Manila Standard - 2021 April 17 - Saturday by Manila Standard

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ERAP BACK TO ICU AFTER LUNG INFECTION, NOT COVID—SON FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was returned to a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) due to a lung infection following a bout with COVID-19, his son, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, said Friday. “We wish to announce that my father

had a slight setback last night, as his doctors found a superimposed bacterial lung infection,” Jinggoy said in a Facebook post. Jinggoy said his father’s condition remains stable, but he had to be

Rody dooms vax doubters VOL. XXXV • NO. 61 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Says they should die five times, warns of more deaths By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

RESIDENT Duterte said people who do not believe in vaccines should die five times over for putting others in danger, and warned that more people will die because of a vaccine shortage.

In a Thursday night address, Duterte expressed anger upon learning that a recent survey showed that 50 percent of the population are afraid to get the jab. The January 2021 Social Weather Station survey said almost half of all Filipinos are unwilling to get inoculated for COVID-19 mainly due to concerns about the safety of the vaccines. President Rodrigo Duterte

Others believe vaccines are not needed, or may be expensive. “We are facing turmoil not only in the Philippines but in the entire world,” he said. “The worst... is yet to come… More will die because of COVID-19 as there is no sufficient supply of vaccines to inoculate the world.” He said he did not know when the country would have enough stocks to vaccinate the people. “That I do not know. Nobody knows,” he said. “I tell you, more people will die here, I just cannot say who.” In a briefing Friday, the head of the World Health Organization said the number of COVID-19 cases per week nearly doubled globally over the last two months, coming close to the highest rate so far in the pandemic. “Cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The Philippines logged 10,726 new COVID-19 cases Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 914,971.

HERO BOAT. The dainty-

looking swan boat deployed for a rescue mission to Cagayan in the aftermath of typhoon “Ulysses” in November last year had just gotten her badge of heroism from the Baguio City Police Office led by Police Col. Allen Rae Co. Burnham Park boating concessionaire Vivian Celso lent four of her boats (one swan and three pontoon) to Cagayan as her contribution to the rescue effort in the floodaffected communities. While in Cagayan, the Baguio boats ferried residents of barangays Anquiray and Abollo to safety, doubling as a form of recreation for children traumatized by the deluge. Back in Burnham, it remains for hire but with her special marks, it becomes an extra attraction and a novelty apart from being an eternal symbol of generosity and selflessness of the people of Baguio, Co said. Aileen P. Refuerzo

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• Vax green lane • Don’t mix doses PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to immediately pursue the planned local production of COVID-19 vaccines and ordered all government agencies to put up a green lane on government permits to ensure faster processing of all requirements and necessary documents. In his public address Thursday night, Duterte pledged to grant additional funding for the production of vaccines in the country, saying manufacturing vaccines would allow the Philippine government to have enough jabs for every Filipino and be able to export vaccines to other countries as well. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who was with th President during a virtual meeting, reported that at least four pharmaceutical firms have expressed the intent to venture into local vaccine manufacturing. Next page

Hospital ICUs in six cities fully utilized, Duque tells lawmakers By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III, replying to questions at a congressional hearing Friday, disclosed that six cities which he did not identify had

reached 100 percent intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate. Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. had questioned the DOH data, saying the ICU and isolation beds were not yet fully-occupied, but several patients were still not being admitted.

Meanwhile, the government is planning to establish five more modular hospitals nationwide by June, according to Duque. He said the Department of Health and Department of Public Works and Highways aimed to complete five more

modular hospitals in NCR, Batangas and Davao by June this year. “This week, more than six new TTMFs (temporary treatment and monitoring facilities) and isolation facilities with over 1,700 beds in NCR and nearby Next page

FIRST JAB. A Manileño receives the first dose of Sinovac

vaccine while other residents wait for their turn during the vaccination campaign held at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila on Friday, April 16, 2021. The city has recorded a total of 72,141 vaccinated residents, according to the Manila Health Department. Norman Cruz

FDA grants ivermectin special permit to another private hospital granted a compassionate special permit (CSP) to use the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as treatment for FOOD and Drugs Administration COVID-19, as the country grapples Director General Eric Domingo said with a shortage of supplies of mediFriday one more private hospital was cines and vaccines.

By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

“Two hospitals have actually applied and granted CSP already,” Domingo told ANC in an interview. A compassionate use permit only allows legal administration of the drug in the country but is not an en-

dorsement of its safety and efficacy from the FDA. The first CSP for the use of ivermectin on COVID-19 patients was granted by the FDA last week. Next page

Prolong aid sked, LGUs ask By Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday at least 23 local governments in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus – which includes Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite – have requested to extend the deadline for the

distribution of cash assistance. DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told GMA News Online that three of these local government units were from Metro Manila, two from Rizal, two from Laguna, two from Cavite, and 14 from Bulacan.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 16)

914,971 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

10,726 193,476 NEW

ACTIVE

15,738

145

705,757

650

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

China ignores protests to focus on goal—Carpio By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

TYPHOON TRACKER. Weathermen track the movements of Typhoon ‘ Bising’ which has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, intensifying as it hovers westnorthwestward, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph. It is less likely to make landfall in any part of the country, they said. (Story on A4)

CHINA will ignore all diplomatic protests filed against its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea because they run counter to its objective of establishing its national boundary based on its excessive nine-dash line claims, retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio

said Friday. “China’s objective is to seize all islands and waters within the nine-dash line, making the nine-dash line China’s national boundary in the South China Sea,” Carpio said in a text message to Manila Standard. “Everything that China is doing in the South China Sea is towards this

US SHOOTING: 8 DEAD IN FEDEX, INDIANAPOLIS

Story on B2

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Cam, son indicted for murder Frustrated murder charges will also be filed against the same persons for the wounding of Alberto Alforte IV, who survived the ambush that killed Batuan, Masbate vice mayor Charlie Yuson III. The DOJ has yet to release a copy the resolution. Reports showed that Yuson was having breakfast when he was gunned down in Sampaloc, Manila on October 9, 2019. Gomez, Solis, De Luna, and Dela Cruz

were arrested the day after the incident. Yuson’s wife, Lalaine, said her husband had told her that only Cam would do him harm. Marco Cam lost to Yuson’s son, Charmax, in the 2019 mayoral election in Batuan town. Cam earlier denied they have involvement in the ambush. “It is so unfair that our family is being dragged into this, we’ve moved on from that election,” Cam said in a statement after Yuson’s death.

The DOH said the case fatality rate (CFR) in Metro Manila is at 1.46 percent, computed based on the number of deaths from the specific disease over the number of confirmed cases with outcomes. Meanwhile, the OCTA Research Group on Friday said five Metro Manila cities showed a downward trend in new COVID-19 cases as the reproduction number in the National Capital Region (NCR) decreased to 1.16. In their latest monitoring report, OCTA said Pasay, Manila, Marikina, Taguig, and Mandaluyong have been recording negative one-week case growth rates for at least two weeks. Metro Manila posted a -0.4 percent one-week growth rate with an average of 5,085 new cases per day over the past week, while its positivity rate dipped to 24 percent from 25 percent.

The reproduction number in the capital region also fell to 1.16 during the week of April 9 to 15 from 1.19 but this still means each COVID-19 case can infect more than one other person. “While the trend has slowed in the NCR, the region will continue to have a high number of new COVID-19 cases for the next few weeks, which means demand for hospital care in the NCR will not ease very soon,” OCTA said. The group said hospital bed occupancy in Metro Manila stood at 65 percent while intensive care unit (ICU) utilization was at 85 percent. The Department of Health cautioned the public against interpreting the lower number of new cases as an indication of slower COVID-19 transmission, noting that the “artificial decrease” is caused by some laboratories that do not operate daily.

Due to privacy concerns, Domingo said he could not bare the name of the hospitals. “I have to ask permission from the hospitals because of the privacy of their patients,” he said. The Department of Health DOH had repeatedly warned that dispensing of ivermectin for human use as well as its promotion violate Republic Act 9711 or the FDA Act of 2009. Domingo had said that under a CSP, patients must consent to using the drug and doctors take upon themselves “complete responsibility over the product.” Domingo said their requirements for granting CSP are name of the licensed importer and proof of registration of ivermectin from its country of origin. The FDA should also be informed of the “investigational treatment” that the hospital will be following in the use of ivermectin against COVID-19. “Hindi naman puwedeng mag-iimbento ka ng dosage, imbento ng protocol (you can’t just invent dosage and protocols),” Domingo said. In the United States, ivermectin is used in mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, he said. Doctors who will use ivermectin against the coronavirus will be reporting to the FDA on a monthly basis, he said. Amid the push of some sectors, including lawmakers, for the use of ivermectin against COVID-19, the Philippine Association of Pharmacists in the Pharmaceutical Industr y (PAPPI) said clinical trials are needed to assess its benef its and risks. The World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency have all said there is currently a lack of data on ivermectin’s efficacy and

benefits as a COVID-19 treatment. The FDA earlier said that despite the approval, ivermectin’s distribution is still prohibited, as the agency said only the hospital that has the permit for ivermectin’s compassionate use for humans will be allowed to import the drug through a licensed importer. Domingo clarified that the Philippine FDA is not against ivermectin. “We recognize that it is a drug under investigation… there is a possibility that it would be proven to be good for COVID-19, there’s a possibility that it would be proven to be useless against COVID-19,” he said. “What the FDA is against is unregulated drugs. What we don’t allow is the prescription of a veterinary drug to humans and the use of unregistered drugs,”he said. Domingo stressed that “there is a legal way” to use ivermectin in the Philippines, which is through a CSP or a certificate of product registration. Meanwhile, a party-list lawmaker chided the Department of Health for preferring two costly investigational COVID-19 therapeutics over what he described as inexpensive “wonder drug” ivermetin that the poor can afford. “The DOH continues to spend hundreds of millions, maybe billions, of pesos to buy Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, not to mention the purchases of private hospitals,” Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said. He cited the recent statement of treatment czar DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega that new imported stocks of the two therapeutic products were due to arrive in the country to replenish dwindling supply. Defensor said Remdesivir costs P28,000 for 2 shots daily (for about 3-5 days) while the price of Tocilizumab is about $2,000. In contrast, he said ivermectin, which is also an investigational drug like its two more expensive rivals, costs only P35 per tablet.

He said for DOH hospitals, it is Philhealth that shoulders the price of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, while for private hospitals, the cost “is borne by desperate private citizens who try to save their sick loved ones.” He added that the DOH and the FDA were allowing the use of Remdesivir against the advice of the World Health Organization. “We were part of the WHO solidarity trial and yet we do not follow their recommendations and continue to allow Remdesivir to be given to COVID-19 patients. For Remdesivir, we don’t follow and DOH continues to purchase it, but for Ivermectin, where data is still inconclusive and clinical trials are allowed, the DOH and the FDA crack down on supply,” Defensor stressed. He said ivermectin is listed in the WHO, Philippine FDA and US FDA list of essential drugs. “It is considered a wonder drug, along with penicillin and aspiring. It is one of the safest, with a testimony spanning 40 years. It has a 3.7 billion dosage on record,” he said. He admitted that ivermectin “is not a registered drug, but that’s because for many years, it was donated for river blindness and other parasitic illnesses.” “Can the DOH and FDA allow its production? Yes, in the same manner that they have allowed the expensive drugs to be used. An administrative order (AO) allowing drug manufacturers to produce Ivermectin can be issued. The AO would allow them to import legally without facing arrest and confiscation of products given the current policy of the DOH and the FDA,” he said. Defensor said the poor could easily afford the P35 ivermectin. “We can save many lives without draining government and Philhealth coffers or making families, including the poor, pay huge sums for the hospitalization of their loved ones,” he said.

Earlier this week, Jinggoy announced that the 83-year-old former president and mayor of Manila and San Juan had already tested negative for COVID-19 and appeared to be in good spirits. Also a former Vice President and senator, Estrada will turn 84 on April 19. Last Tuesday, Jinggoy reported the former leader was finally negative for

COVID-19. “We are happy to announce that my dad continues to improve, and we expect that he can be transferred to a regular room soon,” Jinggoy posted on Facebook. “His repeat RT-PCR (swab test) is now NEGATIVE!” he added. Jinggoy said his father is still on high flow oxygen support but at a much-re-

duced rate and has been allowed to resume a soft diet. The former President was awake, conversing normally and “appears to be in good spirits,” he added. “We thank everyone for their continuous support and love and ask that you continue to pray for him and others who are afflicted with this awful and dreaded disease,” Jinggoy said.

objective. Naturally, China will not listen to diplomatic protests from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia that will detract China from realizing this objective,” he said. Carpio was reacting to China’s apparent lack of action on the series of diplomatic protests filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) over the presence of more than 240 Chinese militia vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef, as well the swarming of other features and islands in the country’s exclusive economic zone. Asked on what strategy the Philippines should take to effectively stop Beijing’s grand plan in the South China Sea, the retired SC magistrate proposed that Manila should join the freedom of navigation operations with the United States and other allies in the West Philippine Sea. “Join the FONOPS (freedom of navigation operations) of the US and its allies in the WPS,” Carpio said. He also suggested that the Philippines should hold joint patrols with other claimant-nations aimed at showing China that its nine-dash line claims cannot intrude on their respective exclusive economic zones. “Conduct joint patrols with Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia in each other’s EEZ to show China that its nine-dash line cannot encroach on their respective EEZs,” Carpio said. Carpio earlier warned that the Philippines will lose maritime territory larger than the country’s total land mass if it loses its exclusive economic zone to China. Carpio said the country would lose 80 percent of its EEZ if it will not challenge China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.

Rep. Jericho Nograles, the nominee of Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta partylist group, said persons who were already dead, minors, and those already living abroad were among the 22.9 million listed as beneficiaries in the latest round of the government’s cash amelioration program for areas in the so-called NCR Plus that were placed under ECQ. As an example, Nograles said that in Barangay 44, Pasay City, a person who had been dead since last August, minors not qualified as beneficiaries, and a former house help now living in Mindanao were listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as cash aid recipients. “My office received inquiries and reports on questionable beneficiaries. This comes

as no surprise, but clearly, the DSWD and the COA (Commission on Audit) should look into this,” Nograles said. In Cainta, Rizal, Nograles said, “a person who lives and works in Qatar was also listed as a recipient.” Another senior, who lives in Brookside Hills subdivision of Cainta, could not get any cash assistance during the distribution Thursday at the Ynares covered court since his name was not among those in the list of recipients listed down by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nograles said these cases might indicate a sample of thousands more of unqualified people on the DSWD’s amelioration list.

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Department of Justice has found probable cause to indict Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam, her son, and five others in connection with the killing of a vice mayor in Masbate in 2019.

The Office of the Prosecutor General Nelson Cambaya, Junel Gomez, Bradsaid the DOJ will file a murder case in ford Solis, Juanito De Luna, and Rigor court against Cam, Marco Martin Cam, dela Cruz.

Hospital... From A1

Rody... From A1

provinces will be open and running,” Duque said. This is part of the continuing efforts to address the most pressing concern of countless reports of overflowing hospitals in the midst of surging cases, said Duque. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, on the other hand, said that aside from the modular hospitals and tents that have been put up, the National Center for Mental Health had also been designated as a 1,000-bed COVID-19 facility for moderate cases. The DOH also said “more (health workers) are expected to be redeployed” to NCR Plus. Two hospital groups have previously said hospital capacity is not as big a problem as the shortage of manpower. They pointed out that the lack of health workers hobbles their capability to attend to more patients. However, the DOH said it has enough funds to hire more health workers but the number of applicants remains low. At the same time, a lawmaker from the Bicol region said DOH officials could be held liable for “almost criminal negligence” for failing to fully equip the country’s health workers at the frontlines of the war against COVID-19 with personal protective equipment that are essential in their daily battle to save patients and their lives as well from the deadly coronavirus. The failure of DOH executives to use the P3 billion allotted in Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) for the acquisition of PPEs “smacks of criminal neglect,” said Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte. He said “DOH’s continuing inaction has put the medical frontliners at serious risk of infection, great harm and even death on a daily basis in the absence or shortage of such indispensable protection against the highly infectious pathogen.” Congress included the P3-billion budget for the PPEs of healthcare workers in the Bayanihan 2 measure in anticipation of any possible scarcity in the supply of the PPEs, such as what is happening now in the midst of what experts have called the “second wave” of infections since the pandemic broke out in January last year, Villafuerte, member of the House independent bloc, said. “What makes this almost criminal negligence doubly infuriating is that P3 billion has been set aside in last year’s Bayanihan 2 for the purchase of PPEs for our medical frontliners, and yet DOH officials have chosen to take their own sweet time in buying such protective equipment that are so essential in our healthcare workers’ daily battle to save infected people and their lives as well,” Villafuerte said.

active infections swelled to a recordhigh of 193,476, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. Of this number, which is 21.1 percent of the total cases, 96 percent are mild; 2.9 percent are asymptomatic; 0.4 percent are critical; 0.5 percent are severe; and 0.30 are moderate. The DOH reported 145 new fatalities Friday, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 15,738, which is 1.72 percent of total cases. It was the eighth straight day that COVID-related deaths counted more than 100. The DOH also reported 650 patients who recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 705,757, which is 77.1 percent of the total.

Erap... From A1 transferred back to a regular ICU “for monitoring and support of his blood pressure, which fluctuated due to the said infection.” “But overall, he is stable with high flow oxygen support,” he said.

Local... From A1 Don’t mix vaccines, Duque warns

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday won’t advise the use of mixed COVID-19 vaccines to an individual, since there is no proof yet that this works. In a congressional hearing, Duque said it would not be easy to determine which vaccine brand caused an adverse side effect if they were mixed. “For example, if you administer Sinovac as the first dose then AstraZeneca in the second dose, how will you determine which causes an adverse

Biden told: Lift export ban on vax materials

FDA... From A1

effect if the person will experience it?,” he said in Filipino Vaccine experts in the Philippines are looking into the possibility of mixing different brands of COVID-19 vaccines because of the limited supply.

Jury out on 3rd dose

The Department of Health (DOH) said it needs more evidence and a recommendation from an international health institution before advising to consider taking a 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose. Pfizer said Thursday that its COVID-19 vaccine will likely have a 3rd dose to protect people from new variants.

Prolong... From A1 Based on the guidelines issued by the DILG, LGUs were directed to determine through an executive order the ways of releasing the cash aid to residents within 15 calendar days upon receipt of the funds. Due to the rising COVID-19 cases, the government earlier placed NCR Plus under enhanced community quarantine. The restrictions have since been downgraded to a modified ECQ. Meanwhile, a party-list legislator disclosed massive irregularities in the distribution of the cash aid during the newly-reimposed total lockdown.

THE head of the world’s largest vaccine maker directly tweeted US President Joe Biden on Friday urging him to lift an export ban on raw materials desperately needed to make more coronavirus shots. The unusual step by Serum Institute (SII) chief Adar Poonawalla underlined the crisis in providing vaccines to developing nations, many of which rely heavily on the firm for supplies. “Respected @POTUS, if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the U.S., I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the U.S. so that vaccine production can ramp up,” he tweeted. There was no immediate response from the US leader on Twitter. The world’s biggest vaccine producer by volume, SII has struggled to meet demand for the AstraZeneca jab, which it manufactures, after India put the brakes on allowing exports of the shots as it battles a ferocious second wave. Poonawalla said last week that production was “very stressed” and called on the Indian government to provide it with financial assistance. The company’s production of a jab developed by US firm Novavax has also hit roadblocks due to the US restrictions, with Poonawalla telling an Indian newspaper last week that the embargo was “as good as banning vaccines.” Developed in record time, the dozen or so COVID-19 vaccines already in use around the world have already triggered an exponential increase in production, meaning raw materials are now running short. SII, which struck a deal to supply 200 million doses to Covax, a World Health Organization-backed effort to procure and distribute inoculations to poor countries, has seen its profile soar since the pandemic, with rich nations also clamoring to buy its jab. AFP

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SATURDAY, APRIL 17 , 2021

Groups dismayed at the lifting of mining ban CARITAS Philippines with the lead dioceses of the Eco-Convergence hubs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the conveners of the CBCP National Laudato Si Program expressed dismay over the lifting of the nine-year mining moratorium by President Rodrigo Duterte. Executive Order 130 amended EO 79 issued in 2012, which suspended applications for mineral extractions in the protected areas, prime agricultural lands, tourism development areas and other critical ecosystems. Saying the country had just tapped 5 percent of its mineral reserve, the order added that, “in addition to ushering significant economic benefits to the country, the mining industry can support various government infrastructure projects and increase employment opportunities in remote rural areas to countryside development.” However, according to Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, “we are in the countryside and we are seeing no economic improvement in the lives of the people from mining. The government is again trying to fool us with false promises at the expense of our already suffering people and deteriorating environment.” He added: “Take for example what happened in Marinduque and Albay. The mining companies are gone but the ill-effects to the local ecosystems still threaten communities who gained nothing from the operations.” But a lawmaker from Mindanao praised Duterte’s decision lifting the moratorium on new mining deals. With the country buried in trillions of debt by the pandemic, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said, “the President’s decision was the thing he has been praying for since last year. “I have been hoping for this since last year. I have been saying that mining is the only way out of this debt trap we have found ourselves in by reason of the pandemic. Mining pays, and it will help us pay our debts. The royalties, revenues, taxes will all contribute to our economic recovery. There is no other industry aside from our BPO and OFWs that can bring much revenue. Sadly, these two have been on the losing end since the pandemic began”, Barbers said.

FIRST MEAL. The family of fish vendor Mokamad Lembak, 72, eat their first meal in Barangay Texing in Cotabato City. The annual month-long fasting is intended to bring them closer to God. Mark Navales

Sectors for vaccination approved T HE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the proposed sectors included in the A4 priority group for the vaccination against the Covid-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesman, said the updated A4 category on the Covid-19 vaccination priority list was approved on Thursday. Members of the media were now included in the A4 list, Roque said. Filipino workers abroad were also elevated from the B5 category to the A4 level. Meanwhile, The Taguig City govern-

ment on Friday announced it will include members of the media in its list of individuals who will be vaccinated free of charge against the coronavirus disease. “Once you work here, and Taguig is the area of your coverage, we are responsible for you,” Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said people deprived of liberty had been included in the government’s final list of

sub-categories under the vaccine priority A4, which gives priority to all frontliners other than health workers. Guevarra made the assurance even if the PDLs had not been included by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the A4 priority group of vaccine recipients. “The IATF approved yesterday [April 15] the final list of sub-categories under vaccine priority A4, which pertain to all frontliners other than health workers,” Guevarra said in a text message. The sectors belonging to the A4 group are: • Commuter transport (land, air, and sea), including logistics; • Public and private wet and dry market vendors;

• Frontline workers in groceries, supermarkets, delivery services; • Workers in manufacturing for food, beverage, medical and pharmaceutical products; • Frontline workers in food retail, including food service delivery; • Frontline workers in private and government financial services; • Frontline workers in hotels and accommodation establishments; • Priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders; • Security guards/ personnel assigned in offices, agencies, and organizations identified in the list of priority industries/ sectors; • Frontline workers in private and government news media.

Media urged to help farmers By Rio N. Araja FIRST DOSE.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, a recovered COVID-19 patient, gets his first dose of Sinovac vaccine at the FilOil Arena in San Juan City On April 16. Manny Palmero

3 drug dealers seized in Metro By Joel E. Zurbano and Jess Malabanan POLICE busted three suspected drug dealers and seized more than half a million pesos worth of shabu in two separate anti-narcotics operations in south Metro Manila. Arrested were Jim Gonzales alias Brando, 28, a resident of Barangay Wawa, Taguig City; CJ Manansalay Manguere, 22, of Candelaria Street, Quezon Province, and Bienjamin Jeune Virtucio alias Bien of Barangay Pitogo, Makati City. Elements of the Makati City Police Station conducted the entrapment operation along Sampaguita Street, Barangay Pembo, Makati City, around 3:50 p.m. on Thursday. Seized from the suspects were 36 grams of shabu worth more than P238,000, a Chevrolet car with registration plate AAI 3167, 16 pieces of P1,000 in boodle money and the P1,000 cash used in the entrapment. Meanwhile, 17 people including two Americans were arrested by anti-narcotics operatives during simultaneous raids at suspected illegal drug dens in Angeles City and in Marilao City in Bulacan on Thursday. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Christian Frivaldo said 10 suspected ‘users’ of illegal drugs were arrested in two separate drug dens along San Narciso Street in Barangay Malabanias and seven were rounded up in Northville in Lambakin, Marilao City.

SECRETARY John Castriciones of the Department of Agrarian Reform on Friday called on the media to report the anomalies they see in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implementation within their areas. That could enable his department to correct the mistakes and castigate those violating the law, he said. “We want you to become our partners in uplifting the lives of our farmers. It defeats the purpose of our mandate if anomalous activities such as the illegal conversion of land or other injustices to small farmers are being committed. Be our eyes and ears as we carry out our mandate of bringing social justice in the countryside,” he said. His department could help the media personalities by asking the police forces to protect them if they were being harassed by the suspected perpetrators, he said. “We have no police powers but we can ask the Philippine National Police to protect you. DAR personnel always experience harassment and even face legal suits filed by powerful landowners, but they still do their job to help the farmers despite the risk. I hope that you would do the same for our farmers,” he said.

Waste management stops garbage crisis in province By Jess Malabanan LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Effective solid waste management and other sustainable ecology programs of the province prevented the possible garbage crisis as a result of the recent closure of the Urdaneta Sanitary Landfill, an official said Friday. Pangasinan Governor Amado I. Espino lll said the necessary interventions were done and as a result the impending garbage crisis was addressed immediate-

ly and effectively. Likewise, the Cease and Desist Order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources against the USLF “did not affect our ecology and sanitation because of the programs that were in place even before the landfill shut down its operations” Espino said. Melody Sison, the head of the province’s Solid Waste Management Office, said the waste management of a number of cities and municipalities affected by the

closure order of the 18-hectare USLF remained in check. “Our waste disposal processes were addressed immediately after the Urdaneta landfill shutdown. Most if not all of the province’s municipal wastes being brought to Urdaneta are now being transported and hauled to an engineered sanitary landfill facility in Capas, Tarlac, owned and operated by Metro Clark Waste Management Corp.,” Sison said. Gladys Domalanta, head of the Gen-

Water, hygiene campaign online

Kidnapped Pinoy seamen to return By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday 10 Filipino seafarers who were abducted last month by pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea were set to return home on April 19. In a statement, the department said the 10 Filipino crewmen, along with five other nationalities, were freed by their captors on April 11, 2021, a month after they were taken hostage while aboard the chemical tanker MT David B off the coast of Benin. The six other Filipino crew members of Davide B who were spared from the kidnapping arrived home on April 3, 2021, with the help of their Dutch employer and the local manning agency Elburg Shipmanagement Philippines Inc. who secured their release and their immediate repatriation.

eral Services Office, said the provincial government had a standing agreement with the MCWM for three years now. She said the garbage, especially at the capitol complex, was hauled regularly. “The Clark Sanitary landfill provided relief. And based on our experience with them, their [facilities] and type of operations could sufficiently service our waste management requirements even if it will take more time before the Urdaneta landfill reopens and starts its operations,” Espino said.

REHABILITATION CONTINUES. A creek in San Miguel, Manila, undergoes desilting on Friday as the Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office advises the public to properly dispose of plastic and single-use products. Rico H. Borja

THE Local Water Utilities Administration) led an intensive water conservation and personal hygiene campaign recently to reach out to Filipinos across the country even in the time of pandemic. Dubbed “Buhay KYUT Online,” the initial launching of this webinar on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene education was held in celebration of World Water Day 2021 attended by about 200 participants composed of public elementary and high school teachers from 10 different schools in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, along with a number of water districts, partners and stakeholders. “Buhay KYUT” (Kalusugang Yaman Ugnay sa Tubig) was originally LWUA’s water conservation and hygiene caravan making the rounds in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. But with the travel restrictions and lockdowns, face-to-face gathering was crossed off the list in compliance with the health protocols, according to LWUA Acting Administrator Jeci A. Lapus.

News

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

Typhoon ‘Bising’ won’t hit country but sea alerts up

’Wrong premise for pork imports’ By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

GROUP of livestock operators belonging to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) on Friday questioned the “flawed” recommendation to justify the importation of a huge volume of frozen pork for 12 months.

By Rio N. Araja SEVERE tropical storm “Bising” intensified into a typhoon shortly after entering the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday, but it will not directly hit the country, the Philippine Atmospherical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. Wbut while it was not going to directly affect the country, the Department of Transportastion susoended land and sea trips to the Visayas and Mindanao via Matnog Port and other ports and other ports in the Visayas. “It is likely that the winds and heavy rains associated with this tropical cyclone will begin affecting portions of Eastern Visayas and Bicol region beginning on Sunday,” its bulletin read. “Bising” is less likely to make landfall in any part of the country, and that over the next three days, it is forecast to steadily intensify. Its center was at 960 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. It was moving west northwestward at 15 km per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 160 km/h. At the same time, the DOTr advised trucking/logistics companies and buses not to proceed but postpone their planned trips to avoid long queues at Matnog, Sorsogon, to Daraga, Albay. The department said the suspension was made upon the request of the Office of the Civil Defense in Region V and approved by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CouncilEmergency Operations Center. “Moreover, the DOTr orders its attached agencies in the Maritime and Road Sectors, namely the Philippine Coast Guard, the Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to immediately enforce the said travel suspension,” it stated.

‘AYUDA’ PROTEST. Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and other progressive groups face off with local police as they stage a protest to demand financial assistance and daily wage subsidy along Chino Roces Bridge in Mendiola, Manila on Friday. Norman Cruz

Grameen, J.P. Morgan aid 3,400 local entrepreneurs GRAMEEN Foundation on Friday announced the results of its COVID-19 RELIEF (Response to Enhance Livelihoods of Individual Entrepreneurs and Families) initiative in the Philippines. Supported by J.P. Morgan, the twophase program targeted individual microentrepreneurs or daily wage earners, especially women, who were severely affected by community lockdowns imposed in Metro Manila and Cebu. In Phase I, Grameen and its MFI (microfinance institution) partners, Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI) and RAFI Microfinance, Inc., delivered food, medicine packages, vouchers, and COVID-19 crisis-related financial advice to 3,500 targeted microentrepreneurs and their

households. Beneficiaries with basic-feature phones received e-vouchers via SMS. For those with smartphones, Grameen partnered with Celo and BeamAndGo Pte Ltd. to design a solution using blockchain technology that allowed beneficiaries to download the Valora app, access various merchants or stores via a microsite and shop online for grocery and hygiene packages. The combination of these two digital methods enabled delivery of relief that was effective, safe, fast, and transparent. “We were shocked and scared of the community quarantine…. [We] were scared that we’ll die of hunger,” said Soledad Regis, a 72-year-old widow and micro-entrepreneur in Muntinlupa City.

“We were so happy when we received a call about the relief assistance. The assistance was really a big help to us.” “We are grateful to J.P. Morgan for helping us make so many stories like Soledad’s possible. J.P. Morgan understood from the start that highly vulnerable microentrepreneurs would need both emergency aid and guidance during recovery to make them more resilient to future crises,” said Steve Hollingworth, President and CEO of Grameen Foundation. In Phase II of the program, Grameen Foundation supported its MFI (microfinance institution) partners in equipping microentrepreneurs with strategies to cope and respond to the COVID-19 crisis both professionally and in their personal lives.

Rosendo So, SINAG chairman, slammed the National Economic and Development Authority for supposedly coming up with bloated pork data against the estimates and reports of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). He said NEDA Acting Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua computed that the country’s pork shortfall would be over 300,000 metric tons, based on a per capita consumption of 15 kilos. So said the President was fed with wrong information. Some 6.7 million backyard hog raisers, not the 2.4 million commercial hog raisers, would be severely affected by the importation of frozen meat, he said, adding the big commercial meat industry would no longer invest in backyard hog raising and would instead shift to buying imported meat at cheaper prices. Aside from pork and poultry, the government is also losing billions of pesos a year due to irregular practices in the importation of fish and seafood products, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson bared Thursday. Lacson questioned the huge discrepancies between the records of the World Trade Organization and the PSA on fish and seafood importation from the top 15 exporting countries from 2015 to 2020. “The Department of Agriculture will have a lot of explaining to do. The discrepancies may mean there is a lot of misdeclaration, underdeclaration, or outright smuggling. There’s a pattern,” said Lacson.

Win to DOE: Justify Chevron transfer

PCG PLANTING.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, recently named a Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore, plants a pine tree beside the Lighthouse of PCG District Southern Tagalog in Calatagan, Batangas during the PCG’s 38th Founding Anniversary. Romualdez assured the PCG that Congress and Malacanang are identifying sources of funds to boost Coast Guard personnel, naval and air assets, including the establishment of the Philippine Coast Guard Academy. Ver Noveno

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Energy should justify its decision approving the transfer of Chevron Philippines’ ownership in Chevron Malampaya LCC to UC Malampaya Philippines, Sen. Win Gatchalian said Friday. Gatchalian said no less than the DOE’s legal department, in a Senate hearing last November 10, 2020, told the Committee on Energy which he chairs that such a transaction is governed by a DOE circular requiring an evaluation of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the company. Presidential Decree 87 also requires the approval of the DOE on such transfer of shares in upstream petroleum ventures. Also, in the joint operating agreement signed by the members of the consortium operating Malampaya (Shell, Chevron, and PNOC-EC), a provision exists that

for the sale of shares to be finalized, the party or the transferer must ensure they get all prior permits or approvals from the government. UC Malampaya Philippines completed on March 11, 2020 its acquisition of Chevron Malampaya LLC, the holder of a 45% interest in Malampaya gas field project, and it was only in October 28 last year that the DOE has been officially provided with the documents on the Malampaya share’s divestment, the senator noted. Before the DOE announced its approval of the sale, Gatchalian note the Senate Energy Committee sought the department’s submission of its legal basis in reviewing the transaction, whether there is a need for another issuance to clarify if these kinds of transactions would need executive approval or not, and their recommendations to the legislature on possible amendments on PD 87.

PH commits 75% DHSUD, 3 Mindanao LGUs sign pact goal to Paris pact PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the country’s first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which sets a 75-percent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and avoidance by 2030, as part of the Philippines’ commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The NDC represents the country’s goal of modernizing and pursuing low carbon and resilient development for the agriculture, waste, industry, transport, and energy sectors from year 2020 to 2030. This target is based on the country’s projected business-as-usual cumulative economy-wide emission of 3,340.3 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) for the same period. Compared to the Philippines’ Intended NDC that was submitted in 2015, which conveyed a conditional 70 percent GHG reduction target, this first official NDC conveys a higher target and includes an unconditional commitment of climate action. “The Philippines is submitting an ambitious NDC target of 75-percent reduction of GHG emissions by 2030 in the name of climate justice,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the Chairman-designate to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), which facilitated the NDC formulation process.

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has partnered with three local governments in Mindanao to provide sustainable, resilient, and affordable housing units to Filipinos, especially the underprivileged. Secretary Eduardo del Rosario has entered into an agreement with Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista; Magsaysay, Davao del Sur Mayor Arthur Davin, and M’Lang, North Cotabato Mayor Russel Abonado for the development of socialized housing projects under the Duterte administration’s flagship program BALAI (Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive) Filipino communities. “These MOAs are testament to the Duterte administration’s commitment to continue providing decent and affordable housing and sustainable communities to underprivileged Filipinos in rural areas

through a whole-of-nation approach and close coordination with LGUs,” del Rosario said. “By establishing effective partnership with LGUs, DHSUD will be able to reach out and assist more Filipinos who wish to have a house of their own,” he added. The agreements were designed to assist local government units with their BALAI-certified socialized housing programs using funds from the incentivized compliance of private developers to balanced housing. For Kidapawan, the pact will pave the way for the development of relocation sites in Ilomavis and Indangan, intended for the victims of earthquakes that jolted the city back in October 2019. Five multi-purpose facilities located in various socialized relocation sites in the municipality of Magsaysay are now in the pipeline. Rio N. Araja

SMFI LAUDED. SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) recently received a plaque of recognition from the Cebu City government for its invaluable support to Cebuaños during the pandemic. Through its Operation Tulong Express: COVID-19 response, SMFI provided Cebu City frontliners with personal protective equipment and other safety gear and muchneeded medical equipment, which strengthened the city’s response against the virus.

Malapitan lauds USAID, DOH for helping Caloocan fight COVID-19 By Jun David CALOOCAN Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan expressed his gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Health (DOH) for the assistance and support the city government received in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus

pandemic. In a program Friday at Buena Park, Caloocan, USAID lead by Chargé d’Affaires John C. Law and with USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II announced the US$3.5 million vaccine technical assistance by the agency for the DOH led by Secretary Francisco Duque III.

For the Caloocan City Government, City Administrator Engr. Oliver Hernandez, the mayor’s representative, said USAID had been a huge help through its ReachHealth Project. These include 59 hand hygiene stations, support with the COVID-19 data management systems and communication campaigns, and even with the additional

health professional volunteers. “The City Government of Caloocan is very thankful to USAID. Since the onset of the pandemic, USAID has been assisting the city in so many ways. We are looking forward to stronger collaboration and partnership with the USAID and DOH, as we work together to win against this pandemic,” said Hernandez.

Opinion What IF?

It is not surprising that many are now angry at how this pandemic is severely mishandled. Therefore, from these data, there is reason to believe that money may not be the problem. Government has targeted 70 percent of Filipinos for vaccination this year. Initially, Duterte promised for vaccines to start arriving in December 2020. This did not happen. The numbers are dismal. The total doses delivered to the Philippines as of April 13, 2021 was 3,025,600 (Sinovac 2.5 million and AstraZeneca 525,600). The vaccine doses that have been administered as of the same date were 1,093,651 (first dose), and 162,065 (second dose). These numbers say that ONLY 162,065 Filipinos have so far been vaccinated. The vaccination roll out is very slow. What if, there were more to the scenario that this administration is hoarding huge funds and purposely delaying actions to address the pandemic? What if these periodic disappearances and subsequent reappearance of Duterte are part of a grand scheme to divert people’s attention? What if even the controversial dolomite, the spokesperson’s antics, and other events are also diversionary tactics meant to dissipate our energies? What if all these are about their preparations to ensure victory come the 2022 elections? I am putting this out only so people know that this may happen. However things turn out, we must remember the thousands who perished and their families and who are now grieving. The Filipino electorate must honor them and choose public servants who are worthy of the title. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth

An obvious bias

EVER since reports of ivermectin as having potential prevention and treatment properties for COVID-19 began surfacing, both the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration headed by Francisco Duque and Eric Domingo, respectively, have been consistent in blocking the potential pandemic game changer while promoting more expensive drugs. In fact, this puzzling position of both agencies prompted Anakalusugan Rep. Michael “Idol” Defensor to opine that “the strong reaction of people against the crackdown on ivermectin is understandable as while the DoH and FDA continue to harp on the law as the escape goat, they themselves violate the law themselves and the pronouncements of the World Health Organization.” According to Defensor, a friend of his messaged him saying she had to pay P300,000 pesos for her COVID hospitalization because of her P13,000 per injection for Remdesivir even when it was already rejected by WHO in November of last year. “We were part of the WHO Solidarity

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

EDITORIAL

pandemic. At some point, Duterte said that the government had no more funds to give as assistance to poor families. However, the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws have earmarked funds for efforts to address the pandemic. Moreover, according to a March 2021 report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the country borrowed P2.74 trillion in 2020 to fight the health and socioeconomic crises brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount that will eventually be paid by the people is no joke. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez also said that for 2021, the national government has programmed to borrow P3.03 trillion from both domestic and multilateral lenders. In terms of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine (which, Duterte said is our ONLY hope in defeating this pandemic), according to the March 23, 2021 Rappler report, government programmed P82.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines for 2021 including P70 billion that will come from loans and additional revenues. The Philippines is poised to secure at least $1.2 billion (P58.5 billion) for vaccines broken down as follows: $500 million from the World Bank; $400 million from the Asian Development Bank; and $300 from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

AS OF 15 April, according to the Department of Health (DOH), the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 904,285 with 15,594 deaths. Just for this day, 11,429 new cases were added. However, many think that the actual numbers are much higher as we continue to hear of entire families contracting the disease but remaining at home because our health facilities are full to the brim? We also hear of people dying without being seen by doctors. Are these cases included in the official DOH data? Most probably, they are not. Any which way one looks at the situation, this pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the country. Filipinos are suffering in more ways than one. Even President Rodrigo Duterte said so in his last public appearance. He said that this pandemic will take long to address and that many more will die. According to him, the only solution is the vaccine. In the same breath, Duterte remains in denial about the incompetence and serious lack of the sense of urgency of the DOH and the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) in dealing with this pandemic. This presidential attitude and defeatist statement is quite disheartening. With COVID-19 deaths happening and families going hungry all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces, it is not surprising that many are now angry at how this pandemic is severely mishandled. But what if the handling is intentional and part of a grand scheme in relation with the 2022 national elections? This alleged scheme is making the rounds of social media: “Government is not confused or incompetent. It is just sticking to a logical plan. It does not want to solve the pandemic now because it is timing the peak of vaccination and the subsequent recovery of the economy by early next year, for purposes of impact on the 2022 elections. By the third quarter of 2021, vaccine prices will start to dive. By the fourth quarter, the government will step up vaccinations and probably release funds for relief, stimulus, subsidies, etc. in time for Christmas in December 2021. Mobility and business will pick up fast through January to March 2022. The start of the Presidential campaign is March 2022. Government will start distributing cash by then (from the budget it is hoarding) towards a climax of happiness and excitement by election day in May 2022. The biggest problem for the government is how to dribble the ball from now up to December while hoarding its money. It will have to entertain, divert and distract the public for seven months. This is what is happening. Even if the entire country gets sick, only 5 percent will be serious and less than 1 percent will die. Filipinos can easily forget that as long as they have a long fiesta from Christmas to May next year.” I ignored this message the first time I received it. However, like many, I am puzzled not only by the government’s seeming incapability to come up with pro-active solutions, but also at the events that have been happening outside of the

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

trial and yet we do not follow the recommendations and continue to allow Remdesivir to be given to patients. For Remdesivir we don’t follow and DOH continues to purchase but for ivermectin where data is still inconclusive and clinical trials are allowed, we crack down on the supply,” Defensor said. In November last year, WHO issued a conditional recommendation against the use of Remdesivir in hospitalized patients, regardless of disease severity, as there is currently no evidence that Remdesivir improves survival and other outcomes in these patients. According to WHO, only corticosteroids have so far been proven effective against severe and critical COVID-19. “We now have evidence from several large-scale international trials on Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and interferon beta. Unfortunately, the trials showed that none of these interventions had a meaningful effect on any patient important outcomes,” read WHO’s statement. Defensor even quoted WHO’s other studies regarding drugs being used by DoH and granted permit by the FDA for use on COVID-19 patients in the country: “The Solidarity Trial published interim results on 15 October 2020. It found that all four treatments evaluated (Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon) had little or no effect on overall mortality, initiation of ventilation

Bigger tables

IVEN the ruthless restrictions imposed by health protocols during the pandemic, we are heartened by reports that the bayanihan spirit, a sturdy layer of Filipino culture, is much alive in Quezon City. We refer to the Maginhawa Community Pantry where donations are brought for those who need help. The donations arrive from people from all sectors of the social rung, with some, according to reports chipping in some amount so they could buy groceries for people in need. People who need the supplies come and take just the amount that they could consume for the next meal. The two-layer bamboo shelf at a corner of the busy street now contains rice, vegetables, canned goods, milk and even vitamins—and gets restocked fast. Bayanihan—called tagnawa in the north and pagtinabangay in the Visayas—

We are certain that many similar gestures across the country are making a dent even if they are not getting any media attention. is a fundamental aspect of Filipino culture, with people working together as a community to achieve a common goal.

This aspect of bayanihan during the coronavirus pandemic has different threads in different regions in the country. It is a spirit that defines the Filipino even if the Filipino speaks different tongues and professes a variety of religious beliefs. The young woman who put up the pantry said: “Of course I’m happy to help, but it’s also a lesson for us. If it were just me, I wouldn’t be able to sustain the pantry. It can only be sustained if the community comes together.” We are certain that many similar gestures across the country are making a dent even if they are not getting any media attention. May these simple deeds continue to make a difference—one family, one meal at a time—and escape the claws of opportunists with the instinct to turn the anonymous exercise into a popularity drive. Heaven forbid we see faces or names of politicians who want to build up their image at any cost.

Ratcheting up trouble in the South China Sea WE should stop referring to that portion of the Spratly as ours because of the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It was the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that we ratified in 1982 where we got our right to have the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). To recall, it was then Senator Arturo Tolentino, our leading expert on the law of the sea, that formulated our territorial waters; that islands separated beyond 12 miles is still considered part of our internal waters with outward limitation not to exceed 200 miles. That decision was done to comply with UNCLOS which we incorporated in our Constitution. Then-Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza aptly called it the “Philippine Archipelagic Doctrine”, to quote: “...all waters, around between and connecting different islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago, irrespective of their width or dimension, are necessary appurtenances of its land territory, forming an integral part of the national or inland waters, subject to the exclusive sovereignty of the Philippines.” We ratified UNCLOS pursuant to our adoption of the doctrine. Some say it follows the contour of the islands from their baseline to the outermost limit, and waters irrespective of width and dimension, that forms part of the archipelago. The Treaty of Paris was later expanded to include our claim to our EEZ. Almost all countries separated by archipelago recognize our doctrine. President Marcos issued PD No. 1596 on June 11, 1978 making Kalayaan a distinct and separate municipality of Palawan. The decree did not to violate any international law but: 1) adjusted our territorial waters in accordance to the doctrine; 2) synchronized our national territory separated by bodies of water beyond the 12-mile limit as still part of our internal waters; 3) adopted the important provisions of the newly-ratified UNCLOS then, granting countries exclusive fishing and mineral rights over its resources up to 200 miles of their EEZ.

What are we to make of the actions of Duque and Domingo? and duration of hospital stay in hospitalized patients.” As for tocilizumab, the cost is about $2,000 per patient from the information I have gathered. Although, I have not read any official recommendation by the WHO, the same report states: “95-percent credible intervals included both substantial benefit and harm for azithromycin, colchicine, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin, and tocilizumab -26- (all very low certainty).” Defensor also noted that tocilizumab is used for arthritis and has recorded thousands of adverse effects with its use, which means the DoH is allowing use of off-label drugs or drugs being used for purposes other than its original intent. As such, it would be quite normal for some sectors to believe that there could be someone or some group which is benefitting from the use of these expensive drugs. Of course, both the DoH and the FDA are quick to refute these allegations, issuing a statement to that effect, which Defensor

The Aquino government made adjustments to our boundaries in the SSC after PD No. 1596 was inexplicably scrapped. Maybe the Aquino government wanted to get rid of the Marcos legacy, but his advisers committed a serious mistake, for they virtually changed the date when the Philippines declared the Kalayaan Group of Islands part of our territorial waters which incidentally, is being contested by China, and other countries like Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Has Secretary Lorenzana become the unofficial mouthpiece of the US embassy? Paradoxically, if we are to retain PD No. 1596, China will find it difficult to deny our claim, much that the decree is intended to align our EEZ to UNCLOS. The boundaries in the Treaty of Paris rather narrowed down our territorial limit that it virtually denied us of the right to explore and exploit our EEZ. Second, China as signatory to UNCLOS is committed to adhere to the Convention. The US is so adamant in highlighting the alleged expansionist moves of China in the SCS but refuses to ratify the Convention. Third, by ratifying UNCLOS, China equally extended its own EEZ but it cannot expand to cover the whole of SCS. China’s claim of that great portion of SCS referred to as the nine-dash line is based on ancient history and has practically been rejected by all countries littoral to the SCS. Nonetheless, our EEZ does not overlap the boundaries of other countries like China, or any island, reef, coral or shoal for us to assert our sovereignty. Claimants in the SCS, strictly speaking, can be considered intruders. They managed

shared with us. “The DOH and FDA categorically deny the insinuation that there are people from the department who financially benefit from the use of Remdesivir and tocilizumab. The use of Remdesivir and tocilizumab are based on WHO Solidarity Trials and are used only for critical and severe COVID-19 cases. Remdesivir and tocilizumab are not yet recommended for the use of mild and asymptomatic cases,” read the statement. However, the statement added that “the WHO has yet to set the appropriate treatment of COVID-19 patients and these are used to help in discovering effective therapeutics for COVID-19. Moreover, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) COVID-19 Living Recommendations suggest the use of Remdesivir and tocilizumab as a treatment for patients with critical and severe COVID-19 cases. Remdesivir is used under Compassionate Special Permit and tocilizumab is a registered antiinflammatory drug.” Clearly, the DoH and the FDA are using WHO’s position against ivermectin as it suits them, but not WHO’s recommendation on Remdesivir and other expensive drugs. And it doesn’t add up. Can they blame the people for accusing them of making something out of those expensive drugs? According to Defensor, the DoH continues to spend hundreds of millions (maybe billions now) of pesos to buy Remdesivir

to acquired some of these islands by occupation or merger with other territories consequent to the grant of independence by their colonizer like Borneo with Malaya, resulting in the creation of Malaysia and now claiming some islets adjacent to SCS, or as a result of the arbitrary decision in the Treaty of San Francisco, surrendering the Paracel islands to Vietnam, and the forceful occupation of the islands adjacent to Taiwan. When we incorporated our “archipelagic doctrine” and adjusted our EEZ, no country questioned the sincerity of our intention. Hence, when the Senate replaced the decree with another law, that did not bode well our intention; that the country attempted to cheat and tamper our history. China cannot make reference to the Ming Dynasty to claim the whole of SCS as once a part of its territory, in like manner that we would vehemently reject any claim that the Philippines belongs to the crown of Spain just because we were once a colony of Spain. When the Aquino administration retouched the decree by erasing the role played by Marcos, our lawmakers and some clerics wanted to make their own version of history. Moreover, Defense Secretary of Delfin Lorenzana has rather become the unofficial mouthpiece of the US embassy. It was Lorenzana who first raised the issue that China was massing “militia vessels” in the Julian Felipe Reef. Whether he is referring to them as some kind of guerrilla or naval ships disguised as fishing boats to deny any connection with the Chinese navy, we really do not know. Full version on www.manilastandard.net

and tocilizumab not to mention the purchase of private hospitals, which of course will be charged to Philhealth. Defensor stresses that the FDA law, in theory, is to protect our people in the use of drugs. Full version on www.manilastandard.net

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SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

8 dead in Indianapolis shooting: police A

T LEAST eight people were killed in a shooting in the US city of Indianapolis by a gunman who is believed to have then killed himself, police said.

FIREWORKS. This picture taken on April 15, 2021 released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 16 shows an evening party for young students celebrating the birthday of their country’s founder and Eternal President Kim Il Sung at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. AFP

SG activist raises $108,00 libel damages A SINGAPOREAN activist has raised US$108,000 he owes Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in defamation damages, the second time this month a government critic turned to the public to fund payments to the premier. Critics have accused the government of seeking to silence dissent in the tightly regulated city-state through costly libel suits, but activists are fighting back by appealing to the public for donations through social media. Roy Ngerng, a former government employee, was found guilty in 2014 of defaming Lee after accusing him in a blog of misappropriating state pension funds. He was ordered to pay Lee US$112,000 in damages, which he has been paying in installments. Ngerng, who now lives in Taiwan, made online appeals for donations to cover the US$108,000 that he still owes the prime minister after another blogger successfully raised a similar amount earlier this month. Ngerng announced Friday that he met his goal over nine days of crowdfunding, with more than 2,000 people donating. “After 7 long years, you have come together to help me cross this hurdle, and move on into a next chapter of my life,” he wrote in a post on Facebook. “I cannot thank you enough.” Another blogger, Leong Sze Hian, was ordered to pay Sg$133,000 in damages after being found guilty of defaming the prime minister by sharing an article on Facebook which linked the Singapore leader to the money-laundering scandal at state fund 1MDB in Malaysia. Leong successfully raised the amount in an online crowdfunding campaign earlier this month, but he said Thursday Manila he must pay an additional amount of alStandard TODAY in legal costs. most Sg$130,000 Singapore has consistently ranked highly in surveys as one of the world’s least corrupt countries. But rights groups say its leaders have used financially ruinous defamation suits to silence EXTRA-JUDICIAL critics and politSETTLEMENT ical opponents. Notice is hereby given Singaporean that the estate of the late MA. CRISTINA leaders mainR. PERTIERRA has been extra-judicially tain that the are settled among her lawsuits heirs, as per Doc. No. necessary to 466; Page No. 94; protect their Book No. LXXXIX; Series of 2019 r e p u t a t i o n s before Notary Public from unfoundATTY. JOSE MA. B. ed allegations. TORRES. AFP

Hackers nabbed over $60m COVID-19 scam TWO Indonesian hackers have been arrested over an international scam in which $60 million was stolen from a COVID-19 aid program helping Americans left jobless by the pandemic, authorities said. Text messages were sent to 20 million Americans directing them to more than a dozen fake US government websites, police in the Southeast Asian nation said late Thursday. Thousands of victims supplied personal information, including so-

cial security numbers, to the fake sites in the hopes of securing $2,000 offered under a real assistance program for the unemployed, authorities said. But their data was instead used by scammers to steal millions of dollars from the program. “Some 30,000 US citizens were scammed and the government’s financial loss is up to $60 million,” said East Java police chief Nico Afinta.

The two suspects were arrested last month in Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya after police were notified by US authorities. Indonesian police did not say how long the scam had been running. The pair could face up to nine years in prison under Indonesia’s electronic information law. Police said they were investigating the possible involvement of a third person who may have secured funds illicitly. AFP

The victims were all found at a Fedex facility near the international airport where the shooting took place late Thursday, police spokeswoman Genae Cook told a news conference, adding several others had been taken to hospital. One man who said he works at the plant told local broadcaster WISH-TV he saw the gunman start shooting and heard more than 10 gunshots. “I saw a man with a sub-machine gun of some sort, an automatic rifle, and he was firing in the open. I immediately ducked down and got scared,” Jeremiah Miller said. Cook told reporters officers had responded to an “active shooter incident,” adding they believe the gunman died by suicide. She said authorities judged there was no longer an immediate threat to public safety. A Fedex spokesperson confirmed to AFP that its facility was the scene of the shooting, and said the company was cooperating with authorities. “We are aware of the tragic shooting at our ground facility near the Indianapolis airport,” the company said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority, and our thoughts are with all those who are affected.” The facility for the delivery company is reported to employ more than 4,000 people. Timothy Boillat, another employee at the facility, told WISH-TV that he saw around 30 police cars arriving at the scene as he witnessed the shooting unfold. “After hearing the shootings, I did see a body on the floor,” he said. “Luckily, I was far enough away to where he [the shooter] didn’t see me.” Live video showed police tape at the scene of the incident, which follows several mass shootings in recent weeks. At the end of last month, four people, including a child, were shot dead in an office building in southern California. On March 22, some 10 people were killed in a shooting at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. That came less than a week after a man shot and killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at spas in Atlanta, Georgia. Nearly 40,000 people in the United States die each year from guns, more than half of those being suicides. AFP

Gay couple fights Namibia govt over newborns ON A calm autumn afternoon, newborn twins Maya and Paula lay peacefully on a mattress at a Johannesburg house, blissfully taking turns to bottlefeed and nap, oblivious of the uncertainty over their citizenship status. They are daughters of a NamibianMexican gay couple, and the Namibian authorities have dragged their feet on issuing documents for the girls born to a South African surrogate mother to travel to Windhoek. They have demanded proof of a biological connection to the infants on the part of the parents, 38-year-old Phillip Luehl and his partner Guillermo Delgado, 36. The men are now pinning their hopes on a Namibian High Court ruling, scheduled for Monday, to at least allow the infants to secure temporary documents to travel to Windhoek and join Delgado and their two-year-old brother Yona. Before the babies arrived, the couple had applied for papers to ensure they would be able to travel home to Namibia shortly after birth. “To our surprise that... very innocent request was denied,” Luehl told AFP. “I’m here in South Africa with the girls and cannot travel, cannot enter Namibia,” he said as the girls’ 70-year-old grandmother, Frauke Luehl, bottle-fed one while the other slept. AFP

A PARENT’S LOVE. Phillip Lühl from Namibia kisses the hand of one of his new born baby twins, Maya (center) as Paula (left) sleeps in their temporary accommodation in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, on April 14, 2021. Paula and Maya are daughters of a gay couple – a Namibian and a Mexican – and were born through surrogacy by a South African woman. Efforts to take them to Windhoek since their birth on March 13, 2021, have hit a snag, forcing the parents – Lühl, 38, and his partner Guillermo Delgado, 36, to resort to the courts. AFP

Myanmar’s ousted MPs form shadow government A “PARLIAMENT” working in hiding to oust Myanmar’s junta from power announced a new shadow government Friday, with deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi at its helm alongside ethnic minority politicians. The country has been in turmoil since the military detained Suu Kyi and seized power, triggering a massive uprising that the junta has sought to quell with lethal force. Besides demanding for democ-

HK media tycoon Jimmy Lai given added jail term, will serve 14 months

(MS-APRIL 8,17 & 22,2021)

NOTICE Standard Manila

TODAY Be advised that effective January 19, 2021 J’s Construction and Trading formerly registered with DTI is now known as J’s Prime Construction and Trading OPC by virtue of the Securities and Exchange COMMISSION (SEC) registration and approval of its new Corporate Business Name to operate under its new brand name. The management of J’s Prime Construction and Trading OPC

(MS-APRIL 17, 2021)

Helming the so-called “National Unity racy’s return, protesters are also increasingly calling for more of a gov- Government” is Suu Kyi, in her position erning role for the country’s minority as State Counsellor, and President Win groups – which have long seen their Myint – who is also under house arrest and facing aYELLOW barrage of BLACK charges from the voices marginalized by the ethnic CYAN MAGENTA junta. Bamar majority. They are flanked by a vice president The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) – a group of who is ethnic Kachin and a prime minislawmakers mostly from Suu Kyi’s party ter who is ethnic Karen, said Min Ko Naattempting to govern underground via ing, a prominent democracy leader, in an a shadow parliament – on Friday an- address on the CRPH’s official Facebook page. AFP nounced its leaders.

SENSUAL SCENT. A worker at the Bin Salman farm sits amidst freshly picked Damascena (Damask) roses, used to produce rose water and oil, in the western Saudi city of Taif. Every spring, roses bloom in Taif, transforming pockets of the kingdom’s vast desert landscape into fragrant pink patches. AFP

HONG KONG media tycoon Jimmy Lai was testers. Alongside Lai, former lawmaker Lee handed an additional jail term on Friday for his involvement in huge democracy rallies, mean- Cheuk-yan was sentenced to six months in ing he will serve a total of 14 months in prison. jail, while another veteran democrat Yeung Lai was initially sentenced on Friday to 12 Sum received a suspended sentence. Organizers say 1.7 million people – almost months in jail for organizing one rally, then CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK to another eight months for his participation one quarter of Hong Kong’s population – in a different anti-government protest. How- turned out for the huge rally that formed the ever, he will only serve 14 months as part of backbone of demonstrations that wracked the city throughout 2019. the jail terms will be served concurrently. Lai was among nine of Hong Kong’s most The latest sentencing was linked to a rally on August 31, 2019 marking the fifth an- prominent democracy campaigners found niversary of Beijing’s rejection of a call for guilty of organising and participating in the universal suffrage for Hong Kong, which rally. Many of them have spent decades advosparked the 79-day “Umbrella Movement.” The rally descended into city-wide chaos cating non-violence in their ultimately fruitas police clashed with pro-democracy pro- less campaign for universal suffrage. AFP

Business China’s GDP expanded by record 18.3% in 1st quarter BEIJING, China—China’s economy expanded at a record pace in the first quarter as the country continued its rapid recovery from last year’s pandemic-fueled slump, official data showed Friday. The 18.3-percent explosion in gross domestic product was the fastest pace since quarterly records began three decades ago, but came off a historic contraction in 2020 during the depths of the pandemic. It was also slightly short of forecasts in an AFP survey of economists. While the disease first emerged in central China in late 2019, the country was also the quickest to bounce back after authorities imposed strict control measures and consumers stayed home. “The national economy made a good start,” National Bureau of Statistics spokeswoman Liu Aihua told reporters Friday. The sharp spike was partly due to “incomparable factors such as the low base figure of last year and increase of working days due to staff staying put during the Lunar New Year” holiday, said Liu. Migrant workers were urged to remain in the areas where they work during the break owing to fears that the annual massive migration might lead to local outbreaks. In a sign that the country’s crucial consumer sector is getting back up to pace, the figures showed retail sales surged in March, bringing first-quarter growth to 33.9 percent as life largely returned to normal. Industrial output rose a less-thanestimated 24.5 percent in the quarter. The figures come days after officials announced that exports—and particularly imports—had rocketed in March. Liu, however, warned that the international landscape still contained “high uncertainties.” While vaccines are being rolled out around the world, the distribution is uneven and a pick-up in infections is forcing governments to reimpose containment measures, holding back recovery.AFP

Stock market retreats; Basic, MerryMart gain

HE stock market fell Friday on mild profit taking, with many investors staying on the sidelines in the absence of a catalyst that could push the benchmark index back to 6,500 points.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 45.15 points, or 0.7 percent, to 6,494.81 on a value turnover of P5.7 billion. Losers edged gainers, 108 to 104, with 44 issues unchanged. JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group dropped 3.7 percent to P58.40, while miner Apollo Global Capital Inc. shed 4.7 percent to P0.224. MerryMart Consumer Corp., a supermarket chain owned by businessman Edgar Sia, however, advanced 8.1 percent to P5.58, while Basic Energy Corp. rose 5

percent to P1.06. The rest of Asian markets rose Friday as record Chinese economic growth reaffirmed the country’s strong recovery, while traders tracked a Wall Street surge fueled by blockbuster reports on US consumer spending and jobless claims. Officials in Beijing said the world’s second-biggest economy expanded 18.3 percent in the first quarter, boosted by a sharper-than-expected increase in retail sales that gave hope the country’s vast army of consumers are again dipping into their pockets. The economic growth figure was the highest since records began three decades ago, enhanced by its chronically weak comparison figure from last year, though the reading was slightly below forecasts in an AFP survey. Analysts also pointed out that the quarter-on-quarter growth was below estimates. “China’s growth will trend lower

going forward,” said OANDA’s Edward Moya, though he did say it “will likely prevent policymakers from tightening too quickly.” Asian markets struggled in early trade but picked up the pace as the day moved on. Shanghai led gains with Hong Kong, while Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington were also well up. Jakarta edged down. The tepid performance at the end of the week came despite a strong lead from Wall Street, where the Dow ended above 34,000 for the first time and the S&P 500 clocked yet another record. The rally in New York came on the back of figures showing US jobless claims came in at their lowest level since the pandemic began, while retail sales soared 9.8 percent on-month in March as Americans began spending their $1,400 stimulus handouts, helped by the roll-out of vaccines. With AFP

PSEi April 16, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

FPI SPM

0.29 2.46

0.04 0.3

16.00% 13.89%

0.011

0.001

10.00%

0.16

0.014

9.59%

5 6

MAB MM

0.012 5.58

0.001 0.42

9.09% 8.14%

NRCP

0.77

0.05

6.94%

8 9

LCB COAL

0.157 0.315

0.01 0.02

6.80% 6.78%

SUN

1.58

0.08

5.33%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

JOH CA

4.99 56.3

-0.73 -6.15

-12.76% -9.85%

WIN

0.255

-0.025

-8.93%

4 5

OM PRMX

0.41 3.11

-0.035 -0.26

-7.87% -7.72%

ACE

1.72

-0.1

-5.49%

LAND

2.03

-0.11

-5.14%

8 9 10

APL ECP PLC

0.224 6.39 0.45

-0.011 -0.29 -0.02

-4.68% -4.34% -4.26%

MOST ACTIVE

People walk on the promenade of the Bund along the Huangpu River in Shanghai on April 16, 2021. China’s economy expanded at a record pace in the first quarter as the country continued its rapid recovery from last year’s pandemic-fueled slump, official data showed Friday. AFP

Apple unveils $200-m fund to reduce carbon SAN FRANCISCO—Apple on Thursday announced a $200-million fund to invest in timber-producing commercial forestry projects, with the goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere while also generating profit. The Restore Fund, launched in partnership with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs, is expected to have its first projects targeted later this year. “Nature provides some of the best tools to remove carbon from the atmosphere,” Apple vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson said in a statement. “Through creating a fund that generates both a financial return as well as real, and measurable carbon impacts, we aim to drive broader change in the future—encouraging investment in carbon removal around the globe.” Forests draw in carbon from the air, storing it away and stopping the gas from contributing to climate change. The fund aims to remove one million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from the atmosphere, equal to the amount spewed by more than 200,000 passenger vehicles. Apple said last year it would become carbon neutral by 2030 for all its operations, including manufacturing. The California-based iPhone maker said its goal was to have no climate impact for all its devices sold. “Investing in nature can remove carbon far more effectively-and much sooner—than any other current technology,” Conservation International chef executive M. Sanjayan said in a joint release. “As the world faces the global threat climate change presents, we need innovative new approaches that can dramatically reduce emissions.” Also Thursday, Google unveiled a time-lapse feature to its Google Earth service that provides a satellite view of the world. The new feature is based on tens of millions of satellite images from the past 37 years to enable users to see in rich detail how the face of the planet has changed. “Timelapse in Google Earth is about zooming out to assess the health and well-being of our only home, and is a tool that can educate and inspire action,” the company said in a blog post. AFP

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

APL

VOLUME 2863830000

VALUE (PHP) 671094640

2 3

ALI ICT

17399000 2187980

578902730 279190576

4 5

BSC DITO

136814000 13158700

143804280 139871296

6 7

MBT SMPH

3124900 3839700

139466345 137989035

8 9

JGS TEL

2292160 106930

134750672.5 133388290

NIKL

22112300

121520977

Libyan capital’s neglected Old City gets facelift bearded trader who sells mens’ wear and reserves particular distaste for cheap imports. But others look to a brighter future. Mohamad al-Ghariani, 76, an artist and painter who owns a gallery in the sector, said the ongoing “improvements... revive the soul of the city that we knew as children.” “The restoration is progressing from district to district,” he said, pointing with enthusiasm to the restoration of a cultural center for children, known as Dar Krista. Built in 1977, it is named after renowned Tripolitan artist Abdallah Krista, who produced songs and cartoons for children, and sits within a group of buildings originally erected in 1664 by Osman Pasha Karamalli, descendant of the Ottoman dynasty that ruled Tripoli for centuries. Exemplifying the cultural diversity of A woman takes pictures of the Roman Marcus Aurelius arch at the entrance of the Libyan capital Tripoli’s old city, which is undergoing infrastructure rehabilitation work, on March 23, 2021. AFP

By Rim Taher TRIPOLI, Libya—In alleys crisscrossing the Libyan capital’s Old City, construction crews are hard at work restoring former glory to architectural treasures neglected under ex-dictator Moamer Kadhafi and in the decade since. Pushing wheelbarrows, a clutch of workers ferry sand, dismembered concrete or gravel, and others dig or hammer away, bent double or down on one knee. The din of pick axes stops suddenly, however, as calls to prayer echo around the ancient buildings. Workers down tools in silence, while cafes empty, as everyone heads to their place of worship. The substantial restoration underway seeks to “preserve the heritage of the Old City” in Tripoli, said Mahmoud al-Naas, head of the management committee overseeing the project. Covering around 50 hectares (123 acres), the Old City is an “architectural joy”—but this makes the “enormous” work required a “heavy responsibility,” he said. The project, funded largely by the state, comes as Libya is undergoing a tentative political renewal. A new prime minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, was selected earlier this year

through a UN-backed inter-Libyan dialogue to steer the North African country to December elections, bringing hope that unrelenting chaos since Kadhafi was ousted and killed in 2011 might finally end. ‘Revive the soul’ Unlike past restoration work— including largely unsupervised and sometimes botched attempts in the mid-1990s and about a decade later—latest efforts ban cement and concrete, wherever possible. Lime-based mixtures are used to generate an authentic look during plastering, while basalt cobblestones replace asphalt streets. Built by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC, Tripoli’s Old City has passed from civilization to civilization, notably the ancient Greeks, Romans and the Ottoman empire. When Kadhafi decided to ban private sector-led development in the late 1970s, workshops and speciality stores alike lowered their curtains for good. In an instant, know-how that had been passed down from generation to generation was painfully rendered obsolete. Long-resident families gradually drifted away, despite fleeting attempts to stop the rot in the 1990s. “So many trades just vanished,” lamented Hajj Mokhtar, a white-

Manila

Standard

TODAY

the Mediterranean city, another part of the complex still houses the Greek Orthodox St. George, the oldest Orthodox church in North Africa, alongside a so-called Turkish prison, built in 1664 by Osman Pasha to hold Christians captured by the Ottomans. A few parts of the Old City’s east side have withstood the ravages of time. The gold and silk markets still attract custom to their covered alleyways and arcades, while its citadel serves as a museum. Then there is the famed Arch of Marcus Aurelius, its date palms and the minaret of the Gurgi Mosque—the perfect backdrop for a souvenir snap. ‘Everyone counts’ Forsaken corners that up until lately served as open dumps have morphed into huge construction sites overseen by architects, historians, specialist tradesmen and artists. AFP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 14, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of JG SUMMIT HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held on May 14, 2021 at 11 :30 a.m. In light of current conditions and in support of the efforts to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, stockholders may only attend the annual meeting of the Corporation via remote communication. Stockholders may view the livestream of the Meeting and download the Information Statement at the following web addresses:

The Agenda for the meeting is as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum. Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on May 14, 2020. Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Stockholders held on October 20, 2020. Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year. Election of Board of Directors. Appointment of External Auditor. Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers and management. Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting. Adjournment.

Stockholders may cast their votes on or before May 7, 2021 on all matters requiring approval by: (a) accomplishing and submitting the proxy form; or (b) voting in absentia. Proxies shall be sent via email to corporate.secretarv@jgsummit.ph or hard copies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 40F Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue cor. Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Validation of proxies shall be held on May 11, 2021. We are not soliciting proxies. The procedures for attending the meeting via remote communication, submission of proxies, and for voting in absentia are explained in the Information Statement. Only stockholders of record of the Company as of April 5, 2021 shall be entitled to vote. By Authority of the Chairman MARIA CELIA H. FERNANDEZ-ESTAVILLO Corporate Secretary (MS-APRIL 16 & 17, 2021)

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, April 16, 2021

-45.15 PTS. 6,494.81

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

6,768,818,490 94,849 5,666,925,438.84 104 108 44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.4790

Japan

Yen

0.009196

0.4458

Pound

1.378900

66.8477

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128751

6.2417

Switzerland

Franc

1.084952

52.5974

Canada

Dollar

0.797448

38.6595

Singapore

Dollar

0.749400

36.3302

Australia

Dollar

0.774800

37.5615

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655549

128.7384

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.9274

Brunei

Dollar

0.746603

36.1946

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031756

1.5395

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1995

Euro

1.196900

58.0245

Korea

Won

0.000895

0.0434

China

Yuan

0.153337

7.4336

India

Rupee

0.013383

0.6488

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242542

11.7582

New Zealand

Dollar

0.717000

34.7594

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035314

1.7120 Source: BSP

Foreign reserves declined for third month to $104.8b

Business NGCP warns about upcoming Luzon power supply shortage By Alena Mae S. Flores

RANSMISSION operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines on Friday called on the power industry to help address the impending supply shortage in Luzon this year.

“Thin operating margin is forecasted in the Luzon grid from April to August 2021 due to multiple power plants on extended outage, thereby providing limited power supply,” NGCP said in a statement. NGCP said power plants were on extended outages due to technical limitations brought about by the pandemic, such as delay in the delivery of materials or spare parts, temporary work stoppage and travel restrictions. NGCP maintains an annual grid operating and maintenance program that

schedules the preventive maintenance of power plants, taking into consideration the needed supply vis-a-vis projected demand. “We continue to urge the authorities to look into this impending power situation in Luzon during this summer season. As the transmission service provider, NGCP can only guarantee the dispatch of all and any available grid resources. It cannot intervene on matters concerning power generation,” NGCP said. The Department of Energy earlier predicted a total peak demand of 11,841 megawatts for Luzon to in May, up 7 percent from the 2020 peak load of 11,103 MW on March 9, 2020. For Visayas and Mindanao, peak demand for both regions occurred in January 2020, and not during the usual months of November or December because of the effect of the pandemic. Visayas is forecasted to have a peak demand of 2,394 MW and Mindanao, 2,098 MW, higher than the peak demand of 2,201 MW and 1,977 MW in

2020, respectively. NGCP said the projected shortage might not occur, if the forecasted peak demand this year would not be realized as a result of the quarantine restrictions placed in several parts of the country, particularly Metro Manila which is the load center of the Luzon grid, and assuming no further plant outages would occur during the period. NGCP said the Luzon grid needed around 4 percent of the peak demand, or around 475MW in regulating power to stabilize the grid. It also needs to maintain power equivalent to the largest plant online of about 647 MW as contingency power to support the grid in case of an emergency power plant shutdown. It said that once the net operating margin fell below these numbers, it would issue grid alert notices. To certain conditions, this would mean implementation of manual load dropping or rotating power interruptions to protect the integrity of the power grid.

By Julito G. Rada THE country’s gross international reserves fell for the third straight month in March to $104.82 billion from an all-time high of $110.117 billion in December 2020, pulled down by the government’s debt servicing, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday. The March GIR dropped from $105.16 billion in February 2021, reflecting outflows from the net withdrawal in the national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP, which were largely used for debt servicing. The reserves were also affected by the downward adjustment in the value of BSP’s gold holdings amid the decrease in the price of gold in the international market, the BSP said in a statement. “These outflows were partly offset, however, by the BSP’s income from its investments abroad,” it said. Data showed that from $11.605-billion value of gold holdings in December, it went down to $9.113 billion in March this year. The BSP said despite the monthon-month decrease, the latest GIR level was more than adequate external liquidity buffer, which could help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks. It said this buffer was equivalent to 12 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. The amount was also about 7.5 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.3 times based on residual maturity. Net international reserves, which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, also fell by $340 million to $104.81billion as of end-March from $105.15 billion in February. The BSP earlier projected the GIR level to reach $114 billion by end2021 and increase further to $117 billion in 2022.

SM SUSTAINABILITY. SM Investments Corp. joins a business group of dedicated global sustainability champions through the 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders campaign with a focus on responding to climate change. SMIC is the only Filipino company to join the campaign among countries like the United States, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Kenya, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders platform serves as a response from international businesses to demonstrate their desire, leadership and commitment to take effective action in the fight against climate change.

Citigroup set to exit PH, 12 retail markets in major shift NEW YORK―Citigroup announced on Thursday it will exit 13 international consumer banking markets as it joined other large banks in reporting blowout earnings amid a strengthening US economy. As with other large banks, Citigroup’s profits were bolstered by a good performance in its investment banking and trading businesses, as well as the release of $3.9 billion in reserves set aside for bad loans. “It’s been a better-than-expected start to the year, and we are optimistic about the macro environment,” said Citi chief executive Jane Fraser. Citigroup reported first-quarter profits of $7.9 billion, more than three times the level in the year-ago period. Revenues fell seven percent to $19.3 billion. With coronavirus vaccines and significant US fiscal stimulus spending boosting the outlook, major banks no longer expect huge loan defaults due to COVID-19. But Citigroup unveiled a significant downsizing of its global consumer banking footprint as it shifted its focus to wealth management and away from retail banking in places where it is small. Citigroup will depart China, India and 11 other retail markets, where “we don’t have the scale we need to compete,” Fraser said. The other 11 markets affected by the decision are: Australia, Bahrain, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Fraser, who moved into the CEO role in March, described the pivot as part of an effort to “double down” on wealth management, where the growth opportunities are better. Citigroup will focus its global consumer banking business on four markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, Britain and the United Arab Emirates. AFP

IN BRIEF

Unilab, 3 other firms to produce vaccines

MERALCO COVID-19 CENTER. In support to the fight of the government and the private sector against COVID 19, Manila Electric Co. energizes a new Department of Public Works and Highways-initiated COVID-19 treatment center at J.W. Diokno Boulevard, Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City. The project involves the installation of six 15-meter concrete poles, six spans of covered overhead conductors, three 100-kVA distribution transformers, service drop and metering facility. The new treatment center is one of the many vital COVID-19 facilities in the Meralco franchise area that are given the highest priority in terms of providing safe, adequate and reliable supply of electricity, in line with the company’s thrust to assist the government during the pandemic.

Gatchalian asks DOE to explain approval of Malampaya gas transfer to Uy’s group SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday asked the Department of Energy to justify its decision approving the transfer of Chevron Philippines’ ownership in Chevron Malampaya LCC to UC Malampaya Philippines controlled by Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy. “It bears stressing the need for an explanation from the DOE’s end on how they could justify their approval of the transaction. This involves not just an ordinary asset. It demands a lot of experience, technology, and global connections. The oil and gas industry is a global business. The technical know-how is also required and this is because we’re looking at the larger picture which is the energy security of the country,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said in a statement. Gatchalian said the DOE’s legal department, in a Senate hearing on Nov. 10, 2020, told the committee that such transaction was governed by an agency

circular requiring an evaluation of the technical, legal and financial capacity of the company. Presidential Decree 87 also requires the approval of the DOE on such transfer of shares in upstream petroleum ventures, he said. “The consumers are the primordial concern. We want to make sure that the consumers will receive 24/7 electricity at a least cost manner. We have laws and regulations that govern all of these transactions, and those laws are meant to create a stable environment in the power sector,” the senator said. Gatchalian also cited a provision in the joint operating agreement signed by the members of the consortium operating Malampaya including Shell Philippines Exploration BV, Chevron Malampaya LLC and PNOC-Exploration Corp. that for the sale of shares to be finalized, the party or the transferer should ensure that they get all prior permits or approvals from the government. Alena Mae S. Flores

GFNI’s net profit increased by 43% to P1.86b in 2020 By Jenniffer B. Austria GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc., the second-largest nickel producer in the country, said Friday net income rose 43 percent in 2020 to P1.86 billion from P1.3 billion in 2019 on the back of higher nickel prices. GFNI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 2020 revenues climbed 9.1 percent to P7.26 billion from P6.65 billion in 2019 even as nickel ore shipments fell 4.5 percent to 5.625 million wet metric tons from 5.890 million WMT. The group made 103 shipments in 2020 compared to 108 vessels in 2019. The fewer shipments resulted from the temporary suspension of operations in April to curb the spread of the coronavirus. “Despite the decrease in volume versus the previous year, the higher prices of nickel in 2020 had a positive impact on our top line and improved efficiency in our operations had contributed to our bottom line growth,” said GFNI president Dante Bravo. The average realized nickel ore price in 2020 went up by 20 percent to $26.16 per WMT from the previous year. It said at least 68 percent of total shipments in 2020, equivalent to 3.831 million WMT, were low-grade nickel ore and 32 percent or 1.794 million WMT were medium-grade nickel ore. The nickel mining firm plans to ship 6 million WMT of nickel ore in 2021. The group also programmed $5 million for capital expenditures this year. GFNI operates a nickel mine in Surigao del Norte through operating unit Platinum Group Metals Corp. The company earlier reported that PGMC’s mine area has proven and probable ore reserves of 59.45 million WMT.

UNITED Laboratories Inc. and three other groups are expected to pioneer vaccine manufacturing in the country as the government prepares a list of support and incentives to help these companies initiate the processes of setting up facilities here. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a late Thursday night briefing with the President that the government decided to make the vaccine manufacturing program another legacy of the current administration. “In all these interests to locally produce vaccines in the Philippines, these companies asked for government support especially for fast processing of requirements and documents,” he said. Among the assistance requested was a green lane on the permitting process and guarantee that the government will prioritize procurement of locally-manufactured and locally-prepared vaccines. “All players and stakeholders that will come here will also face risks. They expressed fear that investments maybe put to naught if the government will choose to import from abroad,” Lopez said. Othel V. Campos

DITO expands PH mobile coverage DITO Telecommunity Corp., a joint venture of Davao-businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecoms, announced the expansion of its mobile service coverage in 21 more cities starting April 16 this year. “We are very excited to announce that in just a few weeks after our commercial launch in Cebu and Davao, more Filipinos can now experience stronger and reliable connectivity with DITO’s Luzon expansion,” DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said. DITO commercially launched its mobile services in 15 selected cities in Visayas and Mindanao on March 8. Tamano said included in the DITO expansion are the provinces of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and General Santos. DITO SIM cards are now available in more than 300-partner stores, and will be available soon in three DITO-owned stores in Cebu and Davao. “In line with DITO’s expansion of commercial operations, we have also launched a new promo to get more and more Filipinos experience the true difference of DITO,” Tamano sad. Darwin G. Amojelar

FGEN taps Jacobs on LNG terminal

FGEN LNG Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen Corp., said it appointed Jacobs Projects (Philippines) Inc., an international technical services firm, to deliver engineering services to the interim offshore terminal project in the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas City. Jacobs said in a statement the project involves the modification of an existing liquid fuel jetty to accommodate a floating storage regasification unit and liquefied natural gas carriers for the receipt, storage and delivery of a safe, reliable and competitive supply of LNG to the Philippines. The scope includes modifications to the jetty head, berthing and mooring facilities; a trestle bridge with high-pressure gas pipeline and utilities; and a jetty monitoring building and control room. Jacobs, a part of the New York Stock Exchange listed Jacobs Engineering Group, will undertake design review, project management and supervision of the construction of the project as owner’s engineer. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

Saso leads former world no. 1 Ko by 2 at LPGA Lotte

Yuka Saso of the Philippines plays a tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the LPGA LOTTE Championship at Kapolei Golf Club in Kapolei, Hawaii. AFP

Rugby union to ensure athletes’ safe return to play THE Philippine Rugby Football Union will work with concerned government agencies to ensure a safe return to play for all its athletes and support role personnel based in the country. PRFU president Ada Milby, in a statement, said this as parts of the country is now under modified enhanced community quarantine as authorities continued efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. “We are also using this time to review our governance structures and how to adjust our targets as we’re halfway through our current strategic plan,” said Milby. The rugby chief believes that returning to play is the most critical consideration of the PRFU. As a top official of Asia Rugby and World Rugby governing bodies, Milby added that she has remained at the forefront of rugby’s mini-revolution when it comes to players’ safety. “I’m proud to be part of seeing the changes on the player welfare front, updating the high tackle framework to better educate coaches and players on ways to reduce the risk for concussion,” she said. Milby was the first woman to be appointed to the World Rugby Council in 2017. She also serves on the Regions Committee and Rugby Committee and is a member of the Asia Rugby EXCO since 2016. “It has been exciting and rewarding, seeing girl’s participation numbers on the fields in Asia and across the world rising,” said Milby. Milby has also headed the Women Advisory Committee and serves on the Admin and Finance Committee of the PRFU. Peter Atencio

Vax for athletes: PH lags behind in Southeast Asia By Randy M. Caluag

HE Philippines lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in the vaccination program for athletes, even as local sports officials have renewed their call for inclusion of the national players in the government’s priority list.

“I hope that officials can act on this immediately because we would like our athletes to have peace of mind as they train at home and in their respective training areas (under their National Sports Associations),” said Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez. The former Philippine basketball superstar-turned sports official has already proposed to the joint task force of the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee that national athletes should be inoculated first before starting their bubble training for the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games set in November-December. “It’s the most ideal. We all want them (athletes) to be safe and healthy first,” added Fernandez, who is also the Chef the Mission for the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19 that reportedly infected several athletes fr om athletics and canoe-kayak. Southeast Asian countries Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore have already started their vaccination program for national athletes. Malaysia has also put the athletes in the priority list. Supervised by its national police, Cambodia has already inoculated its athletes last month. According to the official page of the

A Cambodian athlete is inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine during the country’s vaccination program for national athletes and sports officials. (Photo courtesy of Cambodia SEA Games 2023 Facebook page)

Cambodia SEA Games 2023, the vaccination program covered more than a thousand members of the sports community, including athletes, coaches and officials, staff and performers, who are part of the working committee for the country’s hosting of the 2023 SEA Games. Vietnam had already given COVID-19 jabs to their athletics’ coaches athletes,

wrestlers, taekwondo and judo, plus members of their fencing, boxing, swimming, gymnastics and weightlifting teams that will compete for Olympic slots in the coming months. Singapore has also started vaccinating its athletes, especially the shooters, shuttlers, paddlers, who are bidding for Olympic slots. Malaymail.com also reported that the names of 4,000 athletes and officials have already been accepted by the COVID-19 Immunization Program Ministry as priorities for vaccination. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, POC president Bambol Tolentino, Sen. Bong Go and Deputy Speaker Rep. Mikee Romero have already made their appeal to include the athletes in the priority list for vaccines. Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, has appealed to vaccine chief Carlito Galvez, while Romero has also filed a resolution on January 26 that will allow national athletes to be prioritized for the vaccination. So far, the Filipino athletes are not yet included in ranking of priorities. Meanwhile, local government units are almost done with the A1 priorities—hospital and health workers — and some are done with the second priority—senior citizens and those who have comorbidity. Up next is the A4 list that includes other frontliners in the education, transport, media, security, religious and government sectors. National athletes are not in any list, meaning they will be vaccinated last.

LOS ANGELES—Yuka Saso fired a second straight 64 to take a twostoke halfway lead over former world number one Lydia Ko in the LPGA Lotte Championship on Thursday. Saso, a 19-year-old from the Philippines seeking a first US LPGA title after two wins on the Japan LPGA, shared a one-stroke overnight lead with Brittany Altomare. But she was six adrift when she teed off after New Zealand’s Ko stormed up the leaderboard with a sensational nine-under par 63 that featured nine birdies without a bogey. Undaunted, the 2020 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year was two under through the first two holes at Kapolei Golf Club in Oahu, Hawaii. After her lone bogey of the day at the fourth she birdied the fifth, then charged with four birdies in a row at the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th to tie Ko atop the leaderboard. She snaked in a long birdie bomb at the 16th to gain the solo lead, and drained a four-footer at 17 as she built a 36-hole total of 16-under par 128. “I think I hit good tee shots today and holed a lot of birdie putts,” said Saso, who added that the wind was “a little bit of a factor” on the back nine. “I don’t really like windy conditions,” she said. “(But) I’m happy that I’m able to play good.” Trying to just “enjoy the moment” as she plays on a sponsor’s exemption, Saso said she would try to just do my best again tomorrow” in pursuit of a first LPGA title. At 14-under 130, Ko was alone in second and three clear of Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes, American Nelly Korda, and South Koreans Ryu So-yeon and Kim Hyo-joo. “Today I feel like I gave myself a lot of good opportunities for birdies,” said Ko, who came close to ending a three-year victory drought at the ANA Inspiration this month with a record-breaking 62 in the final round. “Between yesterday and today I feel like my game has been pretty solid,” she said. “So hopefully stick to my game plan and just keep hitting it confidently and with commitment and see where it takes me for the rest of the two days.” Of the group sharing third, Sobron fired 10 birdies, including five in a row, in an eight-under par 64. Korda and Ryu both posted 68s while Kim reached 11-under with a 65 that featured an eagle at the 17th. It was a further stroke back to a trio of players on 134, headlined by Women’s US Open champion Kim A-lim. Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada, had work to do in her threepeat bid. She was six adrift after a second straight 68. AFP

Ramirez asks NSAs, athletes to keep guard against COVID-19 WITH the number of monitored infected cases rising in the past weeks, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez reminded everyone to “never put your guard down when it comes to COVID-19.” After imposing a 10-workday lockdown on the two complexes of the agency starting Tuesday, Ramirez informed that disinfection of facilities is being carried out and a revision of health-security protocols have been done. The sports chief expressed his concern over the alarming numbers

of COVID-19 cases that were monitored in the last round of testing. “We sent all athletes home even before the imposition of the first lockdown last year,” said Ramirez explaining that there are no more athletes training or staying in any of the agency’s facilities. Both complexes are now being used as “we heal as one centers.” The PSC also assists in getting the athletes RT-PCR testing when requested or required for their training or competitions. Ramirez asks all NSAs to be more

cautious and to actively remind their athletes to follow basic protocols. “In this case, it is better to be safe than sorry,” he said. Assistance and Coordination Division Chief and head of the PSC Emergency Response Team, Manuel Bitog has been designated head of the Risk Management Team. Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr. has given instructions to implement stricter protocols and roll out a QR code-based monitoring system within the agency to aid interaction tracing.

PSC chairman William Ramirez

DOJ approves indictment of 17 persons in 2019 MPBL ‘game-fixing’ By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has approved the criminal indictment for game-fixing against 17 individuals, including members of a basketball team, in connection with an alleged gamefixing during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in 2019. The Office of the Prosecutor General of the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service on Friday said the game-fixing charges will be filed before the trial courts in Batangas and in the cities of Malolos, Angeles, Pasay, Pasig, Caloocan and Muntinlupa. Presidential Decree No. 483 as

amended by PD 1602 penalizes gamefixing like point shaving and other machinations in sports contests. To be indicted include 12 members of the SOCCKSARGEN Marlins team, namely coach Ferdinand Melocoton for four counts of game-fixing; and basketball players Jake Diwa, 14 counts; Exequiel Biteng, 13 counts; Jerome Juanico, 14 counts; Matthew Bernabe, 12 counts; Julio Magbanua, 10 counts; Abraham Santos, 10 counts; John Patrick Rabe, seven counts; Ryan Regalado, nine counts; and Janus Lozada, Ricky Morillo and Joshua Alcober, each with one count. Also to be charged are the Quezon City Capitals’ coaching staff member

Serafin Matias for seven counts; Sonny Uy, nine counts; and Chinese nationals only known as “Mr. Sung, Kein” for 14 counts and “Emma Meng” for one count. The complaints involving 17 counts of betting and multiple counts of point shaving were dismissed “for insufficiency of evidence.” OPG Spokesperson Honey E. Delgado said that Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Khristina Salumbides has released a resolution on the case dated June 26 2020. “The pandemic affected the filing of the case, we are just maintaining a skeleton work force,” said Delgado, who added that Assistant State Prosecutor

Salumbides conducted the preliminary investigation of the complaint which was filed before the DOJ on Nov. 12, 2019 by MPBL Commissioner Kenneth C. Duremdes on instructions of MPBL founder, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao. Duremdes accused 21 respondents of multiple counts of betting, game-fixing, and point shaving in violation of PD 483 as amended by PD 1602. PD 1602 imposes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling. It amended Philippine gambling laws such as Articles 195-199 of the Revised Penal Code (Forms of Gambling and Betting), Republic Act 063 (Horse racing Bookies), PD 449

(Cockfighting), PD 483 (Game Fixing), PD 510 (Slot Machines) in relation to Opinion Nos. 33 and 97 of the Ministry of Justice, PD 1306 (Jai-Alai Bookies) and other city and municipal ordinances or gambling all over the country. Section 1 of PD 1602 provides that “the penalty of prison correccional in its medium period of a fine ranging from one thousand to six thousand pesos, and in case of recidivism, the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period or a fine ranging from five thousand to ten thousand pesos shall be imposed….” The complaints involved 18 games that the SOCCKSARGEN Marlins participated from July to October 2019

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Safe, secure vax distribution one of Cisco’s top priorities AS THE Philippines’ capital and neighboring cities enter an extended period of Enhanced Community Quarantine, the race to a vaccinated population has never been more critical. “The scope and complexity of the global vaccine rollout is staggering. Consider the national government’s goal to secure 148 million doses for 70 million people this year,” said Karrie Ilagan, Managing Director of Cisco Philippines. “While there have been delays due to the complications of logistics during a global pandemic, the Philippines is already expected to receive over 47 million doses by the middle of the year. Acquiring them is step one—what we do when the vaccines are finally here is even more critical.” With the need for proper handling of highly sensitive vaccines more urgent than ever, the IT and networking giant developed the Cisco Meraki Vaccine Distribution Solution to equip healthcare providers with tools to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The Cisco Meraki COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Solution is a suite of smart technology including temperature and humidity sensors, door open/close sensors, sensor cameras, wireless access points, and other networking devices devices. The solution addresses three critical challenges: Physical security for vaccine storage where logs are created to know who had access to the vaccines, as well as ensuring the physical integrity of the vaccines through temperature and humidity monitoring; Capability to setup mobile and remote vaccine distribution sites through mobile-enabled ready-to-go solution for curbside, drive-through, or in-field vaccine deliveries; and Management of traffic flow and safety to enable real-time face-mask detection, provide 24/7 indoor/outdoor video surveillance, assist with risk mitigation, and deliver immediate alerting. “Vaccine distribution and handling can be a complex process, but with the right technology, the work can be simplified,” said Ilagan. “Healthcare providers are looking to scale operations quickly, while using automation and AI to take the burden off human agents. Cisco’ cloud-based technology enables them to quickly scale existing operations and set up new distribution centers in record time.” This solution from Cisco is part of its country digitalization acceleration program in the Philippines dubbed as UGNAYAN 2030, a colTurn to C3

MoneyGram, LBC, Cebuana Lhuillier expand access to remittances in PH MONEYGRAM International, Inc., a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, recently announced a partnership with LBC Express Inc., the market leader in retail and corporate courier and cargo, money remittance and logistics services, and Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ largest micro-financial services provider. Through Cebuana Lhuillier’s proprietary PERALink system, MoneyGram customers can now have remittances paid out at over 1,500 LBC branches. This partnership is a move to broaden the network of the three companies making them more far-reaching and accessible for customers across the Philippines and abroad. “We are thrilled to expand with Cebuana Lhuillier as we continue to execute our plan to grow the largest retail partnerships in major markets,” said Vijay Poduval, MoneyGram Head of Asia. “With over 1,500 LBC branches nationwide, MoneyGram now has over 15,000 locations across the country to provide choice and convenience for our customers to pick up cash remittances with ease.” "This partnership gives us the opportunity to make remittance even more accessible and convenient. This reflects our company’s decades-long commitment of providing the unbanked and underbanked Filipinos access to the financial services that they need," said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO. "Cebuana Lhuillier is on the lookout for opportunities to better serve our Filipino clientele through our vast financial services."

Google connects more Filipinos to credible vaccine information

S PART of its ongoing role to help the country in the fight against COVID-19, Google continues to connect more Filipinos to vaccine-related information they can trust through Search and YouTube.

YouTube has been investing heavily to raise authoritative content on the platform. Through information panels, people are linked to more trusted global and local health sources that appear on videos and searches about COVID-19 and vaccines. These are also displayed on the platform’s homepage.

Dedicated Search results page on vaccines

Similar to how Google has been surfacing authoritative COVID-19 information on Search, Google launched a dedicated Search results page to give Filipinos quick and easy access to credible and timely information on vaccines from trusted news sources and health authorities. When people type in related keywords on Search such as “COVID-19 vaccines”, they will instantly ﬁnd reliable information on vaccination updates, news, links to global and local health authorities, and health information among others. YouTube Information Panels YouTube has been investing heavily to raise authoritative content on the platform. Through information panels, people are linked to more trusted global and local health sources that appear on videos and searches about COVID-19 and vaccines. These are also displayed on the platform’s homepage. “Google is committed to protecting our platforms from misinformation— and connecting more people to information they can trust. That includes taking down harmful and misleading content across our products, raising authoritative information on Search and YouTube, providing ad grants, and supporting quality news reporting on vaccines. Globally, more than 700,000 videos related to dangerous or

false COVID-19 information have been removed and our information panels on YouTube have been viewed 400 billion times, making them a valuable source of credible information,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines. “We will continue to connect more Filipinos to trusted information on our platforms as quick and easy access to credible and timely information is key to help fight misinformation, keep people safe, and build public confidence in vaccines.” Google and several tech companies partnered with the Department of Health in launching the #ChecktheFAQs campaign to emphasize the importance of accurate information in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage the public to fact-check information that they come across.

Video File link: https://drive.google.com/ﬁle/ d / 1 FA S j C w Ye P n v _ U _ A T 6 C _ e w w g H u 6 - C 9 U C C / view?ts=6077d01e&resourcekey=0-0zXaE23Tj-oJvZatuXLfvw

Win as much as P100k when you send money from PayMaya to Smart Padala SENDING Padalove to your friends and family from the safety of your home has just become even more rewarding as PayMaya and Smart Padala give you a chance to win as much as P100,000 for your send money transactions. Given the current quarantine measures in place in various parts of the country, sending money from your PayMaya app to your recipient via Smart Padala is the best way to transfer funds across the country—especially to those without a bank or an e-wallet account. Now, PayMaya and Smart Padala are enhancing your send-money experience with an exclusive reward because whenever you transfer at least P1,000 from your PayMaya account to be claimed at a Smart Padala agent, you get to earn a raffle entry that gives you a chance to win exciting prizes—from your monthly grocery budget of P10,000 to as much as P100,000 in the grand raffle draw! Your first send money transaction within the promo period lets you earn five raffle entries, while you get one raffle entry for your succeeding transactions until June 18, 2021. The more raffle entries you earn, the more chances you have of becoming one of the 30 lucky winners of P10,000 or taking home the grand prize of P100,000. To start sending money from your PayMaya app to a Smart Padala agent,

all you have to do is follow these simple steps: • Ask your recipient for the 16-digit account number of their nearest Smart Padala agent • On your PayMaya app, tap “Send Money” • Enter the 16-digit Smart Padala account number on the mobile/account number ﬁeld • Input the amount you wish to send and tap “Continue” • Check the transaction details, make sure they’re correct, and tap “Send” • Share the transaction’s reference

number to your recipient. They will need this plus one valid ID to claim the money By sending money straight to Smart Padala, your loved ones can easily claim their remittance from any of the 37,000 Smart Padala agents nationwide. Because there’s always a Smart Padala agent in one’s neighborhood, claiming Padalove is just easy as heading to their trusted kapitbahay—no need to commute or line up at remittance centers. Whether you’re sending emergency funds to a family member or extra budget to buy their daily essentials, it's now

easier than ever to send some love to your friends and family across the country while still keeping yourself safe at home. With this special reward, you can even earn extra funds to share with your loved ones in these critical times. To start enjoying safe, convenient, and rewarding transactions for your everyday needs, just download the PayMaya app at https://official.paymaya. com/CAK1/425eb133 and register an account. Remember, don’t pay cash. PayMaya! PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units. Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

LG unveils 2021 monitor lineup ONE of the segments that grew the most over the past year has been monitors. In fact, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the monitor market grew 16.9% year over year with shipments surpassing 39.2 million units worldwide. This shows that even with (or perhaps due) to the pandemic, the beneﬁts of working and staying at home is obvious. Aside from being able to keep yourself and your family safe, productivity is boosted at home thanks to zero time spent on trafﬁc. LG Electronics, always at the forefront of innovation, has seen this surge and developed new monitors that improve upon existing technology in order to help users even more. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a budding streamer, or just working from home, LG has a monitor that’s perfect for you. LG’s UltraGear line of gaming monitors is ranked the #1 gaming-designed monitor brand by The NDP Group, one of the US’ leading analytics companies. Built for gamers, LG UltraGear monitors deliver the latest hardware, specs, ergonomics, sleek design, and sensory experience. Gaming-focused features like NVIDIA® G-SYNC® compatibility, 1ms GTG response times, pro-level customization and fast, vivid IPS panels, help

give you an edge in any game and with any competition. LG’s Ergo line focuses on comfort. LG monitors with Ergonomic stands help to boost productivity by creating a comfortable and stable posture. Since working from home means extended hours in front of the computer, making sure that your workspace is conducive is crucial. The UltraWide QHD screen is great for work. This allows for monitoring of large amounts of footage for video editing, and numerous audio plugins and effects can be displayed at once. Enhanced ﬂexibility of the Ergo stand offers expanded ergonomic adjustment of extend, retract, swivel, height and tilt as well as providing perfect position of screen for more comfortable and sustainable user experience. LG Philippines will be unveiling a large collection of new monitors that ﬁts any budget. For the remainder of the month, LG will be offering 10% discount on selected monitor models and on top of that, LG would be giving away Php500 worth of e-vouchers for every purchase. Aside from the discount, LG will cover the P200 shipping cost wherever you are. Shop today in LG's Flagship Store in Lazada and Shopee to take advantage of this offer. To know more about the promo

mechanics, click here. Catch the LG Monitors series of livestream events on LG’s ofﬁcial Flagship store in Lazada on April 19, 25, and 30 and stay tuned on LG Philippines’ Facebook page for upcoming promos this April as LG will be giving away huge deals and discounts that are perfect for your lifestyle.

Tech & Gadgets Kaspersky finds zero-day exploit in Desktop Window Manager EARLY 2021, Kaspersky’s researchers, upon further analysis into the already reported CVE-2021-1732 exploit used by the BITTER APT group, have managed to discover another zero-day exploit. The experts are currently unable to link this exploit to any known threat actor. A zero-day vulnerability is basically an unknown software bug. Upon identification and discovery, they allow attackers to conduct malicious activities in the shadows, resulting in unexpected and destructive consequences. While analyzing the CVE-2021-1732 exploit, Kaspersky experts found another such zero-day exploit and reported it to Microsoft in February. After confirmation that it is indeed a zeroday, it received the designation CVE-2021-28310. According to the researchers, this exploit is used in the wild, potentially by several threat actors. It is an escalation of privilege (EoP) exploit, found in Desktop Window Manager, allowing the attackers to execute arbitrary code on a victim’s machine. It is likely that the exploit is used together with other browser exploits to escape sandboxes or obtain system privileges for further access. Kaspersky’s initial investigation has not revealed the full infection chain, so it is yet not known whether the exploit is used with another zero-day or coupled with known, patched vulnerabilities. “The exploit was initially identified by our advanced exploit prevention technology and related detection records. In fact, over the past few years, we have built a multitude of exploit protection technologies into our products that have detected several zero-days, proving their effectiveness time and time again. We will continue to improve defenses for our users by enhancing our technologies and working with third-party vendors to patch vulnerabilities, making the internet more secure for everyone,” comments Boris Larin, security expert at Kaspersky. More information about BITTER APT and IOCs are available to customers of the Kaspersky Intelligence Reporting service. Contact: intelreports@kaspersky.com. A patch for the elevation of privilege vulnerability CVE-202128310 was released on April 13th, 2021. Kaspersky products detect this exploit with the following verdicts: HEUR:Exploit.Win32.Generic HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic To stay safe from this threat, Kaspersky recommends taking the following security measures: Install patches for the new vulnerability as soon as possible. Once it is downloaded, threat actors can no longer abuse the vulnerability. Vulnerability and patch management capabilities in an endpoint protection solution can significantly simplify the task for IT security managers. Provide your SOC team with access to the latest threat intelligence (TI). Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal is a single point of access for the company’s TI, providing cyberattack data and insights gathered by Kaspersky for more than 20 years. In addition to adopting essential endpoint protection, implement a corporate-grade security solution that detects advanced threats on the network level at an early stage, such as Kaspersky Anti Targeted Attack Platform.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

4 Luzon, Mindanao teams make Innovation Olympics 2.0 finals

NNOVATION on farming are on their way. Four more teams of young innovators were selected to showcase their farming technology solutions in the upcoming grand finals of the “agrihackathon” Innovation Olympics 2.0. Completing the list of the Innovation Olympics 2.0 Grand Finalists are Team Low-Cost Chlorophyll Meter and Team BalZip – Agrotech Zipdrone, both from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Project Angat from the University of Mindanao, and Team AgriRobot for Crop Health (ARCHIE) with members from Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, and University of the Cordilleras. Teams Low-Cost Chlorophyll Meter and BalZip-Agrotech Zipdrone won the VisMin Regional Demo day held on February 27, 2021, while Teams ARCHIE and Project Angat won the Wild Card Pitch Day on March 20, 2021. The four teams received PHP 100,000 seed money each for the implementation of their projects, and they will present the results of their implementation in the Innovation Olympics 2.0 Grand Finals in July, together with two other ﬁnalists from Luzon, for a chance to win PHP 200,000 cash prize. (Read: Innovation Olympics 2.0 Luzon Finalists announced) “The initiative to develop innovative solutions in the hopes of aiding and augmenting the capability of our farmers is already a win for our youth and our agricultural sector. But taking it to the next level, being able to present your ideas, and turning them into the realities that our farmers can actually experience in their livelihood, is what makes each team participant

Project Angat team from the University of Mindanao

a true winner while championing the future of our agricultural sector,” shared Martin Hinlo, East-West Seed’s Project Manager for Innovation Olympics. Chlomet: A Low Cost Chlorophyll Meter Developed by Hannah Jasmin Cinco, Cyndie Cabusas, Jerry Mae Zarate, and Robert Mondejar of Team Low Cost Chlorophyll from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Chlomet is an automated chlorophyll meter device that can provide the exact data of chlorophyll and nitrogen content of the leaves of a plant. This digital solution aims to help farmers create and apply data-driven

decisions with minimal costs. Through Chlomet, necessary data such as the chlorophyll and nitrogen content of the plants can be retrieved and analyzed, helping farmers make a more informed decision. “…Chlomet is much better because it is cost-effective, it [has its] own mobile application, and has a menu for different types of plant,” as explained by Cinco on Chlomet’s edge in comparison with other meter devices. Through Chlomet’s mobile application, farmers can identify the right type and amount of fertilizer needed by their crops, making more accurate decisions that in turn, will help in increasing their yield, added Cinco.

Beko’s new tech will keep vitamins in your fresh produce longer BEKO, Europe's No. 1 Appliance Brand, has launched HarvestFresh, a refrigerator technology that preserves the freshness and vitamins of fruits and vegetables longer, in the Philippine market. Beko provides technology solutions that can help make daily life easier. Their whitegoods, which include refrigerators, cookers, washing machines, ovens and vacuum cleaners, always empower people to live better and healthier lives. HarvestFresh uses three colors, green, blue and red, to mimic the 24-hour sun cycle and natural sunlight. This combination simulates the day light cycle–including times of darkness–to recreate a natural living environment for fruits and vegetables. This technology helps maintain vitamin A and vitamin C levels in fruits and vegetables much longer. Inspired by nature, powered by light, this refrigerator technology preserves vitamins A and C for up to five additional days, as verified and approved by leading Total Quality Assurance provider Intertek Laboratories. Vitamins are key for boosting the immune system and providing natural antioxidants to protect the body from disease. During the first four hours of the HarvestFresh cycle, the crisper lights will shine blue, mimicking dawn and the first light of the day. This is followed by two hours of green light replicating midday, and a further six hours of red light imitating the more muted tones of dusk.

Beko HarvestFresh Users

The drawers then turn dark for 12 hours to represent nighttime. "Consumers' preference for natural and healthy food is no longer just a growing trend. It is a way of life. HarvestFresh is part of our commitment to doing all we can to help make their lives easier and healthier," said Gurhan Gunal, Country Manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.

HarvestFresh not only preserves vitamin content, but also helps keep fruit and vegetables fresher and thus, reduces the number of times you have to go out and shop for food. This is very important in these times, particularly as the public has been urged to stay at home if they can. For more information, visit Beko Philippines’ Facebook page at facebook.com/bekoph.

BalZip Agrotech Zipdrone Developed by students John Leo Noval, Mary Rose Lopez, and Firly Maribao who are also from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, BalZip is an automated fertilizer application device utilizing a cable suspended drone. The digital solution aims to help farmers accurately distribute fertilizers and herbicides in their crops. It features camera sensors that can detect pest movements and presence of diseases in plants. This, in turn, augments the capability of the farmers to perform better crop monitoring and produce healthier crops for an increased yield. “By using [BalZip] Zipdrone , we are lessening the burden of our farmers… We are making the work at the farm less laborious since one person can cover an equivalent work of ten people. No need to hire a lot of labor so farmers can save on labor cost,” Lopez shared. Agri-Robot for Crop Health (ARCHIE) The Agri-Robot for Crop Health (ARCHIE) is an autonomous rover that can detect insect pests and diseases for better control of pesticide distribution on crops. This digital solution is developed by Carol Domalsin (Saint Louis University), Maria Corazon Ocampo (Saint Louis University), Judy Mae Mariano (University of Baguio), and John Ericson Dulay (University of the Cordilleras). By creating ARCHIE, the team aims to automate the detection of pests and diseases to make the application of pesticides more precise, thus reducing input and labor cost of the farmers. As explained by Domalsin, ARCHIE can not only provide more savings for the farmers but it can also help in ensuring safer food for consumers because there will be reduction in the pesticides sprayed in vegetables.

SAFE, SECURE...

From C2

laboration framework with government leaders, industry, and academia. The program is aimed at building greater digital resilience, ultimately growing GDP, creating new jobs and providing innovation and education across public & private sectors. Launched during the pandemic year, UGNAYAN 2030 has already served as a catalyst in providing Smart City technology for local government units, communication technology designed for disaster management and response, and remote work technology that served as the foundation for telemedicine in the country. The Cisco Meraki Vaccine Distribution Solution is the latest and most urgent program under UGNYAN 2030 to support the safe, secure and efﬁcient administration of COVID-19 vaccines through technology that can scale, streamline and improve the process. “The only way to tackle complex issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic is for the public and private sectors to partner closely. We all need to be pulling in the same direction to drive an inclusive recovery,” said Ilagan. “We’ve made the Cisco Meraki Vaccine Distribution Solution available to all sectors because we want to fulﬁll our role in providing the technology and expertise necessary to ensure the safety of the Filipino community.” Cisco Philippines is currently in discussion with several local government units and organizations that are eligible for the Cisco Meraki COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Solution and is open to onboarding more that are looking for viable solutions for their vaccination programs. As vaccine doses start arriving in the Philippines, Cisco expects their solution roll-out to begin in the next few months. Interested organizations preparing for their vaccine rollouts can contact April Bautista at apbautis@cisco.com.

SAMSUNG offers Galaxy 14-Day Trial Program for the Galaxy S21 Series 5G LOOKING for a new phone? Samsung now offers the Galaxy 14-Day Trial Program for every purchase of select ﬂagship smartphones— the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Purchase the Galaxy S21 Series 5G and decide whether to keep or return the unit with a full refund within 14 days, depending on the condition of the device. The program runs until April 30, 2021 in select Samsung Experience stores. Power up work and play! The Galaxy S21 Series 5G is packed with innovative features like pro-grade cameras, vibrant design, and advanced processors to power up work and play. Samsung’s powerful 5nm processor takes multitasking to the next level. The Galaxy S21 Series 5G now has enough power to run multiple apps, shoot 8K videos, and play graphicsheavy games. Having the fastest chipset in a Galaxy smartphone promises faster speed, better energy efﬁciency, and advanced computing capabilities. The Galaxy S21 Series 5G’s advanced chip-

set is enhanced by its hyperfast 5G capabilities. By harnessing the technology, video calls, downloading movies, and playing games become faster, smoother, and more reliable. Additionally, these tasks can now be done with no interruptions, thanks to its improved battery. The Galaxy S21 5G offers 4,000mAh battery life, while the Galaxy S21+ 5G has 4,800mAh. Lastly, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is powered by a massive 5,000mAh battery capacity. When paired with the power-efﬁcient display, the battery can last all day, even when running on 5G. When the power runs low, the Super Fast Charging feature quickly gets the smartphones back to the activity at hand. Minutes of charging give hours of power! The Galaxy S21 Series 5G (256GB) is available via the Samsung Online Store, authorized Samsung Stores, online partner merchants, and telco partners at P47,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21, P57,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21+ 5G, and P69,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The Galaxy S21 Series 5G is also available in

128GB storage for as low as P44,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21 5G, P54,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21+ 5G, and P66,990 SRP for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Choose between the Phantom Violet and Phantom Gray colorways of the Galaxy S21 5G, and the Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black of the Galaxy S21+ 5G. For the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, customers can choose between Phantom Silver and Phantom Black. The Galaxy 14-Day Trial Program is also available for every purchase of the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G (256GB). To know more about this program and the participating Samsung Experience stores, click here. To know more about the Galaxy S21 series 5G, visit samsung.com/ph.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Series

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

Motoring

New Navara rocks the truck scene

ISSAN in the Philippines rocks the pick-up truck segment anew with the unveiling of the new Nissan Navara. Known for delivering unmatched riding comfort, the new Navara delivers an enhanced level of safety and driving pleasure, while continuing to bring durability, reliability and versatility to bold and daring road adventurers. The most advanced Navara ever is built on more than 80 years of Nissan’s pickup heritage and stays true to the company’s belief in bringing advanced technologies to as many customers as possible. “The Philippines is a key market for Nissan”, said Isao Sekiguchi, regional vice president for Nissan in ASEAN. “Today, we’re showing our commitment to transform our product lineup in the Philippines with the launch of Nissan’s iconic pickup nameplate, the new Navara. The new entry in the key vehicle segment in the country is an important step in the company’s

Nissan NEXT transformation plan”. A reliable partner for work or travel, the new Nissan Navara comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara yet. Among the Nissan Intelligent Mobility features for the Navara lineup in the Philippines is Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, which monitors the second vehicle ahead as well as the vehicle directly in front to reduce the risk of multi-car accidents. Intelligent Emergency Braking activates

the brakes to avoid collisions, reducing the stress of driving in traffic or on busy streets. Intelligent Around View Monitor uses four cameras to help drivers notice people and cars surrounding and approaching the vehicle, making it easier to parallel park or to position the vehicle when hitching to a trailer. New to the system is an off-road monitor, which checks surrounding obstacles at low speeds when in four-wheel drive mode. In addition, Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety features in the Nissan Navara such as the Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist that enables drivers to do more and see more. The new model features a strengthened rear axle, increased payload capacity, additional truck bed volume and a new integrated step in the rear bumper for easier access to the truck bed. A new steering rack has been adopted to enhance maneuverability at low speeds and steering response across the speed range. New key features in the new Navara include a

Hyundai STARIA makes global debut FROM two to eleven seater MPV. That in a way sums up the new STARIA multipurpose vehicle which Hyundai Motor launched a few days ago via a digital world premiere, establishing a model for its future Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs). STARIA is Hyundai’s response to shifting consumer needs by offering them purposeful, innovative features and redefining in-car travel experiences in line with the company’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ It is available in 2- to 11-seat configurations and in two variants: STARIA and STARIA Premium, the latter elevating mobility to the next level with upgraded features and variant-exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel. “We are thrilled to introduce STARIA, which represents our latest effort to spearhead the evolution of mobility, and to address emerging lifestyle needs as we adapt to new ways of living,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “STARIA is a step forward in connecting us more closely with our environments so that we

black grille, door handles, roof racks and running boards accented by 17-inch black wheels and all-terrain tires. “The new Nissan Navara gives our customers in the Philippines confidence, practicality, driving pleasure, safety, excitement, and pride of owning the latest in our line of innovative products. It’s a pickup that is part of the Nissan DNA, embodying our passion and desire to help people overcome challenges and explore places only a few can reach. It is truly driven by the brave,” says Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director, Atsushi Najima. Nissan is also offering a five-year vehicle warranty exclusive only for the new Nissan Navara. The five-year warranty applies to all new Navara variants, making it a unique offering for the pickup segment. “This extended warranty lets our customers enjoy the new Navara even better throughout its product lifespan. It gives our customers even more confidence and pride in owning the company’s latest innovative product,” added Najima.

Summer of Luxury

can get more out of our everyday lives and do more for ourselves in transit.” STARIA will go on sale in select markets starting from the second half of 2021. Evoking the streamlined form of a spaceship, Hundai says STARIA’s sleek exterior is defined by a single stroke running from front to rear — inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space. STARIA Premium model features a variant-exclusive tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles to emphasize the vehicle’s premium and modern look. STARIA models are available in eight exterior colors: Abyss Black Pearl, Creamy White, Graphite Gray Metallic, Moonlight Blue Pearl, Shimmering Silver Metallic, Dynamic Yellow, Olivine Gray Metallic and Gaia Brown Pearl. The driver and passenger seats in the first-row are designed to offer a feeling of space and comfort. STARIA’s simple interior layout focuses only on the essen-

THREE TIRES FOR YOUR SCOOTER IN THE Philippines - a land where traffic jams, potholes, and other road hazards rule - a scooter can change your life. These efficient, fast-accelerating, yet severely underrated machines have become one of the best options for 2-wheel driving in the country. To make the most of a scooter, it’s important to pay attention to the tires. They must be able to handle stones, dirt, and potholes in wet and dry weather. There are many choices out there, so let’s be systematic about the decision-making process. Narrow it down to tires made for Philippine roads, and you arrive at CST Scooter Tires. “CST” stands for Cheng Shin Tires, the parent company of Maxxis Tires.

rear differential lock, quad projector LED headlamps, new 17” and 18” wheels, rain sensing wipers, and auto folding mirrors It offers a quiet and comfortable ride thanks to significant decrease of vibration and improved noise isolation. An upgraded interior with a new steering wheel with audio, hands free and multi-information display controls, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, a 7-inch high resolution Nissan Advanced Display Audio unit, new fabric and leather seat design, and a redesigned rear bench for added comfort and style that is agile enough to suit every need. The new model features an “unbreakable” design language. It introduces a new ruggedly bold, stylish exterior made for extreme elements. For the first time for the Navara, Nissan will offer the PRO-4X grade, a style package aimed at adventure lovers and travelers craving an escape from their daily routine. The PRO-4X grade comes with its own athletic look, with a black emblem, orange-accented front bumper,

There are three CST Scooter Tires to keep your eye on: the C6501 Magsport, the C6528, and the C6577 Adreno. All three deliver excellent performance and traction on wet roads and corners, thanks to an engineered tread pattern specifically designed to eliminate the fear of the slide. In terms of wet performance, traction, stability, durability, and handling, they are all equally excellent. Even more so when the roads are dry. The hybrid compound, tread pattern design, bead engineering, and casing structure of CST Scooter Tires allow for a versatile and engaging riding experience for various uses and road conditions. However, It’s the specific qualities of each scooter tire that make them the perfect fit

tials to provide more room and flexibility to passengers. A glove compartment in the first-row passenger’s seat is moved forward to provide extra legroom space. The driver’s seat has a futuristic hightech look with an advanced 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based center fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever. STARIA Premium offers a variety of additional interior features that will transform the passenger’s mobility experience. The 7-seat Premium model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximize cargo space. The 9-seat Premium model’s individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row. This makes STARIA Premium ideal for corporate vehicles or mobile offices as passengers can turn their seats around and conduct meetings face to face. Families will also find these swiveling seats convenient as rear-facing passengers will have easy access to those seated in the third row.

TO FILL your days with incredible luxury and amazing new experiences as you get back on the road again, Lexus is giving exclusive rewards and exciting limited offers for the month of April. Lexus is turning up the heat by offering its customers sizzling deals on its ES 350 and LS 500 (2020 model) sedans. Summer is now in full swing and these models await their next adventure with you. With an enticing 30% downpayment, 24-month term, and 0% interest, you can look forward to more amazing new experiences behind the wheel. The Lexus ES 350 (SRP P4,478,000) is an expression of the new generation of Lexus vehicles which offer an exciting driving experience coupled with unparalleled luxury. When it was first introduced, it instituted a fresh era of design and performance. The engineering team had one clear goal when it came to the ES: Turn a sedan known primarily for comfort and quietness into one that is equally capable of delivering class-leading handling and power that you can feel and hear. The ES is built on the GA-K platform, which demonstrates high tor-

sional rigidity and a low center of gravity. It also features a sleek and bold exterior, a spacious, plush interior, and exciting driving performance--all longstanding Lexus trademarks. The new platform/powertrain combination delivers flawless silky, smooth ride comfort, inheriting and further enhancing the DNA of past ES models. With sharp handling response and rock-solid stability, the ES exemplifies the successful pairing of two contradictory ideas―its smooth, silky ride yet sharp handling. Lexus ES continues the expression of the brand’s design direction and commitment towards crafting vehicles with heightened excitement, emotion, and passion expanding that vision of the brand’s future to a broader audience. Traditional buyers will find the new ES more spacious, quieter, and safer than ever before while a new generation of customers will be introduced to a sedan with sharpened performance, class-leading safety technology, and a level of craftsmanship rarely found in this segment.

for a particular rider. The C6501 Magsport is designed for city use. It’s the smartest choice for city commuting with all the slow-speed and quick stop-and-go driving, yet it can handle that occasional action-filled joyride to escape the city. The C6501 is available in 70/90-14, 80/90-14, and 90/9014 sizes for tubed and tubeless configurations. T h e C6528 is a hybrid sport and touring

tire. Basically, it can thrive in the city, do a quick sprint to the café, and handle a days-long road adventure somewhere far away. If you fit this on a scooter, keep a GPS handy because you’ll find yourself taking off for days at a time. The C6528 is available in the following tubeless sizes: 80/80-14, 90/80-14, and 100/80-14. Lastly, the Adreno C6577. Here, we err on the side of caution. Simply, these tires can do what the C6528 can, but it can handle more. It can literally go on racetracks because its special compound and tread construction have a wider contact patch on the road. It’s still a hybrid sportand-touring tire, but it won’t fail you when you decide to blast from point A to point B or book a circuit track day. The Adreno is available in: 80/80-14 TL, 90/80-14 TL, 100/80-14 TL, 70/90-14 TL, 80/90-14 TL, 90/90-14 TL, and 70/90-14 TT.