Manila Standard - 2021 May 7 - Friday by Manila Standard

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200 CHINSE VESSELS REMAIN IN WPS—INTEL FIRM; PH SETS ANOTHER SEA DRILL By Rey E. Requejo

Philippine Sea as the Philippine Coast “It will be held again in the West PhilGuard announced it will hold the sec- ippine Sea,” the PCG said in a message A GEOSPATIAL intelligence firm on ond leg of its joint maritime exercise to reporters. In an interview with CNN PhilipThursday revealed that some 200 Chi- with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatpines, Coast Guard spokesman Comnese ships are still moored in the West ic Resources next week.

Ex-SC Justice Carpio

President Duterte

modore Armando Balilo said they are to receive two 94-meter multi-role rein the process of enlisting 4,000 more sponse vessels from Japan and offshore personnel to beef up its monitoring ca- patrol vessels from France. pabilities. On April 27, the PCG drove away at Balilo said the PCG is also hoping Next page

Duterte dares, Carpio accepts challenge to debate on WPS By Rey E. Requejo RETIRED Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday accepted the challenge of President Duterte for a debate on the West Philippine Sea issue, saying he is ready to face the President anytime of the day. “On President Duterte’s challenge to debate with me on the West Philippine

Sea issue: I gladly accept the challenge anytime at the President’s convenience,” Carpio said in a statement. The Philippine Bar Association offered to host the debate between, adding that being the oldest voluntary private organization of lawyers in the country, it would be able to “provide a balanced arena fit for two lawyers Next page

Rody tells Pinoys: Don’t be choosy ‘Vaccine you see is vaccine you get, rule applies even to frontliners’

By Vito Barcelo, Julito G. Rada and Willie Casas

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday reversed the policy of allowing people—including frontline health workers—to choose their brand of COVID-19 vaccine, saying no jab was superior to any other.

“If we allow them to choose, and then there is a study that one is far more superior than the other, then we will have a problem because now. There will be a line for one vaccine or the other. It is discriminatory,” the President said in a

public address late Wednesday night. “Nobody should be allowed to choose.” Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., also chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Next page

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Warrantless arrest if protocol is violated—Palace By Rey E. Requejo, Rio N. Araja, Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano

improperly wearing a face mask even as the Interior department said it will be recalibrating its response to avoid congesting jails amid the COVID-19 MALACAÑANG on Thursday said pandemic. “We have an ordinance that paves the it was valid for cops to carry out warrantless arrests against people who are way for the outright apprehension, war-

rantless arrest (because) a crime was committed in the presence and with the full personal knowledge of the police officer,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Roque issued the statement a day afNext page

Sinopharm for Rody’s 2nd dose By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas to be returned to China. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will still use the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for his second dose even after he requested China to pull out the brand from the Philippines, Malacanang said Thursday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte’s second dose would not be included in the vaccines

Duterte ordered the withdrawal of some 1,000 jabs of the Chinese-made vaccines after medical experts rebuked his decision to get the jab despite the lack of an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Authority. “Definitely we will not be returning his second dose so he can complete the Next page

UNMASKED. Members of the Manila Police District remind vendors and shoppers in Blumentritt and Ylaya Divisoria markets to strictly

observe health protocols like wearing a face mask on May 6, 2021. The reminder comes on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the police to arrest and detain for a maximum of nine hours individuals who are caught not wearing face masks properly. He says wearing a face mask is a “critical need” to keep down the number of COVID-19 infections in the country. Norman Cruz

US waives patent protection on virus vaccines THE United States supported a waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines as India Thursday posted record deaths and infections from a catastrophic wave swamping the country.

Rich nations have faced accusations to the easing of restrictions in Europe of hoarding shots while poor countries and the United States. struggle to get inoculation programs Under intense pressure to ease prooff the ground, with the virus surging tections for vaccine manufacturers, across the developing world in contrast Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 6)

1,080,172 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

6,637 63,170 NEW

ACTIVE

17,991

191

DEATHS

NEW

999,011 6,091 NEW RECOVERIES

NZ ATHLETE 1ST TRANS OLYMPIAN Story on C1

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• Virus-hit ship to dock in Manila • Barriers vs. ‘double mutants’ A SHIP carrying an all-Filipino crew, 12 of whom are suspected having contracted COVID-19, has been allowed to dock in Manila for emergency medical aid. The Department of Health said two of the 21 Filipino crew members of the MV Athens Bridge, which flies the flag of Panama, are in critical condition. “They will be assessed upon arrival and transferred to their partner hospital as they see fit. Rest assured that appropriate care will be provided to those who need it while upholding the proper protocols,” the DOH said. A situation report from the National Task Force Against Covid-19 said 12 of the crew members were infected with COVID-19, with two needing “immediate medical evacuation” due to breathing difficulties.

“They are already very weak. The vessel has only one oxygen bottle left, which is currently in use by the patient,” read the report. The vessel was initially prohibited from entering Manila due to refusal from the Bureau of Quarantine. It was also refused entry in Vietnam. “The vessel took refuge in Manila considering all crew are Filipino and had the highest hope that vessel will be accommodated. An emergency medical evacuation was approved, the vessel is already steaming (on its way to Manila).”

Barriers vs. ‘double mutant’ The Philippine government is exerting all efforts to prevent the possible entry of the “double mutant” Next page

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Rody:... From A1 Covid-19, said the new policy will be implemented immediately. “The problem with some people is they are somewhat choosy, they have a Western orientation. But we will ensure that your directive will be implemented,” Galvez said. Galvez admitted that 20 to 30 percent of health workers are hesitant about getting the China-made Sinovac vaccine, and prefer to be inoculated with Pfizer or Moderna from the United States. Under the new policy, they, too, will have no choice. Galvez said the Philippines will start receiving the bulk of COVID 19 vaccines of up to 7 million doses this month. “The good news is that the delivery this May will increase from 4 million doses up to 7 million doses. That’s a huge volume, Mr. President, because the COVAX facility may also be delivering Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines,” Galvez said. Galvez assured the President that enough doses dedicated for the vaccines’ second shots would arrive on time. Earlier, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the lack of choice in the brand of vaccine to be administered had

been the policy from the start, and that only frontline health workers were allowed to choose. “That has been our policy from the very start. You can’t act like you’re in a restaurant and say ‘I want this, I want that.’ No. Whatever is there, that is the vaccine we will give you and only frontliners have the luxury of choosing their preferred brand,” he said in Filipino. Besides Sputnik V, the Philippines has two other vaccine brands in its inventory that have been approved for emergency use, namely “CoronaVac” from China’s Sinovac Biotech and “AstraZeneca” from a British-Swedish manufacturing company of the same name. Galvez, meanwhile, said the Philippines has not been left behind in COVID-19 vaccinations, and is now third in Southeast Asia. As of May 4, a total of 2,065,235 Filipinos have been inoculated with at least one dose against COVID-19, with 320,586 persons fully vaccinated. Of the total, 132,948 are senior citizens, 180,315 are persons with co-morbidities, and 965,960 are health care workers. Among them, 198,000 already received second doses. He said according to a Bloomberg report, the Philippines was no. 3 after Indonesia and Singapore in terms of rolling out vaccines.

Galvez said the government has already deployed over half of its 2.5 million doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, meanwhile, called for public-private partnerships to develop and produce vaccines and other medical requirements to help end the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Dominguez said during the Asian Development Bank Governors Seminar on Monday that this kind of partnership would ensure that such initiatives are efficiently implemented by bringing in the expertise and best practices of the private sector into the picture, while the government takes on the role of regulator and guide to “moderate corporate greed.” “The private sector brings in efficiency, and frankly in my experience as a government minister, efficiency is not number one in [the government’s] DNA. So, I think it should be a partnership, where the goals and the profits – the return on investment – are very, very clearly defined,” said Dominguez, the governor for the Philippines on the ADB Board. The governor for India and the alternate governor for China in the ADB Board supported Dominguez’s statements, saying that this has been the case

in her country. On Thursday, the head of the Food and Drug Administration said applications for full registration of COVID-19 vaccines could be filed in the Philippines this year. The Philippines has so far only granted emergency use authorization to vaccine candidates of seven drugmakers: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Gamaleya Institute, Sinovac Biotech, Johnson & Johnson, and Bharat Biotech, and Moderna. “Before you get a certificate of product registration (CPR) you have to complete your phase 3 trial. Personally I expect the earliest they can apply for CPR is late this year or early next year,” FDA Director-General Eric Domingo told ANC’s Headstart. The Philippines is aiming to inoculate 50 million to 70 million people against COVID-19 by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity. As of Tuesday, it has administered 2.065 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Wednesday, the Department of Health said it is studying COVID-19 vaccines that may be administered to children. US pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, BioNtech, and Novavax have been developing jabs that may be administered to kids under 12.

US... From A1

Warrantless... From A1

Washington’s Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the country “supports the waiver of those protections for COVID-19 vaccines.” “The extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures,” she said in a statement. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the “historic” move and said it marked “a monumental moment in the fight against COVID-19.” The WHO chief wrote on Twitter that the move was a step towards vaccine equity, “prioritizing the wellbeing of all people everywhere at a critical time.” “Now let’s all move together swiftly, in solidarity, building on the ingenuity and commitment of scientists who produced life-saving Covid-19 vaccines,” he added. Tedros has for months pleaded for such a patent waiver – an idea backed by India and South Africa – arguing this would help to ramp up production and make COVID-19 vaccines much more accessible for poorer nations. But it was opposed by a consortium of big pharmaceutical companies, which described the decision as “disappointing” and warned it could hamper innovation. India reported Thursday almost 4,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 412,000 infections, both new records, dashing hopes that the catastrophic recent surge may have been easing following several days of falling case numbers. Also seeing rising coronavirus cases is Egypt, which announced a partial shutdown of malls and restaurants and called off festivities for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to curb the spread. The country has now recorded nearly 232,000 positive cases including more than 13,000 deaths, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli saying it was in a “third wave.” He said about 1.7 million people had been fined in recent months for not wearing face masks and that hundreds of thousands of shishas (water pipes) had been seized from cafes that breached COVID regulations. Eid celebrations are also due to be disrupted in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where new rules in the capital Kuala Lumpur will see only essential businesses allowed to operate and restaurant dining-in banned after daily cases topped 3,000 in recent days. Authorities were similarly moving to stem a cluster in the Australian city of Sydney on Thursday, where two new infections sparked a hunt for the source of its first local Covid-19 cases in more than a month. Five million residents will again have to wear masks on public transport and in indoor venues, while New Zealand said it would put a travel bubble with the state of New South Wales on hold until the source of the infection was better understood. Joining India in breaking records for COVID-19 deaths this week is Argentina, which recorded 633 deaths in 24 hours on Wednesday despite steppedup measures to reduce the movement of people across the country. In neighboring Brazil, far-right leader Jair Bolsonara said the novel coronavirus might have been made in a laboratory to wage “biological warfare.” The comments are likely to strain Brazil’s relations with China, and they echo claims by former US president Donald Trump that have been dismissed by the World Health Organization as “extremely unlikely.” AFP

ter President Rodrigo Duterte directed the PNP to arrest, detain, and investigate people who fail to wear face masks properly. The Department of the Interior and Local Government will meet with the Philippine National Police and local government units on the implementation of Duterte’s order. Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, interviewed over ANC’s Headstart, said, “we may need to do some recalibration and make the necessary preparations because if we do make arrests, we also need to prepare our detention cells because there may be a larger number of people detained than before.” Under Rule 113, Section 5 of the Rules of Court, a warrantless arrest is lawful when the police officer witnesses a person committing an offense and has personal knowledge about the commission of crime.

Citing Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, Roque said a health protocol violator can be detained within the period of 12 hours for crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra defended Duterte’s order to arrest and detain persons who would be caught not wearing face masks properly in public places, which health authorities said have contributed to the surge in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country. “The President’s strategy is to strictly implement health protocols, such as wearing of face masks, so that the spread of the disease is put under control and the full opening of the economy is accelerated,” he said. The Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, said the directive could lead to “excessive discretion and abuse” of authorities. CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said while they recognize the need for all to observe basic health protocols, reasonable disciplinary measures must be

implemented against violators. “In the absence of clear guidelines, we are concerned that such a directive may be prone to excessive discretion and abuse,” she said. De Guia’s concern was echoed by two militant lawmakers who warned that Duterte’s order to arrest individuals not wearing face masks in public would result in human rights violations. The President’s directive “is too cruel,” said ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro. “This will result in a number of arrests and human rights violations,” she added. Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas also slammed Duterte for his rants about face masks, “and yet this government is not addressing the assistance needed by Filipinos in this health crisis.” Meanwhile, a total of 2,467 individuals in Pasay City were arrested for not observing health and safety protocols imposed by the government amid the pandemic. Of the numbers, 738 were caught not wearing face masks in public places.

to do with the standoff. For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he wanted to find out who gave the order to the Navy to withdraw its ship from the area. “Duterte gave nothing away but they gave away a lot,” Locsin said in Filipino in a Twitter post. “I demand a complete explanation of why we withdrew our fighting ship from the Scarborough face-off, and why (then Senator Antonio IV) Trillanes was sent to make peace when we never made war. So aside from surrender, we apologize for whimpering.” “It is time that those ones who were in charge of protecting our territory come clean on what exactly happened when we walked-rather sailed away from a confrontation. Could anyone make them do that?” Locsin said. Locsin noted the story about the standoff kept changing over time. He added that it was unfair to blame Duterte for the previous administration’s “failure of nerve.” “First own up to your failure then make your demand on this President to do what you did not ask Pnoy,” he said, referring to Aquino. “To fight all out for what was always ours. Hague just recognized that fact and right,” he added. The 2012 standoff between the two countries’ naval vessels in Panatag Shoal ended after Washington brokered an agreement for both to disengage. However, Chinese did not honor the agreement and its coast guard vessels have stayed in the area and continue to prevent Filipino fishermen from catching fish inside the lagoon. Under the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s massive claim in the South China Sea, Scarborough was classified as a traditional fishing ground of Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen

for decades and that China has no right to prohibit such activity in the area. Del Rosario, meanwhile, took issue with the President’s statement that the arbitral decision was merely “a scrap of paper.” “The US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, EU, Indonesia and other responsible nations believe that the Arbitral Ruling is valid, binding and should be enforced against China pursuant to international law. China, the illegal occupant in the West Philippine Sea, believes that the Arbitral Ruling is a mere scrap of paper. The Philippines is the country which won the Arbitral Ruling against China. It is, therefore, a national tragedy that the President of the Philippines takes the side of China and believes that the Arbitral Ruling is a scrap of paper meant to be thrown in the waste basket, to the severe prejudice of the Filipino people,” Del Rosario said in a statement released to the press. “On China’s occupation of Scarborough Shoal, we wish to reiterate that it was China which deceitfully breached the US-brokered agreement for a mutual withdrawal. Until now, China continues to openly violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines by illegally occupying certain features in the West Philippine Sea. Why are Filipinos being blamed for the loss of Scarborough Shoal and not China and its duplicity?” “We would like to respectfully reiterate that it is the President’s sworn duty under the Constitution to protect the West Philippine Sea and enforce the Arbitral Award against China. With due respect, this is not a blaming game among Filipinos, but a constitutional mandate to be acted upon against a foreign aggressor for the benefit of our country and the Filipino people,” Del Rosario added.

case of the B.1.617 variant that carries two mutations, E484Q and L425R. India’s health ministry said the mutations “confer immune escape and increased infectivity.” The Philippines earlier suspended the entry of passengers from India from April 19 to May 14. The travel ban was expanded to cover Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

pert panel said on Thursday. Between January 4 and May 2, the country sequenced 7,167 samples nationwide, but the government has yet to disclose the recent number of samples taken from Metro Manila. “Since these are only representative samples... it will just tell you that it is present in NCR (National Capital Region), said Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of San Lazaro Hospital’s Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, during an online press briefing. “It does not mean that it is causing community transmission,” Solante added.

Duterte... From A1 of eminent stature and experience to dispassionately discuss the core issues relating to the dispute on the West Philippine Sea.” “Now that the President’s earlier challenge to a debate on the West Philippine Sea has been accepted by former Senior Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, the Filipino public will benefit immensely from a frank and straightforward discussion on a matter that affects the entire citizenry,” PBA President Rico Domingo said. Aside from challenging Carpio to a debate, Duterte also said he wanted the former SC magistrate to answer who ordered the Navy to withdraw its ships from the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and allowed the Chinese to take control of it. “Who told our forces to retreat and what did you do after they retreated?” Duterte said. The President even vowed to resign if his story about the Scarborough Shoal standoff is proven false. Carpio, who insisted he had nothing to do with withdrawal, dared the President to honor his promise to resign. “President Duterte should now resign immediately to keep his word of honor. I state under oath that I was never involved in the decision to withdraw from the West Philippine Sea during the 2012 Scarborough standoff. I was serving in the Supreme Court at that time and all I knew about the withdrawal of Philippine Navy ships was what I read in the newspapers,” Carpio said. Carpio said former president Benigno Aquino III and former DFA chief Albert Del Rosario and the chiefs of the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard at that time can attest that he had nothing

Local... From A1

B.1.617 variant first detected in India, Malacañang assured the public on Thursday. Roque gave the assurance after five passengers from India who recently entered the country tested positive for COVID-19. Foreign variants “It may not be an absolute guaranMeanwhile, almost half of the setee that it cannot enter the country but we’re doing our best to contain it,” quenced COVID-19 samples from Metro Manila were foreign variants of Roque said. The Philippines has yet to record a COVID, a member of the vaccine ex-

Sinopharm... From A1 vaccination,” Roque said, adding “he will complete the two doses.” Duterte was inoculated on May 3 with the Sinopharm vaccine, the same brand that members of the Presidential Security Group received last year. The President accepted the criticisms after admitting that Sinopharm, developed by Beijing Biological Products Institute under state-owned China National Biotec Group (CNBG), has not been tested by the country’s FDA. “We are sorry. You are right, we are wrong,” Duterte said in a public address late Wednesday evening. Roque said the removal of Sinopharm would be done so that there would no longer be criticisms in the use of the vaccines. “The President said that it’s best to return the Sinopharm vaccines to China to stop the criticisms,” he added. Roque also came to the defense of the Presidential Security Group after the FDA said it has yet to receive any information on the PSG’s use of the unregistered Sinopharm vaccines several months after their inoculation. Roque said it is not for the Palace to order the PSG to cooperate with the inquiry. “That is not the role of the Palace. We have investigative agencies for that,” he said. In December last year, Duterte disclosed that members of the PSG were inoculated with Sinopharm even without a compassionate permit from the FDA, which was granted only in February this year. The same compassionate permit was used for Duterte’s inoculation, FDA director-general Eric Domingo said. Meanwhile, the Department of Health is drafting guidelines that would allow a person to receive different brands of coronavirus vaccines for first and second dose, the FDA said. Domingo, in an online briefing, made the statement when asked what would happen to those who had been jabbed with the Sinopharm vaccine as first dose. Domingo said the DOH is now studying the possibility of mixed-use vaccination, especially for vaccinees who experienced severe allergic reactions in their first dose, and have been apprehensive about receiving a second dose of vaccine from the same brand.

200... From A1 least seven Chinese militia vessels at the Sabina Shoal off Puerto Princesa in Palawan, which is well within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Meanwhile, Simularity co-founder and CEO Liz Derr said that as of May 3, only about seven ships were spotted over Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun). But Derr said another 150 ships were also sighted about nine nautical miles over Hughes Reef, which is part of the Union Banks in Spratly Islands. Derr said some 50 ships were also monitored over Gaven Reef, located about three nautical miles from the country’s exclusive economic zone. “We’re looking at about 200 ships. We don’t have the flags for the ships at this point but they look very much [like] the ones we saw at Whitsun Reef. They are still in the Philippine EEZ,” Derr said, in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel. “Almost all of them are moored. They don’t move... Just like they were at Whitsun Reef,” the intelligence firm executive added. Simularity analyzes geography using satellites and drones. The firm’s profile says its expertise is “finding things that are hard to see.” Last month, more than 200 Chinese vessels were spotted at the Julian Felipe Reef, an incursion that Manila has formally protested. The Chinese Embassy in Manila had denied allegations the vessels were part of Beijing’s militia, describing them as fishing vessels taking shelter due to “rough sea conditions.” It also insisted that the reef is part of their territory.

Stats update

The Philippines on Thursday reported 6,637 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 1,080,172, the Department of Health reported. The DOH said active cases stood at 63,170, of which 94.3 percent were mild, 1.9 percent asymptomatic, 1.6 percent severe, and 1.2 percent critical. Total recoveries rose to 999,011, with 6,091 more people who recuperated from the disease. COVIDfatalities climbed to 17,991, with 191 new deaths – the highest in over three weeks. Willie Casas

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Poe: Hasten contract servicing program S By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TABACO’S FIRST JAB. Tabaco Mayor Krisel

Lagman spearheads the official launching of Tabaco City’s local vaccination program as she receives her first dose of Sinovac vaccine. Senior citizens, especially those with co-morbidities are in the priority list of the immunization campaign along with barangay heads, barangay health workers, BJMP personnel, pharmacists and medical front liners. Norman Cruz

ENATOR Grace Poe on Thursday urged the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to expedite the disbursement of the P5.58-billion service contracting program. “At the rate we’re falling behind, it seems that the funds we appropriated are set on an expressway to the Treasury,” Poe said. “What’s supposed to be a lifeline for jeepney and bus drivers appears to be stalled due to bureaucratic traffic.” The senator pushed for the inclusion of the fund in Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. Poe made the statement following the call by Move as One Coalition, a broad network of organizations and individuals involved in the fields of transportation, urban planning, and health policy, to expedite the distribution of the fund to its intended beneficiaries. The group said only P46.1 million or less than one percent of the fund has actually been disbursed. The availability of the appropriation is set to expire on June 30, 2021.

Romualdez: New PNP chief a man of action LEGISLATORS led by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez welcomed Thursday President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the new Philippine National Police chief. Romualdez said the President has made the best choice with Eleazar. “Our new top cop is a man of action in resolving cases with swiftness. With his proven competence, I believe he will always uphold justice. His dedication, unwavering hard work and perseverance will further restore discipline and respect to the PNP as an institution,” Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules. Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said he is conﬁdent that Eleazar’s ﬁrm leadership guarantees the effective administration of peace and order in the country. Romualdez, together with Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. are convinced that Eleazar will be able to sustain the higher intensity in the campaign against criminality, war on drugs, terrorist, cleansing the PNP

with remaining scalawags and address other concerns on law and order. “Eleazar was an excellent choice,” Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party, said. “I know that Gen. Eleazar will always continue to afﬁrm the PNP’s motto to ‘serve and protect’ and be a good example and advocate of the rule of law,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), pointed out. Earlier, Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo of ACT-CIS and Lito Atienza of Buhay hailed the appointment of Eleazar. “General Eleazar has a strong and solid reputation as a true blue police ofﬁcer who stands by and enforces the law without bias or discrimination,” Tulfo said. “I believe he is the right man for that job at time when the PNP is in dire need of upright leadership, wisdom, and prudence.” Eleazar is also a leader with good demeanor, said Tulfo. “General Eleazar chooses his words carefully. He is gifted with intelligence, humility, and charm.” “All these are qualities we have long been looking for in the PNP leadership,” she added. “We expect him to clean up the PNP during his stint as PNP Chief.” Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF Las Piñas opens new road project TO shorten travel time and ease trafﬁc gridlock in major thoroughfares in Las Piñas City, a new River Drive was opened here on May 5. Senator Cynthia A. Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new road which will hasten travel to and from the city’s major roads. Villar said the new road and the other road developments in Las Piñas will entice investors to come and invest in the city. She said business movements to and from Las Piñas and adjacent areas would also be much easier. The new 850-meter River Drive traverses Verdant Subdivision to Naga Road via Verdant Acres in Bgy. Pamplona 3 to Vergonville Subdivision, St. Joseph Subdivision and Villa Isabelita in Brgy. Pulang Lupa Dos. The 640-meter River Drive in Casimiro will also be partially opened via Casimiro Village, Dela Cruz Compound and Batibot in Brgy. Pamplona 3. The completion of this project will connect Casimiro Village to Zapote Road. Both road projects are part of the Las Piñas River Drive being implemented by the DPWH under Sec. Mark Villar through the initiative of the senator. The senator guaranteed she will continue to work closely with the city government and the DPWH to ensure that any trafﬁc problem in Las Piñas, her home city, will be swiftly resolved. She noted that the earlier completion of the 25-kilometer Las PiñasZapote River Drive reduces the volume of vehicles plying Alabang-Zapote Road, a major thoroughfare in the southern part of Metro Manila. Macon Araneta

Probe OSG data breach—De Lima SENATOR Leila De Lima on Thursday sought an investigation into the serious data breach of court documents from Office of the Solicitor General. The detained lawmaker said the data breach could lead to severe consequences to ongoing judicial proceedings involving key government agencies. De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 713 urging the appropriate Senate Committee to probe the recent data breach and the cyber-attacks against government and private firms in the country to end the abuse and misuse of pertinent information of the public. Recently, UK Security company TurgenSec disclosed that some 345,000 sensitive court documents from the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines related to ongoing legal cases were made publicly available online and could have been accessed by anyone who knew where to look for at least two months. TurgenSec said that the nature of these documents is alarming because it “may have the potential to disrupt [or] undermine ongoing judicial proceedings,” revealing that documents exposed were said to have contained sensitive keywords such as “Private”, “Confidential”, “Password” and “Witness.” The security company likewise said that the breach also included topics on intelligence, terrorism, drugs, execution, the opposition, the military, on COVID-19, and even on President Rodrigo Duterte. It also said that given the “particularly alarming” nature of the incident, it emailed the OSG and the Philippine government twice in March, but it did not get responses on both occasions. Macon Araneta

According to Poe, extending the validity of the service contracting program was “possible but not necessarily desirable” as it was not a guarantee of speedier action on the part of the executive branch. Service contracting refers to an arrangement wherein the national government directly subsidizes the operations of public utility vehicles (PUVs). In this manner, the PUVs would remain ﬁnancially viable despite the revenue decline due to the reduced carrying capacity for passengers in observance of social distancing rules. Land transportation is one of the sectors most hard-hit by the economic recession from COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the gross value added of the sector recorded a decline of 30.1 percent or P123.84 million compared to the previous year.

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Ivermectin trials start, Rody hopes for approval By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Thursday it will begin clinical trials of several drugs, including the anti-parasite medication ivermectin, in patients with COVID-19 to determine their efficacy in combatting the coronavirus. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte said that should clinical trials show that ivermectin is safe and effective against COVID, it may be used for “palliative care” that focuses on providing patients’ relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. “Even if we use it for palliative, so that you won’t get infected immediately,” Duterte said Wednesday night in a televised address, adding he looks forward to clinical trials showing

that the drug works so they could be used by COVID-19 patients in the country. The clinical trial for ivermectin will start by the end of May and could last for six months, said Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena. “When they come out, that’s what I’m hoping, it will turn out that way we can use it. So that, I’ll be the first. You can drink it, at least the preventive,” the President said in mixed

Filipino and English. Ivermectin tablets have been approved for treating some worm infestations and for veterinary use in animals for parasites. Also, Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport seized a shipment of ivermectin and other regulated drugs that were smuggled from India. The shipment containing 20,000 capsules of the antiparasitic drug and other misdeclared medicines, was imported by Finstad Inc. from New Delhi. The importer described the content of the shipment as “food supplements, multivitamins and multi-mineral capsules”, a clear case of technical smuggling, BOC-NAIA said. Dela Pena said the government has also approved the clinical trials of a new formulation of methylprednisolone, a steroid, and melatonin, as treatments for COVID-19.

Makati opens drive-thru jab site for PWD, bedridden folk

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

By Joel E. Zurbano

WALKTHROUGH. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, DPWH Usec. Emil Sadain, and Build, Build, Build Committee Chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo walk through the Bonifacio Global City–Ortigas Link Bridge, a four-lane, two-way bridge across the Pasig River on Thursday. It will connect Lawton Avenue in Makati to Sta. Monica Street in Kapitolyo, Pasig. Norman Cruz

Dry run of QC vaccine sites in malls set By Rio N. Araja

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered a dry run of four additional mall-based vaccination sites to cater to residents falling under priority categories and are registered through barangay-assisted bookings. “This is part of our efforts to make it as easy as possible for our residents to get a shot and be protected against COVID-19,” she said. Belmonte emphasized their objective is to make the process easier and more accessible for senior citizens and individuals with co-morbidities who are not capable of booking for vaccination appointments online. She said the new vaccination sites -- SM City Sta. Mesa, Robinsons Magnolia, SM City Fairview and Robinsons Novaliches – would provide the medical personnel for the inoculation program both Quezon City residents in their areas

and their staff that belong to the priority sector. Belmonte welcomed the development, saying this is a win-win situation as more essential workers and priority residents would be vaccinated “the faster we can achieve economic recovery.” Margie Santos, Business Permits and Licensing Department chief, said the partnership with malls allows the city government to fast track its inoculation drive against COVID-19. Such partnership would also address the lack of available health-care workers to conduct the vaccination. “Our private partners provide us with venue and manpower. In return, we provide them vaccines and supervision in administering these. These partnerships not only help ramp-up our vaccination drive but also increases foot traffic in commercial areas that can help businesses recover amidst the pandemic,” she said.

THE City of Makati on Thursday announced the opening of its drive-thru vaccination site to accommodate persons with disabilities (PWD) and bedridden residents. Mayor Abigail Binay said the local government made an agreement with Ayala Malls Circuit to establish the first on-the-go vaccination site in the metropolis at the Circuit Makati Estates grounds. “In response to numerous requests from persons with disabilities and families with a bedridden member, we have come up with this initiative. We understand the predicament of those who have no means of transportation or are physically unable to go through regular procedure,” she said. Binay thanked the management of Ayala Malls Circuit for its contribution to promote a more inclusive vaccination program in the city in order to develop herd immunity. Some 100 bedridden patients and PWDs are expected to be vaccinated during the launching of the project scheduled today. They have already pre-registered through www.proudmakatizen.com and received their confirmation, and were clustered for vaccination at Circuit on the same day for their comfort and convenience. Individuals who do not have their own vehicles will be provided with one.

Duterte, Saudi Unregistered nurses as gap fillers backed prince discuss OFWs, kafala By Maricel V. Cruz

By Vito Barcelo

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud talked about the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the kafala system during a phone call on Wednesday night, Malacañang said. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday the two leaders discussed ways to protect Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia and the changes to the kafala, the Middle-Eastern policy governing the sponsorship of migrant workers, which had been criticized as an avenue of exploitation of foreign workers. The system requires migrant workers to have a sponsor in the country of employment to get a visa and worker’s permit. “The conversation took place when Bin Salman, who also serves as Saudi Arabia’s deputy prime minister, called the President on Wednesday,” Roque said. In a separate statement, the Office of the President said the Saudi Prince assured the President that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will protect all Filipino workers there.

A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Thursday backed the proposal of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to tap unregistered nurses to help fill the gap arising from shortages of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I cannot agree more with Speaker Velasco on the need to mobilize nursing graduates who have yet to take the board exam during the pandemic,” Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera said. “I’m sure there are a lot of them who are willing to help and are just waiting to be tapped to fight against COVID-19,” added Herrera, the nominee of Bagong Henerasyon party-list group. Velasco earlier suggested to the Department

of Health (DOH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to make a special arrangement to allow expected takers of nursing licensure exams to work as health workers during the ongoing public health crisis. Velasco said these unregistered nurses can work under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor through a special arrangement with the PRC. Herrera said the DOH and the PRC should not think twice on Velasco’s proposal, which she said was “logical and makes sense.” The party-list legislator noted that some hospitals have reportedly refused to accept COVID-19 patients not only due to lack of spaces, but also of medical workers and staff.

‘Pinoys win’ as Senate, gov’t hit pork tariff balance By Macon Ramos-Araneta FILIPINOS won when senators were able to strike a balance on pork tariffs with the country’s economic managers between the plight of backyard hog raisers and local producers for a chance at reducing inflation, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Thursday. The senators and the country’s economic team led by Finance Secretary Carlos,Dominquez agreed that the maximum access volume (MAV) of pork importation should be reduced from 404,000 metric tons (MT) to 254,210 MT. Economic team members and Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in discussions with the Senate, said they recommended that the tariff rates in Executive Order 128 be adjusted to 10% in-quota and 20% for out-quota for the

first three months; and 15% in-quota and 25% for out-quota for the remaining nine months. “They were playing safe, it will affect the local producers, so we talked... and then finally after talks, we met the median,” said Sotto. According to Sotto, the results of the compromise amount to protection of local hog raisers and the non-abuse of the importation quotas. “It was not confined only to those who eat pork because it has many allied industries... The price of pork will be controlled and then the Executive Department joined us in looking for the best balance,” related Sotto. Sotto also said they were assured by Dominguez he will have the legal study and will execute the EO within the boundaries of the laws. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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FIRDAY, MAY 7, 2021 TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

India’s neighbors close their borders

Catastrophic surge: Record deaths, cases in 24 hours

RI Lanka became the latest of India’s neighbors to seal its borders with the South Asian giant as it battles a record coronavirus surge.

India saw record new jumps in COVID-19 cases and deaths on Thursday, dashing tentative hopes that the catastrophic recent surge that has stretched hospitals to the limit might be easing. Health ministry numbers showed 3,980 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the national total to 230,168, and 412,262 new cases, pushing India’s caseload since the pandemic began to over 21 million. Many experts suspect that with low levels of testing and poor record-keeping for the cause of death – and crematoriums overwhelmed in many places – the real numbers could be much higher. The rise follows several days of falling case numbers that had raised government hopes that the virus surge may have been easing. The sharp rise in cases since late March has overwhelmed hospitals in many places, with fatal shortages of beds, drugs and oxygen. Bangladesh and Nepal have also banned flights and sought to close their borders with India, where a huge rise in numbers in the past three weeks has taken deaths past 230,000 and cases over 21 million. All three countries are fighting their own pandemic surges, which Red Cross leaders have described as a “human catastrophe.”

The Sri Lankan government banned flight passengers from India from entering, as the country reported its highest daily toll of 14 deaths and 1,939 infections in 24 hours. Sri Lanka’s navy said it had stepped up patrols to keep away Indian trawlers, adding that on Tuesday it stopped 11 such vessels which had crossed the narrow strip of sea dividing the two neighbours. Bangladesh halted all international flights on April 14 because of its own surge and shut its border with India on April 26. It has reported 11,755 Covid-19 deaths and 767,338 cases, but experts say the real figures are higher in all South Asian countries. Bangladesh has had 10 million vaccine doses from India, but the supply has been halted and the government is now negotiating to get Chinese jabs. Nepal suspended international flights a week ago, until May 14. Just two return flights a week are allowed to India, to bring back stranded nationals. Most border crossings are also closed and only returning Nepalis can use those still open. Many hospitals in Nepal are overflowing with Covid-19 patients, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). AFP

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603 - 1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic housing project (Grandview Heights) under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List -Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Brgy. Sambat, Tanauan City, Batangas. Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service

SQUID TACTICS. This handout photograph received by AFP from the town of Noto on May 6, 2021 shows a giant squid statue, built at a cost of nearly $250,000 with a national tax grant to aid communities hit financially by COVID-19 restrictions, in the town of Noto, Ishikawa prefecture. local officials said they hoped the installation will boost post-pandemic tourism. AFP (See story below)

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given that the original copy of the Certificate of Registration No. 2008-295 dated 24 October 2008 (the “COR”) issued to Roxol Bioenergy Corporation by the Board of Investments (“BOI”) is lost. If no contest is received, new certificate will be issued (MS-MAY 7, 2021)

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Villa Marcela 1-B) with 445 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE ACT) and the Preferred List - Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Brgy. Pinac-pinacan, San Rafael, Bulacan..

Notice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Makati City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Brentwood Residences Phase 1-C) with a capacity of 638 economic and low-cost housing units, with project site located at Brgy. Dolores, Capas, Tarlac.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service

US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken on Thursday pressed Russia to pull troops and end its “aggressive” actions in Ukraine on a visit to Kiev in which he vowed to expand US support. The top US diplomat met Ukraine’s leadership and toured a somber memorial with photographs of some of the more than 13,000 people who have died fighting proRussian separatists since 2014, when Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula from Kiev. “We stand strongly with you,” Blinken told a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We look to Russia to cease reck-

less and aggressive actions,” Blinken said. Russia last month amassed 100,000 troops near the border and in Crimea, its biggest buildup since 2014, but quickly announced a pullback in what many saw as a test for the new US administration of President Joe Biden. But both Blinken and Zelensky said Thursday that the pullout had been limited. “We’re aware that Russia has withdrawn some forces from the border with Ukraine, but we also see that significant forces remain there,” Blinken said. Zelensky said Ukraine still saw Russia flexing its muscle on the

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project (Villa Marcela 1-A) with 578 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE ACT) and the Preferred List - Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Brgy. Pinac-pinacan, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Notice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Makati City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI ) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Brentwood Residences Phase 1-B) with a capacity of 571 economic and low-cost housing units, with project site located at Brgy. Dolores, Capas, Tarlac.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service (MS-MAY 7, 2021)

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at Unit 1603 - 1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing project (Villa Marcella Phase 1-C) with 445 house and lot units under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Preferred List - Mass Housing of the 2020 IPP with project site located at Brgy. Pinac-pinacan, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Notice is hereby given that THE NEW APEC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address at Unit 1603-1605 The Orient Square Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Makati City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Brentwood Residences Phase 1-A) with a capacity of 542 economic and low-cost housing units, with project site located at Brgy. Dolores, Capas, Tarlac.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastucture and Services Industries Service

Black Sea and said it had only removed 3,000 to 3,500 troops from Crimea. But Zelensky said that there had been a decline in sniper fire, which has been a leading cause of casualties. Zelensky welcomed US support but said that Ukraine “desperately” needed more. “We think that the decrease (of Russian troops near the border) is slow, therefore, perhaps, there still may be a threat. Nobody wants these surprises,” Zelensky said. The United States has earmarked $408 million in security aid for Ukraine this fiscal year and Blinken said he spoke in depth with Ukrainian leaders about their needs. AFP

Indonesian power plant landslide death toll hits 10

(MS-MAY 7, 2021)

US presses Russia to pull troops in Ukraine

FREEDOM. Student Union of Thailand spokesperson Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul makes the three-finger salute as she walks out from Bangkok Remand Prison in Bangkok on May 6, 2021, after a Thai court on Thursday granted bail to her. The pro-democracy protest leader has reportedly been on hunger strike for over a month. She faces nine charges of insulting the monarchy over her role in protests last year that rocked Bangkok. AFP

Japan town builds giant squid statue with COVID-19 grant A REMOTE Japanese fishing town has sparked debate after spending coronavirus relief funds on a giant squid statue that cost nearly $250,000 in a controversial bid to boost post-pandemic tourism. The huge pink monument with its tentacles outstretched was unveiled in March by the coastal town of Noto in central Japan as a proud nod to its local delicacy. It cost around 27 million yen ($247,000) and was mostly paid for with a national tax grant to aid communities hit financially by COVID-19 restrictions. Despite online debate over the merits of the public spending, local officials said they hoped the installation at a roadside rest stop

would pique travellers’ interest at home and abroad. “Tourism in our town has been badly damaged by the coronavirus. We wanted to do something to support the local industries,” including promoting squid fishing, an official at Noto town hall told AFP on Thursday. As well as the impact of Japan’s border restrictions and calls to limit domestic travel in the past year, the town’s economy has also been hurt by recent bad catches, he added. Many people came to see the 13-metre (43-foot) monument this week during a series of public holidays, the official said, with children playing on it and adults taking quirky pictures for social media.AFP

THE death toll from a landslide at a hydroelectric dam project on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has risen to 10, an official said Thursday, as authorities called off a week-long search for victims. A landslide triggered by heavy rains struck the Chinese-backed Batang Toru hydropower plant on Thursday last week, burying an estimated 13 people. Employees were checking on the area over concerns that heavy rains could trigger landslides when the disaster struck. At least two children are among the victims. The body of a Chinese employee of the plant was identified on Wednesday. Another Chinese employee narrowly escaped as he fled the scene. Local disaster mitigation agency head Hotmatua Rambe told AFP the search for the victims had ended after unearthing 10 bodies. Three victims remain missing. The Batang Toru hydropower project – part of China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure project – has raised opposition as it is built in an area of rainforest that is the only known habitat of the endangered Tapanuli orangutan. Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the country during the rainy season. Last month, more than 200 people were killed in a cluster of far-eastern islands and neighbouring Timor Leste as Tropical Cyclone Seroja turned small communities into wastelands of mud and uprooted trees. Indonesia’s disaster agency estimates 125 million people—nearly half of the country’s population—live in areas at risk of landslides. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks decline for fifth straight day

TOCKS fell for the fifth straight day Thursday on concerns of a likely delayed economic recovery and the still high inflation rate in April. Manila

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TODAY

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING To All Stockholders: Please be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders of MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) for the year 2021 which is scheduled every last Friday of May of each year has been postponed and reset to a later date to be determined by the Board of Directors, during a meeting to be called for such purpose. The purpose of the postponement is to give the Company more time to prepare for additional matters that will be presented to the stockholders at the meeting. A Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new meeting date. Manila

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 16.91 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,282.78 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 126 to 77, with 44 issues unchanged. Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co dropped 4.6 percent to P35, while SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group declined 3.2 percent to P921. Conglomerate Ayala Corp. shed 2.7 percent to P725 but JG Summit Holdings Inc.of the Gokongwei Group climbed 3 percent to P52.45. Most markets in Asia, meanwhile, rose Thursday as investors welcomed a strong jobs report from the United States that reinforced optimism that the world’s top economy is well on the recovery track, though inflation concerns continue to dog trading floors. The White House’s support for a global waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines also provided some cheer as it lifted hope for a speedier recovery in poorer nations that have struggled to access the jabs. US private firms added 742,000 jobs in April, payrolls firm ADP said Wednesday, marking a fourth straight monthly gain, with much of them in the crucial services sector,

TOP LOSERS

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TODAY Makati City, 07 May 2021. MAILA G. DE CASTRO Co-Asst. Corporate Secretary

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING To All Stockholders: Please be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders of PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) for the year 2021 which is scheduled every third Tuesday of May of each year has been postponed and reset to a later date to be determined by the Board of Directors, during a meeting to be called for such purpose.

IPO LAND VUL HI CDC ALHI DWC ARA GPH ZHI

6.4 1.75 2.19 3.45 0.9 7.6 2.9 1.18 9.67 0.236

-1.57 -0.18 -0.22 -0.33 -0.08 -0.54 -0.2 -0.08 -0.63 -0.014

-19.70% -9.33% -9.13% -8.73% -8.16% -6.63% -6.45% -6.35% -6.12% -5.60%

MOST ACTIVE

The purpose of the postponement is to give the Company more time to prepare for additional matters that will be presented to the stockholders at the meeting. A Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new meeting date. Makati City, 07 May, 2021. MAILA G. DE CASTRO Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 7 & 8, 2021)

TOP GAINERS

which was hardest hit by virus lockdowns and other restrictions last year. LAST % The reading, while slightly short of forePRICE CHANGE CHANGE casts, confirmed that the battle against unemployment is being won, and analysts said the 1 OPMB 0.014 0.002 16.67% improvement was expected to continue asCYAN the MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 2 MAB 0.017 0.002 13.33% reopening continues. It also bodes well for Friday’s closely 3 BMM 80 9.4 13.31% watched government data, which provides a snapshot of the state of the economy. 4 PBB 10.36 0.84 8.82% But there is a growing fear that the expected FFI 8.1 0.6 8.00% burst of economic activity this year caused by 5 pent-up consumers returning to stores and res6 MA 0.016 0.001 6.67% taurants—with government cash in their pockets—will send inflation rocketing and force the 7 GMAP 8.25 0.51 6.59% Federal Reserve to tighten its ultra-loose mon8 PBC 23 1.4 6.48% etary policy. And traders are struggling to take heart from GMA7 8.79 0.49 5.90% reassurances from top Fed officials, who have 9 repeatedly said the bank will stick to its guns 10 GSMI 61.55 3.35 5.76% until it has unemployment tamed and inflation is running consistently hot. Tokyo rose 1.8 percent as traders returned to work for the first time since Friday, while there were also gains in Hong Kong, Singapore, LAST % Seoul, Mumbai and Bangkok. With AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKCHANGE PRICE CHANGE

Standard (MS-MAY 7 & 8, 2021)

PSEi May 6, 2021

BREXIT FISHING ROW. French fishing boats protest in front of the port of Saint Helier off the British island of Jersey to draw attention to what they see as unfair restrictions on their ability to fish in UK waters after Brexit, on May 6, 2021. Around 50 French fishing boats gathered amid fresh tensions between France and Britain over fishing. AFP

Ancient Mesopotamian marshes in Iraq threatened by wastewater By Haydar Indhar CHIBAYISH, Iraq—In southern Iraq, putrid water gushes out of waste pipes into marshes reputed to be home to the biblical Garden of Eden, threatening an already fragile world heritage site. In a country where the state lacks the capacity to guarantee basic services, 70 percent of Iraq’s industrial waste is dumped directly into rivers or the sea, according to data compiled by the United Nations and academics. Jassim al-Assadi, head of non-governmental organization Nature Iraq, told AFP the black wastewater poured into the UNESCO-listed marshes carries “pollution and heavy metals that directly threaten the flora and fauna” present there. Once an engineer at Iraq’s water resources ministry, Assadi left that job to dedicate himself to saving the extraordinary natural habitat, which had previously faced destruction at the hands of dictator Saddam Hussein and is further jeopardized by climate change. The pollutants also “indirectly impact humans via the buffalo,” fixtures of the marshes and known for the “guemar” cheese produced from their milk, he said. According to Nader Mohssen, a fisherman and farmer born in the marshland’s Chibayish district, “the buffalo are forced to go several kilometers

(miles) into the marshes to be able to drink something other than polluted water.” And “around the sewerage pipes, most of the fish die,” he added, gesturing to dozens of rotting fish floating on the marsh water surface. Foul play, foul water Pollution is only the latest threat to one of the world’s largest inland delta systems. The rich ecosystem, nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, barely survived the wrath of Saddam, who ordered the marsh be drained in 1991 as punishment for communities protecting insurgents. The drainage reduced the marshland by half of its 1991 area of 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles). A former regime official was condemned to death in 2010 for what the UN called “one of the worst environmental crimes in history,” although he reportedly died of natural causes in prison last year. A few years ago, Mohssen and other marshland residents—several thousand families straddling three provinces in the rural, tribal south and struggling to make ends meet—believed they would see their home flourish again. Once the canals and earthen dykes built by Saddam’s regime were destroyed, the water returned, and with it more than 200 species of birds and dozens of types of wildlife, some on the verge of extinction elsewhere. AFP

A gull is seen in the Iraqi marshland in the southern district of Chibayish, on April 14, 2021. In a country where the state lacks the capacity to guarantee basic services, 70 percent of Iraq’s industrial waste is dumped directly into rivers or the sea, according to data compiled by the United Nations and academics. AFP

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ALI SM AC BDO SMPH MBT BPI CNVRG ACEN ICT

VOLUME 23977900 394870 462520 2153620 6258300 4195000 2032460 7518400 20886800 1089990

VALUE (PHP) 769650910 367777385 337362560 225327788 212650670 185612775 164944586 144135308 141787743 139684292

EU consolidates trade rules to curb China’s influence BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled new powers to block state-backed companies from making unfair inroads into EU markets, as the bloc seeks new ways to respond to China’s rise. The new rules, when approved by member states and European Parliament, will give EU competition authorities fresh abilities to probe foreign companies seeking to snap up EU firms or public contracts. The rules don’t specifically mention China, but they land as ties between the EU and its second biggest trading partner are at a low point after an angry exchange of tit-for-tat sanctions over human rights concerns. The bitterness has forced Brussels to temporarily cease efforts to seek ratification of a German-backed EU-China investment deal, which had been billed as a key tool to pave the way towards smoother relations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the deal’s champion, on Wednesday said that despite the “difficulties,” seeing the deal through would be “a very important undertaking.” The EU commission’s state aid policy is part of Europe’s delicate balancing act in handling China, where Brussels now wants to show a bit more strength while also keeping dialogue open. “Unfair advantages accorded through subsidies have long been a scourge of international competition. This is why we have made it a priority to clamp down on such unfair practices,” EU vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said. “China is certainly a challenge in this context but this... can cover pretty much any country, and any situation, if it’s found that there is a distorted position in the market,” he said. Under the new rules, the bloc’s powerful antitrust authority would investigate state-backed foreign companies seeking to acquire EU businesses with an annual turnover of more than 500 million euros. AFP

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

B4 FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021

San Miguel’s income soared 1,471% to P17.1b in first quarter By Jenniffer B. Austria DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. saw its net income soar by 1,471 percent in the first quarter to P17.17 billion from P1.1 billion in the same period last year on the strong recovery of core units amid the pandemic. San Miguel said in a statement Thursday net sales fell 6 percent in the first three months to P201.1 billion from P214 billion a year ago. Income from operations jumped 175 percent to P32.2 billion from P11.72 billion on lower raw material costs and effective cost saving efforts of the company. “We’re encouraged by these improvements, as they reflect that our businesses are definitely headed towards full recovery. Despite the challenges ahead, we’re determined to sustain our performance and continue taking on meaningful projects and investments that will help our economy recover,” said San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang. Food and beverage unit San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. delivered a net income of P9.67 billion in the first quarter, up 66 percent from a year ago, on the back of an 11-percent increase in sales to P76.3 billion. Power generation arm SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. posted a 141-percent increase in first-quarter net income to P7.77 billion even as net sales dipped 3 percent to P27.36 billion. Oil unit Petron Corp. booked a net income of P1.7 billion in the first quarter, a turnaround from the P4.8million net loss in the same period last year. Net sales, however, were still down by 20 percent to P83.3 billion. SMC Infrastructure posted net sales of P4.3 billion, down 7 percent, because of mobility restrictions. Income from operations dropped 33 percent to P1.18 billion.

ICTSI booked 51% increase in 3-month net profit to $90.1m By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Thursday net income rose 51 percent in the first quarter to $90.1 million from $59.6 million a year ago on higher revenue from port operations amid the global pandemic. “ICTSI has delivered strong operating performance in the first quarter of 2021, with volume, revenue and earnings rising across our three regions: Asia; the Americas; and Europe, Middle East and Africa. We have seen improvements in most of our terminals as economies continue to recover from the pandemic as well as significant contributions from new shipping lines and services,” ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. said in a statement. “The pandemic remains extremely challenging for so many people around the globe. At ICTSI, we are proud of our role in working with the government and the private sector in driving the vaccination procurement program in the Philippines. Not only will this combined effort save lives, it will also contribute to the full opening of the Philippine economy and support significant recovery across all business sectors,” he said. Gross revenues from port operations increased 16 percent in the first quarter to $435.6 million from $375.8 million in the same period in 2020. ICTSI attributed the higher gross revenues “to volume growth, favorable container mix; tariff adjustments at certain terminals, new contracts with shipping lines and services and increased storage and ancillary services particularly in the Americas segment; partially tapered by decline in trade activities at certain terminals primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.”

Business March unemployment rate fell to 12-month low of 7.1% By Julito G. Rada

HE unemployment rate declined to 7.1 percent in March, the lowest since the height of the enhanced community quarantine in April 2020 which the government enforced to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday. Data from the PSA showed that unemployment rate eased from 8.8 percent in February and 8.7 percent in January. It did not provide data on year-on-year comparison. It said the number of unemployed Filipinos 15 years and over in March was estimated at 3.44 million, a reduction of about 747,000 unemployed persons from February 2021. Employment rate rose to 92.9 percent

in March from 91.2 percent in February. This translated into a month-on-month increase of about 2.18 million Filipinos who had job or business to 45.33 million in March from 43.15 million in February. Underemployment rate also fell to 16.2 percent in March from 18.2 percent in February. In terms of magnitude, about 7.34 million of the employed persons expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work in March 2021. Economic managers led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said the labor market continued to see gains in March following the further reopening of the economy, while adhering to the minimum health standards. “Rising labor force participation and falling unemployment have enabled millions of Filipinos to regain their jobs and incomes in March 2021,” they said in a joint statement. Following the second spike in CO-

VID-19 infections in the latter half of March, the government again prioritized saving lives using the ECQ and modified ECQ period to further improve the health system capacity. “Given the imposition of ECQ and MECQ in the NCR-plus bubble from March 29 to May 15, 2021, we expect to see a temporary reversal of these employment gains in the next LFS round. However, the impact is expected to be less severe compared to April 2020 given our more risk-managed approach to the present quarantines,” they said. They said that unlike last year’s ECQ and MECQ where around three-fourths of the economy was shut down, most sectors of the economy, including public transport, were allowed to operate subject to guidelines from the InterAgency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. To help low-income families cope with the ECQ, the government swiftly implemented a supplemental social amelioration program amounting to P22.9 billion for 22.9 million individuals in the NCR-Plus bubble, which includes the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, May 6, 2021

-16.91 PTS. 6,282.78

Total Volume Total Trades Total Value

13,839,048,333 79,272 5,281,345,304.13

Advances Declines

77 126

Unchanged

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0270

Japan

Yen

0.009158

0.4398

Pound

1.391100

66.8104

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128712

6.1817

Switzerland

Franc

1.095650

52.6208

Canada

Dollar

0.815328

39.1578

Singapore

Dollar

0.748783

35.9618

Australia

Dollar

0.774500

37.1969

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655619

127.5414

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.8065

Brunei

Dollar

0.745990

35.8277

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032154

1.5443

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0764

Euro

1.200800

57.6708

Korea

Won

0.000889

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.154452

7.4179

India

Rupee

0.013550

0.6508

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243013

11.6712

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721100

34.6323

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035859

1.7222 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Pangilinan to retire as PLDT president

THE search is over for the next president and chief executive of PLDT Inc., as it found a “worthy” replacement for the posts held by Manuel Pangilinan for five years. “The annual shareholders meeting of PLDT is scheduled for next month. I will retire as president and CEO of PLDT and pass the baton over to Al [Panlilio],” Pangilinan, who has been sitting as president and chief executive of PLDT, said during the virtual firstquarter financial briefing. Panlilio was appointed as chief revenue officer in July 2019, replacing Ernesto Alberto and later on was named president and chief executive of Smart Communications Inc. Pangilinan will stay as chairman subject to the shareholders’ consent. PLDT, partly owned by Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd. of the Salim Group and Japan’s NTT group, reported a 2-percent drop in net income to P5.80 billion in the first quarter from P5.91 billion in the same period last year. Darwin G. Amojelar

Peso strengthens to 47.98 vs. dollar

THE peso breached the P47-per-dollar level on Thursday after hovering within the 48 level for more than two months. The local currency strengthened to a 75-day high against the greenback to close at 47.98 on Thursday from 48.025 Wednesday. It was its strongest level since closing at 47.93 on Feb. 15, 2021. Total volume reached $978 million. Fitch Solutions, a unit of Fitch Group, earlier said in a report that the country’s robust fundamentals would provide support to peso. “Firstly, we expect the current account to remain in surplus through 2021 and this to bolster the country’s foreign currency reserves and its ability to cover its external debt obligations,” it said. “Indeed, Philippines’ gross international reserves are larger than its gross external debts, highlighting the country’s net external creditor position,” it said. Julito G. Rada

ILOILO HOTEL. Property developer Megaworld Corp. breaks ground for Belmont Hotel Iloilo inside the company’s Iloilo Business Park township in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Located near Festive Walk Parade and just a walking distance from the Iloilo Convention Center, it will add 405 hotel rooms to Iloilo City. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are Rey Orio, estate manager of Iloilo Business Park (left); Daisy Villanueva, head of operations at Iloilo Business Park (second from left); Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vice president for sales and marketing at Megaworld Iloilo (center), and Rufino Pamaran Jr., project manager of Belmont Hotel Iloilo (second from right).

Meat processors urge gov’t to issue new EO on imported pork By Othel V. Campos MEAT processors asked the government to amend Executive Order 128 to facilitate the entry of cheaper, imported pork. Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. president Felix Tiukinhoy said his group appreciated the collaboration of the government and the private sector to revise the EO and put an end to the pork tariff issue. The group earlier expressed concern over the Senate’s critical views on the EO, which might further delay the importation and affect the prices of locally-produced canned and processed

meat products. The Department of Agriculture agreed Wednesday to a compromise with the Senate to revise the tariff rates in EO 128 to 10 percent for in-quota importation and 20 percent for out-quota in the first three months; and 15 percent for inquota and 25 percent for out-quota in the remaining nine months. Under EO 128 signed on April 7, tariffs on pork imports within the minimum access volume were reduced from 30 percent to 5 percent for the first three months upon the effectivity of the order and 10 percent for the next nine months. The DA and other related agencies,

and the Senate also agreed that the MAV be reduced from 404,000 metric tons to 254,210 MT. The DA said a compromise was necessary to protect consumers from the inflationary impact of high pork prices due to lack of supply. PAMPI said it was grateful to the Economic Development Cluster of the Cabinet and the leadership of the Senate for exercising statesmanship in resolving the issue. The DA will submit the new set of import tariffs to the National Economic and Development Authority board for a final recommendation to the Office of the President.

Monde Nissin prices IPO at P13.50 a share

FOOD manufacturer Monde Nissin Corp. set the final price of its planned initial public offering at P13.50 per share, which will enable it to raise up to P55.89 billion in fresh capital. The final price is 23 percent lower than the maximum offer price of P17.50 initially disclosed by the company. Despite the price adjustment, Monde Nissin’s maiden share offering will still be the country’s largest IPO. Monde Nissin is offering 3.6 billion in common shares, with an overallotment option for another 540 million shares. The offer period will be from May 24, 2021 to May 28, 2021. The shares will be listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange on June 7, 2021. Sources said Monde Nissin attracted several foreign cornerstone investors who expressed willingness to invest in the company at P13.50 each. Net proceeds from the sale of primary shares will be used for capital expenditures, redemption of convertible notes and repayment of loans. Jenniffer B. Austria

SC asked to resolve oil, gas exploration issues By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy and PNOC Exploration Corp. asked the Supreme Court to resolve the legal bottlenecks in the oil and gas exploration industry in order to secure future energy supply amid the continued decline of Malampaya natural gas reserves. Energy officials and PNOC-EC executives pushed for the immediate resolution of the legal challenges pertaining to upstream explorations to find the next gas field that can equal Service Contract 38, or the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan. “We have to re-emphasize that everything goes together: legal, executive and judicial. We are pushing for the expansion of exploration areas. We are making it more attractive to investors. At the end of the day, the judiciary will be the judge,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said in a vir-

tual forum organized by the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines. “There are challenges regarding the legal processes that we have. We are looking at a very good prospect. What is preventing us are legal aspects with our laws and regulations,” PNOC-EC president Rozzano Briguez said. The Malampaya consortium led by Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. has a pending case before the SC for the income taxes questioned by the Commission on Audit. Aside from Spex, other consortium members are PNOC EC with 10-percent stake and Udenna Corp. with 45 percent. The Malampaya project continues to provide fuel up to 20 percent of the country’s electricity. It has generated over $12 billion worth of revenues remitted directly to the Philippine government, making it one of the country’s most successful publicprivate-partnership.

HAND WASHING STATIONS. Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. funds the installation of 141 hand washing stations nationwide to promote proper hygiene and sanitation. They include 31 new stations installed in Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran City in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development’s SURGE Project and local government units. The locations include high-traffic areas such as public markets, parks and transport terminals.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021

New Zealand weightlifter 1st transgender Olympian

New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard competes during the women’s +90kg weightlifting final at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. It was reported on May 6, 2021 that New Zealand weightlifter was poised to become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo under new qualification rules. AFP

Talisay fights Mandaue in Game 1 of VisMin finals Games Today (Alcantara Civic Center, Cebu) 7 p.m. #1 MJAS-Talisay vs #2 KCS-Mandaue

ALCANTARA—After a weeklong break, MJAS Zenith-Talisay City returns to the Civic Center but with much higher stakes in play as it takes on KCS Computer SpecialistMandaue City in Game One of the Visayas Leg best-of-three finals in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Friday. Tip off is at 7 p.m. with Talisay City heading to the match on a 10-game winning streak, which includes a pair of victories against Mandaue City—a 7757 rout back on April 13 before a muchcloser 81-73 win on April 24. All their previous accomplishments, though, means nothing to Aquastars head coach Aldrin Morante, who said they must stay hungry if they are to come out on top of this impending battle. “We’re back to 0-0,” said Morante. “Forget about 10-0. This is the finals and we need to stay hungry and we need to stay sharp.” While Morante admits that practice pales in comparison to actual game action, he says their scrimmages have been fierce, which bodes well for their preparation. Come Game 1, the soft-spoken coach says he wants his players to pay close attention to KCS’ top guns—Gryann Mendoza and Ping Exciminiano. “We can’t be complacent on any of them and we have to limit their scoring since they’re the ones who give life to KCS,” Morante shared. “KCS is a heavyhitter and we all need to stay focused.” On the other hand, KCS, which is coming off a grueling 74-64 semifinal win over the ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu on Thursday, has no time to rest as they seek become more efficient on both ends of the floor. Limiting Talisay’s court general Paulo Hubalde is also high on their list, says head coach Mike Reyes. Hubalde has been the maestro for Talisay’s offense. In both of their wins against KCS, the heady guard averaged eight assists per outing. KCS assistant coach Jabby Bautista says they have a tall task ahead of them but he’s confident their team can give Talisay a run for their money if they play with both passion and intensity. “Talisay is more stronger faster and bigger,” Bautista quipped. “But if we just play our game, play like there is no tomorrow, play like how we played against ARQ last night (Wednesday), I think we can do it.”

Alora, 3 other jins eye Olympic seats By Peter Atencio

LL four national taekwondo team members training under a bubble in Calamba, Laguna since January are in the ﬁnal stages of their preparations, fuelled by the goal of making it to the Tokyo Olympic Games. Led by Rio Olympics’ veteran Kirstie Elaine Alora, the Filipino jins will soon leave the bubble to see action in the 2021 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held from May 21 to 22 in Amman, Jordan. Alora will be with teammates Pauline Lopez, Kurt Barbosa and Arven Alcantara when they join the tournament serving as the Asian qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics. “For sure, ‘pag ginawa nila ang best nila sa qualification, which is just one more step to qualify for Tokyo, then, magbubunga iyung sacrifices nila,” said national coach Caloy Padilla on Facebook Live as part of the People Sport Conversations’ program of the Philippine Sports Commission. The 31-year-old Alora will be seeking her second straight stint in

their preparations. “They are in their final stretches before the OQT,” said Simpao.

the Olympics and is entered in the women’s +67 kgs category. She is currently situated at no. 73 in the Olympic rankings with 29.43 points. The four jins have been training with their sparring partners ever since entering a bubble camp in Calamba, Laguna in January. During the 2019 SEA Games, Alora settled for a silver in the heavier +73 kgs. class, while Lopez claimed the gold in the -57 kgs. A two-time gold medallist in the SEA Games, Lopez is at no. 51 on the Olympic rankings with 8.45 points. Meanwhile, Alcantara is no. 69 in the rankings of the men’s +68 kgs. class, while Barbosa holds the no. 154 rank in men’s -58 kgs. category. National training director Dindo Simpao said the national team is currently in the proper timeline of Kirstie Alora

WELLINGTON—New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is poised to become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, in a move that will reignite the often vitriolic debate over the ethics of trans sport. The 43-year-old, who was born male but transitioned to female in her 30s, is on the verge of reaching the Tokyo Olympics under coronavirus-enforced new qualifying rules. Hubbard, who also competed as a male, became eligible to lift as a woman after showing testosterone levels below the threshold required by the International Olympic Committee. She is aiming to make New Zealand’s Tokyo Olympics squad to contest the women’s +87kg category, an event in which she is currently ranked 16th in the world. Hubbard is already in the history books after becoming the first transgender Commonwealth Games athlete at the Gold Coast in 2018, when she had to withdraw after suffering an elbow injury that almost ended her career. While the New Zealand team is yet to be named, officials said Hubbard was likely to meet new qualification criteria that have been simplified by the International Weightlifting Federation because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The NZOC can confirm that revised international federation (IF) qualification systems are very likely to see a number of New Zealand weightlifters, including Commonwealth Games transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard, allocated an IF quota spot for Tokyo 2020,” the New Zealand Olympic Committee said. The NZOC has strongly backed Hubbard’s right to compete in the past, and said all athletes selected for Tokyo would receive its support. “The New Zealand team has a strong culture of manaaki (caring), inclusion and respect for all,” it said. ‘I am who I am’ Not all in the sporting world have been so welcoming and Hubbard’s appearance at the Games is sure to generate intense interest and spotlight the thorny issue of transgender athletes. She has become an unwitting lightning rod for discussion on the issue, with some arguing she has an unfair advantage over female-born athletes and others saying she meets the criteria laid down by the IOC. In a vastly complex debate, both sides claim to have science on their side. Current IOC rules state a trans woman can compete provided her testosterone levels are below 10 nanomoles per litre, a criteria Hubbard meets. AFP

Bhullar: I’ve been ready for Vera for a long time WHEN Indian wrestling champion and rising heavyweight star Arjan “Singh” Bhullar came to ONE Championship in 2019, he had one goal on his mind, and that was to earn the right to challenge reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera for the belt. After spending the past year building up to this world title opportunity and trying to make it a reality, Bhullar gets his chance the next time he steps into the Circle. Bhullar finally meets Vera in the headline bout at ONE: DANGAL, a tape delayed event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore that airs on Saturday, 15 May. Bhullar is excited to get his shot at ONE Championship gold, and appreciates the “I was frustrated as this was the third time that we’ve signed the contract to fight him. So I was frustrated but you know, the whole world has to adjust because of the pandemic. And we’re no different,” Bhullar said. “Many people are losing their lives and livelihood because of this. So, the fact that I can do it now, I’m happy about that. And it is much less a disruption compared to what other people are facing in their lives. I’m happy I’m here, and timing is everything.”

Arjan “Singh” Bhullar (left) in action

Bhullar says he is more than ready to take on his toughest test yet, given how his training has progressed over the past few months. “Honestly, this camp has been amazing, and the growth I’ve made

over the last year has been amazing growths I wouldn’t have had a year ago, internally, strategically, and I think that is going to make a big difference in this fight,” Bhullar added. Against Vera, Bhullar faces one of the

most dominant world champions in the promotion. After building his career initially in North America, Vera left the UFC in 2013, and joined ONE Championship the following year. He captured the inaugural ONE Heavyweight World Title in December 2015, and has since made multiple successful world title defenses. Known as a fearsome striker, Vera is a nightmare matchup for anybody in the division, including Bhullar. But the Punjab native believes he’s coming into this fight with the right strategy, one that will bring him the victory. “I think my boxing is way better than his and that’s a huge hole that I’m looking to exploit. It falls right in line with my grappling range. So, he’s going to want a slower pace, at range moving type of fight and we are going to want to be up in his face, pressing him all night and punching him and taking him down,” Bhullar said. “But above all that, his kickboxing stands out more than anything. So we really focused on this. And his kickboxing and his kicks, his range, how he likes to operate from space, so, we will plan for that and to take all those things away as well as other tools.”

Plenty of time for Sotto, Gilas to build chemistry

Kai Sotto

KAI Sotto is expected to spend more time with the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team this month. This will give the 7’3” Sotto and members of Team Pilipinas an extended period to be together to develop chemistry as a squad. Gilas has gone back to practice and is getting ready for the last window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in mid-June and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia from June 29 to July 4. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio said he expects the 18-year-old

Sotto to be in the country a full month before the FIBA Asia Qualifiers, so that he will be able to have enough time for a quarantine period and more scrimmages with Gilas. “Hopefully, a month at least while we address quarantine and floor time with coach Tab (Baldwin),” said Panlilio. Sotto, who is the second youngest player the Adelaide 36ers signed up and is being groomed for next year’s NBA rookie draft, will be playing against players much older than him in his coming tournaments, according to Panlilio.

“As much time as he can join and it will be for a long stretch starting in June,” added Panlilio on the number of hours that Sotto needs to be with Gilas. Adelaide coaches echoed Panlilio’s sentiments, noting that Sotto’s exposures in the NBA G-League and during his collegiate days in the Philippines, were mostly against players within his age bracket. Exposing Sotto to matured and veteran players in the Australian National Basketball League will most likely help him level up on his development. Peter Atencio

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT (EPSA) BETWEEN ISABELA I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO I) AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT. CORP. (SPDC), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

12.

‘’Y and Series”

Proof of Service to the Sanggunian Pambayan of Alicia and the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Isabela, of the copies ofthe Joint Application including its annexes.

xxx

“Z and Series”

Affidavit of Publication and complete issue of the newspaper where the Joint Application was published

Rate Impact on ISELCO I’s Overall Generation Rate

“AA”

Proof of Service to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Pasig City, of the copies of the Joint Application including annexes.

“BB”

Board Resolution No. 011S.-2020 dated 3 February 2020, duly signed by Dir. Eduardo S. Bayani, Board Secretary of ISELCO I and attested by Dir. Brendon R. Lazaro, Board President, on authorizing the filing of an EPSA between ISELCO I and SPDC before the Honorable Commission.

“CC”

Secretary’s Certificate on the: a) authorized personnel of SPDC to sign and deliver contracts, agreements, instruments and/ or securities; and,

The indicative rate impact on ISELCO I’s overall generation rate with and without the supply from SPDC is as follows: SPDC PSA RATE IMPACT CALCULATION (DECEMBER 2019)

ERC CASE NO. 2021-025 RC ISABELA I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO I) AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT. CORP. (SPDC), Applicants. x------------------------------------------------------x

b) authority of the authorized representatives of SPDC to appoint and designate representative to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, settle and/or collect in behalf of the company. 17.

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING

Furthermore, the Joint Application is consistent and in accordance with the first (Is’) and fifth (5’h) “Whereas clauses” of the DOE Circular No. 2003-12-11 which are quoted hereunder: “WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPlRA, declared as a policy of the State, among others, [to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;” (first “whereas clause”, Department of Energy Circular No. 2003-12-11. Underscoring supplied.)

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Notice is hereby given that on 13 April 2021, Isabela I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISELCO I) and Strategic Power Devt. Corp. (SPDC) filed a Joint Application dated 15 February 2021, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), with prayer for provisional authority and confidential treatment of information. The pertinent portions of the said Joint Application are hereunder quoted as follows:

“WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 23 of EPlRA, all distribution utilities, as defined in the law, SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY IN THE LEAST COST MANNER TO ITS CAPTIVE MARKET subject to the collection of retail rate duly approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission;” (fifth “whereas clause”, ibid. Underscoring supplied.)

The Joint Applicants 1.

ISELCO I is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative duly organized and existing under the Philippine Laws, with principal office at Victoria, Alicia, Isabela. It holds a franchise to operate light and power services in the cities of Cauayan and Santiago, and in the municipalities of Alicia, Angadanan, Cabatuan, Cordon, Echague, Jones, Luna, Ramon, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, San Guillermo, San Isidro, and San Mateo, all in the Province of Isabela (Franchise Area). It shall also be herein referred to as the “BUYER”;

SPDC is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with its office address at 2/F, 808 Bldg, Meralco Ave. cor. Gen. Lim St., San Antonio Village, Pasig City. It shall also be herein referred to as the “SELLER”;

SPDC is the Independent Power Producer Administrator (“IPPA”) of the 345 MW San Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant in Barangay San Roque, San Miguel, Pangasinan (the “Plant”) by virtue of an IPP Administration Agreement it executed with the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (“PSALM”);

The Joint Applicants may be served with the orders, notices and other processes of the Honorable Commission through their respective undersigned counsels at the addresses indicated herein;

18.

“All distribution utilities must henceforth take cognizance and assume full responsibility to forecast, assure and contract for the supply of electric power in the respective franchise areas to meet their obligations as a distribution utility.” (Underscoring supplied.) 19.

By way of emphasis, Resolution No. 21, Series of 2005 of the Honorable Commission dated 19 October 2005 had directed all Distribution Utilities (DUs) “to enter into future bilateral power supply contract with power producers to be subjected to a review by the Commission.” (Underscoring supplied.)

20.

The EPSA with SPDC was made to ensure the continuous supply of power to ISELCO I and due to the former’s competitive pricing structure and other favorable terms of its contract, which will redound to the benefit of the latter and its end-consumers in terms of reliable and affordable power supply.

Nature of the Application 5.

The Joint Application is, likewise, consistent with Section 1 of the same Department Circular which declares as State policy, that:

Allegations in Support of the Motion for Issuance of a Provisional Authority

The Joint Application for approval of the Emergency Power Supply Agreement (“EPSA”) dated 07 February, 2020 entered into by and between ISELCO I and SPDC, is being submitted to the Honorable Commission for its review and approval pursuant to Sections 25 and 45(b) of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001” (EPIRA), Rules 5, Section 4(e) and 11, Section 5 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), Rule 20(B) of its Rules of Practice and Procedure, and other pertinent rules and regulations; Pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2015, entitled ‘“A Resolution Directing All Distribution Utilities (DUs) to Conduct a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) in the Procurement of their Supply to the Captive Market” adopted on 20 October 2015, all DUs are mandated to undertake a transparent and competitive selection process before contracting for the supply of electricity in their franchise areas;

21.

Applicants replead the foregoing allegations insofar as they are relevant to the instant Motion for Issuance of Provisional Authority.

22.

Section 1 Rule 14 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that the Commission may grant either a provisional authority or an interim relief upon motion included in the application or petition and in the caption of the pleading clearly indicating that such relief is requested.

23.

Pursuant to the aforesaid DOE CSP Circular, on 29 January 2020, ISELCO I and SPDC executed the EPSA, which is the subject of the Joint Application.

24.

The parties implemented the foregoing EPSA on 7 February 2020 in view of its emergency nature.

Incidentally, under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Department Circular No. DC2018-02-0003 (Adopting and Prescribing the Policy for the Competitive Selection Process in the Procurement by the Distribution Utilities of Power Supply Agreement for the Captive Market”) adopted on 01 February 2018 (“DOE CSP Circular”), all PSAs shall be procured through CSP, except in some instances which warrant the issuance by the DOE of a Certificate of Exemption on the conduct of CSP;

25.

The immediate supply from SPDC was intended to prevent power shortage/rotating brownouts in ISELCO 1’s franchise area and possible exposure of its member-consumers to the volatile prices of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (“WESM”) or to the higher prices of its current supplier / s or other generators. This emergency power supply from SPDC redounds to the benefit of ISELCO 1’s member-consumers in terms of ensuring a stable, secure, continuous and reliable supply of electricity at a reasonable price.

One of the aforesaid instances is the Negotiated Procurement of Emergency Power Supply, where the cooperation period of the PSA shall not exceed one (1) year, the rate shall not be higher than the latest ERC approved generation tariff for the same or similar technology in the area. The grant of a Certificate of Exemption authorizes the DU to immediately implement the PSA, without prejudice to the evaluation and final decision of the ERC;

26.

Attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “DD” is the Judicial Affidavit in support of the Application for Provisional Authority.

Statement of Facts 9.

10.

11.

Note: The above rate impact computation shows that the proposed PS.9 Kwh offer from the NEW SPDC Contract will not increase nor decrease the exiting Average Generation Rate. 13.

Pursuant to the aforesaid DOE CSP Circular, on 29 January 2020, ISELCO I and SPDC executed an EPSA, a copy of which is attached as Annex “P” and made an integral part hereof, which is the subject ofthe Joint Application; The immediate supply from SPDC was intended to prevent power shortage/rotating brownouts in ISELCO 1’s franchise area and possible exposure of its member-consumers to the volatile prices of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (“WESM”) or to the higher prices of its current supplier/s or other generators. This emergency power supply from SPDC redounds to the benefit of ISELCO 1’s member-consumers in terms of ensuring a stable, secure, continuous and reliable supply of electricity at a reasonable price; The salient features of the EPSA are as follows: xxx 13.1 Maximum Allowable Capacity (MAC). The SELLER shall make available to the BUYER the MAC of 19,000 kW energy requirement at any given trading interval for the duration of the EPSA. The BUYER shall furnish the SELLER with its monthly, weekly and binding day-ahead nominations of capacity in accordance with the Bilateral Contract Quantity (BCQ) Nomination Protocol. The SELLER guarantees supply to the BUYER, with no Replacement Power Charges, throughout the duration of the EPSA even during outages (scheduled and forced outages), except during Force Majeure events.

14.

15.

Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The National Environment Protection Council under the Ministry of Human Settlements has issued an ECC dated 26 November 1985 in favor of the National Power Corporation1;

Copies of the following documents and/or information are attached to the Joint Application as annexes and made integral parts hereof:

Annex “A”

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of ISELCO 1.

“B”

Board of Directors of ISELCO 1.

“C”

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of SPDC.

“D”

Certification Stating the Applicability or Non-applicability of a Shareholder’s Agreement of SPDC.

“E”

Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

13.3

Power Source. 345 MW San Roque Multipurpose Hydroelectric Power Plant or from other sources including the WESM.

“F”

Latest General Information Sheet (“GIS”) of SPDC.

“G”

13.4

Contract Charges.

Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power Holdings, Inc. (“SMCGPH”), its subsidiaries, including SPDC.

“H”

Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power Holdings, Inc. (“SMCGPH”), its subsidiaries, including SPDC.

“I”

ECC issued by the DENR to the 345 MW San Roque Multipurpose Hydroelectric Power Plant.

“J”

COC issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (“ERC”) to San Roque Power Corporation (“SRPC”).

“K”

Certification on the Non-Applicability of a Renewable Energy Service/Operating Contract and Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Commerciality by an RE Developer from the Department of Energy (“DOE”).

13.4.2

13.4.3

13.5

Fixed Energy Rate (FER). The SELLER shall bill the BUYER’s energy consumption at a FER of PhP5.90/ kWh, not subject to any adjustment due to fuel, forex and inflationary indices. Taxes. All applicable existing taxes, including Value Added Tax (“VAT”), Incremental Excise Tax and other taxes under Republic Act No. 10963 otherwise known as Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN Law, as well as all other future taxes (except Corporate Income Tax and Local Business Tax), that may be imposed by the Government and which may be legally passed on by the SELLER to the BUYER in connection with the SELLER’s performance of its obligation under the EPSA, including any increase or adjustment thereon, shall be for the account of the BUYER. Other Associated Charges. WESM Charges including line rental and imbalances, transmission line loss, site specific loss adjustment, any interconnection charges, among others, shall be for the BUYER’s account.

Discounts. When warranted, the SELLER shall provide both Prompt Payment Discount (“PPD”) and Collection Efficiency Discount (“CED”), as follows: a)

PPD. The Buyer may avail of a PPD equivalent to one percent (1%) of the total ofthe generation charges, excluding Other Associated Charges and net of Collection Efficiency Discount (“CED”), if any, provided the same is paid in full on or before the 10th day of the calendar month following the current Billing Period; provided The BUYER shall not automatically deduct the PPD from the payments for its current power bill. Discount for the current power bill will be made available to the BUYER in the succeeding power bill.

CED. The BUYER shall be entitled to the following CED provided that the BUYER has no outstanding obligation arising from previous power bills, including VAT, if any, and the BUYER shall submit to the SELLER a copy of its Monthly Financial and Statistical Report (“MFSR”) submitted to the National Electrification Administration (“NEA”):

SPDC prays for the confidential treatment of the information contained in the following annexes, and not disclosed except to the officers and staff ofthe Honorable Commission: Annex

“K-1”

“L”

Demand Side Management (“DSM”) of ISELCO 1. Explanation on the Non-applicability of the National Power Corporation (“NPC”) Certification in relation to the Transition Supply Contract (“TSC”) by ISELCO 1.

“N and Series”

Historical and Forecasted Supply and Demand Scenario, and Daily Load Curve of ISELCO I.

“O and Series”

Documents for Exemption from Competitive Selection Process (“CSP”).

“P”

EPSA dated 29 January 2020 entered into by and between ISELCO I and SPDC

“Q”

Transmission/Grid Connection Projects of SPDC. Transmission Service Agreement between NGCP and SPDC.

“R”

Executive Summary of the ISELCO I and SPDC EPSA.

“S”

Cost-based Calculation of SPDC’s True Cost Generation Rate (“TCGR”) including all cost analysis related to the pricing provisions in the contract such as operating expenses (Confidential).

“S-1” “T” “U”

Rate Impact Analysis of ISELCO I. Explanation on the Non -applicability of Fuel Procurement Process of SPDC.

Collection Efficiency Levels

Discount, PhP/kWh

96.00% and above

0.20

“W”

86.00% - 95.99%

0.15

76.00% - 85.99%

0.10

Relevant technical and economic characteristics of the generation capacity, installed capacity, mode of operation, dependable capacity, scheduled outage allowance, major maintenance outage, and forced outage allowance of SPDC.

66.00% - 75.99%

0.05

“X”

Latest Audited Financial Statements (“AFS”), Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows of SPDC.

65.99% and below

None

“X-1”

Certification on the Non-applicability of the Net Heat Rate in liters per kWh from the engine manufacturer of SPDC.

“X-2”

Explanation on the non-applicability of Potential Cost of Ancillary Services.

“X-3”

Explanation of the non-applicability of the Minimum Energy Off-Take (“MEOT”) provision on the SPDC EPSA.

“S”

Cost-based calculation of SPDC’s TCGR including all cost analysis related to the pricing provisions in the contract such as the operating expenses. (Confidential)

“T”

Schedule “I” of the IPPA Agreement between PSALM and SPDC. (Confidential)

“A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that: (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous use in the operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights. The inventor, discoverer, or possessor of a trade secret or similar innovation has rights therein which may be treated as property, and ordinarily an injunction will be granted to prevent the disclosure of the trade secret by one who obtained the information “in confidence” or through a “confidential relationship”. American jurisprudence has utilized the following factors to determine if an information is a trade secret, to wit: (1)

the extent to which the information is known outside ofthe employer’s business;

(2)

the extent to which the information is known by employees and others involved in the business;

(3)

the extent of measures taken by the employer to guard the secrecy of the information;

(4)

the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

(5)

the amount of effort or money expended by the company in developing the information; and

(6)

the extent to which the information could be easily or readily obtained through an independent source. (citations omitted, emphasis supplied).

30.

The interest of the consuming public is sufficiently protected by the review and evaluation of the rates under the EPSA by the Honorable Commission, without the need to disclose the contents of Annex “S”. The reasonableness and transparency of the prices of electricity is to be assured by the Honorable Commission through its own review and verification of SPDC’s operating costs and expenses;

31.

More importantly, competitors of SPDC, should they obtain the information in Annexes “s” and “T”, will gain undue advantage thereon and have the opportunity to use the same in their operations. The negotiating power of SPDC with parties it plans to contract with or who it is currently doing business with, will clearly be thwarted if it is compelled to disclose such information.

32.

Accordingly, ISELCO I and SPDC submit one (1) copy of Annexes “S” and “T”, in a sealed envelope, with the said envelope and each page of the documents and/or information stamped with the word “Confidential”.

33.

Lastly and corollary to the foregoing, SPDC would like to implore the discerning wisdom of the Honorable Commission to include in its issuance for this purpose the “procedures for the handling or returning the confidential information, as appropriate, upon the close of the proceedings or at the end of the period for which the information is to be treated as confidentiaI3 “.

34.

This is guided by the fact that SPDC will seek for the return of these sought to be declared confidential annexes after its utilization as evidence in this case and/or at the close of the proceedings hereof, so as to relieve the Honorable Commission of the burden of safekeeping the trade secrets of SPDC enclosed in the subject annexes.

The Strategic Power Dev’t Corp. as an IPPA Project. Schedule “I” of the IPPA Agreement between PSALM and SPDC (Confidential).

Documents and/or Information

Annexes “S” and “T” contain the details of the power rate calculations and financial model of SPDC as well as the manner by which these were derived. These information are proprietary in nature and should be protected as trade secrets as contemplated by law and jurisprudence. In the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell, Inc. 2 , the Supreme Court defined a trade secret, as follows:

Certification Stating the Consistency/Inconsistency of the San Roque Multipurpose Hydroelectric Power Plant with the DOE’s Philippine Development Plan (“PDP”) or Certificate of Endorsement (“CoE”).

“M”

“Q-1”

29.

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued by SEC.

“V”

The formula to be used for the computation of the current Billing Period’s Collection Efficiency Level is as follows:

28.

Documents/Information

“E-1”

13.4.1

Rule 4 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that ISELCO I and SPDC may request that information may not be disclosed.

Certificate of Compliance (COC). On 6 August 2019, the Honorable Commission issued a COC with COC No. 19-08-Mooo01L to San Roque Power Corporation for its 382.5 MW San Roque Multipurpose Hydroelectric Power Plant, for a term of five (5) years or until 16 August, 2024;

Contract Term. The supply of power under the EPSA shall commence on 26 February 2020 until 25 February 2021, or for a period of twelve (12) Billing Periods.

13.2

27.

Board ofInvestments (BOI) Certificate. On 26 January 2011, the Power Plant Project was registered with the BOI which issued Certificate of Registration No. 2011-025;

Compliance with the Pre-filing Requirements 16.

Allegations in Support of the Confidential Treatment of Annexes “S” and “T”

Prayer WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, the Joint Applicants Isabela I Electric Cooperative, Incorporated (“ISELCO I”) and Strategic Power Dev’t Corp. (“SPDC”) most respectfully pray that after due notice and hearing, the Honorable Commission: 1.

Before and during the pendency of the pendency of the proceedings/ scheduled hearing(s) and the final resolution/approval of this case, that an Order be issued for the GRANT of: a)

a ProvisionalAuthority or Interim Relief allowing the Joint Applicants to immediately implement the EPSA subject of this case in its entirety;

an Order affording Annexes “S” and “T” confidential treatment in the handling and evaluation thereof from the time these annexes are received by the Honorable Commission up to the termination of the instant case, and,

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment S

INGER and stage VERY actor Markki WANG Stroem is among NICKIE the brand ambassadors WANG of Evry, a communitybased clothing line that allocates a portion of its profit for scholarship of its sewers’ children for college. That’s on top of the livelihood programs that it has already rolled out.

Evry also makes sure it leaves no one behind as the brand guns for inclusivity. From its roster of ambassadors to its group of sewers, everyone involved in the brand is given importance. Apart from Markki, most visible in the frontlines are other brand ambassadors Patricia Reyes, Josh Holganza, Ajay Olaita, Gab Gajita, Janica Reloxe, Johannes Rissler, and Dan Delgado. “We set out to create a shirt that’s actually worthy of being worn daily with the comfort, style, and durability that you can expect out of an everyday shirt,” said Wesley Que, co-owner of clothing line Evry, during its digital launch last week. Born out of the owners’ search for a shirt that fits them to a tee, Evry fulfills the need for ease and comfort when dressing up for work or leisure. The brand inspired by highly esteemed business icons, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, supports the simplified way of deciding what to wear everyday and pushes for increased productivity. Celebrities like Ariel Rivera, Hero Angeles, Migs Bustos, and Jed Madela have also expressed their support. As Que said, “Only a shirt crafted with this level of skill, precision, and hard work deserves to be worn every day.”

What suits Markki Stroem to a tee

Singer and stage actor Markki Stroem launches his own fashion brand, a community-based clothing line that allocates a portion of its profit for scholarship of its sewers’ children for college.

Markki Stroem with business partner Wesley Que (right) CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK c)

an Issuance concerning the procedures for handling the confidential information upon the close ofthe proceedings and its return/delivery to SPDC.

After due notice and hearing. ISSUE a Decision approving the instant Joint Application in toto which will thereby allow/authorize ISELCO I to charge and collect the fees from its customers reckoned from the commencement of the supply to the later by SPDC. Other reliefs just and equitable under the circumstances are likewise, prayed for.

The Commission has set the instant Joint Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution No. 09, Series of 2020,4 dated 24 September 2020: Date 04 June 2021 (Friday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) 11 June 2021 (Friday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Platform

Activity

Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) Application

Determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements and Expository Presentation Pre-trial Conference and Presentation of Evidence

Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled initial 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. 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 ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address;

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

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 and records@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 ERC Revised 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;

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

The grounds relied upon.

Any of the persons mentioned in the preceding paragraphs may access the copy of the Joint Application on the Commission’s official website at www.erc.gov.ph. Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled virtual hearings by providing the Commission, thru legal.virtualhearings@erc.ph, with their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Joint Application. The Commission will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearings.

He is leading us to fact that the sewers behind every piece of clothing put their hearts into the art. The brand works with a community-based company that helps provide work for sewers, displaced from their previous jobs because of the pandemic. Every time a shirt is purchased, a portion of the payment goes to the scholarship fund of the sewers’ children. “Our custom-made FLO fabric is designed to move with you. It flows and stretches while still being durable and anti-wrinkle,” Que said. The proud owner went on to establish the kind of quality these shirts have and the wide range of size options being given to their consumers. Que added, “Made with some of the best pima cotton in the world, our fabric is stretchier and wrinkles much less than the other material because of how FLO fabric stretches and flows. Extra care has been taken in each step of the sewing process.” This kind of feature allows the shirt to match different body types. Evry shirts let you do what you are meant to do in life. One gets to wear his goal-getting partner on a daily basis. “Like what we always say, it is meant for everyday, for #EvryJuan,” Que ended. Check out Evry in its online platforms Instagram (@evry.today), Facebook (Evry Day Wear), and website http://www.evry.today.

THE multi-awarded advocacy show of ABS-CBN Foundation, G Diaries, comes back to the screen with fresh new episodes beginning on Sunday, 9:10 a.m. on Kapamilya Channel. Newly-wed Ernie and Michelle Lopez will tell stories of hope and transformation of individuals and communities from all over the Philippines for the 8th season of G Diaries – Change the World Together. From its first airing on Dec. 8, 2017, G Diaries has featured over a hundred advocacyrelated episodes on sustainable ecotourism, community development, and environment protection from as far as Tublay, Benguet in the north to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi in the south. Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and environmentalist Gina Lopez produced G Diaries as her platform to bring together the government and business sectors, NGOs, the academe, and the youth to support advocacies that help uplift the lives of Filipinos.

Her younger brother, Ernie Lopez, took on hosting duties after Gina passed on last August 2019. At the height of the lockdown, Michelle Lopez (then Michelle Arville), with the help of Ernie’s son, Nathan Lopez, had been helping Ernie shoot multiple episodes of G Diaries from home. The two had teamed up as Ernie’s camera operators. Confident with her immersion and familiarity with the program, the G Diaries production invited Michelle Lopez in October 2020 to co-host the show’s 8th season. With Ernie and Michelle on board, G Diaries will feature advocacy-oriented stories on the environment, children’s rights and development, arts and culture, humanitarian assistance, health and wellness, livelihood, and education, in partnership with the Lopez Group of Companies and with the support of the Energy Development Corporation. G Diaries also airs its replays on ANC, and the Metro Channel, and on digital on iWantTFC, ABSCBN Entertainment YouTube, and the G Diaries Facebook.

Gina Lopez

‘G Diaries’ host Ernie and Michelle Lopez

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

2 3 4

IPP counterparty in the IPPA. G.R. No. 172835, December 13, 2007. Letter Cd), Section 4 of the ERe Rules and Practice and Procedure. A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines Governing Electronic Applications, Filings and Virtual Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission. (MS-MAY 7 & 14, 2021)

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021

The Blitzers are distilling their three years of training into three minutes of music and dancing that will determine whether they are a hit, or just another nowhere band.

Inside the cut-throat battle to build K-pop's next superstars THIRTY teenagers, thousands of hours of training, dozens of shattered dreams: it all comes to a head next week when the Blitzers will be launched into the cut-throat K-pop market, hoping to become the next BTS. An all-male septet—like the musical phenomenon that topped the US Billboard charts last year —their three years of training are being distilled into three minutes of music and dancing that will determine whether they are a hit, or just another nowhere band. The routine, always intense, is punishing in the weeks running up to their debut: gym sessions, singing lessons, promotional shoots, and around 10 hours of dance practice into the early morning. The program leaves them less than five hours sleep a night in bunk beds in their shared Seoul house -- the empty berths tombs for the hopes of those expelled after failing to make the cut. In a dedicated, mirror-lined rehearsal studio, the seven survivors stood poised for the

opening bars of their first single, "Breathe Again," outnumbered by managers, trainers, and choreographers. The moment it came over the speakers they launched into highenergy lockstep moves, spinning each other around with military precision. "Though I want to hold your hands I can't come near you/ Because I'm stuck unable to move," sang 17-year-old lead singer Cho Woo-ju as he jumped off a human staircase formed by his bandmates. As the song reached its climax they came together in a lineup, simultaneously throwing trademark K-pop poses. But the response was underwhelming. "It was just a warm-up for you guys, right?" said a dance instructor. "Let's do it for real now." "Yes!" the boys responded with a unanimous shout. "We practice our dance moves until we synchronize them perfectly," said backup singer Jang Jun-ho. AFP, read full story on manilastandard.net

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Assistant Vice President for GMA Drama

Darling De Jesus-Bodegon, First Vice President for Business Development Department III, GMA Entertainment Group

Ernie Lopez aims to change the Leading network world; continues his sister’s legacy announces

WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 22nd day of April 2021 in Pasig City.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

promotion of executives

GMA Network recently promoted executives from various departments. In the Entertainment Group, Redgie A. Magno was appointed First Vice President for Business Development Department I (Drama Productions). Under Magno’s leadership, GMA Drama has consistently produced memorable, high-rating, and groundbreaking content for the growing audience across media platforms. Further, GMA Drama continues to elevate competitiveness in the genre and open more opportunities in support of the Network’s expansion efforts. Still under GMA Drama, Cheryl Ching-Sy was likewise promoted to Senior Assistant Vice President. Ching-Sy plays a vital role in creating strong foundations for the Drama Department’s operational success, and in providing key management support to drive content production and development to the highest standard. Both loyal Kapuso for over two decades now, Magno and Ching-Sy work closely together to spearhead GMA Entertainment Group’s Drama Department. Some of their notable and toprating projects include Encantadia, Sahaya, Someone to Watch Over Me, My Husband’s Lover, Ika6 Na Utos, My Special Tatay, Prima Donnas, the awardwinning Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun, as well as First Yaya, and I Can See You. Meanwhile, Darling De JesusBodegon was named First Vice President for Business Development

Redgie A. Magno, First Vice President for GMA Drama

Department III (Talk/Magazine/ Musical Variety/Specials and Alternative Productions). De JesusBodegon has been at the forefront of some of the country’s hit musical and talent searches. Under her helm, the Department was able to rise up to the challenge of innovating formats to adapt to the challenges brought about by the pandemic. Her team continued to produce fresh episodes for the network’s flagship musical-variety program All-Out Sundays, as well as successfully mounting the third season of The Clash. In addition, Centerstage— an original singing competition for kids—utilized the country’s first virtual set. Another breakthrough for the department was producing the country’s first-ever virtual reality concert, Alden’s Reality, in partnership with GMA Synergy. Earlier last month, three promotions were also announced in the News and Public Affairs Group. Arlene Carnay was named Vice President for GMA Public Affairs and Jaileen Jimeno as Senior Assistant Vice President. GMA News Online Editor-in-Chief Jaemark Tordecilla, in turn, now serves as Senior Assistant Vice President for News and Public Affairs Digital Media. Similarly, Victoria T. Arradaza was appointed First Vice President and Head of Supply and Asset Management Department.

Life

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

TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021

’M SURE a lot of you, dear readers, have been aching to finally break free from the bondage of quarantine restrictions and get back to a semblance of normal life which we all miss so much! I know for a fact that, in preparation for the reopening of our tourism industry, local travel agents and tour operators have been doubling up their efforts in discovering new outdoor and nature attractions to offer to domestic tourists. Since this market will be the easiest to tap and develop because international borders remain closed to outgoing and incoming traffic, all eyes are now on new local destinations which will tickle the travel appetite of our countrymen. So, when my friends from the Department of Tourism (DOT) offered this beach haven in Mindanao as the newest dive spot in the country, I decided to help them whet the appetite of “longstranded” fun-seekers like me, especially those who are disciples of Neptune. In the town of Glan, Sarangani, there is this mile-long Gumasa Beach, with numerous white sand coves, which has been popular among lovers of sun-seaand-sand destinations. A concentration

Mindanao’s new dive spot UNDERWATER PARADISE. Divers in Sumbang Point, located near Belimac Beach Resort, are treated to a magnificent scene of marine life and lush vegetation. of restaurants and cozy tropical-themed also recognized as a Key Marine Bio- and about 100 distinct marine species, resorts have sprouted there through the diversity Area by the Department of including hawksbill turtles, giant clams, years because guests keep coming back Environment and Natural Resources marble shrimps, and rare nudibranchs. (DENR). Second is the Binuni Reef, which for the area’s crystal clear water. has a maximum depth of It is also where the Sar12 meters, and has a vertiBay (Sarangani Bay) Festically zoned intertidal area val takes place every year, YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE with patchy seagrass. The pre-pandemic, drawing subtidal area is characterhundreds of beach lovers WISE OBSERVATION: You know you are getting old when ized by colonies of hard because it integrates envithe candles on it cost more than the birthday cake. ronmental education, physcorals of massive, breachical wellness, and family ing, and encrusting life recreation. forms. It also has 12 hard Now, the local government launched Of interest to the dive industry, as coral and four soft coral genera, and 62 Sarangani Bay’s Dive Tourism Pro- validated by dive professionals, are two distinct fish species. It is interesting to note that the bay, gram, coinciding with the 25th anniver- of the town’s underwater attractions: sary of its declaration by then President First is the Sumbang Point, located near which covers 215,950 hectares, is home Ramos as a Protected Seascape because Belimac Beach Resort, habitat to 16 to yellowfin tuna, sperm whales, pilot of its impressive marine habitat. It is genera of hard corals, five soft corals, whales, dolphins, clown fish, lion fish,

The white, powdery sand of the mile-long Gumasa Beach beckons sun-sea-and-sand fun-lovers.

Bikers plant mangroves at Sarangani Bay to mark the 25th proclamation anniversary of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.

Sarangani Bay is a Key Marine Biodiversity Area, with its 2,293-hectare coral resources, 60 live hard coral genera, 411 reef species, and 11 seagrass species.

sergeant fish, and sea turtles. Its coral resources cover more than 2,293 hectares spread in 20 coral reef areas with about 60 important live hard coral genera and 411 reef species. Whale sharks, Cheilinus undulatus (mameng), and sea cows (dugong) are also occasionally sighted, particularly on the western side of the bay. Mayor Vivien Yap proudly declares her municipality as the most beautiful in the Soccsksargen Region, and considers this the perfect time for the rest of the country to discover what they have to offer. Her town’s Dive Tourism Program is supported by DENR, the Provincial Government, and DOT which has declared the area as Soccsksargen’s diving haven. Dive enthusiasts, however, are advised to register first with the accredited dive center, Sarangani Divers, for proper documentation. The local government just wants to be sure that those who patronize this underwater playground enjoy themselves according to set standards and rules. After all, we have the responsibility to give back to the ocean the same care, not to mention the nourishment, that it has been giving us. Ready for an underwater workout, anyone? For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

How travel has changed And how accommodations adjusted TRAVEL, much like most things these days, has changed in so many ways. Hygiene and safety has become a top priority of travelers, booking flexibility and activities on offer are another things considered prior to planning a getaway. In preparation for the gradual resumption of domestic travel, a booking platform works closely with its hotel partners to highlight properties strictly adhering to local health and safety protocols and offering policies that promote traveler safety and convenience.

It follows sanitation measures based on COVID-19 standards

To make it easier for travelers to know the hygiene and sanitation policies being implemented by hotels, Agoda has developed the HygienePlus badge. The HygienePlus feature also allows guests to learn about hotels offering contactless check-in and check-out, and hotels that have a doctor or nurse on call at all times to attend to guests.

Property provides flexible cancellation policies

The EasyCancel badge on a listing means the property has flexible cancellation policies.

Offering last-minute booking options

According to Agoda search data, the Philippines is the 8th market in the Asia Pacific region with the most people searching same-day travel. GoLocal Tonight lets travelers have that extra flexibility for when they need last-minute accommodations – deals of up to 30 percent off are also available. Hotels offering such option include Kandaya Resort in Cebu for those looking to enjoy good food by the beach, and Escala Tagaytay which offers a romantic setup in guest rooms.

With ever-changing travel protocols, having the option to make last-minute booking cancellations is a must. Agoda’s EasyCancel feature, created in response to customers’ need for flexible booking Extended stay is possible arrangements, allows guests to cancel Work from the hotel or from the bookings up to 24 hours before arrival at no charge. Travelers just need to look for mountains or from the beach have bethe Agoda EasyCancel badge when mak- come sought-after options for many homebound employees. While others, ing reservations.

either looking for a change of scenery or other reasons, are opting for extended stays. Travelers can now book long-term stays up to 90 days via Agoda. Hotels like Segara Residences in Subic provides a cozy home away from home with its tastefully designed interiors complete with a kitchenette for guests, thereby reducing the number of times they have to leave the room for meals. “With special features like Hygiene Plus, EasyCancel, GoLocal Tonight, and long-term stays, Agoda lets you have your pick from its vast network of properties across the country so you can enjoy the perfect staycation with the best deals,” says Enric Casals, regional director for Southeast Asia and Oceania.

FREQUENT FLYER

Emirates offers complimentary hotel stays for Dubai flight tickets booked today until May 23.

Airline offers complimentary hotel stays for Dubai flights EMIRATES is giving passengers booking flights to Dubai today until May 23 up to three complimentary nights at a five-star hotel. Travelers who book return Economy Class (US$450) tickets to Dubai, for travel between May 16 and Sept. 15 are eligible for a complimentary two-night stay at the JW Marriott Marquis; while Business Class (US$899) passengers who book flights during the same period can

Safety protocols are followed at The Bellevue Resort in Bohol.

Segara Residences offers long-term stays.

enjoy three complimentary nights’ stay from the day of arrival. Flyers also get free additional 10kg baggage allowance. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket for travel on or before Sept. 30, 2021 can enjoy rebooking options for three years. Further, all tickets purchased on or from Dec. 1, 2020 are covered by the airline’s multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover.