DOH, DBM asked: Where did the money go? By Rio Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas THE Office of the Ombudsman is issuing subpoenas to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado for documents detailing where funds for the COVID-19 response went. In an interview on CNN Philippines,
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said they were particularly interested in the special allotment release orders for cash benefits given to the families of front liners who got infected with the virus and died in the line of duty. “We want to know where the money was spent, how long it took to provide aid to the families of front liners who died after they were inflicted with the virus... Next page
VOL. XXXIV • NO. 116 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
COVID-19 PH
HERO’S DAY. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno offers a wreath at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal during the commemoration of the national hero’s 159th birth anniversary on Friday, June 19, 2020. Moreno is joined by Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and Police Brig. General Rolando Miranda. In the time of the virus pandemic, frontliners ranging from doctors, nurses and other health workers to soldiers, cops and volunteers are hailed for their bravery and heroism like Rizal. Norman Cruz
AT A GLANCE
(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 19)
28,459
661 NEW
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES
460
1,130
14
7,378
288
DEATHS
RECOVERIES
FRESH
NEW
NEW
‘Like Rizal, frontliners are modern heroes’ By Vito Barcelo MALACANANG has lauded the frontliners battling COVID-19, described them as the country’s modern-day heroes, and called their dedication to help their countrymen similar to what the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal
Experts probe Cebu cases
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Cluster of new infections hits 10 barangays; OFWs, jails on target
By Willie Casas
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TEACHERS’ TRIBULATION. Leaders of the Alliance of Concerned
HE Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday it is sending a team of experts to Cebu City to determine the cause of a cluster of new COVID-19 cases in a number of barangays.
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, said the agency has been monitoring the situation in Cebu, where 10 barangays have accounted for 328 cases between June 5 and 18. “There are many assumptions at the moment, so we’re sending a team there so they can really do the epidemiological investigation,” Vergeire said in a mix of Filipino and English. She said the DOH team would look at the return of overseas Filipino workers, the infections in jails and the expanded testing in the area.
Teachers and ACT-NCR Union troop to the Department of Education’s central office, demanding a dialogue to hear out their concerns on work guidelines before school opening amid the virus pandemic.
Central Visayas, where it is located, is the region with the second highest cases of infection, next to the National Capital Region. Cebu City is considered the epicenter of the contagion in Central Visayas, which as a region now has a total of 4,832 confirmed COVID-19 cases, over 66 percent or 3,216 of which were recorded in the Queen City of the South. Lockdowns have been eased in most parts of the country except for Cebu City, which has been placed under an enhanced community quarantine Next page
283 execs face SAP raps
Morales, Roque swap insults
By Vito Barcelo, Joel E. Zurbano, Maricel V. Cruz, Jess Malabanan, Ben Chavez and Willie Casas NEARLY 300 elected local officials are being investigated for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the first tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Friday. Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, CIDG Deputy Director for Administration, said as of Thursday, a total 283 elected officials, ranging from the mayor down to Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, and 445 Next page
By Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo grateful if they can find somebody
else-maybe him,” PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Ricardo Morales told GMA News Online. “No problem with me, but he’s not the President, he’s the spokesman. These are two different things.” Roque said Morales was dodging “What I can say to Attorney Roque the issue. is, be my guest. My family will be very Next page THE head of the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on Friday welcomed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s suggestion that someone else implement the Universal Health Care Law, saying maybe Roque would want to take his place.
SENIORS’ STIPEND. Wearing protective gear, an employee of Navota City hands
out social pension for indigent elderly. Around 13, 800 senior citizens from the city’s 18 barangays will receive their January-June stipend worth P3,000.00 each. Some of them will also receive their unpaid benefits according to the City’s Social Welfare and Development Office, the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and the City’s Treasurer’s Office. Andrew Rabulan
On-screen smooching allowed ACTORS have started kissing again on French film shoots, the country’s culture minister said Friday. Franck Riester said “kissing has started again on sets” where the “actors have been tested” for the coronavirus. And he insisted that l’amour is not completely dead despite the pandemic. Next page
WORLD ROUNDUP
• New contagion in China market • Lab monkeys in short supply CHINA has released genome data for the coronavirus found in a new outbreak in Beijing, which state experts suggest share similarities to European Next page
BUTTERFLY NEBULA.
Hubble’s full range of imaging capabilities are revealed here in the image of a young planetary nebula. NGC 6303 is dubbed the Butterfly Nebula because of its wing-like appearance. The researchers have found unprecedented levels of complexity and rapid changes in jets and gas bubbles blasting off of the stars at the center of the nebula. NASA
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Angkas proposes plastic shields By Darwin G. Amojelar
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OTORCYCLE taxi service provider Angkas said Friday it had submitted to the government innovative solutions, such as using backpack plastic shields to ease the potential transmission of COVID-19 to passengers, once it was allowed to restart operations.
“The government response is good, and they are definitely looking at it,” Royeca said. “We are proposing the limited use [of Angkas] because a full-blown operation is not possible at this time.” In the same virtual forum, Jun Belizario, dean of the University of the Philippines’ College of Public Health, said the Angkas shield could help because it would be an added barrier and similar to the face mask. “The Angkas shield contributes to a number of measures. The intent is to diminish the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases without a 100-percent guarantee because there’s no 100-percent guarantee—not even social distancing, face mask and hand
washing,” Belizario said. “The added layer of protection would help. The measures should minimize the fears and anxiety that you will get COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. We cannot wait for a vaccine to allow motorcycle taxis.” Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo agreed with Royecan and Belizario that motorcycle taxis should be allowed soon as long as those complied with the health protocols set by the IATF. “We reiterate our appeal. There is a strong public clamor to allow the operation of motorcycle taxis,” Castelo said. But she said motorcycle taxis such as Angkas should follow health protocols such as testing its riders and regular disinfection, among other things.
“We sent the proposal a few days ago. Our proposal is to create a study to make sure we arrive at the necessary protocols,” Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca said in a virtual press briefing hosted by Samahang Plaridel. “What Angkas is trying to do is to cooperate with the government and see if we can find ways to create a series of measures on how to make it safer.”
One of Angkas’ solutions to prevent COVID-19 transmission is using a backpack plastic shield to limit the physical contact between the driver and the passenger. Angkas will also require passengers to use their own helmets and face masks. Royeca is optimistic that the government, particularly the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF, will approve its proposal.
‘Like... From A1
Speaker sees minimal changes during October transition
did more than a century ago. “They are our modern-day heroes. This occasion reminds us of Dr. Rizal’s young life, dedicated to service, which rings a bell in these challenging times,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement Friday, which coincided with the 159th birth anniversary of Rizal. He added: “We are proud to see today modern-day heroes — our courageous frontliners — who rise up to the challenge and serve as beacons of hope to a people weary and fearful of the present global health scare.” Roque also asked the youth to draw inspiration from Rizal’s life and emulate his principles as “hope for our future.” He asked the public to emulate Rizal’s principles and for the youth to live up to the hero’s statement that the youth “is the hope of the fatherland.” “We ask our people, the youth in particular, whom our beloved hero referred to as the ‘hope for our future,’ to take inspiration from his life and emulate his principles to be agents of genuine transformation for a better Philippines,” Roque said. Jose Rizal, born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861, is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. He wrote two books, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, that sparked the Filipinos to revolt against the Spaniards. Rizal’s advocacy for reforms in the Philippines during Spain’s colonial rule – which was for 377 years – to his death at age 35. He was convicted of sedition and executed in Bagumbayan, now called Luneta, in Manila on Dec. 30, 1896. Roque said Rizal’s life was a testament of “how a single person’s deep love for his country could spark the re-awakening of our forefathers’ desire for freedom and change.” “This occasion reminds us of Dr. Rizal’s young life, dedicated to service, which rings a bell in these challenging times,” he said.
DOH,... From A1 Where’s the money and where did it go?” Martires told CNN in Filipino. Budget officials said they have already sent the requested documents. As of June 9, the government has spent P354 billion on the effort to contain COVID-19. Two weeks ago, President Rodrigo Duterte scolded Health officials for the slow release of compensation to the families of health workers who were sick or died of COVID-19. The delays in the release of the benefits sparked calls for Duque’s resignation in the Senate. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday he has grown tired of calling on Duque to take a leave while he is under investigation.
Morales,... From A1 “The remarks of PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales are yet another attempt to divert attention from a damaging issue, which is that the PhilHealth head has failed to clean up the agency, which was the mandate given to him by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Roque said in a statement. Roque said Morales was dodging the issue about his alleged inaction in fighting corruption in PhilHealth, and had taken things personally. Morales said he would rather not bother the President about the issue as Duterte had more serious problems at hand. “We’re still working on the solution. I think it’s premature to bother the President. We should come to him with the
By Maricel V. Cruz
“I’ve been communicating with the supporters of Congressman Velasco to discuss that the only change will be limited to me and Velasco), not the other chairmanships,” Cayetano said Friday. As you all know, Congressman [Martin] Romualdez, our Majority Leader, will stay. That’s why I appointed him co-chairman of DCC (Defeat COVID-19 committee). So if that happens, in the transition, there will be minimal changes,” he added. However, Cayetano refused to say if
the change in House leadership would affect the way the chamber would craft legislation on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. “It would be unfair for me to say that it will be affected, or not affected because it will be self-serving. Because some will say, just because you are there you think you can do better,” Cayetano said. “What’s important for me is to prepare for the transition, make sure the chamber will have strong chairmanships,” Cayetano added.
NCR and Region 7 have been reporting higher numbers of new cases in the past weeks. The DOH also logged 288 new recovered patients for a total of 7,378 recoveries since the pandemic started. The DOH said there were also 14 new coronavirus-related deaths or a total of 1,130 fatalities since the virus reached the country earlier this year. Twelve of these new deaths happened during the first two weeks of June. The others are presumed to have happened in previous months. In its case bulletin, the DOH also noted that it removed one patient from its total case count. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminded the public that Dexamethasone—which has been found to reduce mortality among seriously ill COVID-19 patients--is a prescription drug and should strictly be used under the supervision of a licensed physician. “The drug should be only dispensed by licensed establishments to patients with a valid prescription. The sale of unregistered Dexamethasone or sale of
the drug without valid prescription or through online platforms is strictly prohibited,” the statement said. Dexamethasone is a steroid and is prescribed by a licensed physician based on the patient’s medical condition. Misuse or unsupervised chronic use of this drug may lead to serious adverse reactions such as immunosuppression or impairment of the body’s ability to fight infections, gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers, electrolyte imbalance, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and poor wound healing. Prolonged use of the drug may also cause suppression of growth among infants and children. If stopped abruptly, it may cause withdrawal symptoms such as hypotension, shock, and coma, the FDA warned. Also on Friday, Manila’s Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo said the Philippines has expressed interest in a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University. Earlier, AstraZeneca agreed to supply Europe with up to 400 million doses of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine, with deliveries starting by the end of the year.
month, “they waited a bit before doing that kiss that is so important in cinema.” Reister did not say which film or which actors were the first to get back The ministers told French radio that to on-screen smooching. “No, the kiss is not over with,” the while shooting in Europe’s biggest film industry was allowed to restart earlier this politician declared when asked if social
distancing was in danger of killing off love scenes altogether. French cinemas are to reopen after a three-month coronavirus closure on Monday but with drastic distancing measures that mean they can never be more than half full. AFP
“I’m tired of giving comments regarding Secretary Duque,” said Sotto when asked if Duque should take a leave pending the Ombudsman investigation over the DOH’s alleged irregularities and anomalies in relation to the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sotto was among the senators who signed a Senate resolution calling for Duque to resign. Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday repeated that call, given the slow response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the blunders committed by Duque. “While failure and corruption are tolerated, what can we expect from those in charge when it comes to an effective campaign against COVID-19?” he said in Filipino. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also supported the call of Sotto for Duque to take a leave of absence to avoid influ-
“We have our full support for the secretary and we still think that he should be retained dito sa kanyang posisyon,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. Vergeire said Duque was highly regarded by the DOH workforce and he should not be removed amid the health crisis. Vergeire acknowledged, however, that Health officials and personnel were “affected” by the Ombudsman’s investigation. “Of course, in this kind of an investigation, especially from the Ombudsman, will affect our staff who are working hard,” she said in Filipino. “We are really doing our best.” Vergeire said that the Ombudsman’s motu proprio investigation took them by surprise. “Our office is open to this kind of an investigation and we will cooperate with them if this pushes through,” she added.
SPEAKER Alan Cayetano says he sees minimal changes at the House of Representatives when Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco assumes the chamber’s top post in October. Cayetano and Velasco agreed to a term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte under which Cayetano would hold the post for the first 15 months and Velasco for the last 21 months of the 18th Congress.
Experts... From A1 (ECQ) and Talisay City, which is now under a modified ECQ (MECQ) due to high transmission rate, and the increasing demand for critical care. On Friday, the DOH reported 661 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 28,459, two weeks after quarantine restrictions were eased. Of the new cases, 460 are considered “fresh” while 201 were reported late. The DOH said “fresh” cases refer to those whose test results were released within the last three days, while late cases are those whose results were released four days or more ago. Of the fresh cases, 277 are from the National Capital Region while only 21 are from Region 7 or Central Visayas, which has seen a spike in cases in recent weeks. Of the late cases, 40 are from NCR and 103 are from Region 7, while 58 came from other areas.
On-screen... From A1
solution. That has not yet been obtained. Too early to bother the President with this,” Morales told ANC’s Headstart. Morales had recommended delaying the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, citing the lack of funds. But Roque questioned his alleged inaction over the corruption issues within the agency. Roque, a former sectoral representative, is among the principal authors of the law, which aims to ensure the access of all Filipinos to health care. “I have looked for that P154 billion from day 1. I have not found it. I’ve asked the Commission on Audit, the Insurance Commission, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission. It remains unsubstantiated,” Morales said. He was referring to Roque’s claim that P154 billion in PhilHealth funds had been lost to corruption.
encing the investigation. He said Duque lacks the foresight necessary to battle the pandemic. He said the government is not acting fast enough in addressing the health emergency, noting that it has been three months since the government started to implement strict quarantine protocols. “In the Bayanihan Act, we gave them flexibility, we gave DOH the flexibility to procure anything they want without bidding. But they must ensure that their purchases are at the right amount and reasonable,” Gatchalian said. It would not be a big loss in the government’s fight against COVID-19 if Duque were to take a leave of absence, he added, saying that there are many capable undersecretaries who may step in and do his job while he’s on leave. But the DOH said Friday there was no need for Duque to resign or take a leave.
World... From A1 strains, as the number of cases neared 200 on Friday. Tens of thousands of people in the Chinese capital are being tested for the contagion while neighborhoods have been locked down and schools closed as authorities seek to contain a cluster linked to the Xinfadi food market. Chinese authorities shared the genome data of the latest outbreak with the World Health Organization and international scientific community. Initial findings suggest it “came from Europe” but is different from what is currently spreading there, said Zhang Yong of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “It is older than the virus currently circulating in Europe,” Zhang said in a re-
DFA chief issues apology to UK for Briton’s death By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. apologized to the British government after a Briton died while being made to wait in an ambulance for eight hours in a hospital in Cebu. Locsin said the British national, who was turned away by a hospital, was referred to another hospital where he was made to wait in an ambulance. “He never complained; got cardiac arrest; doctors didn’t help. He died. Shame. Abject apologies to UK,” Locsin posted on his Twitter account. He said he was informed that the hospital, which supposedly turned the Briton away, was “filled to the rafters” with coronavirus patients. “To the UK ambassador: to be fair the hospital Ching Hua—one of the best in the country—says it is filled to the rafters with the infected grossly undercounted by the city [government],” Locsin said. “Our president put the city in extreme quarantine. And it’s not working. Little or no cooperation.” On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte placed Cebu City back under Enhanced Community Quarantine, the most stringent quarantine classification, until the end of June. As of June 18, Cebu City had 4,137 cases but only 2,078 were active. It also recorded 58 deaths and 2,001 recoveries.
283 execs... From A1 other individuals including barangay secretaries, treasurers, purok leaders, liaison officers are under investigation. Among those being investigated is a municipal mayor in Eastern Visayas who allegedly did not transmit cash aid worth over P300,000 to a barangay chairman, who is the complainant. “The investigation is ongoing and we are gathering pieces of evidence and witnesses that we could use against him,” Armamento told reporters in a phone interview. Meanwhile, the CIDG has filed 157 cases before city and municipal prosecutors against government officials for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, among others. Based on the investigation, Region 12 (Soccsksargen) has the most cases of SAP anomalies, followed by Central Visayas.
341,000 OFWs The Department of Labor and Employment estimated some 341,000 overseas Filipino workers had lost their jobs abroad due to the pandemic. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director-General John Bertiz III said the government was anticipating 300,000 of the estimated 341,000 OFWs would be returning home to the Philippines within this year. “So far, almost 52,000 OFWs have already returned or have been repatriated and more than 20,000 are expected to arrive before the end of this month, he said.
‘One-stop shop’ The Joint Task Force Covid Shield on Friday ordered chiefs of municipal and city police stations to coordinate with their respective local government units to establish a “one-stop shop” that would process documents for travel of locally stranded individuals (LSIs). In a statement, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police deputy chief for operations and concurrent task force commander, said the move was upon instructions of PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa.
China had largely brought the virus under control – has highlighted the urgency for the world to find a vaccine against the coronavirus, which has killed more than 450,000 people around the world. Tests on mice and rabbits had shown good results, giving the animals high levels of neutralizing antibodies. The next step will be to test it on monkeys, which have become expensive due Shortage of monkeys and to high demand from labs testing an array of COVID-19 antibody drugs and weekends Inside one of the Chinese labs rac- vaccines, according to Yisheng chief exing to create a coronavirus vaccine, re- ecutive David Shao. searchers work weekends, lab monkeys are in short supply and plans are being Fauci predicts no more US made for human trials abroad. lockdowns Yisheng Biopharma, a company based The United States does not need more in the northeastern city of Shenyang, has widespread lockdowns to bring its COVbeen working non-stop since January to ID-19 outbreak under control, despite the find the silver bullet against the disease fact that the national daily infection rate that emerged in China late last year. has stayed flat, leading government exA resurgence of cases in Beijing – after pert Anthony Fauci said Thursday. AFP
port published by the Communist Party’s anti-corruption watchdog on Friday. Zhang raised the possibility of the virus lurking in imported frozen food or in the wholesale market itself, resulting in similarities to older strains. The virus had been detected on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon at the market.
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Pampanga city mayor faces administrative, criminal cases By Rio N. Araja
SENDOFF. The Philippine Army sent off 102 locally stranded individuals to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for their confirmed flights on June 19, 2020. The Army coordinated with airline companies to schedule the flight of some of the LSIs temporarily sheltered at the Philippine Army Wellness Center. Aside from today’s flight, 52 LSIs have already been sent to their respective flights since the Army started accommodating them. Another 47 LSIs are currently being processed and will first undergo an initial screening and COVID-19 rapid testing prior to accommodation.
LSIs, transients slam medical certificate scam in Malolos City
Agri execs not ’off the hook’ in fertilizer scam—KMP
By Orlan L. Mauricio
NATIONAL alliance of farmers has called for the filing of graft charges against Agriculture officials involved in the allegedly overpriced P1.8 billion fertilizer supply contracts approved last month under an emergency stimulus program amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
MALOLOS CITY—Hundreds of locally stranded individuals and transient residents who were trapped in this capital city due to the quarantine regulations since March are asking Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to immediately investigate and file charges against erring city officials involved in the anomalous issuance of medical certificates for a fee. Also complaining are thousands of local workers and employees returning to work who are required to secure a medical certificate from a private laboratory clinic identified as Ma. Trinity Laboratory & X-ray Diagnostic Center, that charges a fee of P400 for CBC (Complete Blood Count) and chest X-ray. An additional fee of P100 was also imposed by the city government for the issuance of a medical certificate before a Travel Authority (TA) or Return-to-Work Clearance is issued by City Police chief Col. Jacqueline Puapo, according to Cpl. Regi Sabardal, a staff at the City Police processing office. However, all the supervising chiefs of the city’s seven Rural Health Units here are competent to issue medical certificates for free, including death certificates, considering they are all licensed physicians but were barred by an ‘Order’ centralizing its issuance at the City Health Office.
Davao Or. gov, 2 mayors, solon back anti-terror bill A GOVERNOR, two mayors and a lawmaker from Romblon have called for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill currently up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature, which dovetails with calls from a multi-sectoral group that said enacting the bill “will help liberate the people from the threats of violent extremism and radicalism.” Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Mayor Jefferson Soriano of Tuguegarao City, Mayor Gregorio Alipio Pua of San Mateo in Isabela, and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona all voiced their support for the measure, as they appealed to their constituents to support the measure “for the protection of the people.” This matched a statement from Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia, Liga Independencia Pilipinas secretarygeneral, who said Thursday that “As we commemorated last June 12 the anniversary of our country’s freedom, the anti-terrorism bill should also be passed.” Goitia said the Filipino people “deserve freedom against the tyranny, oppression, violence, killings of innocents, and the long-standing armed insurgency brought by communist groups, Islamic extremists, and other rebel organizations in the country.” The legislation of the proposed antiterrorism bill, he said, is key to end all forms of terrorism. “This is a legislative measure that would free people from claws of global terrorism,” Goitia said.
By Rey E. Requejo
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The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said the Department of Agriculture is not yet off the hook over the questionable supply contracts even as Secretary William Dar denied allegations of overpricing. “We must get to the bottom of this matter and hold accountable those who are involved in the negotiated bidding for the emergency purchase of P1.8-billion worth of fertilizer,” KMP chairman emeritus Rafael Mariano said. The Department of Agriculture, under its stimulus program Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra Covid-19 (ALPAS sa Covid-19), has allocated P5.69 billion for the procurement of urea fertilizer at P1,000 per bag – way higher than the average retail price of P850. The DA in May issued notices of award
to two suppliers amounting to P1.8 billion – to La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation for P1.69 billion for supply contracts for Regions 4A, 6 and 3; and to Atlas Fertilizer for P96.74 million for a supply contract for Region 7. Dar cited a survey by the department’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority which showed that the average price of urea was from P1,043 to P1,062 per bag from March to May. “At less than P1,000 per 50-kg bag, we are already saving a lot for the government,” Dar said. Farmers from Tarlac and Nueva Ecija rejected the P1,000 per bag price tag, saying they were able to buy urea fertilizer for only P830 to P850 per bag. Mariano said the prudent thing to do aside from running after the DA officials
involved in the initial P1.8 billion worth of urea fertilizer is to stop the bidding for the rest of the fertilizer contracts. “The resolution of this issue is imperative especially since DA will procure another P3.8-billion worth of fertilizer. The next bidding must be put on hold until this matter on the P1.8-billion fertilizer contract is resolved,” he added. For his part, Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon, noted that recent purchases of urea fertilizer showed a bag could fetch for P830 in Tarlac, P810 in Pangasinan, and P840 in Nueva Ecija. “There is even a promo for Buy 2 Take 2 for fertilizer extended by the DA. Farmers will just have to show their receipts and their empty sacks of urea fertilizer and they will be given two more sacks based on the Rice Resiliency Program of the DA for Region 3,” Canlas said. Canlas earlier asked the Ombudsman to investigate the allegedly overpriced supply contracts. “It is only right for the Ombudsman to start its probe, motu propio, to get to the bottom of this mess,” Canlas said. For his part, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So said the supply contracts were grossly disadvantageous to the government.
Villar, BFAR set up aquaponics facility By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, have set up an aquaponics facility to benefit a community in Las Piñas. Urban aquaponics is part of BFAR’s Fisheries Resiliency Projects to address food-related challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aquaponics or hydroponics is a way of growing vegetables without soil and at the
same time growing fish in the same setup as well. “It is really time for city dwellers to grow their own food even in an urban setting with limited space. Food selfsufficiency is very important especially during disasters or emergencies such as the ongoing pandemic,” said Villar, who has been advocating urban farming to beat food poverty. The urban aquaponics and vegetable garden are located at the Christ The King Subdivision, which is under the Community Mortgage Program. It is
a mortgage financing program of the Social Housing Finance Corporation which assists legally organized associations of low-income groups, underprivileged or homeless citizens to purchase and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership. The primary objective of the program is to assist residents of blighted or depressed areas to own the lots they occupy and establish sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with the local government units.
MAYOR Edwin Santiago of San Fernando City, Pampanga is facing a criminal and administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the procurement of antiCOVID 19 medical supplies and relief aid. With help from the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, Melchor Caluag, a former chairperson in the city’s Barangay Dolores, filed the complaint against Santiago for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713, An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials. He accused the city mayor of procuring overpriced goods, such as rice, cans of sardines, and thermal scanners, among others. Despite a huge budget allocation to help those affected by the enhanced community quarantine since its March 15 imposition, Santiago was only able to give a one-time relief food pack to his constituents, the complainant alleged, Caluag said. “Mr. Caluag approached us, seeking assistance and guidance from us. We saw the documents, and found out some violations being committed in the distribution of funds,” he said. Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño yesterday arrived at the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City to accompany Caluag. He warned governors, mayors and other local officials that they could be held liable for toying with public funds or even pocketing the funds meant to help those affected by COVID-19. In April, Ombudsman Samuel Martires warned erring officials against COVID-19 fund misuse.
IN BRIEF Beware of fake PWDs, solons warn DILG TWO party-list legislators on Friday urged the Department of Health, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the National Council on Disability Affairs to review the implementation of Republic Act 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability and initiate a crackdown against the proliferation of PWD impersonators. Reps. Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano and Eric Yap of ACTCIS said that much of the country’s business sector are barely surviving because of the corona pandemic and the unauthorized use of the PWD cards to get discounts as required by RA10754 is making life even harder for them. Maricel V. Cruz
BOC agents seize 960 grams of ‘weed’ THE Bureau of Customs seized more than 960 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth at least P1.1 million at the Port or Clark, in Pampanga province. Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the illegal drugs were declared as “art-work fine” from California, USA which arrived on June 9, 2020. The BOC chief said the bureau received a tip that the shipment contains illegal drugs and was subjected to inspection. “Upon conducting physical examination on the subject shipment, it yielded two vacuum-sealed clear plastic packs of suspected fine kush weeds,” Guerrero said. Vito Barcelo
QC issues guidelines on floods, disasters
MAKING A LIVING. A man peddles all sorts of plastic wares, chairs, pails, laundry tubs, and bins along Kaliraya Street in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City on June 19, 2020. Vendors strive to make ends meet as quarantine restrictions due to the health crisis have greatly affected their means of livelihood.
THE Quezon City government has released the guidelines on COVID-19 preparedness measures during floods and other disasters that may happen during the wet season. “The impact of COVID-19 has really been a big challenge as to our preparedness in times of calamities during the rainy season,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. “We have to consider too many things now, especially when it comes to physical distancing and the transfer of COVID-19 patients from their isolation facility to the evacuation center,” she added. The guidelines are designed to ensure continuing mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic even in the course of dealing with floods, typhoons and other perennial rainy season disaster risks, she said. Rio N. Araja
EDUARDO M. COJUANGCO, JR. 10 June 1935 - 16 June 2020
The management and staff of Eagle Cement Corporation express their deepest condolences to the family of Amb. Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr. Aside from being a notable business leader, philanthropist, and sports patron, Amb. Cojuangco was a trailblazer in the cement industry, who helped pave the way for its development and created livelihood for many Filipinos. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation, Amb. Cojuangco guided the company’s bold diversification from the food, beverage, and packaging industries to power generation, oil refining, and infrastructure development, further contributing to the country’s economic growth and job generation. His invaluable contributions to our economy and everyday life will never be forgotten. Eagle Cement pays tribute to a visionary leader and a renowned nationalist. Salamat po, Boss Danding.
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Opinion
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Conscience vote on ABS-CBN franchise bill One needs tons of patience to seriously follow the hearings which, to date, have discussed the constitutionality issues of ownership and length of allowable franchises. The more I watch the proceedings, the more I am convinced that ABS-CBN deserves to have its franchise renewed. Reps. Marcoleta, Barzaga, and RemulTHE House of Representatives’ (HOR) joint committee hearings on the ABS- la tried very hard, BUT FAILED, to CBN franchise renewal bill are showing show that the network is not 100-percent the Filipino people how desperate some Filipino-owned by making it appear that lawmakers are in blocking the bill’s pas- Mr. Gabby Lopez, Chair Emeritus of ABS-CBN Corporation is NOT Filipino sage. Leading the pack are party list repre- but American. These lawmakers could sentative Rodante Marcoleta, and Cavite not seem to comprehend that Mr. Lopez Congressmen Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. and has dual citizenship because he was born Crispin Remulla. Those primarily taking in the USA of Filipino parents making the cudgels for ABS-CBN are Represent- him both a Filipino and an American by atives Edcel Lagman, Rufus Rodriguez, virtue of the citizenship laws of the Philippines and the USA. Unfortunately for Carlos Zarate, and Lawrence Fortun. When the network’s franchise expired Marcoleta et. al, the Constitution does and it went off air due to the National Tel- not prohibit Filipinos with dual citizenecommunications Commission’s (NTC) ship from owning media corporations. They also attempted to show that the cease and desist order instead of a pronetwork has foreign owners because of visional permit to the Philippine Deoperate, it became positary Receipts obvious that the is(PDRs) sold by the sue will drag on. In holding company the first place, the If Duterte does not to foreigners who HOR should have crack the whip and are restricted from processed the bill owning shares of much earlier since lawmakers are allowed ABS and are only the most recent bill to vote according to their entitled to cash was filed in 2016. based Now, because of conscience, the HOR will distributions on their PDRs. All the strong pressure pass the bill. pertinent governfrom the Filipino ment agencies inpeople, the HOR cluding the Securihas to work douties and Exchange bly hard even as it is on recess. In fairness to the Chair- Commission (SEC) have testified to the persons of the Committees involved, the legality of both PDRs and the existence series of hearings so far has been trans- of holding companies. In fact, SEC said that the other maparent. Those following the proceedings can very well form their opinions based jor television network, GMA7, also has on statements of experts and key players PDRs which are exactly the same, word for word, as those of ABS except for the in relation with the franchise issue. Those opposing the renewal of ABS- price. Yet, GMA7 was granted its franCBN’s franchise have put forward a chise without much problem. Why then, number of issues that according to them, is this an issue for ABS-CBN? Marcoleta said that ABS-CBN should warrant the non-renewal. They allege among others that the network has: vi- not be granted a new franchise because olated the Constitution which mandates the Constitution limits the effectivity that media outfits must be 100-percent of franchises to only 50 years, and the Filipino owned, and that franchises is- network has been operational for longer sued cannot go beyond fifty (50) years; than that. This argument was shredded not been paying the correct taxes; and, into pieces by showing that many of the big Philippine corporations including committed violations of labor laws. From the time that President Rodrigo other media outfits and public utilities Duterte issued statements that the ABS- have been operating for much longer CBN franchise will not be renewed, than ABS. The Constitutional restriction three major issues were surfaced by is per franchise and not meant to limit those who follow the franchise question: corporate existence to only fifty years. political harassment, attack on press Again, Marcoleta lost here. freedom, and curtailment of the right to During the last hearing, Marcoleta access information particularly of ordinary people especially during the COV- made it appear that they have already proven that ABS-CBN is guilty of sevID-19 pandemic. That the President himself, the highest eral violations. He said this repeatedly as official of the land, has come out sever- if conditioning the minds of those watchal times saying that the franchise will ing that this was so. He was very aptly not be renewed, equates to pressure on countered by Rep. Zarate who clearly the legislative department. Congress is stated that the hearings are for the facts supposedly a co-equal branch of govern- to come out and that NOTHING has been ment and the presidential statements is a proven. direct signal to his allies to reject the bill The antics of those opposing the ABSon franchise renewal. After the HOR was heavily criticized CBN franchise bill (some bordering over the NTC’s cease and desist order on the absurd) are actually convincing and ABS-CBN’s going off air, Speaker more people that the franchise should Alan Peter Cayetano convened the House be granted. If Duterte does not crack the as the Committee of the Whole and pro- whip and lawmakers are allowed to vote posed a bill granting the network a provi- according to their conscience, the HOR sional franchise until October 2020. This will pass the bill. was eventually opposed by members and @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth decided instead to proceed with the comAngsioco on Facebook mittee hearings on the franchise bill.
Adelle Chua, Editor
EDITORIAL
Celebrating fathers A
GAINST the nerve-wracking coronavirus pandemic silent by the walls of Filipino homes, we stand up and celebrate our fathers tomorrow for their influence and in the family —the basic social unit—and their communities outside. These fathers—many have graduated to being grandparents but remain engine cogs in family affairs and relations given the culture of the Filipino—take center stage every third Sunday of June, following a proclamation in 1988 by then President Corazon Aquino. We have always raised the thesis that fathers, like mothers, must be celebrated 365 days every common year and 366 each leap year. We salute them tomorrow, not with the available best food ordered online, washed down by branded red or white wine or anything that approximates material, but with unreeled memories they have built effectively for the younger generations. An expression of affection and grat-
We salute them tomorrow and every day. itude, said in the language the father is most familiar with, can certainly be better, under the General Community Quarantine circumstances, the protocols and restrictions stalking every family in the urban areas and elsewhere, than previously allowed trips outside the homes and sumptuous lunch and dinner in posh establishments. Such expression can be a better
thread than any to properly recognize and appreciate their contributions to family and society, rightly the foundation of our nationhood. We cannot deny the importance of the role of parents in what psychologists describe as the behavioral, cognitive and general health as well as well-being zones of the life of an offspring, who may someday become leaders or helpful and substantial members of the communities they are in or even their country on a wall-towall scenario. The wide ranging impact of any country’s political and economic past has been shown, at least in some research studies, to have been influenced by the father, with suggestions of infirm parenting and absence to “the socio-economic legacy” as among the stumbling blocks. We celebrate our fathers tomorrow, the sturdy and protective walls who give their offspring the security they need in life.
Understanding terrorism THE latitude of freedom accorded to our people has gone a bit too far. To express one’s indignation to the proposed law is beyond the concept of freedom of expression. Such unmitigated rile against the Anti-Terrorist Law already crosses the boundary of freedom. The action of the so-called militant group is indirect censorship. They are now acting as terrorists demanding that it be stricken off the record. Their opposition manifests their unjustified prejudgment of the proposed law. One cannot even say the law is unconstitutional. It does not particularize a person or group of persons guilty like a bill of attainder enforced by a coup-installed president singling out the Marcoses as guilty and whose properties were sequestrated by the prejudgment of the presidential-good-for-nothing commission as ill-gotten. Despite the heated acrimony about the passage of the ATL, Congress has not taken steps to amend the Constitution like giving the President stronger power to impose martial law as the hypocrites would often like to compare. The creation of a Council is in lieu of suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Suspected terrorists can be detained as determined. However, the fiscal remains free to charge the accused in court. Likewise, the Council is more adept and familiar how terrorist organizations operate than a judge who is preoccupied in deciding cases violated under the Revised Penal Code. But for all of their denunciations of the ATL, they remain silent why death penalty has not been re-imposed. The misplaced leniency saw many big time drug lords stocked inside the New Bilibid Prison only to contin-
ue their syndicated operations and enjoying privileges of private rooms or “kobol” complete with karaoke bar, and visitation pass, which reason why Senator Leila De Lima landed in jail. The opposition is silent on this issue because they do not want to recall this “miscarriage of justice” that ludicrously favored big-time criminals. Although the ATL provides that any person convicted of terrorism cannot be granted pardon or have his sentence commuted, they skip the truth that this is equivalent to life imprisonment, stated differently. Our decision to spare the life of hardened criminals saw many convicted felons agonizing inside the penitentiary without visitation for years. This has contributed to the con-
Terrorists do not distinguish civilian from military targets.
gestion of prisoners, thus tempting prison guards to give special favor to well-off criminals. Admittedly, the Anti-Terrorism Law gives the accused terrorist a slim chance of evading the punitive measures of the law. But looking at the rationale behind its enactment, one could discern that it is intended to pre-empt the commission of crimes unimaginable and grotesque in magnitude. The opposition themselves never clarified the meaning of terrorism for our people to understand their advocacy. They say it could lead to the arrest and detention of suspects without warrant up to 18 days. The hypocrites want to cram the prosecutors to file cases presenting haphazard evidence only to secure their untimely release. They disregard that the duty of the Council is to ramify cases committed by terror -suspects but are charged with rebel-
lion and sedition and whose penalty correspondingly increases similar to the concept of “qualified” theft which under the RPC increases three times, say for violating the country’s laws on national security like the Anti-Terrorist Law. The ATL is a modified version of the anti-subversion law that has long been abrogated. In short, the ATL is in reaction to the ferocity and savagery of terrorists. Our law enforcement authorities are no longer fighting a warfare understood as guerrilla or irregular warfare but one termed today as “asymmetrical warfare.” They observe no rules, no humane treatment of prisoners, and they feel free to torture and execute their hostage. Terrorists do not distinguish civilian from military targets, nor are they obligated to refrain from bombing hospitals, refugee camps, and residential areas. They prefer to use weapons intended to inflict maximum damage and casualties. Their followers adhere to a primeval form of ideology like executing prisoners in the name of jihad, and finally demand rather than negotiate ransom for the release of their hostage. Even the dead are desecrated like showing in social media the head of the fallen soldier skewered in a bamboo pole in the most contemptible act of scoffing the dead. The killing of our 44 SAF policemen is the most vivid act of terrorism. Each of the dead body was hacked, mutilated and undressed of their uniform to consummate insult. They express their utter contempt to the government. As terrorists, they do not recognize such thing as theatre of operations or demand the temporary cessation of hostilities as observed in any conventional warfare. They observe no rules on warfare recognized under international law. They substitute their lack of support by instilling fear to weaken the morale of the people. Their objective is to inflict the greatest number of casualties. Full version at www.manilastandard. net
Facebook removes Trump ads which used Nazi symbol By Glenn Chapman FACEBOOK on Thursday removed ads by President Donald Trump’s campaign containing a symbol used by Nazi Germany, the latest move in a heated battle over inf lammatory political content on social media. The leading social network, which has drawn fire over its hands-off approach to political speech in recent months, said the campaign messages with an inverted red triangle and used in Nazi camps violated a policy against “organized hate” and were taken down. “We don’t allow symbols that represent hateful organizations or hateful ideologies unless they are put up with context or condemnation,” Facebook head of security policy Nathaniel Gleicher said at a House of Representatives committee hearing. “That’s what we saw in this case with this ad, and anywhere that that symbol is used we would take the same actions.” Facebook’s move comes as it faced intense pressure to remove incendiary comments from the president which critics said promoted violence. Recently Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reiterated that the platform will steer away from moderating political speech but
would enforce its rules barring content promoting physical harm. In a tweet from a “Trump War Room,” the campaign contended the upside-down red triangle symbol at issue was “widely used” in reference to left-wing activist group Antifa. Watchdog group Media Matters replied with a tweet saying that is not the case. Since early this month, the Trump campaign has been running “fearmongering” ads about what it says is a far-left group called “antifa,” according to Media Matters. The upside-down red triangle was apparently a new addition to the ad, according to Media Matters, which found at least 88 ads on Facebook pages with that symbol. “Despite violating Facebook’s terms of service, the ads were approved by Facebook in the first place,” said Media Matters president Angelo Carusone. Tim Murtaugh, a Trump campaign spokesman, said that “Facebook still has an inverted red triangle emoji in use, which looks exactly the same, so it’s curious that they would target only this ad.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, said the president’s campaign “needs to learn its history, as ignorance is no excuse for using Nazi-related symbols.” Greenblatt added on Twitter: “The Nazis used red triangles to identify their political victims in concentration camps. Using it to attack political opponents is highly offensive.” Battling over ‘facts’ The move by Facebook is unlikely to end a raging battle between social media firms and the White House, which has claimed the Silicon Valley companies are biased against conservatives, despite Trump’s large following. Trump has also pointed this ire at Twitter, which recently labeled some of the president’s tweets as potentially false or as violating their rules about promoting violence. On Thursday evening the platform tagged a video tweeted by Trump as “Manipulated media” for portraying an edited version of a viral clip that showed two toddlers hugging. The version tweeted by Trump makes it appear that news outlet
CNN labeled one of the children a “racist” Trump supporter. But Facebook has steadfastly rejected calls to fact-check politicians, including a plea from Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden to clamp down on what he called rampant disinformation from the White House. The California tech giant noted that it has removed Trump ads in the past for policy violations, including a ban on interfering with the US census. Facebook is under pressure to clamp down on political misinformation following failures to block foreign influence campaigns in the 2016 US election, while at the same time remaining an open platform for election debate. Earlier this week, Facebook made a new move by allowing users to turn off all political ads. The feature being rolled out in the United States and some other countries will give Facebook and Instagram users the option of blocking paid ads from candidates and political groups. The large platform has split from Twitter, which earlier this year decided to label comments by Trump as misleading and in another case to limit the reach of the president’s comments for violating the plat-
form’s policy on promoting violence. Zuckerberg has maintained that “the best way to hold politicians accountable is through voting, and I believe we should trust voters to make judgments for themselves.” AFP
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Market declines slightly; Metro Pacific, Ayala rise S TOCKS retreated Friday on mild profit taking and mixed trading, as investors turned cautious after the virus spiked in several places including Beijing, Tokyo, Germany, Florida and Texas.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 33.38 points, or 0.5 percent, to 6,315.07 on a value turnover of P13.4 billion. Losers edged gainers, 101 to 89, with 54 issues unchanged. Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, fell 4.2 percent to P265, while Intternational Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., declined 3 percent to P98. Metro Pacific Investments Corp.,
which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals infrastructure, advanced 5.6 percent to P3.79, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. rose 2.3 percent to P808.50. The rest of Asian equities rose Friday as investors went into the weekend on an upbeat note, with an eye on the easing of lockdowns and mostly improving economic data, which offset geopolitical tensions and second wave worries. Reports that China pledged to ramp up its purchase of US agricultural goods as part of its phase one trade deal also provided support to investors. After a slow start to the day, Asian markets pushed higher to end the week on a healthy note. Hong Kong was up more than one percent, Shanghai finished one percent higher and Tokyo put on 0.6 percent, while Sydney edged 0.1 percent higher. Mumbai jumped 0.9 percent, Seoul added 0.4 percent and Jakarta and Wellington were 0.3 percent stronger,
though Singapore slipped. After three months of big gains across the planet—fueled by the reopening of economies as well as trillions of dollars in government and central bank support—markets appear to be leveling out as investors await the next major catalyst, such as a vaccine. But, while countries continue to ease business and jobs-destroying containment measures the virus is spiking in several places including Beijing, Tokyo, Germany, Florida and Texas. “Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in some US states in particular where hospitalization rates are rising, and also following the recent outbreak in Beijing, continue to cast something of a pall over markets,” said Ray Attrill at National Australia Bank. Adding to the unease are simmering tensions between the two Koreas as well as China and India following a deadly border skirmish this week in the Himalayas. With AFP
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DINING OUT. People eat at a hawker center in Singapore on June 19, 2020, as restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus are eased. Restaurants, retail shops and most other businesses reopened in Singapore on June 19 as the virus-hit city-state eased curbs, but the city-state’s leader cautioned residents “not to go overboard celebrating.” AFP
Spain to spend $4.7b to rescue tourism sector MADRID―Spain on Thursday presented an aid package worth more than 4.2 billion euros ($4.7 billion) for the crucial tourism sector, including a campaign to promote the country as a “safe” destination after the coronavirus devastation. The plan comes ahead of Sunday’s planned re-opening of Spanish borders to travelers from European Union and Schengen countries. Spain will also progressively open up to travel from non-EU countries from July, depending on public health developments. Toursim accounts for 12 percent of GDP. The revival plan came with a call to Spanish citizens to holiday in their own country this year. Most of the money is to cover government guarantees for tourism sector loans, a moratorium on mortgage payments, and a lowering of airport taxes for airlines. It is also to finance health protocols to avoid virus contagion. “Spain is re-opening for tourism,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “We are world leaders, which is why every step we take must be a safe step.” Spain is the world’s second-biggest tourism destination after France with 84 million visits in 2019, but travel dried up during the pandemic which caused 27,000 deaths in Spain according to official data. Juan Cierco, in charge of the tourism commission at Spain’s chamber of commerce, called the ongoing crisis “the worst in the history of tourism,” and one that could lose the sector up to 83 billion euros. The tourism employers’ organization Exceltur, meanwhile, said the project was insufficient, calling for direct payments, tax cuts and Italianstyle “holiday bonuses” to top it up. “Spain mustn’t skimp on means to save the sector,” it said in a statement. The government, meanwhile, says it has already spent 15 billion euros on helping the sector in the form of credit lines and financial help to tourism industry employees. AFP
Bank of England bares extra $126-b stimulus LONDON—The Bank of England on Thursday unveiled an extra £100 billion of cash stimulus to prop up Britain’s coronavirus-hit economy, despite a slump less severe than first thought. The BoE, reporting the outcome of a regular meeting, said policymakers voted by a majority of 8-1 to hike the central bank’s quantitative easing (QE) stimulus by the equivalent of $126 billion or 112 billion euros. The nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) panel voted unanimously to leave the central bank’s key interest rate at a record-low 0.1 percent. The pound held steady after the cash infusion to help retail banks lend to businesses— a move analysts said was ultimately aimed at avoiding deflation—a spiral of falling prices. The QE expansion was widely forecast after the UK economy contracted by one fifth in April amid a nationwide lockdown to try and halt the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Yet policymakers believe that the economy will fare better than anticipated as lockdown restrictions are relaxed. After UK GDP contracted by around 20 percent in April, “evidence from more timely indicators suggests that GDP started to recover thereafter,” said minutes of the BoE meeting. “Payments data are consistent with a recov-
ery in consumer spending in May and June, and housing activity has started to pick up recently,” they added. Policymakers conceded, however, that “the labor market has weakened materially,” while they expect an increasing number of workers to be furloughed—or have wages backed up by the state—in the second quarter. The BoE’s latest cash injection means that £745 billion in QE is swirling around the UK economy to boost growth—as a result of economic shocks consisting of the global financial crisis, Brexit uncertainty and the COVID-19 outbreak. The BoE had already added £200 billion of QE stimulus in March and slashed borrowing costs to the current historic nadir in response to the virus. Under QE, the central bank purchases assets such as government and corporate bonds to stimulate lending and economic activity. The pandemic has meanwhile killed more than 41,000 people in Britain, making it the third worst-hit country after the United States and Brazil. The COVID-19 disease, which has claimed 443,000 lives worldwide, has sparked global moves to stem devastating economic fallout including trillions of dollars from the US government and the Federal Reserve. AFP
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Trumps says US has option to disengage from China WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump warned Thursday the United States had the option to separate from China’s deeply intertwined economy, despite the powers’ pledges to move forward on a trade deal. The US “certainly does maintain a policy option, under various conditions, of a complete decoupling from China. Thank you!” Trump tweeted. He wrote that he was responding to comments by his trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been at the forefront of trade war negotiations with Beijing. Lighthizer told a congressional committee on Wednesday that China so far has been living up to the terms of a “phase one” agreement that eased the dispute, but that decoupling the two economic giants was now impossible. “That was a policy option years ago, but I don’t think it’s a policy or reasonable policy option at this point,” Lighthizer said. Lighthizer described himself as a hardliner on China policy, and outlined the Trump administration’s plans to “reset” the World Trade Organization, largely so that it can better rein in Beijing’s policies which he says run afoul of free trade rules. But his admission that the world’s two largest economies are inextricably linked, despite Trump’s aggressive campaign to push American firms to relocate production to the United States, caused some angst in Republican circles. Trump tried to let his trade official off the hook. “It was not Ambassador Lighthizer’s fault (yesterday in Committee) in that perhaps I didn’t make myself clear.” Trump in January signed the “phase one” of a trade deal aimed at ending a trade war in which he has slapped tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese products. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that a senior Chinese official also confirmed to him Beijing’s commitment to phase one, which includes China stepping up purchases of US products.AFP 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street Makati City, Phillipines (02) 8777-2266 or 1-800-10-777-2266
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS (“PBCOM”) will be held on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, 2:00p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually and can be accessed at the link provided in the Bank’s website at https://www.pbcom.com.ph/. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 4 June 2019 4. Annual Report of Management and Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for 2019 5. Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management since the Last Annual Meeting of Stockholders 6. Amendment of the By-Laws to include BSPprescribed board level committees of the Bank 7. Election of Directors 8. Appointment of External Auditor 9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment For purposes of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of 15 May 2020 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, PBCOM will be holding a virtual Annual Meeting. The conduct of the Annual Meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend, participate and vote only through proxy, remote communication or in absentia. The requirements and procedures for voting in absentia and participation through remote communication are set forth in the Information Statement. Stockholders who choose to vote by proxy must submit and address their signed proxy to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at 5/F PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City or via e-mail at mshlao@pbcom. com.ph not later than 5:00 p.m. on or before 03 July 2020. In compliance with SEC Resolution No. 196, Series of 2015, a copy of the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements of PBCOM with Management Discussion and Analysis for the period ended 31 March 2020 shall be posted in PBCOM’s website at https:// www.pbcom.com.ph/ on or before 09 July 2020. A hard copy of the said interim financial statements shall be provided within a reasonable time upon request by any stockholder. Copies of the following documents will be available upon request: (i) Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on 4 June 2019; (ii) Information Statement; (iii) Management Report; (iv) Audited Financial Statements for the year 2019. PBCOM IS NOT SOLICITING PROXIES.
Casa Patas owner Martin Guerrero gestures during an interview with AFP in Madrid on June 15, 2020. After 32 years, the curtain has finally fallen at Madrid’s Casa Patas flamenco club, its vibrant shows silenced by the epidemic which has dealt a dramatic blow to Spain’s flamenco ‘tablaos’. Hugely popular with tourists, these flamenco clubs say the pandemic has put them “at risk of extinction” and are urgently seeking government help to ensure their survival. AFP
MICHAEL STEPHEN H. LAO Corporate Secretary (MS-JUNE 19 & 20, 2020)
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com
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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
PSE INDEX
Thursday, June 19, 2020
33.38 PTS. 6,315.07
TOTAL VOLUME
1,583,992,538
TOTAL TRADES 129,881 TOTAL VALUE 13,406,630,631.94 ADVANCES 89 DECLINES 101 UNCHANGED 54
F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2020
Currency
Unit
US Dollar Peso
United States
Dollar
1.000000
50.0380
Japan
Yen
0.009354
0.4681
UK
Pound
1.243000
62.1972
Hong Kong
Dollar
0.129026
6.4562
Switzerland
Franc
1.051746
52.6273
Canada
Dollar
0.735348
36.7953
Singapore
Dollar
0.717360
35.8953
Australia
Dollar
0.684800
34.2660
Bahrain
Dinar
2.651113
132.656
Saudi Arabia
Rial
0.266610
13.3406
Brunei
Dollar
0.714796
35.7670
Indonesia
Rupiah
0.000071
0.0036
Thailand
Baht
0.032154
1.6089
UAE
Dirham
0.272272
13.6239
Euro
Euro
1.120800
56.0826
Korea
Won
0.000825
0.0413
China
Yuan
0.141078
7.0593
India
Rupee
0.013091
0.6550
Malaysia
Ringgit
0.233836
11.7007
New Zealand
Dollar
0.642100
32.1294
Taiwan
Dollar
0.033785
1.6905 Source: BSP
Business BIR, Customs collections plummeted 49% in May T By Julito G. Rada
HE combined collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs plummeted 48.6 percent in May to P135.5 billion from P263.6 billion a year ago as the economy continued to bear the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Data from the Department of Finance showed that the revenue collections by the two agencies in May were also 61.7 percent short of the P353.8-billion target for the month. The BIR collected P105.44 billion in May, down by P100.04 billion or 48.68
percent from the P205.47-billion take in the same month last year and P215.03 billion (67.1 percent) short of the P320.47 billion target. The BOC collected P30.01 billion in May, lower by P28.16 billion or 48.41 percent than its P58.17-billion take a year earlier. The May collection was also P3.32 billion or 9.96 percent short of the P33.33-billion target for the month. Combined collections in the first five months also tumbled 24.83 percent to P874.91 billion from P1.164 trillion a year ago. The tally was P187.5 billion or 17.65-percent below the revised collection target of P1.062 trillion for the period. BIR collections from Jan. 1 to May 31 reached P664.74 billion, down by P247.53 billion or 27.13 percent from P912.26 billion collected in the same period in 2019. The BIR’s performance was 21.7 percent or P184.17 billion short of the P848.91billion target for the period.
Customs collections amounted to P210.18 billion in the five-month period, which was P41.54 billion or 16.5 percent lower than the P251.71 billion collected a year earlier and P3.33 billion or 1.56 percent short of the target of P213.51 billion. The DOF said that with several top taxpayers heeding the government’s call to file their income tax returns ahead of the deferred payment deadlines, the BIR’s Large Taxpayers Service collected P189.46 billion in income taxes in the first five months. This was P87.93 billion or 31.7 percent lower than the LTS collection in the same period in 2019. It was also P67.86 billion or 26.37 percent below the target of P257.32 billion for the period. As a result, total income tax collections amounted to P341.58 billion in the first five months, or P146.85 billion (30 percent) lower than P488.43 billion collected in the same period last year.
Meat processors warn of price increase once gov’t imposes import ban By Othel V. Campos FOOD processors warned of a 10-percent to 15-percent increase in canned meat prices if the government will impose a temporary ban on raw materials, such as poultry and mechanically deboned meat. The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said the proposed ban might also suppress production in the absence of raw materials. Poultry products and MDM are important ingredients in the manufacture of processed meats, such as hotdogs, sausages and luncheon meat. “Prices of canned good will rise by at
least 10 to15 percent or about P2 to P5 per can, depending on the can size. Same is true for processed meats like hotdogs, siomai, and food served by the fastfood sector. These are all sources of nutrition for the masses,” said PAMPI vice president and CDO Foodsphere Inc. chief executive Jerome Ong. “It is very untimely for all because the crisis brought about by the pandemic has drastically cut the purchasing power of everyone, while the restaurants are struggling to get back on their feet too,” he added. Ong said the government’s decision to ban or suspend meat imports would be ill-
timed as this could affect the struggling manufacturing sector. He said thousands employed in the processed meat sector could lose their jobs as the industry would be forced to downsize operations and some companies might close shop. “The government will lose revenues not just from customs duties but much more from the taxes that companies remit every year. Worse, consumers will be deprived of their most affordable source of protein which our sector provides. It’s just lamentable that the complaining sectors are putting undue pressure on government agencies by insinuating that
corruption is prompting them to favor us. We challenge them to name names and show evidence instead of resorting to trial by publicity,” Ong said. A letter submitted to the Agriculture Department by PAMPI highlighted the importance of canned meat and processed meat in ensuring food supply during the COVID 19 crisis. “The meats that are being sought to be banned have become part of the solution that prevented food riots from happening,” the group said in the letter, noting that canned goods form part of the relief package, along with rice and other food items.
IN BRIEF
LDA Capital signs P800-m deal with RCI
ROXAS and Company Inc. announced the signing of a P800-million equity placement commitment with LDA Capital LLC, a US and European based global investment group. The equity placement commitment is part of RCI’s fund-raising activities aimed at strengthening its subsidiaries engaged in agri-business, real estate development, hotel operations and management. RCI will use the LDA proceeds for additional working capital and to support the reduction of bank debts. Under the equity placement commitment, RCI has the right, but not the obligation, to sell shares to LDA subject to the conditions of the put option agreement. RCI will control the timing and maximum amount of the POA and may sell up to P800 Million worth of RCI treasury shares during the 36 months from signing of the agreement. All transactions pursuant to the POA will be subject to required regulatory and Board approvals. In addition to the equity placement commitment under the POA, LDA will be given a call option to purchase up to 99 million common shares of RCI at an exercise price of P2.38 per share, exercisable any time during the term of the agreement. The equity placement commitment provides a natural hedge against the uncertainty and volatility of a public markets offer, and as such, demonstrates the “staying power” of RCI and its subsidiaries during the pandemic-induced downturn.
ADB approves P6.3-b loan for MWSS project
THE Asian Development Bank said Friday it approved a $126-million (P6.3 billion) loan to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to support the construction of a 15-kilometer water transmission pipeline aimed at helping secure water supply for Metro Manila’s nearly 13 million residents. It said in a statement the additional financing for the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project would help strengthen the water system’s downstream transmission capacity. It is a part of the MWSS’s effort to rehabilitate the Umiray–Angat–Ipo dam system which supplies about 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water. MWSS, a government-owned and -controlled corporation, owns and operates Metro Manila’s bulk water system from which two private concessionaries source, treat and distribute water to customers. ADB’s Southeast Asia department director of the urban development and water division Vijay Padmanabhan said climate change was making annual rainfall unpredictable, putting tremendous pressure on water resource use. “The Philippine government is increasing investments in clean infrastructure for environmentally sustainable water resource management across the country. Through this project, ADB is helping the Philippines secure Metro Manila’s water supply,” he said. The new aqueduct, with a 3.6-meter diameter, will have a welded steel concrete-coated pipe. With cutting-edge technology to help it withstand magnitude 7.2 earthquakes, the project will reduce the risk of a system breakdown and increase the resiliency of Metro Manila’s water supply. Julito G. Rada
Jollibee raises $600m from int’l market
RESTAURANT operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said Friday it raised $600 million from the issuance of dual tranche US dollar-denominated guaranteed senior notes. Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it raised $300 million in five-year notes with coupon rate of 4.125 percent per annum and another $300 million in 10-year notes with coupon rate of 4.75 percent per annum. The notes will be issued by Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. The latest offering represents the second international capital markets transaction from Jollibee group, following the successful issuance of its $600-million senior perpetual capital securities in January 2020. It also represents the third time that the fast-food giant tapped the capital markets since its initial public offering in 1993. The notes are unrated and will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. Jenniffer B. Austria
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
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advertise@manilastandard.net
In honor of fathers in these challenging times By Peter Paul Duran
F
ATHERS come in all forms and even in ways we do not expect. For some people, a father could be the one who has been there for them even before day one. The strong figure, who eagerly awaited one's birth and held his/her little fingers, maybe even cried with the joy of having helped bring a piece of life into this world. A father could be those who helped name them, and were there for their many firsts. Those who nurtured them when they were a child and taught them these beautiful little things about being a human being—riding a bike, brushing their teeth, playing games, reading books, growing up. But for some people, a father is someone who transcended the biological definition of being one. It could be someone, who took over the role of being father just for the sake of love, or the person who had people’s backs and helped them sail rough seas or those who served as their anchor—a teacher, who had the wisdom to help them figure out what they wanted out of life, a role model worthy of being called as one. This year’s Father’s Day has been given more meaning as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
has left a trail of grief in every family due to different reasons. In the Philippines, we celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June every year to honor fathers and fatherhood. It follows the Mother’s Day celebration every second
Sunday of May. While like many holidays, such an event would usually see a spike in spending as people hunt for ways to show their appreciation through traditional methods such as giving presents and creating new memories
GREAT GIFTS FOR DAD FROM THE SM STORE’S CALL TO DELIVER signature scent will add zest to his special day. A Gift of Cool. Keep Dad safe with smart and protective helmets as his takes his ride. For other Father’s Day gift ideas, call the #SMCallToDeliver hotline (0917 800 1074) from Mondays to Fridays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for inquiries, or check out the catalog https://www.thesmstore.com/ call-to-deliver-catalog.
Make Dad feel special this Father’s Day with SM’s Call to Deliver.
WHETHER being homebound together has made you appreciate Dad more, or you’ve been missing him as boundaries separate, make him feel special with The SM Store’s Father’s Day Gift Essentials and have them delivered to him on his very special day through #SMCalltoDeliver! The SM Store’s call to deliver catalogue features great gifts for Dad that will touch his heart: A Gift of Memories. Whether capturing family’s best moments or his new norm
Adidas Rubber Shoes for your dad’s fitness routine from home.
Keep your dad safe as he rides along with this Spyder, Spike Helmet.
The GoPro Hero Max Action Camera is not only
adventures, dads will surely love a new waterproof, but also lets you shoot footage in gadget like the FujiFilm Mirrorless Digital a 360-degree angle too. Camera or Go Pro Hero Max Action Stay in the loop with latest Camera. #SMCallToDeliver updates, and join A Gift of Time. Days with Dad are The SM Store Viber Community Group priceless, and it’s amazing how he https://bit.ly/2XLyD0t has always found time for you despite his busy schedule. Organizers for his favorite watch collection will surely Dads will bring a big smile to love this Fujifilm his face. X-A7 A Gift of Fashion Mirrorless and Fitness. A nice Digital pair of rubber shoes, Camera that tees, shirts and dri-fit lets him shoot proshorts for your dad’s level photos work out from home and videos. activity. A Gift of Scent-sibility. Either a new scent or his
even with simple gatherings and surprises. This year’s celebration could prove bittersweet for many people particularly those directly affected by the pandemic. Some fathers here in the Philippines and around the world
have lost their lives serving as frontliners. Some strive to this day to save others or brave each uncertain day just to stand by their roles and make sure they earn enough for their families and keep them comfortable the best they can. The COVID-19 pandemic also continues to force challenges into households, from financial issues to relationship problems as people struggle from solitude or conflict brought by quarantine restriction measures or from past issues that have not yet been properly addressed. In many ways the pandemic has affected many sectors of society, and beyond measures to reverse economic ramifications inflicted by the disease, the crisis has required of every human being more compassion; for people to know that at the end of the day, if we want to survive in a world such as this one, we need more than material things or empty words to comfort us. We need moments of vulnerability and clear-headedness to admit that we need each other, or instances when we wear our hearts on our sleeves because, as James Baldwin said, “we are still each other’s only hope.” During this year’s Father’s Day, in the face of challenges, may we consider how fleeting and important life is as we celebrate the important people that have helped us live it.
Davidoff Cool Water scent
Sleek organizers for your dad’s favorite watch collection.
Calvin Klein Eau de Toilette
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Sports
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor
Djokovic puts positive spin on US Open plan
Cuban to join Mavs’ players in kneel protest NEW YORK—Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Thursday he would join his team's NBA players in a kneeling protest and encouraged players to speak out on social justice matters. Cuban, speaking on ESPN, said he hoped the league would scrap a rule requiring players to stand for pregame renditions of the US national anthem if players wanted to make a kneeling protest. "Hopefully, we'll be adaptive," Cuban said. "Hopefully we'll allow players to do what's in their heart. "I'll stand in unison with our players and whatever they choose to do." Cuban said that feeling extended to kneeling with players before games if that's what they decided to do in the wake of the anti-racism and social justice protests following the killing of George Floyd while in police custody. "I'd be proud of them. I'd join them," Cuban said. "We've learned a lot. We've evolved." "I'll stand in unison with our players and whatever they choose to do." The 61-year-old US billionaire said he sees no insult to the American flag, the nation or its military in kneeling. "This is more a reflection of what's in their hearts," he said. "Hopefully we'll let the players do what they think is the right thing to do." Some NBA players, including Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn's Kyrie Irving, have suggested that the NBA return would distract from an ongoing movement for social change. They have said they don't suggest players participate in the NBA's planned "bubble" games starting next month in Orlando in a return from the coronavirus shutdown that began March 11. AFP
Smart gathers PH’s top Mobile Legends players FILIPINO esports players and fans are in for a treat as the top Mobile Legends: Bang Bang players in the country will be on an epic battle to determine the best of the best at the first-ever Mobile Legends Pro League – Philippine Champion Invitational, powered by Smart. The MPL-PH Champion Invitational, which will be held online on June 20-21 and 27-28, is a grand exhibition tournament featuring all the champion teams of MPL PH from Season 1 to Season 5. All champions will battle it out not only for the cash prize pool, but also for the glory and the entertainment of local esports fans during these challenging times. Champion teams Aether Main (Season 1), Cignal Ultra (Season 2), ArkAngel (Season 3), and back to back champion, SunSparks (Season 4 and 5) will go on to the big stage in an epic battle to determine who is the best Mobile Legends team in the Philippines, as well as a grand prize of USD 5,800. Fans will be able to follow all the nail-biting ML action on the Smart Facebook page on both weekends. As a staunch supporter of Philippine esports, Smart powered some of its biggest esports events over the past few years. The MPL-PH Champion Invitational comes on the heels of the mobile services provider new 'Simple. Smart Ako’ campaign, which reinforces its commitment to bring simple solutions and amazing experiences to Filipinos. Meanwhile, esports players and enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite games all day with Smart’s GIGA Games offer—for as low as P99, subscribers can get 1 GB per day of Games All Day with Mobile Legends and other titles, as well as 2 GB of open-access data for seven days.
Eumir Felix Marcial, who is training while in home quarantine in Imus, Cavite, said his plan to turn pro is in the works.
Marcial eyes 1 pro fight before Tokyo Olympics By Peter Atencio
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UMIR Felix Marcial has not stopped getting ready for the Tokyo Olympics. But his plans to turn professional can't wait any longer.
The 24-year-old Marcial feels that one professional fight before going to the Olympiad will be a great experience for him. “Sabi ko nga, magandang pagkakataon na ako ay may laban bago ako mag Olympics. Isa, ay para tumaas ang kumpiyansa ko, at ang experience ko ay madagdagan,” said Marcial in an interview with the Manila Standard. Marcial, who is training while in home quarantine in Imus, Cavite, said his plan to turn pro is in the works.
With the help of family members, Marcial has managed to narrow down the good offers coming his way. There's one coming from the camp of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, along with those from United States-based promoter Shelly Finkel and British manager Eddie Hearns of Matchroom Boxing. Marcial's decision to turn pro was spurred by uncertainties in the staging of the Tokyo Olympics after it was postponed early this year because of worldwide lockdowns imposed by countries
in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. “Almost one year pa ang Olympics at 'di pa natin alam kung matutuloy, at wala pa ding kasiguraduhan,” he added. Marcial is hoping and praying that his bid to step in the ring as a pro will happen anytime soon. For now, he will just get ready while doing shadow boxing and exercises inside his home. “Workouts and shadowboxing dito sa bahay. Tuluy-tuloy lang,” said Marcial. What's inspiring Marcial lately is his plans to get married to long-time girlfriend Princess Galarpe. That's because Marcial recently proposed marriage to Galarpe, his girlfriend for more than eight years.
Didal, Panugalinog win Asian meet BEING in home quarantine did not become a hindrance for 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal and fellow Cebuano Motic Panugalinog. The world no. 14 Didal proved this when she claimed the women's division honors of the Asian Skateboarding Championships 2020 Lockdown 5 Video Competition, outscoring 13 other skaters from around the world in ruling the online contest. With a score of 8.00, Didal topped Japanese rival Yurin Fujji, who tallied 7.5. Twenty-two-year old Orapan Tongkong of Thailand settled for the bronze with 7.46 points. Panugalinog, who is from Inayawan, claimed the gold in the men's division, with a overall score of 8.92. He beat his foes from Indonesia and Oman. Indonesia's Basral Graito (8.34) and Firas Ahmed Al-Hinai (8.34) of Oman. To provide a good showing, Panugalinog converted part of his home into a mini-skate park, coming up with makeshift obstacles out of a motorcycle and other household objects to jump out of. Video clips of his tricks were submitted to judges in the virtual event, organised by urban sports events company Millennial Events. Judges looked into the videos from remote sites in Singapore and Shanghai, As for Didal, she did her tricks from inside her home in Cebu City, which went into Enhanced Community Quarantine this week. She did the routines on top of a kitchen sink, while cruising on a long table as she took a break from her online food delivery business Hungry SK8RS. Before joining the competition, she was busy selling homemade dishes like humba with egg, kwek-kwek, and dynamite. She was helping her parent's busines by taking care of the deliveries and distribution to customers in Cebu. Peter Atencio
Margielyn Didal
PARIS—World number one Novak Djokovic appeared to row back on scepticism over plans to stage the US Open, saying on Thursday he was "extremely happy" the Grand Slam had escaped the coronavirus cull which claimed Wimbledon and much of the season. Djokovic had initially voiced unease over the United States Tennis Association's intention to keep the event starting on August 31 at Flushing Meadows despite New York being the hardest-hit city by the US coronavirus crisis. He described health protocols as "extreme" and "impossible". However, organisers will have been encouraged by the positive noises coming from the three-time US Open champion on Thursday. "I'm extremely happy and excited to see that all the tournaments, especially Grand Slams, are organising their events," the Serb said in reference also to the French Open, rescheduled now to start in late September. "I think that a lot of people were sceptical, especially for the US events considering what the US went through as a country during this pandemic," the 17-time Grand Slam winner told Eurosport's Tennis Legends podcast. "So a lot of people, including myself, were quite sceptical on whether it would happen or not. "We are very glad that it is happening, of course, and it is very important that we provide opportunities, we provide jobs, we provide opportunities for players to compete. "Because at the end of the day, this is what we do! As tennis professionals we love the sport; we are passionate about it. We miss competing and travelling and, at the end of the day, we miss being on tour. So I think this is very positive news." The 33-year-old said he hoped the stringent restrictions including the existing ban on South American players travelling to compete would be eased before the Grand Slam gets underway. "Let's hope that in the next two months some of those restrictions will loosen up a bit and that we will have a great, great tournament." Perpetuating my unemployment This month Djokovic had said that most players he had spoken to had "a rather negative view" about playing in New York, and predicted some would instead switch to the delayed clay court season. A number of other players have also expressed doubts over the US Open including defending champion Rafael Nadal who said that he would not take part if the event was taking place now. Women's world number one Ashleigh Barty as well as Wimbledon champion Simona Halep have also expressed reservations. The US Open will be played without fans in attendance while strict health protocols will be in place. However, there has been anger at the decision to drop qualifying from the tournament. "Cheers to ATP and US Open for further perpetuating my unemployment," tweeted world number 195 Mitchell Krueger of the United States. Sachia Vickery, the women's world number 158, tweeted: "What a slap in the face to all the players in qualifying that won’t even have a chance to compete and who literally depend on the money from grand slams to survive." Wary of the fall-out, the USTA said $6.6 million will be put aside as compensation for those affected by missing out on the 128-player main draw. AFP
Robin Catalan on brother Rene: He’s like a father to us
Robin Catalan
AS FATHER’S Day draws nearer, Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan paid tribute to the man that has been like his father for the last decade. More than a coach and an older brother, third-ranked ONE Championship strawweight Rene “The Challenger” Catalan stands as a mentor to Robin and all the other athletes at Catalan Fighting System. “In any home, there has to be a foundation and that was kuya Rene for us, not just for me as his brother but also for all our
athletes,” Robin said. “He guided us and taught us discipline so we can all achieve our goals and dreams of making it big in the world of martial arts.” It was in 2007 when “The Ilonggo” first travelled to Manila to pursue his dreams as a martial artist, and Rene has always been by his side. The brothers have experienced trials, hardships, and victories together since then, and that is why “The Ilonggo” will always be grateful to his
older brother. “We’ve been together for 12 years here in Manila. It was in 2007 where I travelled to Manila and he’s been with me since,” he said. “He’s more than just a father to us, if there’s no Rene Catalan, we would not be here.” For all the sacrifices that Rene has made for the betterment of the team, Robin knows it will be near impossible to repay his older brother for everything. The only thing he can do now is to be at his best and live up to
the vision that his father-figure has for him. "I want to repay him by bringing honor to this camp. There’s no better way to repay someone than to show him that you’ve reached your goals and dreams because of him,” he said. “Every win, every victory, is for him. That’s how I repay him.” To commemorate the Philippine Independence Day, ONE Championship has released exclusive merchandise donning the country’s colors. Check out ONE.SHOP for the fresh drops.
Tech & Gadgets
Buildrite Construction makes online campaign IN ORDER to address one of the many challenges faced by the construction industry due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Buildrite Construction Chemicals has recently made its “Magtanong Para Sigurado” campaign available online. The campaign, which provides free technical advice to customers and consumers, is part of the company’s advocacy to educate industry professionals about new technologies that can help improve their productivity and cost-efficiency, and deliver better results. Under its parent company Magna Prime Chemical Technologies, Buildrite Construction Chemicals is an adhesive and construction chemical producer that conducts its own product research and development. Among its flagship products are Buildrite Skimcoat, StopGap, Sapal 2 in 1 Elastic Sealant and Waterproofer, RubberStop Rubber Sealant, and the award-winning SmartBond Tile Adhesive. Aside from creating its own innovative commodities, Buildrite is also focused on providing customer care services. This includes client consultations and site visits to guide users about the proper application of the products. “We noticed how people in the construction industry still tend to stick with old school practices or kung ano yung nakaugalian na nilang gawin. They would say, ‘Alam ko na ‘yan” or “20 years ko nang ginagawa iyan,” which hinders them from learning new techniques and ultimately reaping the benefits of new technologies. In this aspect, we are trying to encourage them to have a change of mindset--magtanong muna para sigurado to avoid making mistakes and spending extra costs to cover unnecessary repairs or retouches,” said Buildrite CEO Derrick Tan. For the past few years, these consultation services have been enjoyed by customers who visit Buildrite’s technical hubs located in select branches of CW Home Depot and other local hardware branches like Trust Hardware in Davao, Moostbrand Hardware in Iloilo, Olivan Home Depot in Bicol, and Cebu Oversea Hardware in Cebu. To make it more convenient for customers and also to align with social distancing protocols, Buildrite made a practical move to make the service available on its Facebook Page and Viber community. “This makes it more convenient for our clients to contact us, since we can’t simply do face-to-face meetings these days. Through Facebook and Viber, they can easily call us and send us pictures of their sites so we can have a clearer idea about their concerns,” adds Tan.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
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rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
LG XBoom at home: Sound for your passion
S WE slowly transition into a new normal, the call to stay at home has become more important than ever. By staying in, you get to keep you and your family safe from any pathogens and bacteria floating around as well as avoid hellish Manila traffic which wastes time and money. Even with the pandemic aside, the convenience of working from home, in this interconnected world, is simply more efficient and productive for all stakeholders. Working from home, however, comes with its own share of challenges. The concept of being cooped up indoors for an extended amount of time is a proposition foreign to many people. The possibility of burning out is very real. That’s why in this new normal, one has to adapt and change one’s lifestyle accordingly by embracing technological innovations that help you live your life to the fullest. With LG’s XBoom line of portable speakers, staying at home is made easier. You don’t really feel being “locked in” when you have the XBoom as an intelligent companion for work, relaxation, gaming, exercise, listening to music, and so on. Working from home with the compact Xboom Go PK5, for instance, ensures that you don’t have to settle with your laptop’s onboard speakers. Meridian's premium tuning in the XBoom Go work in synergy to give you a clean, crisp, quality sound in all of your online meetings and webinars. Once work’s done, you can chill, relax, and
Embrace inter-connectivity with LG’s XBoom series. The RK7 lets you connect a smartphone, tablet or other compatible Bluetooth-enabled device to the speaker and play music from any of them. Multipoint can link two wireless devices to the speaker at the same time.
listen to your favorite tunes at the comfort of your own home. The LG XBoom RL4 is outfitted with powerful Dual Action Bass that amplifies low frequencies for bolder and more powerful beats that will keep the vibe going, whether you’re just lounging or revving yourself up with an intense workout. Dual Tweeters located to the side of each woofer deliver high tones with remarkable clarity
and precision, making sure you never miss a beat. If gaming is your gateway to relaxation, Enhanced Bass adds greater depth to your sound for a more immersive audio experience. Clear Vocal finetunes the high tones for crisper sound at an enjoyable volume. If planting yourself in front of a widescreen is your idea of relaxation, you can immerse yourself in a completely
theatric environment with LG’s wide range of soundbars. LG partnered with Meridian Technology, pioneers of High-Resolution Audio, to combine advanced signal processing and refined hardware design. The result is an expanded soundstage with greater height, width and depth which provides an allencompassing sound and uncompromising performance. Dolby Atmos® envelops you in sound. Originally created for the cinema, Dolby Atmos pairs with up-firing height channels so you hear every note, every sound and every word in stunning clarity. For budding YouTubers and social media stars, LG’s XBoom One Body RK7 is perfect for dancing the night away and making your home your own stage. LG’s One Body line lets you unleash your creativity with a bevy of features. With Karaoke Star, you can sing to your heart’s content with just a push of a button - vocals can be suppressed from almost any track and source. 18 different Vocal Effects are also built-in, making each song you sing even better. If you want to dance or create your own disco hits, the LG XBoom has the Pro DJ feature. Just turn the jog wheel for scratching and add other various sound effects as well as looping specific part of the track by simply pushing a button. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcibly changing everyone’s lifestyles, adaptability is key. We have to face the new normal and all the baggage that comes with it. The cramped cinemas, gaming cafes, or even coworking spaces will probably become a relic of the past. By embracing dualpurpose innovations that let you enjoy things at the comfort of your own home, such as LG’s XBoom speakers, one takes a step in the right direction of a post-pandemic world.
5 types of dads we love to spend time with playing as he cooks and follows the recipe. Often, the mom and the kids have to stay by his side and make sure he does not make a mess in the kitchen.
DADS may differ in personalities—there are those who are strict, lenient, and there are those who are very much quirky and playful. But there’s one common characteristic that we love about them: they will always have a funny “dad joke” or two on hand whenever we need them. Before being quarantined at home, dads were busybodies, waking up at 5 in the morning and going to work for their daily grind. However, the situation in the past few months has required them to stay at home, finding ways to adjust to their new normal, thus exposing and unveiling his all so unique charms and quirks for the cringe-worthy enjoyment of the whole family. With Father’s Day around the corner, here’s a tribute to the types of dads everyone has encountered during quarantine:
The “Peer-ent”: Ever reliable peer everyone runs to These days, dads have adopted a new and modern parenting style known as ‘peer-renting’. This allows them to become their kids’ trusted friend, being the one they run to for helpful advice, for when they are heartbroken, or for when they feel down. He is the best at communicating, has a unique humor, and knows the right words to lighten the mood. During quarantine, he has been listening to his kids’ stories, relearning their interests and joining in their favorite activities—whether it is bingeing a TV series or playing a video game.
The BTS (Behind-the-Scene) Dad He’s the kind of person who loves to work behind the scenes—lenient enough to let the kids discover new things on their own and amply quiet when the wife takes the centerstage for the talk (LOL!). Now that he’s working remotely at home, he’d spend most of his days in his “hidden-from-the-kids” station, answering emails on his laptop, attending online meetings, and even spending sleepless nights catching up with tasks. He does it all to provide for the family during these trying times. And while he is certainly working behind the scenes at home, he knows when to take his breaks and spend time with his family—whether it’s sharing meals on the table, helping the kids with their home studies, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with his wife.
The HypebeastDad The BTS (Behind-the-Scene) Dad
help feeding the baby? He is already putting the little one on his high chair and giving him his food. He initiates doing the laundry, but he can be clumsy and forget to separate the whites from colored clothing items. Going on grocery runs? He can be relied on to buy the essential needs, but he would video call the house every five minutes to check if he is purchasing the right items.
The Home Masterchef
Dads love food and there are those who are a natural pro at cooking and know their way around the kitchen. But there are also dads who has spent quarantine trying to level up their cooking skills and watchThe Mom’s Right-Hand Man If he is not busy working, he follows mom around to ing cooking videos online. He is the type who brings see how he can help with the household chores. Need his phone to the kitchen, with the latest cooking video
He is the type of dad who is always excited to share the hype at home. He has probably bought the newest video games, gadgets and stayed up all night playing with his kids. He also loves being updated with the latest online trends so that he will never miss out on a fun discussion at home. As embarrassing as it can be, he knows even TikTok challenges and is always game to record if he gets the chance. Truly, it is the dads who have made life in quarantine easier and better for the family with their corny jokes and dance moves to show. And with strong connection powered by PLDT Home, you can celebrate with them on his special day and make more fun moments by watching the most viral pranks and enjoying online trends he’d surely want to add to his long list of funny stunts.
Smart, DLP web forum push Daikin introduces its lowest priced split-type unit yet for crisis-resilient education SCHOOLS and educators are now looking to new strategies to deliver quality education to students outside the classroom, especially to those in far-flung areas with even more challenging circumstances. These include online to TV and radio to printed modules. It is in this context that the CVIFDynamic Learning Program or DLP – a disaster-resilient, innovative, and lowbudget teaching strategy—proves to be very effective. The brainchild of Filipino Theoretical Physicists and Ramon Magsaysay laureates Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido, the program is designed to train students to learn independently, effectively, and responsibly, even with minimal supervision from both teachers and parents. It focuses on student activity and aims to produce students whose competence in the Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (STEM) disciplines are comparable to global standards. First implemented in 2002 in the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF), the Bernidos’ secondary school in Jagna,
Bohol, DLP immediately yielded positive results. Students showed improved academic performance in class and on national scholastic aptitude tests and higher success rates in entrance exams in premier universities in the country and abroad. This, with zero homework and face-toface interaction with a teacher for an equivalent of only 20% of school time. The program has since been rolled out in public and private schools all over the country. Davao Christian High School adopted DLP in 2005, and this helped the school successfully transition to online classes after the pandemic was declared, according to Desi Magnaye, Junior High School Principal. The immense challenges currently faced by the education sector necessitates looking into various methodologies to bring education to learners in a variety of contexts. For PLDT and its subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. and the PLDT-Smart Foundation, this means providing flexible learning options from online to on-air to offline through the Dynamic Learning Program, which the companies have been supporting since 2010.
DAIKIN, the world’s leading air conditioning manufacturer, today launched the D-Smart Room Aircon Inverter FTKQTVM Series, its newest entry level unit designed to challenge window-type air conditioning units typically used by many Filipinos. “Upfront cost has been one of the biggest considerations for consumers to choose window-type air conditioning units over split-types. At Daikin, we strive to lower that cost so that more people can enjoy the benefits of split-type units,” said Takayoshi Miki, President of Daikin Philippines. Part of Daikin’s Eco King series, the D-Smart is a split-type air conditioner that has a lower SRP versus other similar units in the market. Priced at PHP 33,500 and outfitted with Daikin’s inverter, it promises cutting-edge comfort while also reducing electricity consumption. According to Daikin, the return on investment for the D-Smart line is less than two years versus window-type non-inverter. Inverter air conditioners are well known for their precise control and outstanding energy efficiency, particularly compared to non-inverter models. This is due to the in-
The newest entry in Daikin’s Eco King series, D-Smart, is a window-type killer
verter’s ability to vary capacity by adjusting operating frequency. Beyond huge energy savings, Daikin’s split-type inverter air conditioners also offer protection from power surge with All Voltage Guard: Super PCB. The company has also offered comprehensive warranty coverage for these units, with a standard 1-year warranty in parts and service, 5-year warranty on compressor, and a 3-year warranty on PCB for the new D-Smart line. Miki highlighted their proprietary All Voltage Guard as another feature that sets the new line apart from other split-types. “The super PCB can protect your units against power surges with an operating range of 150V-264V, with protection of up to 440V for the new D-Smart.” While the D-Smart is Daikin’s entry
level split type, it still meets the company’s very high quality and cooling standards. Daikin, who pioneered the global use of R32 Refrigerants in aircons, supports the Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) standard rating initiative made by the Department of Energy under the Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program. CSPF raises the minimum energy performance standards for appliances. It rates all air conditioners from 1 star to 5 stars. All Daikin inverter residential air conditioners, including the new D-Smart, are rated 5 stars. “As we pursue our goal of inverterization, we are continuously researching refrigerants as well as new technologies which can reduce energy consumption. This is to not just lower the cost of use for our customers, but also to ensure that we use low impact refrigerants for the good of the environment,” said Miki. For a limited time, Daikin Philippines will be extending a P2,000 installation subsidy for purchases of a D-Smart (model FTKQ-TVM). This promotion is available at all of Daikin’s authorized dealers, check www.daikin.com.ph/dealer-locator to order now.
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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
advertise@manilastandard.net
Your father’s day feast is just taps away this #DadsDayWithSM!
O
UR dads have become the many different versions of themselves in this pandemic—errands runner, DIY guy, chef, and all-around family man.
Yes, we may be stuck at home but it’s no reason to let Dad’s Day pass by like a breeze. Celebrate a family feast and take your dad’s favorite food bundles straight to your home via SM’s food-to-go services! On the go? Pick up your food items instead at the designated Daddy Drop
Points in select SM malls nationwide! In partnership with Waze, you can now easily locate the curb side pickup point! Simply open your Waze app and wait for a visual cue to prompt that will lead you to the designated pick-up area in the mall. “As we try to overcome this pan-
demic, it would be nice to give our dad his much-deserved treat on his special day, especially that we have now made it easier to shop through our seamless takeout and delivery services,” said SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing Jonjon San Agustin. Check out these food-to-go ideas available this #DadsDayWithSM: 1. Boodle fight. Nothing beats a home celebration with signature Pinoy flavors! Try out a wide selection of local restaurants that offer boodle feast staples like lechon, sisig, crispy pata, and more! Check out the list of open restaurants via our Viber Communities at https://www. smsupermalls.com/post/take-out-anddelivery-at-sm-supermalls/ 2. Go-to comfort food. Your dad sure needs his burger fix by this time. Get his cravings delivered to your home from his fave food hotspots! Have a specific restaurant in mind? Scroll through SM’s downloadable e-menu https://www. smsupermalls.com/post/food-takeout-and-delivery/ 3. Restaurant bundles. Keep the celebration going from breakfast, lunch to dinner! Easy-on-the-pocket family meals, bundles, and salu-salo packages are now up at various restaurants in SM. How about a pizza party for dad? Special coupons are up at Pizza Hut! 4. Sweet treats. No meal is ever complete without dessert. Treat your dad with his guilty pleasures like ice cream, muffins, cookies, or maybe you can take a chance at baking the crowd-favorite homemade ube pandesal! Don’t forget to shop for ingredients at SM Markets. Get full access on the latest Dad’s Day offerings of reopened restaurants at SM via downloadable e-menus https:// www.smsupermalls.com/post/foodtake-out-and-delivery/. In partnership SM’s pabili and delivery apps, shoppers may also have their food items delivered to their homes! Get daily updates on SM’s takeout and delivery services through Viber Communities at https:// www.smsupermalls.com/post/takeout-and-delivery-at-sm-supermalls/ For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.
Father's Day: Our dads, our heroes By Angelica Villanueva THE year 2020 has really challenged our strength, both physical and mental. For the last six months, it has been a rough ride for Filipinos, who had to face deaths, tragedies, calamities, political conflicts and diseases one after the other. Some have even gone to the extent of calling this cruel stretch as the worst year, what with all the sufferings that it has given. The situation has required most Filipinos to stay at home to contain the spread of the virus. However, there are still a lot of Filipino workers required to go to work— the frontliners. And some of these frontliners are fathers. As we celebrate this year's Father's Day, the Manila Standard asked some frontliner fathers, who are braving the coronavirus disease pandemic to give some encouraging words not just to their fellow fathers and frontliners, but to everyone as well. "These days are tough. And we do not have much to offer. As frontliners, we become selfless— bend but don't break. Because we understand what it really feels like to go home and embrace our loved ones once again—if not for the last one—to see their faces, and yes, the smiles in our loved ones' eyes! I once told my children, my beautiful and loving daughters, working in the frontlines during this very challenging time is the only thing I have to offer for my family, my brothers and sisters, my country. I can not do
everything, but I want and love to do something—something more meaningful and grandeur. I can not do it for everyone, but I will do it for someone—one soul at a time. That is a frontliner! Giving all his best—his life! To all the fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, my brothers and sisters in the frontlines—our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ loves you! Not a strand of your hair will fall to the ground unnoticed by Him! We love you! We pray for you! We will be thankful forever that we were being ministered by "angels—the frontliners!”—Robert Oximas, frontliner “To all frontliners in the country like me, thank you for your hard work—it’s really hard, yet you remain to serve our country, our fellow Filipinos. Keep up the good work. May we continue to fulfill our responsibilities and callings. As we do our job, may we remain vigilant and also take care of ourselves against the coronavirus disease. Protect yourselves for our youth, for our country. Always have faith in the Lord that we can all survive this.”—Zaldy Domines, Barangay Tanod, Brgy. San Andres COVID-19 has caused all of us pain and anxiety but like our fathers, who serve as the pillars of our homes, may we remain to be strong and unbreakable in these trying times. From the Manila Standard, we would like to extend our gratitude to the hardworking fathers around the world. We wish you all, a happy father’s day!
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila
Exciting Vouchers Await Customers From Globe Rewards
Standard
TODAY
Majority of Filipinos have begun to rely on the virtual world to manage their day-to-day lives from grocery shopping, working at home, staying healthy & productive, and keeping themselves informed and entertained. As the country is gearing up for the “new normal”, many have adapted to new ways of doing things. To ensure subscribers stay on top of their digital lifestyles, Globe Rewards lets them easily avail more digital products and services in just one click. Starting June 1 up to December 31, Globe and TM subscribers can make use of their reward points to avail of new and exclusive deals and discounts from Globe Rewards partners Gcash, Lazada, LazMart, McDonalds, Grab, and Zalora. With Lazada and Zalora, users can avail gift vouchers worth P300 and P500 when they shop for groceries and other clothing essentials. On the Grab
App, subscribers can save P100 on their next GrabCar ride or P150 on their next GrabFood delivery. Globe customers can enjoy their McDonald’s favorites, such as their Solo Cheeseburger for 66 points, a Hot Fudge Sundae for 31 points, or a McCrispy Chicken Fillet with Rice meal for 75 points. Mobile Legends fans can redeem a gaming credit load voucher worth P20 from GCash with just 10 points on June 28-30. LazMart shoppers can redeem a 10% LazMart voucher for only 10 points on June 13 to 15. “This is our way of thanking our loyal subscribers and helping ease the inconveniences that the pandemic has brought to them by offering good deals on their favorite digital products by simply using their Globe rewards points,” says Joey Kilayko, Head of Globe Rewards.
“As we prepare for a new life after the community quarantine, we want to continue providing our customers an even more rewarding experience. We encourage our customers to keep checking their points and watch out for new partners that we will have for them in the coming months.” Globe Postpaid subscribers can stack up on points through monthly bill payments, while Globe Prepaid subscribers can earn points from reloads. Due to the community quarantine, Globe Rewards also extended the validity of points earned from 2019 to be used until June 30, 2020. To track points and avail of other promos and discounts, users can simply log on to their GlobeOne or Globe at Home app and click on the Rewards section to view the full list of offers. To learn more about Globe Rewards and other exclusive offers, download the Globe Rewards App.