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Marcos vows to ‘fine-tune’ vetoed endo bill, open to 4-day workweek VOL. XXXVI • NO. 76 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Workers decry wage inequity

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday assured workers he will “fine-tune” the Security of Tenure Bill which seeks to end labor contractualization if he wins in the May 9 elections. “Prioritizing workers’ protection – I think that’s the way to go. I could see the Security of Tenure law as a vehicle not only for the security of tenure concept, but also for all of these other issues like health and safety, wage board, and the protections that we are pushing that are not being followed,” he said during a Labor Day town hall meeting with members of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines in Quezon City. “We hope to amend, rewrite, and fine-tune the Security of Tenure bill for its passage because if I get elected

Presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

Seek P750 national daily pay as Du30 hails them on Labor Day By Macon Ramos-Araneta MARCHING IN SOLIDARITY.

MAJOR labor group said the prevailing minimum wage rates are not enough to give Filipino families three decent meals a day, even as President Duterte paid tribute—but offered no relief--to workers as the nation marked Labor Day.

Demonstrators take part in a protest to mark Labor Day in Manila on May 1, 2022. AFP

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW), in an interview with ABSCBN’s TeleRadyo, called for a P750 national minimum daily wage, saying that the current system in which sets different rates per region is discriminatory. Labor groups have been filing petitions before various wage boards to raise the base pay as the prices of basic commodities continue to rise. The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) has also called on the government to increase the minimum wages, which it said are below the poverty threshold. Eva Arcos, ALU’s national vice president for education and information, said it has been around two to four years since the regions saw minimum wage hikes. Next page

PELOSI BACKS ZELENSKY IN BLOODY ‘FIGHT FOR FREEDOM’ WORLD / B2

Duterte may decide on the fate of e-sabong today AFP to deploy PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he will decide on the fate of e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations by Monday. In a speech in San Fernando City, Pampanga during the inspection of the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital on Sunday, Duterte said the Department of the Interior and Local

RODY’S LEGACY. The Department

Government has finished drafting a recommendation on whether or not to suspend e-sabong operations. “I tasked the DILG to make a serious study of the e-sabong. The recommendation is on my table now. I will read it and maybe by Monday we will find out if we will allow its continued operations or not,” Duterte said.

Duterte acknowledged that while the government is earning millions of pesos from the betting game, it also creates a “social problem.” “If it was just me, I would take a risk. But there is apparently a social problem evolving. So, we have a problem there and we want to be fair to everybody but Next page

‘Legacy caravan’ ends at EDSA marker

of Interior and Local Government leads the culminating activity of the Duterte Legacy Caravan at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Manny Palmero

THE last installment of the “Duterte Legacy Caravan” events was staged on EDSA at the People Power Monument on Sunday, seeking to highlight the outgoing administration’s programs, policies and accomplishments—including gains in its controversial war on drugs. The caravan campaign, which kicked off in October 2021, has reached more than 2 million people, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said. “Over the last six years, the Duterte administration initiated a chain of positive events in our lives by ensuring peaceful and safe communities, getting rid of illegal drugs, combatting all forms of corruption, providing proactive and efficient social services, and upholding the human rights of the people, while moving towards post-COVID-19 economic recovery,” Año said in a statement. Next page

Moment of madness: British MP quits for watching porn A LAWMAKER from Britain’s ruling Conservative party announced he will resign, after admitting he had deliberately watched pornography on his mobile phone in the House of Commons chamber. Neil Parish, who represents a seat in southwest Next page

Filipina-Italian belle is Miss Universe PH By Eton Concepcion CELESTE Cortesi, 24, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines Saturday night, becoming the first Filipino of Italian descent to win the pageant. She will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant in December.

Cortesi, a 5-foot-8 model who represented the Philippines in Miss Earth 2018, was crowned by outgoing winner Beatrice Luigi Gomez during the glitzy finale at the Mall of Asia Arena. Cortesi nailed the title with her Next page

40k personnel to secure polls

THE military will deploy over 40,000 personnel across the country for the May 9 elections, Armed Forces spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said Sunday, “We have added troops in all our area commands. The numbers just vary depending on their need. All our available troops will be made available for them. If necessary, more can be added,” Zagala said. Zagala, however, said the military will remain non-partisan to protect their integrity and the public’s trust, especially as they will also coordinate with the Commission on Elections to transport poll paraphernalia on May 9. “No member of the AFP can directly or indirectly engage Next page

Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi

News

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New COVID cases in NCR up by 7% M

ETRO Manila has recorded a seven percent uptick in COVID-19 infections in the past week compared to the previous one, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said on Sunday.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Metro Manila’s seven-day average in new COVID-19 cases increased from 79 during the April 17 to 23 period to 85 during the week from April 24 to 30. The NCR’s reproduction number also went up during the same periods from 0.66 to 0.79 while its positivity rate stood at 1.4 percent over an average of 11,544 tests per day. David, however, said the National Capital Region was “still at low risk” as

of April 30. The healthcare utilization rate in Metro Manila remained “very low” at 21 percent, with ICU utilization at 19 percent. OCTA earlier warned a surge in COVID-19 cases was likely after the May 9 elections, following the detection of a case of the Omicron BA.2.12 variant of the coronavirus. The surge, however, would not be as severe as previous surges, the group said.

Duterte... From A1

Workers... From A1

then again, we must study seriously or take into consideration the social issues,” the President said. The DILG recommendation comes on the heels of the disappearance of over 30 e-sabong aficionados (sabungeros) since late last year., In February, the Senate filed a resolution urging the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to suspend e-sabong operations until the case of the missing sabungeros are resolved. Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo earlier said e-sabong should have an independent regulator, noting that the controversies surrounding the industry are impacting other gaming operations. She said e-sabong operations contribute some 8 percent to 9 percent of the total income of the agency, or about P650 million monthly to Pagcor’s gross gaming revenues. The Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group has filed kidnapping and robbery charges against five police officers who might be involved in the alleged kidnappings.

With the current minimum wages, a family of five can only spend between P11 and P20 per meal, Arcos told ABS-CBN. ALU has filed wage hike petitions in 10 of the 17 regions in the country, seeking a P470 increase in the National Capital Region. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) had also sought a P470 increase in daily wages for workers in Metro Manila. President Duterte did not mention wages Sunday but vowed to give Filipino workers “opportunities” to reach their full potential. “This administration, even if it is coming nearly to a close, shall remain committed to providing the people with the opportunities they need to realize their full potential,” Duterte said. Duterte lauded Filipino workers for being known worldwide for their “great passion, integrity and professionalism” they demonstrate in everything that they do. “These qualities have not only brought economic gains to our country, but have also been a source of immense pride and encouragement among our people,” he added. Labor Day, he said, gives the nation a chance to celebrate all the triumphs and progress that the labor movement has accomplished over the years. However, he also acknowledged the

AFP... From A1 in any partisan political activity. Our only constitutional right is to vote,” he said. The Philippine National police earlier said it will be fielding at least 40,000 cops nationwide, or almost 20 percent of its total force. “For our transportation equipment for our ground vehicles all over the PNP, we have 15,000 deployable transportation equipment to include 239 watercraft and aircraft such as the H125 and R44,” said Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay, PNP Directorate for Logistics director. “These logistical equipment are already deployed and they are actually now being used to escort, provide security to the movement of our automated election system and the official ballots from the hub of the Comelec to the different regional and provincial hubs,” Olay added. The Comelec has placed 105 municipalities and 14 cities under its “red category” for possible election-related violence. “We are monitoring these areas. If violence erupts that threatens peace during elections, we might be constrained to declare these areas under Comelec control,” Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said. The Comelec election hotspot list has four categories – green, yellow, orange, and red. Green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly, while yellow are areas of concern, which means that these have a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, the occurrence of politically motivated election-related incidents and had been previously declared under Comelec control. Orange, on the other hand, means areas of immediate concern where there is a serious armed threat; while Red means areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under the Yellow category with serious armed threats that may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Comelec control. From Jan. 9 to April 17, the PNP said it has recorded 28 election-related incidents.

Moment... From A1 England, said he was standing down and triggering a by-election in the Tory stronghold after what he called an indefensible moment of “total madness.” “I think I must have taken complete leave of my senses and my sensibilities and in a sense of decency, everything,” he told the BBC in a candid interview aired Saturday announcing his resignation. “(It was) a moment of madness and also totally wrong... I’m not going to defend it.” The 65-year-old, who has been an MP since 2010, had already been suspended from the Conservatives and faced at least two parliamentary probes after he was publicly outed Friday in the scandal. His public identification ended days of speculation after it emerged at least two other lawmakers had complained that an MP had been seen watching porn in the Commons, amid broader accusations of a misogynistic environment in Britain’s parliament.

Filipina-Italian... From A1

spontaneous answer to the final question asked by 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach: “If you could stop time for a day, how would you spend it?” “If I could stop time, I would spend it with my family, especially my mother,” she said. “It’s been two years since I haven’t spent time with my family because they live in Italy, and I came here to the Philippines just by myself. If I had a chance to spend one day, I would definitely be with my mom, and I would just tell her how much I love her and I miss her.” Earlier in the evening, Cortesi

Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 1 until May 15. More than half of the country’s 1,634 cities and municipalities have also been included in the list of places under the most lenient COVID-19 Alert Level for the first half of May. The Department of Health earlier belied speculations that an artificial surge in COVID-19 cases two days before the May 9 elections will happen “for partisan use against any candidate at any level.” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also said there was no indication there will be a lockdown after the elections due to a possible rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. Duque said if needed, there will only

be granular lockdowns and not a widespread lockdown, which would force or influence voters to stay away from the polls – and allow certain candidates to benefit, especially at the local level where a handful of votes could decide election victories. The department said the country still has “low COVID-19 case trends” due to the public’s compliance to minimum public health standards. “Our high vaccination coverage for the primary series and very good compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS) have resulted in low COVID-19 case trends with an average of 195 cases daily in the past week and an overall national positivity rate of 1.2 percent,” the DOH said.

need to swiftly address the challenges faced by the labor market. “We are likewise reminded to overcome the challenges by recognizing the rights of our workers and reassessing the systems that may hinder their growth and development,” he added. Duterte was scheduled to lead the 120th Labor Day celebration in Pampanga, highlighted by the opening of the country’s first Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Hospital, located in San Fernando. In a separate statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is a need for improvements to achieve access to dignified work. Among the DND efforts is its commitment to help rebel returnees reintegrate successfully with and become productive members of their communities after turning their backs on rebellion and violence. “As the nation pays tribute to workers from all industries and walks of life, may we also be reminded of the importance of supporting peace and security efforts to ensure that economic progress will become viable and within reach for all Filipinos,” he added. In other developments: * The Makati Business Club paid tribute to Filipino workers. “We acknowledge the outsize burden they faced during the past two years. Some were essential and frontline workers risking COVID exposure so others could live safely. Others were among the first —and longest — to

lose their jobs. Many remain unemployed,” the group said in a statement. “We will join other members of the business community in working with the new administration on policies that will accelerate job creation and improve the skills and productivity that are key to sustainable growth in workers incomes and benefits,” it added, without mentioning wages. * The Department of Labor and Employment said more than 141,000 local and overseas jobs were available at the face-to-face “Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Job and Business Fairs” to be held nationwide in celebration of Labor Day. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said some 141,487 employment opportunities were up for grabs offered by 1,063 employers during the nationwide celebration. Most of the vacancies in the 26 job fair sites were in the manufacturing, business process outsourcing, and retail and sales industries. * Senator Sherwin Gatchalian vowed to pursue measures to institutionalize tax cuts for work-from home employees and to provide additional benefits to construction workers. * Re-electionist Senator Risa Hontiveros called on regional wage boards to speed up their review of wage petitions, citing the need to increase minimum wages given the extraordinary rise in the cost of living in the last three days. “What’s taking so long?” Hontiveros asked, noting that the DOLE had announced a review of the minimum wage in March.

Parish’s decision to resign triggers a by-election in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency in Devon where he won a majority of more than 24,000 in 2019, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson swept to a landslide victory. The seat has returned Conservative MPs ever since its creation in 1997, while Tories have represented the area for the past century. However, Johnson and his party have faced a string of scandals since last summer that have dented their standing. A by-election in the historically safe seat of North Shropshire last December saw the Tories lose there for the first time. The party is also facing another tough by-election in Wakefield, in northern England, after another Conservative MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, quit parliament this month following his conviction for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Parish, a farmer who has chaired a watchdog committee focused on the environment and rural affairs, said in the interview that he first watched porn in parliament after straying from a tractor website to an adult content site with a similar name.

“My biggest crime is that on another occasion, I went in a second time and that was deliberate... that was sitting waiting to vote on the side of the (Commons) chamber,” he explained. The MP added that, contrary to reports, he had not sought for his actions to be visible to colleagues. “I will take it to my grave as being true... I was not actually making sure people could see it. In fact, I was trying to do quite the opposite.” The scandal comes days after it was revealed that at least 56 Mps, including three ministers, are currently being probed over allegations of sexual misconduct by parliament’s own complaints office. Meanwhile the Conservative party has been accused of misogyny after the Mail on Sunday newspaper last week quoted unnamed Tory Mps accusing the deputy leader of the opposition Labor party, Angela Rayner, of trying to distract Prime Minister Boris Johnson with her legs. Rayner was among the first to publicly react to the news of Parish’s resignation, calling the Conservatives under Johnson a “national embarrassment.” AFP

won Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic. Michelle Dee, daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez and actor Derek Dee, who won Best in Long Gown, was named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022, while Pauline Amelinckx was named Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2022. Annabelle Mae McDonnell and Ma. Katrina Llegado finished as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. Cortesi, who was bor n in Pasay to a Filipina from Camarines Sur and an Italian father who was bor n in Venezuela, but grew up in Rome, Italy, has always maintained that she is Filipina at heart, saying it’s in her blood.

Ghenesis Latugat, Lou Dominique Piczon, Chantal Elise Schmidt, Julia Calleja Saubier and Vanessa Ann Caro rounded out the Top 10 finalists. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters-Tebow hosted the live show with performances by Morissette, Bamboo Mañalac, Sam Concepcion, Arthur Nery, JM Bales and American Idol finalist Francisco Martin. Reigning Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu served as one of the judges with Francis Padua Papica, Tonee Co See, Margarita Gutierrez, Richelle Singson Michael, Sam Versoza, Lia Andrea Moss, RS Francisco, Jennifer Olay and Joshua Sorrentino.

Marcos... From A1 as president, I will definitely sign it if the new version is good,” Marcos added. TUCP earlier endorsed the candidacies of Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Stopping the “endo” or end of contract practice was Duterte’s campaign promises in 2016. The President, however, vetoed the anti-endo bill in 2019, saying the version submitted by Congress “unduly broadens the scope and definition of prohibited labor-only contracting, effectively prescribing forms of contractualization that are not particularly unfavorable to employees involved.” Duterte’s acting spokesman, Secretary Martin Andanar, said the President was calling on Congress to rectify the vetoed provisions of the Security of Tenure bill. Employers said it will be difficult for the government to stop “endo” because many industries have come to thrive using this scheme. Meanwhile, Marcos said he was also open to proposals to reduce the workweek into four days for as long as employees are amenable to it. This as some business process outsourcing firms were reportedly forcing their employees to go on a fourday workweek. “If that is what employers want, that’s okay, but the workers have to agree and should not be forced,” Marcos said. National Economic and Development Authority chief Karl Chua earlier proposed a four-day workweek to conserve energy and ease the public’s expenses amid the series of big time oil price hikes.

Legacy... From A1 Among the government services offered during the caravan events were the issuance of police clearance; health checkups; free haircuts; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation registration; processing of birth, marriage, and death certificates; and the distribution of food packs. Among the accomplishments highlighted by the caravan were the gains in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign. More than 24,000 villages across the country have been cleared of illegal drugs since the start of the Duterte administration’s crackdown on banned drugs in mid-2016, the government said. Based on the latest data released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) over the weekend, a total of 24,766 out of the 42,045 barangays have been declared drugcleared, 6,575 were drug unaffected or drug-free, and 10,704 have yet to be cleared of illegal drugs as of March 2022. The drug-clear status follows the certification of members of the oversight committee on the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program (BDCP). Under the BDCP, law enforcement agencies take care of supply reduction efforts to disrupt the manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs, while government agencies and local government units (LGUs) focus on demand and harm reduction strategies to prevent people from taking and wanting illegal drugs, and reform drug offenders to become productive citizens of society. Overall, authorities have seized P88.83 billion worth of illegal substances across the country since the start of the Duterte administration. The amount included P76.17 billion worth of shabu. Authorities have confiscated 11,788.83 kilograms (kg) of shabu, 10,157.27 kg of marijuana, 163.295 pieces of ecstasy, and 530.24 kg of cocaine, while dismantling 1,111 drug dens, and 19 clandestine shabu laboratories from July 2016 to March 2022. Despite these gains, President Duterte recently admitted his campaign promise to end the illegal drug trade in “three to six months” was the result of “hubris.” Estimates of the death toll in the government’s war on drugs vary. Officially, 6,229 drug personalities have been killed as of March 2022. News organizations and human rights groups say the death toll is over 12,000. The victims included 54 children in the first year.

News

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Luzon faces potential power crisis—solon

MOVIEGOERS RETURN. While Metro Manila and Rizal province remain under Alert Level 1 until May 15, more establishments open their shops inside getting-to-be-crowded malls. And moviegoers at SM Cinema San Mateo begin to return to watch movies on May 1. Manny Palmero

SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has warned the Philippines can face a potential power crisis toward the end of the next president’s term, as China appears to be “holding hostage” the development of the world-class offshore Sampaguita gas discovery. “The Malampaya deep-water gas ﬁeld is projected to run dry by 2027, and without fresh reserves from Sampaguita, Luzon’s power supply could be threatened,” Pimentel, chairperson of the House strategic intelligence committee, said in a statement Sunday. “The rest of the country is also worried about the prospect of a Luzon power shortage. We are anxious that if Luzon sneezes, Mindanao and the Visayas might catch a cold,” Pimentel said. Located 65 kilometers northwest of Palawan, Malampaya has been supplying enough gas to cover at least 20 percent of Luzon’s electricity demand for 21 years. Sampaguita has been dubbed as the country’s next Malampaya. The undeveloped hydrocarbon ﬁeld below the

DOH urges Du30: Veto Vape bill T By Willie Casas

HE Department of Health urged President Rodrigo Duterte to veto Senate Bill 2239 or the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act approved by the Senate on its third and ﬁnal reading last December 2021. In a statement, the DOH said, contrary to recent pronouncements by its advocates who are hailing it, the bill contains retrogressive provisions. It undermines existing national laws, policies, and standards on regulation, distribution, advertising, promotions, sale, and use of vapor products and heated tobacco products. These include: lowering the age of access from 21 to 18 years old, regulating

the products as consumer products (via the DTI) instead of as health products (through the FDA), limiting graphic health warnings to just consumables (contrary to Republic Acts 11346 and 11467), enabling advertising and promotions through online means, and allowing the inclusion of flavorings and indoor use at points-of-sale as part of product demonstrations. The Vape bill is contrary to public

health goals and to President Duterte’s established position to protect Filipinos —especially the youth—from the harmful effects of smoke and emissions from tobacco products, vapor products, and heated tobacco products. If passed, the Vape bill will also negate the gains of Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act) and other health laws. It will place Filipino youths at undue risk of harmful and addictive substances associated with vape use like alcohol, marijuana, and potentially other illicit drugs. The veto of the Vape bill will strengthen tobacco control in the country and enable President Duterte to leave an enviable and lasting legacy that will guarantee the health of generations of Filipinos. An overwhelming majority of Filipinos also support such stringent measures:

74 percent support a strict smoke-free or vape-free policy in public spaces, 70 percent for a policy that restricts the accessibility of vapes at 21 years old and above, and 62 percent for a bill that will ban the availability and accessibility of ﬂavors that appeal to the youth (Pulse Asia, 2021). The DOH and its different stakeholders support the avowed policy of the administration to protect the health of the nation, especially the youth. Hence, our continued assertion for the veto of the Vape Bill. “The DOH remains committed to protecting the administration’s legacy in tobacco control and reducing the burden of the disease caused by these harmful products. Veto the Vape Bill! No to tobacco use! No to vape use! Yes to smoke-free and vape-free environments!,” the DOH said.

PNP raises to near 99% its booster vaccine rate THE Philippine National Police raised to 98.45 percent its booster vaccine rate as of Sunday. In its latest COVID-19 tracker, the PNP said 220,132 out of 223,588 fully vaccinated personnel already had the added protection against the coronavirus 2019. Overall, 99.60 percent of the 224,483-strong police force is already vaccinated. A total 239 (0.11 percent) are waiting for their second shots while 656 personnel (0.29 percent) remained unvaccinated. Meanwhile, no new COVID-19 case was recorded Sun-

day, leaving the number of active infections to just one. The PNP Health Ofﬁce data showed 48,863 cases have been recorded since the start of the pandemic two years ago, 48,733 recovered, and 129 died. The government began the rollout of second booster shots for the immunocompromised on April 25, with 6,702 availing as of Saturday, according to the National Vaccination Operations Center. Overall, 67.8 million Filipinos have the complete primary series of COVID-19 jabs but only 13.2 million of them have ﬁrst booster shots.

SUMMER’S MELON. A vendor arranges water melon at the Balintawak Public Market in Quezon Quezon City, in time for the arrival of buyers—men and women, young andold—of this luscious and pined for treat in scorching summer. Mike De Juan

48k PDLs registered voters ready for May 9 SOME 47,785 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) nationwide who are registered for Eleksyon 2022 are set to vote in the May 9 polls, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said Sunday. In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Xavier Solda said these PDLs could only vote for president, vice president, senators, and party-list, like in the absentee voting. He also explained that if there were 50 and below PDLs in a facility, they would have to be transferred to a polling precinct to vote. However, if there were 51 of them and above, their facility itself would be

HOPES HIGH. A

jobseeker joins the queue at a job fair set up by the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry and the local government of Manila in celebration of Labor Day. Danny Pata

used as a special polling place and personnel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would personally go there to man the conduct of elections. “There are special lanes for our PDLs in the polling precinct outside the facility and we have already coordinated this with our enforcers on the grounds including the PNP and AFP. There must also be an authority from the court or court order that would allow them to leave the jail facilities to vote,” he said. To help inform PDLs about the candidates’ platforms, Solda said they have provided them access to radios and televisions so they could watch their interviews and debates.

For PDLs with COVID-19 symptoms on Election Day, Solda said nurses would have to check them ﬁrst and test them using antigen test kits if they could go out to vote. “We want to enforce their right to vote but that does not mean that we could already cause health problems for other people. We really have to check our PDLs ﬁrst,” he added. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia on Thursday said voters with COVID-19 could vote as long as they were allowed to get out of isolation facilities. He added the Comelec also had no policy that prohibits those who are just isolating at their home from casting their vote.

seabed is located 250 kilometers southwest of Malampaya. “Sampaguita is estimated to contain anywhere from 3.5 to 4.6 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. This is comparable to if not bigger than Malampaya’s 3.4 tcf of gas upon discovery,” Pimentel pointed out. In a worst-case scenario, Pimentel said the country might be able to bring in liqueﬁed natural gas (LNG) from abroad to replace Malampaya’s dwindling reserves. “However, the cost of building the new LNG infrastructure and importing the gas implies that consumers in Luzon may have to pay a higher generation price for the electricity,” Pimentel warned. Apparently due to Chinese intimidation, the Department of Energy last month ordered the private operators of petroleum Service Contracts 72 and 75 “to put on hold any exploration activities” in the West Philippine Sea. The Sampaguita ﬁeld is within SC 72, or the Recto Bank basin concession.

Mt. Pulag, Tirad Pass, 3 more sites now declared by law as protected areas By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar has welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s enactment into law of her five measures, declaring Mt. Pulag in Benguet and four other sites in the country as protected areas. She thanked the President for signing Republic Acts 11684, 11685, 11686, 11687, and 11688, which added Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, Mt. Pulag in Benguet, Naga-Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay, Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur, and Banao in Kalinga to the list of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). The NIPAS was established under Republic Act 7586, as amended by RA 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018. With this, Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, said there were now 112 protected areas in the country that have been so declared through legislation. “The signing of these laws would mean more forest lands; landscapes; ecologically rich, unique and biologically important areas that are habitats of threatened species of plants and animals; biographic zones and related ecosystem,whether terrestrial wetland or marine would be protected,” noted Villar. “These areas would be given protected status by legislative action, in order to ensure their conservation,” she added. Villar had pushed for the passage of the E-NIPAS Act of 2018, which strengthened the legal framework for the establishment, management and maintenance of all designated protected areas in the country or those that are identiﬁed to be ecologically rich and biologically important public lands.

Wong vows to sustain ‘ease of business’ in San Simon

SAN SIMON, Pampanga—Mayoralty candidate Leonora Wong assured the business community here of a “business-friendly” atmosphere and ease of doing business during a roundtable discussion with top businessmen held recently in Clark Freeport. Wong, who currently leads in multiple polls conducted recently, at the same time reiterated her commitment to provide necessary and basic services specifically addressing the concerns of various firms operating along and within the San Simon industrial zone along Quezon road. Telecommunications, particularly internet and landline connectivity and road maintenance, were among the primary concerns raised by investors during the meeting. During the well-attended dialog, Wong

assured the business group that addressing all these concerns will be her priority programs to help ease the burdens of business operators. Former Governor and vice gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda, who attended the luncheon meeting, meanwhile assured the business groups of her support to Wong’s programs of government more speciﬁcally in eliminating any undue harassment of the local governments not only in San Simon but for the entire Pampanga province. “Foreign and even local investors are drivers of our economy. We have to extend utmost service to help them improve their business and not become a burden for them,” Pineda stated.

Dagupan registers highest heat index: 50ºC DAGUPAN City in Pangasinan registered last weekend summer the highest heat index temperature at 50 degrees Celsius, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA said. That was four degrees less than its recorded at 54ºC on April 22 at 2 p.m., PAGASA said. The heat index or “init factor”—recorded at 5 p.m. Saturday, 72 minutes before sundown—is the measure of the temperature that a person feels in contrast to the actual air temperature. Meanwhile, the following areas had

above-40 degrees Celsius heat index on Saturday: Aparri, Cagayan: 46ºC at 5 p.m. Laoag City, Ilocos Norte: 44ºC at 2 p.m. Casiguran, Aurora: 42ºC at 2 p.m. Masbate City, Masbate: 42ºC at 1 p.m. NAIA, Pasay City: 42ºC at 1 p.m. From March 1 to April 30, the highest heat index was also recorded in Dagupan City at 54ºC on April 22 at 2 p.m., PAGASA said. The weather bureau classiﬁes as in “danger” zone the areas with heat index ranging from 42ºC to 51ºC, and “extreme danger” when the heat index is at 52ºC and above.

PAGASA said with heat index in the danger zone, residents may experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion, and heat stroke is probable with continued exposure. In areas under extreme danger, heat stroke is imminent, PAGASA said. The weather bureau advised the public to limit their time spent outdoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid tea, coffee, soda, and liquor. It also encouraged the use of umbrellas, hats, and sleeved clothing. PAGASA also advised the public to schedule heavy-duty activities at the beginning or end of the day when temperatures are cooler.

PDP bets condemn vote-buying; call for public vigilance

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

News

WO senatorial candidates of President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, the Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), have denounced vote-buying and vote-selling during campaign season, noting that Filipinos will be the biggest “losers” should these irregularities persist.

In a press statement, PDP-Laban senatorial bets Rey Langit and Astra Pimentel called for intensified monitoring on the part of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and vigilance among voters. Pimentel, former executive director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, said the Comelec should ensure the integrity of the 2022 polls. “Tutukan dapat ng Comelec ang mga insidente ng vote-buying. Maiwasan na dapat itong lumaganap pa (The Comelec should focus on vote-buying incidents. They should prevent it from spreading further),” she said. She encouraged voters to look at the platforms of the candidates, instead of accepting money or gifts. “Taumbayan po, botante ang talo sa pagbili ng boto. Ang tignan po natin ay ang plataporma at mahahatid ng mga kandidato at sa amin po, kung ano po ang aming maisusulong sa Senado (The people (voters) are the losers when they allow vote-buying. Let us look at the platform of candidates and what they can push for in the Senate),” she added. Langit said vote-buying and selling should be curbed, as the country’s fate is at stake in every election. “Dapat pong mawala na ang vote-buying sa mga pangangampanya. Isa itong lantarang kawalang respeto sa proseso ng

Pacquiao pays tribute to journos in Cagayan de Oro poll sortie CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Sen. Manny Pacquiao paid tribute to journalists and other media workers who died in the line of duty before proceeding to his presidential campaign rally here over the weekend. Pacquiao, together with his wife, Jinkee, and other senatorial candidates in his slate offered wreaths at the Press Freedom Monument at the Misamis Oriental capitol grounds on Saturday. He was joined by members and officers of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Inc. (COPC). “Part of our freedom and democracy is having a freedom to express and to have a free press,” Pacquiao said. His visit was also in support of the observance of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3. Members of the COPC said Pacquiao is the first and so far, only one, among the 10 presidential aspirants to have visited the monument. He paid a courtesy call to Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano before joining the campaign rally where he asked the public to give him a chance as he will serve, protect, and help Filipinos improve their lives. “We should open our eyes because every election, I am disgusted. Every election, politicians have wonderful promises, but why is the Filipino people still suffering?” he said in Filipino. Lt. Col. Ariel Philip Pontillas, Deputy Director for Operations of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, said they deployed about 100 police personnel to provide security assistance and ensure the observance of minimum public health standards against COVID-19.

‘MAYOR’S NIGHT’

Thousands of Samaleños show their support for Samal Mayor Aida De Guia Macalinao and the LUNAS Partylist organization led by its first nominee, former House Deputy Secretary General Brian Raymund Yamsuan during the ‘Mayor’s Night’ held at the Samal town plaza on Friday night.

halalan (Vote buying in campaigns must be eradicated. This is a blatant disrespect for the election process),” he said. Langit, a veteran broadcaster, said voters must reject candidates who tolerate such acts. “Walang puwang dapat sa halalan ang ganitong mga gawain dahil makikita lamang dito na mababa ang tingin sa ating mga kababayan (There should be no room for such activities in the election because it only shows that some candidates look down on our countrymen),” he added. Both candidates also vowed to address the concerns of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should they be elected to the Senate. Pimentel, the lone woman candidate of PDP-Laban, said she will advocate for answers to address the problems of OFWs. “’Wag na nating balewalain pa ang mga mahal nating OFWs. Sila ang ating mga bagong bayani. Maramdaman dapat nila ito (Let’s not ignore our dear OFWs anymore. They are our new heroes. They should be able to feel it),” she said. Langit explained that he has been advocating for the welfare and protection of OFWs throughout his almost four decades of career in media. He assured that he will be the “voice of OFWs” in the Senate.

COVENANT SIGNING. Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, his running mate Doc Willie Ong, and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets place their signature during the signing of a covenant of different organizations in Tanza, Cavite. Norman Cruz

Isko to appoint Cabinet members ‘regardless of color’

By Rey E. Requejo

IF ELECTED president, Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso said he wants former ambassador and Team Isko chief campaign strategist Lito Banayo in his Cabinet as he vowed to appoint persons in government based on qualifications regardless of their political leanings or color. “Of course, I’ll be happy to appoint Ambassador Lito Banayo. And I want him to be part of the government. I want people who are good in their respective fields of undertaking as I have promised the people. The basis of appointment is

meritocracy you are good in the field of undertaking. Even if you are yellow I will hire you. Even if you are red I will hire you. Because what is important to me is the benefit of the people,” Moreno told reporters in Bacolod City during a campaign sortie last Thursday. Moreno said that it’s important for him and the rest of his Cabinet to work fast but efficient considering the many problems our people are facing now due to the high cost of fuel, electricity, food, etc. He vowed to put persons in government who really care for the welfare of the people, especially the poor. Asked what position he will give to the

veteran political strategist where he can be more efficient if he wins in the May 9 polls, the Manila city mayor said: “We should first win. I’ll cross the bridge when I get there. But in my mind, I have something but, I don’t want to lead the people, what will be the decision of the people in May,” Moreno said. In a taped interview by CNN Philippines’ “In Private” hosted by Pinky Webb which aired last Wednesday, Moreno said in the first 100 days of his administration, he will immediately fill up the bureaucracy with people who can excel in their respective fields of undertaking and based on meritocracy.

Robredo gets warm welcome in ‘Barako para kay Leni-Kiko’ rally

WARM WELCOME FOR LENI IN BATANGAS. Batangueños welcome

Vice President Leni Robredo with coffee, confetti, and fireworks at the “Barako para kay Leni-Kiko” people’s rally at Catalina Lake Residences in Bauan, Batangas on Saturday. VP Leni Media Bureau

VICE President Leni Robredo received a rousing welcome in Batangas as she barnstormed across the province on Saturday. The rally culminated with a recordbreaking attendance of 280,000 supporters at the “Barako para kay Leni-Kiko,” the grand rally held at Catalina Lake Residences in Bauan, Batangas, according to estimates of organizers. Robredo was endorsed by Batangas 2nd District Representative Raneo “Ranie” Abu at the grand rally, who gave a rousing introduction for the presidential aspirant. Abu’s thumbs up was the latest in the string of endorsements received during the day. Robredo was endorsed by Nasugbu Mayor Antonio Barcelon, former Batangas 1st District Representative Tom Apacible, Tuy local government officials led by Mayor Armando Afable, and Lemery Mayor Geraldine Ornales earlier in the day when Robredo visited their towns.

Lacson vows to focus on health care for the elderly By Macon Ramos-Araneta EVERYONE gets old eventually, but there are ways for people to slow down the aging process without sacrificing their health and their ability to still enjoy life even during late adulthood, said presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and senatorial aspirant Dr. Minguita Padilla. The two candidates briefly deviated from discussing serious social and political issues to talk about personal health and wellness in a town hall meeting held at the ALDP Montevista covered court during their visit to Naga City, Camarines Sur last Friday. One of the forum participants, an elderly woman, took the opportunity to ask the 62-year-old Dr. Padilla—a medical professional and public health advocate—how she could avoid getting afflicted with arthritis because she was already beginning to feel some pain in her knees.

Padilla explained there are different types of arthritis, which is one of the most common illnesses that a person can develop between early middle age to late adulthood. Symptoms include muscle weakness, limited mobility, stiffness, body pain and inflammation of the joints. According to medical literature, two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or “rayuma” in Tagalog. Padilla said the latter can be treated through regular exercises, increased water intake, and different types of therapies. “Here are some tips to avoid it (arthritis). One is, for the women, to refrain from wearing high heels after a certain age. Number two, let’s exercise, walk around. That’s the best way really to prevent feeling some pain in the,” she said. “Because it is more difficult if we are always sitting. Because they (our knees) would start feeling like machines that

have not been greased. Okay? So, let us avoid being too sedentary. Let us move around, keep moving, avoid living a sedentary lifestyle,” she added. The senatorial aspirant added that one of the fun ways to keep our bodies moving is through dancing. She likewise mentioned it would also help if people would be more conscious about what they eat and what they drink as they Lacson, in many interviews, attributed his good physical and mental health to his active ,lifestyle as well as keeping a positive outlook in life. He mentioned that he regularly undergoes a wellness exam as a way to prevent health problems. “You know, I go to a wellness exam every year. It just stopped when the pandemic happened. You know what the executive director of the wellness clinic told me when he saw the findings? Because I went through the treadmill, everything, all kinds of tests. He told me ‘Amazing.”

Ang Probinsyano Party-List extends aid to victims of collapsed bridge

THE Ang Probinsyano Party-List on Saturday extended assistance to the kin of the victims of the collapsed bridge in Loay, Bohol. Rep. Edward Delos Santos visited the family of fatality Arniel Cilos, a tourist driver, and offered some immediate burial assistance as well as scholarships for their three children. Arniel’s wife, Maricel, expressed sadness over her husband’s demise in the tragedy that killed four people, including an Austrian tourist, and injured 31 others. The vehicle that Arniel was driving was passing the Clarin bridge when it caved in, causing at least 11 vehicles to fall into the river. “Nag-aalala po ako sa kinabukasan ng mga anak ko na may edad 16, 13 at 1. Ang asawa ko lang ang naghahanap-buhay,

pero ngayon ako na ang magiging tatay at nanay ng mga anak namin (I am very worried about the future of my children aged 16, 13 and 1. My husband was our breadwinner, but now I will be both father and mother to my kids),” said Maricel, who lives in Dauis town. Number 50 Ang Probinsyano PartyList, which happened to hold campaign sorties in Cebu and Bohol during the week, condoled with Maricel. “We recognize the challenges that the families of the Bohol bridge collapse victims face. We want them to know that while the future may seem dark for them at the moment, there are people, organizations and institutions that are here to lend a hand at their most trying time,” Delos Santos said.

Some 118 priests of the Archdiocese of Lipa also endorsed Robredo after she was given a blessing at the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours in Taal. Robredo, who won in Batangas in the 2016 elections, recalled the trust given by Batangueños and expressed confidence that she has repaid that trust. Robredo said in 2016, she got substantial votes in Batangas. “You gave me your trust,” Robredo, in a speech in Lemery said, adding that the support and trust of Batangas is not wasted during the 6 years that she is vice president. In Bauan, Robredo called on her supporters present in the rally to redouble their efforts, as the campaign draws to a close. “Alam ko marami na kayong sakripisyo noong mga nagdaang araw. Pero ang pakiusap ko po, ihirit na po natin ‘yung lahat ng ating mga bayan para makakumbinsi pa,” said Robredo. “Konting tumbling na lang, mananalo na tayo.”

BBM supporters deploy tools for vote protection TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Marcos Sara Duterte Alliance (Masada) has launched its high technology vote protections operation to secure and protect digital files of photos of “BBM-SARA” on election returns at the precint level. In a zoom meeting, the Masada IT team briefed Masada municipal, provincial, regional, and international leaders on the Masada Operation Secured Acurate Data (Mosad) a vote protection strategy that process photos of election return transmitted by volunteers at the precinct level nationwide. Masada national lead convenor energy Undersecretary Benito Ranque said poll watchers of all political parties allies of the BBM and Sara tandem will share their copies of election return for picture taking of Masada volunteers. The Mosad system will be the fastest vote tracking strategy and can stand as legal evidence for any fraud during the transmission of election results, Ranque said. He said that local and national cannot rely on their copies of election returns because the material used is thermal paper which will fade in two to three days. “Masada will secure digital data of election returns which will also be used in releasing unofficial election result after the election. We will have initial results hours after the election” Ranque said. Mosad has also GPS tracking feature that will indicate the location the sender to ward off unwelcome transmission that may interfere in the operation

Opinion Governance reforms to move forward IT’S a week before election day when tremendous energy and resources are being expended to win the people’s mandate to govern our nation in the next six years. As polarizing democratic elections tend to be, whoever rises to power will need the help of the brightest minds of the land in navigating the evolving complexity and dynamics of nation building in a world full of crises. The latest in the ongoing series of Stratbase ADR Institute’s policy forums fittingly presented four of the think tank’s 16 special policy papers. These will soon be published as part of a set of sage recommendations from some of the country’s top thought leaders on critical reforms in governance, foreign policy, health, environment, and sustainable economic recovery. Setting the tone of the online forum on “Impactful Governance Reforms for the Next Administration,” Stratbase ADRi president Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit stated that at the core of elections is an opportunity to set the course of the country’s future that needs a forward-looking governance outlook, whoever the leaders of the next administration will be.

Our next leaders have a daunting task ahead of them. “I would argue that it should be threepronged, anchored on the collaboration of government, private sector and civil society,” he said. He lamented how graft and corruption continue to be a challenge and emphasized the need for effective change through reforms. “We need to demand transparency, accountability and integrity in government – that we should consider the character and capacity of those wooing our vote,” Manhit said. Dr. Francisco “Kiko” Magno, Trustee & Program Convenor of Stratbase ADRi and De La Salle University Professor of Political Science, who authored the special paper, “Governance agenda for development in a post COVID-19 Philippines,” said that corruption could be countered by converting it to a high-risk activity. This ill needs to be addressed through prevention strategies that reduce monopolistic power, limit and clarify discretion, and promote accountability in governments. Prof. Magno cited the findings of the Worldwide Governance Indicators to give the next government a proper context relative to ASEAN countries. He pointed out that though there were improvements with the Philippines at 5th place in percentile rank (2015-2019), when it comes to government effectiveness we are at the lower rung. In the indicator on control of corruption, the Philippines is ranked seventh out of ten ASEAN

INSIDE a play tent for displaced children in western Ukraine, 12-year-old Natan said his cat Marquisa was not acting normally, sleeping all day and staying awake all night. Maybe it was because she was so stressed after all the Russian bombs on his home city of Mariupol, he said, as his fluffy white pet snoozed curled up in her carrier box. Leaving her to rest, he joined other children playing, some stacking cubes under dangling origami, others coloring cartoon characters with crayons. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced at least two thirds of the country’s 7.5 million children to flee their homes, Save the Children says. As the war grinds on into its 10th week, organizations working with children are increasingly concerned about the mental toll it is taking on younger Ukrainians and their parents. Outside a municipal building in the western city of Lviv, Natan waited in the

countries in the observance of the rule of law. To improve government effectiveness, he proposed the passage of an e-government act that would enable interoperability of data and processes to foster efficiency in the delivery of services. Dr. Sherwin Ona, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Development Studies, De La Salle University-Manila on Digitalization Agenda 2022 Towards a Resilient Philippine through Digital Transformation and Inclusion calls for the development of “The Digitalization Agenda 2022” that will operationalize digital transformation, digital inclusion, and the protection of the country’s digital infrastructure by shifting from the current cybercrime perspective to cyber defense. Dr. Ona commented that though the Philippines has laws on ease of doing business and the National ID Act, these are fragmented, and implementation is a tremendous challenge. However, he pointed out how our leaders “don’t really have an idea of integrating government services or embracing the idea of digital transformation.” “If the incoming administration will embrace digital transformation as a way forward, it should have a whole-of-society philosophy. It should, in my opinion, embrace the idea of digital by default, privacy by design, and good governance principles,” Dr. Ona said. Dr. Rizal Buendia, Philippine Country Expert, Global V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg and ADRi Non-resident fellow, presenting his special paper “Lessons and prospects in Philippine political governance: cutting across regimes from Marcos to Duterte,” stated that the continuing failure of governance and unrelenting corruption, sustained elitism in political systems, problems of peace and order, poverty, injustice and concentration of power in the central government for more than three decades after the fall of Marcos regime have led to the rise of populism. “Holistic governance promotes an integrated government organization. The integration requires the changing of values, structure in government operation,” Buendia said. Ms. Zy-za Nadine Suzara Executive Director, iLEAD and author of the special paper “Rethinking Public Spending Priorities Towards an Inclusive Recovery” critiqued the effectivity of infrastructure development as the main strategy for economic recovery and emphasized the need for a national budget that supports a more inclusive economic recovery. She calls for a rethink of the current set of budget priorities “towards one that will boost health systems and promote inclusive economic recovery; implement structural reforms that would increase the capacity of government agencies to respond to the crisis as well as the capacity of local government to use their funds; and reestablish open and participatory mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in procurement and use of COVID-19 funds.” These are just a few of the gamut of problems and solutions that we need the leadership to deliver to the people. We need leaders with the gravitas, competence, and true integrity to lead the nation out of this crisis, not create new ones.

tent set up by the UN children’s agency for his parents to finish government paperwork. Under the canvas, a mother steadied her wobbly toddler in an avocado-themed jumpsuit. Natan crawled around the play mat, giving a younger child a ride on his back.

Organizations working with children are increasingly concerned about the mental toll it is taking on younger Ukrainians and their parents. “He’s always been sociable,” said his mother Olena, returning hours later to retrieve him from the caregivers. But that evening Natan and his parents were catching the train eastwards to start

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EDITORIAL

In western Ukraine, displaced children play to forget war By Alice Hackman

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Putin’s middle finger

HE ATROCITIES committed by Russian forces on the people of Ukraine, now fighting off an unprovoked invasion that has entered its ninth week, can only be viewed with repugnance.

By now, the entire world has seen shocking images of mass graves of unarmed civilians—including the elderly, women and children—slaughtered by the Russian invaders. We have seen the fallout of the deliberate Russian rocket attacks on hospitals, schools and apartment buildings. We have seen the bodies of civilians shot in the back of the head with their hands tied behind their backs. The Russian depravity is matched by its sheer arrogance, exemplified by its missile attack last week on Kyiv, just as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived at the Ukrainian capital for talks. Guterres and his team were not hurt, but the UN leader said the attack, which left at least one person dead and 10 others wounded, left him stunned. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, had a more colorful take on the missile attack, saying this was Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s way of giving “his middle finger” to the UN secretary-

general and the West over his war in Ukraine.

It is most definitely not a peace sign. An analyst with a Kyiv-based thinktank, Volodymr Fesenko, says the missile attack was a clear signal from Moscow about Russia’s intention to continue the war despite international pressure. “With this missile strike, the Kremlin is sending a warning to all international structures and organizations trying to influence or contain Russia’s aggressive military plans,” Fesenko said. “While Russia has so far failed to score any significant gains in Ukraine, it intends to continue its offensive and keep striking cities with missiles.” Against this backdrop, it is inexplicable that Indonesia, the current presi-

dent of the G-20, has invited Putin to attend the group’s summit in Bali in November. Perhaps as a bone to the United States and the European Union, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend, even though Ukraine is not a G-20 member. The Indonesian president said the leaders of both countries have accepted invitations to the summit in November— but it is difficult to imagine Putin and Zelenskyy seated at the same summit, while Russia wages an illegal and inhuman war in Ukraine. Widodo said the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have an impact on the recovery of the global economy and it was in this context that he invited Putin and Zelenskyy to the summit in separate calls with them. “I expressed my hope that the war can end soon and a peaceful solution through talks can progress,” he said in a speech. “We understand that G-20 can be a catalyst for global economic recovery.” But like others who seek to appease Putin, the Indonesian president is misreading the room. Putin clearly has no desire for peace without the complete capitulation of Ukraine, and people who do not see this might be mistaking Putin’s middle finger for a peace sign.

Sad boys and sadbois

THERE are sad boys, and then there are sadbois. It turns out there is a world of difference between the two. This middle-aged tita only learned it recently, after being enlightened by members of Generations Y and Z. Sad boys are just that – guys who wear their heart on their sleeves. They are the sensitive, emotional ones who are just so in touch with their feelings and who are uninhibited in expressing them. It’s not really a group or a category. They are simply boys who happen to be sad. Like girls could be sad. Like anybody could be sad. Like anybody could be anything. “This isn’t like emo?” I asked. No, because emo is more about aesthetics, I was told by a development worker in his late 20s. “It’s more of a preference for a certain hairstyle, clothing, music.” Of course, emo is so 15 years ago. But sadboi is not a new name for emo, either. Said one Gen Z kid, a university freshman, sadbois are those who play the guilt card on others so they can earn their sympathy. “Pa-victim, manipulative, ganon,” he added. For example, they tell their partners they would kill themselves if they ever broke up. Or, when pursuing someone, would tell them how badly their exes treated them so they would not get rejected or simi-

a new life in the capital Kyiv, and she believed that below his smiley demeanor her third-born was a little worried. “He’s afraid to go there. He survived the bombardment (in Mariupol), he knows what it’s like,” the 51-year-old medical assistant said. ‘Find my mother and son’ The family arrived in Lviv in early April after escaping the besieged port city of Mariupol, braving Russian shelling to run back from a shelter into their burning flat to rescue Marquisa the cat. But sleeping on a schoolroom floor in Lviv has been far from ideal, and it was time to try their luck in Kyiv after the Russians withdrew from its devastated suburbs. Since escaping Mariupol, Olena accompanied her 16-year-old daughter all the way to a youth hostel in Germany, she said. But the mother-of-three said she had to remain in Ukraine. The Russians had taken her 28-year-old son prisoner, she said.

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larly treated. Another student, a college junior, said to be a sadboi is a negative thing. She defined the word by mentioning the name of a specific person who she thinks best illustrates the word. Mind you, while it’s the younger generations who came up with the term, sadbois can take many forms, ages – and political orientations.

I’m a sadboi! Who are you? Are you a sadboi, too? ••• This talk about sadbois comes up in the context of the elections and, more broadly, of our perception of gender roles in society. Unfortunately, our country that claims to have made big gains in equality still has a long way to go in how we see women and resist generations-old biases against them. Playing the sadboi card is one way some people get away with – and display – misogyny and bigotry. It’s a new name but the tactic has been used for a long time. For example, a woman doing her job well despite the odds can easily earn the ire of her make counterparts. The sadbois then portray her as grabbing credit, upstaging them, and making them look incompetent. If she trounces her opponents, the sadbois cry to the high heavens that they were cheated and will devote their time and resources contesting the results. If it comes to pass that her victory is affirmed – and by an even larger margin – the sadbois reject this and go

And she had lost all contact with her mother in Mariupol, a city now almost entirely under Russian control after weeks of brutal siege. “I can’t just leave with my children. I need to find my mother and my son,” she said. As Natan and his parents walked off with Marquisa in her box, the young boy in a stripey jumper turned around and waved goodbye. Just hours later, a Russian missile hurtled down onto the capital even as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited, killing one person. Photos left behind Child psychologist Natalia Tybura said she had seen many parents and children in the UNICEF tent since the conflict started. Several came asking for advice about a son being more aggressive than usual, and she advised them to allow their child to vent through sport. But many more parents, especially those who had escaped Mariupol, just wanted to

around proclaiming that they were cheated. If a woman consistently shows she is competent or better than the rest of the spoiled, mediocre lot, the sadbois will stoop so low and criticize her for completely unrelated or irrelevant issues, or fabricate stories to mar her – or her loved ones’ – reputation. Some men whose partners excel in their fields play the sadboi by guilt-tripping them – they tell them that their pursuits are selfish, and that they are being neglectful of their duties to the family. And when these men are called out for their brutish ways, they resort to telling their own sad stories, or say they are hurt, or turn the story around so that they are now the victim – as if these attempts excuse and justify their behavior. Sadbois are not just sad boys. There is a sinister element to how they carry themselves – the intent to manipulate and bring down other people. The truth is, anybody – male, female or otherwise – can be good, just as anybody can be not too good. But if we still somehow believe that it is men’s lot to lead and dominate because it is in their nature to be “strong,” and consequently women are better suited for supporting roles because they do not manifest strength as men do, then we have a serious problem. We have to at least be humble enough to allow these mindsets to be challenged, if not completely broken. Sadbois – actually overgrown babies of whatever age – make lousy friends, partners, and government leaders. Let’s expose sadbois for who and what they truly are. adellechua@gmail.com

confide in someone. They often felt wracked with guilt at having been forced to leave a loved one behind, or desperately wished they had brought along more images of their family. “What people regret the most, more than property, are the photos they could not take with them,” Tybura said. “Many people talk about family albums, and some were even forced to delete the images on their phones” to be able to cross Russian checkpoints out of the city. Tybura said that among the worst hit, she had seen children who had fled Mariupol on foot with their families after weeks of being trapped inside the city. “Their minds had switched to survival mode,” she said. But she warned trauma could well manifest itself at a later stage, and the country should brace itself for a mental health landslide when the war ended.s “There will need to be a lot of support,” especially for families with members returning from the front, Tybura said. AFP

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Pelosi supports Zelensky in bloody ‘fight for freedom’ U

S Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi voiced support for Ukraine’s “fight for freedom” at a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv, US and Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.

“We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom... Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done,” Pelosi told Zelensky, according to a video from the Ukrainian presidency. Zelensky tweeted: “Thank you to the United States for helping protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.” “The US is leading strong support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression,” he said. The trip by a Congressional delegation had not been previously announced. “Our delegation proudly delivered the message that additional American support is on the way, as we work to transform President Biden’s strong funding request into a legislative package,” Pelosi’s office said in a statement. US President Joe Biden last week proposed a huge $33-billion package for arming and supporting Ukraine. Biden also outlined proposed new laws to allow using luxury assets stripped from Russian oligarchs to compensate Ukraine for the Manila destruction wreaked by the invading Russians. Standard “When we TODAYreturn to the United States, we will do so further informed, deeply inspired and ready to do what is needed to help the Ukrainian people as they defend democracy for their nation and for the world,” Pelosi’s statement continued. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv last month. Meanwhile, at least 20 civilians including several children were able to leave a badly battered steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Saturday in what could be the start of a long-awaited, larger evacuation of the last holdout in the ERRATUM Russian-held city. This refers to TOLL REGULATORY Earlier efforts at BOARD NOTICE OF TOLL RATE ADJUSTMENT IMPLEMENTATION evacuations from the (VAT Inclusive) R-1 Expressway which was published last April 30, 2022. Azovstal steel plant It should have read as the SECOND —where local fighters PUBLICATION of the notice not the say they and hundreds FIRST. For this we apologize, thus this of civilians are still erratum.

sheltering in brutal conditions – had been futile. Ukrainian fighters of the Azov regiment, which has been defending the site, said 20 civilians had left, possibly for the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, about 225 kilometers to the northwest. Russia’s Tass news agency carried a similar report, though putting the number of evacuees at 25. A United Nations-planned evacuation had been mapped out, though it was unclear whether Saturday’s evacuation was UNled and whether further evacuations were imminent. There were no immediate details on the condition of the evacuees. Zelensky said in a video Saturday evening said Kyiv was “doing everything to ensure that the evacuation mission from Mariupol is carried out.” Fresh satellite imagery by private US firm Maxar taken on Friday showed a devastated Mariupol, with almost all of Azovstal destroyed. The apparent ceasefire in Mariupol took place as Russian attacks continued unabated across Ukraine, most heavily in the fiercely disputed eastern regions, but with attacks as far west as Odessa, on the Black Sea coast. AFP

SOLEMN PRAYER. Muslim worshippers perform the evening ‘Taraweeh’ prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a mosque near Pristina in Kosovo. Muslims throughout the world are marking the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which devotees fast from dawn until dusk. AFP

Risking jail, Russian priests condemn Ukraine invasion FATHER Georgy Edelshtein is keen to debate those who disagree with his opposition to Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. “I’d like to see one or two of my opponents sitting right here,” the 89-yearold says, pointing to an empty armchair in his living room full of gilded icons. The white-bearded priest in a black cassock is one of the few Russian Orthodox priests to have spoken out against Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine. In a quavering voice, but without hesitation, he explains: “I’m afraid I am a bad priest. I’ve never been against all wars but I’ve always been against any land-grabbing, aggressive war.” Ukraine “is an independent state and let them build their state as they see necessary,” he tells AFP in his house in the hamlet of Novo-Bely Kamen on the banks of the River Volga in the

People queue for a swab test for COVID-19 near the entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing on May 1, 2022. AFP

In re: PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF A MINOR EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO WITH APPLICATION FOR HIS CHANGE OF NAME, FROM “EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO” TO “EDWARD THOMAS P. SAUNAR”. S.P. CASE NO. R-QZN-21-11293-SP SPOUSES RUEL J. SAUNAR AND SHEILA MARIE P. SAUNAR, Petitioners. x------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a Verified petition filed by the SPOUSES RUEL J. SAUNAR and SHEILA MARIE P. SAUNAR on December 22, 2021 for the purpose of adoption of minor EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO and application for change of his name from EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO to EDWARD THOMAS P. SAUNAR. Finding the PETITION and its attachments sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing for the presentation of jurisdictional requirements/initial hearing on JUNE 22, 2022, at exactly 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court sitting at Room 203 Second Floor Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City Hall Compound, Diliman, Quezon City. Let copy of this Order be published in a NEWSPAPER of national circulation selected by a Raffle under the supervision of the Honorable Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, at the expense of the petitioners. Madam MARIEBEC CARIAGA, the Social Worker of the Court is ordered to conduct prepare and submit CHILD & HOME STUDY REPORTS pertaining to the herein petitioners, the adoptee and their family; and shall verify likewise with the Civil Registry the real identity and registered name of the adoptee. The same Social Worker shall establish that the child is legally available for adoption and the documents submitted in support thereof are all valid and authentic; that the Petitioners has sincere intention and the adoption shall inure to the best interest of the child. If after the conduct of the case studies, the social worker finds that there are grounds to deny the petition, she shall make the proper recommendation to the court furnishing a copy thereof to the petitioners. The counsel for the petitioner is given ten (10) days from receipt of a copy of this ORDER to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, DSWD, NSO and the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City copies of this Petition complete with annexes and to show compliance thereof soonest time possible. Let copies of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Assistant City Prosecutor Arnel F. Pabellar, DSWD, the NSO, the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the petitioners/ counsel for their perusal and immediate reference. The City Civil Registrar of Quezon City, whereby the proposed adoptee is registered, and anyone/offices who wishes to oppose instant petition including the Civil Registrar General are likewise ordered to appear on the above mentioned scheduled hearing to show cause why this petition should not be granted. The petitioners and the proposed adoptee must personally appear and they must testify before the undersigned presiding Judge of this Court. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 28th day of December, 2021. (ORIGINAL SIGNED) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard - Apr. 18, 25 & May 2, 2022)

Right to be forgotten: Firm vows digital footprint purge THREE young Israelis formerly serving in military cyber units have figured out how to locate your digital footprint – and give you the tools to delete it. The company Mine, co-founded by Gal Ringel, Gal Golan and Kobi Nissan, says it uses artificial intelligence to show users where their information is being stored – like whether an online shoe store kept your data after a sneaker purchase three years ago. Ringel said Mine’s technology has

already been used by one million people worldwide, with over 10 million “right to be forgotten” requests sent to companies using the firm’s platform. Mine launched after the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – now an international reference point – set out key rights for users, including the deletion of personal data that was shared with a site for a limited purpose. The company’s AI technology scans

9 detained over collapsed building

POLICE in central China announced the deten-

tion of nine people on Sunday over a collapsed Kostroma region, a six-hour drive from building, as increasingly desperate rescuers Moscow. comb the debris for any survivors. Since Russia launched its military The building, in Changsha city, housed a hoaction on February 24, only a handful tel, apartments and a cinema. It caved in Friday of priests from the Russian Orthodox afternoon, leaving a gaping hole in the dense Church led by Moscow Patriarch Kirill streetscape. At least 18 people were trapped and another – which counts some 150 million be39 were incommunicado, according to city lievers across the world – have spoken mayor Zheng Jianxin. out openly against the Kremlin’s miliFive people were rescued from the pancaked tarycampaign. structure overnight Friday. Kirill has given a series of increasChangsha police said on social media that ingly bellicose sermons, calling for the building’s owner and three others responsible for its design and BLACK construction were deRussians to “rally around” the authoriCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW tained Sunday on suspicion of “major responties to help conquer “enemies” he acsibility for an accident.” cuses of trying to destroy historic unity Another five people, all members of a pribetween Russia and Ukraine. vate building inspection firm, “provided a false Since he started heading the Church safety report after conducting a building safety in 2009, Kirill has sought closer ties audit of the hotel”, the statement on Twitterlike Weibo said. with President Vladimir Putin’s govNo cause for the disaster has yet been given ernment, backing conservative values by authorities. over Western liberalism. Changsha’s mayor vowed to “seize the goldThe Russian Orthodox Church was en 72 hours for rescue and try our best to search severely restricted and under KGB for the trapped people” in a news briefing Satcontrol in the USSR. AFP urday, adding that over 700 first responders had

SWAB WITH A VIEW.

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Regional Trial Court Branch 78 Quezon City

IN BRIEF

the subject lines of users’ emails and flags where data is being stored. Individuals can then decide which information they want deleted and use Mine’s email template to execute their right to be forgotten. It means they can delete their digital footprint “with a click of a button,” Ringel said. “We’re not telling people to not use Facebook or Google. We say: go ahead, enjoy, use whatever you want,” he said. AFP

been dispatched to the scene. State media showed firefighters – backed by a digger – cutting through a morass of metal and sheets of concrete, while rescuers shouted into the tower of debris to communicate with any survivors. A crowd gathered as chains of rescuers removed pieces of brick by hand, allowing experts a deeper look into the wreckage. AFP

Mexico captures local cartel leader

MEXICAN authorities have captured a suspected leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the navy and the Morelos state prosecutor’s office said. Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez, known as “El Senoron” or “XL,” was apprehended on Friday in the tourist city of Mazatlan, in the northwest state of Sinaloa, in an operation carried out by navy agents. Rodriguez Hernandez, who allegedly heads the CJNG in the central state of Morelos, is wanted for aggravated homicide, including the murder of three doctors in April 2020, according to the Morelos Attorney General’s Office. “In addition to the above, Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez is wanted for the crime of criminal association, and is one of the main generators of violence in the state of Morelos,” it added in a statement, referring to the state neighboring the capital Mexico City. “El Senoron” is also accused of controlling several laboratories for the production of synthetic drugs, according to the navy. In July last year, authorities offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The head of CJNG, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, is one of the most wanted drug lords in the world, with the US Drug Enforcement Administration offering $10 million for his arrest. CJNG emerged in 2010 after the death of the regional leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, Mexico’s biggest criminal group. Mexico has been trapped in a spiral of cartel-related violence that has left more than 340,000 dead since 2006, when the government launched a controversial anti-drug operation with federal troops. AFP

Biden, Trevor Noah headline gala dinner for White House journalists THE president and the jokes were back, as the gloves—and COVID masks —came off for the return of the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington on Saturday. President Joe Biden poked fun at his slumping poll ratings, took several sly digs at his predecessor Donald Trump and accepted a roasting from Daily Show host Trevor Noah at the glitzy party mixing Washington politics, media and Hollywood. And there were serious references as well—to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and challenges to democracy and media freedoms at home and abroad. “I’m really excited to be here tonight with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have,” Biden said in his opening comments. The White House press corps association, the WHCA, has hosted presidents for an annual black tie dinner starting with Calvin Coolidge in 1924. But the televised Washington social juggernaut—beloved by some, maligned as cringe-worthy by others – shuddered to a halt under the twin impacts of Trump’s media-bashing presidency, then COVID-19. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

WORKING CLASS. Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions stage a May Day rally calling for improved working conditions and rights, in central Seoul on May 1, 2022. AFP

CYAN

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business Market investors keep tabs on rate hike and inflation

Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City

HARE prices are expected to trade sideways with a downward bias this week after last week’s sharp drop on fears local interest rates may go up earlier than expected due to the continued spike in commodity and oil prices.

Analysts said the upcoming national elections could also cause the investors to stay on the sidelines while waiting for the outcome of the national polls. Analysts expect the the Philippine Stock Exchange Index this week to trade between 6,500 points and 6,700 points Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said investors will be keenly watching the upcoming US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week. “Strong consensus for a 50 basis point hike is likely price-in but there is now mounting pressure on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to catch up in some way, likely by making parallel rate hikes,” said 2TradeAsia.com. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno last week said monetary authorities may consider raising interest rates from the record-low 2 percent by June this year. BSP’s next policy meeting is set on May 19. Investors will also monitor the release of the April inflation rate late this week. The BSP on Friday predicted a high inflation rate of 5 percent for the month of April from 4 percent in March due to higher prices of food, oil and electricity. Meanwhile, the release first-quarter corporate earnings could provide a slight uplift on the market as companies are expected to report strong results. With AFP

JACINTO TAN JR.

MATUNO RIVER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MRDC), Applicant. x-------------------------------------------------------------------------x

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

17. MRDC has either secured or is in the process of securing the necessary permits, licenses and authority from the appropriate regulatory agencies for the Dedicated Facility Project. MRDC also undertakes to file an application for a Certificate of Compliance with the Honorable Commission for the MRHEPP pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2014. 18. In addition to the foregoing attachments, the following supporting documents are herein attached and made as an integral part of this Application:

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING

ANNEX

DOCUMENT

“F”

Amended Certificate of Registration No. HSC-201-03-133A issued by the DOE on March 6, 2020

“G”

Amended Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality No. HCC-2015-06-088 issued by DOE on March 6, 2020

“H”

Secretary’s Certificate showing the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of MRDC approving the construction of the Dedicated Facility Project and authorizing the filing of this Application and appointment of MRDC’s authorized representative

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 31 March 2022, Matuno River Development Corporation (MRDC) filed an Application dated 18 February 2022, seeking the Commission’s approval for authority to develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect the 8.661 MW Matuno River Hydroelectric Power Plant (MRHEPP) to the Luzon Grid of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority. The pertinent allegations in the said Application are hereunder quoted, as follows: xxx 1.

Matuno River Development Corporation is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at 126 5th St., B. Serrano Avenue, Between 11th and 12th Avenues Grace Park Caloocan City.

Matuno River Development Corporation is primarily engaged in the business of building, constructing, generating, operating and maintaining power plant derived from coal, fossil fuel, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, solar, wind, hydroelectric and other viable sources of power. Copies of the following documents are attached as follows:

ANNEX

Articles of Incorporation of Matuno River Development Corporation July 2016

“A-2”

Amended Articles of Incorporation of Matuno River Development Corporation – February 2020

“A-3”

Amended Articles of Incorporation of Matuno River Development Corporation – January 2021

“B”

By-laws of Matuno River Development Corporation

“C”

Latest General Information Sheet

“D”

Latest Audited Financial Statement

“E”

Certificate of Registration from the Bureau of Internal Revenue

Description of the Project Detailed Project Design of the Dedicated Facility Project

“K”

Detailed breakdown of the Dedicated Facility Project Cost

“L”

Proposed Options

“M-1”

Section 9(f) of the Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and Rule 5, Section 5(a) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations provides that a generation company may develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities, subject to a prior authorization from the Honorable Commission.

System Impact Study

“O”

Facilities Study Report

“P”

NGCP Letter dated October 27, 2020

“Q”

Sworn statement of MRDC’S representative, stating that he has filed or shall file applications for necessary permits, licenses and authority with all the concerned agencies that may have interest therein

“R”

Affidavit in support of the prayer for provisional authority

“S”

Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) No. ECC-R02-1008-0129(a) and Letter dated May 24, 2016 issued by DENR stating that the ECC issued in favor of E. Power Technologies Corporation was transferred to Matuno River Development Corporation

“T”

Document showing that the project is consistent with the Transmission Development Plan (TDP); NGCP Letter informing that the 8.661MW Matuno Hydroelectric Power Plant is included in 2021-2040 TDP

“T-1”

Thus, this Application is filed before the Honorable Commission for consideration and approval of Matuno River Development Corporation proposed development and ownership or operation of connection facilities by its technical personnel and/or with an authorized and capable third (3rd) party which shall connect to the grid by a 69 kV transmission line. The point of interconnection is 12.07 kilometers from Matuno Take-Off substation to the NGCP’s Bayombong Tapping Point Substation. The transmission line will require the construction of a 12.07 kilometer line utilizing 336.4 MCM ACSR conductor and about 194 steel pole structures. STATEMENT OF FACTS

Matuno River Development Corporation is the owner and developer of Matuno River Hydroelectric Power Plant (MRHEPP), which will provide additional power to the Luzon grid with the generated 3 x 2.887 MW or a total capacity of 8.661 MW using 12 MVA 6.3/69 kV step-up transformers from its powerhouse located in Brgy. Manamtam, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. The MRHEPP is covered by the Amended Hydro Service Contract No. 2010-03-133-A through the amended Certificate of Registration issued by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Matuno River Development Corporation is currently developing the MRHEPP, and its target commencement of commercial operations is 2022. Thus, in order to test, commission, and dispatch from the MRHEPP, Matuno River Development Corporation shall develop, own, and construct the Dedicated Facility Project.

The Dedicated Facility Project is comprised of point to point facility connected to the Luzon Grid through direct connection to Bayombong 69kV tapping point substation by utilizing a 12.07 kilometer TL,69 kV, SP-SC,, 336.4 MCM ACSR conductor. The power generated by 3 units of vertical generating units with 2.887 MW each, will use 12 MVA 6.3/69kV step up transformer. The connection is detailed below in Fig. 1.

DOE Certificate of Endorsement for the Dedicated Facility Project

“U”

Detailed Single Line Diagram

“V”

Contractor: Dumlao Electrical Installation, Repair and Rewinding Shop and Electrical Supplies

“V-1”

Further, Article IV, Section 1 of Resolution No. 16. Series of 2014, provides that “[a] Generation Company which develops and owns or operates a dedicated point-to-point limited transmission or distribution facilities for the purpose of connecting to the transmission or distribution system, respectively, should secure prior authorization by the ERC.”

Relevant Dates

“N”

NATURE AND LEGAL BASES OF THE APPLICATION 3.

Conceptual Engineering Design and Drawings (Forebay, Headrace Channel, Penstock, Powerhouse, and WEIR) Gantt Charts for the construction of the Dedicated Facility Project

“M”

DOCUMENT

“A-1”

“I” “J”

“M”, series

Certificate of Incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Articles of Incorporation

“A”

My AIM2Flourish journey is about honesty, honey

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. He can be reached at jacinto_tan@dlsu.edu.ph.

16. In view of the foregoing, MRDC respectfully seeks the confirmation and approval of the Honorable Commission that the connection of the Dedicated Facility Project to the Luzon Grid, as proposed under the SIS, is the most viable option for connecting the MRHEPP.

ERC CASE NO. 2022-007 MC

Green Light

THE AIM2Flourish project in my Integral Human Development (IHD) is such a delight. I found the assignment challenging to start but very fulfilling upon completing and publishing my work. The process of looking for a business to hit at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has been the greatest dilemma that I had. Out of the 10 companies that I targeted, only three of them responded. Unfortunately, all three of them also declined or did not consent to be published at a later part of the interview negotiation. That situation was the most nerve-wracking for me as I was about three weeks away from the project submission. Fortunately, I was able to be inspired by someone to tap a farm, an SME with a unique way of farming. I contacted Sir Benjy of Bukidnon Bee Farm (my subject and published AIM2Flourish project) over the internet. My invitation to him was made through phone calls and Facebook Messenger communication. This is due to the terrible telecommunications in the municipality of Bukidnon with poor internet and mobile data reliability. Fortunately, Sir Benjy and I were able to communicate after a few weeks, and Bukidnon Bee Farm already accepted my invitation. I firmly believe that my journey in the AIM2Flourish project also expanded my development as an integral human being. The project taught me to improve on my contingency plans both in my academic and personal life during the entire process. The realization of having extra contingency plans was due to the full decline of interview invitations that I sent out to all my targeted companies. The concern taught me to be persistent in sending another set of interview questions. Still, it also taught me to be calm even if I am overwhelmed with stress due to unforeseen delays in my AIM2Flourish project. If I were to draw further this experience in my IHD Flower, I believe I would have improved well on the emotional and social aspects of my being. Working with Bukidnon Bee Farm (BBF) and listening to their stories and noble mission to save the bees first before prioritizing profit made me happy. I have found out that there are still businesses that are genuinely looking out for the benefit of the planet and people first before profit. Even if BBF is still an SME and located away from the city’s glamor, they can see the beauty and enjoy their lives through meek and honest living. During my interview with Sir Benjy, what struck me the most was his honesty in caring for the bees and providing unadulterated (no chemicals and additives) honey to their customers. Such value is rare at present, and I am beyond grateful to share their story online. BBF is also not concerned that others will replicate their business. In fact, they encourage and train other people to venture into bee farming, as it will be a profitable business for others. It will also be beneficial to the environment. Their strong desire to live an honest life and business is something that I will never forget. I will try my best to share their story with my friends and family, so we will all be inspired to live the same way. The AIM2Flourish project and the wisdom from my professors, classmates, and guest speakers in the IHD class made my heart and mind full. I have learned and enjoyed every session. There is never a dull session, and every session contributed positively to my well-being. I am grateful for this course and hope to enroll in similarly engaging classes for my upcoming elective courses. View the story of Bukidnon Bee Farm on the AIM2Flourish website: https://aim2flourish. com/innovations/its-honesty-honey.

Note: Copy of NetAcess-KAP-RRA-2020-10-119 dated October 27, 2020 is attached hereto and made integral part hereof as Annex “P”

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND OWN OR OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE 8.661 MW MATUNO RIVER HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT (MRHEPP) TO THE LUZON GRID OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

By Jenniffer B. Austria

15. NGCP, in its letter dated October 27, 2020 this refers to the Facilities (FS) Report for the proposed connection to the Luzon Grid of the 8.661 MW Matuno River Hydroelectric Power Plant Project.

Contractor: PALADIUM POWER SYSTEMS COMPANY, INC.

“W”

Demand-Supply Scenario

“X”

Demand and Energy Forecast

“Y”

Luzon Power Situation and Outlook

“Z”

Connection Agreement

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF MRDC’s PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY MRDC re-pleads, by reference, all the foregoing applications. Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (“RE Act”), aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy resources and increase the utilization of renewable energy. The Philippine government seeks to help Renewable Energy developers to achieve commerciality and commence operations at the soonest possible time. The construction of the Dedicated Facility Project is a pre-requisite for the testing and commissioning, and the commercial operations of MRDC’s MRHEPP. Consequently, a provisional authority is urgently needed to enable MRDC to achieve the target commercial operations date of the Hydro Power Plant by 2022. As stated in Section 2(a) of the RE Act, it is a policy of the State to “[a]ccelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and ocean energy sources, including hybrid systems, to achieve energy self-reliance, through the adoption of sustainable energy development strategies to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and thereby minimize the country’s exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets, the effects of which spiral down to almost all sectors of the economy.” MRDC was established to develop and generate hydro power, consistent with the State’s policy in the RE Act. In view of the foregoing, there is a clear and sufficient basis for the issuance of a provisional authority pending the issuance of a final decision. PRAYER that:

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission 1.

Upon filing of the Application, and pending hearing thereon, an Order be issued granting PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY to MRDC to implement the development, ownership and/ or operation of the Dedicated Facility Project with its technical personnel and/or with a third (3rd) party; and

After hearing on the merits, a DECISION be rendered approving the instant Application.

Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.

Figure 1. Connection Scheme Single Line Diagram

The commission has set the instant Application for hearing for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution 09, Series of 2020, dated 24 September 2020, and Resolution No. 01, Series of 2021, dated 17 December 2022 (ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure): Date

Note: Copy of the detailed project design of the Dedicated Facility Project are attached hereto and made integral parts thereof as Annex “J” 9.

The estimated cost of construction of the Dedicated Facility Project is Php 122,848,005.65 with the following major cost components: PROJECT COMPONENTS A.

AMOUNT (PhP)

Supply of Electrical Works, Protection, Control, Equipment, Civil Work, Supervision for Complete Installation, Testing and Commissioning of the MRDC Take-Off Substation and NGCP Tapping Point Substaion

PHP 67,321,538.29

Supply of material, labor, supervision for complete installation and commissioning of the transmission line

PHP 55,526,467.36 PHP 122,848,005.65

Total Project Cost Plus O&M Fees with a 3 Party rd

Note: A copy of the detailed breakdown of the Dedicated Facility Project Cost is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex “K” 10. MRDC will exclusively pay for the cost of construction and development of the Dedicated Facility Project, and thus, will not have any impact on regulated charges. 11.

MRDC has identified the following options for the immediate connection of the MRHEPP to the Luzon Grid, to wit: a. The first option: Matuno River Development Corp. (MRDC) proposed interconnection of three (3) units of generator with a combined peak capacity of 8.661 MW to NUVELCO 69 kV Grid Line.

12 May 2022 (Thursday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M)

Platform

Activity

Microsoft Teams Application

Determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements and Expository Presentation

19 May 2022 (Thursday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Pre-trial Conference and Presentation of Evidence

Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation. Moreover, all persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@erc.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address;

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired.

Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file through e-mail at docket@erc.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

The second option is the direct connection to the ongoing construction of 20 MVA NUVELCO Bayombong Substation.

The third option is the connection of the 8.661 MW Matuno River Hydroelectric Power Plant Project to the Luzon Grid through direct connection to NGPC’s Bayombong 75 MVA 230/69 kV Substation.

The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person;

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

Note: Copy of Proposed Options is attached hereto and made integral part hereof as Annex “L”

The grounds relied upon.

12.

After a thorough review of the aforesaid options, MRDC has found that the third option, i.e., connecting to the Luzon Grid via the Dedicated Facility Project is the most cost-effective and viable option for the immediate connection of MRHEPP. The construction of the Dedicated Facility Project, including the Civil Works and Electromechanical Works, may be completed in approximately twelve (12) months.

Note: Copy of Gantt Chart for the Contraction of the Dedicated Facility Project is attached hereto and made integral part hereof as Annex “M”. Annex “M-1” provide the relevant dates. 13.

A System Impact Study (SIS) was conducted, and found that the connection of MRDC’s MRHEPP through the Dedicated Facility Project is technically feasible, and was recommended as the interconnection scheme for MRHEPP.

Any of the persons mentioned in the preceding paragraphs may access the copy of the Application on the Commissioning’s official website at www.erc.gov.ph. Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled virtual hearings by providing the Commissioning, thru legal.virtualhearings@erc.ph, with their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commissioning will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearings. (This space was intentionally left blank) WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 11th day of April 2022 in Pasig City.

Note: Copy of SIS report dated June 2020 is attached hereto and made integral part hereof as Annex “N” 14. MRDC engaged the services of Power System Research and Consultancy Group (PSRC Group) to conduct the Interconnection Facilities Study (Facilities Study) for MRDC’S MRHEPP to ensure that the equipment to be installed will satisfy the recommendation of the SIS, and that the Dedicated Facility Project complies with the Philippine Grid Code. The Facilities Study was submitted to the NGCP for review. Note: Copy of FS report dated February 2021 is attached hereto and made integral part hereof as Annex “O” (MS-MAY 2, 2022)

CYAN

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

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

IN BRIEF NLEX increased 2021 profit by 64% to P5.6b NLEX Corp. said over the weekend net profit grew 64 percent last year on higher vehicle traffic volume and toll rate adjustments implemented last May . The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) reported a net profit of P5.6 billion in 2021 from P3.6 billion in 2020. The company attributed the growth in profit to higher traffic volume, increased cost efficiencies and the impact of toll rate adjustments implemented in May. NLEX’s consolidated total revenues amounted to P14.1 billion last year from P10.97 billion in 2020. Of the company’s total toll revenues in 2021, 84 percent came from NLEX while 16 percent was contributed by SCTEX. The average daily traffic in NLEX in 2021 reached 252,216 daily entries, while SCTEX registered an average daily traffic of 56,382 vehicle entries. Darwin G. Amojelar

PayMaya unveils new logo and Maya brand PAYMAYA over the weekend said it has rebranded to Maya as part of its thrust to build the Philippines’ end-to-end digital financial services platform. The new Maya app seamlessly integrates digital banking services powered by Maya Bank, such as savings and credit, with PayMaya’s e-wallet and other features like cryptocurrency, micro-investments, and insurance. “Today, we are not just launching a brand, app, and digital bank. We are unleashing the power of financial technology to benefit all Filipinos. We are here to democratize digital financial services as you have never seen before,” said Orlando Vea, PayMaya founder and Maya Bank co-founder and board director. Along with the new app, the company unveiled the new Maya logo, which symbolizes its bold move beyond payments. The new Maya brand will be reflected across its ecosystem–including its leading enterprise payments solutions with Maya Business (formerly PayMaya Business) and across its widest on-ground network of Maya Center (formerly Smart Padala) agents across the Philippines. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business US health insurance provider keen to expand PH operations chief operating officer Rajat Puri said the company is optimistic about the business environment in the country and NTHEM Inc., the Philippines as an investment destione of the largest nation given its adherence to diversity, health insurance inclusion and equity. The firm recognized the strong potenproviders in the United tial of the Philippines with its base of States, plans to expand highly-qualified nursing talent particuits business process larly in Iloilo City, where Anthem plans to expand services. The company has management operations offices in Fort Bonifacio and Iloilo with and set up pharmaceutical a combined workforce of over 8,000. research in the Philippines, Lopez highlighted the Philippines’ advantages as an IT-BPM investment the Department of Trade destination, citing the reforms and other and Industry said over the measures undertaken by the government to entice more foreign investors in weekend. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez met various industries. “With the Duterte administration’s with the top executives of Anthem during continued push for major economic rea recent meeting in Washington, D.C. Anthem diversified business group forms, supplemented by the country’s

By Othel V. Campos

SPACEX INVESTMENT.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (left) reaffirms the government’s support for the establishment of SpaceX in the Philippines. SpaceX is setting up a business entity that will provide internet service through low earth orbit satellites. It plans to launch the first gateway for their satellites before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. With Lopez is SpaceX government affairs senior manager Rebecca Hunter.

10 electric car makers eye investments in PH AT LEAST 10 electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are keenly eyeing investment opportunities in the Philippines, as the government announced the re-allocation of the remaining P9-billion fund from the country’s biggest automotive incentives program to EV manufacturing. Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) president Ferdinand Raquelsantos said EV manufacturers from four countries are queueing up to apply for incentives under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program. “While there are many European EV importers in the Philippines, China is just waiting for the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. They are waiting for the incentives,” he said. He did not reveal the identity of the car firms “but some of them are big players while others are small and medium-sized firms.” He said the approval of the law would be a crucial factor to drive up interests, adding the upcoming elections may also have an impact on the future plans of EV companies. Othel V. Campos

sound policies and systems in place, we are beginning to see increasing interest in many new sectors such as those related to telecommunications, broadband, interconnectivity, satellite services and other digital infrastructure such as data centers for hyperscalers and the corresponding renewable energy projects that are expected to serve as the source of power for these projects,” Lopez said. Lopez noted the growing US investments in the country, specifically in green metals mineral processing, renewable energy storage systems and other digital infrastructure. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, who also attended the meeting, presented the incentives that await investors such as Anthem once it registers with BOI under Tier 1 of the Strategic Services or Export Services in the 2020 Investment Priorities Plan.

Aboitiz Power plans to develop 721 MW of renewables in three years By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp. will develop 721 megawatts of renewable energy projects over the next three years as part of its clean energy expansion, a top executive said over the weekend. “All in all over the next three years, we have about 721 MW of RE projects under priority development. These are all part of our RE growth strategy over the next decade,” said Aboitiz Power president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio. He said the company is looking forward to the completion and commercial operations of the Cayanga solar project by the end of this year.

Aboitiz Power’s PV Sinag Power Cayanga Project involves the construction of a 94-MW solar power plant in Bugallon, Pangasinan. “In the next few weeks, we will also be able to secure a notice to proceed for our 160-MW peak Laoag Solar project,” he said. The company is also developing the 10-MW SN AboitizPower Magat battery energy storage systems project; the 84-MW PV Sinag Power San Manuel Solar Project; the 44-MW AP Renewable Energy Corp. Tarlac Solar Project; the 40-MW Hedcor Bukidnon Kibungan Hydro Project; the 212-MW PV Sinag Power Olongapo Solar Project; the 56-MW PV Sinag Power Ramon

Solar Project; the 50-MW PV Sinag Power Gamu Solar Project; the 75-MW SN AboitizPower-Magat Floating Solar Project; and the 150-MW Aboitiz Solar Power Inc Calatrava Solar Project. Rubio said Aboitiz Power is also firming up its venture into liquefied natural gas. “We’re looking at participating in the Meralco CSP [competitive selection process] that will be delivered in 2030 according to their power supply procurement plan, and we intend to participate using LNG,” Rubio said. “We will grow our generation portfolio without adding new coal, thus we’re also considering LNG for Naga, Cebu for 150 MW that will be delivered in 2026,” he said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, April 29, 2022

-130.28 PTS. 6,779.17

TOTAL VOLUME

840,298,815

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

73,279 7,919,031,378.47

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

64 122 46

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1580

Japan

Yen

0.007643

0.3986

Pound

1.246000

64.9889

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127447

6.6474

Switzerland

Franc

1.029018

53.6715

Canada

Dollar

0.780945

40.7325

Singapore

Dollar

0.721137

37.6131

Australia

Dollar

0.710100

37.0374

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

138.3538

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

13.9062

Brunei

Dollar

0.718546

37.4779

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029053

1.5153

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2019

Euro

1.050200

54.7763

Korea

Won

0.000786

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.150932

7.8723

India

Rupee

0.013045

0.6804

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.229358

11.9629

New Zealand

Dollar

0.648800

33.8401

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033952

1.7709 Source: BSP

LandBank’s profit up 141% to P13.2b in the first quarter By Julito G. Rada STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines, one of the country’s top lenders, said over the weekend it posted a 141-percent increase in first-quarter net income to P13.2 billion from P5.48 billion a year ago, on higher interest income from loans and investments. LandBank in a statement attributed the higher net profit in the quarter to “one-time gains from the merger with the United Coconut Planters Bank.” The higher net income translated into a return on equity of 14.27 percent, above the industry average of 9.08 percent as of Dec. 31, 2021. “LandBank’s income expansion runs parallel with the country’s strong economic resurgence. We will build on this growth trajectory to continue assisting key development sectors and contribute to our collective recovery to drive our broader thrust of serving the nation,” LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said. LandBank remained the second largest bank in terms of assets at P2.792 trillion as of end-March, or 16 percent higher than P2.405 trillion in 2021. The increase in assets was propelled by the merger with UCPB, which contributed P291.83-billion additional assets. Major asset accounts, including loans and investments, also increased at double-digits. The bank booked a 12-percent yearon-year growth in capital to P218.36 billion from P194.59 billion, on the back of record net income in 2021. Borromeo said LandBank’s sound financial position improved its capacity to provide financial and support services to the agriculture sector and other development industries. The bank’s total outstanding loans to priority sectors reached P822.01 billion as of end-March, including P236.86 billion to support the agriculture sector. The bank’s net income in 2021 grew 27 percent to P21.75 billion from P17.14 billion in 2020, on the back of lower cost of funds and provision for losses.

Final version of the Vape Bill better than current laws—medical experts

FARM TOURISM.

The Department of Tourism Region VI-A names Silent Integrated Farm in Barangay Dagatan, Liliw, Laguna as the first agri-tourism farm/site in the area. The Municipal Tourism Office of Liliw says Silent Integrated Farm met all the standard requirements set by the DOT. Shown during the accreditation ceremony are (from left) Liliw municipal tourism officer Rossell Miras, Silent Integrated Farm chief agriculturist Joseph Borgonia, administration manager Richarle Espinosa and tourism officer Isagani Moneda. Roy Tomandao

MORE Filipino doctors pushed for the enactment of the final version of the Vape Bill, which they said, will fill the gap in local regulation, as the current laws are not enough to prevent the sale of vapor products to the youth and stop the proliferation of substandard devices. Dr. Telesforo Gana, past president of the Philippine Urological Association, said a review of the final version of the Vape Bill will show that it is designed to prevent the use of vape products by the youth. “I have always followed the developments on the Vape Bill because I know it will benefit people like me who were once a long-time smoker and was able to successfully quit smoking and shifted to less harmful products like vape and

heated tobacco products,” said Gana. “Even if I am not a lawyer, it is easy to see that the final version of the Vape Bill is better than RA 11467 because it adequately protects our youth by providing several provisions that will ban the use of these products to minors including a ban on using flavor descriptors that appeal to minors―in addition to the flavor ban under RA 11467. Many or most of the provisions of the vape bill are not contained in RA 11467,” he said. Republic Act No. 11467, or the law imposing taxes on vapor products, only provides for a one-paragraph provision regulating vapor products, particularly on the ban on the use of flavors that appeal to minors and age restrictions.

Wilcon Depot hikes 2022 capital expenditures by 83% to P3.95b to open 8 new stores, renovate old ones By Jenniffer B. Austria WILCON Depot Inc. is raising its 2022 capital expenditures by 83 percent to P3.95 billion from P2.16 billion last year to roll out more stores and renovate existing outlets. Wilcon said in a recent investors briefing it would open eight stores this year to boost the network to 81 by the end of the year. The company said it was on track to achieving its target of 100 branches by the

end of 2025. The new stores are located in Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Lemery, Batangas; Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; Abucay, Bataan; Bauang, La Union; and San Jose, Nueva Ecija. It said of the P3.95-billion capital expenditures, 76 percent or P3.53 billion would be allotted for new store expansion and renovation of existing outlets. The company also shifted to renewable energy for its power consumption as it plans

to spend P236 million for solar panel project. The remaining P176 million will be set aside for IT infrastructure projects. Wilcon said it also plans to increase its margins through in-house and exclusive brand expansion. Wilcon recorded a 40.7 percent yearon-year growth in net income to P851 million in the first quarter from P604 million in the same period last year on the back of double-digit growth in sales. First-quarter net sales rose 14.6 per-

cent to P7.652 billion, as same-store sales rose 8.6 percent. “We are pleased with our strong start for the year as our customers trooped back to our stores when the Covid-19 Omicron variant surge receded in February. Our comparable sales declined in January at the height of the surge, but we turned around the downward trend to end the quarter with an 8.6 percent growth and a 14.6-percent total net sales growth,” Wilcon chief executive Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said.

The depot format stores’ sales, accounting for 97.5 percent of total net sales, grew by 15 percent to P7.46 billion. The contribution of the smaller format to total net sales declined to 1.8 percent and totaled P138 million. Gross profit grew 21.1 percent to P2.93 billion on higher sales and gross profit margin expansion by 200 basis points to 38.3 percent. Operating expenses increased 13.8 percent to P1.766 billion on expansion-related expenses.

Sports

World no. 16 Wang stuns no. 2 Akane at Asian meet WORLD no. 16 Wang Zhiyi of China no. 16 Wang Zhiyi of China fashioned a three-set upset of world no. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, 15-21, 21-13, 21-19, to capture her firstever women’s singles Asian title at the SMART Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022, Sunday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City. With the win, Wang gained 12,000 points for BWF World Rankings, while Yamaguchi received 10,200. Semifinalists An Seyoung of Korea and P.V. Sindhu of India took 8,400 points. The 2019 champion Yamaguchi tried to rescue her reign with four consecutive points to cut the deficit to 11-17 in the third and deciding game. Yamaguchi eventually forced a deadlock at 19-all with Wang committing an error on a drop attempt. Wang, though, sealed the match win and eventually snagged the title from the Japanese with two straight points off a smash and a forced error from the number 2 seed. The newly-crowned Wang said through an interpreter, “I was excited to get the championship. It was incredible and unimaginable because no one thought that I will win the title, including myself. “Yamaguchi is a very tough opponent so I had to adjust my mentality to go through some tough decisions in the match,” the 22-year-old native of Shashi, Jingzhou added. Yamaguchi earlier stamped her class and took the set advantage, capitalizing on Wang’s errors late in the frame. The 24-year-old needed to catch up in that second set but slightly injured her left knee in an attempt to save the ball. Wang also took advantage of her opponent’s errors and found her own shots to send the match into a deciding set. Taking place as of publishing are the men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles finals. The tournament is made possible by SMART, MVP Sports Foundation, LiNing, Cignal, TV5, One Sports, Robinson’s Land, Premium Megastructure Inc., Philippine Badminton Association, Badminton Asia, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, and Muntinlupa Mayor Fresnedi and the City of Muntinlupa.

Tamaraws smash Tigers by 44 points, near semis By Peter Atencio

HE Far Eastern University Tamaraws are getting closer to a Final Four slot after posting a whopping 109-65 smashing of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers Sunday in the 84th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Tamaraws, who have always made it the Final Four since 2012, are zeroing in on the third slot in the semifinals after setting a 44-winning margin over the Growling Tigers. It was the second biggest winning gap in the league since 2003. With the Tamaraws’ 7-7 win-loss record at the end of the elimination round, FEU coach Olsen Racela’s squad has eliminated his brother, coach Nash and his Adamson Falcons, who came away with a 65-53 smothering of the University of the East Warriors. “We shot really well, especially in the second half. But I thought we defended better in the third quarter,”

said the elder Olsen, with FEU now having a chance to barge into the Final Four with early qualifiers Ateneo, University of the Philippines and La Salle. John Bryan Sajonia hit a career-high 27 points for the Tams, who are waiting for the outcome of National University’s encounter with La Salle Green Archers. NU has a 6-7 slate. So far, the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ 101-51 smothering of the Growling Tigers last April 21 remained as the biggest blowout score in recent memory. After posting a 49-34 halftime lead, the Tams went on to limit the Tigers to 13 points in the third period, taking a 27-point, 74-47 spread when the fourth quarter got under way Nic Cabañero provided 16 points for the Growling Tigers, who lost six straight games to finish their season at 3-11. Meanwhile, the Falcons, who ended their campaign with a 6-8 slate, drew 15 points from Jose Manuel Sabandal, while Vince Magbuhos made 11 points. “We were all business today, even if we have a lot of things to improve,” said Falcons’ coach Nash Racela.

the hardtail (no suspension) action in 6:15.8. Competitors were released individually at 20- to 30-second intervals, from a downhill starting area and timed individually. The eco-friendly competition was done inside the Aeta tribal reservation located inside the Subic Metropolitan Authority grounds. Le Charme CEO Josephine Floresca said they had a turnout of more than 50 enthusiasts who wanted to join, but they limited their entries for the event for the meantime.

Floresca hopes that they have more entries next year as they plan to hold it during the long weekend associated to Labor Day on May 1 and in an eco-friendly manner as well. “We aim to have lighter race, and not much of a hardcore enduro race. Because this race that we had was meant to be done for fun,” said Floresca. There are two mountainbike routes along the Pamulaklakin area. The first is the Paco trail, developed in 2015 by Romeo

“Paco” Tagle, a local mountain bike enthusiast. And then there’s the Makoy Trail that was forged back in 2012. These routes are among the pathways that many mountain bikers usually traverse when inside the SBMA. Floresca said their activity was done with the support of SBMA, the Aeta community and the staff at Le Charme Suites, which has developed facilities to accommodate athletes and people with bicycles through the years. Peter Atencio

Red Lions secure 15th straight Final 4 appearance SAN BEDA reasserted its mastery of College of The Red Lions quelled the Blazers’ last-ditch Saint Benilde, 63-57, to secure a 15th consecutive Fi- rally in the payoff period to claim the no. 3 seminal Four appearance in the NCAA men’s basketball finals ranking. tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre Sunday. Up next for San Beda is a Final Four date with

San Beda College’s James Kwekuteye led the Lions with 17 points.

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

World no. 16 Wang Zhiyi of China lies on the court after stunning world no. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, 15-21, 21-13, 21-19, to capture her first-ever women’s singles Asian title at the SMART Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022, Sunday.

Grande, Tendero conquer FRIKE races in Subic SUBIC Bay—Off-road enthusiast Kimi Grande and Jeffrey Tendero conquered the challenges in the short, but sweet 2.5-km Le Charme Fitness Center FRIKE (Fun Ride Bike) mountainbike races at the Paco route of the Pamulaklakin Forest trails here on Saturday. Grande, who is from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, dominated the full-suspension category, after going two downhill stages in five minutes, and 39.9 seconds. Tenedero, who hails from Porac, Pampanga, outpaced his rivals in

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

twice-to-beat Mapua on Sunday. By virtue of their 68-54 elimination-round conquest of the Lions, the Cardinals booked the outright Final Four slot as the No. 2 team. James Kwekuteye scored 17 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to go with four rebounds to lead San Beda. The Fil-Canadian guard, however, left in the final 1:31 due to left ankle injury. Yukien Andrada also shone for the Lions with 11 points, including three triples, and four boards. San Beda was ahead, 57-43, when CSB made a 12-3 run capped by a Will Gozum putback to cut the deficit to 55-60, with 17.8 seconds. The Blazers, however, ran out of time, as the Lions sealed the victory after Ralph Penuela went 3-of-4 from the stripe in the final 16.3 seconds. CSB, which last made it to the Final Four in 2002, will face either University of Perpetual Help System Dalta or Arellano University for the remaining berth on Wednesday. The survivor will face defending champion Letran, which has the twice-to-beat bonus for finishing No. 1 in the short eliminations. Robi Nayve went 1-of-8 from the field to finish with 10 points for the Blazers while Joshua Marcos addrd nine points and eight boards. Will Gozum could only muster 4-of-19 shooting for a eight-point outing and grabbed 11 rebounds.

FEU’s Bryan Sajonia

Kickboxers leave for Vietnam, fired up for SEA Games By Randy Caluag AFTER nearly three months of training, the national kickboxing team departs for Hanoi, Vietnam today (Monday), charged and ready to do do battle in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, The 12-man squad, which trained under a bubble set-up at in the highlands of La Trinidad, Benguet, will fly via Thai Airways with a brief stopover in Bangkok. Coach Mark Sangiao of the vaunted Team Lakay implemented the training program of the crew with martial arts background, led by former ONE Championship titlist Honorio Banario. Kickboxing is one of the few sports taking place early. Competition starts on May 6 with a one-day break during the biennial meet’s opening ceremony in May 12 and the finals happening the next day. The team hopes to improve on its second-place finish to Vietnam in the 2019 Philippines SEA Games, where it bagged 3 golds, 2 silvers and a bronze medal. Bidding for a back-to-back golden finish are Jean Clause Saclag and Gina Iniong Araos, while Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Dacquel hope to improve their silver in 2019 to a top podium finish this time. Other members of the team are Carlos Alvarez, Kurt Lubrica, Darryl Chulipaz, Emmanuel Cantores, Claudine Veloso, Gretel de Paz and Zephania Ngaya. Banario, who once reigned as ONE featherweight champion, is making a return to the combat scene. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in many countries, the national kickboxers failed to get exposure and training abroad. They instead trained with the rest of the national team training pool and vovinam athletes in La Trinidad, Benguet at the Team Lakay Central Gym in partnership with the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas, headed by president Sen. Francis Tolentino and secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan.

Sports

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

CAGE PACT.

Bacolod, Mindoro start MPBL campaigns BACOLOD and Mindoro make their initial appearance in the fourth season of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) when they tangle with Valenzuela and Imus, respectively, today (Monday, May 2) at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. The Bacolod Ballers will be led by veteran Mark Yee while the Mindoro Tamaraws will draw firepower from former Ginebra guard Tey Teodoro as they try to prove their mettle against Valenzuela City and Imus, which both dropped their games in Monday’s inaugurals in Batangas City. The Mindoro-Valenzuela tussle is set at 6:30 p.m. while the Bacolod-Imus encounter is set at 9 p.m. Yee, the Finals MVP of the MPBL Lakan Season, will be supported by gunner Alwin Alday, Jerome Garcia, Jayboy Solis, Edrian Lao, Richard Albo, John Kalo Casino and homegrown Joel Lee-Yu. Teodoro, on the other hand, will be backstopped by homegrown Rodel Vaygan and recreational leagues star Christian Palma. Both Bacolod and Mindoro are given good chances of besting Valenzuela, which yielded to Sarangani, 73-77, and Imus, which bowed to Batangas City Embassy Chill, 76-56. The Bacolod Ballers, mentored by Alex Angeles, is backed by Bingo Plus. Apart from Teodoro, MPBL AllStar Vaygan and Palma, Mindoro coach Andrei Arse will have local finds Aga Bernal, Khen Osicos and Marvin Tagunicar and varsity players Mark Cyrus Cuenco, Rey Christian Domingo, Gabriel Angelo Gomez and Dominic Panlilio, who have been issued special guest licenses by the Games and Amusements Board, at his disposal. Valenzuela, supported by MJAS Zenith, hopes to bounce back through Patrick Cabahug, Jaymar Gimpayan, Brylle Ivan Maca, Felix Apreku, Jess Quilatan and Andrey Armenion. Imus will lean on homegrown star Ian Melencio, Encho Serrano, Allan Mangahas, Leo Najorda, Jacob Galicia and Adrian Celada. The MPBL will continue on Tuesday, May 3 with another doubleheader at the Paco Arena. The games will pit Makati against Valenzuela at 6:30 p.m. and Marikina against Manila at 9 p.m.

Cocolife and Enderun Colleges formally sealed their partnership for collegiate basketball development during an awards ceremony at the company's event hall, Multinational Bldg. in Ayala Ave., Makati City. In photo are Federico Rona of Cocolife Alternative Distributor Channels handing a certificate to Enderun Colleges men's basketball coach Hippolyte 'Pipo' Nondou, while Aries Christopher Conde (second from left), AVP Business Development head and basketball operation-in charge, sports coordinator Ray Alao (left), Titans cager Tristan Charles Bradley (second from right ) and Colleges Athletics in-charge Rhenze Geralao Hu look on. According to Cocolife SVP Joseph Ronquillo, the firm will sponsor Enderun's basketball program in 2022 and beyond.

Injuries abound as NBA playoffs enter 2nd round W ASHINGTON—Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton are among the injured stars expected to be on the sidelines as the second round of the NBA playoffs begin on Sunday.

their West opener on Sunday. The top four seeds in both the The other two conference Eastern and Western Consemi-finals begin Monference advanced from day with Philadelphia the opening round, but at Miami and Dallas at few managed to get Phoenix. through unscathed. East top seed MiEmbiid, the NBA ami had four standscoring leader from outs who didn’t Cameroon, suffered practice on Friday, a right orbital bone including forward fracture and concusJimmy Butler with a sion in the 76ers’ seriesknee injury and Kyle clinching win at Toronto Lowry with a hamstring and is out indefinitely. concern. The 7-foot star was already Joel Embiid of the Butler averaged 21.4 nursing a thumb injury when Philadelphia 76ers points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.4 he was struck in the face by AFP assists a game for the Heat the left elbow of countryman this season while guard Lowry, who won Pascal Siakam of the Raptors. “I think he broke my face,” Embiid an NBA title with Toronto in 2019, had 13.4 points, 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds said. “But it’s all good in the playoffs.” Embiid 26.2 points and 11.3 rebounds a game. Memphis was without New Zealand against Toronto. He had 30.6 points and 11.7 rebounds in a regular season and is a big man Steven Adams, in Covid-19 profinalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player tocols, for a series-clinching win over Minnesota. award. Golden State’s Andre Iguodala was exMiddleton, a 30-year-old forward, is expected to miss most if not all of the sec- pected to be re-evaluated next week for ond round with a sprained left knee liga- neck pain aggravated during the Warriors’ first-round series against Denver. ment. Boston’s Jaylen Brown has had hamDefending champion Milwaukee, sparked by Greek star Giannis Antetok- string tightness but was expected to play ounmpo, will open a best-of-seven series in Sunday’s opener against the visiting against Boston on Sunday in the East Bucks. The Celtics are in the second round for while Golden State visits Memphis for

the fifth time in six years and are rested after pulling off the only first-round sweep in eliminating Brooklyn. They closed the regular season 26-6 and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart anchors the NBA’s best defensive unit, a group that will try to make life difficult for Antetokounmpo. That includes Jayson Tatum, who averaged nearly 30 points a game in round one. The 76ers, who lost to Atlanta in last year’s second round, would need star guard James Harden, forward Tobias Harris and playmaker Tyrese Maxey to step up if Embiid misses major time against the Heat. Miami big man Bam Adebayo could play a pivotal role in the series if he can dominate in Embiid’s absence. Draymond’s green light Memphis boasts NBA Most Improved Player Ja Morant and impressive Desmond Bane leading a young and talented Grizzlies unit. But they face a Golden State squad that has quickly revamped and boasts star guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, inside defensive force Draymond Green and third-year guard Jordan Poole. Curry has recovered from a left foot injury that left him coming off the bench much of the first round and his backcourt battles against Morant could be series highlights. Poole made the most of his starting role in Curry’s recovery to deliver a scoring punch as a reserve. “I didn’t really come in with any expectations,” Poole said. “I didn’t know what to expect because this was my first time being here. But I definitely learned a lot.” AFP

Australia won’t send athletes to Asian Games SYDNEY—Australia said Sunday it will not be sending athletes to this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The Olympic-sized event is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou from September 10-25, less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of Shanghai, which is battling a large Covid-19 outbreak. The Olympic Council of Asia had invited a total of 300 athletes and 150 support staff from nations in Oceania to participate for the first time in the multisports event.

“No athletes from Australian sports” will take part, an Australian Olympic Committee spokesman said in a message to AFP. Organizers of the Hangzhou games say they are developing a virus control plan, building on the Beijing Winter Olympics held in February. But they have provided few details of how they intend to hold the games if China’s strict zero-Covid policy remains unchanged. The city of 12 million will become the third in China

to host the continental competition after Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010. Some events will be held in other provincial cities including Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jinhua. All 56 competition venues for September’s Asian Games and Asian Para Games have been completed, organizers say. AFP

Acabo foils Padilla, wins PPS 18-U tennis crown AJ Acabo got back at Ma. Judyann Padilla in practically the same fashion the latter did in their recent title duel in the PPS-PEPP national age group tennis circuit, pounding out a 6-4, 4-6, 12-10 decision at the Liloy Tennis Club in Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend. Acabo came through with clutch baseline hits in the decider to pull off the victory in the girls’ 18-and-under division as the rising Zamboanga Sibugay star rebounded from her 7-5, 4-6, 3-10 defeat to the Ozamiz City ace in last week’s Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala stop in Labason. Padilla, who swept the 16-U and 18-U diadems in Dipolog and Labason, earlier trounced Acabo in the 16-U finals, scoring an easy 6-2, 6-0 rout but the latter came out strong in their 18-U duel to split the top two titles in the circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. Thomas Gabuat, meanwhile, kept his win run going in the boys’ side of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop, toppling Mark Barrios, 6-3, 6-3, and dispatching Cyril Paster, 6-1, 6-2, in the 18- and 16-U finals, respectively. Sindangan’s Marlyn Mesiona likewise extended her reign in girls’ 14-U play, beating Stephanie Omos, 6-0, 6-1, for her fourth title romp following her victories in Dipolog, Sindangan and Labason, while Dipolog’s Pete Bandala survived Rastan Baje, 7-6(1), 7-5, to snatch the boys’ 14-U trophy for the second straight week. Gabrielle Bolado, also from Dipolog, took the girls’ 12-U title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Omos while Terence Bugarin from Labason held off Kent Gitalan, 6-4, 6-3, in the boys’ side of the youngest category in the tournament held under the auspices of the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). Meanwhile, action resumed in Lanao del Norte yesterday for the Maranding leg while Oroquieta City in Misamis Oriental will host the next stop on May 4-6. For details and registration, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Cebu Chooks edges Sansar, rules 3x3 Super Quest

Members of Cebu Chooks

SANTA ROSA—Cebu Chooks outdueled Sansar MMC Energy in a thrilling finale, 17-15, to rule the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest, Saturday night at the Ayala Malls Solenad Activity Center here in Laguna. The Philippines’ top-ranked 3x3 player Mac Tallo spearheaded the assault with eight points, none bigger than his two-pointer from the left corner that changed the game’s complexion as it gave his side the 15-14 advantage. The 28-year-old Cebuano would, later on, hit the dagger with 1:16 left, eventually settling the final count as the opposition could not find the mark. Cebu and its Mongolian counterparts are both headed to the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters on May 28-29 at SM Megamall. “Sobrang sarap! Dadalhin na-

min ang momentum na ito sa Manila Masters. Fifteen-percent pa lang ito sa totoong goal namin,” said Tallo. “The team deserved this after everything they went through for the past two years,” added Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas head trainer Aldin Ayo. “But there is still more games to be won. This is just the start for the team.” Mike Harry Nzesseu provided seven points, while tireless workhorse Zach Huang chipped in two markers in the historic triumph that also netted them USD 10,000 by lording over the Level 8 FIBA 3x3 Tournament. Cebu Chooks have become the first Philippine team in a long while to win a gold medal in the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit, or since the all-pro Manila West defeated Doha to conquer the World Tour Manila Masters back in 2014.

“Coach Ayo always reminds us to take it one game at a time. And we will keep that mindset wherever we will go,” offered Nzeusseu, whose side concluded the Asia Pacific Super Quest unscathed with a 5-0 overall record. Enkhbaatar Onolbaatar finished with nine points to lead Sansar, who couldn’t solve the Cebu puzzle as they lost to the same team in the pool stage. Anand Ariunbold backed him up with four points, while Sukhbat Batzorig and Gansukh Avarzed scored one each in the defeat. Sansar, meanwhile, also brought home $5,000. Meanwhile, Aldous Torculas defeated David Carlos by a point to become the Sudan Daniel Slam Dunk champion. The young highflyer from the University of the Philippines took home P20,000 as well.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Star Magic talents ‘slay the hot summer’ THE summer fever continues with backto-back treats from Star Magic as ABSCBN’s talent management arm celebrates its 30th anniversary with the launch of its digital video magazine, Slay, and the fun travel reality show Hot Summer in Baler in the “Slay the Hot Summer.” The star-studded gathering and launch party was held at the Resorts World Manila over the weekend where the first sexy cover girl of Slay was introduced. In the cover story, Alexa Ilacad – introduced to embody women empowerment and body positivity – shares her journey doing the cover shoot and explains how it empowers her as a woman. “It shows how I deserved to be loved and how I should love myself,” Alexa said in the teaser released by Star Magic. Joining her on the first-ever digital

video magazine cover are Thamara Alexandria, Missy Quiño, Alyssa Exala, and Sharina Villena. Fans of Alexa and the “Slaymates” were able to see the digital magazine first in an advance screening and meet and greet that happened on April 29 via ktx.ph. Meanwhile, Maris Racal, Jane Oineza, Kira Balinger, Heaven Peralejo, Maureen Wrob, Zach Guerrero, Michelle Vito, Karina Bautista, Eian Rances, Brent Manalo, Elmo Magalona, and Andrea Brillantes were introduced as cast members of Hot Summer in Baler. They are joined by Esynr Ranollo, Alora Sasam, and Pepe Herrera in showcasing the beauty of Baler in the first episode of the summer treat, which premiered yesterday, May 1, on ABS-CBN Entertainment and Star Magic’s Youtube Channel.

Alexa Ilacad graces the cover story of Star Magic’s digital video magazine, ‘Slay’

Star Magic celebrates summer with the fun travel reality show ‘Hot Summer in Baler’

Getting intimate in Maria Ozawa’s room

‘False Positive’ is GMA’s new romcom series

Turning the tables on gender roles in ‘False Positive’ By Patricia Taculao

REGNANCY is no easy feat, as many women already know. During this time, they need all the support they could get from their partners because growing a baby inside their womb takes all their mental and physical strength. One common wish among pregnant women is to share their struggles with their partners so they can feel what it’s like to carry another human being. GMA-7 turned this notion into a possibility—at least on the small screen—with the new rom-com series False Positive, starring Xian Lim and Glaiza de Castro. “The concept is meron naman in the past—may lalaking nabuntis—pero ang difference ngayon is ‘yong relatability niya sa Philippine audience. That’s number one. Number two, ‘yong Xian Lim (left) and Glaiza de Castro gender equality na underlying theme ng istorya,” Renato Custodio, the head deeper layer na gusto naming ipaabot sa audience at writer for the series, said during an turuan na rin in a way kung paano dapat natin alagaan online media conference for the ang mga asawa, lalo na pag buntis, paano natin hindi primetime progam. dapat binabalewala ang babae,” Cruz shared. Custodio added that the At the same time, False Positive also highlights the concept for the series was already realization that men also play a significant role than in his vault of ideas even before being the provider in creating a symbiotic relationship the pandemic. He later sought Tonton for any couple. the help of Dode Cruz, the series’ Gutierrez Joining Xian and Glaiza in the series are Nova Villa, creative consultant, to turn the story Tonton Gutierrez, Rochelle Pangilinan, Dominic Roco, into something suitable for television Luis Hontiveros, and Yvette Sanchez. viewing. Nova returns to the small screen once again as a grandmother “Noong na-receive ko ‘yong in the new series. Although she played the role of the elderly concept na ito, I found it very matriarch in other shows, Nova admitted that she thoroughly interesting, especially for enjoyed working on the new series because it has a different primetime audience. Hindi approach by being a dramedy. pa kami nagkaroon ng “Ako nag-alaga kay Xian dahil buntis siya. ‘Yong atake ganitong klaseng show ko doon ay kakaiba dahil this is the first time na ganitong wherein we can tackle klaseng storya ‘yong gagampanan ko. Isipin mo lalaki ‘yong gender equality,” Cruz mabubuntis at ako pa ‘yong lola ni Glaiza pero ako ang nagexpalined. alaga sa asawa niya,” the veteran actress said. He added that the Nova On the other hand, Tonton plays Xian’s father, who has a story behind the series Villa male chauvinist stance and encourages Xian to avoid being doesn’t merely revolve dominated by his wife. Unknown to many, he has an experience around the husband getting that makes him that way. pregnant just because he’s There’s more for audiences to watch as False Positive male. They inserted the issue of premieres today on GMA. But they can expect that the series gender equality because they wanted to show challenges gender norms while showing the proper approach viewers that society shouldn’t hold men in a higher position than to fostering equality in a relationship through a comedic yet women, especially in relationships, and vice versa. dramatic take. Like in any relationship, whether heterosexual or not, the two Love, drama, heaps of laughter, and valuable life lessons partners involved should consider themselves equal and learn to await viewers in this original drama airing right after First Lady give and take. on GMA Telebabad. “Medyo comedy ‘yong approach namin…pero mayroon siyang

JAPANESE actress and model Maria Ozawa recently launched the online gaming portal Maria’s Room in partnership with M88 Mansion. Some of the major content of the online gaming portal include excellent and engaging games for players like “Bikini Party” where sexy ladies play beach volleyball, “Football Baby” where they can play soccer, and “Ladies Nite 2 Turn Wild,” a video slot where they can party the night away. In addition, the platform also features exclusive videos and a photo gallery of Maria. “I want to express how grateful I am for the continuous support, confidence, and trust I receive from one of Asia’s most recognizable and most established online casinos. It was my first time partnering with a gaming company and I am simply thrilled that through it, my personality is presented in a new light. It definitely mirrors my fun side,” she stated. Now that she’s back in the Philippines, she admitted she missed everything about the country – from the food, the weather down to the beaches – especially the kind of hospitality s h e experiences from the people. In 2015, Maria did Nilalang, a movie opposite C e s a r Montano. She also l o o k s

forward to doing another film in the country. Meanwhile, her romance with celebrity chef Jose Sarasola has already ended. Is she ready to fall in love again in the Philippines? “I’m happy right now. But hopefully, I’ll find another love here,” she ended. ••• In a recent media conference, Xian Lim admitted that he is feeling nervous that his first project for GMA-7 is premiering today. Entitle False Positive, he shares stellar billing with Glaiza de Castro. It can be remembered that Love. Die. Repeat should’ve been his maiden Kapuso project but taping was temporarily put on hold due to Jennylyn Mercado’s pregnancy. “I am under pressure but first and foremost, I’m so grateful to the Kapuso management and the whole GMA family for the great opportunity to work for them. It’s definitely a huge honor,” said Xian. How does he handle the pressure? “I know it’s there and I know it would be hard. But I just vowed to do my best to please our director.” According to the former Kapamilya star, False Positive has a lot of lessons to impart. With what’s happening in the world these days, he thinks that things are already heavy. He believes that the best way to communicate a message is through something light, something that can make people laugh. “But even with the comedic moments, the viewers have a takeaway. Definitely, they can learn something from this project.” On the lighter side, many are curious how he and girlfriend Kim Chiu are doing especially at this point when they’re both busy with their respective careers and they get paired with different stars. “Well, since we’re both in the entertainment industry, we already accepted the fact that we’ll be paired with other artists. We also agreed that we want to grow individually and as a couple. I believe we can work on both at the same time,” Xian shared. “One factor that matters between couples is assurance. You have to assure each other that you will always be there for each other come hell or high waters. We don’t let petty things affect our relationship,” Xian concluded. Japanese actress and model Maria Ozawa

Letrang Norte’s new ditty empowers self-love, lands on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist LETRANG Norte’s latest track “Salamat Na Lang Sa Lahat” makes use of crucial lines to emphasize relationships as an act of sacrifice. It tackles about addressing the bitterness of a romance gone cold by nursing one’s pain to quite an extent it’s almost glorifying the world of the brokenhearted. The duo’s music and emphatic vocal harmonies made sure such message is clear and embracing. Published by Widescope Entertainment, “Salamat Na Lang Sa Lahat” is released on April 29, across digital platforms. Spotify editors chose it for Fresh Finds Philippines. The songwriting-singing tandem of Louie

Kem Anthony Babaran and Rebecca Ruth Resuello dug into their real experiences to craft a love song that touches the sentiment and decency of the Filipino as a romantic lover. Interestingly, they’re donning some classic Filipiniana outfits with nature as backdrop on their digital single cover. The fine mix of their music and lyricism reflect the pretty irony that comes between going extreme retro in get-up and pushing relevantly forward in music-making. That won’t be possible without the support of some gentlemen who are experts in what they do, namely, executive producer Vic de Vera, supervising producer Neil Gregorio, and A&R manager Ebe Dancel.

Musically, Ruth (vocals, drums & percussion, acoustic guitar, violin, cello) and Louie (vocals, piano, bass guitar, electric guitar), who also worked together in arranging the song, got ample help from mastering specialist Rojh Dychangco Baquiran. “We imagined a song about a dying relationship, imbued with the realization that self-love is more important than anything else, and that tolerance in a relationship may turn out bad and may pile up until it explodes.” The arresting pre-chorus melody and words should lead listeners to where the song intends to: “Ala-alang

namamantsa/ Ng di pagkaunawaan/ Patawad kung may hangganan/ Ang dati’y walang hanggan.” “’Salamat Na Lang Sa Lahat’ is a story of the beginning of the end of a relationship, seen from two opposite perspectives: one letting go to redeem oneself; and one letting go because there is no other choice,” the group added. Letrang Norte is a story in itself, especially since the two members are practically self-contained musicians who do things authentically raw by themselves and know each other’s value in the mix. To Stream and Download: https://orcd. co/letrangnorte_salamatnalangsalahat

Louie Kem Anthony Babaran (right) and Rebecca Ruth Resuello of Letrang Norte

Life

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

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu

Harnaaz Sandhu

and her universe

VER wonder what is it like to follow a Miss Universe on a trip? Given her hectic schedule, it’s tiring.

On Thursday, two days before she sat as one of the judges at Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena, we joined reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu in her recent trip to Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur. The junket started early morning when we left the Platinum Skies Hangar Domestic Airport Compound in Pasay aboard a private plane. With us were Harnaaz’s team of videographers, some members of the Miss Universe Organization, some select members of the press, and the President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and Narvacan City Mayor, Hon. Chavit Singson along with Architect Richelle Singson-Michael, LCS Group Vice Chairperson and Ako Ilokano Ako Partylist first nominee. The flight was a 35-minutes smooth experience, laid-back. But the same thing cannot be said of Harnaaz’s itinerary that day. When we landed at the airport of the famous city in the northern Philippines, Harnaaz immediately started her tour itinerary with a courtesy call with Governor Ryan Singson at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center. It was immediately followed by a tour at the Baluarte Safari Gallery and Safari Hotel. Then she headed for lunch at a restaurant on the famed Calle Crisologo before doing a quick shoot with the 15th Century Spanish street as backdrop. In between, she graciously accommodated a few peo-

ple, some government officials included, for quick selfies. After a merienda cena in Sulvec, Narvacan, Harnaaz, still in her stilettos, appeared as special guest at the inauguration of the Narvacan Digital Palengke, an initiative that aims to empower Filipino vendors with opportunities to make use of cashless transactions and provide training to help them improve their livelihood in these digital times. At the venue, she was surrounded by locals eager to have a closer look at her, have a selfie of course, or just to see her wave and smile. She went back to Sulvec for a quick outfit change, do some snaps for MUO social media posts, and have dinner before heading back to Narvacan Market for the launch of the town’s dancing fountain. Throughout the day, she was all smiles and full of energy. There was not a slight hint that she’s getting tired, not to mention that she still looked dewy fresh, and blooming despite the harsh, humid weather. “Even before coming to the Philippines, I’m just so thankful to all the Filipinos. The Philippines has my whole heart, and I call the Philippines my universe, keep supporting and keep [on] showing love,” Harnaaz declared speaking both in English and in her mother tongue. Pioneering initiative “The presence of Harnaaz just makes everything beautiful and inspiring. We as Ilocanos feel more inspired to innovate to better serve the municipality,” SingsonMichael said as she went around the Public Market with Mayor Chavit purchasing goods from the vendors in a quick and cashless manner by using QR codes from

Mayor Chavit Singson (leftmost) is optimistic that the Narvacan Digital Palengke will help Filipino vendors and small businesses revitalize the local economy

their Narvacan Digital Wallet. Mayor Chavit Singson also expressed optimism that the Narvacan Digital Palengke will help Filipino vendors and small businesses revitalize the local economy through the efficiency of the cashless transactions which will boost livelihood, resulting in more job opportunities and attract larger enterprises to the region. “First and foremost, I am extremely proud of this project because we in Narvacan, aim to be a municipality that is current with the technology age,” Singson said. The Digital Palengke launch is one of the modernization projects in the advancing town of Mayor Singson which includes solar parking shed modules that power the market, a dancing fountain for entertainment, and soon e-jeepneys to service the town. “I am certain these projects will bring a bright future and great opportunities to businesses and consumers not only in Narvacan, but in the entire region.” he continued. Singson-Michael explained that their company developed an app, an e-wallet initially designed for the issuance of salary loans. “When the pandemic hit, we pivoted our business model toward serving the local government. We realized that the government had a difficult time distributing ayuda or government allowance during lockdowns. We thought that this has to de done in a contactless manner so that’s where our mobile application came in,” said Singson-Michael “It took us a year and a half to develop our app and we’re so honored that Harnaaz was here to give her support. We’re rolling it out to 20 towns and we have registered around 100 thousand citizens.

Harnaaz Sandhu and Richelle Singson-Michael at the Narvacan Market

And to boost awareness about our initiative we had Harnaaz to help us during the inauguration,” she added. The Digital Palengke program is an innovation by Casha, Inc., a finance and technology company also headed by Singson-Michael. The reigning Miss Universe bonds with Richelle “The majority of the population Singon-Michael despite her hectic schedule still lacks access to financial prod- here in the Philippines ucts, which is why we are con“I’m feeling so special right now. It’s a tinuously issuing digital wallets for the public market vendors, buyers, dream come true moment for me to expeand citizens of Narvacan. The digitiza- rience Manila and Vigan. I’m so honored tion of payments, particularly for small that she made me experience these things. businesses allows for a safer, more con- She kind of inspired me with her initiavenient flow of cashless transactions as tives,” the Indian beauty queen went on. Singson-Michael, who acted as the their Narvacan Digital Wallet allows for instant bank transfers to any bank, bills Harnaaz’s host and big sister throughout payments, pre-paid loading, all from their the trip, shared that she’s more than willing to welcome the latter to her homemobile phones” says Singson-Michael. In turn, when asked about her experi- town again for future campaigns that they ence, Harnaaz said, “I am so excited for will spearhead. “I’m so happy bonding together, I’m my friend Architect Richelle SingsonMichael, who has always been leading happy bringing her to our hometown. I Filipinas towards empowerment. I am sure hope that she’d be part of our future proud that through her leadership in dif- tourism campaigns. Though we cherryferent industries, women are able to take picked what she can best experience in charge of their future through innovations Ilocos Sur. If we had extra days I’d bring made available by initiatives like these her to see our crafts, like pottery, and that allow convenience and security for weaving centers where women do all the work,” Singson-Michael ended. their livelihood.”

Richelle Singson-Michael explains how to operate the Narvacan Digital Wallet

Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu (centermost) posing with Chavit Singson (left from center), Richelle Singson-Michael (right from center), and members of the press

Travel musings with the press secretary ternational Visitors Leadership Fellowship Program; Georgetown University for an Executive Course in Public and Non-Profit Management; and Harvard University for a Senior Executive Fellows Program at the Harvard Kennedy School. He also attended special courses at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore and at Hong Kong University, and added a Doctorate degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. What do all these academic achievements point to? They gave him a very solid foundation to stand on, as he tackles the gargantuan tasks at the PCOO. No wonder he comes across as somebody who is always cool, calm, and collected when handling the many Public Relations challenges of the current administration, and he never fails to brighten the TV screen with his winsome smile. Now that he is ending his term as PCOO Secretary, he finally had the time to sit down with some media friends and we all had a fun, free-wheeling discussion on anything and everything, no “offthe-record” requests. He was game enough to answer everybody’s questions and even gifted each of us a special loot bag at the end of our session. His thoughts on the coming elections? He was

careful not to mention any candied to learn more and see relics date, lest he be perceived as that of the Byzantine Empire of the candidate’s sponsor, but told us, Middle Ages and the Ottoman instead, that he looks forward Empire of the 14th century. Byzantine’s capital was Conto the new government because stantinople, now named Istanbul. “whoever wins will inherit a very THE current Secretary of the Presidential CommuThe interesting and rich architecpolarized country, which makes nications Operations Office (PCOO), Jose Ruperto ture of this era was characterized the post-election scenario very inMartin Marfori Andanar, is only 47 years old and by beautiful domes, exquisite teresting.” has already made a name for himself as a respected decorations, and spacious strucWhen I asked him what he liked and reliable television newscaster way before he tures. On the other hand, the Otmost about being PCOO Secretary, joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet. Being toman Empire, which ended the he said that having to fix many a true blue Cebuano, I am thrilled to know that Sec. Byzantine Empire when it conthings in his department towards Martin also speaks Cebuano. quered Constantinople, is given ensuring an effective and flawless He earned his secondary education from Xavier credit for the development of our output gave him a great sense of University in Cagayan de Oro, and proceeded to the achievement. I can easily relate government, and social and ecoUniversity of the Philippines-Los Baños for his colto this feeling of significant acnomic systems. lege degree but, after a year, he decided to move to complishment, as I experienced the Presidential Communications I shared with Sec. Martin the Australia where he graduated from Federation Unisame situation when I took over the Operations Office Secretary Jose many other interesting attractions versity with a degree in Social and Political Studies helm of an international airline sev- Ruperto Martin Marfori Andanar in Turkey that he shouldn’t miss— and Film and Media Studies. eral decades ago, corrected a lot of the iconic Hagia Sofia, the hot air When he moved back to Manila, he obtained a procedures, and implemented effective strategies, balloon ride over Cappadocia’s “fairy chimneys,” a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from the Asian resulting in a sharp increase in the airline’s load fac- sunset cruise along the Bosphorus, the house of the Institute of Management. Wikipedia further states tor. Blessed Mother in Ephesus, etc. He said he would that he took special courses in several universities Sec. Martin also proudly declared that one of ask me to help him plan his travel itinerary. in the U.S.: Northern Illinois University for an InHe also wants to visit Italy for a closer look at the his department’s sterling accomplishments is the creation of the Government Communication great Roman Empire which, if I remember my World Academy in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It’s History, actually covered Europe, North Africa, and the country’s first media the western part of Asia. To complete his break, he also training facility and offers wants to visit Greece, probtechnical courses for those YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE ably to know more about who want to work as govWhat do dentists call their X-rays? Tooth Alexander the Great of ernment public informapics. Macedonia, one of history’s tion officers or in private media companies. greatest generals. I also And the worst thing told him about the popular about his job? Straightaway he said, “Not know- points of interest in Greece and reminded him not ing what’s real and what’s not!” I empathize with to miss my own personal favorite destination in the him because that situation is certainly very diffi- world, Santorini. cult, especially in his position where he probably It looks like Sec. Martin’s planned break will had to agonize over making a choice that would keep him pleasantly busy and definitely “richer!” affect many people, while not being sure if the Busy, as he will fly to and spend a lot of time halfway across the globe, to immerse himself in the available options are real or not. I wanted to keep our conversation light so I asked many interesting historical testaments that have him what’s next after his term ends. He’s looking helped shape the world we now live in. Richer, forward to “taking a break for six months or a year.” because I have always believed in what a wise Of course, he certainly deserves a respite from the man once said, “Travel is the only thing you buy grueling schedule he has had for the past six years. that makes you richer.” Enjoy your well-deserved I was almost sure that travel was included in the break Sec. Martin! Sec. Andanar (seated, center) with media friends (from left) Rina David, Joy Fong, Jullie Yap Daza, Cynthia Santiago, Deedee planned break so I asked him which country he Siytangco, PCOO’s Omar Romero, Joanne Ramirez, the author, Frank Evaristo, Pete Dacuycuy, and Henry Lato For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com would like to visit first. “Turkey,” because he want-