Manila Standard - 2021 June 2 - Wednesday

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Leisure trips out of NCR eased Palace also bares hiked venue capacities for some businesses, events

ACTIVITIES ALLOWED IN 'GCQ WITH RESTRICTIONS' AREAS FROM JUNE 1 TO 15 Non-contact outdoor sports Venues for meetings and conferences (up to 30% capacity) • Personal care services (salons, parlors, beauty clinics, up to Up to 40% capacity allowed but only services where mask is kept on at all times • Outdoor tourist attractions (up to 30% capacity) • Staycation venues (hotels with Certificates of Authority to Operate for Staycations allowed 100% capacity, other governmentaccredited hotels allowed 30% capacity, no age restrictions) • Indoor dining in restaurants (up to 30% capacity) • Outdoor dining in restaurants (up to 50% capacity) • Religious activities, weddings, baptisms, wakes (Up to 30% allowed, but local governments can decide to expand to 50%) • Interzonal travel or travel between areas under different quarantine classifications (Allowed but subject to restrictions of destination, point-to-point travel allowed without age restrictions, but guests must be tested for COVID-19 before travel)

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By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Rey E. Requejo

WALK FOR COVID.

L

EISURE travel from Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces to areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ will now be allowed, provided travelers test negative for COVID-19 and comply with local government guidelines, the Palace said Tuesday.

Priests under the archdiocese of Manila conduct a day of fasting, penitentiary service, and a penitent walk from Quiapo Church to Sta. Cruz Church led by Apostolic Administrator of Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo and Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches Teodoro Bacani Jr. to ask for divine aid to stop the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday. Danny Pata

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque clarified that while President Rodrigo Duterte had announced in his weekly televised address that NCR Plus areas would be under GCQ for the whole of June, it would actually only be Next page

NOTE: Establishments with 'Safety Seal' can add additional 10% to their capacity

Solons cross party lines, pass Bayanihan 3 on third reading By Maricel V. Cruz VOTING 238-0-1, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the Bayanihan to Arise as One bill or the Bayanihan 3, which contains a P401-billion stimulus package to provide more aid to Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said:

"I am filled with gratitude for the passage of the proposed Bayanihan to Arise As One Act, or Bayanihan 3, in the House of Representatives after my colleagues set aside politics and crossed party lines to unite for a common goal of providing much-needed help to our fellow Filipinos facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic." Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 107 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Online drug stores illegal without actual outlet By Willie Casas

‘STILL FRIENDS.’ President Rodrigo Duterte (left) addresses the public in his

weekly televised briefing on Monday, while Senator Manny Pacquiao interpellates a bill on the Senate floor on Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte and Pacquiao would remain friends, despite disagreements inside the ruling party PDP-Laban. Presidential and Senate photos

THE online selling of medicines, supplies and food supplements needs a physical store to be allowed, health and trade officials said Tuesday. “Unless you have a license to operate a physical drugstore, you cannot sell online, whether food supplement or essential drugs,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said in a Department of Health forum. “For example, I want to sell my supplies online. I do not have the license to operate. I am violating FDA laws so I cannot do that,” Castelo explained. For her part, Dr. Melissa Guerrero of the DOH Health Technology Assessment Unit said that drugstores must have trained pharmacists to secure a license to operate from the Food and Drug Admin-

istration (FDA). This was to avoid possible dangers involved in buying health products from online stores that do not have pharmacists who can properly advise and dispense drugs to consumers, said Guerrero. Guerrero said the FDA had “criminal sanctions” for those who sell health products online without a facility that meets standards and trained medical professionals. The DTI has received over 4,000 consumer complaints involving online transactions, including the sale of drugs, as of May 28, Castelo said. “Thankfully, online platforms cooperate with the DTI when we make these requests,” Castelo said. “We also issue advisories reminding consumers not to buy medicine online, Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 1)

1,235,467 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,177 53,203 NEW

ACTIVE

21,012

46

1,161,252

6,230

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Gatchalian, Binay call out DOE over brownouts Roque says Duterte's VP run iffy By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel E. Zurbano and Alena Mae S. Flores

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday demanded an explanation from the Department of Energy (DOE) on why it projects outages when it assured the Senate energy committee that there would be no brownouts during the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

“The committee was assured by the DOE that no brownouts will happen given that the country is in a delicate stage of its vaccine rollout,” Gatchalian said. “They should explain why their projections are off! They are the sole agency tasked to assure the public of constant flow of electricity to homes,” he added. Former Vice President Jejomar Binay also said he hopes the government has prepared for the power outages to prevent

spoilage of COVID-19 vaccines, which must be in cold storage. Binay said the rotating brownouts are not only inconvenient for families who are forced by the lockdown to stay at home but also to the small businesses and the working class. "Many employees work from home and their productivity will be affected. It will also have an impact on small businesses who are already struggling to survive," he said. Next page

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will think about whether he would run for vice president in the May 2022 national elections, Malacanang said Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued this statement after the

ruling PDP-Laban, chaired by Duterte, adopted a resolution urging him to run for vice president in 2022. “He will think about it, given that his party nominated him for it.” Roque said. “He said he has already served the country, but the President said he would think [about] what would be the best for the country.” Roque added.

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Greek alphabet letters for variants House leaders hail subsidized electricity rate COVID-19 variants are to be known by letters of the Greek alphabet to avoid stigmatizing nations where they were first detected, the World Health Organization has announced. The new system applies to variants of concern -- the most troubling of which four are in circulation -- and the second-level variants of interest being tracked.

"They will not replace existing scientific names, but are aimed to help in public discussion," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's COVID-19 technical lead. Under the new system, the variants of concern take on the following names: the hitherto so-called British variant B.1.1.7 becomes Alpha; the Next page

LAWMAKERS PASS ECONOMIC 'CHACHA'

CHINA: BIRD FLU NOW IN HUMANS

NEWS / A2

NEWS / A4

By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel V. Campos HOUSE Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Tuesday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte's signing into a law extending the electricity lifeline rates for the benefit of 5.5 million low-income consumers in the next 30 years. “We really need this law to ensure a subsidized rate in electricity bills for poor households, especially now that our kababayans are still reeling from the economic devastation caused by the Next page

KEEPING LIGHTS ON. A Meralco lineman reads meters high on a pole in a Quezon City area in this file photo. The Department of Energy had assured the Senate this week that no brownouts will happen despite high summer demand and the need to refrigerate COVID-19 vaccines but announced rotational power outages until June 7.

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News

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House OKs economic ‘Cha-cha’ bill The resolution containing the proposals to amend the economic restrictions of the 1987 Constitution would then be transmitted to the Senate. RBH 2 seeks to empower Congress to

change constitutional limitations on foreign participation in certain sectors of the economy like telecommunications, public utilities, media, advertising, and education, except land, which will continue

to be only for Filipinos. House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay, a principal sponsor of the RBH 2, hailed the bill’s approval on third reading, saying that he believes there is time to complete the legislative process in the proposal “in time for plebiscite in 2022.” Salceda also renewed calls for the Senate to pass its own counterpart measure. “The ball is now with the Senate. One thing the House leadership has proven with our expeditious passage of economic reforms is that we are not standing in the way of real change on the economic front. Speaker Velasco has promised to be a modernizing force in policymaking, and

Leisure...

areas to operate at 30 percent capacity starting June 1. On the other hand, bars, concert halls and theaters will still not be allowed to operate while the NCR Plus is under a GCQ. Roque said also still prohibited are net cafes, billiard halls, arcades, cockfighting arenas, playgrounds, amusement parks and kiddie rides. “All of entertainment venues are prohibited. Recreational venues are also prohibited,” Roque said during his virtual press briefing. Roque said that indoor sports facilities like gyms are allowed for areas under GCQ, but those under GCQ with restrictions will not be allowed to operate. Roque said that religious venues can operate up to 30 percent of their capacity, but the local government unit (LGU) may choose to increase this to 50 percent. The Philippines logged 5,177 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,235,467, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. The death toll from COVID-19 reached 21,012 as 46 new fatalities were logged. The DOH also reported 6,230 persons who recently recovered from the disease, bringing the total recoveries to 1,161,252.

This left 53,203 active cases, of which 93.1 percent were mild, 2.3 percent were asymptomatic, 1.4 percent were critical, 1.8 percent were severe, and 1.3 percent were moderate. The DOH also reported that nationwide, 59 percent of the ICU beds, 47 percent of the isolation beds, 50 percent of the ward beds, 39 percent of the ventilators, were in use. In Metro Manila, 53 percent of the ICU beds, 40 percent of the isolation beds, 38 percent of the ward beds, and 37 percent of the ventilators, were in use. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, urged police and barangay officials to thoroughly study and familiarize themselves with the ordinances on minimum health protocols in their respective areas so as to prevent confusion. “Ordinances are not uniform, not exactly the same. What is applicable in one city may not be applicable in another, so first and foremost, law enforcement agents assigned in a particular locality, and this goes also to our barangay officials, should be familiar with the prevailing ordinance in their respective areas,” Guevarra said during the press briefing with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and Philippine National Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

“If they do not know the ordinance, they are in danger of committing mistakes and acting beyond what is allowed by the law. They should know these ordinances so that they know how to act accordingly,” Guevarra added. The Justice secretary emphasized that law enforcement agents cannot implement what is not included in the ordinance enacted by the respective municipal or city councils. On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the PNP issued a joint memorandum circular on dealing with violations of health and safety ordinances, and quarantine-related violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Año, Guevara, and Eleazar signed the circular in a virtual ceremony. Under the guidelines, Año said the DILG will require local government units and the PNP to establish holding areas where the violators will be brought. He said the minimum health and safety standard violators will not be placed with detainees in jails to avoid overcrowding and transmission of COVID-19. Año added that local ordinances will determine whether a violator will be put behind bars.

cy and social amelioration, have sustainable sources of income, and have stable access to affordable food and quality health services despite the impact of the COVID-19 crisis." He said: "The centerpiece of this proposed legislation is the P216-billion funding for two rounds of cash aid worth P2,000 to be given to each of the 108 million Filipinos regardless of age and economic status. “The bill also contains allocations for wage subsidies, emergency assistance to quarantine-affected households, assistance to displaced workers, national nutrition, financial assistance to agrifishery sector and cooperatives, medical assistance to indigents, local government support, free COVID-testing for seafarers and other overseas Filipino workers, pension and gratuity fund for retired military

and uniformed personnel, and support to basic and higher education. "We firmly believe that Filipinos deserve all these interventions—urgently and immediately. Bayanihan 3 offers a real lifeline for our countrymen struggling to navigate the challenges of COVID-19." The proposed Bayanihan 3 is divided into three phases, with a budget breakdown of P165.9 billion for Phase 1, P186 billion for Phase 2, and P48.6 for Phase 3. Under the bill, two rounds of financial aid worth P1,000 will be granted to each Filipino. The cash subsidy program will have a total funding of P216 billion. Pandemic-affected households will receive a one-time cash subsidy worth P5,000 to P10,000 to be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-

ment. The bill also offers wage subsidies, assistance to displaced workers, assistance to the agri-fishery sector and cooperatives, medical assistance to indigents, local government support fund, and support for basic education. It states that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may make additional advances, with or without interest, to the national government of up to 10 percent of the average income of the government for fiscal years 2018 to 2020 to finance expenditures authorized by law to address the pandemic. Mandatory dividend remittances by government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) will also be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent, while the President will have the power to withdraw capital from overcapitalized GOCCs.

she said, “the race is over.” Pacquiao, who is eyeing the presidency in 2022, will ask Duterte if he really intends to run for vice president. Speaking with reporters, PDP-Laban executive director Ron Munsayac said Pacquiao wants to meet the President to “iron out a simple misunderstanding” within the ruling PDP-Laban. “In that meeting, party president Pacquiao will ask chairman Digong if he really wants to run for vice president,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. Munsayac also said the entire PDPLaban will support Duterte if he runs for vice president. He also said Pacquiao has yet to make a final decision on whether he will ask Duterte to choose him as the party’s standard bearer. Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday clarified he is not yet running for president in 2022. "I want that clear, I’m not yet running. If I do run, I'm ready. But again there are other factors like my family, like expenditure. I do not want to ask from other people," he said. Gordon earlier told the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines that he would join the presidential race next year.

Gatchalian... "The failure to anticipate and prepare for brownouts is infuriating, but not surprising. Since the pandemic started, some of our government agencies were reactive and not proactive. And they move as if we don't have a crisis situation, so what do you expect?" he added. In a Senate energy committee hearing last April 27, the DOE said no power outages are expected for April, May, and June in the Luzon grid. Earlier, Gatchalian said the country cannot afford, even for a few minutes, any power interruption as this could have significant implications for vaccine storage. Meanwhile, the Department of Health assured the public on Tuesday that it has contingency plans for its vaccination operations and for the storage of COVID-19 vaccines as rotational power outages hit Luzon this week. Also, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has issued a memorandum urging all electric cooperatives to observe due diligence to ensure the continuity of electricity supply to COVID-19 vaccine cold storage facilities and administration sites in their respective coverage areas. Energy Undersecretary Felix William

Fuentebella said the agency is coordinating with power distributors and the local government units to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine supply will not be affected by the outages. "There should be triple back up for facilities storing COVID vaccines,'' Fuentebella told GMA News. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said Tuesday households in Luzon can expect rotational brownouts for the first week of June as several power plants have gone offline. NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said available capacity of the grid is at 11,408 megawatts (MW) while peak demand is estimated at 11,593 MW. The grid operator said it may cut off power in areas at specific times—a process called manual load dropping--“to maintain the integrity of the power system.” NGCP head of Luzon System Beng Abadilla said the power supply situation should return to normal by June 8 as a major plant that shut down will come back online. Earlier, the DOE said the supply of power was affected by a suspected boiler tube leak in the GMEC coal-fired power plant Unit 2, which has a capacity of 316 MW. The plant is expected to be back online by June 8. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

where it was first discovered. The lineage names such as B.1.1.7.2 will still continue to be used in scientific circles, for the mutation information that their name conveys. 'Stigmatizing and discriminatory' "While they have their advantages, these scientific names can be difficult to say and recall, and are prone to misreporting," the WHO said in a statement. "As a result, people often resort to calling variants by the places where they are detected, which is stigmatising and discriminatory. "To avoid this and to simplify public communications, WHO encourages national authorities, media outlets and others to adopt these new labels." Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden signed a hate crimes law aimed at protecting Asian Americans who have suffered a surge in attacks during the CO-

VID-19 pandemic. US anti-extremism groups say the number of attacks and hate crimes against Asian Americans has exploded since the beginning of the crisis. They lay some of the blame with former president Donald Trump, who repeatedly referred to COVID-19 as the "China virus". The WHO has been trying to come up with simplified new nomenclature for the variants for several months. The Greek alphabet contains 24 letters but there is no plan yet as to where to go next if they are exhausted. Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta and Iota have already been ascribed to variants of interest. Bold reforms Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization has called for launching negotiations this year

on an international treaty to boost pandemic preparedness, as part of sweeping reforms envisioned by member states. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told its annual ministerial assembly Monday that the UN agency faced a "serious challenge" to maintain its COVID-19 response at the current level and required sustainable and flexible funding. Earlier in the day -- the last of the week-long assembly – health ministers agreed to study recommendations for ambitious reforms made by independent experts to strengthen the capacity of both the WHO and countries to contain new viruses. The ministers from the WHO's 194 member states are to meet from Nov. 29 to decide whether to launch negotiations on the pandemic treaty. AFP

By Maricel V. Cruz

V

OTING 251-21-2, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the proposed economic Charter Change measure under Resolution of Both Houses 2 principally authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

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until June 15 upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and Metro Manila mayors. At a press briefing, Roque said the government has also allowed outdoor non-contact sports; meetings and conferences at 30 percent of the venue capacity; personal care services at 40 percent of operating capacity, and outdoor tourist attractions at 30 percent capacity in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions, including Metro Manila. The decision to ease travel restrictions came after the Department o Tourism asked the IATF to approve travel outside Metro Manila and its nearby provinces or NCR Plus as there were now fewer COVID-19 cases in the area. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said allowing travel outside the NCR Plus, as long as the travelers are tested, would help the country recover from the lost income from the lockdowns imposed during the height of the pandemic. The IATF has allowed resorts in GCQ

Solons... From A1

Velasco, principal author of House Bill 9411 or the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill, said the approval of the measure "is a historical moment in the legislative process in this chamber as this measure has been co-authored by almost all of its members." "For this, I profusely thank each House member for sharing my aspiration and that of Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo’s of providing fresh assistance to our people who need it badly in this time of difficulty," Velasco said. According to the House chief, "this P401-billion lifeline measure outlines additional interventions to ensure that our kababayans are provided direct emergen-

Roque... From A1

Roque slammed the opposition coalition 1Sambayan for calling Duterte’s vice presidential run as the “joke of the century.” “How can that be a joke when there’s no decision yet?” Roque said. “Maybe the joke's on them.” The resolution was adopted during the party’s National Council Assembly held in Cebu City, which was called by the President himself, as chairman of the party. The party’s acting president, Senator Manny Pacquiao, however, questioned the legitimacy of the meeting. Under the resolution passed Monday, Duterte was given a free hand to choose who would run for president next year. Roque said Duterte and Pacquiao would remain friends, despite disagreements inside the ruling party. “Nothing has changed,” Roque said when asked if there was a fallout between Duterte and Pacqiuao. He said Pacquio would remain party president “as of now.” Senator Imee Marcos said vice presidential aspirants would back out of the race if Duterte runs for the position next year. If the President runs for vice president,

Greek... From A1

B.1.351 first discovered in South Africa becomes Beta, while the Brazilian P.1 becomes Gamma. The so-called Indian variant B.1.617 is split into sub-lineages, of which the B.1.617.2 variant of concern becomes Delta. The B.1.617.1 variant of interest is called Kappa. Besides these names, there are two other scientific names in use for each mutation, while different geographic names have been used to describe the same variant. For example, within Britain, what other countries have been referring to as the British variant is often called the Kent variant – the county in southeast England

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so far, he has delivered,” Salceda said. Salceda maintained his reassurance that the House has no intent of introducing political provisions to the proposed revisions. “RBH 2 is pure economic reform. We know and understand that any political charter change will be dead on arrival. Senate President Sotto has made this clear, and we are also making our intentions and position abundantly clear.” Salceda added. “We still have time to finish this process. These are not extensive provisions. They merely open the possibility for Congressional action towards greater openness to new jobs and new industries. So, we hope the Senate can take action soon,” Salceda explained.

Boracay reopens to Luzon tourists BORACAY Island is once again open to visitors from Metro Manila and Luzon after the municipality of Malay in Aklan on Tuesday advised tourists to check flight schedules to the island and its world-famous white sand beaches. This was after the national government on Monday allowed leisure travel from National Capital Region Plus areas to other general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas (See story on A1). In a Facebook post, the Malay Tourism Office advised tourists from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan to check with airline companies for flight availability. "Other tourists coming from other GCQ/MGCQ areas are always allowed as well. The same LGU requirements are necessary to comply," the office said. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is waiting for the results of the Department of Health’s (DOH) “critique” on Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's decision to veer away from the national government's swabbing policy for returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this in a Palace press briefing after Duterte and Garcia discussed the latter’s own swabbing policy in a two-hour meeting on Monday. In other developments, more than 1.2 million people in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of May 30, almost three months after the launch of its vaccination campaign, the DOH said. Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

Cebu Pac nixes flights to Dubai CEBU Pacific has cancelled its flights to and from Dubai from June 1 to 15 after the Philippine government extended the ban on travelers coming from the United Arab Emirates, upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). Affected passengers have been informed via contact details provided in the booking, the airline said in a statement. They may select their preferred option through the Manage Booking portal on the Cebu Pacific website up to 30 days from date of departure, it added. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is pushing to include people working from home in the government's A4 (front-liners in essential sectors) vaccination priority listing. “That is my advocacy, to include those who are working from home. Work from home workers are included in A4. It does not mean that if they are working from home, they no longer visit their office. They also go there but most of the time they are at home,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in Tuesday's Laging Handa briefing. Bello said the measure will benefit around 16,000 workers in Metro Manila who are working from home. The government is set to start this month the vaccination of the A4 priority group. Joel E. Zurbano

Online... From A1

especially if they see that the seller does not have a license to operate,” she added. Aside from forwarding such complaints to the FDA, the DTI also requests online platforms like Facebook to remove sellers involved, since unregistered sellers of health products proliferate on Facebook Marketplace. The FDA, in 2019, ordered online shopping platforms Shopee and Lazada to stop selling medicines online.

House... From A1

pandemic,” Romualdez, representative of Leyte's first district, said. “Allowing poor households access to the lifeline rate is Congress’ malasakit under the leadership of Speaker Lord Alan Velasco and continued commitment of President Duterte to provide assistance to low-income families,” Romualdez said. Velasco also hailed the enactment of the measure extending the subsidized electricity rate for low-income households by 30 years. “We thank PRRD for ensuring that poor families will continue to enjoy the much-needed power subsidy for the next three decades,” said Velasco, who pushed the measure in the House of Representatives when he was chair of the Committee on Energy. Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group Laban Konsyumer, Inc. (LKI), on Tuesday, tagged the Public Service Act as anti-consumer, especially the water and electricity utility sectors. LKI president Victorio Dimagiba said section 16 of Senate Bill 2094, amending the PSA, allows companies to recover their corporate income taxes (CIT) by increasing the rates and the regulatory agency, in its discretion may raise rates provisionally, with or without public hearing.

News

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JBC starts vetting contenders for SC vacant seat THE Judicial and Bar Council has begun accepting applications or nominations for the Supreme Court associate justice post, which would be left vacant on June 30 following the early retirement of Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos. In an advisory, the seven-member council that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary said aspirants have until July 16 to submit their application or nomination. The high tribunal approved “for reasons pertaining to his current state of health” the early or optional retirement on June 30 of Delos Santos who was appointed by President Duterte in December 2019. Delos Santos, who has until June 12, 2022 to serve the SC at age 70, was the second justice who opted for early retirement. Then Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta retired last March 27 or a year ahead of his mandatory retirement on March 27, 2022. Late last year, the SC approved the disability retirement of Associate Justice Priscilla J. Baltazar Padilla. Apart from the forthcoming vacancy, there is now an existing vacancy in the 15-member SC after Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo who was appointed by the President last April 5 as Chief Justice and head of the country’s judiciary. There are 15 applicants for the vacant post. Seven of them will be interviewed online by the JBC on June 2 and June 3. The seven applicants who will be interviewed by the JBC on June 2 are private law practitioner Benedicta A. Du Balabad, Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Geraldine Faith A. Econg and Rafael R. Lagos, and Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Ronaldo Roberto B. Martin. To be interviewed on June 3 are Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alex L. Quiroz, Finance Undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko, and Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva. Rey Requejo

Intermodal transport hub to rise in Clark CLARK FREEPORT—An intermodal transportation terminal aimed at improving the efficiency of public transportation here will soon be established in this Freeport. This was revealed during the recent signing of lease agreement between Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan and SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim. CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group (BDBEG) Rynah Ventura and SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for North Luzon Operations Bien Mateo were also present at the signing ceremony held at Conrad Hotel Manila. Other Clark officials who witnessed the activity and extended their support for the said project are presidential Adviser for Clark Programs and Projects and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Secretary Vivencio Dizon, and BCDA Chairman Gregorio Garcia III. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SM Prime Inc. Director Darlene Barberabe were also present at the event. Meanwhile, CDC Chairman Atty. Edgardo Pamintuan took part in the activity via virtual conferencing. According to CDC–BDBEG, the Premiere Clark Complex, Inc. (PCCI) will develop the said terminal on a 23,955 square meters’ area located at the Southern Gateway District of this Freeport. The terminal will be a four-storey building that includes ancillary facilities such as waiting area for passengers, restrooms, and other services required for an intermodal transportation system. COVID-related safety protocols and guidelines will also be implemented at the site.

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Drilon renews bid to defund task force By Macon Araneta

ALL-IMPORTANT ID. Residents of several barangays in Navotas City have already completed the first step in the national ID registration as the city government and the Philippine Statistics Authority have started the biometric enrolment of Navoteños in the Philippine Identification System. PSA targets all Filipinos to enrol in the all-important national ID which is intended to facilitate transactions with state agencies. Andrew Rabulan

SC: Solgen has no power to control Ombudsman T By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court has ruled that the Office of the Solicitor General has no power of control over the Office of the Ombudsman since the latter is an independent constitutional body.

The SC’s Third Division issued the ruling even as its dismissed the petition filed by the government, through the OSG, assailing the plea bargaining agreement in 2010 between the Office of the Special Prosecutor and retired Major General Carlos F. Garcia, former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The government was already rightfully represented by the Office of the Ombudsman in the plunder case [against Garcia] before the Sandiganbayan. Thus, the Office of the Solicitor General overstepped its bounds by insisting on providing additional representation,” the SC said, in a decision penned by

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. “Further, the Office of the Solicitor General had no power of control or supervision over the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body. It had no authority to impose on the latter’s handling of the Plea Bargaining Agreement was grossly disadvantageous to the government and the people’s welfare,” the SC said. The high court stressed that the OSG has not authority to impose on the Ombudsman on how to handle the plea bargaining agreement, even if it strongly believed that the it was “grossly disadvantageous to the government and the people’s welfare.”

The high tribunal said the acceptance of a plea bargain is purely upon the discretion of the prosecutor, while its approval is subject to the judicial discretion of the court trying the facts. “Hence, any review of a plea bargain approved by the Office of the Ombudsman would be tantamount to an appeal on a question of fact and not the proper subject of a petition for certiorari,” the SC emphasized. While it dismissed the OSG’s petition, the tribunal held that it “will not interfere with the substance of or the wisdom behind the Plea Bargaining Agreement, as that falls squarely within the Office of the Ombudsman’s mandate of investigating and prosecuting erring government employees.” Besides, the SC noted that the OSG did not dispute the Ombudsman’s authority to file the criminal case and enter into a plea bargaining deal; rather, it claimed it had the right to intervene in the agreement, citing its “mandate to protect and promote the interests of the people.”

SENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon yesterday vowed to oppose “tooth and nail” the budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for 2022 as he warned next year’s national budget can be used as a huge “campaign kitty” for the 2022 election. The opposition senator, recycling an old claim against the task force, said he believed that many of his colleagues would propose to defund or give the task force a zero budget. The controversial task force wanted an increase in its budget for 2022 to give away more funds to different barangays across the country “in an election year.” The proposed National Expenditures Program that outlines the government’s priorities for 2022 will be submitted to Congress in July or August, after the President’s last State of the Nation Address. Earlier, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon announced that the number of “cleared” barangays has increased by 1,398 from 822 to 2,220. The 822 barangays had already received funding from the task force’s P16.4-billion so-called barangay development program. “That will be a whoppping P28 billion election war chest. We will vehemently oppose the budget of NTF-ELCAC,” Drilon said. Partisan politics “Instead of allocating billions in taxpayers’ money to NTF-ELCAC, let us increase the budget of 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Let us use the funds to assist our jobless kababayans,” he added. Drilon said it is obvious that the program is disguised as an anti-insurgency countermeasure but, in reality, it is meant to help boost the chances of the administration candidates for next year’s election. This early, Drilon said there are barangays in the country which are being used for partisan politics. Suppositions He cited, for instance, a letter supposedly coming from a barangay chairman in a village in Bulacan circulated in social media supposedly soliciting support to the candidacy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the President’s daughter. Drilon said the anti-insurgency budget and other lump sum appropriations in the budget can easily be diverted to programs that can help boost the administration’s candidates for 2022

NPA weakens on dismantled fronts

MMDA CAMPAIGN. Several personnel of various offices in the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority conduct estero clean-up, anti-dengue and clearing operations at Estero Tripa de Galina, San Andres Bukid, Manila on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 as part of massive efforts to beautify and sanitize the metropolis. Norman Cruz

A TOTAL of 17,958 rebels have already surrendered to the government and returned to the fold of the law since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took office, according to the Task Force Balik Loob under the Department of National Defense. In the weekly virtual press conference of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Navy Captain Ferdinand Buscato of the TFBL told reporters yesterday that a total of 17,958 rebels have so far surrendered beginning July 2016 up to May 28 of this year. Among them, 3,684 were “regular members” of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), 2,039 were from the Militia ng Bayan. 1,760 were from Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO) of the National Democratic Front (NDF), and 7,074 other mass supporters, Buscato said. At least 2,789 surrenderees are still undergoing verification by the Task Force. It is important to note that through the ECLIP or Enhanced Comprehensive Local Information Program being implemented by the TFBL, former rebels are reintegrated back with their families and are able to start over with financial benefits which include housing, education,

and medical assistance, among others. NTF-ELCAC Vice Chairperson Secretary and NSA Hermogenes Esperon Jr. confirmed the report, noting that “there are remaining guerilla fronts but more than half of these are deemed weakened because of the continuing surrenders and the favorable results of our operations, including the deployment of what we now call the Retooled Community Support Program which are clearing the barangays that used to be guerilla bases of the CPP-NPA.” However, NTF-ELCAC official said that the many people are still being deceived by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) especially in far-flung barangays such as peasants, farmers, fisher folks, and “very especially from students” and the youth where recruitments are continuously being made to resupply the forces of the insurgents. Esperon also said that the recent neutralization of Rey Bocala was another big blow to the CTGs as he was a top ranking rebel and the finance chief in the Panay region, as well as the neutralization of hit squads like the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the CPP-NPA in Rizal province on May 21 of this year. Several guerilla fronts have also been “dismantled” and hundreds of barangays are being cleared of communist insurgents.

DOJ chief cautious on drug war review JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said they will “play it by ear’ the concerns raised by President Duterte about disclosing matters of national security when accessing the drug war records of the Philippine National Police for the review of the Department of Justice. Guevarra stressed that President Duterte’s statement did not mean that the department does not disclose the documents due to national security concerns involved. On Monday, Duterte stated that the government cannot release all records from the controversial anti-drug war for scrutiny since it would compromise national security. “I actually did not hear it exactly how he said it but my understanding of what the President has been meaning is, in the light on the ongoing cooperation between the DOJ and the PNP, a proper concern should be given to security matters. In

other words, not necessarily related to the review of these case files, it is not necessarily the one that the President is referring to,” Guevarra said in an online press briefing with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar after the signing of the joint memorandum circular on violations of health quarantine protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “As far as I’m concerned these are criminal matters, more of a criminal nature than a national security concern. So, I suppose that the President really meant that in the general cooperation between the PNP and the DOJ, concerns about national security should be properly addressed. We must be very careful,” he added. Citing the 2018 Supreme Court resolution penned by then Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio ordering the government to yield

its records on deaths related to the drug war amid the petitions against the constitutionality of the “Oplan Tokhang,” Guevarra said they will just make it a point to be more careful as they examine the drug war records if it involves national security. “Yes, there was a SC declaration already but we will play it by ear. We will be more careful when the DOJ and the PNP examine all these records. Make it a point to determine if there are national security concerns involved in each case, and if there is none, then we will do so in accordance with our mandate. But we will take note of the President’s concerns as we examine each and every case,” Guevarra stressed. When asked if Duterte’s statement would affect sharing of the PNP records to the Commission on Human Rights, Guevarra said they have yet to sit down with the latter to discuss information sharing. Rey Requejo

NEW CHANCELLOR. Philippine Judiciary Academy chancellor Arturo Brion takes his oath of office before SC Chief Justice Gesmundo in a virtual ceremony attended by several justices and held on June 1, 2021.

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News

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

SC lifts freeze order on assets of ex-general’s brother-in-law

PNP chief vows to dismiss cop caught in video killing a woman PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar vowed to dismiss immediately a cop who was caught on video killing a 52-year-old woman in Quezon City. “This is a heinous crime. This is simply unacceptable because policemen should be the ones protecting our people and not acting like criminals,” Eleazar said. In the now viral video, Police Master Sgt. Hensie Zinampan could be seen grabbing the victim, Lilybeth Valdez, by the hair before shooting her fatally in Brgy. Greater Fairview on Monday. Zinampan, who is assigned to the Police Security Protection Group, will be slapped with criminal and administrative cases. “On behalf of the men and women of the PNP, I sincerely condole with the family of the victim, and I ask for their apology for the criminal action of Police Master Sergeant Zinampan,” Eleazar said. The PNP chief assured the family he will “personally attend to the case” to ensure that justice is served. In December last year, another policeman was caught on video shooting to death a mother and her son in Tarlac. The video went viral on social media and drew widespread rebuke. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights said it is now conducting a motu propio investigation into Zinampan’s case. “This incident is gravely concerning as we expect our police to ‘serve and protect,’ and not be at the frontlines of violating rights, let alone arbitrarily curtailing one’s right to life,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said. “After a string of recent deaths and killings being attributed to police officers, we urge the PNP to translate commitments of internal cleansing into actual reduction of cases of human rights violations on the ground. One death is one too many. We urge the government to address these violations with the larger view that the protection of human rights is primarily a state obligation,” she added. Rio N. Araja

By Rey Requejo

FOR FUR-BABIES, TOO. At the community paw-try of SM City East Ortigas, fur-parents avail of free pet checkups, anti-rabies vaccines and dog food giveaways for their four-legged babies in Pasig City. Norman Cruz

China confirms world’s first human case of bird flu strain

C

HINA reported the world’s first human infection of the H10N3 bird flu strain on Tuesday but said the risk of it spreading widely among people was low.

A 41-year-old man was admitted to hospital with fever symptoms in the eastern city of Zhenjiang on April 28 and was diagnosed with H10N3 a month later, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) said in an online statement.

“The risk of large-scale spread is extremely low,” the NHC said, adding that the man was in a stable condition and his close contacts had reported no “abnormalities.” It described H10N3 as low pathogenic – less likely to cause death or severe illness – in birds. The NHC said there had been no human cases of H10N3 previously reported in the world. Several strains of bird flu have been found among animals in China but mass outbreaks in humans are rare. The last human epidemic of bird

flu in China occurred in late 2016 to 2017, with the H7N9 virus. The H7N9 has infected 1,668 people and claimed 616 lives since 2013, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. Following recent avian flu outbreaks in Africa and Eurasia, the head of China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention last week urged stricter surveillance in poultry farms, markets and wild birds. COVID-19 was first detected at a food and animal market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. AFP

NBI nabs 2, including Muntinlupa city hall employee, for graft and corruption OPERATIVES of National Bureau of Investigation have arrested two persons for estafa as well as graft and corruption in Muntinlupa City. NBI Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Director Eric Distor identified the suspects as Tessie Alvarez and James Magan, an employee of the Muntinlupa city government. Alvarez and Magan were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor. Alvarez was charged with estafa under the Revised Penal Code while Magan was slapped with estafa and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Distor said the case stemmed from

a complaint against Alvarez whom the victim allegedly hired for the processing of permits required for the installation of water and power services in his residence in Tunasan, Muntinlupa. In their alleged agreement, Alvarez would process the permits for two weeks in exchange for P43,500. She claimed she has a contact inside the Engineering Office of Muntinlupa City Hall, whom she named as James Magan. The complainant paid the full amount, but Alvarez said Magan demanded an additional P15,000 for the release of the permits. The victim went to the NBI and an entrapment operation was launched on May 28. Willie Casas

Digital technology to boost security in Lanao del Sur By Nash Maulana

NEW VAX SITE. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora leads the inspection of the vaccination center inside the Theater Mall in Greenhills, San Juan City on June 1, 2021. The local government expanded its vaccination program by opening Theater Mall’s Cinemas 1 and 2 to accommodate more people for COVID-19 vaccination. Manny Palmero

‘Dante’ slightly weakens, leaves close to 2k passengers stranded By Rio N. Araja TROPICAL storm “Dante” slightly weakened while moving toward Eastern Samar, leaving at least 1,761 passengers stranded in various ports across Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Southern Tagalog, northeastern Mindanao and Bicol Region. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 remained hoisted over Catanduanes,

Camarines Sur, southern portion of Camarines Norte, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran and the northeastern portion of Leyte. Signal no. 1 was hoisted over Rizal, Laguna, the southeastern portion of Batangas, Quezon including Polillo Islands, the rest of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, the northeastern por-

tion of Capiz, the northeastern portion of Iloilo, the northeastern portion of Negros Occidental, the northern portion of Cebu, the northeastern portion of Bohol, the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Dinagat Island, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur and the northern portion of Surigao del Sur. Dante, the country’s fourth storm this

year, has left at least 3 dead and 1 missing after inundating Mindanao. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the number of stranded individuals include passengers, drivers, cargo helpers with 44 vessels, one motorbanca, and 587 rolling cargoes. “Moreover, 37 vessels and 57 motorbancas are taking shelter as a precautionary measure against the possible threat of the tropical cyclone,” the PCG said.

UN opens Women’s Empowerment awards

ELBOW-TO-ELBOW. Senator Manuel Lapid greets Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. with an elbow bump during the latter’s visit to his office on May 31, 2021. Also in the photo is Tourism Investments and Economic Zone Authority General Manager Mark Lapid (center).

THE Supreme Court has lifted the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals on the properties and monetary instruments of the brother-inlaw of retired military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot. Ligot is undergoing trial before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly amassing ill-gotten wealth when he was the comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from July 1999 to March 2001 and for not declaring P54 million worth of assets in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth. In the case of Ligot’s brother-in-law, Edgardo Yambao, the SC held the lifting of the freeze order that covered bank accounts and vehicles under his name is warranted following the Court’s promulgation of the Rule of Procedure in Cases of Civil Forfeiture, Asset Preservation, and Freezing of Monetary Instrument, Property, or Proceeds Representing, Involving, or Relating to an Unlawful Activity or Money Laundering Offense in 2005. The tribunal noted it previously granted Ligot, his wife Erlinda and their children’s petition to lift the freeze order issued by the CA based on the same ground. The said Rule provides for a summary or post-issuance hearing within the 20-day period of effectivity of a freeze order and sets a limit on the extension of the order to a period not exceeding six months. On March 6, 2013, the SC’s Second Division agreed with the Ligots’ petition contesting the six-month extension of the freeze order that the CA issued on July 5, 2005. The high court, however, reiterated there was probable cause to justify the issuance by the CA of the freeze order against Yambao’s bank accounts and vehicles. In Yambao’s case, the SC noted that aside from being Ligot’s brother-inlaw, the investigation by the Ombudsman revealed that he had no ample income to acquire substantial assets, reinforcing the belief that he was acting as a dummy for the Ligots.

UN WOMEN has started accepting nominations for its annual Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, which recognize Asia-Pacific business action and leaders that champion gender equality. The awards are organized by WeEmpowerAsia, a UN Women program funded by the European Union that promotes women’s participation and leadership in the workplace, marketplace and community. Nominees will compete in six categories: Leadership Commitment; Gender-inclusive Workplace; Gender-responsive Marketplace; Community Engagement and Partnerships; Transparency and Reporting; and Youth Leadership for Generation Equality. The latter three categories are new to this year’s awards. Also new are three Champion titles for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “We are proud to recognize businesses that are persevering through the unprece-

dented upheaval of COVID-19 and leading us to a more gender-inclusive economic recovery,” said Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director for UN Women Asia-Pacific. “Gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment across the globe are crucial,” added Hilde Hardeman, Director of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI). “The EU is proud to support The Women’s Empowerment Principles awards as part of the WeEmpowerAsia project. These enable companies to promote their activities and policies that directly support women and move our societies to full gender equality.” This year, Investing in Women (IW), an initiative of the Australian Government, is supporting the awards together with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) and Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE).

COTABATO CITY—Modern technology will now boost connectivity to improve local capability in community security and transparency in public offices in two Lanao del Sur towns. Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) chose the vulnerable Butig and Piagapo towns in Lanao del Sur for the installation of VSAT (very small aperture terminal) facilities. The VSAT facilities will provide high speed broadband internet in the two towns. Ebrahim said BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) is implementing the project through its Localizing e-Government for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) program, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). BARMM MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said this will foster delivery of services and improve connectivity through the most effective and efficient way possible to help secure BARMM communities. UNDP Program Manager Mitzi Mendoza said he hoped that digital centers will soon rise to fully realize the dream of a #DigitalBangsamoro for the pilot municipalities. The installation of the ICT facilities in Butig and Piagapo is a primary component in the deployment of the digital centers and call centers. “The VSAT facilities that we are formally handing over to the pilot sites Butig and Piagapo, like the images we all imagine rotating far into the outer layer of the earth, will hopefully leapfrog the next century of the Bangsamoro. The dream for the digital Bangsamoro is slowly but surely becoming a reality,” Sinarimbo said. “The dream for better services for our people is also becoming a reality. Together let us leapfrog into the future of governance and transform our services into the best we can, our people deserve it,” he added.

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Others arebeginning even the extent school are individuals involved inprivate bothprepared presidential fact, it is remains aitthe key issue Trump dent is, some are saying: We oomost APT28 andgoing s contested be eved oasope aall egroups ou port their children Nothing n not just They could trouble with tools or APT28 and is words believedbut toby operate out of building—and the of its jourJ.A. (Fernando do Magallanes) in Homonhon, when he could very wellus serve asPublic an elder of note can indeed be easily undermined by the Russian hackers via phishing attacks goods and services such those in food involve the hotly electorestablishment of u espons b y hem wou d o he w se have n he c ass oom four centuries. J.A.of the security more to events than meets the eye. or APT28 and is believed to operate out of would otherwise have in the classroom. These and Liabilities ofToday governme O SAY that the HE President is reportedly waiting for a message ber 5, b J.A. O SAY that the tions have already started the school year. wou d o he w se have n he c ass oom th Trump organization. ber elections, with the Democrats and a of insinuating that this could not have hapcampaigns but more intensely against the all over again in the run-up to the Novemyou so. Others are even going to the extent priceless. ber 5, but many pr O SAY that the campaigns but more against the all workoverAs again in the run-up to nthe Novemso. Others are even going to thehas extent Russ a svan m age a ypoagency, nne you agency GRU n a mos goveve yone gov Russia’s military intelligence agency, A GRU. neyhe toward nation-building. the story ofUS this voyage been punctu“...To the reststatesman of the was Father Rannie Aquino wrote in his In ofan ideal world, the present intelligence GRU. for this complaining will notthis help ssue emilitary om ou sgence he veryone, an dea dso he esen kintensely Afor memorandum on hav Se and with connectivity or could also best remembered nothave cling-already aesen click of finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications manufacturing orhelp. in power and utilities al Russia’s race in the planet using as they do the Microsoft itself isApparently, that Russian military DELA CRUZ Through a wo mix ofworld, so-called synchronous But experts say Democrats Moscow isdthe adversary number security experts insisting pened without any insider In fact, ashas DELA CRUZ tions Trump organization. berthey elections, with the Democrats and aorganization. of insinuating that this could not have hapnhas an dea wo he pwo wo kpa Raisa Mabayo should COVID-19 pandemic tions s COVID-19 pandemic DELA CRUZ Trump ber elections, with the and a of insinuating that this could not have hapthese continuing attacks mimstitute th Appa en y hese con nu ng a acks m m s g asp ng a s aws “...To Spain, whose monarch commisfrom God on whether he should heed his party’s ated by a number of conflicting, slanted COVID-19 pandemic arguably a ow keying milestone history column on thethem martial law years, every from-home set-up would allowinfact, parents these continuing attacks mimthe three conditions in w ng at straws u emost o Apparently, aw om wou pa en thatnumber worries most, given Russia’s that the Russian hackers are back the the narrative goes, itmethods could have been sim- pened methods—where stuto spower at all costs? But experts say Moscow the adversary of USthe security experts insisting Inaupfinding stride it in isthe best toisthe rewithout any insider help. omat home se uphome wou dse ow pa dand enaour sasynchronous find itIndifficult to beashas effective their jobs sophisticated available itma is hackers have 200 US organizations the “sustained hacking and information Through a Through mix of o But experts say Moscow is the adversary number of US security experts insisting pened without any insider help. fact, astheInchildren’s c he “sus a ned hack ng and n o on sioned the voyage that set sail in 1519, o to unds us targeted o s ay icmake greatly altered people’s accounts often dependent on story the storytellers of globalization; thereafter, the exchange story teller has his or her own “construct” greatly altered people’s to pay closer attention to their could be released: If the ic the “sustained hacking and information sdlize just stay lengthy track record. ply an inside job considering the internal In in thethe real We saw a g mme o hope ha the h ngs oahackers pay con ose ahe enthat on odents ch teacher dSecond, en smost, and are present all at the same greatly altered people’s that worries them the country most, given Russia’s that osecond-highest the Russian are back in narrative goes, it could have been toour run for the post in andworld, asyn pay cour ose en Forty othe ch dthe enhe sone our remains warfare carried out in the worries them the given Russia’s that theofRussian hackers are back inmember narrative goes, it exhortation could have been sim16,u 2021 toparties bewhich exand asynchronous me this means arocking celebration of role nin the that crisis affects families wa ato e ca editswhich ou he 2016the pteller. es den wh ch can entire mmob ze 2016 en epresidencommun sarch s entire y communities. d shea en ngcan using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched think that the same can (political think tanks consultants Much like many facets his-simofue cultures, ideas, technology was tasks that period in history. work habits. This is true forofsome families her reques would be an understatement. Andealt expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems UCPB, carried out in the presidenimmobilize communities. disheartening. cially as thedents public sc time, and where they perform other on representative wou dwarfare beg neslives o change when Jus ce2016 Sec ehas a an yseen wo ks hab s eight Th s slengthy o track some am and es pause. lives would be an understatement HE Offi ce of the Ombudsman has another blow, not to lengthy track record. ply an inside job considering the internal tial race in favor of sthen candidate Trump and most insidious hackand wo k hab s Th s ue o some am es lives would be an understatement mmemorating the 500th record. ply inside job considering the internal cruel grip of the pandemic. Our health technological development of nautical dents and teacher arec a ace n avo o hen cand da e T ump S he wo and mos ns d ous hack o be b ough o us ce tory such as the assassination of Antonio spurred to unprecedented heights. years after, those who have harangued fortunate enough to keep a job and proorders its release in relati tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its top officials resigning en masse. the land during next year’s election. and communities differently This should tial race in favor of then candidate Trump Still, the worst and most insidious hackbe done anywhere at any time and against ght to justice and even the main Democratic fundraising They are here to weeks, the situation tion their own, respectively—educators are tryOne of the clearest manifestations MenaUS do Gueva athe adm ed beleaders o e hetoproblems Un o una e enough o keep a ob and p o against his Democratic rival, former done to subvertaspolitical An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems rocking UCPB, which has seen time, and quincentennial histocorruption in government which would have been good, but to the o una e enough o keep a ob and p o An expert, John Hultquist, senior execurocking UCPB, which has seen One of the clearest manifestations science and will of its reach thetheir ofclearest the Bonifacio brothers aga ns this h sheist Democ a cserveva me US opedone a ons e donepolitical o subve against po In ca any and where asiswha eve s eing ooperations surprisingly, an eventual disconthrown tons of garbage then Prescare and economic systems in they raised alarm bells over the at Russian hackers “...Not event, should as o Luna, vide children their learning tools. and case, or ofare a Children request ismay m One ofdeath the manifestations ferent. Democratic rival, former US are to adown subvert er left WE of it,RE ing make with available technology to time, abouSecretary ongump up and ke of State Hillary Clinton’s camdermine societies. commanders. ed Na ons Human R change gh Counc UNHRC any perceived Given such platform) fornoThe cyber attacks Microsoft vare he ch he nto ng oo sthe improve empathy and correct our tive ofdo cybersecurity firm FireEye, has top officials resigning en masse. Meanwhile students are also adjusting to stay. ofhis that in the he arrival Europeans here their inve own previously unknown lands and recreate tive ofin the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has itseducation top officials resigning en masse. vare deThey he ch dde en hepresided eadto nenArmy ng ooour sea the mass murders inchange Samar during They here to Sec e adversary as Hillary yonly o isSfor aClinton’s ebanks. H aThis ycamC onand san cam p ocesses and unde mvice ne The soc e Secretary es nect the narrative surrounding Spanish sathe d Russian ha ofput we shou d pu paign.” ident Marcos and those who noting that while multiple cyber-espionage a The wake-up call not is n its their own, respective fi ght against corruption which is downright bad. Ombudsman’s field of that is in the education or functioning equi shambles. More than a million cases of State processes and undermine societies. reach out to their students and enable them to we should It is not clear which god Mr. Duteperformance. All these make for a wininterferch mpanzees o shame ess y app op a e a of that change is in the education Feb ua y esystem. hageography. “nan aban” cases alarm bells over the Russian hackers In of any this heist should asover In 2019, the Human Rights Watch remarked theand beginGiven the debate overnthe environment the”Itnsecurity president Tom Burt has been quoted ashesayraised alarm bells the Russian hackers Instability any event, this event, heist should as to ma the Fil-American war, toserve name a few,serve thedemands actors have targeted organizations associshort-sightedness Inover doing our best tofor forweapons regulators, government agencies arrival in theraised Philippines developed as each thestay. country’s fate during those years pa gn con ovecontinuing sy ove spotted Russ an nworld ealso ce ha caper h s in UCPB cape the much-changed of schoolwork the purpose a ideal fact-fi ing to not make do with may beofing an p learn, notwithstanding the great challenges paign.” controversy the Russian interferUCPB has also state-sponelections favor of he Microsoft and more than 21,000 deaths into the stay. m used by aence eover human gh s US awye system rte wishes tofor hear from, but we hope combination in next year’s make-ornoting that while multiple cyber-espionage acall wake-up call not only for banks. This iscould o po ce ope aoneons whcmost ch ed owell dea hsspo o and yUS landing ning of of the powerful empires martial law years, Mabayo’s notes should noting that while multiple cyber-espionage arrival of the flotilla and the death of its a wake-up not only banks. This is ated ning withget the upcoming election, the ported exsystem and other companies doing essential Jus as week we ea ned ha Om country went on to construct their own nareach out not over the fact that more and M oso has a so ed s a e spon n he 2016 e ec ons n avo o beknown heTrump asase the Someone who requests that “State security forces and govnations and societies as as the integrity ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s reach out to their stud learn new things. Pa posed by these untested methods. sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting onald lingers. In cope but we should also pick out the lesLessons from Microsoft has also spotted state-sponence in theanyone 2016 US elections in favor of They may have grown up with technology Joke A oyo does s emembe n crisis, we are still waiting for a road actors have targeted organizations associalso for regulators, government agencies ary flotilla led by Poreged in d sensitive suspec sed wehacke e no and history, defined by its sexam maritime force make the storytellers a adeep heincumbent the fact—on break elections. pertspoints are “most concerned that of the president’s corner. And services. The incident reminds leader, Magellan, as to well as eventual budsman Samue Ma es hadthe m edthis hehis actors have organizations associ-aofficial’s also for regulators, government agencies tional identities. In thethemselves practice of national more of view, of actualwith accounts learn, non so n Iran, Ch na and an a is ge awakened ng SALN must the pre hen cand daTrump e pause, Dona dtake Tby ump sug n Public condemnab e was hthen-candidate s nc are set toned reopen on OctoLessons from Mr. Martires’ ious about where individuals involved in both presidential key issue against Trump The targeted teachers are having dif- learn, notwithstandin sored hackers inschool China and targeting lingers. In nge ble this wha inci-Magellan Lessons from ernment-backed paramilitaries continue tomay standing of companies and institutions campaign specifically targeted sons will come handy when this cri-letter Ferdinand this episode will be atedupcoming with theevents upcoming election, the exex ?“ ove heDonald ecen news epo and other and but mostly for recreation andonmilitary socialization and Catholicism, and that last Russian time around they are joined by them to5,double their efforts securing widen their horizons. There ha and ober cemen sone ed was o in oto landing the remaining map telling usare that while we still cden sand access o expedition’s he ac se emen oeopen s oOc Pub schoo aChinese eAsse seintereopen Ocduring o intelligence ated with the election, the exand other companies essential and myth making, historical pewhat transpired that period unit..which contra-that without otherworldly of authority from butvagen many learning institund dua sinaprivate nvo ved now bo h pub pown es a ofcompanies acand ema ns aagainst key ssue aga nsaw Ten ump ups aWe e say ngcon We oit dbreath posed by campaigns but more intensely against the he run-up totold the Novemfrom, even if they dith Pub cdoing schoo aS edoing oessential on o recent ficult time adjusting to the new demands of posed by these untest individuals involved both presidential fact, remains a key issue Trump ying: pronouncement this episode will be gallanes) inha Homonhon, harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in poses thethis threat toAnd the democratand Iranian inMageldigital systems and devices. of Novem note can indeed be easily undermined by the Democrats Russian hackers via phishing attacks perts are “most concerned that the asoon incumbent corner. And this sensitive services. The incident reminds more to the events meets thesoeye. Duterte one ofgreatest the earliest lockPh ppisne ona Pon centhan has de ship, Victoria, indoing Spain under and Lns esbuhackers oToday gove nmen omany cea a Demospimposed episode will anda dfour ptheir ocenturies. oco sbut rused, selected for exclusion or inclusion vening their ‘construct’ have been comperts are “most concerned with that of with the corner. this sensitive services. The incident reminds be 5presumably bu vabe ens eatechnology npresident’s ng ns upresident’s sis is be finally over That wisdom would be SALN granting theThe reque tions have already started the be battling the virus now, weof will to use to subTrump organization. and aen campa gns bu mo eagainst n school ensethe y year. aga aNa ove aga he unNovemup he even go ng ohehe exover about COVID-19 in tea their work. Sure, they may be teaching from vention—that so would a beabpriceless. 5he many pthey va ehave nincumbent ng uprocess.. campaigns more intensely all again in the run-up to the ghoyage tothethehas extent The teachers them ic as this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the After all, activities that seek to comprobeen punctu“...To the rest of the world, this was Father Rannie Aquino in hisaaappea Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined bysome Chinese them tosecond-in-command, double their efforts in Juan Alan’s memo andum onindowns Sep 1 in a Sebasd securing down cdded o open aAs po But sons eco VIRTUAL by storytellers, in case the and ing Their narrative ifChinese they insist frustrates not corruption, Russian intelligence unit..which time around they are by them their efforts securing instances attack and kill political ac-Everybody s of had cho bu to double a Gueva finger communications for inspecting or taking Through a mix of no so-called synchronous say Moscow ishethe adversary curity experts insisting Still, even if even it was the have ainteractions s a world. ed heout. schoo yeajoined T ump oaGrabe gan za on ce beonexperts eo ec wds hon wrote he Democ s and aha hagainst shave cou nothe have hap is tryin priceless themilitary comfort of their homes, but woods there is defiNo voices—just bethis led out ofstates, the by people who ficult tim ons have a ons eady s a profile edeady hethe schoo yea priceless Trump bercampaign’s elections, with the Democrats and a click not hapreally bad idea. priceless. stitute the experiences they ficult time adjusting responsible for some the most provocasanctions imposed andand miseorganization. digital devices, even systems, of conflicting, slanted arguably aasynchronous key milestone in entire the history the martial law every poses the greatest threat to theyour democratand Iranian hackers presumably inposes Demotian Elcano, has engendered inxhe itsbashing wake their systems he h digital ee cond ons nhigh whdevices. ch SALN then told and retold—proselytized, realasand non-debatable has of been bheoody wa onascolumn ega d on ugs un eashed by years, he that worries them thesecu most, given Russia’s the greatest threat to thecommunity democratare back inac the and Iranian hackers presumably inscrutinized Demotheir digital systems and devices. SALN shall be allowed. and methods—where thehestuo make he adm ss on am d moun ng n e still be able to learn i Th ough a m o so ca ed synch onous Bu expe s say Moscow s adve sa y numbe o US y expe s ns s ng yhackers ns de p n nitely nothing comfortable about doing tivists, environmentalists, leadworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown but the fi ght against their wor Th ough a m x o so ca ed synch onous But experts say Moscow is the adversary number of US security experts insisting lp. In fact, as know what they are doing. This is a tall tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain their work. Sure, they REALITY For some members of the PDP-Laependent Du on ethee adm story n sstory of globalization; thereafter, the exchange teller has his or her own “construct” a trove of accounts, written or otherwise, cou d be e eased he o c a o h s o ic process.. as this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the After all, activities that seek to comproplain good sense ly—to their respective peoples. and found wanting. It is not the only track record. In real world, however, and espeWe were thatcomfo Omb dents teacher arehem present all at the same as hacking group beenyears, cratic challenger side given the ic process.. After activities that seek to comproaRussian on m d 2016 ment.hoping Students will na onathatpn“gotcha” essu e and oha an ndependen nves work in this the same manner forhas many wothe es he mos g all, ven Russ aasynch sthe has nce he Russ an hacke sina the e back he d simhave been m lengthy and asynch onous me hods—whe e Joe he Biden’s su the worries them most, given Russia’s that hackers are back ave cou been time.” the Trump administration. moments have become such luand onous me hods—whe e he s u ers, and journalists.” the comfort of their h many facets of our his-s the failed to contain the pandemic. order that Mr. Duterte’s team still has of cultures, ideas, and technology was of that period in our history. Forty eight corruption. each changing with every he ep esenas adevices, ve eques snarrative. asystems, cou ban, however, this isschools the only way to “...One such example ofsome this is the John responsible for of the most imposed and high mise digital even entire story toa tell. As some noted writers and cially the public open in a esen few hasanprovocahadeducators the time to reflect on time, and where perform tasks ondevices, responsible for ofthen the most provocasanctions imposed and high profile bashing mise even entire systems, eca An ha expert, he PNP hadHultquist, ea e esenior will learn even decades, and having to shift to gaexecuonlengthy n crative, o he human sthey s heights. ua on nother he digital eng hygh ack ecoand d developed cons de ngWhy? he We n e na n attempts he eaprofile woothdbashing howeve andsome espe den s and pfor aIfsanctions same thesehenlatest hacking on In the case of the Russian operations highly sought track record. gssassination the internal he ea saying wo d lately, howeve and espe nitely not den and eache ecould peache esen aaasebefore awe he same of Antonio spurred toeven unprecedented nitely comfor years after, those who have harangued Such is the nature the beast, otryde sfinancial ss Duterte e ease nstate e aof agains on odays a starkly pend ng tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has marked difference into the retelling of the academics have been the Duterte hasyet vowed to continue his “war tive and aggressive cyber operations of allnothing measure up to. thesesecure two countries have been getting from for or or just plain re here to weeks, the situation be difTen Duterte imposed the lockhow blatantly itwill goes against their own, respectively—educators are go: Mr. agrees to run for vice tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain parents learn how altogether new way of teaching. eased eco ds o s an d ug ope a ons o An expe John Hu qu s sen o execu UCPB wh ch has seen coun y n he wake o a damag ng epo om erwise organizations in US soil c a y as he pub c schoo s open n a ew Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the past few years. Hackme and whe e hey pe o m o he asks on expert, John Hultquist, senior execuhich has seen brothers and c ayears y asadministration. he pub cdark schoo sutopenstory n a ofew the Bonifacio work me and whe e have hey pe ohave he he asks on “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconthrown tons of garbage then Presraised alarm bells over the at Russian hackers An work the sameinmN used toosay, that accounts of events orosuch inciTONY LOPEZ case oferent. a and eques sdown made h mough Ferdinand Magellan’s death. An-their martial law were not asfor andparty time.” Children may not adequate the2020, Trump “gotcha” moments become for transparency. Unfortunate ing make dohe with available technology to time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” have become such luport in their children. Filipinos are not stupid. They They tools on drugs” will trouble be “aswith relentless and Army commanders on March 15, there were only president, will have the choice of It good the and good ow ngduring an o de ident by noMarcos ess han he Sup eme veHo gh cybe secu y o and m Fmoments eEye involve hotly contested electornot he justhas of the security establishment but ofaluare lurking just around the corner srders gn nginen masse heto UN Oers oto he Comm ss one They are here he ses ua on cou ddPigafetta, be swhich acould kthe yFinally, dhave he own espec ve y—educa o weeks sthe amay emost ybe tive ofce the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has masse. Samar They are here to he sweeks ua onsaying cou doperations be sbeg atonio knythese nect inreach the narrative surrounding Spanish and those who presided noting that while multiple cyber-espionage even own espec ve o In shome eterly yuseless dents, whether personal ory—educa historical rests Ombudsman s e d nves ga on o ce come om p ospe ous am o Italian scholar who even decades, anddeca the as these guys are they or functioning equipment. The time to perfect his argument If these latest hacking attempts on othIn case of the Russian for out to their students and enable them to crative, even highly sought and developed for this, so complainin If latest hacking attempts on oththe case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed and with connectivity, or they could also al inAt the planet, using as do Mr. the Duteritself is that Russian military can be no either willday easily see through maneuversaltogethe aPhilippines sedasover aHuman ayea mdeveloped be sactivated oveas each heinRuss anMicrosoft hacke smake hwar, s he sname shou dbased sethe veonasaover Cou pe theon by targeted wefatee during no m those s Human R gh2019 sinntheoperations June ha desc bed his daughter, Davao City Mayfor the running mate, chilling onerwise the it events began.” Hethese wants Inhacking the Rights Watch reeto en Chthey dbut en may noa detailed have adequa e the raised alarm bells the Russian hackers ould as TWO confirmed cases. this the ng opast make do w hechno ava ab e race echno ogy o dwriting, toserve a few, actors have organizations associarrival country’s years e en Ch en may no have adequa e heavily on the story teller. In the case of w h o may have o he bus ness n e es s o he pu pose o a ac nd ng p obe ng o do w h ava ab e ogy o kept journal of of the would want everybody believe. Like in may not be an ideal place to focus and to altogether new waygov o ing of lifestyle checks for learn, notwithstanding the great challenges stay secure organizations in US soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the few years. HackIn finding our stri find it difficult to be effective at their jobs erwise secure organizations in US soil Trump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the past few years. Hackmost sophisticated methods available, it is hackers have targeted 200 US organizations time at all. Indeed, they have become part stay. no ng ha wh e mu p e cybe esp onage on y o banks Th s s aken human gh s awye s —when Mr. Duterte should be They focusing deported anoting w desp ead gh s methods. v oown a ons that while cyber-espionage lla and This the death banks. is of its could ated not withgetthe upcoming election, the exongthat unc on ng equ pmen Theof home Inot HAVE country went onhuman tomultiple construct their na-talked each ou oa sor he senab uden s hem and enab eces hem oon over the fact that morenand or Sara Duterte-Carpio, his tesecurity must know the move would be the Magellan subsequent Someone who eques sand copy ofaithful an opandemic ounc ncome aestablishment hese a ecan nd death penalty, banned under the Constituthat “State security forces and govvoyage, wrote how Magellan was electorbeojust equ pmen The home all distress and conflict situations as the Philippines is the epicenter in the They each ou oexpedition he scorner uden and eanxosou learn new things. Parents could be “Wealth does translat posed by these untested IN A previous column I about Presicould have tc involve the most hotly contested electornot of the security but of ers are lurking just around the corner and member that one cri using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched to think that the same (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. involve the most hotly contested not just of the establishment but of ers are lurking just around the and ac o In s the have a ge o nes gan za oonsevents s well gove agenc The H gh buna spec ca concerned y ofasked he pertspoints are “most that the ent’s corner. And thisTesmore as asnmen the eventual actors have targeted organizations associment agencies andof he cu uWhat e The o makes mpun yparamilitaries npractice he Phofednational pp tional identities. of view, actualwith accounts may no be an dea p ace oomost ocus and othe while thereafter an article written by on containing COVID and achieving ea nand winactivated hs and ng he gbe ea cha enges c assoc aea sSenator SALN mus pno esen afundraising no aMicrosoft zed ca ed nanywhere he SALN—assum ng we can ssieged by natives inin Cebu attemptcountry was at that time, there were missons for aide, Christopher Lawrence ill-advised because it goes against evious about where the next meal may come may no be an dea p ace o ocus and he said before lawmakers at teachers themselves are having a difn no w hs ng he g ea cha enges and with al race planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is that Russian military and communities diff hacking operations can be in no done at any time and against and with connectivi and even the main Democratic these activities dangerous tion for crimes, to be reimposed for ernment-backed continue to tion. 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casal race in the planet, using as they do the itself is that Russian military hacking operations can be activated no dent Duterte’s achievements. Now, aRodrigo edupcoming w h om he upcom ngthe e ec he ex nessential es do ng essen a and are joined by cluded in the Otherwise the restoring Presexpedition’s remaining poand ce Chinese eade sh what pRussian o transpired makemilitary pubduring c intelligence sthat eco ds unit..which ated election, ex- on myth making, historical are peperiod contraPe haps ak ngthe he cue Depa Mabayo, Third Secretary eGo, eRaisa ofrom, ho yifour om he owne ohackers he have access oadversary. hem— hen we can y to n 200 new hsuch ngs Pa en sshortlist coumost d be anx ing help Rajah Humabon, a methods recently and lownhave points but there posed by hese un es ed metakes hods even they did have toand worry fact, he empath said ficult time adjusting to the new demands of herd immunity and the econoea new hea ngs Pawere en shigh coudrug dve be anx any perceived Given an platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice is with these are arbitrarily doneevents inhe such aarrest brazen posed by hese un es ed me hods find it be ditN improve our sophisticated it In is difficult hackers targeted US organizations time at au all. Indeed, they have become part gunning for the top post. erything he has said and has stood for. former Meanwhile, students are also adjusting to find it to most sophisticated methods available, it available, is Tuesday. have targeted 200 US organizations time atwthe all. Indeed, they have become part TO THE crimes. harass and in poses the greatest threat the rs presumably Demope sconcerned a exclusion e failures: “mos conce ned hSALN ha oabout he es. Itnot is No. 21 inpoints the world. The Philippines ncumben pcorner. es den sug co democratne hwhen sselected Thereminds nc em ndsvening Duterte imposed the earliest lockSpain under here are his rused, or inclusion their have been comare “most with that of incumbent president’s this dent o den heinMagelhousands o one dea hsof o‘construct’ suspec ed dtoAnd Vice-Consul in charge of Cultural Diplog an ng he eques No eques s we app ec a e some con ex ident cannot legally appoint you as a memmen And operts Jus cethreaten he for PNP hthey s what me w h a Catholicized local ruler convert others and celebratory ones as well. ous abou whe e he nex mea may come a COVID-19 infection. erning lifestyle checks isDa illo The eache s hemse ves a e hav ng a d their work. Sure, may be teaching from environment, the security and stability of president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as happened to short-sightedness. In ous abou whe e he nex mea may come the much-changed demands of schoolwork. The eache s hemse ves a e hav ng a d using the not farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. my—as a ploy to circumvent the prohiusing the only availa not farfetched to think that the same can (political parties, think tanks, consultants of everyday life. A February 22-March 3 survey by Foremost, he has always expressed chief ic process.. as this hacking group has been oe Biden’s side given the Russ an m athe y states, nunit..which ehaand gence un wh ch me a down ound hey eifChinese o ned bysome Ch nese e odea s in secu ng ommand, Juan by storytellers, in this case ing out. Their narrative insist Russian military intelligence timeworld around they are joined she indowns securing But the people the President for attack and kill political acmacy in Philippine Embassy in Mao ing nspec ng o these ng os oGermany esand ywould esocieties checks aBack eof hethe edto e nsSebaswho we e gunned supposed ythey dislodged yesterday and is barely the Still even if even itaby was the Catholicism loyalty toof Spain. MaBut that another story. new ch eUCPB a instances he m has ndhomes, ca edbanking Everybody isaktrying his or her best 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression nations ashoweve well as integrity toare ask Congress to aa that thethe initial failed attempt on Biden’s which can unhinge the systhehe comfort of their but there ismakes defiom even hey noThey have oand woat ylove ber Board of Trustees PhilHealth cu me adheus ng ohe heto new demands obe cope, but wetion. should may have grown up with technology, om even hey d dthe no have ododone wo y be done anywhere at any time intends and We against and even the main Democratic fundraising What activities dangerous POINT cu me ad us ng opho new demands oL be anywhere any and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What these activities dangerous for some the most provocaandand high profile tion. bitions oftime the Constitution. sure polling rm Pulse Asia revealed Duteweariness at leading the country, espeposes he goea hdemocratea o he democ afimakes and an an hacke swhen pinesumab y nposes Demo engendered in wake ms dev cesitsbashing then told and retold—proselytized, realasresponsible non-debatable has of been scrutinized dridstill provides an interesting insight and aby the greatest threat toes the and Iranian hackers presumably Democes. a eason “L v ng beyond one s means” s SALN sha be a owed gellan believed that his display of force to Mabayo’s notes on the quincentennial because hey ough back “nan aban” and standing of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted tem. Or, to companies providing essential be able to learn in this new environHe takes issueexecutive with the ph nitely nothing comfortable about doing your s w ng o open a po on s d ug wa the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top tivists environmentalists community leadabou a COV D 19 n ec on sons that will come 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. world’s longest and strictest the lockdown but mostly for recreation and socialization. he wo k Su e hey may be each ng om any perceived adversary. Given such an platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice is when these are done in such a brazen In the second quarter of 2020, the Philipabou a COV D 19 n ec on much more as president and CEO tivecfound and aggressive cyber operations of all ss,have been getting from oand he wo k Su e hey may be each ng om any perceived adversary. Given such an Meanw platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice is when these are done in such a brazen Meanwhile, studen written or otherwise, c p ocess as h s hack ng g oup has been a c cha enge Joe B den s s de g ven he es ha seek o comp he does not wantthose to goto down in history their respective peoples. wanting. is not the the only fresh perspective onawill how we view We we e hop ng he ha Ombudsman Ma es celebrations nonote ahecan anc uposted e be mthis buEve a Diplomat: s a emens crisis. oby ac More icly—to process.. this hacking group has been Biden’sIt side given rte-Carpio leads list ofoshould 13 potential cially during COVID-19 ek to comprowould to accomplish ineasily The of indeed undermined the Russian hackers via phishing attacks andas services such as those in foodyears, Under ment. Students their lessons, yond one’s and ins work in same manner for many accos edcratic by awchallenger en opandemic ce s Joe eco ers ds ogoods he DOJ othe ev ew sis isofmeans” finallythe over. Th Today they have use technology subyenvironment, ng hmade s be o enough he bes com olearn he homes bu e Eve sas de time.” stration. environment, the security and stability president Tom Burt been quoted as sayand wayward manner ashomes what ybody s hasyybody ng hThus s one o allies he itthe handily into themisSenate elecand journalists security and stability ofof president Tom Burt has quoted as sayand wayward manner asocampaign’s what happened tohappened he com bus on he e to s de Secretary Carlos Dominguez says much failed the answer to otothe question the much-changed de pine economy slumped tohe its lowest ever in hesevery narrative. “...One such example thisandis the espons binof e”then oofsome oprovocamos pand ovoca sanc ons and writers hbashing gh p and o eresponsible bash ng even ento contain e sys emsthe story to tell. As mposed some noted even teach our and EMIL has had he me oohistory e he ec in onFinance hwith sschools dec and ha says one sbeen expenses stasks. nbes a“...On click ofMarch aonce, finger Grabe. against the communications manufacturing oraand power utilities That fateful decision and his for some the most sanctions imposed and high profile ntire systems, 16, 2021, weexceed will comas somebody desperate to stay when he educators will learn to teach better, and may only have “distorted v even decades, having to shift to an presidential candidates 27 percent than he has threatened to step down priceless. (Univers stitute the interactions and experiences they Fo Gueva a h s s “ve y s gn can If these latest hacking attempts on othe Russian operations for s be ab e o ea n n h s new env on n e y no h ng com o ab e abou do ng you nations and societies as well as the integrity ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysnations and societies as well as the integrity ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking syss be ab e o ea n n h s new env on n e y no h ng com o ab e abou do ng you They ma ure of the beast, as we They may have grow marked difference in the retelling of the academics have been saying lately, the tions which solidified Duterte’s power Duterte has vowed to continue his “war ve and agg ess ve cybe ope a ons o a hese wo coun es have been ge ng om a e ga ns o us p a n “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the younger generations. In this Mabayo Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockwhether or not the appointment of Gierran how b a an y goes aga ns he avowed gh come and a o he evenue aken oge he calculation of enemy forces, led by Lapu memorate the 500th anniversary of the tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these twoerwise countries haveorganizations been gettinginfrom orthejust plain the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conparents will learn how best they can supties.” This, he says, is none altogether new way of teaching. has had his turn. secure US soil n, reports coming out of respondents preferring her. Go ranks if this or that condition were not met. In m es one” because “d d no happen n men S uden s w ea n he essons ommend and standing of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by tem. Or, to companies providing essential wo k n he same manne o many yea s and standing of companies and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by tem. Or, to companies providing essential men S uden s w ea n he essons JURADO wo k n he same manne o many yea s counts of events or incibut most story of Ferdinand Magellan’s death. Anmartial law years were not as dark and utbut mostly for recrea me ” economic he2020 Thope ump adm n were s contested a ononlyelectoroft-repeated some have become such u 15 Spec yinfections a gove nmen o legal c a base. s depends ab e Longtime o piece, anspa ency Un o una enote—history y he hasprepared usedisto h s 3.5 Lapu, resulted inaide, Magellan’s death. was ofcaEuropeans in the Philippines. time.” the administration. such luportthe their children. Nothing usarrival We agree wealth could have their tools Christopher Go,the and drugs” will trouble be “aswith relentless and is onnote his name estimated 1.3 million accorddown on March there involve the most hotly rity establishment but Trump of really We the in production. On top of We can only hope undermined that voice that ev on ous yeatraction sThey ” which of can indeed easily by that the Russian via goods asfood those food 7th with 5 services percent of respondents likely weekly addresses to has educa on attacks smon wthe nattacks each be ewhether and of note can indeed be easily undermined by sarily the phishing goods and services such those inaga even decades and hen havItong ohackers sh omeans an rsonal or historical rests educa ovia shackers w ophishing each be eohe and thu tonio Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even andsuch hen hav nghehelp. oin useless asRussian these are saying they Today by the victors—which has been me ofor pe ec h sas a gumen ns hosh dRussian oan ve a BMW on a eaow hnation, yeaamo hese a es hack ng aothemp swritten on oand hdecades he case oguys he Russ an pfor ope athe ons oand ythat sough and deve oped Today have toth He was struck in the face by abeMactan is adhis day that different things to this, so complaining will not If these latest hacking attempts on In theterly case ofninthe operations developed equatethey toHealth, corruptio with connectivity, or they could also al race the planet, using as they do snd Russian military in that shortlist for the Board of Trustees Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela chilling on the day it began ” He wants ing to researchers from our universities. The TWO confirmed cases At this writing the The PNP sadetailed d 0.7-percent wou a ofow he DOJ ac a click of finger campaign’s communications manufacturing power and utilities in jobs the a warrior click of using ahey finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications to theGrabe. President isshould onestitute of oroge in power and pa en s ew ha ns s—o how can supascimitar. ry teller. Inorganizations the ofwould Army commanders. aorour oge he new way oc atoeach ng athe the events of theons would everybody to Like vote for him. always distracted, exhausted, pa enthe sappeared wand eawhe npeoples. how besea canbes sup de rigueur fornew most gets aobest better afirst he way outilities each ng ng oUS es y finding equarchecks oinpeople, gove nmen s re-different zaagainst on—we wonde ex hey stitute the aspeaks local After, the wjournal sed secu econtraction o gan za nto so T want ump s the e eout. ecmethods onbelieve. heavailable, epo com ng ou truth come countries their he pas ew yeacase sTrump’s Hack pres the interaction In stride, it is notreason takecy’s Filipinos find ite difficult to be effective at their secure organizations in manufacturing US soil re-election, reports coming outsin years. Hackmost sophisticated it erwise iskept ed 200 US Iof requested tosInheven repeat reaIt’s pretty cess oinvolve eco owrote 61 cases nvo vcontested ng hund eds 2019, Rights Watch reedition andand subsequent spearheaded theWe death penalty banned under the Constituhehealth ch deden No hwho ng p initially epa ed one usfrom voyage, of how Magellan wasyelectorbedistress as the can lockdown us to reinforce our Philippines is just the pandemic epicenter in the They oub w he oo sHuman than even counterpoint as far historical and of Cebu. genuine love of“drug country, hothen, does noHAVE ans acou ebeen odas co upenabled on buys mu pthe emy houses on aNo m sa a basic yed po he chpo d that en hconng pRosa, epa us Spanish ships retreated ter 2020, the -percent growth drop “...To the Philippines, first They cou dcourse, have oub ehave w hfamilies he” e oo nvo ve he16.5 mos ho con es ed“Wea e ec no usand o conflict he secusituations y es ab shmen bu ds ousing sthink acorner ound he co not ne andall And President Duterlost. member that one crisis affects know thatand many gove the only available medium of GDP instrucnot farfetched to think that thebut same tanks, consultants the most hotly of the security establishment of he non-ex-o ported that “State security forces and ove govancan article written byn nocountry o s pe sonne na onw de whe e he PNP sieged by natives in Cebu while attemptwas at that time, there were missons for my belief that the appointment of o h s so comp a n ng w no he p * * * he sa d be o e awmake s a a budge hea ng ha has no s gn can y nc eased he and w h connec v y o hey cou d a so o h s so comp a n ng w no he p a ace n he p ane us ng as hey do he M c oso se s ha Russ an m a y and communities differently. This should s be ac va ed war,” were elected to the Senate. Dela Rosa be done anywhere at any time and against and w h connec v y o hey cou d a so Democratic fundraising tion for most crimes to be reimposed for tion. that soon he realizes that this voice does This m system and build up our capacity to do wide11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265 888 casal race in the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is that Russian military ctivated in no te remains wildly popular; a September Why then would he wish to remain means the country is now in recession with ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to Third Secretary and How dhackers dvice he human gh awye s organizations eac owere ing to Rajah Humabon, aadm recently takes and low points but there high no egan naan A ons a help sMeanwhile, Semos v cesoph had s it ava the shortlist. yea hen ed agouan a po ndenamed ns dacformer he empathy saodbe hae cu he ve gov nas as nd ngIn s earlier s bes o come anyhacke adversary. Given r become attacks. dNational oaw be ehe ecour ve of as a he obs our and correct our s ound ca ed me hods ab eimprove s shave aUS ge ed 200 USsuch za dur hey pa Investigation n ha ndsearbitrarily ngves ou de o just ecolumn students are alson adjusting to nd cu aBureau obs Ie suggested that the cluded in his most sophisticated methods available, is Tuesday have targeted 200 part from God orcommittee anybody—just tonothead the Senate drug crimes testing inthat communities. From just esof have ItMicrosoft is become No inpoints thebyperceived world The Philippines 2020 survey by theone same fiec rm found as top tos was abes post TO THE harass, threaten, and inArmy first semester drop in economic output ofchecks 9nd Duterte of the earliest lockCultural DiploArmy commanders. point commanders. convert others and as well. ident cannot legallyGie ap he eco ds21 e eased hecelebratory PNP? ng es yheeimposed sspread ogon ca and ha he euc on whe eand oexecutive, ook mo e csliding carrest, ose yaone a consu veof cCatholicized mfarfetched ab yaon heVIRTUAL pa environment, the tanks, security and stability targe has been quoted as sayNow, the lockdowns will make half of short-sightedness. In doing our best to president membe ha c s s a ec s am es the demands of en schoolwork. us ng he y ava ab e med um o ns uc nolocal eruler ched oothe h aw nk hacanhee nsame can po ca pa esones hconsultants nk anks anna s much-changed membe ha one s s ec s am es us ng on y ava ab e med um o ns not to think that same (political parties, think chief Dante Gierran as chief President create agood “jobs policy” in instances attack and killconpolitical ac- should plain sense. downs in the world. Still, even if it was the charged with investigating police matters But the people love the President for 91ends percent of Filipinos approved ofactual his some a heartbeat away from his former offi ce, ber reof the Board of Tr ppine Embassy inBiden’s Maaround 1,282 PCR tests per day dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely In 2019, the Human Rights Watch to Catholicism and loyalty toworst Spain. MaBut that would be another story. Back In 2019, the Human Rights Watch rePOINT percent. It is the recession in our hisnations and societies as well as the integrity n o ask Cong ess o amend How d cu s h s concep o g asp? failed attempt on They ca ed hese “ ubb sh ” s nce hey the people poor. o cemen agen s cope, but we should also pick out the lesThey may have grown up with technology, and commun es d e en y Th s shou d be done anywhe e a any me and aga ns and even he ma n Democ a c und a s ng ese ac v es dange ous on commun es community d ethe en wake yleadTh sofshou dmany jobless people as a retime and against world’s andaeven the main Democratic fundraising be done anywhere at any es dangerous on longest tivists,and environmentalists, strictest, lockdown officer oflast PhilHealth isaghas illegalo hea sothat REALITY nteresting insight and gellan believed that his display force Mabayo’s on the quincentennial ported that “State security forces gov-more as presiden security forces and of govof targeted akes ssueexecutive wand h he ph asethe vthe ng be amp eMarch, hese woported dsthe and war.” the “drugs war May 2019 top Remittances—a mainstay the andmuch ecases nex oby usetoand ess nd ngocompanies ou who dand d institutions sons will come handy when ducted of capacity 23a brazen 000 No Italy 288 but mostly for”ce recreation and socialization. acco dadversary. ng oIn Gueva aofsa we any pe ved adve y e Gantwo venHe such anthat tory. pstanding ancyber o20 mnotes cybe a 761 acks M These c oso vperceived ce especifically done nwesuch aplatform) bbelow azen mp oveha empa hy and co“State ec ou anycases Given such Meanwh s“auden s us acrieweek a ers, soWe us ng oouour for attacks. Microsoft vice uch ove empa hyou and co ec ou“drug and journalists.” Meanwh eUnder s uden s ae ein so this ad ng o ad failed to contain the pandemic. Thus, EMIL on should view would be enough to accomplish those celebrations as posted in The Diplomat: of note can indeed be easily undermined by rs how via we phishing attacks Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to the answer ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to sult of the COVID-19 pandemic yond one s means” and ns s s ha a pe son a e be ng u e ed by he ve y o c a economy because is the one that insisy is over. Thatchanged wisdom the would be o Duterte Today they have use technology to subhe to khappened ngs and wha heden c has cums ances ev ewed eva ua edhandily by hetoPNP AS us ng env onmen he secu ythe and s ab o finally pCarlos esBurt Tom Bu hashabeen quo ed asand say nne as wha Failure contain communist allies made itthe into the Senate elecenvironment, the security and stability ofeconomy president Tom been quoted as saytaign’s happened has vowed to continue his “war sho s gh edness n4.bes do ngo ou to bes o thatthe Secretary Dominguez says he much demands schoo wo k Ten days before Duterte imposed lockwhether or not the app sho s gh edness n do ng ou he much changed demands o schoo wo k For whole of 2020, is exstory inFinance our schools and o a“...On click ofMarch a finger Grabe. communications tasks. That fateful decision and his mis16, 2021, we will comin drugs” theDuterte first quarter of 2020, 16.5 perharass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in depends on wh on y on have “d s 15, o ed va ues andwere p oonly whose obwhich s of o champ anspa ency harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in imposed oneon ofbythe earliest lockDuterte one the lockJURADO consumption—fell by 4.2 perTONY LOPEZ priceless. (Universal Healthcare upon the recthe interactions experiences they The Department of and Employo heing k that ngsthe weinitial e hafailed na and soc eand es asintegrity we as may he nThey eg ymay ng he nattempt ausa avert ed Biden’s a emp on Beco denstitute sand own ds and peons sonne unh ngeIn ed he ng sys onhimposed will be earliest “as is legal down March 2020, there nations societies as well as the on banking syscope bu we dpera he so fuels pesckand ou he Labor es T They g hown up Act) w echno ogy cope bu we d relentless a and sonmen pshou ck9and ou have g may own up w echno ogy Muslim separatist movetions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped ansthe rations. thisbank Mabayo calculation of enemy forces, led by Lapu memorate the 500th anniversary of pected toscompanies decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia cent in theinthe second quarter, by VIRTUAL es ” Th sconfirmed heVIRTUAL says s none o have ou bus ness and accoun ab yshou nbegan.” gove We instances attack and kill ac- shortlist for the instances attack and kill political ac- political cent insome thethe first half. That 4.2 percent downs the world. even ifsurgency itsome was the this downs in the world. Still, even ifStill, it ment was the in that chilling on day it He wants Each and eve y one o he eco ds he aw TWO cases. At this writing, the ommendation of the Board Trustees of Philand and ng o compan es and ns u ons campa gn was “ spec ca y a ge ed by an es p ov d ng essen a Wh e human gh g oups have po n ed will deny for sure but a survey and standing of and institutions campaign was “...specifically targeted by ding essential sons ha w come handy when h s c y ono and ec soc ea on and soc a za on sons ha w come handy when h s c buagmos y bu oweamos echeadoes a za on eated note—history is Lapu,estimates resulted inthe Magellan’s death. arrival of Europeans in theaccordPhilippines. base Without a vaccine cent in the first half. We are having the We ee ha no neces a e much a a med ove M Ma es ment Longtime aide Christopher Go and tivists, environmentalists, community leadtivists, environmentalists, community leadis equivalent to losing $1.4 billion of estimated 1 3 to 3 5 million infections world’s longest andlongest strictest, thestrictest, lockdown world’s and the lockdown I HAVE been requested to repeat my rea- It’s pretty basic. GDP contraction thebywhole death penalty, banned REALITY REALITY isHealth the pandemic epicenter in the IN Acan previous I talked about o no ethe can ndeed unde mPhilippines ned ye shose evea naIt is a ed ha hean suspec edsd vugaattacks Russ hacke phou shtong acks es suchinas nedRussian ood note indeed be easily undermined by for the hackers via phishing those food clear haofaHe he 61 cases comp se ess han 1eas pe yPresiPresident the agens under s history. nathe ywConstituTha wdsons sdom wou d be showed thatand almost half of the theappointment country sof hey have o ogy use oto s recession sthe shsub na ysove Tha sdom wou be ctors—which has been hey have use echno oechno was struck incolumn face by abeMactan ahe day that means different things worst in our yToday equa eASEAN o Today co upoathe on Ma esshall dcontain sappoint oogy nk ng Because sove ou for axes for myand belief that your dollar income. ers, journalists.” ers, journalists.” ** failed tosub pandemic. failed contain the tion fored most crimes, to pandemic. be reimposed with totalM of 265,888 casThe killings of political activists and alDavao’s former police chief Ronaldo dela dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now,sa--11-nation ing to researchers from our universities The a c ck o a nge G abe aga ns he campa gn s commun ca ons npeople, powe and u esdifferent could be as large as 30 percent assuming a dea e as better engaged hem ncommanders. a gun ba e o c ng a click of a finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications utilities Army cen o he nea y 8 000 cases o dea hs du ng stand gets p ce ess uac enos he oand nThe esgeneral ac ons and days expe ences hey warrior using a local scimitar. After, the pP we ce ess countries and their peoples. for use, the cy’s and CEO from the Board’s uiseNo. he nsFine the ons expe ences hey About 75 percent economy adult labor force ofNational 60 million are jobless former Bureau of ways Investigation shou ake ppresident mp e ons and ou be ng haof athe e athe simposed akecurrency. hewas etheDuterte In an earlier column IsPthere hope in that bleak scenario? has vowed to continue his “war Duterte has vowed to continue his “war drug crimes. Ten before Duterte imposed lockTen days before Duterte lockes.sdItno 21 world. Philippines is not the Philippine We need o nd o nsp e con dence here are his failures: the l In 2019, the Human Rights Watch rehem o gh back and even ua y neu a ze leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the Rosa who initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled “...To us tothereinforce dloss ugships ope aP1.5 ons trillion based on for o ceach a point as far as historical of retreated month lockSpanish from Cebu. TONY LOPEZ Philippines,our thathealth first po con-ce an TONY LOPEZ chief Dante Gierran as president chief consumption, President should creat knowof ha many gove nmen o is down cbarely a s onsshut ve y down. much ouHousehold bus ness Well, Lift the which But the people love the2020, President for non-ex-officio members on drugs” which will be “as and onyes. drugs” which will be and “as relentless Germany yesterday and Santa Banana they are the March 15, 2020, there were only down on March 15, there were only 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression We dislodged means people. More than any other time be eve nnew a lockdowns urelentless upoor! e oge he and beg nand o acof nso many jo ported that “State security forces gove and govhe a ge s executive officer of PhilHealth is illegal. nmen gu es s an mpo an s ep n the wake recession could rage providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim war ” were elected to the Senate Dela Rosa system and build upernment-backed our capacity to do wide- to Indown. have senseless and the TWO “drugs war.” In this May 2019, two top 23,000 below No.means 20, Italy, that 288,761. Thisquarter lockdown thePhiliplongest andcases severchilling onproved theunday it Tha began.” He wants chilling on theRepublic dayproduced it began.” wants the second of 2020,–the TWO President confirmed At writing, the confirmed cases. At The this the This cannot apnewest of the “new are paramilitaries in thecases. industry’s history, thewriting, pandemic son w equ e11223 ustheoHend new ways Under Section 1The ofpoor” Actsome ofMARCOS the COVID-19 cluded inSecretary the shortlist. Otherwise, thethe Pres- allies n o he wo ds each and eve y po ce continue de e m n pine ngnamed accoun ab y 15.5 percent in the Q2 for 7.8-percent made it handily into the aSenate elecopposite effect. lockdowns were Finance Carlos Dominguez says Isult HAVE been reques AS hatep I HAVE economy slumped to–its lowest ever in seven death penalty, banned under thekupon Constituterrorists are on the warpath marked by aThe tomy head the Senate committee death penalty, banned under the ConstituPhilippines is the pandemic epicenter inpossibilities the Philippines is pandemic epicenter in(Universal the spread in our communities From just IN A previous column I point talked about PresiTO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, andwas inArmy IN A previous column I talked about Presiest in the world has run for months. THE central bank says that in April, our d one of ope the testing earliest lockopens almost limitless for Healthcare Act), the reco coope a e wo n ha mony ac oss heDepartment pub of A commande s Gierran unless he is a member of the commanders. ident cannot legally appoint you as a mem119 000 to 140 000 retrenched teachers well into 2021. a on ha ed o he k ng o d ug sus Now, the history lockdowns will make half of PRESIDENT decline in H1 2020, according to MaDuterte has extended tions which solidified Duterte’s power Human gh s g oups he e and ab oad ns s “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an supposed to save 4,000 people from sons for my belief th dark days of Martial sons for the country’s -a 16.5-percent contion phenomenon—suicide for crimes, toBoard be reimposed tion for crimes, to be reimposed 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 11-nation ASEAN with a totalcasof 265,888 cas-most instances attack and killconpolitical charged ac- In This dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, ld. Still, even 1 if 282 it wasactual the some dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, base. ommendation of most the Trustees offor Philmentfor willd Board deny this,offom new bombers. The with investigating police matters banks reduced their by 5 accordpercent. ber ofe the Board oflending Trustees ofyear PhilHealth, around PCR testsas per day n 2019 he Human R gh s Wa ch being people-focused. c and p va e sphe es na ona y and bu on 2019, the Human Rights Watch rePOINT means half of the economic production the people poor. nila-based Asian Development Bank. the state of calamity for one until Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and and staff out of the more than 700 private pec s was deemed by he PNP eg ma e estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections dying, people who would die anyway, former National Bur ha leadbe ween 20 000 o 30 000 have ac ua here yOnostop traction in economic production. of 21, they went on the former N drug crimes. drug crimes. es. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines nd strictest, the lockdown tivists, environmentalists, community Health, the President shall appoint the agenes. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines showed that almost h are his failures: much more asloanable president and That CEO. here his failures: the Board Based on total funds of isP10 tril- Davao’s po ha aforces e ugs secu o the ces and gov ported that security and govE former is the environment. Climate change al-will commona es ac oss because eg ons ” chief PNP has budget, the “drug war ”wa“Son police more chief, Ronaldo dela Remittances—a mainstay Unemployment than tripled, Sept, 21, 2021. Please note: upThe to ingare to researchers from our universities. ducted the lastdweek of journalists.” March our capacityhe and the contraction in the firstyof quarDante Gierran lockdown orits noanti-insurgency lockdown, andin aboveboa is0.7-percent gone now. That cannot be recovered chief portraying Marcos as ves n Du e e“State s vby oed en dEMIL schools which remain closed ers, and cy’s president and CEO from theThese Board’s But thetripled people love the President forPresident he pandemic. adult labor force ofDan 60a But the people love the for dislodged yesterday and is barely Thus, thein answer toisthe question of Germany dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression lion, a 5 percent cutback a loss of P500 e nmen backed pa am a es con nue o ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to the Presid Rosa, initially the “drug ters how relate tosnother species. JAZA has had sough odisevo ve he Aya lockdown enabled usbefore to reinforce our health economy that ishas the that eight from 5.1 percent in April 2019 tothe 17.7 months justthe the May 2022 The Judicial Development Fund, basis 2020, -percent GDP growth drop executive ofare P most of them fatal cspearheaded uded he sho shave OGlobal he he P esalready executive c•who uded nwe20, he sho O he w se he Pnon-ex-officio esw seincome But didofficer not Shakes Eve ythe PNP ch e sDuterte nce M has Duvowed e e ook o a288,761. worrying sign. 4tereFailure tobecause the communist inmembers. to continue hisPNP “warch Santa they Gen the Gu16.5 e contain mo E eaza saone dthe has grown to23,000 about 32,000 average daily tests Duterte imposed lockwhether orofnot appointment of Gierran the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top four months. cases below No. Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” InofMay 2019, two topBanana, schools lost because lack of 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, quarter 2020, theto PhilipInand the second quarter of 2020, Philipinimposed theDu first of 2020, 16.5 perTO THE war,” were to the Senate. Dela Rosa TO THE ha assarbitrarily ea en arecession bbyaIn ywith a second es n depends harass, threaten, arrest, and in billion worth of loans users—big busisystem and build upon our capacity tothe do wideewhich equarter mposed one o bylockhe eaand esmeans ock Duterte one of the JURADO fuels consumption—fell 4.2 perpercent inelected April 2020 “when lockdowns presidential elections when we choose of the benefits the judiciary; warming means animals, big and must the country ish now in G oup “President o become mo ape e evan o Section helives Under 1 of Thus, eases than COVID. But several den canno y small, appo nsays you other as aaof mem Under denfinancial canno ega yof appo nega you as a Coddling mem that men do after This means that the cannot The newest of the “ drugs” willna be aearliest “as is legal whether his name was 15, 2020, there ce nwere 2016only va daoned he common verelentless he and Gueva a vowed ecen y o “ac ve y The reasons are allies made it handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says allies made it handily into the Senate elec5. the police and the military surgency and the Muslim separatist moveFinance Secretary Carlos Dominguez pine economy slumped toconsumers. itsour lowest in5 From this (August).” pine economy slumped toever its lowest ever in enrollees Finance Carlos Dominguez named tohehead the committee cent in on thenthe second quarter, by V RTUAL UAL spread in just nsinSecretary ances a ack and kof ca actesting some instances attack and kill political ac-9po insome thedrop first half. That 4.2 percent firstcent semester economic output downs heday wo S it and even was he downs inchilling the world. Still, even if was the9 perwere widespread atus their most Duterte’s successor. • The Philippine Amusement and ness, The is was Healthcare point unless iscoun a member ofwill the move from The loss ofees habineeds o he he y power ”Duterte’s “We used(Universal o ocuswith on 119,000 toPresident 140,000 thousands more are dying or be othe he Boa dan Ttions usHea Ph Hea hpeople be oaway Boa dand oSenate Theat. ees ooGaming Ph ho Gierran (Universa interred their bon inSMEs, that shortlist forcommunities. the Board ofpercent Trustees. itedbegan.” He cases. At ha this awriting, thewho POINT POINT hose we e the kvaccine ed—mo han which solidified Duterte’s co wants abo a e” n ev ew ng d ug ope a ons “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert tions which solidified power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conthe country’s history -a 16.5-percent concharged with investigating police matters Without a cent in first half. We are having the around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conDuterte has employed more generals, ment percent. It is the worst recession in our hisenvironmentalists, community vbeen s that s env onmen a sbillion s leadcommun yAnother Adds Dominguez: “Without the equivalent to losing ofon strict,” says Exports declined byanimals year of state calamity Corporation, provides an additional The group representing teachers strictest,and thes lockdown wopenalty, dand s onges c esConstituhe tivists, ockdown and out of the IisHAVE requested to$1.4 repeat my reaofme the m B top ofmoney thebasic. 4.5 percent orofP450 billion out It’sead pretty explains “no matter how much much moADB. ewhich as plockdown, es dene and much mo as p CEO es den and CEO die becausehe ofahunger, malnutrition, andke ommendation under the This to tatto due mainly to deforestation forces uenthese end ma n and estaff, msbrings oommenda LITY REAL TYo world’s pandemic in theas longest clearly in 7 epicenter 000 hem odeath as coun —banned ough back base. Longtime Christopher Go,heand be first ap estimated 1.3 3.5 million accordwhe dea hs occu nounves ng a base.aide, Longtime aide,oChristopher Go, estimated 1.3 toinfections 3.5 million infections accordtraction in oftraction economic production. On top spelled of and thepercent “drug war.” ducted incontinuing the week of our capacity economic On top of worst recession history. tory. schools which will res sons for my belief that the your dollar income. ers, and journalists.” 21.4 inhethe first half. means restrictions and regueed s and and nainto sga s ”appointment source of revenue to fund the *production. * March, *March Health, the President failed to contain the afored o pandemic. con ainn our he c efor Thus answe omiscellaneous hestaff ques on tion most crimes, to pandem be reimposed Thus he answe ospecies heoformer quesspawned on poand Health, th diseases by the lockdowns. with a total of 265,888 casMarcos a heel or a her contraction inlast lending in this year. In from the military the police, than any The killings of political activists and aland claim that the P500 million allothe rate of infections and deaths could have to migrate. The interaction among EMIL ou oduc s and se v ces ” he sa d Now EMIL countries pump their economies, their Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela whe he hey we e engaged n se ng us one ing to researchers from our universities. The Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela 4. Failure to contain the communist ineged ex ud cIs athere kNational ngs econtinue avowed ed ingwhe to researchers from universities. The the inof theprime firstI suggested quarfor general use, the About 75 percent economy was For the whole of 2020, the economy is exthe contraction in the first quaroflost Truste schools have former Bureau ofcases Investigation In anPrices earlier column, that the hope that bleak scenario? lations. commodities, activities of otheno government; has vowed to his “war cy’s C Du e and ein has o 0.7-percent con nue h 0.7-percent scontraction “wa drug crimes. Ten days before Duterte lockTen days be oimposed eof Duthe e the e mposed heaDuterte ock he he nmixing men oopens G nepresident an whe heappo oour no heto appo men oacting G ebefore an s “ ohim. pres the world. The Philippines Said Economic Planning SecItpresident depends. Ifincom you effect, our banks have reduced their lending which should normally be poshe wan eave a “drug egacy othe an ns u oncy’sand the law. cated them is not enough other More than 45 leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the The reasons are been worse. latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the surgency and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce our health g LOPEZ am o isadown ga ganonuan s ash oonpeople shabu Rosa, who initially spearheaded “drug JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. JURADO LOPEZ enrollees. TONY lockdown enabled us to reinforce our chief Dante Gierran as president and chief by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia ter 2020, 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop hpected sedrugs” coope aon on ween he DOJ and shut down. Household consumption, President should create a much “jobs policy” terespecially 2020, the rice, 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop Well, yes. Lift the lockdowns which corn, and fish, will bein The •sThe Export Processing Authority to at-health non-ex-officio membe But the15, love President on which will be “as relentless and d be ugs” wh ch w be “as ethe en ess and ny yesterday and barely ega depends on whe he h s name was What s ega depends on whe he h s name was non-ex-of March 2020, there were only retary Karl Kendrick Chua: down Ma ch 15the2020 heWefor we on yto decline ble achievements and by a colossal P1 trillion. sibilities of build infections and pandemics. People haspelled add essed heDela needs o he vasRosa ma group o y represeni Without alittle vaccine ment war,” were to the Senate. Rosa The officer of isthe illegal. build upand our capacity to do widethe wake of many jobless peoplesystem aspercent awith re-and the GDP contraction for the whole could rage war,” were elected to the Senate. Dela The jobs policy President Duterte The288,761. evTWO denceconfirmed pthe esen edcases. by he cewriting, o AGDP, system capacity do wideproviding three-fourths of byestimates means the is infact, recession occupy cabinet and civil52-year communist insurgency Muslim PNP ead o sa uold anot ych esu ssheer ssize he wa on over 1laws, ofn foreign all COVID-19 cases means the country is anow inwith recession clearly out in have proved senseless and produced the “drugs war.” Inpo May 2019, two top controlled. Inso under current This means the tract investments; w No.recession 20, Italy, Itexecutive is the of stimulus package ha sho he Boa dostar-rank oto T us ees chilling on the day ithaPhilHealth began.” He wants ns up hao our sho s and he Boa dofficers oelected Tothat usanticipated ees This m ng on he day began ” country He wan s now “No one that the COVID At this he would be athat hero. TWO con med cases hthe sfell w ng he Gierran c If P2 million could create one job, a loss The killings of political activists alwho live in crowded places and areas with and staff claim that thh F p nos a so made sense o g ow he Under Section 1 of Republic Act 11223 sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. was named to head the Senate committee could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a Mr. President, lift spread our communities. just was named to headnot the 15.5 percent in Q2 for first drop economic output of 9output spread From just aabou n mos cases was appus 38 be e aSenate allies ityhandily into the elecfor general use, the first drop inhaters economic of 9testing opposite effect. The lockdowns were ega ddeath w be ed dalso ng osemester point unless the price of anything, and its supply, can ry about Carlosamed Dominguez says has to ian adopt right away should be ancommittee •in The Movie and Television and Iitsemester HAVE been requested to repeat my AS MARCOS remembered “the HAVE been eques ed oreaepea my ea sor p testing eleaders y basin csour pOur ecommunities. yFrom bas creview point Gie penalty, banned under the Constitupandemic will [strike] the Senate global positions in the government. terrorists are on the warpath marked by a deaconduc h pena yacco banned unde heof Cons uin whoGierran envy his ingenu Philippines is made the pandemic epicenter inep the in the country are severe critical. morPh nes s ca he pandem c7.8-percent cen eugs n he ed Presiumn ked P es that matters now but whether is actualthe law. cated to them is not en leged NPA have failed to dent the (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recThe Department of Labor and EmployP1 trillion or 1,000 billion pesos meant the Board loss of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockpoor air quality are highly susceptible to sickns u on by b oaden ng and d ve s y ng well into 2021. charged with investigating police matters around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day condecline in H1 2020, according to MaDuterte hasve usextended charged with investigating police matters tions which solidified Duterte’s power percent. It is the worst recession in our hisaround 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conkdown) helped avert an vo p esumab y e eved om he d sused supposed to save 4,000 people from be controlled by the government during sons for my belief that the appointment of Classification Board; percent. It is the worst recession in our hisdark days of Martial Law,” on September sons o my be e ha he appo n men o * * * shed pfor o oco andoofomos ow p ocess * *Despite * employment the lockdowns. They economy. In the scheme first three months of the tion mostson crimes, to be reimposed sight, and those who offorTrustees of PhilHealth and cdue mes o be eofmposed owill Board 11-nation ASEAN a total of emergency For sure 11 na with on ASEAN w 265,888 h a o aescasoab265 888 cas recession could rage The tha evements. e s for ach Now, evemen s Now base. ommendation the Board Trustees offor Phil52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim ment deny this, sure, but aducted survey the overwhelming dominance of new phenomenon—suicide bombers The tality ratio, on the other hand, isunless at 2.5 people down. This lockdown – the longest and severabout 500,000 jobs that could have been saving the productive parts the economy. ness and death COVID-19. ou ke war.” base ”saving The Aya edefinitely a n jobs ca spolicy and the “drug the last of March, our capacity nila-based Asian Development Bank. one yearaccordaide, Christopher Go, and Section and the “drug 5mity million infections tory. ducted in the last week of March, our capacity dying, people who would die anyway, Investigation a former state of National calamity. InNa ausual major election, • The Philippine Coconut Authority toha 21, they went on Bureau the spree, nweek anon ea efrom co umn ed he oalmost me ona Bu eau ointerrorists nves ga ea ms pes.until eItnispNo. ec nc sin asthe he han uaPhilippines y d and tory. nto an eamarked esugges coby umn sugges edwar.” ha he quarantine, wema prioritized livesa chhas uest e ly ocrimes. aw?world dthe ugPresident c– has mes 21Longtime The to adopta heel. right aw Health, shall appoint the agenes Noworld. 21 nac he wo Thehe Phdrug pp nes showed that half ofofbashing theacted country's are on the warpath a s the Board recommended his appointment the ranks of the unemployed can only worsin the run for seven months. make no sense. created or retained had banks with generals, the Duterte administration has not PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget former police more chief, Ronaldo dela to communist inwell into Unemployment than We tripled, Please note: Thatom is uphe to Davao’s “se vnof cthe ng he this a ge commun y ”in- ance from our universities. The per aepresident hundred thousand.” 4.contain Failure toused contain the communist chief Gierran and chief For the ofsystemic 2020, economy isG exlockdown no peop lockdown, because is because the problem isP whole not aportraying the price andthe supply of bellwether and enhance P esch den c coconut eabombers. eshou a “production poe4.cy” n ofpo ch e2020, e an as p exes den and e shou Marcos as the devil-incarnate. P esd den dobs cThe ea a Failure “ obs cy” Act o For the whole of2021. the economy is ms against COVID. We time to emergency Board Trustees PhilHealth, and unless employmen cy’s the Board’s But the people love then from for ea yThis can ehalf hhe po Bu we adult labor force ofDan 60as million are goods jobless. Buaor ePresident ove he es den oDante dislodged Germany yesterday and barely newdevelop phenomenon—suicide d s who odged Ge many yesise2019 day and17.7 sThis ba emeans y president depression es grea esaken depress on v cRosa, ofand thes CEO economic production the President initially spearheaded the “drug poverty problem the country for usbefore to reinforce our health from 5.1 percent in April to st the 2022 alacrity or cheerful readiness in their surgency and separatist moven bmore oaden ng s consume Aya has executive officer ofare PhilHealth isPh illegal. surgency and the Muslim separatist movemost of them already had fatal dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school he wakethe oitsso ob essthe peop eobasess athe epeop pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia efforts; execu ve o new ce opoor! Hea hPNP sand ega But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil Board recommended his appointment to base hemany wake oenso many ethe as Muslim ahealth eof proven itself any competent nor any a288 worrying sign the ranksaThe of the reas unempT non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia improve our system capacity.” Santa Banana, they the He notes that per 100,000, EU member has grown to about 32 000 average daily tests WeMay do ecogn ze he g av y o he d ug the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top has tripled anti-insurgency budget, contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, neces23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. do hope ha he u h w come ou The e he “d ugs wa ” n May 2019 wo op director s 23 000 cases be ow No 20 a y 761 020, the Philipis gone by now. That cannot be recovered in ua e o 2020 he Ph p wereinelected the Senate. Rosa up our capacity to do wide- war,” Without aCOV vaccine percent April to 2020 “whenDela lockdowns ctions when we choose ment What lending. The regulations, the central bank 1 and of Republic 11223 Thus before Gierran can be appointed as apandem vaccine the“By President. eases than COVID. several su oWithout he D 19 cless supplies, medicines, PPEs, are Unde Sec on 1daily oActcruRepub Ac 11223 the poverty problem many years to come • The Philippine Authority asgood one men do lives after them. The good is oft Thiseother that the President ap“ models ospast e ed aadministrations. u eand o Ateneo, echno og caenclearly know howspelle estimates the GDP contraction for the whole su Tourism o makes he COV Da 19 pandem c ment The newest of the “new poor” are some the ofcuUP estimates the GDP contraction for the whole a cworrying sign. has grown toSection about 32,000 average tests allies made handily into the elecp sobowes neve he ynamed We suppo Secretary Dominguez says dmost aitmeans esofmade hand yBut ncannot hemilitary Sena ethat eUnder ec corrupt than months. 5four Coddling the police and clear shou be no mo ubb sh eco ds Senate ha eothe F nance Sec eg ethe aand yma Caeat oscommittee Dom nguez says states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, lowest inem thisoever (August) ”Finance mped n was from a sh sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate toCarlos head Senate ur communities. From justcoun were widespread their sor. Thus, before Gierran can be appointed Thewe killings of may political activists and almany to come. (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the point Gierran unless he is a member ofwill the The men oa source Labo Emp oy 119,000 toPresident 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more dying or Un ve sabanks Heato hca eso. Ac upon ecDepa especially in-battleground regions, the law require the do ofCoddling thehe engines serve as Depa of and revenue; interred with their bones.” The men o the Labo and Emp oy The killings of activists al-years could be large as 30 percent assuming and nnova on political o add ess socase aand needs ” Is averted some 59,000 to 171,000 and of recPhilHealth he 5. of to themust police and theWhile military be as large as 30 percent --aCEO assuming ageneral President have signed into this (August).” which solidified Duterte’s for use, the Secretary Dominguez he ala h “the decisive (lockdown) helped avert an no poconce ope aconons astrict,” med adec d sman ng d us ug ons whpeople chCarlos soare edpopower Du easand ecould scial, powe ““Without he s investigating vethe ockdown he ped ustions an has for general the vea have ngFinance abou he accoun ab yd omore bank? P-E-S-O. o5-percent yofPCR a tests 16 5of pecalamity cen con charged with police matters ual per day When ofnleaders the national capital’s Duterte employed generals and CEO ofrates PhilHealth, hethe must Sweden 57, and the Adds Dominguez: lockdown While the President says ADB. Exports declined by state the law. Commiss and staff, outommenda of the more than 700 private ommendation of the Board Trustees of demand.” NPA have failed to dent men whit deny hw suse, odeny sugenerals, ethrough bu ao asusuPresident vey die because of hunger, malnutrition, andloss onlockothe he Boa dPhilT usUS ees oLaws Ph the Hardest was island and most especially, when the highest • 52. onemployed socialized housing This brings me to my gulay—Is menLuzon hwhich s leged e the buleaders achief suEdw vey leged NPA have failed toden dent the CEO Being good means releasing the money loss ofsand P1.5 trillion for each month ofask, deaths. Our death reduced from Duterte has more Bau s a he p es and Adds Dominguez: “Without lockdown, of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockexplains that “no matter how much money base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, be first appointed as a member of the Board estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase Long me a de Ch ophe Go and law Bayanihan 2 the billions allotted for his synd ca es and b ng ng hem beh nd ba s es ma ed 1 3 o 3 5 m on n ec ons acco d ion. On top of and the “drug war.” sonne nvo ved n an d ug ope a week March, capacity m pofoduc onour On op o 21.4 percent in the first half. ce pe be first appointed as a member of the Board law Bayanihan 2, the bi schools which will remain closed. These hero? g crestrictions and reguHealth, the President shall appoint the agenrecession could rage showed ha a mos ha o he coun y s 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim Hea h he P es den sha appo n he agen diseases spawned by the lockdowns. produces 70 percent of total economic post of the land is at stake. series of legal issuances from the funding, showed ha a mos ha o he coun y s Marcos a heel or a hero? policeof caught on1.6 social media from theGovernment military and the police than any recession could rage 3.the Unprecedented human rights the military andviolations the police, than any trolled Co the rate ofuginfections and deaths could have 52-year old communist insurgency. down. This lockdown –lockdown the longest and severa force high of was percent to just percent the rate infections deaths could have from the banks’ vaults–and to economy. The from economists earlier projected countries pump into economies, their o17 Un on Bank has aken heMuslim ead are o go down. This the longest and severformer police chief, Ronaldo ing to researchers from our universities. The Davao s otheir me po ce edela Rona do de aof 4.ng Failure to contain communist esea che s the om ou un veinsDavao’s esesuThe Trustees. first quardhe suspec s ea yo ough back hen project only stop-g nthe ac on he ncommodities, s qua offor Trustees schools have lost income because of lack ofomother ons ha n mu de and mayhem n ch he project are stop-gap measures toaverted alleof prime cy’s and CEO from Board’s o home cehim. o abo 60 mopercent a45 eofob ess cy sIf pyou es den and CEO headu Boa dabo s before Said acting Economic Planning Secproduction and isadu to 50 What isrun not controlled during aremarkastate terrorists are the warpath marked by amarked mortgage and collection ofMore loans; ceon ohaving 60 monly on aterrorists eondob ess Itpresident depends. look at histhe president than been much worse. The latest data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths. We are onrequirements the warpath by othe a mo est in the world –the has seven months. GDP would havebefore shrunk massively, anyway. NAKED economy is showing signs of coming back a breakfast birthday party with more other president him More than 45 est in world – has run for seven months. Under The reasons are S stands for society and solutions. The g a and b ng bank ng se v ces e What has made Duterte a strong president, been much worse The latest data suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug well into 2021. surgency and the Muslim separatist moveWhat is/are the legal before lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health viate people’s need Rosa who n a y spea headed he “d ug a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP enrollees. ockdown enab ed us o e n o ce ou hea h DP growth drop well into 2021. good ddance hey we e ea y ove pe cen GDP g ow h d op cou se o ItDu e the e sKarl c ea Kendrick “ ake noChua: p sone s”means half corn, and fish, will be Board non-ex-officio members. San athe Banana a e viate heand new poo What is/are the legal before non exthe oeconomic cCOVID-19 o membe sdis- requirements the population. of calamity how the needs Sanhey ahospitals—the Banana hey anew epeople’s hephenomenon—suicide new poo Boardof ofP • Allofficers specialty Philipstar-rank occupy cabinet civilble achievements and good performance, The alife. little over 1 is percent of allgovernment cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5 millionbombers. cases, of which isretary not sheer size the stimulus package This of the economic production new bombers. Theof isTrustees SO ut alittle vaccine Gierran can be as alockdown member of proThis means half of the production ment essential an pandemic has become the gravest existential F p appointed nos were elected the Rosa The group representing these teachers build up ourbu capacity tocases do widewa we eofe2021. ec oDela he Sena e to De athe Rosa pointed b sys and dwe uphave ou capac yoach owar,” doowgrowth de than guests strict recession star-rank officers cabinet civilthe vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also over 1on of em all COVID-19 s anow nwith ecess w hand THOUGHT powe ed system npercent he exchange Bu no clearly spelled out in theWhat Board recommend act, under current laws, This means the President cannot rate in That isand now overly optiapp he coun y”santicipated dtooccupy ug pSenate. obed em The oThe henewes “new ”perais e50 some Th sincumbent means ha he P es apden canno apnewes ian positions inCenter, thecontracted government. “No one that the COVID opoo he “new poo ”PNP awould e(despite some the Board Investments by What 53.5 penses money. The President pine Heart Lunch Center, National he would be athat hero. those, however, in country are severe orFor critical. Our morPNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, that matters now but also whether it is actual68,000 be severe and critical Gierran can be appointed as a member of Let me quote Justi essential and urgent is a longis gone by now. That cannot be recovered in has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, the Board of Trustees? term jobs policy to pr The killings of political activists and aland staff claim that the P500 million allois gone by now. That cannot be recovered in The government claims to have vaccinatwas named to head the Senate committee Mr. President, problem of man and his society. It requires Whe e peop e wo k om home Un on spread testing in our communities. Fromlift justesian was named o head he Sena e comm ee mic output of 9 sp ead es ng n ou commun F om us al the the President. phing, nuse, econom c ou pu o 9 point Gierran unless he is a member of the and its supply, can I SEE Board of 119 000 o 140 000 e enched eache s a ve y b g p ob em w h aw en o ce s ak ng Despite the overwhelming dominance of po n G e an un ess he s a membe o he hibiting gatherings ten or more peoplelem in tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people pandemic [strike] the global positions in will the government 119 000 oand 140 e tests enched eache sofsign. thewas Presid ingrown the second quarter by000 36.6 can get allthem the money heofwants toand have Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine who envy hisis ingenuity, vision forehim one of hiscent major failures—massive in the country are severe or leaders critical Our morly saving thelaw. productive parts of thefour economy. a worrying sign. cases on the peak day, willproboverhas to about 32,000 average daily tests mistic. Without a nves vaccine for general use, the Lazaro, who the Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governthe of poverty. months. atoworrying cated notgiven enough. leged NPA have failed toescondent has to about 32,000 average daily the Board Trustees? four months. term jobs prevent a which bigger five million Filipinos, lined up 8.3 grown milwith police matters around actual tests per solutions-quick, safe, effective, sustainable. Bank “Bank om Home”—send chainvestigating ged wfirst h three ga ng cehis ma e stoand ion our hisathe ound 1 PCR 282 ac ua PCR sEma pethecharged day con Thus, before Gierrabt thes in government CHARLIE V. wo ecess oncu nsduring ou h s 1,282 and the s athe ou oadministration he mo 700 ppolicy va eAct Duterte has not per ahands hundred thousand.” lockdowns. They sho because he commande ninsurgency. ch e day and she a “Private oue ohan he mo5. eCoddling han 700 pCoddling vapolice ehas Thus, economy. In the months ofpotheed percent in first half. investon and deploy it rights to whoever Children’s Medical Center; sight, those who desire revenge, he is generals, This is @yahoo because the problem is not adominance systemic ernh com ance of5. mandates that anmilitary appointing included whelm our healthcare sector.” of2011) the and the MyCounsel gulay, ifduring there’s rate could rage this (August).” The jobs policy that President Duterte 52-year old communist Muslim one place at the same time), Duterte refused Despite the overwhelming of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez of the police and the military human violations. Critics say killed tality ratio on the other hand is at 2 5 people this (August).” recession could rage well into 2021. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and the “drug war.” lion additional vaccine doses this June, ducted in the last week of March, our capacity Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governugbust. wa Simply, ” saving lem of poverty Solutions require money, banks money depos checks payPresident b ansurgent and and CEO o duc edLITO n he the week o Ma ch oua capac y and proven itselffirst any any ity. In a major election, terrorists schoo s“Without wh ch ema nnor cfor osed These He notes that per 100,000, the EU member schoo s lockdown, wh chsomething win ema n “What c osed These quarantine, we“dprioritized lives contraction or a he cyclical necesment slumped inmore Q2wcompetent with outlays inand wherever wants tomoney send it.not •Adds The nuclear power plant Southdirector shall be appointed by six the President definitely a he heel. it’s and has to adopt right away should be an Dominguez: we find in the last months, MANALO Duterte has employed more generals, beneficiaries of thelasti Fe warpath marked by Adds the explains that “no how much byPresident the make noassense. Duterte has employed more Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains “no matter much to the general. generals the Duterte administration has not 4. Failure contain the communist in2021. more than 27,000 the guise of eliminating per aheishundred thousand ” are on and would vaccination jabs from be appointed asGC 4restrictions Fa ohamper con athis n and he commun s matter nthatramp less corrupt than past administrations. economy ex- goods When theure President came tostates power in schoo s good have os ofire ack othat pply of bellwether average 31up deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, in have inappointing measure. Banks must now accoun ne generals, from aerring short-list prepared by the—on Governance ance Act ofhow 2011) mandates that an 2020 economy s ex new phenomenon—suicide mobility aggregate schoo scould have because os equipncome because o manage ack o the first ap tatalfirst Banana, Ibe foresee aa against COVID. We used time to ofto Trustees of PhilHealth, unless My gulay if there’s one element missing dustrial machinery andncome transport Combine those powers—control ofmoney the east Asia; emergency employment scheme. For sure, BANAYO is the lower quarantine restriction bombers. The saryBoard event of time, pla from the military and police, than any the rate of infections and deaths have countries pump into their economies, their from the military and the police, than any the rate of infections and deaths could have The reasons are countries pump into their economies, theirare dent cann surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe reasons When chief oflarger the national capital’s of Trustees. Sweden 57, and the 52. surgency and he m separa sgreatest move en othe ees Commission for Government-owned or-Con150,000 in May toUS 500,000 inonly the third even school BizNewsAsia Philippines without ans the Board recommended hisMus appointment to demand.” proven itself any more competent nor any reach out to a community or greater the ranks of the unemployed can worsThe echno ogy ack has de ve ed awe en o ees of Trustee y.fish, 10 pefuel, cennotes B zNewsAs a PNP improve our health system capacity.” the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private price and supply of any commodity or conHe that per 100has000 the memberbudget, • A geothermal power plant, one of the July 2016, he stumbled into the and tripled its EU anti-insurgency has actually opened more sectors of the director shall be appointed by the President have fashioned and it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy Sanother president before him. More than 45 been much worse. Thewas latest data suggest that GDP wouldGDP have shrunk massively, anyway. other president before him. More than 45 get beenforce much worse. The suggest thathese Without a vaccine would have shrunk massively, anyway. caught on social media mentGovernment What the 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights (GCG). ple can employed Without a vaccine The oup ep esen ngdata hese eache s Corporations the“By President. and PPEs, are en the poverty problem of the violations country for police economists men of lega the nnes, forstates the whole quarter and 700,000 the fourth quarter The glatest oup ep esen ngtrolled eache sesu What the models of earlier UP andprojected Ateneo, construction 46.8 percent says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money first in thegof world, as an alternative source society. That means inclusion. acaverage onaverage o daily he cruwho some s o back hefor bank n 2020 sis/are eadverse a worryingUK sign. 70 Spain spelled out in t con 32,000 tests economy and helped bring jobs.” barrage ofber pui biznewsasia@gmail.com corrupt than past administrations clearly spelled out in star-rank officers cabinet civilHuman Rights Watch says many of the 31e deaths 61 lessaThe apackage little over percent all COVID-19 cases from aisofin short-list prepared by Governance longest economic expansion in the country’s isca not the sheer size ofsheer the package talower,” Banana Icases foresee aoccupy bleak future star-rank officers occupy cabinet civil- ends! a1the little over 1construction percent of all COVID-19 having aPublic breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran canand only bethe ap-and Under finally It isthis not the size the What has made Duterte a stimulus strong president, Thus, before Gierran can beIt appointed as Gierran can be appoic killings of political activists and almany years tostimulus come. and s a c a m ha he P500 m on a o recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP battleground regions, The k ngs o po ac v s s and a tsn-assuming and s a c a m ha he P500 m on a o Gierran we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 ADB. slipped by a to anyone or anywhere, and the restrictions of year. That the claim of retired of energy; 5. Coddling of the police and the military 30 pe cen a assum ng a a PhilHea O means ownership. Bankers must deu n on equ y was 11 5 pe cen down om Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. for general use, the ident Marcos from Is he a heel or a ian positions in the government. for general use the in the country are severe or critical. Our morthat matters but also whether itlaw ismay actualWhen theleaders chief ofof the capital’s pointedian byany the President as agovernment. member of the the Board ofthe positions in the * *th guests strict lockdown President and CEO he must 27,000 areitsigned “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 are severe orincritical. Our without morSweden 57 and the US 52 has the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While the President have into than the Commission for Government-owned or-ConTrustees? that matters now but also whether is actualPhilippines assurance that bu peogrowth rate in 2021. That isPhilHealth, now overly history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. ca edcountry o (despite hem sed no enough leged NPA have failed to dent the the Hardest hit employed was Luzon island which ially, when the ca oQ2. hem s noproenough Board eged NPA eade snational have aoptied onow den he month of lockdeaths. Our death rates reduced from more generals, marginal 0.9 percent in on flow oflaw. goods and people under atality lock•the Exploration and drilling Malampaya; ez: the lockdown, General Carlito Galvez. n o“Without each mon hhighest o ock Duterte Theythe make sense. think even They what n liver good yields toor their owners soDespite banks 15 3no pethe cen nI2019 up om pdon’t epursued pan Take overwhelming dominance of ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was I know whoe be first appointed as a member of the Board ly saving the productive parts of the economy. hibiting gatherings of ten more people in law Bayanihan 2, billions allotted for his given him one of his major failures—massive Despite overwhelming dominance of hero? tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 of RA 1n mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the recession could rage The obs po cy ha P es den Du e e ly saving the productive parts of the economy. 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim produces 70 percent ofpolice, total departments economic s at–and stake. policeDuterte force ons1.6 social media recession could rage The obs cyTo ha Pemployed es aden in Du elist es prepared Section ed by police officers themselves or by killers 3deaths Unprecedented human rights the military andviolations the than any trolled Corporations (GCG) 52 yeapercent ocaught d commun nsu gency Mus mhas gest and severahad high of was 17 to just percent plepo get when this pandemic Duterte may not it can but he that, down whatever form or acronym—and ons could •thousand.” Laws on culture in know the life of the nation; himself added 14 quarters of of growth wn he onges and have seve from without the lockdowns, you can win Galvez aviolations. very bad habit. He has this ardnot Maitland sharply demanded that the Chican continue to serve society. do dem c 8 8 pe cen n 2018 and no a included the and submitted easing the one-meter so generals, the Duterte administration has not of Trustees. project are only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred one place at the same time), Duterte refused human rights Critics say he killed This is because the problem is not a systemic clude you generals, the Duterte administration has recession could rage well into 2021. ance Act of 2011) mand perhas a hundred oCultural adop thousand.” ghoemployment away no be an This isby because the problem is to not a systemic production andbefore is home 50 percent of ora breakfast ontrolled during amon state areeono the warpath marked by other president him.toMore thanhaving 45terrorists has adop gh dends! away shou dGCG no be an President. But the Presi- tocol ance Act o The latest suggest thaths Duterte around 4,000 We averted achieved almost full durDuterte pick his successor—without • the The Center offinally theshou Philippines sthe sTHE alegal edeaths. onFIFTH he wain pa h ama ked acan seven months. an election. birthday party with more has un odata seven tial matter of history this law Gierran can only be apUnder linked the authorities.” What has made a strong president by the to the proclivity to make hyperbolic claims. You well into 2021. in public transp What is/are requirements before nese withdraw from the area, insisting in the viate the people’s needs. banker must have enormous skill, unremitting before it went negative the first quarter of om he 11 9 pe cen n 2017 proven itself any more competent nor any to fire erring general. well into 2021 He notes that per 100,000, the EU member more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating the President came tocontraction power in contraction orregard aBoard bust. Simply, director be appo Trustees PhilHealth, unless any more competent nor any shall eme gency emp oymen scheme su e proven He notes perInternational 100,000, theoymen EUFo member the population. ow dis-on star-rank Boa dof othat T necesus eesisoisaand Ph Hea ing h and and un ess that officers occupy cabinet and civil-new When ment as sa awhether cyclical bust. Simply, necesphenomenon—suicide bombers. The eme gency emp scheme Fo legally suitself e appoint director enthethe of allgovernment COVID-19 cases some 1.3 to 3.5 million cases, his presidency, an unprecedented asofor to guy the Philippine Convenmic production new phenomenon—su cofdewhich bombe scyclical The dent cannot Gierran a membutPwhat people wrote worsen the problem. Gierran can be appointed asgreatest alockdown member econom c p oduc GOSPEL What isrecommended essential and urgent angenilongknow, bola (a lie) to heavens. process that Philippine maritime and fishpointed by the President as ato of the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt than past integrity, ahe passionate vision of a wo larger Techno ogypast says BDO Un bank den *y*corrupt * sadministrations. 50 guests (despite strict prostates 31 deaths, UK 70,during Spain 61, July 2016, he stumbled the and of admit 7,000 deaths the illegal drugs campaign has also from aesshort-list prepar sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate the Board hishigh appo men oachievement. CROSSROADS he anks oEconomists he unemp oyed can on yoyed sof the 2020. less than administrations. states average 31the deaths, UK 70,when Spain 61, ian positions in the government. he hypered Boa dAuthorities ecommended h saverage appo nmember men oand 53.5than perherecovered incumbent President severe orvicious critical. Our moranks osay he unemp can on wo from a the sh sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, 68,000 would bepinto severe and critical that us, a technocrat, a nincompoop, or even tion Center. Let me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” ber Board of Trustees, much more as be PNP has ed s an nsu gency budge of Philhe Mark my words, the Board of Trustees? biznewsasia@gmail.com term jobs policy to prevent a bigger probLazaro also said ha canno beinecove ed n Investments contracted by ing biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch says many of thePhilHealth He thinks canhemass-vaccinate 50Sweden million When chief thehad national capital’s longest economic expansion inorthe country’s vessels will ignore any calls even radio whole. also means commitment andpresident/CEO, CEO Nes oofmy Tan “ s mo an enab e cases aCommissi and the 52. Commission for Gover he Pof esahe den demand.” en heUS pove ywas p5he ob em oIypracticalheob coun ohethecoun Board ofden Trustees of ifOwnership he whoever the idea of ecapital’s Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying When chief the national hibiting gatherings ofsday, ten more people in other hand, is at 2.5 people P es ing the second quarter and by 36.6 money he wants tohas have Sweden 57, and the US en pove pdon’t em oya PhilHealth yof othe the campaign. Any57, numbers that are given him one of hiscent major failures—massive demand.” sign. cases on the peak which willGovernovergulay! unemployment hits percent, ameant dog. So today, the people mustperpetratalready grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Insofar as above Martial law is52. concerned, it isknow Begun the expansion 4.2COVID-19 in th Lazaro, who was the Government CorpoSection 13in of RA 10149 (GOCC lem poverty. JUDE a wo y 1999, ng gn ministrations have us has own o abou 32 000 ave age da y es s mine wh 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. police force was caught on social media to 70 million Filipinos by next year, at the 3. Unprecedented human rights violations Corporations (G Thus bethey oeconomists eduring G e more an appo n“The aslyappo challenges by Chinese authorities over such tomany every stakeholder in the business. oosocial a before he distancing a hthe eaGCG o a on dcan s social up hus p ngtrolled Co s many othat come generals, the Duterte administration hasinvestnot 5. Government economists projected usand.” Thus be oearlier e be GDuterte, elist an can nUnprecedented edyea as force was caught media percent inJ.A. the first half. “Private it rights to whoever yea s oits 3. human rights violations Takepolice note that in-o trolled of thishe nonsense. ance Act of5of2011) mandates that an appointing included incan the prepared and submitted whelm our healthcare sector.” easing proCoddling the police the military My gulay, ifearlier there’s one element missing, Government projected everyone needing awithout job has acome job.the It’sone-meter decide—do want of oredbe needless to say proclamarate Counsel the Marcos era. thisnguez (August).” one place at the same time) Duterte refused sda deploy Dominguez Codd ng oand he po ce and he m ary classified as “homicides under investigation.” human violations Critics say he killed sought to destroy or h s Augus ” ed by police officers themselves or by killers fold increase in the size of Philippine econoy Ca os Dom Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth ACIDRE having party more this Under esoran den and CEO oto Ph Hea hothe he mus office. What has Duterte president, earliest—coincidentally, inin for May Wh eaNovember he Pa strong es den may have sunder gned na obreakfast proven itself “Without anyinmore norfor anyin-Duterte undertakings. To underscore the country’s reerwants 100,000, the EU In a has interview with recovery 7Pit’s percent percent GDP he birthday banks make hewith se vparty ces mo seam ”thelaw, your name in shortlist for appointes den and CEO Ph Hea hmade he mus They ess say ideaGiw ment slumped Q2 competent with outlays tomoney send it.member director shall be byaoyed the President Wh e2020 he es den mayclude have shaving gned o the an breakfast birthday witheoblivion, more Under urgent and lasting jobs policy. SanWhat made Duterte aPstrong president, “What we in the last six months, like having factory running at 95 perall? tion, the Philippines could now be has employed more generals, beneficiaries of the February 1986 accidenaofless, recovery ofto 7at8Ppercent 8time percent inPresident GDP Adds Dominguez: the“W lockdown, wma much by the GCG to the But the Presinotwithstand DELA CRUZ Du efind eappointed has emp mo gene ato snone tocol in public transport To me it would linked the authorities.” Adds Dom nguez hou he ockdown before it(from went negative inbillion the first quarter of e2022 e how much money to fire the erring general Aside from the drugs war killings, the more than 27 000 in the guise of eliminating pointed by the Preside be s appo n ed as a membe o he Boa d less corrupt than past administrations. than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown proaw Bayan han 2 he b ons a o ed o h s my $72.2 in 1998 to $304.9 bildeaths, UK 70, Spain 61, the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ment as a member of the Board of Trustees presidential elections where presidenand drivers of public from a short-list prepared by the Governance growth rate in 2021. That is now overly optibe stoplace appo n deaths ed as aduring membe ocommunist he Boa d rule. ta Iadmit foresee a7,000 bleak future for the cent solve, President Duterte has since ordered that dustrial machinery and could transport equipeonomies, powers—control of the McKinsey, Ayala Corp. Chair Auguss a gesstrict banklockdown has v goedented ous y me awThe Bayan han 2 Jaime hewere bhas ons edThe o coun hguests s y(despite My gu pointed bu 50 prothe vicious drugs campaign, alsoa othan is the quarantine restriction capacity. Duterte has imposed longest and communists talBanana, event of time, and personalities, from thethat military and anycegrowth rate in 2021. That isthe now overly optithe rate infections and deaths have achievements Authorities their es om lower heGovernment-owned mthe apolice, y and than he or-Conpo han any 2020. he athe e ochief n ec onsnational and dea hs cou d have nof he econom he of dent cannot legally appoint Gierran aeillegal memworsen the Board ofLocal Trustees of When of lower the capital’s odaughter, T usfashioned eeslockdown of the GCG needs to more deterpof oin ec aover on yhis smore op gap measu es oproblem a for ePhilhealth, eoUS 52. rior and Govern hibiting gatherings ofgatherings ten or first more people in o do Commission for Philippines without any assurance that peogiven him one his major failures—massive o T us ees Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the tial the feisty Davao Mayor Sara the pervasive illegal drugs curse p o ec a e on y s op gap measu es o a e ment 62.1 percent and for private any commodity or conBoard of the Coast Guard undertake 24/7 patrols in and to Zobel de Ayala defined the challenges he demand o consume s ansac ons hibiting of ten or people in lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, has actually opened more sectors of the But April 2020, than 7.3 milmost strict in the world—for given him one of major failures—massive already all the country—in the parliahave and sustained a litany and other president before him. More than 45 ident can Without aAny vaccine forequ general use, been much worse. Thewas latest suggest that campaign. numbers above that are nation and its people. sively, Begun o1999, he pthe esexpansion den be omeant e h ma 4.2Momistic. ethehan 45 get been much wo sedata Theon es da a sugges ha inCorporations sh unk anyway. mass veviolations yMonday, anyway police caught media mineatwhether youtime), are qualified to hold of this included ardo Año said that th in listifpr LAST May 31,force the Department ofasocial Wha ssix a employed emonths he ega emen s equ bethe orights elion ed human rights trolled (GCG). vviolations. emedia, peop needs ple can when this pandemic one place thethere same refused ber ofwell the of Trustees much more as Mark my words will be atime), surge human Critics say he killed Wha snow aBoard e investigation.” he ega emen sabe oheduring elost vof aethe eshis he peop e sera. needs construction 46.8 percent lower,” says irecting taxpayers money included recession could rage well into 2021. Duterte is the leading contender—per the hyaround the KIG. place at the Duterte same Duterte refused economy helped bring back jobs.” people their jobs—“largely in more from March ment, academe, labor and even thekilled business pandemic Those are one any me and anywhe e Thus BDO cus ome sthe barrage of“homicides adverse publicity to efface Preshuman rights violations. Critics say he biznewsasia@gmail com classified aswith under star-rank officers occupy cabinet civilpolitically motivated detention most Human Rights Watch says many of the recession could rage into 2021. apackage little (DFA) over percent all cases Imore could well repeat fold increase inand the size of Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, mulus package Health p s athis ank o Gierran ce s occupy cab ne and ce vthan a1 advised ebreakfast oveof 1construction peasCOVID-19 cen oparty aslipped COV D 19 cases office. addthe jeepneys, bu having aPublic birthday with more law, canand only be apUnder finally ends! ze o and he sstrong us Duterte aForeign president, by GCG to the G an can be appo n ed as a membe o Wha s essen a and u gen s a ong Affairs that of that to fire the erring general. G e an can be appo n ed as a membe o more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating Wha s essen a and u gen s a ong ADB. by a where, themu restrictions by the Pre GC When the President came to power in a PhilHealth president/CEO my gulay! COVID-19 cases in the country as a result Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. perbolic poll of Pulse Asia. services—mainly trade, transport, ac15, 2020. And what do we get after clergy. The Supreme Court recognized this to fire the erring general. ident Marcos from the tapestry of history. Aside from the drugs war killings, the more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating also the challenges for the banking industry. have an op on o w hd aw pay b s ans ian positions in the government. my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilWhen the President came to power in eloquently that “good d in the country are severe or critical. Our morMy gulay, it’s a long process! The Pres- dent itsoiscampaign, actualof transportation—not pointedper by pos the President member of the $3,000. an onsincome n as heagove nmen * *d*o T us ees? than guests (despite strict lockdown pro-Ou mo prominent critic, Senator de Lima, the 000 are “vigilante-style killings n50he coun y afiled e perpetratseve e o c ca drugs cannotmanent legally apC he Boa dinto o he Tthe us ees? uher a27 whe he acalso ua administration e mitLeila obs po cy oofpMarcos even a enterbo gge p ob their capita exceeding date the has Duterte has 100 Boa efavor m obs po cyinsofar p even a bcannot gge e pjust ob the pervasive drugs curse. dent cann marginal 0.9 percent inat Q2. and people under astality lock2016, he stumbled greatest and They make noe of sense. I July think even commodation, restaurants, and giving up most ofwhoever our basic liberties? when ruled in asto They pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch has also noted the Sans the politics, the pandemic has belion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in m poverty, theillegal pervasive illegal drugs curse. Take note that before the GCG can inDespite the overwhelming dominance of JAZA said: “Countries will have use unds and even nves — h ough on ne beneficial to the nation of this nonsense ident pick anybody to be PhilJuly 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people tancing protocol. Board of Trustees PhilHealth if he was I don’t know had the idea of of the economy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in his major failures—massive Desp he ove whe ng dom nance o ber of the Board of Tr a y a o on he o he hand s a 2 5 peop e Sec on 13 o RA 10149 GOCC Gove n em o pove y ve sacronym—and opolice he economy Sec oncountry’s 13for oandof RA 10149 GOCC Gove n Rights removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Maedpaby officers themselves or byknow killers biznewsasia@gmail.com em oin pove y themany berexpunge of say the protests against China over various Duterte may not it but generals, hehope rc form ordiplomatic Human Rights Watch says many of Today, Duterte presides over worst ecolongest economic in the politically motivated detention his most usual without thethe lockdowns, you can winthe tainment—but also industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery poverty. ard Maitland sharply observed: ‘The essenMartial Law was concerned. middle-income status for biznewsasia@gmail.com president CEO. The three perHealth experts Human Watch says of Health the idea aexpansion rare opportunity banks toproincluded in submitted effaced easing the one-meter social distancing thethe Duterte administration has not longest economic expansion in the country’s their balance sheets pump prime their o moband e bank ng The ck n agobe ng d g ex-officio aor per a hundred thousand.” onepe place at the ed same time), Duterte refusedI and ations. Critics sayahesys killed not asuccessor—without systemic clude your name in the shortlist for They the help operators gene a slist heprepared Du eFilipinos, eand adm nwith s a come onprominent has no PhilHealth presiden ance Ac ocritic, 2011 manda es ha an appo nbe ngan“vigilante-style My gu ay killings he e sto one e emen m a hund housand ” phisob em s to no em cWest ance Ac oisgrowth. 2011 manda es ha appo nrevocation ngappointMy gu ay he e perpetratssay onessmanent eng emen m was ss ng to of athe PhilHea achieved almost full employment dur27,000 are perpetratinfractions on the Philippine Sea (WPS). Senator Leila de Lima, the an election. history—70 consecutive quarters of cially manufacturing. Lowerincome The Philippines today is the epicenter tial matter of history not what happened I sincerely believe that in time, Marcos will their per capita income exceeding $3,000. Commissions GCG and the two (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the of amWhat can happen here linked the authorities ” Carlos by the GCG to the President. But the Presitocol in public transport. To me it would (www.manilastandard.net) triumphs in end. MD nomic performance of the Philippines ever. 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings proven itself any more competent nor any good, and from being good to upscale themto fire the erring general. history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. He notes that per 100,000, the EU member in ca the guise of eliminating economies and and economic activity. andutility h v ngvehicles n he bus ness o ocus on that Take note d ecany o insha appo nChief edbebyJustice heednof PMaesthe den suspects would consider p ovenpresides se any mo worst e compe en removal no sesan uthemselves gen as ng obs po cy San He no es ha was pe an 100 000 he EU membe ment ain member Board of Trustees cSimply, busnecesS latest mp necesdiplomatic and drivers of Inte-s no everything d be ecwrote oasof sha appo ed by and he P den sjumpstart ana or u gen and as ng obspublic po cy San Takebef ing his presidency, unprecedented ether that guy is ay geni2018 by police officers by killers ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance we Marcos have ga Today, Duterte over the The such protest filed semi-skilled workers, most of them of worsen COVID pandemic the whole of dent cannot legally appoint Gierran aecomembut what people or said about it.’” Duterte himself added 14May quarters growth be vindicated. He was visionary, born ahead the problem. is secure. The ed by police officers themselves or by killers al drugs curse. less corrupt than past administrations. Budget Snl selves to being simply great. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio Authorities admit to 7 000 deaths during OPEN clude your name in the om a sho s p epa ed by he Gove nance Different countries will have different levels echno ogy se bu on ma n a n ng a s ong mper aggregate a Banana o esee a b eak u u e o he The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The ess co up han pas adm n s a ons s a es ave age 31 dea hs UK 70 Spa n 61 om athe sho ssucceeding pbeepa edand by heemployed nance ons hampe agg ega e biznewsasia@gmail.com a Banana othe esee a b eak u u Dominguez e o he Secretary clude you achievement. Economists whennomic ac nincompoop, rianegative Lourdes Sereno, revocation amCarlos and Department of ** berbiznewsasia@gmail.com of thechief Board Trustees, much more as Asia, of Philhealth the GCG needs to authorities.” deterperformance of thenational Philippines ever. Mark my words, there will a of surge oftofirst linked theGove authorities.” rior and Local Government Eduonly informally, were hit hard outside of India, Pakistan, Lazaro also said that adof his (www.manilastandard.net) time. Generations free from blemish putting the real interests before it went in the first quarter of Maymany 28 or toSweden protest “the incessant deployment,say that fit us. They are embedd Watch says ofeven the 57, linked to the When the of the capital’s and the US 52. before it went negative in the first quarter of ment as a member of Comm ss on o Gove nmen owned o Con Since banks are an invention of man, SO Ph pp nes w hou any assu ance ha peo ofhate commitment to this. I’m more concerned e apeo onsh p wAvisado) h cus ome Tha BDO s do have to ch einalso omyhe naThe onahim cap agiven sworst Sweden 57 above and 52arepractical-Theeconomic Trillanes IV who led in 2002 and campaign Anyunemployment numbers that Comm ss oncountry o cases Gove nmen owned o few Con Ph pp nesardo w hou any assu anceSecretary Budget Wendel will salso ment as avt Thecontinue ban of going nesty Senator (now retired) aslump PhilHealth gulay! hitshe 5 US percent, thethe people mustperpetratalready collapse makes the COVID-19 cases in the3,000 asAntonio aare result is When alsopresident/CEO, thehe worst ASEAN. Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during THOUGHTS because had the option to work from Bangladesh. With over daily, have used laws even as they of pmutinies andhold revenge will look more kindly on 2020. prolonged presence and illegal activities of mine whether you qualified to this nte-style killings and to govern Año said that ifhang this wehas should Authorities to 7,000 deaths during police force was caught on the social media Philhealth, the GCG human rights violations oministrations edaCo po ons GCG 2020. e can ge emp oyed when h sthe pandem the pandemic isao also anpo opportunity for arlier projected of country and SO I SEE po cethat o ce was caugh on soc awe med about finding ways to stimulate demand Dcis g atrue on ed of he Hen yorSy havech to vote whether toza include youenab or not “Undas” All Saints’ 3 under Unpreceden eda human r”agh s vthe o economic a president ons ed Co a4.2ons GCG Takecollapse note before can inTrillanes IVto who led mutinies in 2002 and padmit e above can ge empare oyed when s pandem of this nonsense. ofthe Philhea onom s sChinese eaof or e as pmaritime o 3. ecorUnprecedented ed ly everyone needing job has job. It’s want more Duterte, in sho also makes himGCG the worst home,” notes ADB. are reaching 300,000 cases and will 2007, and the passage of a new Anti-Terror classified “homicides investigation sought destroy or consign Marcos to the campaign. Any numbers that him, and acknowledge his achievements and sough o des oy o cons gn Ma cos o Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a ers themselves by killers ever in terms of economic perforMarcos’ vision and fo assetsWha andDuterte floating vessels the campaign. Any above that I numbers SEE mine youwhe are a ORLANDO breakfast party more hoffice spassage aw Gof ehaforward an can on yashow be ap on Unde na yap endseconomic add more jeepneys buses and other means a strong Begun 1999, the expansion meant 4.2inare the shortlist. percent Day iswhether no problem for clude your the forperforappointbankers tonumber come to They say the idea was tototal help operators havname ngbirthday a bineak as b with hday pa ygreat wbe h ob mo ein 2007, and the new Anti-Terror s aw G e an can y be Unde na y ends side of the equation, to ignite the bank o pu sue nc us ve bank ng has made Du epresident, e a satpeople ong phaving es den mine president ever in terms of shortlist economic likemade having a factory running 95 perl?cen oin8 GDP pe cen nWhat GDP has Ironically, Duterte had rescued six No. 20 in of COVID LITO oblivion, notwithstanding his solid unpreccontribution to the nation. v on no w hs and ng h s so d unp ec classified as “homicides under investigation.” The G first orities.” fold increase in the size of Philippine econofor governance are ric Act (ATA). Aside from the drugs war killings the in the vicinity of Pag-Asa island.” office. po n ed by he P es den as a membe o he LITO classified as “homicides under investigation.” * * * than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown promance. The GCG is akin to the Judicial and Bar For many years, we the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also fold increase in the size of Philippine economent as a member of the Board of Trustees and drivers of public utility vehicles. Inteow overly optiActeden (ATA). My it’s ahelping long process! The poevemen n contribute edgulay by Phe es den asthe a membe ofrom he poverty—defined transportation—not ease the social dis- se varied their and to * han 50 gues s desp e s c ockdown pwares o ed mance. office. le v c ous ega d ugs campa gn has a so OXALES willingness ofPresindividuals to start spending mposed the longest Me obank has eb anded o deandvenumerous 1 Tha s now ove during yand op centhecapacity. BANAYO as*he*an cases in the 220 countries. edented achievements for the *BANAYO *whoeve * ofwar ach sPh ohe good oof he mit to 7,000 deaths Aside from the drugs war killings, the my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 toamong $304.9 bilCouncil. My gulay, a gu lon Council. can be appointed as cemeteries Boa dbiggest ogreatest Tworld us ees ooinRecently, Hea he wasmillion onit’s those t don know had dea o he Before ofve Philhealth, the GCG first to mo deterThat advisory was by the conAside from the drugs killings, the rior Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings ofga ten or more people insecond given him one ofin his (from $72.2 billion 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there been sensational there been sensational Human Rights Watch has also the general the Boa dhave T us ees ohthe Ph Hea hhave heWatch was And thath isbthat allng due to the second don know whoeve had dea oyou My he ngs oneeds enbiggest othe emy peop e and nwe And is all due to solve the problem of cenBut 2020, mildown world—for g prompted ven hApril mmajor one ofailures—massive hnoted smore ma othan a u7.3 es—mass again, and to encourage a more optimistic “mean ng u bank ng” o “keep ou p om se ident cannot just pick anybody to be Philvacc neinuse, othegene athat usearehe tancing protocol y numbers above income of $2 a day. He was going to In fact, will be in Top 15, dislodging nation its people. Santa Banana, I cannot believe that this is na on and s peop e Human Rights has also noted the If only to show an lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, member of the Board to any GOCC, Philother days. What matte mineatwhether youtime), are qualified to hold this ident cannot just pick ardo Año said that ifpthis is true, we should nc uded n he s epa ed and subm ed eas ng he one me e soc a d s anc ng p o Human Rights Watch has also noted the one place the same Duterte refused tinuing harangue of administration critics that killings of known political activists, human human rights violations. Critics say he killed member lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, failure. nc uded n he s p epa ed and subm ed 2021. eas ng he one me e soc a d s anc ng p o ident can one me Du etury—the eeven eadd used peopleghlost their jobs—“largely in kon onths now from motivated March lion human s vof o ahis ons C csIn he edto COVID-19 pandemic. killings of known political human icides under politically detention most Opportunities addition initiatives, the adnsay add o these hesep ace n aa he vessame heand admiddle-income ge we n o investigation.” 2021 bring down poverty an unheard of 12 wou Bangladesh. Lungs and bubbles view offrom the future. This will be more chalo keep ngmust omethrough s n good hands ”president sa d for Imore could well repeat Lazaro saidPCEO so coming the Philippine National Police failure. politically motivated detention of his most Health president and The three perHealth included, you pass the Health andand foresight of Marco Health say this iscus dangerous ber pray our l status for Filipinos, with jeepneys, buses, and means and by he GCG o and he P eswhat den BuPPeople’s es Bu oco nactivists, pub c toanspo me rights defenders, alleged Opportunities the erring general. politically motivated of hisexperts most 2.office. Pandemic more 27,000 in the of eliminating President Duterte has seriously compromised and middle-income status for Filipinos, with by he GCG oNew heother eshe he PHe esthan oco ndetention pub cTo 2000s. anspo Todme of wouGCG, d and Health pr eewhat to power Health in services—mainly transport, acdowar wein after o mismanagement eurged heaelong ngprocess! genetheir a to drugs killings, thethan mo e Leila han 27guise 000trade, n he guthe se o e to mfire na ng What makes for a$3,000. good bank? Or aand percent by 2022, from 30s in the The economy collapsed by 0.7 percent that deeds, especially those den came oget powe nSenator chief. said that National Capital Region oquen ymanent ha “good deeds espec aprominent yaden hose ministration has also Congress wringer the you must beaninlenging reopening the supply side, which Me obank p es den Fab Dee gone ahead of us.apply My gulay, it’s The Presofeeloquently transportation—not ease the social discritic, Senator Leila de Lima, the suances that still a rights defenders, alleged New People’s prominent critic de Lima per capita income exceeding manent Commissions den canno ega y appo n G e an mem wo sen he p ob em 2. Pandemic mismanagement Commissions of GCG and the two What can happen here is that we could lose prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. den canno ega y appo n G e an a mem wo sen he p ob em their per capita income exceeding $3,000. manent C the country’s sovereignty with what they he greatest and commodation, restaurants, and enterof our basic liberties? Watch has also noted the he pe vas ve ega d ugs cuconsider se beneficial to nation the people, cannot Office chief, Major General Debold bene che afor o the hedna on he peop e letters canno cannot just pick anybody to be Philmb ed n o he g ea es and great bank that Four tancing protocol. theident immediate passage of House involves allowing factories to start producing removal in Police May 2018 of Chief Justice Maex-officio wringer members (o be o Duterte Boa o matter? T and us ees much mo e as Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoMa k my wo ds he e w be a su ge o removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mabiznewsasia@gmail.com removal in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mabe o he Boa d o T us ees much mo e as ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance Ma k my wo ds he e w be a su ge o Human Rights Watch says many of the ex-officio everything we have gained Today, presides over the worst econ the country’s ted misery detention his most claimed as an “overly soft stance,” bordering also in ch industry, espe-oentitled but and bpresident znewsasand a@gma com Health CEO. The threeperformance perHealth experts say CEO this ismy dangerous. Human R gh s Wa says he Philippine expunged, survives deserves a promotion because heashas aced expunged Good su vria ves and Sinas, expans on n of hepoverty. coun y s tainment—but –P, aE,be S,eeffaced and O. Billmany 9420 Navy Forward Lourdes Sereno, revocation of amagain and getting people toynwork safely. znewsas a@gma Rolando com G.Carlos Dominguez Ph Hea hoorpPhilippines es den gu ay COV D the 19 cases nthe heback coun a coun esu nomic of the ever. Estabillo Publisher Ph Hea p es den gu ay COV D 19 cases heof y as*a*besu ria Lourdes Sereno, revocation am-(www.manilastandard.net) Carlos D “vigilante-style Senator Leila Lima, the nomic performance of the Philippines ever. ters of qua growth. cially manufacturing. income es is the manent Commissions of GCG and net the two www man astandard ria Lourdes the revocation amWhat can happen here ishecos that we could lose on surrender, over China’s illegal aggresCarlos Dominguez Department ofnew * (www.manilastandard.net) man astandard net) triumphs in end. Marcos’ in in training recruits. umphs neathe he end Ma pplace ace n CEO hhistory s and ogiven ynmyexperience 27 000 a e “vand gkillings an eof sLoweryperpetrate kOperating ngs pe peBases a (www cu today ve edes epicenter o 27,000 gSereno ow hare Budget Secretary Wen Take no ha be o he GCG can nesty Senator (now retired) Antonio o h s nonsense Act authored by Deputy The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Take no e ha be o e he GCG can n o h s nonsense Budget Se 2018 of in Chief Justice Manesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio ManilaStandard ed by police officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance everything we have gained. The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The and semi-skilled workers, most of them demic the whole of rters growth ManilaStandard can be accessed at: Honor Blanco Cabie Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor sive the can be accessed at: dea is secure. Marcos laws beneWhat, when Sinas openly violated that s secu e The Ma cos aws abound and bene Ramonchito L. Tome bycountry’s po retired) ce o territorial ce sAntonio hemseSpeaker ves o byand k Surigao es Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado) will also SO dednesty 14 qua eincursions s o gSenator ow hinto ed The ban of going to cemeteries during given (now have to vote whether c ude you name n he sho s o appo n They say he was o he p ope a o s Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and del Sur Representative economic collapse also makes him the worst manilastandard.net SO c ude you name n he sho s o appo n manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager They say he dea was o he p ope a o s no, the revocation of amhave toS. vE Carlos Dominguez and Department of ONLINE * * * (www.manilastandard.net) Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager linked to the authorities.” employed only informally, were hit hard fafirst India, Pakistan, and ONLINE economic collapse also makes him the worst Jimbo Owen Gulle Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors in theChin quarter ofs It fit us. are in our legal system Wong/Ray Enhanced Community Quarantine protocols us They a e embedded n ou ega sys em I SEE waters. is noted that Pag-Asa island is our nked o he au ho es ” Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine ManilaSO Standard ve n he qua e o shortlist. men as a membe o he Boa d o T us ees and dyou veFormer sor oand pub c usanctions” ypub vehReynato esnow ny S. eveh Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard to keep the “Trump era isPuno against to an alarming level. Short ofand 2007, of apassage new Anti-Terror to whether to include not All Saints’ and All IEditor SEE Legal Adviser president ever in China terms ofhave economic perforJohnny Pimentel toSecretary serve, among others, aswill also Trillanes IV who led mutinies in and Budget Wendel men as avote he Boa dthe o2007, Tpassage ees The ban of going cemeteries during (now retired) Antonio dChief ve sJustice ccfor uor esPangco nDay e Pañares in the sho Board Member &Souls’ Chief R.us Felipe Solutions and the of“Undas” ao new Anti-Terror at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106Avisado) Paseo de Authorities admit deaths M. Santos because few the2002 option toduring work from htorover 3,000 cases daily, Joyce News Baldwin R.cFelipe Head—Ad president ever of economic perforPublishing Inc. at 6/Fnue Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de MEMBER Joyce Pangco continue to govern guide nation. when he aHead—Ad mañanita birthday and con oterms gove ntomembe and deothe he na oneBaldwin ManilaStandard MEMBER LITO Solutions Au ho tohad es7,000 adm dea hs Publishing duhave ngInc.Perea largest outpost in the Kalayaan Island Group TheLino GCG isRamo akinPañ to o“Undas” Phdeclaration hea hin he sgu needs o (ATA). de and Loca Gove nmen Sec ethe a problem yway Edu can be accessed at: already ahad giveaway. The US isparty? onno to e for ofGCG war other ways Act SOo 7 000 Roxas,and cornerresupply St., Legaspi Village, for Makati City.SEE Telephone to vote whether tothe include you or an notactual All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ mance. ledmeant mutinies in 2002 and LITO Roxas, corner Perea or St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone oon Ph hea hsuch he GCG sEdgar needs oo(ATA). de ePress “the staging sites Navy’s oCamilo and Loca Gove nmen Sec a y Edu The GC in the shortlist Day is me and my wife Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinion Editor home,” notes ADB. 300,000 cases and will 2007 and the passage of a new Anti-Terror Act the campaign. Any numbers above that are Philippine Institute M. Valmorida Circulation Manager BANAYO Adelle Chua mance. on a 4.2Marcos’ vision foresight in lawmaking For PNP Chief Coscolan to say Ma cos v s and o es gh n awmak ng Edgar M. Valmorida Treasury Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all manilastandard.net Council. Before you he campa gn Any numbe s above ha a e I SEE m ne whe he you a e qua ed o ho d h s numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all a do Año sa d ha h s s ue we shou d (KIG), a chain of nine islets in the Spratlys he expans on mean a 4 2 The National Association Anita F. Grefal Manager BANAYO in the shortlist. Day is no problem for me and my wife. ONLINE Recently, there have been sensational The National Association rebuilding the earlier Obama China strategy of beloved by former Foreign Affairs Secretary sage of of a new Anti-Terror And that is all due to the second biggest m ne whe he you a e qua ed o ho d h s a do Año sa d ha h s s ue we shou d Council. Chin new generation of warships and battle crafts” departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Ironically, Duterte had rescued six umber total COVID L TO Recently, there have been sensational departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. classified as “homicides under investigation.” The GCG isus akin tothe the Judicial Bar Philippine Newspapers For years we have not gone to the member of the BoardW And that isnance all due to the second biggest governance richly the this is amo bigeand insult to us buses all. Even President oofFor gove aareewe ch y illustrated a ed by he of Philippine Newspapers Published Monday to Sunday byJudicial Philippine Manila Standard Act (ATA) o for ce add eepneys and omany he means ass ed as “hom casLITO des nves ga onThe ” GCG is Office, akin to the many years, have not gone to which Presidentc Marcos decreed anundeto further eilippine ze o econoPh ppthen ne econo Box 2933, Manila Central Post Manila. Website: www. and Albert killings of “looking known political activists, human Box 2933, Manila Centralo Post Offi ce, Manila. Website: www. ce beyond themo headlines” toward a more failure. del Rosario and his cohort, former Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Boardo add e eepneys buses and o he means member cement our presence in the vast wa- 106 Bar BANAYO from poverty—defined as an dstoamong 220 countries. Baldwin Felipe Head—Ad Solutions killings of known political activists, human Aside million fromAsthe drugs war killings, the Opportunities BANAYO Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, Paseo de Joy varied numerous legal issuances.” Duterte did not even reprimand Sinas. va ed and nume ous ega ssuances ” failure. 8 $304.9 bilmanilastandard.net Council Before you can be appointed as you MEMBER manilastandard.net My gu ay s a ong p ocess The P es cemeteries on those We go on Health included, Council. Before you can be appointed as o Pand anspo ao on—no ease he socease a what dR.she cemeteries on My thosegutwo days. gop on debeen om sensational he d ugs wa k ngs he Opportunities nRecently 1998 osensational $304 9 of b the e on have been “integral part Philippine which it was there have rights defenders, alleged New People’s ay s aofWe ong ocess The es be anspo a on—no soc atwo d s days Health in 2. Pandemic mismanagement pliable plan, taking into consideration Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose income of $2over a day. Henoted going to entire be ininTop 15, dislodging Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone ters of the West Philippine Sea known Human Rights Watch has also the rights defenders, and alleged New People’s If only to show an example the vision I won’t surprised if one day Sinas tion poverty, 2. Pandemic mismanagement member of the Board to any GOCC, Philother days. What matters is that we rememwringer of the GCG, den canno us p ck anybody o be Ph anc ng p o oco Philippine Press Institute Human R gh s Wa ch has a so no ed he political activists, human member of the Board to any GOCC Philma c educ on n pove y other days What matters is that we rememEdgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager has sovereignty and jurisdiction.” den canno us p ck anybody o be Ph anc ng p o oco wringer o numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Cuisia as: a) summoning the Chinese Amkillings of known political activists human Opportunities bring down poverty to an unheard of 12 h.Filipinos, Lungs and bubb es as the South China Sea.pass through the Hea politically motivated detention most Health included, you must Marcos, hereones isbecomes PNP chief shimself. andand o pes ghden oof Ma cos he eNational aare e hhis s hlegal ega s ber pray for our loved who have The Association with hforesight es CEO The ee pe Hea h expe say hAspromotion, dangeh ous and New People’s Opportunities po ca y2022, mooffrom vaPuerto edof dehis en internationally on 2000s. o h s mos ecollapsed s aalleged us oby F0.7p percent nos h percent Hea hand p es and CEO Thenoted h ee pethe Hea h ber expe ss say sfor s our dangeloved ous ones who have Lying 480w kilometers west departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Health included you must pass through the and pray by 30s in the as two countries’ strategic interests. for athat formal advisory (actually awo ofden Philippine Newspapers wringer of the GCG,there and you must bebassador ingone ahead of us. still apply are still being used: huh? What’s next, I wonder. prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the suances ha s app y and a e s be ng used With these developments should rights defenders and alleged New People’s ing $3,000. manen Comm ss ons o GCG and he Wha can happen he e s ha we cou d ose p om nen c c Sena o Le a de L ma Boxhe2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. ome exceed ng $3 City, 000 it is the manen Comm ss onstoo BeiGCG hemust wo be Wha cancritics happenare he aware e s of hathat we cou d ose Princesa administrative center of the and and you in-the us I have doubt our Ambassador in May 2018n of Chief Justice Maex ob) recalling c o wringer membe e a yGCG F nance already a respite from the incessant at- lecture); y h no ng we have ga gone ned ahead r the worst eco- removal emova May 2018 o Ch e Jus be ce manilastandard.net Ma ex o cs oSec membe so Sec e a y o eve F nance processes and undermine societies The controversy over the Russian interference in the 2016 US elections in favor of then-candidate Donald Trump lingers In fact it remains a key issue against Trump all over again in the run-up to the November elections with the Democrats and a number of US security experts insisting that the Russian hackers are back in the

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eve Former y h ngChief we have ga ned S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser es des ove he wo s eco ofever. the municipality of Kalayaan which, oftacks those suggested initiatives not Reynato supported jingG.for “consultations” simultaneous withDepa ria Lourdes Sereno, theSe revocation am- and ManilaStandard Ca os Publisher DomCanguez and nguez Depa men ocan * * * areJustice (www.manilastandard.net) hilippines calls for “stronger responses to as Chibe men accessed at: Former Chief Justice Reynato(www S. Puno man Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Ramonchito L. Tome Rolandone Estabillo a Lou des eno he evoca on o am astandard net) os Dom and o * * * Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher www man andard ManilaStandard e o he since Ph pp nes eve can be accessed at: Ramon 1978, has been recognized as one&Antonio manilastandard.net Anita F.ng Grefal Treasury Manager BudgeofSec apersonnel y Wende Av sado w Av a so by awclear majority ofng our and any move Thea manilastandard.net ban o The go opeople ceme enges du the recall keyeBudge in our various nesty given Senator (now retired) ONLINE n he ASEAN. The Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member Chief Legal Adviser nese incursions” by the usual suspects which, Chin Wong/Ray S. E Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Sec e a y Wende sado so ban o go o ceme e es du ng nes y g ven Sena o now e ed An on o Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager ONLINE ASEAN The Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard ManilaStandard sed at:wo sof nthe Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. 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Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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Ardern tours ‘devastating’ New Zealand S. Island floods

FLOOD SURVEY. A

soldier looks out from a helicopter on June 1 as they fly over the flood damage after heavy rains washed away bridges and cut roads in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. AFP

Malaysia imposes ‘total’ lockdown as SEA nations battle virus surge

K

UALA LUMPUR—Malaysia imposed a tough nationwide lockdown on Tuesday to battle a worsening coronavirus outbreak, as countries across Southeast Asia struggled with a resurgence in cases driven by infectious variants.

Manila escaped the panMuch of the region unscathed by rapidly closing borders Standard demic’s first wave last year relatively and introducing curbs. TODAY But countries from Thailand to Vietnam are being hammered by NOTICE fresh surges, with efforts to quell outbreaks hampered by slow vacNOTICE is hereby given that a Deed of cine rollouts and populations weaExtrajudicial Settlement ry of restrictions. of the Intestate Estate of Alberto A. Rivera Malaysia is among the worst consisting of shares of hit. Of almost 2,800 deaths from stocks & motor vehicle was executed on May Covid-19 recorded in the coun-

24, 2021 per Doc. No. 499; Page No. 101; Book of LXVIII; Series of 2021 of Notary Public Atty. Carlos M. Carlos of Parañaque City Metro Manila. (MS-MAY 26, JUN 2 & 9, 2021)

try of 32 million since the start of the pandemic, over 40 percent were in May alone. More than 570,000 infections have been reported, with a string of new daily records last week. As well as variants, the outbreak has been fanned by gatherings in the Muslim-majority country during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday, often in defiance of coronavirus rules. Under what authorities have termed a “total lockdown” in force from Tuesday, only essential businesses—such as supermarkets and medical clinics —can operate, people can only go outside for necessities, and most schools are closed.

Travel between most parts of the country had already been banned for months. While there had been growing calls for tougher action, the two-week lockdown will deal a fresh blow to many businesses that have struggled to stay afloat over the past year. “The impact of the coronavirus on small businesses like mine is devastating,” said Lilian Chua, whose hair salon outside the capital Kuala Lumpur will have to close. “The government imposes a lockdown but the virus is in the air -- they need to speed up vaccinations,” the 42-year-old told AFP. Fewer than six percent of Malaysia’s population have so far received at least one vaccine dose. AFP

(MS-MAY 19, 26 & JUNE 2, 2021)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of ROQUE L. BARRANDA, who died intestate on May 14, 2020, in the City of Manila; leaving among others a parcel of land covered by TCT No. 254472; also shares of stock in Rockwell Land Corporation (766 shares); Manila Electric Company (272 shares); and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (360 shares) were settled via Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver and Renunciation of Rights/Shares were executed by the legal heirs before Notary Public Atty. Janrurik Padiernos and recorded into his Notarial Registry as Doc. No. 90; Page No. 19; Book No. 7; Series of 2021. (MStandard-May 19, 26 & Jun. 2, 2021)

BED COVER.

Demonstrators take cover behind a mattress during clashes with riot police which erupted during a protest against the government of Colombian President Ivan Duque, in Facatativa, Colombia, on May 31. AFP

Tulsa waits for Biden to ‘do us right’ on race massacre TULSA—In Tulsa, the city that still bears the scars of a 1921 racial massacre, African-American residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of President Joe Biden on Tuesday, hoping he will hear their call for financial reparations. “I just want him to feel our pain,” said local activist Kristi Williams. The Democratic leader, who has benefited from a strong support base among Black voters, will attend Tuesday’s commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst episodes of racial violence in US history. Williams, who is descended from some of the massacre victims, wants Biden to “do us right.” “It’s been 100 years, and we have been impacted negatively, from housing, economic development, our land has been taken,” she told AFP. “This country, right now has an opportunity to right this wrong.” On May 31, 1921, a group of Black men had gone to the Tulsa courthouse to defend a young African-American man accused of assaulting a white woman. They found themselves facing a mob of hundreds of furious white people.

Tensions spiked and shots were fired, and the African Americans retreated to their neighborhood, Greenwood. The next day, at dawn, white men looted and burned the neighborhood, at the time so prosperous it was called Black Wall Street. As with the economic losses, the human toll is difficult to estimate, but historians say that as many as 300 African-American residents lost their lives, and nearly 10,000 people were left homeless. In 2001, a commission created to study the tragedy concluded that Tulsa authorities themselves had armed some of the white rioters. Biden said Monday that “the federal government must reckon with and acknowledge the role that it has played in stripping wealth and opportunity from Black communities” such as Greenwood. In Tulsa, this is just the beginning: residents expect further action from a president who has cautiously declared support for looking into financial reparations for Blacks. The mayor of Tulsa formally apologized Monday for “the city government’s failure to protect our community in 1921.” AFP

Myanmar pupils defy junta, skip school YANGON—Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta’s calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance. Four months of national turmoil have followed the February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 800 people killed by security forces and a nationwide strike crippling the economy. Public school teachers—dressed in the green and white uniforms mandated by the education ministry—were prominent in the early mass protests, joining railway workers, doctors and civil servants on the streets.

The junta has insisted schools open on Tuesday after a year’s absence due to Covid-19, but many educators had already decided they could not return to a job they love. “I’m not afraid of their arrest and torture,” Shwe Nadi, a teacher from the commercial capital Yangon told AFP. Her name has been changed for her safety. “I’m afraid of becoming a teacher who teaches the students propaganda.” The 28-year-old was fired for supporting the civil disobedience movement—one of the thousands of teachers and academics the junta has sacked. AFP

WELLINGTON—New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern toured flood-hit areas of the country’s South Island on Tuesday, expressing shock at the destruction left when three months’ worth of rain fell in three days. Swollen rivers swept away bridges and landslides blocked highways in the deluge, which finally began to ease on Tuesday after a 72-hour barrage that Ardern described as a oncein-a-century event. “It’s quite devastating, there’s a lot of work to do -- a big clean-up job lies ahead of us,” she told reporters after surveying the damage in a military helicopter. Entire communities, including 35,000 people in the town of Ashburton, were left isolated by the floodwaters and Ardern said crews were scrambling to restore road and rail links. “We’ve got thousands of people who are not connected to their town, they’re not connected to their schools or place of work,” she said. “So that’s a real priority. It’s devastating to see what communities will be dealing with for some time to come.” The official Metservice forecaster said the highest rainfall was at Mount Somers, which recorded 539 millimeMAGENTA BLACK tresCYAN (21.2 inches) over YELLOW the three-day period. While hundreds of people were forced to evacuate, there have been no reports of serious injuries. AFP

Trudeau pledges ‘concrete action’ for indigenous kids OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday expressed Canada’s grief while pledging “concrete action” in support of indigenous communities after remains of 215 indigenous children were discovered at an old boarding school. “As a dad, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me,” Trudeau told a news conference. “And as prime minister, I am appalled by the shameful policy that stole indigenous children from their communities.” “Think of their communities that never saw them again. Think of their hopes, their dreams, their potential, of all they would have accomplished, all they would have become,” he said. “All of that was taken away.” Trudeau, who has made reconciliation with Canada’s nearly 1.7 million indigenous people a priority of his government since coming to power in 2015, said he would speak with his ministers to shore up “next and further things we need to do to support (residential school) survivors and the community.” Excavating school burial sites across Canada, as many have urged, he also said, “is an important part of discovering the truth.” “Canada will be there to support indigenous communities as we discover the extent of this trauma and trying to give opportunities for families and communities to heal.” The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc tribe said last week it had used ground-penetrating radar to confirm the remains of the students who attended a school near Kamloops, British Columbia. The Kamloops Indian Residential School was the largest of 139 boarding schools set up in the late 19th century to assimilate Canada’s indigenous peoples, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time. AFP

GAZA’S ANIMALS.

Palestinian cat owner Amani Abu Shaaban holds her feline companion to her chest while waiting at a veterinary clinic in Gaza City on May 24. Israel’s latest war on Gaza has also heaped suffering onto the region’s animals, and in some cases the children who own them. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Business

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EU to launch coronavirus recovery plan this month

BRUSSELS, Belgium—EU countries will be able to launch the bloc’s coronavirus recovery plan in June after all 27 members approved the scheme, the European Council announced Monday. “The European Union is now able to obtain the necessary funding for the European social and economic recovery,” said Antonio Costa, the prime minister of Portugal, which currently chairs the Council. The Commission will now be able to go to the capital markets and borrow the money to finance the plan in the name of the EU members. The EU’s landmark 750-billion-euro ($910-billion) recovery plan, known as Next Generation EU, was drawn up in July 2020. But it needed the green light from all 27 member states before the Commission could borrow in the name of the bloc. The landmark fund for the first time creates a pool of common debt—shared between EU members, to lower borrowing costs for weaker members—a move that was long opposed by “frugal” northern states. “The governments and national parliaments of the EU 27 have shown a strong sense of solidarity and responsibility,” Costa said. “We cannot afford to waste more time,” he added. “We must ensure the swift approval of the first recovery and resilience plans by the end of June.” Clement Beaune, France’s minister for European affairs, told Les Echos newspaper that the EU would start approaching major international and European banks from Tuesday. The parliaments of Austria and Poland were the last to approve the common debt mechanism on Thursday. Spain and Italy, both hit hard by the coronavirus, will be the main beneficiaries of the fund, each receiving nearly 70 billion euros. The money is due to go towards major infrastructure work and environmental projects such as developing the network of recharging stations for electric vehicles.AFP

OPEC and allies set for another

crude output hike LONDON, United Kingdom— The OPEC group of oil-producing countries and its allies look set to boost production further when they meet Tuesday, as pandemic-hit demand for crude recovers. The OPEC+ alliance, consisting of 23 countries, implemented sharp output cuts to support prices after the coronavirus pandemic crushed the global economy last year. But since early May the cartel has started implementing more generous production increases as oil prices have recovered and the health situation improves in developed economies. Currently the production roadmap for OPEC+ members consists of a series of increases between May and July adding up to some 1.2 million barrels per day. On the agenda at Tuesday’s meeting, expected to start at 1100 GMT, will be whether this can be extended into August. “OPEC+ currently finds itself in a very favourable situation,” said Eugen Weinberg of Commerzbank. Among OPEC’s allies, Russia has been pushing for faster rises in output but traditional OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia supports a much more cautious note, pointing to the surge of coronavirus infections in parts of Asia. “As always, the key flashpoint is likely to be tensions between Russia and Saudi Arabia,” said Matthew Weller, global head of market research at FOREX.com. “Russia will undoubtedly push for a more rapid increase in production to support its economy, whereas Saudi Arabia is expected to favour the more conservative path agreed upon last month,” Weller said. Riyadh could point to how markets have been shaken by a vicious third wave of the virus that has swept through India, the world’s thirdbiggest consumer of crude after the US and China. Several other Asian countries have also had to adopt virus-related restrictions, representing a brake on demand. AFP

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market closes flat on cautious trading; Primex, DITO advance S TOCKS closed flat Tuesday in cautious trading, as oil prices surged on demand optimism while investors focus on US jobs data.

That, combined with mind-boggling government improving demand should be able to absorb what spending splurges and central bank largesse, has been could be an additional two million barrels a day from crucial to a rally in global equities from their March Iran, if it materialises,” said Howie Lee of Oversea2020 lows to record or multi-year highs. Chinese Banking Corp. Analysts expect more gains but warn the road will “Demand from the US has been driving the global be bumpy as inflation spikes―caused by a strong consumption recovery.” The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the recovery in activity, supply issues, bottlenecks and a Brent jumped back above $70 a barrel and WTI was 30-company benchmark, lost 1 point to close at low base of on-year comparison―cause concern over closing on the levels near $68 last seen in March. 6,627.43 on Tuesday. possible central bank tightening. On currency markets, the pound hit a more than The broader all-share index was almost unchanged The release of figures showing how many jobs three-year high as Britain’s vaccine rollout continues at 4,023.30, on value turnover of P14.78 billion. were created in the United States last month are and the country announced just one coronavirusGainers edged losers, 107 to 101, while 41 issues were being keenly awaited for an idea about the strength related death Monday, the lowest since the pandemic unchanged. of the recovery, with hopes for a sizable jump after a began. Monde Nissin Corp. was the most active stock in its disappointing miss in April. The nation’s healthy economic rebound is also trading debut, but barely moved at P13.48. Asian markets fluctuated through the morning. leading to bets the Bank of England will be forced Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sydney all fell but to tighten monetary policy sooner than expected and Manila green, led by Primex Corp. which climbed 12.8 there were gains in Singapore, Seoul, Wellington and there are forecasts for the unit to break $1.45 for the Standard percent to P3.88. DITO CME Holdings Corp. gained Taipei. first time since before the vote to leave the European CYAN TODAY 3.3 percent to P9.70 while BDO Unibank Inc. rose 2 Oil prices, however, rallied ahead of the latest Union in 2016.With AFP Manila Standard percent to P105.80. monthly gathering of OPEC and allies, TODAY Meanwhile, oil prices surged on demand optimism with expectations that they will begin to ahead of the latest OPEC meeting on Tuesday, while lift output from next month as they grow the pound hit a three-year high against the dollar over confident that the world economy is well Britain’s economic rebound but equities struggled on the recovery track and demand will with focus on upcoming US jobs data. continue to improve. Wall Street and London were closed Monday for The gains were also helped by holidays meaning there were few drivers for buying, comments from the group that it sees TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS: with the general theme continuing to be the global supplies tumbling this year as people Please be informed that the Annual General Meeting of the Stockholders economic recovery playing against fears about slowly get back to some semblance of VITARICH CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) will be held on Friday, June 2021, 2:00 P.M., through Zoom video-conferencing to be NOTICE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ inflation and a possible taper OF of central bank monetary of normality,MEETING while analysts said the 25 conducted pursuant to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2020, policy. possible return of Iranian crude to as approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The annual TO: ALL STOCKHOLDERS The rollout of vaccines around the world has allowed markets—if it agrees a nuclear deal meeting shall be purely virtual in order to comply with social distancing requirements and the utmost need to prevent the spread of COVID19. leaders of key economies including States of with world powers—would not likely NOTICE is hereby given that there will the be anUnited annual meeting the stockholders of A BROWN COMPANY, INC. on June 24, 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually impact. via remote communication and and Europe to 2021 wind(Thursday), back theat containment measures have a major The Stockholders’ Annual General Meeting shall have the following can be accessed at the link provided in the Company’s website at https://www.abrown.ph/asmvirtual2021/. that sparked a recession last year. “There’s some confidence right now agenda: Items in the agenda of the meeting are as follows:

1. Call to order; 2. Certification of Notice and the Existence of a Quorum; 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Stockholders’ Annual General Meeting; 4. Report of the President on the Results of the 2020 Operations and the 2020 Audited Financial Statements; 5. Ratification of the Acts of Directors and Officers; 6. Election of Directors; 7. Appointment of External Auditor; 8. Appointment of Stock Transfer Agent; 9. Other matters; and 10. Adjournment.

AGENDA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Call to Order Proof of Notice of Meeting Certification of Quorum Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Approval of 2020 Operations and Results Ratification of All Acts of the Board of Directors and Officers Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (AOI) – Reclassification of Part of Unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares Issuance and Public Offering of Preferred Shares Retention of Independent Directors Election of Directors Appointment of External Auditors Other Matters Adjournment

The close of business on April 30, 2021 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and vote at said meeting and any adjournment thereof. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulting in the imposition by the government of regulations limiting mobility and mass gatherings, the Company will not be conducting a physical annual stockholders’ meeting. In lieu thereof, the annual stockholders’ meeting will be held virtually through an online webinar platform for stockholders to attend by remote communication. They can join by registering online at https://www.abrown.ph/asmregister2021/ on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2021. The identities of those registering to participate online will be going through a process of verification, after which an email from the Company will be sent to them giving instructions as to how they will be able to watch the livestream of the annual stockholders’ meeting. Please see attached Guidelines for Participating by Remote Communication and Voting in Absentia. The stockholders are likewise encouraged to participate in the meeting by either of the following: (i) by submitting duly accomplished proxies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 2704 East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Centre, Ortigas Center, Pasig City or via electronic copy by emailing corporatesecretary@abrown.ph on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2021. For corporate stockholders, the proxies should be accompanied by a Secretary’s Certification on the appointment of the corporation’s authorized signatory. (ii)

by registering your votes on the matters to be taken up during the meeting through the e-voting platform set up for the purpose which can be accessed at https://www.abrown.ph/asmevoting2021/. The e-voting portal will be open until 12:00 noon of June 24, 2021.

Validation of proxies is set on June 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The votes already cast using the e-voting platform by that time will also be verified on said date. Manila For details and rationale of each agenda item, and the draft resolutions, if applicable, please refer to the Information Statement at https://www.abrown.ph/asmvirtual2021/.

Standard

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City of Pasig, Metro Manila, May 28, 2021.

A brief explanation on each item which requires the approval and/or ratification by the stockholders as well as the registration requirements and voting procedures are provided in the Definitive Information Statement. Stockholders can get the electronic copies of the Definitive Information Statement, SEC 17-A Annual Report (with 2020 audited financial statements) and other pertinent information from the PSE’s EDGE system and the Corporation’s website at https://vitarich.com/ company-disclosure/sec-filings/. Only stockholders of record as of 25 May 2021, which is the record date fixed by the Board, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting. All stockholders and proxyholders who will attend the annual meeting shall inform the Chairman of the Board and the Corporate and Assistant Corporate Secretaries by email to vc2021asm@vitarich.com or by https:// bit.ly/vc2021asm of his or her intention to attend the annual meeting, and submit their proxy forms and registration requirements stated in the Definitive Information Statement. The registration period will run from 01 June 2021 to 14 June 2021. All proxies shall be validated on 18 June 2021. For stockholders who submitted the complete requirements, the log-in details for the virtual meeting shall be sent not later than 22 June 2021 via e-mail to the verified e-mail address of the stockholder or proxyholder submitted to the Corporation. A visual and audio recording of the meeting shall be made for future reference. ATTY. AISON BENEDICT C. VELASCO Corporate Secretary

(SGD.) JASON C. NALUPTA Corporate Secretary (MS-JUNE 1 & 2, 2021)

Laborers sleep on a road divider along a street in the port city of Karachi on June 1, 2021. AFP

ZURICH, Switzerland—Global food giant Nestle said Monday it was developing a new nutrition strategy after the Financial Times reported on an internal document showing that most of its food and drinks were unhealthy. An internal presentation circulated among top executives earlier this year had revealed that more than 60 percent of Nestle’s mainstream food and drinks portfolio did not meet “recognized definition of health”, the British business daily reported. The presentation, seen by the FT, revealed that only 37 percent of Nestle’s food and beverages by revenues (not including products like pet food, baby food and specialized medical nutrition) achieved a rating of over 3.5 under Australia’s five-star health rating system. Nestle, owner of everything from chocolate to coffee and baby food brands, has for several years been reorganizing its activities to focus more on health and wellness as consumers increasingly snub frozen pizzas and sugary drinks. The Swiss company has among other things been making a major push in vegetarian and vegan products. “We have made significant improvements to our products,” the Nestle presentation said, according to the FT. But, it added, “our portfolio still underperforms against external definitions of health in a landscape where regulatory pressure and consumer demands are skyrocketing.” A Nestle spokeswoman told AFP the company was currently “working on a company-wide project to update its pioneering nutrition and health strategy.” “We are looking at our entire portfolio across the different phases of people’s lives to ensure our products are helping meet their nutritional needs and supporting a balanced diet,” she said The initial focus, she added, would be on “assessing the part (of) our food and beverage portfolio that can be measured against external nutrition profiling systems,” like the Australian system. According to the FT, Nestle is aiming to unveil its new strategy this year. Quoting an unnamed person familiar with the situation, the paper suggested the company might drop products pushing down its health ratings such as confectionery items. AFP

ATTY. MARY CHRISTINE DABU-PEPITO Assistant Corporate Secretary/ Compliance Officer/ Corporate Information Officer

(MS-JUNE 1 & 2, 2021)

PAKISTAN WORKERS.

Nestle eyes new strategy as leaked file show many products unhealthy

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING TO:

ALL STOCKHOLDERS

NOTICE is hereby given that there will be an annual meeting of the stockholders of A BROWN COMPANY, INC. on June 24, 2021 (Thursday), at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually via remote communication and can be accessed at the link provided in the Company’s website at https://www.abrown.ph/asmvirtual2021/.

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Items in the agenda of the meeting are as follows: AGENDA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Call to Order Proof of Notice of Meeting Certification of Quorum Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Approval of 2020 Operations and Results Ratification of All Acts of the Board of Directors and Officers Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (AOI) – Reclassification of Part of Unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares Issuance and Public Offering of Preferred Shares Retention of Independent Directors Election of Directors Appointment of External Auditors Other Matters Adjournment

The close of business on April 30, 2021 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and vote at said meeting and any adjournment thereof. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulting in the imposition by the government of regulations limiting mobility and mass gatherings, the Company will not be conducting a physical annual stockholders’ meeting. In lieu thereof, the annual stockholders’ meeting will be held virtually through an online webinar platform for stockholders to attend by remote communication. They can join by registering online at https://www.abrown.ph/asmregister2021/ on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2021. The identities of those registering to participate online will be going through a process of verification, after which an email from the Company will be sent to them giving instructions as to how they will be able to watch the livestream of the annual stockholders’ meeting. Please see attached Guidelines for Participating by Remote Communication and Voting in Absentia. The stockholders are likewise encouraged to participate in the meeting by either of the following: (i) by submitting duly accomplished proxies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 2704 East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Centre, Ortigas Center, Pasig City or via electronic copy by emailing corporatesecretary@abrown.ph on or before 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2021. For corporate stockholders, the proxies should be accompanied by a Secretary’s Certification on the appointment of the corporation’s authorized signatory. (ii)

by registering your votes on the matters to be taken up during the meeting through the e-voting platform set up for the purpose which can be accessed at https://www.abrown.ph/asmevoting2021/. The e-voting portal will be open until 12:00 noon of June 24, 2021.

Validation of proxies is set on June 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The votes already cast using the e-voting platform by that time will also be verified on said date. For details and rationale of each agenda item, and the draft resolutions, if applicable, please refer to the Information Statement at https://www.abrown.ph/asmvirtual2021/. City of Pasig, Metro Manila, May 28, 2021.

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(SGD.) JASON C. NALUPTA Corporate Secretary (MS-JUNE 1 & 2, 2021)

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

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, June 1, 2021

-1.06 PTS. 6,627.43

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

4,078,704,993 89,925 14,778,121,539.46 107 101 41

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.7230

Japan

Yen

0.009126

0.4355

UK

Pound

1.421000

67.8144

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128854

6.1493

Switzerland

Franc

1.112718

53.1022

Canada

Dollar

0.829050

39.5648

Singapore

Dollar

0.756888

36.1210

Australia

Dollar

0.773500

36.9137

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655619

126.7341

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.7261

Brunei

Dollar

0.754034

35.9848

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032020

1.5281

UAE

Dirham

0.272309

12.9954

Euro

Euro

1.222800

58.3557

Korea

Won

0.000903

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.156961

7.4906

India

Rupee

0.013791

0.6581

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242601

11.5776

New Zealand

Dollar

0.727300

34.7089

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036279

1.7313 Source: BSP

ICTSI acquiring 10-hectare Manila bulk private port facility for P2.45b By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Tuesday it is acquiring an international breakbulk and bulk private port facility in Manila for P2.45 billion. The port operator led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that it signed a share purchase agreement with Prime Strategic Holdings Inc. to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Manila Harbour Center Port Services Inc., a 10-hectare, international breakbulk and bulk private port facility located at the northern side of the Manila Harbour Center in Port of Manila. Prime Strategic Holdings is a company also controlled by Razon. It has stakes in water and power distribution. “PSHI is a related party of ICTSI as both under common ultimate ownership. Nonetheless, the transaction is arms-length and is supported by a fairness opinion issued by an independent public accounting firm,” ICTSI said. ICTSI said it expects to take over the port facilities this year. “Transfer of the facilities to ICTSI management is expected to take place in mid-2021, once all conditions precedent and all required regulatory approvals have been obtained,” it said. MHCPSI had a throughput of over 4.3 million tons across its 865-meter quay in 2020 and maintains a water depth of about 10 meters. MHCPSI operates a private port facility at the northern side of the Manila Harbour Center, Port of Manila under a permit to operate granted by the Philippine Ports Authority. It is mainly involved in handling and storage of international breakbulk and bulk cargo. ICTSI reported a 51-percent increase in net income to $90.1 million in the first three months from P59.6 million in the same period last year. The company’s gross revenues from port operations in the first quarter increased by 16 percent to $435.6 million from $375.8 million it booked in the same period in 2020.

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., the power arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., tapped energy solutions providers ABB and Wärtsilä for battery energy storage systems. SMC Global Power teamed up with ABB to install BESS facilities as part of nationwide project. The company is spending more than $1 billion to simultaneously build 31 BESS nationwide with a total rated capacity of 1,000 megawatts ABB will support two 20-megawatt sites which will be installed by June 2021, with a further 40-MW site in July 2021. The remaining sites will be com-

Frabelle eyeing expansion to India FRABELLE Fishing Corp. plans to expand to India to complement overseas operations in Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and Indonesia. Company president Francisco Tiu Laurel said India is a good site for putting up canning facilities with wide availability of tuna. “It is quite interesting to note that India has a potential of 230,000 metric tons of tuna annually, of which 40 percent is skipjack and the rest is big eye and yellowfin. That’s something worth looking into by way of putting up the facility or at least buy more materials to feed existing Filipino-owned factories around the western and central Pacific,” Laurel said at the first virtual India Philippines Marine Fisheries & Aquatic Business Conference organized by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. FFC is into deep-sea fishing, aquaculture, canning, food manufacturing, processing, food importation and trading, cold storage, shipyard operations, wharf development, real estate development and power generation. Othel V. Campos

Globe sees stronger internet competition

OUTSTANDING FISHERMEN. JGO Ventures Corp., the authorized distributor of Kress Elektrowerkzeuge in the Philippines, pays homage to the valor and valuable contributions of Filipino fishermen through the Kapitan Kress Bayaning Mangingisda Search 2021. The awardees are (from left) 3rd runner up Rolando Casipit of Luna, La Union; 1st runner up Bonifacio Mengullo of Rosario,Cavite; grand winner Dante Noces of Balaoan, La Union; 2nd runner up Rolando Pablo of Navotas City; and 4th runner up Armando Bibat of Calamba City.

Monde’s IPO shows strong investor confidence in PH F By Julito G. Rada

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Tuesday that Monde Nissin’s landmark stock market transaction that attracted overwhelming demand worldwide is a testament to the high confidence of the global investor community that the country will bounce back from the economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dominguez said Monde Nissin, a company known for its iconic food brands, was expected to use the proceeds from its blockbuster initial public offering to expand its business activities and open up more job opportunities for Filipinos. Monde Nissin’s IPO of more than $1

billion is the largest public offering in the Philippine Stock Exchange and also in Southeast Asia in the food and beverage segment. The IPO attracted both international and domestic investors and was multiple times oversubscribed. “This shows that the Philippines is very capable of winning over worldclass equity investors in billion-dollar issue sizes. This offering is also a testament to the high confidence of investors in the post-pandemic recovery of the Philippine economy,” Dominguez said at Monde Nissin’s listing in the PSE. “Monde Nissin’s landmark transaction sends a clear message that our economy will soon regain its momentum and will bounce back stronger than ever,” he said. Dominguez said even amid the pandemic, this period proved to be “an exciting time for the Philippine stock market” which witnessed several other landmark offerings from the retail and telecommunications sectors and the entry of teal estate investment trust players. “I am sure that the Philippine stock

market is poised to see more blockbuster offerings as interest in our economy continues to grow,” he said. These “promising developments” underscore the importance of rapidly developing the Philippines’ capital markets through reforms that would encourage financial deepening and a broadbased and inclusive financial system fit for the 21st century, Dominguez said. The share price of Monde Nissin closed at P13.48 on Tuesday, down 0.15 percent from its maiden share offering price of P13.50. Monde Nissin chief executive Henry Soesanto said in a news briefing following the company’s listing ceremony the alternative meat business was expected to grow exponentially over the next 10 years. He said this scenario prompted Monde Nissin to conduct an initial public offering amid the pandemic. “We want to have the funds ready as early as now to develop our capacity because the alternative meat business is expected to growth exponentially,” Soesanto said. With Jenniffer B. Austria

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Tuesday it expects “hypercompetition” in the home broadband space over the next two years as more consumers want internet connectivity. “Definitely, it’s going to be hyper competitive because everyone wants internet, everyone wants fiber. It’s going to be a Red Sea out there in terms of competition,” Darius Delgado, head of Globe At Home, said in a virtual briefing. “So let the best partner operator win and we believe an operator cannot win on speed alone, it cannot win on fiber alone. It’s a total proposition that goes beyond speed and connectivity and that’s how we’re differentiating in the market,” he added. The Philippines’ broadband penetration rate stands at 40 percent. Globe’s total home broadband subscribers recently breached the 4 million mark, while rival PLDT Inc. had 3.3 million broadband subscribers. Converge ICT Solutions Inc. had 1.18 million subscribers. Darwin G. Amojelar

FPH wins gold at Asian awards FIRST Philippine Holdings Corp. bagged a gold award for the company’s maiden entry to the 6th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards held recently in Singapore by CSRWorks International, a Singapore-based sustainability services firm. First Philippine Holdings’ 2020 Integrated Report earned the gold or the highest award in the Best Integrated Report (First Time) Category during the exclusive Singapore event held last month that was broadcast live in a virtual setting due to the ongoing pandemic. ASRA, which is considered the most prestigious international awards for corporate reporting, drew in its latest staging more than 250 senior business leaders and sustainability practitioners from 20 countries and dignitaries from academe, embassies, trade associations and advocacy organizations. An independent panel of judges reviewed 494 entries received from 17 countries across 19 award categories. Of these entries, 102 companies from 14 countries made it to the finals, while the intensely contested final round produced 39 winners, including a Report of the Year award. “First Philippine Holdings Corp. report shows exceptional leadership in transparent reporting of its sustainability performance and reflects its readiness for a resilient future,” said Rajesh Chhabara, managing director and founder of CSRWorks.

Prolonged downturn pressures seen weighing on PH banks’ credit profiles

CAVITEX REHABILITATION. Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., the concessionaire of the Manila-Cavite Expressway, and joint venture partner, the Philippine Reclamation Authority, announce the completion of a P78-million heavy maintenance project on critical portions of the expressway. Started in February this year, the project entailed rehabilitation and repair of road surface distresses such as pavement fractures, distortions and disintegration along Longos, Bacoor entry and exit to Cavitex and 1-km portion of the mainline carriageway of Wawa Bridge to Zapote Interchange. Roy Tomandao

SMC unit taps ABB, Wartsila for energy storage By Alena Mae S. Flores

IN BRIEF

pleted in 2022. Meanwhile, Wärtsilä signed multiple energy storage contracts with SMC Global Power through subsidiary Universal Power Solutions Inc. in the past two years. The first two projects, Integrated Renewable Power Hub-Toledo and BCCPP in Limay, Bataan achieved final commissioning in May. The projects have a capacity of 20 MW and 40 MW, respectively. “Battery energy storage systems are transforming the market, driving wider adoption of renewable energy solutions, and helping to improve grid performance across the globe,” said Alessandro Palin, president of ABB’s distribution solutions division.

GLOBAL debt watcher Fitch Ratings said Tuesday the continued weakness of the Philippine economy will impact banks’ near-term business prospects and could weigh on their standalone credit profiles. “Banks face a challenging operating environment as the country enters a second year of heightened unemployment and economic downturn. This is reflected in significant deterioration in banking asset quality and very high credit costs over the past year, and a muted profitability outlook over the next 12-18 months,” Fitch said in a report. It said while most major domestic banks weathered the crisis relatively well so far, their viability ratings might come under pressure as the slowdown increasingly proved to be protracted. The Philippine economy posted a fifth quarter of GDP contraction in the first quarter this year when it declined by 4.2 percent following a 9.6-percent contraction in 2020, the worst since the

end of World War 2. Unemployment rate continued to be the highest in Southeast Asia at 7.1 percent as of March 2021. “Economic performance has lagged regional peers’ since third quarter of 2020 and fell short of our expectations in the past year. Fitch now expects a considerably shallower economic recovery in 2021 than in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said. “The weaker economic outlook translates to diminished revenue growth opportunities for banks, as credit demand remains muted and asset yields are capped by excess liquidity amid a dovish monetary policy,” it said. “Revenue tail winds that underpinned banks’ pre-provisioning profits in 2020―including major savings on cost of funds and revaluation windfalls on banks’ bond portfolios―are dissipating and we expect revenue growth to be lackluster until at least mid-2022,” it said. Julito G. Rada

Megaworld to construct another 24-story office tower in Taguig By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp. said Tuesday it will construct a new high-rise office building inside its 15.4-hectare Uptown Bonifacio township in Taguig City as demand for office spaces remained robust amid the pandemic. Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 24-story International Finance Center would offer 69,200 square meters of office spaces. The building will be a LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) tower and will also be accredited by Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

It will be listed across Uptown Mall and beside Uptown Parade. It is a twominute walk to the three residential condominium developments of Uptown Bonifacio, and a three-minute walk towards Kalayaan Ave. leading to either Makati City or C5. The tower features six levels of combined podium and basement parking with around 712 slots, and 30 passenger elevators including four parking and two service elevators, ensuring speed and convenience for tenants and employees. “This new office development, which will be PEZA-accredited, sits right at the heart of Uptown Bonifacio, having the most convenient access to the mall,

residential, transport and leisure hubs in a community setting. Soon, this new office tower will have direct access to the Mega Manila Subway and the proposed Skytrain monorail,” said Roland Tiongson, first vice president of Megaworld Premier Offices. This will be Megaworld’s seventh office development in Uptown Bonifacio and will boost gross leasable space on the area to 400,450 square meters. Megaworld is also building Worldwide Plaza, which will be the future headquarters of the Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the leading global banking and financial service provider.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

Wizards stay alive against Sixers; Jazz tame Grizzlies

Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena in Washington. AFP

NCAA mulls athletes’ inoculation THE National Collegiate Athletic Association is leaning on vaccinating its student-athletes in order to be eligible to play. While nothing is cast in stone yet, the league’s Management Committee (ManCom) appeared one in having the inoculation process be part of its eligibility requirements as safety measures for members from the COVID-19 pandemic. ManCom Chairman Fr. Vic Calvo of Letran stressed the pros and cons arising from the issue, especially those who are vocal about not being vaccinated. “Mainit ‘yung discussion namin diyan. Kasi alam ninyo we have to respect the freedom of an individual. But we’re asking our lawyers (right now),” Calvo said in the webcast edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. ManCom member Peter Cayco of Arellano also shared the same position as he joined Calvo in the weekly public sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “We recognize the rights of the students to choose kung magpa-vaccinate sila or not. But we also have to consider the rights of the other students na gustong magpa-vaccinate,” he said, adding the NCAA is just clearing the details with the league’s battery of lawyers in order to avoid any legal issue about the matter. “We’re discussing (it) right now and we’re geared towards including vaccination in the eligibility requirements of the athletes.” While the league respects the rights of every individual, Calvo said it’s imperative for the NCAA to inform their student-athletes about the importance of being vaccinated at this time of the pandemic. “Kaya pinu-push namin ‘yung vaccination information campaign para ‘yung hesitancy ng mga players (mabawasan),” said the ManCom chairman in the same Forum powered by Smart and with Upstream Media as the official webcast partner.

Filipina surfer keeps Olympic hopes alive By Peter Atencio

N

ILBIE Blancada didn’t catch a big wave in the late afternoon women’s heats, but she still managed to hold her own again Europe’s top bet Leticia Canales Bilbao.

The 29-year-old Blancada, a gold medallist in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, placed second behind Canales-Bilbao, in the second round of the 2021 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games short board action in El Salvador. With the swells going below six feet in the afternoon, Blancada tallied a decent 6.53 points to become the only Filipino bet to reach the third round with an unblemished record. Canales-Bilbao, a 13-year veteran from Spain, racked up 9.33 points to take the lead, with world no. 45 Rheanne Rosenbaum of Canada in third with 6.16 points.

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Despite Blancada’s low score, she remained on course for an Olympic qualification slot in the women’s action. National team officials said Filipino surfers had a tough day, with waves not picking up to ideal heights of more than 6 feet for most of the day. So far, Filipe Toledo continued his strong showing for Team Brazil, which saw his teammates Gabriel Medina, Italo Ferreira, and Tatiana WestonWebb also advancing to the third round. Toledo earned the highest heat total with 17.7 points. John Mark Tokong, the highest-ranking Filipino surfer in the world tour, was among four Filipinos, who were

eliminated from the heats and relegated to the repechage rounds. Repechage allows surfers to get a second chance to advance to the Grand Finals via another route. Surfers who lose in the repechage event are eliminated. Ferreira, ranked no. 2 in the World Surfing League this year, topped Heat 43 in the men’s division (13.93), with Asia’s no. 2 and 2019 SEA Games silver medallist Rio Waida of Indonesia in second with 12.26 points. Tokong, who is 49th in the WSL’s Asian rankings, settled for third with 6.57. “Si Tokong, medyo nalamangan siya sa experience ni Italo at Rio sa wave selection,” said team members in a message to the Manila Standard. Also relegated to the repechage rounds were Edito Alcala Jr. and Rogelio Esquivel Jr. in the men’s side and Daisy Valdez in the women’s action. Alcala placed third behind British bet Stanley Norman and Joan Duru.

LOS ANGELES—Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal proved to be too much to handle Monday as the Washington Wizards stayed alive in the NBA playoffs by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 122-114 in game four at Washington. Westbrook finished with 19 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists, while Beal delivered a game-high 27 points for the Wizards, who avoided being swept in four straight in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series. Beal scored the 1,000th postseason point of his career early in the game, while Westbrook recorded the 12th career triple-double in the playoffs, to move into third place on the all-time list. “I have never been down 3-0 so I be damned if I get out of here without a win,” said Beal. The Sixers lost four-time all-star Joel Embiid with an injury in the first quarter. Embiid hurt his knee after falling on a drive to the basket, leaving him with just eight points on the night after scoring 36 in a game three victory. Philadelphia still holds a 3-1 lead with game five on Wednesday at home. It is an uphill battle for the eighthseeded Wizards. While it has happened in the NHL and Major League Baseball, no NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. Rui Hachimura, of Japan, finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Robin Lopez came off the bench to score 16 for the Wizards. Davis Bertans scored 12 of his 15 points in the first quarter. “We got stops when we needed to,” said Westbrook. “They made some big shots but we rebounded well when we needed to.” Tobias Harris recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, who were bidding for their first sweep of a best-of-seven series since eliminating Milwaukee in 1985. “Each guy thought they had to win the game for us,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. “You’ve still got to play right. Tonight we didn’t play right, on either end.” Hachimura helped the Wizards rediscover their scoring touch on Monday, especially from three-point range. After making just two of 22 threes in game two, and eight of 35 on Saturday, the Wizards hit nineof-24 on Monday. AFP

Cray bags gold at Duval County Challenge ERIC Cray grabbed a gold medal on Sunday (Monday in Manila) after hitting his year’s best 50.4 seconds in the men’s 400-meter hurdles of the Duval County Challenge. It was the 32-year-old Cray’s third gold medal this month after action ended at the Jax Track oval at the Hodges Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida. Cray was ahead of Nigerian Rilwan Alonwole (50.98) and Jordin Andrade of Cape Verde in 51.72 seconds. Last May 1, Cray took the gold medal in topping the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 50.84 seconds during the Corky/Crofoot Shootout Athletics Meet at the Texas Tech University’s Terry and Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex in Lubbock, Texas.

On May 14, Cray clocked 50.77 seconds for the gold at the APU Last Chance meet in Azusa, California. The last time Cray clocked his fastest time was back in 2019 during the Southeast Asian Games, when he took the gold medal in 50.21 seconds. Meanwhile, Kristina Knott finished 15th in the women’s 100-meter heats after submitting a time of 11.5 seconds. The time is not one of Knott’s best, considering that she had 11.28 seconds last April during the LSU Alumni Gold Race in Baton Rouge. In women’s pole vault, Natalie Uy cleared 4.2 meters for share of third place with Jill Marols. Marissa Kalsey’s 4.3-meter effort earned her the gold, with Chloe Cunliffe settling for second at 4.3 meters. Peter Atencio

Eric Cray

Filipino teen yields to BMX veterans in Bogota Patrick Coo

FILIPINO-AMERICAN Patrick Coo didn’t make the grade for cycling’s BMX racing at the Tokyo Olympics but gained so much in terms of experience competing against grizzled veterans at the Union Cycliste Internationale BMX Supercross World Cup in Bogota. “I’m always proud to represent the Philippines in any competitions abroad, I’ll give it another shot,” Coo said on Tuesday. “It’s been my dream and I hope to win a medal for the Philippines. I am proud to be a Filipino.” Coo, only 19, was given the call up to vie in the Olympic qualifier in the Colombian capital, thus foregoing his classification in UCI BMX cycling as an under-23 rider to an elite competitor. He wound up 42nd in a field of 62 riders in Stage 3 of the qualifiers held at the Pista BMX track on Saturday

and was 45th in Stage 4 on Sunday. The Last Chance races also didn’t smile on Coo, the Asian juniors champion two years ago. “It was really a last-minute thing and we did our best,” said Coo, who was accompanied in Bogota by PhilCycling coaches Ednalyn Hualda and Frederick Farr. “I’m so thankful to everyone, especially to Congressman Abraham Tolentino for assembling this really quick.” “We really gave our all. My first World Cup—with a big expectation—I tried to live up to it but it was hard, my best wasn’t good enough,” he added. “Patrick did his best, and I am proud for him for being so,” said PhilCycling head Tolentino, also the Philippine Olympic Committee president. “He’s still young and he’s got a lot of BMX racing ahead of him.”

Coo was the only Filipino—and only Asian—to vie in Bogota. Daniel Caluag, the 2014 Asian Games gold medalist and London 2012 Olympian—skipped the qualifier, saying he’s not in shape as his job as a medical frontliner (nurse) in Kentucky kept him away from training during the pandemic. The California-based Coo said the experience he got from Bogota inspired him to work harder. “Every time I compete in the US, I have a Philippine logo in my jersey uniform,” he said. “I am planning to train and compete at home.” “I have learned that the junior league speed is different in the Olympic qualifying level and we’re going to step up in the next few races,” Coo said. “We really need to develop Patrick because he has the potential,” Hualda said. “He would not be featured on the Olym-

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

IBC’s 1-on-1 tournament showcases ‘skill vs will’ AS the COVID-19 pandemic continuous to sideline indoor events, including team sports, the Isolation Basketball Championship found a perfect way to launch its 1-On-1 Tournament for people from all walks of life. Just recently, the group headed by Justin Tan, chief executive officer and founder of this tournament, tapped players from the National Basketball League and the Women’s NBL, to showcase their individual skills. The players were able to display their ability on isolation plays. Among those Justin Tan who participated were former Barangay Ginebra guard Teytey Teodoro, Arnaud Noah of San Beda, Pampanga’s pride Mark Tamayo, Christopher Lagama of the Quezon Barons, Marvin Baracael and Raymart Amil in the men’s division. In the distaff side, former national women’s basketball team stalwart and Pinay import Allana Lim and La Salle stalwart Snow Peñaranda, bannered the cagebelles. Also seeing action were Jhen Crystelle Angeles, Angelica de Austria, Stephanie Ventura, Nicole Cancio, Jo Razalo, Girly Villflores, Jolina Go and Nicole delos Reyes. “It’s now happening, skill versus will. Ang madalas na sinasabi ng mga tao kapag 1-on-1 tournament, laging advantage ‘yung height. But here, we put more emphasis on the weight of the players. Kung matangkad nga kalaban mo pero kulang sa weight, madali lang siyang maitutulak,” said Tan, also the head coach and team owner of the Mindoro Tamaraws in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Tan also handles the GlutaGence Glowboosters in the NBL and La Salle Greenhills’ boys basketball team. The event also showcased Pinoy’s talent in 1-on-1 tournament as proven by Teodoro’s victory over the Cameroonian Noah, with weight playing a key factor, according to Tan.

Virus disrupts PH Azkals’ plans By Peter Atencio

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EPORTS of COVID-19 infections from the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team, along with the Syrian and Maldives squad, have forced the Chinese Football Association to call off the games of the 2022 Qatar Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 jointqualifier in Suzhou, China. Authorities in China said they are now moving the Group A qualifying games to Dubai at a still unspecified instead of holding it in Suzhou because of the situation. “In view of the recent outbreak of infection in the Maldives and Syria national football teams, according to the relevant provisions of China on the

prevention and control of infectious disease among inbound personnel, the entry of the Maldivian and Syrian teams to participate in the competition need to be strictly isolated and cannot participate as scheduled,” said the CFA in a statement. The Philippine Football Federation confirmed that there are two

to their recent vaccinations while another pair “was told to not enter China because of their recent history as COVID-19 survivors.” “The cancellation of the Group A matches in China PR has left a huge financial impact on the PFF as it needed to cancel the chartered flight at the last minute,” added the PFF in its statement. The PFF is now waiting word from the Asian Football Confederation for a decision on their remaining Group A fixtures. The Azkals were supposed to face Guam on June 3, China on June 9 and the Maldives on June 15. “Our priority remains the health and safety of every individual in the team,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami.

Go lauds move to vaccinate PH athletes By Macon Ramos-Araneta

WORLD BICYCLE DAY AT SM. In celebration of World Bicycle Day on June 3, bike enthusiasts and advocates got together at the iconic SM Mall of Asia globe to highlight the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, and sustainable means of transportation. These included SM Engineering Design and Development president Hans Sy Jr. (third from right), Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Ambassador Luc Veron (third from left), Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor (second from left), and members of the Firefly Brigade led by trustee Jack Yabut (second from right) and chairperson Roselle Leah Rivera (left). The event also served as a send-off for Salubungan sa SM: SamaSama sa Bike Safety, a 1,300-kilometer bike packing tour across Luzon with safety clinics at select SM malls. The SM Mall of Asia was recently cited as Most Bike-Friendly Commercial Establishment in the 2020 Mobility Awards, together with SM City Marikina.

Mustaza elected APUSU president By Graham C. Lim MALAYSIA’S Universiti Teknologi MAR A Sports Director Mustaza Ahmad, who is retiring in September, was elected President of the Asia Pacif ic University Sports Union via an online Zoom meet held on May 27, 2021. Mustaza Ahmad, the former Secretary-General of Malaysian University Sports Federation, was overwhelmingly confirmed by the members of the APUSU Executive Committee, led by Dr. Ekodjatmiko Sukarso of Indonesia; Yutaka Misutani of Japan; Prof. Robert Milton Calo of the Philippines; Taschai Sansanapitayakorn from the Kingdom of Thailand; Fujita Masahiro of Japan’s NSSU; Bou Chum Serey of Cambodia; Park Hyun Mo from Korea; Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed Mughal of Pakistan; Mu Jian of China; Senarath Alwis from Sri Lanka and Leey Sabree of Brunei. Alvin Tai Lian of the Philippines was given the highest honor as President

team officials who have tested positive for COVID-19. Because of this the Azkals will now have to extend their stay and their training camp in Doha, Qatar. The Azkals were supposed to take a chartered flight to Shanghai last Sunday. But the delegation was barred from leaving Doha at the last minute, according to the statement. “As a requirement before taking that flight, the delegation underwent two RT PCR tests in the last 72 hours, the results of which all returned negative,” said the team in a statement. According to reports, none of the team members tested positive in the RT PCR tests, But two members tested positive in the IGM Antibodies probably due

APUSU’s Mustaza Ahmad (left), with then president Tai Lian and VP Baldomero Estenzo during the inaugural polls in 2016 held in Bangkok.

Emeritus, while Dr. Sukarso, Mizutani, and Sansanapitayakorn were elected as Vice Presidents, respectively. Graham C. Lim was unanimously elected as the APUSU Secretar yGeneral/ CEO. Other personages elected to the Executive Committee were Purna Singh

Bohara of Nepal and Eugene Chow from Singapore. The Committee also named Philippines’ Maria Cecilia Sarmiento as treasurer, replacing Sansanapitayakorn. The members of the APUSU Executive Committee for the term 2021-

2025 are the following: President (Malaysia) Prof. Mustaza Ahmad; President Emeritus (Philippines) AlvinTai Lian; Vice President (Indonesia) Dr. Ekodjatmiko Sukarso; Vice President (Japan) Misutani Yutaka; Vice President (Thailand) Taschai Sansanapitayakorn; Secretary General/CEO (United Nations) Graham C. Lim; Treasurer (Philippines) Maria Cecilia Sarmiento; and Executive Members (Korea) Park Hyun Mo; (Philippines) Prof. Robert Milton A. Calo (Brunei) Leey Sabree; (Japan) Fujita Masahiro; (Cambodia) Bou Chum Serey; (Pakistan) Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed Mughal; (China) Mu Jian; (Sri Lanka) Senarath Alwis; (Nepal)Purna Singh Bohara and (Singapore) Eugene Chow. The Induction of the APUSU Officers will be held at the Ministry of Sports in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in late November or early December this year, when the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic are lifted by the proper authority. The APUSU was founded in 2015, headquarters is located at the Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

THE government’s efforts to include Filipino athletes and other delegates competing or participating in the upcoming Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in priority list for COVID-19 vaccination the both this year is laudable, said Sen. Christopher Go. The Philippine Olympic Committee has initiated on Saturday, May 29 the COVID-19 vaccination drive for the national athletes competing in the said competitions. Among those who have already been vaccinated is Filipino rower Cris Nievarez, who will represent the country in the Tokyo Olympics. Members of the national volleyball and basketball teams, POC staff, and officials have also been inoculated. Aside from the athletes, coaches, staff and sports media have also been given their doses. A “no vaccine, no participation” policy has recently been enforced by the organizers of the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi which will be held from November 21 to December 2. Citing the previous SEA Games, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, noted that athletes bring pride to the country and give Filipinos a sense of unity. Go also emphasized that this is not merely about competition but is also a source of livelihood for athletes and other sports professionals, especially those who come from poor communities. Currently, national athletes are preparing for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics where they hope to bag the country’s first gold medal. They will also be participating in the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam to defend the Philippines’ championship title, and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in Thailand in May next year. At the height of the pandemic, Go urged the PSC to speed up the release of the allowances of the national athletes amid the pandemic. He also urged the government to provide other forms of assistance to support national athletes and coaches especially those who are preparing for international competitions.

Sangalang makes finals of The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition FILIPINO bet Louie Sangalang is in the finals of The Apprentice:ONE Championship Edition. The 43-year-old procurement consultant is one of two final candidates left standing in the competition, alongside Venezuelan sales director Jessica Ramella. The two bested their competitors Monica Millington of the U.S. and Irina Chadsey of Russia in Episode 11’s business challenge that required the last two pairs to work on concepts that would improve the way nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) could connect with donors and volunteers. Louie and Jessica’s presentation to benefit LOVE, NILS—an international organization that supports children with cancer and their caregivers – bested the Habitat for Humanity concept of Chadsey and Millington. Both pairs used Twilio’s technology to connect with target audiences, with guest judge Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson showing them the way. Twilio is an American cloud communications platform that facilitates communication functions across various channels. Louie and Jessica crafted an AI chatbot using Twilio’s technology to provide emotional and so-

cial support to the patients and their families and also interact with prospective donors. The chatbot enabled the patients and parents to connect with each other and the donors themselves. They named their program Nils’ Pals and gave the name Claire to the chatbot. Nils and Clare are the twin children of LOVE, NILS founder Lesli Berggren. The cause of the NGO hit home for Louie, who dealt with and survived cancer but lost friends and colleagues to the dreaded illness. “Towards my last year in the university, that’s when they found out I had cancer. After surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I started getting better. So this particular business challenge is quite close to my heart because it’s about helping all these cancer patients and cancer survivors. I just want to give back,” he said. Jessica and Louie’s powerful pitch touched the hearts of judges ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship senior vice president Niharika Singh, ONE Group President Hua Fung Teh, and Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson. The authenticity of the pitch left an indelible mark, although the judges still raised concerns on the concept’s financial aspect.

Louie Sangalang: Answered prayers

“Louie has that grit, that resilience, and that calmness about him. And clearly he’s very, very competent if you look at everything he does,” noted Chatri. “He’s very good at problem solving, very good with numbers, very analytical,” added Niharika Singh “But I have also seen his energy go up and down. He has stuck to one role primarily throughout and I’m also wondering if he’s going to be the right fit at ONE Championship.” Such high standards are what’s demanded especially in this high-stakes game of business competitions and physical challenges all for the prize of a $250,000 job offer as Sityodtong’s protégé and chief of staff at the ONE Championship Global Headquarters in Singapore. With one business challenge left, Sangalang knows that what he’s done is not enough, and he truly has to give everything he’s got to be “the one.” Will he win it all for pride and country? The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is showing across Asia on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, with Philippine broadcasts at 8:50 p.m. on Thursdays. The show is also shown on One Sports every Monday at 9 p.m.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

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Unleashing this generation’s pop icons T

HE newest show on TV5, PoPinoy, proves that Filipino talents can give foreign bands a run for their money. Not convinced? Catch the primer on June 6, Sunday, 8:00 p.m. on TV5, a week before its grand launch on June 13, Sunday, hosted by Maine Mendoza and Paolo Ballesteros.

Hosts Maine Mendoza and Paolo Ballesteros join headhunter Maja Salvador in ‘PoPinoy,’ TV5’s newest talent reality program.

Kapamilya launches special station ID ABS-CBN has unveiled “Feel Good Pilipinas,” a special station ID that features stories of Filipinos who continue to fight amid challenges of the pandemic. Launched on May 30 on ABS-CBN’s different platforms, the special station ID showcases Kapamilya stars from the different shows including ASAP Natin ‘To, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, G Diaries, He’s Into Her, Huwag Kang Mangamba, Iba ‘Yan!, Init sa Magdamag, It’s Showtime, Magandang Buhay, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan, Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 3, Aja! Aja! Tayo sa Jeju, Real Talk: The Heart of the Matter, and We Rise Together, together with TV Patrol and TeleRadyo anchors and the MOR Entertainment MORkada. Also in the video are stars from shows that viewers enjoyed like Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, Bagong Umaga, PBB Connect, and Walang Hanggang Paalam, and programs they are waiting for such as La Vida Lena, Marry Me, Marry You, and The Broken Marriage Vow. “Feel Good Pilipinas” first spread light

and joy last May 16 with the launch of the dance video and dance challenge. It aims to break the monotony of pandemic life, spread cheer, and get Filipinos grooving even from inside their homes. Among those that have joined the dance challenge are delivery riders, employees, and many Kapamilyas around the country and the world. Lawrence Arvin Sibug and Robert Labayen of ABS-CBN Creative Communication Management (CCM) division wrote the lyrics of the song while Thyro Alfaro and Francis Salazar composed the music. Bringing life to the new anthem are KZ Tandingan and Mikki Claver, JL Toreliza, Akira Morishita, Nate Porcalla, and Gelo Rivera of P-pop sensation BGYO. Mickey Perz choreographed the dance challenge. “Feel Good Pilipinas” Special ID is available on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, ABS-CBN Entertainment website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel, and other ABSCBN platforms.

Witness how up and coming boy bands and girl groups vie for the top spot to be the ultimate Pinoy Pop idols in this parallel competition. Yes, scoot over and make room, K-pop stars, because big P-Pop talents are ready to take center stage. More than just your average talent search, this new show moreover, holds the distinction of being the ultimate reality show chronicling the journey of aspiring new talents; from their humble beginnings, their exacting training, and right up to when they take center-stage in the grand finale concert. Tasked with the all-important job of honing the aspirants into world-class performers is a rock-solid list of mentors

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES IN HIS recent interview with Bianca Gonzalez in Cinema News, Piolo Pascual revealed that if ever ABS-CBN offered him to be part of its remake of the popular drama series Doctor Foster opposite perennial screen partner Judy Ann Santos, he wouldn’t have reservations about committing to the project. This, despite his pronouncement two years back that he doesn’t want to do soaps anymore. “If only to get the chance to work with Juday once again. Actually, I was talking to my friends about it and I knew the casting long before. I guess it would be a nice comeback vehicle for Juday and me if ever considering that our last screen project together was Don’t Give Up On Us, which was shown in 2006,” he said. “If Juday accepted it, then I’d say yes. I’d do it in a heartbeat. It would be nice to work with her again. I don’t deny the fact that I owe her a lot, plus I’m one of her biggest fans. Juday is Juday. If there’s a chance for us to work again, I’ll always leave my door open,” Piolo added. As everybody knows now, the plum roles went to Jodi Sta. Maria and Zanjoe Marudo. And Piolo was just happy for them to snatch the project. “I guess, it wasn’t meant for us. I wish

and guest judges. The PoPinoy mentors or headhunters Maja Salvador, Jay R, DJ Loonyo, and Kayla Rivera. While waiting for the main show on weekends, viewers can also watch upcoming supporting content for PoPinoy: “Idols of Pinoy Pop: Manila Sound to KPop,” a one-episode documentary by Lourd de Vera premieres on June 6 at 8:00 p.m. on TV5 and 9:30 p.m.on Colours; “PoPinoy All Access”, a streaming show that airs on weekdays, across all TNT and Popinoy’s social media platforms, features exclusive behind-the-scenes, auditions, and an all-access backstage pass; and “POPDates,” a recap show of the day’s highlights airs on weekdays at 9:30 p.m. beginning June 14, both hosted by Anikka dela Cruz. To help mount PoPinoy, TV5 is teaming up with telco brand TNT, which has been known for championing local talent and Pinoy pride. "Through our partnership with TV5, we aim to give our talented artists a platform to shine and fulfill their dreams while celebrating our original and rapidly-evolving Pinoy Pop music." said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. TNT will also launch its online show, TNT POP Show, hosted by Darren Espanto. It will feature exclusive PoPinoy content such as behind-thescenes, interesting stories by aspirants, and fun games, among others.

Is Piolo missing in action?

With three movies in the pipeline, Piolo Pascual is excited to share his projects with his fans.

Jodi and Zanjoe the best of luck. I’m sure they’ll do justice to their respective roles,” Piolo stated. Since the TV5 variety show Noontime Live bid television goodbye, Piolo has not been very visible which is why many of his fans ask what’s keeping the goodlooking actor busy these days. “Actually, it’s only in television that I’m not that visible. I was never away, I took my time. I guess I just skipped the boob tube. My first love, my passion has always been the movies. I love films and that’s my priority,” the actor said adding that he has three movies in the pipeline. “Hopefully, before the year ends, I’ll be able to finish them all. I also finished a couple of movies that just await release. Like the one I did opposite Alessandra de Rossi. She’s in tip-top shape if I may say so. She directed, produced, and wrote the project. Her talent is really exceptional,” he said. Piolo is excited about his movie with Jasmine Curtis-Smith titled, Real Life Fiction, which is directed by Paul Soriano. Filming wrapped up in August last year and will be streamed soon. “Then, there’s the film I did with Brillante Mendoza which is supposedly intended for our country’s Centennial celebration. The movie isn’t finished yet though I’m already done with my part. So you see making films is simply my priority. I’m really gearing towards doing movies at this point,” ended Piolo. Read full story on manilastandard.net

Isko and Iska of UPLB honor GMA Network Kapamilya love teams and cast of ‘ASAP Natin ‘To’ in ABS-CBN's special station ID.

Tougher laws vs online content piracy GLOBE supports the creation and activation of tougher legislation that will address online content piracy, which strips billions off legitimate content providers. As an internet service provider (ISP) and content creator itself, Globe believes that a law that ensures a cohesive and solid stand against the problem needs to be enacted. Piracy is a serious problem in the Philippines. One of its recent victims was the Metro Manila Film Festival, which was held on a virtual platform last year. As soon as the films became available online, pirated copies were sold for P10 each versus the ticket price of P250. This left the 2020 MMFF with only P19 million in revenue as compared to the P995 million earned in 2019. Speaking at the “Philippines in View” webinar conducted by the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Globe Telecom, represented by its Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, supports the creation and activation of tougher legislation that will address online content piracy.

Crisanto said: “The impact of piracy, not just to the economy but also to the lives and jobs of the people in this industry, is really huge. We see younger customers being more conscientious in avoiding illegal content but that's not going to end it. We still need an enabling law.” In the absence of such a law, Globe and other ISPs decided to work with government agencies, particularly the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in crafting an appropriate site-blocking mechanism that will put more teeth in the fight against cyber pirates. “We are hoping that within this year, we’re going to have a draft set (of the Memorandum of Understanding) for approval before the NTC and the different stakeholders,” Atty. Ann Edilon, Head of the IPOPHL Enforcement Office confirmed in the panel. Read full story on manilastandard.net

ON-AIR and online, GMA Network is still the top choice of the Isko and Iska as various Kapuso personalities and programs were recognized at the Gandingan 2021: The 15th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multimedia Awards held virtually on May 22. Earning core awards were GMA News and Public Affairs personalities Atom Araullo and Kara David. Atom was conferred the Gandingan ng Edukasyon for The Atom Araullo Specials while Kara was honored with the Gandingan ng Kababaihan for Brigada. Meanwhile, GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz received a Special Citation in Gandingan ng Agham at Tekhnoholiya for the network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras. Winning another set of awards this year is the network’s regional arm GMA Regional TV (RTV). Its flagship unified newscast in Central and Eastern Visayas GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak won the Most DevelopmentOriented Feature Story on its two-part feature about an outpatient doctor who contracted the COVID-19 yet still opted to go back to work after recovering. At the same time, award-winning and top-rating unified weekday newscast in North Central Luzon GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan took home the Most Development-Oriented Investigative Story award on Magat Dam in relation to its effects on the surrounding communities during Typhoon Ulysses. Gandingan also honored several features and videos produced by GMA News Online. Winning the Most Development-Oriented Online Video award was “Bakit Mahirap Maging Mahirap sa Luzon Lockdown.” Meanwhile, Special Citations were given to “The Children Are All Grown Up Now” in the Most DevelopmentOriented Online News category; Howie

GMA News and Public Affairs’ Atom Araullo and Kara David

Severino’s “I Am Patient 2828” in the Most Development-Oriented Feature Article category; and “The People Who Need Philhealth The Most” by renowned documentary photographer Rick Rocamora in the Most DevelopmentOriented Photograph/Photo Story. For the radio category, Mark Makalalad won as Best Field Reporter for his “DZBB Bantay COVID-19 Special Coverage” in Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz. Further, Barangay Love Stories and Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! host Papa Dudut earned the Best FM Radio Program Host while Barangay Love Stories’ “Whitey” episode about an ordinary dog with an extraordinary story was named as the Most Development-Oriented Radio Drama. Still under radio, receiving Special Citations were Barangay LS 97.1 in the Most Development-Oriented FM Station category and Talk To Papa's “Rosie," a story on building a relationship with someone from miles away and the struggles that come along with it, won in the Most Development-Oriented FM Program category. The network’s “Signs & Symptoms of COVID-19” was recognized as the Most

Development-Oriented TV Plug. The project was a partnership between GMA's Program Support Department and the Network's socio-civic arm, GMA Kapuso Foundation. Drama anthology Magpakailanman earned a Special Citation as the Most Development-Oriented Drama Program for its timely episode entitled “Walang Iwanan: The Layug Family Story." The episode, which starred real-life couple Nonie and Sharmaine Buencamino with Rita Daniela, pays homage to all Filipino families and frontline workers all over the world. Capping off the list of winners was the Network's all-original Filipino singing competition The Clash, which was awarded a Special Citation as the Most Development-Oriented Musical Segment/ Program for its "Laban Kung Laban" episode during the second season. With the theme “Midya: Kaagapay ng Bayan sa Pagharap sa Krisis sa Pampublikong Kalusugan,” this year’s awards recognized the efforts of media workers who strive to keep the public abreast of factual news and information amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Life

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

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FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

CLEAN IS IN. Beauty products tagged as ‘clean’ are those that do not use natural or synthetic ingredients unsafe for people and the environment.

What constitutes a ‘clean’ personal care product? By Monica Sanchez

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OT toxins and harmful ingredients, that’s for sure.

According to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website goop, “clean products are made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health”. The term “clean” is used by brands to signal that their products do not have unsafe ingredients, may it be natural or synthetic. Since there’s currently no formal regulation of clean beauty or which product can claim the “clean” tag, the consensus in the industry is that the term refers to products that use natural and synthetic ingredients as long as they are safe for people and the planet. Several brands promoting their clean products are also beginning to do away with harmful packaging, incorporating recycled plastic or paper into the whole package to lessen waste. Wellness and beauty store Watsons recognizes brands that were mindfully created to better serve its customers and the planet. According to the store,

Experts recommend checking the product’s ingredient list before purchasing.

“clean” products do not contain 10 ingredients it recognizes as harmful and unwanted. Hydroquinone—used for skin lightening that may cause skin discoloration. Triclosan—used a preservative that may cause hormone disruption. Triclocarban—used a preservative that may cause hormone disruption. Quaternium-15—used as a preservative that may cause skin allergies. Chloroacetamide—used as preservative that may cause skin allergies.

Phthalates—used as a fragrance ingredient that may cause hormone disruption. O-Phenylphenol—used as a preservative and fragrance ingredient that may cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Borates—used as an emulsifier or preservative that may cause skin irritation and hormone disruption. Methylene Glycol—used as a preservative that may be carcinogenic. Microplastics—used as an exfoliator which also absorb toxins in the water and hazardous to marine life. For those interested in using clean beauty products, experts recommend checking the ingredient list before purchasing. Studies on natural and synthetic ingredients used in skincare and cosmetics are continuous, so better to be updated on which is harmful and which is not. Further, there are several apps (Think Dirty, INCI Beauty, Detox Me, etc.) as well as websites (CosDNA, Environmental Working Group, Beautypedia, Skincarisma, etc.) that help consumers check the ingredients used in beauty products. Watsons carries a number of brands and products tagged as Clean Beauty, including hair care brands Naturals by Watsons, Herbal Essences, and Nanny Roses; personal care brands such as Dove, Nivea, and Palmolive; and skincare products from Aveeno, Thayers, QuickFX, and Luxe Organix. Shoppers can head to a Watsons store near them or shop online at watsons.com.ph or through the Watsons mobile app or via select stores’ call and delivery service.

The bright colors of Lacoste’s autumn/winter 2021 collection pop in photographs Sam Rock shot at Front de Seine in Paris.

Fashion meets architecture THE modern Front de Seine in Paris’ 15th district provides a striking backdrop for the presentation of Lacoste’s autumn/ winter 2021-22 collection designed by Louise Trotter. Photographed by Sam Rock against its sweeping architectural landmarks – a clash of grids and curves, concrete, bricks, tiles, and glass – the season’s playful exchange of graphic sport codes and remixed classics appears in sharp relief. With a swatch card of bright shades grounded in muted neutrals, the collection tricks the eye with blown-up and shrunken proportions, unexpected fabrications, and the emergence of comic Lacoste characters. The signature house crocodile is reborn larger than life, as archive claw patches and bold croc heads create a new iconography alongside flaming tennis balls, a tennis net shadow check, and an L-shaped varsity logo.

The concept of the tracksuit and twinset is subverted in multiple ways for men and women, as trompe l’oeil shirting, cardigans and jogging pants are all cut in cotton piqué – the keystone material of the Lacoste polo shirt – to create subtly matching sports ensembles. Tailoring reflects the sartorial heritage of founder René Lacoste, as the smooth enveloping lines of pea coats, varsity jackets, overcoats, and trenches are tweaked for today with knit collars, bonding for bounce, and light nylon quilting. Evolving the upcycled design process of recent seasons, shell suits, puffer coats, and quilted liners are reconstructed from a patchwork of vintage and deadstock Lacoste fabrics, creating new geometries in classic sport shapes. Check out the collection at lacoste.com. ph or ssilife.com.ph. Lacoste is located in leading malls nationwide.

VANITY CORNER

Cult-favorite Japanese skincare brand releases whitening range THE brand known for its hydrating facial lotion, securing the top spot in Japan for 13 consecutive years, has released in the Philippines its premium whitening range. Hada Labo first brought to the country its hydrating range, including the aforementioned facial lotion, in 2019. Its second collection now available here at home, Hada Labo Premium Whitening Range consists of Premium Whitening Lotion, Arbutin Whitening Face Wash, and the Premium Whitening Trial Set (12g Premium Whitening Face Wash, 30ml Premium Whitening Lotion, and 14g Premium Whitening Cream). The Hada Labo Premium Whitening Range combines three types of hyaluronic acid and natural and gentle brightening ingredients arbutin and vitamins C phosphate and E to deeply hydrate and brighten skin tone. According to the brand, its active ingredient, tranexamic acid, addresses skin discoloration problems such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and redness. The range has no mineral oil, alcohol, colorants, and fragrances. The range’s flagship product, the

The Hada Labo Premium Whitening Range trial set consists of 12g Premium Whitening Face Wash, 30ml Premium Whitening Lotion, and 14g Premium Whitening Cream.

whitening lotion helps skin retain moisture and brighten and prevent dark spots. With a watery consistency, it is used after cleansing and before moisturizing. The whitening range’s face wash removes dirt from pores while purifying skin for a clearer, brighter complexion. Its arbutin and plant extracts help restore and optimize skin’s evenness. It is skin pH balanced for low irritation. Hada Labo’s whitening range is now available at Watsons physical and online stores, and on Mentholatum’s flagship store on Shopee and Lazada.

Buy a phone, get beauty products (or vice versa) Watsons’ Clean Beauty products available in its stores nationwide include (from top left) QuickFX All-in-one Cream, Zenutrients Gugo Strengthening Shampoo, Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion, and Nanny Rose and Herbal Essences hair products.

SPOTTED

BTS dons Alexander McQueen in interview

BTS in Alexander McQueen menswear AW21 collection.

SMOOTH like butter, looking dapper. Fresh from their win at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, global phenomenon BTS greeted their fans in style. Bagging the Top Social Artist Award for the fifth consecutive year, the boys looked dapper in pieces from Alexander McQueen’s autumn/ winter 2021 collection at their recent YouTube and TikTok appearances. BTS went up against K-pop groups BLACKPINK and Seventeen, Ariana Grande, and Filipino boy band SB19 for this year’s Top Social Artist Award.

XIAOMI Philippines and blk cosmetics’ ongoing summer promotion on Lazada gives phone buyers a chance to win skincare products, and skincare customers a chance to win a new phone.

Xiaomi and blk cosmetics team up on a summer promo on Lazada.

Those who will purchase a Mi 11 Lite, or a Redmi 9A, or a Redmi 9C can win a blk fridge set, a beauty fridge containing blk Fresh: Sunkissed essentials and two Fresh face masks, and an LED mirror with three light settings. A minimum spend of P999 also rewards customers with a P100 blk cosmetics voucher. Meanwhile, a Mi 11 Lite smartphone is up for grabs for those who will buy a blk: Fresh Sunkissed Set. Available in Boba Black, Peach Pink, and Bubblegum Blue color options, Mi 11 Lite is designed with advanced technologies and a super comfortable, ultra-lightweight and delicate feel. The phone features a 6.55” AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and is equipped with Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 732G and a 4250mAh battery and 33W fast charging capacity. The promo runs today until June 3.