Manila Standard - 2020 July 6 - Monday

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NSA blasts terror law critics 'They could be terrorist supporters; activists, dissenters not the target' By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

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ATIONAL Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Sunday said those opposed to the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 could be supporters of terrorists.

In an interview with Dobol B sa Section 4 excludes dissent, advocacy, News TV, Esperon said the new law mass actions and other similar exercises does not target activists and dissenters. of civil and political rights. It's right “The definition of terrorism in Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 132 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BAGUIO BET IS BEST. Newly crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2020 Roxanne A. Baeyens of Baguio City takes centerstage after winning the pageant during an online awarding ceremony on Sunday, July 5, 2020. She is surrounded by her official entourage (from left) Miss Philippines Fire Shane Tormes of Quezon, Miss Philippines Air Patrixia Santos of Albay, Miss Philippines Water Gianna Llanes of Mandaluyong City and Miss PH Eco-Tourism Ilyssa Marie Mendoza of Melbourne.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 5)

44,254 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,297

2,434 NEW

1,147 FRESH

7

DEATHS

NEW

11,942

489

RECOVERIES

Anti-HIV drugs didn't work in virus cases—DOH Sudden spike

By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) will stop administering the anti-HIV drugs lopinavir and ritonavir to hospitalized COVID-19 patients after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it would discontinue its trials with them, along with the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine after they failed to reduce mortality rate.

“Based on the recent evidence and recommendations from our experts,we will be stopping the use of lopinavir and ritonavir among hospitalized patients,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters Sunday. “We have already discontinued hydroxychloroquine early on when the evidence for this came out,” she added. Patients who are already on the

treatment would have the option to stop, she said. “We will have remdesivir plus interferon as the new regimen versus remdesivir alone versus interferon alone and standard of care once shipment of interferon arrives,” she said. Under the WHO’s Solidarity Trial, in which the Philippines is participating, four drugs were being eyed as treatment for COVID-19: Next page

NEW

Surging US cases dampen July 4 bash WASHINGTON—A surge in coronavirus cases sapped the fun out of July 4 celebrations in the United States on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as the pandemic also accelerated through neighboring Mexico, the rest of Latin America and South Africa. Even Europe, which has largely been celebrating reopening, saw some setbacks, with authorities placing 200,000 people back under lockdown in Spain after a spike in infections that underlined how easily hard-won progress can be reversed. Next page

DREARY DAY. Spectators sit on top of a pillar at the World War II Memorial in the National Mall as fireworks burst during the Fourth of July Independency Day celebrations in Washington D. C. The mall usually crowded with spectators was nearly deserted. AFP

in virus cases normal—expert

THE Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,434 additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday afternoon, bringing the total to 44,254 cases in the Philippines. In addition to the 1,147 fresh cases, 1,287 late cases were reported. “Today's fresh cases are based on the daily accomplishment reports submitted by only 58 out of 73 current operational labs,” the DOH said. The DOH also reported seven new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 1,297. There were 489 new recoveries reported, bringing the total to 11,942. Expert says rise in cases 'normal' An epidemiologist on Sunday said that the steady increase in the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country is expected due to easing up of community quarantine measures. Dr. Rontgene Solante, the head of San Lazaro Hospital's Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medine Section, said hospitals should have the capacity to attend to COVID-19 patients especially the critical cases in case of a surge of infections. Solante added that there are more mild COVID-19 cases than severe ones now in the country. Churches, mosques chosen for dry run JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said some places of Next page

Oil firms reverse gears, cut prices by P0.80 By Alena Mae S. Flores

es, a distributor said Sunday. P0.70 to P0.80 per liter,” Unioil Philip“Expect fuel prices to have mix pines said in its weekly price forecast. World oil prices declined last week CONSUMERs may expect a reduction movement next week (July 7 to 13). Diesel should have no price move- amid rising COVID-19 infections in the in the price of gasoline this week, a reNext page prieve from weeks of oil price increas- ment, but gasoline should go down by

Barge spills oil in Iloilo; owner faces penalty

RECYCLING ART. Environment officers of Mendez, Cavite make a Philippine flaginspired art using empty plastic bottles collected from evacuation centers at the Mendez Eco Center. Dennis Abrina

THE Environment department will fine the owner of a barge that spilled oil in Iloilo on Friday, Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said Sunday. He said the department will notify the Ayala-controlled AC Energy Inc. over its violation of Republic Act 9275 or the Clean Water Act. “Notice of violation based on RA NEW ERA. The virus pandemic has ushered in a new era for the Catholic Church 9275 will be issued. A technical confer- which has designed alternative ways to celebrate baptism like having only a few members ence will be called to address the oil of a family and a pair of godparents to witness the religious rite while observing social Next page

distanding and wearing face masks to avoid catching the COVID-19. St. Michael Parish/BGC

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News

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Virus tests on poor for free­—PRC Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive, repeated the need to ramp up testing to ensure victory in the fight against the pandemic. He said the COVID Samaritan program would help achieve that result since

those who could not afford the testing fee would be covered by the funds donated for the program. “People should be tested so we can win the fight against COVID. This way, carriers can be separated from

those who are not infected and they can be cured," Gordon said. "And those who were tested can go back to work. This is why we started this program for those who cannot afford to pay to still get tested.” Gordon says the Automobile Association of the Philippines, through Jose Armando Eduque, has donated €50,000, or almost P2.8 million, for the program. He commended the group for contributing to the fight against the pandemic. He also commended Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Philippines Inc. (Lysol Philippines) for its donation in May. Half of the amount would go to the COVID Samaritan program to be used for testing women

NSA...

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged the public to give the new law a chance. "It is a much-needed measure to clothe law enforcement agencies with the necessary power to contain and eradicate terrorists who don’t play by any rules and who hide behind our laws to pursue their evil deeds," Lorenzana said in a statement. He also urged the public to read and understand the law. "We appeal to the public to give this law a chance and not to be swayed by misinformation and disinformation. We urge everyone to read and understand the law,” he said, adding that the government would ensure that the law is not abused. The new law or Republic Act 11479 repeals RA 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007. It allows the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days without a warrant of arrest. It also allows a 60-day surveillance with an allowable 30-day extension that can be conducted by the police or the military against suspected terrorists. The law also imposes a 12-year jail term on a person who voluntarily or knowingly joins a terrorist organization. Malacañang said it will abide by the Supreme Court ruling on the petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after a group of lawyers electronically filed a petition before the Court to stop the law's implementation. “The Palace will leave it to the SC to decide on these petitions and will abide by whatever the ruling is,” Roque said in a statement on Sunday. Earlier, Roque said the anti-terrorism law is “at par” with the anti-terrorism legislation of the developed countries. He said other countries such as the

United States and the United Kingdom had “more draconian” laws compared to the Philippines. Meanwhile, the National Union of Peoples Lawyers deferred its plan to challenge the legality of the anti-terror law before the SC to include more interested petitioners. Senator Panfilo Lacson, one of the authors of the measure, said that Section 29 was "merely a restatement" of the same provision in the Human Security Act of 2007. The Anti-Terrorism Council, he said, would not have the authority to order arrests of suspected terrorists. Lacson also said safeguards in the law would make abuses very costly for law enforcers to commit. He said a mere non-compliance with the immediate written notification to the judge of the court nearest the place of arrest, as well as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), not to mention technical surveillance or wiretapping on suspected terrorists without judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals and more can send them to prison for 10 years, and bar them from holding public office and deprive them of retirement and other benefits. Also on Sunday, Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said he and fellow lawmakers would draft and come up with recommendations for the implementing rules and regulations of the newly signed Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 to allay fears of abuses. Biazon was the principal author of RA 11479 but later pulled out his authorship and even voted “no” to the passage of the bill, saying he was not content with some of its provisions, which were open to misinterpretation. “If we would make a law, we want to ensure that all is clear, and all the things we have to do so it would be a subject to different interpretations, especially to different implementations,” he said. He said he is hoping that those un-

clear provisions in the law would later be clarified, particularly Section 25 on the designation of a “terrorist.” “The way the provision is written is, before one could be designated as a terrorist, there must be a probable cause… a probable cause that shall be determined by the judiciary or a judicial process, and not just by an arbitrary designation by the Anti-Terrorism Council,” Biazon said. “That is one thing we could cure when it comes to the IRRs… restating the determination of a probable cause by the prosecutors or by the judges for clarity to allay fears,” he added. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said no amount of assurances from law enforcement agencies could guarantee the new law would not be abused to the detriment of human rights, civil liberties and fundamental freedoms. “The repressive provisions in the law embolden law enforcers to perpetrate errant and arbitrary implementation against spirited ordinary citizens, progressive activists and political dissenters who have long been considered as enemies of the state," he said. "The new anti-terrorism law must be cleansed of its constitutional infirmities notwithstanding the say-so of its implementors," he stressed. "It is incumbent upon the Supreme Court to use the scalpel of judicial review to excise the numerous oppressive and unconstitutional provisions of the new law in its adjudication of relevant petitions," he added. On Saturday, police arrested 11 people from leftist groups protesting the new law in Cabuyao City, Laguna. Among those arrested were members of groups Karapatan, Bayan, Gabriela, BM Youth, Liga ng Manggagawa, Starter Piston, Pamantik KMU and Kabataan. The demonstrators, including three minors, were detained at Cabuyao Municipal Police Station.

ers Welfare Administration recorded a total of 551,606 aid applications from both land-based and sea-based workers who are either still in host countries or have returned to the Philippines. “The fund released to us is fast depleting. So far, our offices approved the requests of 224,756 OFWs, 128,348 of whom are still locked down or stranded in their countries of work,” the Labor chief said. Evacuation centers need to be redesigned Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has calledon the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to produce a new template for emergency evacuation centers that will not make it easy to spread COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. “We certainly don’t want the centers to become super spreaders of COVID-19, in the event that local governments have to move out communities threatened by storm surges or flooding,” he added. “Clearly, our pre-pandemic temporary shelters—wherein residents are haphazardly jam-packed into school buildings and gymnasiums without adequate precautions in place—won’t work anymore.” Manila reports 1,382 recoveries Some 1,382 Manila City residents have recovered from COVID-19 as of July 3, while 147 have succumbed to the disease, the Manila Public Information Office said on Sunday. About 2,769 Manila City residents were also identified as confirmed COVID-19 cases after the Manila Health Department recorded 637 new active cases this week. Willie Casas, Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

Surging..

around the world, Latin America is also grappling with rising cases. Mexico's toll crossed 30,000 on Saturday, propelling it past France to become the fifth-hardest-hit country in the world. And Brazil, which has defiantly opened bars and restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, notched up nearly 40,000 new cases and more than a thousand deaths, keeping it in second place behind the US in the bleak global rankings. Across the Atlantic, South Africa reported more than 10,000 new infections Saturday, its highest ever daily jump. Africa's most economically developed country now has the greatest number of cases on the continent. 'Can't be in a bubble' American beaches that would normally be packed on July 4 are shut on both coasts as California and Florida suffer alarming surges in cases, while bars in states such as Texas and Michigan have had to close on what should be one of their busiest weekends of the year. New York's public beaches reopened earlier in the week but locals in the city that was once the global epicenter of the crisis remain wary of a resurgence. Mark Ruiz, who came to New York's Coney Island beach with his wife and two children for a picnic, said he was "definitely worried" about the virus and his family would scrupulously respect social distancing rules. AFP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Philippine Red Cross has launched its COVID Samaritan program to make sure that the poor who cannot afford the COVID-19 testing fee may get tested, Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday.

From A1

there in the definition of terrorism,” he said in Filipino. “So what are they talking about when they say you will lose your human rights? I think those who are saying that are supporters of terorrists.” President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 last week, despite objections from human rights and civil society groups, the opposition and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. Esperon said the law would not limit or violate any human rights, saying protesters could march on the streets as long as they wanted because the freedom of expression is guaranteed. After the law was signed Friday, a group of lawyers led by law professor Howard Calleja challenged it before the Supreme Court and asked the justices to issue a temporary restraining order to stop it from being implemented on July 19, 2020. The petition, file electronically, will also be brought physically to the Supreme Court Monday. Senator Francis Pangilinan said he was preparing to file a separate petition before the Supreme Court to challenge provisions of the new law that he said violate the Constitution, including one that would allow warrantless arrests. He also questioned the broad definition of terrorism that he said could lead to the indiscriminate filing of charges against people who opposed the government. But Esperon said the government's legal team is ready to answer these challenges before the Supreme Court, and said they would be open to recommendations from lawmakers when they draft the law's implementing rules and regulations.

Sudden... From A1

worship in general community quarantine areas have been selected to conduct dry runs for 10 percent of their seating capacity purportedly to determine if they could strictly implement health protocols. “There will be pilot dry runs in a few selected churches, mosques, temples, etc. until July 10. Thereafter, 10 percent attendance in all religious worships in GCQ areas will begin. In (modified GCQ) MGCQ areas, 50 percent attendance has been allowed since July 1,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. The government only permits a maximum of 10 persons to attend masses or religious gatherings in Metro Manila,which remains under general community quarantine category. However, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases granted the request of some religious leaders to allow them to accommodate more participants in their religious activities. P2.5b more sought for OFW cash aid The Labor department is seeking additional P2.5 billion to finance its cash assistance program for overseas Filipino workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Sunday said the government needs to service the needs of the increasing number of on-site and repatriated OFWs who are requesting assistance. As of July 4, Bello said DOLE’s overseas offices and the Overseas Work-

Oil...

From A1

United States, which traders fear could affect oil demand. According to the Energy department’s latest monitoring report, the total year-to-date adjustments in pump prices now stand at a net decrease of P4.97 per liter of gasoline, P8.84 per liter of diesel and P12.99 per liter of kerosene. On June 30, the oil distributors raised the price of gasoline by P0.70 per liter, diesel by P0.30 and kerosene by P0.40 to reflect the movement of oil

prices in the world market. The oil companies have also started charging the additional 10-percent tax on crude and petroleum products as provided in Executive Order 113. Malacañang issued the EO on May 2 imposing an additional 10-percent import tax on petroleum products. That was to boost government resources to finance programs and measures to ease the effects of the pandemic and launch the country toward recovery and rehabilitation. Energy Undersecretary Leonido Pulido III says the department is still waiting for an advisory from the Finance department on EO 113.

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The United States remains by far the world's hardest-hit country, logging a further 43,000 cases Saturday that brought its total number of infections to more than 2.8 million, with nearly 130,000 deaths. The spiraling caseload cast a pall over traditional Independence Day celebrations, with beaches closed and the National Mall in Washington, usually crowded with spectators ready for fireworks, near deserted. Main Street parades were canceled, boisterous backyard barbecues scaled down and family reunions put off. Despite the somber mood, President Donald Trump insisted the end was in sight in the fight against COVID-19. Speaking from the White House lawn, Trump addressed a crowd that included frontline health workers battling the virus. He accused China—where the outbreak originated late last year—of a cover-up that allowed the illness to race across the globe, but hailed American "scientific brilliance." "We'll likely have a therapeutic and/ or vaccine solution long before the end of the year," he said. If so, it will be in high demand. As the virus continues its relentless march

Barge... From A1

spill focusing on the cleanup operations,” Antiporda said. He made the statement even as AC Energy said it had taken steps to ease the impact of the oil spill in Barrio Obrero in Lapaz, Iloilo City, that had affected an initial 63 households. AC Energy said Power Barge 102 (PB102) in Iloilo City had an “unfortunate accident" around 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, which led to the oil spill. “As of this time, we are conducting an investigation of the incident and a reputable third-party firm will be engaged to conduct a thorough investigation,” AC Energy said. Antiporda said the case would be forwarded to the Pollution Adjudication Board for the assessment of the fines that

and the elderly who cannot pay for their tests. The other half would be used to build a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro. “We cannot be a nation unless we help those who are deprived but are willing to fight,” Gordon said as he appealed to donors for donations. “Those who want to give to the poor so they can be tested can donate funds.” The Philippine Red Cross has similar programs, such as the Blood Samaritan for those who need blood but cannot afford it, Dialysis Samaritan for those who need to undergo dialysis, and the General Good Samaritan for people with other illnesses.

AC Energy will have to pay. He says AC Energy is conducting a cleanup operation in the affected areas with the help of a third party, Harbor Star Shipping Services, and with the supervision of the Philippine Coast Guard. The Coast Guard said it will file criminal charges against AC Energy if warranted. AC Energy said an initial 63 households were displaced by the fumes carried to the area by the winds, and were quickly brought to an elementary school nearby. “We have established a team to closely coordinate with the barangay for the needs assessment of the affected people so we can provide the needed support,” the company said. It said it immediately undertook containment procedures after the accident, but high ocean waves in the afternoon caused some of the oil to spill out of the confinement area. Alena Mae Flores and Rio N. Araja

NHA insists: No overpayments made to builder NATIONAL Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. says no payments or overpayments were made to R-II Builders Inc., the contractors of the Smokey Mountain Development and Reclamation Project, in its compromise agreement with the company. The Commission on Audit claims that the NHA had overpaid RBI for the agreement despite questions on its validity. The compromise agreement was a resolution conducted by NHA and RBI as a settlement to one of their disputes regarding the implementation of the reclamation project. According to Escalada, a Court of Appeals resolution gives him the authority to execute the payment. But a letter from the Office of the President advised the NHA to obtain the recommendation of the audit commission on the settlement of RBI’s claims. That settlement would be subject to the approval of the President and Congress. Former Bayan Muna Rep. Nery Colmenares had asked the Commission on Audit to stop the NHA from entering into a compromise deal with RBI. In a letter dated June 26, 2020, Colmenares told COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo that, as a taxpayer and public interest advocate, he was opposing the NHA’s plan to pay P1.12 billion and transfer five hectares of government land in the Smokey Mountain Development and Reclamation Project in Vitas, Tondo, to settle the court cases with RBI.

Anti-HIV... From A1

the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, the anti-HIV drugs lopinavir and ritonavir or a combination of the two, and interferon. In May, the DOH temporarily stopped administering hydroxychloroquine to patients as a treatment for coronavirus disease after WHO halted its use due to evidence that people taking the drug were at higher risk of incurring heart problems, or even of death. In June, the WHO altogether halted the trials for hydroxychloroquine after finding that it did not reduce the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. On Thursday, Vergeire said antiviral drug remdesivir has so far shown “positive effects” on some patients taking it. However, such findings are not conclusive, she said. Malacañang on Saturday expressed optimism that a study on the convalescent plasma transfusion as a treatment for COVID-19 would yield positive results. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement Saturday night, after the government-funded study began on Wednesday. The clinical study will be undertaken by the University of the PhilippinesPhilippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). Convalescent plasma is taken from the blood of COVID-19 patients who have recovered from the disease. Roque said the UP-PGH study is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). As of Saturday, the Philippines reported 41,830 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 11,453 recoveries and 1,290 deaths. Michael Ryan, executive director of World Health Organization’s health emergencies program, earlier said the use of convalescent plasma is a valid approach in treating infectious diseases. Ryan said this was done in previous outbreaks such as the H1N1 influenza virus pandemic, 2003 SARS-CoV-1 epidemic, and the 2012 MERS-CoV epidemic. The Philippines started the call for blood donations from covid-19 survivors in April. The study on the convalescent plasma transfusion will run for 12 months, the DOST said. Meanwhile, the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) said they have reached full capacity in their COVID wards. “Our medical center COVID wards are running at full capacity with more severe cases than those seen last March. This has a palpable impact on our resident and nursing manpower with deleterious effects on their physical and mental health and residency training,” the hospital's medical director, Dr. Samuyel D. Ang and president, James G. Dy said in a letter to their consultants. “While we gladly accept your admissions, we would prefer that you refer your COVID patients to other institutions. At the ER level, the suspect patients are requested a rapid PCR test as negative patients will be admitted while COVID positive patients will be referred to the appropriate institutions,” said the letter. With PNA

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Ex-Iloilo dad calls on PECO to settle dues By Alena Mae S. Flores

HEROES AWARD. PCol. Serafin F Petalio II (right), Laguna PNP Provincial Director, receives the Medalya Ng Kadakilaan (PNP Heroism Medal) from Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa (center) with PRO4A Calabarzon Director BGen. Vicente Danao Jr. (left) over the weekend. Petalio was honored for his conspicuous courage and exceptional critical response time in reacting to the crash of a helicopter carrying Gamboa and other ranking PNP officials at the Laperal Compound in San Pedro City, Laguna on March 5, 2020. The awarding was held during the Command Visit of Gamboa at Camp BGen Vicente Lim Canlubang in Calamba City. Roy Tomandao

SEARCA begins 11FYP to push agri innovation By Brenda Jocson LOS BANOS, Laguna―The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) kicks off the implementation of its 11th Five-Year Plan (11FYP) beginning this month. This sets out the principles and objectives that will guide SEARCA as it moves towards ATTAIN, which means “Accelerating Transformation Though Agricultural Innovation.” SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio said their new development strategy was shaped by its desire to contribute to the transformation of farmers who are stuck in the belief that farming is limited to production, into new farmers operating in a modern agriculture ecology, that is Agriculture 4.0. For their 11FYP, Gregorio said SEARCA commits to accelerate transformation that elevates the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable livelihoods and access to modern networks and innovative markets. “Transformation efforts will focus on policy, institutional, social, and technological innovations,” Gregorio explained adding that their strategy focuses on the following priority areas: agri-business models for increased productivity and income, sustainable farming systems and natural resource management, food and nutrition security, transformational leadership for agricultural and rural development (ARD), gender and youth engagement in ARD, enhanced ARD towards climate resilience, and eco-health/one-health applications to ARD. “Our new plan will be articulated through SEARCA’s core programs on Education and Collective Learning, Research and Thought Leadership and Emerging Innovation for Growth,” he said. ECL comprises graduate scholarship and institutional development and training for development. RTL leads research for development, policy and program advisory, and the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources knowledge platforms. EIG will provide farmers and farming families wider access to innovative products and services as well as business models for increased productivity and income through open innovation and agri-incubation; knowledge and technology transfer; and project development, monitoring and evaluation.

Baguio to share contact tracing tack with Cebu By Dave Leprozo

five-man delegation from Baguio City led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong will fly to Cebu City on July 8 to share the city’s contact tracing methods to its beleaguered Central Visayas counterpart.

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The team will stay for three days to train key police personnel led by Central Visayas Police Chief Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro to improve their contact tracing system and curb the virus transmission. Ferro, in a report, said he personally sought the help of Magalong, his former boss in the Philippine National Police (PNP), to share the technology instrumental in keeping Baguio’s coronavirus disease cases to minimum. The mayor, who earlier expressed willingness to share the technology to other local government units, readily agreed to Ferro’s request. He earlier worked out similar trainings for Baguio’s neighboring provinces, which experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases. The system’s conceptual framework involves identification or detection of the source and possible sources of in-

fection; isolation of these persons; testing; and tracing of the close and remote contacts for quarantine, testing, disinfection and medical protocols. It uses cognitive interviewing skill, a police questioning method to establish the links of a patient. The system also involves convincing patients to disclose their identities to help in contact tracing, which is also crucial as full disclosure can help alert contacts and cut down tracing time and resources. Another facet is the use of a computer-aided system, which Magalong said is a powerful tool in establishing the entire picture on the links of the patients. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Philip Puzon said that through the link analysis software, a surveillance system was formulated using support, seamless coordination and automated analysis with the following functions: enrolls

Mayor Benjamin Magalong

and tracks suspected cases; captures symptoms, demographics, risk factors and exposures; records lab results; links confirmed cases with contacts; and monitors patient outcomes. Baguio City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Head Dr. Donnabel Panes said the system guides them in determining the possible source of infection and who might have been infected. It helps determine contacts the patients might have infected and therefore who will be subjected to tests and to quarantine or medical interventions. The city has 20 contact tracing teams with a total of 634 members.

Calamba orphans get complete school aid from big group BUSINESSMAN and philanthropist Manjinder “James” Kumar recently led a collaborative effort in donating the most complete online schooling assistance benefitting 27 orphans under the care of Children’s Joy Foundation Inc. (CJFI) in Calamba, Laguna. CJFI was Kumar’s choice as the beneficiary because according to him, these children -- being orphans and some abandoned – will not be further left out in this dire predicament of continuing their school year. Kumar, both in his capacity as President of the Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society Inc. (FICWSI) and of Rotary Club of Makati Nielsen, under the leadership of District 3830 Governor Chacha Camacho, collaborated with his adoptive Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class Sandigan 1994 and the Independent Homeschoolers PH Group (IHPG) to put together a complete package for the donation. Mr. Sandeep Kumar Talwar and Mr. Rajiv Srivastava, FICWSI Board of Directors, also generously donated a total of P35,000 as aid to the center. This collaboration manifests the slogan

Oca approves shorter curfew in Caloocan By Jun David FOR THE ORPHANS. Businessman and philanthropist Manjinder “James” Kumar

(center, back row) strikes a happy pose with the 27 orphaned student-beneficiaries under the care of Children’s Joy Foundation Inc. (CJFI) in Calamba, Laguna.

of FICWSI’s outreach program “FilIndiHelpline, Together for a Cause.” For Kumar, setting up this collaboration to help is their share in filling the need in another challenge brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our intent is not only about giving

gadgets because the recipients will still be burdened with other requirements. In our little capacity, the helpline for online schooling will provide complete necessities for the students to receive quality education for one school year,” Kumar says.

Groundbreaking goes virtual for Sorsogon school

VIRTUAL GROUNDBREAKING. SM Foundation officials join local

government and school district executives in the capsule-laying activity for its first school building project at Basud Elementary School in Sorsogon City. They later hold a virtual groundbreaking ceremony via video conferencing.

ON JUNE 30, SM Foundation (SMFI), together with the Department of Education (DepEd) Sorsogon, held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for its first school building project at Basud Elementary School (BES) in Sorsogon City. While it is the project’s first building

in Sorsogon City, it is also SM’s 102nd school building nationwide. SMFI, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. This social good initiative of SM Foundation aims to promote quality public education by

FORMER Iloilo City Councilor Joshua Alim on Sunday called on Panay Electric Co. (PECO) to settle all its overbilling dues to the city’s power consumers, as this has been pending for so long and consumers can reap its benefits. Alim, who opposed PECO’s franchise renewal in Congress, said Iloilo City consumers were victimized by overbilling of as much as 1,000 percent of their monthly electricity consumption. “Overbilling is just one of the so many complaints of the PECO consumers before. There’s also billing without reading, arrogance of PECO personnel, inefficient service, dilapidated facilities, frequent power outages, among others. Plus high cost of power rates,” he said. Alim said even the two Committees on Legislative Franchises of the Senate and the House of Representatives based their decision to award the franchise to a new company on the numerous complaints of overbilling by Iloilo consumers against PECO. He said the overbilling resulted from the erroneous monthly bills arising from malfunctioning electric meters or a recomputation of power costs, which increased due to illegal power connections. Alim also expressed concern over the findings of the new utility More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) from the technical study it asked engineering firm MIESCOR to conduct on Iloilo City’s distribution network. It revealed that only two-thirds of the city’s total electricity consumption come from regular power connections, and the last third consumed by illegal power connections from small power users estimated to number 30,000 as of 2019. “This is bad because not only were we paying for the high consumption from illegal power connections but were also overbilled by as much as 1,000 percent,” Alim said. He said the overbilling is the prime reason why Ilonggos did not want PECO to continue operating after its franchise expired in 2018. “We Ilonggos still oppose PECO returning to operating the electricity distribution system in Iloilo City,” he said, adding that PECO is not prioritizing its consumers. Meanwhile, Alim said the recent city council hearing where MORE Power gave an update on the power supply situation showed the city accepted MORE Power as the only legal power utility in the city because it now has the franchise from Congress and the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission. “The repair and preventive maintenance works that caused the brownouts, which PECO is now saying proves the inability of MORE Power to manage the city’s power system, came from their own failure to invest in new capital equipment and technology, which MORE Power is now solving with its preventive maintenance work,” Alim added.

building classrooms nationwide. Joji Buelvo, BES school principal said that the soon-to-be built SM school building serves as a gift and an inspiration for them. Meanwhile, DepEd-Sorsogon External Partnerships Head Shirley Estrelles expressed her gratitude to SM for this initiative, stating: “This project of SM Foundation will highly benefit not just DepEd but the whole community of Barangay Basud, especially our learners.” In proper protective gear and while observing mandated health and safety protocols, the on-site capsule laying activity was conducted by a few representatives from DepEd, SM Prime, and the local government, while the rest of the attendees viewed the ceremony via an online video conferencing platform. DepEd-Division of Sorsogon Public Schools District Supervisor Antonio Jintalan said: “This serves as a proof

that we have successfully conducted this momentous occasion through the unified participation and collaboration between SM Foundation and DepEd - amid the crisis that we are currently facing.” “The pandemic should not stop us from partnering with our stakeholders for the betterment of our learners, we just need to strictly follow the health and safety protocols of the DOH,” Jintalan added. His sentiments are consistent with –– SMF’s statement: “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we are ensuring the continuity of our School Building program and other social good efforts.” “We believe that companies should find innovative ways in adapting to our current situation and become effective partners of our government in this extraordinary time of great need,” the foundation added, as it continues to exert efforts to help the country adapt to the new normal.

MAYOR Oscar “Oca” Malapitan has approved on ordinance shortening curfew hours in the city as the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) continues in Metro Manila due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to Ordinance No. 0876 authored by Councilors Enteng Malapitan and Rose Mercado and approved by other city councilors, the new curfew hours will be from 10: p.m. to 5 a.m. from the previous curfew hours of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The ordinance explained that many workers have returned to work but are still limited by the lack of public transport, so many of the employees remain on the road for longer hours. In addition, since the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases has also given a signal to open dine-in in restaurants but with limited capacity allowed, many customers are also subject to curfew hours, given the longer time in lining up. The ordinance states that shortening the curfew hours is for the benefit of the residents in the city “and it’s only practical and reasonable.” Mayor Malapitan explained that those under 21 years old, senior citizens and older persons who are not part of the essential workforce, and the sick and the pregnant should still stay in their homes. “Despite the shortening of our curfew time, we continue to remind the public to follow health protocols such as maintaining social distancing, wearing a face mask and regularly washing of hands or using alcohol,” Mayor Oca said.

A6

Opinion

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Hindsight on the electric bill confusion I RECEIVED my electricity bill a few weeks ago. It reflected my consumption since the last meter reading before the lockdowns took effect. Though I have been closely monitoring this electric bill shock issue being a convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, I still felt a slight heart palpitation when my eyes instinctively zeroed in on the total bill. After a couple of deep breaths and some quick arithmetic to compute our average consumption in the lockdown months, I realized that the billing did reflect the round the clock consumption of our family while staying home for more than three months.

This shows how a faulty policy can do damage to a wide spectrum of stakeholders. News and social media reports of consumers complaining that they find their billing too high because by their “estimates,” their electricity consumption was not that much. I remember news reports featuring the case of a businessman who complained that his bill reflected substantial kilowatt hours (kWh) of consumption during the lockdown months when his whole operations were shut down. The public clamor prompted several investigations in both Houses of Congress where Meralco and government regulators were summoned to explain what happened. So here is my quick digest of what happened. When the lockdowns took effect, we were all confined to our domiciles. Travel restrictions stopped everything causing widespread disruptions and one of them was the suspension of meter reading activities of Meralco, and all Distribution Utilities (DUs) and Electricity Cooperatives (ECs) in lockdown areas. As a force majeure measure the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued an advisory requiring the DUs and ECs to compute an “estimate bill” based on an average of the three (3) months of actual kWh consumption during the pre-lockdown months of November 2019 to February 2020. Following this directive, the billings in May 2020 reflected the estimated March and April estimate consumption, shocking consumers amidst the height on lockdown anxieties. If you think about it, if with the necessary precautions, the meter reading activities were allowed during the lock-

down, all this billing confusion would not have happened. The minute or two it takes to read the electricity meters outside our homes and buildings poses no health risk to the occupants inside. The whole “estimated billing” procedure of the ERC, for lack of details and communication, caused confusion in the implementation of the DUs and ECs and sparked the ire of millions of residential consumers. This estimated billing based on average consumption proved to be problematic because consumer consumption varies with each season. A quick look at our past electricity bills visually shows peak months of consumption which in my case are the hot summer months. In the case of the businessman who was charged with “mystery consumption” while his enterprise was shut down, the billing he got was based on the average of the previous months when his business was in full operations. On the other hand, most residential consumers could not accept the huge jump in their billing which for most cases were way above their memory of recent payments. News reports of similar complaints are actually happening all over the country and not just in Meralco’s franchise areas. After several venues to explain and apologize for the additional disturbance to the lockdown-stressed consumers, Meralco announced to its customers to just wait for their June billing where billing will be reflected based on actual meter reading. Meralco customers have the option to pay in six months if monthly consumption is less than 200 kWh and four months for 201 kWh monthly consumption and above. As of the last press briefing, Meralco has committed to address all clarifications in their business centers on a one-onone basis. The prevalence of the complaints all over the country shows how a faulty policy can do damage to a wide spectrum of stakeholders. These circumstances have sparked an unfortunate controversy for the DUs and ECs which I am sure will eventually be resolved as this highly regulated industry has enough safeguards against defrauding consumers. As the power industry must fulfill its obligation to supply stable electricity, we as consumers have an obligation to settle our accounts fair and square. We have seen several missteps as the government continues to grapple with the pandemic and, despite the still increasing number of new Wuhan virus infections, must now slowly and cautiously get the economy going to avert complete economic ruin. Like any other issue there will be a lot of noise and political opportunists who will take advantage of a crisis. We must try to filter out the negative rhetoric and focus on solutions as we anticipate more problems during this planetary crisis.

Big Oil confronts possibility of terminal demand decline By Julien Mivielle ALTHOUGH crude prices have rebounded from coronavirus crisis lows, oil execs and experts are starting to ask if the industry has crossed the Rubicon of peak demand. The plunge in the price of crude oil during the first wave of coronavirus lockdowns—futures prices briefly turned negative—was due to the drop in global demand as planes were parked on tarmacs and cars in garages. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast that average daily oil demand will drop by eight million barrels per day this year, a decline of around eight percent from last year. While the agency expects an unprecedented rebound of 5.7 million barrels per day next year, it still forecasts overall demand will be lower than in 2019 owing to ongoing uncertainty in the airline sector. Some are questioning whether demand will ever get back to 2019 levels. "I don't think we know how this is going to play out. I certainly don't know," BP's new chief executive Bernard Looney said in May. The COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing then with most planes grounded and white-collar workers giving up the commute to work from home. "Could it be peak oil? Possibly. I would not write that off," Looney told the Financial Times.

Summited? The concept of peak oil has long generated speculation.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Challenge D

ESPITE mounting criticism, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. In a swift reaction the following day, a group of lawyers filed, electronically, a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the measure.

oppressive and inconsistent with our Constitution, hence, the petition,” the group said in a social media post. “This fight against terrorism should not and should never be a threat to the fundamental freedoms of all peaceful Filipinos,” they added.

All eyes on the Court now.

The petitioners­—lawyers Howard Calleja and Joseph Peter J. Calleja, UP Law Professor Christopher John P. Lao, Dr. Reynaldo J. Echavez, Napoleon L. Siongco, Raeyan M. Reposar, civic groups Frontliners: Tunay na Bayani and Bagong Siklab Pilipinas, as well as Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, of the De La Salle Brothers, Inc.—also sought a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the law, due to take effect July 19. They physically file the petition today. “While threats to our national security need to be addressed, the law, as crafted, is

The petition says at least 11 sections of the new law run counter to the Constitution. Among the provisions are the definition of terrorism, parameters regarding threats and inciting to commit terrorism, the recruitment of terror organizations, surveillance of terror suspects, designation of individuals and groups as terrorists, and warrantless detention, among others. Outside of the petition, there has been much debate about the measure, after Mr. Duterte himself certified it as urgent right

in the middle of a global pandemic. Many feared it would be used to suppress dissent, including those critical of how the administration responded to the public health emergency. It’s a guise, many say—after all, nobody would really say they were against fighting terrorism. Administration officials are quick to promise that the public’s fears would be unfounded, and the law would be used only to fight real terrorism, nothing else. Still, if recent actions of law enforcers are to be considered, these assurances offer little consolation to a public that is growing hopeless and helpless, especially now that COVID-19 numbers appear to be worsening even as our leaders commit one blunder after another. Much rests on the Supreme Court. This court of last resort has the competence and authority to determine whether the public’s fears are founded, and if the law could be abused for purposes other than beating terrorists. For now, all eyes are on how the associate justices resolve this urgent, and divisive, issue. We will be watching.

Mea culpa IN THE middle of this continuing COVID-19 pandemic, one cannot avoid feeling a deep sense of frustration. Frankly speaking, there appears no end in sight to this public health crisis that has beset our nation. Solutions similar to our neighboring countries have been explored, the same strategies have been employed, but we are nowhere near the results that others in the Southeast Asian region have achieved. This begs the question—what are we doing wrong? A cursory analysis of how ASEAN nations have fared in the face of this pandemic puts the Philippines and Indonesia trailing behind developing economies such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This is ironic for the Philippines—a country known all throughout the world for the competence and commitment of its healthcare professionals. In the last ten weeks, community quarantine measures of differing restrictions have been imposed. Businesses, schools and even churches have been closed. Barangays have been placed under lockdown, in an effort to prevent the further spread of the virus. Millions of pesos have been allocated and spent to fund relief and recovery efforts and to provide social amelioration for socially vulnerable sectors. Despite government action to increase the capacity of our hospitals and expand our testing capability, the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase by the day, and our country continues to be left behind in this global health emergency. Our enhanced community quarantine measures were far stricter than those imposed in Thailand. While it has been almost a month since a single case of local transmission has been reported in Thailand, the Philippine government had to reimpose extreme restrictions in Cebu, bringing the city back to enhanced community quarantine status. Far more funds and resources have been allocated to our healthcare system than in Laos and Cambodia, but our Southeast Asian neighbors seemed to have achieved “more with less.” Last week, Laos reported that all COVID-19 patients have now fully recovered, while Cambodia is a close sec-

Mostly, it has been focused on peak production, with experts forecasting that prices would reach astronomical levels as recoverable oil in the ground runs out. But in recent months, the concept of peak demand has come into vogue, with the coronavirus landing an uppercut into fuel demand for the transportation sector followed by a knock-out punch from the transition to cleaner fuels. Michael Bradshaw, professor at Warwick Business School, said environmental groups are already lobbying to prevent the Paris agreements becoming another casualty of the pandemic, stressing the need for a Green New Deal for the recovery. "If they are successful, demand for oil might never return to the peak we saw prior to COVID-19," he said in comments to journalists. The transport sector may never fully recover, Bradshaw posited. "After the pandemic, we might have a different attitude to international air travel or physically going into work," he said.

Science fiction Other experts say we haven't reached the tipping point yet, and might not for a while. "Many people have said, including some CEOs of some major companies, with the lifestyle changes now to teleworking and others we may well see oil demand has peaked, and oil demand will go down," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said recently. "I don't agree with that. Teleconferencing alone will not help us to reach our energy and climate

THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE ond with a 92-percent recovery rate. The Philippines implemented a social amelioration program that has afforded financial assistance amounting to almost eight thousand pesos for each of the country’s poorest households. Compare that to Vietnam’s relief assistance of four thousand pesos extended to workers who have lost their livelihood during the COVID-19 lockdown. But, after lifting restrictions, Vietnam is able to successfully restart its economy by exporting COVID test kits and mechanical ventilators to Europe, effectively turning a crisis into an opportunity.

What are we doing wrong? Then again, what are we doing wrong? There is no doubt about the President’s and his administration’s resolve to address this public health emergency. The fundamentals have been set in place—from ensuring universal healthcare coverage for those tested positive for COVID-19, establishing RTPCR testing centers in several parts of the country, and setting up community isolation facilities in every municipality. Several local government officials have demonstrated proactive leadership, fittingly complementing national government efforts. Even the President’s call for emergency powers to respond to this crisis has won broad support, even from independent and a number of opposition legislators. The Philippines has implemented triedand-tested solutions to mitigate the crisis, but all efforts to flatten the curve has become an arduous protracted battle. Much may be desired from the government’s COVID-19 strategy, especially in terms of contact tracing and isolation and

goals, they can only make a small dent," Firol added while unveiling a recent IEA report. Moez Ajmi at consulting and auditing firm E&Y dismissed as "science fiction" the idea that a definitive drop in oil demand could suddenly emerge. He expects a slow recovery in demand even if the coronavirus leaves the global economy weakened. That weakness would also likely slow adoption of greener fuels. "It will take time for fossil fuels, which today still account for some 80 percent of primary global consumption to face real competition" from rival energy sources, he said. Meanwhile, the oil industry could face financing challenges. Bronwen Tucker, an analyst at Oil Change International, says the industry is now under pressure from investors. After "a pretty big wave of restrictions on coal and some restrictions on oil and gas, the risks to oil and gas investment right now feel a lot more salient," she said. The industry is already writing down the value of assets to face up to the new market reality of lower demand and prices. Royal Dutch Shell said this past week that it will take a $22 billion charge as it re-evaluates the value of its business in light of the coronavirus. Last month, rival BP reduced the worth of its assets by $17.5 billion. "This process has further to run, and we expect further large impairments to occur across the sector," said Angus Rodger of specialist energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. AFP

infection prevention, but far more than government action is required. When much of the blame is pinned on the government’s inadequacies, our role in the crisis often becomes an afterthought. The inconvenient truth is we are an indispensable part of the solution. Our government cannot succeed without our fullest participation. The government may have to render accountability for its decisions. But so must every one of us admit to the mistakes that needs correcting, and the good that we have left undone. Hence, this “mea culpa.” Our first “grievous fault” is thinking that the law should apply to all but ourselves. We are all too familiar with what needs to be done to keep ourselves safe amidst this pandemic—from physical distancing to staying at home. From wearing facemasks and avoiding crowds. But while we hope to exact these same restrictions from others, many would try to find exemptions for themselves. Inasmuch as the government would like to keep the people in their homes, many would find ingenuine ways to evade the quarantine measures. Sadly, our lack of respect for the rigor of rules have resulted in a flawed culture of self-entitlement, where many would even flaunt their exemptions from restrictions imposed on everyone else. Our second “grievous fault” is seeing the wrong, but believing that there is nothing that can be done anyway. By doing so, we impose upon ourselves a culture of helpless resignation. When we recognize the error, but refuse to do anything about it, this attitude misconstrues corruption, inefficiency and wastefulness as being the way that it is done. As a result, not only do we fail to correct what is wrong, we also lose the courage to do what is right. This attitude of helplessness consequently results in losing control, not only over one’s own actions, but even over society’s as a whole. That is why no matter how hard we try to prepare for whatever eventuality, it always seems that the virus has the upper hand. Full version at www.manilastandard.net

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MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump bashes foes and China, snipes at anti-racism protesters

EVACUATION. Residents are evacuated from flood-affected areas by rubber boats in Kuma village, Kumamoto prefecture, on July 5. At least 16 people are dead after torrential rain in Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides, local media said, as rescue workers sift through debris in search of a dozen missing. AFP

IN BRIEF

A Gold mask said to ward off virus AN INDIAN man said he paid about $4,000 for a bespoke gold face mask to protect him from the coronavirus raging in the country. The precious metal covering weighs 60 grams (two ounces) and took craftsmen eight days to make, said businessman Shankar Kurhade, from the western city of Pune. “It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe,” Shankar told AFP. “I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection but I am taking other precautions,” he added. When going out, the 49-year-old said he likes to adorn himself with gold jewellery weighing a kilogramme, including a bracelet, necklace and rings on each finger of his right hand. AFP

Croatians vote for new gov't CROATIANS went to polls Sunday to choose a government to navigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in a general election campaign that has been dominated by the health crisis. The pandemic has put the European Union country’s tourism-dependent economy on course for a contraction of nearly 10 percent—its steepest decline in decades. The ruling conservative HDZ party has been touting its relative success in containing Croatia’s outbreak thus far, with an official tally of roughly 100 deaths and 3,000 infections. But a rise of cases in recent weeks, with dozens recorded daily, has renewed fears over the health situation and given the opposition fresh ammunition. “Everyone is scared about what will happen in autumn,” Vesna Trnokop, a 60-yearold economist from Zagreb, told AFP. “The coronavirus has changed economies, not only in Croatia, everywhere, so we should change our ideas.” AFP

Prostitution alive again in Greece A CENTRAL Athens brothel was buzzing with clients on a recent hot July afternoon, and its Venezuelan workers were relieved to have the business. Sex workers there have had a steady stream of customers since mid-June, when they were allowed to reopen their doors after a three-month ban to control the spread of coronavirus. While most Greeks are social distancing and keeping their contacts to a minimum, many prostitutes have little choice but to return to work. “I tried to sleep as much as possible in order to forget my hunger during these three months,” said Bella, who has a child, as another woman cleaned and ventilated her room for the next client. A list of strict hygiene and safety rules were announced by the Greek authorities to protect clients and the workers, who are more exposed to the risk of infection than those in almost any other profession. But the measures are unrealistic, the women told AFP. AFP

break originated—of a cover-up that allowed the illness to race across the globe, but hailed American “scientific brilliance.” “We’ll likely have a therapeutic and or vaccine solution long before the end of the year,” he said. Some of the US leader’s sharpest words were for the media, which he accused of a campaign to smear opponents as racists. “The more you lie, the more you slander, the more you try to demean and divide, the more we will work hard to tell the truth and we will win,” Trump said, with four months to go until the election. Summer bubble Trump’s divisive address came as popular beaches on both coasts— normally packed on July 4th—were closed as California and Florida suffer alarming surges in COVID-19 infections. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned citizens to “assume everyone around you is infectious.” Florida on Saturday marked a new daily high in confirmed virus cases at 11,458—far more than any other state. Miami Beach imposed a curfew and made mask-wearing mandatory in public, yet some Florida beaches remained open. AFP

16 dead in Japan floods; 200k flee T LEAST 16 people are dead after torrential rain in Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides, local media said Sunday, as rescue workers sift through debris in search of a dozen missing.

Businessman Shankar Kurhade wears a facemask made of gold worth 289,000 rupees (about $3,870) amid concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Pune, India. AFP

THE United States marked an unusually somber Independence Day on Saturday, with President Donald Trump bashing domestic opponents and China—but praising the country’s coronavirus response, despite a record surge in cases. Across the country, virus fears dampened or nixed Main Street parades, backyard barbecues and family reunions on a day when Americans typically celebrate their 1776 declaration of independence from Britain. Instead of adopting a unifying tone, Trump—facing a tough re-election and eager to mobilize his political base— railed against protesters demanding racial justice after unarmed African American George Floyd was killed by a white police officer. “We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters,” Trump said. Anti-racism protesters who have marched in cities across America are “not interested in justice or healing. Their goal is demolition,” he said. Speaking from the White House lawn, Trump addressed a crowd that included frontline health workers battling COVID-19, which has killed nearly 130,000 Americans. He accused China—where the out-

The floods in Kumamoto region on the southwestern island of Kyushu have destroyed houses, swept away vehicles and caused bridges to collapse, leaving many towns submerged and communities cut off. More than 200,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as authorities urge those in emergency shelters to wash their hands and maintain a social distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of the infection and make lives of those who had to flee their home as comfortable as possible,”

Disaster Management Minister Ryota Takeda told reporters after visiting a gymnasium in Hitoyoshi city where 600 residents are sheltering. In addition to the 16 dead, national broadcaster NHK said another 20 were in a state of “cardio-respiratory arrest”, a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death. They include 14 residents of a nursing home which was flooded after a nearby river broke its banks on Saturday. Officials at the regional government and municipal offices, which have been directly affected by the disaster, could

not immediately confirm the reported deaths. Communities along the Kuma River, which passes through Hitoyoshi, have been hit hard by the floodwaters. Although the rain had eased in Kumamoto by Sunday morning, collapsed bridges and blocked roads due to flooding and mudslides have left many isolated in the region. Rescue workers and troops from the Self-Defense Forces used boats and helicopters to reach them. More rain was expected Sunday evening. A large “SOS” sign was created on the grounds of what used to be an elementary school in Yatsushiro city, where about 10 people waved white towels at rescue and media helicopters. AFP

Beer flows, masks come off in UK THE streets of Soho filled with merry drinkers in London on Saturday and the pubs of Manchester were packed as England’s hospitality sector returned from a three-month coronavirus hiatus. “It feels amazing,” said Leo Richard Bill, a soldier, after getting through the door of one of London’s buzziest restaurants on the Thames River’s popular south bank. “It’s been what, like three months since... me and everyone else haven’t been able to get outside and have a good time. So yeah, it feels good to get amongst it,” he said. Parts of London and other cities, deserted during lockdown, sprang to life as people dressed up and came out for “Super Saturday”—the day England’s hospitality sector reopened for the first time since March. “The boys are back in town,” one young man happily shouted while manoeuvring his pint through lines of crammed tables on a closed-off London street. “At some point you’ve to get back out there,” said Nick, a 38-year-old accountant, about the lingering dangers of an illness that has officially killed more people in Britain -- 44,198 -- than anywhere else in Europe.

RAISE A GLASS. Pubs in Northern Ireland began serving again on Friday while English pubs reopened on what is being dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ (July 4). AFP Many of the social distancing rules drilled in by ministers at daily televised briefings appeared to go out the window in Soho, where groups of people meandered between pubs and restaurants without a facemask in sight. “English people, when we are together we have a great time,” Londoner Jeff Mason said. ‘I’m no killjoy’ The government is still technically limiting how many Britons from various households can meet at a time. But officials acknowledge that the latest rules are only recommendations, and no one expects the police to start issuing fines.

Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, urged Britons to “eat out to help out”, noting that pubs and restaurants often employed younger people entering the jobs market for the first time. “This is really about social justice,” said Sunak. That message did not appear to sit very well with Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who countered: “I’m no killjoy but the virus can still kill.” Britain’s devolved structure means the pubs of Northern Ireland opened on Friday, while the ones in Wales and Scotland will have to wait for about 10 more days. AFP

Kanye West aims at US presidency KANYE West, the entertainment mogul who urges listeners in one song to “reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud,” claimed Saturday he is challenging Donald Trump for the US presidency in 2020. “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION,” the born-again billionaire rapper tweeted as Americans marked Independence Day. West offered no further details on his supposed campaign, four months before the November election, and it is unclear if he has officially registered to run for office. Hundreds of thousands of Twitter users reacted to the star’s announcement and “Kanye” shot to become the top trending term on the platform, although many questioned whether the volatile rapper would go through with his plan and others claimed it was a publicity stunt. His wife, reality star Kim Kardashian, replied with a US flag emoji, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote: “You have my full support!” The 43-year-old has mentioned running for president several times and he said last year he would run for president in 2024. West long ago broke ranks with most of the left-leaning entertainment industry to loudly voice his support for Trump. In 2018, they met in the Oval Office —a surreal tete-a-tete that included a hug from the rapper as well as an oncamera rant featuring an expletive not often repeated for the White House press corps. That year, West also delivered a lengthy soliloquy to a president who many deem racist, telling him he loved him—to the dismay of many Democrats and fellow artists. But in 2019, during an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music’s Beats 1 show, he said his support for Trump had been a way to razz Democrats—and announced his own presidential ambitions. AFP

Disaster buries Myanmar jade miners’ dreams FIVE Yay Ma Hsay—or ‘unwashed’ as the jade miners of northern Myanmar are known—arrived early Thursday at the pit to scrape out a living on a scraggy hillside, lured by the prospect of finding a stone that could transform their lives. But only three would return, the others victims of Myanmar’s worst-ever mine disaster after a landslide in heavy rains entombed at least 174 people, with scores more feared missing. Sai Ko, 22, survived the spin-dryer of rock and heavy sludge by clinging to the corpse of a fellow miner, and battling to land. His friend Zaw Lwin, 29, and his younger brother San Lwin were miracu-

lously spat out from the churning torrent and delivered naked onto the shore, their clothes ripped off by the deluge. But two of the crew didn’t make it. Than Niang was cremated on Saturday, while Thet Shin is missing presumed dead, one of scores victims still unaccounted for from the accident at the Hwekha mine, in northern Kachin State. “We have many dreams of helping our families,” a shaken Sai Ko told AFP. “But it’s not worth it. I will never go back.” The hillside which buried his friends harbours jadeite, a stone which goes for a fortune over the Kachin border in China in a multi-billion dollar industry

dominated by firms linked to Myanmar’s military. But for the poor migrants from across Myanmar who travel hundreds of miles to prospect in Hpakant, big paydays are few and far between. “Sometimes we hunt for ten days and only find a piece worth $7-$14. If we find a big stone they (the mining company) will take it,” said Sai Ko. Dabbing at the raw cuts on his face, his wife Pan Ei Phyu said they will abandon the mines and head home to near Mandalay. “I don’t want him to dig stones in this life. I just want our family to be together,” she said.

‘Last journey’ Yet there are thousands more ready to take his place—illegal workers who buy their way into the vast open-cast mines after the company diggers leave—to scour for scraps of the precious stone left behind. Zaw Lwin, from central Myanmar, is among them—despite the terror of Thursday’s accident. He says his five-strong team arrived half an hour early to grab the best spot and avoid jostling with hundreds of others. But the early risers became the first victims as the hillside collapsed. “We hadn’t even started digging when we were hit by the wall of water. AFP

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Hasten installation of cell cites in far-flung areas—lawmakers RIZAL Rep. Fidel Nograles and Ang Probinsiyano party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong both appealed to the Department of Information and Communications Technology to fasttrack the installation of cell sites in far-flung places which until now don’t have internet connectivity. They made the petition in the light of the new system of online learning and work from home arrangement amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ong, aside from the ‘Build Build Build’ program of the government which centers on the construction of roads and bridges, it is also imperative to invest and prioritize com-

munication infrastructure. “We really need good internet signal especially during the time when the new normal is really using technology to work and also learn from home. Government needs to invest in technology infrastructure, and not just roads and bridges. Kailangan i-bundle na talaga ito,” said Ong. For his part, Nograles, vice-chair of the House education committee, pointed out that the government can fund the construction of cellular tower, which could be leased to telecom companies. In this manner, the building of cell sites can be accelerated for the benefit of the public.

Public Service Act vital for PH growth—solon ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means committee, said foreign competition will play a vital role in the country’s post pandemic recovery, and in ending consumers woes on poor but costly services of the three vital industries; power, telecoms and transport. Salceda said HB 78 or the Public Service Act which was passed by the lower house in March, seeks to open up competitions in these industries, which will lower their costs, improve quality of services and in addition, create the urgently needed jobs in a post Covid-19 economy. The proposal which Salceda drafted, seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 46 by clearly defining “public services,” which is currently often interpreted to include “public utilities.”

The lawmaker said consumers’ woes stem from the “ambiguity in the definition of public utility that is used interchangeably with public service under the Public Service Act,” which has allowed monopolies in the sector for decades to the detriment of consumers and natiomal progress. The proposal gets a strong push from, among others, Socio-economic planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua, who said the PSA Law “will be a key milestone in capturing more foreign investments in the post-pandemic era.” HB 78 seeks to amend the 84-year old Public Service Act and provide a clear statutory definition of a public utility. At present, public utilities are subject to a foreign equity cap of 40% as pro-

vided for under the 1987 Constitution. Salceda said electricity, power, telecommunications, and water, being capital intensive but subject to foreign ownership restrictions “lack competition and therefore, a lack of choice for consumers, with excessively strong market power for the few players, and ultimately market failure.” “The 1987 Constitution restricts the operation of a public utility to Filipinos only (Sec. 11, Art. XII). However, there is no definition of public utility in our statutes. There is the Public Service Act, but it only defines public service (Section 13 (b), Commonwealth Act No. 146), and not public utility, hence the ambiguity,” said Salceda in the aide memoire.

Ex-DA chief backs probe on fertilizer deal By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

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ORMER Agriculture secretary asks Congress to proceed with its probe on alleged overpriced P1.8 B fertilizer supply deal

IN BRIEF DOJ’s Guevarra declines CJ post nomination JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has declined his nomination as associate justice of the Supreme Court that will be vacated by Associate Justice Jose Reyes when he reaches his mandatory retirement age of 70 on Sept. 18, 2020. In his June 4 letter to retired Sandemanian Associate Justice Raoul V. Victorinox, Guevarra thanked the retired anti-graft court magistrate for nominating him to the forthcoming vacancy at the 15-member bench, but he told him “with utmost regret that I respectfully decline your nomination.” “It is the dream of many lawyers to reach the pinnacle of their legal career by getting appointed to and serving in the highest court of the land. Your nomination has again opened a path for me to pursue this dream, and this may very well be my last chance to go for it, considering the new rules on appointment to the Supreme Court adopted recently by the Judicial and Bar Council, of which I myself am a member,” Guevarra said. Rey E. Requejo

Detained illegal firearms, drug suspect dies—NBI THE National Bureau of Investigation said a suspect in an illegal drugs and firearms cases earlier detained at the NBI detention center was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital on Saturday afternoon and died. NBI Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Eric B. Distor identified the suspect as Philip Jacob Nocom, a 47-year old inmate who is facing charges for illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms. Distor said Nocom was arrested by operatives of the NBI-International Operations Division (NBI-IOD) and NBI-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (NBI-TFAID) on June 25, 2020 in a condominium unit in Marikina City. When he was found by the NBI operatives together with security officers of the condominium tower and barangay officials, Nocom, with aliases Alex Benson Vergara, John Robert Bautista, and Joseph Francis Lee, was lying on his bed almost unconscious and weak. Willie Casas

Release new mom from prison—Binay By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Nancy Binay on Sunday called for greater compassion from jail authorities and prosecutors to allow a political detainee who just gave birth to be temporarily released from detention and be allowed to seek sanctuary in a Covid-free facility. Reina Mae Asis Nasino, a political detainee, gave birth to her first child on July 1 at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, but was immediately brought back in detention on July 2 at the Manila City Jail Female Dorm where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. Nasino is one of the three human rights activists who were inordinately arrested in Manila in November 2019. She is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms. According to Binay, women detainees with health or special conditions should be extended with compassion specially nursing mothers in detention cells amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Poorly-ventilated, overcrowded and cramped detention cells are one of the many coronavirus flashpoints,” she said. With this condition, she said Reina May and her baby, are prone to infection in jail. “There are alternative ways of isolation or confinement outside of prison for those nursing their newborn child. So I am appealing for greater compassion from the BJMP and the courts--for the best interest of both mother and the baby--to move them to a safer government-run facility or even a home for single mothers run by NGOs or a faith-based institution where their healthcare needs are taken care of,” she said. Binay has been very vocal in her advocacy in putting in place compassionate programs--especially for pregnant women and parents who are in jail. “We must also review whether the existing policies and protocols of the BJMP regarding women detainees, especially their access to medical care and facilities, are still relevant with the new normal,” the senator said.

MRT-3 HEALTH PROTOCOL. To prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus, all MRT-3 personnel at the MRT-3 depot, stations and trains are required to wear personal protective equipment, which includes face masks, face shields, gowns and gloves.

NTC OKs radio-based, TV education COMMITTED to widening access to education despite the pandemic, the Department of Education secured an ally in the National Telecommunication Commission to support television and radio-based learning delivery for the upcoming school year. DepEd, through the NTC headed by Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, has requested television, radio and cable operators to broadcast educational materials and instructions as part of the Department’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP). The DepEd is set to implement a blended learning approach as face-toface classes are still prohibited, with TV and radio-based instruction being one of the three main set-ups with modular and online learning as the other two options. NTC, as the government agency mandated to oversee broadcasting op-

erations in the country, has issued a memorandum to remind TV and radio operators of its public service obligation, including providing free of charge assistance in the functions of public information and education. The Commission also released a separate memorandum for cable operators, reminding them of the provisions of Section 6.3.2, Item C of NTC Memorandum Circular No. 4-08-88, which requires them to carry free public service features, including education, cultural and civic. “The Department is determined to strengthen education delivery through television, whether it is through commercial broadcast TV networks, free channels, government-owned TV stations, and even cable TV networks,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain del Pascua said.

A former secretary of the Department of Agriculture on Sunday called on both the House of Representatives and the Senate to push through with their respective investigation on the alleged overpriced contracts for urea fertilizer under the government’s emergency stimulus program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federation of Free Farmers president Leonardo Montemayor said the Agriculture Department must address the complaints raised by farmers that the winning bids were higher than the prevailing retail prices. “One would expect that since it was a centralized bidding, and they were buying in bulk, the winning bids should be lower than prevailing retail prices,” said Montemayor, who served as agriculture secretary during the Arroyo administration. “What happened here goes against common sense. How will the DA explain to farmers why the retail price is lower when it already includes additional costs?” he said. The DA has set a ceiling price of P1,000 per bag of urea fertilizer for supply contracts across the country worth P5.69 billion under its stimulus program Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19 (ALPAS sa COVID-19). In May, the first contracts worth P1.8 billion were bid out, and suppliers La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation and Atlas Fertilizer bagged the supply for Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas and Central Visayas. Despite farmers complaining that the initial winning bids were higher by as much as P150 per bag, the DA pushed through with the bidding for succeeding supply contracts worth P1.3 billion. Just like in the first centralized bidding process, only one bidder has qualified per lot last month, namely Goldman’s Supply Corp. for North Cotabato; First Planters Agri Solution for La Union, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan; and Universal Harvester Inc. for Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. “A lot of questions remain unanswered. These congressional investigations must push through because these are in response to legitimate issues raised by farmers on the ground who will be most affected by these issues. It is the duty of the House of Representatives and the Senate to act on this,” Montemayor said.

Manila exceeds enrollment target By Willie Casas PUBLIC schools in the City of Manila have exceeded their enrollment target for the upcoming school year as the local government transitions into “blended learning” through distribution of tablets and laptops. Data from the Manila Division of City Schools (DCS) showed that the enrollment target hit 100.46% with 270,219 enrollees as of Friday, July 3. The target for the year 2020 was 268,972 enrollees. In a Facebook live broadcast, Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso thanked the students’ parents for enrolling their children to avail the blended learning offered by the local government. “Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga magulang dito sa Lungsod ng Maynila. Maraming salamat at kayo at sumunod sa aking payo na i-enroll ang inyong mga anak,” Domagoso said.

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MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

El Nido resort set to reopen to PH tourists starting today By Othel V. Campos EL NIDO is set reopen to local tourists starting Monday as a dry-run for a Palawan-wide resumption of tourism activities in September. The Tourism Department and the provincial government of Palawan agreed to restart tourism in the island starting with select tourists on July 6 ahead of the opening of all resorts and establishments to visitors from other parts of the Philippines under the modified general community quarantine. “Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez and El Nido Mayor Edna Lim agreed to let in domestic visitors only via point-to-point travel and with COVIDnegative results from RTPCR [reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction] 48 hours prior to travel,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat. El Nido is COVID-free while Palawan is under MECQ. Puyat said residents were still wary of incoming visitors and wanted to open the island by September 2020. “All the more reason why the local government would like to stage a dryrun first before the island opens to the domestic public. They want to test the protocols with a hotel or resort that already has a certificate to operate, and that will be El Nido Resorts,” Puyat said. Travelers from an MECQ area to Palawan will have to fly via AirSwift, a local boutique airline that is operating point-to-point flights from Clark Airport to El Nido. Other tourism spots that earlier opened to local visitors were Boracay, Balesin Island in Quezon, Amanpulo Island and La Union. These islands are open for local visitors only, with Amanpulo requiring a minimum protocol of COVID negative results from rapid testing. Bohol, Batanes, Coron and Puerto Princesa will also open once laboratories equipped with RTCPR machines are established. The Tourism Department is also looking at the reopening of Baguio City next month. The tourism sector was one of the hardest hit by the health crisis. From record-breaking international arrivals of 8.3 million in 2019, visitor entries were halted in April and May amid the lockdown. Under MECQ areas, hotel occupancy is limited at 30 percent while restaurants and diners are allowed to operate at a capacity of up to 50 percent.

AGI slashes 2020 capex by P37b A By Jenniffer B. Austria

LLIANCE Global Group Inc., the holding company of billionaire Andrew Tan, reduced its 2020 capital expenditures by P37 billion to P42 billion from the original target of P79 billion as the group moves to preserve cash amid the pandemic.

AGI said in presentation during an analysts’ briefing this year’s capital spending would also be 33.3-percent lower than P63 billion it spent in 2019. It said of the P42-billion programmed spending for this year, P35 billion was allotted for property unit Megaworld Corp. while P4 billion would go to Trav-

ellers International Hotel Group Inc. Liquor unit Emperador Inc. and quick service restaurant operator Golden Arches Development Corp. would each spend P1 billion in 2020. AGI said because of the pandemic, Megaworld would not launch any new township, office and hotel project this year and instead focus on completing existing office and hotel projects. Megaworld’s office portfolio is expected to hit 1.42 million square meters this year while its lifestyle malls would end the year with 873,000 sqm of leasable area. TIHGI will resume development activities in its second integrated resort and casino called Westside City in Paranque City. Emperador is expecting sales to be supported by strong off-premise demand as local bars remain closed. It also expects the resurgence in demand for luxury liquor products like The Dalmore in the international

IN BRIEF Stocks may retest 6,500-point mark

IRRIGATION PROJECT. National Irrigation Administration administrator Ricardo Visaya (center) leads the groundbreaking for the P832.97-million Balbalungao Earthfill Dam in Lupao, Nueva Ecija. Visaya expresses optimism the project will be completed by November 2023. The NIA project is the first to break ground while the country remains in quarantine.

Average prices at electricity spot market rose in June By Alena Mae S. Flores

PRICES at the electricity spot market rose in June to an average of P3.25 per kilowatt-hour from P2.19 per kWh in May on higher demand and more frequent power plant outages, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines. IEMOP chief operating officer Robinson Descanzo said the average demand at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity, climbed in June to 12,611 megawatts from 11,567 Manila MW in May. Standard “Peak demand of June is TODAY 12,611 MW, which is much higher than 11,567 MW [for May], or roughly 1,000 MW higher. One reason [there was] NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING higher demand in June vs. May UNITED FUND, INC. is because this is the time the ECQ [enhanced community Notice is hereby given that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of UNITED FUND, INC. will be held virtually on July 29, 2020, Wednesday, at 10:00 quarantine] was lifted and we a.m. went into GCQ [general community quarantine] and some of Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2020 the establishments, commercial are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the said Meeting. For this purpose, the Stock and Transfer Book of the Corporation will be closed from July 1, and industrial resumed opera2020 to July 28, 2020. Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting tions,” Descanzo said during a via remote communication, or those who prefer to be represented by a proxy, briefing after the market particimust notify the Corporate Secretary by email to legal@cocolife.com not pants’ forum. later than 5:00 p.m. on July 24, 2020. “The main driver is the in(Sgd.) ATTY. REX D. LAMPA Corporate Secretary

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. will be held virtually on July 29, 2020, Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2020 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the said Meeting. For this purpose, the Stock and Transfer Book of the Corporation will be closed from July 1, 2020 to July 28, 2020. Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting via remote communication, or those who prefer to be represented by a proxy, must notify the Corporate Secretary by email to legal@cocolife.com not later than 5:00 p.m. on July 24, 2020. (Sgd.) ATTY. REX D. LAMPA Corporate Secretary

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. will be held virtually on July 29, 2020, Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2020 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the said Meeting. For this purpose, the Stock and Transfer Book of the Corporation will be closed from July 1, 2020 to July 28, 2020. Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting via remote communication, or those who prefer to be represented by a proxy, must notify the Corporate Secretary by email to legal@cocolife.com not later than 5:00 p.m. on July 24, 2020. (Sgd.) ATTY. REX D. LAMPA Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 6 & 7, 2020)

market. It said that GADC, which holds exclusive franchise to operate McDonald’s in the Philippines, would cut back on company-owned store openings. It will increase the focus on safer, cleaner McDonald’s stores and look for opportunities to expand sales through online platforms and third-party delivery services. From only 38 percent of stores which remained opened in mid-March, GADC now has 92 percent of its McDonald’s stores operating nationwide. AGI reported a net profit of P3 billion attributed to owners, down 32 percent from P4.4 billion in the same period last year as consolidated revenues fell 7 percent to P38 billion from P41 billion. AGI said it would accelerate its digitalization efforts across its businesses to help the group navigate the current business environment and provide customers with enhanced services under the “new normal”.

SHARE prices are expected to continue to trade between the 6,000-point to 6,500-point level over the near term period as concerns about the rapid spread of coronavirus continue to weigh on investors’ sentiments. Analysts said investors will continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19, although many countries are slowly restarting their economies which could improve global growth, “The week’s close at 6,372.66 highlights strong support exists at the 6,000 levels. Expect continued consolidation within the 6,000-6,500 levels in the near-term,” BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said. He said investors should look out for a break above the 6,500 level as an opportunity to retest the 6,800/6,900 levels. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week rose 2.9 percent to 6,372.66, while the broader All Shares Index climbed 2.4 percent to 3,717.93 boosted by foreign buying. All sub-indices also ended in the green, led by industry which gained 4.2 percent, property which rose by 4 percent, and services which rose 2.7 percent. Overseas investors were net buyers for the week by P5.4 billion, while the average daily value traded stood higher at P8.48 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.6 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

crease in demand and also the month of June particularly second week is the period when we had price spikes because aside from the higher peak demand, there were many generators who were on forced outage and maintenance outage durFour textile firms lose ing this time,” he said. P377.3-m tax credits Average power supply in June slightly increased to 13,794 THE Commission on Audit issued notices MW from 13,245 MW in May. of disallowance on tax credits worth a IEMOP reported that total energy production from January combined P377.29 million granted by the One-Stop Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit to May hit 31.850 terrawatt-hours versus the recorded 33.633 and Duty Drawback Center (OSS) to four tWh in the same period in 2019. textile companies coveringBLACK a four-year peCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW Coal and natural gas plants accounted for more than threeriod from 2008 to 2012, the Department of fourths of the generation mix during the period. Finance said over the weekend. The COA Special Audits Office told “Total generation for January to February 2020, which was Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III before the onset of the pandemic, was higher by 6.5 percent in a letter that it disallowed tax credit cerat 13.306 tWh compared to same period last year. However, tificates granted by the OSS to Capital-Roll during the ECQ, the demand consumption dropped signifiKnit Corp. amounting to P40.88 million; cantly,” IEMOP said in its report. Uni-Glory’s Knitting Corp., which received P15.03 million-worth of tax credits; PrimeTotal generation from March to May declined by 12.3 perknit Manufacturing Corp., PP15.76 million; cent to 18.543 tWh from the same period last year. and Tai-Cheng International Resource Inc., IEMOP said system demand particularly dipped from P20.01 million. March 16 to May 15 because of the limited operations of For CRC, the notice was in addition to the COA decision on Feb. 21, 2020 disalestablishments amid the implementation of the ECQ. lowing 75 TCCs with a combined value It said the average price during the ECQ period was around of P285,578,315 issued between 2008 and 1.55 per kWh on ample supply margin. However, multiple 2012. price spikes were observed in May following the forced outCOA-SAO director Pearl Ramos said ages of several power plants. the disallowed tax credits of P40.88 million to CRC covered 10 TCCs issued between “Upon the shift from ECQ to GCQ on May 16, the demand 2010 and 2011 while those disallowed for gradually increased. The average demand was around 10,006 UKC covered five TCCs issued in 2010. MW from May 16 to June 25,” it said. Both CRC and UKC listed their addresses in Bulacan. Julito G. Rada

Group pushes probe on British mining firm A CONSUMER advocacy group asked the government to investigate a British mining company in Nueva Vizcaya province for allegedly ignoring Philippine laws on the protection and preservation of threatened natural resources. “We respectfully ask President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel the financial and technical assistance agreement of FCF Minerals Corp. which is located within the Magat River watershed forest reserve. Not only is the company mining in a protected area which is clearly prohibited under the Mining Act of 1995, but the Magat River also feeds into the Magat Dam which is the source of irrigation for agricultural land in the Cagayan Valley,” Action for Consumerism and Transparency in Nation Building said in a statement. The group said protected areas including watersheds under the law are “strictly and absolutely beyond the commerce of man.” The environment watchdog said the entire area covered by FCF’s mining permit was clearly “within the proclaimed Magat Watershed Area as provided for by the 1969 Proclamation 573.” Ram Baccay, ACTION spokesman, said that under Section 19 of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, mining operations were prohibited in watersheds which are protected areas.

The group raised concerns over the possibility of mine tailings and other toxic materials spilling into the Magat River and other connecting waterways, thereby inflicting a wider swathe of destruction to agri-business and the ecosystem. “We are also afraid that the catastrophic environmental disasters that happened in Marinduque and Benguet where thousands of hectares of agricultural land were damaged might also occur in Nueva Vizcaya and the rest of the Cagayan Valley because the Runruno tailings facility is built near the Sulong River, a tributary which joins the Magat River downstream onto the Cagayan River,” Baccay said. “The risk of earthquakes, landslides or weather-related disasters could cause major spillage of hazardous materials into the Magat River and create serious damage to the supported irrigation networks of the Magat Dam,” he said. The Marcopper mining tragedy, considered as one of the worst mining and environmental disasters in Philippine history, took place in March 1996 when toxic mine tailings and wastes spilled into the Boac River in Marinduque. In August 2012, a massive mining spill involving the release of 20.6 million tons of toxic tailings into water bodies, occurred at the Philex Padcal mine site in Benguet where the spillage was ten times more than the unprec-

DMCI, Robinsons Land resume Sonora Garden THE construction of Sonora Garden Residences, a residential complex project of Consunji-led DMCI Homes and Robinsons Land Corp. in Las Piñas, has resumed following the easing of community quarantine measures in Metro Manila. RLC DMCI Property Ventures Inc. said in a statement the three-tower condominium project was moving forward, while observing health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. RLC and DMCI Homes launched the project late last year. They aim to build a private community south of Metro Manila with convenient access. Situated within Robinsons Mall Las Piñas Complex near Alabang-Zapote Road, the 1.45-hectare Sonora Garden Residences is offering buyers with resort-inspired development, which is ideal for young professionals and startup families. The three buildings comprising the project are the 15-story Stellan, 40-story Cadence and 41-story Liran, which will have one-, two- and three-bedroom units with sizes ranging from 28 square meters (sq.m.) to 83.5 sq. m. The property, originally scheduled for turnover by December 2023, is now preselling at P4.07 million and up. The 1.45-hectare property will bring future residents closer to retail and dining destinations, supermarkets, business centers, airports, universities and health institutions. Jenniffer B. Austria

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MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020 Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

Team Pilipinas needs continuity By Peter Atencio

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FTER coaching the national team to podium finishes twice, coach Tim Cone feels that there is a need for continuity in handling Team Pilipinas.

Cone said this six months after steering Gilas to a gold medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “That’s what I’ve always felt about the national team. I mean, I coached two decades apart and I had to really, really look back at that two decades earlier to figure out the things we did that were successful,” said Cone in a podcast last Friday. The other time Cone handled the

Simmons rejoins 76ers in NBA restart WASHINGTON, United States— Philadelphia’s All-Star guard Ben Simmons says he’s at full strength heading into the NBA restart, having used the coronavirus shutdown to recover from injury. “I’m feeling better than I was when I started this season,” the 23-year-old told reporters on a Zoom call. The NBA season has been suspended since March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Simmons hasn’t played since February 22 when he suffered a lower back injury against the Milwaukee Bucks. Simmons said he’s added strength and feels more explosive thanks to work he did during the shutdown. “I was able to get Pilates in almost every day, lifting weights taking care of my body, getting back to 100%,” Simmons said. “So I’ve just been trying to go overboard with that, and be prepared to be down there (in Orlando) and play.” The two-time All-Star point guard said he’s in a lot more control while on the floor, knowing what he’s capable of with his body. “Overall, feel like I’m back to 100 percent,” Simmons said. “It’s a good feeling.” When the season was halted on March 11, the Sixers were level with Indiana for fifth in the Eastern Conference and Simmons was averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Philadelphia are scheduled to travel to the NBA’s “bubble” site at Disney World in Orlando, Florida on July 9, with training scheduled until July 29. Their first game of the restart, which will see 22 teams playing seedings games before the playoffs begin on August 17, is on August 1 against the Indiana Pacers. AFP

national squad was back in 1998 when the Philippine Centennial squad earned a bronze medal in the Asian Games. The national team, while still under Cone’s watch, captured the William Jones Cup crown the same year. Looking forward, Cone believes that there many things that could lead to the future success of Gilas in the Asia Pacific region.

“What are the things we did that weren’t successful? I’m not gonna try and do that again with the Gilas team in the Southeast Asian Games. Then, it was difficult because there was no continuity,” said Cone. Cone believes that this will be the challenge that Gilas will have when it tries to retain the SEA Games crown. “And so that to me is the biggest lack that we’ve had in our national program. It’s the lack of continuity,” said Cone. The 62-year-old Cone noted the times when Rajko Toroman and Chot Reyes used to handle the Gilas program. “I think the teams and the guys that stayed the longest like Rajko (Toroman), Rajko had some good success,”

said Cone. Cone noted that Toroman developed a program and a good team because he went to multiple tournaments, and had numerous wins and losses, “which went on for a while.” As for Reyes, Cone said he brought the national team to the world championships, the result that they were looking for. “That world championship was… he played, maybe, five or six tournaments together prior to that you know. And they lost and won and lost and won. He had a lot of experience going to that world championship and it culminated in that world championship,” Cone went on.

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodong. ONE Championship

ONE gives fans authentic martial arts ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodong said ONE will continue to entertain the public, especially fans of authentic martial arts, even during these trying times. “The world is suffering from the worst global crisis in a hundred years. Most national borders remain closed in Asia, and this has posed unique logistical and operational challenges,” said Sityodtong. “However, our superstar team at ONE Championship continues to work hard to deliver fans the authentic martial arts experience they crave. Our athletes are ready to showcase their skills and tell their stories.” After returning the successful ONE Hero Series 13 and 14 events in China last weekend, ONE Championship will kick off its flagship event schedule with ONE: No Surrender on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand. Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon puts his World Title on the line against former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy. In a battle for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship, reigning champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy faces perhaps his biggest challenge in “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex. In a ONE Super Series Kickboxing Super-Bout, striking superstars Superbon Banchamek and “The Killer Kid” Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong will battle for the first time in the ONE Championship ring.

Ben Simmons (25) of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana in this file photo taken January 12, 2020. AFP

PBA Philippine Cup can resume September or October IT IS possible for the Philippine Basketball Association to resume the 2020 Philippine Cup by September. Commissioner Willie Marcial said this after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowed the resumption of practices for basketball and football. “Kung pinayagan na tayong makapag-practice. Siyempre dahandahan lang dun. Sana, sa September o sa October na,” said Marcial. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas is set to call a special board to discuss the decision. “Kung makakalaro na tayo, malaking bagay ito,” said Marcial. The PBA commissioner said he is now getting in touch with club owners, and scrimmages will most like resume

in the latter part of the month. Before that, a meeting among managers and coaches is set to take place to discuss the protocols that have been handed down for the PBA teams to be able to do scrimmages. The protocols were forwarded by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusements Board last month. And these were done following consultations with various national sports associations. Under a General Enhanced Community Quarantine (GCQ), practice sessions will be limited to just five athletes on the floor in basketball, and in the field for football. In a Modified GCQ setup, as many as 10 athletes can do workouts together. Peter Atencio

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial says the PBA may resume the Philippine Cup as early as September or October. PBA Media

Slaughter eyes national team, PBA return IF YOU’RE wondering what Greg Slaughter has been up to these past few months then you’ll be happy to know that he’s busy training at the DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida with nothing less than making the Philippine National Team as his ultimate goal. “As a basketball player, it’s my job to always stay ready. My PBA career was uncertain with no word on a contract but

Barangay Ginebra big man Greg Slaughter (with ball) eludes Alaska Aces counterpart Sonny Thoss as he makes his move to the basket during a game between the two teams. PBA Media

playing for the Philippine national team has always been a top priority for me and something I look forward to and want to be prepared for,” said the 32-year-old in a SunStar Cebu exclusive. Slaughter stunned basketball fans last February by announcing that he was stepping away from basketball. He vanished from the public eye and apparently flew home to the US to avoid further controversy. “I was able to link up with a two-time NBA champion who had first visited me in Cebu 12 years ago, 2008, and been at a beautiful training facility here in Daytona Beach, Florida,” said Slaughter. “We’ve been very fortunate to be working daily on things that make me a better player, which I haven’t had an opportunity to do in recent years in the PBA. I am getting great results from my daily training with Gary Boyson which is preparing me for what I hope is a leadership role in 2023.” Boyson is an NBA scout who has worked for a number of teams, including the Toronto Raptors, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. The year 2023 is when the Philippines will host the World Cup of basketball. Slaughter gave a hint for his reason for leaving when he described his last dealing with Barangay Ginebra. “I was not offered a deal by Ginebra even after my contract expired at the end of January. I found it strange because (in) previous contract dealings, I was well informed ahead of time,” said Slaughter. He was quick to add though that he is not closing the door to a return to Ginebra and the PBA. “I am open to returning to the PBA in the future. I love the fans who have supported me through everything and the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit will always be a part of me. Of course, I am open to playing for Ginebra in the future.”

GAB seeks IATF nod to hold closed-door boxing matches THE Games and Amusement Board is seeking approval to hold closeddoor boxing events. GAB Chairman Baham Mitra said he and Commissioners Mar Masanguid and Ed Trinidad have taken the initiative by sending an appeal before the Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Mitra explained that the GAB is pushing to have matches without the presence of spectators as part of efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, the possible spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The resumption that is being proposed is subject to specific health protocols that may be provided by the Department of Health. “We are thankful to all the members of the IATF for giving us the chance to present our case. This is a good development for the entire professional sports community,” stated Mitra. The GAB has been closely coordinating with the DOH and Philippine Sports Commission Technical Working Group to come up with a Joint Administrative Order. The order aims to provide guidelines on the conduct of health-enhancing physical activities and income-generating professional sports activities during pandemic. On Saturday, the JAO was finally presented by Undersecretary Brigido J. Dulay, Foreign Affairs Undersecretay for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns, for ratification before the IATF. The GAB took note that no professional sports activity has taken place over the last four months. “We are thankful to all the members of the IATF for giving us the chance to present our case. This is a good development for the entire professional sports community,” Mitra said. Peter Atencio

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020

Baguio’s pride wins Miss Philippines Earth’s first virtual pageant By Eton Concepcion BAGUIO City’s Roxanne Allison Baeyens edged out 32 other candidates to win the crown in Miss Earth Philippines’ first virtual pageant telecast live on GMA-7 Sunday morning. The 23-year-old Saint Louis University graduate is a ballerina and an aspiring actress. She has an interest in landscaping and an advocate for urban gardening. During the final question and answer, the final five candidates were asked “What important quality should a leader display amidst a pandemic?” “A leader should display having a green thumb because at this point in time we have a shortage in food supply. So, it’s important

to open the eyes of people to embrace having a sustainable life to start urban agriculture at their own homes, after all, a green life is a better life and I hope the leader will give that to us,” the Fil-Belgian beauty replied. Baeyens, who bagged the Darling of the Crowd special award, also won the Best Eco-Video which presented an insightful present-day environmental situation of Baguio City and what are being done under the present leadership of Mayor Benjamin Magalong to rehabilitate the City of Pines and bring it back to its former beauty. A commercial model, Baeyens has also partnered with the Baguio Animals League organization which promotes responsible pet ownership. Baeyens’ four elemental court of hon-

or are Patrixia Sherly Santos (Air) of Daraga, Albay, Gianna Margarita Llanes (Water) of Mandaluyong City, Shane Tormes (Fire) of Atimonan, Quezon, and Ilyssa Marie Mendoza (Eco-Tourism) of Melbourne, Australia. The two-hour coronation finals was hosted by Paulo Bediones. Online judges included Miss Earth 2005 Alexandra Braun, Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria, GMA Network vice-president for Program Management Joey Abacan, Matthias Gelber, Hana Shampoo Marketing Manager Carlos Bacani, and Miss RP-World 1975 Suzanne Gonzalez Gommer. Miss Philippines Earth 2019 Janelle Tee gave her traditional farewell message along with the other elemental beauties.

Piolo Pascual calls for ‘bayanihan;’ spoofs self in new TVC

PIOLO SIMPLIFIED.

The videos that feature Piolo Pascual, apart from being light-hearted spin-offs of classic scenes in his movies, also calls for ‘Bayanihan.’

The actor in scenes from the TVC inspired by his classic movies that feature overseas Filipinos as characters.

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OCAL Tinseltown’s A-1 leading man, Piolo Pascual, has always planned to do a project that would showcase some of his works on the big screen. This goal was realized when he collaborated with the country’s leading financial institution to produce three videos that spoof his hit romantic films that featured overseas Filipinos (OFs) as characters. The videos, which can be viewed on BDO Unibank’s YouTube channel and on BDO Kabayan Facebook page, were based on the films Milan, where Piolo starred with Claudine Barretto, and Starting Over Again that paired him with Toni Gonzaga. “I always wanted to do a parody of my own scenes. I wanted to reenact them in a funny way,” Piolo said in a virtual press conference for BDO’s Kabayan Remit campaign. According to the 43-year-old actor, the release of the videos under present circumstances takes on a more poignant meaning. “When we first worked on these videos, iniisip ko na it was a very light, witty way of looking at ourselves as an audience. I love drama films. Natuwa ako rito sa project kasi nabalikan namin yung mga classic, memorable lines galing sa films,” Piolo said, adding

that he now appreciates the videos in a more meaningful light. “The videos’ call for ‘less drama’ takes on more significance today. All the ‘drama’ we feel and go through—loneliness, isolation, anxiety, even fear—are valid responses to the pandemic. The only difference, when we go through ‘drama’ in the movies, we become emotional, sad, and we cry, pero nagkakaroon tayo ng release. We feel better, nagkakaroon ng pag-asa. May katapusan ang drama sa sine. Two hours lang. Pero ngayon, ang drama natin, tunay na buhay. Hindi pa natatapos. Nakalockdown na tayo mga 100 days. It makes us miss the old normal,” he carried on. For Piolo, the TVC aims to train the spotlight on OFs and the situation they are in at the moment. He heard about how many have been laid off, while others are forced to receive lower sal-

aries so they can keep their jobs and wait until the economic downturn passes. He now hopes that the videos can help spark a conversation about the situation of OFs and encourage others to band together and help them. “In Dubai, there are OFs who take pay cut, around 30-percent of their salary. Yung ibang overseas Filipinos nawalan ng trabaho. OFs have been supporting our economy through billions of remittance, Now, they are the ones who need our help,” Piolo pointed out. The actor added that proper financial management is something we all need to do at this time -- but it has a particular urgency for overseas Filipinos especially those who do not have job security. Apart from that, he also pointed out that many artists have been holding online fund-raising shows and other projects in order to help overseas Filipinos, whose jobs were affected by the pandemic. “My working relationship with BDO opens up to possible ways to help,” he shared. BDO Remit—through BDO Kabayan Savings—its special savings and remittance account for the overseas Filipino market—has become a lifeline for overseas Filipinos during the pandemic. BDO Remit has kept its services running to help Filipinos overseas and their families cope with the challenges of the ongoing crisis.

Fil-Belgian beauty Roxanne Allison Baeyens was crowned Miss Philippines Earth during the pageant’s first virtual coronation held on Sunday.

ABS-CBN grateful to managers, singers group for speaking out in support of network ABS-CBN expressed its gratitude to ProfesOPM president sional Artists ManagOgie Alcasid ers, Inc. (PAMI) and Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) for speaking in solidarity with the network and calling for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise. “We are very grateful to PAMI and OPM for conveying to our lawmakers why ABS-CBN should be allowed to continue serving the Filipino. We continue to draw strength and inspiration from our colleagues and all the people we serve,” said ABS-CBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes. At the franchise hearing on Tuesday (June 30), PAMI president June Rufino and OPM president Ogie Alcasid urged Congress to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise, noting its contributions to the industry and the employment opportunities the network provides for artists. In her statement, Rufino said its members and 400 artists who represent 5,000 families would be burdened by unemployment if ABS-CBN is denied of its franchise. “It is therefore our humble plea to the honorable franchise committee to find it in your hearts and consciousness the future of over 5,000 families who are dependent and hopeful for your affirmative decision on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN,” she said. Alcasid, meanwhile, said ABS-CBN’s music platforms and TV shows have helped singers and songwriters showcase their talent and helped them provide a better life for their families. “Dahil sa ABS-CBN and its other platforms, napakarami na pong singer ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na maiahon ang kanilang pamilya at mabigyan ng kaliwanagan ang kanilang mga pangarap na maging isang ganap na singer,” added Alcasid. At the same hearing, Rufino said that PAMI and its members hope that they would be able to continue working with ABS-CBN, saying that ABS-CBN’s top-quality programs bring joy to Filipinos. “In our own little way, we are deeply blessed and honored to be part of ABS-CBN’s many ways to be of service to the Filipinos worldwide. It is in our prayers that we will be allowed to keep on doing what we are truly and passionately love to do,” she said. Talent managers and ABS-CBN artists earlier agreed to take pay cuts in their talent fees for currently airing shows to help the network mitigate the impact of its broadcast shutdown. “We thank PAMI and all talent managers for their understanding and consideration as we continue to bring joy and entertainment to our audiences through our programs,” said Vidanes. The network recently brought back some of its TV series and live entertainment shows via the Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV nationwide. These include FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, A Soldier’s Heart, Love Thy Woman, Magandang Buhay, The Voice Teens, ASAP Natin ‘To, and It’s Showtime. It also launched two new shows namely Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan and Iba Yan.

New faces of Geely Philippines SOJITZ G Auto Philippines (SGAP) has formally introduced singer/songwriter Rico Blanco and TV host Gretchen Ho as Geely Philippines’ pioneer brand ambassadors. In a Zoom meeting with the SGAP officials, Blanco and Ho expressed their excitement to show everyone the quality vehicles that Geely has to offer to the people. “I think everyone agrees that the Coolray is a great car. It’s just that people are not brave enough to try it out and I think that’s our job now,” Blanco said. Meantime, Ho added, “I can’t wait to spread the word about it. And just like Rico, I go for the new things. I go for something different and unconventional… striking. I think that Geely has a promising future here in the Philippines.” Blanco takes pride in being one of the first customers who took notice and believed in the Geely brand prior

to becoming its endorser. He recounted how he instantly knew that Geely is the brand for him. “I needed a car that was nimble and small but powerful. So, when the Coolray was brought to me, I stepped on the pedal once, and I said this is it. I didn’t even go the full throttle, it was just the first tap on the pedal and I decided right then and there it was the car,” Blanco shared. The music artist reiterated that it was his personal journey as a Geely vehicle owner that made him trust the brand. “It was really the experience. Apart from it looked great. The specs are killer. Like there’s nothing in its price range that has this speed, the appointments inside, and the leather.” As a new kid on the block, Geely has been gaining good market reception. Based on the first quarter reports pub-

lished by CAMPI and AVID this year, Geely ranks 3rd among the B-segment SUVs. SGAP wants to continue with this trend by concentrating on gaining more people’s trust through its quality products, services, and credible partners. It is about sustaining and further improving the standards Geely has set in the Philippine automotive market. Geely has yet to prove its worth as it rolls out new models that meet global standards. SGAP believes that it has made the right decision in inviting Blanco and Ho into the Geely family as its brand ambassadors. “I’m a woman in action. To be honest, I can’t wait to convince people to buy cars. I’m excited to take it around. I’ve been planning already where to go,” Ho said. Blanco, a Geely owner himself said “I’m really proud to be an ambassador

Geely Philippines pioneer brand ambassadors Gretchen Ho and Rico Blanco

for this new brand because I believe in this future.” “I’m excited. You know the bragging rights. I was there first and I knew the brand first. I was one of the first persons

who trusted the brand…and with Sojitz’ experience in the Philippines, I’m just excited and I’m happy to be part of this…I like being part of a family but I like being the first one in,” he added.