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SA variant spreads to PH

Six cases detected; DOH out to stop spread amid fears of adverse effect on vaccines

VOL. XXXV • NO. 21 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE government on Tuesday said it will try to swiftly contain the spread of the more transmissible COVID-19 variant from South Africa (B.1.351), which is said to affect vaccine efficacy, after six cases have been confirmed in the Philippines.

VAX FLEX. Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso, City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan, Sta. Ana Hospital Director Grace Padilla (from left), and other healthcare workers flex their arms after receiving Sinovac jabs against COVID-19 at the Sta. Ana Hospital on Tuesday. Manila was the first local government unit in the country to receive Sinovac vaccines from the National Task Force against COVID-19 on Monday. Norman Cruz

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 2)

580,442 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,067 33,610 NEW

ACTIVE

12,369

534,463

144

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

Vax drought: Rody can’t beg, steal, borrow By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte admitted that the Philippines was having a hard time obtaining COVID-19 vaccines made in western countries, after rich nations bought the bulk of them. “There is no vaccine available— [whether] you beg, steal or pay for it,” Duterte said in a televised Monday night, noting that the Philippines wasn’t alone in its plight. “They’re having a hard time too. America has supplies but they’re scram-

bling for them,” he added. The Chief Executive earlier said the country would have to wait for the vaccines after 10 rich countries cornered 75 percent of the world’s supply of coronavirus vaccines. He said he was thankful to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez who managed to secure an initial suppl of vaccines from China. He also expressed appreciation to China for augmenting the country’s supply with a donation of 600,000 doses of vaccines developed by Sinovac. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the Philippines said the delay in the

Duterte snipes at Robredo, opts for Sinopharm

KZ IN FIRST DISNEY SONG IN FILIPINO

Cebu, Davao receive 9,000 Sinovac doses By Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel E. Zurbano, and Maricel V. Cruz CEBU City and Davao City received Tuesday thousands of doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine as the government ramped up its vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease. Some 7,200 doses of the Chinesemade anti-coronavirus jabs were delivered to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City where nearly 2,000 medical frontliners will be first inoculated. Meanwhile, some 12,000 vials of the Sinovac coronavirus vaccine were brought to Davao's Center for Health Development. According to Department of HealthDavao Region director Dr. Annabelle Yumang, about 8,000 health workers in Davao City and Tagum City would receive their first dose starting Friday at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. SPMC chief Ricardo Audan and Davao City health officer-in-charge Dr. Ashley Lopez will be among the first to be vaccinated in the south. Next page

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is willing to be vaccinated by COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company Sinopharm as soon as the Food and Drug Administration approves the emergency use authorization to disprove Vice President Leni Robredo’s thinking that Duterte got the jab along with the members of the Presidential Security Group last year. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the remarks to defend Duterte from Robredo’s repeated call for the President to be inoculated with Sinovac. “The President will wait for the EUA’s approval because Sinopharm has applied for an EUA before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday,” he said.

delivery of 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines was due to logistics, contrary to the claims of government officials who said there were supply issues. In an interview on CNN Philippines, WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said logistics handlers were having problems ensuring large shipments of vaccines across the world, given the cold chain requirements. The vaccines, done through the WHO’s COVAX Facility, were supposed to arrive Monday, but Health officials here said supply problems were the cause.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said both the UK variant, known as B.1.1.7, and the South African variant were more transmissible than the original coronavirus strain, but the latter was of particular concern because it had a mutation that affects vaccine efficacy. She said this was called an “immune escape” that prevents the body’s immune system from responding to the infection. “This is why we want, as much as possible, fast containment of this variant so we can prevent further spread,” she said, speaking in Filipino. She added that the Department of Health (DOH) was still validating if there was local transmission of the South African variant in Pasay City. The DOH earlier reported the detection of six cases of the South African variant and 30 more cases of the UK variant and two additional cases “with mutations Next page of interest.”

FIST AND JAB. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte clenches his fist during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse in Manila on Monday night, even as a military health worker shows a Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine vial (inset) during the vaccination of military personnel at the army headquarters in Manila on Tuesday. AFP, Presidential Photo

‘Gaps’ prolong school year By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Education has extended the school year for basic education to July 10, 2021 through DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2021 which amended the school calendar for 2020 to 2021. The department declared an inter-

vention and remediation week from March 1 to 12 to address learning gaps among students and to give time to teachers for the different learning delivery modalities. In a statement, the department said it identified a need to address learning gaps in order to “meet the required essential learning competencies.” Next page

PhilHealth, NBI go after fraudsters ENTERTAINMENT / C3

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently forged an agreement with the country’s leading investigating authority National Bureau of Investigation to go after illicit activities that are potentially defrauding the Nation-

al Health Insurance Program. The parties have agreed on a shared set of responsibilities to detect, deter, and prosecute fraud committed by health care facilities and professionals, and even Next page

SUPERVISED. Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro (left) and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. (2nd from left) peer over the shoulder of a frontline health worker receiving A COVID-19 vaccine during its first rollout in Marikina City on Tuesday. Health workers were the first to receive the Sinovac jab from China. Manny Palmero

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House OKs Drug Act amendments By Maricel V. Cruz

Solon: Keep open mind on Cha-cha

This was despite criticisms that the measure will lend itself to wrongful prosecution and sneak in the reimposition of the death penalty. Voting 188-11 with nine abstentions, the lower chamber passed House Bill 7814 principally authored by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said the bill's enactment will strengthen the government's drug prevention and control campaign. However, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate and Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay opposed the bill for setting death as the maximum penalty for a crime under Section 11 and the need to protect an individual’s right against wrongful prosecution. But Barbers said: "The bill will reinforce the campaign against the proliferation of dangerous drugs by providing for a legal presumption on individuals consid-

ered as importers, financiers, protectors, or coddlers of illegal drugs." It seeks to penalize negligent lessors of properties used as clandestine laboratories. Under the measure, local governments shall be mandated to allocate at least 2 percent of their annual appropriations in support of well-functioning Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADAC) and the establishment of Anti-Drug Abuse Offices (ADAO). The bill provides that the ADAC would be tasked to monitor drug-related problems in the local government units (LGUs) and implement measures to address them, and that the ADAO would serve as the technical and administrative support of the council. “We all want illegal drugs to be totally eradicated from our society and I am in full support of this administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and in this respect, I would not want our country to become a

transshipment destination of dangerous drugs. However, as a lawyer, I do not want to send the wrong message to the PDEA, to the police authorities and the prosecution that an accused may not be convicted on mere presumptions,” he added. Suntay said "HB 7814 is not simply amending the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002." "It is revising the penal laws of our country. It contains more than 20 presumptions of guilt for certain criminal acts committed by anyone that will result in the penalty of life imprisonment. Under these proposed amendments, a person may now be convicted on the basis of presumptions. This is unconstitutional because they run contrary to the constitutional presumption of innocence,” he said. House Deputy Minority Leader Quezon City 6th District Rep. Kit Belmonte pointed out in a statement read during the plenary session by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo that the bill will only affect small-time drug suspects and not the drug lords and syndicates. "Para sa akin po, at dapat para sa lahat ng sakop ng batas na ito, ang pinakamahalagang akala ay ang nasa ating Constitution na 'presumption of innocence'," Belmonte said. Zarate took issue with the legal pre-

SA...

third local case, a 40-year-old male, has already recovered. On the other hand, the two returning workers arrived in the country from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar; their statuses are currently being verified. Vergeire said the DOH is analyzing the link between the more transmissible South African variant and the spike in COVID-19 cases in Pasay City. “The probability is always there because there are variants detected and the cases are rising, but we need to do a thorough analysis for us to be able to really confirm and say that the variants are the cause of this increase in cases,” she said in a briefing. Vergeire said that while the variants are more transmissible, other factors such as poor compliance to health protocols and inter-zonal mobility also cause the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the DOH said more sam-

ples for genome sequencing would be collected in Pasay after it saw an uptick in COVID-19 infections. A former government consultant on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anthony Leachon, decried the government’s lack of urgency in dealing with the South African variant. “We did not impose travel ban for travelers from South Africa. This explains the sudden surge,” Leachon said. The former medical adviser of the National Task Force COVID-19 also pointed to a report that said AstraZeneca’s Vaccine, which is the brand most local governments in the Philippines have ordered, did not work well against the virus variant from South Africa. The addition of 30 cases of the UK variant brought the total B.1.1.7 infections to 87. Of the 30 additional cases with B.1.1.7, 20 are returning workers who entered the

country from the Middle East, Singapore and the United States; three are local cases; and seven are still being verified. The Philippines logged 2,067 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total to 580,442, as eight laboratories were not able to submit their data. This is the sixth straight day where more than 2,000 new infection were reported. The DOH reported 47 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 12,369, which is 2.13 percent of the total. The DOH also reported 144 newly-recovered patients, bringing the total recoveries to 534,463, which is 92.1 percent of the total. This left 33,610 active cases, which is 5.8 percent of the total number of cases. Of the active cases, 89.8 percent are mild; 4.8 percent are asymptomatic; 2.3 percent are critical; 2.2 percent are severe; and 0.85 percent are moderate.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the adverse events recorded were high blood pressure, pain at the injection site, itchiness, rashes, headache, and nausea. “All of them are common and all of them are minor adverse events,” she said in a virtual briefing. Vergeire said the government, not the manufacturer, would be held accountable for AEFI since the vaccines are still under development and emergency use authorization (EUA). Under the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 26, government officials, vaccine manufacturers, and authorized private entities are immune from suit and liability. Vergeire said the DOH was “content” and “happy” with the first day of the vaccine rollout to several hospitals across Metro Manila. At least 756 frontline healthcare workers from six hospitals in Metro Manila received Sinovac’s CoronaVac, with Philippine General Hospital chief Dr. Gerardo Legaspi being first to be inoculated in the country. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said more regions have asked for a supply of vaccines after the rollout in Metro Manila.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Chair of the National Task Force AgainstCOVID-19, also said that the roll-out of the vaccination program would hasten the country’s recovery from the pandemic. "The government is confident of its vaccine program. Our aim is for the Philippines to be COVID-free by 2022. Sinovac is one of many vaccines in the country’s program. As the others become available, we will distribute it nationwide so that the whole country may fully recover. That is our number one priority," he said. Meanwhile, Galvez said the government aimed to complete the inoculation of all health care workers in March to ensure the preservation of the country’s healthcare system. He confirmed the Philippines was set to receive 5.1 million vaccine doses in the first quarter, including the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines donated by the Chinese government which have been allocated for healthcare workers. In a related development, Senator Christopher Go said no politics to get access to COVID-19 vaccines as the “order of priority” of sectors as determined by authorities and health experts would be followed.

He guaranteed that the government would treat everyone equally regardless of their political views. He said the vaccination program was based on science and not politics, especially when it came to providing access to those who needed them. Rather than play the blame game, Go urged all government detractors to instead work with the government so the country might immediately recover from the pandemic. At the same time, the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines on Tuesday assisted the government in transporting to Cebu and Davao the shipments of Sinovac vaccines donated by the Chinese government. PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said Flight PR8809 (RP-C9905) departed from Manila around 5:09 a.m. and arrived in Davao at 6:48 a.m. carrying 12,000 doses of CoronaVac vaccines. "The 700-kilo shipment was loaded on the cargo compartment of our 199-seater PAL Airbus A321," she said. Upon arrival at the Davao International Airport, the vaccines, placed in 20 boxes, were transferred to cold-storage vans, and it was transported to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and other hospitals.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday. Duque said the FDA submitted the needed documents to the HTAC last week. The HTAC is an independent advisory body tasked to guide the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. The government plans to purchase one million Sinovac doses this month to augment the 600,000 doses donated by the Chinese government. Doctors from the Philippine General Hospital as well as Vice President Leni Robredo earlier called for an HTAC review of the Sinovac jab to ensure “informed decision-making.” Clinical trials Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 vaccine will continue its clinical trial in the Philippines to check for longterm efficacy, even it has already gotten approval in the United States, the Department of Health said Tuesday. “The clinical trial of Janssen here in the country is for 2 doses,” Health Undersecretary Maria RosarioVergeire said, referring to Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical company Janssen. Janssen was the first to be approved for COVID-19 clinical trials in the country, and the testing started last month. “The efficacy might be higher or it might last longer. So that’s what the manufacturers are looking at,” Vergeire added. The Janssen vaccine uses an adenovirus to carry the COVID-19 gene into the body in order to trigger an immune response.

’Gaps’...

antine status of Metro Manila and other areas with a high number of COVID-19 infections. "This is still premature. Let’s not forget that the event was ceremonial. The bulk shipments of vaccines are not coming yet because the government has not yet signed any contract with the vaccine manufacturers," Binay said. In the Senate, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Pia Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Edgardo Angara filed a resolution calling for the immediate launch of pilot tests of localized and limited face-toface classes in low-risk areas. Senate Resolution No. 668 recommends that the pilot tests start in 1,065 public schools nationwide identified by the DepEd in its risk assessment. The resolution adds that the pilot tests, which should follow the most stringent mitigation measures and health protocols, will help the DepEd gather on-the-ground evidence and design its framework for the safe reopening of schools.

DIPLOMATS and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs are no longer allowed to bring in their own domestic staff on their overseas posts, following the incident of maltreatment of a Filipino household help by the former Philippine ambassador to Brazil. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday stressed that diplomats and consular officers may still be able to bring their domestic staff, but only after they have secure permit from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. "DFA no longer allows domestic staff to go with officers assigned abroad. They must apply to POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration). I ceded full authority to it," Locsin said, in his Twitter post on Tuesday. The new policy came after President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday has approved the dismissal of former Philippine Ambassador to Brazi Marichu Mauro from service, months after she was caught maltreating her Filipino domestic helper inside her residence there. The DFA chief stressed that the POEA has "safeguards" in place to protect Filipino domestic helpers, saying the Mauro case "cannot happen again." With Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Further, PhilHealth officers and employees may be called in as witnesses for complaints to be filed by the Bureau arising from the investigations. All pertinent records, documents, and information must be turned over by PhilHealth to the NBI to help resolve the cases. Quoting the Holy Scripture, PhilHealth Dante Gierran said that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can

help the other up.” He said that collaborative efforts of PhilHealth and the NBI would result in a definitive action against fraud that was taken up in Congressional inquiries last year. For his part, NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor said the MOA “…essentially outlines how the Bureau and PhilHealth will work together as a team in combating graft and corruption and in gaining back the trust and confidence of the people in governmentsubsidized health care system.”

HE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure that proposes amendments to Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

From A1

The DOH said 48 countries have already reported cases of the B.1351 variant. While there is no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease, the pattern of mutations within this variant suggests higher transmissibility and may have an impact on vaccine efficacy, the DOH said. Of the six South African variant cases, three are local cases, two are returning overseas Filipino workers, and one is still being verified. The three local cases were reported as residents of Pasay City whose samples were collected between Jan. 27 and Feb. 13, 2021. Two of the local cases, a 61-year-old female and a 39-year-old male, are active cases being managed by Pasay City. The

Cebu... From A1

The vaccines, known as CoronaVac, were part of 600,000 doses donated by China. It arrived in the country Sunday. The Philippine government launched its COVID-19 vaccination program on Monday, with health workers, uniformed personnel and other essential workers the first to be inoculated in the campaign. A year into the pandemic this month, the Philippines has recorded over 578,000 COVID-19 cases, including infections with the more infectious British coronavirus variant. It has tallied 12,322 fatalities. The government aims to inoculate 70 million of the 110 million people this year to achieve herd immunity and reopen an economy that in 2020 saw its worst contraction on record, due largely to tight restrictions on movement in place since mid-March. But as the country officially rolled out the coronavirus vaccine, 20 adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were recorded as of Tuesday morning following the first day of the rollout of vaccines from China’s Sinovac, the Department of Health said.

Duterte... From A1

The 75-year-old Duterte earlier hit Robredo for supposedly trying to be “relevant” by pressuring him to get inoculated with the China-made Sinovac vaccines. “You seem to have an angel face but a devilish mind. You’re suspecting that’s why you want me to go into a trap of saying things which are not appropriate,” the President said. Sinopharm application Chinese firm Sinopharm has filed an application for emergency use authorization of its coronavirus vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday. “There was an online application filed yesterday (Monday) afternoon. Our officers are now checking the contents of the submission,” FDA chief Eric Domingo said. On Monday, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced that Sinopharm had already submitted its application but Domingo was not immediately able to confirm it. The FDA chief earlier said that the drug regulator would need four to six weeks to evaluate the Sinopharm vaccine due to its lack of approval from any stringent regulatory authority such as the US FDA or the World Health Organization (WHO). Health review The coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech is already undergoing review by the Health Technology Assessment Council,

From A1

“These learning gaps are attributable to reduced academic opportunities at home and substantial loss of live contact with teachers,” the DepEd said. From March 1 to 12, the DepEd said schools should conduct intervention and remediation activities based on the “unique needs of the learners as determined through the results of the different forms of assessments administered for the past two quarters.” This developed as former vice president Jejomar Binay on Tuesday added his voice to those opposing an easing of quarantine restrictions next month, saying such a move would be premature, despite the start of the government’s vaccination program against COVID-19. Following the vaccination of more than 700 medical frontliners Monday, some government officials began to push again for a lowering of the quar-

PhilHealth,... From A1

those made in collusion with its own officers and employees, and official statement released to media said. Under the agreement, PhilHealth may request for investigative assistance from the NBI including surveillance, investigation, and entrapment of violators, if needed.

sumptions, as ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro made similar observations. Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago warned the bill will just worsen the undesirable impact of the administration’s war on drugs. Zarate, however, pointed out portions of the bill that he supports. Barbers stated the following important provisions of the bill: It would provide the law with legal disputable presumptions that could be used in running after "big personalities" behind the drug syndicates such as drug lords, and protectors/coddlers (narco-generals, narco-judges, narco-politicians); It would add a feature too to legally presume owners and managers of houses, condo units, den and resorts that are being used for drug sessions or venues for drug sale, as involved in the drug trade; If approved, the law will compel these owners to periodically check their condos, houses, etc that are being rented out, to submit a periodic report to the local government unit, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Dangerous Drugs Board; It will also feature legal disputable presumptions of owners of cargoes imported or exported which are apprehended and found to have rugs as the one responsible in the importation/exportation of the said drugs.

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairman of the House of Representatives committee on constitutional amendments renewed Tuesday his appeal to congressmen and senators to keep an open mind on the proposed economic Charter amendments aimed at making the country’s economy attractive and competitive. Ako-Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. , the panel's chairman, made the appeal as Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said he saw deliberations on constitutional amendments to the economic provisions lasting until May to give all members of Congress the opportunity to debate on the proposal put forward under Resolution of Both Houses Number 2 which he introduced. “I support the Speaker's decision to not rush the plenary deliberations on RBH 2 because those of us in the Committee welcome the opportunity to further explain and elaborate on the benefits of these proposed amendments," Garbin said.

‘Global shortage to blame for late vaccine arrival’ By Willie Casas HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday attributed the delay in the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country to a supply shortage, as he disagreed with Senator Franklin Drilon's assessment that it is because of government's mismanagement. Drilon aired his views last month, following news reports that the coronavirus jabs haven't arrived due to the lack at that time of an indemnification law, which pharmaceutical companies and the COVAX facility had required. "I’d like to disagree because the global supply is the big problem. Yung shortage talaga, yun ang malaking problem natin (the shortage is really our big problem)," Duque said during an ANC's Headstart interview in reaction to Drilon's statement. "Ten countries have already secured 75 percent of the global supply and even the WHO has missed on its target to get the poorer countries get off with their vaccination, 130 countries. The painful problem is that the supply was cornered by rich countries," he said. President Rodrigo Duterte made a similar claim earlier, saying AstraZeneca was “held hostage by the European Union." The international bloc later clarified that its export controls on the vaccines would not hamper Philippine access.

No more househelp after Mauro sacking By Rey E. Requejo

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Bill protects old, disabled By Maricel V. Cruz

BILL penalizing the “criminal neglect,” abuse and abandonment of senior citizens and people with disability has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas filed the proposed Care for the Elderly and Persons with Disability Act out of concern over the rising incidents of abuse and abandonment of the elderly and disabled people. These cases were raised during consultations with representatives of those sectors. “The rising cases of abandonment and

abuse experienced by our elderly and PWDs is troubling, especially amid a pandemic where they are most vulnerable,” Vargas said. “We should not allow such abuse being committed against our elderly and the PWDs. Instead, we must give them proper attention, care and respect.” According to the Demographic Research and Development Foundation

Inc., the elderly sector is the fastest growing sector in the country, accounting for seven percent of the population, and projected to increase to 16 percent by 2045. Based on the foundation’s 2018 Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines, nearly half (47 percent) of the older people in the country are beneficiaries of the P500-monthly social pension provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Meanwhile, the DSWD’s National Household Targeting Data revealed that as of 2016 there were about 277,000 “poor” people with disability. If the bill is passed, the people found guilty of criminal neglect would be punished by imprisonment of not less than one year but not exceeding five years, and

a fine not less than ten thousand P10,000 but not exceeding P100,000.00. The measure provides that a person is guilty of criminal neglect if he/she: “Knowingly acts in a manner likely to cause the vulnerable elderly person or the person with a disability’s life to be endangered, health to be injured, or preexisting physical or mental condition to deteriorate; “Fails to perform acts which he or she knows or reasonably should know are necessary to maintain or preserve the life or health of the vulnerable elderly person or the person with a disability and such failure causes said person’s life to be endangered, health to be injured or pre-existing physical or mental condition to deteriorate; and “Abandons the vulnerable elderly person or the person with a disability.”

IN BRIEF Zuellig to keep COVID vaccines THE Parañaque City government has signed an agreement with Zuellig Pharmaceutical for its facility to be used for storing 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines it purchased to protect city residents from the deadly disease. The local government is expecting the arrival of AstraZeneca vaccines late in the second quarter of this year. Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Danilo Cahoy, Zuellig’s president and general manager, also signed a master services agreement for the logistics services for the distributions of the vaccines in the city’s 16 barangays. Olivarez said they are optimistic that the vaccines will arrive in the late second quarter or early July. He added the city government already gave a 20 percent advance payment or P9.6 million for the AstraZeneca vaccines. Before the end of last year, the city government allocated P250 million to buy COVID-19 vaccines when available to protect its residents from the deadly disease. Joel. E. Zurbano

Workers vaccinated in Caloocan City MAYOR Oscar “Oca” Malapitan joined the first day of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout at one of the Covid-19 referral hospitals in the country, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Tala, Caloocan City. With Covid-19 Vaccine Czar Sec. Vince Dizon, Department of Health Assistant Secretary. Elmer Punzalan, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center Chief II Alfonso Famaran Jr., and Nursing Services Chief Samuel Sumilang, Mayor Oca witnessed the beginning of vaccination of health workers using the Sinovac vaccine. Famaran and Nurse Sumilang were vaccinated first, followed by Dizon. They went through five stations: Registration, Screening, Counseling and Final Consent, Vaccination and Monitoring will come next after the actual vaccination. They also want to get vaccinated to increase the public’s confidence in the vaccine. The Mayor, who is a senior citizen, is among those who are not recommended by the DOH and Food and Drug Administration for the Sinovac vaccine. Jun David

Mass to be offered for disease victims QUEZON City Councilor Winston Castelo on Tuesday said he, along with his spouse Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo, will offer a mass for the victims of the coronavirus disease 2019 and even for health-care workers. He said the mass will be held at the St. Peter Parish Shrine of Leaders on Commonwealth Avenue on March 16 at 10 a.m., “exactly one year since the pandemic erupted and the government started imposing calibrated lockdowns to contain the spread of COVID-19.” He said during the program, they will also honor and thank donors known as “Warriors Against COVID-19 and others who have helped them in their various response projects. “We cannot thank them enough for the help they have extended and continue to extend to us and our people during this time of pandemic,” he added. Rio N. Araja

HONOR ROLL. Caloocan City Administrator Oliver Hernandez (left) and Vice Mayor Maca Asistio (right) hand plaques and certificates to outstanding individuals recognized by the city government during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday. They include Police Major Deo Dela Cruz from Caloocan Police; Senior Inspector Jayce James Rosaroso of the Bureau of Fire Safety; Mark Nathaniel Revilla of the Schools Division Office-Caloocan; Danilo Duyan of the Schools Division Office-Caloocan; Jocelyn Pancito (center) of the Caloocan Schools Division; and Tanaw Productions of the University of Caloocan City. Jun David

President orders land for rebel returnees By Rio N. Araja AGRARIAN Reform Secretary John Castriciones on Tuesday disclosed the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to distribute agricultural land to rebel returnees to ensure progress and lasting peace in the countryside. “The President told me to give the rebel-returnees government-owned lands and private agricultural lands. The DAR will recommend an executive order so that the agency can immediately comply

with the President’s directive,” he said. The President believes that the effective implementation of agrarian reform is the solution to the armed conflict in the rural areas, he added. Despite the COVID-19) pandemic, Castriciones said, the President has acknowledged DAR’s vital role in the distribution of land to the farmers. He says Duterte has vowed to join the Department of Agrarian Reform in visiting farmer-beneficiaries in far-flung areas to distribute land.]

“The President told me that he would join DAR in the distribution of certificates of landownership award starting this March, identifying Cagayan de Oro, Eastern Samar, Quezon, Masbate, Negros, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Abra, Isabela and Bicol as some of the provinces he wanted to visit immediately,” Castriciones said. He says he is seeking the suggestions of other agency officials as to how the agency could effectively accomplish the task following the President’s directive.

Senate report calls for MVIS suspension By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Senate has adopted the report of the Senate committee on public services recommending the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order 2018-019 and all its related issuances to be officially repealed. The department order delegates to the private sector the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) program, which has been criticized by senators and the public. “While the fees have been lowered for now and testing seems to have been made optional, the implementation of this flawed program must be stopped definitively pending the resolution of issues hounding it,” said Sen. Grace Poe, committee chair. Poe earlier submitted Committee Report No. 184 citing flaws in inspection standards, errors in test results, and the lack of transparency in the accreditation process. The Senate also approved the committee report’s recommendation to allow Congress and experts to determine the propriety of expressly allowing the privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System and delegating it to the private sector. “Discretion cannot be left to the magnanimity of private enterprises,” said Poe. In the report, it was found that the policy was altered to allow the DOTr and Land Transportation Office employees to own a PMVIC as long as they’re not part of the accreditation committee. It was also revealed that the PMVICs are only charged an annual licensing fee of P50,000 for each center despite its projected income of P40 million. Poe stressed that if the agency used the Motor Vehicle User’s Fund to finance the construction of PMVICs instead of privatizing it, the government could have generated more income and become less of a burden to motorists. According to data from the DOTr, there is a total of P11.1 billion unreleased Motor Vehicle Inspection Center funds as of June 2019, while the capitalization for each PMVIC costs around P50 million. It was later found that 12 out of the 24 incorporators of PMVICs do not have enough capitalization. “The anomalies surrounding the rollout of PMVICs far outweigh its good intention of uplifting road safety. If we turn a blind eye to the irregularities now, motorists will shoulder this burden for years to come,” said the senator. The Senate adopted the report’s recommendation for the Senate blue ribbon committee to investigate the highly anomalous transactions surrounding the accreditation of PMVICs.

Proper disposal of waste urged By Macon Ramos-Araneta CITING the World Health Organization warning that serious health risks will further demoralize the communities traumatized by Covid-19, Senator Cynthia Villar urged Laguna province officials and those from other Local Government Units to properly use the composting facilities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She also mentioned the remark of the International Solid Waste Association that “Waste Management is one of the most important sanitary barriers to prevent the transmission of diseases”. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, sent her video message as a special guest during the ceremonial turnover of solid waste management equipment to the cities and municipalities of Laguna province. “To bring about a substantial reduction of the solid wastes, we generate, we should compose the biodegradable wastes, and we recycle those wastes that

are suitable to organic fertilizer which farmers can use for free and help in improving the degradation of the soil in the Philippine which is at 38 percent at present. She also told the DENR about the importance of the essence of time when it comes to protecting the environment. “To the DENR and the PITC (Philippine International Trading Corp.), I hope no more problem in the distribution of these equipment to the remaining 6 provinces and Metro Manila LGUs. Let us not tolerate delays, but should act swiftly,” said Villar, referring to the distribution of the remaining solid waste management equipment. Based on DENR records, Villar said, the LGUs in Pampanga received the first batch of equipment. She said Laguna was lucky enough as it came next. The 30 composting facilities given to Laguna LGUs were included in the procurement of 178 biodegradable waste shredders and composters that will be distributed to the LGUs comprising the Manila Bay watershed.

ARMY DONATION. Major General Greg Almerol, Commander of the Phil. Army 2nd

Infantry Division (center) receives sacks of Mindoro rice worth P50,000, rubbing alcohol worth P50,000, and Lola Remedios Food Supplement worth P144,000 from the officers and staff of the 407th (ARALD) Transport Battalion-Armed Forces of the Philippines Affiliate Reserve Unit-Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPARU-AFPRESCOM) headed by its Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Antonio Acuña, (Res) and Cpt. Mel Hallar, Army Reservist and Vice-President for Marketing of the Blackwater Security Agency, during the turnover at Camp General Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. Not in photo are Army Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Col. Chris Diaz, and Major Lester Sinlao (PA). Lino Santos

PLDT turns over Home WiFi units to teachers

AID TO DEPED. Shown in photo during the turn-over of PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid units

to the Department of Education are (from left) DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, PLDTSmart Foundation President Ma. Esther Santos and PLDT Home Product Manager Kristine Rementilla.

PLDT Home, through the PLDT Smart Foundation, recently turned over to the Department of Education one thousand units of Home WiFi Prepaid to enable public school teachers to experience a faster and more reliable internet connection as they conduct online classes, part of the DepEd’s blended learning strategy in these pandemic times. “We are happy to assist the DepEd and its teachers in conducting online classes and facilitating learning among students amid the restrictions brought about by the current pandemic. Our support to the country’s dedicated and hardworking teachers has always been profound. Our gratitude to them is immeasurable. The PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid will definitely help them manage digital education and reliably connect with their students,”

said PSF President Ma. Esther O. Santos. DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said “We really appreciate these donations from PLDT. Thank you! The Home WiFi Prepaid will be a great help to teachers in their online classes. These units will be distributed to them as soon as possible and we will immediately send to PLDT the list of schools actually receiving the units.” The Home WiFi Prepaid units form part of the proceeds from the PLDT Homesponsored virtual concert At Home with PLDT: No Learner Left Behind, held in July last year. PLDT Home supports the No Learner Left Behind movement which aims to maintain quality education of students and youths affected by the pandemic with projects and partnerships positioned to

deliver the needed tools and proper learning environments. Featuring famous singers and musical artists, the livestreamed concert was conducted for the benefit of students, educators and schools nationwide so that No Learner is Left Behind. Donations during the virtual event were coursed through the PSF’s Paymaya and bank accounts. Earlier, PLDT Home and PSF turned over five sets of School-in-a-Bag to the DepEd and distributed Home WiFi Prepaid units and load cards, also part of the virtual concert’s proceeds, to deserving scholars of AHA Learning Center and Kris for Peace Organization, among others. More load cards and WiFi units will likewise be donated to other public schools in the coming months.

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

IN BRIEF Grave of 4 Filipinos killed by IS found after 6 years THE grave of the four Filipino oil workers kidnapped and executed by the terrorist group Islamic State six years ago has finally been located, the Philippine Embassy in Libya said Tuesday. The embassy confirmed the bodies of Donato Santiago, Gregorio Titan, Roldan Blaza, and Wilson Eligue from recovered from the eastern coastal city of Derna . The victims were given a proper burial at the Dahr Ahmar Islamic Cemetery by members of the Libyan Red Crescent team. “After six long years, the families of our four kababayan will finally find closure,” Philippine Chargé d’Affaires to Libya Elmer Cato said. The Filipino victims were abducted along with two co-workers from Austria and the Czech Republic by ISIS militants who attacked the Ghani Oil Field in southern Libya on March 6, 2015. Rey Requejo

SNAP LOCKDOWN. Workers from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office disinfects the Arranque market along Recto avenue in Manila on March 2, 2021. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso placed the entire market under lock down following reports that a number of vendors tested positive for COVID-19. Norman Cruz

Villafuerte denies hand in budget cut By Maricel V. Cruz CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Tuesday denied allegations that he and former Speaker Alan Cayetano were involved in the P70 billion slash from the pension and gratuity fund of retired military and police personnel in the last year’s national budget. Villafuerte made the statement in response to the accusation of Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab during the plenary session Monday night, dismissing the claim as “absurd.” “The congressman should be listening to what he is blabbering because he would probably say he had misquoted himself if only he could,” Villafuerte, a former deputy speaker, said in a statement. Ungab accused the previous leadership of the House of Representatives of allegedly manipulating the 2020 national budget, which resulted in budget cuts totaling P209 billion, including the more than P70 billion meant for military and police pension. Ungab was the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations when Congress approved in 2019 the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 under the leadership of Cayetano. Villafuerte squarely rejected Ungab’s allegation. “First, there was no such push by the then-Speaker or by myself at the bicameral committee talks for the 2020 GAA bill. If I recall correctly, if there was such a move, it waas probably initiated by the Senate, not by the House contingent, let alone by the Speaker or by myself,” Villafuerte said.

PDEA chief to quit if ‘sell-bust’ proven

By Rio N. Araja

HILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency executive director Wilkins Villanueva on Tuesday said he would resign if evidence would prove that his agents sold drugs in a botched operation at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City last week.

Villanueva made the statement amid accusations that PDEA agents sold drugs to QC cops based on a CCTV camera footage. “Speak if there is evidence. The CCTV is a proof. Present the CCTV showing the alleged drug sale between the PDEA and Philippine National Police. That would make me resign now,” he said. “Show us the evidence on CCTV that

the PDEA actually sold (drugs) and you (PNP) bought from us. That thing is already a case in itself. I will resign immediately,” he added. National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. earlier said one of the law enforcement teams could have done an illegal practice of sell-bust. The Feb. 24 shootout led to the deaths

of two policemen, a PDEA agent and an informant. On Sunday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI will “go anywhere its investigation will lead to.” President Rodrigo Duterte earlier met with Villanueva and National Police Chief Gen. Debold Sinas to call off what would have been a joint PNPPDEA probe. Duterte, according to his spokesman Harry Roque, assured Villanueva that the National Bureau of Investigation would conduct a fair probe of the shootout. “The President explained why he had directed the NBI to lead the investigation. The President wants an impartial investigation,” Roque said.

ASSET FREEZE.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, led by its Executive Dir. Wilkins Villanueva, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council post a closure order at a condominium unit in Ortigas Center owned by a Chinese couple allegedly involved in illegal drug trade. Manny Palmero

CA overturns lower court decision reviving rebellion case vs. Trillanes

THE Court of Appeals has overturned the ruling of the Makati City Regional Trial Court in 2018 reviving the rebellion case against former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for his involvement in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. In a 59-page decision, the CA’s Sixth Division, through Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr., granted his petition seeking to nullify the orders

issued by Makati City RTC, Branch 150, Presiding Judge Elmo Alameda on September 25, 2018 and December 18, 2018. Alameda, in his September 25 order, sustained the validity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572, which revoked the grant of amnesty to Trillanes by former President Aquino. This paved the way for the lower

Probe Cordillera ‘tokhang’ —solons By Maricel V. Cruz THE Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has sought a congressional investigation into the reported plan of Cordillera officials to conduct tokhang-like operations against leftleaning individuals. In filing House Resolution No. 1607, the group also condemned the issuance of the Cordillera Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Resolution 4, which it said could open the floodgates for another wave of widespread rights violations and extrajudicial killings, this time against activists and critics.

“Even before the resolution, activists have been subjected to intense vilification, illegal detention, and even extrajudicial killings,” the resolution read. “The implementation of the already controversial and notorious Oplan Tokhang to ‘dissuade’ activists and dissenters from airing otherwise legitimate concerns poses a threat to the country’s democracy.” The Makabayan bloc is composed of Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat and Ferdinand Gaite of Bayan Muna; Arlene Brosas of Gabriela; Sarah Elago of Kabataan and France Castro of ACT Teachers.

court’s granting of the motion of the Department of Justice for the reopening of the rebellion case and the issuance of an arrest warrant and hold departure order against the senator. The trial court stressed that Trillanes failed to comply with the minimum requirements to be entitled to an amnesty. The lower court ruled the former senator failed to prove that he actu-

ally applied to be granted amnesty and that he expressly admitted his guilt to the crimes committed pertaining to the Manila Peninsula takeover. However, while the CA upheld the constitutionality of Proclamation 572, it noted that the DOJ failed to comply with the procedural rules in assailing the validity of the Makati RTC’s dismissal of the rebellion case in 2011. Rey Requejo

Number coding remains suspended in NCR THE number coding scheme remained suspended in the National Capital Region, except in Makati City where a modified coding scheme is being enforced. “The number coding scheme implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority remains suspended while the general community quarantine status in Metro Manila continues throughout the month of March and the operation of public vehicles is still being arranged,” the MMDA said in its advisor y. The MMDA’s number coding system was devised to keep vehicles out of major thoroughfares on certain days based on the last digit of the license plate. Joel E. Zurbano

National Museum reopens to visitors 15-65 years old THE National Museum of the Philippines has finally reopened yesterday after almost a year of suspending operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The limited reopening will only cover the central museums, namely the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History. The National Planetarium will remain closed until cinemas and theaters are allowed to operate in Metro Manila. Only guests 15 to 65 years old are allowed to enter and they must book tickets online at least one day in advance. Walk-ins are not allowed.

Customs exceeds Feb. target with P46.1b collection By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs exceeded its February target with collections reaching P46.145 billion despite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bureau’s Financial Service office said the amount was 9.5 percent higher than its P42.157 billion collection target. Ten of 17 collection districts surpassed their respective collection targets last month, namely the Port of Legaspi, Port of Tacloban, Port of Cagayan De Oro, Port of Subic, Port of Batangas, Port of Iloilo, Port of Clark, Port of Davao, Port of Manila, and the Manila International Container Port. Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero said the surplus was achieved through the intensified collective efforts of all ports and the improvement of the volume of importation. He also credited the government’s effort to ensure the unhampered movement of goods while maintaining border security.

IMPROVED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

As part of continuing efforts to help improve the healthcare delivery system in the Philippines, BDO Foundation rehabilitated six rural health units in Iloilo, Isabela and Western Samar. Despite constraints caused by the pandemic, the foundation renovated the Municipal Health Office of Aurora in Isabela; Calbiga Rural Health Unit and Birthing Facility in Western Samar; and the Rural Health Unit Dapa in Siargao, Surigao del Norte. In Iloilo, it renovated the Dueñas Municipal Health Office, Barotac Viejo Municipal Health Office and Birthing Facility, and Mina Municipal Health Center.

Opinion Opinion inion Opinion Opinion

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HE Offi ce the has blow, not to lengthy track inside job considering the internal tial race in favor of then Trump nsidious hackwork habits. is true some families gove nmen stial p odevelopment y in s favor o vacc na on an lives would be understatement. ng the to 500th track record. ply inside job considering the internal technological nautical dents andthete race oftime then candidate Trump Still, themost worst andcandidate mosthackinsidious hackought justice tory such as the assassination of Antonio spurred to unprecedented heights. after, those whoThis have fortunate enough toan keep a job and pro-years orders its release tive of the cybersecurity firmharangued FireEye, has its top officials resigning enofmasse. and communities differently This should tial race in favor of clearest then candidate Trump Still, the worst and insidious be done anywhere at any and against tice the ven main Democratic fundraising They are here to weeks, tion their own, respectively—educators are tryOne of the manifestations for una e enough o keep a ob and proagainst his Democratic rival, former US bvert political An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems rocking UCPB, which has seen Many hea hthewo ke s its aheist eDemocratic sayshould ngtoproblems ha heyas rocking nial as histocorruption in government which would have been good, but to the fortunate enough to keep a job and proAn expert, John Hultquist, senior execuUCPB, which has seen One of the clearest manifestations science and will of leaders reach Luna, the death of the Bonifacio brothers against his rival, former US ing operations are done to subvert political time, and w ver is left of it, “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconand thrown tons of garbage at then Presraised alarm bells over the Russian hackers In any event, this serve vide their children their learning tools. case, of a Chi req One of theresigning clearest manifestations ferent. against his Democratic former US ing operations are of done to Hillary subvertvice political camof it, for ing to make with available technology to or Secretary State Clinton’s ocieties. The Army commanders. any perceived adversary Given such an rm) cyber attacks Microsoft vare de he rpresided ch dren he rofin earn ng oo sthe improve our empathy and correct our tive ofdo cybersecurity firm FireEye, has itsand top officials en masse. Meanwhile students are also adjusting to stay. of that change isrival, the education w previously no p esen hemse ves oin bebanks. vacc na edClinton’s of Europeans They here to unknown lands and recreate tive the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its top officials resigning en masse. vide their children their learning tools. the mass murders in Samar during potential, tone down their voice, and They are here to Secretary of State Hillary camprocesses and undermine societies. The nect the narrative surrounding Spanish we should put ident Marcos and those who noting that while multiple cyber-espionage a wake-up call not only for This is their own, fi ght against corruption which is downright bad. Ombudsman’s fr ONDAY the 8th will be International Women’s Day, of that change is in the education or functio Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s camprocessespaign.” and undermine societies. The un he e s p oo ha he gove nmen can reach raised out to their students and enable them tohackers put interfersian that change isserve inshould the education alarm bells over the Russian Inof any event, this heist serve asover In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reworld geography. marked theand beginGiven the continuing debate over theenvironment theIt security of ent Tom Burt has been quoted as raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers Instability any event, this heist should as the Fil-American war, to name a few, thedemands actors have targeted organizations associshort-sightedness In doing our best to alsosystem. for regulators, government agencies arrival in the Philippines developed as each thestay. country’s fate during those years dismiss their contributions. Despite paign.” controversy over spotted thesayRussian interferis in UCPB caper the much-changed of schoolwork for the purpose o ing to make may not be learn, notwithstanding the great challenges paign.” controversy over the Russian interferaper Microsoft has also state-sponns favor of stay. but this special forgetthe women normally runs system. noting thatsecurity while multiple acall wake-up callfor not only for banks. This ensu e of he eMicrosoft y Wha hey wan awake-up vacand s. the landing ning onesaof the most powerful empires martial law Mabayo’s notes shouldin noting that while cyber-espionage arrival the flotilla and the death its iscould as spotted notasof only banks. This isha ofoccasion ated not with upcoming election, the exsystem. and other companies doing essential Jus week we earned Omcountry went onthese tomultiple construct their own na-cyber-espionage over the fact that more and has also state-sponence inyears, thein 2016 US favor of the gains, gaps remain. For Someone who ported that “State forces andexamgovand societies as well as the integrity at the initial failed attempt on Biden’s reach to learnout new by untested methods. sored hackers China and Iran, targeting mp lingers. In cope but weposed should also pick out the lesLessons from Microsoft has also spotted state-sponence in mo the 2016 US elections inelections favor of nations They may have grown up points with technology actors have targeted organizations associc ne ha s sa e w h h gh e cacy a e and also for regulators, government agencies led by PorW TH e han ha a m on F p nos in history, defined by its maritime force make the storytellers pause, take a deep perts are “most concerned with that of the incumbent president’s corner. And this sensitive services. The incident reminds leader, Magellan, as well as the eventual budsman Samue Mar res had m ed he actors have targeted organizations associalso for regulators, government agencies tional identities. In the practice of national more of view, of actual accounts the entire month of March. sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting SALN then-candidate Donald Trump lingers. In Publicof nable this incischool areand setIran, to reopen on Octople, teenage mothers are left Lessons from Mr. Martires’ ious about w individuals involved in both presidential gainst was Trump The teachers themselves are having aofficial’s dif-with learn, notw sored hackers in China targeting then-candidate Donald Trump lingers. In nciLessons from ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to and standing companies and institutions aign “ specifically targeted by sons will come handy when this crid Magellan a and easonab p but ce and nooneprivate ee o in eve yone a eady n fact, ec and ed itand neatheir y key 11 000 dead this episode will be atedchoice with the upcoming election, the exand other essential and but mostly for recreation andonmilitary socialization Catholicism, that was toin last Russian time around they are joined by Chinese them double their efforts securing breath widen horizons. There landing ofcompanies the remaining pub c’s access o expedition’s he S doing ac set emen of Asse s oOctoPub schoo are seon reopen Ocduring o- intelligence ated with the upcoming election, the exand other companies doing essential and myth making, historical events pewhat transpired that period unit..which contra-that letter of authorit bertoe5,individuals many learning instituinvolved both presidential remains issue against Trump aying: We told no but to are forego education campaigns but issue moreaagainst intensely against the otold the Novemfrom, even Public school are to reopen ficult time adjusting to the new demands of posed by the individuals involved in both presidential fact, it remains a key Trump recent pronouncement this episode will be Homonhon, harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and ingranting stheir shou d be done a ongs de mass veschool es year. he COV Dall 19 pandem c con nues o exac poses thethis threat toAnd the democratand Iranian hackers inMageldigital systems and devices. ofTh note can indeed be easily undermined by ussian hackers via phishing attacks four centuries. perts are “most concerned that of the a CO incumbent corner. And this sensitive services. The incident reminds more to the events meets thetoeye. Duterte imposed one ofgreatest theu-president’s earliest lockship, Victoria, in Spain under and Lber ab esbut ofToday governmen off clearning a Demosin episode will rused, selected for exclusion or inclusion their ‘construct’ have been comperts are “most concerned with that of with the incumbent president’s corner. this sensitive The incident reminds ber 5presumably bu many pr va use e vening earn ng ns sis is be finally over That wisdom would be SALN tions have already started the they have to technology to subTrump organization. mocrats and a isagain campaigns but more intensely against the over again inthan the run-up the Novemng the extent priceless. about This theme is Women Leadand opportunities. Those suffering their work. Sure, they may be teaching from 5,year’s many private institucampaigns but more the services. all over the to the NovemtenttopunctuThe teach ic out. process.. as this hacking group hasby been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side the After all, activities that seek tothem comprobeen ng con ac a acrest ng and pintensely ope so this aagainst on a campaign’s heavy onin he narun-up onAquino And even as adversary wehisa click “...To the of the world, was AsoBut Father Rannie wrote in Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined Chinese them to double their efforts in securing lan’s second-in-command, Juan SebasA memorandum onin Sep 1ready agiven dFuture down VIRTUAL by storytellers, in this case the states, and ing Their narrative even if they insist frustrates not corruption, Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined by Chinese to double their efforts securing some instances attack and kill political acof finger Grabe t the communications for inspecting Through a mix of so-called synchronous experts say Moscow is the erts insisting downs in the world. Still, even if it was the ons have a s ar ed he schoo year Trump organization. ber elections, with the Democrats and a d not have hapEverybod priceless. the comfort of their homes, but there is defiership: Achieving and Equal in from domestic abuse feel compelled tions have already started thebashing school year. priceless organization. ber elections, with and a Trump happriceless. stitute the interactions experiences they ficult time ao responsible for some of the most provocasanctions imposed andand profile mise digital entire systems, The gains in gender An ndependen h nk even ank aced hethe stuhe de worries veon y othethem pthe ec Democrats ous vaccyears, nes om arguably aasynchronous keydevices, milestone inhas thephistory column martial law every poses the greatest threat toviolence theyour democratand Iranian hackers presumably inposes Demotian Elcano, has engendered inxhe itsofSALN wake their digital systems he hree cond ons nhigh whdevices. ch then told and retold—proselytized, realasand non-debatable has been that thesecurity most, given Russia’s the greatest threat to bear thecommunity democrateting, backslanted inawa the as and Iranian hackers presumably inscrutinized Demotheir digital systems and devices. SALN shall a and methods—where still bebe able Through a m so-ca ed synchronous But experts say Moscow is the adversary number of US experts insisting help. In fact, nitely nothing comfortable about doing a COVID-19 World. Issues involving to be silent and the for tivists, environmentalists, leadworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown but the fi ght against Through a mix of so-called synchronous But experts say Moscow is the adversary number of US security experts insisting t, as tivecratic and aggressive cyber operations of given allly—to these countries have been financial or79 state gains or plain cou their work. REALITY on the story Phoffor pp nes nand heteacher h ank ou exchange o just 100 ab oad story he con ag on his s no expec o sub globalization; thereafter, the teller has or her owned“construct” aRussia’s ofthe accounts, written or dtrove betwo re eased If hethat off c getting aotherwise, orand hfrom s hods—where or challenger ic process.. as this hacking group has been challenger Joe Biden’s side the After all, activities seek to comprotheir respective peoples. and found wanting. It is not the only lengthy track record. In real world, however, espeWe were hoping dents are present all atnathe same ic process.. as this hacking group has been cratic Joe Biden’s side given the After all, activities that seek to comproequality are just half ment. Stud work in the same manner for many years, that worries them the most, given that the Russian hackers are back in the have been simand asynchronous me he s uwomen have always been tricky, but the fear of stigma. Girls, despite showing that worries them the most, given Russia’s hackers are iny the simtime.” the Trump administration. moments become such lu- her and asynchronous methods—where the stuers, and journalists.” thethe comfort s of ourthat failed toopen the pandemic. ons ntime, he and pandem chave esponse mak ng digital shisde the buofRussian even wo sen wour hHultquist, he dback scove o execuof“gotcha” cultures, ideas, and technology was that in history. Forty eight corruption. each changing with every represen adevices, ve reques snarrative. fcontain asystems, cour “...One such example ofsome this is the An period expert, John senior responsible for of the most provocaimposed andhe high mise digital even entire story toa tell. As some noted writers and cially as the public schools in a few has had time to where they perform other tasks on responsible for ofthen the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile bashing mise devices, even entire systems, educators w evengreat decades, and having to shift to an lengthy track record. ngofthe internal In reaprofile wor dbashing however andsome espeden s and eacher are presen aIfsanctions he same COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized academic potential, are not givthese latest hacking attempts on othIn the case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed lengthy track record. In the real world, however, and espedents and teacher are present all at the same the story. nrnal Antonio one o As a Pac c s unde pe o me s a new v us s a n ha cou d u he w eak spurred to unprecedented heights. nitely nothi years after, those who have harangued Such is the nature of the beast, as we orders s re ease n re a on o a pend ng tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has marked difference in the retelling of the academics have been saying lately, the Duterte has vowed to continue his “war tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain to weeks, the situation could be starkly difTen days before Duterte imposed the lockhow blatantly itwil go their own, respectively—educators are trytive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain parents altogether new way of teaching. An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuwhich has seen erwise secure organizations in US soil c a y as he pub c schoo s open n a few Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the past few years. Hackme and where hey perform o her asks on those concerns, highlighting the need en the chance to pursue a career beAn expert, John Hultquist, senior execuseen cially as the public schools open in a few acio brothers time, and where they perform other tasks on have asmake o end y 2021 he sec LOPEZ surprisingly, an eventual disconhavoc on ou aalarm eady ove bu dened hea PreshhackersWe“...Not and thrown tons of garbage then raised bells over the at Russian work the used toofsay, that accounts ofbecome events orsuch inci-he TONY case or a Children reques sdown made hrough story of They Ferdinand Magellan’s An-their tools law years were not as dark andelectorut- on time.” ferent. may not have adequate the2020, Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have lu-martial for transparency. Uc ing to doJanua with available technology to time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have become such luport in their could trouble with drugs” will be death. “asare relentless and commanders on March 15, there were only tive ofjust cybersecurity firm FireEye, has involve the most hotly contested not just of the security establishment buty—educa ofare ers are corner and masse. They are here toArmy weeks he sesthey ua on cou ddifbecause swhich ark y dhave f-brothers for freedom from stigma, stereotypes their given priority. hed r equipment. own respec ve orsweeks, are rytive the cybersecurity has amar during They are here to theof situation could be starkly nect inreach thelurking narrative surrounding Spanish ond hof ghes numbe othe naround ec firm onsthe nFireEye, Sou heas and those who presided ca e sysident em Marcos noting that while multiple cyber-espionage their own, respectively—educators try-useless dents, whether personal or historical rests Ombudsman’s f e nves ga on off ce come from prosperous fam o beg n tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decade terly as these guys are saying or functioning The home time to perfect his If these latest hacking attempts on othIn case the Russian operations for out to their students and enable them to crative, even highly sought and developed for this, so If these latest hacking attempts on othIn the case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed and with connectivity, or they could also al race in the planet, using as they do the itself ng is that Russian military can beRussian activated inRussian no Microsoft raised alarm over the hackers health crisis. various industries chilling on the day it events began.” Hein wants In 2019 the Human Rights Watch reand violence. Household are byUS the feren Chnot dren have adequa edecisions raised alarm bells over the hackers ehould as TWO confirmed cases. At this writing, the opast make do w h ava e to echno ogy o Across me a few,serve the actors have organizations arrival in on theoperations Philippines developed as each country’s fatecaduring those As ahacking nex ynotwithstanding o ndones abells s ove am on Ouasover doc othe sstay. nu sestargeted med echno og years s sassociferent. Children may have adequate heavily on the story teller. Inorganizations the case of he purpose of a ideal fac -fplace nd ng probe w hwant or may otoher bus ness nitmay eres sno ing tohave make do with available technology afind detailed journal of the of themade everybody believe. Like in may not be an to focus and ab towould altogether ing lifestyle chen the great challenges secure organizations soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the few years. HackIn findin iterwise difficult to be effective at their jobsof erwise secure organizations in US soil Trump’s re-election, thehave reports coming out undertakings in the past few years. Hackmost sophisticated methods available, iskept hackers targeted 200 US timelearn, at all. Indeed, have become part for stay. noting thatthey while multiple cyber-espionage This iscould and professions, women have proven To be sure, women across the world male heads of the family, consigning noting that while multiple cyber-espionage death its suppo isbanks. is ofand ated snot with upcoming election, the ported exor func on ng equ pmen The home I country went on to construct their own nareach ou o he r s uden s and enab e hem o over the that moreonand cases and nea y 30 000 dea hs a get athe dese ve fact commenda the Magellan expedition and subsequent or sources of ncome If a hese are nd Someone who reques s a copy of an death penalty, banned under the Constituthat “State security forces and govvoyage, wrote of how Magellan was beor functioning equipment. The home all distress and conflict situations as the Philippines is the pandemic epicenter in the reach out to things. their students and enable them to learn new Parents could be anx“Wealth does posed by these untested methods. IN A previous column I talked about PresiThey cou involve the most hotly contested electornot just of the security establishment but of ers are lurking just around the corner and member thn using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. involve the most hotly contested electornot just of the security establishment but of ers are lurking just around the corner and actors have targeted organizations associnment agencies perts are concerned with the er. that gender barriers should be dismanthe And eventual actors have targeted organizations associcies and in the Philippines have shown exwomen to the background. tional identities. In the practice of national points of of actual accounts “A yea has passed bu he bas c p ob em othisdo more ng eve y h“most ngview, human y poss b ethato of ernment-backed may no be an dea p ace o focus and o events thereafter an article written by earn no w hs and ng he grea cha enges off c a ’s SALN mus presen a no ar zed ca ed n he SALN—assum ng we can s sieged by natives in Cebu while attemptcountry was at that time, there were misso ious about where the next meal may come may not be an ideal place to focus and to he said before law The teachers themselves are having a diflearn, notwithstanding the great challenges al race in using the planet, using as they and do Microsoft itself is that Russian military hacking operations can beinactivated in no be andthe commu doneaanywhere at any time and against with c and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities dangerous tion for crimes, toasbe reimposed for paramilitaries continue to tion. 11-nation ASEAN with total ofRussian 265,888 casal race inmost the planet, they doPresthe Microsoft itself is that military hacking operations can be activated no dent Rodrigo Now, ated with the upcoming election, the exgdsand essential andwhat Russian unit..which by Chinese cluded in the Otherwise the remaining tled. Despite starting from positions of ated with the upcoming election, myth making, events petranspired that period contraamples of sterling leadership thetakes Imagine how much better societies on ng hea hhistorical wo ke sDuterte’s nto esuch a are ona the oachievements. heex- etime p even he sp eadmilitary o during he cointelligence onav us and o con Raisa Mabayo, Third Secretary er of au hor yifour from he owner of he have access oadversary. hem— hen we can very earn new hsuch ngs Paren sshortlist coumost d besophisticated anxing to help Rajah Humabon, a methods recently and low points but there were high posed by hese un amid es ed me hods from, even they did not have toand worry Tuesday. In fact, ficult time adjusting the new demands of learn new things. Parents could be anxany perceived Given an platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice is when these are done in brazen posed by these untested methods. improve o available, it is hackers have targeted 200 US organizations at all. Indeed, they have become part fo Meanwhile, students are also adjusting to find it diffi most sophisticated methods available, it is hackers have targeted 200 US organizations time at all. Indeed, they have become part TO THE drug crimes. harass threaten arbitrarily arrest and in poses the greatest threat to the democratbly in Demoperts are “most concerned with that of the es. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines incumbent president’s corner. And this cident reminds terte imposed one of the earliest lockder Magelhere are his failures: rused, selected for exclusion or inclusion vening their ‘construct’ have been comperts concerned with that ofdthe corner. And this COV inds incumbent disadvantage, women have successfully Dare 19“most ssue manner ema he AHW sa p even mo epresident’s dea hs Vice-Consul inBurt of Cultural Diplocrisis. Some ofcharge that have superbly could be if women were accorded opSALN gran hethose reques Noare reques s points we apprec adparties, ef-some con ex ident cannot legally appoint you asothers memCatholicized local ruler convert and celebratory ones as well. ous abou where he nex mea may come about a ng COVID-19 infection. lifestyle The eachers hemse ves hav ng aabout their work. Sure,ns they may be environment, the security and stability of Tom has been quoted as sayand wayward as” what happened to from short-sighte ious where the next meal may come the much-changed demands ofaschoolwork. The teachers themselves having aare difnot farfetched to the think that theerning same canthe ch (political think tanks, consultants ofpresident everyday life. using on not farfetched to think that same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants ofteaching everyday life. c ic out. process.. this hacking has been side the military intelligence unit..which time around they joined Chinese ts in ingiven securing Juan SebasbyUCPB storytellers, in this casehomes, the states, and ing Their narrative ifgroup they Russian military intelligence unit..which “To da e 1. heRussian gove nmen has no had ais defitime around they are joined by Chinese ring But the people love the President for Bu ou med caas on neeven sare have a insist so by some instances attack and kill political acmacy inthethe Philippine Embassy in Maovercome biases and stereotypes and L fes ywould esocieties checks however are here for for nspec ng or ak ng pho os of heheto new dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely managed their pandemic response— portunities that allowed them to reach srofile the world Still even if it was the to Catholicism and loyalty toof Spain. MaBut that be another story. Back Everybody is trying his or her best The Philippines’ greatest depression nations and as well as the integrity intends to ask ing that initial failed attempt on Biden’s which can unhinge the banking systhe comfort of their but there from even f hey d d no have o worry ber of the Board of Trustees PhilHealth f cu me ad us ng o demands of cope, butCow They may have grown up with technology, from, even if they did not have to worry be done anywhere at any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities dangerous POINT ficult time adjusting to the new demands of be done anywhere at any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities dangerous responsible for some of the most provocation. poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in Demod in itsbashing wake vices. then told and retold—proselytized, realas non-debatable has been scrutinized cposes eatem. comp ehens vethreat p an providing on oessential gh your ound hemsehackers ves v c presumably ms the o helockdown same sease tivists dridstill provides interesting insight and aby tobe the to how thecommunity democratand Iranian in dDemoaMabayo’s reason vcompanies ng beyond one’s means” s“drugs SALN sha be aan owed charted their own destinies —amore far cry gellan believed that his of2019, force notes on the quincentennial New Zealand, for instance, orteaching their leadership potential in such their and standing of institutions was “...specifically targeted Or, to companies be able to learn this new environtakes issueew nitely nothing comfortable about doing the war.” Indisplay May top environmentalists leadabou aand COVID-19 nfec on sons 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. d’s longest strictest but mostly for recreation and socialization. he rdone work Sure hey may each ng“L from any perceived adversary. Given anthat platform) cyber attacks. Microsoft vice iscampaign when these are in such aTaiwan, brazen Ingreatest the second quarter of 2020, the Philipabout afor COVID-19 infection. much as president and CEO tivecratic and operations of given allly—to neek getting from and their work. they may be from any perceived adversary. Given such antwoHe platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice ishas when these are done inSure, such a inwe brazen Meanwhi or otherwise, ic process.. as this hacking group has been challenger Biden’s side the to comprotheir respective peoples. and found wanting. ItoJoe is not the the only COV D 19 Hea h wo ke s eva ua ed he hey have been yaggressive ng o con cyber fresh perspective on how should view We were hop ng ha Ombudsman Mar res no a fanc fu erm bu a s a emen of fac ic process.. as this hacking group been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given prowould be enough to accomplish those celebrations as posted in The Diplomat: of note can indeed be easily undermined by the Russian hackers via phishing attacks goods and services such as those in food from when they anchored their status ment. Students will learn their lessons, ormanner Germany—are led by Here communities, organizations yond one’s work in the same” manner for many years, sis isofmean finall Today they have use technology to subsor allies ry ng hmade s answer orfamilies, her hetheir comfor ofwomen. he rSecretary homes bu here shas def - Burt time.” environment, the security and stability president Tom has been quoted as sayand wayward manner ashomes, what todefiEverybody isEverybody trying his her best to itthebes handily into themisSenate elecand journalists environment, security and stability ofof president Tom Burt been quoted as sayand wayward as campaign’s what happened tohappened the comfort but there is Carlos Dominguez says dentire to contain the pandemic Thus the to otothe question the much-ch pine economy slumped to its lowest ever in rrative. “...One such example of thisand is the responsible for of the most provocasanctions and writers high profile bashing systems, story to tell. and Asimposed some noted and ers and even teach history our schools and DOH and Dudecades, e esome adm a some on s one yea EMIL has had he me oof reflearn ec in onFinance h teach sin dec sbetter, on andand ha says expenses one’s na“...On click ofMarch a one’s finger Grabe. against the communications manufacturing or and inn power utilities tasks. Thatand fateful decision and his responsible for ofsthen the most provocasanctions imposed high profile bashing ms, 16, 2021, weexceed will comeducators will to and fulfillment tofailed what their fathers or may only have (U “d even having to shift to an at home, women leaders the national countries. priceless. stitute theenv interactions and experiences theyintegrity If these latest hacking attempts on othoperations for s be ab e o earn n h s new ronn e y no h ng comfor ab e abou do ng your nations and societies as well as the ing that the initial attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysnations and societies as well as the integrity ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysstill be able to learn in this new environnitely nothing comfortable about doing your asthese weplain They may h marked difference incyber thehistory retelling of the academics have been saying the tions which solidified power Duterte has vowed to continue his “war tive and aggressive operations thesesecure two countries havelately, been getting or just “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert anthe the younger generations. this Mabayo nsbeast, days before Duterte imposed the lockpe ofrom mance n hand ng COV Dcyber 19 pan whether or of not the appointment ofLapu Gierran how b parents aof anally congoes agahave ns Inhe avowed f gh come andthe a achieved. o heranniversary revenue aken oge her calculation ofLet enemy forces, ledDuterte’s by 500th of tive and aggressive operations of all two countries have been getting from lain the country’s -a 16.5-percent will learn how best they can sup-memorate ties.” This, he say altogether new way of teaching. partners They are sources and local spheres shown compasus be mindful of the gaps that erwise organizations in US soil ts coming out men S uden satargeted wsand earn heand rof standing essons o of and companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically by resulted tem. Or,the to companies providing essential work nmanner he same manner for many years standing companies institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by tem. Or, to companies providing essential ment. Students will learn their lessons, JURADO work in the same for many years, vents orsuch inci-Trump story of ne Ferdinand Magellan’s death. Anmartial law years were not as dark andelectorut- on but mostly time.” the2020 Trump administration. piece, oft-repeated note—history is come dem c as c en neg gen and a a u e ” for ransparency Unfor una e y he has used h s Spec f ca y f a governmen off c ab e Lapu, in Magellan’s death. arrival of Europeans in the Philippines. time.” the administration. luport their children. Nothing prepared us We agree that They could have trouble with their tools base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and drugs” which will be “as relentless and is legal depends on whether his name was strength and inspiration to their colestimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordon March 15 there were only sionate, decisive and systematic action continue to exist, and of the biases— involve theworkers most hotly contested shment but oflu-Health traction in economic production. On top of of can indeed easily undermined by H the Russian via goods and services asfood those in food educa orsattacks wteach o was each benote er the and ofattacks note can indeed be easily undermined by the Russian via phishing goods and me services such those inaga even decades and hen havIttong sh omeans anhackers storical rests educators will tophishing better, and Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, andsuch then having to useless asRussian these are saying they written by the victors—which has been hetonio g oup added oprevent perfec hthe sas argumen ns hehelp. hoshift doan ve af BMW on alearn ow mon h to yearn amorIf connectivity, these latest hacking attempts on othIn case ofguys the Russian operations for and developed Today He struck in face by abeMactan is adrohackers day that different things for this, so complaining will not If these latest hacking attempts on othIn theterly case ofinthe operations for ped equatethey to and with or they could also al race the planet, using as they do chilling the sian military leagues and families. to spread ofnew the virus, prohidden or otherwise—that wesarily continin that shortlist for the Board of Trustees Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela on the day it began ” He wants ing to researchers from our universities. The Onackconfirmed cases At this writing the a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications manufacturing or in power and utilities the 0.7-percent contraction in the first quara click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications manufacturing or in power and utilities paren s w earn how bes hey can supthe case of Army commanders. a oge her way of each ng kept a detailed journal of the events of the would want everybody to believe. Like in parents will learn how best they can supdescribe the government’s de rigueur for most people, gets a better altogether newour waygovernmen of teaching. ngvide of fes e checks for za on—we wonder where ha exthe s s—or Doub e ssecure andard warrior using a local scimitar. After, the Perhaps organizations US soil Trump’s re-election, theavailable, reports out countries and their peoples. w years. Hack- most stitute Iny finding stride, itaffected, is off bestc atosand re-different should not the takecin find iterwise difficult to be effective at their jobs secure organizations in US soil in Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out coming sophisticated methods it erwise is organizations That, however, is just half story. relief to those already ue to have about women. the I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reds,and subsequent Rosa, initially spearheaded theWe “drug death penalty under the Constitupor r ch dren No ng prepared usfrom voyage, of how Magellan was bedistress and conflict situations as lockdown enabled ushto reinforce our ppines isresponse the pandemic epicenter in the cou have roub w he r Philippines, oo s children. than even counterpoint as historical “Wea h does no They rans atrouble efarodas corrup on ” etools buys mu ptheir e houses onhehealth aNothing m edviolence sa Spanish ary hwho port prepared us The ve ywrote ch aonly ebanned dthe e en om you and ships retreated 2020, the 16.5 -percent growth drop “...To the that first conThey could have with their involve most hotly contested electornot just of the security but ter of the corner andall member that one crisis affects families know that n m using the available medium of GDP instrucnot farfetched to think thatestablishment thebut same consultants involve the most hotly contested electornot just of the security establishment ofthe can Inequality, prejudice and to their plight keep the economy afloat despite the ef- the dayhe would comeCebu. when it is no longer ported that “State and over govwritten by sieged by natives innove Cebu attemptthat time, were sons belief appointment of for hy sforces so comp awar,” nhelp. ng no p * to * * haour has nodthis, sa gn fsecurity can ncreased he w sa and dand before awmakers ahmy aconnec budge hear ngor up and for wsystem vbuild ythat hey cou so me Tha smost wha he Fnow zge for so complaining will not al race in theswhile planet, using as he they do the Microsoft itself isthere that Russian military activated in nocountry communities differently. This should were elected the Senate. Dela Rosa be donewas anywhere at any time andmisagainst with connectivity, or they could also fundraising tion for crimes toSco reimposed for tion. and capacity to do widetion ASEAN with a total of 265 888 casal race in the planet, using asbe they do the Microsoft itself isatthat Russian military nic no means the country is in recession with remain. With or without the pandemic, fects ofInthe lockdowns. relevanto to mark this occasion because ernment-backed paramilitaries ecretary and to help Rajah Humabon, a methods recently takes and lowhave points butorganizations there were high cluded in the as extremely slow, numb facformer sa dbe ha he correct govyears ha serves redcontinue f In ag a was po aan dings supposed o have sa d once o E adjusting nesit available, Inas fastride, nd ng stoearlier rnde-named s bes reanyhackers perceived adversary. Given Microsoft vice fhend dNational ffeffective cu oawbe effec ve a hen he obs improve our empathy and ourour most sophisticated it itexcellent is difficult targeted 200 USsuch organizations ve become part of Investigation Inr of finding our itour is best to re-column Meanwhile, students are also to find to atBureau their jobs an I suggested that the That, most sophisticated methods available, is Tuesday hackers have targeted 200 US part to head thehave Senate committee drug crimes spread testing in communities. From just is No 21 in the world The Philippines women all ages are imprisoned by TO THE The work is not limited to the gaps would been closed. harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in first semester drop in economic output of 9 Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockltural DiploArmy commanders. p Army commanders. Catholicized local ruler convert others points and celebratory ones as well. ident cannot ern ng fes y e checks s og ca and ha he er on where o ook more c ose y Hem ngway who ep eddemands “Yes They ve the tanks, security andtanks, stability of quoted as say- environment, Now, the lockdowns will make half of short-sightedness. In doing our best to member ha one cr s s affec s fam es the much-changed of schoolwork. us ng he on y ava ab e med um of ns rucnot farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think consultants member that one crisis affects families using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think consultants chief as president and chief President should create policy” in andnations deaf. VIRTUAL some instances attack and killconpolitical ac- their age-old mindsets that discount downs inleadership the world. Dante Still, evenGierran ifduring it wasactual the those inask positions this however, isa a“jobs long way from today. charged with investigating police matters But the people love the President for ber reof the B bassy inBiden’s Maaround 1,282 PCR tests per day dged Germany yesterday and is barely In 2019, the Human Rights Watch to Catholicism and loyalty to Spain. MaBut that would be another story. Back In 2019, the Human Rights Watch rePOINT percent. It is the worst recession in our hisand societies as well as the integrity n ends o Congress o amend How d ff cu s h s concep o grasp? mpt on go mo e money ” the people poor. cope, but we should also pick out the lesThey may have grown up with technology, commun es d fferen y Th s shou d be doneatanywhere any time andworld’s against and even the main Democratic ities dangerous on strictest, communities differently. This be done anywhere any time at and against andaeven the main Democratic fundraisingfundraising rous tion. longest tivists,and environmentalists, community leadthe lockdown officer of PhilHealth isaghas illegaloand wake ofshould sothat many jobless people asof aforces reREALITY insight and gellan believed that display ofe2019 force Mabayo’s on the quincentennial ported that “State security gov-more a ported “State security forces and govstanding of and institutions y0such targeted by toand We are hear hathe hese words akes ssueexecutive wand h he phrase vthe ng beBu“drugs no onmostly y do he ch moand money and “drug war.” the war Inhave May top Remittances—a mainstay the andmuch sons will come handy when this cri-week ducted last of March, capacity cases below No 20 notes Italy 288 761 but for” his recreation socialization. any perceived adversary. Given such anthat tory. platform) forcompanies cyber attacks. Microsoft vice aplatform) brazen mprove ourand empa hythe and correc our any perceived adversary. Given such antwoHe Meanwh e in s“also uden s are a ers, so ad us ng oourour for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice azen improve empathy correct our and journalists.” Meanwhile, students are adjusting to failed to contain the pandemic. Thus, EMIL should view would be enough ton accomplish those posted The Diplomat: of note can as indeed bein easily undermined by shing attacks celebrations Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to the ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to sult of the COVID-19 pandemic are be ng u ered by he very off c a yond one’s means” and ns s s ha a person hey w e d much mo e uence han you and economy because that is the one that sis is finally over. That wisdom would be Today they have to use technology to subenvironment, the and stability ofis before president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayhat to Tom Failure the communist inallies made itthe into themisSenate elecenvironment, thehandily security andsecurity stability ofeconomy president Burt has been quoted as sayhas vowed to continue his “war dschools tohappened shor -s In gh doing edness In4.best do ngto our to bescontain o nance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says he Duterte much-changed demands schoo work Tenmuch-changed days imposedofthe lock- ofDuterte whether or n short-sightedness. our the demands schoolwork. For whole of 2020, the exand a click of a finger Grabe. mmunications tasks. That fateful decision and his “...On March 16, 2021, we will comin the first quarter of 2020, by 16.5 perharass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in may on y have “d s or ed va ues and pr or whose ob s o champ on ransparency harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in Duterte imposed onerelentless of the earliest lock- consumption—fell Duterte one of the JURADO me because hey canand even pand hethe sca es oas the a ing acco dfailed ng he Depa o by 4.2 per- is legal depe TONY LOPEZ priceless. (Universal Healthcare upon the recstitute the interactions experiences theyintegrity The Department andseparatist Employsocieties asintegrity well that the oinitial failed attempt Biden’s he sys-the onhimposed drugs” which will be earliest “as and down onmay March 15,grown 2020,have there were only nations and nations societies as well as ingThus that initial attempt onmen Biden’s syscope bu welockshou dperathe so fuels plesck ou of he Labor esThey may grown up Act) wand echno ogy cope, but we also pick out have up with technology, Muslim move- actions solidified Duterte’s power decisive helped uswo avert antheon thisbanking Mabayo calculation ofavo enemy forces, led by Lapu the 500th anniversary of pected tostanding decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia cent in theinthe second quarter, and by 9surgency VIRTUAL es ”They Th sconfirmed heVIRTUAL says s none of this our bus ness accoun ab yshould nbegan.” governmen We instances attack and kill instances attack and kill political ac- political us cestanding nwhich he and cent insome thethe first half. That 4.2 percent Hea(lockdown) h memorate some 14“...specifically 393 med ca“...specifically ke s have downs the world. even if itsome was the and downs inchilling the world. Still, even ifStill, it ment was the in that short on day it He wants TWO cases. At writing, the ommendation of the Board Trustees of Philof companies and institutions campaign was targeted by viding essential will deny this for sure but a survey and of companies and institutions campaign was targeted by ntial sons ha w come handy when h s cr bu mos y for recrea on and soc a za on sons that will come handy when this cribut mostly for recreation and socialization. —history is Lapu, resulted in Magellan’s death. arrival of Europeans in the Philippines. Without a vaccine cent in the first half. We are having the We agree ha wea h does no necesare much a armed over Mr Mar res’ ment base Longtime aide Christopher Go and tivists,IisHAVE environmentalists, community leadtivists, community leadequivalent to losing billion of It’s Take he case o column he ecen b contraction hday bash con ac hehackers vRussian us infections w hhackers 83 a aaccordesphishing and 1the 3 to 3 ed 5 million world’s longest andlongest strictest, thestrictest, lockdown world’s and the lockdown been environmentalists, requested to$1.4 repeat my reapretty ba estimates the GDP for thebywhole death penalty, banned under theyConstituREALITY REALITY Philippines isHealth the pandemic epicenter in the IN A previous I talked about Presiof note can indeed be easily undermined the via attacks sated those in food of note can indeed be easily undermined by Russian via phishing attacks ood the President shall appoint the agens s s f na over Tha w sdom wou d be showed that almost half of the country s Today hey have o use echno ogy o subsis is finally over. That wisdom would be ch has been Today they have to use technology to substruck the face aa Mactan iscases a daya that means different things to o He worst recession history. sar 11-nation y equa eASEAN o corrup Marfailed res s failed orfored nk ngin our Because ’s our foraxes sons for myand belief that the appointment of alyour dollar income. a dent cewas ebRodrigo y aheclick d in nas Bagu oachievements. Cby yGrabe. ended by ers, and journalists.” 303 ac Itvefrom p the esen ers, journalists.” the tohpandemic. contain the tion most crimes, to pandemic. be reimposed with aon totalMr of 265,888 cas-todcontain The killings of political activists and Davao’s former police chief Ronaldo dela Duterte’s Now, oer researchers our universities The of a finger against campaign’s communications and utilities could be large as 30 percent -assuming a a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications ities one s sa e un eve yone s sa e Coun es Army commanders. Sea, and changed the course ofs history. gets a better ess athe sFin the uppresident enos hefor nThe erac ons and days exper ences hey usingesaand local scimitar. the priceless. andhave their opeoples. for use, the cy’s and CEO from the Board’s the interactions and experiences they About 75 percent of the economy was adult force ofNational 60 are jobless former Bureau of Investigation shou dItno ake sgeneral mp e ons and our we -be ngpr hace are ake labor here In an earl Is there hopemillion in that bleak scenario? e warrior ow ceare eb even by heAfter, c y mayo Tha different s no a countries ha hey con end has vowed to continue his “war his “war Duterte has vowed to continue drug crimes. Ten before Duterte imposed lockTen days before Duterte imposed theDuterte lockes.stitute is No. 21 world. Philippines here hisinitially failures: the Human Rights re-Spanish mus heGierran eLift o ehave con nue wo kand ng oge he the and NPA leaders failed to dent who spearheaded themonth “drug own enabled usInto2019, reinforce our health Duterte, of course, knows his leged history. as historical loss of P1.5 trillion for each of lockships retreated from Cebu. TONY LOPEZ “...To the Philippines, that firstWatch con- Rosa TONY LOPEZ chief Dante as president chief President sh shut down. Household consumption, We know ha many governmen off c a s s very much our bus ness Well, yes. the lockdowns which and h s w e w h But the people love the President for non-ex-officio members on drugs” which will be “as relentless and on drugs” which will be “as relentless dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely Santa Banana they are the new poor! down on March 15, 2020, there were only down on March 15, 2020, there were only 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression ported that “State security forces and govdoproved eveofficer y senseless h ng human y produced poss b e the oMuslim ensu the e aand The“drugs Chinese were in the Philippines 400 executive of PhilHealth is illegal. wake of recession could rage providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by 52-year old communist insurgency. war ” were elected to the Senate Dela Rosa m and build our capacity to do widehave and the war.” In May 2019, two top Those who a ended he bash we e sa d o The Aup ance o Hea h Wo ke s AHW 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. down. This lockdown – the longest and severchilling on the day it began.” He wants chilling on the day it began.” He wants In the second quarter of 2020, the PhilipTWO confirmed cases. At this writing, the TWO confirmed cases. At this writing, the This means that the President cannot apThe newest of the “new poor” are some ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to goodSection ou come1The o Republic eve y pe son Under of Act ”11223 ofMARC thebee C yearsmade before theQ2 Americans came. His opposite cluded inSecretary the shortlist. Otherwise, the says Pres- allies 15.5 percent in for 7.8-percent it handily into the aSenate eleceffect. lockdowns were ConstituFinance Carlos Dominguez HAVE AS have vnamed o economy a ed hea hhead and sathe pSenate oTHE oco sever on ha communities ha threaten, he e hasarbitrarily been no arrest, s just gn andwas pine toe–yits lowest in seven death penalty, banned under theupon Constituterrorists on the warpath marked byIsult aeThe to slumped committee death banned under Philippines ismember the pandemic epicenter inepicenter the Philippines is the pandemic in(Universal the are d testing in sour From IN previous I point talked about PresiTO harass, inArmy IN Acolumn previous column I talked about Presiest inthe the world has runA for months. he earliestamen lockHealthcare Act), the the rec- “mo Depa Army commanders. Gierran unless he is a of the Du eto epenalty, exp essed con dence ON MARCH 1, 2020, the national governcommanders. ident cannot legally appoint you asavert a mem119 000 to 140 000 retrenched teachers family has deep ties with the Chinese, long well into 2021. Now, lockdowns will make half of decline in H1 2020, according to MaPRESIDENT Duterte has extended tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us an supposed save 4,000 people from sons for my dark daysdeo he manda owith y wea ng o-- masks and socRodrigo acon-matters canthechange n he wo k ng cond ons charged the country’s history a 16.5-percent tion phenomenon—suicide for crimes, toBoard be reimposed tion for most crimes, to be reimposed 11-nation ASEAN a totalpresident. of 265,888 cas11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 cas-most some instances attack and killconpolitical acdent Duterte’s achievements. Now, ven 1 if 282 it was dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, ommendation the Trustees offor Philment new bombers. police ber of the ofits Trustees PhilHealth, nd actual PCR tests per day ches oofwho vacc nes w ava ab e The w h forwill B ment finally began much-delayed an- base. Ininvestigating 2019, the Human Rights Watch reIn This 2019, Rights POINT before hewith became Chinese ofadm theWatch economic production the poor. nila-based Asian Development Bank. the state of Board calamity for oneofyear until Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and andThe staff outcrimes. ofbathe more than 700 estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accorddying, people would diebeprivate anyway, former traction inmeans economic production. On top of 21, theyNat w d s anc ng wpeople hthe he Human c y half mayo ng hares nce astivists, yea environmentalists, desc bes hecommunity gove n leaddrug drug crimes. es. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines t, the lockdown Health, the President shall appoint the agenes. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines showed that here are his failures: much more as president and CEO. here are his failures: thM g ea d spa ch un eve y F p no w be ti-COVID vaccination program. More than ported that “State security forces and govported “State security forces and govprobably helped his tripled, presidenPNP has tripled budget, the “drug war ” even former policebankroll chief, Ronaldo dela Remittances—a mainstay of the Unemployment more than Sept, 21, 2021. Please note: That is upThe to Davao’s ing to researchers from our universities. dc. in themen lasts week of journalists.” ourascapacity the 0.7-percent contraction inand the first quarchief Dante lockdown orits noanti-insurgency lockdown, because gone now. That cannot be recovered in portraying apses dis dthat occu duby ng he p omp y esponse oMarch he p gh “ex eme and schools which will remain closed These ers, and cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But the people love the President for adult labor But the people love the President for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely Thus, the answer to the question of dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression EMIL g ven he chance o be vacc na ed a he ea 200 government health personnel and other ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to tial run in 2016 that resulted in a historic ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to thf Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health economy because that is the one that from 5.1 percent in April 2019 to 17.7 eight months just before the May 2022 • The average Judicial Development Fund, the basis terFailure 2020, 16.5 -percent growth drop executive most of them already had fatal discluded in 20, the shortlist. Otherwise, the Prescluded in the shortlist. Otherwise, the PresBut didof handed n h s the evocab e es gnaGDP on as con ac s ow numb and dea ” a worrying sign. 4 to contain the communist innon-ex-officio members. Duterte has vowed to continue his “war Santa Banan grown to about 32,000 daily tests mposed they lockwhether orofnot thehas appointment of Gierran the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top four months. 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top schools have lost income because of lack of 23,000 cases below No. Italy, 288,761. In the second quarter 2020, the PhilipIn the second quarter of 2020, the Philipes poss b e oppo un y ” officials were inoculated—a small but sigin has theDuterte first quarter of 2020, 16.5 perplurality. And ofto course, China, today inmemTO THE war,” were the Senate. Dela Rosa TOhis THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest,presidential and in harass, threaten, arbitrarily in system anddepends build upon ourwhether capacity to name do wideimposed oneon of”byac the earliest Duterte one earliest lockJURADO fuels consumption—fell by and 4.2 perpercent inelected Aprilbenefits 2020 “when lockdowns elections when we choose ofare the financial ofappoint the judiciary; means the country is now inarrest, recession with Under Se eases than COVID. But several ident cannot legally appoint you other aof memident cannot legally you as that do This means that the President cannot apThemen newe ac nglockcza The gues s we e ned P1 500 each h ng changed nof outhe s ua onimposed drugs” which will be “as relentless and iseconomy legal was there were “No only The reasons allies made itas handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says allies made itehandily into Senate 5.a Coddling the police and military and the Muslim separatist moveSecretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped to slumped itsour lowest in this (August).” pine toever its ever in was ndeed Fo gn Sec ethe athe ywill Locs nelec- wit nificant number, given that thelowest government Finance Carlos Dominguez named to head the Senate committee cent inoup theinMany second quarter, and 9surgency TUAL Duterte’s view is the Philippines’ biggest spread testing in just attack and kill acinstances attack and political ac-9political thedrop first half. That 4.2 percent first semester economic output of theday world. even if itsome the downs the Still, even ifStill, itke was the were widespread and atenrollees their most Duterte’s successor. •Finance The Philippine Amusement andof Gaming (Universal point Gierran unless he is a member of the 119,000 to thousands more people are dying or ber of the Board of Trustees of PhilHealth, ber of the Board of Trustees PhilHealth, interred in that shortlist forcommunities. the Board ofFrom Trustees. on the it hbegan.” wants opervwas o acent ons oinsome hea hinstances p in oSecretary oco skill co dthe ng inochilling hedowns gworld. hea wo sHenby his writing, POINT POINT PH tions which solidified Duterte’s “the decisive (lockdown) helped uspolice avert an usgroup which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped avert anrepresenting the country’s history -- abasic. 16.5-percent country’s history --state a tests 16.5-percent concharged with investigating matters Phtions pp ne Ambassado opower hegenerals, US Babe was starting from zero in itsconfight to neuWithout ainpenalty, vaccine cent first half. We are having the around 1,282 actual per day contrade and investment partner, banker, and Duterte has employed more percent. is been thethat worst inbillion our tivists, environmentalists, community leadenvironmentalists, community leadAdds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, equivalent to losing ofthe strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by Another year ofPCR of calamity Corporation, which provides an additional The these teachers world’s longest strictest, the world’s and strictest, thement lockdown andThis staff,bri ou Iis requested to$1.4 repeat my reaommendatio It’s pretty explains “no matter how much money much more as president and CEO. much more as president and CEO. die because of hunger, malnutrition, and death banned under the ALITY epicenter in the The enHAVE enIt tivists, ea men byrecession gove nmen ohishe eg ons ack p and othe eclongest ve gea pub clockdown hospConstituclearly spelled out in base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and b estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase. dez Longtime aide, Go, estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordtraction in oftraction economic production. On top of thepercent “drug war.” ductedthe incontinuing the last week of our capacity Romua and con apolice, neChristopher po than and cas noand the tralize worst virus to mankind economic On topinof and worst recession in our history. most reliable friend. tory. schools whi sons myBagu belief appointment your dollar income. and 21.4 inthe the first half. means restrictions and reguers, and journalists.” source of revenue to fund the *production. * March, *attack Health, failed contain the failed contain the Thus, answer tomiscellaneous the question tion most be for Thus, the answer to the theofformer question of diseases spawned by the lockdowns. of 265,888 Marcos a hP from military and the any The killings of political activists and aland staff claim that the P500 million alloheers, gues s journalists.” nfor he o that C into ythe bash s andseconomies, a scasandtohea h for cen etos pandemic. a crimes, e unde stoa pandemic. edreimposed so ha the rate of infections and deaths could have EMIL EMIL countries pump their their Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela ing to researchers from our universities. The Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela 4. Failure to contain the communist ining to researchers from our universities. The the 0.7-percent contraction in the first quarrlThe general use, the k ng R cky Razon have wang ed a 20 m the last 100 years. About 75 percent of the economy was For the whole of 2020, the economy is exthe contraction incommodities, the first o schools have Bureau of Investigation In anPrices earlier column, I suggested thatquarthe Is there hope in that bleak scenario? lations. of prime activities of or thenot government; hasNational vowed to continue his “war cy’s Duterte has vowed to continue his0.7-percent “war drug days Duterte imposed lock- leged Ten before imposed lockwhether the appointment of Gierran whether orcated not theto appointment of Gierran Philippines acting Economic Planning SecItpreside depen n the s aDuterte kformer compa son o wha happened as dent heaTen h wo kebefore scrimes. a e days compe ed oDuterte wo ktheong the law. them isSaid not enough other president before him. More 45 NPA leaders have failed to the The reasons are been worse. latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug surgency and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce our health Rosa, who initially spearheaded “drug JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. JURADO enrollees. LOPEZ lockdown enabled us to reinforce our chief Dante Gierran as president and chief to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia ter theterespecially 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop on dose dea om Mode na othan detheve y achieve Monday’s rollout came a growth day after President should create a much “jobs policy” down. Household consumption, 2020, the rice, 16.5 -percent GDP drop Well, yes. Lift the which corn, and fish, will bein The • The Export Processing Authority to at-health non-ex-offic But people love President onpected drugs” which will be “aselockdowns relentless and on drugs” which will be2020, “as relentless and ay and ishou barely is legal depends on whether his name was is legal depends on whether his name was down on shut March 15, 2020, there were only for retary Karl Kendrick Chua: down on March 15,the 2020, were ble yea nonly Ca oocan C y whe s x eepney s They a sothe ge ow wages and su ethere Without alittle vaccine ment war,” were elected tooccupy the Senate. Rosa The grou executive officer of isthe illegal. system build upand our capacity to do widethe wake of many jobless peopleairlifted aspercent awith re-and estimates the GDP contraction for the whole cession could rage war,” were elected to the Senate. Dela Rosa The policy that President Duterte du ng he second hcabinet dDela and ouand h qua ehe s would 600,000 Sinovac CoronaVac doses, system build up our capacity tojobs do wideproviding three-fourths of GDP, fell by means the country is now infact, recession officers civil52-year old communist insurgency Muslim over 1laws, of all COVID-19 cases means the country is anow inwith recession clearly spelled out in have proved senseless and produced the “drugscases. war.” In May 2019, two top controlled. Inso under current This mean tract foreign investments; taly, 288,761. is the sheer of stimulus package inkillings that shortlist for the Board of Trustees. onnot the day it PhilHealth began.” He wants in that shortlist forstar-rank the Board of Trustees. chilling on thesize day ithung began.” He wants “No one anticipated that the COVID TWO this writing, confirmed cases. At this the d chilling vecould sIt who sa dSection hey we go ng y11223 de ays confirmed n the he TWO paymen o haAt d ea ned bene sthewriting, Duterte, not Gb The of political activists and al-From and staff cla Under 1The ofe Republic Act sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. was named to head the Senate committee be as large as 30 percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, lift spread testing in our communities. From just was named to head the Senate committee h s yea Abou 12 m on o he doses to Manila by the Chinese military, were 15.5 percent in Q2 for a 7.8-percent semester drop in economic output of 9 spread testing in our communities. just allies made it handily into the Senate elecfor general use, the semester drop in economic output of 9 opposite effect. lockdowns were point Gierra the price of anything, and its supply, can Dominguez says has to adopt right away should not be an • The Movie and Television review and I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaAS MARCOS haters remembered “the I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic. It’s pretty basic. death penalty, banned under the Constitupandemic will [strike] the global ian positions in the government. are on the warpath marked by a death penalty, banned under the Constituwho envy Philippines is haza the pandemic epicenter inaepicenter the terrorists in the country are severe or critical. Our morPhilippines isy the pandemic in the and p o es ng he oss o ncome om he Presisuch as ac ua d du pay and spec ked about Presithat matters now but also whether it is actualthe law. cated them leged NPA 1,282 leaders have was failed to dentper thecharged (Universal Healthcare Act), upon recThe Department oftheour Labor andbyEmployth of P1.5 trillion for each month of the lockell into 2021. with investigating police matters around 1,282 actual PCRunless tests per condecline inwith H1 2020,of according to265,888 Ma-lossfor has extended w charged go he gove nmen 8 msure on w matters be toand personally at airport Presisurprisingly, effusive with investigating tions which solidified Duterte’s power percent. It is the worst recession in hisaround actual PCR tests conlped us avert supposed toforofsave 4,000 people from be controlled by the government during sons for my belief that the appointment of Classification percent. Itwill isreceived the worst recession inSeptember our his-appointment dark days of Martial Law,” on sons for my belief that the of * *day *emergency * *day * employment the lockdowns. They economy. Inothe first three months ofpolice the most crimes, tothe be sight, Board of Trustees of PhilHealth and tion crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN a total 265,888 scheme For 11-nation with casd tion acon an saving ockdown nmost o reimposed Man aparts as skNow, aanowances O he sASEAN have had o ga total app caseof Now, recession could rage The jobst evements. ommendation the Board Trustees offor Phil52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim ment deny this, for sure, but aducted survey Despite the overwhelming dominance of new phenomenon—suicide bombers The tality ratio, on the other hand, isBoard; at In 2.5 people down. This lockdown –Me longest and severly the productive of the economy. and the “drug war.” in the last week of March, our capacity nila-based Asian Development Bank. one yearaccorduntil kep by he p va e sec o o nocu a e he dent Duterte at rites fit for a visiting digbase. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and and the “drug war.” nfections tory. ducted in the last week of March, our capacity dying, people who would die anyway, former National Bureau of Investigation a state of calamity. In a major election, • The Philippine Coconut Authority to 21, they went on the usual bashing spree, In an earlier column, I suggested that the former National Bureau of Investigation tory. an earlier column, I suggested that the quarantine, we prioritized saving lives has definitely drug drug es.hItdisscNo. 21 Itin world. Philippines to adopa Health, the President the agen- showed that No. 21 in world. The PNP Philippines yea wecrimes. ethe p omp ycrimes. esrun edshall by po ce months. sup w m es. na onisthe and even v The othe ence almost halfrecommended of the country's terrorists about the Chinese are on thesense. warpath marked by a of the Board hisdevelop appointment tocreate the ranks unemployed can worsin world –aits has for appoint seven make no generals, the Duterte administration has Am not budget former police more chief, Ronaldo dela esthas 4.athe Failure to the communist inwell into Unemployment than tripled, e: That is upThe to Davao’s ke sFailure o in compan esonly bthis gand and sma nitary, with seven senior members universities. per acabinet hundred thousand.” 4.contain to contain the communist in- an chief Dante Gierran president and chief For the whole ofsystemic 2020, the economy isGierran ex- are lockdown or noanti-insurgency lockdown, because This is because the problem isPresident not aportraying the price and supply of bellwether goods and should enhance coconut production President a “jobs policy” inwo chief as president and chief Marcos as the devil-incarnate. President should create “jobs For the whole of2021. 2020, the economy is exagainst COVID. We used time to Board ofpolicy” Trustees of PhilHealth, unless emergency e cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But thetripled people love the President for adult labor force ofDante 60as million jobless. But the people love the for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely posed y o no wea ng ace masks and ob Med caRosa, wo ke s a e a so up n a ms ove new phenomenon—suicide bombers. The dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely nthe st depression This means half of the economic production the President who initially spearheaded the “drug ensothe poverty problem of country forceMay our health from 5.1 average percent indaily April tests 2019 toa17.7 2022 surgency and the Muslim separatist movebassado Romua dez saappointment d ano hefor 6tom any onranksTh and the entire high command of the Armed gesture. executive officer ofare PhilHealth isPhilHealth illegal. surgency andthe the separatist movemost of them already had fatal dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school theefforts; wakethe of so many jobless people as athe repected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia executive officer of isand illegal. But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil Board recommended hisMuslim the wake of many jobless people as a reproven itself any more competent nor worrying sign the of non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia improve our health system capacity.” Santa Banana, they the new poor! He notes that per 100,000, EU member rown to about 32 000 the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, neces23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top se v ng soc a d s anc ng— he ve y same d he Du e e adm n s a on s move o ha 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. hilipis gone by now. That cannot be recovered in 2020, Philip- war,” wereinelected the Senate. Rosa acity tothe do wideWithout vaccine percent April to 2020 “whenDela lockdowns en we choose doses a models e be ng of nego ed w h Johnsonen &the pove Forces of the Philippines and the PhilipUnder 1 and of Republic Act 11223 Thus before Gierran can be appointed as apandemic. vaccine the“By President. eases other than COVID. several sult ofWithout theaCOVID-19 supplies, medicines, PPEs, are cruUnder Section 1daily of Republic Act 11223 many years to come • The Philippine Authority asment one ment that men do lives after them. The good is oft This the President cannot apestimates the GDP contraction for the whole sultTourism of the COVID-19 pandemic. The newest of the “new poor” are some the UPaand Ateneo, estimates the GDP contraction for the whole a worrying sign. clearly has grown toSection about 32,000 average tests made itmeans handily into the oSenate eleco5afour ons by mobility hose nthat he bBut hday he dep ab oad Andthe whSenate e he committee uDominguez e v allies Secretary Dominguez says allies itBagu handily into themilitary Senate elecless corrupt than past administrations. months. Coddling ofmade the police and the Finance Secretary says states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61,of and in From August) ”Finance serlowest ever in oymen sary restrictions hamper aggregate was named toCarlos head nities. just were widespread andCarlos at their most Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as Johnson o de ve y a so h s yea pine National Police in attendance. The The killings of political activists and almany (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recpoint Gierran unless he is a member of the The Department of Labor Employ119,000 to 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more people are dying or will (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the reccial, especially in battleground regions, of the engines to serve as a source revenue; interred with their bones.” The Department of Labor and EmployThe killings of political activists and al-yearsfrI could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a averted may some have 59,000 to 171,000 President and --CEO of PhilHealth he 5. for Coddling of themust police and theWhile military the we could be as large as 30 percent assuming ageneral President signed into thispower (August).” which solidified Duterte’s for use, the The eepney d Carlos ve s had o power pay Finance Secretary Dominguez has sconnce charged been edecisive axed investigating he(lockdown) e lockdown s s uspolice he capmatters “the decisive (lockdown) helped avert an bash which solidified Duterte’s “the helped ustions avert anpootions general use, the con6.5-percent with sts day conWhen the chief of the national capital’s Duterte has employed more generals President and CEO of PhilHealth, he must Sweden 57, and the US 52. ds Dominguez: “Without the While the strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by ofper calamity the C and staff, out of the more than 700 private A Sunday s vacc ne a va ce emon es 600,000 doses, a Beijing donation, were ommendation of the Board Trustees of Phildemand.” NPAbut leaders haveleaders failedreduced to dent the ment will deny this, fordeny sure, butleged a survey ofmatter hunger, andloss Addressing asocialized hastily assembled audience ommendation of the Board Trustees PhilHardest hit was Luzon island which and especially, when the highest • of Laws onemployed housing through asure, This brings me to my gulay—Is ment will this, for a survey leged NPA have failed dent the law loss ofand P1.5 trillion for each month ofask, lockdeaths. Our death rates from Duterte has more generals, Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, ofmost P1.5 trillion for each month of lockexplains that money 000die babecause o “no he pChristopher ovhow s malnutrition, onamuch e ease oestimated on yof5and 000 med pe a half. owed o P10 base. Longtime aide, Go, be first appointed as aagenmember of the Board 1.3 to 3.5camillion accordbase. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and law Bayanihan 2the the billions allotted for histo estimated 1.3 toinfections 3.5 million infections accordop the “drug war.” rch, capacity ction. On top be first appointed as aFmember of the Board law Bayanih schools which will remain closed. These hero 21.4 percent in sonne the first onsofour and reguHealth, the President shall appoint the Du e e assu ed p nos “you gove nmen worth P400 million according to Health recession could rage showed that almost half of the country's 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim Health, the President shall appoint the agendiseases spawned by the lockdowns. for CoronaVac arrival, Duterte not surproduces 70 percent of total economic post of the land is at stake. series of legal issuances from the funding, showed that almost half of country's Marcos a heel or a hero? police force was caught on social media from the military and the police than any recession could rage 3. Unprecedented human rights violations from the military and the police, than any tr ate of infections and deaths could have 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim down. This lockdown – the longest and severa high of 17 percent to just 1.6 percent the rate infections –and could have Government economists earlier projected countries intoformer their economies, their down. Thisoflockdown thedeaths longest and severaThe aspump we police checked hey s chief, ace eave coun ytooresearchers seek wo ng con Davao’s former chief, Ronaldo dela ing tohe researchers from oureuniversities. The in-om Davao’s police Ronaldo dela 4.ing Failure to be contain thek communist from our universities. of Trustees. quarproject in the first quaroffor Trustees schools have lost income because of lack of other project are only stop-gap measures toaverted commodities, cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s ema ns comm ed the omarked aparty me yalleomarked ou haby a are o Secretary Francisco Duque. adult labor force of 60 million are jobless. cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s Said acting Economic Planning Secproduction and is home to 50 percent of What is not controlled during a state prisingly was effusive about the Chinese terrorists are on the warpath by a adult labor force of 60 million are jobless. mortgage and collection of loans; It depends. If you look at his remarkapresident before him. More than 45 been much worse. The latest data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths. We terrorists are on warpath est in the world – has run seven months. GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. having a breakfast birthday with more other president before him More than 45 est in the world – has run for seven months. The reasons are cour m na cha ges n cou dlockdown ons much hand ghe wages abusoad What has legal made Duterte athe strong president, much worse The latest suggest that Rosa, initially spearheaded theto“drug well into 2021. surgency the Muslim separatist moveWhat is/are the legal requirements before Board enabled usdata to reinforce health viate the peo Rosa, who spearheaded the “drug a who recovery of 7initially percent 8 percent in GDP enrollees. lockdown enabled toourreinforce health drop well into 2021. GDP growth drop fish, will be and members. Santa Banana, they are viate theand new poor! enab e usmillion o conbombers. den yofeopen ou soc At Sunday’s vaccine arrival ceremonies What is/are the before non-ex-officio members. Karl the population. of calamity how the government dis- requirements the people’s needs Santa Banana, they are thephenomenon—suicide newwpoor! • Allofficers specialty hospitals—the Philipgesture. star-rank occupy cabinet civilble achievements and good performance, new The a non-ex-officio little over 1 is percent of all COVID-19 cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5 cases, which It ishretary not theelected sheer size ofdelected the stimulus This means half of the economic production new bombers. Theof isTru accine Gierran can be appointed as alockdown member of proThis means half of the economic production sclearly doub e s Kendrick anda o Chua: us ce npackage ou “percent heand DOH he e eupadm ndo s widea star-rank ment What were tooccupy the Senate. Dela Rosa The group representing these teachers build upand ourDu capacity tocases war,” were to the Senate. Dela Rosa peq system build our capacity towar,” dos widethan 50 guests (despite strict officers cabinet and civilthe vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also enwith over system 1laws, ofand all COVID-19 recession with spelled out in the Board current This means that the President cannot apgrowth rate in 2021. That is now overly optiThe newest of the “new poor” are some e y ” The de ve y o h s s ba ch he hopes at NAIA were Executive Secretary SalvaThis means that the President cannot apian positions in the government. “No oone anticipated that the COVID The newest of theper“new poor” are some Investments contracted by What 53.5 penses money. The incumbent President pine Center, Lunch Center, National “We welcome this with high hopes he would be asevere hero. those, however, in the country are orFor critical. Our morPNP has tripled anti-insurgency that matters now butch also whether it is actual68,000 would be severe andabudget, critical Gierran can be appointed as aHeart member ofday mere is essential and urgent is longis gone by now. That cannot be recovered inrecovered PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, the Board ofits Trustees? termLet jobs The killings of political activists and coun al-From and staff claim that the P500 million alloy—one he and ano he o he on a e ea y s nce e n p o ec ng ou is gone by now. That cannot be in was named to head the Senate committee Mr. President, lift spread testing in our communities. From just was named to head the Senate committee of 9 spread testing in our communities. just the Presiden omic outputcan of 9severe or critical Our mor- ian ly point Gierran unless he iswants a atmember ofahis the its supply, Bp 119,000 to 119,000 140,000 teachers Despite the overwhelming dominance ofapan“won se ve as asign. gua anor eemore owill eveGovernyone hathe we dor Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary point Gierran unless he is member of the gatherings of ten people in tality ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people pandemic will [strike] the global positions in the government toretrenched 140,000 retrenched teachers cent ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 can get allthem the money he toand have Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine who envy his ingenuity, vision foreof finally ending the COVID-19 given him one of major failures—massive country are saving the productive parts of thefour economy. worrying sign. cases the peak day, which overhas grown to about 32,000 average daily tests mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the Lazaro, wh Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC the law. lem of pover NAKED months. a worrying cated to is not enough. leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the has to about 32,000 average daily tests poo — ha b eeds esen men and o ha we be ng hey shou d no make d the Board of Trustees? four months. term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probcharged with investigating police matters around actual PCR actual tests per day con-per day charged with investigating matters rrnment his- induring around 1,282 PCR tests conThus, bef ssion our his-1,282 and in staff, out of the “Private than 700 private the Duterte administration has not per ahands hundred thousand.” e the ak ng apolice b gtime), sof ep nthe ou e and o srefused o ove Locsin Jr.,who the People’s Republic the lockdowns. They and staff, out of the more thanaAct private In the first three months ofpolice the Teodoro percent the first half. investhis on and deploy it rights to whoever Children’s Medical Center; sight, and those desire revenge, he is generals, This iso because the problem is not adominance systemic demic our country. Today, we make ance of mandates that anmilitary appointing in whelm our healthcare sector.” 5. Coddling of2011) the and MyCouns gulay rate rage this (August).” The jobs policy that President Duterte SO 52-year old communist insurgency. one place at700 same Duterte Despite overwhelming of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 5. Coddling the police the military human violations. Critics say he more killed ratioelection, on the other islast atsweek 2we 5 our people this (August).” maand e the peconomy. es the sand and ebe onrage cu o in us gehand he bene dese ve Muslim ” our recession could well into 2021. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez “drug war.” ducted theoducted last week of March, capacity Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC GovernTHOUGHT the “drug war.” lem of poverty President an in the of March, capacity proven itself any more competent nor any major schools which will remain closed. These He notes that per 100,000, the EU member come h s hea h c s s ” of China Ambassador to the Philippines schools which will remain closed. These quarantine, we prioritized saving lives contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necesment slumped in Q2 with outlays for inand wherever he wants to send it. • The first nuclear power plant in Southdirector shall be appointed by the President definitely a heel. another step in our ongoing fight against it’s an urgen has to adopt right away should not be an “What we find in the last six months, Duterte has employed more generals, beneficiarie terrorists are on thesense. warpath marked by a 4. Failure Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains that “no matter how much money b make no Duterte has employed more generals, acco d ng o he AHW Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains that “no matter how much money to fire the erring general. generals the Duterte administration has not contain the communist inmore than 27,000 the guise of eliminating hundred thousand ” I SEE bombers. The saryBoard appo 4.restrictions Failure tohamper contain the communist inless corrupt than past administrations. s economy ex- goods When the ofWe President came to power in schools have lost income of lack states average 31 National deaths, 70, Spain 61, in from a The short-list by themissing Governance ance Act ofUK 2011) mandates that an appointing elwether is ex- new phenomenon—suicide mobility aggregate schools have because lost income because of lack of Plower esprepared den knows he u any gency o be hefirst tatal Banana, I Huang Xilian, Defense Secreagainst COVID. used this time to ofto Trustees PhilHealth, and unless My gulay ifof there’s one element dustrial machinery and transport equipCombine those powers—control of the east Asia; emergency employment scheme. For sure, COVID-19,” he began. is that the quarantine restriction event from the military and the police, than the rateare of infections and deaths could have countries pump into their economies, their from the military and the police, than any ernh @yahoo com The g oup a so c c zed he gove nmen s the rate of infections and deaths could have The reasons are CHARLIE V. countries pump into their economies, their dow surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe reasons When the chief of the national capital’s of Trustees. Sweden 57, and the US 52. surgency and the Muslim separatist moveenrollees. Commission for Government-owned or-Con, notes even school sAsia Philippines the Board recommended his appointment totary demand.” proven itself any more competent nor any theDelfin ranks ofdirector theof unemployed can only worsenrollees. s ua on “We canno a o d o was e me o Lorenzana, Health Secretary nt. BizNewsAsia improve our health system capacity.” the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private price and supply any commodity or conthat perPNP 100has000 the EU member • A geothermal power plant, one of the “I convey my sincere gratitude to the July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and tripled its anti-insurgency budget, has actually opened more sectors of the shall be appointed by the President have fashio it’sdata an urgent andCorporations lasting jobs policy other that president before him. before More than 45 been much worse. Thewas latest data suggest that GDP wouldGDP have shrunk massively, anyway. other president him.SanMore thanWhat 45 get beenforce much worse. Theon latest suggest Without aLITO vaccine would have shrunk massively, anyway. caught social media mentGovernment is/a 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights trolled can Without a vaccine The representing these teachers the“By President. MANALO PPEs, are en the poverty problem of the violations country for police economists ment whole The group representing these the models of earlier UP andprojected Ateneo, esouteachers cesoccupy n he(GCG). dcabinet s bu back on o jobs.” hese vacc ple nes Francisco Duque, Cabinet Secretary Karlo construction 46.8 percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money first in thegroup world, as alternative source on fordaily the cruwhole Chinese people and thean government of Chia worryingUK sign. 70 Spain spelled out in erage tests economy and helped bring barrage ofba biznewsasia@gmail.com corrupt than past administrations clearly spelled out in star-rank officers and civilHuman Rights Watch says many of the average 31 deaths 61 lessaThe apackage little over 1the percent of all COVID-19 cases from a short-list prepared by Governance longest economic expansion in the country’s It is not the sheer size of the stimulus package ta Banana I foresee a bleak future for the star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder BANAYO finally ends! It is not the sheer size of the stimulus What has made Duterte a strong president, Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as Gierran can killings of political activists and almany years to come. and staff claim that the P500 million allorecovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP ound regions, The killings of political activists and aling--a assuming and staff claim that the P500 million allowe averted some 59,000 to 171,000 because we a e dea ng w h p ec ous ves ” Nograles, Transportation Secretary Arthur ADB. Public construction slipped by a to anyone or anywhere, and the restrictions of energy; 5. for Coddling of the police and the military ent ageneral na for this gesture of friendship and solia Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. for use, the ident Marc Is he a heel or a inany the President government. use, the inactualthe country are severe orare critical. Our mor-pro-ian that matters now but also whether itlaw. ismay actualWhen theleaders chief ofleaders the national capital’s pointedian by the as agovernment. member of the the Board of in the than guests (despite strict lockdown President and CEO ofrates he must 27,000 areChief “vigilante-style killings in50 country severe orincritical. Ourpositions moren 57 and the US 52 general the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While the President have into the Commission for Government-owned or-Conthat matters now but also whether itsigned is Philippines without assurance that peogrowth rate in 2021. That isPhilHealth, now overly optihistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. cated to them is perpetratnot enough. leged NPA have failed to dent the the Hardest hit employed was Luzon island which the highest cated toQ2. them is not enough. leged NPA have failed to dent the lockdeaths. Our death reduced from has more generals, marginal 0.9 percent inof on flow oflaw. goods and people under atality lockhethe sa dpositions Tugade, the National Task Force Im•the Exploration and drilling Malampaya; ut the lockdown, darity—the hallmark Philippines-China hen month of lock- Duterte They make no sense. I think even They pursu Despite overwhelming dominance of ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Board of Despite Trustees the of PhilHealth if he dominance was I don’t k beforce first appointed asinsurgency. a for member ofMuslim the Board saving productive parts of economy. gatherings of ten orjobs more people in lawhim Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his hibiting given one of his major overwhelming of 13 hero? tality ratio, on the other hand, is atnation; 2.5 people Section mistic. Without a vaccine use, thethe could rage The jobs policy that lyplementer saving the productive parts of the economy. 52-year old communist produces 70 percent ofpolice, total than economic .everpolice caught only1.6 social media recession could rage The policy that President Duterte ed by police officers themselves or by killers Unprecedented human rights the military andviolations the any trolled Corporations (GCG) 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim a high of was 17 percent to general just percent plePresident get employed when this pandemic Duterte may not it can but heDuterte down whatever form orfailures—massive acronym—and aths could have etheelockdowns, uadministration ged h s coun ymen and Vaccine Czar Secretary Car•thousand.” Laws on in know the life of the Duterte himself added 14 quarters of of growth partnership. Iculture also thank Secretary Galvez ongest andrecession sever- from without the you can win“P ease ardnot Maitlan included in list prepared and submitted easing the o2 generals, theDu Duterte has not of Trustees. project are violations. only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred one place at the same time), Duterte refused human rights Critics sayahesystemic killed This is because the problem is not asuccessor—without systemic c generals, the Duterte administration has recession could rage well into 2021. ance Act of per a hundred thousand.” has to adopt right away should not be an This is because the problem is not production and is home to 50 percent of during a state terrorists are on the warpath marked by a other president before him. More than 45 has to adopt right away should not be an data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths. We averted achieved almost full employment durDuterte can pick his • The Cultural Center of the Philippines terrorists are on the warpath marked by a nths. se you ea s as de These vacc nes a e lito Galvez Jr., National Task Force DepTeam Pilipinas forEU working very, very by anitself election. aWhat breakfast party with more or seven tial matter this law Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! linked to theand authorities.” hat has months. made Duterte a strong president having the GCG tomore the President. Butnor theany Presi- nor well into 2021. tocol in shal pub is/are thebirthday legal requirements before viate the people’s needs. before it went negative in the first quarter of proven any competent toand fire the erring general. well into 2021. He notes that per 100,000, the member more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating When the President came to power in contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necesdirector Board of Trustees of PhilHealth, unless proven itself any more competent any emergency employment scheme. For sure, He notes that per 100,000, the EU member the population. vernment disBoard of Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilm contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necesnew phenomenon—suicide bombers. The emergency employment scheme. Forlegally sure, COVID-19 cases somepolicy 1.3 topaper 3.5appointed million cases, of which ing his presidency, an unprecedented regard as Implementer to whether that guy President isVivencio and the Philippine International Convenby ence and de be a ed on worsen by what uty Chief Secretary ction production new phenomenon—suicide bombers. The hard. And I would like personally thank dent backed cannot appoint Gierran a memAJuly health authored by notbut thepep Gierran can be asgreatest alockdown member omic What isrecommended essential and urgent isastates agenilongpointed by the as atothe member of the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less worscorrupt than past administrations. * *corrupt *s sc 50 guests (despite strict pro31 deaths, UK 70,to Spain 61, 2016, he stumbled into the and of Authorities admit 7,000 deaths during icious illegal drugs campaign has also from a short sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate the his appointment to ranks of the unemployed can only 2020. less than pastexpe administrations. states average 31the deaths, UK 70,when Spain 61, positions in thecontracted government. the aBoard recommended hisaverage appointment to Huang Investments by 53.5than perbent President ritical. Our mor-in ian THE FIFTH the ranks of thethat unemployed can only worssary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, 68,000 would behealth severe and critical achievement. Economists say us, a Board technocrat, nincompoop, or even tion Center. Let me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” outhe expe —F p no smoreencou ageMark Dizon, Senate Committee on Health ber of Board of Trustees, much as ed PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, oa my the Board of Trustees? Ambassador Xilian for helping enbiznewsasia@gmail.com term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probed scientists and public specialists Lazaro beinrecovered biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch says many of the When chief offor thehad national capital’s longestgatherings economic expansion inorthe country’s Sweden 57, and the 52. Commission the President. demand.” en theUS problem ofIpracticalthe country Board of Government Trustees of PhilHealth ifpoverty he don’t whoever idea of poss Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying When the chief of the national capital’s ofsign. tenthe more people in ,wants is at 2.5 people thewas President. ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 tohas have Sweden 57, and the US enwas the poverty problem ofa for thethe country the campaign. Any numbers that are him one of hiscent major failures—massive demand.” sign. cases the peak day, which willGovernoverPhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! unemployment hits 5law percent, ameant dog. So today, the people already grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Insofar as above Martial is52. concerned, it isknow Begun 1999, expansion apoverty. 4.2COVID-19 Lazaro, who the CorpoSection 13in of RA 10149 (GOCC you o ge vacc na edthe amy he soones Chairman Senator Bong Go,must AFP Chief lem of aLANCET, worrying sure the timely delivery of this donation,” ministration published inon the prestigious has to about 32,000 average daily tests GOSPEL m 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrathistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. police force was caught on social media 3. Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corpo Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as many years to come. CROSSROADS generals, the Duterte administration hasinvestnot 5. Government economists projected Thus, before Gierran can appointed asneeding force was caught media percent in the first half. it rights to whoever many years toits 3. Unprecedented human rights violations Take note that before can inance Act of5. 2011) mandates that an appointing included inearlier the list prepared and submitted whelm our healthcare sector.” easing Coddling ofoutlined the police and the military My gulay, ifearlier there’s one element missing, Government economists projected everyone job has acome. job.the It’sone-meter decide—do they want more of Duterte, or belythe needless to say that awithout proclamarate Counsel during the Marcos era. “The thisviolations (August).” b epolice mesocial and bedistancing ou the paGCG ne on npropsocial even of ngthis nonse Staff Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobeone place atincrease the same Duterte refused President said. Coddling of the police and theof military classified as “homicides under investigation.” nguez Critics say he “Private killednor sought to medical journal, the basic issues this (August).” ed by police officers themselves or by killers fold in14time) the size of Philippine econolos Dominguez Duterte himself added quarters of growth having a breakfast birthday party with more thi Under President and CEO of PhilHealth, he must o What has made Duterte a strong president, While the President may have signed into proven itself any more competent any the EU member a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP clude your name in the shortlist for appointPresident and CEO of PhilHealth, he must They say ment slumped in Q2 with outlays for insend it. director shall be appointed by the President While the President may have signed into having a breakfast birthday party with more it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy. SanWhat has made aDuterte strong president, “What we find in the last six months, having a factory running at be 95inunder perless, ortonone atpercent all? tion, the ended Philippines couldtocol now Duterte hasDuterte employed more generals, beneficiaries of the February accidenrecovery of by 7other to 8 percent inPresident GDP like JUDE he u he sp ead he it d sease ” jana and the members of1986 the Armed Adds Dominguez: “Without the“Without lockdown, As he his Duterte speech, promoney the GCG to the But the Presioblivion, and challenges facing such aemployed global ef-more has generals, public transport Totheolockdown me would linked the authorities.” Adds Dominguez: theto lockdown, before it(from negative inbillion the quarter of ato much fire the erring general from the cent drugs war killings, the than 27ofmoney 000 the guise of eliminating pointed byno t be first appointed as aAside member ofathe the Board less corrupt than past administrations. than 50 guests strict prolaw Bayanihan 2, thecommunists billions allotted for his my $72.2 in 1998 $304.9 bilKw 70, Spain 61, in vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ment asBu a (despite member of Board of Trustees andprodrivers from awent short-list prepared byfirst the Governance J.A. growth rate in 2021. That is now overly optibe first appointed as member of the Board ta Banana, I foresee a bleak future for the dustrial machinery and transport equip—control the law Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also is that the lower quarantine restriction capacity. Duterte has imposed the longest and communist rule. The were tal event of time, place and personalities, from the military and the police, than any growth rate in 2021. That is now overly optiw he P es den have h mse abbed Forces of the Philippines, PNP Chief Pothe rate of infections and deaths could have ised Ambassador Huang: “Maybe at the edented ach Authorities admitcannot to 7,000legally deaths during their fort. Ithave notedfrom thatfor basic components the military and the of police, than any dent ACIDRE 2020. the rate of infections and deaths could economies, their ment appoint Gierran a memworsen the problem Board of Tr When the chief of the national capital’s of Trustees. of Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterproject are only stop-gap measures to allerior and Loc hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in Commission Government-owned or-ConPhilippines without any assurance that peogiven him one of his major failures—massive of Trustees. Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the ervasive illegal drugs curse project are only stop-gap measures to alle62.1 percent lower and for private mmodity or conhibiting gatherings ofHe tenwas or more people lion in 2016), adevelopment dramatic reduction inhave poverty, has actually opened more sectors themistic. DELA CRUZ But April more 7.3 milmost strict lockdown infor thegeneral world—for given him one2020, of majorthan failures—massive already allyear, over thehis country—in the and sustained athe litany and h he Ch nese vacc ne? asked du nation ng in andid lice General Debold Sinas and other other president before him. More than 45 Without aAny vaccine use, the end been much worse. The latest data suggest that the campaign. numbers above that are ofinthe when everything hasparliasettled minewwhether this initiative, namely, and yway. Begun inCorporations 1999, the expansion meant aof 4.2other president before him. More than 45fashioned beenforce much worse. Theon latest suggest that ssively, anyway. police was caught socialdata media youwill are qualified to hold of this included ardo Año sa in What is/are the legal requirements before ights violations trolled (GCG). viate the people’s needs. ple can get employed when this pandemic one place at one the same refused ber ofwell the Board of Trustees much more as Mark my words be surge human violations. Critics say he killed What is/are the requirements before viate the people’s needs. construction percent says xpayers money recession could rage well into 2021. place same Duterte economy helped bring back jobs.” lion people lost their jobs—“largely in more than six months now from March ment, media, academe, labor and even thekilled barrage of adverse publicity to legal efface Pres-rights human rights violations. Critics say he biznewsasia@gmail com an mpthere omp time), uatpthe essDuterte conaetime), ence a e herefused ce members of Philippine National Police, classified as “homicides under investigation.” star-rank officers occupy and civilpolitically motivated detention of his most man Rights Watch says many ofalllower,” the recession could rage into 2021. apackage little over 1 little percent of46.8 all COVID-19 cases down—I intend to make a short visit to China Imore could fold increase inand the size ofcabinet Philippine econoproduction, pricing (affordability), aland middle-income status for Filipinos, with kage president, Hw star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila over 1 percent of COVID-19 cases office. add jee having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! stimulus strong by the GCG Gierran can be appointed as a member of What is essential and urgent is a longto fire the erring general. Gierran can be appointed as a member of more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating What is essential and urgent is a longADB. Public construction slipped by a the restrictions When the President came to power in a PhilHealth president/CEO my gulay! COVID-19 infire country result Mr.$72.2 President, lift theato lockdowns. services—mainly trade, transport, ac15, 2020. And what dowar we after The hands Supreme recognized this cases to general. ident Marcos the tapestry of history. LAST week, we noted that the globallockdown econAside from thefrom drugs killings, theinSenator more than 27,000 inCourt the guise of eliminating emon athe uthe nove o process! heas Ch anese sh pmendent Armed Forces Commanding ian positions in positions the government. my (from billion in 1998 $304.9 bilWhen the President came toget power toclergy. just shake with President Xi Jinping inactualthe country are severe orare critical. Our mor-prolocation (accessibility) and deployment My gulay, it’s aerring long The Presctualofeloquently transporta pointed by the President as member of thePhilippine ian in the government. * * * than 50 guests (despite strict prominent critic, Leila de Lima, the 0 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratin the country severe or critical. Our mormpaign, has also cannot the Board of Trustees? ether it is term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probtheir per capita income exceeding $3,000. mt the Board of Trustees? term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probthe pervasive illegal drugs curse. marginal 0.9 percent inatQ2. e under omy atality lockJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and They make no failure sense. I one think even commodation, restaurants, and entergiving up most ofwhoever our liberties? when it ruled inillegal favor of for Marcos insofar as ident They pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch hasbasic also noted the isratio, expected toratio, be on the mend sooner He was opick h gh w h to h sbeanswe “We General Lieutenant General Jose Faustino, thelem pervasive drugs curse. lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, Take note that before the GCG can inDespite the overwhelming dominance of beneficial to and personally thank him this donation.” of this nonsense cannot just anybody PhilJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and on the other hand, is 2.5 people tancing proto are so interrelated that in can Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was I don’t know had the idea of omy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in ilures—massive Despite the overwhelming dominance of ber of the B tality on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governof poverty. sacronym—and of the economy. Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governremoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mapolice officers themselves or killers biznewsasia@gmail.com lem of poverty. Duterte mayexpanded notbyknow it butderail heandthe Human Rights Watch says many of themany Today, Duterte presides over worst ecolongest economic in the country’s politically motivated detention of his most without thethe lockdowns, you can winthe tainment—but also in industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery and poverty. ardexpansion Maitland sharply observed: ‘The essenMartial Law was concerned. rather than later with the roll out middle-income status for Filipinos, with biznewsasia@gmail.com a ewas n ou 70s we have uPhilHealth Philippine Air Force Commanding General president and CEO. The threeo be per-ca ea be Health exo Human Rights Watch says of Health thewho included in list prepared and submitted effacede The chief executive explained why the easing the one-meter social distancing pro-shortlist thegenerals, Duterte administration has not anticipated global rebound and longest economic expansion in the country’s per a hundred thousand.” one place at the same time), Duterte refusedgenerals, ics sayahe killed emic clude your name in the for appointThey say the idea to help operators the Duterte administration has not ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing My gulay, if there’s one element missing, per a hundred thousand.” is not systemic ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing My ifits there’s one element missing, achieved almost full developed employment degrade dur-their “vigilante-style killings prominent critic, Senator Leila deme Lima, the are anper election. history—70 consecutive quarters of isquarters growth. cially manufacturing. Lowerincome The today is the epicenter tial Philippines matter ofbe history not what I sincerely believe that inperpetrattime, Marcos will capita income exceeding $3,000. manent Commissions (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amha dessor—without theofauthorities ”per COVID-19 vaccines in most C by the GCG tomore the President. theany PresiMy doc o h nksof GCG shou dand wathe otwoano What he Lieutenant General Allen Paredes, Philiptocol public transport. To it27,000 would (www.manilastandard.net) triumphs in nomic performance ofBut the Philippines 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratPhilippines should be gulay, given share of Sanitself any competent nor to fire the erring general. public confidence. history—70 consecutive ofhappened growth. He notes that 100,000, the100,000, EU member e to of eliminating ecesTakecannote director shall appointed the President proven itself any more competent nor anyininever. it’s an urgent and jobs policy. He notes that per the EUproven member ment as ain member of the Board of Trustees t. Simply, necesand drivers of utility vehicles Intedirector shall bebyJustice appointed by and the President it’s analasting urgent and lasting jobspublic policy. San-be 77 ing his presidency, an unprecedented guy is acountries geniremoval May 2018 of Chief Maedgrowth by police officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members (Secretary ofh Finance everything w Today, Duterte presides over the worstaecosemi-skilled workers, most of them of COVID pandemic the whole of dent cannot legally appoint Gierran membut what people wrote or said about it.’” Duterte himself added 14 quarters growth be vindicated. He was visionary, born ahead worsen the problem. and in an increasing number of b and w nex mon have o ake pine Navy Flag Officer in Command Adis secure. Th global vaccines despite being late in the ed by police officers themselves or by killers rse. less corrupt than past administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, Duterte himself added 14 quarters of nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio thorities admit to 7 000 deaths during clude yourB n from a short-list prepared by the Governance egate or ta Banana, Itaforesee a bleak future forCarlos thefuture The slump isofalso the worst in ASEAN. The lessBoard corrupt thanPhilippines pastmuch administrations. states average 31 deaths,say UK 70,when Spain 61, from athe short-list prepared by the Governance amper aggregate Banana, I foresee a bleak for the achievement. Economists that mpoop, even ria Lourdes Sereno, revocation of amDominguez and Department of (www.manilastandard.net) ber of the Trustees, more as of Philhealth the GCG first needs to deternomic performance the ever. Mark my words, there will be a surge of linked to the authorities.” rior and Local Government Secretary Edubiznewsasia@gmail.com employed only informally, were hit hard Asia, outside of India, Pakistan, and Lazaro also said that succeeding adof his time. Generations free from the blemish before it went negative in the first quarter of middle-income and even developing ones. ca e o my age ” miral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Philippine biznewsasia@gmail.com fit us. They ys many Sweden of the 57, Sweden global vaccine game. linked to the purchasing authorities.” When the chief of the the chief national capital’s and the US 52. before itgiven went negative in the first quarter of led ment asban am Commission for Government-owned or-ConSO Philippines without any assurance that peo- Secretary h OPEN ofmythe national capital’s 57,above and 52.are Trillanes IV who mutinies in 2002 and Any numbers that Commission for Government-owned or-ConPhilippines without any assurance that peoBudget Avisado) Thecontinu nesty Senator (now retired) aslump PhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! unemployment hitsthe 5 US percent, eampaign mustperpetratalready collapse makes the worst COVID-19 cases in the3,000 country asAntonio aare result Theeconomic is When also the worst inalso ASEAN. The him Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during because few had the option to work from Bangladesh. With over cases daily, ministrations have used laws even as they of“COVID-19 hate andhold revenge will look more kindly on 2020. There is universal consensus that the keypracticalAsif ega dsWendel nes Du should ewill e also ed oofex Marine Corps Commandant General Ariel mine whether you qualified to this llings and ardo Año said that this isvacc true we vaccines should bedeaths treated as have Public acceptance is a Authorities admit to 7,000 during police force was caught on social media Philhealth 3. Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG). 2020. ple can get employed when this pandemic ected SO I SEE police force was caught on social media to vote whether to include you or not “Undas” or 3. Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG). Take note that before the GCG can inTrillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and ple can get employed when this pandemic of this nonsense. projected ly everyone needing jobaspects has ”a job. It’seconomic eearlier of or Duterte, or sustainable in collapse also makes him the worst notes ADB. we sough are reaching 300,000 will 2007, and the passage of a acknowledge new Anti-Terror fied as under investigation sought to destroy consign Marcos to the campaign. Any numbers above that available are him, and his made achievements and ooffice des oy oor cons gn and Ma cos o home,” THOUGHTS to“homicides aWhat real, recovery inaall Begun in 1999, theperformeant acases 4.2ves by killers president ever in shortlist terms ofmore economic a n buses he cau on w other h peop means e 70 and above Caculitan, and Philippine Coast Guard Marcos’ aonly global good and to inare the campaign. Any above that I numbers SEE mine having a breakfast with this law, Gierran can only apUnder finally ends! add moresix jeepneys and a strong president, Begun inexpansion 1999, the expansion meant a be 4.2thep shortlist. GDP Day iswhethe no vis pr clude your name in the forperforappointThey say the idea was tototal help operators having a breakfast party with more 2007, and the passage of angnew Anti-Terror this law, Gierran can bepublic apUnder challenge we forget atbirthday our finally ends! WhatDuterte has made Duterte a strong president, president ever in birthday terms of party economic likemade having aafactory running at 95 perpercentofinday-to-day GDP has Ironically, Duterte had rescued be No. 20 in number of COVID LITO oblivion, notwithstanding his solid unpreccontribution to the nation. ob v on no w hs and h s so d unp ec classified as “homicides under investigation.” living is full-blown vaccifold increase in the size of Philippine econo“ s e he because hey a e nea ng dea h Commandant General George Ursabia Jr.. for governa all, rich and poor alike. No nation, no peoAct (ATA). ide from the drugs war killings the office. pointed by the President as a member of the LITO classified as “homicides under investigation.” * * * transportation—not 50 guests strict lockdown promance. The GCG is ease akin tothe the Judicial and Bar For many theand vicious illegal drugsillegal campaign, has also than fold increase inof the size of Philippine ment asthan a (despite member of the Board strict of Trustees drivers public utility vehicles. InteoptiActand (ATA). My gulay it’s a econolong process! The Prespointed by the President asthe a member offrom the social dis50 guests (despite lockdown promance. ORLANDO the vicious drugs has also cent capacity. longest now overly optiBANAYO poverty—defined as*the*an*idea cases in the world countries. edented achievements for the *BANAYO *whoever * ofthe eden ed ach evemen sPhilHealth o220 he good oof he 0e deaths during Aside from the drugs war killings, the own nation program across the failures—massive board. Forcampaign, all abou o dyou e o can cou be use essas o gcemeteries ve Right there atbillion the tarmac, Duterte could varied andCno my (from $72.2 billion 1998 toamong $304.9 bilple should be left to suffer ravages of Council. My gulay Before be dappointed Board ofin Trustees of ifPhilHealth he wasmillion I don’t know had ofo the ofrisk. Philhealth, GCG needs to more deterAside from the drugs war killings, the rior and Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings ofgatherings ten or more people insecond given him one ofin his major my (from $72.2 in 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there have been sensational Recently, there have been sensational Rights Watch has also noted the e, the Board of Trustees of if he was And thathibiting isOXALES all the due toall thefirst second biggest I don’t know whoever had idea of of ten or people in And that is due to the biggest But April 2020, more than 7.3 milhegeneral world—for given him one of his major failures—massive ident cannot just pick anybody to be Philran use, the tancing protocol above that are income of $2 a day. He was going to In fact, we will be in Top 15, dislodging nation its people. Santa Banana, I cannot believe that this is na on and s peop e Human Rights Watch has also noted the intents and purposes, the rollout is the kind If only to hem he vacc ne because anyway hey have conducted an impromptu cabinet meetlion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, member of the Board to any GOCC, Philthis pandemic for whatever reason,” Duterte other days. W mine whether you are qualified to hold this ident canno ardo Año said that if this is true, we should included in the list prepared and submitted easing the one-meter social distancing proHuman Rights Watch has also noted place at one the same refused killings of known political activists, human and human rights violations. say he killed one m lion in 2016), a well dramatic reduction inprepared poverty, included inwhat the list submitted thehis one-meter socialthe distancing pro-and bubbles placetime), at the Duterte same and time), Duterte refused lion people lostCritics theirhis jobs—“largely infailure. wocally from motivated March human rights violations. Critics he killed killings of known political activists, human r investigation.” detention of most Opportunities 2021. down poverty to of an unheard of 12 even Bangladesh. Lungs Imore could repeat Lazaro saidPresiso bring coming from theeasing Philippine National Police failure. of booster shot which animates freeing the sayto politically motivated detention most Health president and CEO The three perHealth included, you must pass the Health and foresigh won ve this ong ea y through do no know he and ing jointly with the military high command to Health experts say is dangerous ber pray office. middle-income status for Filipinos, with add jeepneys, buses, and other means stressed, adding, “comprehensive global represi by the GCG to the President. But the tocol in public transport. To me it would rights defenders, and alleged New People’s Opportunities fire the erring general. politically motivated detention of his most 2. Pandemic mismanagement more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating and middle-income status for Filipinos, with by collapsed the GCG to espec the President. But the Presitocol in public transport. To me of it wouGCG, d and you must be ingone aheadHo er services—mainly trade, acwein after to fireit’s the erring general. ar killings, theinSenator more in lockdown the transport, guise of eliminating percent by 2022, from 30s in thethe 2000s. The by 0.7 percent that deeds, especially me toget power chief. He said that National Capital Region oquen ymanent ha “good deeds aprominent yathose hose My gulay, long process! energies that a fullthan year 27,000 of global ofeeloquently transportation—not ease the social discritic, Senator Leila de Lima, suancesCom that onathe e is o that he who h ng ” lose manent tackle aeconomy major national security or geopolitirights defenders, and alleged New People’s inent critic Leila Lima the theirThe perPrescapita income exceeding $3,000. covery hinges on equal and easy access by wringer legally appoint Gierran memAs the paper correctlya noted, developing worsen the problem. 2. Pandemic mismanagement Commissions ofGierran GCG and the two can happen wee could prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the a here the pervasive drugsde curse. dent cannot legally appoint a memworsen heWhat prob em theirdent per cannot capita income exceeding $3,000. tasic andgreatest restaurants, and enterliberties? also noted the theillegal pervasive illegal drugs curse. beneficial to the nation the people, cannot Police Office chief, Major General Debold bene c a o he na on and he peop e canno ident cannot just pick anybody to be Philthe and commodation, w tancing protocol. held back. cal issue like the Visiting Forces Agreement removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Maex-officio m everyone to life-saving vaccines. Because, ber of the Board of Trustees, much more as Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoMark my words, there will be a surge of and producing the vaccine are not enough. val in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mabiznewsasia@gmail.com removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Maber of the Board of Trustees, much more as ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance Mark my words here w be a surge of Human Rights Watch says many of the everything we have gaineda@gma com Duterte presides over the worst ecoion ofpoverty. his most what tainment—but also Watch in with industry, espe-of Health yntry’s and biznewsasia@gmail.com president and CEO. The three per-orToday, Health experts say this is dangerous. Human on Rights says the expunged, survives deserves aday, promotion because heashas be eeffaced aced oorpresident/CEO, expunged Good su vria vesLourdes and atSinas, in the country’s Take happened Monday the many b znewsas China’s incursions into the South China Sereno, the revocation of amCarlos Dom a PhilHealth my gulay! the end of the as repeatedly said, no COVID-19 cases in the country a result (www.manilastandard.net) nomic performance of the Philippines ever. It has to be of such efficacy and scale as to Rolando G. Estabillo Publ a PhilHealth president/CEO, my gulay! COVID-19 cases n he coun ry as a resu ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of am27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrat(www.manilastandard.net) ila de Lima, the nomic performance of the Philippines ever. owth. cially manufacturing. Lowerincome sarters the epicenter manent Commissions of GCG and the two (www man available astandard net) ourdes Sereno the revocation ofinamWhat can happen here is cos that we could lose Carlos Dominguez Department ofnew&recruits. *** (www man astandard net)is also triumphs in end. Marcos’ in in training umphs n the he end Ma pplace ace n hhistory s and ogiven yin- experience are “vigilante-style killings perpetratofarrival growth. of the27,000 first batch of vaccines MaBudget Secr Take note that before the GCG can nesty Senator (now retired) Antonio ofcan this nonsense. affordable andmembers readily for The slump the worst in ASEAN. The Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member Chief Legal MemberManaging & Chief Legal Adviser Former ChiefAdviser Justice Reynato S. Puno L.Board Take note that before the GCG inof h s openly nonsense hief Justice Manesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio ManilaStandard edgrowth by policethe officers themselves or by killers be ex-officio (Secretary of deFinance everything we have gained. Theclude slump also the worst in ASEAN. The semi-skilled workers, most them the whole of owth ManilaStandard canis beThe accessed at: Honor B Ramonchito Tomeldan Editor can be accessed at:idea iss secu secure. Marcos laws beneWhat, when Sinas violated that emakes Ma cos aws abound and bene Ramonch ed(now by police officers themselves by killers Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado) will also SO uarters ofnila. Whileand carping from theAntonio usual sus- ofor The ban of going to cemeteries during given Senator retired) to vote your name in the shortlist for appointThey say the was to help operators Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and ployment to the farthest ends of the earth to economic collapse also him the worst manilastandard.net SO Editors have Jimbo clude your inlegal the shortlist for appointmanilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Manager say he protocols dea was and oAnita he pF.Wong/Ray opera vocation of am- to employed Carlos Dominguez and DepartmentONLINE of * *makes * name (www.manilastandard.net) Trillanes IVTreasury whoThey led mutinies in 2002 Grefal ors Treasury Manager linked thelinked authorities.” only informally, were hit hardPublished Pakistan, and ONLINE economic collapse also him the worst O Chin S. Eñano Associate erfirst of quarter fit us. are in our system Chin Wo Enhanced Community Quarantine us They a e embedded n ou ega sys em I SEE to the authorities.” Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard pects remained unabated a sigh of relief was enes of in the shortl ment as a member of the Board of Trustees and drivers of public utility vehicles. IntePublished Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard SOpresident 2007, the passage oforand apassage new Anti-Terror enhance such trust and Wendel confidence needed have to whether toand include youthe not All Saints’ Day and All IEditor SEE Legal Adviser ever in The terms economic perforAstraZeneca/Oxford, SinoPharm, SinoVac, noticed that a of good number of the 289 experIV who led mutinies in 2002 and Budget Secretary will also ment as avote the Board of Trustees ban of going cemeteries during etired) Antonio dr vers pub c uor Baldwin y S.veh esPangco In e- Pañares Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno Board Member &Souls’ Chief R. he Felipe Solutions 2007, and of“Undas” aofnew Anti-Terror Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106Avisado) Paseo de Authorities admit 7,000 deaths M. because fewtohad the option toduring work fromPublishing 00 cases daily, Joyce News R.cFelipe Head—Ad president ever in of economic perforPublishing Inc. at 6/Fnue Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de MEMBER Joyce continue to govern guide the nation. when hadLocal aHead—Ad mañanita birthday party? and con oterms gove ntomember and gu deof he na onBaldwin ManilaStandard MEMBER LITO Solutions Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during TheLino GCG evident nationwide especially since senior ofof Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterrior and Government Secretary Educan be accessed at: Act (ATA). SO to get the world again. Things willor not SEE Roxas, corner Perea St.,moving Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone have to vote whether to include you “Undas” All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ mance. Sputnik/Gamaleya) are being ramped up imental vaccines under development have ies in 2002 and LITO Roxas, corner Perea or St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.the Telephone of Philhealth, GCG first needs to deterr or and Loca Governmen Secre ary Eduin the shortlist Day is no problem for me and my wife Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinion Editor home,” notes ADB. cases and will and the passage of a new Anti-Terror Act (ATA). the campaign. Any numbers above that are Philippine Press Institute Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager BANAYO mance. asion 4.2-meant Marcos’ vision foresight in lawmaking For PNP Chief Camilo Coscolan to say Ma cos v s on and o es gh n awmak ng Edgar M. 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P.O. classified asIronically, “homicides under on investigation.” The GCG isusmy akin to Judicial Bar Philippine Newspapers For many have gone to the member of And that isnance all due to the second biggest conofor governance richly the is amore bigand insult to ushave all.saEven oofFor gove aarewhether e(Advertising) ch y illustrated aare ed by heof this of Philippine Newspapers Published Monday to Sunday byJudicial Philippine Manila Standard ATA) office. roll out though limited as is Duterte going smoothly add jeepneys, buses, and other means LITO classified “homicides under investigation.” is Office, akin to the and Bar many years, we have not gone to the hilippine econoBox 2933,The ManilaGCG Centralthat Post Manila. Website: www. cated and tortuous it will take active inkillings known political activists, human Box 2933, Manila Central Post Offi ce, Manila. Website: www. Johnson/Jannsen and NovoVax) about to Billdeand Melindaoffice. Gates Foundation. 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Philippine Press Institute centers. weRights should be able tohas havealso the Human Watch noted theWTO activists, human Hopefully, member ofanybody the Board to this any GOCC Philuction poverty, days What matters is that we remem- wringer of t WHO, and UNICEF not to menEdgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager ident cannot justarepick anybody totancing Philisbe just the start long and tortuentertain thoughts. What matters now isPhilancof ngthe proother oco numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting gsNew ofinPeople’s known political activists human Opportunities bring downof poverty to of an unheard of 12 Lungs and bubbles motivated detention his mostof Health included, you must pass through the all foresight Marcos, hereeones legal isbecomes PNPexperts chief himself. 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Puno er the worst eco-end as Toeverything achieve global control of COVID-19, to as many people members as possible. The (www.manilastandard.net) Former Reynato Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser ria Lourdes Sereno, theSereno, revocation of am- Epidemic ManilaStandard of Carlos Dominguez and Department * * Chief * Justice (www.manilastandard.net) ever. can be accessed at: have to be duction lines. Former*Chief Adviser Ramonch Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Preparedness Innovations), the ria Lourdes the revocation of amCarlos Dominguez and Department of * a Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher (www.manilastandard.net) ManilaStandard these vaccines sooner, the better. Philippines ever. can be accessed at:produced at*such manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado) will also The ban of going to cemeteries during nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio ONLINE .in The That expected outcome, however, is Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Chin Won manilastandard.net Board & Chief Legal Adviser Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno global foundation funded byMember business and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado) also The ban oftransmission. go ng o ceme er esAnita durF.ng nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio Grefal Treasury Manager scalewill as will deter widespread In any event,Blanco there is every reason to hope ONLINE ASEAN. The Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard ManilaStandard Honor Cabie Night Editor

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EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

Hacking and hackers Hacking hackers 1521: Theand quincentennial hackers

EDITORIA

Learning curves Another blow from Learning curves Learning curves EDITORIAL Valid grievances Ombudsman T T Tthe Closing a still-vast gap T Duterte’s failures

Gierran’s appointment is illegal

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Gierran’s appointmen Duterte’s failures Gier Duterte’s failures Calamity elections Duterte’s failures The rollout begins

Gierran’s appointment is illegal Marcos’ place in history Gierran’s appointment is illegal Gierran’s appointment is illegal

terte’s failures mity elections e’s failures

Booster shot

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Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor haveRamonchito can be accessed at: Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor All Souls’ L.Philippine Tomeldan Managing Editor SO vote whether toManila include you or not you “Undas” or All Saints’ Day Published Monday to Sunday by Standard Trillaneswith IV who ledofIV mutinies in mutinies 2002 worst SO fraught loads challenges whichandinphilanthropic R.and Felipe Head—Ad Publishing at 6/F Universal Reto Building, 106 Paseo Ro ando Estab onBaldwin Pub sher SOInc. manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager have todeS.three vote whether to Editors include or not to finance inde“Undas” or A atand Saleast s’ 20 Day A Sou s’ Solutions MEMBER Trillanes who led 2002 and Anita F.Wong/Ray Grefal Treasury Manager This year the target is G toCity have that inthe the next two or years ONLINE es him the worst Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Chinorganizations S. Eñano Associate Editors Baldwin R. 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Valmorida BANAYO Adelle Chua Opinion Edgar M. Valmorida Manager astanda net departments), 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Editor as Council. Before you can be appointed cemeteries on those two days. We go on nectingman all An ta F Grefa Treasury Manager of Philippine Newspapers BoxBANAYO 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. Recently, there have been sensational The National Association private, in each and every country and, of ggest Council. Before you be ards. appointed as J mbowoOwen C ty Ed torLITO ceme er esnine on developers hose days Gu We ego on nManila. 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World

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

First Covax jab injected; US eyes J&J use A

CCRA,Ghana— Ghana’sPresident NanaAkufo-Addo onMondaybecamethefirst recipientofacoronavirus vaccineundertheglobal Covaxscheme,asUS healthworkerspreparedto distributenearlyfourmillion dosesofthesingle-shot Johnson&Johnsonjab.

IN BRIEF $2.1-b power bill leaves Texas utility bankrupt HOUSTON—The largest electricity cooperative in Texas has filed for bankruptcy protection after it received a $2.1 billion bill from the state’s grid operator following last month’s winter storm that leftmillionswithoutpower. Bitterly cold weather in mid-February left millions without electricity across Texas as the Arctic conditions overwhelmed local utility companies ill-preparedforsuchweather. Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, whichsupplies16co-opmembersserving morethan1.5millionTexans,saiditfiled forChapter11bankruptcyonMondayafter receiving “excessively high invoices” fromthestategridoperatorElectricReliabilityCouncilofTexas(ERCOT). Accordingtocourtfilings,Brazossaid itwashitwithinvoicesfromERCOTtotalingmorethan$2.1billion,withpayment requiredwithindays. Brazos said the bill for the seven-day “black swan” winter event was nearly three times its total power cost of $774 millionforthewholeof2020.AFP

ASH ON BLUE SKY. A farmer tends to a farm as Mount Sinabung spews ash into the sky, as seen from Karo, North Sumatra on Tuesday. Vulcanologists recorded 13 separate blasts as Mount Sinabung leapt to life, belching debris up to 16,400 feet above Sumatra. There was no immediate danger to life or property, authorities said, with a five-kilometre (three-mile) ring around the volcano having been left unoccupied over recent years. AFP

HK dissidents back in court for marathon bail hearing

End anal swabs for Japanese, Tokyo asks China

HONG KONG—Dozens of Hong Kong democracy activists charged with subversion returned to court on Tuesday to completeamarathonbailhearingthatwas adjourned overnight when four defendantswererushedtohospitalafterhoursof legalwrangling. Police arrested 47 of the city’s bestknowndissidentsonSundayfor“conspiracytocommitsubversion”inthebroadest useyetofasweepingnationalsecuritylaw thatBeijingimposedonthecitylastyear. ThedefendantsrepresentabroadcrosssectionofHongKong’sopposition,from veteran former pro-democracy lawmakerstoacademics,lawyers,socialworkers andyouthactivists. Hundreds of supporters gathered outsideacourthouseonMondayforthefirst post-chargebailhearing,chantingdemocracyslogans--arareresurgenceofdefianceinacitywhereprotesthasbeenall butoutlawedoverthelastyear.AFP

TOKYO—JapanhasaskedChinatoavoid using anal swabs to test its citizens for coronavirus,sayingthemethodprompted complaintsof“psychologicaldistress”. Tokyo’sinterventioncomesafterreports thatUSdiplomaticpersonnelinChinahad complainedofbeingsubjectedtotheintrusivetests--aclaimBeijingdenied. China, which has largely brought the virusundercontroldomestically,saidlast monththatanalswabscanbemoreeffectivethannormalthroatandnosetestsas theviruscanlingerlongerinthedigestive system. But Japanese government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said late Monday that Tokyohadmadeaformalrequestthrough

itsembassyinBeijingthatpeoplearrivingfromthecountrybeexempted. “OurembassyrequestedJapanesecitizensbeexcludedfromanalPCRtests,as some Japanese expatriates... expressed theopinionthatthetestsproducesignificantpsychologicaldistress,”Katosaid. “At this point we have not received a responsethattheychangethis...Wewill continue pressing the issue,” he added, notingthattherewasnoinformationthat anyothercountrywasusingthemethod. Asked about the complaint, Chinese foreignministryspokesmanWangWenbin said Beijing’s testing methods were “science-based”and“inaccordancewith thechangesintheepidemicsituationas

wellasrelevantlawsandregulations”. Lastmonth,USmediasaidStateDepartment personnel in China had complained about the method, but Beijing rebuffedthereports,sayingithad“never requested US diplomatic personnel in Chinatoundergoanalswabs”. OfficialsinChinahaveusedanalswabs totestpeopleitconsidersathigh-riskof contractingCovid-19,includingresidents ofneighbourhoodswithconfirmedcases aswellassomeinternationaltravellers. Buttheyhaveacknowledgeditwould behardtouseanalswabsaswidelyasthe othermethods,whichhavebeenusedto test millions in mass campaigns, as the techniquewas“notconvenient”.AFP

Covax,aschemedesignedtoensure poorercountriesdonotmissoutonvaccinations, is aiming to deliver at least twobillionjabsbytheendoftheyear. Akufo-AddoreceivedhisAstraZenecashotliveontelevisionalongwithhis wife,whileinneighbouringIvoryCoast apresidentialspokesmangotthecountry’sfirstjab,alsopartofaCovaxdelivery. Ivory Coast received some 504,000 doses from Covax, while Ghana got 600,000thatitwillstarttorolloutthis week. “ItisimportantthatIsettheexample thatthisvaccineissafebybeingthefirst tohaveit,sothateverybodyinGhana canfeelcomfortable,”thepresidentsaid. Colombia became the first country in the Americas to receive vaccines throughCovax,withPresidentIvanDuquehailingthedayas“averyimportant milestone.” WorldHealthOrganizationchiefTedrosAdhanomGhebreyesuswelcomed Covax’sprogress. “It’sencouragingtoseehealthworkers in lower-income countries starting tobevaccinated,butit’sregrettablethat this comes almost three months after someofthewealthiestcountriesstarted theirvaccinationcampaigns,”hesaid. India’s Prime Minister Narendra ModialsogotvaccinatedonMonday-- althoughaglitchintheonlinebooking systemmeantthousandsofotherswere turnedawayfromhospitalsnationwide. AndintheUnitedStates,3.9million dosesoftheone-shotJohnson&Johnsonvaccineareduetobedeliveredafter itbecamethethirdjabapprovedbyUS regulators.AFP

Journo arrested in late-night raid

Australia puts far-right group on terror list SYDNEY—A Britain-based neo-Nazi outfitwillbecomethefirstfar-rightorganisationtobelistedasaterrorgroup in Australia, authorities said Tuesday, after growing warnings from security services. The Department of Home Affairs signalled that the Sonnenkrieg Division wouldjointhecurrentlistof27proscribed organisations, which have so far been exclusively jihadist or separatist groups linkedtotheMiddleEastandcentralAsia. Australia’s domestic spy agency has repeatedlysoundedthealarmaboutthe growingthreatoffar-rightviolence. SinceanAustraliangunmankilled51 worshippersatmosquesinNewZealand’s Christchurchin2019,theAustralianSecurity Intelligence Organisation has said the far-right threat had “increased” and becomean“enduringthreat”. Butuntilnowthecountry’sconservative government has been reluctant to formallydesignateanyorganisationsas terrorgroups.AFP

WASHING TEAR GAS. A protester puts water on their face after tear gas was fired by police during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on Tuesday. AFP

YANGON—A Myanmar reporter was arrestedinhishomebythemilitaryina late-night raid, his employer said Tuesday, after days of crackdowns by the juntaonanti-coupprotesters. Myanmar’s military has escalated force as it attempts to quell an uprising againstitsrule,deployingteargas,rubberbulletsand,increasingly,liverounds. Journalistshavefoundthemselvestargetedbypoliceandsoldiersastheytryto capturetheunrestonthestreets.Inrecent days,severalhavebeenarrested,includinganAssociatedPressphotographerin Yangon. A Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reporter live-streamed his detention on Mondaynight,showingchaoticfootageof loudbangshappeningoutsidehisapartment buildinginthesoutherncityofMyeik. Hours later, DVB said on Twitter that thereporter,KaungMyatHlaing,hadbeen takenfromhishomebysecurityforces.

“DVBhasnoknowledgeofwherehe wastakenaway,andwhichmilitaryauthoritytookhim,”itsaidinastatement. ItaddedthatKaungMyatHlaing’slatest reports were on a weekend military crackdowninMyeik,aswellasonMonday’sdemonstrations. Loud bangs could be heard during KaungMyatHlaing’slivestream,which washostedonDVB’sofficialFacebook page. “Please don’t terrorize,” he pleaded. “Ifyouareshootinglikethis,howwillI comedown?” DVB, a well-known news organisationwithinMyanmar,startedasanexile media outlet during the previous junta, broadcastinguncensoredreportsonTV andradio. After a 49-year hold on power, the militarydictatorshiplooseneditsgripin 2011,andDVBmovedintoMyanmarthe followingyear.AFP

UN pushes international probe into Navalny case GENEVA—UnitedNationshumanrights expertscalledMondayforaninternational probe into the poisoning of Kremlin criticAlexeiNavalnyandhisimmediate releaseastheEuropeanUnionapproved sanctionsonfourseniorRussianofficials involvedinthedetention. AgnesCallamard,theUN’sspecialrapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitraryexecutions,andIreneKhan,the topexpertonfreedomofopinionandexpression, insisted on the need to ensure accountabilityforthe“sinisterpoisoning”. They demanded Navalny’s “immediaterelease”fromaRussianpenalcolony, wherehewastransferredlastweekfrom aMoscowprison. EU member states, meanwhile, approved sanctions on four senior Russian

justice and law enforcement officials involved in his detention. They will be bannedfromtravellingtotheblocandsee anyassetstheyholdtherefrozen. TheUnitedStatesisalsopreparingto imposesanctionsonRussiaforNavalny’s poisoning and imprisonment, according toaCNNreportcitingtwoofficialsfrom PresidentJoeBiden’sadministration. PresidentVladimirPutin’smostprominentopponenthasbeensentencedtotwoand-a-half years in a penal colony for violatingparoletermswhileinGermany recoveringfromapoisoningattack. The44-year-oldspentmonthsrecoveringfromthenearfatalpoisoningwiththe Soviet-eranerveagentNovichokthathe claimswasorderedbyPutin--something theKremlinhasrepeatedlydenied.

ButonMonday,CallamardtoldreportersthatsheandKhanhadconcludedthat “Russia is responsible for the attempted arbitrarykilling”ofNavalny. ‘Clear, sinister warning’ Khan told journalists that Navalny’s poisoningwithNovichokmayhavebeen “carriedoutdeliberatelytosendaclear, sinister warning that this would be the fate of anyone else who would criticize andopposethegovernment.” “Novichok was precisely chosen to causefear.” The independent experts, who are appointedbytheUNbutdonotspeakonitsbehalf,saidNavalny’slawyershadaskedthem tolookintothecasebackinAugust,andthat theyhadsenttheirfindingsinalettertoRussianauthoritiesinDecember.AFP

RESCUED. A group of girls previously kidnapped from their boarding school in northern Nigeria are seen on Tuesday at the Government House in Gusau, Zamfara State upon their release. All 279 girls kidnapped from their boarding school in northern Nigeria have been released and are on government premises, the local governor said Tuesday. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

NOTICE Standard

TODAY NOTICE is hereby given

that a Supplement to the Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate of Rosa Go Jua Ngu, consisting of shares of stocks was executed by her heirs and notarized on 8 February 2021 per Doc. No. 263; Page No 54; Book No. IV; Series of 2021 of Notary Public Tomas B. Baga, Jr. of Quezon City, Metro Manila (MS-FEB. 17,24 & MAR. 3, 2021

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTELEMENT NOTICE: is hereby given to the public that the late JAYNE CANHE CABAGON who died on December 28 2010 has been subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement and executed by his heirs Namely: Jayson Nino Cabagon, Divine Sarah Cabagon and wife Genoveva Cabagon Jayne Canhe Cabagon left a savings account deposit no.1943194133988 Metrobank Pateros Branch, known as Doc.237,Page No. 49, Book No.20, Series of 2012, Under Notary Public Atty. Pio Kenneth I. Dasal. (MS-FEB. 24 MAR. 3 & 10, 2021

Saudi pressed over Khashoggi slay amid calls to punish prince WASHINGTON—The United States on Monday pressed Saudi Arabia to take further measures after the killing ofjournalistJamalKhashoggiasWashingtonfacedgrowingcriticismthatitdid not directly target Crown Prince MohammedbinSalman. President Joe Biden on Friday releasedanintelligencereportthatfound that Prince Mohammed approved the

2018killingofKhashoggi,aUS-based contributortoTheWashingtonPostwho wasluredintotheSaudiconsulateinIstanbulwherehewasstrangledtodeath anddismembered. The report—classified under former presidentDonaldTrump,acloseallyofthe Saudis—foundthatsevenofthe15membersofthehitsquadthatflewtoIstanbul camefromtheRapidInterventionForce,

whichitsaid“existstodefendthecrown prince”and“answersonlytohim.” “WehaveurgedSaudiArabiatodisbandthisgroupandthenadoptinstitutional,systemicreformsandcontrolsto ensure that anti-dissident activities and operationsceaseandceasecompletely,” StateDepartmentspokesmanNedPrice toldreporters. “Wehavemadecrystalclear--andwill

continuetodoso--thatthebrutalkilling of Jamal Khashoggi 28 months ago remainsunacceptableconduct,”Pricesaid. HealsocalledonSaudiArabiatoact onotherfrontsincludingliftingatravel banonLoujainal-Hathloul,anadvocate forwomen’srighttodriveintheultraconservative kingdom who was provisionally freed in January after nearly threeyearsinjail.AFP

Business Over 200 billionaires join China’s growing list BEIJING—More than 200 billionaires were created in China last year as booming stock markets and a flood of new listings offset the ravages of the virus pandemic, according to a global tally released Tuesday. The size of China’s exclusive billionaire’s club has almost doubled in the past five years as the world’s number two economy continued to outpace most others, and its ability to mostly avoid the worst of the coronavirus meant it was one of the few to expand in 2020. And the Hurun Global Rich List showed 259 people breaking into the billion-dollar bracket—more than the rest of the world combined—taking China total to 1,058, the first country to break the 1,000 mark. In comparison, second best performer the United States saw 70 new billionaires created, taking its total to 696. Leading the Chinese pack was Zhong Shanshan of bottled water giant Nongfu, who entered the list for the first time with an $85-billion fortune, putting him number one in Asia and into Hurun’s global top 10. Zhong, a former construction worker, made his cash following a $1.1-billion initial public offering in Hong Kong last year. However, a clampdown on ecommerce giant Alibaba saw tycoon Jack Ma fall down the pecking order. The one-time darling of China’s entrepreneurs has come under pressure from regulators, who have reigned in Alibaba and fintech arm Ant Group on anti-trust issues. Three individuals globally added more than $50 billion in a single year, the survey found: Tesla’s Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Colin Huang of Pinduoduo, one of China’s fastestgrowing ecommerce players. Overall, China continues to lead the world’s wealth creation, Hurun’s report said, adding 490 new billionaires in the past five years compared with the 160 added in the US. Hurun Report chairman Rupert Hoogewerf said that even with the pandemic chaos, the past year saw the biggest wealth increase of the past decade due to new listings and booming stock markets. AFP

Market climbs; Jollibee, SM Prime lead advances T HE stock market extended its gains Tuesday, lifted by the launching of the country’s COVID-19 vaccination drive Monday.

The Philippines Stock Exchange Index rose 46.57 points, or 0.7 percent, to 6,919.54 on a value turnover of P9.9 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 121 to 105, with 44 issues unchanged. The vaccine rollout started in six Manila hospitals a day after the government received 600,000 donated doses from China. Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, advanced 4 percent to P186, while SM Prime Holdings of the Sy Group added 3.2 percent to P37.20. JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group climbed 3.8 percent to P66.90, while unit Universal Robina

Corp., the largest snack food maker, gained 2.8 percent to P132.70. The rest of Asian markets struggled Tuesday to maintain a global rebound from last week’s rout as the improving economic outlook and vaccine rollouts were offset by lingering worries that valuations may have run too far. US lawmakers’ push to get Joe Biden’s huge stimulus through Congress in the next two weeks and Wall Street’s powerful lead—driven by a rally in tech firms—were not enough to keep spirits up, with inflation fears also hanging in the background. Hong Kong and Shanghai turned into negative territory as the day wore on, after a top Chinese regulator raised concerns that bubbles were forming in financial markets. Tokyo, Sydney and Taipei also fell, but there were gains in Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Jakarta and Mumbai. A ramping-up of immunizations, falling infection rates, government and

central bank support and the easing of lockdown measures have fanned expectations that the global economy will enjoy a blistering recovery this year and next, helping propel equities to record or multi-year highs. But the bright-eyed optimism has given way in recent weeks to worries that the so-called reflation trade will send prices soaring and force officials at the Federal Reserve and elsewhere to wind in their ultra-easy monetary conditions, including lifting interest rates. And the rise of yields in government bonds in the US and other key economies last week sparked a mini meltdown, which was exacerbated by profit-taking as investors considered some gains to have run a little too far. However, a stabilization in the bond market Friday and Monday appeared to have staunched the bleeding for now, while analysts said worries over a surge in inflation and rate cuts were overdone. With AFP

PSEi March 2, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

AR SFIP BHI BCB PMPC OPM SGI ZHI ORE ABA

LAST PRICE 0.0054 2.59 0.063 2.98 6.83 0.013 1.44 0.249 1.23 1.24

CHANGE 0.0018 0.86 0.016 0.25 0.55 0.001 0.11 0.019 0.09 0.09

% CHANGE 50.00% 49.71% 34.04% 9.16% 8.76% 8.33% 8.27% 8.26% 7.89% 7.83%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CDC FJP LR PHES LODE MBT DITO LFM EVER LRW

LAST PRICE 0.81 2.77 1.91 0.52 1.63 48.1 15.06 32 0.094 2.26

CHANGE -0.1 -0.3 -0.19 -0.05 -0.15 -3.5 -1.06 -2.25 -0.006 -0.14

% CHANGE -10.99% -9.77% -9.05% -8.77% -8.43% -6.78% -6.58% -6.57% -6.00% -5.83%

MOST ACTIVE

OPEN AGAIN. Croatian citizens sit at a bar’s terrace in Croatian capital Zagreb on March 1, 2021. Croatian authorities decided to relax restrictive measures against COVID-19 as last month witnessed a decline in virus cases. Starting on March 1, Croatia opened coffee bar’s terraces, hall sports, swimming pools, restaurants and other activities. AFP

As oil prices rally, old OPEC tensions likely to rise again LONDON—As members of the oil cartel OPEC and its allies meet this week to discuss adjusting output, analysts expect old tensions between oil producer giants to flare up again. Russia and Saudi Arabia, respectively the world’s second and third largest producers of oil after the United States, had often been at loggerheads in the past, but when crude oil prices plunged due to the pandemic, they rallied to radically cut production levels and underpin prices. Now that prices have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, at around $65 a barrel, the two heavyweights and their partners will discuss how to move forward—and how much crude to release back onto the global market. “The priorities are well known: Russia wants to return to normal production as quickly as possible while Saudi Arabia wants to benefit from high prices a little longer,” Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst at commodities research group Seb, said ahead of a ministerial level meeting Thursday at which quotas are expected to be adjusted. While global demand for crude is recovering, OPEC has ensured that its production cuts create an “artificial shortage” that supports prices, according to Stephen Innes, chief global market strategist at broker group Axi. Following two days of tough negotiations at 2021’s first summit in early January, the 23 members of the OPEC and OPEC+ groupings agreed to slowly increase oil supply to the world market. For March, members have already agreed to withhold 7.05 million barrels per day (bpd), less than the 7.125 million bpd they cut in February. With vaccination campaigns underway and demand in China, the world’s largest oil importer, back at prepandemic levels, exactly how much oil OPEC+ will allow to be traded for April will be at the heart of Thursday’s ministerial-level debate. AFP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DITO AR PHA SM BDO MBT AC ALI URC TEL

VOLUME 86089400 122735000000 182633000 459030 3592270 7579900 334840 6343500 1764590 173675

VALUE (PHP) 1324668910 578008300 557418360 476532115 391787920 365739133 260869460 250581440 234575582 226578875

The COVID-19 Vaccine: The Basics MONDAY this week, COVID-19 mass vaccinations officially rolled out in the Philippines. On the last day of February, the Philippines received a shipment of 600,000 doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac, a donation from the Chinese government. It is the first official shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to the country and follows the emergency use authorization (EUA) received from the local FDA on 22 February 2021. A shipment of 525,600 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, which received EUA in the last week of January, is expected next week, after having been postponed from its original 1 March schedule. Pfizer vaccines, first to be granted emergency use authorization (EUA) in the second week of January and expected to have been the first to be made available in the country, are not expected to arrive until April 2021 at the earliest. Availability As soon as global consensus emerged that the only real way out of the COVID-19 pandemic was vaccines, it became clear that availability was going to be a critical concern for countries. In fact, many countries invested in vaccine development to ensure that vaccines would be manufactured on their shores in a bid to secure supply. For a vaccine to become available, at least two things need to happen: the vaccine must receive approval for use by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration and the vaccine must then be purchased and delivered to the country. Unlike other countries which concentrated on only a few suppliers, the Philippines early on began discussions with at least seven companies: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer, China’s Sinovac Biotech and Russia’s Gamaleya Institute. Vaccines from Pfizer and AstraZeneca received EUA in January and shipments were expected in February, including about 110,000 doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech that were a donation through

the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) initiative, an international effort to ensure that the vaccine be made available at least to high priority individuals (e.g. medical workers) in all countries. Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer deliveries were to have been purchased via COVAX and both were delayed owing to the lack of an indemnity agreement in the Philippines. The local representative of the WHO stated that the indemnity is a standard requirement of all vaccine manufacturers. On 17 February, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. reported that indemnity agreements had been signed for both AstraZeneca and Pfizer. However, the availability of the Pfizer vaccine continued to be unclear. On February 23, WHO representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe explained that all the indemnity agreements had been presented by the Philippine government in time but there had been delays owing to additional clauses required by Pfizer. These clauses are an addition to the standard indemnities and were presented by Pfizer in a side letter to the Philippine government. On February 26, Philippine President Duterte signed into law an act providing COVID-19 vaccine makers from liability arising from the administration of the COVID-19 shots. This law covers all vaccinee makers and paves the way for fast-tracking the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines unless, of course, some of them like Pfizer insist on additional clauses. For the three vaccines that have received FDA approval, all that remains is for the vaccines to be purchased and delivered. For the others, applications for approval must be submitted to the FDA and authorization granted. Efficacy and Safety Once vaccines are available, at least three questions need to be asked: 1) is the vaccine effective at preventing the disease, 2) is it effective at preventing spread of the disease and 3) what are the potential side effects? Before we dive into available statistics, let us be clear about what is worrying about COVID-19. First, it is very easily transmitted, with the new strains (identified in South Africa and

the UK) being even more contagious. Second, about a fifth of those infected experience severe symptoms requiring hospitalization, and about 1 percent of those infected, or about 5 percent of those with severe symptoms die. What does this mean? If there had been no lockdowns and countries had allowed the virus to spread unchecked, then as many as 40 percent to 70 percent of the population could have contracted the disease. In the Philippines, assuming the estimated 109 million population in 2020, between 9 and 15 million people would have required hospitalization. Between a half million to a million people would have died. In fact, it is likely that deaths would have exceeded a million as the health care system would have been overwhelmed. It must be clear that this nightmare scenario is still possible unless we can

No vaccinated person has been hospitalized for, or died from COVID-19.

doctors and epidemiologists reiterate that so far, not a single vaccinated person has gotten sick enough to require hospitalization or has died of COVID-19. This is reiterated by Julia Ries in a February Huffpost article comparing five vaccines (AstaZeneca, J&J, Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer). So, are the vaccines effective for the most important purpose, the prevention of severe symptoms and death? Yes. Will vaccination prevent the spread of the virus? Currently there is no evidence that vaccinated people cannot become carriers. Hence, the only way the vaccine can prevent the spread of the disease is to achieve herd immunity. This means that everyone who can receive the vaccine must be vaccinated. Finally, is the vaccine safe? All the evidence so far shows that, except for a very few who may experience severe allergic reactions, the vaccines generally have either no or mild side effects. At this point, we must note that these side effects are the same as those that can be expected from most immunizations anyway, including a regular flu shot. There are a few people who should not take the vaccine at this point. First, children because the widespread trials have only been on adults. Second, those for whom the vaccine is contraindicated. If you have demonstrated allergic reactions to the components of the vaccine, you should not get it. If you have an autoimmune disorder, you should seek physician advice before taking the vaccine. What does this all mean? Quarantine protocols continue to stay in place until we hit herd immunity. We will not hit heard immunity until enough people (about 70 percent) of the population is immune. If you accept vaccination when it is made available to you, you are helping the country reach herd immunity. Without this, we are continuing to risk those who cannot take the vaccine because of their health condition. We continue the discussion on COVID-19 in more detail next week.

arrest the spread of the virus. What is important though is that the nightmare scenario does not come from those with mild symptoms. It comes from hospitalizations and deaths. Now, when we compare efficacy rates of the various vaccines that may become available, we must remember that the efficacy rates are for prevention of symptomatic disease. This includes mild symptoms. What we need to worry about is the prevention of hospitalization and death. And here is the important thing, expert after expert has pointed out an important point, the vaccines that have had widespread trials have been 100 percent effective at preventing severe forms of the disease and death. In a recent USA Today article discussing seven vaccines (AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Readers can email Maya at J&J, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer and integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or Sinovac), members of the Biden-Harris visit her site at http://integrations. Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, tumblr.com.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, March 2, 2021 46.53 PTS. 6,919.54

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

126,720,538,221 188,364 9,887,939,535.51 105 121 44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.601

Japan

Yen

0.009368

0.4553

Pound

1.3926

67.6818

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128929

6.2661

Switzerland

Franc

1.093135

53.1275

Canada

Dollar

0.790826

38.4349

Singapore

Dollar

0.753239

36.6082

Australia

Dollar

0.7769

37.7581

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652027

128.8912

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.9596

Brunei

Dollar

0.750413

36.4708

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.00007

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033069

1.6072

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2327

Euro

1.2051

58.5691

Korea

Won

0.000898

0.0436

China

Yuan

0.154624

7.5149

India

Rupee

0.013625

0.6622

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.246609

11.9854

New Zealand

Dollar

0.7263

35.2989

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035951

1.7473 Source: BSP

URC’s income climbed 15% to P11.6b in 2020 despite COVID By Jenniffer B. Austria FOOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. said Tuesday net income grew 15 percent in 2020 on higher operating income, reduced debt and interest expenses and lower foreign exchange losses. URC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income in 2020 reached P11.6 billion, up from P10.1 billion in 2019. Net sales slowed by 1 percent in 2020 to P133.1 billion as the pandemic affected trading conditions and consumer sentiment were markedly affected, resulting in reduced sales of several snack food and beverage products. The company said that despite these challenges, it managed to gain significant market share and performed ahead of competition. “The best response to the challenges we face with this crisis is to push forward, not to pull back. We are focused on better serving our consumers, our customers and our communities,” URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said. “Consumption of our products is not likely to dissipate; in fact, the relevance of our categories in consumers’ lives potentially increases as we adjust to changing consumer and shopper trends. As we look to the future and the new normal, we remain well-positioned for the long term to delight everyone with good food choices,” Lee said. URC’s operating income went up by 7 percent last year to P16 billion, with improved margins from 2019. This was driven by better cost management and favorable input prices, which offset brand building investments and COVID-19 related expenses to safeguard employees and support continuing operations. Sales of domestic and international branded consumer foods amounted to P103.6 billion. Domestic revenues were flat at P61.2 billion, as the growth of snacks, noodles and other filler type categories offset the decline of out-of-home consumption categories such as ready-to-drink beverages and candies. International revenues went down by 5 percent to P41.2 billion in peso terms, but this was flat in local currency basis.

IN BRIEF

Security Bank posts P7.4-b net income

SECURITY Bank Corp., the eighth-largest private domestic universal bank in terms of assets, said Tuesday net income declined 27 percent in 2020 to P7.4 billion from P10.1 billion in 2019 after setting aside P26.4 billion as provisions for credit losses amid the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank said in a statement the 2020 net profit was driven by increases in net interest income and trading gains. “Our 2020 results reflect the fundamental strength of Security Bank amidst a very challenging pandemic-impacted environment. Our retail and wholesale teams maintained their steadfast support of our core clients,” Security Bank president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra said. “Our financial markets team nimbly navigated significant market movements. We supported our employees through the necessary operating model pivots as well as fortified the bank’s balance sheet with credit provisions,” Vohra said. Total revenues increased 48 percent to P50.4 billion from the same period last year. Pre-provision operating profit was P30.7 billion, or 85 percent higher than a year ago. Julito G. Rada

Robinsons Land’s income falls to P5.26b

ASEAN MEETING. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (second column, third from left) leads the Philippine delegation in the 27th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat, which kicks off on March 2. During the first day of the retreat, Economic Ministers discussed the ASEAN Economic Community’s annual priorities under Brunei’s Chairmanship theme of ‘We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper. Lopez exchanged views with the ministers on the member states’ post-pandemic initiatives to facilitate and support the region’s coordinated response to COVID-19, including the consolidated program to reduce non-tariff measures in ASEAN and strengthening global value chains.

First Pacific Group lines up integrated natural gas hub By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE First Pacific Group Pangilinan plans to establish an integrated natural gas business by utilizing gas from Service Contract 72, or the Recto Bank, and transporting it through a pipeline of Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corp. to fire the power plants of Manila Electric Co.

“We hope SC 72 could get developed as an oil field and once it starts developing, we have to connect to Malampaya because we need the facilities to process the raw gas, then pipe it to Batangas and Meralco should get into gas plants whether it’s in Batangas, in Atimonan or in Subic,” Manuel Pangilinan, chair-

man of Manila Electric Co. and Metro Pacific Investment Corp., told reporters. PXP Energy Corp. through Forum Energy Plc owns SC 72. PXP Energy is a unit of Philex Mining Corp., both of which are headed by Pangilinan. MPIC announced in December its acquisition of 100 percent of Philippine Tank Storage International Holdings Inc., which owns PCSPC, the country’s largest petroleum import storage facility in Subic Bay with a capacity of 6 million barrels for $334 million. MPIC will initially acquire a 20-percent stake in the company that will have full ownership in PCSPC for $67 million, with an option to increase it to 50 percent. Pangilinan said PCSPC needed to expand its network throughout the country and the key economic areas such as Davao, Northern Mindanao, Cebu and parts of Luzon. He said his group was looking at cheaper ways to convey the natural gas through a pipe network from Subic to Clark or build a new pipeline to Metro Manila.

Pangilinan said they were studying the PCSPC expansion plans including the possible tie-up with SC 72 because “it is something that the country needs moving forward considering they have to import most if not all of our finished petroleum products.” Pangilinan said the 1,200-MW Atimonan coal plant is a candidate to become a gas plant but is still waiting for another Meralco competitive selection process this year. “We’re looking at other sites, whether we should locate in Batangas where all of the gas plants are located or should we build a new gas complex in Atimonan itself,” he said. Pangilinan said other sites being considered are Zambales and Bataan on the west coast of Luzon. He said this should be studied quickly, because Meralco would hold another CSP towards the end of the year. Pangilinan said his group also offered to acquire the 45-percent stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. in the $4.5-billion Malampaya gas-to-power project in northwest Palawan.

ROBINSONS Land Corp., the real estate subsidiary of the Gokongwei Group, said Tuesday net income reached P5.26 billion in 2020, down 38.8 percent from P8.6 billion in 2019 as the pandemic affected mall and hotel businesses. RLC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues fell 17 percent last year to P25.4 billion. The property firm’ development portfolio, which accounted for 49 percent of total revenues, increased by 30 percent to P12.26 billion. This partially negated the decline in the investment portfolio, which ended at P13.15 billion, down 38 percent year-on-year. The company recorded improvements in key operating indicators across its business units in the fourth quarter. RLC said net income grew 20 percent in the fourth quarter to P863 million. “Amid the challenges of 2020, we adopted new ways of working and embraced a mindset of innovation to continue serving our customers. We capitalized on new opportunities for growth and accelerated our digital transformation initiatives to become more agile,” RLC president and chief executive Frederick Go said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Gov’t debt climbed to P10.32t in January

OUTSTANDING debt of the national government climbed 5.4 percent or P532.46 billion in January to P10.327 trillion from December, driven by the re-availment of a P540-billion short-term loan facility from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The Bureau of the Treasury said that of the total debt stock, 29 percent were sourced externally while 71 percent were domestic borrowings. Domestic debt amounted to P7.325 trillion as of end-January, P630.87 billion or 9.4 percent higher than the end-December 2020 level primarily due to net availment of domestic financing amounting to P630.84 billion including the P540-billion provisional advances availed by the national government from the BSP for budgetary support amid the COVID-19 pandemic. External debt eased to P3.001 trillion, P98.41 billion or 3.2 percent lower than in December. Julito G. Rada

Commercial bank loans declined 2.4% in January on weak demand By Julito G. Rada

ESPENILLA’S PORTRAIT. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (right) and former Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.’s wife Maria Teresita lead the unveiling rites for the late governor’s portrait and bust at the BSP head office in Manila. A career central banker, Governor Nesting, as he is fondly called, succumbed to cancer on Feb. 23, 2019. Building on the foundations that Governor Espenilla put in place, the BSP has made great strides in digital transformation and financial inclusion.

Power consumer warns of higher electricity rates in Bantayan on three supply contracts

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A POWER consumer warned that three supply contracts will run simultaneously for several months this year, resulting in expensive and surplus power in Bantayan Island which will be partly subsidized by consumers in other parts of the country. Romeo Junia, an intervenor in two cases filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission involving the power supply in Bantayan Island, said consumers would pay for expensive but unnecessary surplus power if the ERC would approve Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative Inc.’s two new power supply contracts. Junia said BANELCO general manager Lee Rivera confirmed in an ERC hearing on February 26, 2021 that all capacities contracted by BANELCO under its power supply contracts

CEBU Pacific said Tuesday it permanently removed change fees, allowing passengers to have unlimited rebooking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said “flexibility is critical in restoring passenger confidence in air travel.” “In a recent survey we conducted, flexibility remains to be one of the considerations of our passengers when deciding to travel again. Because of this, we are removing our change fee effective immediately,” Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog said. “As we work on rebuilding our network

would have to be paid by consumers. A resident of Antipolo City, Junia is a captive residential customer of Manila Electric Co. He said he is among electricity end-users who pay the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification that subsidizes the power supply agreements of electric cooperatives such as BANELCO. He is referring to ERC Case No. 2020013RC or BANELCO’s application for approval of a 12-month interim power supply agreement and ERC Case No. 2020-032RC for a 15-megawatt, 15-year power supply agreement, both with Isla Norte Energy Corp. BANELCO also has an ongoing power supply contract with Bantayan Island Power Corp. that would not end until November 2021.

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday bank loans declined further in January as demand remained weak amid the prolonged impact of the global health crisis. Data showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, decreased 2.4 percent year-on-year in January, following a 0.7-percent slump in December. The BSP said outstanding universal and commercial bank loans, net of RRPs, fell 0.3 percent on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis. Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, recorded a slight decline of 1.7 percent, while outstanding loans to nonresidents also decreased by 21.6 percent. “In general, credit activity remained soft due to weak demand as banks continued to be risk-averse on concerns over asset quality and profitability,” the BSP said in a statement.

Consumer loans contracted by 6.9 percent in January after increasing by 4.1 percent in December 2020 due to the decline in credit card and motor vehicle loans and slowdown in salary-based consumption loans during the month. Meanwhile, outstanding loans to key sectors continued to decline, particularly to wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (-6.9 percent), manufacturing (-7.4 percent) and financial and insurance activities (-6.3 percent). The contraction was tempered by sustained growth in loans to some major production sectors, specifically to real estate activities (5.7 percent), transportation and storage (6.6 percent), construction (4.3 percent), and electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply (3.5 percent). Loans to other production sectors reflected marginal growth following the reopening of business activities especially human health and social work activities (11.0 percent) and accommodation and food services activities (4.0 percent).

Cebu Pacific removes change fees, allows unlimited rebooking and supporting domestic tourism, we will continue to listen to our passengers so we can make it even more convenient for every Juan to fly again,” she said. With the removal of change fees, passengers may now rebook their flights as many times as they need at no cost. A minimal fare difference may still apply. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases recently released a new set of simplified requirements for domestic travel which states that travel authorities and health certificates will no longer be needed. Quarantine protocols will also be only required for those showing symptoms. “This is a timely announcement as well, as we support the recent IATF an-

nouncement on the standardized travel requirements, and as we celebrate our 25th founding anniversary this month,” Iyog said. Passengers may conveniently manage bookings online through the “Manage Booking” portal. Cebu Pacific also has an ongoing P25 month-long seat sale on top of other exciting deals in celebration for its 25th anniversary. Cebu Pacific reported a net loss of P14.68 billion in the first nine months of 2020, a reversal of the P6.76-billion profit it booked in the same period in 2019. Revenues in the nine-month period dropped 69.6 percent to P19.34 billion from P63.62 billion in 2019.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Zion dominant as Pelicans upset Jazz; Sixers rebound

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans looks to shoot against Rudy Gobert (27) and Bojan Bogdanovic (44) of the Utah Jazz during the first half at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

Catantan impresses Penn coach THE new members of the Penn State University fencing team have left a good impression on head coach Wes Glon. Glon, who assumed his post this year, has been keeping an eye on the newcomers of the team, singling out the leadership provided by Southeast Asian Games medallist Samantha Catantan of the Philippines and her Ukrainian teammate Kateryna Chorniy. The performance of the two freshmen gave Glon a glimpse of their skills and how they may be able to hold out during the coming first division matches of the US NCAA season. Glon, who has been with the team for 36 years, saw how the newcomers were during the recent Ohio State Invitational in the early days of February. “Kateryna Chorniy and Samantha Catantan have adapted really well to our team and they were the stars of the meet,” said Glon in the team’s official website. Catantan, who used to study at the University of the East, impressed Glon when she debuted with the Nittany Lions with a bang, going undefeated against her Duke and North Carolina opponents. Chorniy, who brings in the experience she got after winning the epee gold during the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, also finished with the same record with Catantan. These allowed the Nittany Lions to post a 7-2 record in their initial outings in the women’s foil. “It’s very unusual that two freshmen are leading the pack, but they fenced very well and we are so happy for them,” Glon said. In the second day of the meet, Catantan stayed undefeated with three more victories against rivals from Northwestern University. The Nittany Lions have been taking part in numerous dual meets, in preparation for the coming US NCAA season. Glon added that he and the rest of the men’s and women’s team are facing their biggest obstacle so far this season. That’s because the coronavirus pandemic has been affecting their team practices. “We had a lot of ups and downs individually this weekend. With more practice, we’ll see more consistency between matches from individual fencers,” added Glon. Peter Atencio

2 PH swimmers resume Olympic qualifying bids By Peter Atencio

WO members of the national swimming team, James Deiparine and Remedy Rule, will resume their Olympic qualifying bids this week.

Deiparine and Rule will join in the TYR Pro Swim Series set on March 3 to 7 at the North East ISD Blossom Athletic Complex in San Antonio, Texas. Their efforts to gain Olympic qualification will continue after both got sidelined for at least a year due to restrictions imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Philippine Swimming, Inc. officials have appealed to let the two join, after learning of the restrictions on foreign athletes headed to the Texas meet. It will be recalled that Deiparine and

Rule were two of the four Filipinos, who hit the Olympic Selection Time (OST-B) for the Olympic Games during the 30th Southeast Asian Games. The other two were Luke Gebbie and Jasmine Alkhaldi, Deiparine did this after he took the Philippines’ lone swimming gold medal in the men’s 100m breast stroke event, before three others followed. His OST-B of 1:01.46 went past the 1:01.73 “B” cut, putting Deiparine closer to the 59.93 “A” cut. Rule clocked an Olympic Standard Time-B in the 200-meter butterfly and

the longtime division kingpin, saying that he would “smash him brutally.” Aliakbari then amped up his talk leading to this match in his interview with ONEFC.com, claiming Vera can’t hang with him. “I have come to the division, to ONE Championship, to be the champion. It is my belt. I’m ready to fight Brandon Vera tomorrow,” Aliakbari said. “I believe Brandon Vera is not ready to fight me, so I’ve asked ONE Championship to line up fights for me. I want the title. I want the championship belt.” Now he has a chance to back it all up when the Circle door closes and he stands toe-to-toe with Kang, who had a debut to remember when he scored a first round come-from-behind TKO win over Mehdi Barghi last February. Watch the previously recorded ONE: FISTS OF FURY II on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. It will also air on the ONE Super App at the same time. Also, TV5 will air the show on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, March 6.

Talisay wants to be Super Cup’s 1 champ st

THE hardship the players went through in this challenging time of the pandemic are more than enough motivation for the MJAS Zenith Talisay to go for the inaugural championship of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup. Veteran guard Paolo Hubalde and team manager Jhon Santos both agreed winning the title has been the main goal of the ballclub the moment the idea to join the upstart regional league was first broached out as early as December. “Ang goal talaga is kunin ‘yung championship. History’ yan, first na magchachampion so might as well kunin mo na ‘yung pinaka-goal,” said Santos. “Kaya naman tayo sumasali sa mga liga para manalo ng championship,” added Hubalde, 40. “Na-bond na’ yung team ng panahon, buo na last year pa. Kaya ‘yung chemistry namin nandu’ n na. This is not just a team, but a family na.” Santos and Hubalde appeared in the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Associa-

in the 100-meter freestyle events. PSI officials said that the 28-year-old Deiparine has trained under former US Olympic coach David Salo, who is known to have handled Australian Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe. On the other hand, Rule, who clinched a pair of silver and bronze medals in the SEA Games, continues to train with her former coaches at her school, University of Texas. And it has been almost a year since Rule smashed the new national marks of 1:00.16 in the 100-meter freestyle and 2:09.58 in the 200-meter butterfly, respectively, at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Des Moines, Iowa. Rule’s time in the 200-meter butterfly is within striking distance of the qualifying mark of 2:08.43 and within the Olympic “B” cut of 2:12.28.

Aliakbari, 3 others want shot at Vera ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera will watch closely when ONE Championship rolls out the previously recorded ONE: FISTS OF FURY II set for this Friday, March 5. It will be a night of heavy hitters at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The card is bannered by the highly anticipated debut of Iranian heavyweight sensation Amir Aliakbari and unbeaten “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won. In the co-main event, dangerous grappler Alexandre “Bebezao” Machado looks to make it two in a row in the heavyweight division as he takes on undefeated Russian Anatoly “Spartak” Malykhin in the latter’s promotional debut. With Vera targeting a return this year, the outcome of these matches will certainly have implications on who challenges “The Truth” next. However, all eyes will be on Aliakbari, a GrecoWrestling World Champion with a 10-1 record and 70 percent finishing rate. He made his intentions known the moment he signed with the organization, quickly calling out

Talisay team execs join the PSA web forum.

tion online Forum on Tuesday along with Puma PH Senior Manager For Sales Marketing and Operations Michael Aldover, who they deeply thanked for coming to the team when the chips were down.

The core of the Aquastars are the same players that form the Valenzuela City team in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League), which unfortunately couldn’t resume its remaining

season following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. With players and team personnel left groping in the dark, Santos decided to take their act in the newly established pro league exclusively in the South, and found perfect partners in the local government of Talisay and of course, Puma which serves as the Aquastars’ official outfitter. “Kumbaga sa hospital nasa ICU na kami at nilabas nila kami sa ICU. Kaya hindi namin ito makakalimutan,” said Santos in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). “Very competitive ‘yung team and natumbok ni Paolo on how to describe them. It’s really a family,” added Aldover in the same forum powered by Smart and with Upstream Media as official webcast partner. “Maganda ‘yung blend ng team at’ yung relationship ng mga players.” Santos said the Aquastars will be leaving for Cebu on March 16 to officially start its team practices as training in Manila has been limited to individual

LOS ANGELES—Zion Williamson produced a dominant performance as the New Orleans Pelicans upset the league-leading Utah Jazz with a 129124 victory on Monday. Pelicans prodigy Williamson finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to give New Orleans a deserved victory over the Western Conferenceleading Jazz. It was the sort of display from the 20-year-old Williamson that made him one of the most coveted young players in years when he was snapped up by New Orleans two years ago with the No.1 pick in the Draft. Against Utah on Monday, the six-footseven-inches (two meters), 284-pound (129 kilograms) powerhouse used his physique and skill to barrel through the Jazz defense. Utah had led by nine points in the second period but were left trailing by 17 early in the fourth quarter as the Pelicans cut loose. Although Utah closed to within one point with 47 seconds remaining, two Williamson free throws restored the Pelicans’ three-point cushion before Josh Hart added the coup de grace after Mike Conley missed for Utah. Williamson’s scoring tally was matched by Brandon Ingram, who also finished with 26 points, while four other Pelicans players cracked double digits. “We find ourselves in situations like this all the time,” Williamson said afterwards. “It’s a matter of want. And tonight we wanted it more. The Pelicans improved to 15-19 and are now 11 in the Western Conference standings. Leaders Utah fell to 27-8 following the loss but remain three games clear of the second-placed Los Angeles Lakers. Sixers bounce back In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid scored 24 points and hauled down 13 rebounds as the 76ers bounced back from their shock weekend defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers with an emphatic win over the Indiana Pacers. Embiid added five assists and two turnovers in a dominant 130-114 victory over the Pacers that improved the Sixers to 23-12 at the top of the Eastern Conference. AFP

Brandon Vera

workouts in compliance with the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) guidelines. Once the team is cleared from testing and other health protocols, the Aquastars will proceed to the municipality of Alcantara where the Visayas leg of the Super Cup kicks off on April 9. Hubalde considers the ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu City Heroes as the toughest team to contend in the Visayas leg, with former PBA players Jojo Tangkay and Jerick Canada leading the way. “‘Yung team ng Lapu-Lapu. Of course, we’re not overlooking the other teams, respeto pa rin sa kanila. But we believe we can win the championship,” said the son of PBA great Freddie Hubalde. Coached by former San Sebastian standout Aldrin Morante, with PBA legend Bong Alvarez as consultant, the Aquastars are also made up of Patrick Cabahug, Val Acuna, Tristan Albina, Darell Shane Menina, Lugie Cuyos, Kevin Villafranca, Joshua Dela Cerna, Jaymar Gimpayan, Lord Casajeros, Egie Boy Mojica, Steven Cudal, Allan Dominic Santos, Mel Francis Mabigat, and Jhaymo Eguilos.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Azarenka stars in cloudy Doha on Day 1 of Qatar Open DOHA—Svetlana Kuznetsova and Victoria Azarenka provided what was perhaps the best tennis on the opening day of the Qatar Open on Monday, with Azarenka prevailing 6-2 6-3. Despite conceding the first set, Russia’s Kuznetsova put up a spirited defence in the second leading to increasingly sprawling rallies with her well-matched Belarusian opponent. A number of knife-edge line calls added to the suspense as the two played into the evening, prolonged by Kuznetsova’s formidable depth and court coverage in the second set. Azarenka’s composure slipped in the seventh game of the second as she failed to capitalise on several break points, swearing loudly towards her coach. “I definitely missed the last six years I wanted to come (to Doha),” said two-time Doha champion Azarenka. “We’ve been playing against each other for so long,” she said of her familiarity with Kuznetsova’s powerful style of play. Seventh seed and Australian Open finalist, America’s Jennifer Brady, succumbed 6-1 6-2 to Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit who has only progressed as far as the second round at the last two editions in Doha. Kontaveit kicked off the tournament by applying significant pressure on Brady in the opening exchanges, setting the stage for an upset under the cloudy Doha sky. Brady, who had won nine of her last 11 matches prior to Doha, struggled to get into her stride with the Estonian dominating the opening set, repeatedly forcing Brady off balance. ‘Very tough match’ “I watched Jennifer’s journey at the Australian Open... I was expecting a very difficult match and I’m very pleased to get to the second round,” said Kontaveit. Kontaveit was one of the players forced into two weeks of strict quarantine in Australia ahead of the Open at which she lost to Shelby Rogers in the third round. “It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t something we’d done before,” she said. AFP

F1 set to reject Bahrain vaccine offer

ARIS—Formula One is set to turn down an offer by Bahrain to vaccinate all teams and personnel against COVID-19 when they arrive for pre-season testing this month.

Following the postponement of the Australian Grand Prix, which was scheduled for March 21, the focus of the new season is firmly on Bahrain with testing due to run from March 12 to 14 with the opening Grand Prix of the 2021 season taking place there on March 28. “The vast majority of participants will be present in Bahrain for

a three-week period ahead of the race,” Bahraini organizers of the Grand Prix said in a statement on Sunday evening. “This, in turn, allows a unique opportunity to provide additional protection for those who wish to take up the opportunity in the form of vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine).” Highlighting “one of the highest

vaccination rates globally” with now “five different vaccines” available to the population, Bahrain said it was “extending the programme to major events in the kingdom—on a voluntary basis —where timescales allow”. According to a source within Formula 1, the offer will be rejected. Based in the United Kingdom, like the vast majority of teams, F1 intends to remain in line with the British vaccination schedule so that its employees are not seen to be benefitting from privilege. More than 20 million people have already received a first dose of the coro-

Noah retires; Hawks sack coach Pierce

WOMEN’S MONTH CELEBRATION. Cavite policewomen demonstrate their skills in taekwondo during the kick off on Monday of National Women’s Month, with the theme “Juana Laban Sa Pandemya: Kaya!” at Camp Pantaleon Garcia, in Imus, Cavite. Boy Josue

PH University Basketball League set By Graham C. Lim THE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines has officially endorsed the 2nd Philippine University Basketball League tournament, a qualifier to the 20th ASEAN University Games and other Asia or Asia-Pacific university championships, to be held simultaneously in the cities of San Pedro and Biñan in the Laguna province in September or October this year. This development was disclosed by Prof. Robert Milton Calo, Chairman of the PUBL Steering Committee, during an online meeting with Leonardo Andres, Regional Representative of the Basketball Association of the Philippines. Andres has been designated as Andres the PUBL Commissioner. Also in attendance during the meet were committee members Allan Soria, Romulo Raytos, Cecille Sarmiento and Tet Enriquez. The committee has extended its function to other BAP officials to support the 2nd PUBL’s technical aspect. They are Nestor Macatuno (BAP-NCR) and his deputy, Labrador Renosan and Antonio Quiza, and Manuel Huab from the Bicol Region.

THE LINK REY JOBLE IN MY previous piece, I wrote about the possibility of Mikey Williams being selected early in the PBA Draft once he complies with the requirements for Fil-Am players. A few weeks before Draft Day, Williams’ saw his stocks increase, especially now that he has submitted all documents needed to make him eligible for the coming festivities to be held on March 14. By Friday, the PBA will finalize the list of applicants qualified to join this year’s Rookie Draft, and Williams’ name is expected to be there. A US NCAA Division I player, the 6’2” Williams has certainly become

navirus vaccine in the UK, which has recorded almost 123,000 deaths, the most of any country in Europe. The decision to run Grands Prix in Bahrain has stirred controversy in the past on account of the kingdom’s human rights record. In November 2020, 16 human rights groups wrote to Formula One accusing them of playing a “central role in ‘sportswashing’ the Bahraini government’s human rights abuses and “performing invaluable PR for Bahrain’s government and risk further normalising the violation of human rights in the country”. AFP

Andres has started to form his working staff, which is led by Biñan City 1st District-based Richard Penaranda, who is currently coordinating with city officials on the probable PUBL hosting when the pandemic is contained. Collegiate teams from the Southern Tagalog region that are registered with the FESSAP will be given priority to take part in the competitions. Other colleges expected to join the tournament include those from the National Capital Region that are being handled by Allan Soria, and the governmentState Colleges. YouTube will be provided for selective games to broadcast the games. Allan Soria from the State College is assigned to coordinate with their IT students to support the PUBL tournament, said Prof. Calo. Currently, the Batangas State University, through their sports coordinator Francis Aguirre, has confirmed its registration for membership with Andres and signified its interest in participating in the PUBL qualifying competition. The 2nd PUBL tournament will have a maximum of 20 entries to be divided into two groups of 10 teams each. Games will be staged in different venues and hosted by some of the team participants.

According to Calo, who is also the Chairman of the FESSAP Membership & Accreditation Committee, the plan will afford more students to watch and cheer their collegiate team in action on their home floor. For teams located in the NCR, look for Soria of the Technological University of the Philippines. He can be reached at his Facebook account: “Allan Soria” or at his email address: soria_ saint@ yahoo.com. For those In the Southern Tagalog and Northern regions near Metro Manila, the contact person is Andres, with mobile number 0905 553 8622 and e-mail address at bapregionivab@gmail.com.

LOS ANGELES—French international Joakim Noah announced his retirement from basketball on Monday, ending a 13-season NBA career. Noah, 36, confirmed earlier reports he planned to retire in a statement on Instagram. “It was a hell of a ride,” Noah wrote. “Thank you to all those who show me love throughout my journey.” The two-time NBA All-Star, who was named the league’s 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, eventually plans to retire as a member of the Chicago Bulls—the team that picked him in the 2007 Draft. Noah, the son of French tennis great Yannick Noah, enjoyed the best years of his career with the Bulls during nine seasons in Chicago. He joined the New York Knicks in 2016 but his appearances were limited by injury as well as a 20game suspension for a doping violation. He joined the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2018-2019 campaign, averaging 7.1 points per game in 42 appearances. He signed a short-term contract with the Los Angeles Clippers last year but was waived by the club in December after making only five appearances for the team. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Lloyd Pierce on Monday following the team’s lacklustre start to the season. A statement from the Hawks said Pierce had been “relieved of his duties” as the team attempted to reinvigorate their season. Atlanta are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with 14 wins and 20 defeats, just outside the playoff places. “We would like to thank Lloyd for his work and commitment to not only the Hawks organization but the city of Atlanta,” Hawks president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk said in a statement. “We have high expectations for our team on the court and we believe by making this change now that we can have a strong second half of the season,” Schlenk added. Pierce took over as Hawks head coach in 2018, compiling a 63-120 record in his 183 games in charge. AFP

Williams boosts stock ahead of Draft Day the best available guard in the list, especially with the eligibility of fellow Fil-Am Jason Brickman hanging in the balance. Brickman, along with former Alab Pilipinas teammates Brandon Rosser and Jeremiah Gray, will have to wait until March 5 to determine whether they’re eligible to join the draft or not. Williams could be the latest NCAA Division 1 player to join the draft and if Rain or Shine, which will be selecting at No. 5, can get the chance of picking him up, he’ll be the third Division 1 local player to play for the Elasto Painters. Gabe Norwood, who became an integral part of George Mason University’s Final Four run in 2006, was the first Division 1 player of the league, before Maverick Ahanmisi came in

next when the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher was selected as third overall pick in the 2015 Rookie Draft. Williams could be a good fit for the Elasto Painters, especially now that the team is in need of a pure point guard. Only Norwood is considered as the player who has played comfortably at the point guard spot as other players like Rey Nambatac and Adrian Wong, the team’s other guards, are considered more as an off guard. Mikey could immediately become the starting point guard of Rain or Shine, whose main problem now, of course, is that other teams might beat them to the draw, including the NLEX Road Warriors, who are also looking seriously at what this former Cal State Fullerton standout and former NBA

D-League player can contribute to their team. Although the Road Warriors have expressed their interest in getting a big man, a talent like Williams is hard to pass up. NLEX is picking twice in the first round -- No. 3 and No. 4 -- ahead of the Elasto Painters, who could be beaten to the draw. But what about the other top two squads picking in the draft? Would they be interested in Williams? If only CJ Perez is still still playing for the Dyip, then Williams, the same player who took the MPBL by storm, would be a good fit, and the reigning scoring champion’s production has to be covered up by a player coming from the draft -- and Joshua Munzon is the most logical choice for them. NorthPort had already signified its

desire to take in Jamie Malonzo, the high-flying 6’6” forward, who had a one-and-done season playing for La Salle in 2019. He could easily complement Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony up front. This leaves Williams a toss up between NLEX and Rain or Shine. There are so many interesting things to expect in the coming draft, tipped as the deepest in years and at this point when there’s still uncertainty on the status of the Fil-foreign players, Williams has certainly upgraded his value. And if these Fil-foreign players would be eligible, it’s going to be a lot easier for Rain or Shine to make its selection as it could wind up with either Williams or Brickman. For now, Williams enjoys his boosted stock.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

KZ makes history, sings first Disney song in Filipino S OUL singer KZ Tandingan has been tapped to sing “Gabay” to celebrate the introduction of Disney’s Southeast Asian-inspired princess and warrior Raya. The song is the first-ever Disney track in Filipino.

Disney Philippines has tapped Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan to sing ‘Gabay,’ the firstever Disney track in Filipino.

Insight Music gambles on Jayson Dedal debut single OF THE billions of dreams cast into the void every day, few make it with the certainty—and confidence—that gifted singer-songwriter Jayson Dedal felt when he did. The 28-year-old Dedal, who is a reallife MAPEH teacher in a public school in Quezon City, recently signed up with maverick record label Insight Music, which has just produced and released his debut single “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin”.

Public school teacher Jayson Dedal is Insight Music’s newest signed artist.

“Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” marks Jayson Dedal’s first break as a recording artist under Insight Music, making his first professional affiliation an exceptionally propitious one. The song also served as one of the official movie soundtracks of the label’s movie production and marketing arm Insight 360 Films’ Miss Q&A: Para Sa Maganda Lang Ba Ang Love Life? starring Kakai Bautista and Zoren Legaspi and directed by Lemuel Lorca. The first is expected to be released this summer. “The movie is about lost dreams and trying to redeem them,” says Insight Music President and Chief Creative Director Chris Cahilig. “So having a

song like ‘Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin’ is—pun intended—a dream match.” Apart from his day job as a public school teacher, Dedal has been writing songs since college and is an active member of the Filipino Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (FILSCAP). However, the opportunity to be a solo artist seemed to elude Decal until Insight Music recognized his potential. Indeed, Cahilig took notice of this fresh new talent early on. It was Dedal, after all, who wrote boy band 1:43’s hit songs such as “Pasensya Na” and “Ikaw Lang Talaga,” as well as “Sa Iba Na Lang” by BOU, which eventually became the official movie soundtrack of Mia (2020). “I have always been incredibly drawn towards Jayson as an artist,” says Cahilig. “His body of work speaks volumes of his gift. And when you listen to what he has to say in ‘BilyonBilyong Panalangin’, you’ll understand why we simply had to make sure that his talent is heard.” Set against lush instrumentation and fueled by Dedal’s buttery vocals, “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” conveys Dedal’s deep anxieties about an ambiguous future. Does God hear the songwriter’s ‘prayers’ for a better future? “It’s a personal track, to be sure,” says Dedal. “I wrote it during the lockdown, and it’s the collective result of everything I’ve been worried about—my love life, the future, and my relationship with God.” Having made peace with his vulnerabilities, Jayson Dedal is even more grateful to Cahilig and Insight Music for giving him the chance to express his creativity, and vent his anxieties, the only way he knows how—through his music. Cahilig is likewise buoyant about Dedal’s journey in the music industry. “Some people might give a public school teacher one look and put them in a box,” he says. “But if anything, teachers are some of the best storytellers out there, and we’re lucky to have found one as

talented and as enthusiastic as Jayson Dedal.”

From the creators of Moana and Frozen, Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces the new epic adventure Raya and the Last Dragon, the latest animated film inspired by the cultures of Southeast Asia. Set in the fantasy world of Kumandra, where long ago humans and dragons lived together in harmony, Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) will take us on an exciting new adventure to track down the legendary last dragon, Sisu (voiced by Awkwafina) to restore the fractured land and unite its divided people. But along her journey, Raya will learn that it will take more than a dragon to save the world. “Raya and the Last Dragon is inspired by various Southeast Asian cultures and, as such, we found it fitting to launch ‘Gabay’ as a way for us to celebrate the film and connect with our Filipino fans,” said Allie Benedicto, Studio Marketing Head of Disney Philippines. “‘Gabay,’ the firstever Disney track sung in Filipino, demonstrates our commitment to work with local creative talents to tell our stories in a locally relevant manner.”

“I am very grateful and I feel very proud to be singing in my language, and show off its beauty to the rest of the world. I am proud to be part of history,” said Tandingan. “I grew up watching Disney movies. Finally, there is a Disney Princess who I can feel a very strong connection to, and that is Raya as the first one inspired by Southeast Asia.” “Gabay” is a song about trust, strength, and unity, which KZ found inspiring when she read the lyrics for the first time. “I love that the song reminds us that sometimes we feel we are weak, especially when we are alone, but if we just learn to trust each other, to come together, and to unite, only then are we able to change the world,” she shared. “Gabay” drops on Spotify on March 5. Stay tuned for the music video by following Disney Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Experience “Raya and the Last Dragon” in Philippine cinemas soon. Join the conversations online at #DisneyRayaPH.

Rabiya Mateo shines

in Miss Universe Fashion Week event

WHILE we wait for the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) final announcement when its pandemic postponed 2020 pageant will be held, the MUO held recently a virtual fashion event dubbed Fashion Week. Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo was selected along with 17 other contestants who submitted each an at-home video modeling in their best personally chosen dress creations. Mateo showcased in her video a twopiece ensemble, an off-the-shoulder, wine-colored top with dolman sleeves, punctuated by a knee-length, blue-tulipcolored skirt. Other delegates picked by MUO were Miss Portugal Cristiana Silva, Miss Netherlands Denise Speelman, Miss Italy Viviana Vizzini, Miss Ecuador

Frigstad, Miss Czech Republic Klara Vavdoskova, Miss Nepal Anshika Sharma, Miss Nicaragua Ana Marcelo, Miss Belgium Dhenia Covens, Miss Malta Anthea Zammit, Miss Ireland Nadia Sayers, Miss Finland Vivi Altonen, Miss Vietnam Nguyen Tran Khanh Van, Miss Thailand Amanda Obdam, Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert, Miss Australia Maria Thatil, and Miss Romania Bianca Lorena Tirsin. Mateo is getting a lot of on-line positive feedback which cements her status as one of the frontrunners in the competition. She was also picked by former beauty queen Dani Walker in her 10 Best-dressed candidates of Miss Universe 2020. Meanwhile, Philippine bet Samantha Bernardo is now in Thailand for the Miss Grand International 2020 pageant which is set to crown its winner on March 27. Bernardo wore a Chut Thaiinspired dress made by Cyrus Gueta on her arrival at the Bangkok airport.

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo confidently strutting her stuff in twopiece ensemble.

Leyla Espinoza, Miss Norway Sunniva

Bb. #1 Samantha Panlilio

Bb. 1 Samantha Alexandra Panlilio is the grandniece of the Philippine’s first-ever candidate to the Miss Universe pageant.

COME the 57th edition of Binibining Pilipinas 2020, happening on April 17, not a few beauty pageant watchers will keep an eye on candidate number 1 Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, simply because she is the grandniece of the Philippine’s first-ever candidate to the Miss Universe pageant, Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo, crowned during the inaugural edition of Bb. Pilipinas in 1964. The 25-year-old, 5-foot-6 Panlilio, who was born and grew up in Cavite, went to the USA in 2013 to study and graduated with degrees in Business Management, and Computer Science at the University of California Irvine in 2017. She took a job as a digital account manager in Los Angeles and worked as a senior consultant at her own family’s land development, hotels, and resorts

company. Hardworking and a fighter, Sam, as she is fondly called, advocates building a sustainable community in rural areas, and during this pandemic, she gave a hand in her hometown’s Tiga Cavite Ako, Eto Ang Ambag Ko’ charity project where donations of packed foods were distributed to the frontliners and families affected by the hard times. “I am very honored and excited about it,” said Sam referring to her being the grand niece of Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1964 Myrna Borromeo. I joined Bb. Pilipinas because I wanted to challenge myself and expand my horizon. And during this pandemic, I have found my purpose and now I want to be a spokesperson to have something to fight about,” said Panlilio.

Hollywood’s Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell slam Ghana over gay rights ACTOR Idris Elba and supermodel Naomi Campbell were among signatories of an open letter published Monday criticizing Ghana’s stance on gay rights. Ghanaian security forces last month raided and shut down the office of an LGBT rights group in the capital Accra after politicians and religious leaders called for its closure. Some 67 celebrities and politicians, many of them British-Ghanaian, said they were disturbed by the developments as they addressed LGBT campaigners in the country. The 2015 film Beasts of No Nation, in which

Elba starred, was shot in Ghana’s Eastern Region, and his mother was born in the West African country. “We have watched with profound concern as you have had to question the safety of your vital work at the LGBT+ Rights Ghana Centre in Accra, and feared for your personal wellbeing and security. It is unacceptable to us that you feel unsafe,” the letter said. “As prominent and powerful advocates for this great country, we are beseeching His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and political/cultural leaders to create a pathway for allyship, protection, and support.

“We petition for inclusivity which will make the nation even greater and even stronger,” it added. Gay sex is a criminal offense in Ghana and members of the LGBT community face widespread discrimination. Foreign diplomats in the country came under fire after some attended the opening of the center on Jan. 31. Ghana’s minister-designate for gender, children, and social protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, said last month that “the issue of the criminality of LGBT is non-negotiable and our cultural practices also frown on it”. AFP

Actor Idris Elba and supermodel Naomi Campbell (right) were among signatories of an open letter published Monday criticizing Ghana’s stance on gay rights.

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Life FASHION AND BEAUTY

Dolls don hand-sewn barong, Filipiniana I

NSTEAD of the men and women of Parañaque parading in intricately designed barong Tagalog and Filipiniana, dolls took the lead in showcasing the creations of the city’s designers and artisans during this year’s Sunduan Festival.

The festival, first staged in 2014, was derived from the centuries-old custom called “sunduan,” from the term sundo or to fetch, unique to Parañaque, wherein a gentleman fetches his lady love at home to bring her to the church or town plaza. To impress the woman and her parents, the man brings with him a marching band that accompanies the couple on their walk to the church. The romantic tradition dates back to

the Spanish colonial period when the very first sunduan was recorded in 1876 in Barrio La Huerta in Parañaque, a practice that later spread to nearby barrios. The tradition is kept alive today with the city’s Sunduan Festival where men, dressed in barong, escort the community’s loveliest ladies dressed in elegant gowns in a colorful parade. In celebration of Parañaque’s 23rd anniversary of cityhood in February, SM City BF Parañaque showcased the city’s

rich cultural tradition and artistry with a Sunduan Dolls exhibition at the mall. The exhibition, which was part of Para Anya: Parañaque Arts and Culture Festival, featured the iconic Sunduan dolls from Parañaque’s Livelihood Resource Management Office. The ornamental dolls were fitted with delicately hand-sewn barong Tagalog and Filipiniana made using local fibers and featured intricate embroidery style. Each doll’s face, which was crafted for 33 days, were designed distinctively from one another that no two dolls were alike. Parañaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez and his wife Janet were also featured as Sunduan dolls in the exhibition.

DRESSED UP DOLLS. Sunduan dolls donning barong Tagalog and Filipiniana. Each

The Sunduan Dolls are dressed in elegant and delicately hand-sewn costumes using local fibers and featuring intricate embroidery made by the artisans of Parañaque City.

doll, which took 33 days to be completed, was distinctively designed so that no two dolls look alike.

Local avant-garde label ventures into ‘easy-to-wear’ style AN INDEPENDENT artisanal local brand, known in the scene for its trailblazing avant-garde “art clothes” not usually seen on the streets, steps out of its usual trails to release a ready-to-wear collection. HA.MÜ’s RTW brand müü.haa seeks to revamp school uniforms with items that can be easily styled with existing garments in the closet. “While HA.MÜ tends to be more focused on silhouette, detail, and the translation of art into clothing form, müü.haa is easy to use and wear,” noted Abraham Guardian, one of the brand’s designer duo. He added, “It reinvents the perception on how people would see their uniforms—functional, versatile but also something that you do not have to put too much thought into while putting your outfit together for the day.” Created out of quality cottons, twills, and pinstripe fabrics, the diffusion line consists of uniform shirts and shorts, pajama sets, two-paneled denim jeans, multi-way wrap-around overskirt and dress, two-toned pinstripe coat, and pinstripe and pleated denim trousers. Guardian and Mamuro Oki’s RTW

label likewise offers limited edition prints and patterns such as the Doodletime button-downs, Shapes vest, and Two-Faced quilted vest, as well as accessories like the müü.haa sports socks, upcycled bucket hats inspired by Boy Scouts and toy soldiers, and sleek Paper Bags made of genuine leather. “We wanted to add our own playful twist to the details of the garments that we designed while taking into consideration the various functions and activities these pieces would be best suited for,” explained Guardian. With sustainability in mind, the young artists ensured each item was carefully constructed to minimize production waste. “Fabrics are picked out to fit the respective functions and will last in your wardrobe for many seasons,” added Guardian. Currently, Guardian and Oki are hands-on for the re-edition of müü.haa which was created through the Management and Incubation Programs of Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion at Peter D. Garrucho Jr. Innovations Institute under the mentorship of Basic Movement designer Esme Palaganas.

Pinky Webb

Nikki Huang

Joey Mead-King

Janina Manipol

Girl Power: Four Filipino women on overcoming challenges HOW are you coping with the challenges brought by the pandemic? For director and entrepreneur Janina Manipol, keeping herself busy has helped her a lot. “I like learning new things, so I invest a lot of time on my self growth. Exercising and meditation helped me as well. Every day, I try to do something that makes me feel good—just constantly finding glimmers of hope, positive thinking, and a lot of prayers.” Meanwhile, multimedia host and Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) advocate Joey Mead-King says she’s been “practicing mental maintenance in daily living” to be able to “find space and openness to uncertainty” of the current situation. Writer and student Nikki Huang expresses her desire to inspire more women to take education more seriously, as “it as been shown that having as many women in higher education as possible is key to a society’s economic growth and socioeconomic well-being.” “I feel that through education, women

are able to learn enough about the world that we get to determine our own values, dream our own dreams, and chart our own journeys. Society is constructed such that women are always told who they should be and how to measure themselves...and I am all for the radical idea that women should be the ones who decide who they are, what they want to do, and who they want to be, rather than let society dictate it to them. Education is one of the key ways to achieve that,” Huang pointed out. Challenges were aplenty especially during the first few months of the pandemic, but those hurdles helped seasoned news anchor Pinky Webb discover more of her strengths and capabilities. “During the start of the lockdown, I got a call and was told that I had to anchor from home. If I’m not mistaken, we were the first news channel that had to broadcast from home,” she recalls. Webb continues, “I worked from home, everyday, for the past nine months—I was the anchor, cameraman, light man, teleprompter operator, MUA

(makeup artist), and sometimes guest coordinator. While it was challenging in the beginning, I got the hang of it pretty soon. I survived broadcasting both my shows from home with hardly any hitches. We got the news, delivered the news, and kept the public informed at a very crucial time.” The pandemic has made Webb realize that “you can really do things despite the limited resources; that there’s always a way; and if in case you think otherwise, you must carry on and continue to find ways.” In celebration of International Women’s Month, Rustan’s The Beauty Source amplifies the voice of women from different walks of life with a virtual event on its Facebook page on March 5 at 4:00 p.m. During the #GRLPWR: Make It Happen’s “Leaders in Heels,” Manipol, Mead-King, Huang, and Webb will share more personal insights and experiences, as well as their advice on various topics including coping with challenges brought by the pandemic.

CEB offers 3-day piso sale on all domestic flights

müü.haa’s uniform-inspired collection consists of shirts, shorts, pants, button-downs, overskirts, pinstripe coats, two-paneled denim jeans, and bucket hats among others.

IN CELEBRATION of its 25th anniversary, budget carrier Cebu Pacific is offering a three-day Piso Sale starting March 3. The Piso Sale applies to all Philippine destinations the airline services. As of March 2, CEB operates 22 percent of its pre-COVID network, flying to 28 domestic destinations. In addition to its trademark sale event, the airline also has an ongoing month-long P25 seat sale to all domestic destinations as well as 25 percent off on flight add-ons such as meals, Wi-Fi, and baggage allowance, among others.

The seat sale announcement on Tuesday coincided with Cebu Pacific’s decision to permanently remove its rebooking fees in a bid to provide more flexibility to passengers. According to Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, the change fee removal also applies to existing bookings prior to the announcement. Cebu Pacific vice president of marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog (inset) announces the 3-day Piso Seat Sale.