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Rody puts China on notice ‘We won't withdraw (from WPS).… This is where friendship ends’

Ex-envoy: Stop ‘blame game,’ start enforcing Hague ruling

By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Duterte declared Friday the Philippines would not pull out its ships from the West Philippine Sea and continue its maritime patrols there, in his strongest statement yet on the country’s territorial dispute with China, which has more than 200 vessels in the area.

“We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again. We will not move an inch backward,” Duterte said in the taped speech aired Friday. “I have two ships there. Let me tell China now, as I said before, I am not ready to withdraw, I don’t want a quarrel, I don’t want trouble, I respect your position and you respect mine,” the President said. He also said it is not wrong to admit that the Philippines is “inferior” in terms of “might and power.” “Now, I really won’t withdraw. Even if you kill me, I will be here. This is when the friendship ends,” said Duterte, who has been criticized for

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz STOP blaming Filipinos for the Chinese seizure of Scarborough Shoal in 2012, former Foreign secretary Albert del Rosario told President Duterte Friday. Saying that China took control of the area after it reneged on an agreement with the Philippines that both

appeasing China to get loans and investments, and who has thanked Beijing profusely for donating COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. But the President on Friday reiterated that the Philippines maintains its claim of sovereignty over the islands and the waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

SHOWSTOPPER.

Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo appears onstage at the beauty pageant's National Costume Show at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on May 13 in Hollywood, Florida. AFP

PH bet Mateo stuns in 20-kg, ornate ensemble DESPITE a costume that weighed over 20 kilograms, the Philippines’ Miss Universe bet Rabiya Mateo on Friday looked stunning in a towering red-andblue ensemble inspired by the national flag—which some pageant fans back home still didn’t like. Although Mateo said she felt like a Victoria’s Secret model with the winged costume, the beauty queen from Iloilo City seemed to have read comments on her outfit on social media as she turned emotional on an Instagram live video, apologizing if some of her fans were "disappointed" with her performance. Pageant pundits stoked the fires when they noted that former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, in a tweet, did not include her fellow Filipina’s outfit among her six favorites from the

NAVAL HUB. Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea is shown in this file photo. The Armed Forces wants the island to be its logistics hub for its naval and air vessels conducting sovereignty patrols in the waterway amid incursions of Chinese militia vessels. AFP photo

COVID ‘labeling’ no way to treat victims, rights agency warns By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas LOCAL officials in Ozamiz City have marked off about 100 houses with caution tape to prevent close contacts of COVID-19 patients in the houses from spreading the disease to the community – drawing flak from other officials and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Ozamiz Mayor Ando Oaminal ordered the security tapes placed on the entrances and doors of the households in Dakbayan village on Monday following his City Address on their COVID-19 situation, the

Asenzo Ozamiz News Channel reported. The Mayor explained that it was done “to avoid going out of quarantine residents, which will result in more COVID cases in our city. In this way, the ceilings will be alerted that the house is on quarantine and they can help to keep the quarantine protocols of the inhabitants.” “It's after (residents of) a few homes in our city that should have been quarantined went out and violated this order, which is a great possibility that it was exposed to someone else,” Oaminal added. As of Tuesday, 33 houses still had red caution tape on their doorways, along with a paper that recorded the date of

their residents’ quarantines, the Misamis Observer reported. As of press time, it was unclear if the caution tapes remained. The Standard could not reach Mayor Oaminal for comment on Friday. The CHR, meanwhile, on Friday reminded the government to avoid labeling individuals or groups infected with COVID-19 as this could expose them to discriminatory treatment. CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said public health policies on containing the spread of COVID-19 “must never compromise the human rights of individuals.”

The commission urged local officials to be mindful of the social stigmatization that may result from such labeling. Apart from undermining the social cohesion in the community, labeling may discourage other individuals to report the illness and cause them not seek health care immediately to avoid discrimination, De Guia said. “Instead of instilling stigma and fear around the communicable disease, what works best is building trust in reliable health services, showing compassion and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected, and adopting practical Next page

‘Pandemic fuels radical moves’ THE Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have intensified recruitment efforts to its ranks amid the coronavirus pandemic, Presidential Peace adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. told senators Friday, admitting the government "failed" to foresee radicalization as an impact of the global health crisis. "We failed to consider the impact of the COVID-19. During the COVID-19,

many plantations closed down. At the same time, it restricts the people from doing things to take their livelihood," Galvez, a former military chief and now presidential peace adviser, told the Senate's local government panel. "Because of this situation... many people now, on the verge of hunger, it's easy to recruit them considering that these are Next page

tion of Davao del Norte, insufficiency of evidence, and lack of probable cause to support any of the crimes allegedly committed by the respondents. It also directed the Philippine National Police to “immediately release” the respondents, namely Chad Errol Booc, Segundo Melong, Benito Bay-ao, Moddie Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Oribawan, Roshelle Mae Porcadilla, and Jomar Benag. Next page

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 14)

1,131,467 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

6,784 58,986 NEW

ACTIVE

18,958

134

1,053,523

2,872

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

Sinopharm gets ‘green light’ for emergency use By Willie Casas

7 Lumad cleared of kidnap raps THE Davao del Norte Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the criminal complaints filed against seven individuals arrested following the supposed rescue of indigenous children from alleged communist rebels in Cebu City in February. In a resolution dated May 5, the prosecutor’s office junked the complaints for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, human trafficking, and child abuse for being outside the territorial jurisdic-

COVID-19 PH

PAG-IBIG PARTNER. Manila Standard received on Friday two plaques of recognition from the Pag-IBIG Fund for "leading print media companies in year 2020" and "for displaying the highest level of understanding amongst broadsheets" as our newspaper helped the agency deliver information to the public over the past year. The plaques were signed by Pag-IBIG CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti and vice president Karin-Lei N. Franco-Garcia.

THE World Health Organization approved Friday the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use—the first Chinese jab to receive the WHO's green light. The UN health agency signed off on the two-dose vaccine, already being deployed in dozens of countries around the world. The WHO has given emergency use listing to the vaccines being made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and the AstraZeneca jab being produced at sites in India and in South Korea, which it counts separately. Meanwhile, the delivery and roll-out of the Moderna COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in the Philippines can now proceed Next page

News

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Focus areas’ for jabs identified T Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, said the government, with the help of the private sector, will ramp up the vaccination campaign in "focus areas" within the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus

(Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal), and in Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. "Ang gagawin po natin diyan i-a-allocate po natin ‘yong talagang magandang supply (We will allocate them a good supply of Covid-19 vaccine)," Galvez said

during the Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on Thursday night. Deploying Covid-19 vaccines in highly urbanized areas will allow them to expand their reach and eventually contain transmission. "For example, if NCR Plus needs 3.3 million doses, then we willallocate that per month. In Davao and Cebu, they should get 400,000 a month so they can achieve herd immunity by November or by December," Galvez added. He said the vaccination drive could

Rody...

the relationship between Beijing and Manila “deepened” under President Duterte, saying that disputes in the South China Sea have been “properly handled.” Huang did not mention the many diplomatic protests that the Philippines has filed against China for the swarming of more than 200 ships in the West Philippine Sea. On Wednesday, the National Task Force for WPS (NTF-WPS) said maritime exercises in WPS will continue upon Duterte’s directive. BRP Malapascua (MRRV 4003), MCS 3001, and 3008 were deployed at the Kalayaan municipality in Palawan, while BRP Sindangan (MRRV 4407) and MCS 3005 are within the area of Bajo de Masinloc, the NTF-WPS said. The Philippine vessels, the NTF-WPS said, are being complemented by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) four high speed tactical watercraft, three police gunboats, and police fast boats to patrol the municipal waters and portions of the country’s EEZ in the disputed waters. The Philippines’ heightened presence in WPS came after Chinese incursions into the country’s EEZ.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who attended the meeting with Duterte at Malacañan Palace, said the Philippine ships are conducting maritime patrols within Kalayaan Island Group and Mischief Reef. Duterte said he has no plan to order the withdrawal of Philippine ships from WPS, even if Manila’s friendship with Beijing would be at stake. Manila, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has filed a series of diplomatic protests against Beijing's incursions into WPS. On Thursday, the DFA filed another diplomatic protest against the presence of at least 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels in the waters of Kalayaan, Palawan. Duterte on Friday said he would not allow the United States to be involved in any Philippine conflict. “Under my watch, there will never be a time that I will allow my soldiers to go somewhere to fight and join the Americans,” he said in a pre-recorded public address delivered Thursday night but televised on Friday noon. He also slammed the Americans for their role in brokering an agreement in 2012 between the Philippines and China

to withdraw their ships from the Scarborough Shoal. China did not honor the agreement and seized the area. In his address Thursday night, Duterte also invited former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, the Defense minister under President Marcos, to join in Cabinet discussions about the West Philippine Sea. “I will listen to him, because I’m impressed with his understanding of this problem at the West Philippine Sea,” Duterte said. Enrile has yet to respond to Duterte’s invitation. The Philippine Navy, meanwhile, said its capability to defend the country's key sea lines of communications (SLOCs) such as Mindoro, Balabac, Sibutu, and Basilan Straits against conventional threats will get a boost with the arrival next year of fast-attack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M) boats. Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo made this remark as he confirmed that three of a total of eight fastattack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M) boats the Navy has acquired are scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2022.

chain of command present in the military, the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Coastguard. “This is a basic principle that any good soldier or naval officer knows. Under the law, the mandate of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs is in the conduct of diplomacy and foreign relations. Thus, in the 2012 Scarborough Standoff, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs had no authority to order the withdrawal of ships from Scarborough Shoal,” he said. Besides, he said no Filipino should be blamed for sticking to the terms of a mutually approved agreement. “It was China which illegally seized Scarborough Shoal from our country. As mentioned, in 2012, we withdrew our one or two ships from Scarborough Shoal while China deceitfully breached the USbrokered agreement by not withdrawing their more than 30 ships,” he added. “China occupied Scarborough Shoal and breached the agreement based on its highly questionable claim that it exclusively owns the shoal. In order to peacefully and legally settle this question once and for all, we did our best to bring China before an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2013, leading to an overwhelming victory for the Filipino people in 2016,” he said. He recalled that the United States became a mediator during the Scarborough Standoff after the Philippine side “real-

ized the futility of bilateral talks with China.” “During the standoff, we were consistently engaging with then Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After days of seemingly endless talks, we were made to realize that we were talking to a wall and China would never leave Scarborough Shoal. Thus, a third party—the US—entered the picture to help resolve the standoff in Scarborough Shoal,” Del Rosario said. President Duterte has blamed Del Rosario and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio for the country’s loss of Scarborough Shoal to China in 2012 when the Philippines ordered its naval ships to withdraw from the disputed territory. Carpio at the time was still with the Supreme Court and had no role in the Scarborough standoff. On Friday, Carpio started a signature campaign urging President Rodrigo Duterte to retract his statements on the West Philippine Sea issue that were allegedly prejudicial to the country’s interests. The petition, which was launched through the change.org platform, prodded Duterte to withdraw his remarks that the arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines “is a scrap of paper meant to be thrown in the wastebasket.” Carpio said the President should also take back his earlier statements that

China is in possession of the West Philippine Sea and that Chinese nationals can fish there. “These statements are contrary to the Constitution, waive our sovereign rights under the arbitral award and even concede to China possession of the West Philippine Sea when in fact China is not physically and legally in possession of the West Philippine Sea,” the petition reads. China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas under the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, had been declared illegal in July 2016 by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration following a lawsuit filed by Manila in 2013. Beijing, however, refuses to accept the ruling. Carpio earlier warned President Duterte that his statement on the West Philippine Sea issue could be considered betrayal of public trust, which is an impeachable offense. But he also acknowledged that impeaching a president who enjoys wide support in Congress will be an exercise in futility. In a pique of anger, the President cast personal insults on Carpio and Del Rosario, and challenged the former Supreme Court justice to a debate. But when Carpio accepted the challenge, Duterte backed away. Senator Risa Hontiveros also called on the Palace to retract several statements that she labeled as “defeatist.”

to extend the terms of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's government for another three years years so they could complete the transition process and avoid potential bloodshed. About 20 BIFF members last weekend occupied a market in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao province in the Bangsamoro region, forcing residents to flee. BIFF members shot it out with soldiers, who later drove away the militants. Meanwhile, military authorities said an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member was killed after the group clashed with military forces in Indanan, Sulu. The Joint Task Force Sulu, in a statement, said the ASG clashed with the 2nd Special Forces Battalion at around 7:55 a.m. in Barangay Kagay. The body, identified as Arab Undo, is under sub-leader Ella Nasirin, according to Lt. Col. Benito Ramos. JTF-Sulu commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said all troops in Indanan are on high alert while special forces pursue the remaining members of the group. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sinopharm...

paves the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve and import a vaccine for distribution, especially those states without an international-standard regulator of their own. It also opens the door for the jabs to enter the Covax global vaccine-sharing scheme, which aims to provide equitable access to doses around the world and particularly in poorer countries. An EUA would allow a vaccine under development to be used for the government vaccination program. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had ordered his agency to file an emergency use clearance for the Chinese state firm's COVID-19 vaccine. It is the first vaccine developed by a non-Western country to win WHO support. Duterte got vaccinated with Sinopharm in early May even without emergency clearance. His aides had said he was covered by the compassionate special permit for the vaccine, which was last year granted on the Sinopharm vaccines used by the Presidential Security Group.

HE country's vaccine czar said the government will focus its vaccination drive in high-risk areas identified by medical and economic experts.

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"We owe a lot to China, including our lives. But I hope they will understand, but I also have the interest of my country. It might not really be through armed might but a claim of sovereignty, which I cannot impose yet," he added. Duterte is hoping that China would understand the country’s position or there would be problems. In his speech, the President expressed doubts if the United Nations could really help the Philippines in defending its legal claims in the West Philippine Sea. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague unanimously ruled in favor of the Philippines a case against China’s claims to virtually all of the South China Sea. "When was the United Nations of any use? They're all papers. They're clueless up there," he said. China has rejected the international court's ruling. In an online forum, China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said

Ex-envoy:... From A1

sides would pull their ships out, Del Rosario said Duterte should focus his efforts on ways to enforce the arbitral ruling by a UN tribunal in 2016 that dismissed China’s expansive claims and upheld the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “There is about a year left before President Duterte’s term ends in June 2022. It is our hope that this remaining period will not be wasted on blaming Filipinos regarding the 2012 Scarborough Standoff,” del Rosario said, in a statement. “Instead, the remaining months of President Duterte’s term should be spent on what our Constitution mandates: the enforcement of the Arbitral Award and protection of the West Philippine Sea for the sake of the present and future generations of Filipinos,” said Del Rosario, chairman of the policy think tank Stratbase ADR Institute. Del Rosario denounced what he described as China’s duplicity, saying it was an illegal occupant of Scarborough Shoal and guilty of “a continuing and open violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.” “On the 2012 Scarborough incident, China is to blame, not our fellow countrymen,” he said. Del Rosario said he was not part of the

‘Pandemic... From A1

the situations that worsened their livelihood," he said. The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), opposing the latter's decision to pursue peace talks with the government that has led to the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity. Galvez said the BIFF "exploited" the situation that made poor people more susceptible to recruitment. Asked by panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino if the spike in recruitment was a "failure of intelligence," Galvez said it was not. "It’s not a failure of intelligence, but basically congruent disabling conditions in the Bangsamoro," Galvez said. The government is still working on the decommissioning of some 28,000 MILF combatants, which is part of the normalization process that should have been accomplished last year. Galvez also underscored the need

7... From A1

Meanwhile, education workers and advocates under the ACT for Peace alliance denounced what they called the Anti-Terrorism Council’s arbitrary designation of peace consultants as terrorists: Rafael Baylosis, Rey Claro Casambre, Vicente Ladlad, and Adelberto Silva. In a press release, they said these consultants had relentlessly worked to achieve peace based on justice, had sought to put an end to the more than half a century armed conflict in the country

“by enjoining the Philippine government to address its roots: landlessness of millions of farmers, lack of decent jobs with tenure security and livable wages, an economy that serves foreign interests and controlled by multinational corporations, among others.” “The dismissal of the complaints [filed by the PNP] against the Bakwit School 7 validates our firm assertion that the persistent red-tagging efforts on Lumad schools by the state forces are baseless and unfounded,” said the National Union of People's Lawyers-Cebu chapter, who represented six of the respondents, in a statement. “The indigenous peoples and their

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after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its application for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), according to Zuellig Pharma Corporation. Also, vaccine confidence among Filipinos has increased to nearly 75 percent, about a month since the Philippines began its inoculation program against COVID-19, the Department of Health said. "This afternoon, WHO gave emergency use listing to Sinopharm Beijing's Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy and quality," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference. "The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation, or SAGE, has also reviewed the available data, and recommends the vaccine for adults 18 years and older, with a two-dose schedule." An emergency use listing by the WHO leaders have been victims of state terrorism because of their long history of struggle against the exploitation of their ancestral lands.” Police took into custody 19 minors belonging to the Manobo tribe on February 15 following a raid at a retreat house inside the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus in Cebu City. According to then-PNP chief General Debold Sinas, the operation was a manifestation that the rebels had been continuously engaged in recruiting minors to be trained as child warriors for the communist movement. The USC and the Societas Verbi Divi-

be dramatically improved, once the local government units get a steady supply of the Covid-19 vaccines. "We will do similar strategies in Region III, Region IV, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio City, and Zamboanga. We will also include areas with increasing cases such as Region II, Cordillera Administrative Region, and other areas that are so-called highly urbanized cities," he added. "Once we achieve herd immunity, we can prevent and contain the contamination and infections," he added.

ni Philippines, however, said the students who were taken by police were being “nurtured, cared for and treated with their best interest in mind” in a retreat house. The children were supposed to return to their respective communities but the COVID-19 lockdowns prevented them from doing so. In the Zamboanga peninsula, the Philippine Army’s 102nd Infantry “Igsoon” Brigade placed its target on the last two Guerilla Fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as its Brigade Commander recently declared Zamboanga del Sur insurgency-free. Frencie Carrion

BOC condemns over P760m in forfeited goods THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has condemned P763-million worth of forfeited goods for the first quarter of the year. Of the total, P364 million were counterfeit cigarettes while P197.49 million were forfeited cigarettes and agricultural products, the bureau said in a statement Friday. The other condemned items were unsafe and hazardous food, raw products, and poultry needs, P111 million; some P51.276 million worth of smuggled automobiles; garments, assorted goods, and general merchandise valued at PHP31 million; mechanical and electric goods estimated at P1.577 million; chemicals worth P5.535 million; and scrap metals amounting to P1 million. "The goods, prior to their disposal, underwent legal procedures and were forfeited in favor of the government for violation of various pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act," the BOC stated. Destruction is one of the modes of disposing of seized or abandoned shipments. Village officials and the media may witness the procedure for transparency.

COVID... From A1

measures to keep themselves and loved ones safe,” she said. The Philippines logged on Friday 6,784 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 1,131,467, as five laboratories were unable to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. Health officials reported 137 new fatalities, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 18,958, which was 1.68 percent of total cases. The DOH also reported 2,972 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 1,053,523, which was 93.1 percent of the total. There were 58,986 active cases, which was 5.2 percent of the total. Of the active cases, 93.5 percent were mild; 2.3 percent were asymptomatic; 1.3 percent were critical; 1.8 percent were severe; and 1.13 percent were moderate. The DOH also reported that, nationwide, 59 percent of the ICU beds, 44 percent of the isolation beds, 48 percent of the ward beds, and 40 percent of the ventilators were in use. In Metro Manila, 61 percent of the ICU beds, 44 percent of the isolation beds, 48 percent of the ward beds, and 46 percent of the ventilators were in use. Also on Friday, the DOH said vital signs screening will no longer be included in the COVID-19 vaccination process in a bid to speed up the rollout of vaccines. As of May 11, more than 2 million people have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the recommendation of the inter-agency task force on the country's COVID-19 response that downgraded quarantine classifications in most parts of the Philippines, including the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding provinces, also called NCR Plus, where a surge in infections was recorded between March and April. In an online briefing Friday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said health officials were tracing the 41 travelers onboard the same flights as two seafarers found to have the Indian variant of the coronavirus (B.1.617).

PH... From A1

competition’s national costume event, instead naming those from Indonesia, Nepal, Peru, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Gray later defended her choices, saying on her Twitter account: “My best in National Costume picks are my favorite National Costumes, not based on the candidate's performance. I love the celebration of culture and a country's expression of identity which is why it’s one of my favorite segments!” Mateo is gearing up for the May 16 finals night (May 17 in Manila), as she eyes the fifth Miss Universe crown for the country – the last one won by Filipino-Australian Gray. Mateo is the first representative under the new Miss Universe Philippines organization, which is headed by ex-Miss U PH Shamcey Supsup and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud. Another former Philippine Miss Universe, MJ Lastimosa, came to Mateo’s defense, explaining how heavy the outfit was. One of the most vocal supporters of the Filipino-Indian beauty, Lastimosa later lashed out at critics, reminding them that the real competition is in the preliminary round.

News

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LGUs tapped to help keep ASF outbreak under control LOCAL government units (LGUs) can now align their programs with the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) program of the Department of Agriculture as they dig deep into their pockets to control the African swine fever outbreak, officially classified as a state of calamity. ASF started in mid-2019 and became widespread in 2020, the same year that the agriculture sector battled with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and successive weather disturbances. DA Secretary William Dar submitted the resolution to declare the ASF as a calamity on April 20, 2021 and it was signed on May 10 as Presidential Proclamation No. 1143 (Declaring a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to the African Swine Fever outbreak). Dar said that the belated declaration of a state of calamity, which he said was a much-needed shot-in-the-arm for the hog industry, can be attributed to a number of factors. “The idea to declare a state of calamity did not push through immediately as initial resources has been provided for ASF prevention and control activities through the Contingent Fund of the President and Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the DA,” Dar explained. LGUs can now tap their calamity funds for intensification of disease monitoring and surveillance; putting human resource for quarantine and border control; strengthening of biosecurity implementation; and if need be, disease control activities including depopulation of hogs. The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will work closely with LGUs to ensure that their ASF contingency and action plans are aligned and consistent with the overall plan of the national government. BAI has so far suggested that the LGUs’ QRF may be used for the provision of personal protective equipment sets and needed equipment for quarantine and checkpoint personnel; establishment and maintenance of ASF biosecurity checkpoints; implementation of ASF information campaign in partnership with the DA-BAI, hog raisers’ groups and the private sector; procurement of test kits, biologics and other needed equipment and materials; and strengthening of diagnostic capability to support early warning system, surveillance and monitoring.

QC unearths more cases on testing, tracing efforts—OCTA

LET IT FLOW. Workers of Manila Water Services Inc. repair leaks near Cogeo Market in Antipolo City on Friday, May 14, 2021. Other areas in the city and nearby Taytay and Pasig will also experience service interruption until Saturday morning due to water line maintenance, according to the company. Rico H. Borja

Voters’ list-up resumes Monday in NCR Plus T By Vito Barcelo

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will go on with its voter registration in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus on May 17 after the government eased quarantine restrictions in the area. Comelec executive director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. said voter registration in the area will be open from Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the shift of Metro Manila and nearby Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces back to a general community quarantine “with heightened

restrictions” starting this weekend. The Comelec earlier suspended registration in voter NCR Plus— composed of Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal—following the imposition of strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the area amid rising COVID-19 cases.As of April 19, there are 58.9 million registered voters across the

Angeles drug gang busted; DAR farms out landholdings three arrested By Rio Araja

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—Three Nigerians believed to be members of an international drug ring were arrested by local drug enforcement unit following a buy- bust operation along Camia Road, Barangay Cutcut here Friday. Police Colonel Rommel Batangan, director of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), identified the suspects as Harrison Steve, alias Eke, 43; Christian Uwadiegwu, alias Chuk, 27 and Caleb Njemonze, alias Caleb, 28, all temporarily staying at Diamond Subdivision, Bgy. Balibago in this city. Steve is into dealership of second hand cars with business address at Bgy. Mabiga, Mabalacat City, according to a police report. Batangan said the suspects have been placed under surveillance by government agents after they were named by residents in the community as the alleged source of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu). Apart from illegal drug trafficking, Batangan said the group is also engaged in gunrunning and other forms of unlawful activities. He said the suspects belong to the dreaded “Mr. Izo Drug Group” an organized crime gang operating in Angeles City and nearby Mabalacat City. The trio, police said had been staying in this city for quite a long time. In fact one of them established a car dealership business. The suspects were arrested under the “COPLAN SnoopDog”, a joint operations carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and other police units including ACPO following reports on their alleged involvement in illegal drugs trafficking. Seized from the group includes 11 pieces of sachets carrying shabu and weighing 25 grams with P170,000 estimated street value and 35 grams of dried marijuana worth P3,850.00 from their possession.

AFTER decades of waiting, the Department of Agrarian Reform has installed farmer-beneficiaries of the contentious landholdings of Nemesio Tan. Last March, Secretary John Castriciones distributed 188.08 hectares of the landholdings to 175 agrarian reform beneficiaries. The farmers had long struggled when in 1997, the Nemesio Tan landholdings, located in the towns of Pilar and President Roxas, were placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. They were supposed to receive their certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) from the DAR but the heirs of Nemesio Tan appealed to the court and continued to control the property. The farmers’ continuous fight for

their rights led to violence in February of 2017, which took the life of one farmer while four others were wounded. “We conscientiously follow up with the authorities for the resolution of this case because our farmers are waiting for so long in these lands. Upon receiving the resolution of the case, we wasted no time to distribute them and now, the installation of the ARBs happen, because our ofﬁcials and personnel in this province immediately worked hard to process the installation,” he said. The completion of the land and acquisition process up to the installation of the ARBs was also made possible with the help of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines that played a vital role in the peaceful implementation of the CARP.

country,Comelec said. “The local field or the satellite registration centers for overseas Filipino voters will also open,” Sinocruz said. He said they will also be coordinating with the field registrationcenters in the different offices of the government such as the Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “We will need to coordinate with them, it will depend on the existing if they have their own lockdown procedures. But definitely, since the NCR has been downgraded to GCQ, I think it is time for them to open also,” Sinocruz added.

THE Quezon City government has been able to identify more cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to its intensified testing and contact tracing efforts. Citing the recent report by the OCTA Research Group, Mayor Joy Belmonte said the average number of new cases per day is at 420 for the week of May 4 to 10. This resulted in a reproduction number of 1.02 and a positivity rate of 15 percent. Belmonte assured the city residents that this is because of the city’s ramped up testing efforts in identifying more residents with COVID-19. “Over the past weeks, our numbers are on a downward trend but the decrease has been slow. While we are treating and isolating confirmed cases in order to mitigate the spread, we also expanded our testing which determines not just symptomatic patients but also asymptomatic ones,” she said. “This intensified effort led to the enlistment of more active cases in the city,” she added. She said the more effective way of identifying and isolating the infectious and that the slow decline in numbers is better than not identifying infectious residents at all. The City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit has established 22 communitybased testing sites operating from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It also opened its online booking process for faster appointment scheduling of those symptomatic, with close contact, and other priority individuals such as those who will undergo medical procedures, dialysis patients and pregnant women. On average, the city conducts around 3,026 tests per day. With the donation of new machines from Temasek Foundation, tests could reach 4,000 a day. Rio N. Araja

MUSLIM CEMETERY. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno inspects an Islamic cemetery located at the Manila South Cemetery on Friday, May 14, 2021. The 2,400-square-meter burial ground will hold 378 tombs, a mosque and a cultural hall. Norman Cruz

High court rules on sexual abuse victims

ELDERLY VACCINATED. An elderly woman closes her eyes while getting a jab from a medical health worker at the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) on Nagtahan St., Sampaloc in Manila City on Friday, May 14, 2021. More Filipinos are expected to be vaccinated with the arrival of additional COVID-19 vaccine supplies in the coming months. Dexter Starks

THE Supreme Court has ruled that sexual abuse victims need not prove they physically resisted their assailants. In a 17-page decision, the Supreme Court on its website dated May 12, 2021, the court’s Third Division upheld the conviction of Joselito Salazar for the 2013 rape of a 15-year-old in Barangay Kalawaan, Pasig City. In his appeal, the convict questioned the victim’s credibility because her supposed demeanor during and after the rape was contrary to human conduct. He also claimed that the victim did not shout for help nor attempted to go away.

Ruling against the defense, the court said: “People react differently to distressing situations. In rape cases, victims are not burdened to shop physical resistance when they are intimidated. Intimidation is addressed to the victim’s perception and is, therefore subjective.” “This court will not burden victims of rape of proving physical resistance, especially when their assailants assaulted them and coerced them with a lethal weapon,” the tribunal added. The convict was sentenced to reclusion perpetua (between 20 and 40 years) and ordered to pay P225,000 in civil indemnities and damages.

News

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

• 300k workers join labor force • DOH rejects vaccine pass

Dagupan City scorches with 53°C; Crising now an LPA THE heat index in Dagupan City, Pangasinan logged a record high of 53 degrees Celsius on Friday. Dagupan City’s Public Information Office said the temperature was higher by 1 degree Celsius than its heat index recorded May 12. Friday’s record heat index was recorded at 2 p.m. The state weather bureau PAGASA defines heat index as the human discomfort index or the “apparent” temperature that humans feel. Heat indexes ranging above 41 degrees Celsius fall under the “danger” category as these could cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Meanwhile, there are no more areas with cyclone wind signals as Tropical Depression “Crising” has weakened into a low pressure area. The LPA was last tracked in the vicinity of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, the state weather bureau said. PAGASA still forecast light to moderate, with at times heavy rains over Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Misamis Occidental. It also maintained that isolated flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

MMDA resumes truck ban in NCR

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it will resume its truck ban policy on major roads starting Monday (May 17). “In view of the general community quarantine (GCQ) classification in the National Capital Region, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shall resume the implementation of its truck ban policy on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila starting May 17, 2021,” the MMDA said. Trucks will again not be allowed on major thoroughfares managed by the MMDA from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Monday to Saturday. They will also be prohibited from passing through EDSA-Magallanes Interchange in Makati City to North Avenue in Quezon City from Monday to Sunday. The MMDA said trucks carrying perishable and agricultural products are exempted from the ban.

By Othel Campos and Willie Casas

The Talomo River along Bailey Bridge and the Matina River along Brgy. Matina Pangi are placed under code red (critical level) as tropical depression ‘Crising’ —which has already weakened into a local pressure area—brings intermittent rains to Davao City.

LOCSIN: I ENJOY HIS SPIRITED RESPONSE BUT...

‘Roque’s WPS remarks don’t reflect PH policy’ F

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday said statements made by presidential spokesman Harry Roque do not reflect the country’s foreign policy.

“I told him to go ahead. I enjoy his spirited responses. What he says isn’t foreign policy,” Locsin said. Roque earlier declared he would not stop speaking on matters of international law even after the country’s top diplomat called him out for his comments on the Julian Felipe Reef. “When he (Roque) makes a mistake he will know on Twitter. But his take on history is interesting though his-

tory never ripens into right,” Locsin said. “What history can do is try to cover up wrong with the sands of time but the people wronged can keep brushing away the sand to show the wrong. Time cannot make wrong right even if the people wronged are enslaved or exterminated by the wrongdoer. But wrong is still not right. It is just history. The history of wrong,” Locsin added. Roque earlier said critics were only making a big deal out of the Chinese presence near Julian Felipe Reef, saying the area had “never” been in the possession of the Philippines. The Palace official also claimed the reef is not within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

But the Department of Foreign Affairs maintained its position that the Julian Felipe Reef is part of the country’s EEZ in the West Philippine Sea. In previous statements, the DFA said the Julian Felipe Reef is about 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan, and is well within the 200-nautical mile EEZ rule according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Roque’s pronouncements prompted Locsin to unleash a series of tweets apparently rebuking Roque, asserting that DFA “has exclusive remit” on Philippine foreign relations. Locsin also exhorted Roque to “drop the subject” and leave the matter to the DFA.

SUMMIT AND SEA. The cities of

Baguio, Benguet and San Fernando, La Union have forged a ‘Summit and Sea’ tourism bubble. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and San Fernando Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega signed the memorandum of understanding at the Manor Hotel grounds in Camp John Hay. Magalong said the summer capital plans to take in around 500 tourists from San Fernando daily once the travel corridor takes effect. Dave Leprozo

Vaccination sites no longer required to screen vitals

Local vaccine production will be ‘game-changing’ By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta QUEZON City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo on Friday rallied behind efforts to produce COVID-19 vaccines, saying it is “the fastest way to achieving herd immunity in our country and around the world.” “Let’s support the initiative to produce these vaccines locally. This would be a game changer in fighting the pandemic, hastening economic recovery and

returning to normal life,” said Castelo, an assistant majority leader. She said the countr y would not lack patriotic businessmen to invest in the domestic manufacture of vaccines. “Manny Pangilinan has expressed readiness to support this grand initiative. I am sure that the likes of Ramon Ang and the Ayalas would only be willing to join him,” she said. She added that aside from hastening vaccination and herd immunity, domestic

vaccine production “will also create jobs for many Filipinos.” To start local vaccine production, Castelo said international pharmaceutical companies would have to lift patent restrictions and share the results of their research and studies with the rest of the world. She noted that US President Joe Biden has already called for the waiver of COVID-19 jab patents to allow other countries to produce it and fight the pandemic in their territories.

“Let us share the call of the United States. These drug companies have by now already recouped their investments, with their numerous previous, present and future purchase orders. The markets show that these firms have grown immensely in value since they reported their vaccine research and development breakthroughs,” she said. Castelo reminded drugmakers and countries opposing the vaccine patent waiver call that “no one is safe from COVID-19 until everyone is safe.”

Ret. US Air Force nabbed in drug buy bust

Scene of the crime operatives conduct an inventory of the seized high grade marijuana plants following an drug buy bust operation by the NCRPO Regional Drug Enforcement Unit at a condominium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City Thursday night. Norman Cruz

THE government expects to bring back some 200,000 to 300,000 unemployed workers into the active labor force with the easing of quarantine restrictions starting today (May 15). President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night approved a resolution placing Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite—collectively known as NCR Plus—under General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions. “Based on our computation, there was around 1 million workers that remained unemployed from 1.5 million who were jobless during the Enhanced Community Quarantine. As we slowly ease restrictions another 300,000 found work and with the new GCQ, we expect to generate jobs for some 200,000 to 300,000 people,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said. “The easing of restrictions in NCR Plus is good news for our tourism stakeholders. This means more tourism workers will go back to work, and economic activities will continue. Needless to say, there is no room for complacency. We need to observe the health and safety protocols in every destination that we wish to visit,” added Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. DOH thumbs down vaccine pass proposal The Department of Health (DOH) has rejected a proposal to provide “vaccine pass” to inoculated persons entering indoor establishments. Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said there is still not enough evidence to prove that COVID-19 vaccines can provide immunity and block transmission. “Even if you are fully vaccinated, you still need to follow minimum health protocols. The DOH does not recommend yet this proposed vaccine pass,” she said. Indoor dining can resume at 20 percent seating capacity once Metro Manila and neighboring provinces return to GCQ status today. PNP to keep checkpoints Quarantine control points will remain in place in the NCR Plus borders, the Philippine National Police said on Friday. PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also ordered policemen manning checkpoints to arrest and charge those who would be caught smuggling people in and out of the NCR Plus bubble using cargo vehicles and vans. “The PNP will strictly implement the guidelines issued by the national government regarding the latest quarantine status. NCR Plus is under GCQ with heightened restrictions,” Eleazar added.

POLICE arrested two persons, including a retired member of the United States Air Force, in a buy bust operation which resulted in the discovery of marijuana greenhouse in Taguig City on Thursday. Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. identified the suspects as Raul Antonio Cisneros and his commonlaw wife Meljie Maquiling, 28. Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the operation at the Royal Palm Residence on Acacia Estates in Barangay Ususan. Danao said the entrapment came following intelligence information on the illegal cultivation of cannabis in the suspects’ condominium unit. A week-long surveillance operation was also conducted prior to the entrapment which confirmed that the suspects were using the unit as a marijuana green-

house. The suspects were arrested after selling three plastic sachets containing dried kush (high-grade marijuana) in exchange for P5,000 marked money. Also seized from the suspects were P2.2 million worth of kush and shabu worth P95,000. Also recovered during the operation were pots of marijuana plants and several pieces of equipment. Cisneros was previously arrested and charged with possession of ecstasy tablets by the Taguig City police in 2019. Danao said the suspects are connected to drug dealers operating in south Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog. The suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

THE Department of Health said on Friday vaccination sites no longer need to screen the vital signs of individuals shortly before inoculation. The Philippine Society of Hypertension and the Philippine Heart Association, according to Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, ruled that only those with hypertension should undergo vital screening. “We issued a policy regarding this matter that vital signs screening should not be included anymore as part of our process,” Vergeire said. “Health workers only need to monitor those with established hypertension and those who have organ damage,” she added. A separate lane should also be created for those who need to be closely observed due to their medical history, she said. The revised guidelines on the process in vaccination sites come as the country works to increase its daily average number of people vaccinated against COVID-19. Vergeire said local governments should implement the revised guidelines to shorten the lines of people waiting to get their jabs, As of May 13, the Philippines has vaccinated between 67,000 and 83,000 people daily, according to data from the DOH. Officials hope to have at least 100,000 people inoculated per day as more vaccines arrive in the country, Vergeire said. The Philippines hopes to administer the jabs to at least 70 million people by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity as over 1 million people have been infected with the disease. Willie Casas

Opinion Roll out those vaccines PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said that for the country, the only solution to this #COVID19 pandemic is having our people vaccinated. One would think that the whole of government will act with a great sense of urgency so Filipinos are inoculated as fast as possible. After all, if this virus is contained, fewer people will die, and the earlier we will be able to start picking up the pieces and hit that restart button. Yet, according to herdimmunity.ph, to date, the vaccine rollout in the Philippines in terms of number of doses administered per 100 people, is the third SLOWEST in the ASEAN. Consider these data as of 11 May: number of fully vaccinated Filipinos -517,113 or 0.48 percent of the population, and 0.74 percent of 70 million herd immunity target; average daily vaccinations—68,119. At this rate, it will take 5.5 years (November 2026) to fully vaccinate 70 million Filipinos or achieve herd immunity.

Where is the urgency? Our current supply of vaccines stands at 7,779,050 doses. This is enough to fully vaccinate 3.58 percent of the population or 5.56 percent of the target 70M. Of the total supply, 32.68% have been administered and 67.32% are still in storage. Again, more than 67 percent of received vaccines are yet to be administered to our people! Why are those involved in our vaccine rollout program taking their sweet time in dispatching the lifesaving vaccines? Where is the urgency? Worse, 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca that arrived on May 8 are set to expire by June 30. The DOH must ensure that these 1.5 million doses are not wasted. Many local government units are waiting for supplies. No wonder, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has been complaining about the slow action by the Department of Health (DOH). It will be remembered that Manila City was among the fastest in terms of inoculating its residents. Again, according to herdimmunity.ph, to achieve the DOH goal of herd immunity by December 2021, we need to administer 613,651 vaccine doses daily, or nine (9) times our current rate. With the recent easing of quarantine restrictions in the Greater Metro Manila area (including Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan), we can expect more people going out to attend to their businesses. Not only should everyone adhere to protocols, the government must act with dispatch in terms of vaccination. The best way to inoculate people is to go where they are. Government must find ways to make getting the vaccine convenient especially for people who are without means

to travel far. We have to remember that per conducted surveys, vaccine acceptance is quite low. Outside of logistical problems, we need to address vaccine hesitancy. Traveling long distances to get inoculated is a big disincentive for ordinary people. There is much to do to convince people to get the vaccine and doing this in communities they are familiar with will help. Thus, vaccination should mostly be community-based. This will not require building new infrastructure and there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The LGUs have been using schools, covered courts, even sports arenas as vaccination centers. These just need to be further expanded. Even congested areas in Metro Manila have covered courts mostly attached to their barangay halls. Many schools have yet to be used. Gated villages have their clubhouses that can be used for their residents. Big barangay health centers are good vaccination sites because people are quite familiar with them. Public parks can have areas for vaccination. LGUs can negotiate with owners of private sites such as sports arenas (similar to what Quezon City did with Araneta Coliseum), more malls, and private schools. DOH can enter into partnerships with big corporations to inoculate their personnel. Indeed, there are many ways to make vaccination accessible and more convenient to people if only the government were more creative and responsive. Outside of vaccine supply, LGUs will probably need assistance in terms of personnel. This is where DOH should come in. People say that some vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna need very cold storage and many localized vaccination centers may not be equipped for them. This is also true and for these vaccines, perhaps the mega vaccination facilities like the one yet to be constructed in Nayong Pilipino can be used. Per reports, the IATF for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases already approved the project on April 10. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DOH and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Foundation of business tycoon Enrique Razon is almost ready for signing. ICTSI will fully fund this project. The only remaining concern would be when the facility will be ready for use. Although Razon said that the area is accessible because it is connected with SLEX and near CAVITEX and the roads are wide, those who don’t have cars especially from northern Metro Manila areas will have difficulty going there. The location will serve those from the south well. As Razon also said, there should be similar facilities in other areas but hopefully, no construction will be needed because time is of the essence. There is no question that the government needs to fast track vaccination rollout. Our people urgently need protection. We cannot continue to lose our loved ones to COVID-19. We need to continue with our lives and this can only happen when we achieve herd immunity. Government needs to act purposefully and with a great sense of urgency. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Why the Philippines is important to China By Ernesto G. Banawis OF THE 11 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, the Philippines is of the greatest importance to China. It has over 7,000 islands, sprawled between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, has the largest and most valuable marine resources and enormous deposits of gas and crude oil. The Philippines significantly offers the best strategic base for China’s ambition to gain control and domination of Southeast Asia and entire Asia. China’s intentions in this country are now clear and are being pursued with tenacity. She has claimed and occupied the entire exclusive economic zone of the Philippines under the United Nation Convention on the Laws of the Seas. It has fortified most of the islands within the territorial waters of our country. The subversion of Philippine independence and sovereignty which started and almost succeeded at the height of the First Quarter Storm, had it not been for the imposition of martial law, has now been resumed. China has always been supportive of Joma Sison’s National Democratic Front, the Communist Party and the New People’s Army. Even with President Duterte’s avowal of friendship with Xi Jinping, Joema Sison is still the alternative of China as president of our country. The United States always has an alternative to every incumbent president of the Philippines whenever he or she deviates from its policies. China will do the same as she seeks to influence our country’s growth and development. Thousands of Chinese have illegally entered the Philippines through devious outsourcing job placements, massive bribery, and outright human smuggling. China is eager to make the Philippines a surrogate country or a province. The ten other Asean countries, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar and East Timor, will all eventually fall under the influence or control of China once it becomes

the most powerful nation in the world. The Filipino nation is once again in the radar of another superpower. The three and a half centuries of slavery under Spain, the 50 years of political humiliation under the United States of America and the four years of barbaric Japanese occupation are still etched in the culture of the Filipino race. But it is the Filipinos themselves who enhanced China’s influence in the Philippines. The earliest Chinese migrants to our country were patient, hardworking, humble and self-sacrificing. They started as street vendors, became grocery owners after a few years and millionaires in two decades.

The Chinese are hardworking; they are wizards in financial matters. The indigenous people of the Philippines were easy-going, care free and indolent. They were more peaceful than combative, more accommodating than suspicious and content with what they have while less eager to acquire material wealth or possessions. The early inhabitants of these islands enjoyed what amounts to them as paradise culture. Most of the richest citizens in our country today are of Chinese ancestry. Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei and several other titans of trade and industry came from China. They assumed Filipino citizenship but retained Chinese customs in their families. The Chinese are hardworking; they are wizards in financial matters. There are more billionaires in China today than in other countries. Filipinos of full, half, or one-fourth Chinese ancestry are invariably humble, patient, self-effacing, and industrious. Very few red-blooded native Filipinos can match the work ethic of the Chinese people.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

EDITORIAL

Care, caution, consistency T HE National Capital Region Plus bubble has been placed under General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions.

This is a measure adopted not because it is already safe to go outside, but because the economy needs some activity despite the ongoing risk.

This means only essential travel into and out of the bubble—Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite—shall be allowed. At the same time, public transportation shall remain operational at such capacities and protocols in accordance with the Department of Transportation guidelines. Indoor dine-in services in NCR Plus shall be at 20 percent venue or seating capacity while outdoor or al fresco dining shall be at 50 percent venue or seating capacity. Outdoor tourist attractions in the NCR Plus may be opened at 30 percent with strict adherence to minimum public health standards. Religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 in NCR Plus shall be allowed up to 10 percent of the venue capacity. Also continued to be allowed are non-contact outdoor sports and personal

care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, and beauty clinics, among others at 30 percent capacity. Also permitted are non-contact outdoor sports and personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, and beauty clinics, among others at 30 percent capacity. Entertainment venues like bars, concert halls, and theaters; recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiards halls, and arcades; amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, and kiddie rides; indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions; and venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions shall not be allowed in NCR Plus But interzonal travel from NCR Plus

areas, except those conducted by Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs), shall remain prohibited. Under normal GCQ status from May 15 to 31 are areas under the Cordillera Administrative Region—Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Abra; Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2; Batangas and Quezon in Region 4-A; Puerto Princesa in Region 4-B; Iligan City in Region 10; Davao City in Region 11; and Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. All other areas shall be placed under Modified General Community Quarantine until the month’s end. These permissions do not mean setting down the basic health protocols— including correct physical distancing, proper hand washing, use of face masks and face shields—although some started forgetting these on the eve of the shift back to General Community Quarantine. Many people might take the GCQ as a sign that we can resume more activities. We should remember it is a measure adopted not because it is already safe to go outside, but because the economy needs some activity despite the ongoing risk.

Confusion and misunderstanding in the South China Sea Of course, these are all intended to test how far we could keep our patience to the alleged Chinese “harassment” with the US wily watching us at the sideline to avoid direct confrontation, notwithstanding that we have an existing defense agreement and even hosting five of their military bases in this country. As said, P.D. No. 1599 did not specifically mention the Panatag or Scarborough Shoal but affirmed that the Philippines seeks to establish its own exclusive economic zone under UNCLOS. “Section 2, par. 2 of Article XII on National Economy and Patrimony of the 1987 Constitution states in categorical terms, to quote: “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in the archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclu-

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN Part II THERE were, however, modifications to our national boundaries viz. territorial waters. The first was the boundary made in the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Washington. Second, the introduction by Senator Arturo Tolentino and later made into a law by then Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza of the “Philippine Archipelagic Doctrine” which was incorporated in Article I of the 1973 Constitution. Third, our formal incorporation in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution the UNCLOS provision granting us our right to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ). P.D. No. 1599 refers to an area as part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Noticeable is that the decree did not mention the area referred to as our exclusive economic zone though it has reference to the Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground in the South China Sea for our fishermen. Maybe we can speculate that China did not make an issue of our hypothetical claim of the EEZ The problem got complicated, for despite being the loudest and most vocal proponent of freedom of navigation, the US refused to ratify the UNCLOS. This is the most ambivalent thing that even our local media are silent to discuss. Nonetheless, the US continues to supply our defense department and intelligence community with satellite photos of Chinese vessels docking at the SCS, its construction on many of the islands, and other relevant data tending to show that China has routinely been violating our “right to freedom of navigation” in the SCS. The US diligently reports these incidents to exaggerate harassment by Chinese vessels to the local media. But the preponderant majority of Filipino citizens with Chinese ancestry are loyal to our country and will prefer to stay here than live in mainland China. Most, if not all, harbor and treasure their blood ancestry and are proud of China’s ascent as a superpower. Some of the taipans have more investments in China now than in the Philippines. But they are wary of China’s regulatory business policies and they prefer our country’s free-wheeling economic regime. When President Rodrigo Duterte made his pivot to China early in his term, China has been treating our country shabbily, laughing at our protests and insulting our intelligence. Our people now cower in fear, humiliation and shame from the brazen disregard by China of our legitimate grievances. At the height of his power, Napoleon Bonaparte warned the European nations to beware of China which he described as a sleeping lion that will be on a rampage once awake. China is now a grizzly bear snarling at Uncle Sam’s Eagle and squeezing small nations like the Philippines. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a devious program to conquer other nations by emasculating their economies. Xi Jinping, for as long as he remains the supreme and undisputed leader of the Chinese Communist Party, is determined to realize his dream to regain China’s glory as an empire in

Sober minds believe China will not renege on its oil and gas agreement with the Philippines. sive economic zone, and reserves its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.” Our national boundaries not only expanded the original area stated in the Treaty of Paris, but also attempted to include the Panatag Shoal which is outside of our exclusive economic zone now, thus adding confusion and misunderstanding. It is now for anybody to guess the place where it is located, and for us to measure the distance from our baseline possibly in Zambales. Maybe Marcos knew that if the area referred is beyond the 200-mile limit of the EEZ. Panatag Shoal is about 240 nautical miles from the nearest town in Masinloc, Zambales. This explains why the Permanent Arbitration Court (PAC) did not give much importance to China’s ancient map called nine-dash Line. The only consolation is that China realized that the area is equally beyond its exthe Middle Ages, install his country as the most powerful nation on earth, and the epitome of a communist-socialist dictatorial regime. These are not fantasies or day dreams. They are fast unfolding as realities in just a few years. Five years is now a long time in China which is outpacing the United States in technological and scientific developments. The most advanced and supergiant projects in transport, manufacturing, ecological restitution programs, and pioneering ventures into outer space are now being undertaken or already in existence. China now has come up with a supersonic nuclear missile which cannot be intercepted in midair. She is ahead of the USA in advances in artificial intelligence and outer space exploration blueprints. While there are hotspots or flash points which could ignite armed confrontation between China and the United States, Xi Jinping and Joe Biden will keep them under control. Both know that going to war is suicidal and insane. What is going on in the world today are not the usual boom-and-bust cyclical economic developments or the inevitable processes of obsolescence. What are emerging are revolutionary breakthroughs in science and technology and providential intervention in human affairs. Both heads of state of the two superpowers are aware of their limitations and shortcomings, as

clusive economic zone measured from their own baseline, which reason why it has been liberal, generous and accommodating to allow our fishermen to resume fishing in the area. Others prefer to call the reef “res nullius” or “without an owner” under international law. Besides, no state can impose sovereignty over an uninhabited reef or shoal. With respect to those Chinese vessels anchored in the Julian Felipe Reef, maybe the Philippine government is nervous and uneasy because of the large number vessels classified by Lorenzana as “Chinese militia vessels” may permanently occupy the shoal to make the area their anchor point. The Philippine government wanted to avoid a repetition of the incident in 2015 when it was made to believe China would simultaneously withdraw its coast guard in the area. The Aquino government was severely criticized by the Duterte administration after it ordered the unilateral withdrawal of our ships without us being clarified by Del Rosario of China’s stand on whether or not to comply with the supposed backdoor agreement brokered by the US. We can give two possible considerations as to why China did not withdraw its coast guard: first, because the disputed area is not within our EEZ, thus making the Philippines a non-party to the dispute; and, second, it was our coast guard that boarded the Chinese fishing vessel and arrested the Chinese fishermen. China did not relent to international pressure but applied the win-win formula to win our trust. China has allowed the Philippines to harvest fish in the shoal but remains firmly in control of the area. Besides, China’s accommodation of the Philippines is to acknowledge that the Philippines is the natural beneficiary of the resources in the Panatag Shoal, it being littoral and the nearest state in the area. Nonetheless, we should stop referring to Panatag as ours. The PCA never awarded us the Panatag Shoal. Full version on www.manilastandard.net well as their strength. They are capable of overcoming the swirling crucibles confronting humanity today. Let us hope that both will be content to leave behind great legacies for which they will be revered and enshrined in history. God will decide the Filipino people’s fate and destiny.

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The Great Commission for the pandemic

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

World

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BATTLE SCARS. An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14. Inset shows the scene of a Palestinian rocket attack in the southern city of Ashkelon also on Friday, amid the most intense Israeli-Palestinian hostilities in seven years. AFP

Over 100 dead as Israel bombards Gaza IN BRIEF J ERUSALEM—Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, in an intensification of a conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives. Days of deadly violence have seen Israeli soldiers massing on the edge of the territory, although the army stressed there had been no ground incursion despite an earlier statement that troops were carrying out an attack “in the Gaza Strip”.

Israeli security forces have also been scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, and projectiles have been fired from Lebanon. Images early Friday showed large balls of flame turning the night sky orange in

densely packed Gaza, while rockets were seen tracing through the air towards Israel. The United Nations said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the conflict as the world body’s Secretary General called for “an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities”. “Too many innocent civilians have already died,” Antonio Guterres tweeted. “This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was “deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of Israel”,

and the State Department urged citizens to “reconsider travel to Israel”. Several international airlines—including KLM, British Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa, and Iberia—cancelled flights amid the aerial onslaught. Dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards the southern Israeli coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, and in the vicinity of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. Israeli army spokesman John Conricus said the country was “prepared...for various scenarios”, describing a ground offensive as “one scenario”. AFP

UN Security Council to meet on Middle East UNITED NATIONS—The UN Security Council will hold a virtual public meeting Sunday to address the soaring violence between Israel and the Palestinians, diplomats said Thursday. The United States, which had blocked an originally scheduled Friday session and proposed a meeting early next week, agreed to move the session -- requested by Tunisia, Norway, and China -- to Sunday, the same sources said. The United States said earlier Thursday it wanted to give time for diplomacy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asked about the scrapping of Friday’s session, had said the United States was not blocking a meeting but wanted to hold it later. “We are open to and supportive of an open discussion at the United Nations,” Blinken told reporters in Washington. “I think we’re looking at early next week. This, I hope, will give some time for the diplomacy to have some effect,” he said, before the meeting was set for Sunday. The United States, Israel’s key ally, has defended the Jewish state’s deadly offensive in response to rocket fire from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip. But President Joe Biden’s administration has also voiced alarm over civilian casualties and earlier pushed Israel to hold off on evictions of Palestinians in Jerusalem, the immediate trigger for the flare-up. Blinken spoke Wednesday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and a senior State Department official, Hady Amr, was en route Thursday to the region. AFP

LIGHTNING KILLS. A veterinarian team checks the dead bodies of wild elephants, suspected to have been killed by lightning, on a hillside in Nagaon district of Assam state on Friday. At least 18 elephants are suspected to have been killed by lightning in northeastern India, officials said on May 13 as they launched a probe into the incident. AFP

US: No need for mask indoors for people with jabs WASHINGTON—The top US health agency on Thursday said it was lifting mask-wearing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a watershed moment that President Joe Biden called “a great day” in the long pandemic fight. The announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) marked an abrupt turnaround after more than a year of urging people to cover their faces to stem the spread. “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a

briefing. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.” In an emotional address from the White House, Biden declared a major victory in the battle against the virus that has seen more than 580,000 Americans die. “I think it’s a great milestone, a great day,” he said. The move sparked joyful reactions in some, but others experienced whiplash and said they would continue to wear their masks out of caution. “I’m still going to wear a mask in-

side,” said Mubarak Dahir, a 57-yearold tourist in the capital Washington who was visiting from Florida. “I think it’s premature, it’s a little dangerous to believe that we are that far already.” But Desmond, a 67-year-old in Lafayette Square, said: “It’s great news... we have come a long way in 14 months!” Accumulating data shows the extremely high efficacy of authorized vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic Covid-19 but also asymptomatic infection and onward transmission. Almost 60 percent of US adults now have one or more doses, while cases are falling fast, down to a seven-day-average of 38,000 or 11 per 100,000. AFP

those being taken very seriously.” She pointed to recommendations “about increasing the independence and authority of the WHO so that they have explicit powers to investigate pathogens with pandemic potential and to publish information about those potential outbreaks with immediate action without prior approval of national governments.” “The independent panel is a very important one in terms of the way forward for ensuring that we avoid the experience that the world, this country, our country, so many countries have had to deal with in recent times and the extraordinary loss of life that it has caused,” she said. AFP

us (to) fully assess the situation with our own security partners,” the Health Service Executive (HSE) said. “We apologise for inconvenience caused to patients and to the public and will give further information as it becomes available,” it added, stressing Ireland’s coronavirus vaccination programme was unaffected and “going ahead as planned”. Another ransomware attack last Friday forced the shutdown of the United States’ largest fuel distribution system, leading

SINGAPORE—Singapore announced a ban on dine-ins and cut group sizes to two people on Friday as it further toughened virus curbs to stem a rise in local transmissions. After a partial lockdown and a rigorous regime of testing and contact tracing, COVID-19 had almost disappeared in the citystate, with authorities reporting hardly any local transmission in recent months. But over the last few weeks cases have risen, with officials announcing several new clusters—including one at the airport comprised of 46 cases, mostly among people working there. Starting on Sunday, group sizes in public or when visiting homes will be restricted to two people, down from the currently allowed five. Dining in at restaurants will be banned, and all employees who can work from home must do so, officials said in a news conference. The measures, which will be in place until June 13, resemble those imposed during a partial lockdown last year during which the economy suffered its worst ever recession. AFP

Teenager recounts violence vs. women in Myanmar jails

ANTI-SLAVERY RALLY. People take part in a protest during the National Day

Against Racism commemorating the 133rd anniversary of the Slavery abolition in Brazil at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 13. AFP

Ireland shuts down health IT system after ‘significant’ ransomware attack DUBLIN—Ireland’s health authority said Friday it had shut down its computer systems after experiencing a “significant ransomware attack”, a week after the largest US fuel pipeline network was also targeted. The Irish attack was blamed on international criminals and was said to be targeting healthcare records, but officials said patient safety was not at risk. “We have taken the precaution of shutting down all our IT systems in order to protect them from this attack and to allow

YEREVAN, Armenia—Armenia’s leader on Thursday accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory, in a new escalation of tensions between the arch foes. Last year Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The six-week conflict claimed some 6,000 lives and ended after Armenia ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades. In the early hours of Thursday, Armenia’s acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of new transgressions as he convened an emergency meeting of his security council. Pashinyan said Azerbaijan’s troops had advanced more than three kilometres (two miles) into southern Armenia and were trying to “lay siege” to Lake Sev Lich that is shared by the two countries. “It is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said. “This is an act of subversive infiltration.” He said Armenian soldiers had responded with “appropriate tactical manoeuvres” but stressed that the latest tensions should be settled through negotiations. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry termed Pashinyan’s claims provocative, saying the country’s “border troops are taking positions that belong to Azerbaijan, in the Lachin and Kalbajar districts.” AFP

Singapore tightens curbs after spike

Australia calls for greater WHO powers to investigate outbreaks WASHINGTON—Australia called Thursday for the World Health Organization to be given greater powers to investigate outbreaks after an independent panel found dithering and poor coordination when Covid-19 emerged in China. Australia has been in the firing line from China, its largest trading partner, over steps including backing US-led calls for a probe into Covid’s origins, with Beijing imposing tariffs on key products including wine and cutting off diplomatic and trade talks. On a visit to Washington, Foreign Minister Marise Payne praised recommendations of a panel report released Wednesday and said, “We absolutely support

Armenia, Azerbaijan tensions rise anew

to some panic buying at gasoline stations along the east coast. Moscow has rejected US accusations that a Russia-based group was behind the cyber attack. HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the attack in Ireland was “an internationally operated criminal operation”, and the authority was working with police, the army and its major IT security providers. “We are at the very early stages of fully understanding the threat,” he told Irish broadcaster RTE, adding it was trying to

“contain” the issue. The Rotunda maternity hospital in Dublin said that “due to a serious IT issue”, it was only admitting emergency cases and women who are at least 36 weeks pregnant. Hospital chief Fergal Malone said the attack had targeted computers storing patient records. Life-saving equipment is operating fine, “there’s no problem for patient safety”, and the hospital has switched to backup paper records, he told RTE. AFP

BANGKOK—Beaten, kicked in the groin and threatened with sexual violence—a young Myanmar teenager detained by the junta’s security forces has described the treatment suffered by some women and girls behind bars. Ma Chaw, 17, and her mother were arrested on April 14 in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, which has been blanketed with heavy security since the military seized power in a coup. As they were walking to a friend’s house from a morning protest, she said, they were stopped by two security trucks. “They forced us to crouch face-down on the ground,” Ma Chaw told AFP. The high school student then faced six days of fear and anxiety, held with women who alleged torture and abuse by police behind closed doors. Ma Chaw said she herself had to endure a police officer molesting her during an interrogation session. The teenager was released on April 20, but her mother was not as fortunate —she was instead taken to Yangon’s Insein prison. “My mother is my only family,” she said. “I’m very worried for her safety and life.” To secure her release, she said, she had to sign documents saying she suffered “no torture” behind bars. AFP

Business

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Manila

Standard

TODAY

PSEi May 14, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

LBC VUL

17.02 2.23

1.02 0.1

6.38% 4.69%

963.5

4.33%

4 5

ACE IRC

1.63 1.37

0.06 0.05

3.82% 3.79%

SGP

389

3.73%

SGI

1.23

0.04

3.36%

SHNG

2.67

0.08

3.09%

9 10

GERI AEV

0.84 35.8

0.02 0.8

2.44% 2.29%

BACK IN BUSINESS. Local and tourist sit at terraces and walk through the old town of Chania (La Canee) in the north west of the island of Crete, on May 13, 2021. Greece easies the COVID-19 measures in welcoming international tourists on May 14. AFP (Related story below)

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

PNB UPM

21.55 0.01

-6.95 -0.001

-24.39% -9.09%

MEG

2.6

-0.22

-7.80%

LRW

1.55

-0.13

-7.74%

5 6

OPM PRMX

0.012 3.2

-0.001 -0.25

-7.69% -7.25%

1.32

-0.1

-7.04%

8 9 10

PHA PSB MB

1.64 55 0.42

-0.12 -4 -0.03

-6.82% -6.78% -6.67%

MOST ACTIVE 1

ACEN

VOLUME 150314500

VALUE (PHP) 1029038336

2 3

SMPH ICT

26328400 3771100

862480380 515184851

4 5

MEG AC

145759000 510610

389785740 362611485

6 7

ALI BDO

10993000 3029690

347247950 316030906

8 9

SM PGOLD

299450 7533700

274941520 239623125

TEL

150810

187924220

TAIPEI—Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn announced Friday it has teamed up with American electric car startup Fisker to build a factory in the United States with a goal to start producing vehicles in late 2023. The companies said in a joint stateManila ment that they have signed framework Standard agreements to jointly develop “a new TODAY breakthrough” electric vehicle that would be at the more affordable end of the market. Foxconn is the world’s largest contract electronics maker and assembles Apple’s iPhones and gadgets for other major international brands. But it has also been looking to diversify beyond electronics assembly, specifically electric cars, robots and NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT digital healthcare. OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING Foxconn announced a joint venture with Chinese automaker Zhejiang To All Stockholders: Geely Holding Group in January to provide car makers with production Please be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders of services. for the year PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS,and INC.consulting (the “Corporation”) Liu Young-way saidyear Fox2021 which is scheduled everyChairman third Tuesday of May of each has been postponed and reset a later date to be determined conntoploughed about Tw$10 billion by the Board of Directors, during a meeting be called forcar such (US$355 million)to into electric depurpose. velopment in 2020, and expects investment to rise over next years. The of the postponement is tothe give thetwo Company Tokyo piled on more than two percent and thepurpose heavily techFisker is one of a host of US-based more time to prepare for additional matters that will be presented weighted Taipei index climbed one percent after suffering to the stockholders at the meeting. electronic car startups hoping to one massive losses this week. day challenge Tesla’s supremacy. Shanghai jumped 1.8 percent, Hong Kong put on 1.1 perA Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new The partnership with Foxconn would cent, Seoul added slightly less while Sydney edged up. meetingalso date. enable Fisker to deliver products “at a However, Singapore slid nearly three percent as a spike Makati City, 07 May, 2021. price point that truly opens up elecin infections in the city puts an already once-delayed travel bubble with Hong Kong in doubt. Wellington, Mumbai and tric mobility to the mass market,” said G. DE CASTRO Bangkok were also slightly down. chairman MAILA and chief executive officer Corporate Secretary Global equities have been convulsed for months by expectations Henrik Fisker. AFP that a blockbuster global recovery will send prices rocketing, forcing Manila central banks—particularly theStandard Federal Reserve—to taper the ultra-loose TODAY monetary policies that have helped drive a rally for more than a year. Despite pledges from top central bank officials that the spikes NOTICE are temporary owing to last year’s (Re Submission of Nominations for the low base and that they will not Y2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting) move until unemployment is unDear Stockholders: der control and inflation is running consistently hot, investors Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Malolos Doctors Inc. (“ACE-Malolos”) will be held on August 16, have been preparing for what they 2021 (Monday) at 8:00 o’clock in the morning via Zoom Webinar in view of the see as the inevitable. With AFP continuing COVID-19 health crisis.

Market bounces back; SM Investments gains

HE stock market rose Friday on bargain hunting and after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces under the more lenient general community quarantine status starting May 15.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 32.96 points, or 0.5 percent, at 6,269.36 on a value turnover of P11.1 billion. Losers, however, outnumbered gainers, 152 to 50, with 52 issues unchanged. SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group rallied 4.3 percent to P963.50, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, added 1.6 percent to P1,270. Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of office spaces, sank 7.8 percent to P2.60, while Philippine National Bank, the fifth-biggest lender in terms of assets, tumbled 24.4 percent to P21.55. Bargain-buying, meanwhile, helped most Asian markets recover some of this week’s steep losses, with investors tracking a rally on Wall Street and taking heart from a forecastbeating jobless claims report, though inflation fears continue to cast a dark cloud over trading floors.

(MS-MAY 7 & 8, 2021)

Kindly submit your nominations in connection with the election of the members of the Board of the Directors on or before May 24, 2021 thru the Admin. Office, ACE Malolos Doctors, Capitol View Park, Brgy Bulihan, City of Malolos, Bulacan, or via electronic mail thru ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com. The nomination form is available at ACE Malolos Doctors website at www.acemalolosdoctors.org.

Greece begins tourism season, eyes recovery CHANIA, Greece—Greece kickstarts its tourism season on Friday, with both the government and travel operators hoping the lure of sun, sand and sea will bring a sorely needed revenue boost after last year’s miserable holiday season. “We are raising anchor,” Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis declared as he launched the holiday season Thursday evening from the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, near Athens. “We leave behind the dark clouds of fear and insecurity,” he added, saying that foreign tourists were eager to return to the country to take in the sunshine and turquoise waters. The announcement couldn’t come soon enough for restaurateurs and cafe owners eagerly preparing for patrons to come back after suffering so long under coronavirus lockdown measures. “We’re hoping for a good season... and for people to choose our country and our island,” said Alexandros Koukourakis as he set up tables and chairs at his restaurant near the old town of Chania, on the island of Crete. “We are putting behind a difficult period while still taking precautionary measures.” According to government regulations announced on Wednesday, anyone traveling to Greek islands by sea or air must show a vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test result. Europe’s leading tour operator TUI has scheduled 120 flights to Greece until the end of May, with the first six touching down on Friday and another 15 on Saturday. Some 40 international incoming flights are expected in 14 regional Greek airports on Friday and another 110 on Saturday. Most islands have less extensive health facilities than the mainland, and an initiative to vaccinate local populations is underway. Nationwide, nearly four million vaccinations have already been carried out, including some 1.4 million double doses in the country of 10.8 million. In an early setback, the UK put Greece on its amber travel list, meaning that returning Britons face at least five days in quarantine. AFP

Foxconn and Fisker to build electric cars in US

Furthermore, please update your contact information with the Corporation, particularly, your email addresses and mobile numbers to facilitate the sending of notices. For inquiries, you may contact the office via email at ace.malolos.doctors@ gmail.com or at telephone number 044-8167698. Very truly yours, ARLENE N. LIM-VITUG, M.D. Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 8 & 15, 2021)

Manila

Standard

TODAY

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING OF ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MEDICAL CENTER-GENSAN INC. DEAR STOCKHOLDERS:

In this file photo taken on October 22, 2020, a member of the bar staff pulls a pint in a Wetherspoons pub in Leigh, Greater Manchester, northwest England. AFP

UK pubs face hiring woes ahead of reopening By Martine Pauwels LONDON—Pub and restaurant owners across England will breathe a sigh of relief on Monday, as months of coronavirus restrictions are lifted, allowing them to serve groups of six or two households inside. For the last month, they have only been allowed to serve food and drinks outside, making indoors an attractive option for punters who have shivered during an exceptionally cold spring. “I can’t wait,” said James Berridge, a television director. “When restaurants and pubs and clubs will really open, we’re going to be there, indoors. “On a beautiful day... it’s fine outdoors. We’re in the UK. As soon as it rains, we need to be inside, by the fire, having a pint.” But just days before the long-expected reopening, Polina Minkova, the manager of The Guildford Arms in southeast London, has been struggling with a major problem. “It has been very difficult to get staff,” she told AFP. Qualified, experienced workers in particular are in short supply, including for senior positions in the kitchens. Monday is a major step in the reopening of the badly hit hospitality and leisure sectors, with museums, hotels and sports stadiums all expected to welcome back visitors. A marked decline in COVID cases, driven by months of strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and a successful vaccination campaign, has allowed the move. ‘Challenge’ The situation at The Guildford Arms, in upmarket Greenwich, is being played out across the sector, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, an industry body.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin, whose organization represents 20,000 pubs, said it was a “challenge” to make sure staff have “the right skill sets that we need to reopen fully.” The pool of available staff has been reduced by ongoing coronavirus furlough schemes and by hospitality workers who have left the sector for jobs considered more stable. Pubs, restaurants and cafes have also been hit by the departure of EU nationals from Britain—a phenomenon that started during Brexit and accelerated during the pandemic. European nationals accounted for 12.3 percent to 23.7 percent of the workforce in 2017, before the UK’s departure from the bloc, according to consultancy firm KPMG. Britain’s Office for Statistics has said the hotel and restaurant sector has been the hardest hit by the pandemic: 355,000 salaried jobs have been lost in one year since March 2020 “What employers in the sector are telling us is that between 10 and 20 percent on average of their people who’ve been on furlough are deciding not to return,” Kathy Dyball, director of the specialist recruitment site Caterer.com told AFP. Her site had seen a steep rise in adverts seeking new employees—a sign of a worsening situation for the hospitality sector which she said had suffered from understaffing for “decades.” ‘A lot of competition’ Chefs have been among those in the highest demand, pushing up salaries. Carol Cairnes, head of human resources at D&D London which owns some 40 high-end restaurants in the UK, said there had been “a lot of competition out there to get the best candidates.” AFP

Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Allied Care Experts (ACE)Medical Center -Gensan Inc. will be held on June 17, 2021, Thursday, at 1:00 in the afternoon; the meeting will be conducted via Zoom Webinar. Kindly confirm your presence for the meeting by registering on or before June 14, 2021. To register for the meeting, click the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81138386203?pwd=cFV1bUp2bFp3ZHhhRndkZ DJ0ZDMzdz09 The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the zoom meeting. The host will launch a poll where participants will be prompted to cast their votes. The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference. The Agenda: Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2020 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting VI. Annual Financial Report VII. President’s Report VIII. Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation IX. Election of the Board of Directors X. Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2021 XI. Adjournment I. II. III. IV. V.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 28, 2021 (Record Date) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at compliance.acemcgensan@gmail.com not later than June 14, 2021, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. A sample of the proxy form is available at the Corporation’s website for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies] The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A will be available at the Corporation’s website at http://acemcgensan.com/. You may contact the undersigned via email at compliance.acemcgensan@gmail. com, or through telephone number: (083) 553-3595 , if you have inquiries or concerns regarding the meeting. Very truly yours,

RHODORA G. GAGWIS Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 15 & 17, 2021)

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

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, May 14, 2021

32.96 PTS. 6,269.36

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

4,184,519,268 139,395 11,058,775,380.20 50 152 52

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.8340

Japan

Yen

0.009137

0.4371

Pound

1.405500

67.2307

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128733

6.1578

Switzerland

Franc

1.104484

52.8319

Canada

Dollar

0.822166

39.3275

Singapore

Dollar

0.750019

35.8764

Australia

Dollar

0.772600

36.9565

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655549

127.0255

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

12.7561

Brunei

Dollar

0.747217

35.7424

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031898

1.5258

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0239

Euro

1.208400

57.8026

Korea

Won

0.000888

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.154933

7.4111

India

Rupee

0.013611

0.6511

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242542

11.6018

New Zealand

Dollar

0.718400

34.3639

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035790

1.7120 Source: BSP

Pilipinas Shell recovers with P1-b income

Business Gross international reserves climbed to $107.25b in April By Julito G. Rada

HE country’s gross international reserves added $2.77 billion in April to reach $107.25 billion from $104.48 billion in March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected inflows that were mainly from the proceeds of the national govern government’s ROP Global and Samurai bond issu issuances, which were deposited with the BSP,” the BSP said in a statement. “Further, an upward adjustment in the value of the BSP’s gold holdings due to the increase in the price of gold in the international market contributed to the higher GIR level,” it said. These were partly offset by the outflows from the national government’s payments

of its foreign currency debt obligations. Data showed that on a year-on-year basis, the GIR increased by nearly $17 billion from $90.9 billion in April 2020. It reached a record high of $110.1 billion in December 2020 before easing in the following months, as the balance of payments yielded a larger deficit in the first quarter as a result of the national government’s net withdrawal of foreign currency deposits with the BSP, which were largely used for debt servicing. The BSP said the BOP registered a deficit of $2.84 billion in the first quarter, higher than the $68-million shortfall recorded in the same period last year. The April GIR consisted of $90.843 billion in BSP’s foreign investments, $9.3 billion in gold holdings, $5 billion in foreign exchange, $1.2 billion in special drawing rights and $803 million in reserve position. Foreign investments climbed from $89.7 billion in March, while gold holdings increased from $9.1 billion. The BSP said the GIR level in April represented a more than adequate external

liquidity buffer, which could help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks. This buffer is equivalent to 12.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. The figure is also about 7.5 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.2 times based on residual maturity. Similarly, the net international reserves, which refers to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total shortterm liabilities, increased by $2.77 billion to $107.24 billion as of end-April 2021 from $104.47 billion in March. The BSP expects the GIR level to settle at $114 billion by end-2021 and increase further to $117 billion in 2022 on expectation that the BOP position will remain strong. Last year, the BOP posted a record surplus of $16.02 billion, pushing the GIR to $110.12 billion in December despite the challenging global environment highlighted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

By Alena Mae S. Flores PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. said Friday it posted a net income of P1 billion in the first quarter, a strong rebound from the P5.5-billion loss it booked in the same period last year. The company attributed the financial recovery in the first quarter to new supply chain strategy, higher premium penetration across all segments and continued cash conservation measures. “We are now seeing the positive results of the tough decisions we made that ensured our financial resiliency and competitiveness brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive Cesar Romero said in a statement. “The difficult decision to transform our refinery into world-class import facility allowed us to avoid the significant losses we incurred during the first half of 2020,” he said. Pilipinas Shell shut down its 110,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Tabangao, Batangas last year amid the COVID-19 impact on local and global demand. “We have yet to see fuel demand to go back to pre-pandemic levels. With our refocused and reset strategy, we are well-positioned to meet the country’s energy requirement as the economy recovers from the pandemic,” Romero said. The company’s cash flow from operations excluding movement in working capital reached P3.9 billion, while borrowings remained at a manageable level. The company said volume delivery was still below pre-COVID levels, as COVID cases increased and stricter quarantine measures in key cities nationwide resumed in the latter half of March. Pilipinas Shell’s first quarter volume was down 31 percent from a year ago, as marketing volume went down by 16 percent. Lubricants and bitumen went up by 12 percent and 27 percent, respectively, supported by new customer wins and increased economic activities in some industries. The company unveiled in March its 2021-2025 Strategy Plan, banking on the transformation of its supply chain from manufacturing to full importa-

JG Summit unveils P47.8-b capex to expand business units By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE JG Summit Holdings Inc. said Friday it budgeted P47.8 billion for 2021 capital expenditures to support the expansion of property, food manufacturing and petrochemical businesses. JG Summit president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting P20 billion was allocated to fund real estate projects of Robinsons Land Corp., while P10 billion would go to food manufacturing unit Universal Robina Corp. Petrochemical unit JG Summit Petrochemicals Group will spend P13 billion this year as it is in the process of completing a $1.3-billion expansion project. Airline unit Cebu Air Inc. will spend P3 billion this year. The conglomerate said net income in the first three months reached P122 million, significantly lower than P1.9 billion it earned in the same period last year as its airline and real estate businesses continued to be affected by the pandemic. Excluding airline operations, JGS Summit’s first-quarter net income amounted to P5.1 billion, up 88 percent year-on-year. Consolidated revenues were nearly flat at P67.6 billion. “We continue to cautiously navigate this very turbulent environment leveraging on the strengths of our diversified portfolio and our balance sheet. Our food and banking segments remain stable, while businesses that were heavily impacted by the strict mobility restrictions and quarantine measures have shown sustained quarter-on-quarter recovery since the significant decline during the ECQ last year,” Gokongwei said. “We are also pleased to see substantial EBITDA contribution from our petrochemicals unit with the constant improvement in its operations in the recent quarter,” he said.

IN BRIEF

M2DC acquires 67% of Basic Energy

CALAX INSPECTION. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar (right) and MPCALA Holdings Inc. vice president for tollways development and engineering Art Monge inspect the progress of Cavite-Laguna Expressway Subsection 5, which is slated to open to motorists by the third quarter this year. CALAX Subsection 5 is a 7.2-kilometer, 2x2 lane expressway that will link Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road to Silang, Cavite. Once operational, the section is expected to serve 5,000 vehicles daily, helping decongest traffic along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. Roy Tomandao

Tugade vows to complete construction of Bicol International Airport within 2020 By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation on Friday vowed to complete the construction works on the Bicol International Airport within the year. The BIA, known as the “Most Scenic Gateway” of the country, is now at 82.22-percent overall progress rate after 13 years of delay. Once operational, it is expected to serve 2 million passengers every year. “The nation, especially the Bicolanos, have been waiting for the completion of Bicol International Airport. Before we were appointed, the project had three groundbreaking ceremonies. Now, the actual completion of the project is near,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said. He said that in terms of job generation, 755 jobs were created during the airport’s construction phase, while 1,100 more indirect jobs await local residents once the airport becomes operational.

Package 2A of the BIA involving the construction of landside facilities and other buildings had a progress rate of 94.40 percent and is targeted to be completed this month. Package 2B, covering the construction of the PTB and runway extension and the construction of the taxiway, drainage and other site development works, was 68.14-percent completed. It is expected to be finished by June this year. Ongoing works for the embankment and construction of access road and slope protection were at 52.50 percent and were expected to be finished by October. Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority committed to turn over the administration and operation of the Pantao Port in Libon to the provincial government of Albay effective June 1. Tugade assured that the transfer of the Pantao Port from the PPA to Albay province was the subject of a thorough study.

NGCP TRAINING.

NGCP, in partnership with the local government of Bataan, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Bataan Philippine National Police, is giving former drug dependents a new lease on life through the company’s Bukas na Pintuan Tungo sa Pagbabago program. The program, which is in support of the administration’s war on drugs, started in 2017 by setting up TESDA training camps in Bataan for drug dependents looking to turn their lives around. Three TESDA technical skills trainings were offered to beneficiaries: scaffold erection, pipefitting and welding.

PNB’s net profit increased by 34% to P1.8b in 1st quarter PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifth-largest lender in terms of assets and owned by tycoon Lucio Tan, said Friday net income in the first quarter of 2021 climbed 34 percent year-onyear to P1.8 billion, on strong service fees and commission income, reduced operating expenses and significantly lower provisions for credit losses. PNB booked P2.1 billion in provisions for credit losses, lower by 38 percent than P3.4 billion a year earlier. The lower provisioning level resulted from the bank’s anticipatory build-up of provisions for most part of 2020 as a pro-active approach in addressing potential delinquencies that might arise from the impact of the prolonged pandemic. PNB president and chief executive Wick Veloso said the bank remained vigilant of the effects of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic on the bank’s operations and businesses. “It is for this reason that PNB continues to adopt a prudent approach in asset deployment which affected the bank’s net interest margins. However, we remain confident that such strategy together with the tactical actions we are taking will ensure that the bank will be able to emerge from the crisis stronger,” Veloso said. Net service fees and commissions rose 35 percent on the back of higher fees from underwriting activities as well as credit cards and bancassurance businesses. Operating expenses, excluding provisions for impairment and credit losses, declined 8 percent over the same period last year on sustained rationalization of non-essential expenditures and operational efficiencies as the bank transitions to more automation and technology-driven processes to adapt to the demands of the new normal.Julito G. Rada

BASIC Energy Corp. said Friday it signed an agreement to sell at least 67 percent of its outstanding capital stock to Map 2000 Development Corp. P2.8 billion. “The company executed the subscription agreement with M2DC for the latter’s subscription to 9,827,990,853 primary shares at a total subscription price of P2,800,977,393.11,” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. Basic Energy earlier said the transaction would result in a fresh capital infusion into the company, allowing it to grow and expand its portfolio of energy-focused projects, including interests in other renewables such as solar, wind, biomass, petroleum and other types of energy projects. “With this, the Company hopes to build a robust project portfolio that will bring in revenues in the short to medium terms enhancing shareholder value,” the company said. Basic Energy signed in December an agreement to sell 9,827,990,853 shares of stock to M2DC to be issued out of the increase in the authorized capital stock of the corporation from P2.5 billion to P5 billion. Alena Mae S. Flores

Ayala Corp. profit declined 19% in Q1 AYALA Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, said income declined 19 percent in the first quarter to P5.4 billion from a year ago, as real estate and banking businesses continued to reel from the impact of the pandemic. The conglomerate said in a disclosure to the stock exchange property unit Ayala Land Inc. and banking arm Bank of the Philippine Islands registered double-digit drops in net income in the first three months of the year. But Globe Telecom Inc. and AC Energy Corp. registered double-digit net income growths during the period. “The challenges and prospects brought about by the pandemic is an opportune time to recalibrate Ayala’s portfolio strategy. In the next three years, we aim to sharpen the components of our portfolio to optimize returns and further strengthen our balance sheet,” Ayala president and chief executive Fernando Zobel de Ayala said. “We will place greater emphasis on portfolio strategy with a sharper focus on optimizing returns from existing businesses and a disciplined process on capital deployment,” Zobel de Ayala said. Jenniffer B. Austria

BDO Leasing posts P9.5-m net income

BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. said Friday it posted a net income of P9.5 million in the first three months, generated solely from investment income following the discontinuance of the company’s former financing operations and the sale of its leasing and loan portfolio to BDO Unibank Group in October 2020. BDOLF’s investments registered a fair value gain of P13.6 million, while total expenses stood at P4.5 million. The company’s first-quarter performance is not comparable to the P83.3-million profit it recorded a year-ago, given that last year’s results reflected business operations prior to the full implementation of the group’s restructuring of its leasing business. The restructuring entailed the full transition of BDOLF operations to BDO Finance Corp., established in 2019 to offer customers continued access to lease products and services. BDO Finance also assumed the lease transactions booked in BDOLF to ensure continuity to the latter’s existing clients. BDOLF already ceased to operate as a leasing company and has not accepted any new leasing transaction since October 2020.

Sports

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

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

350,000 sign ‘Cancel Olympics’ petition

Kenji Utsunomiya, a Japanese lawyer and former Tokyo gubernatorial candidate, poses with a campaign slogan Stop Tokyo Olympics, after handing the petitions to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Tokyo. AFP

PSC backs boxers’ bid in Dubai tiff THE Philippine Sports Commission confirmed that the PSC board approved the request of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, Inc. for financial assistance for their ASBC Asian Boxing Championships participation to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from May 21 to June 1. The competition was originally set in New Delhi where an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases forced Asian Boxing Confederation to shift the competition to Dubai. The P2-million funding covers expenses for airfare, accommodation, allowance, visa fee, and insurance. Additional funding of P714,750 was also approved to cover their quarantine expenses. Josie Gabuco, Maricel dela Torre, Mark Lester Durens, Marvin Tabamo, Jummilardo Ogayre, Jere dela Cruz, John Paul Panauayan, and Eumir Marcial will be accompanied by three coaches, a physiotherapist, masseur and team official. Close to a dozen Filipino boxers, including the three others bound for the Tokyo Olympics, have been training at the Thailand National Sports Center in Muaklek since March. Eumir Felix Marcial, who trained for six months under a professional setup in Los Angeles, has yet to join the Philippine team in Thailand but is committed to see action in the Asian Elite Championships in Dubai. Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, who are all Tokyo-bound, are skipping the Dubai meet because of strict quarantine protocols that may stymie their training.

6 PH surfers join hunt for lone Olympic seat By Peter Atencio

HE Philippine surﬁng team will not need to wait long to ﬁnd out if they can qualify for the Olympics.

Going to to El Salvador in the last week of May will give Filipino surfers a chance to know if they can make the cut to the quadrennial meet in Tokyo. “The Olympic qualification for surfing is supposed to be a two-year process. But because of the pandemic, it was compressed,” said United Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas on

Facebook live. Games silver medalist and A six-man Philippine La Union native Jay-R Essquad is getting ready to quivel. leave on May 17 to train SEA Games bronze medand then join a competition alist John Mark ‘Marama’ in El Salvador. Tokong, who is training in The event is known as Australia), will be around the International Surfing with veteran Edito ‘Piso’ Association World SurfAlcala Jr. ing Games Olympic QualiTeenage surfer Vea Esfiers. trellado, who recently And this will be the turned 18, will be the country’s final opportunity youngest member to join. to earn a slot for the Olym- Dr. Raul Canlas The country’s top-ranked pics in Japan. women’s surfers will be “The top Asian who finishes will qual- there, with SEA Games gold medalist ify for the Olympics,” added Canlas. Nilbie Blancada, and SEA Games bronze The men’s team is led Southeast Asian medalist Daisy Valdez teaming up.

Knott ranks 5th vs world’s best in Italy

Kristina Knott

SOUTHEAST Asian Games’ double gold medallist Kristina Knott ran against the world’s best and ended up in fifth place. The 25-year-old Knott braved the cold weather and clocked 23.74 seconds yesterday (Thursday in Italy) at the International Meeting City of Savona-Memorial Giulio Ottolia in Savona, Italy. British favorite Dina Asher-Smith, who finished fifth in the 2016 Rio Olympics, broke the meet record in 23.06 seconds. Meeting the Olympic qualifying standard time of 22.8 seconds was no longer Asher-Smith’s goal as she has already made the cut back in the 2019 World Championships in Doha with a record-shattering 21.88 seconds performance. Another British, Beth Dobbin took the silver in 23.06 seconds, while Italian Dalia Kaddari landed third in 23.21 seconds. Lalova-Collio was close to the record she set last year (23.13 seconds) in taking fourth at 23.71 seconds. “We just finished. With all things

considered, it was acceptable for the circumstances, the weather was cold at 16c and still some effects of jet leg but that’s expected,” said Knott’s coach Rohsaan Griffin. Knott has been getting into the groove since last month. Back in April, Knott took the bronze medal in the women’s 200-meters Olympic Development race at the 2021 Louisiana State University Alumni Gold Athletics meet in Baton Rouge in 23.17 seconds. Knott’s next tournament is in the Castiglione on May 19. “Next competition, we will be adjusted and should perform better,” added Griffin. Asher-Smith will also be in Castiglione. That time, world and Olympic medalist Marie Josée Ta Lou will also grace the meet. Griffin said Knott is within range of her goals. “From a statistical standpoint based off of PBS, she placed exactly where she was projected to finish,” said Griffin. Peter Atencio

TOKYO—Japan’s government is expected to widen a virus state of emergency Friday, just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics, as campaigners submitted a petition with more than 350,000 signatures urging the Games be scrapped. With Tokyo and other areas already under emergency orders until the end of May, three more regions—including northern Hokkaido, which will host the Olympic marathon—are set to join them. The widening emergency, aimed at combatting a fourth wave which is putting Japan’s medical system under strain, comes with public opinion firmly opposed to holding the Games this summer, fearing further infections. Kenji Utsunomiya, a former candidate for Tokyo governor, urged Games organizers to “prioritize life” as he submitted the 351,000-signature petition to city authorities. “I think the Olympics this time is about whether we prioritise life or a ceremony and event called the Olympics,” Utsunomiya said, urging Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to push for cancellation. The petition is also being sent to the IOC and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as well as local organizers and the national government. “Holding the Olympics under these circumstances means precious medical resources have to be set aside for the Games,” Utsunomiya warned. On Thursday, a doctors’ union warned it was “impossible” to hold the Games safely during the pandemic, but organisers say virus countermeasures will keep the athletes and Japanese public safe. In an interview with AFP, International Paralympic Committee chief Andrew Parsons acknowledged Japanese “anger” over the Games. But he said strict rules, including daily testing and limited movement for athletes, meant the chance they could infect anyone was “really remote”. “We want to provide this feeling of certainty,” Parsons said. “Because we see that the anger comes from this concept that it’s the Japanese population’s safety versus the Games. I believe they can coexist.” ‘Afraid’ of the Games In recent days, organisers have held a string of successful test events, including with international athletes, which they say shows their protocols will work. World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, who attended test events in Japan last week, said no major sports event so far has been a “super-spreader”. “The world does need to keep moving,” Coe wrote in the Daily Mail. “At a time when football, rugby, tennis and athletics are all back functioning, and crowds slowly returning, it would seem odd to pull stumps on an Olympic Games where the protocols will be tougher than in any other walk of life and many competitors and their support teams will be arriving having been vaccinated,” he added. In Japan, however, one of the country’s most prominent businessmen, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, said he is “afraid” of the Games going ahead. “I am very much afraid of having the Olympics,” he told CNBC. AFP

Suns keep Blazers waiting; Spurs punch play-in ticket LOS ANGELES—Devin Booker drained two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining to lift Phoenix to a 118-117 victory over Portland that kept the Suns in the hunt for the top seed in the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The narrow victory in a tense duel that saw 25 lead changes along with 18 ties prevented the Trail Blazers from officially locking up their playoff spot. Veteran point guard Chris Paul paced the Suns with 26 points, one of seven Phoenix players to score in double figures. Forward Mikal Bridges and reserve Cameron Payne had 21 points apiece and Booker finished with 18 as the Suns withstood a 41-point performance from Blazers guard Damian Lillard that was supplemented by 27 from CJ McCollum. Lillard’s driving layup with 34.7 seconds remaining put the Trail Blazers up 117-114, but Bridges narrowed the gap with two free throws. After a Lillard miss from three-point range, Booker handed the Trail Blazers a lifeline as he was whistled for travelling as he tried to spin away from Carmelo Anthony, giving Portland the ball. The Blazers couldn’t take advantage, however,

Robert Covington missing two free throws. The Suns had a last inbounds chance after a timeout and after Portland’s Norman Powell was called for a foul Booker stepped up and made two freethrows to settle it. “That’s a good team we played over there,” Paul said. “We knew Dame was going to get going late and we held them off.” Lillard scored 24 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, but his trademark “Dame Time” heroics weren’t enough for a Portland team that dropped to sixth in the West, a half a game behind Dallas with one game remaining against Denver on Sunday. The Suns, meanwhile, are one game behind Utah for first in the West with two games to play. Elsewhere, The Miami Heat dominated the Philadelphia 76ers 106-94, denying the Sixers a chance to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The defending Eastern Conference champion Heat notched a fourth straight victory with the post-season approaching, although they remained in fifth place in the East with two regular-season games remaining. They are half a game behind the fourth-placed

Atlanta Hawks, who beat the Orlando Magic 11693 on Thursday. The New York Knicks remained in sixth place after their 102-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Despite falling in New York, the Spurs grabbed a spot in the play-in tournament, in which the seventh through 10th-placed teams in each conference will battle for the final two playoff spots. - Giannis statement San Antonio advanced when the Sacramento Kings fell 116-110 to the Grizzlies in Memphis. In Miami, the Heat were in control throughout, taking a 9-6 lead early in the first quarter that they wouldn’t relinquish. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. “I think we’re getting to where we’re ready for the playoffs,” Butler said. “I like our chances against anybody, honestly. Nobody intimidates us.” Tobias Harris paced the 76ers with 21 points while MVP candidate Joel Embiid managed just six points on three-of-nine shooting in the face of Miami’s suffocating defense. AFP

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Cameron Payne and Jae Crowder after drawing a foul from the Portland Trail Blazers during the final moments of the second half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-117. AFP

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Tech & Gadgets

Huawei partners with DOT to showcase beauty of PH

UAWEI has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) today to promote the Philippines' tourist destinations, arts and culture to its more than 600 million users around the world. Attendees present at the signing ceremony were Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo, and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Mr. Wang Zhihui. The partnership aims to showcase the Philippines' world-class tourist spots, Filipino products and tourismrelated events to HUAWEI Themes users in over 170 countries and regions. Under the MoU, HUAWEI Themes users can explore the Philippines curation series now under the “Pinoy Favorites” category on the app homepage. The DOT will be the photo contributor under this partnership to provide source images related to the Philippines’ arts and culture. Among others, the popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as beaches, islands, heritage towns, and deep seas will be featured in the app. Moving forward, DOT will also offer domestic tourism vouchers for hotels, attractions and tours to HUAWEI Themes users. In her speech, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her gratitude to Huawei for supporting the DOT's efforts in handling the pandemic's effect on the tourism industry by lending its wide reach of smartphone users. "Our strategy for the safe and gradual reopening of tourism in the Philippines will be greatly supported by this

Proponents of the MoU, namely Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Wang Zhihui are shown here.

digital content partnership as it will offer Huawei users anywhere in the world with glimpses of our country's beautiful destinations and allow them to customize their mobile devices with images of our tourism offerings," Romulo-Puyat said. The Tourism Secretary hopes that through this project, Huawei smartphone users will be inspired to visit the Philippines once the government resumes international travel. Meanwhile, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo emphasized that Huawei's collaboration with the DOT is in line with the "glocalization" approach of Huawei Philippines and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). "Huawei has established an extensive cooperation with the government, local businesses and communities, to continuously bring innovative digital services to consumers and create greater social

values," he said. "Through the collaboration, we will curate a series of Philippines-centric wallpapers and smartphone themes, including the scenery landscapes and tourist attractions of the Philippines, as well as creative themes created by local artists, photographers, cartoonists and animators," Daniel Guo added. The MoU will not only help promote beautiful places in the Philippines but will also open a door of opportunity for talented Filipinos. Mobile themes created by passionate marine environment artist AG Saño and digital artists Mariel Garcia, Nelvin Supilanas, Rehts Merejilla and Mark Magnaye are now available in HUAWEI Themes. HUAWEI Themes is one of the ﬁrst self-developed apps by HMS, In 2020, it achieved over 1.8 billion total themes download. By end of 2020, 96% of the

PH local top apps, including Gcash, Paymaya, BDO Digital Banking, UnionBank Online, and SSS Mobile, have integrated with HMS Core and onboarded to AppGallery. Through the open HMS Ecosystem, Huawei shares a number of innovative capabilities with its partners from various sectors, including tourism, which enable high-quality, convenient and safe applications to reach every Huawei device user in a more direct way. Through this, Huawei is able to lower the connectivity cost and expand service coverage, bringing modern digital services to a wider user base. By providing localized service applications in more countries and regions, Huawei makes All-Scenario services more accessible to users, jointly improving service efﬁciency and digitization level of services.

Beyond boundaries of creation, innovation By Rahul Tikoo AT DELL Technologies, we believe technology should empower us, make life easier, and enhance our productivity. So today we’re debuting new workstations, PCs and accessories designed to help you create, play and do more from anywhere. Let’s jump in!

CREATE

InﬁnityEdge displays, including a new OLED option on the XPS 15. Featuring the latest NVIDIA RTX graphics and backed by the NVIDIA Studio program, these lightweight and stylish devices include everything you need to channel your creativity whenever and wherever inspiration hits. For professionals looking for a powerhouse system featuring up to NVIDIA RTX A5000 laptop GPUs and designed to conquer workloads like 8K HDR video editing and huge 3D simulations, we have you covered too. Our updated Precision 7000 Series mobile workstations handle the most intensive workloads with ease, and for the ﬁrst time on our mobile workstations, they now come with 5G capability options. All these devices will be available in early summer.

The creator industry continues to boom, fueled by new platforms, a wave of emerging talent and new ways to connect with growing ‘at home’ audiences. Whether you’re an up-and-comer or already established sound engineer, photographer, animator, architect, fashion curator or just like dabbling in VR/AR or 3D printing…we have you covered with PCs and mobile workstations designed for creative endeavors. To push these boundaries of creativity - whatever your level – we’ve revamped our Precision 5560, Precision 5760, XPS DO 15 and XPS 17 devices, available with the Not all mission-critical projects are latest 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and Xeon mobile processors. Images and about creating the next blockbuster, designs come to life on the color accurate making the next chart topper or con-

DigiServ offers Vertiv’s small, mid-sized uninterruptible power supply solutions VERTIV (NYSE: VRT), a a lot of our activities at home. From global provider of critical work-from-home setups to home digital infrastructure and conschool needs and even small and tinuity solutions, announced micro businesses, the need to have today that it has entered into a power protection solution at a partnership with Digi-Serv home is all the more important to Solutions, Inc. (Digi-Serv) in ensure no disruptions,” said Jason the Philippines. Lim, country manager for Vertiv Digi-Serv, a solutions and Philippines. “Our partnership with service provider company and Digi-Serv will allow us to tap into system integrator of innovative this growing market, where we and cost-effective IT solutions can offer our affordable small UPS and services, it will be the first systems to customers looking for e-commerce store in the Philipeveryday power protection solupines to officially carry Vertiv’s tions for their computers or small IT range of uninterruptible power equipment. We’ve been receiving a supply solutions for small to lot of positive feedback and reviews Liebert® itON™ from Digi-Serv official stores, and mid-size applications. With a strong presence in PSA SOHO 650VA we are excited to grow this partnerto 1000VA leading e-commerce sites in ship further.” the Philippines, Digi-Serv has The partnership also allows established itself as a company that offers Vertiv to expand its online presence and quick and no-fuss customer transactions. reach more customers across the country As a Vertiv partner, Digi-Serv will carry by tapping into Digi-Serv local expertise select Vertiv™ UPS solutions on its e- and market knowledge. Among the Vertiv commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee, UPS products offered on Digi-Serv’s etargeting customers looking for afford- commerce stores are the Liebert® itON™ able power protection solutions for their PSA SOHO 650VA to 1000VA and the Lihomes, small offices, or small businesses. ebert® itON PSA BX. “The current environment has shifted “Digi-Serv has been in the e-commerce

XPS 17

quering a battle arena. Some projects are more focused on securing the next business deal, sharing big ideas or collaborating with co-workers and customers. We live in a hybrid work environment— where our location and surroundings are constantly evolving and may change throughout the day. That's why we continue to design our business PCs with

intelligence, collaboration and connectivity in mind. So, what’s new in the work arena? • Exceptional Performance: We recently introduced a new line of OptiPlex PCs and updated our Precision 3000 Series towers, now available with the latest 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors. In addition to the processor and graphics updates, for select devices across our Latitude, Precision and XPS portfolios, we have included extra features such as 3200MHz memory, Thunderbolt 4 and 5G capability options. • Sustainability: Our 2030 Moonshot goal is nothing short of ambitious and this commitment to using renewable and recyclable materials across all product lines continues. We have expanded the use of bioplastics in the new Latitude 5421 and 5521, available in early summer. This renewable material is made from Tall Oil and is featured in the LCD coverlid (21% by weight). We continue

917Ventures to businesses: RUSH to GCash’s GLife BRANDS clamor to win over customers’ precious mobile screen time in a highly-digital environment, and companies continue to ﬁnd ways to innovate and bring better solutions to the fore. 917Ventures, the country’s largest corporate venture builder, gives businesses an opportunity to make their brand rise above the clutter and reach customers faster through RUSH and GLife, the latest feature of GCash. GLife is a ‘one-stop’ digital platform that meets customers’ lifestyle needs from food, beauty essentials, to groceries and movie tickets. Through GLife, brands can bring their products and services to over 39 million GCash registered users, attract new customers and engage with existing ones. As businesses create mini-apps within GLife, they can maintain their brand identity while enabling a frictionless user experience leveraging GCash's simple sign-on and payment functionalities. RUSH, on the other hand, makes it easy for merchant partners to be onboarded on GLife with their out of the box eCommerce solution embedded into the app. RUSH also enables merchant partners to communicate and engage directly with their desired audience, ultimately building lasting relationships with customers. “RUSH has been catapulting businesses in the digital space for almost four years. We offer our partners a comprehensive and costeffective product suite that takes care of all their technological needs so they may focus on their true business. Now with RUSH in GLife, we are empowering our partners to launch their brands to millions of users on day one. We are excited to see the exponential growth it brings and how this further enriches the Filipino lifestyle,” said Stephanie Kubota, CEO of RUSH. RUSH and GCash are part of 917Ventures portfolio companies. Together, they propel businesses to embrace digital transformation and allow partner-merchants to be present in new marketing channels.

to explore opportunities to integrate more recycled and renewable materials in our products. For example, our new OptiPlex 7090 Tower and 7090 Small Form Factor are the world’s first PCs available with closed-loop recycled aluminum in the hard drive (20% by weight). ; and our XPS 15 and 17 now come EPEAT Gold certified . And we’re not only thinking about hardware—our Dell Ecoloop bags feature a weatherproof coating made using recycled film recovered from car windshields. • Productivity: Studies have shown that people can be, on average, 38% more productive when using the right displays and accessories. With the new Dell 32 4K USB-C Hub Monitor and the active noise cancelling Dell Premier Wireless ANC headset, you can connect and collaborate more seamlessly, so you can work your best. We understand that how and where we create, play and work is always evolving, and so are our expectations for technology. That is why we strive to create forward-looking technology that inspires your passions, connects you to the people that matter most, and sits at the center of new ideas and concepts that will change the world. Our innovation never rests that’s the Dell experience.

New course by Kaspersky, Endtab.org teaches how to defend against doxing WITH our lives essentially transferred to the digital world since last year, keeping our digital space safe and secure has become more important than ever. Recognizing the importance of online privacy led to the growth of privacyfocused products, yet many people remain confused about what dangers the exposure of personal data may lead to. Knowing the threats that are out there makes it easier to take measures to avoid them, and one such threat is doxing—the act of gathering and revealing identifying information about someone online against their will. To help users protect themselves and their close ones against doxing, Kaspersky, together with Endtab.org, has launched a free online course. It shines a light on what doxing is, what to do to protect against it, and how to deal with its consequences. It is often thought that doxing is something that happens to vulnerable groups or people of speciﬁc professions, such as journalists, activists, or sex workers. Many people assume that their lives are not interesting enough for them to become victims of targeted online attacks. Yet, practice shows that this is not the case and people from all backgrounds can become victims of doxing. There are numerous reasons behind doxers’ actions—including having fun online and not appreciating the harm they inﬂict, exacting

justice (often mistakenly), revenge, jealousy, harassment and even profit. Doxing is something that can happen once and disrupt a person’s life entirely, without them ever foreseeing it. Users are exposed online in numerous ways that are not limited to just social media presence. Exposure can also come from data leaks, fitness trackers sharing information to the public, official records, and private messages. We leave a vast trace of our personal data, and this data can be picked up and used to doxers’ advantage. With that in mind, taking back control of users’ data and “owning their digital lives” becomes essential in ensuring people’s wellbeing. To achieve this, users need to develop positive digital habits and approach online activity mindfully. The course developed by Kaspersky and EndTab.org is aimed at helping with that. Split into seven short lessons, the course

lays out the basics for understanding the origins of doxing, the goals doxers pursue, ethical aspects of this practice, how to defend against it, and, most importantly, what to do if you or someone you know has been doxed. The ﬁrst half of the course is already available online with the remaining lessons to be released in the following weeks. “It’s no news that we live in a digital world, and just as in the real world, we need to develop good habits and follow rules that will help us navigate the space safely. We are bringing our expertise in cybersecurity and technology usage to provide users with the right knowledge and tools to help in this aim,” comments Anna Larkina, Kaspersky’s privacy expert. “Of course, doxing is not something that happens to people massively, however, we are never 100% secure from it. And sadly, our actions cannot guarantee that someone angry on the internet or in real life will not pick us as a victim—regardless of whether the ultimate goal is cyberbullying, extortion, maybe for fun, or even bringing what the doxer might see as a sense of justice. So, the best way to avoid trouble is to know what you are dealing with and I hope that our course will help users feel more empowered, while experiencing less digital stress, so they can enjoy technology worry-free,” adds Larkina.

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Experts call for new standards to combat airborne diseases W

ASHINGTON—Building standards need to undergo a "paradigm shift" to better protect against airborne diseases, a group of experts said Thursday, drawing on hardwon lessons from the Covid pandemic.

Future building designs must incorporate increased ventilation and air-cleaning measures, including filtration and disinfection using both filters and ultraviolet devices, they wrote in the journal Science. This comes as accumulating data suggest that tiny particles containing the coronavirus that are released by breathing, speaking, sneezing, and coughing are a major driver of Covid spread. The 39 experts, who include some of the world's foremost environmental engineers, noted that there was a marked disparity in the way governments regulated food safety, sanitation and drinking water compared to airborne pathogens. Aerial transmission of diseases wasn't recognized for a long time, the authors wrote, because "it is much harder to trace airborne infections," while food and water contamination nearly always come from an easily identifiable source. "Airborne studies are much more difficult to conduct because air as a contagion medium is nebulous, widespread, not owned by anybody and uncontained." What's more, "most modern building construction has occurred subsequent to a decline in the belief that airborne pathogens are important" and therefore lack design and construction elements to mitigate the risk. "The ventilation rate will differ for different venues according to the activities conducted there," they said, with higher rates required for exercising in gyms compared to resting in movie theaters. Rates will also have to differ depending on the type of pathogen that is currently prevalent, given that emission rates and infectious doses vary. It is also important to add control systems to adjust energy use and prevent air pollution from outside contaminants indoors, the paper added.

Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan

SAMSUNG offers Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan

Accumulating data suggest that tiny particles containing the coronavirus that are released by breathing, speaking, sneezing, and coughing are a major driver of COVID-19 spread.

The authors called for global indoor air quality standards (IAQ) led by the World Health Organization and the development of comprehensive standards by national governments and professional bodies. They also called for wide use of monitors, so that members of the public are aware of the air quality in

the indoor spaces they share. "A paradigm shift is needed on the scale that occurred when Chadwick's Sanitary Report in 1842 led the British government to encourage cities to organize clean water supplies and centralized sewage systems," they concluded. AFP

COVID-19 Control: Added protection for workplace Malayan partners with Kwik.insure MALAYAN Insurance Co., Inc. recently partnered with a digital marketplace for easy access to insurance protection for the Filipino public. The Yuchengco-led non-life insurer has partnered with Kwiktech Insurance Brokerage Inc. (Kwik.insure) last month making available ﬁve of its insurance products on the digital platform. These popular insurance products are namely: comprehensive motorcar insurance Auto Master, personal accident insurance with covid19 Vital Cover, Dengue Cash assistance product, personal accident insurance Family Relief, and a personal accident insurance product for women called Stela SHIELD. Kwik.insure provides an easy and reliable online insurance platform where customers can compare insurance products and ﬁnd the policies best suited for their needs. It also aims to become the most valuable insurance technology (Insurtech) company in Southeast Asia. Kwik.insure is supervised by the Insurance Commission (IC). Customers can simply download their mobile application to get started on their insurance policy purchases. Kwik.insure has a dedicated claims assistance team that is always available for policyholders as well as a knowledge hub to help customers understand insurance concepts better. Using the Kwik.insure app also makes it safer for the customers healthwise as this eliminates the need to go out and buy insurance policies during this time of Coronavirus 2019 (Covid19) pandemic. Malayan Insurance partnered with the online insurance platform to be able to give more access to Filipinos to world class insurance protection with the convenience provided by digital technology. In partnering with Kwik.insure, Malayan Insurance further pursues its mission of providing the insuring public with the best non-life insurance protection, and fair and prompt settlement of valid claims at all times. “We are very happy with our partnership with Kwik.insure. Now, we can cover more Filipinos with insurance protection,” said Malayan Insurance vice chairperson Yvonne S. Yuchengco. Malayan Insurance is the leading non-life insurance company in the Philippines.

PERHAPS no disease in the history of humanity has caused so much dread, anguish and disruption than COVID19. With no cure in sight yet, the fear of catching COVID19 is understandable. In just over a year, the disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has claimed the lives of 3.3 million people worldwide. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention very recently revised its guidance on the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-Cov-2 to include, “inhalation of very fine respiratory droplets and aerosol particles.” The droplets, released by infectious people as they breathe, speak, cough, and sneeze, carry the virus and transmit infection. The CDC added, “the smallest very fine droplets, and aerosol formed when these fine droplets rapidly dry, are small enough that they can remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours.” It may take a while until COVID19 is brought under control. In the meantime, companies are walking the tightrope between the health and safety of their employees and survival of the business. For companies where a work from home set-up is not applicable or where a percentage of their workforce need to work at the office, it has

Intellipure 950P, a portable air purifier recommended for areas up to 500 sqm

become imperative to secure the workplace and protect employees and customers from the potentially fatal virus. Recognizing the importance of clean air in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19, the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment recently released Department Order 224-21 that spells out rules for private establishments and public transport. Section 4-B of the order, signed by Sec. Silvestre Bello III last March 3, states, “Where ventilation is greatly recirculated or

accessed to outside air is not feasible, filters such as HEPA filtration air purifiers can be used to clean recirculated air, provided that the unit is adequate for the size of the room in which it is installed in. Ensure proper maintenance by following manufacturer recommendations of these devices.” Clearly, to tackle spread of the virus in the workplace would mean ensuring effective ventilation and the use of airborne infection controls such as high efficiency air filtration. And in this increasingly polluted world, having pure and healthy air in the workplace comes from a tested and scientific process designed to eliminate toxic elements and harmful pathogens in the air. Such is the technology behind the line of Intellipure air cleaners. Protect the Workplace with Intellipure What makes Intellipure significantly more beneficial than other brands? Inside every Intellipure is the patented and revolutionary Disinfecting Filtration System (DFS) Technology. The technology, developed using a US Military grant to combat germ warfare, has the unique ability to trap microorganisms such as bacteria, mold and viruses, reduce bioburden, and inhibit microorganism growth through a process called microbiostatic condition.

QUARANTINE restrictions have made people hesitant to go out, even for essential trips. As a result, there were delays even in important tasks, including repairing damaged gadgets and other devices. Samsung redeﬁnes the future of customer care by offering the Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan, a roving service center that makes troubleshooting and repairs more accessible to everyone. “The Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan is a way for us to reach our customers and still promote health and safety guidelines. By bringing our world-class service to them, they don’t have to venture too far from their homes to restore their much-loved Galaxy devices. This is especially important now as we continue to stay indoors and rely more on our smartphones and tablets,” said Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation President James Jung. The Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan is equipped with stateof-the-art equipment to handle basic to complex repair services for Samsung devices. The caravan can accommodate smartphones, tablets, and accessories. Samsung kicked off its on-thego repair service in Quezon City last May 3 to 10. Its launch came with a special 40% discount on parts for medical front-liners as a “thank you” for their brave ﬁght against COVID-19. The Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan will continue its operations in Metro Manila for the next 2 months and will cover Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal once travel restriction is lifted. Samsung will also deploy caravans in key areas in North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to make it more convenient for customers around the country to have their Galaxy devices checked. The Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan will now be part of Samsung’s customer service business continuity plan. It will be made available during lockdowns, calamities, and other instances when customers can’t go out to have their devices repaired. For more information about the Samsung Galaxy Mobile Service Caravan, visit samsung.com/ph.

Smart ‘Green Production is future of Taiwan’s smart plastic, rubber machinery AS A nation whose industries are fully focused on production efficiency and smart technologies, count Taiwan to be more aware of protecting Mother Earth by promoting environment-friendly manufacturing processes This effort was made more evident as Taiwan’s rubber and plastics industry heeded the call of creating robust manufacturing output and at the same time promote energy and production efficiency through smart manufacturing technologies among Taiwanese rubber and plastics companies that they can showcase to the world. Just recently, Taiwan held the “Shaping Tomorrow, Discovering Taiwan Plastic & Rubber Machinery” webinar on May 6, 2021, which was organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA, Taiwan, R.O.C., and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), in conjunction with Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI). The event focused on the capabilities of five leading Taiwanese companies in the rubber and plastics industry, the state-of-the-art smart technologies they used to make their production processes more efficient, including the recycling rates of their plastic wastes. These leading Taiwanese companies include Allen Plastic, ChumPower, Fu Chun Shin, Multiplas and Polystar. Bush Hsieh, currently the Vice Chairman and will soon be Chairman of the Plastic and Rubber Machinery Committee, the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) said that as one of the top six plastics and rubber machinery exporting countries in the world, Taiwan is renowned the world over for its advanced technologies and top-quality after-sales services. With the effective collaboration between the government and the

Shown here are (from left) David Lo, CMO, Polystar Machinery Co. Ltd.; Mr. Tony Wu, Sales Support Engineer, ChumPower Machinery Corp.; David Wu, General Manager, Multiplas Enginery Co. Ltd.; Bush Hsieh, Vice Chairman of Plastic and Rubber Machinery Committee, the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI); Mark Wu, Executive Director of TAITRA's Strategic Marketing Department of TAITRA; Celina Lin, Sales Representative, Allen Plastic Industries Co., Ltd.; and Hank Wu, Sales Manager, Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd. (FCS). industries, the Taiwanese machinery industry managed to perform well during the postCOVID-19 period. Recent statistics revealed that Taiwan’s machinery industry export value reached US$2.9 billion in March 2021, or about 30.7% increase compared to ﬁgures in the same period last year. Celina Lin, Sales Representative, Allen Plastic Industries Co., Ltd. showcased the Horizontal Shrink Sleeving Machine (AHL-1000), which is suitable for shrink container sizes from a diameter of 8mm up to 30mm, perfect for products like

lipsticks, eyeliners, and eyebrow pencils. The machine can also be positioned in just 0.5 seconds owing to its highly accurate rotary positioning system. She also introduced the Automatic Shrink Sleeving Machine (ASL-1000 and ASL-2000) that easily integrates with clients' existing packaging lines and is ideal for making bottles of various widths and label positions. Tony Wu, Sales Support Engineer, ChumPower Machinery Corp. presented its High-speed Stretch Blow Molding Machine that can produce 24,000 bottles per hour. It

has three special features with the first being to use lightweight preform. The lightest bottle is 200ml and weighs just 4.3g, which saves USD 300,000 worth or raw materials cost and saves 14% on heating energy. It also uses a 38mm pitch heating oven so that more preforms can be heated simultaneously compared to a 50mm system, making it 33% more space efficient. It also uses an air recovery system where instead of venting out completely into the atmosphere, part of it can be redirected to a recovery tank and stored for other usage. The rest of the bottle air is then discharged safely into the environment to help achieve a recovery rate of up to 15%. Hank Wu, Sales Manager, Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd. (FCS) stressed that FCS has increased the servo motor output of its FA series from 57kw to 71.9 kw, optimized the system pressure "160 Bar" to improve the injection response, increased the platen size by 10.7% and reinforced the strength of the platen by 30% so that customers can run FCS’s machines on more applications. He also introduced the iMF 4.0 (Intelligent ManuFactory) that can be mounted on the injection molding machines and can independently adjust and control quality parameters based on the surrounding information. It comes with water flow and a melt viscosity control system so it can monitor the correct water volume and flow and the correct viscosity on different cavities, which automatically compensate for the short shot and flash. This system can also record the time spent by different operators so that managers can determine and unify the standard mold change time/cycle time and stabilize efficiency.

Ramon L. Tomeldan Editor

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Motoring

Nissan PH turns a new LEAF By Othel V. Campos

ISSAN Philippine launched the Nissan LEAF, its first full electric vehicle offering expected to appeal to Philippine car enthusiasts, tech-savvy and environment-conscious clientele.

Nissan Philippines president Atsushi Najima said the car firm was aiming for a 2020 introduction of the LEAF but the pandemic forced the company to postpone for several months, a move which worked out well for the company as the Philippine automotive sector was just starting to recover from the effects of the pandemic. “To ensure the perfect launch of the Nissan LEAF, we decide to postpone for a few more months. We tested the model from July to August and made sure that it is in perfect driving condition,” he said in a post-launch briefing. The LEAF is offered in 3 major dealerships - one in Nissan Mantrade Makati, Nissan Otis, and Nissan Cebu South - V. Rama. Each dealership is equipped with EV charging systems for the exclusive use of Nissan LEAF owners. These dealerships will provide EV charging free of charge to all Nissan LEAF owners. Najima said the brand has plans to cut 4 more dealerships EV that will offer the same world-class service as the first

3 dealerships. Since the EV adoption in the Philippine is still in its initial phase, Najima said the company refuse to set any sales target for the LEAF. “We don’t discuss demand and even sales forecast because this is an early stage for us. For

the next couple of years we will see how the market will change. We need to con-

senior director for vehicles and e-mobility at Transport and Environment, said in a statement. “They will be cheaper than combustion engines for everyone, from the man with a van in Berlin to the family living in the Romanian countryside,” Poliscanova said. A drop in the cost of batteries and the use of production lines dedicated to making electric vehicles will make them cheaper to buy, on average, even before subsidies, according to the study. An electric sedan, which cost nearly 40,000 euros ($49,000) pre-tax in 2020, is expected to sell at the same price as a combustion model -- around 20,000 euros -- in 2026, the study showed. Electric cars will represent 50 percent of new sales by 2030 and 85 percent by 2035 if policies remain the same. But they could reach 100 percent by 2035 “if lawmakers increase vehicle CO2 targets and ramp up other policies to stimulate the market such as a faster roll-out of charging points”, the NGO said. AFP

FISKER KARMA LUXURY ELECTRIC CAR. The vehicles produced with Foxconn will however be aiming at the more affordable mass market in the United States. Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn has teamed up with American electric car startup Fisker to build a factory in the United States with a goal to start producing vehicles in late 2023. AFP

changing the way cars are driven, powered, and integrated into society. It has has a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery that has a range of up to 311 kilometers on a full charge, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standards. This is the equivalent of traveling between Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City twice a day for

five days for a daily commute, or a oneway out of town trip to Baguio. Charging the Nissan LEAF is easy and convenient as owners are

of a tropicalized battery that is made using German technology. Motoring icon Mike Potenciano, an international race and rally veteran, also joined known auto enthusiasts in expressing their excitement to try the new Excel. “Good news for car lovers: The battery that has been in our race cars since we tested it is back! Motolite has brought

provided with multiple charging options. The Nissan LEAF can be fully powered up in 15 to 18 hours at home through a dedicated wall outlet with the supplied universal charging cable. Owners can also go to quick charging stations found in select Nissan dealerships nationwide and power up their

Nissan LEAF to a full charge in as fast as 40 to 60 minutes. The Nissan LEAF is equipped with intelligent driving assistance features that include intelligent cruise control, intelligent around view monitor, high beam assist, and hill start assist. With Intelligent emergency braking, intelligent driver alertness, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, intelligent lane intervention, and intelligent trace control, the LEAF help ensure the safety of both the driver and passengers. More than just a car, the Nissan LEAF also has vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology that enables bi-directional charging to use energy from the LEAF battery to power homes and equipment, or simply give back energy to the power grid. The Nissan LEAF also comes with a 3-year vehicle warranty or for the first 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. It also comes with an 8-year battery warranty or for the first 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

Toyota Supra: Iconic sportscar

WITH five generations across almost five decades, the Toyota Supra’s legacy continues to display power, performance, and innovation evident in the GR Supra model we have today. The iconic sportscar started out in the 1970s as a larger and more powerful version of the Toyota Celica. The first-generation Celica Supra had an inline-six engine and is one of the first Toyota models to get the electronic fuel injection system. Up until the second generation in the 1980s, the Celica continued to share its name and DNA with the Supra featuring a more angular design from its predecessor. It finally became its own model by the mid-80s with the third generation featuring an updated 3.0L inline-six engine with 200HP and the turbocharged version at 230HP. Towards the 90s, the fourth generation got a redesign featuring a bolder look further inspired by the 2000GT. With its reduced weight and increased performance, the fourth generation Supra’s turbo version reached a speed record of 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Seventeen years since the fourth generation was in the market, with some rumors, teasers, and the FT concept cars along the way, the fifth generation finally arrived in 2019. Developed under Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), Toyota’s global motorsports division, the fifth generation carries “GR” in its official model name, proudly bearing the specialized research and development of high-performance cars that TGR continuously aims for. The GR Supra has been developed inside out for a more powerful and luxurious driving experience and follows a design philosophy unique to

New Motolite fires up car buffs enthusiasm COMMUNITIES of auto aficionados are abuzz with excitement over the release of the New Motolite Excel, which is now being regarded as the best battery in the market. Social media posts of officers and members of the different car clubs in the country reflect their desire to have the New Excel installed in their vehicles and experience the power and benefits

Dashboard teems with high-tech features too many to enumerate.

Exterior shot of the full-electric vehicle.

‘Carmakers shift to electric’ ELECTRIC cars will be cheaper to build than fossil fuel vehicles across Europe within six years and could represent 100 percent of new sales by 2035, according to a study published Monday. Carmakers are shifting en masse to electric and hybrid models in order to bring average fleet emissions under a European Union limit of 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, or face heavy penalties. The study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance found that electric sedans and sport-utility vehicles will be as cheap to make as combustion vehicles from 2026. Small cars will have to wait until 2027 to match the cost of fossil fuel models, according the study, which was commissioned by Transport and Environment, a European clean transport campaign group. Light electric vans will be less expensive than diesel models from 2025, and heavy electric vans from 2026. “EVs will be a reality for all new buyers within six years,” Julia Poliscanova,

tinue to work with government agencies to help pass EV bill. This bill will drastically change the future of EV demand and sales in the country,” he said. He noted the bill will be of immense help to reduce the duties on imported EV vehicles and this will lead to betterpriced EV vehicles in the market. The Nissan LEAF which sells at P2.79 million may retail affordably once the EV bill is passed, Najima added. Specs-wise, the zero-emission Nissan LEAF shows off Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the automotive company’s approach to

back their EXCEL model and improved from the original. Motolite assures us that this is their best battery ever, tropicalized for our weather conditions and uses German technology,” Potenciano wrote on his Facebook account. He added: “As batteries are the storage medium of electrical energy in our muchloved cars, having a better performing one will boost our confidence that it will

Supra. Photo by Manskee Nascimento

Toyota and its engineers, creatively summing up the model’s athletic stance and aerodynamic look with the term “Condensed Extreme”. Powered by a twin-scroll turbocharged, inline six-cylinder 3.0L engine, the GR Supra boasts a maximum output of 335HP and 500 Nm of torque. Its nearly perfect weight distribution provides optimum handling and cornering for the driver. Beautifully engineered from the power up all the electronic stuff in our cars. The last thing we need during this pandemic is to worry about our car failing to start, stopping on the road, or worst, blowing up on the battery. Better buy the best Motolite out there and we have been using it since I can remember.” Actor and TV host Ramon Bautista, also well known in the automotive circles particularly those who love to customize their cars to their liking, shared in his Facebook post the release of the new Motolite Excel, which he is raring to try because of its tropicalized application and German technology.

19-inch forged aluminum wheels and custom-made Michelin tires to the double-bubble roof, Toyota envisioned the GR Supra’s design as a combination of style and performance for maximum driving pleasure. Within the stylish sporty model is a luxurious black interior accented with carbon trims. Truly a driver’s car, the GR Supra comes with Alcantara sports seats with 8-way power adjust, and memory and power seat lumbar. He said in jest that before, every time he and his friends would make modifications in their cars, their primary worry is if the vehicles would start apparently because of the additional power that they require. Their prayers were answered by Motolite, Bautista said. Designed according to the Philippines’ tropical climate and road quality, the new Motolite Excel has up to have to 50% longer life span than competing brands in the market when subjected to globally recognized tests on the effects of heat and vibrations on automotive batteries.