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(Story on A4) EXTENDED CURFEW (10PM-5AM) EYED IN METRO MANILA, SAF TO BE DEPLOYED THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will recommend to the Metro Manila Council an expanded curfew in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid an increase in COVID-19 cases.

The DILG will recommend a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the whole of NCR, according to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras.” At present, Metro Manila cities have varying curfews. San Juan on Tuesday

was the first to re-impose its city-wide curfew, also from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., in a bid to control rising coronavirus infections in communities. To monitor health protocol violators, the Interior department has tapped the

Philippine National Police, which will deploy its Special Action Force, especially in areas with high COVID-19 cases. “It’s a crackdown to strictly implement the ordinances passed by the LGUs, especially here in Metro Manila,” DILG

spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said. Under City Executive Order No. FMZ-072, only health workers, essential government and private workers, security personnel, public transportation, and Next page

PH virus cases top in region WHO records total infections at 597,763, highest in Western Pacific

NO CASH AID FOR WORKERS YET—RODY NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXV • NO. 28 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LENI DARED ON ‘MURDEROUS REGIME’ JAB NEWS / A4

PROTECTING MANILA. A healthcare worker holds up a vial of the AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 to inoculate fellow frontliners in Manila aged 60 years old and above, witnessed by Manila Mayor Isko Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, on Tuesday at the Ospital ng Maynila. Meanwhile, officers of the Manila Police District (at left) go on foot patrol along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo to ensure the public is following social distancing and safety protocols. Norman Cruz By Wille Casas and Vito Barcelo

HE Philippines had by far the highest number of new COVID-19 cases Monday in the Western Pacific Region, more than double the next country in line, data from the World Health Organization showed. The Philippines logged 3,356 new infections Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported, five more than the WHO tally for the country. This was more than double the 1,529 new cases in Malaysia, and almost five times the third highest count in Japan, with 679. The WHO data showed the Philippines also had the highest number of total cases among Western Pacific countries, with 597,763 cases, and the

highest number of deaths, at 12,521. Japan, with 440,671 infections, had a death toll of 8,299. Malaysia, with 314,989 cases, had total fatalities of 1,177. China, where the virus was first reported, had a total of 102,125 cases and total deaths of 4,848. WHO’s country representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the recent rise in cases in the Philippines was a spike in the current epidemic wave. Next page

Gov’t to ink deal for 30m doses of Novavax By Vito Barcelo, Othel V. Campos, and Willie Casas THE government is set to sign today an agreement with US biotech company Novavax for 30 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine, Malacanang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque gave assurances the country would get the vaccines as the government would sign the agreement Wednesday, March 10. National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. is scheduled to fly to India on Tuesday next week and will remain

Senate sees ASF outbreak critical By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Senate committee on agriculture and food has called on the government to declare a national state of emergency amid the African swine fever outbreak which has reportedly resulted in about P50 billion in swine industry losses. The panel, headed by Senator Cynthia Villar, approved a motion issued by Senator Francis Pangilinan for a declaration of a state of emergency Luzon so that public funds may be realigned to address the outbreak. National Federation of Hog Farmers chairman Chester Warren Tan then

LAST STOP. In this photo

contributed to GMA Regional TV, bystanders mill around the van owned by Mayor Ronaldo Porlares Aquino (inset) lies beside the Labuyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy, Calbayog City after the shooting encounter that left six people dead on Monday.

JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the shooting death of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, even as contradicting police reports failed to clarify whether the mayor was ambushed or was caught in a misencounter.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 9)

600,428 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,668 41,822 NEW

12,528

ACTIVE

DEATHS

NEW

546,078

171

RECOVERIES

NEW

Alert Level 2 up as Taal Volcano remains restive

Ambush or firefight? NBI to probe By Ronald O. Reyes, Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

suggested the declaration should cover not just Luzon but the entire Philippines. The senators agreed to the proposal. Villar also backed a proposal to compensate hog farmers whose pigs get hit by ASF. “I was telling the Department of Agriculture that they should pay the culling,” she added. The DA earlier extended the price ceiling on pork and chicken to April 8, citing its effectiveness in preventing price surges, particularly in Metro Manila. "We will maintain it until April 8. Lifting it will undeniably result in dramatic

there until Friday to secure agreements with Novavax and the Serum Institute of India (SII). Novavax has not yet received authorization for emergency use from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration. Around 44,000 doses of vaccines have already been administered by the

Guevarra stressed the NBI should investigate the incident because the other parties involved are members of the Philippine National Police. Malacanang, Samar Gov. Reynolds Michael Tan, Samar First District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, and Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog City on Tuesday all condemned the killing of the mayor and two other companions Monday afternoon. Next page

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Tuesday raised the alert status of Taal Volcano – restive since February 13 – in Batangas from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 due to an increasing unrest. The Taal Volcano Network recorded a total of 28 volcanic tremor episodes, four low frequency volcanic earthquakes and one hybrid earthquake at shallow depths of less than one and a half kilometers beneath Taal Volcano Island in the past 24 hours. Next page

SERENE FROM ABOVE. In this aerial shot from the Philippine Weather System, the Taal Volcano looks placid as the plane flies above heading toward San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Saturday, March 7.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

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News

Rody: No cash aid for workers yet By Maricel V. Cruz

stricter guidelines on lending, despite its own expansionary monetary policy,” Salceda said. Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo renewed her call for the enactment of Bayanihan 3 or the proposed P42 -billion stimulus package to help the economy recover from COVID-19-- which she principally authored with Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. Quimbo said the current employment situation calls for a well-targeted response from Congress. "With barely a month before the recess, we must swiftly pass Bayanihan 3 ito cushion the blow of the pandemic on Filipinos, especially the working class."

Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the options at the moment do not include aid distribution. Instead, he said, the government will further reopen the economy by expanding the age groups allowed to leave their homes, increasing the capacity of public transport, and implementing a recovery package.

He added that once the vaccination program gets underway, the President said he will open the economy. The reopening of the economy so that jobs can increase. The number of jobless Filipino adults stood at 4 million or 8.7 percent of the labor force in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday (see full

story on B1 – Editors). But Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the spike in unemployment reported in the January Labor Force Survey proves that the country has not started recovery from the downturn caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. “I attribute the decline in unemployment partly to the failure of credit stimulus. That has three causes. First, banks continued to be risk-averse, choosing to put its money in trading operations over lending. Second, the Executive Branch did not release the Bayanihan 2 equity infusion for government financial institutions in a timely fashion. Third, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released

PH...

President Duterte appealed to the public Monday night to wear masks and maintain physical distancing. “Please help us, just follow the government’s advice and we could lower the virus cases,” he added. Reducing the rate of infection will help the government “effectively combat” emerging COVID-19 variants, Duterte said. Enforcing the law, he said, is also crucial in managing the pandemic, especially “for those who do not believe” as well as citizens who do not observe social distancing. The Philippines logged on Tuesday 2,668 new COVID-19 cases as eight laboratories were unable to submit their data on time, the DOH said. Seven new fatalities brought the death toll to 12,528, which is 2.09 percent of the total number of cases. The DOH also reported that 171 patients recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 546,078, which is 90.9 percent of the total. That left 41,822 active cases, which is 7 percent of the total number of cases. Of the active cases, 91.6 percent are mild; 3.9 percent are asymptomatic; 1.8 percent are critical; 1.9 percent are severe; and 0.80 percent are moderate. A member of the OCTA Research Team on Tuesday said the daily new cases of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) may reach 5,000 by March 31. This, as the projected reproduction number may have alread increased, OCTA said. OCTA Research’s Dr. Guido David, in an interview on GMA News, said the estimated reproduction number or Rt may have already increased to 1.8.

“Actual cases are now beating projections. The reproduction number in NCR is estimated to be around 1.8. This surge is increasing faster than we thought,” David said. At that rate, he said, there could be more than 4,000 cases a day by March 31, and this could even reach 5,000 a day. David said they are receiving reports that most of these cases were transmitted within families or households. Some of the cases were reported in depressed communities as well as in offices. On Sunday, the OCTA Research group said the reproduction rate for the period of Feb. 28 to March 6 went up to 1.66 in Metro Manila. "The last time the region had seen this rate of increase was in July 2020," OCTA Research group then said. The group then identified four areas in NCR that are at high risk for COVID-19 based on attack rate—Pasay City, Makati City, Malabon and Navotas. Several hospitals in NCR have reported an upward trend in COVID-19 cases admitted over the past weeks. Among these are Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine General Hospital, Ospital ng Makati and Makati Medical Center. Private hospitals on Monday said that while they can still handle the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the public should not let its guard down when observing health protocols, as even children are now getting sick with the virus. Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) president Dr. Jose

Rene De Grano said the reason for the 10 percent to 15 percent rise in COVID-19 occupancy rates in private hospitals cannot merely be the presence of the more infectious UK and South Africa variants. Based on a Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research, there were fewer Filipinos observing social distancing than wearing face masks and face shields. The results showed only 67 percent of Filipinos are observing social distancing, which is lower compared to the 91 percent who are wearing face masks and 82 percent who are wearing face shields. “While majority of adult Filipinos comply with the minimum public health standards set by the Department of Health, [fewer] are able to observe social distancing,” OCTA said. The number of COVID-19 cases has been going up at a faster rate lately with the past few days reporting over 3,000 new infections daily. Lapses in compliance with safety protocols contributed to the spike in COVID-19 cases, the DOH said Monday, amid claims the rise in infections is being driven by coronavirus variants. Also on Tuesday, the Department of Transportation has ordered the strict implementation of health protocols inside public transport vehicles and in terminals nationwide. Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed all transport sectors to ensure that their respective enforcers and transport marshals assigned on the streets and in various transportation hubs are strictly enforcing the health protocols to stem the further spread of the virus. With PNA

said Cabinet Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) co-chairman Karlo Nograles. During the virtual Pandesal Forum by Kamuning Bakery and Cafe Tuesday, Nograles said the arrival and supply of the vaccines would determine has fast vaccination efforts move from one subgroup to the next. Currently, subgroup A or the medical frontliners are on the receiving end. “So as soon as the vaccines are delivered and depending on how much they deliver, that will spell out or make a difference in terms of how fast we move from one subgroup to the next,” he said. He said all subgroups would get their chance to be vaccinated within the current year. However, the business sector, especially the Federation of FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCII), said

entrepreneurs like them were already on their “last mile” and might not be able to go further than six months at most. “We are on our last stretch and if we do it for another one year or six months more of us will be closing our businesses,” said FCCCII president Henry Lim. He added his group had also appealed to increase the upper limit threshold for the priority sector to include senior citizens who are also entrepreneurs to be able to deliver their contribution in paving for a faster recovery for the economy. The FCCCII, Lim said, has placed an order for 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine, and plans to have them delivered as soon as they sign the tripartite agreement with the government. President Rodrigo Duterte was thankful no one has died among Filipinos receiving COVID-19 vaccines slo far. “On March 1, the vaccines were unloaded from a military plane from China. So what to do? The next day, the vaccination

started. With the Lord’s mercy, no one has died, and many are already okay,” Duterte said during a televised address aired on state television Monday. Duterte admitted that some people who got the jab experienced a headache and slight fever. “That’s it but that’s part of the territory of the effects of the vaccine. It’s really there because it’s a foreign matter. When a foreign matter is injected into your body, there will really be a reaction,” he said. So far, the country has about 1.25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines– 600,000 of Sinovac and 525,000 doses of AstraZeneca. The government has also approved the importation of an additional 1 million doses of Sinovac, and China also promised to donate another 400,000 doses of Sinovac. “We will effectively have 2 million doses of Sinovac because there's already 1 million donated by China. Then we have AstraZeneca. That will bring the total to more than 2.5 million doses,” Nograles said.

Filipino consumers who suffer from lower incomes due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy, that it does care about their welfare," Dar said. "Hog producers, wholesalers, and retailers are no less expected to do their share in helping the country’s economic recovery effort," he added. DA data showed the total hog and carcass deliveries from various regions to Metro Manila have reached 127,868 heads and 823,673 kilograms of carcass from February 8 to March 7, 2021. Pork shipment to Metro Manila from nearby provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 8, and 13 have been hampered due to insufficient supply of hogs. As of Sunday, a total of 2,625 hogs and 40,803 kilograms of carcasses from various regions were delivered to Metro Manila.

Alert... Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday reminded all local government units (LGUs) near the Taal Volcano Island to undertake necessary precautions due to the volcano's increased unrest. "The NDRRMC is constantly monitoring the situation of Taal, and our Regional DRRMC for CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Quezon) has already reminded all LGUs around the volcano island to ensure readiness for any possibility," said NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal, in a message to reporters. Preparations include the activation of evacuation sites and relief support. "(These include) preparations for evacuation activities, evacuation centers,

relief support, etc, (aside from) integrating COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) protection protocols," Timbal said. Volcanic tremors have increased seismic energy compared to previously recorded episodes and ranged between three to 17 minutes in duration. The total of volcanic tremor events has risen to 866 since the onset of increased activity on Feb. 13. Overall, seismic activity in the past month indicated increased magmatic and hydrothermal activity at shallow depths beneath Taal Volcano Island. The increasing acidity was caused by sustained volcanic gas input into the shallow hydrothermal system that fed into the lake, signifying degassing of magma intruded at depth during the January 2020 eruption. Phivolcs observed an ongoing slight deformation of the Taal Volcano Island centered on a pressure source on its southeast sector. With PNA

sonnel who were aboard his van. A police officer in another vehicle was also killed. The PNP said on Tuesday that another policeman in the other vehicle was killed. “There was an exchange of gunfire between the two groups that resulted in casualties on both sides,” PNP said in a statement. “The mayor, his police escort, and his driver died, with one civilian employee wounded. At the other vehicle, two police personnel also died and one more [was] wounded,” it added.

The PNP said two groups were involved in the shootout: one was that of Mayor Aquino on board a van with a driver, a civilian companion, and a police close-in security. The other was composed of PNP personnel from the IMEG and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit who were conducting an inspection on the operational readiness of PNP units in the area. The PNP said the group of Aquino allegedly initiated the shootout when his close-in security fired at the unmarked vehicle of the IMEG-PDEU group. “The IMEG-PDEU group denies that

Mayor Aquino was a subject of their operations or that he was targeted,” the PNP said. The PNP statement contradicted earlier reports that the police in the other vehicle started the attack. Malacañang condemned the March 8 ambush that killed Aquino and his security aides. “Political violence has no place in democracy,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. “We are alarmed because a mayor was killed and this might be the start of killings because of politics, as the elections draw near,” he said in Filipino.

ESPITE rising unemployment, Malacanang said Tuesday the government is not yet considering new cash assistance for jobless Filipinos.

From A1

“I wouldn’t classify this as a second wave because if you're talking of a second wave we should have seen a complete flattening of the curve. And in the case of NCR (National Capital Region), we didn't see that kind of flattening,” Abeyasinghe said during a briefing. “We always knew that there was quite a big chain of transmission although the numbers went down at some stage to 300-400 on a daily basis. That still reflected significant levels of transmission in the community so it would rather be another spike in the ongoing wave. There's actually no value in classifying it as a second wave,” he said. The WHO official said they have been seeing community-level transmission of the coronavirus in Metro Manila, Region 3 and Region 4A for the last few months. But he said the 3,000 cases being recorded daily was much lower than the 6,000 or more at the height of the epidemic last year. He said the increase in transmission means everyone must strengthen health protocols on the ground and that the public must be reminded to comply with requirements such as the wearing of face masks and physical distancing. “We really want the local leadership to lead in this effort, so that we can ensure that we don't have to go back to a situation that we had last July, August, when we have to go to more larger level lockdowns, and quarantining of populations,” he said.

Gov't... From A1

government since the immunization drive started March 1, Galvez Jr said in a report to the President on Monday night. The vaccine recipients are mostly health frontliners, in line with the government’s list of priority groups. A few government officials received the COVID-19 jabs during the vaccine rollout last week. The World Health Organization expressed Tuesday optimism that the COVID-19 vaccine supply from the COVAX Facility, of which it is a member, might be able to inoculate 20 percent of the Philippine population before the year ends. In a related development, the working class and those belonging to vaccination subgroup B can expect to be inoculated by the third quarter, as soon as most of the pre-ordered COVID-19 vaccines arrive,

Senate... From A1

rise in prices of pork and chicken, given that the African Swine Fever crisis is still raging and thus continues to impact on local production of hogs nationwide," Agriculture secretary William Dar said. Dar cited the need to augment the current shortfall, estimated at 400,000 metric tons (MT), by stocking up imports from countries free from ASF. Importation, he said, may temper the rising inflation rate which stood at 4.7 percent in February – the highest in 26 months – as more affordable protein sources become available. The Agriculture department thumbed down the suggestion of hog raisers to raise the price ceiling given that actual prices remain higher. "By maintaining it (price ceiling), the government will send a strong signal to

Ambush... From A1

Aquino was shot and killed on board his white van while he was on his way to attend the birthday party of his son in Calbayog. Earlier, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Debold Sinas ordered an investigation into the incident. The PNP said five people were killed in the shooting. At first, the reported fatalities were Aquino, his driver, and a security per-

From A1

Duterte chides Leni for sending wrong message PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he could have been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, but Vice President Leni Robredo’s wrong message pushed him to pull out from the vaccination program last week. Duterte issued the statement after Robredo said coronavirus vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech have failed to secure a positive recommendation from the Health Technology Assessment Council. The HTAC is an advisory board that acts as a recommendatory group to the Department of Health (DOH) as stipulated under Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) law. Robredo’s camp on Tuesday took a dig at the President for blaming her for the low confidence of the public in China’s Sinovac jab for the coronavirus. “This administration spends more time attacking Leni Robredo than responding to the real, urgent problems of our people and nation,” Robredo’s lawyer-spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said in a statement. Robredo had called for a review of Sinovac's CoronaVac product by the HTAC. Key allies of the President and several doctors and nurses were among hundreds to get jabs after the China-made vaccine arrived in the country last March 1. “So, what she has said—we should follow the process. She is the Vice President, I should get the vaccine, but she mentioned that there was no process that was followed,” Duterte said. Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja

Health assures non-priority VIPs of second dose By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz GOVERNMENT officials vaccinated against COVID-19 despite not being eligible for priority status would receive their second dose, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said those who got vaccinated should get the second dose to prevent wastage. “Let's not call it priority but give them a second dose. We can't waste the vaccine that has already been given. The second dose still needs to be given,” she said in an online briefing. Meanwhile, a joint committee in the House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to establish a unified national contact tracing protocol to ensure a more effective health emergency data monitoring system in the country.

Extended... From A1

delivery drivers, as well as those who have health emergencies, are exempted from the curfew hours in San Juan. This developed as fewer Filipinos observed social distancing than wearing face masks and face shields, according to a Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research. The results, released on Tuesday, showed only 67 percent of Filipinos were observing social distancing, lower compared to the 91 percent who are wearing face masks and 82 percent wearing face shields. “While majority of adult Filipinos comply with the minimum Public Health Standards set by the Department of Health, less are able to observe social distancing,” the researchers said. A total of 1,200 respondents were interviewed with a ±3% margin of error. The survey was conducted from January 26 to February 1. The survey utilizes a sampling design that allows for a 95 percent confidence level, the researchers said. In terms of frequency in compliance, fewer adult Filipinos are observing social distancing frequently or regularly compared to the wearing of face masks. Only 68 percent of adult Filipinos are regularly observing physical distancing when meeting other people outside their house, according to the survey. The survey also showed that only 64 percent of adult Filipinos are regularly wearing face shields when going out. More adult Filipinos are using face masks more frequently or regularly than other precautionary measures, with 89 percent saying they always or regularly wear face masks when going out of their house. In the same Tugon ng Masa survey, almost three quarters or 73 percent of Filipinos believe they became closer to their family members due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many to stay home to avoid infection. Willie Casas

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

P121 million in shabu seized By Joel E. Zurbano

UTHORITIES busted seven suspected drug dealers and seized more than P121 million worth of shabu in separate police operations in Makati and Muntinlupa Monday night as part of the police crackdown on drug trafficking and other criminal activities south of Metro Manila. Arrested in Makati City were Kemin Manisi alias ‘Taba’, 49, and Abdulrahim Ysmael alias Indeg, 28, both residents of Barangay Maharlika in Cagayan De Oro. Seized from the suspects were 16 kilos of shabu worth P108 million, a mobile phone, a black Ford Everest (IO- 4444), assorted personal belongings and the buy-bust money. The Makati City police station led by Lt. Angelo Mendoza conducted the buy-bust operation along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay West Rembo around 9:40 p.m. In Muntinlupa, anti-narcotics agents led by Police Maj. Peter Aquino made the same entrapment operation along Muntinlupa Highway around 9: 05 p.m. in Barangay Tunasan and arrested five suspected drug dealers and seized 2,000 grams of shabu worth P13.6 million. The suspects were Liezel Julhasan alias Manay, 40, Donnalyn Julhasan Dichoson, 21, and Rovelyn Enot, 40, all residents of Muntinlupa City; and Denver Porlahe alyas ‘Kuya Dong’, 19, and Sharifa Kuly, 28, both residents of San

IN BRIEF Quarantine pass will be required Caloocan THE color-coded quarantine pass in Caloocan will be re-implemented this Wednesday. Due to the record increase in the number of Covid19 positive cases in Caloocan, the city government will re-implement the Color-Coded Quarantine Pass System in the city’s markets and supermarkets starting Wednesday. According to the latest data from the City Health Department, the number of active cases of Covid19 in the city has risen to 371 compared to November last year when there were only 80 active cases in Caloocan. As a result, Mayor Oca Malapitan ordered the return of means for stricter safeguards such as the quarantine pass system in markets and supermarkets. Only one quarantine pass for one household will be allowed. If the quarantine pass issued before has been lost, residents can go to their respective barangays to get another one, and barangay officials will ensure that the quarantine pass is not doubled per household. Jun David

Pedro, Laguna. The other pieces of evidence recovered were seven mobile phones, four identification cards, a red Toyota Wigo with registration plate DAI 6096, and the money used in the entrapment operation. The Muntinlupa City Police-Station Drug Enforcement Unit conducted the entrapment with the help of agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-National Capital Region. The seven suspects are now detained and will be charged. Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz commended his men and the PDEA team for the latest accomplishment. “We praise these men for a job well done and for making sure that no pandemic can stop them in going after lawless elements,” he said. Cruz said the SPD and the police stations under its jurisdictions were conducting a series of operations as part of the continuing crackdown on drug dealing in the southern part of Metro Manila.

BIG HAUL. Authorities seize P108 million worth of suspected shabu wrapped in Chinese tea bags from two individuals during an anti-illegal drug operation along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay West Rembo, Makati City on Monday night. Norman Cruz

Ordinances urged for waste segregation By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is urging local government units to pass ordinances directing barangays to implement waste segregation at the source. Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGUs Concerns Benny Antiporda said cities and municipalities nationwide must focus on waste segregation at the source for the effective collection and disposal of solid waste. He reiterated his call for an efficient and effective handling of solid waste in a recent dialogue with Cavite’s provincial, city and municipal environment officers

organized by the environmental health group EcoWaste Coalition on March 3. “Propose to your local council to create an ordinance that will act on those who do not practice segregation in their barangays,” he said. “It is already stated in Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), but let us strengthen it with the help of your council.” Antiporda is also the alternate chairperson of the National Solid Waste Management Commission that recommended the creation of interbarangay enforcement group or designation of environmental marshals in every barangay within a city and municipality

to monitor solid waste management practices in neighboring barangays. “Kindly tell your mayors to allocate funds for biodegradable and residual wastes,” he said. Data from the Provincial GovernmentEnvironment and Natural Resources Office of Cavite shows that 58.78 percent of the waste generated in the province are biodegradable, while 28.19 percent are residual wastes. Antiporda also commended the Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Trece Martires City and the municipality of General Mariano Alvarez for implementing environmental and ecological projects and programs

P1.2-million worth of junk disposed of CLARK FREEPORT—The Clark Development Corporation earned P1.2 million from the sale of scrap consisting of wornout vehicle batteries, recyclable materials and hazardous wastes during a bidding held in this freeport. At least 74 scrap buyers participated in the 25th Recyclables and Hazadous Waste Collection Event witnessed by representatives from the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. CDC-Environmental Permits Division Manager Rogelio Magat said the event was the highest grossing RHWCE since it first started in June 2003. Among the biggest haul in this year’s recyclable collection event were the 1,462 pieces of used lead-acid batteries worth over P515,000 followed by acid, alkali wastes and organic solvent about 26,830 kg worth over P276,000. Magat also said that 12,057 pieces of busted fluorescent lamps worth about P120,000, 75 kg of inks, dyes and paint sludge worth P2,400, and some 5,558 liters of used oil worth P51,000. Jess Malabanan

Special registration for women in Baguio BAGUIO CITY—The Commission on Elections has set a special registration for women and girls here on March 9 to 11. Baguio Election Officer John Paul Martin said the Comelec has made this arrangement as an indulgence to women and girls in celebration in March of National Women’s Month and March 8 as the International Women’s Day The COMELEC chose March 9 to 11 as special days for women clients since their working days are from Tuesdays to Saturdays, while the International Women’s Day which on March 8 fell on a Monday. On March 10, Martin said, they will recognize women clients by giving tokens to those who will register or avail of services at the COMELEC-Baguio. The first 15 women clients will get succulent plants or face shields or until supplies last. They will also set up a photo booth where their clients can use after registering with the COMELEC. This also aims to promote Women’s Month celebration with this anchored on the theme “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” Dave Leproso

NEW PORT. Palawan Rep. Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar, Rep. Gil Acosta, Governor Jose Alvarez, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron (from left) lead the inauguration of the first four phases of the 500-meter Puerto Princesa Cruise Port, which is expected to help Palawan bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. Norman Cruz

5-day lockdown in 3 barangays By Willie Casas THREE barangays in Manila will be placed under a five-day lockdown owing to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases within their communities. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso earlier directed Manila Barangay Bureau Chief Romeo Bagay to implement an “automatic lockdown” in barangays that register high incidents of COVID infection. Meanwhile, the Manila City government began vaccinating senior citizen serving as the city’s healthcare workers on Tuesday as another brand of COVID-19 vaccine—AstraZeneca—arrived in the nation’s capital. Domagoso and Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah Honey Lacuna-Pangan, led the ceremonial vaccination of medical frontliners at the Ospital ng Maynila. Based on the recommendation of Bagay, Moreno announced that a lockdown will be effected in Barangay 351 in Tayuman, Barangay 699 in the M. Adriatico area and Barangay 725 near Pedro Gil and Taft Avenue. The lockdown will begin at 12 midnight of March 11 (Thursday) up to 12 midnight of March 15 (Monday). Due to this, quarantine passes will once again be issued to the residents who will be required to present them if they need to go out of their homes to run important errands like buying food or medicine. Domagoso directed the Manila Police District to help the city government enforce the lockdowns.

Villar welcomes COVID-19 vaccination start in hometown Las Piñas By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar welcomed the Covid-19 vaccination with vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech that began last Thursday, March, 4, in her hometown Las Piñas City. “I am happy that we already started giving the Covid-19 vaccines in Las Piñas. We hope all medical frontliners and residents will grab the opportunity

to be vaccinated so they will be protected against the virus” Villar said. She says she is confident that many individuals, including healthcare workers, will be vaccinated regardless of the vaccine brand, citing the assurance given by health officials and the government that they are safe and effective. She expects the vaccine rollout will run smoothly as she renewed her calls to Las Pinas residents to cooperate with the city

government and health officials who are only thinking of their protection, safety and welfare. She also urged everyone to receive their Covid-19 shots for the country to finally be able to move to the new normal of living and to recover from economic slump amid the pandemic. “At present, this is our best defense against the virus,” said. She likewise acknowledged government

efforts to ramp up vaccine confidence and overcome vaccine hesitation brought about by the Dengvaxia controversy. To ease fears of the Covid-19 vaccines, hospital directors and some government officials got the first jabs of the vaccines. Villar said Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Tauma Center General Director Rodrigo Hao confirmed that 300 frontliners already got their first dose of the China-made Sinovac vaccine.

QC councilor doles out safety kits

“WHILE the country bears witness to the initial rollout of vaccines, the threat of Covid-19 is still very real.” This was the firm reminder of Quezon City Councilor Candy Medina following the continuous rise in the number of locals acquiring the disease. With this in mind, the local government legislator handed out supply kits to the residents of barangays in the country’s most populous city, including Barangay Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Payatas, Barangay Silangan, and Barangay Commonwealth—a timely distribution to curb possible transmission of the virus. The three-term councilor, in office since 2007, joined her team to personally give out hygiene kits to the Oriole Neighborhood Association and Youth Organization, as well as the residents of

Barangay Holy Spirit. The kits contain items such as alcohol, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, face towels, nail cutter, comb, face masks, and face shields. The “Care Para sa Masa” program aims to provide essential hygiene supplies to QC citizens to reinforce the importance of maintaining personal cleanliness and protecting themselves against the coronavirus. The five Barangays are situated in the second district that covers the northern part of Quezon City. The areas are considered as the most densely-populated in the city, with a total of nearly 2 million people living. “We are now into the homestretch of getting the proper medication and protection against the deadly disease so let us not be too complacent. Laban lang, Quezon City,”

HYGIENE AID. Quezon City Councilor Candy Medina joined her team to give out hygiene kits to the Oriole Neighborhood Association and Youth Organization, as well as the residents of Barangay Holy Spirit. The “Care Para sa Masa” program aims to provide essential hygiene supplies to QC citizens to reinforce the importance of maintaining personal cleanliness and protecting themselves against the coronavirus.

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

IN BRIEF EDSA elevated ramp design out soon THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is closely coordinating with other government agencies in connection with the planned elevated bus ramp project along EDSA. MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the Department of Public Works and Highways’ design of elevated bus ramp will be unveiled soon, after which the procurement bidding process will start. “The DPWH is already working on the design of the elevated ramp. As provided for by the law, it will undergo the process of procurement bidding,” he said. Abalos said the Department of Transportation and the Quezon City local government will provide additional budget for the project’s construction. Joel E. Zurbano

Marcos: No budget for proposed OFW body

LIFE-SAVING CARGO. Air Force Black Hawk helicopters

deliver 500 personal protective equipment sets and 278 vials of COVID-19 vaccines to Basco, Batanes on March 9, 2021. Military assets are being to used to transport medical supplies and vaccines nationwide to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Solons slam sagot-for-sale scheme By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta TWO party-list lawmakers on Tuesday denounced the so-called “sagotfor-sale” or answers-for-sale scheme on learning modules. Deputy Speaker Eddie Villanueva and Rep. Domingo Rivera of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption partylist said if true, it was “disappointing” that parents were paying for people to answer the learning modules of their children. “It’s cheating. Tolerating the said scheme will not be beneficial to students in the long run,” Villanueva, deputy speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness, said. “With this kind of practice, we are just compromising the learning and development of students who would bear the burden of its aftereffects.” Villanueva acknowledged that the online learning set-up compounded the difficulties for families in community quarantine. But he said this should not be a reason for parents to take on as their children would be left as victims. Rivera appealed to the parents: “Huwag nating gawin ito para sa ating mga anak. The fee you’ll be allotting for this scheme may be used to many other necessities as we all struggle to survive during this pandemic.” The anti-corruption group also called the attention of the Education Department on the assessment of student’s learning. According to DepEd, 99.13 percent of more than 14 million public school learners passed the first quarter of the school year. This data does not include yet the National Capital Region, Region 7 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Leni dared: Prove ‘murderous regime’ By Joel E. Zurbano

ALACAÑANG has asked for proof from Vice President Leni Robredo following her criticism of what she described as President Rodrigo Duterte’s “murderous regime.”

Robredo on Monday said the death of the nine community organizers in separate operations in their homes in the Calabarzon region the day before was a “massacre,” just two days days after Duterte ordered troops to kill rebels and “ignore human rights.” Filipinos “deserve better than this murderous regime,” she said. Palace spokesman Harry Roque noted police had claimed there was a threat to their lives in the raid against the activists, and that an investigation was underway. “If the Vice President personally

saw what happened, she should give evidence because she’s talking as if she saw that killing with her own eyes,” Roque told a news briefing. He added: “If she doesn’t give evidence, that’s also a sin, and she can face charges. If she is an eye witness, go, give evidence. But if she didn’t see what happened, like the President and the Filipino public, wait for the result of the investigation.” The National Bureau of Investigation will look into police implementation of search warrants, said Justice Undersec-

retary Adrian Sugay. “We just noticed that recently, when there were search warrants, sometimes bad incidents happened. There were arrests, or like what happened on Sunday, there were people who died, were killed,” he said in the same briefing. Roque said no probe was being “conducted only for public opinion.” Meanwhile, human rights lawyer and former Vice President Jejomar Binay condemned the Philippine National Police in the “Bloody Sunday” operations. “We should all be alarmed and concerned by (the) series of arrests conducted by the PNP, which has been dubbed as ‘Bloody Sunday,’” he said in a statement. There are set procedures for serving warrants but these were not followed by the police, said Binay, citing witnesses accounts.

TERRIBLE FLAMES. Firefighters extinguish a 3rd alarm blaze that razed a residential area in Malate, Manila before dawn Tuesday. The fire displaced around 200 families and resulted in some P500,000 worth of damage to properties. Norman Cruz

Senate OKs Duterte priority bill for BFP modernization program By Macon Ramos-Araneta IN A unanimous vote, the Senate passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1832 which seeks to modernize and improve the Bureau of Fire Protection, a priority measure of President Rodrigo Duterte. Go, principal author of the bill and

co-sponsor, said the President understands the severity of the fire incidents the country faces. “We should be proactive. Aside from being always prepared, the public should likewise be informed how to prevent incidents like fire,” he said. SBN 1832 mandates the BFP to im-

JCI PH, StartUp Village team up to empower local entrepreneurs By Maricel Cruz THE Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines and StartUp Village have partnered to help entrepreneurs and startups across the country through the Startup Academy. The memorandum of agreement was signed by JCI Philippines national president Jude Acidre and StartUp Village founder/chairman Jay Bernardo, and founder/president, Carlo Calimon. Acidre is the second nominee of Tingog party-list and chief of staff of Rep.

Yedda Marie Romualdez, the group’s first nominee. The program is just one of many planned by JCI under its newest national program, Forty Under 40 - a series of master classes on different disciplines to be offered to JCI members. JCI Philippines, formerly Philippine Jaycees, Inc., is a nonprofit organization with local chapters all over the country. It is composed of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 years old who take the initiative to solve local challenges, with a focus on sustainable impact locally and globally.

plement a modernization program that will be geared toward the capability enhancement of its personnel as well as the acquisition of the necessary equipment and facilities for fire prevention and suppression, fire investigation, and emergency medical and rescue services. Under the program, the BFP shall

submit to the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management a revised organization structure of the bureau. It will likewise establish new training programs and a qualification and upgrading program for its officers and personnel.

SENATOR Imee Marcos on Tuesday said the proposal to establish a fullblown department for overseas Filipino workers is not a magic wand that will make their woes disappear in an instant. For starters, she said there is no P1.1 billion that can be pulled out of the proverbial hat of the government to finance its operations. The senator made the remark after the Department of Budget and Management said a P1.1-billion minimum budget is required to create the Department of OFWs (DOFil). She cautioned against rushing to establish DOFil without resolving issues that will hamper its effective operation as a Cabinet-level agency. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Violence vs. women remains a top concern ONE out of four Filipino adults considered harmful acts in various forms as among the most pressing problems of women during the present health crisis, a recent Social Weather Stations survey showed. This prompted the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) to renew its call for the special protection of Filipino women, especially in the time of a raging pandemic. “Filipino women are vital assets of our nation. Thus, we need to ensure they are protected against practices and acts that diminish their potential as individuals and positive contributors to their immediate communities, and Philippine society at large,” POPCOM executive director Juan Perez III said.

Tugade: Spare no one involved in questionable license deals TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade said he supports the initiative of Senator Richard Gordon to file plunder charges against DOTr and Land Transportation Office officials involved in allegedly irregular contracts and advance payments in line with the five-year motor vehicle license plate standardization program. “If there are culprits and scalawags in our midst, let them be exposed. Let the Blue Ribbon committee hearing be a time for us to reiterate the DOTr’s anti-corruption drive, which we have been strongly implementing since 2016,” Tugade said. “Panagutin natin ang mga kailangang managot. Kung may anomalya, supilin natin,” he added. He assured Gordon the DOTr and the LTO will fully cooperate in the investigation to help expose anomalous transactions, if any. “Rest assured that no one will be above the law,” the department said in a statement. Gordon earlier berated former and current officials of the LTO and the DOTr for the delay in the production and distribution of vehicle license plates.

COVID RESPONSE.

The Alsons Power Group, Mindanao’s first private-sector power generator, turns over more than P10 million worth of medical equipment and emergency response vehicles to its host communities in Sarangani Province and Zamboanga City to help the local government units in both areas in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Democratic former US ing operations done to subvertvice political of it, for ing to make with available to or NThe A momen oarecando uncommon among campagainst ocess nghis othat hechange c adversary me scene ”in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s ocieties. Army commanders. any perceived Given such an rm) cyber attacks Microsoft vare de he rpresided ch dren he rofin earn ng oo sthe improve our empathy and our tive ofdo cybersecurity firm FireEye, itsand top officials en masse. Meanwhile students are also adjusting to stay. in coordinated raids inFireEye, thetechnology four provinces ofhas of isrival, the of Europeans They here to previously unknown lands and recreate municipality, is easily seen as the center of government, tive the cybersecurity firmcorrect has itseducation top officials resigning en masse. vide their children their learning tools. the mass murders in Samar during They are here to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 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 banks. This is their own, fi ght against corruption which is downright bad. Ombudsman’s f of that change is in the education or functio Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s camprocesses and undermine societies. The reach out to their students and enable them to put h s co eagues n he Cab ne Jus ce Sec Bu can we expec he DOJ o coope a e sian interfer- paign.” that change isserve inshould the education raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers Inof any event, this heist serve asover Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal were In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reworld geography. marked theand beginGiven the continuing debate overedtheenvironment theItsssecurity stability of ent Tom has been quoted as raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers any this heist should as the Fil-American war, to name aand few, the actors have targeted organizations associshort-sightedness In doing our best to government agencies arrival in the Philippines developed as each thestay. country’s fate during those years paign.” controversy over the Russian is in UCPB the much-changed demands of schoolwork for the purpose o ing to make education, commerce culture. may not be e caper aBurt y Mena do Gueva aRussian o dspotted hesayUn uinterferyalso w system. hforheregulators, Comm on on Human RIngh s event, learn, notwithstanding the great challenges paign.” controversy over the interferaper Microsoft has also state-sponns favor of stay. system. noting thatsecurity while multiple acall wake-up callfor not for s. the landing killed in their homes orown offices. The ning one of the most powerful empires martial law Mabayo’s notes noting that while cyber-espionage arrival the flotilla and the banks. death its iscould a spotted wake-up notasof only banks. This isha ofThis ated not withgetthe upcoming election, the ported exsystem. andof other companies doing essential Jus week weonly earned Omcountry went onthese tomultiple construct their na-cyber-espionage over the fact that more and Microsoft has also state-sponence inyears, thesin 2016 of Someone who that “State forces andincident, govnations and societies as well as theand integrity at the initial attempt on US Biden’s reach to Na Inons Human R gh Counc a v should deo learnout new nfavor mak ng e an cops accoun ab e? by untested methods. sored hackers China and Iran, targeting mp cope but weposed should also pick out the lesLessons from Microsoft has also spotted state-sponence in failed the 2016 US elections innelections favor of in They may have grown up points with technology actors have targeted organizations associalso for regulators, government agencies ledlingers. bythis Porin history, defined by its maritime force make the storytellers pause, take a deep carried out by the military and the police, 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 More than 12 million people live in it and sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting SALN then-candidate Donald Trump lingers. In nable inciPublic school are set to reopen on OctoLessons from Mr. Martires’ message as mon h involved ha Trump mo ein han ha oIn and Tha o cou seof ema ns and o beIran, seen ious about w individuals both presidential gainst was Trump The teachersparamilitaries themselves are having aofficial’s diflearn, notw sored hackers in China targeting then-candidate Donald lingers. nciLessons from ernment-backed continue to standing companies and institutions aign “ specifically targeted by sons that will come handy when this crid Magellan this episode will be ated with upcoming election, the exand other essential and but mostly for recreation andonmilitary socialization and Catholicism, that was toin last Russian time around they are joined by Chinese double their efforts in securing breath and widen their horizons. There landing ofcompanies the expedition’s remaining has been thusthe termed “Bloody Sunday.” pub c’s access oinhabitants he S doing ac set emen of Asse sthe Pub schoo are seon oOctoreopen Ocduring o- intelligence ated with the upcoming election, the exand other companies doing essential and myth making, historical events are pewhat transpired that period unit..which contraletter of authorit 5,individuals many private learning the number of swell during an told dit ug ope a aons by he po ce the involved presidential fact, itkey remains aagainst key issue against Trump aying: We Athem hber s topo nbut and s one einevan opresidential quo eboth a institucampaigns butaunched more intensely against otold the Novemfrom, even Public school are to reopen ficult time adjusting to the as new demands of posed Being distant from by the individuals involved both fact, remains issue Trump recent pronouncement this episode will be Homonhon, harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in poses thethis threat toAnd the democratand Iranian hackers inMageltheir digital systems and ofeng note can indeed be easily undermined by ussian phishing four perts are “most concerned that of the a CO incumbent corner. And this sensitive services. The incident reminds more to events than meets thetoeye. Duterte imposed one ofgreatest theu-president’s earliest lockship, Victoria, in Spain under and Lber ab esbut ofToday governmen off clearning a Demospr episode will The casualties also been linked togranting 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 services. incident reminds ber 5presumably bu many va e vening earn ng ns ahackers ed comp yin wthe hagain he u in es o attacks engagemen sis is be finally over That wisdom would be SALN tions have already started the school h centuries. wha Cesa Gav adevices. p esagainst den otheyear. they have use technology to subTrump organization. mocrats and a oisagain campaigns but more intensely against the daytime, pandemic or private not, because ofto those allvia over the run-up the Novemng the extent priceless. about their work. Sure, theyhave may be teaching from 5,The many institucampaigns but more intensely all over the run-up to the NovemtenttopunctuThe teach ic out. process.. as this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side the After all, activities that seeksa tothem comprobeen “...To the rest of the world, this was As Father Rannie Aquino wrote in hisa Co something does not Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined by Chinese them to double their efforts in securing lan’s second-in-command, Juan SebasA memorandum onin Sep 1ready agiven dthe down VIRTUAL by storytellers, in this case the states, and ing Their narrative even if they insist frustrates not corruption, communist groups. Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined by Chinese to double their efforts securing and p o oco some instances attack and kill political acomb a om 1990 o 1994 d n an click of a finger Grabe t the campaign’s communications for inspecting Through a mix of so-called synchronous But experts say Moscow is the adversary erts insisting downs in 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 working in the National Capital Region but priceless. the comfort of their homes, but there is defitions have already started thebashing school year. priceless organization. ber elections, with the Democrats andevery a Trump happriceless. stitute the interactions experiences they ficult time ao responsible for some the most provocasanctions imposed andand profile even systems, arguably aasynchronous key milestone in entire the martial law years, poses the greatest threat to the 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 realasand non-debatable has of been scrutinized Thaascolumn athatop oon cthe athem o USthe he security adm ngiven s experts a on op nmise onand pdigital ece ndevices, heexperts New Yo kMoscow Thistory mes on worries most, Russia’s the greatest threat to thecommunity democrateting, backslanted infact, the and Iranian hackers presumably in Demotheir digital systems and devices. Itretold—proselytized, is understandable that our immediate SALN shall a methods—where the stustill bebe able Through a m so-ca ed synchronous But say is the adversary number of insisting help. In nitely nothing comfortable about doing your who are living in adjacent provinces. Most discount its reality. 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 from orthereafter, state gains or just plain cou their work. REALITY on the story offor globalization; the exchange story teller has his orssher own aRussia’s ofthe accounts, written or dtrove betwo eased If he off c getting aotherwise, orisand hthe s hods—where or ic process.. as this hacking group has been challenger Biden’s side the After all, activities that seek to comprowousimd make such as Russian adm onhackers was“construct” su pares back their respective peoples. and found wanting. ItJoe is not the the only Feb ua yfinancial 7 2017 lengthy track record. Inre real world, however, espeWe were hoping dents and teacher are present all at the same ic process.. as this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given After all, activities that seek to comproconcerns here would be staying clear of the ment. Stud work in the same manner for many years, that worries them the most, given that the in the have been and asynchronous me he s ujob opportunities are here, which reathat worries them most, given Russia’s Russian are back inhathe simtime.” the Trump administration. moments have become such and asynchronous methods—where the stuers, and journalists.” thethe comfort s of ourthat hisfailed toopen the pandemic. ofn“gotcha” ideas, and technology that ourhad history. Forty eight corruption. each changing with every ng the as ofhe waperiod onhackers d in ugs been one represen adevices, ve reques snarrative. fcontain asystems, cour hcultures, stime, commen a ythe “P esrecord. den Dumise ewas e digital slu- her “...One such example ofsome this the An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuresponsible for the most imposed andhe high mise digital even entire story toa tell. As some noted writers and cially as the public schools in a few hasanprovocahad time tw and where they perform other tasks on responsible for ofthen the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile bashing devices, even entire systems, virus which hasisof just become more educators evendreaded decades, and having to shift to lengthy track ngofthe internal In reaprofile wor dbashing however andsome espeson many from the areas leave behind den srural and eacher are presen aIfsanctions same thesehe latest hacking attempts on othIn the case ofnature 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 nrnal Antonio spurred to unprecedented heights. nitely nothi years after, those who have harangued o Rod go Du e e s campa gn p om se n Such is the of the beast, as we epea ng my m s akes ” Gav a sa d “ e 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 transmissible, keeping our livelihood and altogether new way of teaching. An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuwhich has seenoande thrown their homes and venture into the big city. erwise secure organizations in USopen soil cpublic a ygone asschools he pub c schoo s open n a few Trump’s re-election, the reports coming outtasks undertakings in the past few years. Hackof power unnoticed or me and where hey perform oabuse her asks on An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuseen cially asadministration. thehave inuna of few acio brothers time, and where they perform other on “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconof garbage then Pres2016 m na e tons he d ug a ong ga d ugs a e a ma e o na ona secu y raised alarm bells overmenace the at Russian hackers work in the used to say, that accounts of events or inciTONY LOPEZ case or of a reques s made hrough he story Ferdinand Magellan’s death. Anmartial law years were not as dark and uttime.” ferent. Children may not have adequate the Trump “gotcha” moments have become such lufor transparency. Uc ing to make do with available technology to time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have become such luport their They could have trouble with their tools on drugs” which will be “as relentless and Army commanders ensuring we have enough food on the table down on March 15, 2020, there were only tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has involve the most hotly contested electornot just of the security establishment but of ers are lurking just around the corner and masse. It follows that those of us who live here are They are here to weeks he s ua on cou d be s ark y d fpunished because nobody cared enough to own respec ve y—educa orsweeks, are rytive ofinreach the firm and FireEye, has amar during They are here theofguys situation could be starkly difw h coident up on w while h nand hmultiple ee oto swho x mon hs bu nect thecybersecurity narrative surrounding Marcos those presided he wa aga ns hem canno beSpanish won by noting that cyber-espionage their own, try-useless dents, whether personal or historical rests Ombudsman’s frespectively—educators ehe d rthat nves gaandonThe offIn ceare come from prosperous fam es o the beg nthese tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decade terly asRussian these are saying they or functioning equipment. home time to perfect his If these latest hacking attempts on othIn case the Russian operations for out to their students enable them to crative, even highly sought developed for this, so If latest hacking attempts on oththe case of the operations for crative, even highly sought and developed and with connectivity, or they could also al race in the planet, using as they do for our families during this difficult time. Microsoft itself is Russian military hacking operations can be activated in no alarm over the Russian hackers should accustomed toofstory thinking that the things that chilling onerwise the day it events began.” Hein wants In 2019 theawover Human Rights Watch relook harder? feren Chnot dren have adequa e the alarm bells the Russian hackers e as TWO confirmed cases. At this the ng opast make do w h ava e to echno ogy o writing, me a few,serve the asak upon ngthe ostay. ce targeted Wh fate e Du e e those had years onassociactors have organizations araised med oinces and en developed obells cemen agenc es arrival theraised Philippines as each over country’s during ferent. Children may adequate heavily on the teller. Inorganizations the case of for he purpose a ideal fac -fplace nd ng probe w hwant or may have otoher bus ness nitmay eres sno ing tohave make do with available technology afind detailed journal of thetheir everybody believe. Like in may not be an to focus and ab towould ing lifestyle chen learn, notwithstanding the great challenges secure organizations US Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the few years. HackIn findin it But difficult to be not effective at jobsof erwise secure organizations in ofUS soilout Trump’s re-election, the reports coming outhave undertakings in the past few years. Hackmost sophisticated methods available, iskept hackers targeted 200 US time atow all. Indeed, they have become part stay. ithome would take much ofaltogether ussoil noting that while multiple cyber-espionage This iscould concern us are the most important of all. Our We are conscious of this now as we learn conceded ha upcoming he scamore cu a and that while multiple cyber-espionage eisbanks. death its on is ofoccas ated withgetthe election, the ported exanoting one Th ng mo e so d e s and po ce a or func on ng equ pmen The I country went on to construct their own nareach ou o he r s uden s and enab e hem o not over thehad factmthat 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 just 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 of the security establishment but of ers are lurking just around the corner and to stepand outCebu of our familiar zones and imhave organizations associnment agencies edthis he ex en points oarehe ugconcerned p of obactual em and hathat of the perts “most with er. he d ughave use sactors s no usthemselves atargeted was of e onational money problems, troubles, threats here in the capital the And eventual about two recent examples of violence actors targeted organizations associ-aoff cies tional identities. In the practice more ofd view, accounts may no be an dea p ace o focus o events thereafter an article written by earn no w hs and ng he grea cha enges c a ’s SALN mus presen a no ar zed ca ed n he SALN—assum ng we can s sieged by natives in 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 are having diflearn, notwithstanding the great challenges al race in the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is that Russian military hacking operations can beinactivated in no be and with commu doneaanywhere at any time and against and c and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities dangerous tion for crimes, toasbe reimposed for ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to tion. 11-nation ASEAN with total 265,888 casal race inmost the planet, using they dofor the Microsoft itself is imperial thatofRussian military hacking can be activated no dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, agine what life must like fellow Filiated with the upcoming election, the exgdsand essential wouand d what ndeed akemilitary me o intelligence sothat ve period he hadunit..which a Russian by Chinese bu a so can ac uaupcoming yadjusting make he p the ob em wo seex-operations cluded in the Otherwise the Presremaining are automatically the problems, troubles and ated with the election, the myth making, historical events are petranspired during contrasouth of Metro Manila. Raisa Mabayo, Third Secretary etime er of au hor yifour from he owner of he have access oadversary. hem— hen we can very earn new hsuch ngs Paren sshortlist cou d be anxing to help Rajah Humabon, abe recently and low points but there were high posed by hese un es ed metakes hods from, even they did not have toand worry Tuesday. In fact, ficult time to 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 such a brazen posed by these untested methods. improve o most sophisticated methods 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 thepo threat the ways uvening ged hetheir ce con nuetoAnd w h democrathe And bly inMagelDemopinos in these situations, while they are also Lock ng up nonv oconcerned en o ende sinclusion and dofug perts are “most concerned with that of the es. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines incumbent corner. this cident reminds terte imposed one ofgreatest theopresident’s earliest locknder here are his failures: rused, selected for exclusion or ‘construct’ have been comperts are “most with that the threats of the rest of the country. Consequentincumbent president’s corner. this inds Last Wednesday, aabou 33-year-old human Vice-Consul inBurt charge of Cultural DiploSALN granTom heThe reques Noare reques s points we apprec adparties, ef-some con ex ident cannot legally appoint you asothers memCatholicized local ruler demands convert and celebratory ones as well. ous where he nex mea may come about a ng COVID-19 infection. erning lifestyle eachers hemse ves hav ng aabout work.manner Sure, they may happened beofteaching from environment, the security and stability of has been quoted as sayand their wayward as what short-sighte ious where the next meal may come the much-changed ofaschoolwork. The teachers themselves having aare difnot farfetched to the think that same canthe ch (political think tanks, consultants ofpresident everyday life. using on not farfetched to think that same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants everyday life. c ic campa process.. as hacking hasby been side anthe daround ug gn wthis hjoined even mo ejoined vthe go use sstorytellers, ainstances mos a in ways back esintelligence nsand eadto for facing poverty and the threat ofthe the virus. Russian military unit..which time around they are Chinese rts securing Juan SebasbyUCPB this case the states, ing out. Their narrative even ifgroup they insist Russian military intelligence unit..which time they are by Chinese ring But the people love the President for some attack and kill political acly, ifthat something bad happens, no matter how macy inthethe Philippine Embassy in MaL fes ywould esocieties checks however are here for nspec ng or aktrying ng pho os of he rights lawyer was attacked by still-undislodged Germany yesterday and is barely srofile iningiven the world Still even if it was to Catholicism and loyalty toof Spain. MaBut that be another story. Back Everybody is his or her best to 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression nations and as well as the integrity intends to ask ing initial failed attempt on Biden’s which can unhinge the banking systhe comfort of their homes, but there is defifrom even f hey d d no have o worry ber of the Board of Trustees PhilHealth f cu me ad us ng o he new 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. desp e epo s o abuses and egu a es s eng hen ng o gan zed c me ” poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in Demod in itsbashing wake vices. Violence should never be an option against then told and retold—proselytized, realas non-debatable has been scrutinized dridstill provides interesting insight and aby tobe poses greatest threat to thecommunity democratand Iranian hackers presumably in Demo- tivists aMabayo’s reason “L vcompanies ng beyond one’s means” s“drugs SALN sha be aan owed grave orPhilipheartbreaking, in some remote place, gellan believed that of2019, force notes on the quincentennial known in Iloilo. and standing of institutions was “...specifically targeted tem.the Or, to companies providing be able to learn this newteaching environtakes issueew nitely nothing comfortable about doing your 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 and strictest thecyber lockdown but mostly for his recreation and socialization. he rdone work Sure hey may each ngassailants from any perceived adversary. Given such anthat platform) cyber attacks. Microsoft vice iscampaign when these are in such aplatform) brazen Inomb the quarter of 2020, the about afor COVID-19 infection. much more as president and CEO tive and aggressive operations of given allly—to neek getting from their work. they may be from each ng Macratic acañang any perceived adversary. Given such antwoHe for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice Co anssecond know athis h ng oessential wo ishas when these are done inSure, such a inwe brazen Meanwhi or otherwise, ic process.. as hacking group has been challenger Biden’s side the to comprothose with a different point of view. their respective peoples. and found wanting. ItJoe is not the the only 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“We 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 we hardly ever pay attention. Angelo Karl Guillen, counsel for 16 memment. Students will learn their lessons, yond one’s work ind the same manner for many years, sis isofmean finall Today they have use technology to subsor allies ry ng hmade s answer or environment, her hetheir comfor oftohappened he rSecretary homes bu here shas def - Burt time.” the security and stability president Tom has been quoted as sayand wayward manner ashomes, what todefiabou ghjournalists ng ugs My gove nmen and Everybody isEverybody trying his her best to itthebes handily into the Senate elecand ”for environment, security and stability ofof president Tom Burt been quoted as sayand wayward manner as campaign’s what happened the comfort but there is Carlos Dominguez says dems, to contain the pandemic Thus the to otothe question the much-ch pine economy slumped to its lowest ever in rrative. “...One such example ofsome this the responsible of the most provocasanctions and writers high profile bashing entire systems, story to tell. and Asimposed some noted and ers Many similar attacks have are and even teach history our and EMIL has had he me oof refthat ec in onFinance h teach sschools dec sbetter, on andand ha says expenses exceed one’s na“...On click ofMarch a one’s finger Grabe. against the communications manufacturing or and inof then power andis utilities tasks. That fateful decision and his mis-happened, responsible for some the most provocasanctions imposed high profile bashing 16, 2021, weTumandok will comwill learn to Iteducators just feels way, but that isabou may only have (U “d evenn decades, having to shift to an bers ofng the indigenous who had priceless. stitute theenv interactions and experiences theyintegrity If these latest hacking attempts on othoperations for eve y adm s a on s nce h ew eve y h ng s be ab e o earn n h s new ronn e y no h ng comfor ab e do your nations and societies as well as the ing that the initial failed 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 Duterte’s power Duterte hasand vowed to continue his “war tive aggressive cyber operations thesesecure two countries havelately, been getting from sbeast, or just decisive (lockdown) helped us avertwhether anthe the younger generations. this Mabayo nrts days before Duterte imposed the lockhappening, and are to happen. We he or not the appointment ofLapu Gierran how b parents aof anall y congoes aga“the ns Inhe avowed f gh come and a 500th o her revenue aken oge her calculation of enemy forces, ledbound by the anniversary 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, say altogether new way of teaching. hardly true. been arrested for supposed links to commuerwise organizations in US soil coming out a he p ob em— om um ga ng c ops o men S uden satargeted wsand earn he rofnot essons o and standing 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 They Ferdinand Magellan’s death. An-their martial law years were not as dark andelectorut- on but mostly time.” the2020 Trump administration. piece, oft-repeated note—history is ecome 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. may even hear about some of them. It is arrival of Europeans in the Philippines. we the time.” the administration. luport their children. Nothing prepared us We agree that could have trouble with tools base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and drugs” which will be “as relentless and is legal depends on whether his name was How many disasters, for instance, in farestimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordon March 15 there were only nists and one of the lawyers challenging the involve the expect most hotly contested shment but oflu-Can a ng traction eve y d ug in pushe n s gh No on yand goods economic production. On top of of can indeed easily undermined by H the Russian via and services asfood those in food educa orsattacks wteach earn o was each benote ergood and ofattacks note can indeed be easily undermined the Russian via phishing goods services such those inaga even decades and hen havIttong sh omeans anhackers storical rests educators will tophishing better, and toniothese Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, andsuch then having to useless asRussian these are saying they written by the victors—which has been me oplaces perfec h sas argumen ns hoshift doan ve af BMW on alearn ow mon h to yCourt, amorIf connectivity, these hacking attempts on othIn case ofguys the Russian operations and developed Today He struck in the face by abeMactan is adrohackers day that different things always to be mindful thatbybeing disfor this, so complaining will nothe help. latest hacking attempts In theterly case ofinthe operations for ped sarily equatethey to and with or they could also al race the planet, using as they do chilling the sian military off have merited less of our attend d If wefor a on o0.7-percent e ad ca eday d latest ug it pcontraction oduc onon aothanti-terror law before the Supreme was in that shortlist for the Board of Trustees Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela the began ” He wants Justice Department to 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 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 new 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 supde rigueur for most people, gets a better altogether new way of teaching. ngtion of e checks forbecause governmen off c atosfeel zastabbed on—we wonder where ha ex s s—or warrior using a local scimitar. After, the erwise secure organizations US fes soil Trump’s re-election, theavailable, reports countries and their peoples. w years. 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Norus does itCebu. lessen our responsibility we a soter pushed dof ugs and ccontested me nwas o ne ghGDP compelled enough by of distance? screwdriver, part of which was still embedded ported that “State and over govwritten by sieged bymost natives inin Cebu attemptatthat that time, were sons belief the appointment of for hy sforces so comp awar,” nhelp. ng no he pourselves * * * sa and dand before awmakers ahmy aconnec budge hear ngor up haour has nodthis, sa gn fsecurity can ncreased he w and for wsystem vbuild ythat hey cou so for so complaining will not ales race the while planet, using as he they do the Microsoft itself isthere that Russian military activated in nocountry communities differently. This should were elected to the Senate. Dela Rosa be donewas anywhere at any time andmisagainst with connectivity, or they could also fundraising tion for crimes to be reimposed for tion. and capacity to do widetion ASEAN with a total of 265 888 casbo ng coun al race in the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is Russian military nic no to keep aware and take a position means the country is now in recession with How many atrocities did not merit our in- ernment-backed in hishen skullhawhen he was taken to the hospital. Commission on Human paramilitaries ecretary and ing to help Rajah Humabon, a one recently takes and lowhave points butorganizations there were high cluded in the facformer sa dbe ha he correct govyears redcontinue f In ag a was po Inas fastride, nd ng our stoearlier rnde-named sagainst bes oviolence, reanyhackers perceived adversary. Given an Microsoft vice fhend dwe ffeffective cu oaw be effec ve of a he obsserves improve our empathy and ourour most sophisticated methods it In targeted 200 USsuch organizations ve become part National Investigation Inr finding our itbag is best to re-column Meanwhile, students alsowe adjusting to “Wha do we p opose? We are oavailable, do find itis difficult to atBureau their jobs an I suggested thatcommittee the most sophisticated methods it available, is Tuesday hackers have targeted 200 US part sadly often committed to head theTO Senate drug crimes spread testing in communities. From just is No 21 in the world The Philippines dignation just because felt we were safe His laptop and documents in his were also THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and inArmy first semester drop in economic output of 9 Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockltural DiploArmy commanders. p 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 environment, the tanks, security andtanks, stability of quoted as sayNow, the lockdowns will make half of Rights in making errant short-sightedness. In on doing our ab best to president member ha one cr s s affec s fam es no befarfetched eve hanotmto a y haVIRTUAL dwa ethink epsame ve the much-changed demands ofess schoolwork. us ng he y ava e med um of ns rucfarfetched to the that the same can (political parties, think consultants member that one crisis affects families using the only available medium of instrucnotBut think that can (political parties, think consultants with impunity in our name. chief Dante Gierran as and chief President create a “jobs policy” in instances attack and killconpolitical ac- should where we were? How many of some downs in the world. Still, even occasions if it wasactual the taken byfftests his attackers. charged with investigating police matters the people love the President for ber reof the B bassy inBiden’s Maaround 1,282 PCR 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 hisnations and societies as well as the integrity n ends o ask Congress o amend How d cu s h s concep o grasp? mpt on the people poor. po c ng and b gge p sons a e he answe 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 andcops even the main Democratic fundraisingfundraising rous tion. longest tivists,and environmentalists, community leadthe lockdown accountable? officer of PhilHealth isaghas illegaloand wake ofshould sothat many jobless people asof aforces reREALITY insight and aby gellan believed that display ofa2019 force toand Mabayo’s on the quincentennial ported that “State security gov-more a ported “State security forces and govstanding of and institutions y0such targeted We are hear hathe hese words akes ssueexecutive wand h he phrase vthe ng beand “drug war.” Wh he Fmostly p war noadversary. gove nmen hasand du y Given oantwoHe the In 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. such anthat tory. platform) forcompanies cyber attacks. Microsoft vice aplatform) brazen mprove ourand empa hythe and correc our any e“drugs perceived Given such 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 he enough to accomplish those posted The Diplomat: of note can as indeed bein easily undermined pbyov 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 de o secu y o s peop e he e s 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 Failure the communist inallies made itthe into themisSenate elecenvironment, thehandily security andsecurity stability ofeconomy president Tom 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 to a“...On click ofMarch a finger Grabe. mmunications That fateful decision and his 16, 2021, we will com- a tasks. in 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 ea sk ha a heavy handed app oach w harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockDuterte imposed one of the earliest lockJURADO consumption—fell by 4.2 per- is legal depe TONY LOPEZ priceless. (Universal Healthcare upon the recstitute the interactions and experiences theyintegrity Department of andseparatist Employand societies asintegrity well as the thatfailed the initial failed attempt onnations Biden’s he sys-the ing onhdrugs” which will be “as relentless and down onmay March 15,grown 2020,have there were only and nations societies as well as the ingToday that initial attempt onhave Biden’s syscope bu weThe shou dperathe so fuels plesck ou he Labor esThey may grown up Act) wand echno ogy cope, but we also pick out have up with technology, Muslim move- acsolidified Duterte’s power decisive (lockdown) us avert an thisbanking Mabayo enemy forces, led memorate 500th of tostanding decline percent. BizNewsAsia nea y the vehelped yea s aanniversary e we hethe tions cent in theinthe second quarter, and by 9surgency docalculation mo pected ewhich ha mof han good Theby e 10 sbynoLapu doub 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 cent insome thethe first half. That 4.2 percent 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 Philand of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by viding essential will deny this for sure but a survey and standing of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically 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. s o c a adm ss on ha he Ph pp ne Na ha ough pena es a e necessa y o de e o 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, environmentalists, community leadtivists, environmentalists, community leadequivalent to losingto$1.4 billion of It’s 1the 3 to 3 5 million infections accordworld’s longest andlongest strictest, thestrictest, lockdown world’s and the lockdown IisHAVE been requested repeat my reapretty ba estimates the GDP contraction for thebywhole death penalty, banned under theyConstituREALITY REALITY Philippines isHealth the pandemic epicenter in the IN Accan previous I ctalked about PresiofBu note can indeed easily undermined phishing sated those in food ofattacks note be by sar Russian hackers viahackers 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 subona Po ndeed aken beviaes w h to gan He was struck incolumn the face by zed meindeed ex aeasily ud aundermined kabeMactan ngs and It iscethe a had dayRussian that means different things worst recession in our history. y equa e o corrup on Mr Mar res d s or ed h nk ng Because ’s our axes sons for my belief that the appointment of your dollar income. ers, and journalists.” ers, and journalists.” failed to contain the pandemic. failed to contain the pandemic. tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casThe killings of political activists and alDavao’s former police chief Ronaldo dela dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, oer researchers from our universities The a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications and utilities could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications ities “supe o cus ome expe ence” bu nea y Army commanders. try, stood at-be more 429,000 kilometers byforce gets a better Du e edifferent s o de countries o e m naand e he d ug menace v gwarrior pr ess athe an smusing a e he w ongscimitar. ways oAfter, go the sFin the uppresident enos hefor nThe erac ons and days exper ences hey a local priceless. their peoples. for use, the cy’s and CEO from the Board’s the interactions and experiences they About 75 percent of the economy was adult ofNational 60 are jobless former Bureau of Investigation dItno ake sgeneral mp e ons and our we ngthan hace are simposed ake labor here In an earl Is there hopemillion in that bleak scenario? vowed to continue his “war has vowed to continue drug crimes. Ten before Duterte imposed lockTen days before Duterte theDuterte lockes.stitute is No. 21 world. Philippines herewho are hisinitially failures: spearheaded theshou a has w Duterte now ag ee hafailed PLDT ema ns his athe e“war sh the Human Rights re-Spanish leged NPA leaders have to dent “drug end-2020. PLDT hadness extended the reach of chief own enabled usIn to2019, reinforce our health and d s ega ded cons u ona and ega saWatch econ- Rosa as historical “The po s of sugges M Cebu. Du for e e seach wa month loss P1.5hatrillion lockships retreated from TONY LOPEZ “...To the Philippines, that first TONY LOPEZ Dante Gierran as president and chief President down. Household consumption, We knowof ha many governmen off cbarely a s onsshut very much our bus Well, yes. Lift the lockdowns which 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 Santa Banana they are the new poor! down March 15, 2020, there were only down on March 15, 2020, there were only 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression mendous y pofo PhilHealth abinsurgency. e bus ness n Muslim a nesstheoand “State security and govits “drugs fixed broadband service to cover some ds up n ported cou se that ocapacity he wa on on d ” ugs s equa y popu Bu Senate he w nd officer is illegal. wake of could rage providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by 9 executive 52-year old communist war were elected toa the Dela Rosa m and gua build our tod doforces widehave proved senseless and produced the ma the war.” In this May 2019, two top 23,000 cases below No.recession 20, Italy, that 288,761. down. This lockdown – the longest and severchilling on the day it began.” He wants chilling on the day it began.” wants In the second quarter of 2020, the PhilipTWO confirmed cases. At writing, the TWO confirmed cases. At this writing, the This means the President cannot apThe newest of the “new poor” are some ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to PLDT Ook a ecogn zed PLDT and as of the C million homes. Available fiber-powered ports Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223He sult The gu es speak o hemse ves he PNP ha s unw nnab e a so d scove ed ha cluded inSecretary the shortlist. Otherwise, the says Pres- allies 15.5 percent in Q2 for a 7.8-percent made it handily into the Senate elecopposite effect. The lockdowns were Finance Carlos Dominguez I HAVE bee AS pine economy slumped to its lowest ever in death penalty, banned under the Constituterrorists are on the warpath marked by a was named to head the Senate committee death penalty, banned under the ConstituPhilippines is the pandemic epicenter in the isofthethe pandemic epicenter the he000 d testing insays our communities Fromarrest, IN A for previous I point talked about PresiTO THE harass, threaten, inArmy IN Acolumn previous column I talked about Presias Healthcare es retrenched xed and mob e netheworecks n heTheMARC est inthe the world –will hasWe run months. he earliestselockincreased toH1 4solidified million. Inaccording 2021, PLDT aims (Universal Act), upon some 6 000 d arbitrarily ug suspec s just haveand he Depa Army commanders. Gierran unless he istions aPhilippines member AMONG Philippine companies, big and human cos s we e eno mous cou d seven commanders. ident cannot legally appoint asavert asmall, mem119 000 totoinfor 140 teachers well into lockdowns make half decline inwith 2020,of to265,888 MaPRESIDENT Duterte hasyou extended which Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us an 2021. supposed tones save 4,000 people from sons for my dark days the Now, country’s history -- a 16.5-percent con-ofdent tion most crimes, to be reimposed for tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN a total 265,888 cas11-nation ASEAN with a total of cassome instances attack and kill political acPh pp du ng 2020 dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, ven if it was the Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, ommendation of the Board Trustees of Philfurther expand its fiber network by 125,000 ment will B deo newout phenomenon—suicide bombers. The police matters beenactual k ed sPCR nce 2016 up per o heday p esen be charged ber of the Board of Trustees ofyear PhilHealth, PLDT turned in the best performance in 2020, base. no wInnThis he with wameans on dHuman ugshalf h the ough k Watch ng pe nd 1 282 tests conIninvestigating 2019, Human Rights Watch re2019, the Rights rePOINT of the economic production the people poor. nila-based Asian Development Bank. the state of calamity for one until Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and and staff of the more than 700 private estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accorddying, people who would die anyway, former Nat traction in economic production. On top of 21, they w drug crimes. tivists, environmentalists, community drug crimes. es. It is No. 21and world. Philippines a e a pan John Gokongwe t, the lockdown Health,The the President shall appoint the agen-J had es. Itinisthe No. 21million inThe theports. world. The PNP Philippines showed that here are his failures: kms add 1.7 much more president and That CEO. here are his failures: th ough back whenour o decapacity ed o su leadthe of the as economic slump this y ported c the m nathat s and add cthat s” We sforces a ed mak ng ported “State security forces and gov“State security and govhas budget, and “drug war former police chief, Ronaldo delawhich Remittances—a mainstay the Unemployment more than tripled, Sept, 21, 2021. Please note: is in upThe to Davao’s ingyear to researchers from our universities. dc. in thecause last hey week of journalists.” March the is 0.7-percent contraction in the firstof quarDante lockdown orits noanti-insurgency lockdown, gone by now. That cannot be recovered inworst schools will remain closed These cy’s president and from the Board’s hepeople oBut es gh oCEO maneuve obecause acqu e machief oportraying But thetripled love the President forPresident adult labor f the people love the for dislodged Germany yesterday and isconnectivity barely Thus, the answer to the question Increased demand for dislodged Germany yesterday and17.7 is for barely ende by ers, po and ce ope a ves 1.one The Philippines’ greatest depression country since Magellan landed 500 years ago. of Rosa, pos veeconomy mpac s on y when we changed ack 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression EMIL ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to th who initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health because that is the that from 5.1 percent in April 2019 to eight months just before the May 2022 • The Judicial Development Fund, the basis terFailure 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop executive most of them had fatal discluded in 20, the shortlist. Otherwise, the cluded in the shortlist. Otherwise, the PresBut didof a288,761. worrying sign. 4gna to contain communist innon-ex-officio members. Duterte has vowed to continue his “war Santa has grown to23,000 about 32,000 average daily tests con oPreso already PLDT nIn2002 om ndo mposed the lockwhether orof not thetelco appointment of Gierran the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top work-from-home, online learning and streamfour below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” 2019, topBanan schools have lostyincome because ofMay lack ofhe two We ead abou heone “nan aban” angofby e the n16.5 ofelections the behemoth rose 7 cases des ngthreaten, d months. ugs as aarbitrarily soc a pJURADO obthe emby and no 23,000 cases below No. Italy, In the second quarter 2020, thecapacity PhilipInRevenues the second quarter of 2020, the Philipin the first quarter of 2020, perTO THE war,” were elected to the Senate. Dela Rosa TO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in harass, arrest, and in system and build up our to do wideDuterte imposed one earliest lockDuterte imposed of the earliest lockfuels consumption—fell 4.2 perpercent in April 2020 “when lockdowns presidential when we choose of the financial benefits of the judiciary; means the country is now in recession with Under Se eases other than COVID. But several ident cannot legally appoint you as a memident cannot legally appoint you as a memthat men do This means that the President cannot apThe newe drugs” which be d “as iseconomy legal onP181 whether his name was nesallies Samade m into gpolice Wha onmilitary educa ed there were ing propelled Home toSenate post a committee record 11allies perThe are made itan handily the Bu Senate eleceveonly y newson epo po will ce an ugrelentless ope aby 9and percent to depends atorecord billion last year, apera yinstances one Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says most itoup handily into the Senate elec5. Coddling of the and the and the Muslim separatist moveSecretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped itsour lowest inreasons this (August).” pine slumped toever its lowest ever in was enrollees Finance Carlos Dominguez named to head the in abou theinthe second quarter, TUAL spread testing in just instances attack and kill acsome attack and kill political ac-9political in”some thedrop first half. That 4.2 percent firstcent semester inSecretary economic output of downs the world. even ifsurgency itm was the downs incent the world. Still, even ifStill, it and was the were widespread and atin their Duterte’s successor. •Finance The Amusement andof Gaming point Gierran he isare a member 119,000 toPH thousands more people dying orofwill ber ofofthe Board of Trustees ofPang PhilHealth, ber ofPhilippine the Board Trustees PhilHealth, interred wit in the that shortlist forcommunities. the Board ofFrom Trustees. began.” He wants nanunless had an equa y savvy othe es gh(Universal o his writing, POINT POINT cent or P4.3 billion increase revenues yearonsthe w hchilling p ca uineson o first booday o it us y and an from previous high of P169.18 billion in eca ha h s pa cu a commen a y n tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conthe country’s history -a 16.5-percent concharged with investigating police matters Without vaccine cent the half. We are having the around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conDuterte hasGokongwe employed more generals, percent. It tivists, is been thethat worst recession inbillion our histivists, environmentalists, community leadenvironmentalists, community leadAddsof Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, equivalent to losing of much strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by Another year of state calamity Corporation, which provides an additional The group representing these teachers longest andevo strictest, thestrictest, lockdown world’s longest and thement lockdown andThis staff,bri ou IisHAVE requested to$1.4 repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic. explains “no matter how money much more as president and CEO. much moreaccordas president and CEO. die because of hunger, and ommendatio death penalty, banned under theo ConstituALITY epicenterworld’s in the hwa smalnutrition, akeove on-year to P41.4 billion. Data/broadband qua ed 38 ca be ve s supposed be clearly spelled out in 2019. Profits leaped a remarkable 8 percent to he espec ed NYT gge ed an ava anche o base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and bhP estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordtraction in oftraction economic production. On top of thepercent “drug war.” ducted incontinuing the last week of our capacity economic On top of and worst recession in our history. tory. schools whi sons for myand belief that the appointment your dollar income. ers, and journalists.” 21.4 inaccount the first half. means restrictions and reguers, journalists.” source of revenue to fund the miscellaneous *production. * March, *rate Health, the failed to contain the failed to opandemic. contain the Thus, the answer to the question of tion for most crimes, to pandemic. be reimposed for Thus, the answer to the question of diseases spawned by the lockdowns. l of 265,888 casMarcos a MVP hen unco ked an agg ess ve expans on from the military and the police, than any The killings of political activists and aland staff claim that the P500 million allothe of infections and deaths could have EMIL EMIL revenues now for 80 percent of Home he weapon o cho ce d ug a cke s P24.58 billion from P22.78 billion. und u ed b go y and u y ha e u esponses countries pump into their economies, their Davao’s former 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 quarrThegeneral use, the About 75 percent of the economy was For the whole of 2020, the economy is exthe 0.7-percent contraction in the first quaro schools have former Bureau of Investigation In anPrices earlier of column, I suggested that the revenues. there in that bleak scenario? lations. prime commodities, activities of or the government; hasNational vowed to continue his “war cy’sItpreside has to continue his “war drug crimes. Ten days Duterte lock- leged imposed theDuterte lockwhether not the nationwide appointment of Gierran whether orcated not the appointment of Gierran Philippines Said acting Economic Planning pnot og am hareasons has made PLDT wha Secs oday— depen The extensive fiber rollm no subefore eTen days he 6before 000imposed o Duterte c a the body Net of interconnection cost, PLDT con- The om ab dIs Du e Duterte ehope suppo eas svowed Bu ook ng chief the law. to them is enough other president before him. More 45 NPA leaders have failed to dent the The are been much worse. latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drugthan surgency and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce our health Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. JURADO enrollees. LOPEZ lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health chief Dante Gierran president and pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia ter 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop President should create a “jobs policy” in shut down. Household consumption, ter 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop Well, yes. Lift the lockdowns which especially rice, corn, and fish, will be • The Export Processing Authority to atnon-ex-offic But the people love the President for on drugs” which will be “as relentless and on drugs” which be Co “as relentless and ay and iscoun barelyn legalwith depends on installations, whether nameher wash he c own ewe and cash cow o he Sa ble m achieve is legal depends his on helped whe s Karl name was down on he March 15, 2020, there were only back retary Kendrick Chua: down ondMarch 15,ed2020, there were he only out,isalong increased wa on ugs epo by he solidated service revenues rosepeople 9 percent to unsothe c GDP ed adv ce omwill he ex Without alittle vaccine ment war,” were elected to the Senate. Rosa The mea grou officer of isthe illegal. system build upand our capacity to do widethe wake of so many jobless aspercent awith re-and contraction for whole cession could rage war,” were elected the Senate. Rosa The policy President Duterte system build capacity tojobs do wideproviding three-fourths of GDP, byestimates means the country is now infact, recession cabinet and Dela 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 “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top controlled. Inthe under current This tract foreign investments; taly, 288,761. Itexecutive is not the sheer size of stimulus package gofficers oup sthat Fanticipated soccupy Pac c Lthat dtooDela Hong Kong Today inkillings that shortlist forour the Board of Trustees. chilling on the day it PhilHealth began.” He wants n up ha shor s and forstar-rank he Board of Trus ees chilling on theRepublic day itthe began.” He wants “No one the COVID TWOas confirmed thefell he would serve increasing demand. cases. this writing, the PNP o the asTWO yea cases. dconfirmed e s At omthis whawriting, sAt own P171.5 billion, highest ever and exceeding omb an p es den s w se counse ha h s Gb The of political activists aland staff cla Under Section 1 of Act 11223 sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. was named to head the Senate committee could be as large as 30The percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, lift spread testing in our communities. From just was named to head the Senate committee 15.5 percent in Q2 for a 7.8-percent semester drop in economic output of 9 spread testing in our communities. From 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 MVP s m y en enched backed by he 11 3 I HAVE been requested to repeat my reaIt’s pretty basic. I ’s pre y bas c 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 pandemic epicenter the terrorists D ec o a e Philippines o the nves gaison De ec inve in the country are severe or critical. Our morthe previous record of P157.5 billion in 2019. theand pandemic epicenter in the adm n s a on shou d ve y we ake heed Presiked about Presithat matters now but also whether it is actualthe law. cated to them leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recThe Department of our Labor and Employth losssupposed of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockell into with matters around 1,282 actual PCRunless tests per con-per decline H1 according to265,888 Mahas extended investigating tions which solidified Duterte’s power percent. It is the worst recession in hisaround 1,282 actual PCR tests conlped us avert an 2021. toforofsave 4,000 people from pe charged ceninvestigating men o police hemonths Gokongwe y sight, be controlled by the government during sons for belief that the appointment of Classification Board; percent. Itand ismy the worst recession inSeptember our his-appointment dark days of Martial Law,” on sons for my belief that the of * *day *emergency * charged *day * employment the lockdowns. They economy. Innves thewith first three ofpolice theam matters Managemen epoin ed n2020, 2018—23 327 tion for most crimes, tothe be reimposed Data broadband powered sales with Board of Trustees of PhilHealth and we wan he d tion ug menace go away—o afor most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casscheme For sure 11-nation ASEAN with a total of casNow, recession could rage The and jobst evements. Now, ommendation the Board Trustees of Phil52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim ment will deny this, for sure, but aducted survey Despite the overwhelming dominance of new phenomenon—suicide bombers The tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people down. This lockdown –o longest and severly saving the productive parts of the economy. and the “drug war.” in the last week of March, our capacity nila-based Asian Development Bank. one yearhom until base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and and the “drug war.” nfections accordtory. ducted in the last week of March, our capacity “We a e he ead ng and mos d ve s ed e 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. In an ear er co umn I sugges ed ha cases unde nves gaThe on Philippines The peThe Philippines Profi tssense. leaped a ranks quarantine, we prioritized saving lives has billion inalmost revenues swelled 18 terrorists eas n the m zed definitely drug crimes. drug crimes. es. ItcisdeNo. 21 It inisthe world. to adopa Health, the President shall the agen-P124.5 es. No. 21 in the world. showed that halfwhich of the country's are on the warpath marked by a of the Board hisdevelop appointment tocreate the the unemployed can only worsestm in world –its has runlockdown, for appoint seven For months. make noenhance generals, the Duterte administration hasnesnot PNP has budget police chief, dela to the communist inwell into Unemployment more than e: That is od upThe to universities. per arecommended hundred thousand.” ca nons gused oup n he Ph pp n in- an 4.contain Failure to contain the communist chief Dante Gierran as president and chief the whole ofsystemic 2020, the economy is expercent lockdown or noanti-insurgency This is because the problem isPresident not aportraying the price andaccounted supply of bellwether and should coconut production President a “jobs policy” inecommun chief Gierran as president and chief Marcos as the devil-incarnate. Pres den shou d crea e4.a Failure “ obs cy” coveDavao’s ed by former he PNP D DM wasRonaldo om tripled, For the whole of2021. 2020, the economy is expercent and for 72.6 of A ac adm ss on ha he wa ega d because ugs against COVID. We this time to Board ofpo Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless emergency e cy’s president and CEO the Board’s But thetripled people love theonfrom President for adult labor force ofDante 60 million are goods jobless. But the people love the for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely new phenomenon—suicide bombers. The dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely nthe st depression This means half of the economic production remarkable 8 percent. the President Rosa, who initially spearheaded ensothe poverty problem of the country for forceMay our health from 5.1 average percent in April 2019 toas17.7 2022 surgency and separatist movehesurgency m ds Muslim oremass vecompetent echno ogy changes weranksTh executive officer ofare PhilHealth isPhilHealth illegal. and the separatist movemost already fatal dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school theefforts; wakethe of so jobless people athe repected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia executive officer of isand illegal. But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil Ju y 1 2016 obelow June 4No.2018 Th sNo. ans athe es “drug Board recommended hisMuslim appointment to any hemany wake of many obasess peop ethe as ahealth total company revenues. Mobile service revestheis agone ve y by se of ousthem pThat ob em a cyclical e2019, abehad bInrecovered oody vetop proven itself any more nor worrying sign the ofd non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia improve our system capacity.” Santa Banana, they the new poor! He notes that per 100,000, EU member rown to about 32 000 daily tests “drugs war.” In May two PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, contraction or a bust. Simply, neces23,000 cases 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” May 2019, two top 23,000 cases below 20, Italy, 288,761. hilipnow. cannot in 2020, the Philipwere the Senate. Rosa s s eases acity to do Without vaccine percent inelected April 2020 “when lockdowns en we choose ema n models ocused onofouUP comm o se veen hethe pove Under 1 and of Republic Actcru11223 Thus before Gierran can be appointed as apandemic. vaccine the“By President. other than COVID. But several sult ofWithout theaCOVID-19 supplies, medicines, PPEs, are Under Section 1daily of Republic Act 11223 owidean ave war,” age o Finance 995 nc Secretary dento s Dominguez mon h y o Dela 33 many years to come • The Philippine Authority asment one that men do lives after them. The good is oft Thisecen that the President cannot apnues went up by 29 percent, home he passage heSenate House othemilitary estimates the GDP contraction for the whole su Tourism of he COVID-19 pandem c ment The newest of the “new poor” are some the and men Ateneo, estimates the GDP contraction forbroadband the whole a worrying sign. clearly has grown toSection about 32,000 average tests allies made itmeans handily into the elecSecretary says yea allies made itbyhandily into Senate elecless corrupt than past administrations. months. 5four Coddling of the police and the Carlos Dominguez says states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61,men in From August) ”Finance serlowest ever in was sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate named toCarlos head theand Senate nities. just na on and de ve he bes commun ca ons and were widespread at committee their most Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as The killings of political activists and almany (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recpoint Gierran unless he is a member of the dea hs da y du ng ha wo yea span The Department of Labor and Employ119,000 to 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more people are dying or will revenues climbed 16 percent. (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recRep esen a ves o a b ha does away w h cial, especially in battleground regions, of the engines to serve as a source of revenue; interred with their bones.” The Depar of Labor and Emp oyThe killings of political activists and al-yearsfrI could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 President and --CEO of PhilHealth he 5. for Coddling of themust police and theWhile military the President may have signed into could be as large as 30 percent assuming ageneral thispower (August).” which solidified Duterte’s power for use, the Finance Secretary Dominguez “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an ustions tions whichCarlos solidified Duterte’s decisive (lockdown) avert an general use, the con6.5-percent conwith sts day conWhen the chief of the national capital’s Duterte has employed more generals d g a so u ons o F p nos ” sa d F s Pac c President and CEO of PhilHealth, he must Sweden 57, and the US 52. ds Dominguez: “Without lockdown While the strict,” says ADB. Exports declined by ofper calamity the Despite the initial restrictions in movement, C and staff, out of the more than 700 private ommendation of the Board Trustees of PhilO he charged gu“the e 2 649 weinvestigating ethe cons de ed dpolice ughelped ematters demand.” leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the EBITDA scaled to an all-time high. EBITDA ment will deny this, for sure, but a survey hebase. cons u ona p ov s on ha n a c m na die because ofmatter hunger, malnutrition, andloss ommendation of the Board Trustees PhilHardest hit was island and especially, when the highest • of Laws onemployed socialized housing through This brings me to my gulay—Is menLuzon wmore deny hwhich s forasure a survey leged NPA have for failed dent the law loss ofand P1.5 trillion for each month ofask, lockdeaths. Our deathleaders rates reduced from Duterte has generals, Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, ofmost P1.5 trillion for each month of lockexplains that “no how much Longtime aide, Christopher Go,money be first appointed as aagenmember of the Board estimated 1.3 topercent 3.5oumillion accordbase. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and law Bayanihan 2obu the billions allotted histo estimated toinfections 3.5 million infections accordop and the “drug war.” rch, capacity ction. On topbuof happened be first appointed asinsurgency. ae member ofy the Board scoun Ph pp ne co pjust ope law Bayanih schools which will remain closed. These PLDT Home tried to connect as many Filipihero 21.4 in the first onsofour and aregued s1.3 de po ce a half. dshave wh e from Health, the President shall appoint the recession could rage (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciap osecu ons he accused sha be p esumed showed that almost half of the country's 52-year old communist Muslim Health, the President shall appoint the agendiseases spawned by the lockdowns. produces 70 percent of total economic post of the land is at stake. series of legal issuances from the funding, showed ha a mos ha f of he ry s Marcos a heel or a hero? police force was caught on social media 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 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim down. This lockdown – the longest and severa high of 17 percent to 1.6 percent the rate of infections and deaths could have Government economists earlier projected countries pump intoformer their economies, their down. This lockdown – the longest and severDavao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela ing594 to cases researchers from oure universities. The inDavao’s police Ronaldo dela 4.ing to contain theacco communist researchers from ourd ng universities. The of Trustees. quarproject are o Enonhused Pang nan w htohe 2020 PLDT in the first quaroffor Trustees schools have lost income because of lack of other project are only stop-gap measures alleno families asbefore possible into 2020. Inofthe first commodities, 10 weFailure etonon d ug a ed tion), amuch measure of cash flow, grew 7the percent. cy’s president and CEO from Board’s nnocen un he conshrunk a y s massively, p oved Fochief, methe adult labor force ofabor 60 million are jobless. cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s Said acting Economic Planning Secproduction and is home 50 percent of What is not controlled during a state terrorists are the warpath marked by a adu force 60 m on are ob ess mortgage and collection of loans; It depends. If you look at his remarkapresident him. More than 45 been worse. The latest data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths. We averted terrorists are on the warpath marked by a est in world – has run seven months. GDP would have anyway. having a breakfast birthday party with more other president before him More than 45 est in the world – has run for seven months. The reasons are What hasinlegal made Duterte athe strong president, much worse The latest that Rosa, spearheaded the “drug well into 2021. surgency and the Muslim separatist moveWhat is/are before Board lockdown enabled usndata to reinforce health viate the peo Rosa, who the “drug a who recovery of 7initially percent 8 percent in GDP enrollees. lockdown enabled toourreinforce our drop s the legal requirements well into 2021. GDP growth drop quarter before the lockdowns, monthly o he The ema ng 10suggest 084uscases have EBITDA margin rose to 51 percent 2020, fish, will bePNP Ch eIthealth Jus Ainitially em oKendrick Pangan ban hasspearheaded a to eady members. Santa Banana, they are viate theand new poor! What is/are the before non-ex-officio members. Karl Chua: the population. of calamity how the government dis- requirements the people’s needs San ahospitals—the Banana hey are hephenomenon—suicide newesu poor! • All2020, specialty Philipstar-rank officers occupy cabinet civilble achievements and good performance, new bombers. The a non-ex-officio little over 1 is percent of all COVID-19 cases some 1.3 tokey 3.5appointed million cases, ofpandem which isretary notcethe sheer size ofelected the stimulus package This means half of the economic production new phenomenon—suicide bombers. Theof isTru accine Gierran can be as alockdown member ofc can This means half of the economic production ment What war,” were elected tooccupy the Senate. Dela Rosa The group representing these teachers system build upand ourbuild capacity tocases do wide- star-rank “Ou ea n ngs om he be war,” were to the Senate. Dela Rosa peq system up our capacity to do widethan 50 guests (despite strict proofficers cabinet and civilinstallations averaged around 42,000. That the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also enwith over ye 1laws, percent ofo any all COVID-19 owith be and nked mo ve recession from 45 percent in 2018 and 52 percent in 2019. dec athat ed he b as uncons u ona Sen F ank clearly 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 This means that the President cannot apian positions in the government. “No one anticipated that the COVID The newes of he “new poor” are some Investments contracted by 53.5 perpenses money. The incumbent President pine Center, Lunch Center, National he would be asevere hero. those, however, in the country are orFor critical. Our morPNP has tripled anti-insurgency budget, matterstonow but the alsoSenate whethercommittee it is actual68,000 would be severe and critical Gierran can be appointed as aHeart member ofof 75,500 mere What is essential and urgent is a longis gone by now. That cannot be recovered inrecovered PNP has tripled its ds anti-insurgency budget, the Board ofits Trustees? termLet jobs The killings of political activists and aland staff claim that the P500 million allois gone by now. That cannot be in was named head Mr. President, lift summed up n wo wo T ans o m and Pe spread testing in our communities. From just was named to head the Senate committee improved to an average for Septemof 9 spread testing in our communities. From just Sec e a y Gueva a o d he UNHRC ha When half of Philippine businesses were failing, n D on a o me Jus ce Sec e a y concu s the 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 119 140,000 Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa teachers point Gierran unless he is member of the hibiting gatherings ofendeavo ten or more people in tality ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people pandemic will [strike] the global positions in the government 000 oretrenched 140 re renched eachers cent ingrown the second quarter and by000 36.6 can get allthem the money heof toand have Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine who envy his ingenuity, vision foreNAKED given him one of major failures—massive country are saving thelaw. productive parts of thefour economy. worrying sign. cases on the peak day, which will 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 Governthe lem of pover months. a worrying sign. cated to is not enough. leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the has to about 32,000 average daily tests the Board Trustees? four months. term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probo m We have ed o keep PLDT a he charged with investigating police matters ber to December. In 2021, the PLDT Home actual PCR tests per day concharged with investigating matters haround s depa men ound ha SO n cases whe e per cash wasthose yielding 51desire percent return. w day hThis h conseconomy. v ew Le sIn see how he vo es rrnment his- induring around 1,282 actual PCR tests Thus, bef ssion our his-1,282 and staff, out of more than 700 private the Duterte administration hasinvestnot per ahands hundred thousand.” the lockdowns. They and sthe aff“Private ou of he more hanAct 700 prCoddling va mandates e time), the first three months ofpolice the PLDT’s percent in the first half. his on and deploy it rights to whoever Children’s Medical Center; sight, and who revenge, he is generals, is because the problem isSena not aedominance systemic ance ofon that an appointing in whelm our healthcare sector.” 5. Coddling of2011) the and the military gulay rate rage this (August).” The jobs policy that President Duterte 52-year old communist one place at same Duterte Despite the of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 5. of the police and military human violations. say he killed ratioelection, on hand isylast at 2insurgency. 5back people this (August).” o ethe o dpolice g a changes and we a refused ethe enab ngMyCouns THOUGHT recession could rage well into 2021. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez Team isCritics aiming to hitwill over 100,000 monthly “drug dducted ugthe suspec slast supposed ough “noMuslim inother theducted week of March, our capacity Business segments—individual, enterprise, onand hcontraction sthe con ove swar.” aaoverwhelming bcyclical Section 13 RA 10149 (GOCC Governand the “drug war.” lem of poverty President an in the week ofmarked March, our capacity proven itself any more competent nor any major schools which remain closed. These He notes that per 100,000, theof EU member schoo s wh ch w rema n c osed These quarantine, we prioritized saving lives or 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. 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 the warpath by a Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains that “no matter how much money b make no sense. Duterte has employed more generals, o he compan es o s m a y adop he d g a Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, I SEE average installations. explains that “no matter how much money to fire the erring general. u exam na on o he weapon ecove ed generals the Duterte administration has not and home revenues—all rose to all-time highs 4. Failure to contain the communist inmore than 27,000 the guise of eliminating hundred thousand ” be appo 4.restrictions Failure tohamper contain the communist inless corrupt than past administrations. s economy ex- goods When the ofWe President came tostates power in schools have lost income of lack average 31 deaths, 70, Spain 61, in from a short-list prepared by themissing Governance ance Act ofUK 2011) mandates that an appointing elwether is ex- new phenomenon—suicide saryBoard mobility aggregate schoo scould have because os equipncome because ofo ack ofthe tatalfirst Banana, I against used this time to ofCOVID. Trustees PhilHealth, and unless My gulay ifof there’s one element dustrial machinery and transport Combine those powers—control of sure, the east Asia; emergency employment scheme. For is that the lower quarantine restriction bombers. Theernh event from the military and police, any s success the rateare of infections and deaths have mode do ng bus ness Pa than o PLDT CHARLIE V. countries pump into 57, their economies, their from the military and the police, than any the rate of infections and deaths could have Last year was crucial for the PLDT Home was conduc ed No ve ca on o s The reasons are and gained valuable market share. PLDT’s @yahoo com 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 and the US 52. surgency and the Muslim separatist moveenrollees. Commission for Government-owned or-Con,nt. even school sAsia Philippines the Board recommended his appointment to price demand.” proven itself any more competent nor any theand ranks ofdirector theof unemployed can only worsenro ees BizNewsAsia improve our health system capacity.” the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private supply any commodity or connotes that perPNP 100has000 the EU memberbudget, • A geothermal power plant, one of the July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and tripled its anti-insurgency has actually opened more sectors of the shall be appointed by the President have fashio LITO it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy Sanpresident him.c before More been much worse. The latest data suggest that duCorporations ng before hepresident pandem es n than he pe 45 seve oWhat GDP wouldGDP have shrunk massively, anyway. business. The lockdowns unleashed another un- trolled other him. Moreance than 45 get beenforce much worse. Theon latest data suggest that landline. the core telco business, up byfor 4 police MANALO Without a70vaccine would have shrunk massively, anyway. caught social media mentGovernment is/a 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights violations (GCG). ple can Without a vaccine The group representing these teachers the“By President. PPEs, are en the poverty problem of thewas country economists ment whole The group represen ngeconomy hese eachers the models of earlier UP andprojected Ateneo, construction 46.8 percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money first in thewas world, as anhome alternative source on fordaily the cruwhole a worryingUK sign. spelled out in erage tests and helped bring back jobs.” barrage ofba biznewsasia@gmail.com corrupt than past administrations clearly spelled out in star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilou star-rank peop elaw, n keep ng he bus ness go ng and desp e ends! Human Rights Watch says many of the average 31 deaths Spain 61 lessaThe apackage little over 1the percent of all COVID-19 cases precedented demand for broadband ser-Icases from a short-list prepared by Governance longest economic expansion in the country’s BANAYO It is not the sheer size of the stimulus package ta Banana foresee a bleak future for the percent or P1 billion to P28.1 billion. officers occupy cabinet civila little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 having a breakfast birthday party with more this Gierran can only be apUnder finally 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 round regions, The killings of political activists and aling--a assuming and s aff c a m ha he P500 m on a owe averted some 59,000 to 171,000 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 a Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. for use, the ident Marc Is he a heel or a he ockdown Once es c ons we e eased he ian inany the President government. use, the vices. PLDT rolled three inactualthe country are severe orare critical. Our mor-programs Despite athe crippling pandemic marked 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 positions in the than guests (despite strict lockdown President and CEO ofrates he must 27,000 areitsigned “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 country severe ormajor critical. Ourpositions moren 57 and the US 52 general the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While President have into the Commission for Government-owned or-Conthat matters now but also whether is Philippines without assurance thatwpeogrowth rate in 2021. That isPhilHealth, now overly optihistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. cated to them isout not enough. leged NPA have failed to dent the the Hardest hit employed was Luzon island which the highest ca ed hem s noproenough leged NPA have failed to dent the lockdeaths. Our death reduced from has more generals, marginal 0.9 percent inatoQ2. on flow oflaw. goods and people under atality lock•the Exploration and drilling inpeople Malampaya; ut the lockdown, hen month of lock- Duterte They make no sense. I think even They pursu ne wo k bu dou ecommenced h an acce e to help Filipinos rediscover what home meant Despite the overwhelming dominance of by the longest and strictest lockdown in the ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was I don’t k beforce first appointed asinsurgency. a for member ofMuslim the Board saving parts economy. gatherings of ten orkillers more people in lawhim Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his hibiting given one of of his major Despite overwhelming dominance 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 lyproductive 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 obs po cy ha Pres Du erlist ethe ed by police officers themselves or by 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 pandemic may not it can but heDuterte down whatever form orfailures—massive acronym—and aths could have •thousand.” Laws on culture in know the life of the Duterte himself added 14 quarters of of growth ongest andrecession sever- from without the you can aden edDuterte pace The epathis s and nshas a snot owin ou Home ardnot Maitlan inDuterte the new normal. included in thelockdowns, and submitted world, PLDT poured P71.9 billion in capieasing the generals, the administration of Trustees. project are violations. only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred one place at the same time), Duterte refused human rights Critics sayahe killed This is because the problem is not asuccessor—without systemic generals, theprepared Duterte administration has recession could rage well into 2021. ance Act ofco2 per a hundred thousand.” has to adopt right away should not be an This is because the problem is not systemic 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 o adop r gh away shou d no 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. busGCG ness amore so con nued apace n he second ha anitself election. aWhat breakfast with more or seven tial matter this law Gierran can only be apUnder ends! linked to theand authorities.” PLDT’s sterling performance amid the worst by hat has months. made Duterte a strong president having the the President. Butnor the Presiwell into 2021. tocol pub is/are thebirthday legal requirements before tal expenditures last year. The company will viate the27,000 people’s before itPresident went negative in the quarter of any to competent any to fire the erring general. well into 2021. He notes that per 100,000, the100,000, EU finally member more than in needs. the guise of eliminating the came toparty power in first contraction or aBoard cyclical bust. Simply, necesdirector Trustees of PhilHealth, unless proven any more competent nor anyin shal emergency employment scheme. For sure, He notes that per theoymen EUproven member the population. vernment dis- star-rank Board of Trustees PhilHealth, and unless officers occupy cabinet and civilmp contraction awhether cyclical bust. Simply, necesnew When phenomenon—suicide bombers. The emergency emp scheme sure COVID-19 cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5appointed million cases, of which ing his presidency, an the unprecedented regard asofor to that guy isof and the Philippine International Convenction new bombers. The hFor s yea ”itself dent ocannot legally appoint Gierran a memworsen but what thepe ymous, “fact checkers” puts into question pandemic in 100deaths years and worst recession Gierran can be asgreatest alockdown member of omic production What isrecommended essential and urgent isastates agenilongspend another P88.92 billion (possibly P92 pointed by the President as a member of the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt than past administrations. * * * than 50 guests (despite strict proaverage 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, July 2016, he stumbled into the and Authorities admit to 7,000 during icious illegal drugs campaign has also from a short sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate the Board his appointment to THE FIFTH the ranks of the unemployed can only wors2020. less corrupt than past administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, ianInvestments positions in thecontracted government.by 53.5 the the Board recommended his appointment to perbent President ritical. Our morhe ranks of he unemp oyed can on y worssary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, 68,000 would be severe and critical achievement. Economists say that when us, a technocrat, a nincompoop, or even tion Center. Let me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” MVP added “We a e ndeb ed o ou sa es ber of the Board of Trustees, much more as ed in PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, Mark my the Board of Trustees? biznewsasia@gmail.com tech giant’s commitment notinonly to free in and morethe than 500 years demonstrates the resilterm policy to prevent amany bigger probLazaroo billion) injobs capex thisWatch year, consolidate gains be recovered in biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights says ofof thePhilHealth When chief offor thehad national capital’s longest economic expansion the country’s Sweden 57, 52. Commission the President. demand.” en theUS problem ofIypracticalthe country Board oftoGovernment Trustees ifpoverty he don’t know whoever the idea ofe abcapital’s Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying When the chief ofmy the national gatherings ofsign. tenthe or more people in ,wants is at 2.5 people the President. ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 tohas have Sweden 57, and the US 52. enwas he pover prob em ofa for hethe coun ry the campaign. Any numbers above that are him one of hiscent major failures—massive demand.” sign. cases on the peak day, which will overPhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! unemployment hits 5 percent, a dog. So today, the people must already grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Insofar as Martial law is concerned, it is Begun in 1999, expansion meant a 4.2COVID-19 on ne s who ensu ed ha we we e o Lazaro, who was the CorpoSection 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governlem of poverty. GOSPEL speech but to its contractual obligation to proience, stability, and long-term viability of the a worrying ministration has to about 32,000 average daily tests and carry on its tremendous momentum. m are before “vigilante-style perpetrathistory—70 consecutive quarters ofGovernment growth. 27,000 police force was caught on social 3. human rights violations Thus, Gierran can appointed aslyappointed many years to come. generals, the Duterte administration hasinvestnot economists projected Thus, before Gierran can be asneeding police force was caught on social media percent inCROSSROADS the first half. to whoever many years oits 3. Unprecedented human rights violations Take note that can in- trolled of nonse ance Act of5. mandates that anmilitary appointing included inkillings the list prepared and submitted keep ou social se v before cesdistancing avathe abGCG e omedia ou subsc be sthisCorpo whelm our healthcare sector.” easing one-meter pro5. Coddling of2011) the police and the My gulay, ifearlier there’s one element missing, Government economists earlier projected everyone awithout job acome job.the It’s they want more ofbe Duterte, orUnprecedented needless to say that proclamarate Counsel during the Marcos era. “The thisviolations (August).” videDuterte as much leeway in the of its platform company’s business model. Ithas also shows how one place atincrease the same time) Duterte refused nguez The company said PLDT and Smart put to Coddling of the police and thedecide—do military classified as “homicides under investigation.” nittherights Critics say he “Private killednor sought to this (August).” ed by police officers themselves or by killers fold in14use the size of Philippine econolos Dominguez 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 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. JUDE director shall be appointed by the President Wh e he Pres den may have s gned n o having a breakfast birthday party with more it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy. SanWhat has made Duterte a strong president, and he commun es and a e s m a y g a e “What we find in the last six months, a factory running at be 95in perless, or all? tion, the the Philippines could now Duterte hasharvesting employed more generals, beneficiaries of theGCG February accidenrecovery of by 7atpercent to to 8 percent inPresident GDP like inlockdown, exchange for user’s personal isdrugs thehaving management under the tocol tandem ofunder Chair, Adds Dominguez: “Without the“Without lockdown, work capital expenditures strengthen netoney the to1986 the But Presioblivion, Duterte has employed more generals, public transport To lockdown me itofwould linked tonone the authorities.” Adds Dominguez: theto before it(from negative inabillion the first quarter of ato ow much fire the erring general from the cent war killings, the 27ofmoney 000 the guise of eliminating J.A. pointed byno t be first appointed as aAside member ofathe the Board less corrupt than past administrations. than 50 guests (despite strict prolaw Bayanihan 2, thecommunists billions allotted for his my $72.2 in 1998 $304.9 bilKthan 70, Spain 61, in vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ment as aed member of ethe Board Trustees andprodrivers from awent short-list prepared by the Governance 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 aw Bayan han 2 he b ons a o for h s u o ou pa ne a e s Meanwh e we have 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 data and all related information giving it the communist rule. The were President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan tal event of time, place and personalities, from the military and the police, than any ACIDRE growth rate in 2021. That is now overly optiwork infrastructure and sustain superior custhe rate of infections and deaths could have edented ac Authorities admitcannot to 7,000legally deaths during their from for theGovernment-owned military and the or-Conpolice, than any dent 2020. the rate of infections and deaths could have economies, their ment appoint Gierran a memworsen the problem Board of Tr When the chief ofCRUZ 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 Philippines without any assurance that peogiven him one of his major failures—massive DELA of Trustees. Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the ervasive illegal drugs curse pro ec are on y s op-gap measures o a e62.1 percent lower and for private mmodity or cona so enab ed he sh owa ds on ne paymen s hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, means tohas ramp up its revenues and propel itaof to4.2Revenue Officer Al Panlilio. actually opened more sectors themistic. But April more than 7.3 milmost strict lockdown infor thegeneral world—for giveninand him one2020, of major failures—massive already allChief over thehis country—in the parliahave and sustained a made litany and tomer experience. Network upgrades up otherBegun president before him. More than 45 id Without aAny vaccine use,are the (MVP) been much worse. Thewas latest data suggest that the campaign. numbers above that nation and yway. inCorporations 1999, the expansion meant other president before him. More than 45fashioned beenforce much worse. Theon latest suggest that ssively, money anyway. police caught socialdata media mineand you areoqualified to hold of thissysincluded ardo Año sa in What is/are the legal requirements before ights trolled (GCG). viate the people’s needs. ple can get employed when this pandemic one place atwhether the same refused ber ofwell the Board of Trustees much more Mark my words will be surge human violations. Critics say he killed What is/are the requirements before othere he o time), ms cashaess paymen ems vof a as ehis he peop e’schallenges needs construction percent says xpayers recession could rage well into 2021. heights of power and influence. PLDT overcame COVID-19 one place at the Duterte same time), Duterte refused 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 the bulk of the P71.9 billion capex for 2020. barrage of adverse publicity to legal efface Pres-rights human rights violations. Critics say he biznewsasia@gmail com classified aswith “homicides under investigation.” star-rank officers occupy and civilpolitically motivated detention most manviolations Rights Watch says many ofalllower,” the recession could rage into 2021. apackage little over 1 little percent of46.8 all COVID-19 cases I could fold increase inand the size ofcabinet Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, ckage Hw star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila over 1 percent of COVID-19 cases office. add more jee having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! stimulus strong president, by the GCG Gierran can be appointed as a member of What is guise essential and urgentaand is afire longto the ha erring general. Gierran can be appointed as awith member of dongbecountry dep oyedgeneral. oasessen he con ac be more 27,000 in the of eliminating Wha stransport, essen and urgen scou athe ADB.arePublic slipped byian a positions the restrictions (Part I)construction Well, asMr. the Street Journal experiWhenbil-theThis President came to power in its relentless network buildout deaPresident PhilHealth president/CEO my gulay! brought total capex spent over the last 10than COVID-19 cases in aThe result President, theato lockdowns. services—mainly trade, ac2020. And what dowar we get after clergy. The Supreme Court recognized this to fire the ident Marcos from the tapestry of history. Aside from the drugs killings, the more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating inWall the government. my (from $72.2 billion inlift 1998 $304.9 When the came to power inSenator inactualthe country severe orare critical. Our mor-proMyween gulay, it’s aerring long process! Presctualofeloquently transport pointed by the President as member of the 15, ian positions in the government. * * * than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prominent critic, Leila de Lima, the 0 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratin the country severe or critical. Our mormpaign, has also dent cannot the Board of Trustees? ether it is term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probtheir per capita income exceeding $3,000. mt ou peop e ou s a and he cus ome s ” the Board of Trustees? erm obs po cyinsofar ononsense preven a bcannot gger probthe pervasive illegal drugs curse. marginal 0.9 percent inatQ2. e under atality lock-ratio, encelion soBoard demonstrates, Facebook’s livery ofit ruled superior customer experience, said 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and years todon’t aup record P460.7 billion. They make no the sense. I July think even commodation, restaurants, and entergiving most ofwhoever our liberties? when inillegal favor of Marcos as ident They pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch hasbasic also noted the thelem pervasive drugs curse. incorrectly 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, Take note that before the GCG can inDespite the overwhelming dominance of beneficial to of this just pick anybody to be PhilJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and on the other hand, is 2.5 people tancing prot of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was I know had the idea of omy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in ilures—massive Despite overwhelming dominance of ber of the B tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governof poverty. sacronym—and of the economy. Section 13PLDT’s of RA 10149 Governremoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mapolice officers themselves killers biznewsasia@gmail.com ‘FACT-CHECKING Facebook’s Fact Checkem of pover have become noxious. And we are Panlilio. Duterte may or notby know it butpractices heand included Human Rights Watch says many ofy themany After these investments, fiber in-(GOCC 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. middle-income status for Filipinos, with biznewsasia@gmail.com president and CEO. The three per- a be Health ex Human Rights Watch says of Health the idea in list prepared and submitted effacede easing the one-meter social distancing prothegenerals, Duterte administration has not longest economic expansion in the country’s per a hundred thousand.” one place at the same time), Duterte refusedgenerals, ics sayahesystemic killed emic clude your name in the shortlist for appointThey say the was to help operators the Duterte administration has not PhilHealth ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing My gulay, if there’s one element missing, per a hundred thousand.” is not b znewsas a@gma com ance Act of 2011) mandates that an appointing ers’ is the heading of an opinion piece by the talking here about a scientific debate -not poSome PLDT customers may not agree with My gu ay f here’s one e emen m ss ng achieved almost full employment durfrastructure, the extensive in theit27,000 coun“vigilante-style killings prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the are anper election. history—70 consecutive quarters of isquarters growth. cially manufacturing. Lowerincome The today is the epicenter tial Philippines matter ofmost history not what I sincerely believe thatof inperpetrattime, Marcos will manent their capita income exceeding $3,000. Commissions of GCG and the two What (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation amha dessor—without the authorities ”per C by the GCG tomore the President. theany Presitocol public transport. To me would (www.manilastandard.net) triumphs in nomic performance ofBut the Philippines 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratproven itself any competent nor to fire the erring general. history—70 consecutive ofhappened growth. He notes that 100,000, the100,000, EU member e to of eliminating ecesTakecannote director shall be appointed the President proven itself any more competent nor anyininever. it’s an urgent and jobs policy. SanHe notes that per the EU member ment asofshall ainor member of the Board of Trustees t. Simply, necesboard of the world-renowned busiand drivers utility vehiclesof Finance Inte- everything litical or economic or security concerns. Wait director bebyJustice appointed by and the President ’s analasting urgen and as ng of obspublic po cy San- (Secretary ing his presidency, an unprecedented guy is aeditorial geniremoval May 2018 Chief Maedgrowth by police officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members w Today, Duterte presides over the worst semi-skilled workers, most of them of COVID pandemic the whole of dent cannot legally appoint Gierran aecomembut what people wrote said about it.’” Duterte himself added 14 quarters growth be vindicated. He was visionary, born ahead worsen the problem. is secure. Th 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, I aforesee a bleak future thefu ure slump isofalso the worst in ASEAN. The lessBoard corrupt than past administrations. states average 31indeaths, UK Spain 61, ness paperachievement. Wall Street Journal its March 5 70,when until itsThe intervention morphs into such more from athe short-list prepared by the Governance amper aggregate Banana I foresee a bfor eak for he Secretary Economists say that mpoop, even ria Lourdes Sereno, revocation of amCarlos Dominguez and Department of (www.manilastandard.net) ber of the Trustees, much more as of Philhealth the GCG first needs to deternomic performance the Philippines ever. Mark my words, there will be a surge of linked to the authorities.” rior and Local Government 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 biznewsasia@gmail.com fit us. They ys many edition. of the In57, linked tolike thethe authorities.” When the chief of thehappened national capital’s OPEN Sweden and the rebuke US 52. before itgiven went negative inappended the quarter of led asban am Commission forweek Government-owned or-ConSO Philippines without any assurance that peoh the chief ofmythe national capital’s a numbers stinging ofthe the much-critforeboding realms aspresident/CEO, what to forSweden 57,above and 52.arepractical“Facebook this a daily, Wall Trillanes IV who mutinies in 2002 and tion, much epidemiologists atkindly Imperial Anyunemployment that Commission forfirst Government-owned or-ConPh pp nesardo w hou any assurance peoBudget Secretary will an sp kethis an Wendel bodtrue es Avisado) om pshould o also n ec ment ons Thecontinu nesty Senator (now retired) aslump PhilHealth gulay! hits 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 ministrations have used laws even as they of ple hate and revenge will look more on 2020. mine whether you qualified to hold this illings and Año said that ifha is we Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during police force was caught onuse social media of Philhealth 3.orUnprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG). 2020. can get employed when this pandemic icized and highly problematic practice of tech SO mer US President Trump in the of both his I SEE police force was caught on social media Street Journal op-ed ‘We’ll Have Herd ImmuCollege and University of Washington do. have 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 inAno he s udy as week n he Jou na o he Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and p e can ge emp oyed when h s pandem c of this nonsense. earlier projected THOUGHTS ly everyone needing a job has a job. It’s eected of Duterte, in economic collapse also makes him the worst notes ADB. we sough are reaching 300,000 2007, and the passage of a acknowledge new Anti-Terror fiedor as under investigation ” Facebook sought to destroy consign Marcos to thewill campaign. Any numbers above that are him, and his achievements and ooffice des oy oor cons gn and Ma cos o home,” Begun in 1999, theperformeant acases 4.2ves by “homicides killers president ever in shortlist terms ofmore economic Marcos’ the campaign. Any above that I numbers SEE mine having aand breakfast this law, Gierran can only apUnder finally ends! add moresix jeepneys buses and other means has Duterte a strong president, Begun inexpansion 1999, the expansion meant a be 4.2Facebook in deleting or throttling with Twitter in birthday thewith run up inare the shortlist. GDP Day iswhethe no vis pr by April’ by Johns Hopkins surgeon Mar“But the progressive health clerisy don’t clude your name in the forperforappointThey say the idea was tototal help operators having aaccounts breakfast partynity with more 2007, and the passage of angnew Anti-Terror Ame can Med ca Assoc a on ound an bod this law, Gierran can only be apUnder f na y ends! What has made Duterte a strong president, president ever in birthday terms of party economic likemade having a factory running at 95 perpercentgiant inWhat GDP 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 asclassified “homicides under investigation.” fold increase in the drivers size Philippine econoforForgoverna Act (ATA). ide from thewhat drugs war killings thealso tothan office. pointed byof President aslabel avehicles. member ofathe LITO as “homicides investigation.” * they *under * worry 50 guests strict lockdown promance. The akinn to the and impunity itcapacity. tags as “misleading or misintheand vicious illegal drugs campaign, has the 2020 US elections. Or its injection fold increase inthe the size of Philippine ment asthan a (despite member of the Board ofinto Trustees ORLANDO and of public utility Intety Makary (Feb. 19) with the “Missing like his projection because could optiAct (ATA). es GCG om pis oease ecthe onJudicial con e ed a Bar deg ee o many My gulay it’s a econolong process! The Prespointed by the President as member offrom the transportation—not social dis*an* 50 guests (despite strict lockdown promance. the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also cent longest now overly optiBANAYO million poverty—defined asit*the cases in the world countries. edented achievements for the the *BANAYO *whoever * ofwar eden ed ach evemen sPhilHealth o220 he good oof he 0e deaths during Aside fromAside the drugs war killings, thekillings, varied andCno my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 toamong $304.9 bilMy Council. Before you can be appointed as Board of Trustees of if he was cemeteries I don’t know had idea of of Philhealth, the GCG first needs to deterformed pieces” in a user’s account or, worse, from the drugs the rior and Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings of ten or more people in the political fray in Australia and Poland, to Context. Independent fact-checkers say this lead to fewer virus restrictions. The horror! given him one of his major failures—massive my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there have been sensational p o ec on ha appea s o be compa ab e o gulay Recently, there have been sensational an Rights Watch has also noted the e, the Board of Trustees ofpick PhilHealth if he was thathibiting is all due toall thedue second biggest I don’ know whoever had he dea of gatherings of ten or more people inweand that is to the second biggest OXALES April 7.3 mil- AndAnd world—for giveninhim one2020, of hismore majorthan failures—massive ident cannot just anybody to be Philuse,arethe But tancing protocol srhegeneral above that income of $2 a day. He was going to In fact, will be in Top 15, dislodging nation its people. Santa Banana, I cannot believe that this is na on s peop e Human Rights Watch has also noted the If only to lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, member of the Board to any GOCC, Philother 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 prosuspending or completely banning such acname the latest breaches. information mislead people.” According Health Feedback’s fact checkers disagree witha the Human Rights Watch has also ernoted place at one the same refused killings ofcould known political activists, human and human rights violations. say he killedsayone vacc nesand n c bubbles n ca a s ” m lion in 2016), a well dramatic reduction inprepared poverty, included inwhat the list submitted eas ng hehis one-me soc dmRNA s ancLungs ng proplacetime), 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. Imore could repeat Lazaro saidPresiso bring coming from the Philippine National Police failure. politically motivated detention most Health president and CEO The three perHealth included, you must pass through the Health andand foresigh Health experts say this is dangerous ber pray office. middle-income status for Filipinos, with add jeepneys, buses, and other means presi by the GCG to the President. But the count without even a by-your-leave advise. tocol in public transport. To me it would In a bid to further enlighten us on the mato Facebook, ‘Once we have a rating from a the evidence Dr. Makary cites as well as how rights defenders, and alleged New People’s Opportunities to 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 the GCG to the President. But the Presioco n pub c ranspor To me of the wou d and you must be ingone aheadHo er services—mainly trade, transport, acwein after to fireit’s theaerring general. ar killings, theinSenator morenoted than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating percent by 2022, from 30s in the The economy collapsed bydefenders, 0.7by percent that deeds, especially me toget power chief. He said that National Capital Region oquen ymanent ha “good deeds espec aprominent yathose hose wringer My gulay, long process! ofeeloquently transportation—not ease the social discritic, Senator Leila de Lima, the2000s. suancesCom that rights and alleged New People’s inent critic Leila de Lima the theirThe perPrescapita income exceeding $3,000. editorial that such practice, legally appoint Gierran memworsen the problem. 2. Pandemic mismanagement fact-checking partner, we take action ensurhe interprets it.the Fine. Scientists disagree all the Commissions ofGierran GCG and two can happen that we could lose manent be conisGCG, nued prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the Tohere theThe pervasive drugs curse. dent cannot legally appoint a memworsen heWhat prob em theirdent per cannot capita income exceeding $3,000. tasic andgreatest commodation, restaurants, and enter- ident liberties? also noted the theillegal pervasive illegal drugstocurse. 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 cannot just pick anybody to be Philthe and w tancing protocol. removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mawhich Facebook conveniently attributes its ex-officio m ber of the Board of Trustees, much more as Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoMark my words, there will be a surge of ing that fewer people see that misinformation.’ time. Much of conventional health wisdom 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 gained Today, Duterte presides the worst ecoion ofpoverty. his most tainment—but alsoisWatch in industry, espe-of Health yntry’s and biznewsasia@gmail.com president and CEO.have The threeperformance per- “The Health experts say over this ismy dangerous. Human Rights says many the expunged, survives Sinas, deserves asodium promotion because heashas be eeffaced aced oorpresident/CEO, expunged Good su vria ves and about in the country’s army of so-called fact checkers, tantamount Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amCarlos Dom a PhilHealth gulay! Facebook label links to the red meat, and cardiovascular Millions of users COVID-19 cases in the country a result (www.manilastandard.net) nomic of the Philippines ever. 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 deepicenter Lima, the nomic performance of the Philippines ever. owth. cially manufacturing. Lowerincome sarters the manent Commissions of GCG and the two (www man astandard net) ourdes Sereno the revocation of amWhat can happen here is that we could lose Carlos Dominguez Department ofnew&recruits. *** net)third-party triumphs in the end. Marcos’ in experience in training umphs nHealth he end Ma costhe pplace n hhistory s and ogiven yin-risk 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrat-(www man astandard oftogrowth. silencing views contrary to their views and Budget Secr Feedback, aace member is still fiercely debated. Take note that before GCG can nesty Senator (now retired) Antonio ofcan this nonsense. The is also the site 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 suffered, in(Secretary silence, edgrowth by officers themselves or by killers ex-officiomany members of slump Finance everything we have gained. The slump also the worst in ASEAN. 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every h ngChief we have ga ned S. Puno Board Member & Chief ver the worst ecoscientificSereno, debate.”the revocation of am- Journal piece. entists analysed the article andand estimate its overall can single case report in the Rhode Medical Former Justice Reynato SOLegal Adviser Ramonch ria Lourdes ManilaStandard of Dominguez Department * * * Island ever. down be accessed at: Former Adviser Rolando G.Carlos Estabillo Publisher Lourdes Sereno, the revocation“China of am-last winter censored Carlos Dominguez and Department of * *Chief * Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher (www.manilastandard.net) ManilaStandard Philippines ever.evenriabefore Well, the Wall Street Journal doctors who can be accessed at: of severe reinfecscientific credibility to be very low.’ This is counJournal that cited a handful manilastandard.net Anita F. 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Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher CROSSROADS Em G.PEstabillo JuradoPublisher Cha rman Emer tus Ed tor a Board Rolando Adviser Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Rolando G. L. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito Tomeldan Managing Editor Former Chief Justice Reynato manilastandard.net S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal AdviserAnita F. Grefal Treasury Manager J.A. ManilaStandard ONLINE can be accessed at: Blanco Cabie Night Editor Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Honor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors ManilaStandard Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard can be accessed at: Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor manilastandard.net DELA CRUZ Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager ONLINE Jimbo OwenPañares Gulle City Editor Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re manilastandard.net Building, 106 Paseo de Chief Photographer Pangco News Editor City Editor Lino M. Santos Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager BaldwinChin MEMBER ONLINE Jimbo Owen Gulle Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Joyce Editors anila StandardRoxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Philippine Press Institute Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Adelle Chua Opinion Editor MEMBER Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions 6 Paseo de numbers 832-5554, Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer JoyceManager Pangco Pañares News Editor The National Association MEMBER Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinion Editor departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Edgar M.ofValmorida Circulation Manager City. Telephone Philippine Newspapers Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinion Editor The National Association Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. nnecting all Box 2933, Manila Central Post Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board The National Association of Philippine Newspapers ng) 832-5550.manilastandard.net P.O. of Philippine Newspapers Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board Website: www. Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board ManilaStandard

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF From the White House to the dog house WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden has sent his two dogs back to his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, after the younger of the two German Shepherds was involved in a “biting incident” with a White House security agent, US media said Monday. Three-year-old Major, whom Biden and his wife Jill adopted in November 2018 from an animal shelter, had been displaying aggressive behavior including jumping, barking and charging at White House staff and security, CNN reported, citing two anonymous sources. The sources described a “biting incident” involving a member of the security services but did not specify if the person was injured. The episode was, however, seen as serious enough for both dogs, including 13-year-old Champ, to be returned to the Bidens’ home in Wilmington last week. Major is the first rescue dog to have lived in the White House, having moved in after Biden’s inauguration in January. AFP

Buckingham Palace in royal crisis L

ONDON—Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was in crisis talks Tuesday after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan lifted the lid on life inside Buckingham Palace with an explosive interview that reverberated around the world, local media reported.

With revelations of suicidal thoughts, a racist relative and an heir-to-the-throne trapped by tradition, the sit-down with Oprah Winfrey by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was the most startling since Harry’s late mother Princess Diana’s own bombshell revelations in 1995. The couple both declined to name the royal involved but Winfrey said Monday that Harry had told her the queen, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, were not part of the conversations. The revelations have triggered a storm of reaction on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly the explosive claims about racism. Harry himself has faced accusations of using a racist slur against a former military colleague and was once pictured wearing a Nazi soldier’s uniform at a fancy dress party. He has said Meghan had made him confront the issue. Anti-monarchy group Republic said the revelations showed the institution was facing “its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936”, referring to Edward VIII’s decision to step down to marry an American divorcée. Amid political calls for a full investigation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- whose own views during his time as a newspaper columnist have been seen as racist -- declined to comment. Tuesday’s newspapers in Britain reported turmoil in the Royal Family as they reeled from the explosive revelations, and Buckingham Palace has yet to issue a formal response to the interview. AFP

Malala Yousafzai signs Apple TV deal ISLAMABAD—Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize as a teenager after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt, has signed a deal with Apple TV+ that will see her produce dramas and documentaries that focus on women and children. The multi-year partnership would “draw on her ability to inspire people around the world”, the company said in a statement, adding that content would also include animation and children’s series. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to support women, young people, writers, and artists in reflecting the world as they see it,” the 23-year-old was quoted as saying. Yousafzai earned the wrath of the Taliban as a 10-year-old in rural northwest Pakistan when she began campaigning for education rights for girls. At the time, the Pakistani Taliban had gained a significant foothold in the Swat Valley, imposing a fundamentalist version of Islam on areas they controlled -- banning education for girls and employment for women. AFP

Women defy virus controls for rallies

Brazil ex-leader Lula cleared to run again BRA SÍLIA—A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on Monday overturned the graft convictions against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, clearing the way for the left-wing leader to run in the 2022 presidential election. Justice Edson Fachin overturned all convictions against the popular-but-tarnished ex-president (2003-2010), stemming from a probe into a massive corruption scheme centered on Brazilian state oil company Petrobras. Fachin ruled the court in the southeastern city of Curitiba that convicted Lula “lacked jurisdiction,” and sent a total of four related cases against him to a federal court in the capital, Brasilia. Lula, 75, regains the right to run for office unless the convictions are reinstated. The decision, which was procedural, did not go into the merits of the cases. The prosecutor general’s office said it would appeal. The full Supreme Court could overturn Fachin’s ruling, though legal experts said that was unlikely. AFP

STRONG MESSAGE. Women burn banners in front of a church during a demonstration to commemorate the International Women’s Day in Bogota, Colombia on Monday. AFP

MEXICO CITY—Tens of thousands on Monday defied coronavirus restrictions, gathering worldwide on International Women’s Day to denounce gender violence and inequalities. Women took to the streets in peaceful democracies and in countries gripped by conflict, though in far smaller numbers than last year, when the full force of the Covid-19 pandemic had yet to hit the world. Thousands marched in Mexico City, bringing with them photos with the names of alleged rapists, murderers, and harassers of women. “Together we are the fire, burn everything,” said one banner in the crowd, some of whom angrily kicked at a wooden fence around the Monument to the Revolution. “My daughter was raped. I am grateful that she is alive,” 45-year-old Leticia Resendiz told AFP. Thousands of women also marched in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which has seen a wave of femicide that has claimed on average one life per day so far this year. “We want to be free, alive and without fear,” said posters carried by the demonstrators. Clashes broke out in Chile, as police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who painted the slogan “They are killing us” on the esplanade next to Plaza Italia, in central Santiago. More than 100 activists wearing purple to symbolize women’s struggle gathered outside the prosecutor’s office in Honduras to demand justice for nurse Keyla Martinez, 26, who died in police custody last month. “Here, the life of the woman is worth nothing,” said Maria Julia Avila, 49. AFP

WHO: COVID-19 early alarm fell on some deaf ears GENEVA—Nearly a year after first de- demic” -- which does not feature in the scribing Covid-19 as a pandemic, the official international health alert system -World Health Organization complained on March 11 that many countries jumped Monday that some failed to listen to its into action. WHO director-general Tedros Adearlier urgent warnings. The WHO hanom Ghebreyesus said some countries sounded its high- were slow to wake up to the risks of the EXTRA JUDICIAL JUDICIAL novel coronavirus after the PHEIC decest EXTRA available SETTELEMENT SETTELEMENT laration, when, outside China, there were level of alarm on given NOTICE: is hereby given NOTICE: is hereby to the public that the late to the public the late fewer than 100 cases of Covid-19 and no January 30, that 2020 JAYNE CANHE CABAGON JAYNE CANHE CABAGON who died on December 28 died on December deaths. bywho declaring a 28 2010 has been subject of an 2010 has been subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement and Extra JudicialHealth Settlement and “One of the things we still need to unPublic executed by his heirs Namely: executed by his heirs Namely: Emergency of derstand is why some countries acted on Jayson Nino Cabagon, Jayson Nino Cabagon, Divine Sarah Cabagon and those warnings, while others were slower I nDivine t e r Genoveva nSarah a t i Cabagon o n aCabagon l and wife Genoveva Cabagon wife Jayne Canhe Cabagon Jayne Canhe Cabagon to react,” he told a press conference. Concern (PHE-account left a savings account left a savings deposit no.1943194133988 deposit no.1943194133988 “We continued to warn that the world IC). Metrobank Pateros Branch, Metrobank Pateros Branch, known as Doc.237,Page No. known had a narrow window of opportunity to But as Doc.237,Page it was No. 49, Book No.20, Series of 49, Book No.20, Series of 2012, Under Notary Public 2012, Under prepare for and prevent a potential pannot until it Notary usedPublic Atty. Pio Kenneth I. Dasal. Atty. Pio Kenneth I. Dasal. the word “pandemic,” he insisted, adding that the de(MS-FEB. 24 MAR. 3 & 10, 2021

(MS-FEB. 24 MAR. 3 & 10, 2021

scription was finally deployed on March 11 after the number of affected countries and cases soared. “But we must be clear that that was not the moment at which we sounded the highest level of alarm.” - Need for ‘hearing aids’ Reflecting on why some states did not jolt into action before the pandemic categorisation, WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said too many countries thought the problem would simply pass them by. Ryan said he fully understood that the public might not necessarily have reacted to the PHEIC declaration, but stressed that all 194 WHO member countries had agreed on that as the “trigger to collective action in response for containment. AFP

SISTER POWER. This handout photo taken on March 8 and released on March 9 by the Myitkyina News Journal shows a nun pleading with police not to harm protesters in Myitkyina in Myanmar’s Kachin state, amid a crackdown on demonstrations against the military coup. AFP

Myanmar protest area rooms searched OTICE

N OTICE

ereby given that UNIVERSAL Notice is hereby given that UNIVERSAL PORATIONROBINA is applying for CORPORATION is applying for he Board registration of Investments with (BOI) the Board of Investments (BOI) roducer ofasRefined Sugar and Expanding Producer of Refined Sugar and asses) withBy-Product a capacity of(Molasses) 750,136 with a capacity of 750,136 T, respectively, a Non-Pioneer Lkgon and 2,404 MT, respectively, on a Non-Pioneer oject site Status Brgy. Alangilanan, with project site Brgy. Alangilanan, os Oriental.Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.

with valid objection/s on the Any person with valid objection/s on the project may file his/her objection above-mentioned project may file his/her objection ath, with the within three (3) with the BOI within three (3) in BOI writing, under oath, e of this publication. days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) RAQUEL B. ECHAGUE (SGD.) RAQUEL B. ECHAGUE OIC-Director OIC-Director Resource-Based Industries Service Resource-Based Industries Service (MS-MAR. 10, 2021)

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FOR FLOYD. A demonstrator writes on the wall outside the Hennepin County Government Center before jury selection begins at the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin on Monday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The judge hearing the murder trial of the police officer charged with killing George Floyd delayed the start of jury selection on March 8. AFP

YANGON—People barricaded in a Yangon neighbourhood overnight said Tuesday that security forces searched their homes room by room for anti-coup protesters, targeting apartments flying the flag of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted and detained Suu Kyi last month, triggering daily protests around the country to demand the junta restore democracy. The police and army have responded with an increasingly brutal crackdown and parts of Yangon have emerged as flashpoints for violence as protesters continue to defy authorities and take to

the streets. Crowds once again flocked to central San Chaung township in the commercial hub to call for Suu Kyi’s release from custody in a Monday protest coinciding with International Women’s Day. By nightfall, security forces had sealed off a block of streets with around 200 protesters still inside, according to the UN rights office, prompting alarm from diplomatic missions and calls for their safe release. Sharp loud bangs were heard coming from the area, although it was not clear if the sounds were caused by gunfire or stun grenades. AFP

Business Economies seen to recover faster than in previous crises, says BoE LONDON, United Kingdom—The economic crisis caused by Covid-19 will leave fewer longer term scars than previous recessions, Bank of England (BoE) governor Andrew Bailey said Monday. “If I had to summarize the diagnosis, it’s positive but with large doses of cautionary realism,” he said. Britain, the European country hit hardest by the pandemic, has also suffered the worst recession among developed countries. But with a rapid vaccination campaign, the country hopes to return to normal sooner than initially expected. Despite a year of three lockdowns, the government’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects that the economy will return to its pre-crisis level by mid-2022, six months earlier than originally forecast. “Some of the effects on supply directly related to restrictions on activity and voluntary social distancing are likely to be temporary, and should start to reverse as the health outlook improves,” Bailey said in Monday’s speech. Ahead of next week’s BoE meeting, Bailey said the economy faced pressure from “both sides”, with fears that a worsening health situation could put a strain on the economy, and that a boom in activity on a rapidly improving health outlook could trigger inflation. Fears of rising inflation have led investors to abandon bonds, pushing up rates. The BoE is examining the possibility of adopting negative rates in an attempt to boost investment, a measure never before used in the UK and for which the bank has advised the government to prepare for. It is also considering “tightening monetary policy if necessary” in combatting inflation, added Bailey. AFP

China launches virus passport for international travel BEIJING, Chin—China has launched a health certificate program for Chinese international travelers, leading the world in plans for so-called virus passports. The digital certificate, which shows a user’s vaccination status and virus test results, is available for Chinese citizens via a program on Chinese social media platform WeChat that was launched on Monday. The certificate is being rolled out “to help promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel”, a foreign ministry spokesman said. However, although the certificate is meant for travel in and out of China, it is currently only available for use by Chinese citizens and it is not yet mandatory. There is also no indication authorities in other countries will use it when Chinese travellers go abroad. Nevertheless, the certificate, which is also available in paper form, is thought to be the world’s first known “virus passport”. The United States and Britain are among countries currently considering implementing similar permits. The European Union is also working on a vaccine “green pass” that would allow citizens to travel between member countries and abroad. China’s programme includes an encrypted QR code that allows each country to obtain a travellers’ health information, state media agency Xinhua reported Monday. “QR health codes” within WeChat and other Chinese smartphone apps are already required to gain entry to domestic transport and many public spaces in China. The apps track a user’s location and produce a “green” code—synonymous with good health—if a user has not been in close contact with a confirmed case or has not travelled to a virus hotspot. But the system has sparked privacy concerns and fears it marks an expansion of government surveillance. AFP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market rises; BDO, Ayala among top gainers S TOCKS slightly rose Tuesday to end a three-day decline, following overnight gains in the US where the Dow hit a new all-time high.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 9 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 6,766.83, as five of the six sub-sectors advanced. The broader all-share index lost 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 4,074.95, on a value turnover of P19 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 131 to 83, while 48 issues were unchanged. Seven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Boulevard Holdings Inc. which climbed 9.6 percent to P0.080. BDO Unibank Inc. rose 2.7 percent to P108.90, while Ayala Corp. added 2.4 percent to close at P779.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday but traders struggled to reconcile growing optimism about the global recovery with worries that the expected economic surge will fan inflation and force interest rates hikes sooner than expected. A rally in equities across the world over the past year has started to run out of steam in recent weeks, despite the prospect of a sharp rebound in growth as coronavirus vaccines are rolled out, infections slow, lockdowns are eased and the United States prepares to pass another massive stimulus. European indexes enjoyed a muchneeded blast upwards -- led by a record close in Frankfurt -- after EU leaders pledged to double vaccine deliveries to 300 million doses between April and June, having been too slow out of the blocks with its immunization program. Wall Street was a mixed bag, however, with the Dow also hitting a new all-

time high but the S&P 500 in the red and Nasdaq shedding more than two percent as tech firms such as Apple continue to suffer, having rocketed last year as they benefited from people being stuck at home. The divergence in the Dow and Nasdaq came down to traders shifting into cyclical stocks that benefit more in times of economic booms such as airlines and construction firms, while financials were also rising along with interest rate expectations. Bets on higher US rates pushed the dollar past 109 yen for the first time since June. “Stock markets heavy with the winners of 2020 are suffering, while previously unloved markets heavy with boring banks, consumer staples, resource and property companies are catching more of the global recovery trade winds,” said OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley. With AFP

PSEi March 9, 2021

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

SFIP CAB BHI PRMX PRIM JAS ABG CPG RFM VUL

LAST PRICE 2.28 65.4 0.08 1.56 3.29 2.16 7.3 0.42 4.78 2.4

CHANGE 0.38 10.05 0.007 0.13 0.23 0.13 0.4 0.02 0.21 0.1

% CHANGE 20.00% 18.16% 9.59% 9.09% 7.52% 6.40% 5.80% 5.00% 4.60% 4.35%

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

LAND MAXS DITO LODE MB MJIC ZHI MAH MFIN DAVIN

LAST PRICE 0.97 5.2 12 1.43 0.425 1.75 0.214 2.47 2.54 3.37

CHANGE -0.27 -1.2 -1.9 -0.14 -0.04 -0.15 -0.016 -0.17 -0.16 -0.21

% CHANGE -21.77% -18.75% -13.67% -8.92% -8.60% -7.89% -6.96% -6.44% -5.93% -5.87%

MOST ACTIVE

WOMEN FARMERS. Women farmers shout slogans as they continue to demonstrate against the central government’s recent agricultural reforms on the occasion of International Women’s Day at the Tikri border, in Bahadurgarh in the state of Haryana in India on March 8, 2021. AFP

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DITO URC APL PHA MM BDO ICT ALI ACEN MBT

VOLUME 125552600 3696140 2070230000 172108000 64476700 2916960 2436400 7633800 39703100 5080600

VALUE (PHP) 1609161698 479795425 444962970 412728660 329828849 314091032 310750638 285473950 263705438 244978500

Being Good THE Philippines received 525,60000 doses of AstraZaneca vaccines through the COVAX facility in two shipments last week. This completes the initial supply provided to the country by the global COVAX facility and follows the receipt of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine on the last day of February. Vaccinations are now ongoing across the country for health care workers. As the second week of March rolls in, it is still unclear when, or even whether, the Pfizer doses which were expected in February will arrive. In other news, McKinsey is in the midst of searching for a new chief after Kevin Sneader became the first McKinsey global managing partner to not receive a second term. Meanwhile, press, politicians and royal advisers were abuzz Monday after allegations of racism and mishandling of mental health issues surfaced in Oprah’s interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Vaccine Roll-out and the Pfizer question The Pfizer vaccine received emergency use authorization (EUA) in the second week of January and the first delivery was expected mid-February. Even after the local lawmakers passed a law providing liability protection for vaccine makers and the local WHO representative confirmed that the government had complied with the standard indemnity requirements, it became apparent that Pfizer had additional requirements contained in what the WHO representative called a side letter. On Monday this week, the country’s vaccine czar announced that the government is arranging for delivery of about 20 million doses of the vaccine in the second quarter of 2021. An infographic from the Presidential Communications Operations Office shows a breakdown of sources

for the government’s target of enough vaccines for 70 million Filipinos by the end of 2021. Deliveries from two sources are expected to begin in the first quarter: 44M doses from COVAX and 25M doses from SinoVac. Three other sources are expected to begin shipping in the second quarter: NovaVax with 30M doses, AstraZeneca with 17M doses, and Gamaleya with 10-15M doses Another 20M shots are expected from Moderna beginning July of this year. Going with the lower volume for Gamaleya, this is 146 doses, enough for 73M people assuming that all of the COVAX vaccines require two shots. This will cover about 66% of the country’s estimated 111M population. Another 5M doses are expected from J&J beginning October. As the J&J vaccines re single dose, this increases total individuals that can be vaccinated to 78M.

Vaccine delivery from Pfizer: under negotiation Three vaccines have received emergency use authorization from the local FDA: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and SinoVac. EUA’s are presumably in process for the other vaccines and explains their later committed delivery dates. In the Infographic, an entry for Pfizer shows 15M doses starting in August with the annotation: under negotiation. At this point, many people are wondering what is causing the delay with the Pfizer deliveries. After all, the WHO hailed its agreement for 40M doses with Pfizer as paving the way for ensuring that poorer countries would be able to access the vaccine as early as February of 2021. There is no news concerning what Pfizer has asked the Philippines for. There is, however, some disturb-

ing news from Latin America. Pharmaceutical Technology reports that public officials from Argentina and another country that could not be named owing to a non-disclosure agreement with Pfizer, alleged that Pfizer;s demands went well over the indemnity requirements of other vaccine manufacturers. The article also reports that Pfizer demanded that sovereign assets, including federal bank reserves and military bases, be put up as collateral for potential legal costs. The Philippine law sets up a similar fund but it is for all companies, not just Pfizer. There is a similar fund in the US. More worrying is that the allegations include a demand for liability protection not only from civil claims from citizens who suffer adverse effects after vaccination but also cases brought against Pfizer for its own negligence, fraud, or malice. Documents from Brazil’s Ministry of Health show that similar demands were made of Brazil. In Latin America, neither Brazil nor Argentina signed agreements with Pfizer. Other countries that have signed agreements have been silent but deliveries to those countries were delayed an average of three months, presumably resulting from additional requirements from Pfizer. I have not found a denial of these allegations from Pfizer. Looking Good or Being Good As the fallout from Oprah’s interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continues, the royal family remains silent. I watched snippets of the interview and found it particularly painful as Prince Harry painted a painful parallel between the Biritish press treatment of his mother, the late Princess Diana and his wife, Meghan Markle. It was particularly horrifying to hear that Meghan had been told she could not seek professional help when she was experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts as this would be seen as detrimental to the reputation of the royal family. And I am certain my

face was just as shocked as Oprah’s when Meghan related how a member of the royal family had raised questions of how dark her baby might be when she was pregnant with her first born. Harry and Meghan’s stories make it easier to understand why they left the UK. And yes, of course, this is one side of the story. But it should also be clear that this is the first time we are hearing this side of the story. Certainly, the allegations of racism resonated with people of color, especially those in Britain. But this tale from the British royal family, the story of Pfizer, and the story of McKinsey’s behavior during the opioid crisis have one thing in common: the behavior of people in power. In a world desperate for a vaccine, is it right for Pfizer to use their power to ensure that they as a company are protected well beyond what other companies are asking for? The facile answer, of course, is that no one is forcing countries to say yes. There are other choices. Unless, of course, you count the reality of vaccine scarcity. In a world where you can estimate how many people will die unnecessarily from opioid overdoses, is it right for a company to advice pharmaceutical companies to turbocharge their marketing of these drugs? In this modern century, is it acceptable for people in power to keep silent while condoning racism? So much of what drives those in power is image and reputation. To that end, they hone their public relations machinery. But power too often creates entitlement. And this sense of entitlement coupled with masterful public relations can create a culture of impunity within these institutions. The question to us is this: what should we do? Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations. tumblr.com.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, March 9, 2021

9.91 PTS. 6,766.83

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

5,903,765,509 178,738 19,023,912,721.36 83 131 48

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5640

Japan

Yen

0.009186

0.4461

Pound

1.382800

67.1543

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128720

6.2512

Switzerland

Franc

1.067806

51.8569

Canada

Dollar

0.789889

38.3602

Singapore

Dollar

0.740850

35.9786

Australia

Dollar

0.764900

37.1466

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651957

128.7896

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266553

12.9449

Brunei

Dollar

0.738116

35.8459

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032499

1.5783

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2226

Euro

1.184700

57.5338

Korea

Won

0.000877

0.0426

China

Yuan

0.153207

7.4403

India

Rupee

0.013633

0.6621

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243605

11.8304

New Zealand

Dollar

0.712800

34.6164

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035369

1.7177 Source: BSP

Makati subway builder signs deals to acquire construction site By Jenniffer B. Austria PHILIPPINE Infradev Holdings Inc. said Tuesday it signed new deals for the financing and purchase of lots that will be used in the $3.7-billion Makati City Subway Project. Philippine Infradev said in a disclosure to the stock exchange subsidiary Makati City Subway Inc. signed a term sheet agreement with Richer Today Inc. to form an joint venture company that would fund and acquire the lots in and around Station 5. The company said RTI committed to release at least P775.885 million within 120 days from the signing of the term sheet with at least P234.73 million be released 10 days from the signing. “Station 5 has been identified as the main construction site where the tunnel boring machines will be assembled and lowered,” Philippine Infradev said. The first batch of engineers from its Chinese contractor arrived and were finalizing construction plans, it said. The 10-station train system spans 10 kilometers with stops in key points around Makati. Meanwhile, the company said it agreed to the mutual termination of MSCI’s share purchase agreement with Hong Kong Binjiang Industrial Limited. “It has been almost 1 year since the transactions contemplated in the agreement were submitted to the Philippine Competition Commission for approval, and to date, the same are still pending review,” the company said. “The effectivity of the transactions contemplated in the agreement, specifically the release of funds earmarked by HK Binjiang, were conditioned on the PCC’s approval of the transactions,” it said. MSCI signed an investment agreement HK Binjiang in February 2020. Under the agreement, HK Binjiang will acquire a 35-percent direct investment in MCSI by purchasing 15 million common shares for $30 million, payable within 10 business days from effectivity of the agreement.

IN BRIEF PhilWeb acquires 16 eBingo outlets

GAMING company PhilWeb Corp. said Tuesday it acquired 16 eBingo outlets and 2 electronic bingo or eBingo machine suppliers from the Palmary Group to expand its electronic games business. PhilWeb said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed deeds of sale for the acquisition of 100 percent of the total issued capital stocks of 16 eBingo companies for P450 million and two accredited e-bingo machine supplier companies for P280 million. “The acquisition will further diversify PhilWeb’s revenue streams in an industry with strong growth potential. This is in line with the expansion of PhilWeb’s electronic bingo business. This will generate revenues from the 16 electronic bingo outlets it will now own,” the company said. “More importantly, with the acquisition of the two accredited electronic bingo machine supplier companies, PhilWeb will be able to expand its services beyond the electronic games outlets to electronic bingo outlets as well,” it said. Jenniffer B. Austria

ACEN’s net profit jumps to P3.86b

HOCHENG INVESTMENT. Hocheng Philippines Corp., a leading manufacturer of bathroom equipment, plans to expand operations in the Philippines including the assembly, promotion and distribution of Lenus, an anti-virus guard that requires wearing a face mask as it functions as a thermal scanner and alcohol dispenser in one. Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo (third from left) hands over to HPC president Sam Chen (third from right) a copy of the CREATE Bill that has recently been approved by Congress and is now for consideration and signing by President Rodrigo Duterte.

PSA: 4m Filipinos jobless as of January amid pandemic By Julito G. Rada

HE unemployment rate climbed to 8.7 percent as of January this year from just 5.3 percent a year ago, as the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect businesses across the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Dennis Mapa said in an online briefing on the January 2021 Labor Force Survey that the jobless rate remained the same as the October 2020 rate of 8.7 percent. This was the lowest rate since unemployment rate hit 17.6 percent in April 2020 at the height of strict community

quarantines imposed by the government to contain the virus spread. “In terms of magnitude, around 4 million Filipinos 15 years old and over were unemployed in January 2021 compared to 2.4 million in January 2020,” Mapa said. Meanwhile, the ranks of underemployed persons or those who expressed desire to have additional hours of work reached 6.6 million or 16 percent of the total employed persons in January 2021. This underemployment rate was higher than the October 2020 rate of 14.4 percent and the January 2020 rate of 14.8 percent. The labor force participation rate in January was estimated at 60.5 percent and accounted for 45.2 million Filipinos 15 years and over who were in the labor force. This is lower than the LFPR of 61.7 percent in January 2020 but higher than 58.7 percent in October. Mapa said employment rate stood at 91.3 percent, the same as the October 2020 rate. This means that 41.2 million

Filipinos were employed out of 45.2 million Filipinos in the labor force in January 2021. This was lower than the reported 94.7 percent in January 2020. The National Economic and Development Authority said the latest employment statistics showed that between October 2020 and January 2021, some 1.4 million jobs were restored. It said the labor force participation rate, or the proportion of the working age population that is either working or actively looking for work, increased from 58.7 percent to 60.5 percent. The biggest improvement can be seen in the National Capital Region, where some 269,000 jobs were restored, it said. Acting Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said in a joint statement that while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.7 percent, more opportunities from the easing of restrictions meant that more people were rejoining the labor force.

AC ENERGY Corp. said Tuesday net income surged to P3.869 billion in 2020 from P132.873 million in 2019. ACEN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange revenues went up 27 percent last year to P20.439 billion from P16.11 billion in 2019 ,while cost and expenses remained steady at P16 billion. The company said it was able to reduce costs on higher plant availability compared to 2019 when plant availability was lower and spot market purchases were higher. Total assets also climbed to P63.575 billion in 2020 from P48.537 billion in 2019, while liabilities amounted to P42.22 billion, up from P32.152 billion in 2019. ACEN invested significant amount in various projects last year, including P3.321 billion for the 120-megawatt solar farm project in Alaminos, Laguna through subsidiary Solarace1 Energy Corp.; P464.75 million for the 150-MW diesel-fired power facility in Pililia, Rizal through subsidiary Ingrid Power Holdings Inc. and P1.658 billion for the 60-MW solar power project in Palauig, Zambales through subsidiary Gigasol 3 Inc. ACEN also invested P105.18 million for the 5-MW solar project in Mariveles Bataan through Bataan Solar Energy Inc. Alena Mae S. Flores

MARINA renews Orient Class permit

THE Maritime Industry Authority renewed the accreditation of classification society Orient Class which is mandated to classify and provide advisory services to the domestic shipping industry. Orient Class, the leading local classification society in terms of the total number and the total gross tonnage of ships classed, founded by lawyer ManuelTiuseco, is now the biggest local classification society with more than 20 maritime surveyors and technical experts. “The year 2020 has provided us with great visibility to be able to see more clearly and has extolled the positive effect of collaboration with other reputable organizations that will be our strategic partners in our advocacy of Safety in the Domestic Shipping Industry. For the year 2021, we would like to see ourselves in the forefront to support the mandate of MARINA to that of ensuring safety of the domestic shipping fleet because advocating safety is not only our desire but actually our passion,” said Tiuseco. Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines president Capt. Jess Morales and Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association Inc. president Chito Majabague were recently elected to the board of trustees of Orient Class.

ATI’s net income declines to P2.96b as container volume falls by a fifth By Darwin G. Amojelar

SECURE DELIVERIES. Lalamove signs a partnership with the National Capital Region Police Office of the Philippine National Police to prevent illegal movement of contraband in the country through online delivery services. Lalamove head of regulatory and strategy ofAtty. Joy Cañeba expresses appreciation to NCRPO regional director Police Major Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. for support in keeping deliveries safe and secure.

Carbon tax on petroleum products likely to make power more expensive, says Cusi

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Tuesday rejected calls to impose carbon tax on fossil fuels in the Philippines, saying this will make power rates uncompetitive. “When I assumed this position, we were short of capacity, and we were building capacity so that we would have enough to meet the demand and a sufficient reserve. And at that time in 2016, 2017, I was saying that I will source power from any source regardless and we adapted a technology-neutral policy. And up to this moment, we still want to build capacity,” Cusi said, when asked to comment on carbon tax during the “Shaping the Energy of Tomorrow” virtual forum sponsored by

MANILA Electric Co. said Tuesday consumers will enjoy lower power rates in March on lower generation cost and bill refund authorized by the Energy Regulatory Commission. Meralco said power rates of residential customers will go down by P0.3598 per kilowatt-hour this month P8.3195 per kWh from P8.6793 per kWh in February. It was the second straight month of downward adjustment which brought the power rates to the lowest level since August 2017. Meralco said the March rates would translate into to a decrease of around P72 in the monthly bill of residential customers consuming 200 kWh. “The overall rate of a typical household

Siemens Energy. “So carbon tax for us, at this moment, we are not just ready for that. We are a victim, I’ve been saying Philippines is a victim of climate change... We need support so that we can transition properly. Now, burdening our generation with carbon tax will make again the Philippines uncompetitive. We are not ready for carbon tax,” Cusi said. Meanwhile, Cusi said that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for electricity went down and the Department of Energy saw it as an opportunity to adjust its demand forecast. Alena Mae S. Flores

ASIAN Terminals Inc. said Tuesday net income fell by 20.4 percent last year amid weak cargo volume brought about by global pandemic. The port operator said net income amounted to P2.96 billion last year, down from P3.71 billion in 2019. Revenues went down by 17.8 percent in 2020 to P10.96 billion from P13.33 billion it posted in 2019. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and industries around the world at unprecedented proportions. But with discipline, teamwork and prudent cost management, ATI has remained resilient, keeping our gateway ports viable and operational 24/7 which in turn kept commodities and cargoes flowing especially during this pandemic,” ATI executive vice president William Khoury said. Khoury said with the rollout of government’s inoculation program, the lift-

ing of government restrictions and the calibrated opening up of the economy, “we are optimistic for a stronger year this 2021”. Revenues from Manila South Harbor’s international containerized cargo operations and Batangas Container Terminal decreased by 16.9 percent and 20.2 percent, respectively on lower container volumes. Container volumes at MSH and BCT declined by 20.4 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively. ATI said that from July to December, the international gateway ports in Manila and Batangas handled over 700,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in consolidated container volume, up by 25 percent from the first half where volumes were heavily impacted by the trade slowdown and economic lockdowns locally and globally. ATI said it closed the year with respectable volume of nearly 1.3 million TEUs.

Meralco announces second straight month of electricity cost reduction will decrease by P0.34 per kWh,” Meralco vice president and spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said. Zaldarriaga said Meralco would start implementing the Distribution Rate True-Up refund this month, the main reason for the rate reduction. The ERC provisionally approved Meralco’s proposal to refund around P13.9 billion over a period of 24 months or until the amount was fully refunded. The amount represents the difference between the actual weighted average tariff and the ERC-approved interim average rate for distribution-related charges for the period July 2015 to November 2020. Meralco said that for residential customers, the refund rate would be P0.2761 per kWh and would appear in customer bills as a

line item called “Dist True-Up”. Zaldarriaga said this month’s rate would also include the ERC-approved adjustments for pass-through over/under-recoveries for the period January 2017 to December 2019. The ERC in December directed Meralco to refund over-recoveries in transmission and other charges over a period of three months and collect an under-recovery in the generation rate for 24 months. Meralco implemented the ERC-approved adjustments starting January 2021. This translates into a net refund of around P0.1150 per kWh. Zaldarriaga said the lower generation charge also contributed to the overall power rate reduction. Meralco’s March generation charge reached P4.3749 per kWh, P0.0403 lower than P4.4152 per kWh in February.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Superal scrambles with 72 for 1-shot lead

Princess Superal: I just tried to control my shots and my putting clicked early on.

Do-or-die tiffs resume MPBL Lakan Cup AFTER a year, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is finally resuming the remaining games of the Lakan Cup season on Wednesday with a pair of do-or-die matches to be played in a bubble at the Subic Bay stadium. Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said all systems are finally a go for the regional basketball league, the playoffs of which had to be called off at about the same period last year following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. But while all the four remaining teams are raring to restart their respective championship campaigns, they have to do it under an environment totally different from the past and without the benefit of the fans. “The MPBL is ready 100 percent, but again all of this is new for us. Lahat bago sa amin, even for the players,” said Duremdes straight from his quarantine room in Subic on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum. “We know that we are ready, but we are facing a lot of challenges.” All teams and league personnel underwent quarantine after being swab tested, with those having negative results the only ones allowed to enter the bubble as per the guidelines and protocols issued by the Department of Health. The MPBL delegation entered Subic by batches, with defending champion San Juan and Davao the first to enter the bubble last Friday, and the rest of the contingent coming in last Monday including Makati and Basilan. The South Division Finals start off hostilities at 4 p.m. as the Basilan Steel go up against the Davao Occidental Tigers, followed by the encounter between the San Juan Knights and Makati Super Crunch at 7 p.m. for the North Division Finals. The first game will be shown live on A2Z, while the second game is to be aired on Facebook live. Both best-of-three series are tied at 1-1 before the season was indefinitely suspended. “Parehong do-or-die ito na division finals. Matalo dito uwi na agad,” said Duremdes in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Eugene Martinez is the owner and president of Ekstreme Scooters, the country’s pioneer in electric scooter service repair shop and which exclusively distributes Kaabo scooters.

PBA: No bubble in 46 year, no pros in FIBA tilt th

By Peter Atencio

HE 46th season of the Philippine Basketball Association will not be played under a bubble type of setup.

League executives found the arrangement too expensive when it was held late last year in Angeles, Pampanga. The coming games of the PBA this year will last four 10 months, and will have two conferences in Metro Manila. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said this is what they will be looking forward to this year when the season officially starts on April 11 with the fourmonth Philippine Cup. “What we want is a non-bubble (type of setup). If it’s a bubble, it would be too expensive for the PBA

Ricky Vargas

to do,” said Vargas. Vargas said he and commissioner Marcial have already drafted a letter to the Interagency Task Force for the Management for Emerging Infectious Diseases for them to be allowed to play the games of the PBA under a

face-to-face setup. Last year, the PBA held only one conference and first had to make teams train under a bubble in Calamba, Laguna, before games were held at the Angeles University Foundation while in isolation. With the vaccines for COVID-19 already available, staging games in a more open setting is now the more acceptable arrangement for the PBA. On the other hand, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will have to form an all-cadets team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia. SBP president Al Panlilio said that no PBA players will be sent in the tournament because the schedule of the games in league runs counter with that of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. The FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers are slated from June 14 to 20 in the Philippines, while the OQT in Belgrade is set from June 29 to July 4.

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Princess Superal endured a wobbly frontside windup in tough conditions, scrambling for an even-par 72 and a onestroke lead over a hot-finishing rookie Harmie Constantino at the start of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge at the Aoki course here yesterday. Looking good with a four-birdie, two-bogey backside start in intermittent drizzle, Superal kept a two-under card with a birdie on No. 5 that negated a bogey mishap on No. 1. But she nearly lost her grip of the lead with back-to-back bogeys from No. 6 in windy conditions as Constantino blazed home with back-to-back birdies to salvage a 73. In a flight ahead, Pauline del Rosario, who bogeyed three of the first four holes at the back, birdied the fifth to save a 74 while Daniella Uy carded a 75 to stay in the hunt in the first of two Eagle Ridge events, the other being the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship on March 23-25, kicking off the new Ladies Philippine Golf Tour season. Chanelle Avaricio actually crowded flightmates Superal and Constantino with a gutsy 36 start on two birdies against the same number of bogeys. But the Alabama State product lost her focus, touch and momentum at the front, fumbling with four bogeys in the first seven holes then holing out with a triple-bogey on the par-4 eighth. She limped with a 43 and a 79. Amateur Laurea Duque, meanwhile, turned in a 77 while Marvi Monsalve and Sunshine Baraquiel struggled with identical 78s and former three-time Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez groped for form coming off a long layoff and skied to an 81. But Superal stayed in shape despite a three-month break after winning the first of two Riviera titles in LPGT’s return in new normal after an eightmonth hiatus due to pandemic, birdying three of the first five holes against a bogey and staying on top of the compact field throughout despite her shaky finish. “I just tried to control my shots and my putting clicked early on,” said Superal, who, however, downplayed her chances for another crack at the crown in this Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.organized event. “I’m not expecting anything, I just want to play my game and try to enjoy the week.”

Vera to Aliakbari KO: Worry about that person standing in front of you REIGNING ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera is deep in training, preparing for his upcoming world title defense, but had enough time to spare to catch ONE Championship’s latest blockbuster event last Friday night, ONE: FISTS OF FURY II. The event was headlined by a pair of intriguing heavyweight bouts involving potential opponents for Vera. One man in particular, Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion Amir Aliakbari of Iran, has been vehemently calling out Vera since he signed with ONE Championship in 2020. Aliakbari, however, suffered an embarrassing one-punch knockout loss to South Korean finisher “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won in his highlyanticipated ONE Championship debut. Vera shared his reaction to the event on his official Instagram account, including a few words for rival Aliakbari.

“I wanted to give a shout out to all the heavyweights on the card, everyone on the card actually, did a great job. I know me and Amir have got this little thing going back and forth. I hope you rest well, speedy recovery, get ready for the next one,” said Vera. “Like I’ve been telling everybody all along man, it’s different here in Asia, it’s different in ONE Championship. Don’t worry about everyone. You can worry about that person standing right in front of you, especially when they close that door on our Circle.” Vera has an immediate threat in front of him in the form of former UFC star Arjan Singh Bhullar, so the Filipino-American is understandably focused on that matchup. “The Truth” is currently in Florida training at the renowned Sanford MMA under Henri Hooft, alongside former opponent ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang, and former two-

Brandon Vera IG

division ONE World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen, among others. Vera is expected to return to action very soon, as the bout with Bhullar looms. The loss for Aliakbari may have set him back a bit in the heavyweight pecking order. However, the Iranian star is scheduled to make a quick return to action against undefeated Russian powerhouse Anatoly “Spartak” Malykhin at the “ONE on TNT” event series.

Meanwhile, ONE Championship returns with ONE: FISTS OF FURY III, the third and final installment in the “Fists of Fury” event series. The headline bout features a showdown between ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel and hard-hitting #2-ranked contender Mustapha Haida, while ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet “JT” Todd begins her quest for a second belt by taking on the #4-ranked Alma Juniku in Muay Thai in the co-main event.

First electric scooter tour kicks off A FIVE-LEG electric scooter Philippine tour, a first of its kind, will kick off this Sunday (March 14), covering areas including Metro Manila. The tour is officially called Kaabo TourESmo Electric Scooter Tour which targets a total of 2,468 kms, involving Metro Manila (136 kms), North Luzon (608 kms), South Luzon (629 kms), Visayas (576 kms) and Mindanao (519 kms). The event to also test the mettle of Kaabo electric scooters primarily aims to promote the use of electric mobility while showcasing beautiful sceneries in the Philippines. “Our vision hopes to promote electric mobility as we reach municipality halls, provincial capitals, and major tourist spots in the country,” said Eu-

gene Martinez, owner and president of Ekstreme Scooters, the country’s pioneer in electric scooter service repair shop, and which exclusively distributes Kaabo scooters. According to the detailed plan, two riders using Kaabo Wolf X and Wolf Plus will travel at least 210 kms per day with two extra batteries per scooter. One ride can go as far as 70 kms per battery, with every rider estimated to spend nine hours per day riding. The tour starts this Sunday (March 14) at 0 Kilometer in Luneta, Metro Manila, in North Luzon on April 4, South Luzon on April 25, the Visayas leg on May 16, and the f inal Mindanao leg on May 23.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Brooklyn Nets complete Griffin signing NEW YORK—The Brooklyn Nets completed the signing of free agent Blake Griffin on Monday following the former number one NBA draft pick’s exit from the Detroit Pistons. Griffin, who turns 32 next week, bolsters a Brooklyn side second in the Eastern Conference standings with hopes of challenging for a championship. Blake Griffin T h e arrival of the 6ft 9in (2.06m), 250lb (113kg) sixtime All-Star gives Nets coach Steve Nash another option to complement playmakers James Harden, Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Durant. “We’re fortunate to be able to add a player of Blake’s caliber to our roster at this point in the season,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “Blake is a versatile frontcourt player with a long track record of success in our league, and we’re excited about the impact he’ll make for us both on and off the court in Brooklyn.” Griffin reportedly forfeited $13.3 million in order to secure his early exit from the Pistons last month -- a fact that has impressed his new team-mates at Brooklyn. “I’m sure he wants to win,” Harden told the Nets official website. “If he’s passed up more money to obviously stay in Detroit, he wants to win and he wants to have an opportunity to play meaningful minutes and I’m assuming that’s one of the reasons why he came ... He can be a great contribution to this team.” Griffin has played in 642 games across 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and Pistons, averaging 21.4 points per game. This year he has played 20 games for Detroit, averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. AFP

Djokovic sets record for weeks at No. 1

ARIS—Novak Djokovic set a new landmark of 311 weeks as world number one on Monday, one week longer than Roger Federer whose tally of a record 20 Grand Slam titles the Serb is now “devoted” to breaking.

Djokovic, 33, won his 18th major at the Australian Open in February. With Federer turning 40 in August, the Serb has time on his side. He is a year younger than Rafael Nadal who also has 20 majors. “The two main goals in tennis are probably the number of Grand Slams won and the number of weeks spent at number one,” Djokovic told Serbian broadcaster RTS. “I am honoured to have achieved one of them, now I will devote myself to the second.” Djokovic reclaimed the top ranking from Nadal in February 2020 and finished as

year-end number one for the sixth time, tying the record set by Pete Sampras. “It really excites me to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport,” said Djokovic, in a statement released by the ATP whose rankings have been running since August 23, 1973. “To know that I earned my place among them by following my childhood dream is a beautiful confirmation that when you do things out of love and passion, everything is possible.” ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Novak’s many achievements in tennis are nothing short of extraordinary. Among them this record may stand as his

Tennis fans watch videos of most important moments of the career of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, projected on Belgrade’s city hall. Djokovic set a new landmark of 311 weeks as world number one on March 8, 2021, one week longer than Roger Federer whose tally of a record 20 Grand Slam titles is now firmly in the Serb’s sights. “Big day today,” the tennis superstar wrote on Twitter.

Joenard Rates is looking for his third career win.

But he would need to work doubly hard to foil his pursuers and nail another victory in new normal, and at least atone for his joint fifth finish at Riviera Challenge, as Bibat also birdied his closing hole at ninth to shoot a 70 and Rufino Bayron birdied three holes in his closing frontside to save a 71 for third to make it a crowded leaderboard. “Given the playing conditions, including wind and rain and pin placements, I’m happy

with my game,” said the soft-spoken Bibat, out to snap out of a long title spell in the ICTSIsponsored circuit after scoring a breakthrough at Palos Verdes in 2013. Just a stroke off the pace, the former Asian Games bronze medalist said he won’t be going on the attack mode this early, stressing: “I’ll just take it one shot at a time, try to hit the fairways and greens and make the most of my birdie chances.”

Biggest winners in PBA off season THE LINK REY JOBLE THE PBA annual Rookie Draft has yet to start, but teams already felt like winners following key acquisitions made in the off season. With this, we ranked the Top 5 gamechanging transactions made by these squads. 5. MERALCO BOLTS (Acquiring Mac Belo for guard Baser Amer)—The Meralco Bolts made some headway in last year’s PBA Bubble tournament when it traded guard Baser Amer for Blackwater star forward Mac Belo. For head coach Norman Black, it’s one way of toughening up his front court as he was able to pick up a former UAAP champion and ex-Gilas Pilipinas stalwart, who

beating Nadal in the final. Only a six-month injury absence in 2017 saw his ranking plunge, all the way to 22 the following summer. It was just a blip—Djokovic was back at number one again by November and with the exception of November 2019 until January last year, when Nadal reclaimed pole position, he has been rock solid. Few would bet against Djokovic, who in 2016 was the first man to break the $100 million prize money barrier, ending his career with more Slams than Federer and Nadal. In head-to-heads, he leads Federer 27-23 and has won all six of their last meetings at the majors, including 2019’s epic Wimbledon final where he saved two match points. Djokovic’s record was top news in his native Serbia on Monday, with headlines like “No one was ever like Nole” in daily newspaper Vecernje novosti. AFP

PSC pays tribute to women

Rates fires eagle-spiked 69, grabs 1-shot lead GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Pint-sized Joenard Rates sizzled at the finish to upstage the Philippine Golf Tour’s big guns reminiscent of his exploits the last time out, coming away with an eaglespiked 69 to drive past Michael Bibat for a one-stroke lead in the first round of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge at the Aoki course here yesterday. Rates birdied three of the last five holes at the front to jump from the middle of the pack and into the lead in sun, rain and wind, spiking his 33-36 card with a pitchin eagle from 150 yards on the par-5 11th and capping with a tap-in birdie on the ninth. He said he didn’t expect to lead the way he did in the first of two ICTSI Riviera championships that marked PGT’s return after an eight-month break due to pandemic last November but maintained he came into the P2 million event ready and in good form behind a series of practice and workouts. “I also worked on my stamina since we’re playing sans caddies and under erratic weather conditions. But the rain is part of the game and I really needed to work hard on every hole,” said the 5-foot3 Rates, looking for his third career win after nipping Finnish Janne Kaske in a playoff to snare the PGT Asia crown at Summit Point in 2018.

single most impressive. “Reaching No. 1 is something many players dream of and very few ever accomplish, and to have held the top spot for longer than anyone is testament to the levels of sustained excellence that Novak has redefined in our sport.” Federer, who returns to action in Doha this week after more than a year out of action to recover from two knee operations, slipped out of the top five on Monday to sixth. His place was taken by Stefanos Tsitsipas. Fans invited to honour Djokovic Djokovic made his top 100 debut in July 2005, just weeks after Nadal had won his first Roland Garros. He was top 50 in June 2006, top 20 for the first time in October 2006 and top 10 by March 2007. He first became world number one at the age of 24 on July 4, 2011, the day after winning Wimbledon for the first time,

is capable of playing on both ends of the court and could bring athleticism, length and toughness in the interior. It’s also one way of unloading extra guards on the team as the Bolts already have Top Rookie guard Aaron Black, Nards Pinto and Anjo Caram and could also allow versatile player Chris Newsome to play the 1, 2 and 3 spots. 4. MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS (Securing Calvin Abueva for Chris Banchero)— Call it a high risk move, but Magnolia wants to prove that Calvin Abueva is worth the risk and the Hotshots did just that when they took in the controversial energetic forward to their fold in exchange for guard Chris Banchero. Similar to the case of Meralco where it needs to free up one of its talented guards to beef up its frontline, trading Banchero for Abueva is somewhat logical for the Hotshots, who also needed to switch places with the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the draft order to finalize the deal. Overall, the Hot-

shots were able to address the need for an intense forward, who could provide the intangibles for them and release an excess guard in its line up. 3. PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS (Acquiring Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero in separate deals)—Phoenix Super LPG was probably the busiest team in the off season. After falling a game short of making the championship round in last year’s bubble tournament, the Fuel Masters didn’t stop fueling up just to go the extra mile. The Banchero trade for Abeuva was just the start of putting up the pieces for the puzzle and days later, the Fuel Masters engaged in a separate trade with the Alaska Aces for the services of marquee power forward Vic Manuel. Never mind if the Fuel Masters had to give up their first-round pick next year as they are confident they can do well this coming season with a new and improved line up featuring key acquisitions like Manuel and Banchero joining the Fuel

The way he did yesterday that saw him ram in four birdies inside six feet on Nos. 12, 16, 3 and 9 that more than made up for his missed green mishaps on Nos. 18 and 7. As the fancied bets, including Riviera leg winners Tony Lascuña and Ira Alido, and former Philippine Open champions Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que and Clyde Mondilla, floundered in challenging conditions, Paul Echavez, Zanieboy Gialon, Nilo Salahog and Manila-based American Lexus Keoninh all matched par 72s to take the early challengers’ role at joint fourth. Tabuena, who failed to figure in the title chase at Riviera, barely overcame a double-bogey start with a roller-coaster finish of three birdies against two bogeys in the last seven holes at the back, but his 73 still put him within striking distance at joint eighth with Marvin Dumandan. Alido, who marked his first pro victory with a whopping nine-shot romp at Riviera Championship, blew a one-under card with a bogey-double-bogey finish at the back as he dropped to joint 10th at 74 with Anthony Fernando, Gerald Rosales and Reymon Jaraula. Amateur Jolo Magcalayo, meanwhile, missed joining the 71 scorers as he bogeyed two of the last three holes at the front and fell to the group of Justin Quiban and Richard Sinfuego at 75 while Que birdied the 17th that hardly checked a skid marred by a double bogey and three bogeys in a nine-hole stretch from No. 8. Masters’ loaded starting unit of Matthew Wright, Justin Chua and Jason Perkins. Needless to say, the Fuel Masters also improved several notches higher in the PBA Rookie Draft order, moving from 10th to seventh following a series of trade transactions, which will give them a better chance of landing another talented player coming from the draft that is perceived to be the deepest since the 1989 edition. 2. SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN (CJ Perez for 3 players plus first round pick)—After seeing its five-season reign in the Philippine Cup coming to an end, the San Miguel Beermen felt they needed to rebuild their dynasty. Aging and injured, the Beermen struck a deal with lowly Terrafirma Dyip and acquired their biggest star—CJ Perez. The two-time PBA scoring champion was quickly plucked by the Beermen in exchange for center Russel Escoto, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Gelo Alolino plus San Miguel’s first round pick this year. Imagine if a healthy San Miguel team would show up next season and the team will parade Perez playing the starting big guard, Chris Ross doing the quarterbacking

A SPECIAL tribute to the achievements and contributions of all the great women leaders, athletes, coaches, employees, and mothers is the core of the Philippine Sports Commission’s virtual programs for March in line with the National Women’s Month celebration. PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez stressed the extraordinary roles of women in creating social change and development in the country. “To all women, grandmothers, and mothers, you deserve equal rights, equal treatment, and equal opportunity. In war, in calamities, in a pandemic, even in sports competitions, women play very important roles,” said Ramirez. In a statement on the celebration of International Women’s Month, the sports chief gave a toast to the strength and resilience of women. “Today is an opportunity to reflect and admire women for their constant strength and resilience. Their help shapes us as persons and as a nation. For all the things you do, thank you and I wish you all a happy women’s day.” The PSC has been very active and consistent in its programs for Women in Sports even during COVID-19 health crisis. A series of free online seminars have been conducted to push its drive for gender equality and women empowerment. “This is our holistic approach to reach out to all the women in the country to be active in our leadership programs and encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle,” said PSC oversight Commissioner for Women in Sports Celia Kiram. The PSC’s Rise up Shape up—a weekly web series that streams every Saturday on Facebook and Youtube, features different women experts and personalities aimed to inspire and empower ladies in different fields. In its previous episode last March 6, RUSU featured the country’s prized women boxers led by 2012 AIBA Women’s world boxing champion and fivetime gold medalist in Southeast Asian Games Josie Gabuco, 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Riza Pasuit and bronze medalist Aira Villegas, who paid tribute to their moms for their support and guidance in their careers. Commissioner Kiram also shared that they will be holding a webinar from March 10 to 12, for PSC staff entitled, “Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in the Philippine Sports Commission System.”

chores, June Mar Fajardo returning at center spot, Arwind Santos at power forward, and Marcio Lassiter assuming the small forward spots and you have Alex Cabagnot, Mo Tautuaa and Von Pessumal off the bench. That’s a scary eight-man deep rotation. 1. BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL GIN KINGS (Acquiring Chistian Standhardinger for Greg Slaughter)—Talking about the best getting better, the PBA bubble champion even became formidable with the acquisition of former top overall rookie pick and 2019 Mythical Team Member Christian Standhardinger following a trade with the NorthPort Batang Pier. Standhardinger, a 6’8” former Best Player of the Conference winner, will definitely form a solid tandem up front with high-leaping 6’9” forward Japeth Aguilar and create the latest twin towers version of Barangay Ginebra. The Gin Kings won the bubble tournament last year without the services of the seven-foot Greg Slaughter, who sat out due to contractual issues. He returned in the off season and worked out with the Gin Kings before the trade was consummated.

Entertainment T

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Ylona Garcia is ‘All That’

Streamers tighten grip on Hollywood with producer award nods

EEN star Ylona Garcia has come a long way since deciding on pursuing what has now been a flourishing career in mainstream music.

Ylona was only 18 when she earned her first gold record in 2019. Since then, the hits have not stopped coming as the very talented singer-actress continues to expand her musical horizons and explore diverse genres that match her creativity as an artist. As one of the most exciting young voices in the local pop music landscape, with nearly 4 million followers on Instagram and 1 million followers on TikTok, Ylona is now setting her sights on the global landscape in the next stage of her creative journey. Now under the umbrella of Paradise Rising, Ylona hopes to achieve a global following with her debut release for the label, “All That.” Released on March 3, the three-minute-plus tune is an infectious dance-pop number that highlights Ylona’s soulful vocals and captivating visual appeal in the spectacularly choreographed music video directed by Suzanne Kim. Both the song and the music video show a side of Ylona that fans have never seen from her reality show stint as well as her past releases and occasional acting credits. For Ylona, “All That” represents an anthemic statement that she’s back not just in a big, revitalized way but also as a more refined, forward-looking version of herself. “All That’ is a reminder to be kinder to yourself, and to better your relationship with yourself. If you do that, you better your relationship with others around you, too. It’s leaving all of the toxicity, negative thoughts, and emotions behind you and starting anew and committing to that new, most refined version of yourself,” Ylona noted. In a statement, Paradise Rising spokesperson and Head of Globe Live, Denise Seva says, “We’re so excited to have Ylona as part of the Paradise Rising family, and we’re proud to be with her as she embarks on this new creative voyage. She epitomizes the promising Filipino talent that we’re always on the lookout for, and we hope to highlight more of these artists through our platform.” Paradise Rising is the result of a collaboration between the Philippines’ telecommunications leader Globe, and 88rising, a pioneering music and media collective synonymous with elevating Asian talent from East to West. The label is focused on highlighting Filipino talent on a global scale. The label is serving as a platform to establish a presence for Philippine artists in the West and globally through music distribution, music rights management, and artists development. Along with American hiphop sensation, Guapdal 4000, Ylona is one of the initial artists signed by Paradise Rising following the release of its acclaimed mixtape, semilucent last year. For more updates on Ylona and Paradise Rising, stay tuned to Paradise Rising’s Facebook page at bit.ly/paradiserisingfacebook, Instagram at bit.ly/paradiserisinginstagram, and Twitter at bit.ly/paradiserisingtwitter.

Netflix has never won top prize at the Producers Guild Awards or the Oscars

Paradise Rising, 88rising’s sister label in partnership with Globe, is proud to announce that Filipino-Australian pop artist Ylona Garcia is now the latest member of the international music collective.

GMA is GEMS’ TV Station of the Year THE 5th Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS) Hiyas ng Sining Awards, held virtually on March 1, named GMA Network as the TV Station of the Year with several of its programs and personalities also recognized for their honorary contributions in the news and entertainment industry. Pioneering mobile newscast Stand for Truth took home the Best Digital Newscast award in the Larangang Digital category. In the Larangan ng Telebisyon category, Vicky Morales was named as the Best Female TV Program Host (Public Service) for the well-loved public service program Wish Ko Lang! while Willie Revillame won the Best Male TV Program Host (Public Service) for the country’s toprating variety program Wowowin. Dingdong Dantes won the Best Performance by an Actor (TV Series) award for his role as “Big Boss” in the Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun. In the Larangan ng Radyo category, Rowena Salvacion received the Best Female Radio Broadcaster (Opinion or Public Service) award for Super Radyo DZBB’s S.O.S:. Serbisyo on the Spot. Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit actress and Superstar Nora Aunor was conferred the Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role, under the Larangan ng Pelikula category, for her remarkable performance in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival entry Isa Pang Bahaghari. The GEMS - Hiyas ng Sining Awards honors different shows and personalities for their contribution in the fields of writing, theatre, radio, television, and music. This year, the award-giving body focused on awarding celebrities, shows, and personalities who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and supported different community and social activities during the pandemic. Meanwhile, several Kapuso programs and personalities were also recognized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) at the 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN), which was held virtually last February 28.

Dingdong Dantes received the FAN 2021 Actors Award for being one of the recipients of the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards for his performance in the Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun. The actor was also named as one of the recipients of the 2021 Cinemadvocate recognition for his exemplary humanitarian work and commitment to supporting the livelihood of displaced film and audiovisual workers during these challenging times. Receiving the FAN 2021 Actors Award as well were Asia’s Multimedia Star and Centerstage host Alden Richards for winning the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards; Owe My Love star Lovi Poe for bagging the Best Actress Feature Film for Latay at the International Film Festival Manhattan; and seasoned actress and Legal Wives star Cherie Gil for securing the Best Performance Award for Kaputol at the 4th Innuendo International Film Festival. Director Louie Ignacio was one of the Special Citation recipients for being a Lifetime Achievement Awardee at the International Film Festival Manhattan. For the Short Director category, he was recognized for his work in Biyaheng Madilim after taking home the Best Director Award at the prestigious award-giving body. Director Rico Gutierrez, meanwhile, was one of the honorees under the Short Film category for winning the Best Short Animation Award for Ang Lihim ni Lea at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival (BUEIFF). Legendary actress Gloria Romero was given the Ilaw ng Industriya Award, under the Gabay ng Industriya category, in honor of her service to Philippine Cinema as its guiding light and inspiration. FDCP also recognized The Atom Araullo Specials’ “Babies4Sale. PH” episode and Brigada’s “Aeta Squadron/Female Spies” documentary for winning the Silver (Best Investigative Report category) and Bronze (Documentary History and Society category) Medals, respectively at the 2020 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.

Dingdong Dantes receives the FAN 2021 Actors Award for being one of the recipients of the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

NETFLIX and Amazon bagged more than half the film nominations chosen by Hollywood’s top producers Monday, tightening the streaming platforms’ grip on an awards season turned upside-down by the pandemic. Six of the 10 movies shortlisted by the Producers Guild of America were released by streamers—up from two last year—as movie theaters only begin to reopen in New York and remain closed in Los Angeles after a year of COVID-19 restrictions. Netflix’s courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 is seen as the streaming giant’s best shot at top awards glory and is joined on the list by Mank and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Amazon, which failed to land a nomination last year, has Golden Globe-winning comedy sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, as well as One Night in Miami and Sound of Metal. Neither company has ever won the top prize at the PGAs or the seasoncrowning Oscars. The prestigious PGAs, chosen by the 8,000-odd Hollywood movers and shakers of the producers’ union, have predicted 10 of the past 13 winners of the Academy Award for best picture. In a year that saw major studios postpone several big-hitting titles, intimate US road movie Nomadland from Disney-owned Searchlight leads the charge for Hollywood’s traditional powerhouses, winning the Golden Globes’ top prize last month and earning a PGA nod. Warner is represented on the list by Judas and the Black Messiah and Universal by Promising Young Woman. Korean-American immigrant drama Minari from A24 is the only indie-label movie to make the cut. And notable absences included western News of the World starring Tom Hanks and Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. The PGAs also honor television, with newcomers such as Bridgerton and Ted Lasso joining perennial favorites including The Crown on the shortlists. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on March 24, around a month before the delayed Oscars. AFP

Alfonso first lady joins Mrs. Philippines International pageant NEWLY crowned Mrs. Philippines Cavite 2021 Leslie Ann UySalamat, wife of Alfonso Mayor Randy Salamat, joins the Mrs. Philippines International 2021 search for the country’s representative in Mrs. International pageant in Singapore. Mrs. Philippines International 2021 will have close to thirty candidates who are accomplished and empowered married women and mothers eyeing the 15 titles at stake at the finals happening in April 2021. Salamat, an environmentalist and an advocate for the welfare of women and children, is working on an educational program to help poor youth in Alfonso and continues to support activities in boosting local tourism in Cavite. “I joined the Mrs. Philippines

Mrs. Philippines Cavite 2021 Leslie Ann Uy-Salamat, with husband Alfonso Mayor Randy Salamat and their daughter. International pageant so I could share whatever platform I have with the Alfonseños, my constituents and to further promote the tourist attractions in Cavite,” Salamat said. “I’m so overwhelmed. It’s my first time to join a beauty pageant. I

want to thank everyone of you for your support, I already feel like a winner,” Salamat added. A food enthusiast, Salamat completed a degree in HRIM Culinary Arts at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. She was introduced to the business and marketing industry at a very young age, managing in their family businesses. She conceptualized Beanleaf Coffee and tea which has grown to 43 branches around the country and supervises the Ciriacos Food Park in Alfonso, Cavite. Reigning Mrs. Philippines International 2019 Michelle Vitug Encarnacion and Mrs. Philippines Elite International/ Mrs. Philippines Face of Beauty International 2019 Riza Oben Dormiendo graced the launching of Salamat’s candidacy and gave her advice on what to expect and do during the competition. Mrs. Philippines International pageant is presented by Star Shining productions, headed by Maan Cueto Aris and Aries Concepcion.

Davaoeña restaurateur named FLAME International’s Top Model of the Season

Alden Richards receives the FAN 2021 Actors Award for winning the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards. Capping off the list of Kapuso winners is Front Row Executive Producer Alyx Arumpac who received the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award for Aswang, which she wrote and directed. The multi-awarded documentary took home the Fipresci Prize in the 2019 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on top of winning eight other international awards in 2020. The Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award is the highest citation given by the FDCP to trailblazers and legends in the industry.

Jessica ‘Jessie’ Maloles, a businesswomanrestaurateur-model and former Mrs. Asia International 2014 Runner-up, was named Top Model of the Season (Mature Model) at the digital awards ceremony of FLAME International Fashion and Art Festival (FIFAP) 2021, a virtual fashion event held in London UK, from Feb. 25 to 27. Jessie, who was one of the featured models at the Brooklyn Fashion Week in October 2020, was nominated at the FLAME/FIFA competition by a friend who sent her photos and catwalk videos. A Davaoeña mother of five, Jessie, was part of a winning Philippine team that included John Guarnes, who won Mister Art 2021, Best FLAME Designer and Best Talk Show Host; Bench Bello who won Best Creative Director, Best Talk Show Host and Best Designer; Mariel Prion, Flame Top Model 2021 adult category; Rose Tolentino, Philanthropist of the Year; and Elisa Sonza who was named Businesswoman of the year. Flame - International Fashion and Art Festival (FIFAP) 2021, organized by Yana Flame, is a unique

Businesswoman model and Davao’s pride Jessica ‘Jessie’ Maloles

project that aims to create a platform to promote networking and collaboration between talented people from around the globe by giving them great exposure to the world market and an opportunity to meet with influential people from the fashion and art industry. The FIFAF21 event gathered young designers, artists, models, performers, body art painters, photographers, videographers, MUA’s, hairstylists, emerging and established brands, and other creatives from all over the world under one roof, giving global exposure whilst platforming them to the next level.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Bicol’s pili tree on US TV Pili Ani presents products made with pili and elemi oils on Home Shopping Network

By Bernadette Lunas

HILE other brands were busy migrating to digital platforms when the pandemic struck, local beauty company Pili Ani was looking to bringing its products on the global stage. “For years, we’ve been sprucing up our digital platforms and social media channels. This has helped a lot especially during the lockdowns when shops were indefinitely closed,” said Pili Ani chief executive officer Mary Jane Tan-Ong. Good planning has helped the brand—which brought to the market the first skin care and beauty products made with pili and elemi oils extracted from pili tree—survive a tumultuous 2020 and even find a way to expand. When Ong saw the announcement from the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in the US for The Big Find, she knew it was their chance to further extend their reach abroad and connect with consumers in a more dynamic manner, which Mary Jane believes is what’s lacking in the digital sphere. Pili Ani is already exported to the US and was featured in several programs years ago. “We launched three years ago in Las Vegas at the Cosmoprof Show and got a lot of positive feedback. We met with buyers from HSN, Nordstrom, Credo, Saks Fifth,” recalled Ong. “The Big Find is the best thing to happen to us this whole pandemic,” she enthused. She continued, “It is likened to Shark Tank but instead of pitching to investors or mentors, you are talking directly to consumers of Home Shopping Network and QVC. I didn’t think twice about submitting. If they think you are a good fit, you get a golden ticket and move on to the next level.”

WORLD STAGE. Pili Ani founder Rosalina Tan (right) and daughter and chief executive officer Mary Jane Tan-Ong present their products on US Home Shopping Network.

nerve-wracking,” recalled Mary Jane. “We were only given 10 minutes which was a very, very short time to get a new product on the market and explain what it is all about.” Through the show, they were able to talk about the benefits of pili and elemi oils when incorporated into a daily routine. Both oils are extracted from the “stress-loving” pili tree endemic to the Bicol region. Pili oil comes from the skin of the fruit, while elemi oil is extracted from the bark of the tree. The combination of the two oils creates a potent blend rich in moisturizing and anti-aging properties. According to Rosalina, who founded the company simply to educate and supPili Ani on ‘The Big Find.’ port local organic farmers, pili oil was initially used as massage oil (pangOn February 24 and 25, Ong and her and elemi oils in their skincare prod- hilot) and even before that, she found mother, Rosalina Tan, the founder and ucts, debuted on HSN. “the pili tree was not given much imthe reason behind the utilization of pili “The HSN experience was really portance, only the fruit was harvested.”

Men’s Linen Cotton Stand Collar Shirt; Women’s Linen Blend Kaftan Dress

Casual work life

Stay cool during the summer with the women’s linen blend kaftan dress (P1,990) made with linen-blend fabric that provides an effortless style perfect for working at home. For men, the linen cotton stand collar shirt (P990) is a versatile staple with a laid-back and corporate feel.

Men’s Supima Cotton Crew Neck Short Sleeve Shirt; Men’s Easy Shorts (Jersey)

Cool at home

Stay cool and comfortable while lounging at home during warm days with the men’s Supima cotton crew neck short sleeve shirt (P590), which features a looser fit that drapes beautifully towards the hem. Pair the shirt with the men’s easy shorts (P790), a light and cool garment perfect for lounging at home.

items, is perfect for different lifestyles and any type of summer activity whether at home or going out,” says Masayoshi Nakamura, chief operating officer of Uniqlo Philippines. Some of the summer-ready items include the following:

Women’s Linen Blend Open Collar Short Sleeve Shirt; Women’s Mid-rise Denim Shorts

Going out outfit

The women’s mid rise denim shorts (P990) are designed with the authentic and vintage feel of denim, yet come in a mostly cotton material and a good stretch for a comfortable fit. Pair it with the women’s linen blend open collar short sleeve shirt (P990) for a refined yet refreshing look.

Dry-Ex Crew Neck Short Sleeve Shirt; Men’s Nylon Geared Shorts

Fit and dry

The DRY-EX crew neck short sleeve shirt (P790) is the perfect top for working out what with its extremely fastdrying fabric with anti-microbial and anti-odor properties. The men’s nylon geared shorts (P990) suit a more rugged lifestyle with its light and durable ripstop nylon material with an added water-repellent coating and six functional pockets for small essentials.

“I discovered the many benefits of pili tree and pili oil which further ignited my passion. I talked to the DOST; they have research but nobody was acting on it,” shared Tan. In fact, Ong revealed, a famous French company has long been buying elemi resin from the Philippines which it uses in its lifting cream. Relying mostly on word-of-mouth, Ong said they’re planning to offer branded subscription boxes to promote the pili-based products. “Our promotional efforts is geared toward getting our products straight to the buyers.” Pili Ani will return to HSN in April.

VANITY CORNER

Comfort in versatility IT’S a casual summer with Uniqlo as the Japanese fashion retailer releases a line of essentials made for easy-breezy days indoors and outdoors. “Uniqlo’s versatile line of summer essentials, made up of shirts, dresses, short pants, and premium and linen

The brand’s Ageless Concentrate is made with pili and elemi oils rich in moisturizing and anti-aging properties.

Time to haul: Makeup items at 38 pesos IN CELEBRATION of its 38th anniversary, homegrown cosmetics label Ever Bilena is offering huge discounts on its products until March 31. Stock up on Ever Bilena and EB Advance’s bestsellers such as EB All Day Eyeliner Pen, Eyeshadow Palette, EB Lip and Cheek Stain, EB Lip and Cheek Roller, EB Matte Long Lasting Dip Liner, EB Matte Nudes Lipstick, Ever Bilena Score Ever Bilena and EB Advance products Fix Curl Mascara, Ever Bilena Sculpt and Strobe Sitck, and more as they are at P38 until March 31.

sold for only P38 until end of the month. Meanwhile, those who use or want to try EB Liquid DipLiner, Ever Lip and Cheek Tint, EB Matte Color Stick, EB Blush Rush Cheek Roller, EB Advance Absolute Matte Lipstick, Advance Vinyl Lip Gloss, Careline Diamond Dream Highlighter, and Careline Soft Suede Lipstick can take advantage of the ongoing 38 percent discount. The promo is available in supermarkets and department stores nationwide.

Summer-ready in 3 steps FRENCH brand Nuxe presents a three-step summer skin care regimen in anticipation of its four-day sale. First step is cleansing using Rêve de Miel Face Cleansing and Make-Up Removing Gel infused with honey and sunflower. Tip: For dry and sensitive skin, use Rêve de Miel Face and Body Ultra Rich Cleansing Gel whose texture is thicker. Hydration is the second step using the bestselling Huile Prodigieuse Beauty Dry Oil packed with seven precious botanical oils and 98 percent natural ingredients. Tip: Apply on face working from the center toward the contours. Massage into desired areas of the body and over stretch marks using circular movements.

Apply on lengths and ends of hair or leave on as a mask for 10 minutes before shampooing. The final step is protecting using Nuxe Sun Melting Face Cream SPF50 with notes of sweet orange, Tiare, and vanilla. Tip: Apply liberally over the entire face 30 minutes before going out in the sun; reapply frequently especially after swimming or towel-drying. The aforementioned products and more are on sale on March 13-16. Save up to 20 percent when shopping on Nuxe’s official pages on LazMall and Shopee Mall; get up to 30 percent off on Zalora and BeautyMNL. Customers shopping in stores with minimum single-receipt purchase of P1,500 will

Nuxe’s products including Sun Melting Face Cream SPF 50 (in photo) will be offered on discount on March 13-16.

get a free Nuxe tote bag, or a free Nuxe deluxe sample for a single-receipt purchase worth P2,500 and up.

Estee Lauder to donate $100,000 to ICanServe Foundation AS PART of its breast cancer campaign efforts, the Estée Lauder Companies Asia Pacific on Monday announced a 100,000-US dollar donation to the ICanServe Foundation to fund for new chemotherapy machines at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The funding will be allocated to purchase two new BioHood machines used in the preparation of chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer patients. “As breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer in the Philippines, our campaign is focused on addressing some of the biggest challenges in the

country. Back in 2016, we supported the extension of the East Avenue Breast Care Center in Manila and today, we are pleased to announce this funding which will double the number of patients who can be treated at the Philippine General Hospital,” said Mel Lerma, country manager Philippines for The Estée Lauder Companies Lerma added, “This donation is a reflection of The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign’s longstanding commitment to achieving a breast cancer-free world.” The project, a collaboration between

Helping Women and Other and the ICanServe Foundation, will help increase the capacity of the IV Chemo Prep Room at PGH, which can currently treat 60 patients per day. The Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute only has one room to prepare free chemo medicines for cancer patients, half of which are breast cancer cases. Each patient needs between six and eight chemo cycles. Estee Lauder Companies said in a statement, the two new BioHood units will be installed and ready to use in October 2021.