORDER This is a verified petition filed by Quezon City.

Cherry Moya Montesa a.k.a. Cherry SO ORDERED. Montesa Horiuchi praying for the the Quezon City, Philippines, 28 judicial recognition of foreign judgment December 2021. of divorce obtained in Japan and (Sgd.) DOLLY ROSE R. BOLANTE-PRADO declare her as capacitated to remarry Acting Presiding Judge under Article 26, 2nd paragraph of the Cc: Family Code.

Atty. Lorenzo U. Padilla Petitioner alleges that she got Counsel for the petitioner married to Koji Horiuchi on February No. 62 (KSP Unit) Don Benito 4, 2000 in Japan; that petitioner and Hernandez Avenue Koji was blessed with a daughter Mika Pasay City, Metro Manila who was born on December 12, 2000; lupadilla5@gmail.com that on February 25, 2004, at the Office of the Solicitor General instance and insistence of Koji, they Makati City were divorced; that the divorce was Office of the City Prosecutor an absolute one and capacitated Koji, Quezon City they were divorced; that the divorce is attested by the Divorce Certificate No. Office of the Local Civil Registrar IB19-06222-20 issued for the Consul- Quezon City General for Japan by one Consul Philippine Statistics Authority Matsumoto Masumi of the Japanese Quezon City Consulate-General in the Philippines; Koji Horiuchi that petitioner is now seeking that the 19-1 Idonocho, Yamatokoriyamashi, foreign divorce decree obtained by Nara Ken, Japan Postal Code Koji Horiuchi in Japan be judicially 639-1104 recognized.

(MStandard - Mar. 29, Apr. 5 & 12, 2022)

Municipal worker Serhii Kaplychnyi told AFP that Russian troops initially refused to allow residents to bury the dead in Bucha.

“They said while it was cold, to let them lie there.”

Eventually, they were able to retrieve the bodies, he said. “We dug a mass grave with a tractor and buried everyone.”

The UN said it was “highly concerned” by images emerging from the region, though it said it could not rule out that some of the dead were fighters or had died of natural causes. AFP

Macron favors fresh sanctions against Russia

GONE BY JUNE. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam leaves after a press conference in Hong Kong on April 4, 2022. AFP

Controversial Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to step down in June HONG Kong’s leader Carrie Lam announced Monday that she will step down in June, ending a divisive term that saw democracy protests squashed and strict pandemic curbs plunge the business hub into international isolation.

Ending months of speculation, Lam confirmed she would not seek a second term when a committee made up of the city’s political elite chooses a new leader next month.

“I will complete my five-year term as chief executive on June 30, and officially conclude my 42-year career in government,” Lam told reporters.

Lam said China’s leaders “understood and respected” her choice not to seek another term and that she wanted to spend more time with her family.

A career bureaucrat, Lam became Hong Kong’s first woman leader in 2017.

The 64-year-old had dodged questions for months over whether she would run again and during Monday’s announcement she revealed that had informed Beijing of her plans to quit more than a year ago.

Hong Kongers and businesses based in the finance hub currently have little clarity on who will be the next leader.

The chief executive position is not popularly elected, one of the core demands of years of democracy protests which have since been crushed.

Instead, the position is selected by a 1,500-strong pro-Beijing committee, the equivalent of 0.02 percent of the city’s 7.4 million population.

The city’s next chief executive will be chosen on May 8 but so far no one with a realistic prospect has publicly thrown their hat into the ring. AFP

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he was in favor of new sanctions against Moscow after claims that Russian forces committed atrocities against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv.

“There are very clear indications of war crimes. It was the Russian army that was in Bucha,” Macron told the France Inter broadcaster after the discovery of mass graves and hundreds of dead people northwest of Kyiv.

“The scenes are unbearable. International justice must work. Those who were behind these crimes must respond,” he said.

Local authorities said they had been forced to dig communal graves to bury the dead accumulating in the streets, including some found with their hands bound behind their backs, in scenes that sent shockwaves through international capitals more than a month into Russia’s invasion.

Macron called for progress on further moves towards sanctions at the European Union level which he said could target the Russian oil and coal industries.

“What happened in Bucha makes a new round of sanctions, and very clear measures, necessary,” Macron said.

France would coordinate such steps with its EU partners, “especially Germany,” in the coming days, he said.

Macron said that targeting the oil and coal industries would be “particularly” painful for Russia.

The EU could also impose further sanctions against Russian individuals, Macron added. AFP

Sri Lanka president offers to share power with opposition amid protests

Protestors hold banners and placards during a demonstration against the surge in prices and shortage of fuel and other essential commodities in Colombo on April 3, 2022. AFP

SRI Lanka’s president offered to share power with the opposition on Monday as protests escalated across the country demanding his resignation over worsening shortages of food, fuel and medicines.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s appeal to legislators came as heavily armed security forces looked to quell more demonstrations over what the government itself has acknowledged as the worst shortages of essentials since independence from Britain in 1948.

“The president invites all political parties in parliament to accept cabinet posts and join the effort to seek solutions to the national crisis,” Rajapaksa’s office

said in a statement.

It stressed that solutions to the deepening crisis should be found “within a democratic framework,” as hundreds were joining spontaneous demonstrations in cities, towns and villages.

The invitation came after 26 cabinet ministers – every member except Rajapaksa and his elder brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa – submitted letters of resignation at a late-night meeting on Sunday.

The country’s central bank governor Ajith Cabraal joined the long list of resignations on Monday.

The move cleared the way for the country’s ruling political clan to seek to shore up its position. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard TODAY TODAY

Business

B3

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

ASIAN TERMINALS, INC.

ATI Head Office, A. Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila Tel. No. 8528-6000 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To the Stockholders of Asian Terminals, Inc.: To ensure the safety and welfare of the stockholders against the COVID19 risk, the Board of Directors on March 1, 2022, resolved to hold the annual meeting virtually, pursuant to applicable SEC regulations. The annual meeting will be virtually conducted and streamed live on the link https://bit.ly/ATI_ASM2022 .on April 28, 2022, 2:00 p.m., to consider and take action upon the following matters:

RUSSIAN ASSET. View of the PCK Industrial Park which houses the PCK Oil refinery, just outside Schwedt, some 110

km north of Berlin, northeastern Germany, taken on April 2, 2022. Russian oil giant Rosneft increased its shareholding in PCK, which processes some 12 million tons of crude yearly, from 54.17 percent to 91.67 percent in November 2021. AFP

Stock market slightly up; Converge, Semirara drop

S

TOCKS slightly edged higher Monday in thin trading ahead of the release of the inflation rate for March and on hopes global oil prices will stabilize a bit.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 10.33 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,163.21 on a value turnover of nearly P3.9 billion. Gainers beat losers, 96 to 83, with 56 issues unchanged.

AC Energy Corp. of the Ayala Group advanced 1.8 percent to P8.86, while sister unit and major property developer Ayala Land Inc. rose 1 percent to P35.30.

Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., however, fell 3.5 percent to P28.95, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp. of the Consunji Group, the biggest coal miner, slipped 1 percent to P30.35.

Asian markets mostly rose Monday as another strong jobs report provided some reassurance that the recovery in the US economy remained on track, though it also solidified

expectations for more aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

The gains were helped by another recent drop in oil prices after the 31-nation International Energy Agency agreed to tap its vast reserves to offset the removal of Russian exports, while the start of a ceasefire in Yemen eased concerns over supplies from the region.

Officials said Friday that the world’s top economy added 431,000 positions in March while the unemployment rate fell to just slightly above pre-pandemic levels.

The figures showed that while inflation has surged to a 40-year high and the Ukraine war has fanned uncertainty, the recovery continues.

The economy’s resilience will be taken as further evidence that it could withstand a sharper rise in interest rates to bring prices under control, with many observers now predicting a half-point hike in May. However, expectations that rates will continue to go up have seen Treasury yields surge, with commentators saying there were warning signs that growth will slow as the year progresses. AFP

In this file photo taken on February 26, 2020, beekepers walk Manila towards Standard NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC TODAY the Inzerki Apiary in We would like to inform the general Public that the Official the village Receipt booklet of SKY Cable with series number 1969238 of Inzerki, to 1969250 was reported as lost receipts. Any transactions 82 km null entered and issued with these receipts will be considered north of and void.

Agadir, in the SoussIf found, contact us at Jhanrenz Corporation, address #19 -C Massa Abanad Cmpd. S. Villanueva St. Bgy. Ibaba, Malabonregion.

City. Tel. No. (02) 83762572 / (02) 89218493. Look for Ms. Tessie AFP San

Juan.

1.

Call to Order. This officially commences the meeting.

2.

Proof of Notice and Quorum. The Corporate Secretary, will certify that the notice of meeting had been sent to stockholders as of record date and that there is a quorum.

3.

Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on April 22, 2021. The Minutes record the proceedings of the 2021 annual meeting. The minutes were included in the Information Statement and may be accessed in the Company Website https://www.asianterminals.com.ph/ati_disclosures_minutesofmeeting.aspx

4.

Chairman’s Address. The Chairman will address the stockholders and present the highlights of the business operation and performance of the corporation in 2021.

5.

Election of Directors. The nominees are named in Item 5 of the Information Statement, together with their qualifications and profiles for the election of the stockholders. Pursuant to the by-laws, the directors (including the independent directors) shall be elected annually and shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Manual and applicable regulations of the SEC, an independent director who has served more than nine (9) consecutive years reckoned from 2012, can serve as such based on meritorious justifications and with the stockholders’ approval. Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban has been the Company’s independent director since 2010 and the Board resolved to retain him as independent director based on meritorious justification, subject to the approval of the stockholders. (Please refer to Item 5 (a) (1) of the Information Statement) The stockholder’s vote in his favor is deemed an approval of the justification, otherwise he may choose to abstain.

6.

Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2021. The stockholders are asked to approve the 2021 Audited Financial Statements, a copy of which is attached to the Information Statement.

7.

Appointment of Independent Auditors. The appointment of R.G. Manabat & Co. as the independent auditors for 2022. Approval of the stockholders is sought.

8.

Approval and Ratification of the Acts of the Board and the Management during the year 2021. The acts of the Board and Management in 2021 were summarized in Item 15 of the distributed Information Statement. Approval and ratification of the stockholders is sought.

9.

Other Matters. Any other relevant matter to the meeting may be raised by the stockholders.

10. Adjournment. This is to officially end the meeting.

All stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2022 are entitled to notice and to vote at the annual meeting and at any adjournment thereof. The stock and transfer books of the Company will be closed from March 31 up to April 28, 2022.

Stockholders may only appoint the ATI Chairman or the President as proxy. Proxies should be submitted on or before 7pm of April 18, 2022. Please refer to Annex “A” for the procedure. Proxies will be validated on April 22, 2022 at the Office of the Corporate Secretary., ATI Head Office, A. Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila, 1018.

The Information Statement and its attachments is accessible at the PSE EDGE website and ATI Website at https://www.asianterminals.com.ph The detailed procedure of the registration and voting process are stated in Appendix “A” hereof.

Manila, Philippines, March 16, 2022.

(SGD.) RODOLFO G. CORVITE, JR. Corporate Secretary

Procedure for the Registration, Participation and Voting in the 2022 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting To ensure the safety of ATI stockholders, directors, officers and other stakeholders against the COVID19 risk, the Board of Directors on March 1, 2022, resolved to hold the annual meeting by remote communication or virtually, pursuant to applicable SEC regulations.

All stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2022 are entitled to notice and to vote at the annual meeting and at any adjournment thereof.

A)

REGISTRATION: Stockholders may register to participate in the virtual meeting at the Registration Portal (“Registration Portal”) at: https://bit.ly/34INqR7 Registration will be from 9:00 am of April 8, 2022, until 7:00 pm of April 18, 2022.

Stockholders are advised to register as early as possible. To proceed with the registration, personal information will be required. For identification, the Company shall only accept a scanned back-to-back copy of one valid government-issued ID bearing photo and signature which will be uploaded in the Registration Portal. Consent to process the personal information is included in the Registration Portal.

(MS-APRIL 2/4/9/11, 2022)

1.

Stung by drought, Morocco’s bees face disaster

Individual stockholder with shares recorded in their name: name, valid email address, active contact number and upload a valid government-issued ID. For stockholders with joint accounts, only the authorized stockholder will register and in addition to the above, shall upload scanned copy of a notarized authorization letter signed by the other stockholders, indicating who among them would be authorized to participate and/or vote and upload their valid government-issued IDs. Individual Stockholder under a broker/ PCD: in addition to the name, valid email address, active contact number and a valid government-issued ID, the stockholder needs to coordinate with his broker and secure a duly signed Broker’s Certification stating the full account name and account or reference number which shall be uploaded in the Registration Portal.

By Kaouthar Oudrhiri

INZERKI, Morocco—Morocco’s village of Inzerki is proud to claim it has the world’s oldest and largest collective beehive, but instead of buzzing with springtime activity, the colonies have collapsed amid crippling drought.

Beekeeper Brahim Chatoui says he has lost almost a third of his hives in just two months—and he is not alone.

“At this time of year, this area would normally be buzzing with bees,” said Chatoui, sweating under a blazing springtime sun.

“Today, they’re dying at a terrifying rate.”

The North African kingdom has seen a dramatic spike in mass die-offs of the critical pollinators, a phenomenon called “colony collapse disorder.”

Worldwide, experts say such sudden mass deaths of bees are often linked to the destruction of nature and the rampant use of pesticides.

But authorities in Morocco say these collapses are caused by the worst drought to hit the country in 40 years, which has decimated the plants on which bees rely for food.

‘Unprecedented’ spike The crisis is so acute that the government released 130 million dirhams ($13 million) to support beekeepers and investigate the cause of the bee deaths.

Morocco’s National Food Safety Office, which carried out the investigation, ruled out disease as a reason.

Instead, it blamed the “unprecedented” spike in hive collapses on an intense drought Manila driven by climate change.

Standard TODAY Inzerki’s unique collective beehive sits on a sunny hillside in the heart of the ArNOTICE ganeraie Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCOprotected 2.5-million-hectare region, some Notice is hereby given that of the 415 kilometers (260 miles) southwest the Shareholders capital Rabat. and Board of Directors of The Robinsons complex Recreation is striking: A Corporation five-storeyed structure of wooden struts business and dry mud (“Corporation”), doing at stretch alongRobinsons a hillside, each compartment 4th Floor, Galleria, EDSA home toOrtigas a cylindrical wickerQuezon hive, covered corner Avenue, City with a mix of earth and cow dung. will have a meeting on April 6, 2022 say it is the oldest traditional, viaExperts videoconferencing.

The purpose of collective beehive in the world, dating back which is to vote regarding voluntary to 1850, but today it is underthe threat amid a dissolution of the Corporation. changing climate.AFP (MS-APRIL 4, 2022)

CYAN

2.

Corporate stockholder: the duly authorized representative of the corporate stockholder shall register and provide his name, valid email address, active contact number, valid government-issued ID and the scanned copy of the notarized Secretary’s Certificate and proxy appointing either the ATI Chairman or President.

A proxy given by a broker in respect of shares of stock held by such broker for the account of the beneficial owner must be accompanied by a certification under oath stating the number of shareholdings and a that the broker has obtained the written consent or authorization of the account holder.

The Company reserves the right to require additional documents as may be necessary or relevant.

B)

VALIDATION: A notification by email from ATISHMeeting@asianterminals.com.ph shall be received by the stockholder together with a unique passcode which shall be used to access the ATI Voting Portal or other instructions. For queries, the stockholders may communicate with the Company through the above-mentioned email address.

Stockholders may only appoint the ATI Chairman or the President as proxy. Proxies should be submitted on or before 7pm of April 18, 2022. The duly accomplished scanned copy of the proxy may be uploaded by the stockholder upon registration or hard copies may be sent at the address below. Proxies will be validated on April 22, 2022 at the said address.

Office of the Corporate Secretary Asian Terminals, Inc. ATI Head Office, A. Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila, 1018

C)

VOTING: All the agenda items indicated in the Notice will be set out in the ATI Voting Portal (“Voting Portal”). Voting shall be online and the Voting Portal shall be open from 9:00 am of April 19, 2022 up to 7:00 pm of April 26, 2022, in the link below: https://bit.ly/3q69lcl 1.

Individual stockholder with shares recorded in their name: they may access the Voting Portal by providing the valid email address they used in the registration and the sent unique passcode.

For stockholders with joint accounts, only the stockholder who registered and was authorized by the joint stockholders shall vote by providing the valid email address they used in the registration and the unique passcode.

Individual Stockholder under a broker/ PCD: they may access the Voting Portal by providing the valid email address they used in the registration and the unique passcode.

2.

Corporate stockholder or broker. Either the ATI Chairman or the President may vote, as may be provided in the proxy. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK The Office of the Corporate Secretary shall tabulate all votes received and the results shall be validated by R.G. Manabat and Co.

D.

QUORUM: The following stockholders shall be deemed present for purposes of quorum: a) whose registrations are validated b) who sent their accomplished proxies and validated c) who voted from 9:00 am of April 18, 2022 up to 7:00 pm of April 26, 2022.

E.

LIVESTREAM: The meeting will be streamed live on April 28, 2022 at 2pm, on the link https://bit.ly/ATI_ASM2022 Every item in the agenda for approval of the stockholders will be shown on the screen during the livestreaming as the same is taken up at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Secretary shall report the votes received and inform the stockholders if the particular item is carried or disapproved. The total number of votes cast for each item for approval under the agenda will be shown on the screen.

F.

QUESTIONS: Questions on the items in the Agenda may be sent to ATISHMeeting@ asianterminals.com.ph on or before 7pm of April 26, 2022 with the subject heading “ASM 2022 Question” and the identity of the sender must be stated after the question. Replies may be given during the meeting and any unanswered will be replied to by email.

(MS-APRIL 4 & 5, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Citicore and ACEN fire up 72-MW solar farm in Pampanga CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. and partner AC Energy Corp. energized the 72-MW solar power plant in Pampanga province to help augment the capacity in the Luzon grid during the dry season.

The parties said the Arayat-Mexico solar farm started to export power to the grid less than a year after breaking ground. An expansion to bring the solar project to 116 MW is underway.

“As we prepare to infuse this new asset into CREIT to grow its renewable energy asset portfolio in the coming months, our construction team is ready to break ground the Phase 2 by next month which will increase the total plant capacity to 116 MW upon completion hopefully before the end of the year,” said Citicore chief executive Oliver Tan. After the successful energization, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines will test the plan for grid compliance, which is expected to be completed by the second week of April.

“The on-time energization of this project further demonstrated Citicore’s solid track record in greenfield development to engineering, procurement and construction to plant operations and maintenance, a vertically integrated business model like no other,” said Tan. The solar plant will be managed and operated in-house by our Citicore Property Managers Inc., which has eight solar farms and one micro-grid solar rooftops under management.

“The Arayat-Mexico solar farm is yet another example of how partners leveraging on their collective expertise, experience and determination can deliver a high-quality project safely and on time,” said Jose Maria Zabaleta, chief development officer of ACEN. Once fully operational, the 72 MW solar farm will produce 105 gigawatthours of renewable energy annually, enough to power 45,000 households while avoiding 72,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Gov’t asked to put out rules on new investment statutes

By Alena Mae S. Flores

M

EMBERS of the Joint Foreign Chambers asked the government to immediately issue the implementing rules and regulations of the amended Public Service Act (Republic Act No. 11659) and the Foreign Investments Act (RA 11647) to speed up the economic gains from the reform measures.

“Consistent with the aim of EO 166, which adopts the Economic Development Cluster’s ten-point policy agenda for pandemic recovery, to speed up and sustain the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we call on relevant government agencies to ensure that the IRRs on RA 11659 and 11647 are also issued, with sufficient stakeholder consultation, before the end of the current administration,” the JFC said in a statement.

RA 11659 allows 100-percent or full foreign ownership of airline, telecommunications, mass media, railways and logistical or shipping operators. RA 11647 allows qualified non-Philippine nationals to do business in the country or invest in a domestic enterprise up to 100 percent of its capital and liberalizes the practice of professions not governed by existing special laws.

JFC lauded the passage of these laws including the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RA 11595), which are all priority reforms of the Duterte administration.

“We likewise laud the recent issuance of the IRR on the Retail Trade Liberalization Act after consultation with concerned stakeholders,” it said.

“We share this administration’s thrust to propel the country’s economic recovery post-pandemic thru the enactment of game-changing economic liberalization laws. Prompt issuance of IRRs for these laws would hasten the realization of gains expected from the passage of these liberalization laws, to the benefit of the public,” the group said.

JFC also welcomed the statements by executive and legislative leaders to “get on with it” after the successful efforts to

pass the reforms in Congress.

“The members of the JFC express strong support for the full implementation of these new laws and pledge our efforts to bring the reforms to the attention of appropriate firms in our member countries in the United States, Australia-New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Japan, and Europe and encourage these firms to invest in the Philippines,” the group said.

“With its large, growing economy, we see the Philippines benefiting from the capital, technology, and greater competition these reforms will bring in the form of more jobs and better products and services more widely available to the Filipino people,” it said Members of the Joint Foreign Chambers include the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australian-New Zealand Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Philippines, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc.

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Monday it signed an agreement with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres and Ayala Corp. for the development and construction of data centers in the Philippines.

Both STT GDC and AC will subscribe to new shares in KarmanEdge Inc., a 100-percent owned subsidiary of Globe that will house the carved-out data center business.

The capital infusion by the new partners will result in a post-money valuation in the range of $350 million.

Post execution of the share subscription

Monday, April 4, 2022

10.33 PTS. 7,163.21

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,329,619,760 57,253

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

3,873,531,698.54 96 83

UNCHANGED

56

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.6640

Japan

Yen

0.008160

0.4216

UK

Pound

1.311300

67.7470

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127645

6.5947

Switzerland

Franc

1.081315

55.8651

Canada

Dollar

0.798786

41.2685

Singapore

Dollar

0.737083

38.0807

Australia

Dollar

0.749100

38.7015

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

137.0580

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

13.7726

Brunei

Dollar

0.734376

37.9408

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029904

1.5450

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.0674

Euro

Euro

1.104100

57.0422

Korea

Won

0.000820

0.0424

China

Yuan

0.157746

8.1498

India

Rupee

0.013163

0.6801

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237643

12.2776

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691700

35.7360

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034870

1.8015 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Bank of Commerce posts P1.2-b profit BANK of Commerce, the financial arm of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp., said Monday net income hit a seven-year high of P1.2 billion in 2021, up from P784 million in 2020, showing its resilience despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The newly-listed bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange core income continued to grow, net interest income rising 6 percent year-on-year.

“The increase was mainly driven by prudent management of interest expenses at P697 million, 41 percent lower compared to end-2020,” it said.

Non-interest income stood at P826 million, supported by a 19-percent growth in service charges and fees and commissions and gains on sale of acquired assets.

The bank closed 2021 with P199.7 billion in assets, up 17 percent from the P171 billion at end-2020. Julito G. Rada

ACEN investing $200m in venture with ib vogt

REPATRIATED. Cebu Pacific assists and brings home 385 Filipinos from Beirut and Kuwait through a charter flight arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs to repatriate distressed overseas Filipino workers. In coordination with the Philippine Embassies of Beirut and Kuwait, the charter CEB flight flew from Beirut and welcomed 119 passengers. It then flew to Kuwait to accept 266 passengers more.

Globe teams up with Ayala, ST Telemedia to establish data centers

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PSE INDEX CLOSING

agreement, Globe will remain the largest shareholder with a 50-percent ownership, followed by STT GDC with 40 percent and AC taking up the balance.

Globe will receive proceeds of $100 million from the transaction, with the remaining capital injected to be utilized by the business for future expansion and growth.

Globe said on top of the potential of the venture, it also unlocked and realized the value of its data center business, which now more closely reflects its true market value.

It said with the execution of the transaction, Globe will recognize a pre-tax

gain of around P10.5 billion, coming from the partial monetization of its data center business coupled with the revaluation of the carrying value of Globe’s retained interest.

“We are excited about the future of Globe in the data center space. With Globe’s deep understanding of its customers, STT GDC’s technical expertise and Ayala’s compelling business reach, this venture is poised to be a significant player in this space for years to come,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“Further, the transaction not only shows Globe’s commitment to deliver-

ing value to its shareholders but also proves our ability to generate and unlock value, especially within our core business,” he said.

Globe said the transaction is fully aligned with its view of the value and significant opportunity of the data center space in the Philippines, given the market demand and the country’s strategic location.

It also reinforces Globe’s transformation into a leading digital solutions group that provides connectivity and solutions to power and enable a robust digital ecosystem for the Filipino, the company said.

AC ENERGY Corp. said Monday it is investing $200 million in a joint venture with ib vogt GmbH of Germany to develop solar projects across Asia.

ACEN and ib vogt plan to achieve a minimum operational capacity of 1,000 megawatts over the coming years, with the potential for further extension.

Under the terms of the deal, ACEN expects to invest up to $200 million in equity investment, on top of debt funding, to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in the region.

The parties are looking at developing large-scale solar power plants in Asia.

The joint venture partners said in a statement they would focus on late-stage, shovel-ready projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Bangladesh and other countries in the region.

The majority of projects will stem from ib vogt’s Asia development pipeline of more than 5,000 MW with initial projects planned to go into construction in 2022.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Globalport asked to hike public float THE Philippine Stock Exchange said Monday Globalport 900 Inc. of businessman Michael Romero may face delisting if it fails to raise its public ownership by July this year.

Globalport said in a recent filing with the PSE its public float fell to 8.46 percent in January after it issued 600 shares to the incoming directors and the election as director of a stockholder owning 1.53 percent.

Listed firms are required to maintain a public float of at least 10 percent to remain listed on the local bourse.

“On 04 January 2022, the company issued 600 shares to the incoming directors.

From 01 January 2022 and up to the date of the special stockholders’ meeting on 12 January 2022, the public float of the company is 9.99 percent,” Globalport said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Smart’s active data users increased 11% to 42.6m in 2021 on growing 5G adoption SMART Communications Inc. said Monday it recorded 42.6 million active data users in 2021, up 11 percent from a year ago on growing preference for 5G network.

“We are confident that with the easing of mobility restrictions, the increase in economic activity and the growing adoption of 5G, we will see a lift in individual wireless revenues,” PLDT Inc. and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo S. Panlilio said.

PLDT’s individual wireless business, which includes mobile brands Smart and TNT, held steady in 2021 despite limited mobility brought about by pandemic-related restrictions and increased competition.

Individual wireless revenues reached P86.2 billion in 2021, matching the previous year’s record performance, with data/broadband contributing 80 percent of the segment’s revenues.

The increase in active data users followed strategic brand building campaigns and product innovations, channeled mainly through Smart’s GigaLife mobile app, which increased brand rel-

evance and enabled stronger customer digital adoption and engagement.

These resulted in 16-percent increase in mobile data traffic to 3,337 petabytes last year.

The GigaLife app, which acquired over 10 million users in less than two years, is the most downloaded network management app in 2021, according to App Annie, a leading global provider of mobile data and analytics.

GigaLife App’s other features and integrations also enhanced the customers’ digital lifestyle.

GigaPay allows users to link their PayMaya wallet for in-app transactions such as buying load, subscribing to promos and paying bills. Meanwhile, GigaPlay provides exclusive content experiences on the Smart network, giving users access to the NBA, PBA, K-pop concerts, Korean dramas, pay-per-view films and variety shows.

GigaPlay will continue to expand its content library and will be streaming the UAAP games live starting March 2022. Darwin G. Amojelar

CLIMATE CHANGE. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno (left) identifies climate change as the challenge of the generation, and cites the importance of international cooperation to mitigate its effects during the Asian Development BankSoutheast Asia Development Symposium. Joining Diokno on the panel are (from top, clockwise) CNBC catalyst Lisa Oake, ADB vice president for East Asia and the Pacific Ahmed Saeed, Mastercard executive vice president for sustainability Shamina Singh and CARE International secretary -general Sofia Sprechman Sineiro.

Sun Life top life insurer in PH last year with P45.46b in premiums

By Julito G. Rada SUN Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. remained the leading life insurance company in the country last year, after garnering P45.46 billion in total premium.

The feat was based on the latest unaudited quarterly reports on selected financial statistics submitted to the Insurance Commission.

Sun Life is the industry leader for the 11th straight year, an achievement it attributes to its clients’ trust and support.

“The past year was marked by various challenges, as the pandemic heightened and a typhoon devastated our country.

Knowing that our clients rely on us to help build their brighter future helped us focus on what matters most,” Sun Life president Alex Narciso said in a statement Monday.

Sun Life said with the pandemic situation slowly improving, it is eager to build on the Filipinos’ heightened interest in financial planning and health protection.

The company said to adapt to the cli-

ents’ evolving priorities and expectations, it opened new branches nationwide and upskilled its advisors. Sun Life also continues to be innovative, launching new products and tools to enhance client experience.

It said efforts to serve the greater community also continue. The Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation Inc. recently welcomed the third batch of participants for Sun Pera-Aralan, its behavioral design financial management program for public school teachers.

Sports

Bolts hope 4th time is the charm vs Gin Kings

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

C1

By Peter Atencio ANOTHER championship showdown against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Miguel Gin Kings should be an interesting and competitive series for the Meralco Bolts.

Bolts’ coach Norman Black thinks so, heading into Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-ofseven finals series at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts have not beaten the Gin Kings in the three championship series that they have met in the past, but the long rest that the Bolts gained from beating the Magnolia Hotshots in the semifinals, should give them enough time to get ready.

“We have more than enough time to prepare, more than enough time to get some rest.

It should be interesting,” said Black.

Statistically, the Gin Kings have an edge over the Bolts with the scoring leadership that Justin Brownlee, LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson provide, with the import averaging 33.2 points to emerge as this conference’s most productive cager.

Tenorio ranked fifth after norming 14.5 points, with Thompson in 10th (13.25).

Bolts Chris Banchero, who has been sidelined by a back injur y, has helped a lot with Chris Newsome, with their averages of 14 points in sixth and seventh spots, respectively.

The Gin Kings have three good rebounders in Christian Standhardinger, ranked second with 12.5 and with Brownlee in fifth (11.75), and with Thompson in sixth (8.5).

Bishop is Meralco’s top rebounder with his average of 12 per game, with Cliff Hodge helping out with 4.8 boards.

The Bolts finalized their entry into the finals after their 94-81 win over the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 5 of the semifinals last Friday.

GINEBRA-MERALCO IV. Members of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and their coach Tim Cone and governor Alfrancis Chua, and the Meralco Bolts, led by coach Norman Black

and governor Al Panlilio, are shown with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial during the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Press Conference at the Novotel, Araneta Center on Monday. The bestof-seven championship showdown between Meralco and Ginebra, the fourth between these two powerhouses, starts on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

POC lifts PATAFA suspension, Juico’s persona non grata status

T

RUE to its word, the Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board on Monday lifted the suspension of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and the persona non grata status of its president Philip Ella Juico.

“The Executive Board of the POC fulfilled its gentlemanly pronouncement and has lifted the two resolutions rendered by the POC on the PATAFA,” said POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said after the board held an emergency meeting on Monday.

“The lifting of the resolutions hinged on

Philip Ella Juico

Abraham Tolentino

the successful mediation between pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and the PATAFA,” he added.

The Obiena-PATAFA rift ended Wednesday last week when both sides settled in a mediation spearheaded by

the Philippine Sports Commission. As a result, the PATAFA has practically reinstated the world-ranked pole vaulter and will endorse his participation in international competitions.

“As projected, there were no objections

Wide-open battle looms in Hallow Ridge WITH the local knowledge virtually the least of their concerns, the touring ladies girds for a duel of skills, smarts and putting when the ICTSI Hallow Ridge Challenge is fired off tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Filipinas Golf Hallow Ridge in San Pedro, Laguna.

Emphasis will also be on stamina in anticipation of another grueling campaign in arid conditions the way the field endured the debilitating heat at Luisita in Tarlac two weeks ago where they adjusted their nutritional intake in order of keep themselves performing at a high level.

Still, it will boil down to who survives the test at the rolling par-72 layout which is hosting a ladies pro tournament for the first time with no one from the among the

fancied bets, headed by Princess Superal, Harmie Constantino, Daniella Uy, Sunshine Baraquiel and Chanelle Avaricio, holding a distinct advantage.

Meanwhile, Arnie Taguines, Eagle Ace Superal and Kristine Fleetwood join the pros in the hunt in the 54-hole championship serving as the second leg of this year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, all hoping to keep the amateurs’ win run going after Rianne Malixi ruled the last leg at Midlands last year and the year’s kickoff event at Luisita last month.

The 15-year-old Malixi has shifted her campaign to the American Junior Golf Association circuit as part of her buildup for the SEA Games in Hanoi next month. The rising star also topped the national team

qualifying, also at Luisita, and will help lead the country’s title-retention drive with Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson.

That leaves the multi-titled Superal and the other leg winners to dispute top honors in the P750,000 championship but the likes of Chihiro Ikeda is also due for a big finish after a string of failed bids in circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Out to spoil the favorites’ title drive in the event are Sarah Ababa, Florence Bisera, Apple Fudolin, Lovelyn Guioguio, Lucy Landicho, Pamela Mariano, Eva Miñoza, Majorie Pulumbarit, Gretchen Villacencio, Sheryl Villasencio and Korean Jane Jeong.

Though some bidders have tested the hilly layout in the lead-up to the tourna-

ment, they remained wary and at the same time excited over how would they fare in the next three days and get a crack at the championship.

Constantino, who claimed two titles in her rookie season last year, both at Eagle Ridge’s Aoki course, found the course long and tight while Avaricio, who posted her first win at Rivera-Couples last year, said the course is very different from the other LPGT venues while putting premium on the long game and accuracy for one to produce good scores.

Superal, on the other hand, is focusing on putting, noting the Hallow Ridge’s surfaces to be undulating while Uy underlines the need to come up with smart decisions from tee-to-green.

Cool Smashers yearning for redemption

With Jia Morado-De Guzman orchestrating their play, there was no way for the Creamline Cool Smashers to go but to another finals appearance.

WHICHEVER team it would be facing in the title series, Creamline is more than ready to take on the challenge, eager to re-claim the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference crown and join last year’s finals tormentor Chery Tiggo in the early roster of pro champions.

“We’re excited (to be in the finals again),” said coach Sherwin Meneses, whose talented crew will be more than equipped and motivated to go up against either Cignal HD and Petro Gazz and settle an unfinished business.

The Cool Smashers reeled from the stigma of their shock loss to the Crossovers in the league’s inaugural pro staging under the bubble setup in Ilocos Norte last year, blowing a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three title series and squandering a 2-0 set lead in sudden death.

But they have since recovered from that numbing loss, using the setback

Games Wednesday (MOA Arena) 3 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Cignal HD or Petro Gazz (best-of-three for third) 6 p.m. – Cignal HD vs Cignal HD or Petro Gazz (best-of-three for crown)

as an impetus to get stronger and better as highlighted by their unbeaten run to this year’s finals of the league’s centerpiece event.

“It’s so much different from the last year campaign where we came up short,” said skipper Alyssa Valdez.

“But it has served as an extra motivation for our campaign this year. And it showed in our games how much hard work we have put to get back to the finals – all the players and the coaching staff are so focused.”

The star-studded Cool Smashers underscored their readiness to go for a third Open diadem in five finals appearances by sweeping their group prelims, bundling out the Crossovers in the

quarters and then trouncing the Choco Mucho Flying Titans twice in the semis.

“It will be a different finals for us but we hope that we’ll be able to apply all the learnings we had from all the bubble training and bubble setups,” said Valdez.

All throughout their finals run, the Cool Smashers have played in sync with top playmaker Jia De Guzman keeping their offense humming and their rivals’ defense guessing with her vast repertoire of set plays.

But with a slew of options to go to, any setter worth her salt would have little trouble throwing those feeds and getting the desired results.

Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza have been switching places on the hitting zones with great enthusiasm and authority, Pangs Panaga, Celine Domingo and Risa Sato have taken care of the middle, and role players Kyle Negrito, Fille Cayetano, Rose Vargas, Pau Soriano and Rizza Mandapat have always been ready to step up at any given time.

and the motions of lifting were to be considered unanimous,” Tolentino said.

The two resolutions were passed on two separate occasions—the persona non grata in December and ratified by the POC General Assembly and the second, suspension of PATAFA which Tolentini deferred for ratification by the assembly last week.

“It is therefore with great relief to announce that the POC, lifts as we hereby lift the resolution declaring Mr Juico as persona non grata and lifts also the resolution suspending PATAFA as member of the POC,” Tolentino said.

With the lifting of both sanctions, Tolentino said Juico and PATAFA will resume their active status with the POC. “As I have maintained even before, there are no losers but only winners,” Tolentino said. “The main winner being the Filipino athlete.

Cardinals eye piece of NCAA lead Games Today (La Salle Greenhills Gym) 12 noon – SSC-R vs Mapua 3 p.m. – EAC vs CSB

MAPUA seeks to rejoin Letran and San Beda at the top, while season host College of St. Benilde shoots for its third straight win in an interesting NCAA men’s basketball doubleheader Tuesday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. The Cardinals seek to extend their perfect run to three games when they play San Sebastian at 12 noon, while the Blazers take on Emilio Aguinaldo College at 3 p.m.

At 2-0, the third-running Mapua is just half-a-game behind the Knights and the Red Lions.

Not far behind is CSB, which is sitting in fourth spot with a 2-1 slate.

Cardinals coach Randy Alcantara is bracing for a grind-it out defensive battle with the 1-1 Stags.

“Kailangang maging maayos kami sa mga decision-making namin,” said Alcantara as Mapua went through anxious moments before beating Jose Rizal University, 5956, last Sunday.

“Minsan may mga hurried shots, nawala ‘yung mga extra passes namin noong early part of fourth quarter (against the Bombers). Doon kami nanalo sa first game (against EAC).

Dapat maibalik iyon. Mabuti nga at hindi bumitaw sa depensa.”

After a narrow season-opening loss to Arellano University, San Sebastian entered the win column with a 63-58 tripping of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta last Friday.

C2

Sports

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Spaun bags maiden Texas win to earn Masters’ ticket L

OS ANGELES—J.J. Spaun punched his ticket to the Masters after firing a three-under-par to claim the first victory of his career at the Texas Open on Sunday.

The journeyman world number 242 from Los Angeles recovered from a disastrous double-bogey opening hole to card five birdies and 12 pars to finish on 13 under for the tournament at San Antonio.

Australia’s Matt Jones, who finished with a six-under-par 66, and Matt Kuchar (69) finished two off the lead tied for second on 11 under.

Canada’s Adam Hadwin, Troy Merritt, Charles Howell III and overnight co-leader Beau Hossler were a further shot back on 10 under.

The first tournament PGA Tour victory of Spaun’s career means he will now

claim the last available spot at next week’s Masters in Augusta – the first time he has played in the iconic tournament.

Spaun’s entry at Augusta will be only the third time ever he has played in a major, following a 35th place finish at the 2018 PGA Championship and a missed cut at last year’s US Open.

“To be here and finally get a win -- it’s everything you dream of,” said Spaun, whose win came in his 147th start. “It’s incredible. I’m speechless.”

Spaun’s final round 69 was good enough to see him edge clear of a crowded leaderboard.

Spaun had been part of a four-way tie for the lead after Saturday’s third round alongside Hossler, Brandt Snedeker, and South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli.

However Spaun’s co-leaders were all unable to mount a challenge.

Spaun’s short game around the green provided the momentum for his final round rally after his opening double-bogey.

He bagged a birdie on the eighth after chipping to within inches of the cup, and then followed that up with a chipped birdie on the ninth which carried 50 feet and into the hole.

A superb tee shot on the par-three 11th left him with a four-footer for birdie and then another birdie on the 14th – playing out of a bunker before draining a ninefooter to go to three under.

From there Braun played it safe down the stretch, nervelessly making a string

of tricky par putts to close out the round without dropping a shot.

Spaun is the first player to win a PGA Tour event after double-bogeying the first hole of a final round since Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.

“Honestly it didn’t bother me as much you would think,” Spaun said of his opening double-bogey.

“If anything it calmed me down. I knew there was still a lot of golf and that I’d rather double-bogey the first hole then the last hole.”

Spaun is now looking forward to a Masters debut in Augusta this week.

“It’s something you dream of as a kid, playing the Masters,” Spaun said.

“I was thinking about it last night, but there was so much I still needed to do win. Fortunately I was able to stay in the present and get the win.” AFP

PSC’s search for Gintong Gawad ‘22 awardees on THE nationwide search for eight rolemodel women in sports via the Philippine Sports Commission’s Gintong Gawad 2022 is on.

The two-month countrywide search began in March will end on April 30, a few days before the start of the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

The lucky recipients selected by a panel of judges from different sectors and the academe will be awarded with a beautiful handcrafted glass, plus cash from PSC to be awarded by Oversight Women in Sports chairperson, commissioner Dr. Celia Kiram in the presence of chairman William Ramirez.

The eight categories at stake are Ina ng Isport; Babaeng Atleta, Modelo ng Kabataan; Babaeng Atleta, Modelo ng Kabataan (PWD); Babaeng Tagasanay ng Isport; Babaeng Lider ng Isport sa Kumonidad; Kaagapay ng Isport sa Kumonidad; Natatangi at Makabagong Produktong Pang- Isport; at Proyektong Isport Pang Kababaihan.

“PSC envisioned the noble project to give due recognition to women sports leaders for their major contribution of promoting and propagating grassroots’ sports in their localities,” said Kiram, also the project director of weekly episode “Rise Up, Shape Up”.

A nominator can only submit one nominee per category. Authorized nominators are Provincial, City and Municipal Government Units.

Private entities and individuals are enjoined to suggest nominees and coordinate with their respective LGUs. A nominee may have multiple nominators.

The PSC has the right to refuse an entry, or disqualify a nominee who fails to follow GIGA rules.

A nominee must be 21 years old and below as of December 31, 2022 and have never been an athlete under the PSC-subsidized national pool, with no derogatory records in school and the community.

In the case of Babaeng Atleta Modelo ng Kabataan (Para Athlete), a nominee must have been never under the PSC and Philaspada, nor received allowance from the sports body as member of the national pool.

J.J. Spaun holds the trophy after winning the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

Woods says Masters’ decision will be ‘game-time’ AUGUSTA—Tiger Woods said Sunday he will make a “game-time decision” over whether to make a comeback at next week’s Masters as he headed to Augusta for more practice.

The 46-year-old former world number one has stoked intrigue ahead of the year’s first Major after playing a practice round at Augusta last week to test his fitness.

Woods, who suffered severe leg injuries in an automobile accident in California 13 months ago, is on the entry list for the Masters but has not definitively confirmed if he will play.

On Sunday, the golfing superstar wrote on Twitter that he was traveling to Augusta for more practice, but indicated that a final decision on whether to compete would be left until closer to Thursday’s opening round.

“I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice,” Woods wrote on Twitter.

“It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.”

Woods also congratulated Anna Davis, the teenager who triumphed in Saturday’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Woods suffered severe right leg injuries in a car crash in February 2021, saying later he was lucky to survive the mishap and fortunate to still have both legs.

Woods has not played a fullfledged, competitive PGA Tour event since the accident.

His last PGA event was the 2020 Masters, which were held in November after being moved from their traditional April window due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Augusta has been a favored venue for Woods over the years.

He won the first of his 15 Major titles at the 1997 Masters as well as his most recent, an emotional 2019 Masters victory which came after a comeback from multiple back surgeries. AFP

Nadal inspires teen Alcaraz to Miami Open title MIAMI—Carlos Alcaraz believes watching boyhood idol Rafael Nadal helped him become the the youngest ever Miami Open champion on Sunday.

Alcaraz, who turns 19 next month, showed why many believe he is currently the hottest young prospect in men’s tennis with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Norway’s world number eight Casper Ruud to land a first ATP Masters crown.

Only two men have won titles at this level at a younger age—Michael Chang, who was 18 years and five months old when he won in Toronto in 1990, and Rafael Nadal, 18 years and 10 months when he was victorious in Monte Carlo in 2005.

Alcaraz dropped just one set on the way to his Miami triumph and now will head off to compete on his preferred surface of clay buoyed by the biggest win of his career.

There’s a long way to go before even getting close to replicating the legendary career of 21 Grand Slam-winning compatriot Nadal but Alcaraz says he plans to have fun trying.

“I have always looked up to Rafa, I always watched his big moments and matches and learned a lot from that,” Alcaraz, who received a congratulatory call from Spain’s

King Felipe VI, after a famous win which saw him collapse to the floor upon winning the final point, told AFP. “When I fell to the floor, all the times I have dreamed of this came to me,” added Alcaraz, beaten by Nadal in the semi-finals at Indian Wells last month.

Nadal was among the first to congratulate Alcaraz upon his win on Sunday, hailing a “historical” triumph.

“The first of many to come I’m sure,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.

Much is expected of Alcaraz whose passionate, all-energy displays in the latter stages of the Miami Open energised the Florida crowd.

He insisted afterwards that his target now is to win a Grand Slam—and this was certainly a good start.

It was the more understated Norwegian, 23, however, who looked more comfortable in the early stages of what was his 10th ATP final by breaking early and keeping the pressure firmly on his precocious opponent.

Despite the majority of the crowd backing the Spanish player, he was unable to take a break opportunity at 3-1 with Ruud proving he possesses the kind of mental strength to thrive in such

high pressure situations.

‘Huge’ victory: Ferrero Yet when another chance came to pierce the world number eight’s service game, Alcaraz, who reached the last four in Indian Wells last month, grabbed it before holding his own serve to put a lively first set firmly back in the balance at 4-4.

A blistering forehand set up two more break points and although Ruud saved the first, he then hit wide to put Alacaraz in the driving seat to land the opening set.

Two breaks at the start of the second set further cemented Alcaraz’s dominance, the teenager racing into a 3-0 lead which was too tall a mountain for the combative yet ultimately outclassed Ruud.

“I didn’t expect to reach the final so I can’t be too upset,” said the Norwegian.

“Carlos is very aggressive and a great mover. You think you’ve hit a winner but he is there to return it.” AFP

Lakers, LeBron on brink after Denver rout

LeBron James (left) and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Nikola Jokic scored 38 points Sunday as the Denver Nuggets sent the Los Angeles Lakers spinning to a sixth straight defeat and closer to elimination from NBA postseason contention.

With LeBron James looking on from the sidelines, a patched-up Lakers team was unable to contain Jokic down the stretch as the Nuggets powered to a 129-118 win at the Lakers’ Crypto.com Arena.

The defeat leaves the Lakers needing a miracle to overtake the San Antonio Spurs for a place in the postseason play-in tournament.

The Lakers are 11th in the Western Conference, with a 31-47 record. San Antonio occupy 10th place—and are on track for a spot in the play-in—with a 32-45 record.

With just four games remaining, the Lakers have precious little margin for error—and dauntingly face a trip to the

league-leading Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Defeati n Arizona could see them eliminated from playoff contention depending on results elsewhere.

If the Lakers fail to reach the postseason, it would mark only the fourth time since LeBron James entered the league in 2003 that he has not gone to the playoffs.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel could not hide his dejection after Sunday’s damaging defeat.

“What’s it like? It sucks,” Vogel responded to a reporter.

“It sucks telling these guys every game ‘Proud of you, good effort—we lost.’ It’s not fun but it could be worse, if things were untraveling. But our team has stayed together—they’ve put in fight, their attitude has been wonderful,” Vogel said.

“It’s just disappointing to come in and keep saying we fell short.”

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses for a portrait after winning the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP

“It sucks we can’t get over the damn hump and put a ‘W’ on the board when we need it,” he added. “But our guys’ spirit is really pure. They’re fighting a good fight but we just keep falling short.”

Doncic wins Giannis duel Vogel admitted the Lakers had been unable to contain Jokic during a decisive fourth quarter. Jokic finished with 38 points, 18 rebounds and six assists.

Will Barton added 25 points while Aaron Gordon had 24.

“We didn’t have enough answers for him down the stretch,” Vogel said of Jokic.

Anthony Davis, clearly struggling for full fitness, led the Lakers with 28 points, while Russell Westbrook finished with 27.

Elsewhere Sunday, Luka Doncic won his duel with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Dallas Mavericks downed the Milwaukee Bucks. AFP

Entertainment Cross-genre musician Jon Batiste is this year’s Grammys king

I

Josef Elizalde

Olivia also trends on Twitter for her photo with V of BTS

completely.

But they all staged impressive performances: Eilish belted out “Happier Than Ever” in a lightningbacked downpour, Bieber delivered a crooned-up version of “Peaches,” and Lil Nas X hosted an unabashed celebration of sexuality and queerness set to a medley of his songs including “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”

Rodrigo also gave a searing rendition of her viral teen breakup hit “drivers license,” showcasing her impressive vocals against a set mimicking a gloomy night in suburbia.

“This is my biggest dream come true,” the 19-year-old said as she accepted the gramophone for Best New Artist.

Lady Gaga performed a few zippy standards from “Love for Sale,” her hit duet album with Tony Bennett, who

introduced her in a brief video message.

Big winner Batiste also performed, showcasing his elasticity as an artist by starting at the piano for a classical piece before transitioning to a rhythmic dance number.

Here is a list of winners in the major categories for the 64th annual Grammy Awards: Album of the Year: Jon Batiste, We Are Record of the Year (overall song performance): Silk Sonic, “Leave The Door Open” Song of the Year (best songwriting): “Leave The Door Open” - Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II, and Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic) Best Music Video: Jon Batiste, “Freedom” Best Rap Album: Tyler, The Creator, Call Me If You Get Lost Best Rap Performance: Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Family Ties” Best Rock Album: Foo Fighters, Medicine At Midnight Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Doja Cat featuring SZA, “Kiss Me More” Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Love for Sale Best Country Album: Chris Stapleton, Starting Over Best Global Music Album: Angelique Kidjo, Mother Nature Best Music Video: Jon Batiste,

MUSICIAN Leo Romero and singer Diego are making beautiful music together, literally and figuratively.

Age-wise, they are father-and-daughter apart, but the professional relationship that binds them transcends time and space.

They live miles apart. Leo, who is 60 something, goes home to Fairview, Quezon City while Diego (born Anna Katrina Zamora), 25, hies off to Marilao, Bulacan by midnight, or a bit later after crooning it out onstage for their adoring fans of night club and resto-bar habitues.

Leo, who is also an inexhaustible guitarist, struggled in the local music circles for more than 40 years as a folk singer, having alternated on stage with such big names as the legendary Freddie Aguilar of the world-renowned “Anak” ballad, and the indomitable Florante de Leon.

Circa 1983 when the amazingly fabulous Leo started performing at the now-defunct Hobbit House on Mabini Street in Malate, Manila owned by the late former American Peace Corps volunteer Jim Turner.

Hobbit House is an incredibly

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Josef (right) stars alongside Rob Guinto (center) and Angela Morena in ‘X-deal’

Lawrence Fajardo’s ‘X-deal’ sequel titillates viewers TO ENJOY life’s great experiences and surprises, we must take risks and make silly decisions now and then, as they say, YOLO (you only live once), but to what extent would we push ourselves for these so-called experiences? And will we ever know if we have reached our limits?

Witness how a playful dare and a reckless bargain forever change the lives of three people in X-deal 2, a Vivamax Original Movie that streams on Vivamax app.

The film follows a young couple, Peter (Josef Elizalde) and Violet (Rob Guinto), who visits a resort island for a pictorial with a client. While on the island, they chanced upon Olivia (Angela Morena), Peter’s ex.

Now meeting her again, Peter believes that they could finally have that “closure”.

A crazy deal forms when Violet suggests Peter to spend time with Olivia and even have that closure sex. In exchange, Violet also offers herself to Olivia, knowing that Olivia likes her. And so the three of them

How Bea Alonzo became comfortable in her own skin

engage in swap sex.

The lead stars of X-deal 2 are two of Viva’s rising stars: Rob Guinto, a sexy social media influencer who starred in other Vivamax Originals Siklo and Boy Bastos. Meanwhile, Angela Morena is part of the 2021 comedy film, Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo Part 2: Aussie! Aussie! O Sige!

Josef Elizalde, on the other hand, is known for his supporting roles in hit movies like Ulan, Hindi Tayo Pwede, and Just a Stranger, and now it is his turn to be the lead star and have two gorgeous leading ladies by his side.

X-deal 2 is a sequel to Lawrence Fajardo’s 2011 film, but with a completely different set of characters and story. What connects the two films is the premise of bargaining and exchanging partners for pleasure.

Lawrence Fajardo recently directed the Pinoy adaptation of A Hard Day, an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, and other steamy Vivamax Original titles Mahjong Nights, Reroute, and Nerisa.

Beautederm ambassador Bea Alonzo

“Freedom,”— Maggy Donaldson, AFP

Making good music together

By Jimmy L. Montejo

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Jon Batiste tops the Grammys with five trophies

NDUSTRY watchers had tipped pop superstars as the likely big winners at Sunday’s Grammys — but jazzman Jon Batiste instead was crowned king, taking home five awards including the prestigious Album of the Year prize.

At the star-studded gala, held for the first time in Las Vegas, Silk Sonic — the 70s revival project of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — won all four of their potential prizes, including both Record and Song of The Year for their single “Leave The Door Open.”

Olivia Rodrigo didn’t win as many awards as predicted — but the FilipinoAmerican pop phenom did scoop the coveted prize for Best New Artist, and two trophies in the pop category.

That meant the winners of all four top Grammys were people of color — a milestone for the Recording Academy, which for years has faced criticism that it disproportionately honored white men.

“I just put my head down and work on the craft every day,” Batiste, born into a prominent New Orleans musical dynasty, told the audience as he accepted the night’s final prize.

“It’s more than entertainment for me — it’s a spiritual practice.”

The night was heavy on performances but also held a number of somber moments — most notably when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a pre-taped plea for support.

Zelensky’s message led into a performance by John Legend of the song “Free,” with the help of Ukrainian singer Mika Newton, musician Siuzanna Iglidan and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk.

Meanwhile, despite being among the night’s most nominated artists, pop juggernauts Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and Lil Nas X were shut out

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

amazing story in itself.

The indefatigable Turner, a native of Iowa, put up Hobbit House from scratch in 1973, so named after the little people he rescued from the hazardous streets of Manila and employed them as pint-size waiters and waitresses of the joint.

Observers say it was one-of-aDiego, aka Anna Katrina Zamora, (left) with her kind worldwide.

“The empty hall is made father Leo Romero up of dark wood that smells incapacity. of old mothballs. A section Leo’s band disbanded (no pun of the wall leading to the bar is filled with photographs of famous celebrities intended) sometime in 2014, but the posing with staff. There are legendary show must go on. Kat turned out to be tales of Marlon Brando mumbling for an expedient replacement, and the seed drinks at the Hobbit House in between of partnership between her and Leo was shooting days for Francis Ford sowed—and it blossomed through the Coppola’s 1979 classic, Apocalypse years.

To date, the duo still looks inseparable, Now,” Shirin Bhandari wrote in her December 2018 tribute to Hobbit House. onstage and backstage, albeit they go Bhandari, by the way, is an Indian on separate ways to go home when the artist and writer who obtained her show is over. There’s no such thing as college degree at the University of the “when the fat lady sings” because Kat or Diego (whichever name you’d like Philippines.

Turner died in 2016. Two years later, to call her) is a slender songbird—with Hobbit House served its last cocktails shapes in the right places. Know what and closed shop, along with its sister I mean? resto-bar Remember When. Both folded down under the sheer weight of financial Read full story on manilastandard.net

IN A recent media conference for a beauty product in which she is one of the latest official endorsers, Bea Alonzo proudly said that she’s comfortable with her age.

The Kapuso star, who turned 34 in October, is also comfortable talking about her struggles with her weight and body shape.

“When you’re in your ‘30s, you just don’t think of your physical appearance.

More importantly, you should think of becoming healthy and fit. That’s your investment for the future. It’s really a prime concern because ten or twenty years from now, you won’t want to get sick,” Bea said.

Her latest endorsement concerns dietary supplements whose main goal is to help people achieve the ideal weight.

“I’m very happy to be considered for this endorsement. It’s no secret that I’ve always struggled with my weight. Ever since I was young, many say that I’m fat.

And what’s funny is that when I reached my late ‘20s and now, towards my early ‘30s, it’s now that I focused more on my health,” the actress stated.

“It feels good that I get endorsements of this kind now unlike before when I was younger. I am grateful for the trust being given to me at this point. If you notice, all my recent endorsements are about health and fitness. I’m glad that even though I’m not perfect nor the sexiest of them all,

people are able to relate to me, like some women are struggling the same way that I do,” she went on.

••• According to Francine Prieto, it was her personal decision not to accept acting assignments at the height of the pandemic.

“During those times, I was experiencing anxiety attacks. I didn’t want to be a burden to the production team and my fellow actors. It was really one big challenge in my life.”

It’s good she eventually got back to work again.

“Yes, one time, I meditated and asked to be placed on the right path. Presto! The following day, I got a call for the GMA primetime soap First Lady and informed me that we have a lock-in taping. I was thinking if I would reject the project again, I might not be able to receive blessings in the coming days.”

What made her busy during their lockin taping?

“I’m just in the room most of the time.

There are numerous rules we have to follow in the hotel where we’re shooting the scenes. Our first lock-in cycle lasted for a month. Now, we’re finishing the second one. From what I heard, there will be the third cycle because the show got extended. It’s good news for all of us because it only means that the program is rating well!” she stated.

GMA Network to represent PH in 2022 New York Festivals with five nods MEDIA giant GMA Network raises the Philippine flag anew with five short-listed entries set to represent the country at the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. GMA is the only local broadcast company that made it to this year’s list of finalists.

2021 finalist Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) returns to the NYF stage after its segment “Bestida ni Ranelyn (Ranelyn’s Dress)” was nominated this year in the Documentary: Health/Medical

‘The Atom Araullo Specials’ earns another NYF nod, this time around for its ‘Munting Bisig (Young Arms)’ documentary competing in the DocumentarySocial Issues category

Information category.

The story featured six-year-old girl Ranelyn who longed to wear her favorite dress after being reduced to literally skin and bones due to poverty and severe malnourishment. Hosted by GMA News and Public Affairs pillar Jessica Soho, KMJS remains the most-watched public affairs program on Philippine TV and the most followed Philippine TV program on Facebook.

Long-running public affairs

‘I-Witness’ documentary ‘Koronang Tinik (Crown of Thorns)’ by Atom Araullo makes itto the finalist spot in the Documentary-Climate Change and Sustainability category

program I-Witness gets not just one but two nominations this year. Sandra Aguinaldo’s documentary “Virus Hunters” is gunning for a win under the Documentary: Science & Technology category, while “Koronang Tinik (Crown of Thorns)” by Atom Araullo makes it to the finalist spot in the Documentary: Climate Change & Sustainability category. Sandra’s documentary featured a group of experts’ ongoing study of bats and the diseases that humans can get from

‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s (KMJS)’ ‘Bestida ni Ranelyn (Ranelyn’s Dress)’ is nominated in the Documentary-Health or Medical Information category

them. On the other hand, Atom’s story investigated the sudden increase in dapag or crown of thorns in the waters of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte.

Another work of Atom makes it to this year’s shortlist. Looking into the plight of children working amid the global pandemic, The Atom Araullo Specials

Sandra Aguinaldo’s ‘I-Witness’ documentary ‘Virus Hunters’ is gunning for a win in the DocumentaryScience and Technology category

Making a mark on the global scene is the GMA Synergyproduced ‘Limitless: A Musical Trilogy,’ which is competing in the Entertainment SpecialVariety Special category

earns another NYF nod, this time around for its “Munting Bisig (Young Arms)” documentary. Set to compete in the Documentary: Social Issues category, the episode saw Atom following the lives of children who put their lives at stake to help their family survive even if they get exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Further making a mark on the global scene is the GMA Synergy-produced Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, which is competing in the Entertainment Special: Variety Special category. This three-part online musical experience is headlined

by Julie Anne San Jose. It features her journey of knowing not just more about the people around her but, more importantly, about herself. Her musical exploration kicked off via “Breathe,” where she traveled to Mindanao and was followed by “Heal,” which was shot in the Visayas. This April 9, Julie is set to show the world a new version of her in “Rise.”

The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. In 2021, GMA Network won a Bronze Medal and five finalist certificates at the competition, giving the Philippines its most number of citations that year.

Life

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

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Saweetie Megan Thee Stallion

Doja Cat

Music artists serve looks on the Grammys red carpet

By Patricia Taculao

T

HE Grammys is one of the most highly anticipated awards shows across the globe. During this event, fans not only show their support for their favorite music artists but also await the stunning looks that these artists serve on the red carpet of music’s biggest night.

Over the years, the stars who graced the Grammys made bold statements through their fashion choices, allowing them to live rent-free in their audience’s minds.

Luckily, the 64th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas didn’t disappoint as the stars added their spin to new and previous fashion trends.

For instance, black ensembles made a comeback, but it’s not the simple black look audiences already saw on other red carpets.

The 19-year-old Fil-Am singersongwriter Olivia Rodrigo made her

Grammys debut memorable by wearing a figure-hugging black Vivienne Westwood gown with pink accents and a choker, finished off with long gloves to imbibe a 90s body-conscious look.

On the other hand, Grammys darling Billie Eilish opted for a deconstructed black suit jacket fashioned into a cape to match her hair and square sunglasses. Instead of heels and true to her style, Billie wore flat black boots that screamed both comfort and style.

Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile also chose a black ensemble by donning standard black trousers but took it to the next level by pairing it with an intricately beaded and colorful jacket.

The naked dress trend, first seen at the Oscars, also made an appearance on the Grammys red carpet. Singer-rapper Doja Cat embraced the trend and wore a sheer seafoam green Versace gown with a plunging neckline. Megan Thee Stallion also bared some skin, but instead of wearing a sheer dress, she chose a one-shoulder gown with a slinky leopard print and a high leg slit.

Another fashion trend prominent during the awards night was adding a pop of color to stand out.

Rapper Saweetie paid tribute to Madonna’s

“Material Girl” look by donning a bright Valentino fuchsia ensemble composed of a daring bikini top, a full ball gown skirt, and elbow-length gloves complemented by a diamond choker.

The men, on the other hand, didn’t go wrong with a classic black suit but decided to add a personal touch by adding a dash of vibrancy to their looks.

Justin Bieber, one of the top nominees, wore an oversized suit with black platform Crocs with a bright pink knit hat.

However, other artists thought that wearing a colorful hat to the Grammys red carpet wasn’t going to cut it. DJ Diplo and Colombian singer J Balvin both rocked bright blue hair with all-black suits. The pop of color made their looks more eyecatching.

Balvin also wore jewelry, including earrings, a necklace, and rings, to further solidify his ensemble.

Lastly, Australian rapper The Kid Laroi also joined the men in opting for a classic black suit but used his flowing locks to bring some vibrancy to the red carpet. Instead of going for blue, he dyed his hair a bright pink and wore a beaded necklace and silver brooch.

Billie Eilish

Justin Bieber

DJ Diplo

All-in-one delivery app now has over 600,000 users in the metro J Balvin

The Kid Laroi

Brandi Carlile

Olivia Rodrigo

Ember is a sophisticated and chic restaurant that emphasizes amazing ingredients and a more delicate cooking method

The Bistro Group opens 17 new stores in Ayala Malls TRACING its first partnership over 25 years ago when the first TGIFridays opened at Glorietta 3, The Bistro Group’s President Jean Paul Manuud, spoke of the planned expansion in Ayala Malls.

“We have a successful relationship, notwithstanding the challenges brought about by this pandemic. In fact, now that the economy is on a rebound, we are ready to expand in different Ayala Malls with the opening of more stores in different locations.”

Of Bistro’s 30 target openings this year, 17 will be located at Ayala Malls, Manuud disclosed. To date, the company has 18 local and foreign

restaurant brands with over 100 branches nationwide tucked under its belt.

The new Ayala Triangle, for instance, will be home to their high-end concepts like Rumba (a local Mediterranean Spanish restaurant whose menu was created by Chef Alfredo Rodriguez); Helm (the group’s exclusive, fine dining, degustation restaurant by Chef Josh Boutwood) as well as the widelypopular, Italianni’s.

Another international brand that is in the offing is Olive Garden, a popular restaurant chain in the US serving Italian-inspired dishes. It will have a branch at Glorietta 3.

The Bistro Group also proudly

Rumba is a local Mediterranean Spanish restaurant from the Bistro Group

supports its corporate executive chef, Josh Boutwood. This April, his new concept called Ember, will open at Greenbelt 3. A sophisticated and chic restaurant with high emphasis on amazing ingredients and a more delicate cooking method, Ember cooks with what is left glowing from the flame. Hence, the name Ember.

This is Boutwood’s first foray into a mainstream, high-traffic mall and he is very excited over this prospect.

Manuud likewise shared that plans are afoot for the expansion of Bistro’s existing brands, including Modern Shanghai at UPTC, Greenbelt, and Glorietta 3; TGIFridays at UPTC; Fish & Co. at UPTC and Glorietta 3; Watami at Glorietta 3; and El Pollo Loco at Greenbelt, ATC, UPTC, Ayala 30th, and Trinoma.

“One of the biggest lessons we learned when the pandemic hit the world was that we had to be nimble in adapting to ensuing challenges. We reinforced our commitment to resiliency, pivoting to new strategies like solidifying our delivery scheme with our own Bistro Delivers app and website. We also implemented stricter guidelines for a safe dine-in experience,” Manuud explained.

“The situation now is significantly different from last year’s when we felt the gloom of the pandemic hovering over us. We have not totally changed our expansion plans to bring in more concepts, we just postponed them. We are hopeful that the present scenario of optimism will prevail,” he ended.

PICK.A.Roo is an all-in-one lifestyle delivery app with over 1,300 trusted brands spanning groceries, restaurants, and specialty stores. With more than 200,000 items on the app, all kinds of essentials are conveniently available, such as groceries, food, medicine, office supplies, gadgets, home and kitchen needs, hardware, self-care, and mommy and baby essentials.

Pick.A.Roo continues to provide top-quality delivery service and grew 400 percent in 2021, and continues to grow even the post-Christmas, after lockdowns and COVID spikes.

With things now slowly adjusting to facets of life before the outbreak, new challenges are now on the horizon, such as the rising price of fuel, face-to-face work in the office, long and hassle commutes, things are indeed getting back to “normal.” In spite of all these, Pick.A.Roo remains steadfast in providing a service that makes everyday life simpler.

Together with Kevin Tan, CEO and co-founder Crystal Gonzalez created Pick.A.Roo and quotes, “Pick.A.Roo is ‘the must-have app’ as we all transition to hybrid work and post-pandemic/ endemic-life. Download the app and save time, money, and a lot of energy.

Pick.A.Roo is an all-in-one delivery app where you can get groceries, food, medicines, toys and baby needs, pet care, gadgets, hardware, and home and kitchen all delivered in an hour. Our app is so easy to use we tested it from ages 5 to 85. So simple, you just search or click on the items photos and add to cart from different stores and check out in one go.

Pick.A.Roo founder Kevin Tan (left) with CEO and co-founder Crystal Gonzalez

We are also excited about our new feature as we are the first in the country to make mall- shopping easier with the “Shop by mall “ feature where you can easily shop from your favorite malls and restaurants and get everything delivered together and save on delivery fees.

We want all our users to make better use of their time- be able to relax, spend time with their loved ones while we take care of the rest. With one click, we can do all their grocery shopping and hopping (S&R, Landmark, and The Marketplace, All Day, Shopwise, Farmer’s Market, and more) and for days where they don’t feel like cooking, or they got home late, we have all the top brands and favorite restaurants in town. Moms can also have more time as we deliver everything from toys, activities and school, office supplies, home and kitchen, and all basic appliances.

Dads also love us for our gadgets and hardware stores. They can easily get everything from a new Macbook or iPad, SD card, power bank, or basic tools they need.

Everyone is excited to start living again and slowly go back to their normal lives, and Pickaroo is here to make everything much easier.

Pick.A.Roo is constantly updated with features to make the online shopping experience thoughtful, fun, and convenient. We simplify your life with great deals updated on the app so that you can enjoy more.”

For more information on Pick.A.Roo and our brand partners, visit www.pickaroo.com.