Manila Standard - 2021 January 16 - Saturday by Manila Standard

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AT LEAST 37 DIE AS 6.2 EARTHQUAKE HITS INDONESIAN ISLAND A POWERFUL earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Friday, killing at least 37 people, levelling a hospital and severely damaging other buildings, authorities said. Hundreds more were injured when the

6.2-magnitude quake struck in the early hours, triggering panic among the terrified residents of the island, which was hit by a huge quake and tsunami two and a half years ago that killed thousands. “The latest information we have is

that 26 people are dead... in Mamuju city,” said Ali Rahman, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, adding “that number could grow.” “Many of the dead are buried under rubble,” he said.

Separately, the national disaster agency said at least eight people had died in an area south of Mamuju, a city of some 110,000 in West Sulawesi province, bringing the total death toll to 34. Rescuers were searching for more

than a dozen patients and staff trapped beneath the rubble of the levelled Mamuju hospital. “The hospital is flattened – it collapsed,” said Arianto from the rescue Next page

KILLER QUAKE. Rescuers search for survivors at the Mitra Manakarra hospital in Mamuju city on January 15, 2021, where as many as 20 patients and staff are trapped beneath the rubble after the hospital was flattened when a

‘Sinovac buy still up in air’

6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. The tremor killed dozens and toppled several buildings, according to reports. AFP

Vaccine czar: Not a done deal; Supply to arrive next month—envoy

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

MID mounting criticism of the decision to buy the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the procurement of 25 million of doses of the Chinese product was not yet a done deal. Appearing before the second hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole, Galvez said the agreement was still subject to the final approval by the country’s vaccine expert panel. Senators have questioned the decision to buy Sinovac when a recent study in Brazil showed an efficacy of only 50.4 percent, much lower than other vaccines in the market. Under questioning from Senator Nancy Binay Friday, Galvez replied

“no” when he was asked if the Sinovac purchase was a done deal. But Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian in a Facebook post on Friday said the shipment of Sinovac vaccines may arrive “as early as next month.” “We are now expecting China Sinovac vaccine [to] arrive in the Philippines as early as next month. The joint anti-pandemic response over the past Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 312 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Vaccine exec vows transparency on test results By Joyce Pangco Pañares

A SENIOR executive of Sinovac, one of the makers of China’s leading vaccine candidates, said the firm would be transparent on the results of its clinical tests as it assured the Philippines it would provide “affordable” vaccines. “We will be happy to share the results

of our clinical trials when they become available,” said Sinovac Biotech senior director of global strategy and business development Helen Yang in an interview with ANC cable news channel. Yang downplayed concerns over new data from Brazil showing the Chinese vaccine had an efficacy rate of only 50.4 percent.

“(The) trials in Brazil (were) conducted among health workers who are more exposed to the virus,” she said. “Trials are not ‘apples to apples’ because of difference in protocols, targeted populations...Over a million doses of the Sinovac vaccine already administered in China. I believe some people Next page

VAX POPULI. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr answers questions from Senator Panfilo

Lacson and other senators during the continuation of the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on the national government’s mass vaccination program against COVID-19 on Friday, January 15, 2021. PRIB

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JANUARY 15)

496,646 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,048 27,033 NEW

ACTIVE

9,876

137

459,737

551

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

AstraZeneca, Pfizer ahead in DOST list By Willie Casas PFIZER and Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine topped the ranking released by the Department of Science and Technology. In an ABS-CBN News report, DOST said the vaccine ranking was based on safety, potential efficacy, stability and the company’s track record. Next page

China’s foreign minister in town for official visit By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta CHINA’S Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in the Philippines on Friday for an overnight official visit, reciprocating Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin’s visit to China last October, where he will hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wang was welcomed in Manila by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Foreign Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, Chinese and Department of Foreign Affairs Protocol chief Porfirio Mayo. Next page

VISITOR FROM BEIJING. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Manila for an overnight official visit. On hand to receive him are DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and DFA Protocol Chief Porfirio Mayo. DFA

Travel ban now covers UAE, Hungary, extended until Jan. 31 By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas

THE Philippines has extended the travel ban on countries with confirmed cases of the UK variant of the coronavirus until the end of January and has added

the United Arab Emirates and Hungary to the list, the Palace said Friday. To curb the spread of the new variant in the country, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) ap-

‘Jab papers good as border pass’ By Willie Casas

I guess this will be part of the protocol to control the THE Department borders of each of of Health (DOH) these countries we said Friday the certificate received by those vaccinated have around the globe,” Health Underagainst COVID-19 could be used as a secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said requirement for border control once the during a virtual briefing, replying to system had been widely implemented. questions on vaccine passports or proof “I think that will be implemented and of inoculation against COVID-19. when it is widely implemented already Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

proved the recommendation to extend the temporary travel restrictions until Jan. 31, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. Travelers from the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Is-

rael, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Next page

Pope awards ‘Nova Villa’ for church work By Nickie Wang COMEDIENNE and veteran screen star Nova Villa was conferred a Papal Award for her “distinguished service to the Catholic church.” Villa, 73, received the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice, Next page

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

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2 economists in favor of Cha-cha By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

WO prominent economic experts supported Friday efforts of the House of Representatives to review economic provisions of the Constitution, and that the amendments being introduced should be approved sooner rather than later.

years, and the amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution would help in further boosting the profile of the Philippines to foreign direct investors. “The Asia Pacific Region has not fallen into the extreme positions of protectionism like Brexit, America 1st. Within our region, because of the comprehensive regional economic partnership that was just signed, we are still open to trading and investing with one another,” Villegas said. Villegas cited the country’s low agricultural output as a prime example where direct foreign investments could propel the agricultural sector through much needed capital and technological inflow. “China and our Northeast Asian neighbors are struggling with food security. They will need as much food as

possible for their people, and Thailand and Vietnam are already taking advantage of this situation,” he said. In the same forum, Anthony Abad, a lawyer who specializes in international trade, said that a Constitution rarely includes specific economic provisions such as foreign direct investments (FDI). “There is usually a general statement that focus on the promotion of national development. In fact, most Charters of other countries are short and concise,” Abad said. Abad also stated that the Philippines ranked highest when it comes to FDI regulatory restrictiveness, according to the 2019 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) restrictiveness index. The country accounts for only 6.3 percent of the entire FDI in the ASEAN region.

Congress is currently conducting preliminary hearings on Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, seeking to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” on sections of Articles XII, XIV and XVI of the Constitution. Economist Bernado Villegas, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, said the Philippines was one of the fastest emerging economies in the world, averaging 6 percent growth before the pandemic hit. Villegas added that the

country’s economy was still expected to grow, even in the midst of a pandemic. “We are rated high in terms of financial strength because over the last 10 years, we have strengthened our financial institutions. Now, we are considered to have one of the best central banking systems in East Asia,” Villegas said in a virtual forum titled “RBH 2 and Its Impact on Economic Liberalization” hosted by BusinessWorld on Friday. Villegas said the country was poised for a dynamic growth in the next 10

Vaccine... From A1

Pag-IBIG members generate P13b in savings

have received two doses already,” Yang a dded. She said compared to other brands, Sinovac’s vaccine could be stored at higher temperatures, thus requiring only a standard refrigerator at temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, and can remain stable for up to three years. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, on the other hand, require cold freezers at temperatures of up to -80 degrees Celsius. “We plan to start supplying COVID-19 vaccines to PH in February,” Yang said, while acknowledging that Sinovac had yet to secure an emergency use authorization from the Philippines’ Food and Drug Authority. For his part, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said there was no reason to fear China’s Sinovac, adding that most of the things used by Filipinos were already made in China. “If I were you, get vaccinated because it’s better for you to have protection than none at all,” he said in a radio interview Friday. “Do not worry because in truth, almost everything you use in your daily lives are made in China. That’s the reality,” Roque added.

Travel ban... From A1 Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman are prohibited from entering the Philippines. Studies found that the UK variant is nearly 70 percent more transmissible than the original COVID-19 variant. However, there is no evidence yet that it is deadlier than the previous variant. The government’s fresh directive came after the new variant was detected in a 29-year-old Filipino male who arrived home from the UAE on Jan. 7. The travel ban was supposed to expire on Friday. Filipinos from areas covered by the travel restrictions were initially allowed to come home, on condition that they undergo an “absolute” facility-based 14-day quarantine, notwithstanding a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. However, the IATF-EID Resolution issued on Thursday states that the temporary travel ban is applicable to “all travelers coming from or transiting” through the banned countries. Roque said the exemptions to the entry restrictions may be issued by the IATF-EID technical working group, in coordination with concerned government agencies.

Local... From A1 Vergeire said the vaccine passport would be based on the data registry of all vaccine recipients. “There will be a QR code for each person. This will be something like a

Pope... From A1 the highest recognition given by the Vatican to lay people. “My ambition to become an actress is because of a mission from God. All the things I’m doing in showbiz is with a mission,” Villa told church-run Radio Veritas in an interview on Friday. “I think, I am just an instrument of God’s grace to people; by being nice to people, giving a smile at them, you’re giving them hope,” she added.

WORLD ROUNDUP

30m infected with COVID in Europe MORE than 30 million coronavirus cases have been officially recorded in Europe, according to an AFP tally based on official health statistics on Friday. The 52 nations, which include Russia, constitute the world’s worst affected zone in terms of the number of infections, with a total of 30,003,905. Europe is followed by the United States and Canada, which had recorded 23,994,507 cases, Latin America and the Caribbean 16,989,628, Asia 14,485,588, the Middle East 4,323,966, Africa 3,170,837 and Oceania 31,443. Europe and North America are the regions with the highest number of daily cases. Last week, each of these two regions registered an average of around 260,000 new cases per day. In total, more than 92 million cases of the coronavirus have been registered worldwide, including almost 2 million deaths, since the pandemic began in China in late 2019.

DESPITE the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 last year, Pag-IBIG Fund members turned to the agency’s MP2 Savings and collectively saved over P13 billion, setting a new record for the amount saved voluntarily under the program in a single year. “We are happy to report that despite the impact of the pandemic to our economy last year, the amount saved by our members in the Pag-IBIG MP2 Savings last year surpassed P13 billion. This is the highest-ever amount saved by our members in the program so far,” said

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. “This shows the significant trust that our members have in Pag-IBIG Fund, that we shall manage their hard-earned peso prudently. This will also go a long way in helping us serve more members by providing funds for their home loans and cash loans, all in line with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive to help uplift the lives of more Filipinos especially during these difficult times,”

he added. As of last year, a total of 338,248 members saved, on the average, P3,270 per month, in the MP2 Savings. The MP2 Savings is Pag-IBIG Fund’s voluntary savings program that has a 5-year maturity period and a minimum savings requirement of only P500. Made available to members in 2010, the savings program has seen phenomenal growth over the last five years, mainly due to the higher dividends it offers compared to the agency’s Regular Savings program.

‘Sinovac... From A1

long hours seeking clarification from our resource persons like Secretary Galvez because it is incumbent upon us to exercise our mandate to demand transparency and accountability from our chief implementers on how they plan to use public funds,” Lacson said. He said it was unfortunate that the Senate was being made a scapegoat. “We are just asking questions. The resource persons give data which are sometimes contradictory and chaotic,” Lacson said. Galvez, for instance, has disputed a Senate finding that Sinovac’s vaccine is the second most expensive one available, but has the lowest efficacy. Lacson said at this point, it might be too late to back out of the Sinovac deal, as deliveries were expected by next month. At Friday’s hearing, Galvez also said a supply agreement with the US company Pfizer was still under negotiation, but he expected to have a term sheet by next week. Pfizer Philippines country manager Andreas Riedel, who appeared at the hearing virtually, said the firm is “very keen” to partner with the Philippines and ensure that the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is available for use in the country. He welcomed the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of an emergency use authorization for his company’s vaccine. The government is set to obtain 30 million doses of the vaccine from British drugmaker AstraZeneca, and 25 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. It has already secured 25 million doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine, 50,000

of which will arrive by February. The Philippines also earlier signed a deal with the Serum Institute of India for 30 million doses of the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available by the third quarter of 2021. Senator Joel Villanueva asked if the government was ready to vaccinate up to 70 million Filipinos to achieve herd immunity that would make most of the population immune to COVID-19. “My only question is… are you ready for this? How many health care workers would be actively needed for this?” he asked. “If you look at the 148 million doses in 2021, and you divide 148 million by the remaining 351 days, it would mean, we will be having 421,652 doses per day to hit the target. So my question is, is this realistic?” Senator Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, asked why private companies that donated 50 percent of purchased vaccines would not have a free hand in distributing these to their employees. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Secretary Joey Concepcion said that vaccine provider AstraZeneca under their zero-profit program, is requiring the distribution of vaccines to vulnerable sectors and excludes the distribution of vaccines to owners and executives of the company. But Villar said this was impractical. “Why will they buy if they cannot give it to their employees?” she asked. Galvez said under the tripartite deal with AstraZeneca,it was the DOH that would facilitate the actual inoculation. He added that the priority given to essential and frontline workers was in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

agency in Mamuju city, who goes by one name. “There are patients and hospital employees trapped under the rubble and we’re now trying to reach them,” he added, without giving a specific figure. Rescuers were also trying to reach a

family of eight trapped under the rubble of their destroyed home, he added. The country’s search-and-rescue agency said at least one hotel had partially collapsed after the quake struck at 2:18 am local time Friday, while the regional governor’s office also suffered extensive damage. A Mamuju resident said damage across the city was severe. “Roads are cracked and many build-

ings collapsed,” said 28-year-old Hendra, who also goes by one name. “The quake was very strong... I woke up and ran away with my wife.”

unique identifier for specific persons who will receive the vaccine,” Vergeire said. The vaccination card will also indicate whether or not the person has already received one or two doses of the vaccine. Asked if it will affect those who refuse to be vaccinated, Vergeire said that if this becomes part of protocol, they

will also have to follow it. “If it’s protocol and you don’t comply with the requirement to have a vaccine passport or card certifying that you were vaccinated, then you cannot travel,” Vergeire said. Vergeire added that experts were still studying how long a person would be immune from COVID-19 after vaccination.

She said that, so far, studies show the body will respond to the vaccine within the first 14 days. And the response will be heightened when the 2nd dose is administered 21 or 28 days after. She said this uncertainty is why minimum health standards such as the wearing of face masks will still be implemented as a precaution even with mass inoculations.

Novavas and Sinovac placed third and fourth, respectively. A vaccine expert, however, said that in a severe pandemic, a vaccine with an efficacy rate of at least 50 percent will offer “partial protection” that will be better than no protection at all. Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, said the incidence rate of COVID-19 in a specific place is just as important a consideration as the safety and efficacy of a vaccine. Brazilian researchers said the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine has been found to have an efficacy of 50.4 percent. At a Senate hearing, Senate President Vicente Sotto III asked Bravo whether she would administer a vaccine with an efficacy rate of only 50 percent. “That 50 percent efficacy was actually set by the WHO (World Health Organization) long before, in the beginning of the pandemic. They even said that an efficacy of 50-70 percent would be already acceptable in the midst of a pandemic because these efficacy rates are actually needed to be put in place when you have a severe pandemic,” Bravo said.

said Hontiveros. Just like their aggressiveness in their claim over the West Philippine Sea, Hontiveros said they should also be aggressive in arresting their criminals here. “Chinese criminals should be deported from our country. Our country is not a crime scene for Chinese,” she said. Hontiveros related that the Philippine National Police arrested seven Chinese and one Filipino who were involved in the kidnapping, raping, and killing of Chinese POGO workers in San Pedro, Laguna. “That was only one of the many

crimes brought about by the POGO industry. That POGO is illegal in China, so why are they continuously operating here?“ said Hontiveros. “Perhaps the foreign minister can help our Department of Foreign Affairs in resolving issues affecting our local POGO industry,” she said. The Akbayan senator cited the need to stop these syndicates before they become more comfortable with the local terrain and start victimizing more Filipinos. With AFP Hontiveros led the Senate investigation on POGO-related prostitution in

year has enriched and strengthened our new-era partnership and vividly illustrated the sibling ties between our two peoples,” the ambassador added. Binay, for her part, asked Galvez why the government would seek to close a deal with a company that had only recently applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration. She also said it would have been more logical to spend public funds to procure a vaccine from a company that had long applied for an EUA. At this point, Galvez clarified that the national government has not yet paid Sinovac. He said that what the Philippines has with Sinovac is an “advance market commitment” to ensure that the supply of vaccines is “locked in.” Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, lashed back at Galvez for accusing some senators of “demonizing” vaccine developers or “hurting” the ongoing negotiations with vaccine manufacturers and suppliers, apparently referring to China’s Sinovac. Lacson also denied that he was politicizing the issue because of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, whose resignation he has sought many times over what he called his weak leadership during the pandemic. Lacson said Galvez had pointed to him and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Francis Pangilinan, “as if blaming the Senate for the brewing vaccine procurement controversies.” “For the record, we senators spend

At least... From A1

The actress, whose showbiz career spans five decades, received the award from Pope Francis in a ceremony held on Thursday at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The conferment ceremony was headed by Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa. “The papal award is a symbol of service to the church with a huge responsibility. They are shining examples of how a Christian should live,” Gaa said during the event attended by Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias, Fr. Niño Etulle, parish priest of the San Lorenzo, and other priests from San Isidro Vicariate.

China’s... From A1 Soon after arrival, Senator Risa Hontiveros called on Wang to assist Philippine law enforcement agencies in arresting and deporting Chinese syndicates, particularly those involved in the smuggling of illegal vaccines and those with ties to the local Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator industry. “China’s foreign minister should cooperate with our government to completely crack down on crime,”

‘Tsunami potential’

Images from the scene showed residents fleeing the seaside city in cars and motorbikes as they drove past corrugated metal roofs and other building debris scattered on the roadside. AFP

China puts 20,000 villagers under quarantine

China has sent over 20,000 rural residents living in the epicenter of the country’s latest virus outbreak to state-run quarantine facilities, as Beijing on Friday reported the worst nationwide figures since March. Another 144 infections were reported by the National Health Commission on Friday – the highest single-day tally since March last year – mostly in Hebei province where more than 22 million people are in lockdown. The surge appears to be fuelled by so-called “silent infections” – or asymptomatic cases – in mostly rural areas on the outskirts of cities.

India’s Covaxin sparks concern

A homegrown coronavirus vaccine will be rolled out in India from Saturday even though clinical trials haven’t been completed. But the government insists it will be safe and effective. The All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), an independent watchdog, led a chorus of concern from experts saying it was “shocked” and “baffled” by the emergency approval of Covaxin. India has been hit hard by the virus, logging the second-highest number of COVID-19 infections globally with more than 10.5 million cases, and over 150,000 deaths – behind only the United States and Brazil. AFP

AstraZeneca... From A1

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Official urges joining treaty against nukes By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Francis Tolentino says becoming a State Party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will help boost the country’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea as recognized and affirmed by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, Tolentino called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to devise a mode to diplomatically assert the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea once the Senate concurs on the ratification of the treaty and the country becomes a State Party. Under the treaty, Tolentino says, a State Party has an obligation to, among others, make a declaration whether there are any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its territory or in any place under its jurisdiction or control that are owned, possessed or controlled by another State. He says such a declaration must be submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations not later than 30 days after the treaty enters into force for a State Party. If the Philippines becomes a State Party, he says, it can inform the UN Secretary General that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the man-made structures therein are capable of hosting nuclear armaments. He believes the Philippines has much to gain from becoming a State Party to ensure a regime of peace and a nuclear-free region of amity and cooperation. Although the TNPW will not fully eliminate the threat or use of nuclear weapons, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Igor Bailen says the treaty increases the stigma against nuclear weapons.

BLESSING. A parish priest blesses images of the Sto. Niño at the Sto. Niño Church in Tondo, Manila, ahead of its feast day on January 17.

Nine policemen ordered arrested By Rey E. Requejo

HE Department of Justice said Friday said the Jolo Regional Trial Court had issued an arrest warrant against the nine policemen accused of killing four soldiers in the town in June last year. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the court had also issued a hold-departure order against the policemen accused of killing the Army intelligence officers. That would stop them from leaving the country. “I will direct the National Bureau of In-

vestigation to help implement the service of these court processes,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. The Office of the Court Administrator earlier said the issuance of the arrest warrants was delayed because the judge assigned to the case could not return to the

court because Sulu is under a COVID-19 lockdown. Sulu is on lockdown from Jan. 4 to 17 to prevent the entry of the new coronavirus variant in the province. The variant was detected in nearby Sabah, Malaysia. The Philippine National Police dismissed the nine policemen from the service at the start of the year, but the absence of an arrest warrant prompted the PNP to release them from custody. The policemen are accused of killing Major Marvin Indamog, Captain Irwin Managuelod, Sergeant Eric Velasco and Corporal Abdal Asula. The soldiers were conducting intel-

Enrile staff asks for release By Rey E. Requejo

NEW YEAR CALL. Top brass of the NCRPO along with other commanders and chiefs of different Offices pay a New Year call on Acting Regional Director Vicente Danao on Thursday in Camp Bagong Diwa. Danao led the random drug testing on the NCRPO officials who attended the event.

THE former chief of staff of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has asked the Supreme Court for help for her possible release from detention on the ground the Sandiganbayan violated her right to due process and for “a speedy, impartial and public trial.” In her petition for habeas corpus, Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes said she had been detained since July 9, 2014 for a period of six years and seven months, or for 2,409 days as of Jan. 12, 2021, without any sign of being freed soon. A writ of habeas corpus is a remedy applicable to cases of illegal confinement or detention where a person is deprived of liberty, or where the rightful custody of any person is withheld from the person entitled to it. “In the case of petitioner [Reyes], she has been and continues to be under detention now for a period of six years, seven months or for 2,409 days and counting,” Reyes said.

Reyes has been detained pending trial at Camp Bagong Diwa for her alleged role in a pork barrel scam, wherein Enrile allegedly received kickbacks amounting to P172.8 million from Janet Lim Napoles, the convicted mastermind of the multimillion-peso illicit scheme. The pork barrel scam is a conspiracy where public funds, specifically from the Priority Development Assistance Fund, were funneled to bogus non-government organizations set up and/or owned by Napoles. Reyes filed last year a motion for a provisional release on May 27, citing reports that Camp Bagong Diwa might be dangerous for inmates as congestion posed a greater risk for COVID-19 transmissions. She also said although she was only 57 years old, she had several underlying health conditions that made her vulnerable to disease. However, the Sandiganbayan denied her appeal on the ground “there is no positive showing that [Reyes] is in actual or even imminent danger of being infected by the COVID-19.”

Coding scheme Agency closes six-hectare open dump in Tanza still suspended By Rio N. Araja By Joel E. Zurbano THE number-coding scheme is still suspended in the National Capital Region except in Makati City, where a modified coding scheme is being enforced, an official said Friday. According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr., the agency’s Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program has been suspended indefinitely. “Considering there are still adjustments to the operations of public utility vehicles, the number- coding scheme is suspended until further notice,” Abalos said. The MMDA’s number-coding system was devised to keep vehicles out of the major thoroughfares on certain days based on the last digit of their license plates. The agency had suspended the policy since the government implemented a community quarantine in Metro Manila amid the coronavirus pandemic. The system corresponds to 1 and 2 for Monday, 3 and 4 for Tuesday, 5 and 6 for Wednesday, 7 and 8 for Thursday and 9 and 0 for Friday. Under the scheme, which aims to ease the volume of traffic on Metro Manila’s streets, vehicles are banned from major roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. depending on the last digit of their car registration plates. In Makati, local government officials said their modified number coding was strictly being implemented except on weekends and holidays.

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources has closed down a six-hectare open dump in Tanza, Cavite, for violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. With help from the National Bureau of Investigation and the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, the department locked the entry points of the privately owned open dump in Barangay Sahud-Ulan.

Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda, who led the operation, said the government would not hesitate to arrest operators of illegal waste disposal sites and to run after all open dump operators. “This is how serious the government is when it comes to the illegal operation of these open dumpsites,” Antiporda said. “Let’s deal with them head on. Declare total war against them.” Based on the report of the DENR Pro-

vincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cavite, the dump had accumulated a three-meter high or 180,000-cubic meter mix of solid waste materials. RA 9003, particularly Section 37, strictly prohibits the establishment and maintenance of open dumpsites, which pose serious threatd to the environment and public health. While waiting for the results of the investigation, Antiporda said the DENR woulf invite the local government officials of Tanza to explain the existence of the open dump.

ligence operations in Barangay Walled City on June 29 when they were flagged down by the police. Though they identified themselves as military personnel, the police told them to go to a nearby police station for further verification. Upon arriving at the station, the soldiers allegedly tried to escape, prompting the policemen to chase them, police claimed. The soldiers allegedly disembarked from their vehicle and pointed their weapons at their pursuers. The police then shot the soldiers. Armed Forces chief General Gilbert Gapay, who was then chief of the Army, said his men did not fire.

Oral arguments reset by Court By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has again reset the holding of the oral arguments on the 37 petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, on the request of Solicitor-General Jose Calida. The oral arguments have been rescheduled on Feb. 2 at 2:30 p.m. The high court said the Solicitor General had requested the resetting of the oral arguments because his assistant solicitor-general and some staff who would be attending the debate had tested positive for COVID-19. The high court had announced last year that the oral arguments would be set on the third week of September “at the earliest,” but Calida sought the cancellation of the oral arguments and moved that all the parties be allowed to instead submit memorandums. And in November last year the high court set the oral arguments on Jan. 19. The tribunal had already issued an advisory requiring all non-employees, including members of the media who will personally be at the high court on Jan. 19, to present a negative swab test result taken within 72 hours before the oral arguments. The anti-terrorism law is considered one of the most contested laws to reach the Supreme Court, with 37 petitions filed not only by advocacy groups, human rights lawyers and legal experts but also by retired Supreme Court justices and constitutionalists.

Terminal 2 rehab finished this month By Joel E. Zurbano

THE rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 2 is in its final phase and is expected to be completed on or before the end of the month. The Manila International Airport Authority said the project was 98.10-percent complete as of Jan. 11. The construction works at the facility was supposed to be completed last year, but it was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Airport officials admitted that the past two years had been difficult for air travelers as they had to deal with smaller spaces to move around. The temperature inside the building had also been affected because the air ducts within board-up areas could not be used. MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said the rehabilitation project was

started in September 2018. The project involves the terminal’s architectural face- lifting with the replacement of damaged floor finishes and the restoration and chemical cleaning of stained floor finishes in the arrival and departure passenger movement areas. The damaged ceilings of NAIA 2 will be replaced while 32 sets of skylight roofing will be repaired. The seismic and expansion joints at the general areas, baggage claim area and elevated roadway are to be replaced as well. The replacement of the glass doors at the pre-departure gates and fixed bridge gates and the cleaning and polishing of metal frames, metal louvers and claddings will be undertaken. Monreal said a marked improvement would soon greet passengers with the expansion of the departure check-in hall and the arrival baggage area.

DONATION. ACE Hardware staff donate needed items to the affected residents of

Kasiglahan Village in Rodriguez, Rizal. The activity was done jointly with the SM Foundation and the local DSWD chapter.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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(MS-JAN. 16, 20 & 24, 2021)

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LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

SATURDAY, JANUIARY 16, 2021 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

QC waives interest on tax bills By Rio N. Araja

UEZON City on Friday announced that delinquent real-property tax owners are now exempted from paying interests accumulated from unpaid previous taxes, following the passage of a measure granting amnesty.

Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. SP-2979 granting all outstanding real-property tax liabilities and delinquencies on land, building or improvements and machineries as assessed by the Assessor’s Office, relief from the payment of interests on realproperty tax deficiency. She said taxpayers are given until March 31 to accomplish the amnesty application form and pay the delinquent real-property taxes either in full or by installment basis. District 1 Councilor Victor Ferrer Jr. authored the ordinance. Belmonte said the city government recognizes the long-term effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which may burden citizens financially. “We will continue to provide compassionate support for all our residents and businesses who are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 on our economy,” she said. Real-property owners who pay their tax for the year 2021 on or before March 31, 2021 can avail of the 20 percent discount. The city government has provided other tax schemes for taxpayers, such as extension of business tax payment, including fees and charges from Jan. 20 to April 20 without penalty, surcharges, and interest; condoning the surcharge and interest for the delayed second, third and fourth quarter installments for 2020 business tax until March 31; and suspended imposition of real-property tax on land based on the approved schedule of fair market values until Dec. 22.

By Jess Malabanan OLONGAPO CITY—Joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 3 raided a clandestine shabu laboratory at a residential area in Kalayaan Village, Subic Freeport on Friday. PDEA3 director Christian Frivaldo said five persons were arrested -- four policemen assigned to the Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) and a civilian caretaker of the villa where the “kitchen-type” laboratory of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu is located. The raiding team seized more than a kilo of shabu with an estimated street value of P6.8 million and undetermined volume of shabu precursors. PDEA declined to identify the suspects pending result of investigation. He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) had been informed of the arrest of policemen, who were all assigned to the OCPO Station 2. They were placed under PDEA custody for further investigation. “The policemen presence inside the target villa is suspicious, that is why we must take them in for investigation,” said Frivaldo. Target of the operations, Frivaldo said, was a foreigner who had been frequenting the house in the past few days and was believed to be the shabu chemist. “Except for the caretaker and the four policemen, no other persons were present when the raiding team barged inside the villa,” said Frivaldo, adding that pursuit operations were launched against the fleeing suspect, whom the operatives lost track of.

PDEA breaks up CL drug group ENGAGED. Philippine International Trading Corp. Undersecretary Dave Almarinez and actress Ara Mina are now officially engaged after the former proposed at the top of the City Hall of San Pedro, Laguna. Quoting a line from a move, Almarinez told the actress—Hazel Pascual Reyes in real life – ‘When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’ No date has been announced for their wedding. Roy Tomandao

Munti orders 200k more doses of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine THE City of Muntinlupa is set to order an additional 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca as more local government units in the country sign a purchase deal with the British pharmaceutical firm and the national government. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi announced the local government of Muntinlupa requested for an additional purchase of 200,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine as part of an earlier tripartite agreement with the National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

4 cops nabbed at Subic shabu clandestine lab

Philippines. Muntinlupa recently secured 100,000 doses to initially inoculate residents in high priority groups. The mayor stressed that the agreement is only an augmentation of the national government’s vaccination plan. He said the Department of Health will continue to provide additional vaccines for the inoculation of the rest of Muntinlupa residents. Muntinlupa earmarked P170 million as initial budget for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines once they are avail-

able and approved for use in the country. National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat said 28 health workers from the City Health Office were already trained for the vaccine administration as part of the local immunization program. The training of Muntinlupa’s medical personnel was facilitated by UNICEF, World Health Organization, and Department of Health last January 12 to 13. Participants were trained for vaccine ad-

ministration, managing the side effects of the vaccine, vaccine storage and handling practices, health communication, and waste management. Abat noted the training of other health workers from Ospital ng Muntinlupa, including frontliners from local private hospitals and clinics, is still ongoing. Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) is preparing for the operational logistics of the vaccination program and will be purchasing storage equipment for the vaccines.

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—A notorious drug group operating in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija was busted by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency following the arrest of its leader and four members during a buy bust operation at Barangay Bulihan on Thursday, authorities here said. PDEA3 Director Christian Frivaldo identified the suspects as Danilo B. Manaluz, alias Paz, 49; Resy P. Villegas, 30; Ayan P. Villegas, 27; Jaymart R. Villegas, 25; and Jeffrey V Ocampo, 29, all residents of San Antonio town. Frivaldo said the drug bust eventually led to the dismantling of the illegal drugs den being maintained by Manaluz, who occupied the 9th spot of the PDEA watchlist of personalities operating in the province. He said some P100,000 worth of shabu was seized by PDEA operatives at the drug den situated at Purok 4 in Bulihan village. The sting yielded six pieces of transparent sachets carrying shabu with an estimated street value of P143,616, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the buybust money. Meanwhile, Frivaldo turned over to Central Luzon director BGen Valeriano De Leon the PDEA watchlist book that will serve as reference before launching anti-illegal drugs operations in a specific area. He said the watchlist book will also serve as guide for operatives to determine their targets. Jess Malabanan

32 surgeries done at Puso Center ANGELES CITY—Amid the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. kept his promise of prioritizing the health of all Angelenos as the Puso Center completed 32 minor surgeries on some of the city’s financially challenged residents. Established February last year, the 3-in-1 health facility composed of a minor surgery clinic, animal bite treatment center, and dental clinic aims to provide Angelenos with easy access to quality and free healthcare. “Marami sa mga kababayan natin ang walang kakayanang magbayad sa doctor o magpunta sa ospital, kahit may sakit sila. Sa pamamagitan ng Puso Center, matutulungan natin silang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan nila, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” Lazatin said. Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel said some of the minor surgeries performed by Puso Center resident physician Dr. Rey Hipolito included the removal of lipoma, abdominal mass, ear and skin tag, foot warts and the excision of cysts on the back, tendon, index, and ring finger. The clinic’s newly installed skin cauterizing machine, the Neo-Frecator, was also used on one patient to minimize tissue damage and further infection, the doctor said. Butch Gunio

SHABU LAB. Operatives make an inventory of evidence seized at the clandestine drug laboratory where four police officers and one civilian were arrested on January 15. SBMA Photo

DPWH Asec. Mallari gains Gawad Filipino Hero award DISINFECTING BOOTH. San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora tries the Full Body Disinfecting Booth Machine installed at the main entrance of City Hall on Friday. The said machine was donated by Lions International and includes a booth that scans body temperature and a 40-second disinfectant spray. Manny Palmero

BALANGA CITY—Bataan native and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Secretary Wilfredo Mallari is a recipient of the prestigious Gawad Filipino 2020 “Hero of the Year” Awards. He exhibited “sincere and dedicated services” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the awards organizer. Mallari was thinking of the general safety and health of his people not just himself, they said. Prior to his appointment at DPWH,

he was the Region 4B or Mimaropa regional director when he retired last year. “Yung welfare ng mga kasama, tao natin tinitignan natin hindi lang basta trabaho syempre kailangan din isipin sila,” he said. “During pandemic ako ang regional director ng DPWH Region 4B, lahat ng safety measures yung department order No. 39 issued by Sec. Villar at yung rules and guidelines ng IATF para sa kaligtasan ng mga workers, lahat yan

ipinatupad natin,” Mallari added. “Nung nag GCQ na, nag-open na tayo in-apply natin lahat yan, alcohol, facemask, wearing long sleeves at vitamin C, before they start with the project, dumaan muna sila sa COVID tests para safe sila”, he said. Asked about the thrust of the DPWH, Mallari said: “In line with the program of President Duterte and Sec. Villar, early completion of the projects for physical and financial growth, so that our economy improves.”

Opinion Boosting vaccine confidence A FEW years back, there was a big furor about Dengvaxia, the vaccine against killer disease dengue, that resulted in vaccine confidence to very significantly dive. The issue became so big that many Filipinos were outright scared to get inoculated against ANY disease. My own discussions with mothers in communities showed this. The issue, the fear then has not been properly addressed. This has now been carried over to vaccines against the deadly COVID-19 that has already killed thousands of Filipinos and continues to ravage our lives, keeping us prisoners in our homes. The results of the Pulse Asia survey conducted between November 23 and Dec. 2, 2020 bear this out. Nearly 50% of Filipinos were unwilling to get inoculated for COVID-19. Only 32% were willing to get the vaccine, and 21% were undecided. Among those who refused, 84% cited safety of the vaccine as their reason for refusal. The doubts on efficacy and fear of dangers that could be caused by the vaccine were the main reasons against Dengvaxia before.

People are scared, confused, helpless, and frustrated. In the Visayas, 55% were not willing to be vaccinated. In Mindanao it was 48%, 46% in Luzon excluding Metro Manila, and in Metro Manila it was 41%. In terms of economic classes, 56% among class E, 46% among class D, and 43% among classes ABC were not inclined to get vaccinated. Another survey by OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa conducted from December 9 to 13 in Metro Manila indicated that only 25% of Metro Manila residents aged 18 and up were willing to be vaccinated. They mostly belonged to the upper and middle income classes. 28% said they would not get the vaccine, and a whopping 47% were undecided. The present controversy is not helped by the present administration’s lack of definitive national vaccination plan, the insistence on purchasing the China-manufactured vaccine Sinovac that reportedly only has around 50% efficacy rate, President Rodrigo Duterte’s difficult-to-understand pronouncements, and the Department of Health’s and the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) ever-changing guidelines and policies surrounding the pandemic. People are scared, confused, helpless, and frustrated. And really, we have every reason to be. Duterte pinned the nation’s hopes on the vaccines against COVID-19. He said many times before that we would already have some before the end of 2020. It turned out that indeed, there were some and those were used for the Presidential Security Group (PSG), some in his Cabinet, and from his initial statement, maybe also for himself even at a time when the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has not approved any vaccine yet for use in the country. We do not understand why until now, the national government has yet to finalize its vaccination plan when many countries around the world are already rolling out their own program.

While the national government is dilly-dallying, at least thirty nine (39) local government units (LGUs) have already allocated budgets for the procurement of, and finalized negotiations for anti-COVID-19 vaccines. Most of them chose the brand AstraZeneca. The LGUS include: Manila City that will also buy twelve refrigeration units and will also build a storage facility; Makati City; Valenzuela City; Caloocan City; Quezon City; Pasig City; Mandaluyong City; Muntinlupa City; San Juan City; Taguig City; Las Pinas City; Navotas City; Muntinlupa City; Paranaque City; Pulilan, Bulacan; Taal, Batangas; Baguio City; Albay; Legazpi City; Ilocos Norte; Vigan City; Oroquieta City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City; Davao City; Marawi City; Ormoc City; Tacurong City; Zamboanga City; and, Marawi City. At first, LGUs plans to procure vaccines also met problems when the Health Department said that the LGUs would not be allowed to do this on their own and that such procurement should be done by the national government. The negotiations have since also involved the DOH. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recently said that it will soon release an advisory that will limit LGUs capacity to procure vaccines. Sec. Año said that LGUs may only procure up to 50 percent of vaccine requirements. This may again cause problems in the future because instead of being able to address the needs of their constituents fully assuming some local governments have the funds, they will again be dependent on DOH for what their constituents urgently need. And we know how slow and bureaucratic the DOH procurement processes are. It will be in the best interest of the people to allow LGUs to do what they can against the pandemic. People are also up in arms with the national government’s insistence on using the Chinese vaccine Sinovac. It has the lowest efficacy rate, and the second most expensive of the known available vaccines. Choosing Sinovac over the cheaper and more effective ones does not make sense any which way we look at it. In terms of efficacy, these are the available data: Pfizer-BioNTech—95%; Moderna —94%; Gamaleya—91.4%; AstraZeneca— 62% - 90%; and Sinovac—50% - 78%. In terms of vaccine estimated costs, the following data for the required two doses (from cheapest to most expensive) were released by the office of Sen. Sonny Angara per DOH submission to the senate: Novavax – P366; Astrazeneca – P610; COVAX Facility – P854; Gamaleya – P1,220; Pfizer – P2,379; Sinovac – P3,629.50; and Moderna – P3,904 to PhP4,504. These costs do not include other logistical requirements such as vaccinators estimated at P1,200 (1 per 350 people), needed PPEs and supplies (masks, face shields, alcohol, cotton balls) that will cost about P1,924 for two doses of vaccine, and storage requirements. There is no question that Sinovac should be the last option if only cost and efficacy are the consideration. It is really hard to understand why government is insisting on this. What don’t the people know? Ordinary people are asking why on earth would they agree to be inoculated using the least effective and very costly vaccine? One important thing that government can do to boost vaccine confidence is to tell the people that they are going to use the best and the safest anti-COVID-19 vaccine. And this is not Sinovac. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

To give and not to count the cost “TO GIVE and Not to Count the Cost” is Part 1 of the coffee table book which comprises a collection of published and unpublished articles compiled by Professor Ed Garcia. In this chapter, we find articles by various authors, such as “Leave it to Leni” by Chit Roces-Santos of the Philippine Daly Inquirer, July 12, 2020; “Tatak Leni: Mahusay, Matino, Magayon” by Doods M. Santos, friend who took part in Leni’s 2013 campaign for congress in Camarines Sur, Business World, May 6, 2013; “Leni’s Improbable Win: From 1% to VP” by Bam Aquino, Leni’s campaign manager in the 2016 elections for Vice President; “Two vignettes on the Vice President” by Undersecretary Philip Dy; and various other articles and literary pieces. In the short article “Leave it to Leni,” the author, an avowed Leni watcher, recounts how she and her husband saw their respect for Leni grow over the years, observing how the Vice President was able to surmount odds through sheer grit, strength of character and sincerity as a public servant. According to the author, ever since Leni Robredo pulled off the

vice presidential win in 2016, she and her husband Vergel have been keeping an eye on her. The author noted that Leni registered an almost-zero awareness among voters when the campaign began; despite this, she ended up as Vice President of the Republic. For the author, there must be something providential about Leni, and were progressively being proven right. Indeed, says the author, for all the attempts to disparage and marginalize her, nobody deserves to be called “leader” more than she does. In another section, the author asserts that Leni has proven herself without necessarily trying. She continues not only to prove her strong leadership qualities but also to surpass expectations. Her limited resources, mostly built from private donations, go incredibly further than might be expected. Reliability, transparency and the absence of political favors are precisely the virtues that inspire trust among donors. Her office is hugely credited with supplying front-liners with protection gear, transportation and dwellings, and with a continuing feeding program for the poor. Already anticipating the need, Leni has started sourcing gadgets for public school children who would have to study online. The author admits: I am a Leni watcher but I cannot keep up with her. She is, if not a step ahead, spot on. Leni, we tend to forget, is all of an economist, lawyer, public administrator, and social activist rolled into one.”

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

EDITORIAL

The weight of a leader’s words

of Representatives, along with a handful of Republicans, impeached Mr. Trump just days before the inauguration of his successor.

N WEDNESDAY, Jan. 6, United States President Donald Trump addressed his supporters and urged them to go to the US Capitol, to push Republicans into voting against certifying the results of the electoral college count which had his opponent, President-elect Joseph Biden, as the winner.

Words are windows into the mind. Then again, those words on Jan. 6 were not the only catalyst to the desecration of American democracy that took place that day. The buildup has been slow and steady. It stretches to as far back as months ago during a particularly bitter campaign made even more polarizing by a raging pandemic. Through a combination of uttered words and social media posts, Mr. Trump has succeeded in convincing at least 75 million Americans to vote for him and, after his defeat, complaining that he had been cheated. He launched a massive legal campaign to question the results but not a single judge anywhere in the country was convinced of the massive fraud he was alleging. This, too, was a source of his bitterness toward these last days. He went as far as personally

“We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Ave, and we’re going to [try] to give our Republicans—the weak ones because the strong ones don’t need any of our help—we’re to try and get them the kind of pride and boldness they need to take back our country,” he said. Soon after, a mob stormed the building, climbed the walls, defaced the ofﬁces and put their crassness on display, as they said they were taking back their country. Five people died from the violence, and this week Democrats at the House

calling the Secretary of State of Georgia and telling him, at first nicely and then menacingly, to find him the required number of votes to overturn Biden’s victory there. Most of the traditional media and, belatedly, social media giants, decided to stop giving him a platform for his lies, but Mr. Trump’s supporters had been sufficiently mobilized. Now the nation is on edge, not necessarily because of the record deaths from the raging pandemic, but because of the threat of terrorism in the coming days. All this goes to show that a leader’s words are never taken lightly. When they utter something, they cannot later on say they were joking, or exaggerating, or were talking figuratively. People look up to their leader and take their cue from the words coming out of their mouth. Are they talking out of spite, or led by facts, or do they circle back to their own ego? People are inspired or disappointed by what the leader says. They are comforted, angered or saddened. They are moved into action or driven to disbelief. All of us should listen closely to how our leaders speak. Their words are windows into their minds.

The system that went loco Tech giants like Facebook and Twitter represent a near-monopoly of social media. This development in technological innovation is a serious reversal to our freedom of expression. One must note that today’s media does not only involve print media like newspapers, books, magazines; the dissemination of recorded pictures with sound and broadcast to wide areas like radio or television; or that it involves the presentation of live motion pictures that encompasses the recording of events showing them in real time that happened for the public to react as witness using their cellphones to give meaning to their freedom of expression.

TODAY, we enter an era where the liberty of the people, specifically the right to freedom of expression, is threatened with extinction not from the usual ideologues who either represent the state or the propertied class who invoke their right to dominate by evoking the novel idea of social media. The social media today is the actual presentation of what one might say “raw nerve” done through the magic of technology but controlled and regulated by those who own and operate this 21st century mass media. It is called social media because the public are made to unwittingly witness and react to the most morbid acts of brutality and bestiality committed before their eyes. Social media combine the presentation of written words and action to elicit maximum human emotion. For their most horrific presentation of barbarism, the owners and operators want to present themselves as self-righteous condemning others by unilaterally imposing regulation, control, limitation and even prohibition for misdemeanor to their values of freedom of expression. It was through the social media where a mother and her son were shot in cold blood by a psychopath policeman while his barbarism was being taken live by smart phone. Nobody condemned the owners of the mass media for its candid presentation of what gruesome double murder. Yet, for the slightest violation their paying clients are suspended without them being heard why they are temporarily or permanently being banned. The private sector, whether represented by the individual person or by corporations is not allowed to take a direct hand, say prosecute violators of their freedom of expression. For the State to take a direct hand on this issue it could be branded authoritarian. This is based on the theory that no private entity should be allowed to stand above the law like those private Gestapos given the misleading title of “fact checkers.”

Fate didn’t hand the role to her on a silver platter either. She didn’t just sit in one corner and pray. No, this woman, guided by her intuitions, had worked for every vote that went into her victory, adds the author. She assessed what she possessed, what she lacked, and from there began to strategize and seize the opportunity, to reach out to the people who had never heard of her, the author further writes.

The vice president makes difﬁcult tasks seem easy. Watching Leni, the author muses, she sees a woman who intuitively puts order in everything she undertakes. She puts a system in place before proceeding anywhere. That’s why she makes difficult tasks seem easy. Another contributor is Political Science Pro-

In the US, it’s demagoguery versus demagoguery. Social media did not extend to the people their right to freedom of expression but was usurped by the media moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey. The state unilaterally inhibited itself as if it was doing democracy a great favor without the public being consulted whether they in fact infringed on their freedom. The control by these new tycoons of the social media went beyond expectation as if it was handed to them on a silver platter. The neo-liberals in conspiracy with the “deep state” jumped the gun to impose what they now consider as outmoded duty of censorship as if their ownership of the industry is equal to life itself. The interest of the owners of Facebook and Twitter is no different from the interest exerted by owners of the traditional mass media. It is not freedom of the press or of the privacy of communication that owners value but of their right to property which generated billions of profit in less than a decade. For the laughter and tears made by their clowns to delight the listening public, millions go to the pocket of these tycoons. fessor Ed Garcia who wrote a piece in the 2016 presidential campaign. Here is how he remembers Leni: “Her late husband, Jesse Robredo, served as the Mayor of Naga City, transforming the city and the lives of his constituents in the process. He was designated Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government until the plane crash killed him on August 18, 2012.” The author observes that Leni shares her late husband’s simple lifestyle and brand of serving local people at all times that inspired a huge following. Bringing herself closer to the people was a key lesson that Leni learned in the footsteps of Jesse’s “tsinelas brand of leadership.” She drew her strength from people and thus practiced the art of listening first. Her style has always been participative, inclusive, and always accessible to the people from all walks of life. In the years accompanying the more vulnerable in society, this veteran in people’s power had gained valuable experience in understand-

They forgot that the foundation of a civil society is anchored on the ability of the state to protect the rights of all the members of society. The state in that capacity act to balance the myriads of individual rights, especially those rights which the giant corporations seek to violate in the name of freedom. Today, the state seemed to have relinquished to the private sector its most sacred obligation without them being empowered by any law. Facebook and Twitter have unilaterally assumed the responsibility to ban and censor no less the President of the US for acts based on anticipated things that will happen. It is fear by the Democrats and by people behind the “Deep State” who anticipate that their own President would possibly encourage the American public to commit violence. US Congress has been afflicted with paranoia when it impeached the “El Loco” twice without looking at the implication of double jeopardy and without enforcing the offense first alleged committed. It is demagoguery versus demagoguery that operates in the American political system today. As one media protester scribes for Julian Assange, “to tell the truth is not a crime.” In the case of Trump, we do not know just how many Americans will react to that harsh punishment slapped against their President by the owners of Facebook and Twitter without them determining whether he specifically ordered those rednecks to ransack, vandalize and loot the sacred American institution of democracy. What Facebook and Twitter did was to curtail the right of the incumbent President? If they can ban him, then who can stop them from doing so? Such is pretty dangerous to any user irrespective of nationality or citizenship where such social media is allowed to operate. The social media is supposed to exercise freedom but not to put limitations on freedom. To permanently ban Trump is to impose a penalty even before he was indicted for his alleged crime. full version on www.manilastandard.net

ing the needs of the people. She also has an insider’s view on crafting processes that involve the people in the decisions that affect their lives. Leni had learned to navigate a “journey with maps.” For three years, she worked quietly and well in the halls of Congress. When Leni finally made her decision to run in tandem with Manuel “Mar” Roxas who ran for president, people knew that Leni provided an alternative option. She was a grassroots worker who had integrity, honesty, and humility. She was dedicated, determined and steadfast. Leni Robredo was indeed the “real deal,” the author concludes. I have personally known VP Robredo for more than a decade, her husband Jesse for even more than that. They have both given immensely to this country and at great cost, in the case of Jesse his life included, which they did not count. I thank them for that—and their daughters and families too. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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NoKor hatches new submarine-LBMs NUCLEAR-ARMED North Korea unveiled a new submarine-launched ballistic missile at a military parade in Pyongyang, state media showed Friday, in a calculated show of strength days before Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president. The display came after the five-yearly congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, where leader Kim Jong Un decried the US as his country’s “foremost principal enemy”. A grinning Kim oversaw the parade on Thursday evening, wearing a black leather coat and fur hat as he watched mounted cavalry, specialist infantry, artillery and tanks roll through Kim Il Sung Square. The troops’ breath condensed in the cold winter air and none of the thousands of participants were seen wearing masks. Aircraft flew overhead forming the party symbol. “The world’s most powerful weapon, submarine-launch ballistic missile, entered the square one after another, powerfully demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces,” the official KCNA news agency said. Four of the SLBMs with black-andwhite cones were driven past, footage on state television showed, and Park Wongon of Handong Global University in the South described them as “the North’s ultimate nuclear weapon”. AFP

Biden unveils plans to fight COVID-19

RESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden unveiled plans Thursday for fighting Covid and injecting $1.9 trillion into a battered US economy, but already his ambitious first 100 days agenda is overshadowed by the looming Senate trial of his soon-to-be predecessor Donald Trump.

Biden promised “a new chapter” for the nation on the day after Trump became the first US president to ever be impeached twice, as the incoming Democrat sought to seize the narrative in a primetime address and get Americans looking forward again. “We will come back,” he said in a

speech from his hometown of Wilmington. “We didn’t get into all this overnight. We won’t get out of it overnight. And we can’t do it as a separated and divided nation,” he said. “The only way we can do it is to come together, to come together as fellow

Americans.” With his Democrats narrowly controlling both houses of Congress, Biden, 78, has a shot at passing what would be the third massive pandemic aid package. What he is less keen to talk about, however, is the impending trial of Trump, something that will introduce a potentially nightmarish mix of scheduling complications and political drama into an already tense Senate. In his 25-minute televised speech Biden made no mention of Trump, impeachment or the deadly violence that nearly overwhelmed Washington last week.

Instead he addressed “the twin crises of a pandemic and this sinking economy,” a challenge exceeding even that which faced him as vice president to Barack Obama when they assumed office following the 2008 financial crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit new peaks, the vaccination program is stumbling, and there are fears the economic recovery from the cratering of 2020 could backslide. His proposal, dubbed the American Rescue Plan, will include a host of measures aimed at revitalizing the world’s largest economy. AFP

‘Far-right extremists recruiting in US military’ FAR-RIGHT and white supremacist extremists are actively recruiting in the US military and have gained more support over the past year, the Defense Department said Thursday. One week after hard-liners who support President Donald Trump stormed the US Congress shutting down the legislature, the Pentagon said it will launch an investigation into the extent of extremism in US military ranks. A senior defense official who declined to be named told reporters that there was an increase in far-right activity among the military over the past year, though he noted that it paralleled similar growth in society at large. “We know that some groups actively attempt to recruit our personnel into their cause, or actually encourage their members to join the military for the purpose of acquiring skills and experience our military force,” the official told reporters. “We recognize that those skills are prized by some of these groups, not only for the capability it offers them, but it also brings legitimacy in their mind to their cause.” The military has been aware of the problem for some time. AFP

READY TO IMPEACH. Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitors Center on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 13, 2021, ahead of an expected House vote

impeaching US President Donald Trump. The Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives on Wednesday opened debate on a historic second impeachment of President Donald Trump over his supporters’ attack of the Capitol that left five dead.Lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote for impeachment around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) -- marking the formal opening of proceedings against Trump. AFP

Argentina allows elective abortion; Chile starts own debate on issue ARGENTINA on Thursday became one of just a handful of Latin American countries to allow elective abortion, as neighboring Chile initiated its own debate on decriminalizing a procedure denied to most women on the continent. President Alberto Fernandez signed a law that allows abortion until 14 weeks of pregnancy that was passed by the Senate on December 30. “Today we have a better, more equal society,” said Fernandez, speaking from an event at a museum in the capital Buenos Aires. “This is a great step towards equal rights, giving women the possibility to decide.”

Fernandez added the it was “the culmination of a long struggle” waged by those wanting an end to abortion being “a crime that obliges secrecy and exposure to the risks involved” in back street procedures. The government estimates that since 1983 more than 3,000 women have died from up to more than half a million secret abortions carried out in the country of 44 million. Congress passed the bill last month, backed by women’s rights proponents, despite strong opposition from Evangelical Christians and traditional Roman Catholics and disapproval voiced by Pope Francis. As a result, Argentina becomes the largest of just four Latin American countries

where women can choose to have an abortion, joining Cuba, Uruguay and Guyana. In Mexico, terminations are allowed only in the state of Oaxaca and in Mexico City. The region has some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws. In El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, the procedure is banned, and women can be sent to jail even for having a miscarriage. In Argentina, terminations were allowed only if the pregnancy was the result of rape or endangered the woman’s life. Between 2012 and 2020, more than 1,500 court cases were brought for abortions, according to the Center for Legal and Social Studies. AFP

Mexico suffers worst week of pandemic

LEGALIZING ABORTION. Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez (center) is seen after promulgating the abortion law known as Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law (IVE in Spanish) in Buenos Aires, on January 14, 2021. Fernandez sign the law that allows voluntary terminations up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, which was passed by the senate on December 30, 2020. AFP

Denmark leads EU in vaccinations with swift roll-out DENMARK leads the EU in vaccinations against the novel coronavirus thanks to a swift and smooth roll-out, and even more people would have got the jab if it had more available doses. So far, 2.2 percent of Denmark’s population of 5.8 million has been vaccinated since the campaign began on December 27. Unlike other countries which have, amid delivery concerns, set aside half their vaccine allotment to ensure patients get their second dose, the Scandinavian country has barrelled ahead and used up its first Pfizer-BioNTech doses. “The government’s clear position is that the moment the vaccines touch Danish soil is the moment they have to be used,” said Denmark’s Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

With well-oiled logistics and a swift campaign in nursing homes -- where almost all who wanted the vaccine have now received it -- Denmark tops the EU in vaccinations, far ahead of Italy and Slovenia and at a pace almost three times higher than the EU average, according to data compiled by AFP. As of Thursday, 129,170 people in Denmark had received their first jab. With a robust welfare state, the country also attributes the strong start to its universal healthcare system, governed by easilymobilised local regions. “Our set-up makes it possible to have rapid distribution (of the vaccine) and we have a very good IT infrastructure which enables us to register every person who receives the vaccine,” Jens Lundgren,

a University of Copenhagen professor who specialises in infectious diseases, told AFP. Targeting care homes, where the injection is given on-site, has enabled the vaccination campaign to get off to a strong start, according to epidemiologist Lone Simonsen, a professor at the University of Roskilde. ‘Relieved’ to get jab To maximise the number of people getting their first dose, Denmark has, like several other countries, also authorised the second dose to be delayed by up to six weeks in some cases, instead of the recommended three. The WHO has approved the move despite some reticence from the manufacturer. AFP

MEXICO reeled Thursday from its worst week of the pandemic yet, with deaths averaging nearly 1,000 a day and a health system that was close to reaching a breaking point. The Latin American country has seen a spike in infections and fatalities following the Christmas and New Year holidays when families traditionally gather. Queues for coronavirus tests or tanks of oxygen for sick relatives are now a common sight in Mexico City, where the mood on the streets is somber. “We’re all scared, but unfortunately there are people who don’t understand it, who go out without masks, have parties,” said Antonio Hoyos, a 55-year-old government worker buying oxygen for his son. “They don’t realize the magnitude of what they’re causing,” he added. In the seven days to Wednesday, the nation of 128 million officially registered 6,930 deaths, including a record 1,314 on Tuesday alone. “Since late November there was a loss of control of social activity and people began to go out too much in the streets,” epidemiologist Malaquias Lopez told AFP. Mexico has now recorded a total of 1.59 million Covid-19 infections and nearly 138,000 deaths -- the world’s fourth-highest toll. Authorities say that is partly a reflection of the country’s large population, but also the prevalence of underlying health problems including obesity, hypertension and diabetes. They acknowledge that the real death toll is probably much higher due to limited testing. The health system is overwhelmed in many areas, particularly Mexico City. AFP

IN BRIEF Indonesian probers recover crashed jet’s flight recorder INDONESIAN investigators have successfully recovered data from a crashed passenger jet’s flight recorder, days after the plane with 62 people aboard slammed into the sea, they said Friday. “(It’s) all in good condition and we’re now examining the data,” National Transportation Safety Committee head Soerjanto Tjahjono said in a statement. The recorder, which holds information about the speed, altitude and direction of the plane, could supply critical clues as to why the aircraft plunged about 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) in less than a minute before crashing into waters off Jakarta on Saturday. A rescue party near the capital’s coast has worked for days to salvage human remains and wreckage from the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500, as well as two flight recorders. AFP

Honduras migrants form caravans going to US HUNDREDS of asylum seekers are forming new migrant caravans in Honduras, planning to walk thousands of kilometers through Central America to the United States via Guatemala and Mexico, in search of a better life under the new administration of President-elect Joe Biden. A first group of some 300 people set out at dawn on Thursday from San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in Honduras, headed for Corinto, on the border with Guatemala, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest. Traveling in small groups, some bearing the Honduran flag, most of the migrants wore face masks to protect against the coronavirus. “We trust God that Biden is going to help us,” said Amanda, a mother traveling with her 10-year-old son. AFP

US executes former drug dealer in Trump’s final days US FEDERAL authorities executed a former drug trafficker who had contracted Covid-19 late Thursday, and a final execution of Donald Trump’s administration was scheduled for Friday with just five days left of his presidency. Corey Johnson was part of a gang implicated in 10 murders in 1992 in the US state of Virginia. He was convicted in federal court for his involvement in seven of them. The 52-year-old African American received a lethal injection at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, and was pronounced dead at 11:34 pm (0434 GMT Friday). He addressed the families of his victims in his final statement. “I would have said I was sorry before, but I didn’t know how. I hope you will find peace,” he said. AFP

Business China’s 2020 GDP growth slowest in over four decades SHANGHAI―China’s economy grew last year at its slowest pace since transformative market reforms of the 1970s, according to an AFP poll of economists, but finished the year strongly on an accelerating coronavirus recovery. The average forecast of analysts from 13 financial institutions was a 2.0 percent expansion for the world’s second-largest economy, down sharply from 6.1 percent in 2019, itself a threedecade low. China, where the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, was also the first country to emerge from its grip. It is expected to be the only major world economy to post positive 2020 growth. Last year was a roller-coaster one for the country, with an unprecedented contraction in the first quarter caused by pandemic-related lockdowns quickly followed by a rebound as business and consumption returned. The comeback gained pace through the fourth quarter, the analysts said, with encouraging data on consumer spending, factory activity and exports. The poll produced an average forecast of around 6.3-percent growth for the final quarter of 2020, putting China back on its pre-pandemic growth trajectory. “We expect a further pick-up in Q4 GDP growth, driven by strong exports, robust investment growth and a recovery in household consumption,” said Tommy Wu, lead economist with Oxford Economics. In the latest positive sign, exports jumped 18 percent in December and were up 3.6 percent for the full year, according to figures released Thursday. Official GDP growth figures are due for release on Monday. The analysts’ expectations exceed the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of Chinese full-year 2020 growth at 1.9 percent. Either figure would be the worst performance since 1976, when the economy shrank by 1.6 percent. Two years after that, former leader Deng Xiaoping set in motion a shift away from communist-style central planning, turning China into an industrial, trade and tech powerhouse. AFP

UK economy shrank 2.6% in November LONDON―The British economy slumped 2.6 percent in November, official data showed on Friday, hitting reverse on the back of government restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Gross domestic product nosedived in November from upwardly-revised 0.6-percent growth in October, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. The figures meant the economy was 8.5 percent smaller compared with its pre-pandemic level in February, it added. England was placed in partial lockdown in November as the government raced to curb spiking COVID-19 infections, while there were also restrictions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Britain then imposed a strict lockdown earlier this month, similar to the first national coronavirus curbs in place from March to June, as it sought to halt a variant COVID-19 strain that is said to be more transmissible and has sparked surging infections. “The economy took a hit from restrictions put in place to contain the pandemic during November, with pubs and hairdressers seeing the biggest impact,” said Darren Morgan, ONS director for economic statistics. “However, many businesses adjusted to the new working conditions during the pandemic, such as widespread use of click-and-collect as well as the move online. “Manufacturing and construction generally continued to operate, while schools also stayed open, meaning the impact on the economy was significantly smaller in November than during the first lockdown.” He added: “Car manufacturing, bolstered by demand from abroad, housebuilding and infrastructure grew and are now all above their prepandemic levels.” British finance minister Rishi Sunak echoed his remarks from last week when he declared that the economy would worsen before any recovery started to take hold. AFP

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall; Basic Energy, Apollo Global buck trend T HE stock market retreated Friday along with the rest of Asia, as the region met Joe Biden’s $1.90-trillion stimulus proposal with a shrug.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 34.69 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,238.46 on a value turnover of P11 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 120 to 103, with 42 issues unchanged. AC Energy Corp. dropped 2.6 percent to P6.48, while SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group declined 2.4 percent to P1,051. Basic Energy Corp., however, surged 36.2 percent to P1.43, while magnetite iron miner Apollo Global Capital Inc. advanced 7.1 percent to P0.30. The rest of Asian stocks fell as observers said Biden’s massive spending spree had been largely factored into valuations, while profit-taking weighed on markets at the end of a broadly healthy week. Reassurances from Federal Reserve

boss Jerome Powell that record-low interest rates and loose monetary policy would remain in place for some time removed some lingering angst on trading floors, while there remains plenty of optimism about the long-term economic outlook. Surging virus infections and deaths— and the lockdowns they are forcing governments to impose—are the main stumbling blocks for investors, despite the rollout of vaccines that could allow life to return to normal. With days before he takes office, President-elect Biden unveiled his rescue package, which he said addressed “the twin crises of a pandemic and this sinking economy.” While welcomed by investors, the proposals failed to fire a surge in stocks, with Asian markets mostly down with analysts warning that some valuations maybe a little overdone and ripe for investors to cash in their profits. Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok and Wellington were all down, though Hong Kong and Singapore saw gains while Sydney and Shanghai were barely moved.

The plans include an extra $1,400 cash handout for individuals—to top up the $600 in last month’s stimulus— a hike in the minimum wage to $15 an hour and billions of dollars to ramp up vaccinations so that 100 million are administered in 100 days. There is also money for struggling state and local governments, the safe reopening of schools and an extension of unemployment benefits. The need for more economic help was highlighted by data showing new applications for unemployment benefits rose by 181,000 last week, the biggest rise since the pandemic began in March. But analysts warned that while Democrats have control of Congress, the spending plans were far from guaranteed to get through untouched. “Given the distaste Republicans have for state aid, Mr Biden’s bipartisan hopes will be immediately tested,” said OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley. “We have no visibility from the Republican Senators about how bipartisan they will feel, if at all. The US Senate minority may yet filibuster the hopes of President Biden.” With AFP

Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are displayed at Samsung 837 on January 11, 2021 in New York City. AFP

PSEi January 15, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

AR TBGI

0.0051 0.55

0.0017 0.18

50.00% 48.65%

BSC

1.43

0.38

36.19%

SLI

2.57

0.57

28.50%

5 6

IS DWC

0.235 3.2

0.052 0.6

28.42% 23.08%

ECP

8.68

1.35

18.42%

8 9

PMPC PA

6.35 4.4

0.93 0.64

17.16% 17.02%

OPM

0.014

0.002

16.67%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

PBC PHES

20.25 0.385

-2.25 -0.035

-10.00% -8.33%

ABSP

12.6

-1

-7.35%

4 5

VUL SHLPH

1.21 20.3

-0.09 -1.1

-6.92% -5.14%

SSI

1.5

-0.07

-4.46%

FERRO

4.29

-0.19

-4.24%

8 9 10

SUN SGI LC

2.26 1.16 0.166

-0.1 -0.05 -0.007

-4.24% -4.13% -4.05%

MOST ACTIVE 1

BSC

VOLUME 1262820000

VALUE (PHP) 1655558400

2 3

APL PHA

3841170000 216921000

1184746200 633257460

4 5

AR ACEN

135581000000 604074400 70328900 474304876

6 7

BDO DITO

3823540 24922200

429727058 300709256

8 9

TBGI SMPH

586660000 6409400

288697100 255475395

MRC

319677000

246420450

Samsung unveils S21 smartphone lineup, cuts price from last year SAN FRANCISCO―Samsung on Thursday unveiled a new Galaxy S21 smartphone lineup, with prices lowered by some $200 from the prior generation of the South Korean giant’s flagship handsets. Unveiled in a streamed presentation, the S21 device with a 6.2-inch display is available for order at an entry price of $800 for US customers. The global smartphone leader also unveiled the 6.7-inch S21 Plus and premium S21 Ultra handsets, with a 6.8-inch display. All the devices support the ultrafast 5G wireless networks being rolled out globally. “We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home,

we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigorous multimedia demands of our continuously changing routines,” said TM Roh, head of mobile communications for Samsung Electronics. The move follows Apple’s decision to largely hold the line on prices for its iPhone while offering a range of handsets at various price points. Samsung’s new lineup will range up to a $1,200 starting price for its Ultra S21, the most feature-rich device in the group. “The premium smartphone market is resetting itself,” said Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research, “We’re seeing a return to more moderate pricing. Companies can only

go so far and they are retreating to the prices they had several years ago.” Samsung touted its improved processors and camera technology and new design for the Android-powered smartphones. “Samsung somehow found a way to make the slab-with-camera-cutout design more visually interesting than in the past,” said Avi Greengart, an analyst with the research firm Techsponential. The new handsets also offer edge-toedge display to allow for a lighter device and automatic adjustments for blue light to reduce eye strain. Greengart said the new smartphones “look better in real life than in photos” and that “distinctive design should not be underestimated as an indicator to

consumers that the phone is different and new.” Samsung has been at or near the top of the smartphone market in recent years and sold an estimated 80 million handsets in the third quarter, ahead of Chinese firms Huawei and Xiaomi and US-based Apple. The smartphone market has been roiled by the global coronavirus pandemic, with the economy in turmoil but with consumers more reliant on their devices. Samsung’s release, on the final day of the digital-only Consumer Electronics Show, comes earlier than usual, according to Greengart and “undercuts Samsung’s main competitor, Apple’s iPhone 12, on price as well.” AFP

COVID-19 prompts popular travel spots to rethink mass tourism By Lea Dauple PARIS, France―The coronavirus pandemic has forced famous tourist destinations to question their business model, though economic realities are likely to stand in the way of major changes. Nature has quickly replaced hordes of visitors at sites like Machu Picchu in Peru, where sightings of elusive Andean bears have caused a buzz among conservationists. And in Thailand, which has seen a drop in arrivals of more than 83 percent, marine fauna including dugongs, turtles and whale sharks are enjoying a rebound. The Thai government has decided to close more than 150 national parks for an average of three months a year and to limit access so that animal and plant life can flourish. “From now on, we want quality tourism, we don’t want a mass tourist influx into our national parks,” said Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of natural resources and the environment. Visitor fees might have to rise to compensate for the lost income but “it is the price we have to pay” to preserve natural resources, he told AFP. Educating travelers Access to Machu Picchu has also been curbed, and Peruvian authorities are mulling over ways to develop a more exclusive model. Local mayor Darwin Baca said they hope tourists can be convinced to stay longer, for example with guided visits

This file combination of pictures created on May 13, 2020 shows tourists visiting Park Guell in Barcelona on August 10, 2017 (top) and the same place, empty, on May 13, 2020, during the national lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. In several countries, the forced stoppage of mass tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic gives food for thought on the damage it causes, but the extreme dependence on the income and jobs generated by foreign visitors makes any development difficult. AFP

to natural sites such as waterfalls while waiting to see Machu Picchu. The site normally takes in about $5.5 billion per year according to official estimates. Jean-Francois Rial, head of the travel agency Voyageurs du Monde, thought it might be possible to “educate visitors” to seek out less well known sites, or to visit outside of the peak seasons.

Officials in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which typifies the effects of excessive tourism, want to attract tourists to places outside the walls of the cramped medieval city. They also want “to reposition Dubrovnik into a destination of excellence and sustainable tourism,” said Ana Hrnic, director of the Dubrovnik tourist board. The pandemic might turn out to be

“a chance to move towards more responsible tourism” over the long term, said Damien Chaney, a marketing professor at the French business school EM Normandie. “For radical solutions to emerge, it generally takes an external shock, such as COVID-19,” he noted. ‘Addicted’ to tourist dollars But for many, tourism is big, often vital, business. In Tunisia, where it accounts for 14 percent of gross domestic product, the number of visitors to the island of Djerba has plunged by 80 percent. “All indicators are flashing red,” said Hichem Mehouachi, the region’s tourist commissioner. In Barcelona, Spain, most restaurants near the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica or along the well-trodden thoroughfare of Las Ramblas have closed or are struggling to make ends meet without tourists. “Tourism kicked out local residents and now that the tourists are gone, there is nothing,” said Marti Cuso, a social worker who has been campaigning against tourists invading the city center. Pablo Diaz, an economy professor at the Open University of Catalonia, added: “COVID has proved that tourism dependence turns some areas into a desert.” Guido Moltedo, founder of the Italian news website Ytali, has launched a petition calling on museums in Venice to reopen and for a consultation on the city’s future and its cultural vision. AFP

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, January 15, 2021

-34.69 PTS. 7,238.46

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

23,554,431,428 157,738 11,875,086,799.17 110 110 50

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0670

Japan

Yen

0.009635

0.4631

Pound

1.369100

65.8085

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128972

6.1993

Switzerland

Franc

1.126126

54.1295

Canada

Dollar

0.791452

38.0427

Singapore

Dollar

0.754945

36.2879

Australia

Dollar

0.777700

37.3817

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652801

127.5122

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

12.8137

Brunei

Dollar

0.752106

36.1515

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033344

1.6027

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0873

Euro

1.216000

58.4495

Korea

Won

0.000913

0.0439

China

Yuan

0.154416

7.4223

India

Rupee

0.013686

0.6578

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247893

11.9155

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721000

34.6563

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035735

1.7177 Source: BSP

Alsons gets ‘PRS A plus’ rating on P2-b debt issuance By Alena Mae S. Flores THE proposed P2-billion debt issuance of Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. received a “PRS A plus (corp.)” rating with a stable outlook from Philippine Rating Services Corp. The P2-billion new commercial paper issue is part of the P3 billion that Alsons plans to issue and list within the year, pending approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alson’s previous CP issuance of up to P2.5 billion which was registered with the SEC in 2018 was also assessed by PhilRatings with a similar rating grade. The “PRS A plus (corp.)” rating means the company has an above average capacity to meet financial commitments relative to other Philippine corporates. “We are glad that PhilRatings has demonstrated anew its confidence in ACR with a ‘PRS A plus’ rating for our new CP program. We have once more deemed it favorable to tap the short-term capital markets for our working capital needs as we continue to pursue power projects that we hope will contribute to the economic recovery of our country... ,” Alsons deputy chief financial officer Philip Sagun said in a statement Friday. Among the factors cited by the credit rating agency as basis for the rating were “the positive growth prospects for Mindanao which will bring about an increasing demand for power” and Alsons’ “ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects.” The “stable outlook” means the rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next 12 months. Alsons is building a P4.5 billion, 14.5-megawatt run-of -river hydroelectric power plant at the Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani province, the company’s foray into renewable energy. The hydropower plant is expected to begin commercial operations by 2022.

NEW BSP COMPLEX. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority sign a contract for lease of a parcel of land at the New Clark City’s National Government Administrative Center in Capas, Tarlac that will become the site of the new BSP Complex. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno (upper left) and BCDA president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon (upper right) sign the contract during a virtual ceremony. Covering more than 300,000 square meters, the new BSP Complex will house the BSP’s facilities for security printing, minting and refining, cash operations, production of National ID and other structures and facilities.

Gross international reserves surged to $110b in December By Julito G. Rada

HE gross international reserves rose by $5 billion in December to a record $109.8 billion at the end of 2020 from $104.82 billion in November, surpassing the full-year target of $105 billion set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The reserves were significantly higher than $87.83 billion registered in December 2019, BSP data showed Friday. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement the month-on-month increase in the reserves’ level reflected inflows mainly from the BSP’s foreign exchange operations, national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP representing proceeds from the issuance of ROP global bonds, and revaluation gains from the BSP’s gold holdings amid the increase in the prices of the precious metal in the international market. “These inflows were partly offset, however, by the national government’s payments of its foreign currency debt obliga-

tions,” Diokno said. He said the latest GIR level represented an adequate external liquidity buffer, which could help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks. The buffer was equivalent to 11.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It was also about 9.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.5 times based on residual maturity. The net international reserves, which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, also increased $5 billion to $109.8 billion as of end-December from the end-November 2020 level of $104.8 billion. Data showed that the BSP’s gold holdings increased to $11.605 billion in December from $10.747 billion in November 2020. It was also up from just $8 billion in December 2019. BSP’s foreign investments, mainly in US treasuries, increased to $93.43 billion in December from $89.28 billion in November and $75.30 billion a year ago. Other components of the GIR were $2.73 billion in foreign exchange, $1.22 billion in special drawing rights and $812.9 billion in reserve position in the International Monetary Fund.

EDC’S AWARDS.

Energy Development Corp.’s BaconManito Geothermal facility, which straddles the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon, bag gold and bronze awards in the recentlyconcluded 16th Energy, Safety, Health and Environment Conference of the Safety & Health Association of the Philippines’ Energy Sector Inc. in partnership with the Department of Energy.

DOF secures $13.36-b foreign loans, grants for COVID-19 response THE Department of Finance said Friday it secured $13.36 billion in loans and grants from external sources for the government’s COVID-19 response programs in 2020. It said it was working to raise another $1.46 billion (P70 billion) from multilateral lenders, bilateral partners or the domestic market for the procurement of vaccines to inoculate at least 50 million Filipinos against the lethal virus. The P70 billion forms part of the P82.5-billion budget required to provide COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate adult Filipinos. The remaining amount of P12.5 billion will come from the P2.5-billion portion of the budget of the Department of Health under the 2021 General Appropriations Act. The P10 billion will come from the funds allocated for the COVID-19 vac-

cination program under Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2). The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are among the sources of funding for the vaccine fund. “We will fully recover from this crisis once a safe and effective vaccine becomes available to us, on the strength of our enduring macroeconomic fundamentals,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement. Data showed the ADB was the biggest loan provider for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response programs. It approved and signed with the DOF a total of $3.93 billion in loans and another $8 million in grants related to the government’s pandemic response measures as of Dec. 15. About $2.27 billion in loans was se-

cured by the DOF from the World Bank, while another $750 million will be provided by the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The government of Japan, through Japan International Cooperation Agency, signed a $458.95-million loan with the DOF for the second phase of its PostDisaster Standby Loan to the Philippines and another $458.95 million loan for the government’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support program in the third quarter of 2020. Japan also extended a $18.36-million non-project grant for the provision of medical equipment to the DOH. France’s L’Agence Française de Développement provided $276.2 million, while Korea, through the Korean Export-Import Bank-Economic Development Cooperation Fund, pledged $100 million. Julito G. Rada

‘21 e-commerce sales expected to expand to $4.42b By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine e-commerce is expected to expand by at least 47.3 percent in 2021 to $4.42 billion in terms of revenues, the Lobien Realty Group said Friday. Lobien associate director and chief market officer Steph Ng said in a virtual briefing sales from electronics and various media products would push sales to new record levels. “Revenues are expected to hit more than $4 billion this year. The e-commerce market here in the Philippines is continuously growing given the wider reach of the Internet,” she said. Transactions from electronics and media sales may reach $1.15 billion by the end of 2021, based on the realty firm’s estimates. Ng said about 71 percent of the country’s population have access to the internet and about 70 percent of those are online shoppers. “The pandemic has contributed greatly to the number of people doing online transactions, which is why digital payments have become the new normal. So both buyers and sellers are trying to avoid physical contact which is why they prefer cashless transactions,” she said. Lobien said the logistics sector in the Philippines was projected to grow by 8.2 percent annually from 2020 to 2025. By 2024, the logistics sector would have reached $1.1 trillion in industry value. The Philippines is ranked 60th out of 168 countries in the logistics performance index of the World Bank in 2018. Ng cited major retail and corporate conglomerates for heavily investing into logistics, like Ayala Corp., the SM Group of Companies and Filinvest Land Inc.

Manila Water, Tubig Pilipinas sign San Jose supply venture By Jenniffer B. Austria MANILA Water Co. Inc. said Friday its unit signed a water supply agreement with Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc. and San Jose City Water District to provide potable water in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the joint venture agreement between Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., Tubig Pilipinas and SJCWD covers the design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, operation, financing, expansion and management of the water supply and sanitation facilities and services in San Jose City. The agreement was finalized after the consortium obtained a 25-year contract in December 2018. Manila Water earlier said the whole project would require a capital expenditure of more than P1.4 billion during the 25-year period. The San Jose water project is estimated to have a billed volume of about 21 million liters per day by the end of the 25-year contract. MWPVI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Water. Manila Water formed the unit to serve as the vehicle for expansion within the Philippines. It has projects in Clark, Cebu, Boracay, Laguna, Bulacan, Leyte, Davao and Pangasinan. Manila Water said last month its consortium with French water distributor Saur Group and Saudi’s Miahona Company bagged a water deal with National Water Company in Saudi Arabia. The seven-year agreement covers the implementation of enabling projects and the management of the water and wastewater facilities and systems of the North West Cluster served by National Water Company. The cluster includes the cities of Madinah and Tabuk, comprised of 300,000 square kilometers of land area, with more than 3 million population.

IN BRIEF

Broadband prices fell 60% in 4 years

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Friday the cost of broadband services fell by more than 60 percent in the last four years amid efforts to improve its network performance. It said from as high as P26 per gigabytes, the price of Globe At Home Postpaid LTE dropped to P9 per GB over the last two years, representing a 65.4-percent decrease. “Likewise, for Globe at Home Prepaid Wi-Fi, our most affordable and loadable internet for the masses, customers now pay P9 per GB only from as high as P23 in 2017; P15 in 2018; and P10 in 2019 or a decrease of 60.87 percent since 2017,” it said. Globe At Home wired customers now have unlimited data access compared to paying up to P13 per GB in 2016. Globe said alongside the improvement in prices was the improvement in average download speeds in the country. Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT’s fiber network exceeds 429,000 km PLDT Group said Friday its fiber infrastructure reached over 429,000 kilometers as of December 2020, the most extensive in the country. The fiber infrastructure supports Smart’s mobile networks, which now cover 96 percent of the population and are available in 95 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities. Smart also increased the number of its base stations to more than 59,000 at the end of 2020 and rolled out additional 5G sites as it accelerated its 5G commercial services nationwide. “The year 2020 was a fateful year for many, but it also accelerated our digital transformation,” said Alfredo Panlilio, Smart Communications president and chief executive and PLDT chief revenue officer. “Building on the strengths of our technological capabilities and laser focus on customer-centricity, we stepped into 2021 with many new aspirations. Our journey continues further by capitalizing on the various improvements we made in 2020, when we pivoted toward market leadership. This year, we will accelerate our capabilities and achieve more milestones,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

AC Motors eyes 10% share of the market AC MOTORS Automotive Group, a wholly-owned unit of AC Industrial Technology Holdings Inc. of the Ayala Group, said Friday plans to obtain at a market share of 10 percent for its five automotive brands in the next five years. AC Motors president Antonio Zara III said this was the company’s vision after the Philippine automotive industry sustained massive losses in 2020 amid the health crisis. “As a show of our confidence and commitment to the industry, our distributor brands are working on at launching at least six models in 2021. We are also planning to open 6 company-owned showrooms across our five auto brands in addition to franchised appointments,” he said. The Philippine automotive sector posted a 40-percent drop in sales in 2020, not only because of the strict lockdowns but also because of the slow demand as families and companies prioritized essential commodities while in crisis. Othel V. Campos

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

PH athletics team gets bubble nod By Peter Atencio

Christian Wood of the Houston Rockets is shown after dunking against the San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

PSC case vs payroll cheats goes to RTC THE Department of Justice found probable cause on the complaint filed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation against former employees involved in a payroll padding scheme. In a 23-page resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Moises Acayan, Sr. Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon and Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, the filing of several counts of qualified theft, attempted qualified theft, cyberrelated forgery and computerrelated fraud have been recommended against Paul Ignacio, Michaelle Jones Velarde and Lymuel Seguilla. PSC chairman Butch Ramirez has been resolutely following the case. After the fraud was discovered, Ramirez immediately ordered a shake-up and reorganization of the sports agency. “It is a regrettable incident but it compelled us to fast-track upgrades and consider a secondlook at existing processes,” he explained. Aside from the National Bureau of Investigation which has been helping the PSC from the onset, the sports chief also disclosed that they sought the help of the Office of the Solicitor General and the Anti-Money Laundering Council in ensuring that the funds are returned to the government. As recommended in the DOJ resolution, cases will be filed in the Regional Trial Court of Imus, Cavite. In July last year, Ignacio was discovered redirecting funds to his own bank account. He used to handle payroll preparation for the agency. During the investigation, two more employees were discovered working in connivance with Ignacio.

Wood stars as Rockets thump Spurs, 109-105 L

OS ANGELES—The Houston Rockets put this week’s franchise-altering trade in the rear view mirror on Thursday night as they kicked off their post-James Harden era with a gutsy comeback NBA win over the San Antonio Spurs. Journeyman Christian Wood scored a team high 27 points and had 15 rebounds for the Rockets in a 109-105 win over the Spurs a day after Houston sent shockwaves through the NBA when they traded three time league scoring champion Harden to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a mammoth multi-team deal. Sterling Brown delivered 23 points and Jae’Sean Tate had 13 points and 10 assists for short-handed Houston, who were coming off back-to-back blowout losses at home to the Los Angeles Lakers. Asked what the feeling was like in the Rockets’ dressing room one day after the blockbuster deal, Wood correlated it to the never give up mindset of the late Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. “We have the Mamba mentality. That means everybody is thinking, everybody has a lot to prove,” Wood said. “We are all dogs out there. It starts with DeMarcus (Cousins)

to me. Everybody wants to come out and play hard.” The blockbuster trade came less than 24 hours after the disgruntled Harden declared that the Rockets were “not even close, honestly” to the league’s top competition. Wood is with his sixth team in five NBA seasons since turning pro with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015. Houston signed him in November to a three-year deal after he played 62 games with the Detroit Pistons last season. “My life long dream is to play in this league,” Wood said. “Me being cut shows my resilience. I was tired of being cut. I was tired of being waived. I just had to keep going. “Every single night I have to come out and think I am the best player.” Wood made his Rockets’ debut in December, tallying 31 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in a thrilling 128-126 over t i me loss to Portland.

Thursday’s win was just as entertaining as the Rockets held on for the victory after being outscored 52-45 over the second and third quarters. Spurs star DeMar DeRozan’s shot as the clock was winding down bounced twice on the rim before falling harmlessly away to seal the win for the Rockets. In Portland, Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the visiting Indiana Pacers to a 111-87 win over the Trail Blazers, who lost centre Jusuf Nurkic with a broken wrist. Malcolm Brogdon added 25 points and seven assists for the Pacers, who improved to 4-1 on the road and snapped an 11-game losing skid in Portland. Nurkic injured Indiana built a 25 point lead in the second quarter and held a double-digit cushion the rest of the way. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard each scored 22 points for the Trail Blazers. Nurkic, of Bosnia-Herzegovina, headed to the dressing room in the third quarter holding his right wrist and the Blazers later announced he suffered a fracture. Elsewhere, Chris Boucher matched his career best with 25 points and added 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors held off the Charlotte Hor nets 111-108. AFP

MEMBERS of the national athletics team will finally be able to go into physical training late this month. They will go into a training camp bubble at the New Clark City Athletics stadium for two months beginning January 27. The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, led by its president Philip Ella Juico, has finally gotten approval from the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases to have their athletes to finally go into preparations for numerous international meets this year. PATAFA’s Marketing and Communications chief Edward Kho said the workouts are meant to get national team members in shape for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in July and the Vietnam SEA Games in November. After that, the national athletes are slated to take part in the rescheduled 2020 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships in the same venue from March 19 to 21. Meanwhile, a virtual running event this February will get the programs of the PATAFA going on a bright note. One of them is the Fineguard Sport National Half-Marathon Virtual Challenge, which will be a 21-km distance event from Feb. 22 to 28. Designed for participants, who are at home during the pandemic, it will be a weeklong event that can be done indoors or outdoors. Runners can do their running on a treadmill or on the road with one continuous session of running within the day or at any time during a 24-hour period. Participants do not have to necessarily continuously run, since they may opt to walk some or r un to cover large portions of the distance. By April, the PATAFA will hold a series of national technical officiating courses, meant to improve the level of athletics in the country by creating a basic level of officiating skills at the grassroots level.

National boxers raring to train MEMBERS of the national boxing team have started to arrive for the Olympic training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna yesteday. Nesthy Petecio, who is seeking to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in the featherweight devision, led the the early birds, who also include men’s team members Marjon Pianar and Junmilardo Ogayre. They were joined by Carlo Paalam, Marvin Tabamo, John Paul Panuayan, Mario Fernandez, Aira Villegas, Analyn Cellon, and Josie Gabuco later in the afternoon. Irish Magno, who had already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, comes in today, Saturday. Other national squad members Ian Clark Bautista, James Palicte, Jere Dela Cruz, and Riza Pasuit will follow on Monday.

Nesthy Petecio

Members of the national karate and taekwondo teams are expected to be inside the bubble in the next two days. National team members will be doing their physical workout in isolation for the next 90 days to get ready for their respective Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. The Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball squad has been around since Sunday. A nine-man group from the Philippine Sports Commission’s medical team has joined the national athletes to make sure that health and safety protocols will be strictly followed. They were led by the PSC-Medical Scientific Athletes Ser vices head Dr. Jan is de Vera, who will be i n coordination with the Department of Health and Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases. Peter Atencio

French motorcyclist dies after Dakar Rally fall PARIS—French motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin has died from his injuries after a fall during the Dakar Rally, becoming the notoriously perilous race’s first fatality this year, organisers said on Friday. Cherpin, 52, died during his medical transfer to France after he crashed at 178 kilometres (110 miles) per hour on Sunday. “During his transfer by medical plane from Jeddah to France, Pierre Cherpin died from the injuries caused by his fall,” a statement said. Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves died last year during the race, which bills itself as the “world’s toughest and biggest rally”.

Cherpin, who was competing in his fourth Dakar Rally, was found unconscious after his crash and taken to hospital in Sakaka before he was airlifted to Jedda. After emergency neurosurgery, the entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast had been in an induced coma and was in a stable condition ahead of his transfer to Lille. “I am an amateur, I don’t want to win but to discover landscapes that I would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise,” he said earlier, according to the statement. “Everything is exciting: riding the bike, living your passion, getting to know yourself.” AFP

A handout photo made available on January 15, 2021 by ASO shows Pierre Cherpin of France riding his motorcycle during the 1st stage of the 2021 Dakar Rally in Jeddah. Cherpin has died on January 15, 2021 from injuries he sustained during a fall in the 7th stage from Ha’il to Sakaka. AFP

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Globe, Microsoft Office 365

fuse to power virtual education G

LOBE expands its initiatives to maximize digital education through Microsoft Office 365 solutions. Due to COVID-19, digital learning emerged as a means to continue communication and collaboration between students and teachers while at home. However, because of insufficient digital infrastructure and tools not all educational institutions are equipped to manage remote learning.

With Globe and Microsoft teaming up, learning continues even at the confines of the homes.

“It is a perfect time for educational institutions to maximize the learning and productivity platforms that teachers, students, and staff can use to make sure that learning is uninterrupted. With Globe and Microsoft teaming up, we can assure that learning continues even at the confines of the homes”, said Mark Abalos, Globe’s Segment Head for Education. Compared to other Learning Management Systems (LMS), Microsoft Office 365 Education offers a richer, more secure, more affordable, and more productive platform that works across a range of devices. It also provides educational resources suited to every teacher and learner’s need, style, and budget. The platform can significantly improve the process and the delivery of virtual learning. The Office 365 Education platform creates a modern classroom all in the cloud for a professional learning environment. Educators can easily monitor student participation, manage assignments and feedback, as well as create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations needed for the class. In addition, it can support the school’s

learning program, whether blended, face-to-face, or purely virtual. During this health crisis, Globe has continuously provided technology that can digitally transform learning. In addition to ﬂexible learning solutions and tools for educational institutions, Globe offers a comprehensive onboarding process, teacher training, and after-sales support. Even with the hopeful release of the COVID-19 vaccine, virtual learning is both the safest and most reliable method to continue education. With the help of Globe and Microsoft, educational institutions will be provided with stable, reliable, and secure platforms that can maximize digital learning through this health crisis. #Reinvent the way we learn. By bridging teachers to information and technology that enable continuous learning, especially during times of crisis, Globe continues to prove itself an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning and in improving resilience in education. Learn more about our offers at https:// www.globe.com.ph/business/sme/ education-offers.html

LG launches webOS 6.0 Smart TV platform LG Electronics recently announced the introduction of webOS 6.0 for its 2021 OLED, NanoCell and UHD smart TVs. Paired with the new Magic Remote, the latest version of the company’s acclaimed smart TV platform offers viewers a more enjoyable and intuitive content discovery experience. The upgraded LG ThinQ AI in webOS 6.0 supports new voice commands for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, making TV management and searching across streaming services, internet and broadcast channels easier than ever before. Users familiar with webOS will immediately notice the attractively updated home screen redesigned for enhanced usability and to meet the needs of viewers’ changing content consumption habits. The New Home screen provides faster access to the most frequently used apps and streamlines content discovery with recommendations based on the user’s preferences and viewing history. All displayed full-screen to show preferred content and related information at one glance, the New Home acts as a central hub for settings and the greater webOS ecosystem. Beyond the new premium design, Magic Remote offers simpler controls when using voice recognition with LG’s multi-AI offerings of LG ThinQ, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Simple to navigate, slick,

LG's webOS 6.0

easy to hold and use, the new Magic Remote offers more user-friendly features including faster connections between the TV and other devices and hot keys for accessing popular content providers such as Netﬂix, Amazon Prime and Disney+.* Magic Tap, a onetouch NFC function on the Magic Remote, provides instant access to a host of exciting viewing possibilities. By simply touching an NFC-enabled smartphone to the remote, viewers can share content from their phones

to the TV or vice versa. Users can view content stored on their mobile phones on their LG TVs while continuing to use their favorite smartphone apps and features. Leveraging the latest in AI technology, TV voice controls and Magic Remote, all viewers have to do to get the info they need is speak up. Magic Explorer, an enhanced version of LG’s Magic Link, delivers informative content related to what’s showing on screen so viewers can learn more about the

Experts connect SolarWinds attack with Kazuar backdoor ON December 13, 2020, FireEye, Microsoft and SolarWinds announced the discovery of a large, sophisticated supply chain attack that deployed a new, previously unknown malware “Sunburst” used against SolarWinds’ Orion IT customers. Kaspersky’s experts found various specific code similarities between Sunburst and known versions of Kazuar backdoors—the type of malware that provides remote access to a victim’s machine. The new findings provide insights that can help the researchers move forward in the investigation of the attack. While studying the Sunburst backdoor Kaspersky’s experts discovered a number of features that overlap with a previously identified Kazuar, a backdoor written using the .NET framework first reported by Palo Alto in 2017 and used in the cyber espionage attacks across the globe. Multiple similarities in code suggest a connection between Kazuar and Sunburst, albeit of undetermined nature. The overlapped features between Sunburst and Kazuar include the victim UID generation algorithm, the sleeping algorithm and the extensive usage of the FNV-1a hash. According to the experts, these code fragments are not 100% identical, suggesting Kazuar and Sunburst may be related, though the nature of this relation is still not entirely clear. After the Sunburst malware was first deployed, in February 2020, Kazuar continued to evolve and later 2020 variants are even more similar in some

respect to Sunburst. Overall, during the years of Kazuar evolution, the experts observed a continuous development, in which significant features which bear resemblance to Sunburst, were added. While these similarities between Kazuar and Sunburst are notable, there could be a lot of reasons for their existence, including Sunburst being developed by the same group as Kazuar, Sunburst developers using Kazuar as an inspiration point, the move of one of Kazuar developers to the Sunburst team, or both groups behind Sunburst and Kazuar having obtained their malware from the same source. “The identified connection does not give away who was behind the SolarWinds attack, however, it provides more insights that can help the researchers move forward in this investigation. We believe it’s important that other researchers around the world investigate these similarities and attempt to discover more facts about Kazuar and the origin of Sunburst, the malware used in the SolarWinds breach,” comments Costin Raiu, director of Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team. “Judging from past experience, for instance, looking back to the WannaCry attack, in the early days, there were very few facts linking them to the Lazarus group. In time, more evidence appeared and allowed us, and others, to link them together with high confidence. Further research on this topic is crucial for connecting the dots,” adds Raiu.

actors, locations and other items of interest in the movies and shows they’re watching. The content dependent feature also delivers the easiest and friendliest shopping experience for products appearing across select broadcast channels and LG TV services including Live TV, Gallery, Settings and TV Guide by changing the color of the cursor whenever Magic Explorer has information to share. What’s more, the new Next Picks feature analyzes viewers’ preferences to discover more content suited to their tastes. Using viewing history data, Next Picks recommends two live programs from broadcast or set-top box offerings as well as one VOD title or app that viewers will find most to their liking, saving viewers the time and hassle of finding what to watch next. “The latest version of our user-friendly open TV platform webOS 6.0 represents the most significant update since we first introduced webOS in 2014,” said Park Hyoung-sei, president of LG Home Entertainment Company. “With the new edition of webOS, LG is demonstrating its commitment of offering services, products and technologies that respond to the needs and wants of our valued customers.” LG’s newest TVs featuring webOS 6.0 will be on display in LG’s virtual exhibition booth during CES 2021.

Google, CANVAS bring #YOUTHink to help fight misinformation GOOGLE and the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) partnered to launch #YOUTHink, a local magazine that aims to help in the quest of ending misinformation through media literacy education. Google provided funding support for the development, design, and publication of the magazine which is being initially distributed for free to 5,000 youths in disadvantaged communities all over the country. The tech company conceived the title of the magazine to put emphasis on two elements: “youth” which is a vital force in addressing misinformation, and “critical thinking” which is necessary to exercise before believing, posting or sharing any information online. “We are hard at work to connect people to trusted information and reduce the spread of harmful content by constantly updating our policies and product features. As a result, from February to September 2020 alone, over 200,000 videos related to dangerous or misleading coronavirus information were removed on YouTube. Global watchtime on authoritative news content on the video platform grew by more than 75% in the ﬁrst three months of 2020 as well,” said Yves Gonzalez, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google Philippines. Gonzalez added, “We believe that addressing misinformation is an ecosystem effort and founded on education, that is why we partnered with CANVAS to publish a material that can help tackle the issue and promote critical thinking.” Filled with data and case studies, the 42-page magazine comes in a fun and creative zine-style format to engage young readers. It covers several topics such as the types of misinformation and their negative effects, why context matters, how to identify a fact from an opinion, and how to avoid falling for fake information. Fun expressive stickers are also included with every copy of the magazine. Contributing writers include the following: former COMELEC commissioner Atty. Luie Guia; infectious diseases specialist Dr. Edsel Salvana; scientist, and radio and TV speaker Dr. Reina Reyes; Ateneo de Manila University assistant professor of Philosophy Dr. Jacklyn Cleofas; and UP professor specializing in research on political communication and news media effects Dr. Clarissa David.

Infinix unveils sleek, fast, long-lasting Note 8 in PH INFINIX, the premium online-driven smartphone brand, recently launched Note 8 in the Philippines. Targeted at the mid-tohigh end market segment, the brand’s new ﬂagship model comes with a high-performance MediaTek Helio G80 processor, an immersive 6.95” screen, a large dual front camera, 64MP Ultra HD 6 cameras, and a massive fast-charging Silver Diamond 5200mAh battery. The new Note 8 will be sold at P8,490 in all Inﬁnix retail channels nationwide and soon on Lazada and Shopee. Excellent all-round performance for work and play The high-performance MediaTek Helio G80 processor with MediaTek HyperEngine Game Technology powers Note 8, making it incredibly fast while ensuring a reliable and smooth allaround performance. Providing uninterrupted performance is Note 8’s new fast-charging system with embedded power marathon tech and a 5200mAh battery, which means long hours of gameplay or bingewatching for avid gamers and entertainment buffs and crucial connectivity while on the go for professionals and entrepreneurs. While charging, Note 8’s dual-engine technology

reduces heat by 8 degrees, keeping it cool. Taking the audio-visual experience to a whole new level Equipped with the biggest dual front camera screen in the industry, a 20.5:9 screen with dual super tiny camera punch-holes, Note 8’s display wraps around making media consumption more enjoyable. The precise cut of the phone’s 6.95" Dual Infinity-O Display ensures the camera produces excellent picture quality while its dual surround-sound speakers with DTS complete the Note 8’s immersive audiovisual experience. Making stable videos easy To satisfy mobile phone users’ exacting demands in the 5G era, Infinix continuously improves its smartphones’ cameras. Note 8 is equipped with top-of-the-line high definition 64MP Ultra HD 6 Cameras and eye-tracking autofocus that capture pro-grade photos in incredible detail and crystal-clear clarity. It also has an AI Cam that automatically detects scenes and optimizes images to perfection. In today’s TikTok and vlogging world, there is a high demand to produce professional-quality videos while on the go. After intense testing and evaluation, Infinix’s development team selected Vidhance’s video enhancement solution, which it had already implemented in Note 7. But that’s not all. Note 8’s Slow Motion Capture shoots every frame of the action without missing any detail, while Ultra Night Mode 2.0 produces uncompromising results under low light conditions.

Tech & Gadgets

MART Cities are fast becoming one of the world’s most critical industries as more countries invest in technologies to improve the delivery of government service.

In its simplest essence, a smart city is all about providing people a better quality of life by using different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. The insights gained from that data are utilized to manage assets, resources, and even services efﬁciently, helping governments to improve their operations across the city. It also enables e-governance or the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all the processes to enhance the government's ability to address the needs of the public. By 2025, smart city development worldwide is estimated to create business opportunities worth $2.46 trillion, as revealed by a report released by tech research ﬁrm Frost and Sullivan. This trend is driven by the uncertainties of the postpandemic work, which will compel cities to focus more on developing collaborative, data-driven infrastructure to provide healthcare and public security, as well as resilience to natural disasters. Laying the Groundwork In the Philippines, the national government has been pushing the adoption of smart city technologies. For instance, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), being the country’s primary agency promoting the adoption of eGovernment Services (ICTES), has developed the E-Government Masterplan (EGMP) 2022. This plan outlines DICT’s intent of developing the country’s e-government systems through the digital transformation of services, such as public health, education, and other programs that cut across the whole of government. By doing so, DICT aims to create a networked and collaborative environment for improved public service delivery. Additionally, as the ongoing pandemic accelerates innovation, some local governments have laid their plans for their smart city initiatives, especially on e-governance. Baguio City, for instance, has recently announced its investments to transform into e-government using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and other web-based telecommunication technologies, such as crowd density monitoring and real-time weather prediction, to improve the

Smart cities, e-governance help urban resilience

By 2025, smart city development worldwide is estimated to create business opportunities worth $2.46 trillion.

delivery of public service. Aside from Baguio, the New Clark City in Pampanga, Davao, Cebu, and Manila have also previously laid the groundwork to make their areas smarter through the adoption of e-governance technologies. The need for the adoption For Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, the digital transformation and e-governance initiatives of all the cities in the country, just like the other smart cities across the globe, provide an opportunity to make the entire Philippines more resilient challenges like the current public health crisis or natural calamities. Last year, the country was identiﬁed as one of the most vulnerable to climate change by the Global Peace Index of the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP)

due to its high exposure to natural hazards, such as typhoons, landslides, ﬂoods, and droughts, as well as its heavy reliance to its climate-sensitive natural resources. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) also noted that more tropical cyclones are entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) than anywhere else in the world. Recently, the Philippines experienced ﬁve typhoons in a row—Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, and Ulysses—which all made landfall in the country within at least a month. All these typhoons left trails of devastation, which include physical injuries, casualties, and damages to agriculture and other properties. “Following this devastation, preparedness for typhoons and other calamities has never been more important, for instance, in getting necessary data where they can draw

insights to efﬁciently conduct pre-evacuation of residents in ﬂood-prone and vulnerable areas. And as IT becomes integral, government agencies must have a ready infrastructure in place to ensure that services go on unhampered and citizens have access to services they need,” said Jason Lim, country manager of Vertiv Philippines. To help local governments in tackling these IT infrastructure challenges, Vertiv brings together cutting-edge E-Governance Solutions to ensure uninterrupted operations, optimal performance, and scalability of data centers, communication networks, and other critical IT facilities needed in creating smarter and more resilient cities. To learn more about how Vertiv supports the continuity of today’s vital business and government applications, visit Vertiv.com.

Affordable 4G smartphone experience with new Nokia C1 Plus, 1st on Shopee BUILDING on the success of the previous C-series phones, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today launches a new addition to the family—the new Nokia C1 Plus, the lowest-priced 4G Nokia smartphone yet. The Nokia C1 Plus elevates the standard of introductory smartphone experiences by bringing quality that you can truly feel. Fans can kick off the year with this reliable new smartphone, which is available in a blue colour variant and with 16GB of memory for only P3,590. From January 18 to 24, Nokia phone fans can purchase the Nokia C1 Plus exclusively on Lazada. The Nokia C1 Plus will then be available in nokia.com/phones online store and leading retail stores, kiosks and shop-in-shop nationwide starting January 25. With the Nokia C1 Plus, fans can enjoy sharp content throughout—highquality selﬁes and videos, apps and texts that pop, and immersive entertainment—at the palm of the hand. The Nokia C1 Plus boasts style that lasts inside and out with its sleek, solid polycarbonate body that continues to honour the award-winning durability Nokia phones are known for and a 2,500mAh1 battery that you can rely on all day. Boosted by 4G, the experiences on the Nokia C1 Plus are smooth and powerful with data speeds up to 10 times faster

than its predecessor. For added security and convenience, face unlock will give you —and only you—access to everything you need at just a glance. This new smartphone also features improved storage for all your important files. The C-series aims to bring affordable smartphone experiences to everyone. The Nokia C1 Plus brings 4G connectivity to the introductory level of the C-series, ensuring richer smartphone experience to even more users around the world. It comes with Android 10 (Go edition), leaving plenty of rooma for your favourite things. With lighter apps and less bloatware, you can store up to 3,000 songs or 13 hours of HD video. Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer and Vice President of North America, HMD Global: “The Nokia C1 was extremely successful in its mission to bring a great smartphone experience and make that first step to a smartphone that is truly accessible to all. With next-generation connectivity already out there, operators across the world are optimising their offerings, and 4G is being adapted as the new baseline, leaving many 2G and 3G markets vulnerable to uncertainty. With the new Nokia C1 Plus, we offer reassurance that your new smartphone will go the distance and certainty that you can trust it to connect anywhere. Offering trust and reliability is what

a Nokia smartphone is known for. Our manufacturing standards that give our phones the durability they are synonymous with are amongst some of the toughest in the world, and with the Nokia C1 Plus, you can really feel it. In a true testimony to this quality, our latest Android (Go edition) smartphone comes with a powerful frontfacing ﬂash, a large, crisp screen and HDR imaging in a durable, stylish package with an all-day battery. Building on the success of its predecessors with 4G, the Nokia C1 Plus takes full advantage of what Android 10 (Go edition) can offer, making it our lowest-cost 4G smartphone yet.” Ravi Kunwar, Regional Head—Pan Asia HMD Global: “Following the success last year of Nokia C1, launched for Filipino fans who aspire to switch from a feature phone to a smartphone, we have now launched the upgraded and more affordable Nokia C1 Plus, powered by 4G. As we gear up this year to recover from the challenges of the previous year, we’ve made sure that we are in step with the changing times and keep up with our customers’ demands and feedback across our portfolio; this launch is a testimony.” Boost your creations and enjoy the view The Nokia C1 Plus lets users dive right into 5.45 inches of HD+ clarity. Whether using apps, reading or watching videos, everything on the screen will be crisp and

The Nokia C1 Plus, powered by AndroidTM 10 (Go edition) and 4G, delivers all-day entertainment and HDR imaging on a large, crisp HD+ screen with Nokia phone durability

clean. The powerful front-facing ﬂash will give users beautifully lit shots round the clock so to take your selﬁe game notches higher. The 5MP rear and front cameras supported by HDR imaging bring photos and videos to life whether they be food art or the next viral TikTok video.

Enactus PH holds 2020 Business Innovation Idea Challenge ENACTUS Philippines conducted virtually the 2020 Business Innovation Idea Challenge on December 4-5, 2020, with Mindanao State University-Main Campus winning for the second time The BIIC was open to student teams from all colleges and universities around the Philippines, including all active Enactus teams. Sixty-four teams initially submitted project proposals, which were trimmed down to 15 semi-finalists, chosen by Judges during the Opening Round of Competition, whose results were announced on 30 October 2020. The 15 teams then moved on to the semifinals where they had the chance to pitch their business innovation ideas through a video presentation to a panel of experts. Five teams were chosen from among them to compete in the finals. The semifinals on December 4, 2020 was officially opened by Enactus Philippines' Chairman, Jose P. Leviste, Jr. who said, “I formally welcome everyone in the semifinal round of BIIC with a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to think outside the box, to be innovative, and to drive social changes by challenging the sta-

Members of the champion Mindanao State University-Main Campus team

tus quo. As we face global threats like this COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of how innovation and technology play a crucial element in how we do things now and in the near future.” Six finalists among the 15 teams were announced after the semifinal round of BIIC via Facebook Live. On December 5, 2020 the final round was also broadcast via Facebook. Mindanao State University-Main Campus won for the second time in BIIC besting five other finalists including Holy Angel

University (1st Runner-Up), De La Salle University Manila (2nd Runner-Up), Occidental Mindoro State College, University of the Cordilleras, and University of Southeastern Philippines. To conclude the 2nd year of BIIC, Enactus Philippines Country Leader, Atty. Leo G. Dominguez congratulated the 64 teams that participated from around the Philippines. He said, “The success of the BIIC should not end at the announcement of winners today. We believe that we can push this fur-

ther by encouraging all our 64 participating teams to start social entrepreneurship projects and capitalize on their hard work and successes to date. We at Enactus Philippines, with our various programs, stand ready to guide the teams that are or will become full-pledged Enactus teams to progress their ideas into tangible social and innovative projects aimed at empowering communities.” Enactus Philippines is sponsored by EEI Corporation (Red Diamond Sponsor), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (Blue Diamond Sponsor), OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. (Diamond Sponsor), Unilever (Platinum Sponsor), Sindicatum Renewable Energy Holdings Philippines (Silver Sponsor). KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., Quisumbing Torres (Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie International) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) are institutional partners.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Communities go plastic-free, cashless with Plastic Bank, PayMaya GLOBAL social enterprise Plastic Bank® has tapped digital financial services leader PayMaya to build more sustainable communities in the Philippines with cashless technology. Through Plastic Bank's recycling ecosystem program, residents of partner communities can exchange plastic waste for rewards that they will receive through their PayMaya accounts. They can then use the incentives they receive in their PayMaya wallet for everyday transactions such as sending money, buying prepaid reloadable cards, paying bills, scanning to pay purchases via QR, and online purchases, among others. The cashless project will initially be implemented at select Plastic Bank partner communities including Payatas in Quezon City, Barangay 105 in Manila, and Barangay San Felipe and Barangay Cararayan in Naga City. “As we provide a viable solution to the plastic waste problems in the Philippines, this initiative with PayMaya strengthens our recycling infrastructure for the benefit of our community collectors. PayMaya allows us to disburse plastic tokens in a safer and more convenient way. At the same time, we are empowering our partner communities with digital financial services,” said Gidget Velez, Global Director for Country Development at Plastic Bank. Since expansion to the Philippines in 2017, Plastic Bank has been able to establish and grow over 60 collection branches in 8 major cities of Metro Manila. Plastic Bank utilizes a proprietary blockchain platform that secures the entire ecosystem transactions and provides real-time data visualization allowing for transparency, traceability, and rapid scalability for its collectors and partners. "We are excited to help build these cashless ecosystems with Plastic Bank. This sustainable initiative will definitely help foster financial inclusion, create more economic opportunities, and increase environmental awareness in these communities,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President at PayMaya. Empowering Plastic Bank communities with safer contactless payments To further strengthen its mission towards providing livelihood opportunities, Plastic Bank is also enabling sarisari stores in partner communities with the PayMaya Negosyo app to provide safer contactless transactions through QR payment technology. Sari-sari store owners can also utilize the PayMaya Negosyo app to augment their income through its other features such as accepting bills payments, selling mobile prepaid reloadable cards, processing remittances, among others. PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units. Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 33,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www. PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Through Plastic Bank's recycling ecosystem program, residents of partner communities can exchange plastic waste for rewards that they will receive through their PayMaya accounts.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Motoring

SMC PASIG RIVER EXPRESSWAY

When East meets West

A view of the newly opened Skyway 3

FTER connecting north and south of Metro Manila with Skyway 3, San Miguel Corporation has begun the spadework for another big-buck road infrastructure that will link east and west of the metropolis. In the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte and his economic team, SMC president Ramon S. Ang gave the teaser to the new project during the formal opening of the Skyway Stage 3 expressway on January 14, promising to be a gamechanger that would boost mobility and fire up the country’s post-pandemic recovery. “This is a game-changer for our economy, especially now that we are still dealing with the pandemic. By providing seamless access between north and south, we also unlock the true potential of our provinces,” Ang said. The SMC head honcho committed to Duterte that SMC’s efforts to help the country and the economy, will not stop with the Skyway Stage 3 project. “We will continue work to further decongest Metro Manila by linking east and west of the metropolis, through the Pasig River Expressway (Parex) project,”Ang said. The Parex project envisions a 19.4-kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway along the banks of the Pasig River that will complete the north-south, east-west link, connecting R-10 in Manila, Edsa, and C5 and decongesting Rizal, Cainta, and Marikina. It will provide faster, alternative access to the business districts Makati, Ortigas, and BGC. The project can be completed by 2023, Ang said. The seven- lane Skyway 3, meanwhile, offers a seamless link between the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) via 18 kilometers of elevated toll road, the longest in

the country. It is also expected to significantly decongest EDSA and other major Metro Manila roads. Duterte was joined by Executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, finance secretary Carlos Dominguez, public Works and highways Secretary Mark Villar, transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, budget and management secretary Wendel Avisado, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and National Task Force against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon. Ang credited President Duterte for his strong leadership and political will, which he said played a significant role in settling right-of-way issues that delayed the massive infrastructure project for years. With the full opening of all seven lanes of the 18-kilometer Skyway 3 from Buendia, Makati to NLEX, ang Ang said that a huge number motorists will now have an alternative to EDSA. At full capacity, with 7 lanes available, Skyway is touted to handle 50% of Edsa traffic, or 200,000 vehicles per day. Together with the existing Skyway 1 and 2, the Skyway system now has 38 kilometers of elevated expressway with 36 on- and off-ramp access points. This will greatly contribute to decongesting Metro Manila traffic, Ang noted. Another SMC project, the Bulacan airport was estimated to generate 30 million direct and indirect jobs, Ang said. “All of these, Mr. President, will solve our decades-long problem of land and air traffic congestion. Together, we are build-

ing the foundation for future economic growth that’s inclusive and sustainable. We are also investing in many other industries across the regions, from food and beverage production, agriculture, power security and soon, renewable energy. This is the best way we can meaningfully contribute to nation-building. We are committed to sustainably re-invest what we have, create more business opportunities, generate more jobs, and spread growth across the archipelago. Ang, who was celebrating his birthday, also dispelled speculation that he was eyeing a political run. “Perhaps because of our company’s efforts to help our country, many are thinking I am planning to enter politics. I have no such ambition. All these projects we’ve completed, and all the new ones we’re about to start, are part of our longterm vision we first articulated more than a decade ago, when we said we wanted to be a true partner in nation-building,” Ang said. “We have always believed that SMC can do a lot to help our country, by investing in industries and sectors that will accelerate its growth. We love our country, it’s the only one we have, so we should all do what we can to lift it up and help Filipinos. This pandemic has only made that commitment deeper and stronger.” Ang also cited DPWH Secretary Villar and Metro Pacific Tollways Group, operator of the NLEX, and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, for making possible the extension of the original endpoint of Skyway 3, to just before the NLEX toll plaza.Finally, we now have a seamless connection between SLEX and NLEX. “I thank Secretary Villar and the MVP group led by Mr. Pangilinan for making this direct link to NLEX possible.” Ang also paid tribute to the engineers and workers who worked on Skyway 3, and all stakeholders who helped make the project a reality. (RLT)

Road safety tips EVER since quarantine restrictions were eased mid-last year, more and more Filipinos have been starting to head out and hit the road. And with the expected arrival of COVID-19 vaccines soon, these numbers will definitely increase. Despite this rise in mobility however, there are still plenty of risks when driving around at this time. These include the more aggressive COVID-19 strain, the hassle that comes with not having RFID stickers installed yet, and being disoriented by new lane assignments along major highways like EDSA. So how can you ensure yours and everyone else’s safety on the road? Here are five tips to keep in mind: Try not to head out unless it’s absolutely necessary If you have no business heading out, just stay at home. Doing so will significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting and spreading the virus and the probability of getting into an accident on the road— these odds exist by the way. Sure, you’ve probably seen many of your friends driving around frequently, but it doesn’t mean you should, too. Brush up on road rules and regulations Being stuck at home for an extended period of time last year may have prompted us to feel a bit disconnected from the outside world and have led most to forget the usual sights and road signs that we see. Add that to the fact that there are newly implemented and revised road laws that we may not be as well acquainted with, as we once were. To refresh and sharpen your road

One way to ensure that your vehicle is in the right condition is to check out which warning lights on your dashboard are on.

knowledge, try browsing through the reviewers provided by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on their website. It’s the perfect refresher course for all road rules, signs, and regulations relevant today. Ensure that your vehicle is in the right condition Do you remember the last time you brought your vehicle in for maintenance? If the answer is a “no” or “yes, but it was before the pandemic hit”, it would probably be best to have your vehicle checked before driving it around to prevent any mechanical problems on the road. One way to ensure that your vehicle is in the right condition is to check out which warning lights on your dashboard are on. Be as defensive as ever before While most drivers agree that driving is a skill that one never forgets, no one said anything about how driving skills can diminish after going months without using them. Many drivers have been feeling a bit rusty and careless especially during their first drive after quarantine. With that, be

as defensive as you can when you drive this year. Be conscious of your surroundings and try to eradicate any distractions especially since majority of road accidents last year involved distracted drivers. Watch out for Road safety tips from Honda’s official Facebook page A good tip would also be to constantly seek out advice for road safety. Like and follow pages like Honda Cars Philippines to get regular doses of tips that will definitely come in handy as you go along Philippine roads. These tips are part of the car company’s commitment to reduce road accidents through road safety education and collaboration with different sectors of society so you can rest assured that these are well thought of. Honda has been releasing tips like these for quite some time now as it has been prioritizing road safety not just through the technological advancements installed in their vehicles, but through their “One Honda Road Safety” program.

Vehicle importers, buyers brace for price hike AUTO importers and consumers will bear the brunt of the additional tariff the government has imposed on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, according to the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors. The tariff which takes effect before end of the January will cost an extra P70,000.00 on passenger cars and P110,000.00 on Light Commercial Vehicles. AVID said the tariff hike came at a time when the auto industry was reeling from the impact of the virus pandemic on world economies. In the Philippines, AVID posted a 41% drop in sales to 51,719 units in 2020 from the 87,169 vehicles sold in 2019. AVID attributed this decline to the lockdowns, limited economic activity, and weak consumer demand. The 21-member group representing 26 global brands nevertheless noted that it finished the year strong with 5,683 units sold in December, or a 15% increase versus the previous month. AVID said this indicates a slow but steady recovery coming from the “most challenging period in the automotive industry.” “Automotive was among the hard hit sectors in this pandemic and we continue to feel the impact as sales, after-sales and auto-related services remain lackluster. Despite the hurdles, the industry quickly adapted to the new normal, survived, and

are finally seeing some signs of revival. However, we see more headwinds in the coming months,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said. The PC segment was greatly affected by the pandemic dipping by around 46% in 2020 with only 16,588 units sold in 2020. Hyundai reported the most number of sales in this segment with a total of 8,464 units sold followed by Suzuki with 6,177 units and Ford with 1,005 units. The LCV segment also recorded a substantial decrease in 2020 with 34,826 units sold equivalent to a 38% drop compared to the same period last year. Ford continues to be at the top of this segment with 13,770 units sold while Suzuki holds second place with 9,338 units, followed by Hyundai with 7,882 units sold since the start of the year. In the Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment, AVID recorded a total of 305 units sold for the 2020, or a 66% decline in sales compared to the 907 units sold in 2019. “While the worst may be behind us, we still have a long way to go. If we are to restore consumer confidence and revive this sector, we should focus on creating more job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and logistics, and improve the ease and cost of doing business. We are all for the long-term development of the auto industry in the new normal,” Agudo said.

Lexus rings in a new beginning

KICK-OFF the New Year enveloped in a vehicle that was built by Takumi master craftsmen and engineered to deliver a driving experience unlike any other. Ring in the new year with a Lexus in your garage. Set the tone of a new beginning by enveloping yourself in a vehicle that is renowned for its comfortable ride, luxurious and opulent interiors, and powerful and fuel-efficient engines. Now, owning the Lexus you’ve been dreaming of is made easier with these flexible payment schemes: 30% downpayment, 36-month term, and 0% interest. • Lexus RX 350 (SRP P4,378,000) with a 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine offers excellent fuel economy but with pulse-pounding performance when you need it. Mated to this engine is an eightspeed automatic transmission that delivers an exciting drive and an efficient delivery of power to the driven wheels. Key features of the RX 350 are its drive-mode selector; Adaptive Variable Suspension; and 10 sensor-controlled SRS airbags lining the cabin that offers enhanced protection for all occupants. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity allow you to use dedicated smartphone functions via the dashboard touchscreen display. • Lexus NX 300 (SRP P3,208,000) compact luxury crossover comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder direct-injection engine which delivers 235hp and 350Nm of torque to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. • Lexus NX 300 F Sport (SRP P3,708,000) is a sportier take on the NX.

Time will fly when behind the wheel or as a passenger because this variant has a number of key features that elevate it from other SUVs in its segment. The renowned ‘F Sport’ badge brings more to the table and is a treat for driving enthusiasts who appreciate the open road. It combines a distinct F-mesh pattern with the same jet-black plating used on the RC F. The F Sport seats feature integrated foaming technology to keep you firmly in place even during aggressive driving. Participating models with a 30% downpayment, 24-month term and 0% interest : • Lexus ES 350 (SRP P4,478,000) is the perfect companion to meet every new sunrise for the rest of the year. This midsize sedan is a work of automotive art. The interior and exterior are showcases of detail and craftsmanship that set the bar for what a luxury sedan should be. • Lexus RX 350L (SRP P4,858,000) was engineered to cater to ever-growing families. Rear seats slide, recline and fold virtually flat in a 60/40 split, while storage compartments are conveniently spread throughout the interior. • Lexus UX 200 (SRP P2,538,000) is fondly known as the gateway model into the world of Lexus and the ideal crossover for the buyer who expects more in a vehicle. Reinvent yourself by choosing the UX over the competition. • Lexus UX 200 F Sport (SRP P3,108,000) has LFA-inspired gauges; 18-inch alloy wheels; F Sport grille; and sport seats. Under the hood, a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a new Direct-Shift continuously variable transmission.

FASTLANE

Seaoil extends free gas promo YOU still have a chance to be one of the three lucky winners of a lifetime supply of free gas until February 8, 2021. Instant prizes worth P2 million, P3,000 worth of fuels, and a one-year supply of free fuel are also up for grabs. Previous winners of SEAOIL’s unique promotion shared how LFG has helped them break free from “gas-tos” over the years. “My earnings dwindled when transport network vehicle services stopped operations during the lockdown. Not having to spend much on gas has been very helpful to a TNVS driver like me. I’m able to allocate the savings to my family’s needs, especially supporting the online classes of my child,” Ernie Linarez, an LFG 2018 grand winner, said. Ron James Ditching, a banker and one of the grand winners of LFG 2019, says their gas savings have been helping them prepare for life after work. “We thought we no longer could proceed with our re-

tirement fund when my wife lost her job during the pandemic. We had been allocating a percentage of our salaries to the fund. Luckily, we’re still able to provide for the daily needs of our family while saving for the future since we have no fuel expenses.” SEAOIL customers will get coupons with promo codes when they buy at least Php 500 worth of SEAOIL Fuels and/ or Lubricants (single or accumulated receipts) at any SEAOIL station nationwide. Customers will then register and enter the promo codes at www.lifetimefreegas.com, or text them to 225-66-99. They will also receive e-promo codes when they redeem 12 liters of gasoline or 15 liters of diesel (single or accumulated transactions) through the PriceLOCQ app at participating stations. The Grand Raffle Draw will be held on February 11, 2021. Winners will be announced on SEAOIL’s Facebook page and notified through registered mail, email, and text message.