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Oust ‘Red hunters’—Sotto Palace slaps down calls for defunding program to end insurgency
By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo
S
ENATE President Vicente Sotto III pushed back against moves by some senators to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), saying it would be hasty to end a program because of irresponsible statements from some of its officials, who should be replaced. Earlier, Senators Joel Villanueva, used instead for pandemic assistance, Franklin Drilon and Richard Gordon after the task force’s spokesman, Lt. said the NTF-ELCAC should be de- Gen. Antonio Parlade, smeared organfunded and its P19.4 billion budget be Next page
VOL. XXXV • NO. 67 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Catnap photo depicts heavy frontline load By Joel E. Zurbano, Jess Malabanan and Willie Casas IF A person saves a life, they call him or her a hero. If a person saves a thousand lives, they call him or her a nursing attendant. Two nurse attendants in Pampanga were among the trending topics on social media Thursday after a photo, showing them taking a nap while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), became widely circulated. Next page
CHINA WARNS OF HARM OVER SCRAPPED BRI
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SENATE GIVES E.O. ON PORK A CHANCE
FORTY WINKS. The two nursing attendants known as Ronnie and Jazzel needed only a short nap to re-energize themselves from the exhaustive multiple tasks they had to do as frontline workers in a Pampanga hospital. Unbeknown to them, their photo went viral. Kaydee Santiago FB page.
COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE
(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 22)
971,049 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES
8,757 107,988 NEW
ACTIVE
16,370
105
DEATHS
NEW
846,691 17,138 NEW RECOVERIES
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Community pantries breed variants, spread to E. Timor By Joyce Pangco Pañares FROM community pantries for humans and fur babies to “pan-tree” seedlings aimed at boosting food security, the spirit of bayanihan has reached the shores of East Timor after a Filipino vice consul broached the idea to Timorese friends and fellow diplomats. The Bairro Farol community pantry in the Timorese capital of Dili was set up Wednesday to help residents affected by the pandemic and the recent flash floods that hit the country, Philippine Vice Consul to Timor Leste Laser Blitz Sumagaysay said in a Facebook post. “I took the opportunity to discuss with some Timorese friends and diplomats about the concept of bayanihan and particularly showed them photos of #communitypantry set-ups in PH to which they gained Next page
‘Illegal fishing in WPS a cause of concern’ and the Philippines.” During the virtual Earth Day round table, US EmTHE United States said Thursday the multi-billion “il- bassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law stressed that the legal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and destruc- IUU activities in the country’s waters, including in tion of the rich marine ecosystem in the West Philip- the West Philippine Sea, was the biggest threat to the pine Sea is a cause of concern for both the United States Next page
By Rey E. Requejo
Pope Francis calls for prayer marathon POPE Francis has urged Catholics to participate in a rosary initiative dedicating the month of May to a prayer marathon for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. “For the deep desire of the Holy Father, the month of May will be dedicated to a prayer marathon with the theme ‘Prayer to God went up incessantly from Next page
What began as a simple act of giving to the needy in Maginhawa village has spread to as far away as East Timor and spawned variations such as ‘pan-tree’ and roving pantry, with the total number of local community pantries growing to 350.
Vaccine czar sees fewer cases in October; OCTA still wary By Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano THE Philippines, hobbled by coronavirus infections and deaths since March last year, is expected to see fewer COVID-19 cases by October or November due to its vaccination drive, an official leading the inoculation strategy said Thursday.
At the same time, the National Capital Region’s COVID-19 reproduction number went down to 0.99, the OCTA Research Group said, although it stressed there was no assurance yet it signified a downward trend. OCTA Research fellow Guido David said during an interview on Balitanghali: Next page
Rody skips Asean’s Jakarta gab By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia this weekend where the 10 members are scheduled to tackle
the crisis in Myanmar, according to Malacanang. “The President will not personally attend but I’m sure that our Department of Foreign Affairs will be there,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Next page
Sara pads lead in poll of 2022 likely aspirants DAVAO City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio widened her lead over other possible presidential candidates in the 2022 elections. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, the presidential daughter emerged as the top choice if the May 2022 presidential elections were held today at 27 percent. Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. placed second with 13 percent, followed by Senator Grace Poe and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso with 12 percent each and Senator Manny Pacquiao with 11 percent. The four Next page
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FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
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Farmers save P1.26b from ‘Bising’ By Othel V. Campos
A
BOUT P1.26 billion of standing rice and corn crops were saved from Typhoon Bising due to the early harvest advisory issued by the Department of Agriculture.
for livestock and poultry. The government also offered loans under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and has readied funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers. Typhoon Bising has been projected to move generally northeastward away from the landmass of Luzon before turning east northeastward and generally eastward on Saturday, April 24. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening or early morning Sunday.
erating on the 2022 budget. “Due to the bad experiences in redtagging and baseless intel, we will definitely make sure that the NTF-ELCAC budget will go through a fine-tooth comb in the Senate,” she said. Villanueva asked for a review and realignment of the NTF-ELCAC budget to health and pandemic assistance. “It is also not giving comfort to the armed enemies. It is simply giving aid to our hungry people,” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday filed a resolution condemning the acts of harassment, red-tagging and intimidation by national government officials and law enforcement authorities against private citizens organizing community pantries. “These heavy-handed tactics by state agents against community pantries are not just undemocratic, they also punish Filipinos who are already suffering because of the pandemic and who desperately need the lifeline extended by these community pantries,” the resolution said. The resolution also urges the executive branch to ensure the safety and protection of community pantry organizers inasmuch as they provide an invaluable service to communities in these times. Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon called for immediate passage of Senate Bill 2121 or the proposed “Act Defining and Penalizing Red-Tagging” amid the relentless red-tagging by officials of the government’s anti-insurgency task force in the middle of a pandemic. Drilon urged Congress to defund the NTF-ELCAC and realign its P19.4 billion budget to fund the social amelioration program (SAP) commonly called “ayuda.” “The recent events make the menacing effect of red-tagging more pronounced. We must put a stop to this immediately,” said Drilon, referring to recent red-tagging of various government organizations and even individuals who organized community pantries in their neighborhoods. “The absence of a law that defines and punishes red-tagging makes it easier for individuals like Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. to make not only unfounded but dangerous and deadly accusations,” Drilon said. Once enacted into law, red-tagging will be punishable by up to 10 years in
prison, Drilon said. He added that persons convicted of red-tagging will be barred from holding public office. Under the Drilon bill, the crime of red-tagging is defined as the act of labeling, vilifying, branding, naming, accusing, harassing, persecuting, stereotyping, or caricaturing individuals, groups, or organizations as state enemies, left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists as part of a counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism strategy or program, by any state actor, such as law enforcement agent, paramilitary, or military personnel. The minority leader said the red-tagging by the government’s anti-insurgency officials sow fear among Filipinos such as community mobilizers and organizers, whose work has helped hundreds of needy Filipinos in these trying times. “I am glad that my colleagues joined me in that call. But we do not have to wait for the 2022 budget debates to defund NTF-ELCAC. The President should realign the NTF-ELCAC [budget] under the 2021 GAA now,” he said. Meanwhile, Ana Patricia Non, the organizer of the pioneering Maginhawa Street community pantry in Quezon City, slammed the anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy for posting on her Facebook account “fake news” linking her to the communist movement. She threatened to file a legal suit against those who accuse her of being a communist. In an interview over radio dzBB said she was now consulting lawyers. “Many lawyers have reached out to give their support because they see that what is being done to me is no longer right,” she said. Badoy, in her Facebook post Wednesday night, accused Non of being a member of an underground mass organization Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS). Non denied Badoy’s accusations, saying she used to be part of the UP Fine Arts Council that was involved in concerts and feeding programs. The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) said it would extend legal assistance to community pantry organizers. “We will defend them. It is just right to defend them,” said PAO chief Persida Acosta. terventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) project, a five-year P1.1 billion program that aims to “help the government achieve its goal of improving natural resource governance and stimulate public and private investments leading to a greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth.” Besides supporting environmental initiatives, the US government is also partnering with the Philippines to strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness and ability to secure its territory amid China’s continuous aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the recent swarming by Chinese militia vessels of the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
David said he government needed to vaccinate around seven million residents of the National Capital Region to trigger economic recovery. He said 30 to 50 percent of Filipinos residing in Metro Manila should get COVID-19 jabs to control transmission and to prevent another outbreak. “Around seven million people in the NCR should be vaccinated. Hopefully, by the third quarter of this year. If we are able to do that, economic recovery will happen sooner. Our situation may not be like the old normal but we can ease restrictions in business establishments,” he said.
should be resolved domestically. In a statement, meanwhile, the DFA said “The Philippines strongly supported the convening of the Meeting even without the full attendance of all ASEAN Leaders. This special Leaders’ meeting will address urgent matters in the region, including recovery efforts, the situation in Myanmar, ASEAN community-building efforts, external relations, and regional and international issues.”
Meanwhile, Galvez said COVID-19 vaccines produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and Pfizer would be delivered to the Philippines starting next week. He said an initial 15,000 Sputnik V doses are expected to arrive on April 25. Another batch consisting of 480,000 doses will be shipped to the country on April 29, along with 500,000 Sinovac doses.
council said. The Catholic Church dedicates the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mar y. Pope Francis will open the month of prayer on May 1, asking for Mary’s intercession. The Pope will also close the initiative on May 31 with another specially-broadcast rosary. Pope Francis spoke about the coronavirus and its economic effects in a video message to participants in the 27th Ibero-American Summit in Andorra April 21.
The COVID-19 pandemic “has demanded enormous sacrifices from each nation and its citizens,” he said. The pope said he had prayed for the millions of people who have died from COVID-19 or who are suffering from the illness, as well as their families. “The pandemic has made no distinctions and has hit people of all cultures, creeds, social and economic strata,” he said. He emphasized the importance of considering anti-COVID vaccination as a “universal common good.”
According to an update released by the DA regional field units Thursday, damages to agriculture amounted to P168.08 million. The typhoon, expected by the weather bureau to slightly accelerate while moving north northeast or away from land, has affected 6,281 farmers and fisherfolk, mostly from the agricultural areas in Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.
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A resident doctor, Kaydee MagsinoSantiago, described the nursing attendants, identified only as Ronnie and Jazzel, as “unsung heroes” in the photo that she shared on her Facebook page. “Caught our nursing attendants at 1 a.m. taking a quick rest and I am not even sure if it really was a rest. Took them only minutes, got back to work with no sleep, drenched in sweat under their PPEs.” She narrated: “I have seen them work the entire day, from cleaning and disinfecting of rooms to transporting patients from one floor to the other. From changing diapers to changing oxygen tanks of countless patients.” “From janitorial, to nursing aid to medical work (helping us monitor patients), I have seen how committed our nursing attendants are. But you know what is best about them, they are filling in [for] what every COVID-19 patient needs, a family member. I have seen them interact and treat each patient as their own. I have seen how patients appreciate each one of them. “They are our unsung heroes. They are the unseen essential workers. They are my heroes. I can’t imagine working in the pandemic without them. They work with a low wage yet give the best of their efforts.” She then addressed the two nursing attendants in a mix of Filipino and English: “You are the best. I have not heard a single complaint about you. I salute you Sir Ronnie and Sir Jazzel and all the other [workers on] this battlefield. A thank you will not be enough but know that behind every patient sent home, a huge part was because of you.” In an interview on ABS-CBN Teleradyo, Dr. Monserrat Chichioco, the hospital’s medical chief, said the health workers were just taking a break after the facility went on full capacity last week, with 97 to 98 percent of its COVID-19 bed capacity occupied. She said the hospital is at 90 percent bed capacity, with 71 out of 82 beds of its critical care unit occupied. “These kinds of patients need the utmost attention. When it comes to oxygen supply, this is the most taxing to our nurse attendants, which is why I salute them. They would rest for a bit then they would have to change the oxygen supply of our patients,” Chichioco said. “At the minimum, they wear their PPEs for one to two hours when they do rounds on their designated patients,” she added. Chichioco explained that nurses and nursing attendants at the hospital are assigned to a seven-week duty. A number of hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces announced they can no longer accept patients, saying all beds at their facility are fully occupied. In Angeles, the city government shortened the working hours of nurses detailed at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center to give medical workers enough rest.
izers of community pantries or food banks as communists. But Sotto said defunding the task force would give away some of the gains the government had made against the communist rebels. The Palace also rejected the proposal to defund NTF-ELCAC, saying the task force is aimed at developing barangays cleared of communist rebels, so slashing its budget would not be justified. “Let us allow the NTF-ELCAC to perform their duties if they really have an official function concerning the community pantries,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. The move to cut funding for NTFELCAC was sparked by Parlade, who said they have been doing background checks on community pantry organizers, including leftist groups which may have been “engaging in propaganda” behind such initiatives. Senator Panfilo Lacson said since 2016, he has been defending the budget of the Defense department and all its attached agencies. Last year, Lacson said he stubbornly fought to retain the P16.5 billion antiinsurgency fund of NTF-ELCAC for 2021, arguing that it was intended for development programs, activities and projects in areas cleared of the presence of the New People’s Army, and not for armed anti-insurgency operations. Early this year, Lacson said, the Senate approved his committee’s recommendation to sack Parlade not only because his appointment to a civilian position violated the Constitution, but also because on many occasions, he has become a liability to the overall efforts of the government. Unfortunately, he said, the Defense department has ignored the Senate’s recommendation, leading him to reconsider his position on its budget for next year. “This year, I am not sure if I will defend their budget with the same tenacity as I did the previous years. Working together, I believe should be a two-way street, if we want to make it work,” he said. Senator Nancy Binay said in just a few months, the Senate will start delib-
environment and livelihood of Filipino fishermen. The embassy official said this was the reason why the US government through the United States Agency for International Development supports a variety of programs to strengthen Philippine environmental sustainability, climate resilience, sustainable management of natural resources, and combat environmental crimes. “There is no greater existential threat to the environment and livelihood of fisherfolk than the destruction of the rich ecosystem in the West Philippine
Sea. The US shares Philippine concerns over IUU fishing and environmental destruction perpetrated in the Philippine waters,” Law added. A recent study made by the USAID and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources showed that illegal fishing in the Philippines accounted for as much as 40 percent in 2019, or approximately P62 billion or $1.3 billion yearly. “IUU fishing remains a top priority for the United States. Through USAID, we are stepping up our partnership with the Philippines to promote sustainable fishing practices and enhance the wellbeing of Filipinos dependent on this critical resource,” Law said. In August last year, the USAID launched the Philippines Sustainable In-
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will decide on a common position from ASEAN about the crisis in Myanmar, which started in early February after the military overthrew the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Roque said that Duterte was skipping the summit because of safety reasons since it would be done face-to-face. He also said that Duterte was not the only head of state that would not attend the ASEAN Summit, although most
member-states would send representatives, mostly their foreign ministers. But he did not mention who were the other heads of state who would not be attending the meeting. The Philippines did not join the earlier United Nations Human Rights Council resolution that called for the release of the country’s civilian leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The country maintained that the crisis in Myanmar
The Palace spokesman did not say why the President would not attend, and neither was he asked for the reason by reporters. Duterte has designated Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. as his Special Envoy to the summit that will be held on April 24. Roque said the summit this weekend
Sara... From A1 of them, however, are statistically tied. The non-commissioned survey, conducted on February 22 to March 3, 2021 with 2,400 respondents aged 18 years old and above, has a +/- 2 percent error margin. Duterte-Carpio got the majority of support from Visayas and Mindanao with 21 and 60 percent, respectively. At sixth place was Vice President
Leni Robredo (7 percent), followed by Sen. Christopher Go (5 percent), former Vice President Jejomar Binay (3 percent), Sen. Panfilo Lacson (2 percent), Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (2 percent) and Sen. Richard Gordon (1 percent). President Rodrigo Duterte himself rejected calls for his daughter to seek the presidency, saying it is not a woman’s job. Duterte-Carpio said she will only consider gunning for the highest position in 2034 and only “if at that time, there is something I can do to help the country.”
much interest,” Sumagaysay said. “In my perspective, as both a private individual and diplomat, being in Timor Leste provides the opportunity to live and serve in a nation that is quite less developed but whose people are not in any way less spirited or determined than us Filipinos,” he added. In the Philippines, the community pantry movement began with a small bamboo cart filled with canned goods and vegetables and even face masks along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City on April 14, an initiative of 26-year-old Ana Patricia Non. The principle is simple: Give according to one’s capacity and take according to one’s need. The motto, according to Antonio La Viña, a law teacher and a former dean of the Ateneo School of Government, is well known to social activists as it was popularized by German philosopher, who wrote “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” in 1875. But La Viña, in a think piece he co-wrote with Joy Reyes, said it was an idea Marx borrowed from French Utopian socialists. The principle can also be traced to early Christians as written in the Acts of the Apostles (“they gave to anyone as he had need” and “they shared everything they had.”) The initiative has since sprouted over 350 community pantries across the country. In Makati City, residents set up a community pantry dedicated to feeding stray dogs and cats. In Quezon City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is giving away free seedlings of fruit-bearing trees and vegetables through its own version of a community “pan-tree” as a “humble contribution to efforts addressing the issue of food security in the region.” “Efforts like these give us hope that we can come together and help each other out. This initiative does not discriminate against gender, class, affiliation, religion, or anything else. It’s just based on our capacity to help. There is freedom in that,” Non said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 5 pm bulletin on Thursday that Bising was already 390 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. Apart from rice and corn, other affected commodities include assorted vegetables and fruits, livestock and fisheries produce. Some agricultural and fisheries, likewise, sustained damages which are yet to be assessed. The DA prepared assistance packages available of rice seeds and corn seeds and assorted vegetable seeds for farmers from Regions II, IV-A, V, VIII, and XIII as well as drugs and biologics
A total area of 14,589 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions V, VIII and XIII with an equivalent production of 59,543 metric tons amounting to P1.08 billion. Harvested corn totalled 534 hectares from Region V and VIII with an equivalent production of 1,411 metric tons valued at P18.2 million.
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Pope... From A1 the whole Church,’” the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization said. The council said the world’s Catholic shrines would be involved in a special way as promoters of the rosar y. Thirty of the shrines will take turns leading a daily live-streamed rosary at 12 p.m. Eastern time, the
Vaccine... From A1 “The reproduction number in NCR is now at 0.99. In fact, that is less than one. But the trend of COVID-19 cases is still unstable. That is not a guarantee that the number of cases is down.” The reproduction number refers to the number of people that one COVID-19 patient can infect. Most residents in areas with the worst coronavirus outbreaks would have been vaccinated by then, said Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr, head of the National Task Force against COVID-19. “Once majority of highly urbanized cities like Metro Manila area have been vaccinated, if we get that October or November, we will see the effect, that cases will drop,” Galvez said.
Inoculate 7 million in NCR
Vaccines arriving
News
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
High Court to resume arguments on ATA
IN BRIEF P3.4-M shabu seized in Angeles operation ANGELES CITY—Some P3.4million worth of high grade Methamphetamine Hydrochloride were seized by anti-narcotics agents during a drug bust in front of a posh subdivision here late Wednesday evening. Two suspects were arrested. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 3 director Christian Frivaldo identified the suspects as Yasser Addatu Ibrahim,25, of Jaoville Barangay Pandan in this city and John Viray Lagman, 45, of Mabalacat City. Frivaldo said the suspects had been placed under tight watch since February this year due to their involvement in the illegal drug trade in Angeles City and nearby Mabalacat City in Pampanga. “Our agents secured a drug deal with the suspects for the sale of 500 grams of shabu and agreed to meet along Marisol road until they were collared by PDEA operatives”, Frivaldo said. He said PDEA agents confiscated a resealable plastic bag carrying white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu weighing more or less 500 grams. The arrest of the suspects is part of the agency’s series of operations against bigtime traffickers and street peddlers operating in the city. On Tuesday, PDEA broke up two drug dens in Angeles City and arrested 16 people. “PDEA trained its sight in Angeles City due to reports on alleged proliferation of shabu despite the pandemic,” said Frivaldo. Jess Malabanan
Caloocan distributes P1.2b within 2 weeks AS OF April 20, 2021, the city of Caloocan, one of the most populous cities in Metro Manila, had already distributed P1,222,984 in cash to 342,725 families, accounting for 92 percent of the 369,652 names nominated by DSWD for the NCR+ Ayuda program. The remaining 26,927 household recipients on the list have yet to claim their cash, even though they have been sent text messages and their barangays have been informed that they are qualified to receive the ayuda. Caloocan enlisted the aid of pioneering money remittance agency USSC, which had also helped the city distribute cash aid to Caloocan students last year. Using state-of-the-art technology, USSC deployed cash caravans to barangays and employed Caloocan City students to help manage the pay-outs. USSC’s technology sends a text message with a date, time and venue to individuals in the SAP database. The recipients show the text message at the venue and are allowed in based on the time specified on the text message. This allows the orderly distribution of cash without crowding and without wasting the time of the household recipient. Once inside the venue, the recipient shows a valid ID with the text message they received. The paymaster looks up the record on a tablet, takes a photo of the recipient and the ID presented, and asks the recipient to sign electronically on the tablet. The whole process takes an average of 3 minutes per transaction, and all data is electronically stored to ensure an audit trail. USSC implemented a KYC (Know Your Customer) process following guidelines set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure the identity of the individual. The KYC process also takes out duplicate records in the system so any risk of doubledipping is prevented. All processes were also developed to comply with the requirements of the Commission on Audit and to make it easy for auditors to monitor individual transactions. By implementing process standards, providing local employment to Caloocan City residents and deploying state-ofthe-art technology, USSC was able to ensure that Caloocan City would ensure a safe, quick, efficient and reliable cash distribution program for its citizens.
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By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja
DECLOGGING CONTINUES. Manila continues to conduct extensive declogging and cleaning operations despite the pandemic. It has been able to clean the canals along Limay St. along Sta. Teresita St. along M.F. Jhocson, along Manrique, along Zamora St. and in the streets of Bilbao, Sto. Cristo, Padre Rada and Zaragoza in Tondo.
Labor groups criticize police clearance idea V By Vito Barcelo
ARIOUS labor groups slammed the proposed Philippine National Police clearance as a requirement for workers’ various transactions with the Department of Labor and Employment, saying the measure is a blatant violation of workers’ constitutional right to freedom of association. The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino said requiring workers police clearance in transactions with the Labor department was an additional government bureaucratic layer and an additional cost and burden to workers. PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas is proposing to the department to require police
clearance in all its transactions to augment its National Police Clearance System. “From the looks of it, the proposed police clearance in DOLE transactions would further delay the injustice among aggrieved workers and would drive away those seeking redress in DOLE’s conciliation, mediation and dispute resolution and workplace inspection processes and many other services of
DOLE and its attached agencies.” ALU National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno said. “Having to require workers to obtain a police clearance prior to registering a new union, filing for a certification election or other legal processes, the PNP is sending the same message they sent to community pantry organizers: “we are watching you!” All workers who dare to struggle against the abuses of their employers will be monitored and profiled,” BMP said. Seno said these processes were important in holding together the industrial peace needed to make the economy productive and competitive. Rather than requiring police clearance in transactions with DOLE, Seno proposed to the PNP to instead consolidate its local police clearance system to its national clearance system by talking with the local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
DONATIONS. The Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines hands out different kinds of vegetables as its contribution to a community pantry on Matatag St, Quezon City, on April 22, 2021. Manny Palmero
Filipinas illegally recruited to work in Qatar stopped By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas IMMIGRATION officers intercepted two Filipinas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who were illegally recruited to work in Qatar. Immigration-Travel Control and Enforcement Unit Chief Maria Timotea Barizo said the passengers, whose names were withheld for their protection, were intercepted at the departure area of Terminal 3 when they attempted to board a Qatar
Airways airplane. Meanwhile, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Dagupan District Office arrested two human traffickers in Dagupan City on Monday for exploiting women for sexual activities. NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified the suspects as Joseph Carrera, manager, and Gelyn Almenario, cashier, both of Citirock Spa on Arellano Street in Dagupan City. The suspects were presented for inquest proceedings the following day before the City Prosecutor’s Office for Human
Trafficking while the rescued women were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Barizo says primary inspection officers examine the documents of all Filipino Workers before they are cleared for departure. “The quick eye of our immigration officers in the frontlines saw that there was reason to suspect the duo upon noticing that their Overseas Employment Certificates were not encoded in our linked database with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration,” Barizo said.
THE Supreme Court is set to resume on April 27 the oral arguments on the petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 after a month-long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights on Thursday raised concern over “some pieces of legislation, such as the Cybercrime Prevention Law and the AntiTerrorism Act that pose legitimate threats to further threaten freedoms of speech and expression, particularly in articulating political sentiments or dissent. “This is an overt way of silencing criticisms toward government actions, or the lack thereof, in matters affecting public interest. Moreover, the government has afforded to shut down a major broadcasting network last year in the midst of a national health crisis, depriving people access to timely and relevant information,” group spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said. In an advisory, the high court said the continuation of the oral arguments on the petitions against the anti-terrorism law will be held online, but only for this case. “This arrangement shall be pro hac vice [for this occasion only] vis-a-vis these consolidated cases. Personal appearance before the Court En Banc remains to be the primary mode of conducting oral arguments,” the high court said. The tribunal earlier announced that the next hearing would take place two weeks after the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region, which shifted to the less restrictive modified ECQ on April 12. The high court had allowed a limited number of lawyers from both parties to physically attend the session in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. After conducting four days of oral arguments, Solicitor General Jose Calida is expected to start his defense of the law on April 27 before the 15-member bench led by new Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who succeeded Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta who optionally retired on March 27.
Kin of activists killed urged to trust the govt Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday urged the families of the activists who were killed in Calabarzon to have faith in the ability of the government to dispense justice. Guevarra says the Department of Justice will carry out reasonable efforts to determine the truth and circumstances that resulted in the death of the activists during simultaneous police operations last month. This came after Guevarra on Wednesday met with the families of some of those who were killed in Calabarzon and the wife of slain labor leader Dandy Miguel. During the meeting, Guevarra said the families expressed their deep sorrow over the violent death of their loved ones and their hope that justice would be done. “The justice secretary explained to them how the special investigation under AO 35 would proceed and emphasized that much would depend on the willingness to cooperate of all parties concerned,” Guevarra said. “Lastly, the justice secretary assured the victims’ families that all reasonable efforts shall be exerted to find out the truth and asked them to trust the integrity of the AO 35 mechanism and its capability to dispense justice.” Under the AO 35 mechanism, prosecutors will lead a team of investigators from law enforcement agencies to conduct the probe.
Maynilad working to protect watersheds By Rio N. Araja WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is ramping up initiatives to protect vital watersheds to replenish dams providing the water needs of about 15 million people in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces. The enhanced initiatives—to be done at the Ipo, La Mesa and Umiray watersheds— include the reforestation of denuded forest lands, close assessment of planting sites, intensified monitoring of major Ipo River tributaries to determine sources of high turbidity, and renewed engagement of Dumagat forest rangers to monitor, guard and report on the status of the Ipo watershed. These would be done in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Quezon City government and the municipalities of General Nakar, Norzagaray, San Jose del Monte and Rodriguez. Significant among the enhanced programs is the development of the Ipo Watershed Plan, a comprehensive program that the MWSS and the water concessionaires will undertake over the next 25 years for the use, protection and management of the Ipo watershed. Given the effects of climate change and increased urbanization among other emerging challenges, Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez said existing watershed preservation programs have to be updated to respond to these new realities.
VACCINE ARRIVAL. Another shipment of 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines arrives on April 22, 2021 via Philippine Airlines Beijing-Manila flight PR-359.
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Probe power outages, Win tells ERC, DOE SENATOR Win Gatchalian yesterday called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate the reported unplanned outages of some power plants in Luzon that recently triggered a spike in consumers’ electricity bills. Gatchalian likewise urged the DOE to address any logistical concerns faced by some power producers to prevent similar occurrences in the coming weeks, as this may jeopardize the COVID-19 vaccine rollout that is expected to go on full blast between May to June. “There should be no brownouts because our vaccines will arrive by the end of this month, May, or June, and the vaccines are overly sensitive. Some vaccines need almost sub-zero freezing temperature,” said Gatchalian, Senate Energy Committee Chairperson. Data from the Independent Energy Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed that for the March 2021 billing period, there were 1,580 megawatts (MW) of non-coincidental unplanned outages or 61.3% of the total outages. For the April 2021 billing period until April 18, there were 1,428 MW non-coincidental unplanned outages or 62.8% of the total outages, the operator added. Macon Ramos-Araneta
IN BRIEF Roque: ‘De minimis’ slip in press freedom index MALACAÑANG on Thursday downplayed the Philippines slipping two notches lower in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, as it disagreed that the country is facing a worse state of press freedom due to verbal attacks against online news site Rappler and media giant ABS-CBN. The Philippines ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, according to media watchdog Reporter Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders, making it the fourth straight year that the country slipped in the ranking. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque shrugged off the two-place drop as “de minimis” or insignificant. “That’s only two positions lower. It’s de minimis, it doesn’t mean much,” he said in a Palace press briefing. Roque said the Philippines performed better than other countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) by ranking fourth highest on the World Press Freedom Index ranking in the region.
GOOD JAB. An elderly woman gets her second dose of the Sinovac vaccine in a vaccination hub at a mall in Sucat, Parañaque City on Wednesday. Senior citizens are included in the government’s A2 vaccination priority list. Avito C. Dalan
Senate COW giving EO on pork tariff a chance By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz
S
ENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday said he will convene the Senate Committee of the While (COW) to address the appeal of Malacañang to give Executive Order 128 a chance.
He said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominquez and officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be invited to the hearing on the EO that lowers tariffs while increasing the volume on imported pork for a year. “We lead by consensus. That is the sense of my colleagues,” he said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said they endorsed Sotto’s call for
another hearing on Tuesday next week. Meanwhile two more senior members of the House of Representatives joined the calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to revoke EO 128, which cut the tariff on pork imports from 40 percent to five percent. Deputy Speakers Eddie Villanueva and Bienvenido Abante Jr., in filing House Joint Resolution 38, said the presidential order will kill the local hog
EARTH DAY RITE. A soldier hands a plant over to a city worker as in celebration of Earth Day 2021, the Bacolod City Mayor’s Office-Sectoral Concerns and the Metro-Bacolod Alliance for Nature’s Gratification, Environmental Protection, and Vibrant Sectoral Solidarity (MANGROVES) held a caravan from the City Government Center, passing the three major public markets and culminating at the GP Forest Area in Progreso Village 2 in Barangay Vista Alegre for a tree-growing activity. Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda, head of the CMOSectoral Concerns, said about 300 participants joined the activities.
PCUP caravan hits Visayas ‘til April 26 THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor is encouraging the marginalized sector in the Visayas to organize to have more effective and faster access to its programs and service as well as to other government agencies. Chairperson and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano said the agency’s accreditation caravan and national urban poor assembly has been successfully launched to continue until April 26 in the Visayas region. The commission is strongly promoting its programs for the benefit of urban poor organizations to enable them to have a stronger voice regarding their problems and issues, and to provide them with appropriate solutions “in the appropriate manner and effective consultation.” The agency’s programs also aim to promote a proper representation of the poor sector to be part of the PCUP in formulating policies and implementing programs relevant to their interests and development.
raising industry. The House measure calls on Duterte to revoke EO 128 that temporarily modifies the rate of import duty on fresh, chilled, or frozen meat of swine, and seeks the adoption, implementation, and pursuit of “a more pro-Filipino hog raisers policy in view of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the industry.” “The lowering of pork imports tariff in this period of pandemic and when our local hog industry is in ‘critical’ if not dying condition due to African Swine Fever is not only shocking but at the same time unbelievable. It is surely never the most apt policy to enforce, it is devoid of any serious concern for our local pork producers,” said Villanueva of the CIBAC party-list group.
Villar: Let’s all build a greener, healthier environment IN consonance with the theme of this year’s Earth Day celebration on April 22, “Restore Our Earth,” Senator Cynthia A. Villar on Thursday called on everyone to participate in initiatives to bring back a greener and healthier environment. Villar also cited the global significance of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, a 175-hectare mangrove forest and marine habitat that is one of the world’s
most important wetlands, as included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. It was first declared a critical habitat and ecotourism site in 2007 with the issuance of Proclamation No. 1412, series of 2007, and was legislated as a protected area under the E-NIPAS law in June 2018. Earth Day 2021 focuses on the restoration of the world’s ecosystems through
natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, has been advocating environmentally sustainable practices like urban gardening, which she started in Las Pinas in 2011. Even with small spaces, residents can grow vegetables in the comfort of their own homes, the senator said. Macon Ramos-Araneta
5,074 loans to low-wage Pag-IBIG members PAG-IBIG Fund has granted socialized home loans to 5,074 minimum-wage and low-income members in the first three months of the year despite the continuing pandemic, the agency reported Thursday. Socialized home loans, which totaled P2.2 billion, made up about 25 percent of the 20,712 total loans financed by the agency in the first quarter of 2021, it said in a statement. “In the wake of the pandemic, PagIBIG Fund’s Affordable Housing Program has become the means for minimum-wage and other low-income workers to achieve their dream of homeownership,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of the Department
of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. “The program’s lowest rates and longest term allow them to buy a home within their reach. Offering affordable home financing to our members is our way of adhering to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to government institutions to provide programs that serve the needs of the underserved sector, especially during these challenging times,” he added. Amid the health crisis, the number of socialized home loans granted grew by a quarter from the 4,045 loans extended during the same period last year, while the amount released increased by 34 percent.
PROTOCOL ENFORCERS. Two Manila police officers help to maintain order in the line of people who want to get free food items in a community pantry of San Beda University in Mendiola on Thursday. Several community pantries have sprouted in different parts of the country to show the ‘bayanihan’ spirit of Filipinos amid the pandemic. Avito C. Dalan
Ivermectin permit given to 3rd hospital A THIRD hospital has been granted a compassionate special permit (CSP) to use the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin as a treatment for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Thursday. During the hearing of the House committee of good government and public accountability, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the unnamed health facility received the permit allowing the use of the mainly veterinary drug to treat their COVID-19 patients on Wednesday. “As of now, one hospital received [CSP] approval yesterday,” Domingo said. The CSP is valid for one year and can only be used by doctors of these hospitals. Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, during the same hearing, urged the FDA to widen the list of drugs for emergency use to give doctors more choices as to the treatment they will give their COVID-19 patients. “Our goal should always be for COVID-19 treatment protocols and prevention accessible and affordable to Filipinos,” Herrera said. She also told the FDA to examine the national guidelines on the registration of pharmaceutical products and suspend using the stringent Asean guidelines that have made it extremely difficult for drug manufacturers to register their products in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Herrera called on the FDA and Department of Health to strengthen the capacity of local drug manufacturers to address the pharmaceutical needs of the public, especially in times of national health emergencies. She said the FDA’s establishment of COVID-19 protocols would be for naught if the recommended drugs are not going to be made available to the public. “We will only create despair to the Filipino people when we say ‘o, eto yung magpapagaling sa iyo pero walang available sa bansa natin,’” Herrera said. “Ang sa akin, the question should also be, ‘do we have access to these drugs?’” Herrera emphasized that in times of national health emergencies such as the one the country is currently having with the presence of a pandemic, it is crucial that government agencies provide the citizens with all the resources they will need. She noted that this becomes more apparent as first-world nations have become top priorities of pharmaceutical industries, leaving third-world nations in the dark in terms of availability of potentially life-saving drugs. “We have to look into our own resources because we have to be self-sufficient,” she said. “The number one responsibility is to look into our very own resources and to make use of those.”
Rody, Velasco urge PH to be climate-smart PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on Filipinos to join government efforts to achieve a “climate-smart” Philippines amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. “I join the entire nation and the global community in celebrating Earth Day 2021. This occasion reminds us of our inherent responsibility to take care of our planet,” Duterte said in his Earth Day message broadcasted over the PINASiglang Mundo webcast. Duterte emphasized the importance of joining government projects and programs pushing for a greener Philippines. “This Earth Day, let us work with renewed vigor to engage our people, our local communities, our industries, and all other stakeholders in our efforts to achieve a climate-resilient and climatesmart Philippines,” he said. Meanwhile, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Thursday sounded an urgent call to address plastic pollution which has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. As the Philippines joins the global community in celebrating Earth Day, Velasco said a “compelling need to introduce direct and tangible actions” to curb plastic pollution, such as imposing a ban on harmful and unnecessary single-use plastic products. “We should be more determined and proactive in eradicating plastic pollution. We are racing against time to save our planet,” Velasco said. Duterte said a healthy natural environment can actively impact a nation’s health. “As we recover from the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic on our lives and economy, let us always bear in mind that a healthy nation is anchored on a healthy and sound natural environment,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz
CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK Manila Manila
Republic of the Philippines Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TODAY
TODAY 5 Judicial Region th
Branch 10 Legazpi City In the matter of the petition for the cancellation of the entry of birth of Pamela Venida Macaraeg with Local Registry Number 85-601 in the Local Civil Registry of Legazpi City, Albay, Spec. Proc. 2601 Pamela Venida Macaraeg Petitioner, -versusOffice of the Local Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay, et al., Respondents, x-----------------------------------------------x
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION To: Loreto D. Dealca Rose Marie Barrera Roselito Dealca Roselie Dealca Loreto Dealca, Jr., and Marinella Grefaldeo GREETINGS: You are hereby required to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your ANSWER to the Amended Petition and its Annexes, within thirty (30) days after the completion of the two (2) weeks publications of this SUMMONS. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff may take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in their amended complaint. Further, pursuant to the Resolution of the Honorable Supreme Court under A.M. No. 03-1-09 SC dated July 13, 2004, parties in a case may avail of the interrogatories to parties under Rule 25 and request for admission by the adverse party under Rule 26 or at their discretion make use of depositions under Rule 23 or other measures under Rule 27 and 28, within five (5) days from the filing of the Answer. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court this 27th day of August 2020. LOUIGI P. CLEDERA OIC/ACTING BRANCH CLERK OF COURT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT FIFTH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 10 Legazpi City, Albay IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE ENTRY OF BIRTH OF PAMELA VENIDA MACARAEG WITH LOCAL REGISTRY NUMBER 85-601 IN THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OF LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY
Spec. Proc. 2601
PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA, Petitioner,
“Loreto Dealca” and “Lillian Venida” in her Baptismal Certificate (these entries are marked as Annexes “C-l” and “C-2”). A copy of her Baptismal Certificate is attached herewith as Annex “C”. 22. Moreover, in her school records, Petitioner consistently used the name “PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA”. Attached herewith as Annexes “D” to “G” are copies of Petitioner’s elementary diploma, high school diploma, college diploma, and her official transcript of records in college, respectively. It is worthy to note that in the latter (Exhibit “G”), Petitioner’s father is identified as “Loreto D. Dealca” (this entry is marked as Exhibit “G-1”). 23. Most importantly, Petitioner’s father, Loreto, consistently treated Petitioner as his daughter throughout her childhood and adult life. Attached herewith as Annex “H” is a copy of a photograph showing Petitioner (right) as a child with her father, Loreto, and her two siblings, Carlo Gino (center) and Angela Karen (left). This photograph was taken sometime in 1988 during Carlo Gino’s baptism. 24. In her adult life, Petitioner also used the name “PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA” in her passports and identification cards. Attached herewith as Annexes “I” and series and Annexes “J” and series are copies of Petitioner’s passports and government issued identification cards, respectiveIy. 25. Petitioner never used the name “PAMELA VENIDA MACARAEG” as well as the other details in the First Birth Record as the same are erroneous. Since her childhood and up to the present, she has consistently used the name and other birth details in the Second Birth Record because it contains the correct record of her birth. 26. The existence of the First Birth Record creates a confusion as to Petitioner’s identity and she has suffered damage as a result. She was unable to apply for visas to Japan and Korea because she has two birth records, and the Second Birth Record which she uses cannot be authenticated by the PSA. The said countries require visa applicants to submit a copy of the birth certificate authenticated by the PSA. As a result, she was unable to work in the said countries. 27. Furthermore, since Petitioner is unable to obtain an authenticated copy of the Second Birth Record, she might not be able to renew her passport when it expires. 28. Petitioner works as a business unit manager and is part of the sales department of their company. Thus, she travels abroad for work on a regular basis. She also travels often for leisure. Unfortunately, she will no longer be able to do so when her passport expires unless the First Birth Record is cancelled. 29. Most importantly, the First Birth Record incorrectly identifies Perfecto, the husband of her mother, as her father, when in truth and in fact, her father is Loreto, who acknowledged her in the Second Birth Record and raised her as his daughter. 30. In view of the foregoing, Petitioner prays that the First Birth Record which was recorded as Local Civil Registry No. 85-601 at the Register of Births of the Office of the Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay be cancelled, as it was made erroneously and it contains incorrect details, namely: her name, the name of her father, and the fact that her parents were married. PRAYER WHEREFORE, Petitioner most respectfully prays for the Honorable Court, after due notice and hearing, to: 1. Order the Local Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay to CANCEL the first registration of Petitioner’s birth appearing as Local Civil Registry No. 85-601 of the Register of Births of the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay; and
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World
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
China warns of ‘serious harm’ over scrapped BRI
C
HINA on Thursday said Australia’s sudden scrapping of a Belt and Road Initiative deal risked “serious harm” to relations and warned of retaliatory actions, but Canberra insisted it would not be bullied.
The federal government pulled the deal with Victoria state late Wednesday in a move justified by the defense minister as necessary to prevent Australia hosting a giant infrastructure scheme “used for propaganda.” Australia overruled the state’s decision to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—the flagship of President Xi Jinping’s geostrategic vision for the Asia-Pacific region—by saying the agreement was inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy. As relations nosedive—following spats over the origins of the coronavirus and Can-
berra’s blocking of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei – Defense Minister Peter Dutton said Canberra was “worried” about local governments entering into such agreements with Beijing. “We can’t allow these sort of compacts... to pop up because they’re used for propaganda reasons and we’re just not going to allow that to happen,” he told local radio. Dutton said the government’s problem was not with the Chinese people but rather “the values or virtues or the outlook of the Chinese Communist Party.” Australia last year enacted new powers – widely seen as targeting China—that allow it to scrap any agreements between state authorities and foreign countries deemed to threaten the national interest. Canberra’s first target was the BRI, a vast network of investments that critics say is cover for Beijing to create geopolitical and financial leverage. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision “followed through” on his government’s pledge to ensure Australia had a
consistent foreign policy which strives for a “world that seeks a balance in favour of freedom.” The schism between Australia and its largest export market widened on Thursday as Beijing railed at the abrupt cancellation and warned it would damage trust between the two countries. The move “has poisoned mutual trust... and seriously harms China-Australia relations,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a briefing in Beijing. “China reserves the right to take further action in response to this.” Earlier, Dutton said he would be “very disappointed” if China retaliated but retorted that Australia “won’t be bullied by anyone.” “We are going to stand up for what we believe in and that’s exactly what we’ve done here,” he said. The BRI is the showpiece of Xi’s vision for Asia, a lattice of ports, train tracks, economic zones and other infrastructure investments to tether the continent and beyond tighter into China’s commercial orbit. AFP
2. Order that the said cancellation be thereafter forwarded to the Office of the Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority, Quezon City, for appropriate notation. Other reliefs that are just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.
For: Cancellation of Entry of Birth in the Civil Registry -versusOFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, LORETO D. DEALCA, ROSE MARIE BARRERA, THE CHILDREN OF LORETO D. DEALCA, namely, ROSELITO DEALCA, EVANGELINE DEALCA, ROSELlE DEALCA, LORETO DEALCA, JR., CARLO GINO VENIDA DEALCA, PAOLO VENIDA DEALCA, and MARINELLA GREFALDEO; THE CHILDREN OF PERFECTO C. MACARAEG, namely, JESUS VENIDA MACARAEG, GLENN VENIDA MACARAEG, ANTHONY VENIDA MACARAEG, and ANGELA KAREN MACARAEG BALADAD; and LILLIAN VENIDA MACARAEG, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x
AMENDED PETITION Petitioner, through undersigned counsel, respectfully states the following before this Honorable Court: 1. Petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, single, and a resident of Blk 22 L49 Escamilla St., Lessandra Heights, Brgy. Molino IV, Bacoor City, Cavite, where she may be served with notices and other court processes. 2. Petitioner impleads the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay as it is the official keeping custody of the record of birth subject of this petition. The said office may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes in its official address, the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Legazpi City Hall, Legazpi City, Albay. 3. Petitioner also impleads her father, Loreto D. Dealca, who is of legal age, married, and a resident of #29 Atom Bldg. Ballecer cor. Espino St. Zone 6, South Signal Village, Taguig City where he may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 4. Petitioner also impleads Rose Marie Barrera, wife of her father, who is his compulsory heir. She is of legal age and a resident of Brgy. Ilawod, Uban, Sorsogon where she may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 5. Petitioner also impleads the children of her father with Rose Marie Barrera, who are also his compulsory heirs, namely: Roselito Dealca, Evangeline Dealca, Roselie Dealca, and Loreto Dealca, Jr. They are all of legal age and residents of Brgy. Ilawod, Uban, Sorsogon where they may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 6. Petitioner also impleads the children of her father with her mother, Lillian Venida Macaraeg, who are also his compulsory heirs, namely: Carlo Gino Venida Dealca and Paolo Venida Dealca. They are both of legal age and residents of Blk 25 Lot 15 J. Yulo St. Katarungan Village, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City where they may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 7. Petitioner also impleads the child of her father with Marilyn Grefaldeo, Marinella Grefaldeo, who is also his compulsory heir. She is of legal age and a resident of #29 Atom Bldg. Ballecer cor. Espino St. Zone 6, South Signal Village, Taguig City where she may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 8. Petitioner also impleads the following children and compulsory heirs of Perfecto C. Macaraeg, the late husband of her mother who was erroneously identified as her father in one of her birth certificates, namely: Jesus Venida Macaraeg, Glenn Venida Macaraeg, Anthony Venida Macaraeg, and Angela Karen Macaraeg Baladad. They are all of legal age and residents of Blk 41 Lot 2 Gianzon St. Katarungan Village, Muntinlupa City; Blk 45 Lot 24 Avanceña St. Katarungan Village, Muntinlupa City; Blk 41 Lot 2 Gianzon St. Katarungan Village, Muntinlupa City; and Blk 16 Lot 6 Policarp Subdivision SirangLupa, Calamba City, respectively, where they may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 9. Lastly, Petitioner impleads her mother, Lillian Venida Macaraeg, who lives in Blk 25 Lot 13 J. Yulo St. Katarungan Village, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City where she may be served with summons, notices, and other court processes. 10. Petitioner was born on 29 November 1984 in Pag-Asa, Daraga, Albay to Loreto D. Dealca and Lillian P. Venida. At the time of her birth, her parents were not married because they were both married to other people. 11. Petitioner’s mother, Lillian, was married to Perfecto C. Macaraeg and they had four children who were all born before the birth of Petitioner, namely: Jesus Venida Macaraeg, Glenn Venida Macaraeg, Anthony Venida Macaraeg, and Angela Karen Macaraeg Baladad. Lillian and Perfecto lived separately since 1983, or a year before Petitioner was born. 12. Likewise, Petitioner’s father, Loreto, is married to Rose Marie Barrera with whom he has four children, namely: Roselito Dealca, Evangeline Dealca, Roselie Dealca, and Loreto Dealca, Jr. 13. Petitioner’s birth was first reported by her mother, Lillian, to the Register of Births of the Office of the Civil Registrar of Legazpi City, Albay and her birth was recorded as Local Civil Registry No. 85-601 (hereinafter, the First Birth Record). Attached herewith as Annex “A” is a copy of the said birth record authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 14. Knowing that Petitioner was illegitimate and fearing the shame and stigma attached to illegitimacy, especially because she was then working in the government, Lillian decided to report her husband, Perfecto, as the father of Petitioner instead of Petitioner’s real father, Loreto. Thus, in the First Birth Record, Petitioner was incorrectly identified as “PAMELA VENIDA MACARAEG”. Perfecto, however, did not consent to being named as Petitioner’s father in her birth certificate and did not even have knowledge of Petitioner’s birth until his death sometime in March 2017. 15. Lillian also wanted to claim maternity benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). She was misinformed that she can only do so if her child is legitimate so she decided to identify Perfecto as the father of Petitioner in order to claim the said benefits. 16. Moreover, at the time of Petitioner’s birth, her parents were not in good terms as Lillian received no support from Loreto. Thus, Lillian decided to raise Petitioner on her own as a single mother. 17. However, when Loreto learned about the birth of Petitioner, he acknowledged her as his daughter. He reported her birth to the Register of Births of the Office of the Civil Registrar of Daraga, Albay and her birth was recorded as Local Civil Registry No. 85-955 (hereinafter, the Second Birth Record). Attached herewith as Annex “B” is a copy of the said birth record authenticated by the PSA. 18. In the Second Birth Record, Loreto correctly identified himself as the father of Petitioner and Petitioner was correctly identified as “PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA”. Loreto himself signed the Second Birth Record and identified himself as Petitioner’s father as proof of acknowledgment of his paternity. 19. Thereafter, Lillian and Loreto reconciled and lived together as husband and wife. In 1987, Lillian gave birth to her second child with Loreto named Carlo Gino Venida Dealca, and in 1989, she gave birth to their third child named Paolo Venida Dealca. Lillian and Loreto separated in 1994 when Petitioner was ten years old. 20. After Lillian and Loreto separated, Loreto lived with another woman named Marilyn Grefaldeo and had a child with her named Marinella Grefaldeo. 21. Throughout her childhood, Petitioner used the name “PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA”, as stated in the Second Birth Record reported by her father. When Petitioner was baptized on 27 April 1985, she was identified as “PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA” and her parents were identified as
Respectfully submitted. Legazpi City,NOV. 25, 2019 GUIANG AND GUIANG LAW OFFICE Counsel for Petitioner 2/F Reyes Computer Oriented School, Binanuahan Road Brgy. 21 Binanuahan West, Legazpi City, Albay By: Atty. Misheil R. Guiang Roll No. 62569 PTR No. 4605880/03.01.2019/Legazpi City IBP No. 1059897/Lifetime Member / Albay Chapter MCLE Compliance No. VI-0020709/14.04.22 09392340060/misheilrreyes@gmail.com Copy furnished: Office of the Solicitor General No. 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila 1229 Republic of the Philippines) Legazpi City, Albay S.S.) VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION AGAINST FORUM SHOPPING I, PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA, of legal age, Filipino, single, and a resident of Blk. 22 L49 Escamilla St., Lessandra Heights, Brgy. Molino IV, Bacoor City, Cavite, after being sworn in accordance with law, depose and state the following: 1. I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing petition. I have read and understood the same and all the allegations therein are true and correct of my personal knowledge and based on authentic records.
PLANET NEEDS SAVING, TOO. A security
guard walks in front of a poster showing earth wearing a protective facemask in Bangkok on April 22, 2021, as most events marking Earth Day have been postponed due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Thailand. AFP
2. I have not commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any different division thereof, or any other tribunal or quasi-judicial agency, and to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or quasi-judicial agency.
Pfizer confirms fake vaccine shots
3. I undertake to inform the Court of any similar action or proceeding and its status if there be any, or should I learn that a similar action or proceeding have been filed or is pending, within five (5) days from notice thereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my signature this Nov. 25, 2019 in Legazpi City, Albay.
PAMELA VENIDA DEALCA Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, the undersigned Notary Public, this Nov. 25, 2019, by above affiant who exhibited the above-stated ID as proof of identity.
(MS-APRIL 23, 2021)
PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that personnel whose name appear below is no LONGER CONNECTED with E-GMP International Corporation, POEA license no. POEA-161-LB091019-R located at 803 General Malvar Street Malate. 1. JURIE S. GOMONAN- IT OFFICER Any transaction entered by him on the Company’s behalf shall not be honored. This publication is in compliance with POEA Rules and Regulations. (MS-APRIL 23, 2021)
FAKE doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine were being sold in Mexico and Poland for as much as $2,500 a shot, the US drugmaker and an official confirmed. At a clinic in Mexico some 80 people received bogus vaccines, which appeared to have been physically harmless though offered no protection against the potentially deadly disease ravaging the country, a report in the Wall Street Journal said. Mexico’s government spokesman on COVID-19 Hugo Lopez-Gatell said “no product was found that could affect” the health of those scammed, adding several people had been arrested. Lopez-Gatell said the false drugs were offered on social networks for up to $2,500 per
unit and were detected by cyber police. The vials were found in beer coolers and were initially identified by fabricated lot numbers and expiration dates, Mexican officials said. Confiscated vials of bogus COVID vaccines in Poland contained a cosmetic substance, thought to be anti-wrinkle cream, the company said. “We are cognizant that in this type of environment – fueled by the ease and convenience of e-commerce and anonymity afforded by the internet – there will be an increase in the prevalence of fraud, counterfeit and other illicit activity as it relates to vaccines and treatments for COVID-19,” a Pfizer spokesperson told ABC News. AFP
Race to find sub with 53 aboard
Manila
Standard
TODAY
NOTICE OF INITIATION OF AN INVESTIGATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR AN ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON CEMENT FROM VIET NAM (AD CASE NO. AD01-2021) Notice is hereby given that the Department of Trade and Industry has officially received properly documented applications from Cemex Philippines, Holcim Philippines, Inc., and Republic Cement Builders and Building Materials, Inc., for the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation on cement from Viet Nam. The applications allege that cement products are being imported from Viet Nam at dumped prices which cause material injury to the local industry. The Department acting under Section 3 (a) of RA 8752. the Philippine Anti-Dumping Act of 1999, reviewed the evidence adduced in the applications and has determined the existence of sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of an investigation. The products covered by the investigation are cement classified under AHTN Codes 2523.2990 and 2523.9000. The period of investigation (POI) for dumping is from JuIy 2019 to June 2020, while the POI for injury is from 2017 to June 2020.
INDONESIAN warships led the hunt Thursday for a submarine that went missing with 53 crew aboard and only enough oxygen for a few days. An oil spill where the submarine was thought to have submerged early Wednesday pointed to possible damage to its fuel tank, and fanned fears of a deadly disaster. The crew on the KRI Nanggala 402 could have enough oxygen until early Saturday, but time was quickly running out as rescuers scoured the coast off holiday island Bali where it disappeared. “The submarine’s oxygen reserve capacity in a blackout is 72 hours,” Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono told reporters. “There’s time until Saturday
around 3:00 am. Let’s hope we can find them before then.” However, defense analysts have warned that the vessel could have broken into pieces if it had sunk to depths believed to be as much as 700 meters. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said initial reports raised the prospect of “a terrible tragedy.” The German-built submarine was scheduled to conduct live torpedo exercises when it asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after. Navy spokesman Julius Widjojono said Thursday that search teams were focused on an area around the oil slick, but that the exact location of the vessel had yet to be pinpointed. AFP
WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, interested parties are invited to submit their comments, evidences, and information or reply to the questionnaire to dispute the allegations contained in the application. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry. 3rd Floor, Tara Building. #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue. Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_irmd@dti.gov.ph and bis@dti.gov ph. within thirty (30) days from receipt of this notice. The Non-Confidential Report on the Initiation of an Investigation can be accessed at the DTI web page: http://bit. ly/notice antidumpingVN 20 April 2021. RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary (MS-APRIL 23 & 30, 2021)
(MS-APRIL 23, 2021)
SEEDS HE HAS SOWN. Russian Communist party supporters lay flowers at the Mausoleum of the Soviet state founder and revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov aka Lenin to attend a flower-laying ceremony marking the 151th anniversary of his birth on Red Square in Moscow on April 22, 2021. AFP
CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK
Business Credit Suisse amassed $20b in exposure to Archegos—WSJ WASHINGTON—Credit Suisse racked up more than $20 billion in exposure to Archegos-related investments, the Wall Street Journal reported late Wednesday, and the Swiss bank’s executives were only told days before the US hedge fund’s implosion. “Credit Suisse Chief Executive Thomas Gottstein and Chief Risk Officer Lara Warner, who recently departed the bank, only became aware of the bank’s exposure to Archegos in the days leading up to the forced liquidation of the fund,” the business daily reported, citing people close with the bank. “Neither Mr Gottstein nor Ms Warner had been aware of the fund as a major client before that,” the paper added. The report came out just hours before Credit Suisse was due to unveil its quarterly results Thursday, which will be closely scrutinized by shareholders and investors. Switzerland’s second-largest bank has already indicated that a charge of 4.4 billion Swiss francs (some 3.9 billion euros, $4.7 billion) would be entered in its accounts to cover the damage related to Archegos. The US family-owned hedge fund run by former Tiger Asia director Bill Hwang had taken huge bets on a few stocks with money borrowed from banks. When several important positions reversed and Archegos could not respond to margin calls, it triggered one of the biggest sudden losses in Wall Street history. According to the Wall Street Journal’s sources, Credit Suisse failed to protect itself from its exposure to Archegos, “in part because it hadn’t yet instituted a system that monitored in real time how much risk a position created for the bank as the prices of the underlying securities changed.” AFP
New York woos tourists, unveils $30-m ad drive NEW YORK—New York City announced a $30-million advertising campaign Wednesday designed to entice tourists back to the Big Apple and revive an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Bill de Blasio described the marketing blitz, dubbed “NYC Reawakens” and set to launch in June, as the city’s “largest-ever” drive to promote tourism. “We need to let people know we’re open for business,” he told reporters. “It’s safe, come here. Join this amazing moment. Come to this city that’s been so heroic during this crisis,” De Blasio added. New York is gradually reopening on the back of a vigorous vaccination rollout that is keeping COVID-19 positivity rates around five percent. Sports teams including the New York Yankees and New York Knicks are playing in front of fans again while museums, restaurants and some shows are operating at reduced capacities. Broadway, however, is not due to restart until September, although officials haven’t ruled out an earlier return. The pandemic has left business areas deserted and led to the closure of thousands of shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. Crime and homelessness have also increased, reminding some locals of the gritty and sometimes dangerous New York of the 1970s and ‘80s. The return of tourists is seen as key to the revival of the city that never sleeps. Only 22 million tourists visited last year, down from almost 67 million tourists in 2019, according to the city’s tourism organization NYC & Company. The group is expecting 36.4 million visitors this year and predicts that it will be 2024 before numbers exceed their pre-pandemic level. Due to international travel restrictions, “NYC Reawakens” will initially target Americans before expanding globally once pandemic controls allow it. De Blasio said he had no doubt that 400,000 jobs linked to New York City tourism before the pandemic “will come back.” AFP
B3
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com
Stock market drops in dull trading; Aboitiz Power falls
S
HARE prices fell for a second day Thursday in another lackluster trading, with some investors opting to consolidate their holdings amid rising COVID-19 infections.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 23.86 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,415.53 on a value turnover of P5.6 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 127 to 71, with 46 issues unchanged. Aboitiz Power Corp. dropped 4.9 percent to P22.30, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, declined 3.5 percent to P3.88. JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group shed 3 percent to P55.10, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. fell 2.7 percent to P32.10. The rest of Asian markets clawed back the week’s losses on Thursday af-
ter Wall Street overnight broke a twoday dip that had been sparked by COVID-19 jitters and valuation fears. Investors took the New York drop as a cue to buy, with the Dow rising back above 34,000 and closing in on last week’s record finish. Tokyo led the Asian recovery with the Nikkei up 2.4 percent by the closing bell, despite an escalating coronavirus outbreak just three months before Japan hosts the pandemic-delayed Olympics. Organizers said they may hold off on a planned announcement this month to dictate how many domestic spectators can attend the Games in light of the virus situation, after earlier barring overseas fans. Analysts warned that an expected further tightening of coronavirus restrictions could generate worries over economic recovery as cases spike in Tokyo and elsewhere. Hong Kong was up 0.5 percent while Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei all posted healthy gains, but Shanghai was down 0.2 percent.
Further growth in US stocks is on the horizon in the coming days with analysts expecting a run of corporate results to give a clearer picture of the post-pandemic American economy. “US equities recovered Wednesday, snapping an untimely case of an uncontrollable run of two-day hiccups as investors quickly digested the primary culprit, a toxic elixir of two parts technical and one-part Covid heebie-jeebies,” said Stephen Innes of Axi. “Spooky events will happen from time to time but provided the macros hold up and the Fed continues to toggle the policy taps wide open, it’s unlikely the market will shift too far from the recovery reality.” Wall Street was showing “strong potential for additional upside” as the earnings season progressed, PIMCO portfolio manager Erin Browne told Bloomberg TV. “While certainly investors have priced in a lot in terms of normalization in certain segments of the market, I still think that there is room to run.” With AFP
ALITALIA BACKERS.
Alitalia workers stage a protest on Piazza Venezia in Rome on April 21, 2021 to demand more state help for the beleaguered Italian airline and reject European Union calls for its severe downsizing. AFP
PSEi April 22, 2021
TOP GAINERS 1 2
SGP CAB
LAST PRICE 439 63.95
% CHANGE CHANGE 35 8.66% 4.95 8.39%
3 4 5 6
FPI GERI MJC GMAP
0.29 0.85 2.09 7.95
0.02 0.04 0.09 0.3
7.41% 4.94% 4.50% 3.92%
7 8 9 10
GMA7 HI LR SLI
7.98 3.74 1.8 2.3
0.27 0.11 0.05 0.06
3.50% 3.03% 2.86% 2.68%
TOP LOSERS 1
APO
LAST PRICE 0.76
% CHANGE CHANGE -0.08 -9.52%
2 3 4 5 6 7
CHI ALLHC OV GEO LCB MA
6.9 3.19 0.012 0.37 0.164 0.013
-0.6 -0.27 -0.001 -0.03 -0.013 -0.001
-8.00% -7.80% -7.69% -7.50% -7.34% -7.14%
8 9 10
PHES COAL PRC
0.65 0.31 6.12
-0.05 -0.02 -0.38
-7.14% -6.06% -5.85%
MOST ACTIVE 1
ALI
VOLUME 30051400
VALUE (PHP) 971052085
2 3
SM BDO
303580 2360030
294306415 243933256
4 5 6
AC JGS SMPH
277490 3386990 4723900
206510985 188529676 166071215
7 8
MEG BPI
48554000 1777970
154595830 146180185.5
9 10
MM AP
25358800 6107500
142162479 138407660
Manila
Standard
TODAY
Veni, vidi, bici: Is Rome set for a cycling ‘revolution’? By Alvise Armellini ROME, Italy—With its historic seven hills, crazy traffic, cobbles and notoriously crumbling roads, Rome has never been the ideal city for cyclists—but with the coronavirus pandemic, things are changing. As elsewhere, streets emptied by COVID-19 restrictions have given cyclists room to breathe, but a new network of bike lanes and generous government subsidies to buy bicycles have also helped fuel the boom. One of the converts is Valeria Picchi, a 36-year-old mother-of-two who sold her scooter last year and bought an e-bike with a kids’ trailer. “I feel like a rare bird,” she told AFP. “People look at us, my kids are thrilled... I’m becoming a bit of a celebrity in the neighborhood.” Many in Rome still balk at the idea of setting off on a bicycle into the throng of buzzing Vespas, dented old Fiats and other kings of the Roman traffic jungle. Cyclists in the eternal city also have to brave streets so badly potholed that Honda, Piaggio and other motorbike manufacturers reportedly use them to test the limits of the suspension of their new models. Picchi was persuaded by the fact that she can do much of her commute and the school run on a proper bike lane, protected from traffic—a privilege denied to most Romans, at least for the moment. She also took up a government scheme offering up to 500 euros ($600) to people buying a new or second-hand bike or electric scooter,
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
which received 119,000 applications last year. “A revolution is under way and I am part of it!” she exclaimed, wheeling her bike around the Villa Leopardi park in the northern Nomentano district on a sunny but chilly spring morning. “We’re not Denmark, we also need a revolution in our way of thinking, but we will slowly, slowly get there.” Painting over cobbles Some think the progress is too slow. “Five years ago you hardly saw any bicycles in Rome. Nobody used them except for a ride in the park on Sundays,” said Roberto Scacchi, regional head of pro-environment lobby Legambiente. But speaking to AFP from a main road near the Termini train station, where a bike lane was recently added, he said: “I don’t see any revolution... It’s still one bicycle for every 100 cars.” According to the European Cyclists’ Federation, which has collated data about European capitals from different years, only 0.6 percent of Romans cycle regularly, against 49 percent of Copenhagen residents. Mayor Virginia Raggi last year announced 150 kilometers (90 miles) of new bike lanes, adding to an existing network of around 250 kilometers, and getting the city closer to its own ideal target of 500 kilometers. But Legambiente complains that just some 15 kilometers have been completed so far, and most of them are “temporary,” meaning a line of paint on the side of the road, with no barriers to protect cyclists from cars. AFP Women ride their bicycle across the Sant’Angelo bridge on April 07, 2021 in Rome. With its historic seven hills, crazy traffic, cobbles and notoriously crumbling roads, Rome has never been the ideal city for cyclists-but with the coronavirus pandemic, things are changing. AFP
Dear Stockholder: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Medco Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) which will be held on 14 May 2021, Friday, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held and conducted virtually online at www.medco.com.ph/asm by remote communication and voting will be in absentia. The agenda for the meeting is as follows: I. II. III.
Call to Order; Certification of Notices and Quorum; Approval of the minutes of the annual meeting of stockholders held on 27 August 2020; IV. Approval of the Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2020; V. Approval and Ratification of the acts, contracts, investments and resolutions of the Board and management of the Corporation since the last annual meeting on 27 August 2020; VI. Election of the members of the Board of Directors for the year 2021. The procedure for the nomination and election of directors is set forth in Item 5 of the Information Statement; VII. Re-appointment of Punongbayan and Araullo, the Philippine representative of Grant Thornton International, as external auditors of the Corporation for the year 2021; and VIII. Other matters. For the purpose of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of 20 April 2021 are entitled to attend and vote in the said meeting. To ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders and other stakeholders and as a precaution against the COVID-19 risk, the Corporation’s Board of Directors has approved on 31 March 2021 in accordance with SEC rules a virtual stockholders’ meeting for 2021. The meeting will be held online by remote communication and voting will be in absentia. The specific procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and voting in absentia are set forth below. Stockholders who intend to attend and participate in the virtual meeting in person or through proxy shall first submit on or before 28 April 2021 via email to MEDSHMeeting@medco.com.ph the scanned copy of their Letter of Intent to attend and participate via proxy or by remote communication and a copy of the stockholder’s valid government-issued ID showing photo and personal details. Once validated, a registered stockholder will receive via email the proxy form and voting ballot. Stockholders must submit on or before 3 May 2021 via email to MEDSHMeeting@medco.com.ph their duly accomplished proxy form and/or voting ballot. Validation of proxies shall be on 4 May 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at the office of the Corporation. Only stockholders who have notified the Corporation of their intention to participate in the virtual meeting and have registered themselves or their proxies, will be included in the determination of a quorum. We are not soliciting your proxy. All agenda items indicated in the Notice of the Meeting will be set out in the voting ballot and the stockholder may vote as follows: a. For all items, except for Election of Directors, the stockholder has the option to vote: For, Against, or Abstain. The vote is considered cast for all the stockholder’s shares. b. For the Election of Directors, a stockholder entitled to vote: (i) may vote such number of shares owned by it for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected; or (ii) may cumulate said shares and give one candidate as many votes as the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of their shares; or (iii) may distribute them on the same principle among as many candidates as may be seen fit. c. The Corporation’s stock transfer agent and Office of the Corporate Secretary will tabulate all votes received and will validate the results. d. Except for the Election of Directors, all the items in the Agenda for the approval by the stockholders will need the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least a majority of the issued and outstanding voting stock present at the meeting. For the Election of Directors, the top seven (7) nominees with the most number of votes are elected. Registered stockholders will receive the meeting link and password to log on to the meeting two (2) days before the stockholders’ meeting. We encourage all registered stockholders to log onto the meeting link 45 minutes before the meeting starts, to avoid any technical difficulty. The meeting will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. on 14 May 2021. The meeting shall be recorded in audio and video format and copies shall be posted by the Company in its website. The procedures for voting and participation in the meeting through remote communication are also discussed further in the Information Statement which shall be made available to the public not later than 22 April 2021 through PSE Edge and the Corporation’s website at www.medco.com.ph/asm. For any questions or inquiries, including request for assistance in the registration process, please contact our Office of the Corporate Secretary through MEDSHMeeting@medco.com.ph. Medco Holdings, Inc. By: (Signed) PAULINE C. TAN Assistant Corporate Secretary Makati City, Philippines, 31 March 2021
(MS-APRIL 22 & 23, 2021)
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com
B4 FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
AC Energy gets SEC’s approval to sell P16.48-b worth of shares
Business
THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it approved the P16.48-billion share sale of AC Energy Corp. AC Energy will offer up to 1.58 billion in primary common shares at P6 to P8.20 apiece. The offering comes with an over-allotment option of up to 100 million common shares. Documents filed by AC Energy with the SEC showed the company would use the net proceeds from the follow-on offering to fund the development of power projects, inorganic growth opportunities, repayment of loans and reduction of payables and other general corporate requirements. AC Energy will conduct the public offering from May 3 to 7 and list the shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 14. The power generation firm also raised nearly P5.4 billion through a stock rights offering in January. AC Energy engaged BPI Capital Corp. as the sole global coordinator, underwriter and joint bookrunner for the offer. CLSA and UBS will serve as international joint bookrunners and joint bookrunners together BPI Capital. AC Energy, the energy platform of Ayala Corp., is one of the fastest-growing energy companies with over $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the Philippines and around the region. It is scaling up its renewable energy platforms and partnerships with a strong pipeline of projects in the region. It targets to reach financial close for various power projects from renewable and other energy sources with an expected target gross capacity of over 2,000 megawatt by 2025.
BPI’s income fell 22% to P5b in Q1
Gov’t raises over P120b from foreign bond market T By Julito G. Rada
By Jenniffer B. Austria
IN BRIEF
HE Philippines successfully returned to the international capital markets for the second time this year with the issuance of 2.1-billioneuro (P122 billion), fouryear, 12-year and 20-year global bonds to support the government budget, the Department of Finance said Thursday.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a statement the successful issuance “reflects the investor community’s confidence in the country’s prospects for a strong recovery from the prolonged
pandemic, given that its financial readiness has allowed the government to do whatever COVID-19 response measures are necessary to save lives and revive the economy.” “Investors apparently believe we have what it takes to ride out the COVID-19 crisis on the strength of the fiscal discipline that has been maintained and the tax measures plus other reforms that have been carried out by the government since President Duterte assumed office five years ago,” he said. The DOF said the new four-year bonds “were priced at 4Y EUR Midswaps +75 bps and coupon of 0.250 percent, while the new 12-year bonds were priced at 12Y EUR Midswaps +105 bps and coupon of 1.200 percent.” “Also, the new 20-year bonds were priced at 20Y EUR Midswaps +135 bps and coupon of 1.750 percent. All
tranches tightened by 25 bps [basis points] from the initial price guidance backed by a strong order book which allowed the Republic to revise its price guidance twice across all three tranches,” it said. The transaction marked the largest euro transaction and the first tripletranche euro offering from the Philippines. The 20-year bonds also represent the Republic’s longest ever euro tenor and the Republic’s largest individual euro tranche. “The global bonds are expected to be rated investment grade Baa2 by Moody’s, BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s and BBB by Fitch,” it said. The transaction is expected to settle on April 28, 2021. The transaction was priced on April 21, 2021. It followed the government’s 55-billion-yen Samurai bond offering in March.
BANK of the Philippine Islands, the thirdlargest lender in terms of assets controlled by the Ayala Group, said Thursday net income fell 22 percent in the first quarter to P5 billion from P6.39 billion a year ago. “While net income before taxes for the period was 5.1 percent higher, net income after taxes was 21.7 percent lower due to one-time tax adjustments in connection with previously booked loan provisions because of the effectivity of the CREATE law,” BPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. Revenues went down by 1.5 percent in the first quarter to P24.3 billion. Net interest income also dropped 6.5 percent to P16.9 billion, on 31-basis-point contraction in net interest margin to 3.31 percent. Non-interest Income increased by 12.1 percent to P7.4 billion on the back of robust fee income which increased by 27.8 percent to P5.7 billion. This boost came from higher fees from the bancassurance, asset management, transaction banking and investment banking businesses. Total loans declined 5 percent to P1.4 trillion as of end-March while deposits were flat at P1.7 trillion. Julito G. Rada
Vista Land posted P6.4-b profit in 2020
VISTA Land & Lifescapes Inc., the largest homebuilder owned by the Villar family, posted a net income of P6.4 billion in 2020, down 45 percent from 2019, amid the challenging economic conditions brought about by the pandemic. Consolidated revenues in 2020 dropped 26 percent to P32.7 billion. The company said despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations, its commercial business remained resilient with rental revenues dropping only by 7 percent. The property firm reopened 95 percent of operational gross floor area amid the lockdowns, as most of its tenants are categorized as essential. Residential business also managed to quickly launch projects when presented with opportunities due to its land bank and presence across the country. “The past year truly challenged our ability to move forward despite the presence of a global health crisis. However, it even proved to be one of our most innovative years yet as we accelerated our digital transformation to reach and to better serve our clients,” said Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr. Jenniffer B. Austria
Maynilad expects fair review of concession
SKYWAY NAGTAHAN RAMPS. San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang (left) and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar formally open the Nagtahan northbound and southbound exit ramps of the new Skyway Stage 3 elevated expressway. Starting April 22, motorists coming from both the north and south can gain access to Sta. Mesa and other parts of Manila in record time.
WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. expects a fair and reasonable result of the ongoing review on its concession agreement, a top executive said Thursday. “We have started formal communications. We expect the process to conclude soon to allow us to effectively exercise our mandate and continue the programs that will benefit our clients,” Maynilad president and chief executive Ramon Fernandez said in a virtual briefing Thursday that quickly followed the webinar “Earth Day Talk: From Source to Communities”, in observance of the Earth Day. Fernandez said the company would actively cooperate with the government. He said that while water utility firms agreed to temporarily suspend new tariffs until December 2022, Maynilad would continue to implement ongoing water management and water services program. The company is ramping up initiatives to protect vital watersheds, which replenish the dams that serve the water needs of about 15 million people in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Othel V. Campos
Section 2. Appendix 110 of the MORB on the Framework for Dealing with Systemically Important Banks is hereby amended, as follows: OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Appendix 110 FRAMEWORK FOR DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS (Appendix to Sec. 128 on D-SIBs)
CIRCULAR NO. 1113 Series of 2021
Introduction Subject: Amendments to the Guidelines on Recovery Plan of a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB) The Monetary Board, in its Resolution No. 450 dated 8 April 2021, approved the amendments to the guidelines on recovery plan of a domestic systemically important bank (D-SIB) as provided under Section 128 and Appendix 110 of the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB), particularly on requiring D-SIBs to submit separately their Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) document and recovery plan. D-SIBs are expected to ensure that processes and information contained in these documents are consistent, coherent, and up to date. Section 1. Section 128 of the MORB on Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) is hereby amended, as follows: 128 DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS (D-SIBs) It is the thrust of the Bangko Sentral to ensure that its capital adequacy framework is consistent with the Basel principles. Hence, the Bangko Sentral is adopting policy measures for domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs), which are essentially aligned with the documents issued by Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) on global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) and D-SIBs. The broad aim of the policies is to reduce the probability of failure of D-SIBs by increasing their going-concern loss absorbency and to reduce the extent or impact of failure of D-SIBs on the domestic/real economy.
xxx IV. Intensive Supervisory Approach 27. Banks identified as D-SIBs shall prepare concrete and reasonable recovery plans which shall be implemented in case the bank breaches the HLA capital requirement. Accordingly, D-SIBs shall ensure consistency and coherence of the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) document and recovery plan. The ICAAP outcome and potential measures to address capital needs shall feed in without delay in the recovery plan, and vice versa, to ensure that the processes and information included in the said documents are consistent and up to date. The recovery plans shall include guidelines and action plans to be taken to restore the D-SIB’s financial condition to viable level in cases of significant deterioration in certain scenarios. This shall include specific initiatives appropriate to the Bank’s risk profile such as capital raising activities, streamlining of businesses, restructuring and disposal of assets, to improve capital position. 28. xxx xxx
Annex D GUIDELINES ON RECOVERY PLAN OF D-SIB
1. Introduction
xxx The framework for dealing with D-SIBs consists of three parts, as follows: a. Assessment methodology xxx. b. Higher Loss Absorbency (HLA) and interaction with other elements of Basel III framework xxx. c. Intensive supervisory approach Banks identified as D-SIBs shall prepare concrete and reasonable recovery plans which shall be implemented in case the bank breaches the HLA capital requirement. Accordingly, D-SIBs shall ensure consistency and coherence of the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) document and recovery plan. The ICAAP outcome and potential measures to address capital needs shall feed in without delay in the recovery plan, and vice versa, to ensure that the processes and information included in the said documents are consistent and up to date. The recovery plans shall include guidelines and action plans to be taken to restore the D-SIB’s financial condition to viable level in cases of significant deterioration in certain scenarios. This shall include specific initiatives appropriate to the bank’s risk profile such as capital raising activities, streamlining of businesses, restructuring and disposal of assets, to improve capital position.
xxx 4. Reporting Requirement and Review by the Bangko Sentral 4.1 The recovery plan shall be distinct and separate from the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) document and shall be submitted every 30 June of each year. The submission of a separate recovery plan shall commence on 30 June 2022. The Bangko Sentral shall review the recovery plan as part of the overall supervisory process for D-SIBs, focusing on assessing the recovery plan’s robustness, credibility and ability to be effectively implemented. 4.2 xxx Section 3. Effectivity. This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days following its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. FOR THE MONETARY BOARD: (Sgd) BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO Governor
xxx.
16 April 2021
Sports
Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
C1
Loyzaga: Kai’s NBL path is right move By Lito Cinco
Kai Sotto: First Filipino to play in tough NBL of Australia
Talisay nails 6th straight VisMin win ALCANTARA—MJAS ZenithTalisay City won its sixth game in a row—a 97-65 mauling of Tubigon Bohol to open the second round of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, Thursday at the Civic Center here in Cebu. The Aquastars got off to a sluggish start and at one point, even trailed by 11, 24-35, in the second period. However, it was a completely different story in the second half as Talisay City rode the hot hands of Val Acuña and Jaymar Gimpayan in an 11-0 run at the start of the third that vaulted them to a 48-41 lead. Patrick Jan Cabahug, Egie Boy Mojica, Shane Menina, and Kevin Villafranca all joined the scoring parade during that crucial stretch that helped Talisay build a 66-47 lead heading to the fourth. The final canto was merely a formality as the Aquastars’ reserves poured it on to complete the 32-point rout. “Yes, we’re very concerned with our slow starts. I think two games na ‘to,” said Cabahug who’s in the running for the tournament’s MVP plum. “So Coach [Aldrin Morante] told us not to be overconfident because it’s what’s causing us to start slow. He reminded us that all the teams here are capable of beating us.” All in all, Talisay outscored Bohol, 59-24, in the second half. It was an almost identical rout to the two teams’ first meeting that saw MJAS take a 105-66 win last April 9. Talisay City now owns a perfect 6-0 mark while Bohol remains winless so far in this competition. Acuña led the Aquastars with 14 points built on four three-pointers while Cabahug also made three triples to finish with 13 markers. Gimpayan had 13 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Talisay City’s frontcourt also did a lot of damage as center Jhaymo Eguilos added 11 points, six boards, and two blocks while Villafranca, a power forward from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, had his best game of the tournament so far with nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Jonathan Ibarra was Bohol’s highpoint man with 16 while Joseph Marquez had 14 points and eight rebounds. Pari Llagas chipped in 13 points and 10 boards.
Adelaide grooming Sotto, teammate Giddey for NBA T By Peter Atencio
HE Adelaide 36ers are grooming two players for possible entry into the National Basketball Association—the Philippines’ Kai Sotto and Australia’s Josh Giddey. Thirteen months ago, the 36ers signed up the 6’8” Giddey as part of the Australian National Basketball League’s Next Stars Program, which has helped develop NBA draft prospects. Adelaide 36ers’ team manager Jeff Van Groningen said Sotto will train and be developed in the same program that they are having with Giddey, who is considered one of Australia’s top basketball prospects with the NBA Global Academy, a training center at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Van Groningen believes that with the way Giddey is playing with the 36ers, the kid is expected to make it to the first round of the NBA if everything goes well. “We really drew on the fact that we’ve been through many things with young players in the team, and of helping him (Kai) develop, of helping him where he wants to go. Every player is different,
every journey is different,” said Van Groningen. Giddey and Sotto are practically on the same path, with both playing in the NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. They also were part of the Basketball Without Borders. At 18 years old, Giddey became the youngest player to play for the 36ers since the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons in 2013. Just like Sotto with the Philippine team, Giddey saw action for the Australian national youth team and made his debut during 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification. Since he won’t be eligible for the National Basketball Association Rookie Draft this year, Sotto made a decision to take a different path by signing up with the 36ers and playing professional basketball in the Southern part of the country by August.
Sotto will soon set foot in Australia in four months’ time, in time for the Australian NBL season. His agent Joel Bell said they have reached an agreement with the 36ers, which will take care of Sotto’s development and eventual and possible entry into the 2022 NBA Rookie Draft. Sotto will join the 36ers once he is done with his commitments with the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball this year. Now doing training activities in Miami, Florida, Sotto will fly back to the Philippines to rejoin Gilas in its preparations for the last window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers mid-June and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia from June 29 to July 4. The 36ers, who placed seventh in the NBL, welcomed Sotto through head coach Henry Conner and manager Jeff Van Groningen last Wednesday. Because of strict NBA eligibility, no team team will accept Sotto in the rookie draft this year because of the league’s eligibility rules on young recruits, wherein a player must be at least 19 years old to qualify.
PROMISING young cager Kai Sotto is the first Filipino cager to play in the tough National Basketball League in Australia after signing up with the Adelaide 36ers. What others may not be aware of is the fact that there was a Filipino, who played regularly in Australia during the pre-NBL days in the mid 1970s to the time the league was formed in 1979. That player? Chito Loyzaga. The former Ginebra San Miguel forward, who had a storied career particularly in the Philippine Basketball Association with the then La Tondena franchise and as a college student and MICAA player, went to Australia regularly during the summer and honed his game there. “I would say that is the best move of Kai. He would certainly learn a lot of of things there and develop himself more,” said Loyzaga, who warned Sotto that it won’t be smooth-sailing in Australia. “But it is a tough league. I played with pre-NBL players, who went up to the professional league in 1979. It was a very physical game like my PBA days,” said Loyzaga, who could have played then in the NBL but only as an import. “The league is comparable to the European leagues. In fact, even Americans played there as an opportunity to be scouted by the NBA. The same thing can happen to Kai. Another thing, he can also find parttime employment there and earn extra money, though I would expect him to get the equivalent of P8 million to P10 million per season and it is a shorter one than the PBA, giving him time for his Gilas commitment,” added Loyzaga. Another factor going for Sotto once he starts playing in the NBL is the support from a lot of Filipinos in Australia. “I was told that Filipinos are already looking forward to watching Kai play there. I am certainly happy for him, but I suggest he must set a specific goal for himself like helping the Philippines win in the FIBA qualifying, or playing in the NBA after a year or two. That way he can focus on his goals,” added Loyzaga.
Sarno plucks 2 weighlifting golds in Asian tilt SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Vanessa Sarno earned two gold medals as she took the women’s 71-kg crown in the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships, Wednesday evening (Manila time) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Lifting 128 kgs and carrying a total of the 229 kgs, Sarno claimed the title over Turkmenistan’s Gulnabat Kadyrova, who however took the gold in the snatch at 102 kgs., with the Filipina settling for silver at 101. Kazakhstan’s Yekaterina Bykova bagged third place and the bronze with 91 kgs in the snatch. The meet record in the men’s 81 kgs fell twice in a row, first when China’s Lyu Xiaojun, the gold medallist, lifted 174 kgs for new world and Asian marks in the snatch as he finished with 374. The second time the record tumbled was
when his Chinese teammate Li Dayin broke his records with 175 kgs in the day’s last attempt. After Li missed his attempts in the clean and jerk, Toshtemirov Mukhammadkodir of host Uzbekistan, settled for second at 353kg (160+193). Rejepov Rejepbay of Turkmenistan grabbed third with his total of 341 kgs (156+185). Meanwhile, the Samahang Weighlifting ng Pilipinas clarified that Filipino bets Elreen Ando and Kristel Macrohon won’t be able to make qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. SWP president Monico Puentevella said the two lacked the required number of Olympic Qualifying Tournaments to earn slots to Tokyo. Both Ando and Macrohon were only able to compete in three events during the qualification phase, needing five to be eligible. Peter Atencio
Vanessa Sarno
Banzon brothers inducted in La Salle Sports of Fame
The Banzon brothers (from left) Rene, Jomari and Greg
BROTHERS and former Track and Field stalwarts of the 1980s, Jomari, Rene and Greg Banzon will be inducted to the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame at the biennial One La Salle Night of Excellence recognition rites honoring outstanding alumni. This will be the first time in its long history that three brothers will be inducted to the university’s Hall of Fame at the same time. “We are very grateful for this recognition. We are proud to have brought glory to De La Salle. We are also thankful to our mom and dad, Merced and Leonardo Banzon, for being part of our athletic journey. They were always present to motivate and cheer us on during competitions,” Greg explained. Currently, the three brothers are still blazing their respective trails, this time, in the corporate world. Jomari is the chief executive officer of SMDC, the prestigious property arm of SM Group. Rene pursued a career in the Aviation industry, and is now a senior executive of the Gokongwei group’s airline company focused on aircraft maintenance. Greg, the youngest of the three brothers, is presently the chief operating officer of Century Pacific Food, Inc one of
the country’s leading food companies. As De La Salle athletes from 1977 to 1985, the Banzon Brothers’ stellar athletic life started in grade school when they became varsity runners under Coach Mar Lamigo. They then progressed to La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) as members of the Junior NCAA varsity team where the fabled LSGH sports training system under multi-champion coach Antonio “Tatang” Mendoza served as the foundation of the brothers’ athletic development. They joined the track team together, excelling especially in the 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m distances. All three brothers became captains of the LSGH Track & Field team in their senior year and sustained the schools’ long legacy of winning the overall Athletics NCAA Championship that ran for over a decade. After high school, they continued their educational and athletic journey at De La Salle University under fellow Sports Hall of Famer Coach Romeo Sotto, taking home medals – majority of them gold - for DLSU in the NCAA and various athletic meets. Without a doubt, the brothers dominated the long and middle distance events, competing
throughout their high school to college years in the NCAA and other athletic leagues, and even sporting events abroad. Individually, they have set their own records and conferred MVP honors multiples times. Collectively, they brought a total of 58 medals for La Salle, 33 of which were Gold. Athletes through and through, they still manage to compete in races and marathons amid their busy work schedules. Jomari has done the Tokyo & New York City Marathon. Rene also continues to be very active in running events. Meanwhile, Greg continues to compete in Triathlons and Marathons and has won various Gold medals in his age group. He has ran the New York and Singapore marathons, and full IRONMAN triathlons completing the grueling 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42k run distance of the race abroad twice. Other inductees to the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame are Renren Ritualo for Basketball, Ira Flores of Baseball, Alvin Ocampo for Football, Edwin Reyes for Sports Management and Mikee Romero for Philippine Basketball Development.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila
Standard
Republic of the Philippines TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT MICROGRID PROJECTS IN UNVIABLE AREAS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LOOC, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO AND APPROVAL OF FULL COST RECOVERY RATE (FCRR) THEREFOR WITH URGENT PRAYER FOR ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
ERC CASE NO. 2021-016 RC LUBANG ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (LUBELCO), Applicant. x-------------------------------------------------------x
NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 10 March 2021, Lubang Electric Cooperative Inc. (LUBELCO) filed an Application dated 07 October 2020, seeking the Commission’s approval of its authority to implement its Microgrid Projects in Unviable Areas in the Municipality of Looc, Occidental Mindoro, and the Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) thereof, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority. The pertinent provisions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.
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Applicant LUBELCO is an electric cooperative duly organized and existing by virtue of Presidential Decree 269, as amended by Republic Act 10531, with principal office located at Bagubag Vigo, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated therein. LUBELCO has a franchise to construct, operate and maintain an electric power distribution system in the Municipalities of Lubang and Looc in the Province of Occidental Mindoro1. The franchise term is fifty (50) years until 13 July 2033. LUBELCO seeks the Honorable Commission’s approval to provide 24/7 electricity to end-users in the Unviable2 areas within its franchise area, consistent with the mandate under Section 23 of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (“EPIRA”) that “a distribution utility shall have the obligation to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area consistent with the distribution code. Any entity engaged therein shall provide open and nondiscriminatory access to its distribution system to all users.”
the lengthy regulatory process of obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from the relevant government agencies.11 Nonetheless, LUBELCO exhausted all efforts to conduct a Competitive Selection Process (CSP).
J.1 J.2 K
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Thus, LUBELCO deemed it in the best interest of its end-users to undertake power generation, which it is allowed to do, corollary with its obligation to undertake electricity distribution. With the objective of providing speedy electric service to the Unviable areas in the Lubang Group of Islands, LUBELCO decided to install its own Micro- grid systems.
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Financial Plan
20. LUBELCO plans to install a hybrid power generation system in the islands utilizing a combination of solar photovoltaic panels, modular diesel generator sets, and small-capacity battery energy storage system (BESS), and coordinated controllers. A power generation design for the Projects are prepared.12
22. The estimated cost of the Projects is PHP 94,896,503.00 (NinetyFour Million Eight Hundred Ninety-Six Thousand Five Hundred and Three Pesos).16 23. Given the cost of the Projects, LUBELCO derived the Year 1 Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) at PhP360.50 monthly, equivalent to a consumption of 7 kilowatt hours, for each connected customer and an additional charge of PhP26.50 per kilowatt-hour for consumption in excess of the 7 kilowatt hours. 17 The Year 1 rates are subject to a 5% annual escalation. Using an escalated tariff scheme instead of a levelized tariff allows for lower tariff levels in the initial years of operation. The availability of 24/7 power supply plus the lower, escalated tariffs will encourage higher electricity consumption. LUBELCO expects that these factors would boost economic activity and foster development in the project sites. LUBELCO’s debt is also sculpted such that the amortization payments are escalating. For ease, the electricity charge is found below: Consumption
Full Cost Recovery Rate
Up to 7 kWh
PhP360.50
In excess of 7 kWh
Php26.50 / kWh
24. It should be noted that there is no ERC-approved Subsidized Approved Retail Rate (SARR) in Lubang. In lieu of the SARR, LUBELCO has determined the socially acceptable rate for its consumers through extensive public consultations.18
M.1 M.2
Detailed Tariff Breakdown LUBELCO Cluster Model
N.1 N.2
Power Point Presentation List of Public Consultations
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Barangay Resolution of Talaotao
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Barangay Resolution of Bulacan
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21. In order to provide technical and commercial support to LUBELCO, it has requested assistance from its fellow ECs through the Association of Isolated Electric Cooperatives (AlEC) of which LUBELCO is a member. LUBELCO Board issued Board Resolution No. 43 series of 2018 entitled “Resolution Approving LUBELCO’s Partnership with AlEC Green Energy Corporation and ILAW Corporation for the Development of Renewable Energy Power Generation Business in the Franchise Area”.13 In turn, AlEC has tapped its affiliate called the AlEC Missionary Green Energy Corporation (AlEC MGEC)14, the corporation established by AlEC for the purpose of helping its memberelectric cooperatives provide a solution to the problem faced by its consumers in unviable areas.15
Partnership Structure Executive Summary
Barangay Resolution of Ambil
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Permits and Government Approvals Certificate of Non-Coverage Application for Tambo Certificate of Non-Coverage Application for Talaotao Certificate of Non-Coverage Application for Tabao Certificate of Non-Coverage Application for Bulacan
S.1 S.2 S.3 S.4
Audited Financial Statement 2017 LUBELCO Notes 2017 Audited Financial Statement 2018 LUBELCO Notes 2018
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Certification GenSet Heat Rate
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Details on the Procurement Process of fuel
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Notarized CESIA Tabao
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Notarized CESIA Tambo Notarized CESIA Bulacan Notarized CESIA Tatalotao
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Loan Agreement with REM for Tabao
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NEA Loan Option
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Proof of receipt by Sangguniang Bayan of Looc
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Proof of receipt by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Occidental Mindoro
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Application published in a newspaper of local circulation
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Affidavit of publication
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Sworn statement from LUBELCO in support of the provisional authority
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Application published in a newspaper of local circulation
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Affidavit of publication PRAYER
WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed to this Honorable Commission that the instant Application be APPROVED and that, after due notice and hearing, LUBELCO be allowed:
The same section in the EPIRA further states that:“[d]istribution utilities shall provide universal service within their franchise, over a reasonable time from the requirement thereof, including unviable areas, as part of their social obligations, in a manner that shall sustain the economic viability of the utility, subject to the approval by the ERC in the case of private or government-owned utilities. To this end, distribution utilities shall submit to the DOE their plans for serving such areas as part of their distribution development plans.”
25. More importantly, LUBELCO has obtained the consent of its residents who are seeking 24/7 electricity and are willing to pay the price for it.
a.
a. Barangay Resolution 18, s. of 2018 dated 3 December 2018: “A Resolution Favorably Approving and Endorsing the Proposal of Lubang Electric Cooperative Relative to Bringing 24/7 Electricity to Barangay Talaotao” in the Municipality of Looc signed by 400 individuals.19
to immediately charge the end-users the FULL COST RECOVERY RATE in Sitios Tabao and Tambo, Barangay Ambil, Barangay Talaotao, and Barangay Bulacan, all located in the Municipality of Looc, in the Province of Occidental Mindoro; and;
b.
to own, operate, and maintain the Microgrid Projects.
LUBELCO plans to construct, acquire, own, operate and maintain its own microgrid systems3 in Unviable areas, specifically Barangays Ambil, Bulacan, and Talaotao, located within the Municipality of Looc (herein referred to individually as a Project and collectively as the Projects) in order to provide universal service within its franchise area. This is pursuant to Section 16 U-1) of Republic Act 10531 that allows an electric cooperative to undertake power generation.
b. Barangay Resolution 15 [,] s. of 2018 dated 4 December 2018: “A Resolution Favorably Approving and Endorsing the Proposal of Lubang Electric Cooperative Relative to Bringing 24/7 Electricity Service to Barangay Bulacan” in the Municipality of Looc signed by 170 individuals.20
Further, Section 26 of the EPIRA that allows a DU to directly or indirectly engage in any related business undertaking which maximizes the use of its assets subject to, among others, the separation of its business accounts to ensure that the (sic) such undertaking does not subsidize its distribution business or encumber its distribution assets. In compliance with this requirement, LUBELCO filed an application for its Business Separation Unbundling Plan (BSUP) with the ERC4. However, upon close examination of the existing rules, there are no Implementing Rules and Regulations that covers the cost recovery of a DU-owned micro grid assets for the purpose of fulfilling its obligation of providing universal service within its franchise area, especially the Unviable areas. Applicant seeks the ERC’s imprimatur to this Application based on Section 43 (f), U) and (q) of the EPIRA that bestows on the Honorable Commission the power to fix rates charged by a DU to captive customers. In terms of determining the rate-setting mechanism, Applicant seeks to apply by analogy EPIRA IRR Rule 7, Section 6(b) and Rule 14, which refer to the provision of electricity in Unviable areas. The regulation is not applicable on all fours since LUBELCO is not acting as a Qualified Third Party (QTP) provider. Before a QTP may enter into a remote and Unviable area, the DU shall first waive the area but LUBELCO has no intention of waiving the areas. Consistent with the foregoing, the Application refers to Article 2, Section 6 of ERC Resolution 22, series of 2006 that allows a DU to provide electricity in its Unviable areas subject to certain conditions which have been met by the Projects. The section states: “Special Rules for Small QTPs not Requiring Subsidies - An Entity providing Electricity Service in a Declared Unviable Area which: (a) has a generating capacity below 200 kW; or (b) has fewer than 100 connections; and (c) does not seek to avail of a Missionary Electrification Subsidy because its retail rate is equal to or lower than the ERC-approved SARR in the Declared Unviable Area where it operates. shall be deemed qualified and authorized to act as QTP upon issuance of a COC5 in its favor, provided that such authorization shall be valid only during the effectivity of the COC, while the above conditions are satisfied, or upon revocation by the ERC, whichever comes earlier.”
10. Moreover, given the consent6 of the customers, the Application does not contain a prayer for subsidy availment. This is dependent on Rule 10 of DOE Circular No. DC2019- 01-0001 regarding the formulation of a subsidy rationalization policy.7 BACKGROUND AND PROJECT RATIONALE
c. Barangay Resolution 25 [,] s. of 2018 dated 6 December 2018: “A Resolution Favorably Approving and Endorsing the Proposal of Lubang Electric Cooperative Relative to Bringing 24/7 Electricity Service to Barangay Ambil” in the Municipality of Looc signed by 480 individuals.21
Activity
URGENT PRAYER FOR ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INTERIM RELIEF
11 May 2021 (Tuesday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 AM)
Microsoft Teams
26. The lack of reliable and affordable electricity in LUBELCO’s Unviable areas has stymied the economic growth in the Lubang Group of Islands. Most of the households rely on income from the live fishing industry. A lack of reliable freezer-storage facilities for their catch limits the entrepreneurial opportunities of the fishermen. Hence, the community clamors for 24/7 reliable electricity to allow for economic growth and a better standard of living.
Determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements and expository presentation
18 May 2021 (Tuesday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 AM)
Microsoft Teams
Pre-trial Conference and presentation of evidence
27. The clamor of the people, the urge for LUBELCO to decrease the percentage of its unelectrified customers, the requirement of the DOE for LUBELCO to meet the Renewable Portfolio Standards, and requirement of the Department of Energy’s for DUs including the Electric Cooperatives to meet 100% electrification by the year 2022 has driven LUBELCO to act swiftly and begin immediate operations in Sitio Tabao, Barangay Ambil. 28. After the public consultation in Barangay Ambil last 6 December 2018, a technical assessment on the distribution system was undertaken. The final design of the micro-grid system and site selection were completed in April 2019. The construction of the power house began in July 2019 and interconnection was completed in September 2019. Commercial operations started on 30 October 2019. The current installation is a partial six-hour service to the community delivering to 132 households. 29. Consistent with the amended COC guidelines, the application has been filed.
ALLEGATIONS TO SUPPORT MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION 32. Under Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, the Honorable Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of the existence of conditions that would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential.
1) The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired. Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file through e-mail at docket@ erc.ph. copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and
Annex “E.1” and “E.2” - Power Generation Design for Sitio Tabao, Barangay Ambil
Annex “K” - Detailed Cost Breakdown
19. The possibility of having a private company provide service either as a New Power Provider (NPP) or QTP was explored but given
Moreover, all persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@ erc.ph. copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:
33. Applicant is submitting the following documents pursuant to the foregoing Rule:
13. The source of electricity for Ambil island is unreliable and insufficient for its 450 households. Ambil island is composed of two sitios: Sitio Tabao, which has 200 households, and Sitio Tambo, which has 250 households. Most households source their income from the live fishing industry. The households in both sitios rely on informal electricity (private genset owners and individual solar home systems) to get up to four (4) hours, at most, of electricity on a nightly basis.
18. The Projects implementation is in line with the mandate of the current administration, consistent with the Power Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2040 and Department Order No. DO 2018005-0010 of the Department of Energy to accelerate execution of Total Electrification Program (TEP) in the attainment of one hundred percent (100%) electrification of targeted and identified households by 2022.
Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.
31. Accordingly, pending final approval, there is an urgent need for a provisional approval or interim relief for LUBELCO to implement the microgrid projects in the four (4) unviable areas and collect the full cost recovery rate from the endusers.
Annex “J.1” - Partnership Structure
17. Signifying its commitment to electrify these Unviable areas, LUBELCO has constructed the distribution networks in the two islands in 2012 and 2014 which however remain unutilized because the islands lack a generation facility[.] With RA 10531 allowing the ECs to undertake power generation, LUBELCO is keen on providing the electric service which is long overdue. Thus, the LUBELCO Board issued Board Resolution No. 52 series of 2018 “A Resolution Authorizing the Cooperative to Construct Its Own Generation Facilities to Enable Access to 24/7 Electricity in the Islands of Cabra, Ambil and Golo”10.
Accordingly, LUBELCO is hereby directed to host the virtual hearing at LUBELCO’s principal office located at Bagubag Vigo, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, as the designated venue for the conduct thereof, and ensure that the same is open to the public and the community quarantine guidelines are observed at all times. Moreover, Applicant shall guarantee that, during the conduct of the expository presentation, the participation of the public shall not be impaired.
30. LUBELCO is in the process of completing the other permitting requirements for the Projects as soon as possible.22
12. While Lubang island enjoys 24/7 electricity, the two other islands of Ambil and Golo where the Project barangays are located, only have electricity service for four (4) hours.
16. In its Distribution Development Plan (DDP)9, LUBELCO already included its plan to electrify through its own generation system the Unviable areas within its franchise area, specifically Sitios Tabao and Tambo in Barangay Ambil, Barangay Talaotao, and Barangay Bulacan (each a “Project” and collectively the “Projects”) located in the islands of Ambil and Golo.
The Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pretrial Conference and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution 09, Series of 202023, dated 24 September 2020: Platform
Annex “F.1” and “F.2” - Power Generation Design for Sitio Tambo, Barangay Ambil
15. At present, the monthly price paid by each resident just to have limited access electricity ranges from PhP 450.00 to PhP 1,050.00.8 In Lubang island, an off-grid area benefiting from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME), the average price of electricity is PHP 13.25 per kilowatt-hour.
Pending Approval, LUBELCO prays for the immediate issuance of the provisional authority or interim relief to allow LUBELCO to implement and collect.
Date
11. The Lubang Group of Islands in the Province of Occidental Mindoro is composed of two municipalities - Lubang and Looc - covering four main islands, namely Lubang, Cabra, Ambil and Golo. There are twenty-five (25) barangays, sixteen (16) barangays in Lubang including Cabra island and nine (9) barangays in Looc including 3 barangays in Ambil and Golo islands. These areas comprise LUBELCO’s franchise area.
14. The situation is similar in Golo island, as there is only access to informal electricity for its 675 households. Golo island is composed of two barangays Bulacan with 310 households, and Talaotao with 365 households. Most households source their income from the live fishing industry. The households rely on informal electricity (private genset owners and individual solar home systems) to get up to four (4) hours, at most, on a nightly basis.
Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.
Annex “G.1” and “G.2” - Power Generation Design for Barangay Talaotao Annex “H.1” and “H.2” - Power Generation for Barangay Bulacan
Annex “J.2” - Executive Summary
Annex “L” - Financial Plan Annex “M.1” - Detailed Tariff Breakdown Annex “M.2” - LUBELCO Cluster Model 34. These documents contain certain non-public information, data and calculations involving business operations and financial trade secrets. 35. Applicant thus respectfully moves that Annexes “E.1”, “E.2”, “F.1”, “F.2”, “G.1”, “G.2 “, “J.1” , “J .2” “K”, “L”, “M.1” “M.2” not be disclosed and be treated as confidential documents in accordance with Rule 4 of the ERC Rules. Accordingly, Applicant hereby submit one (1) copy of Annexes “E.1”, “E.2”, “F.1”, “F.2”, “G.1 “, “G.2”, “J.1”, “J.2” “K”, “L”, “M.1” “M.2” in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential.”
3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the Applicant that it be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. The Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, through any of the available modes of service, upon their agreement, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. In the alternative, those persons who wish to have an electronic copy of the Application may request the Commission for the e-mail address of the Applicant by sending an email to docket@erc.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. Nonetheless, any person may also access the Application as posted by the Commission in its official website at www.erc. gov.ph. Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled initial virtual hearing by providing the Commission, thru legal.virtualhearings@ erc.ph, with their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commission will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing. WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 17th day of March 2021 in Pasig City.
AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO
SUMMARY OF SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS 36. In support of the instant Application, Applicant most respectfully submit to the Honorable Commission the following documents which are referred to herein and summarized below, thus: ANNEX A.1 A.2
NATURE OF DOCUMENT LUBELCO’s Franchise Certificate LUBELCO’s Certificate of Registration, By-Laws
B
LUBELCO’s Distribution Development Plan
C
LUBELCO Board Resolution No. 52, series of 2018
D
NPP and QTP Timeline Approval Process
E.1 E.2
Power Generation Design for Sitio Tabao, Barangay Ambil SLD for Tabao
F.1 F.2
Power Generation Design for Sitio Tambo, Barangay Ambil SLD for Tambo
G.1 G.2
Power Generation Design for Barangay Bulacan SLD for Bulacan
H.1 H.2
Power Generation Design for Barangay Talaotao SLD for Talaotao
I
LUBELCO Board Resolution No. 43, series of 2018
- Copy of LUBELCO Franchise Certificate No. 092, herein attached as Annex “A.1”. - Copy of LUBELCO Certificate of Registration, By-Law, Certificate of Franchise, herein attached as Annex “A2’. - Copy of the Latest and Complete Set of Audited Financial Statements of the Generation Company (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of cash flows) herein attached as Annex “S.1”, “S.2”, “S.3”, and “S4”. 2 “Unviable” refers to a geographic area within the franchise area of a Distribution Utility where the immediate extension of the distribution line is not feasible. Rule 4, (ssss), RA 9136 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). 3 “Microgrid system” refers to a group of interconnected loads and distributed utilities with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the generation and distribution grid. 4 Docketed as ERC Case No. 2019-009 MC filed on 16 April 2019. 5 Refers to the Certificate of Compliance issued by the ERC to generation facilities. 6 Refers to the Barangay Resolutions for Talaotao, Bulacan and Ambil, herein attached as Annex O, Annex P and Annex Q. 7 Department Circular No. DC2019-0l-000l entitled “Prescribing the Omnibus Guidelines on Enhancing Off-Grid Power Development and Operation” 8 A household paying PHP 15.00 per day or PHP 450.00 per month for 2 lightbulbs for 4 hours per night is paying PHP 208.33.00jkWh. A household with 2 lightbulbs, 1 television, and 1 fan for 4 hours per night is paying PHP 66.37/kWh. 9 A copy of LUBELCO’s DDP is herein attached as Annex “B”. 10 A copy of LUBELCO Board Resolution No. 52, series of 2018 is attached as Annex “C”. 11 Attached as Annex “D” is the typical timeline for an NPP and QTP approval process. 12 1.) Power Gen Design and SLD marked as follows: Annex “E.1 “, “E.2” for Sitio Tabao; Annex “F.1”, “F.2” for Sitio Tambo; Annex “G.1.”, “G.2” for Barangay Bulacan and Annex “H.1”, “H.2” for Barangay Talaotao 2.) Certification of the net heat rate in liters per kWh marked as Annex “T”. 3.) Details on the procurement process of fuel including requests, proposals received, tender offers, etc. marked as Annex “U”. 13 A copy of LUBELCO Board Resolution 14 This is based on, Rule 7, Section 6(a), RA 9136 IRR which states that: “Unenergized areas that a Distribution utility does not find viable may be transferred to another Distribution Utility, if any is available, which will provide the service, subject to approval by ERC. In cases where a Distribution Utility failed or refused to service any area within its Franchise Area and allows another utility to service the same, the arrangements between the Distribution Utilities shall not affect their respective Franchise Areas. The ERC shall issue the appropriate guidelines to implement this provision.” 15 1.) The partnership structure is further explained in the attached Annex “J.1” and Executive Summary for LUBELCO Application in Annex “J.2”. 2.) Copy of Community Energizer System Installation Agreements marked as Annex “V. 1”, “V2’, “V.3” and “VA” for Tabao, Tambo, Bulacan and Talaotao respectively. 3.) Loan Agreement (Execution Copy) for Tabao marked as Annex “W” 4.) NEA Loan option marked as Annex “X” 16 Annex “K” shows the detailed cost breakdown and Annex “L” shows the Financial Plan. 17 Annex “M.1” shows the detailed tariff breakdown, Breakdown of the base prices; Capital Recovery Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, Fuel Fee and Computation of Return on Investment/WACC while Annex “M.2” shows the financial model containing the derivation of rates in excel file together with Sample Computation of Power Rates with the supporting documents on the assumptions taken. 18 The list of public consultations conducted by LUBELCO is attached as Annex “N”. 19 The consent of residents in Barangay Talaotao is attached as Annex “O“. 20 The consent of residents in Barangay Bulacan is attached as Annex “P”. 21 The consent of residents in Barangay Ambil is attached as Annex “Q”. 22 A list of permits and government approvals is attached as Annex “R” with copies of said permits further attached as Annex “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, and “R4”. 23 A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines Governing Electronic Applications, Filings and Virtual Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission. 1
(MS-APR. 15 & 23, 2021)
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Entertainment
Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
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BTS sends out timely, encouraging message to Filipino Youth amidst trying times T
HE long wait is finally over. After the big reveal early this year, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has released its longawaited “Live Your Passion with Purpose” campaign headlined by the world’s leading pop icon, BTS.
The campaign, which was a product of a tedious process and several meetings between the group and the local mobile provider, also marks Smart’s first collaboration with the Grammy-nominated artists managed by HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment. In a virtual presser held yesterday, Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart shared that the commercial film’s ultimate goal is not just to showcase the talents of the global pop icons Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, it also serves as an avenue to share the group’s messages of hope and inspiration. “On behalf of Smart, we are very honored to have this partnership with BTS that encourages the Filipino youth to keep their faith and continue pursuing their passion and purpose no matter the challenges that lie ahead,” Basas told the local press during the virtual event. “We shot the commercial for 10 hours. And we were managing seven global superstars with complicated schedules. They asked if we wanted a new song for this campaign but we had to set that aside given the limited time we had. It was really a challenge. It’s a
Global pop icons Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook of the supergroup BTS are featured in Smart Communication’s latest campaign, which also marks its first-ever collaboration with HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment.
big production and we were in awe, ” the telco executive added. Shot in Seoul at the height of the global lockdown, the campaign is set to two of the band’s most recent hits—the inspirational “Life Goes On” followed by the record-breaking hit “Dynamite”— appropriately providing the score to a timely and encouraging message to Filipino ARMY during the Philippines’ most challenging time.
‘Beauty and Biz’
Pinoy Edition: Doubles, promote a healthy lifestyle through their four-minute workouts, fitness camps, and advocacies such as The Fit Filipino Movement. They are currently seen in the Team Fitfil program available on iWantTFC. The book also includes a section on Boy Abunda’s humble beginnings as a way of encouraging readers to chase their dream ventures. “If someone tells you it’s too late to dream, don’t believe them because you can start your dream anytime you want,” he shared. Joby, who is fondly called the Orange Lady, is a licensed medical technologist who established her Orange Blush Salon almost two decades ago when she was just 23 years old and was able to grow the venture into 20 branches today.
Apart from the tips from fellow entrepreneurs, the Beauty and the Biz author also shared the rules she lives by called the “10 Commandments of the Orange Lady” as well as her own take in balancing a thriving career and family life as a doting wife and mother of three kids. She dedicates the book to readers who are looking for motivation to jumpstart their own enterprise. “This is for you, who, just like me, dreams BIG and starts small. Like me who believes that each one of us has a unique purpose in this life that comes with a personal Godgiven gift, meant to be shared with others. You are meant to shine,” she said. Beauty and Biz is now available on amazon.com.
Jolina Magdangal weighs in on pandemic parenting JUGGLING many things at once is normal for Jolina Magdangal. Apart from being one of the hosts in the morning talk show Magandang Buhay, she also runs a vlog and takes care of her two kids, Pele and Vika, with her husband Mark Escueta. Magdangal also makes time to pursue hobbies like diamond painting, working out, and gardening. But with the pandemic, she was forced to adjust her priorities and make changes to her family. “May times na busy sa Magandang Buhay pero pag walang taping, usually dito lang ako sa bahay with my family. May mga nagbago samin, tulad ng anak ko na nag-homeschool. We decided to do homeschooling kasi mas
impossible stairways set with the words KEEP LEARNING; • j-hope is dancing in a dynamic disco set with the words KEEP MOVING; • Jin goes up a garden stairway set with the words KEEP CHASING YOUR PASSION; • V is seen at a subway escalator with the words KEEP EXPLORING; • SUGA in a musical-inspired staircase set with the words KEEP LIVING
TV host Joby Linsangan Moreno aims to inspire everyone with success stories of celebrity entrepreneurs who ventured into the beauty and wellness business in her new book ‘Beauty and Biz.’
TV host-author tells success story of celebs in business E-BOOK Beauty and Biz written by TV host Joby Linsangan Moreno aims to inspire everyone with success stories of well-known personalities and celebrity entrepreneurs who ventured into the business of beauty and wellness. Joby, who used to host a program of the same title on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), talked about the King of Talk Boy Abunda, celebrity fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret, top make-up artist RB Chanco, and several entrepreneurs in the new read published by ABS-CBN Books. “This book tells the real stories of these beauty businesses, which have started small but are now famous, national brands,” said Joby who is a successful beauty entrepreneur herself. The self-improvement read indeed serves as a guide to building a beauty empire featuring the inspiring journey of 25 Filipino entrepreneurs who are active in the salon, skin and body care, and fashion industry. Each chapter of the book features the entrepreneurial learnings of these entrepreneurs who pursued their dreams, like RB, who is now one of the most popular celebrity make-up artists in the country. Jim and Toni, who rose to fame as fitness coaches of ABS-CBN’s The Biggest Loser
The TVC has the seven BTS members walking up and down seven iterations of The Penrose Stairs—symbolic of defying impossible situations—bearing wise and powerful words that defy all of life’s challenges: • Jung Kook goes up and down a staircase which appears to represent the entrance to a recording studio with the words KEEP INSPIRING; • RM is seen opening a book in the
YOUR PURPOSE; • Jimin is seen in a building’s fire exit with the words KEEP CONNECTING. “As the leading digital services provider in these crucial times, we at Smart are committed more than ever to make it simple and easy for Filipinos to go all out on their passions and fulfill their purpose,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO. BTS also shared their thoughts on what it means to “Live Your Passion with Purpose.” Jin reflects, “Smart decisions have always been important to us and seem to have produced good results for us. I will encourage you [to live smarter and live with purpose] so you can only walk the path of happiness.” “When you have a purpose, you have a reason to [live] and it becomes your driving force,” says j-hope. To this, V adds, “No matter how many times you fall, don’t give up and challenge yourself to break [big walls] in your life.” For a group whose passion and purpose are to create music and perform around the world, staying put in South Korea for more than a year now has only made them look forward to better times. “What makes us move is the ARMY waiting for us,” SUGA shares, eager for when seeing fans face-to-face is possible again. Meanwhile, Jung Kook has everyone’s best interest in mind: “I’ll be rooting for you. Please stay healthy.” “We know very well that you are always sending us messages through social media, uploading videos that cover our songs and dances, and participating in competitions,” says Jimin. Shooting the campaign also conjured up memories of the groups’ previous visits to the Philippines, mostly during their early years. Band leader RM, alluding to the longingness expressed in their classic anthem Spring Day, says rather eloquently, “It’s been a while since we met with ARMY and everyone in the Philippines. Let’s meet soon after this long winter is over. I miss you a lot.”
Celebrity mom Jolina Magdangal shares how she takes care of her family in the new normal.
naging priority namin ang safety niya, and we want to experience yung pagiging handson din sa school niya,” the mom reveals. Even if Magdangal is used to doing so many
things at once, she admits that homeschooling can be a struggle. It’s also a new experience for her and her husband since they are not teachers. Still, she takes on the challenge because “masarap ang pakiramdam dahil anak namin yung tinuturuan namin at rewarding ang feeling pag natututo at malaki ang development.” Another change in the Magdangal-Escueta household is their attitude towards going out. If in the past, they can just get up and go, they now take extra precautions. Magdangal says, “I must admit, may pagkapraning ako na baka yung makasalubong ko or yung kausap ko ay positive sa COVID-19. Dumami ang dala-dala kong gamit kasi ang dami kong disinfectant.” Read full story on manilastandard.net
The winners of the 2019 Cinemalaya Film Festival
Cinemalaya sails to new direction with mentorship program AMID the social realities brought by the global health situation where existing protocols make it impossible for the 2020 and 2021 batch to complete their films on time, Cinemalaya re-thinks its direction and strategy to remain significant while continuing to fulfill its mission of discovering, encouraging, supporting, training and recognizing gifted Filipino independent filmmakers. While Cinemalaya advocates artistic freedom and creative expression, it pushes filmmakers to break the mold, upskill their filmmaking processes and techniques, and experiment with new ways of storytelling. For its 2023 edition, Cinemalaya introduces a new direction and further expands its cinematic boundaries through the Cinemalaya Film Lab, a three-month-long film-laboratory mentorship program happening from September to November, conducted entirely online. The film lab adheres to the educational values of the Cinemalaya Institute, bringing together resource persons from different aspects of filmmaking -- from
scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, performance, editing, production design, sound, music, production management to promotion strategies. By doing this, the Cinemalaya hopes to expand the Main Competition to include feature-length documentaries while encouraging filmmakers to focus on subject matters that capture the heart of the Filipinos. Cinemalaya likewise encourages submissions that combine different genres (“multi-genres”) and even “multimedia” (live-action with animation or purely animation). At the same time, it intends to prioritize film concepts that are workable or manageable to produce. To join, interested participant should check requirement from www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or www.cinemalaya.org. Send your entries through this link http://bit.ly/Cinemalaya2023EntryForm or to the Film, Broadcast and Media Arts Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. The deadline for submission is at 6:00 p.m. on June 11.
Warming everyone’s heart this summer THE hottest season of the year is upon us and to make it more exciting and fun, GMA Network’s digital channel Heart of Asia presents a musical treat to avid viewers via its summer station ID titled “Heart of Summer.” Performed by Anthony Rosaldo and Hannah Precillas, the Summer Station ID will be available on Spotify and other streaming platforms worldwide beginning April 25. Along with its awesome tune, the two singers intend to send a message of hope for the listeners, especially in this difficult and trying time brought by the
COVID-19 pandemic. According to Anthony, there are other ways to be entertained during this season, “I want people to know that we still have tons of ways to enjoy summer given the situation we are in. One way is watching Kapuso shows na malapit sa puso natin katulad ng mga kinahihiligan nating K-Dramas on Heart Of Asia. We can enjoy these programs right at the comfort of our home. Hindi lang tayo mae-entertain, sigurado pang safe ang family natin.” Hannah, on the other hand, shared how
she remains grateful despite the circumstances, “This summer may be different from our past ones, some of our plans and old habits could be put on hold, but we should still be thankful that we are all healthy and be able to survive up to this point.” With the current restrictions, the usual summer plans may not push through, but there are other ways to beat the heat. Heart of Asia offers programs from across the continent that captivate its avid fans, including various Asianovela titles, reruns of hit GMA series, and top-rating romcom primetime series First Yaya and Heartful Café.
Anthony Rosaldo and Hannah Precillas lend their voices to Heart of Asia’s Summer Station ID.
Life
Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021
Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. gave us a straightforward assessment of our industry.
DIGITAL ART. The first digital edition of Art Fair Philippines happening on May 6-15 will put the focus on digital art. The film section of the event will showcase digital artwork including (in photo) Jeremy Couillard’s ‘Ted Mol - Inventor of The Letter G.’
Art Fair Philippines 2021 goes fully digital
The event will feature 43 local and international galleries which will showcase their artworks on their respective online viewing rooms.
By Bernadette Lunas
W
HILE deliberating on the way Trickie Lopa, Lisa Periquet, and Dindin Araneta would stage their co-founded art event this year, they knew they had to do something more substantial than a virtual exhibition “allowing people to click on the art.”
“We had to think of a theme,” said Lopa, co-founder of the annual Art Fair Philippines which since 2013 has served as a platform for Filipino modern and contemporary visual art. Since this year’s show moves all its events from its usual venue at The Link carpark in Makati City to the collective virtual shared space or the Metaverse, the overarching theme focuses on digital art. “This year’s fair will showcase art that suits the platform,” said Lopa. The Art Fair Philippines 2021, happening on May 6-15, will shine a spotlight on one of the hottest trends in digital art, the non-fungible tokens or NFTs. The Welcome to the Metaverse NFT 101 Showcase, presented in partnership with the Bank of the Philippines Islands, will take viewers on a journey to understanding crypto basics, buying an NFT, and meeting artists and galleries within the crypto art community. NFTs, which the event’s co-founders believe will be “part of the future of art,” are basically one-of-a-kind digital assets (drawings, music, videos, or even a Tweet) that can be bought or sold but have no tangible form. While these digital files can be copied as many times as a person wants, NFT gives the person ownership of the work— like having the certificate of ownership for the digital asset. A record of who owns the NFT is stored on a blockchain. “It’s something that came about because of the pandemic. It’s definitely here to stay because of the need; it has fulfilled the need for a lot of people in terms of how artists responded to the times,” Araneta noted. Meanwhile, Periquet is interested to see “if the disruption will have a lasting effect.” The show will also debut digital artwork specially commissioned for ArtFairPH/Film section of the fair, developed in partnership with Daata. The section will showcase digital artwork by new media and contemporary artists Jeremy Couillard and Petra Cortright,
OUTDOOR dining has been continually revamped and updated to keep up with current safety requirements while still offering something exciting to guests. Over in Taguig, SM Aura Premier’s Skypark and The Courtyard have been transformed into an intimate garden set-up for diners looking to enjoy their takeout outside while overlooking Bonifacio Global City. The Skypark has four octagonal pods with hanging lamps and plants, and tables and chairs for diners getting their food from Barcino, Prego, Tuan Tuan, Hummus Elijah, and more. These
and Keiken, a collaborative practice cofounded by artists Tanya Cruz, Hana Omori, and Isabel Ramos. Rounding up this year’s digital art focus is a special presentation of the six winners of the Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize. The Julius Baer co-presented ArtFairPH/Photo will feature Paris-based Filipino photographer Ding Panganiban. The 10-day art event will have 43 galleries—32 local and 11 international— showcasing artworks on their respective online viewing rooms on the Exhibitor’s Page, which will include videos produced in collaboration with Globe Studios. “We’ve included a three- to five-minute video embedded on the banner of the page of each gallery that lets viewers find out more about the artist exhibiting on that page, or the exhibit itself, or the theme of the exhibit, or something about the gallery,” shared Periquet. Lopa added, “We had to think of a way to glue people to stay with us for 10 days. Offer something interesting for the audience and the artists; it’s our way of trying to keep to our mission of introducing something new to the audience.” Even as the fair pivots to a digital plat-
form, an installation— part of the 10 Days of Art initiative—is planned for Ayala Tower One’s fountain area with live screening of ArtFairPH/ F i l m digital artwork. A r t F a i r Philipp i n e s is also launching ArtFairPH/ Residencies, an artist residency program project in partnership with Bleeding Heart Rum Corporation, the makers of Don Papa Rum. The program is open to all Filipino artists across all disciplines. The five artists selected based on their submitted portfolios will be paired with art spaces and galleries from different parts of the country. Access to the art fair is free for everyone. Go to www.artfairphilippines.com. A piece from Bangkok’s La Lanta Fine Art.
Paris-based Filipino photographer Ding Panganiban will bring to the fair his ambrotype collodion process of developing photographs.
An honest look into the tourism industry IT HAS been more than a year now that our tourism industry has screeched to a halt, since the coronavirus reigned supreme and left our world gasping for breath, literally. We are in a situation where, no matter how many times we “reinvent the wheel” to prepare for the eventual reopening of our industry in a new business environment, we still find ourselves stuck in the quagmire of helplessness because international borders remain closed to incoming and outgoing tourist traffic. And, sadly, no revenue is forthcoming. How bad have we been hit? Bouts of desperation and other emotional issues have muddled how we see our industry’s true situation, so we decided to listen to Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. for a straightforward, detailed, and easy-to-digest facts and figures on our industry’s current state of affairs. Prior to the pandemic, 1.46 billion tourists traveled the world, a total which experienced 5 percent growth annually the past 10 years. These tourists spent all of $1.49 trillion or approximately $1,020 each. The Asia Pacific region had 360 million tourists, having grown by 7 percent annually the past 10 years, and they spent a total of $443 billion, or approximately $1,230 each. Here at home, we had 8.3 million visitors spending P549 billion, while domestic tourism registered 109.8 million trips resulting in an income of P3.1 trillion. These revenues represented a 12.5 percent share of our Gross Domestic Product and gave employment to 5.7 million of our residents. Then, COVID-19 sneaked in. Last year, our international arrivals decreased by 83 percent to only 1.48 million visitors, and domestic tourism by 61 percent to only 43.1 million trips. Naturally, the corresponding revenues dipped drastically, only P82 billion from foreign visitors, or an 83 percent decrease, and only P1.2 trillion from domestic tourism, down by 61 percent. Consequently, 4.7 million of tourism workers lost their jobs. Unless the international borders open sooner than expected, it looks like this year is going to be a continuation of our industry’s sad plight, if the arrival figures for January and February of this year would be used as basis. The Arrival Cards compiled by the Bureau of Immigration show that we only had 17,442 foreign visitors, down by a staggering 98.62 percent from the 1,258,845 arrivals during the same two months last year. So, what are the Department of Tourism and the industry stakeholders doing about this grim scenario? We’re pinning our hopes on domestic
Pocket parks and spacious pods in Taguig
Diners can enjoy their takeout food in a gazebo at The Courtyard or a pod at Skypark, both outdoor dining spaces at SM Aura Premier in Taguig.
tourism, the sector deemed easier and faster to recover; and promoting open spaces, low-density facilities which have become the preferred destinations because of the persistent threat of the virus. Intra-regional attractions, especially those in landlocked areas, are being given the push because of the perceived safety of land travel over other modes of transportation. Of course, human resource upskilling has also been given attention in order to guarantee visitors safe mobility and eventually lead to the destination’s economic recovery. Surveys conducted on potential domestic travelers showed that, once quarantine restrictions are lowered, and safe, seamless travel is assured, they are willing to make that trip, as long as safety protocols and general public health concern are in place in the destination. But a sidebar to this is the availability of their disposable income. What is more interesting is the result of the survey conducted on global travelers. Fifty-seven percent expect to be traveling within two months after the pandemic has been contained; 72 percent want to see family and friends as soon as possible; 81 percent believe they are more likely to travel after they have been vaccinated. These figures are certainly very encouraging and give us hope for the faster recovery of our industry. However, there are also those who are still quite cautious with their next move.Eighty-four percent will not travel if there is a chance that they will be quarantined upon arrival at their destination and 56 percent believe they will postpone their leisure trips until the economy stabilizes. Whichever way we look at it, our industry is in the doldrums, but the future is bright, depending on how fast the travelers’ confidence level increases. Although our tenacity is being put to a test once again, our strength of character always leads to our resilience, as shown during the past debacles our industry faced. After all, to borrow what Shakespeare once said, we in the tourism industry are the stuff that dreams are made of. YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE On his deathbed, comedian Bob Hope was asked where he wanted to be buried. He replied: “Surprise me!” For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail. com.
pods light up come nighttime. The Courtyard, on the other hand, is designed with special gazebos where diners can enjoy the cool breeze and delicious takeout food from Mesa, Yabu, Ramen Nagi, and Lugang, among others. Both Skypark and The Courtyard are open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the 5th level of SM Aura. In addition to these two dining spots, the Pocket Park on the upper ground floor welcomes bikers who want to park their bikes and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner from Cibo, Providore, or Starbucks.