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Deleting socmed accounts not enough to escape tax By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Sunday tax authorities would still go after social media influencers, even if they had deleted their social media accounts, to make sure they pay taxes to the government. Reports said some media influencers have deleted their social media accounts following the government's recent announcement that they would be taxed because they earned money from their

social media activities. "We will still go after them whether or not they have a social media account because if they earned money, and we have evidence that they had money, they have to pay the tax. Everybody has to pay tax whatever the source of your income is," Dominguez said in an online briefing. Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao said based on Bureau of Internal Revenue data, 105 media influencers or content creators have Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 238 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NCR likely low risk by end-Oct. OCTA sees herd immunity showing results, cites drop in infections, hospital utilization By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Othel V. Campos and Willie Casas

COVID BREAD. A baker in San Andres, Manila inspects some bread shaped like the COVID-19 virus to test its appeal on Sunday -- but at the end of the day, nobody wanted to buy the novelty item. Danny Pata

Supreme Court voids audit of BIR men By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has nullified tax audits or investigation of taxpayers by revenue officers who are not mandated or authorized to do so. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the SC ruled that tax audits or investigations could only be done by revenue officers authorized under a letter of authority (LOA) issued by the

2,666,562 12,159

90,927

39,624

119

2,536,011 27,727 (As of 4 PM, OCTOBER 10)

commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or his or her duly authorized representatives. The SC made the ruling as it dismissed the petition filed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) against the 2018 CTA ruling. The ruling invalidated the BIR’s P16.2 million assessment of deficiency value-added tax for 2006 issued against

NDEPENDENT researchers tracking the coronavirus pandemic said Metro Manila might be classified as a low risk for COVID-19 by the end of October as they no longer see a variant of concern that can enter the country.

In an interview on ABS-CBN Manila now has a reproductive number TeleRadyo, OCTA Research Group of 0.6 percent and a positivity rate of 13 fellow Guido David said they also expect percent. hospital occupancy to decline as Metro The Philippines is currently considered

at moderate risk from the coronavirus despite a continued decline in infections, according to the Health Department. Infections in the past two weeks fell by 21%, while the average daily attack rate was 14.73 for 100,000 people, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told an online news briefing. The reproductive number is the number of people who can be infected by a single virus patient, while the positivity rate is the percentage of people tested that are found positive for the coronavirus. "Within this week, there might be

‘Maring’ moves up north, may become typhoon By Rio N. Araja THE provincial government of Cagayan has suspended classes from preschool to senior high school for today as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in several areas in northern Luzon due to Tropical Storm “Maring.” Signal No. 2 was also raised over Isabela, Kalinga and Ilocos Norte as Maring was moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Cagayan, Next page

MORE DOSES. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Heather Variava, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy (first and second from left) welcome the arrival of 918,450 doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the US government through COVAX at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Sunday. Avito Dalan

STAR OF HOPE. A medical staffer hangs a small Christmas star lantern at the window of the Manila Field Hospital at the Luneta grandstand in the capital on Sunday. Meanwhile, a big tarpaulin for health protocol awareness hangs at the entrance passage of Kamuning Market in Quezon City, showing that the COVID-19 is still present despite declining numbers in Metro Manila. Norman Cruz and Manny Palmero

BBM wants salaries ‘Sara just needs big Leni leans on Pinoys’ Dutiful ‘Bato’ follows of frontliners raised push from dad to run’ ‘overwhelming’ help party’s call to file bid FORMER Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" M a r c o s wants to raise the salaries of nurses and healthcare workers across the country as part of his "TawidCovid, Beyond Covid" program if he is elected President in the 2022 elections. In a statement, Next page

DAVAO Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio just needed a "big push" from her father to run for President, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said late Saturday in a radio interview. "There is only one key for her running —President (Rodrigo) Duterte Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Rio N. Araja NOT having enough money to bankroll a presidential camcam paign, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she is banking on the overwhelming support of the people. Next page

IT WOULD be good to have a military man as the next Chief Executive, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a television program on Friday night. That’s partly the Next page

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

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Pinay nurse dies after assault in NY

individuals on the loose in New York City," the Consulate General said. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. already asked Philippine Consul General in New York Elmer Cato to help the victim's family. "Oh my God. Elmer, go to the family. How can we help. We can take her home.

That is our vow and our duty. This is so sad. And after Biden praised our nurses for their compassionate, competent, caring work," Teodoro said in a tweet. Cato, meanwhile, said he already got in touch with the victim's family and conveyed their condolences, and offered their assistance. Ambrocio had just visited the Philippine Consulate General on Friday afternoon and was walking with a fellow Filipino near Times Square when the suspect knocked her down, it said. "Maria was walking with a kababayan near Times Square after visiting the Philip-

pine Consulate General when she was struck by the suspect who was reportedly being chased after grabbing a mobile phone from someone," the Philippine Consulate General said in a Facebook post. Ambrocio had been placed on life support since Friday. "Maria’s passing was announced shortly after she was removed from life support a few hours ago. She had been on life support for the head trauma she sustained on Friday afternoon after she was knocked down by someone who was described as a mentally disturbed homeless man," it said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the NCR posted a twoweek decline in new cases. If the NCR maintains the downward trend and controls the transmission of the coronavirus, residents may experience more relaxed quarantine restrictions by Christmas, Vergeire said. Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 from Sept. 16 to Oct. 15, allowing establishments like restaurants, barbershops, hair salons, and spas to operate for up to 30 percent of their outdoor capacity. On the other hand, Vergeire said, the DOH observed an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Bicol Region, Mimaropa, and Zamboanga Peninsula. She said Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos Region also remained at high-risk case classification. Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) called for more antigen facilities across the country, where on-site and hybrid workers can test for COVID infection, at least once a week, and increase the confidence level of all economic sectors to continue the reopening of more businesses. “Like what we are seeing in other countries, this is where we should be headed as we reopen (the economy). We should have more antigen testing facilities and it will be up to the working citizens to have testing on their own twice a week,” he said. He noted there has been more reopening in other countries when they asked the working class to have themselves tested once or twice a week. Lopez said it was important to have at least antigen testing if RT-PCR tests are not available or accessible. “In other countries, they make antigen kits available for free. We’re not yet at that stage, but we hope as we go along, we’ll have the capacity to do that, in the future,” he added.

Free antigen testing is not yet in the DOH budget, he said. Right now, Lopez said, the government is looking at ways to have paid isolation leaves. “This is where the government budget is going into,” he said. “What’s happening right now is that infected workers were trying to hide their conditions to be able to continue working. And this contributes to the surge. If they are assured of paid isolation leaves, we will have a healthier working force that will continue the gains of sectors that have reopened. Economic recovery will be expedited and going back to pre-pandemic levels will be easier,” Lopez said. He added that the government will have to discuss and work out an arrangement with the private sector, should they agree to the proposal. Also on Sunday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said her agency is looking to cut the cost of RTPCR tests for domestic tourists to make travel more affordable to everyone. The government has gradually eased travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said Sunday the country has sufficient storage capacity for the vaccines that are arriving. Galvez made this remark as he and other officials welcomed the latest delivery of 1,363,300 doses of the US-made Moderna vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City Saturday afternoon. “Yes, we have an adequate storage capacity for our vaccines, we conducted an inventory of our storage freezers with negative 70 and 80 capacity, and we found out that we can safely store between 28 [million] and 30 million vaccines [requiring low handling temperatures])," he said in an interview with reporters. Galvez also said the DOH is now coordinating with regions, provinces, and

municipalities to hasten their vaccination programs to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines are not wasted. Galvez said of the new shipment of Moderna vaccines, 885,700 were procured by the government while 477,600 doses were bought by the private sector represented by port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) through a trilateral agreement. "This is a remarkable development in the vaccine supply in the country. As we call it, this is now our harvest time. For the past few days, the country has been receiving 1.5 million doses of vaccine on a daily average," Galvez, who is also the vaccine czar, said. He said 14.25 million doses of vaccine were delivered from Oct. 1 to 9, a massive improvement compared to the situation months ago when the country had to rely on donations from other countries and organizations to supply life-saving jabs to the people. US Embassy Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs Zeenat Syed said the American government was elated that the vaccines they have delivered would help millions of Filipinos be protected against the dreaded illness. "The United States is very proud that US vaccines are supporting the government's vaccination effort and that they are helping vaccinate millions of Philippine citizens against COVID-19," she said. With the vaccine supply stabilizing, Galvez hopes that more people will let themselves be vaccinated for the country to hit its target of fully vaccinating 50 percent of the 77 million eligible population by year end, and safely reopen the economy. The Philippines has so far received 85,575,600 doses of vaccines since deliveries started in February this year. Of the delivered vaccines, 48,925,516 doses were administered nationwide as of Thursday. More than 26 million people have received their first dose while 22.8 million have been fully vaccinated.

ers should pay income tax and percentage tax or, if applicable, the value-added tax, as mandated under the National Internal Revenue Code and other existing laws. Social media influencers are defined as those who derive their income from YouTube Partner Program; sponsored social and blog posts; display advertising; becoming a brand representative/ambassador; affiliate marketing; co-creating product lines; promoting own products; photo and video sales; digital courses, subscriptions, e-books; and podcasts and webinars. The circular said social media influencers who receive free goods in exchange for promotions must declare as income the fair market value of these products. Income treated as royalties from another country, including payments under

the YouTube Partner Program, shall likewise be included in the computation of the gross income of the socmed influencer and shall be subject to tax. “It must be emphasized that the BIR also has the power to obtain information from foreign tax authorities pursuant to the Exchange of Information provision of the relevant tax treaties. The BIR has the means to verify their income as it is clothed with a special power to obtain information from its treaty partners. The BIR may safely rely on the data provided by its treaty partners to establish the influencer's tax liability,” the circular said. It advised social media influencers to voluntarily and truthfully declare their income and pay their corresponding taxes without waiting for a formal investigation to be con-

ducted by the BIR to avoid being liable for tax evasion and for the civil penalty of 50 percent of the tax or of the deficiency tax. To avoid the risks of double taxation, the BIR advised influencers receiving income from a non-resident person residing in a country with which the Philippines has a tax treaty to inform the latter that they are residents of the Philippines, and are, therefore, entitled to claim treaty benefits provided under the relevant tax agreement. The circular said social media influencers who “willfully attempt to evade the payment of tax or willfully fail to make a tax return, to supply accurate and correct information or to pay tax” shall, in addition to the payment of taxes and corresponding penalties, be held criminally liable under the Tax Code.

Leni...

Dutiful...

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“I wasn’t expecting the overwhelming reaction of the people. We thought that our existing supporters were just glad. (But) We saw something different. After the announcement, many have volunteered, and have used their own money. Many have come up with… ways they could help,” she said during her weekly radio program. Robredo said she was reluctant at first to join the presidential race because she lacked the funds. “We all know how hard it is because we do not have the machinery now, unlike in 2016. We do not have the muchneeded resources for our campaign. We are not prepared,” she said. “They (her opponents) have been spending a lot of money. We are having a hard time because we do not have the resources,” she added. She said she was compelled to run because of the people’s support, citing “as if they are assuring me that my decision (to run) is right. My only appeal is for them to sustain this. I hope to expand our network since this is the only thing that could fight fake news.” Before deciding to run for president, Robredo said she was thinking of taking a break from politics or seeking a local post in 2022. But the endorsement of opposition coalition 1Sambayan changed her mind. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

reason why, as a dutiful officer all his life, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa trooped to the Commission on Elections earlier that day to file his candidacy as president for the PDP-Laban—with Duterte’s blessing. It was 3 p.m. on October 8, the last day of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) imposed by the Comelec, when Dela Rosa—Duterte’s first national police chief and a longtime friend from their days in Davao City—learned he would be the standard bearer of the ruling party in the coming May elections. In an interview over radio DWIZ on Saturday, Dela Rosa said he got the call from his party directing him to file his COC for president, two hours before the 5 p.m. deadline set by the Comelec. The party Dela Rosa mentioned is the faction of the ruling PDP-Laban led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and President Rodrigo Duterte as president and national chairman, respectively. "I was also surprised," stressed Dela Rosa. He said even the senators closest to him—Sens. Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino—were both surprised. "Actually, it was a last minute decision, although for a long time, I was among those being considered, but the decision came out Friday," he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Filipina nurse died in New York on Sunday (Manila time), days after she was assaulted by a mentally disturbed homeless man, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said. The Consulate General identified the victim as Maria Ambrocio, 58, from Bayonne, New Jersey. "We grieve with the rest of the Filipino Community over the death of our kababayan, Maria Ambrocio, a 58-year-old health frontliner from Bayonne, New Jersey, who is the latest victim of deranged

NCR... From A1

only a four-digit [number of new COVID-19 cases], less than 10,000 on our national average. At present, the [seven-day] average nationwide is around 11,000," David said. He said the decline in cases might be due to herd immunity. The Philippines logged on Sunday 12,159 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,666,562, as all laboratories were operational, while two laboratories were not able to submit their data on time. The Department of Health also reported 119 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 39,624. It also reported 27,727 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 2,536,011. The DOH also reported 90,927 active cases, of which 72.2 percent were mild, 16.2 percent were asymptomatic, 1.4 percent were critical, 3.4 percent were severe, and 6.7 percent were moderate. Positivity rate reached 15.9 percent, still far off the international standard of less than 5 percent, as the total COVID-19 tests conducted nationwide on October 8 stood at 53,880. Government officials said at least half of the capital region's eligible population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. David also pointed out Filipinos continue to abide by a mask policy, unlike other nations which no longer require masks after inoculation. Before, he said, virus cases in Metro Manila peaked at a seven-day average of 2,000. The Philippines last week recorded a daily virus case count of under 10,000 for two straight days. The DOH had also observed a decline in new infections in the NCR, home to around 13.5 million people and which accounts for about a third of the country's gross domestic product.

Deleting... From A1

already registered with the agency as of Sept. 15, 2021. "We haven't got the information yet on how much taxes have been collected by the BIR from them so far," Napao said. According to the BIR, influencers who earn money from their posts on digital media are classified as self-employed individuals or persons engaged in trade or business as sole proprietors. Their earnings are generally considered as business income, as defined under BIR’s Revenue Memorandum Circular 97-2021 issued last Aug. 16. The circular said social media influenc-

BBM...

‘Sara...

From A1

Marcos said that through the program, the healthcare system would be bolstered by bigger funding and benefits for healthcare workers, adding more public hospitals, and boosting the country's medical research capability. He said he would recruit the top minds in the medical and scientific research sectors of the country to achieve this program. The former lawmaker and governor believes the frontline medical workers should be a government priority to ensure a strong health care system amid the global coronavirus pandemic. He pointed out that the low salaries and benefits of many nurses have forced them to seek better pay abroad or pursue different careers. Government data showed that although 75,000 nurses were working in public and private hospitals nationwide, the Philippines still had a shortage of 109,000 nurses. He also cited news reports that said Filipino nurses were the lowest-paid in Southeast Asia, with an average monthly salary of just P40,000—compared to their counterparts in Singapore who earned upwards of P200,000 a month. "It's time to face the root of the problem of our lack of nurses -- their low salaries. It's not right that they are breaking their backs amid the COVID-19 pandemic when they are needed the most now," Marcos said. Rey E. Requejo

who will plead to her, no other. It's a matter between father and daughter,” Dela Rosa, the surprise candidate for president of the ruling PDP-Laban, told radio DWIZ. As a late filer for the presidential race next year, the former national police chief himself admitted that it would be better if Duterte-Carpio would run in his stead, as most political pundits have forecast. Although political parties have until November 15 to nominate replacement candidates for national or local positions, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Saturday Duterte-Carpio would not be one of them. “She said there will be no substitution,” Roque said -- even as reports broke Saturday that Duterte-Carpio had contracted COVID-19 and would be required to quarantine for two weeks. In an interview over SMNI News Channel posted on Facebook Saturday, Duterte also discounted the possibility that his daughter would heed her supporters’ clamor to seek the presidency. “Inday is definitely out as she has said earlier and for theoft-repeated statements in so many…I think interviews, she'd always maintain that she's not running. She was just true to her words,” he said. Despite Sara’s decision to finish her last term as mayor, Duterte said his daughter could still seek a higher government post in the future. Macon Ramos-Araneta with AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

16 parachutists killed in Russian airplane crash MOSCOW—Sixteen people were killed when a plane carrying parachutists crashed in central Russia on Sunday, the emergencies ministry said. The L-410 plane carrying 22 people crashed around 9:23 am (0623 GMT) near the town of Menzelinsk in the republic of Tatarstan, the ministry said on its Telegram channel. "Six people were rescued, 16 were taken out without signs of life," the ministry said. The ministry had earlier said 15 people died and that the aircraft was carrying 23 people. While the Menzelinsk club organises skydiving experiences for amateurs it has also hosted championships and training sessions for cosmonauts. Images published by the ministry showed the aircraft broken in half with a severely dented nose. The six survivors were taken to hospital, the local health ministry told the Interfax news agency. Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov, who travelled to the scene, said pilots had reported an engine failure and requested an emergency landing shortly after taking off. AFP

Supreme... From A1

McDonald’s Philippines Realty Corporation, a foreign firm that set up a local branch to purchase and lease back two McDonald’s restaurant sites for lease to McGeorge Foods, Inc. The high court stressed that without the LOA required by the National Internal Revenue Code and by the BIR rules, the audit or investigation by a revenue officer “violates the taxpayer’s right to due process; usurps the statutory power of the CIR; and does not comply with existing BIR rules and regulations.” The SC said that many tax audits or investigations were done by revenue officers “under the pretext that the original revenue officer authorized to conduct the audit or investigation has been reassigned or transferred to another case or place of assignment, or has retired, resigned or otherwise removed from handling the audit or investigation.” The tribunal noted that the irregular practice occurred when a valid LOA was issued to an authorized revenue officer; the revenue officer named in the LOA was reassigned or transferred to another office, case, or place of assignment, or retired, resigned, or was otherwise removed from handling the case covered by the LOA; The revenue district officer or a subordinate official issued a memorandum of assignment, referral memorandum, or such equivalent document to a new revenue officer for the continuation of the audit or investigation; and the new revenue officer continues the audit or investigation, supposedly under the authority of the previously issued LOA. “This practice of reassigning or transferring revenue officers, who are the original authorized officers named in the LOA, an subsequently substituting or replacing them with new revenue officers who do not have a new or amended LOA issued in their name, has been the subject of several CTA (Court of Tax Appeals) decisions,” the SC said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

‘Maring’... From A1

government weather forecasters said Sunday. Its center was estimated at 645 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Tuguegarao City, or 655 km east of Aparri at the mouth of the Cagayan River. Packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h and central pressure 990 hPa, with winds extending 750 kms from the storm's center, “Maring” was moving west northwestward at 20 km/hr. Signal No. 1 was raised over the rest of Ilocos Norte as well as Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, some parts of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, parts of Aurora (Dilasag, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), parts of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Pantabangan, San Jose City), Catanduanes. It was also raised in the Visayas provinces of Eastern Samar, parts of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Mapanas, Lapinig, Gamay, Palapag, Mondragon, Silvino Lobos) and Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Paranas). “Maring” is forecast to gradually intensify and may be upgraded to a severe tropical storm within the next 12 hours, weathermen said. It is expected to move over Luzon Strait and may pass close over the Babuyan Islands between Monday afternoon and Tuesday early morning. The possibility of a landfall over mainland Luzon is not ruled out, weathermen said.

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Bicol airport latest in PH infra ‘golden age’ T By Macon Ramos Araneta

HE government is upbeat on the growth in tourism and economic development of the Bicol Region with the Bicol International Airport (BIA), considered the first international airport in Luzon south of the National Capital Region. President Rodrigo Duterte, together with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and other officials, attended on Thursday the inauguration of the airport in Daraga town, Albay province. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Go noted the BIA’s opening after 11 years is another proof of the Duterte administration’s commitment to finish important infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program. The airport is touted as the “most

scenic gateway” to the country with the iconic Mayon Volcano for its backdrop. “We have not forgotten to include the Bicol Region in the golden age of infrastructure of our country. Even amid the pandemic, our government continues to work hard to continue important projects in our community,” Go said in a statement on Sunday. “This is a testament to the Duterte administration’s concern and dedication in serving the people. We will make sure no one will be left behind in our recovery from this crisis,” he added.

Mistral 3 surface-to-air-missiles for PH frigates delivered —Navy

TIDYING UP. Caretakers of tombs are seen busy cleaning the graves inside the Manila South Cemetery on Sunday. All cemeteries located in the city of Manila will close again for the second consecutive year during the All Saints or Undas holidays due to the coronavirus pandemic. Danny Pata and Norman Cruz

PRO3 arrests 112 in weeklong anti-drug operations By Jun David THE Police Regional Office 3, under the leadership of Regional Director Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, has arrested 112 drug personalities in weeklong operations. De Leon said they conducted continuous police operations to eradicate different illegal activities, especially in the campaign against illegal drugs, which is the priority program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. In a report submitted to de Leon, PRO 3 conducted 65 police operations, which resulted in the arrest of 112 drug personalities from October 1 to 7. The operations also resulted

in a total confiscation of 71.95 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P489,246.40 and 656 grams of Marijuana with an estimated value of P78,720. All arrested drug personalities were properly charged in court, the police office said. Against illegal gambling, a total of 35 operations were conducted, which resulted in 140 persons arrested and money confiscated totaling P35,019. On anti-illegal logging, a total of four operations were conducted leading to four persons arrested and with illegal wood seized valued at P460,010.50. De Leon again commended all police personnel who are committed to ensuring peace and order in their region.

Team Azurin takes cue from Aksyon leader Isko Moreno BELIEVING that Aksyon Demokratiko president Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso uses social media to his advantage, the Azurin Team of San Fabian, Pangasinan said they will “copy” the presidential aspirant’s strategy. Director Juvenal B. Azurin, who recently resigned from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after more than a decade as regional director, said his Azurin Team should not be considered politicians but “public servants.” He is running as San Fabian’s mayor under Aksyon Demokratiko party. They want to implement positive change, Azurin stressed. He said they want to have San Fabian present a “new face” based on his relative youthfulness at the age of 42. He was also a former soldier, marine and a law enforcement officer, being a 2000 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate.

The mayoralty candidate also plans to build a hospital and local health units for the town. The team is running sans a vice mayor “for personal reasons,” according to Azurin. Azurin’s team presented a 10-point agenda following their filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Thursday, Oct. 7. Those running for councilors include Mariz Aspurias Songcuan, a former beauty queen, who represented the country in the Mrs. World pageant in China in 2017. She is batting for “food for the hungry” and tourism promotion. Marco Nabua Natividad, an incumbent Bgy. Kagawad, who wants to serve San Fabian honestly, sincerely with all his heart. Another councilor aspirant is Hope Bernardo Aquino, a registered nurse and a former town councilor, a former population officer of San Fabian, who calls to improve the delivery of family health and welfare.

SAN FABIAN’S BETS. Former PDEA Director Juvenal B. Azurin (inset) unveils his team’s platform after filing his candidacy for mayor of San Fabian, Pangasinan under Aksyon Demokratiko party. Azurin and his councilor candidates say they want to implement ‘positive change.’

THE Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday said the Mistral 3 surface-to-airmissiles (SAMs) of the country’s two guided-missile frigates were finally delivered at the Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan last Oct. 8. In a statement, Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said the surface-to-air missiles of the two Jose Rizal-class (JRC) frigates of the PN will provide the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) anti-air capabilities or the ability to shoot down aerial threats. Procurement and delivery of the Mis-

tral 3 SAMs is part of the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B which was awarded to MBDA Missile Systems based in France. “Surface-to-air missiles are among the primary weapons of FF-150 and FF-151 that bolsters the PN’s anti-air warfare capability. The arrival of these missiles will greatly capacitate our JRC frigates in the conduct of their maritime operations,” Negranza said. Meanwhile, PN Frigate Acquisition Lot 2A or for the JRC’s surface-to-surface missiles is scheduled for deliveries in March 2022.

Opinion Philippine-style party-list representation

It is still our best chance at ensuring a more substantial and inclusive representation in our legislature. In 1995, President Fidel Ramos signed into law Republic Act 7941, the Party-List System Act which served as the enabling act of the party-list system. The law provided for a mechanism of proportional representation in the elections of representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions registered with the Commission on Elections. Sounds simple and straightforward, but the mathematics of “proportioning” the seats turned out to be complicated in the end. As a result, the Supreme Court had to intervene on more than one instance on revising the formula for assigning party-list seats. Other controversies also came out— such as the qualifications of party-list nominees, and the question of sectoral representation. The main issue stems from the common misunderstanding that a party-list representative is a separate and distinct political office. This can be usually deduced when candidates and voters themselves explain that a particular group is “running for partylist”. But simply put, the party-list system is basically a separate manner of electing additional members of the House of Representatives, albeit on the basis of proportional representation. In fact, House members who ran “under the party-list system” have the same duties and responsibilities as their district counterparts. The key principle of proportional representation is that all votes cast contribute to the result of the election, and not just the bare majority or plurality. To illustrate, it is like dividing the pie, that is the total number of partylist seats, to all those who participated in the election on the basis of how many votes each party received and the

WE wish to disabuse the minds of your readers of the malicious imputations made by Rudy Romero in his Oct. 7 column that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is a “neo-oppositionist” who was among the “enablers” of President Rodrigo Duterte. It is unfair that Mr. Romero inappropriately branded Sen. Lacson as among Mr. Duterte’s “enablers” just because he was part of the Senate super-majority. It is sad that Mr. Romero

glossed over Sen. Lacson’s not only calling out but also acting against wrongdoing and abuse under the Duterte administration as early as 2016, when he headed an investigation into the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa. Sen. Lacson also headed the probe into the killing of teenager Kian delos Santos, with the policemen who killed Kian later found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Sen. Lacson has also repeatedly

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A worsened state

HATEVER the state of our politics, the state of a people’s mental health is an issue that bears watching and, more importantly, acting upon. Sunday, October 10, was World Mental Health Day. Prior to the pandemic, mental health issues have already had a crippling effect on millions of individuals, even as the perception of it and provision of services to address it have left much to be desired. We were still in the thick of transforming the way people thought about mental health issues, pointing out that these were not a curse or an exaggeration but a scientifically established condition that can be treated through several methods. And then COVID-19 took the world by surprise, and everything else became secondary to the need to protect ourselves from the virus and cope with the number of patients getting sick and dying. As the months passed, we saw that mental health did not take a backseat. In fact, mental health issues were exacerbated by the anxiety and fear

No judgment or quick fixes. over the health crisis, the uncertainty over economic prospects, frustration with the uneven government response, and the isolation, in different forms, that people were subjected to. Small reliefs like the shift in the environments of home and work, and time spent with friends and other support groups were taken away in an instant. It became difficult to contemplate the future, and easier to question whether every step was even worth the effort. Worse, certain groups of people became even more vulnerable -for example, frontliners who every day witness the magnitude of the devastation and loss brought by the pandemic find themselves with little recourse to process their own trauma. This is coupled with the constant fear

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of becoming infected with the virus themselves and passing it on to their families. Another vulnerable group would be overseas Filipino workers who lost their jobs as a result of business closures and find no options to sustain their families from here. The situation looked equally dire to those locally employed but who also lost their source of income. This is the second time that World Mental Health Day is commemorated in the shadow of the pandemic. And as in last year’s commemoration, the objective is to highlight and raise awareness among the general population that mental issues exist, more pervasive in some than in others, and that something must be done to narrow the gap between the demand for, and the supply of, mental health services. There are programs at the national and local levels, there are initiatives by the private and civil society sectors. There is also the relief offered by communities, peer groups, and families. In our spheres, we can do much by heightening our sensitivity to tell-tale signs that a member of our inner circles may need help. We offer no judgment or quick fixes -- just an assurance of our presence, support and compassion.

Perspectives for a Philippine digital agenda SAGE perspectives from digital industry experts in the recent virtual town hall discussion of think tank Stratbase ADRi revealed convergent approaches that the next administration should take to regain economic momentum in a global digital ecosystem. ADRi president Prof. Dindo Manhit opened the discussion by pointing out that though we are seeing improvements in connectivity, we need to catch up with the world’s pace towards a digitally driven economic system and for government to adopt a developmental paradigm shift from what is a backward, cumbersome, and corruption-prone bureaucratic system to a digitally transformed government that performs efficient, transparent, and accountable public services. He espoused a “people-centered” approach that must start with developing the people’s skill sets and values. This approach will enable our workforce and highlight the need for more champions in both the private and public sector that can inspire innovations. These, in turn, would integrate the disconnect between processes, policies, and even flaws in governance that have been exposed. Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gringo Honasan, in his keynote message, rightly stated that access to data and information has become a right and a privilege together with basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, education, health services and access to data. “Truly, we envision a thriving digital nation wherein our people through complete, accurate, and timely information can make rational, intelligent, and long-term decisions which benefit their personal lives and society as a whole,” he said. Sec. Honasan acknowledged that the first sector that needs to be educated about the power of ICT-driven connectivity is the government. This limited understanding of the strategic importance of ICT explains why the DICT, to use the Secretary’s words, “was given an obscenely small budget” that “even for the national broadband, is not enough for one region.” Despite this, he readily acknowledged that “by harnessing the power of public-private partnership, and convergence, we are

moving forward.” Globe Telecom Head Senior Vice President and of Corporate Communications and Chief sustainability Officer, Ma. Yolanda Crisanto, shared an aggressive outlook with a 2021 CAPEX program reaching a record USD 2.1 billion on 4G and 5G expansion for mobile data that will enable new services like artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and robotics among others.

This is one question we should ask candidates vying for our votes next May. She believes that there is much room for the government to provide its own network which telcos can readily align and double the pace of digital infrastructure roll-out. She emphasized the need to drive public sector utilization of digital technologies and a shift in education that veers away from teaching our students to be servants and OFWs to instead pursue the field of information technology that can develop into a globally competitive workforce that will power our own digital industry. On the other hand, Smart Communications Vice President for Regulatory Affairs Atty. Roy Cecil Ibay recognized Sec. Honasan’s leadership in the DICT’s policy reforms that have substantially helped private telcos speed up their infrastructure projects. He likewise pushed for more governmentled digital infrastructure investments especially in the underserved areas. He stressed the need to have symmetry and balance in policy and regulations. Case in point is the measly P9-billion budget given the DICT when the economy is heavily dependent on an online environment. Facebook Philippines Public Policy Head Clare Amador reiterated the company’s commitment to support connectivity programs and will continue to work with the DICT and partners in

Lacson is not a Duterte enabler

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minimum number of votes required by law to qualify for a seat – that is, in the case of our party-list system, at least two percent. By ascribing sectoral representation to the party-list system, it was originally expected that it would be a pathway for marginalized sectors to be represented in the corridors of power. But a careful reading of the provision would show that the main intent of the party-list system was not simply to allow for sectoral representation – but for the inclusion of proportional representation into our legislative branch. So, who can actually participate in the party-list system? The PartyList System Act enumerates three groups – first, national parties or organizations; second, regional parties or organizations, and sectoral parties or organizations – who “could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole.” While sectoral representation was one of the important reasons behind the introduction of the party-list system, neither did it limit the participation of other political parties or organizations. To clarify this, in 2013, the Supreme Court, in the case of Atong Paglaum, Inc. vs. COMELEC laid down the defining parameters of our party-list system. First, in addition to sectoral parties and organizations, national and regional parties and organizations may also participate in the party-list system. There is no need, however, for these groups to be organized along sectoral lines and for them to represent any “marginalized and underrepresented” sector. Second, political parties can participate in party-list elections provided they register under the party-list system and do not field candidates in legislative district elections. A political party can only participate in the party-list elections through its sectoral wing, which must register itself as a separate and independent sectoral party. Third, sectoral parties or organizations may either be composed of those belonging to “marginalized and underrepresented sectors enumerated in the Constitution” or those who lack “well-defined political constituencies” such as professionals, the elderly, women, and the youth. While it is important that the majority of the members of these sectoral parties or organizations must belong to the sectors of the constituencies that they represent, it is sufficient for the nominees to have a track record of advocacy for their respective sectors. One cannot deny the apparent confusion between our legal interpretation of sectoral and proportional representation, which has led to questions that appear to discredit the entire party-list system. Sadly, this has resulted in calls to abolish the party-list system. Reforming the partylist system therefore is long overdue in order to clarify any persisting ambiguity in the law, and remove any opportunity for abuse – and thus reinforcing it as an effective platform for greater democratic representation. While it may be true that much remains to be desired in the prevailing party-list system, one cannot simply ignore how it has contributed towards ensuring a broader political representation and in crafting more progressive and responsive legislation in Congress. In fact as it is, party-list representation is not to be taken lightly, because collectively, the party-list groups can constitute a powerful bloc in Congress. In the end, it may still be our best chance at ensuring a more substantial and inclusive representation in our legislature.

WITH the national elections happening next year, the country’s party-list system has been recently a subject of criticism and even derision. Much of these questions arise from a lack of understanding of the party-list system itself and a poor appreciation of its role in our electoral system. Article VI, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the House of Representatives shall be composed of members elected from legislative districts and those elected through the party-list system. It further provided that the party-list representatives constitute twenty percent of the total number of House members. In simple terms, for every five members of the lower chamber, one of them shall be a party-list representative. What follows is an often overlooked proviso—“for three terms after the ratification of this Constitution,” half of the seats reserved for partylist representatives shall be filled by sectoral representatives, as may be provided by law. This was the basis for the sitting President to appoint sectoral representatives, subject to the confirmation from the Commission on Appointments, following the 1987, 1992 and 1995 elections.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Mr. Romero glossed over many things about the senator. raised his voice in calling out the President’s defeatist attitude on the intrusion of Chinese vessels into our exclusive economic zone in the West

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

Philippine Sea, contrary to what Mr. Romero claimed in his column. Finally, it is pathetic that Mr. Romero may have betrayed his lack of research by getting the Senator’s name wrong: it’s Panfilo Sr., not Jr. Nevertheless, we hope this clears up the matter. Thank you. JOEL LOCSIN Media Relations Officer Office of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson

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the private sector and government. She pointed out that close consultation with stakeholders is key to being responsive to the nuances of the emerging future wherein a one-size-fits-all approach will not work in crafting a policy environment that fosters a digitally empowered small and medium business sector. Microsoft Philippines Public Sector Director Ms. Joanna Rodriguez maintained that we should embrace a new way of thinking, behaving, and working – a culture of innovation and growth mindset that starts with a strong push from leaders. She pointed out the need to redesign service delivery which, “might mean breaking down traditional, departmental, and agency hierarchies and boundaries for decisionmaking and rethinking models of accountability and incentives for government workers.” Grab Philippines Head of Public Affairs, Sherielysse “Booey” Bonifacio, discussed the need to ensure that platforms are safe and secure for every user. This is needed to develop people’s trust in the use of digital platforms. HP Philippines Managing Director, Christian Edmond Reyes, discussed how digital transformation is about how we must drive the education and upskilling of the labor force and ensure digital equity in terms of equipment and technology. To realize a thriving digital ecosystem for our country, each government agency and private enterprise will need digital transformation champions to persistently push the continuous digitalization and integration of government and business services using the appropriate cloud-based solutions. A question we should ask aspiring candidates in the May 2022 national elections is how digital transformation integrates with their vision for our nation.

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

More praises for Maria Ressa on Nobel Prize THE United Nations (UN) office in the Philippines and several business groups congratulated Maria Ressa for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Ressa, together with Russian journalist Dmitri Muratov for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” The UN said it recognizes the role of free and independent media as a cornerstone of democracy. Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a fundamental right, and it is also an enabler of all other rights,” it said. The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), and the Makati Business Club (MBC) in separate statements meanwhile also congratulated Ressa for her historic win. The MAP said Ressa’s award “underscores the importance of protecting freedom of the press as our vanguard against the abuse of power, and an essential element of democracy. The MAP said in a world where “alternative facts” have become a common expression, “her courage in shining a beacon of light on the truth at all times will serve as an inspiration to journalists all over the world who struggle to overcome the increasing suppression of media. The MBC cited Ressa’s courage while the FINEX said the award affirmed Ressa’s fight for “freedom of expression.” Ressa is the co-founder and CEO of Rappler.com, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration.

Angara bats for Marawi compensation

COURTESY CALL. Bacolod

City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran receive PNP chief PGeneral Guillermo Eleazar during a courtesy call. Eleazar was accompanied by other PNP offices to meet with Leonardia and other officials. Bacolod PIO

Incentives seen better than a raffle in COVID-19 vax drive A By Rio N. Araja

LBAY Rep. Joey Salceda said a vaccination incentive, such as a vaccination allowance, and better registration procedures might be better than a raffle to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said it would launch a raffle for those to be vaccinated and dangled cash prizes to raffle winners to entice more people to get vaccinated. “The problem is not the lack of some probability of winning a big prize. The problem is for many… they have to skip a workday just to get jabbed. For the average wage worker, that will cost them the day’s pay,” Salceda said. Salceda said he already “proposed that we give a day’s worth of minimum wage as a vaccine incentive. There are

places where that’s being done already, like Davao City. The point is, you compensate for the trouble. Even with a raffle, for many working-class Filipinos, foregoing a day’s wages is too much.” Further, Salceda also cited a disparity in vaccine allocation as a “key dampener of jabbing rate,” adding that Bicol’s vaccine supply is low. “Region-wide, we are just at 10 percent of the population vaccinated. That’s among the lowest in the country. We need help,” he said. Salceda said “our COVID-19 re-

sponse in the 2nd district of Albay has been hailed by the DOH and other groups as a model to follow. But it could go wrong with the lack of vaccines.” “Look at the example of Vietnam. They were among the best in the world for minimum health standards and nonpharmaceutical interventions. They are now facing among the world’s worst surges because of a lack of vaccines, not because of neglect on the part of their government,” he noted. He urged the government to get more vaccines for regions that have yet to be vaccinated or saturated. The DOH meanwhile has offered cash prizes of up to P1 million for CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) residents in its “Resbakuna: Bakunado, Panalo” promo.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sonny Angara, chairman of the Committee on Finance, said Senate Bill 2420 will help provide “just compensation” for victims of the Marawi siege. Angara on Sunday said it’s about time to rebuild the homes of the people of Marawi City, after four years. “It has been four years since the Marawi City siege and it is about time that the residents displaced by the five-month-long armed conflict can rebuild their homes and their lives,” said Angara. “Though we emerged victorious, there is no such thing as a war without death, damage, or destruction.,” he said. While up to 1,200 individuals were killed on both sides of the siege, he said it was estimated that up to P17 billion worth of property and economic opportunities were lost. More than 350,000 people were also displaced due to the conflict, though this has gone down to 126,000 according to a May 2020 United Nations report. “The biggest casualties were the hopes and dreams of the proud Maranao people,” Angara said. Angara recently reported on Senate Bill 2420 which seeks to provide compensation to the victims of the Marawi City siege for the damage, loss, or destruction of their properties.

MALASAKIT PARTY-LIST.

Former MMDA assistant secretary and spokesperson Celine Pialago greets supporters before going on a motorcade to file her candidacy under the Malasakit Movement Partyl-list at the Sofitel Manila. (photo by Norman Cruz)

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INTERACTION. Senator Lito Lapid interacts with senior citizens in Porac, Pampanga on Sunday to give his commitment of support to the elderly. Lino Santos

‘Go full blast in teachers’ vaccination’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta AS THE government prepares to pilot test face-to-face classes, Sen. Nancy Binay urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to go full blast in inoculating teachers and set a target vaccination rate of 100%. She noted that vaccination should be made accessible to all our teachers and school personnel. She said DepEd should target a full vaccination coverage of not 30%, not 50%, but 100%” as soon as possible. The senator aired her concern after DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan reported that only 30% of DepEd personnel had been inoculated. “DepEd has to find ways for teachers to have full access to available vaccines. I don’t understand why they are not as persistent as the transport or tourism sector given the fact that teachers are considered part of the essential workforce,” she said, adding that “Are they not bothered on the probability that those teaching our children are not vaccinated?” Binay proposed that a special vaccination program for teachers, similar to what was done for the transport and tourism industry workers, should be in place to ensure safety in schools selected for pilot testing. The concern here, she said, is that teachers “are not getting access to vaccination and my feeling, perhaps, it’s not hesitation but more of access to vaccines.” According to DepEd, the pilot test of face-to-face classes in the country will start on November 15. The assessment of the initial run will be conducted from November 15 to December 22, while the end of the pilot study is scheduled for January 31.

Housing gives nod to land use plans for Mandaue, Zamboanga City By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has approved the comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) for Mandaue City and Zamboanga City. Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario ratified the two cities’ CLUPs after

their local chief executives presented their strategies and programs on effective land management and utilization. He assured the Mandaue local government that DHSUD is always ready to be of help as far as the further improvement of the city’s urbanization is concerned. “Today, Mandaue City presented the

plan, policies, and programs they intend to implement to attain their desired vision for the city in the coming years. This will serve as a roadmap, guiding the city into becoming green and resilient to ensure better living standards for the people of Mandaue,” he said. Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco stressed the importance

of the CLUP and its role in allowing the local government unit to communicate to various sectors of the population as well as its plans to cater to their needs of land resources. Del Rosario also vowed to extend assistance to the city gover nment in pursuing effective land and resource management.

Bayan Muna welcomes ICC probe on President Duterte By Rio N. Araja BAYAN Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday welcomed an investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor into drug-related killings under the Duterte administration. “We welcome the declaration of the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan that the ICC will now commence the impartial investigation on the killings during President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s war on drugs with a commitment to uncover the truth and ensure accountability. The prosecutor has echoed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s position that the ICC maintains jurisdiction for crimes

committed before the effectivity of the withdrawal of President Duterte from the ICC,” he said. “This is but just and a correct legal position as criminals cannot just get away from accountability for crimes against humanity by simply withdrawing from the court,” he added. Neri Colmenares, Makabayan senatorial bet and Bayan Muna chairman, said “President Duterte’s lawyers and legal arguments have lost the last three rounds in the ICC when the ICC conducted a preliminary examination in 2018, recommended investigation in June 2021 and the Pre-Trial Chamber’s order for investigation.”

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Iraqis head to early elections with little hope for change

IRAQ: THE VOTE. An Iraqi Kurdish woman shows photographers her inked finger after casting her vote in Iraq’s parliamentary

election at a polling station in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on October 10. Iraqis headed to the polls for an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform. AFP

BAGHDAD—Iraqis headed to the polls Sunday for an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform. Polls opened at 7:00am (0400 GMT) but few voters turned up early at one polling station at a school in central Baghdad. “I have come to vote to change the country for the better, and to change the current leaders who are incompetent,” said Jimand Khalil, 37, who was one of the first to cast her vote. “They made a lot of promises to us but didn’t bring us anything.” Security was tight in the capital, with voters searched twice at the entrance to polling stations. Airports are also closed until dawn on Monday across Iraq, where despite the

government’s declaration of victory over the Islamic State group in late 2017, jihadist sleeper cells continue to mount attacks. Polls remain open until 6:00 pm, with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing. Dozens of election observers deployed by the European Union and the United Nations were set to monitor the vote. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi cast his ballot early in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. “This is an opportunity for change,” he said. “Get out there and vote, change your reality, for Iraq and for your future,” urged Kadhemi, whose political future hangs in the balance, with few observers willing to predict who will come out on top after the lengthy backroom haggling that usually follows Iraqi elections. AFP

US WARNED IN FACE-TO-FACE TALKS

’Don’t destabilize Taliban regime’

OHA—The Taliban warned the United States not to “destabilize” the regime on Saturday during their first face-to-face talks since the US withdrawal, as a deadly sectarian bombing raised further questions about their grip on power. As mourners in northern Afghanistan buried their dead from an attack on a Shiite mosque that killed 62, a Taliban delegation told US officials in Doha that any weakening of their government could cause “problems for the people”. Scores more worshippers were wound-

Taiwan leader: Island will not bow to China TAIPEI—Taiwan will not bow to pressure by Beijing and will defend its democratic way of life, President Tsai Ing-wen said Sunday, following a spike in incursions by Chinese warplanes into its air defense zone. Self-governed Taiwan’s 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. “The more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China,” Tsai said in a speech marking Taiwan’s National Day, adding: “Nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us.” She described Taiwan as “standing on democracy’s first line of defense”. “We hope for an easing of... relations (with Beijing) and will not act rashly, but there should be absolutely no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure,” she added. The two sides have been ruled separately since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Tensions have risen to their highest in decades under Chinese President Xi Jinping, who broke off official communication with Taipei following Tsai’s election five years ago and ramped up economic, diplomatic, and military pressure. The latest flare-up has been a surge in flights by Chinese fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Some 150 sorties were made into the zone in the days surrounding China’s own National Day on 1 October —a record number. ‘Complete reunification’ Xi has made taking Taiwan a key goal of his leadership which he looks set to extend to a third term in 2022. On Saturday, he declared in a speech that “the complete reunification of our country will be and can be realized.” He said he favored “peaceful reunification” but his words come after months of increased military threats, including the recent surge in air incursions as well as heavily publicized military drills simulating an invasion of Taiwan. Last year, there were a record 380 sorties. There have already been more than 600 this year. The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan’s territorial airspace. It includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China’s own air defense identification zone and even includes some of the mainland. AFP

ed in Friday’s blast in Kunduz, which was claimed by the Islamic State group—who appear to be attempting to further shake Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. “We clearly told them that trying to destabilize the government in Afghanistan is good for no one,” the Taliban’s

foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar after the talks in the Qatari capital. “Good relations with Afghanistan are good for everyone. Nothing should be done to weaken the existing government in Afghanistan which can lead to problems for the people,” he said, in a recorded statement translated by AFP. The Taliban are seeking international recognition, as well as assistance to avoid a humanitarian disaster and ease Afghanistan’s economic crisis. A State Department official said the US delegation would press the Taliban

to ensure terrorists do not create a base for attacks in the country. It would also pressure Afghanistan’s new rulers to form an inclusive government and to respect the rights of women and girls, the official said, stressing the meeting did not indicate Washington recognised Taliban rule. “We remain clear that any legitimacy must be earned through the Taliban’s own actions,” the official said. As the two-day talks began, Kunduz counted the cost of the bloodiest assault since US forces left the country in August. AFP

‘PILLAR OF SHAME.’

This picture shows the ‘Pillar of Shame’, a statue that commemorates the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, at the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong on October 10. AFP

Nobel winner Gurnah promises to keep talking migration LONDON—Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah on Friday pledged to keep speaking out on migration and other hotly-contested issues, branding Brexit “a mistake” and European governments’ policies “inhumane”. The 72-year-old novelist, whose decades-spanning body of work is rooted in colonialism and immigration, landed literature’s top award Thursday for his unflinching portrayal of their effects on the refugee experience. “I write about these conditions because I want to write about human interactions and... what is it that people go through when they are reconstructing lives,” he told reporters at a news conference in London. “I didn’t know it was going to happen,” he said of scooping the accolade.

“You write the best you can, and you hope it will succeed and do well.” But the acclaimed author of 10 novels and several short stories was at pains to point out he would keep speaking candidly on the issues that have shaped his work and world view. “I’m speaking because this is how I would speak... whether I had won the Nobel prize or not. I’m not playing a role, I’m saying what I think.” - ‘I’m from Zanzibar’ Gurnah, the fifth African-born writer to win the literature Nobel, fled to Britain from Zanzibar in late 1967, later acquiring British citizenship. Growing up speaking Swahili, he had also learned English on the Indian Ocean archipelago, which was a British protectorate until unification with Tanzania.

Despite going on to write his literature in English, Gurnah retains links with, and an identity shaped by, his homeland that has informed his novels. “I’m from Zanzibar, there’s no confusion in my mind about that,” he explained. “My experience of both work as well as living has been here in Britain. But that is not entirely what constitutes your imaginary life or imaginative life. “So I don’t feel the question of where do you come from is one that answers the question of what your work does.” After more than five decades in the UK, Gurnah argued there is now less blatant racism and greater awareness of the issue, but that the country’s institutions remain “just as mean and just as authoritarian as they were”. AFP

Austria’s Kurz steps down as chancellor on graft raps VIENNA—Austria’s Sebastian Kurz on Saturday announced he was stepping down as chancellor following pressure on him to resign after he was implicated in a corruption scandal. His announcement in a televised media statement caps a spectacular rise in politics and a tumultuous four years as chancellor, in which his government already collapsed once. Kurz -- who in 2017 became the world’s youngest democratically elected leader -- said he wanted to “make space to prevent chaos”. “We need stability,” the 35-yearold conservative said, adding it would be “irresponsible” to allow Austria to “slide into months of chaos or gridlock” while the EU member of almost nine million fights the pandemic. Pressure on Kurz to resign, including from his own junior coalition partner the Greens, started after prosecutors on Wednesday raided several locations linked to his People’s Party (OeVP). They announced that Kurz and nine other individuals were under investigation over claims that government money was used between 2016 and 2018 in a corrupt deal to ensure positive media coverage. Kurz has denied any wrongdoing, reiterating on Saturday that allegations against him were “false.” “I will be able to clarify it; I’m sure about that,” he said calmly. - ‘Important step’ Kurz said he would suggest Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as new chancellor, while he would stay on as OeVP leader and a lawmaker in parliament. Vice Chancellor and Greens leader Werner Kogler said he would meet Schallenberg Sunday to discuss how the coalition would continue to govern, calling Kurz’s resignation a “right and important step”. Kogler on Friday had asked the OeVP to name another chancellor, saying Kurz was “no longer fit for office”. But opposition parties criticised the Greens for continuing to work with the OeVP despite the corruption allegations. AFP

A.Q. Khan, ‘father’ of Pakistan nuke program, dies from COVID-19 at 85 ISLAMABAD—Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme who was accused of smuggling technology to Iran, North Korea, and Libya, has died at 85, authorities said Sunday. The atomic scientist, who spent the last years of his life under heavy guard, died in the capital Islamabad, where he had recently been hospitalized with Covid-19. Khan died after being transferred to the city’s KRL Hospital with lung problems, state-run broadcaster PTV reported. He had been admitted to the same hospital in August with Covid-19. But after being permitted to return home several weeks ago, he was trans-

ferred back after his condition deteriorated, it said. Khan was hailed a national hero for transforming Pakistan into the world’s first Islamic nuclear power and strengthening its clout against rival and fellow nuclear armed nation India. But he was declared by the West a dangerous renegade for sharing technology with rogue nuclear states. The news of his death sparked an outpouring of grief and praise for Khan’s legacy. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr A Q Khan,” Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, stressing how loved the nuclear scientist had been in Pakistan due to “his critical contribution in making us a nuclear weapon state”. AFP

PET’S DAY. A youth takes a selfie picture with her dog during an animal blessing ceremony at the St. John the Evangelist Church in Mumbai on October 10. AFP

Sports

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Dodgers overpower Giants, 9-2, to tie series

Fury kayoes Wilder to retain WBC title US challenger Deontay Wilder goes down as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of Great Britain knocks him out in the 11th round of the fight for the WBC/Lineal Heavyweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

AS VEGAS (AFP) — Tyson Fury retained his WBC heavyweight crown on Saturday with a spectacular 11th-round knockout of Deontay Wilder as their trilogy fight delivered a boxing classic. In an epic battle in front of 15,820 fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, both fighters were knocked down on multiple occasions in an enthralling contest full of improbable twists and turns. Fury looked to have gained the upper hand after flooring Wilder in the third round, only for the 35-year-old from Alabama to respond with two knockdowns that had the English champion clinging on desperately in the fourth. But it was the bigger, heavier Fury — landing the cleaner and more damaging blows -- who finished the stronger, and the champion had Wilder down once again in the 10th with a right hook. Wilder responded bravely to that knockdown by wobbling Fury in return. But the brutal energy-sapping nature of the fight, and Fury’s relentless physicality, finally took its toll on Wilder in the 11th. With the American exhausted and on the ropes, Fury landed the decisive combination. A right uppercut scrambled Wilder’s senses before Fury crashed a right hook into his opponent’s temple that sent the challenger tumbling to the canvas, barely conscious.

“Shots like that end careers,” Fury said. “I just hope that he’s OK. Because he took a lot of punishment tonight. “Don’t ever doubt me,” Fury added. “When the chips are down I will always deliver. “I give him the glory for the victory. He’s a tough man -- he took some big shots tonight. “It was a great fight tonight as well as any trilogy in history.” Multiple knockdowns Saturday’s bout was the third instalment of an acrimonious rivalry between Fury, the trash-talking self-styled “Gypsy King” and Wilder, the heavy-handed knockout specialist regarded as one of the most destructive punchers in the sport. Fury had scored a seventh-round knockout of Wilder in their second fight 20 months ago, after the two men shared a controversial draw in their first meeting in Los Angeles in 2018. Both fighters entered the ring on Saturday at their heaviest ever fighting weights, with Fury tipping the scales at 277lbs (125.6 kg) and Wilder at 238lbs. Wilder’s camp said the extra bulk was

designed to give their fighter a quick early rounds knockout. But although Wilder started aggressively, working Fury’s midsection in the opening two rounds, he was unable to find the precision to hurt the elusive Fury, who by contrast repeatedly scored with his right. The fight appeared to have swung decisively in Fury’s favor in the third, when he landed a left hook and a pair of right uppercuts to put Wilder down. The American finished the round dazed and on the ropes with Fury poised to go in for the kill. But incredibly Wilder rallied in the fourth round to put Fury on the canvas twice, once with his feared straight right and again with a right hook. This time it was Fury who seemed to be in peril, but the champion was able to clear his head and survive. Fury then recovered to dominate the middle rounds, repeatedly stunning Wilder who showed remarkable resilience in the face of a sustained onslaught. Yet just when it looked as if the denouement could come at any moment, Wilder summoned another rally in the ninth round, rocking Fury once again with an enormous right hand. But momentum shifted back to Fury in the 10th as he opened up with a devastating exchange to put Wilder down. Again the American found reserves of strength to fight back, wobbling Fury near the end of the round as the fans

roared their appreciation. Wilder’s resistance was broken once and for all in the 11th round though as Fury’s devasting final combination settled a gripping battle. Two warriors Fury, who improved to 31-0-1 with 22 knockouts, revealed afterwards he had sought to pay his respects to Wilder after the fight, but had been rebuffed. “We fought like two warriors in there,” Fury said. “And I went over to shake his hand and say well done and he was like ‘No, I don’t respect you’. “I was like ‘How can you say I’ve cheated when you know in your heart, you’ve been beaten fair and square?’ “Is he a sore loser or what? “But I’ve acted like a gentleman throughout my career and that’s all I can do.” Wilder, who was taken to a Las Vegas hospital following the fight as a precaution, did not speak to the press following the bout. However in brief remarks he acknowledged he had struggled to deal with Fury’s size. “I did my best, but it wasn’t good enough,” said Wilder. “I’m not sure what happened. I know that in training he did certain things, and I also knew that he didn’t come in at 277 to be a ballet dancer. “He came to lean on me, try to rough me up and he succeeded.”

P557m National Academy of Sports complex to rise in Clark By Jess Malabanan

Jaylen Brown

Boston’s Brown gets COVID-19 NEW YORK (AFP) — Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, the NBA club announced. Brown, who tested positive on Friday but remains asymptomatic, was an All-Star last season, when he averaged a career-best 24.6 points as well as 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals a game. After his campaign was cut short by a torn left wrist ligament last May, Brown underwent surgery and made his return on Monday in the Celtics’ pre-season opener, scoring a game-high 25 points in a 98-97 victory over Orlando. Brown, 24, is preparing to open his sixth NBA season, all of them spent with the Celtics, who made him the third overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. The Celtics were bounced out of last season’s playoffs in the opening round by Brooklyn, their earliest ouster since Brown joined the club. Boston will open the regular-season on October 20 at New York.

CAPAS, Tarlac – Works are in full swing for the P557.8-million Phase 1 of the National Academy of Sports project at the New Clark City here. The NAS is a green and climate-resilient learning center and for deserving sports scholars athletes. It will be a breeding ground for future world champions. NAS complex has Academics and administrative buildings as well as a multi-purpose gym. Phase 1 will be completed in February 2022. It is a joint undertaking between the Bases Conversion Development Authority, Department of Education and Philippine Sports Commission. Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap said the main objective of the project is not merely to make champions, but also promote and protect our youth physical, moral, spiritual and social well-being. “More than anything, it is the discipline and teamwork which we hope to establish in our youth through sports that drives our leaders to build institutions such as the NAS,” said Yap in a statement issued by the BCDA. The NAS formally opened classes on September 13, welcoming its first batch of student-athlete scholars, who are enrolled in a specialized sports-oriented education curriculum via remote learning modalities amid the coronavirus pandemic. “This momentous and historical event marks the beginning to showcase not just a physical structure but an institution that will provide the educational advancement and development of highquality sports programs, training and experience to our future world class student-athletes,” said NAS Executive Director Joy Reyes. Speaking on behalf of BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon, BCDA Senior Vice President Engr. Joshua Bingcang said the unveiling of the ceremonial marker and architectural renders not only gives a glimpse of NAS’ innovative and sustainable design features, but casts a vision for our country’s sports program and our young, deserving scholar athletes. “We want the student athletes, their families, the sports community, and the entire nation to know that we are united in help-

Capas Mayor Rey Catacutan, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes, NAS Deputy Executive Director Emil Arroyo, Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma, and BCDA Senior Vice President Engr. Joshua Bingcang unveil the marker for the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City.

ing them reach their dreams despite the pandemic and any challenges,” said Bingcang. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said: “Sa pamamagitan ng sports academy na ito, pagkakalooban natin ang mga student-athlete scholars ng kinakailangan nilang suporta hindi lamang sa dekalidad na edukasyon kundi maging sa paghubog ng susunod na henerasyon ng mga atletang magbibigay ng karangalan sa bansa.” “The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic converged with the inception of the new Sports Academy. This circumstance has posed unprecedented challenges to the Ad Hoc Committee in their endeavor to commence initial preparations for the establishment of the Academy. However, these did not stop them in their resolute determination to realize the ultimate goal of nurturing exceptional Filipino student-athletes,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Field Operations Revsee Escobedo.

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers offense bounced back Saturday in a 9-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants that saw the reigning World Series champions level their Major League Baseball series. One day after they were shut out by the Giants in game one of the best-offive National League division series, the Dodgers responded to give themselves a chance to close out the series in two games in Los Angeles. Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias shut down the Giants — and helped his own cause with a run-batted-insingle. Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock produced two-run doubles as the Dodgers blew open a close game in the sixth inning. It was a statement in San Francisco for the Dodgers, who notched 106 regular-season games but still had to play a wild card game to earn the right to face the Giants — who won the National League West division with 107 regular-season wins. “It was a lot,” Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts said of having to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card game then immediately face their NL West rivals. “Emotions ran high through the wild card game, that was a crazy game in itself. Usually you need a little time to reset — we only had a day. “But each game, you’ve got to take it one game at a time,” Betts added. “And we were able to pull one out today.” Urias struck out five and walked one over five innings, giving up one run on three hits. He also singled in a run in the second inning to give the Dodgers the lead before Betts drove in another run. San Francisco responded in the bottom half of the inning, when Urias issued a leadoff walk to Wilmer Flores who would score on a sacrifice fly from Donovan Solano. It remained 2-1 heading into the sixth inning, when Trea Turner doubled to lead off the inning for the Dodgers, and after Justin Turner struck out, Will Smith walked to chase Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman after 5 1/3 innings. The bases were loaded when Bellinger, who struck out in his first two at bats, stepped to the plate and belted a pitch from reliever Dominic Leone into the left center field gap for a tworun double. Pollock followed with another tworun double and the Dodgers were off — out-scoring San Francisco 7-1 over the final four innings. “It’s great to win one on the road,” Betts said. ‘Keep them off balance’ The Atlanta Braves did the same in Milwaukee, where Max Fried pitched six strong innings and Austin Riley homered in a 3-0 victory over the Brewers that leveled their NL division series at one game apiece. The Brewers brought the tying run to the plate in each of the last three innings, but the Braves bullpen held on to send the best-of-five National League division series back to Atlanta tied at one game apiece. Fried gave up three hits and struck out nine without surrendering a walk. Willy Adames hit a two-out double off Fried in the sixth, but Fried struck out Eduardo Escobar to end the danger. “It’s a really good team over there, so you just want to try to stay on top and keep them off balance,” Fried said. Atlanta took a 2-0 lead in the third inning off The Braves pitcher Brandon Woodruff. Jorge Soler hit a one-out double and scored on Freddie Freeman’s single to right. Ozzie Albies drove in Freeman with a double and the Braves made it 3-0 in the sixth when Riley belted a solo homer.

Belen: Blessed, honored to play for country THE youngest player on the Philippine team, Mhicaela Belen, has made the most out of her senior debut in the recent 21st Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand. “I am both blessed and honored that I was given the chance to be part of the national team that gave me the opportunity to play with some of the country’s great and respected players,” said the 19-yearold Belen on the eve of the Philippine delegation’s flight home from Nakhon Ratchasima. “As the matches progressed, I had my fair share of the teams ups and downs but through it all, the

experience was very fulfilling,” she said. “To collaborate with the great and best players allowed me to harvest ideas and techniques that I can use to further flourished my volleyball journey.” The young but fearless Belen, who stands 5-foot7, shone in Rebisco’s 23-25, 13-25, 17-25 loss to eventual champion Altay of Kazahkstan in the Pool B opener by drilling in 13 points. In the following match, she was held to a single point in an 11-25, 16-25, 16-25 loss to Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi. But Belen was able to recover from that reality check against the Thai powerhouse, contributing

eight points in a 24-26, 25-22, 13-25, 17-25 loss to Iran’s Saipa, followed by a 10-point outing in a 25-22, 17-25, 19-25, 17-25 quarter-finals setback to Choco Mucho “I believe that there is always room for improvement for someone who is willing to learn and after the recent tournament, I know that my skills set are not yet sufficient, thus, I will continue to work hard to improve my attacks and my defense parpar ticularly my blockings,” Belen said. Mhicaela Belen: Young, fearless

Sports

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Yuka Saso of the Philippines hits her tee shot on the 2nd hole during the third round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. AFP

Beermen dominate Giga, level semifinal duel at 2-2 By Peter Atencio

HE San Miguel Beermen took control from start to finish en route to a monster 116-90 win against the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 4 of their best-ofseven semifinals Sunday in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup semifinals at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. The Beermen, with Mo Tautuaa delivering 25 points and nine rebounds, levelled their series with the Tropang Giga at 2-2. Coach Leo Austria said the team took pains in minimizing their turnovers

and errors, which was situation they were in when they lost Game 3, 98-115. “In our last few games, we were caught up in situations, we did not have a good game. Now, we’re trying to minimize our turnovers,” said Austria.

Tautuaa started the Beermen’s gamelong onslaught as he capped a 11-4 run in the first period, which gave the Beermen a 14-8 early spread. Then, Tautuaa finished the quarter with 11 points after he led another rally that pushed the Beermen’s lead to 24-12, with 1:55 left in the first behind his two freebies. Terrence Romeo added 17, including a triple in the 9:03 mark of the second quarter giving the Beermen a 20-point edge at 37-17, with 1:52 remaining. Big man JuneMar Fajardo, who made his imposing presence felt in the second half, knocked in 13 points with Chico Lanete.

Fajardo’s rebound and layup with 6:17 left bloated the Beermen’s edge to 23, 73-40 in the third. Later, Romeo’s inside play in the third widened the Beermen’s advantage to as much as 35, 85-53. In the end, the Beermen finished the game with just 15 turnovers, compared to Game 3 when they had 24. TNT got 15 points from Jayson Castro, while Glenn Khobutin added 11. Tropang Giga still managed to cut down the Beermen’s big lead, with Ping Exciminiano’s layup pushing it down to 18, 80-98, with 5:16 to go. But the Beermen cruised the rest of the way.

Ko grabs 4-stroke lead; Saso running 2nd NEW YORK — South Korea’s Ko Jin-young fired a two-under par 69 to seize a four-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Founders Cup. World number two Ko stood on 13-under 200 after 54 holes at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. A second-place pack four adrift on 204 included South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon, Americans Lindsey Weaver and Elizabeth Szokol and Yuka Saso of the Philippines. Ko, who matched her LPGA career-low round with an opening 63, broke 70 for her 13th round in a row on Saturday, leaving her one shy of matching Annika Sorenstam’s alltime LPGA record for consecutive rounds in the 60s. “I didn’t play too aggressive,” Ko said. “Play was good. I still made it 2-under par. I cannot wait for play tomorrow.” Defending champion Ko began the round with a two-stroke lead, stumbled with a bogey at the fourth but answered with birdies at the par-3 fifth and par-4 sixth to reach 12-under. That gave her a four-stroke advantage as Ryu, second when the round began, faded early with bogeys at the fifth and sixth before rallying to shoot 71. Ko answered a bogey at the ninth with a birdie at the 11th and birdied the par-5 15th to stretch her lead to four strokes, then parred her way to the clubhouse. “Last two days wasn’t breeze much on the course, but today maybe 10 miles (per hour),” Ko said. “So little hard to get like club choice. Still the course is amazing, fairways are really good and greens are perfect.” Ko shared second last week at the LPGA ShopRite Classic after capturing her ninth career LPGA title, and second of the year, last month at Portland. Reigning US Women’s Open champion Saso birdied the fifth, sixth and par-5 eighth and added two more at 14 and 15 before taking her lone bogey at 17 to shoot 67. “I’ll keep doing what I was doing the past three days, have fun and enjoy every shot,” Saso said. AFP

Ravena helps Lakestars dump Robots Frank 18th, KIEFER Ravena provided the key baskets as the Shiga Lakestars swept their two-game series with the Ibaraki Robots following an 85-77 win in the 2021-22 Japan B.League Sunday at the Ukaruchan Arena. The Filipino import, who tallied 11 points, two rebounds and eight assists, knocked in a pair of baskets in the last five minutes to help slow down a Robots’ comeback. Ravena’s final shot came with 2:22 remaining and allowed the Lakestars

Kiefer Ravena

to gain a 76-72 cushion. His earlier heroics kept his team up by six, 71-65, with 4:15 to go. The Lakestars, who brought down the Robots, 93-88, last Saturday, went on to post their third win in four games in a tie with Shimane, Hiroshima D. and Rykyu in the Western Conference. The Lakestars, who drew 17 points from Tomomasa Ozawa, grabbed an eight-point cushion at the end of the game off a pair of freebies from Novar Gadson and Sean Omara. The winless Robots, with Rosco Allen scoring 16, missed Filipino import Javi Gomez de Liaño, Ibaraki’s Asian Quota Player, who is said to be quitting from the team. The Filipino player is still in quarantine, but will head home soon to

grieve for a grandfather, who died last week. Meanwhile, the Sanen NeoPhoenix bucked a great performance put up by Pinoy import Kobe Paras to bounce back from its Saturday setback to the same team with a 85-82 win over Niigata Airbex. Robert Carter and Thirdy Ravena powered the NeoPhoenix with 22 and 13 points respectively, to help lift Sanen to eighth spot at 2-2. In their first game, Rosco Allen and Paras knocked in 23 and 21 points as the Airbex posted a 77-64 win. In Game 2, Allen led with 24 points, while Paras was held to 11 points. Morihisa Yamauchi shot the winning basket for the NeoPhoenix in the final five seconds. Peter Atencio

Yusop, Evil Geniuses stay in contention in TI10 By Peter Atencio ABED Yusop and the Evil Geniuses pulled off a 2-0 win over Thunder Predator before going down in a 0-2 loss to Virtus.pro on Day 3 of in the ongoing Dota 2 premier event, The International 10 (TI10). The 21-year-old Yusop used the Beastmaster character in their best-of-two series matches with TP, and then played the Lycan against Virtus.pro in helping EG stay in contention in upper bracket of Group A. Yusop and his top-ranked North American squadmates Daryl Koh Pei Xiang, Andreas Nielsen, Israeli Tal Aizik, have collected a 3-2-2 win-drawloss-record at the end of their Series 8 matches. EG is now behind overall Group A leader Invictus Games (6-1-0), which remained unbeaten in seven encounters in

the Southeast Asian group stages. Karroch, the Beastmaster, is a versatile melee strength hero most commonly played as an offlaner and ganker, who brings a good amount of utility to his team in any situation. Meanwhile, the Lycan, is a melee strength hero with the ability of making immense physical damage and considerable movement speed. Using Beastmaster against TP proved effective for Yusop as in EG’s two showdowns with the winless Thunder Predator group. Team IG is led by Chinese pro Jin Ziyi, who is also known by his ID, “flyfly.” So far, the team has won 13 individual matches and lost only one. Team OG and Virtus.pro are in second and third, respectively, with their 3-3-1, and 4-1-2 slates. Pinoy gamer Carlo “Kuku” Palad and T1 are struggling to remain in contention

as they are in fifth behind EG following wins over Alliance, 2-0, Team Undying, 2-0. T1 and Team Undying are in fifth and sixth places, respectively, with their 4-03 and 3-2-2 slates, sharing an individual record of 8-6 apiece. The champions of TI10 will claim $18,208,300, as well as the coveted Aegis of Champions to serve as proof being the best Dota 2 team in the world. This year’s grand prize is much bigger from previous years, with TiI9 in 2019 awarding $15.6 million out of its $34.3 million prize pool Meanwhile, organizers said they will now remove the 15-minute delay requirement on third party livestreams for the remainder of the event. The decision was done in order for the gamers to be able to connect with audiences who are watching how the games are going via live feeds worldwide.

Abed Yusop

but sets PH skating mark FIL-AMERICAN Sofia Frank placed 18th in the women’s short program of the ongoing 2021 CS Finlandia Trophy at Espoo Metro Areena, Espoo, Finland. But the 16-year-old Frank, who is from Colorado Springs, still made an impact as she made history after her 53.30 points, which is considered a Philippine record when action ended late Saturday evening (Manila time). “It’s a new national record. We’re very pleased she’s starting to make her mark in the international stage of figure skating,” said Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng in a message to the Manila Standard. The tournament is the third in a series of nine events of the 2021-22 Figure Skating Challenger Series. Frank, who started skating at age 3, earned the highest score by a Filipino female skater in this segment of a twopart competition in this International Skating Union-sanctioned event. Performing to the tune of Donna Summers’ Last Dance, Frank had a routine that included a triple lutz-triple flip combo as she gained element and component scores of 29.21 and 24.09 during her time on the ice. Frank’s previous best of 47.65 was accomplished in her first-ever ISU event as a senior in the Nebelhorn Trophy a few weeks ago. Placing 24th overall last September qualified her for the Four Continents Championships next year. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva leads the women’s division with two other Russians in Alena Kostornaia and Kamila Valieva. Tuktamysheva also set a new personal best of 81.53 to best 26 others. Peter Atencio

Business Jollibee to open 20 Smashburger stores this year By Jenniffer B. Austria JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. said over the weekend US-based hamburger chain Smashburger plans to open 20 stores this year as part of an aggressive expansion in North America. Jollibee said Smashburger recently launched two new stores in Chicago and New York. The newly-opened store in Chicago, the third Smashburger outlet in the area, is located at Edens Collection Shopping Center within Albany Park, while the Jackson Heights restaurant in Queens, New York is found between Ithaca St. and 82nd Street. “We are hoping to make Smashburger a part of the Chicago North Mayfair and New York Queens communities and be able to serve not only mouthwatering burgers, but also delicious breakfast for families of all ages,” said Carl Bachmann, president of Smashburger. The fast-food chain said Chicago’s North Side is a quintessential neighborhood complete with beautiful parks and residential areas booming with history, while the Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens, New York is a melting pot of culture offering some of the most diverse cuisines from Asia, South America among others. “Residents should not have to leave their neighborhood for a quality burger which is why we are so thrilled to be bringing our Smashburger menu variety to North Mayfair and Queens,” Bachmann said.

IN BRIEF Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Tutuban-Malolos train set slated to arrive December By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Department of Transportation said over the weekend it expects the first train set for the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) to arrive in the Philippines by the first week of December.

It said the first train set of the rolling stock contract of PNR Clark Phase 1 was now undergoing a series of factory acceptance tests in Japan. “Through the factory acceptance tests, the newly manufactured train set will undergo verification if it meets its

intended purpose, and its compliance with several international standards, such as the International Organization of Standardization and Japanese Industrial Standards,” DOTR said. “The FATs shall also ensure that the rolling stock’s equipment are correctly and fully functioning, prior to shipment of the trains,” it said. It said the train set would depart Yokohama Port in October and arrive at Malanday Depot in Valenzuela in the first week of December. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said the P106-billion PNR Clark Phase 1 Project, a 38-kilometer railway connecting Tutuban Station in Manila and Malolos in Bulacan, was on track to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

At least 7,500 workers are being employed during the construction of the project, while 2,000 additional jobs would be made available once the project becomes operational, according to Tugade. PNR North 1 has 10 stations, which will cut across the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela and the municipalities and cities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos in Bulacan. Once completed, the project is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily and will reduce travel time from Malolos to Manila from an hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the North-South Commuter Railway Project (MalolosTutuban), also known as the PNR North 1 Project, was signed in November 2015.

Solons warn vs. foreign control of telcos amid China threat LAWMAKERS and concerned sectors wary of Chinese control over critical infrastructure and the national security risks it poses are opposing the measure to amend the Philippines’ Public Service Act that aims to do away with the 60-40 rule on foreign ownership of telecommunications and transportation businesses. Senate Bill No. 2094, which is being discussed at the Senate level, seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service law and effectively

exclude telecommunications from the definition of public utilities in the amendatory bill. Reacting to the proposal, Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned the new PSA might face a “constitutional challenge” for being against the intent of the 1986 Charter framers. He said the minutes of the Constitutional Commission clearly identified telecommunications as a public utility, the ownership of which should remain controlled by Filipinos. Sen. Risa Hontiveros was also con-

cerned about increased Chinese incursions into Philippine territory, as she warned against the Chinese government owning crucial infrastructure in the Philippines if the 100-percent ownership of utilities is allowed. She foresees “grave consequences to national security” if telecoms would be excluded as a public utility, as this would enable Chinese government-controlled companies like China Telecom to gain a stronghold over the critical communications sector.

PT&T secures ISO certification PT&T Corp. said over the weekend it secured the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification of quality management system as it provides better broadband services and helps clients with their digital transformation journey. PT&T’s first ISO 9001:2015 certification was issued by BQSR, a globally recognized ISO certification body with a specialized wide pool of auditors and technical experts conducting audits across various industries including telecommunications. PT&T’s said the decision to strive for the accreditation shows its adherence for continuous improvement of its products and services. “I am proud to say that we’re now ISOcertified. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to the customer as we always seek the highest levels of quality in our bid to better serve their needs,” said James Velasquez, president and chief executive of PT&T. “Our move to ISO 9001:2015 underpins our priority to provide world-class solutions stack, measured against global benchmark of industry excellence,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Maynilad, MetroPac support hand washing MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. and Metro Pacific Water launched the annual Global Hand Washing Day campaign, along with partners from the MVP Group of Companies and various local agencies. This year’s GHD campaign aims to raise awareness on proper hand washing through a virtual dance challenge and educational digital content creation on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. GHD is a global advocacy day celebrated every Oct. 15 and is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the effectiveness of hand washing in preventing the spread of diseases. According to the Global Handwashing Organization, this unprecedented time provides a compelling reason to institutionalize hand hygiene as a fundamental component of health and safety. “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on how the simple act of washing one’s hands properly can help save lives. We in Maynilad, MPW, and the rest of the MVP Group of Companies would like to see proper hand washing become a habit among Filipinos, with or without a pandemic,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.

Business

B2 || MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PSEi October 8, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1

BSC

LAST PRICE 0.6

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.09 17.65%

2 3 4 5 6

OPM BKR PHES PRMX LFM

0.012 0.97 0.51 1.77 29.75

0.001 0.07 0.04 0.12 1.95

9.09% 7.78% 7.37% 7.27% 7.01%

7 8 9 10

CIC FGEN ANI ROX

22.9 29 4.99 1.34

1.5 1.4 0.24 0.06

7.01% 5.07% 5.05% 4.69%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5

CNVRG EVER MACAY NRCP ABG

33.6 0.325 6.34 0.64 5.3

-3.9 -0.035 -0.66 -0.06 -0.4

-10.40% -9.72% -9.43% -8.57% -7.02%

6 7 8 9 10

AB UPM ATN PRIM PHR

6.64 0.0066 0.5 1.5 1.16

-0.41 -0.0004 -0.03 -0.08 -0.06

-5.82% -5.71% -5.66% -5.06% -4.92%

Investors to nudge index above 7,000 points again By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to move sideways over the near-term period as investors look for more catalysts to push the market beyond the 7,000-point mark.

Analysts said the hurdle can easily be reached given the decline in COVID-19 cases, the increased rate of vaccination across the country and the expected positive third-quarter earnings. “The 7,000 mark remains within striking distance, and elusive as it may seem, some technical setup may be seen forming sometime in the fourth quarter, granted near term catalysts such as nine-month earnings and

holiday inflation allow it,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said. “In any case brace for volatility and possible market-on-close calls in the coming weeks as 2021 nears its curtain call and the official race to 2022 begins,” it added. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index 0.2 percent last to 6,906.86 after investors took profits after the index breached the 7,000-point level. Four of the sectoral indices posted week-on-week increases, led by financial which rose 3.9 percent, mining and oil which advanced 3.5 percent, property which climbed 2.4 percent and industrial which gained 0.6 percent. The services index declined 1.6 percent while holding firms fell 1.4 percent. Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P1.39 billion, while average daily value traded was steady at P12 billion. Weekly top price gainers were Ma-

nila Water Co Inc., which jumped 28.8 percent to P23.80, Wilcon Depot Inc., which advanced 24.1 percent to P34.95, and Semirara Mining and Power Corp., which climbed 11.6 percent to P24.90. Weekly top price losers were Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc., which dropped 15.8 percent to P33.60, First Gen Corp. which decreased 11.5 percent to P29, and Aboitiz Power Corp., which fell 6.6 percent to P29.55. Meanwhile, global stock markets mostly dropped Friday following weaker-thanexpected US jobs data as oil prices continued to rise, adding to inflation worries. The much-anticipated Labor Department report showed the United States added only 194,000 jobs last month, less than half the number expected by analysts due to declining public sector staffing and lackluster hiring in bars and restaurants. With AFP

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8990 AMBASSADOR. 8990 Holdings Inc. president and chief executive Anthony Vincent Sotto (left) and chief operating

officer Alexander Ace Sotto (right) welcome local celebrity Slate Young as the company’s brand ambassador. Young is a Filipino entrepreneur, engineer, actor, social media influencer and television personality. As of June 30, 8990 reported a net revenue of P3.4 billion, up from P1.4 billion a year ago.

The Mission of Forming Lasallian Business Leaders DE LA Salle University (DLSU) ‘s anything else. Ramon V. del Rosario College of The next theme, which I find SARAH Business (RVR COB) recently celLead very interesting, is Business Leadebrated the 10th anniversary of its MONTALBAN-QUINTO ers as Change Agents. The video naming. It was also an occasion to content shared by speakers Atty. remember RVR’s legacy as a nation Allan Pamis, Dr. Robert Ramos builder. The activities include soand Mr. Jose Mari Yupangco reflect cials, games and lectures delivered via virtual platforms organizational challenges that I have experienced firstand social media. hand–specifically resistance. In my 19 years of working My learning started right from the opening ceremonies experience, change is always a messy situation to be in– and continued until the closing session. During the open- both for management and employees. In the video series, ing session, RVRCOB Dean Dr. Emilina Sarreal shared the speakers have pointed out that resistance is the main the 2006 joint resolution of the board of trustees of the challenge, but there are models to guide leaders when De La Salle Professional Schools Inc. and the National implementing change. Speakers like Dr. Cristine Atienza Mission Council of De La Salle Philippines renaming the and Shiela Salamanca further shared the models and steps Graduate School of Business (GSB) to the Ramon V. del leaders can take. Another essential aspect they pointed out Rosario Sr. Graduate School of Business. is how the right community/partners and culture aids in Ambassador Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. remarked, “You this change. Lastly, Dr. Teehankee explains how Action have honored me immeasurably by naming your presti- Research is used to evaluate and implement changes. As a gious school after me. You will honor me even more if Lasallian leader, this is a pivotal idea to ponder and a piece our school distinguishes itself by producing graduates of instrumental knowledge to build better organizations. who stand out because they manifest the finest qualities of Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, the final speaker, highlightprincipled management, entrepreneurship, integrity, pro- ed the qualities of a Lasallian leader, like consistency, honfessionalism, and patriotism.” or, dignity and perseverance. He shared the importance of In The RVR COB Journey in Educating Lasallian Busi- constant learning and intellectual humility. And lastly, ness Leaders for Nation-building opening remarks, Dr. what stuck to me was the message on sparking hope and Benito Teehankee said the principles behind a Lasallian continuing to work with the community towards nationleader should consider the Covenant for Shared Prosper- building. ity, Ethics, and Sustainability. Both talks from Dr. Sarreal These activities made me understand the “cause” of and Dr. Teehankee have set the stage for RVR COB’s vi- RVRCOB and MOD. I realized that I should be thinking sion and mission of building a Lasallian Leader. Moreover, about the common good, and my role is to manifest the they emphasized the power of the Lasallian community qualities of a Lasallian business leader. At some level, I and how working together can amplify each Lasallian’s believe that being a good leader has now become less trivwork towards nation-building. ial to me. When I started with the MBA program, I tried to Various themes and topics were available throughout understand it from my lens–looking from inside out. I was the week-long celebration. Among which was Ad Create attacking the concept of leadership on how it can benefit Society’s talk on Sustainability with guest speaker Tinni my family and me or benefit my business–and on the flip Garbes. Ms. Garbes is from the fashion industry, and one side, the adverse effect of the lack thereof. area she discussed is fast fashion, a profitable business However, when I shifted my view and looked at myself model through mass-producing clothes at low cost. She as part of everything else, it dramatically changed how I shared some insights on how fast fashion can adversely perceived things. The shift made me realize how interconaffect the environment, especially if the practices are not nected and how interrelated our actions are. I can already sustainable. As an individual, a key realization I have on imagine the effect of one person’s effort and how that efthis topic is the importance of being a mindful consumer fect multiplies the more people are involved. and inspecting the quality of the goods we purchase. SusMoving forward, as part of the RVRCOB Community, tainability–in some cases–may have initial cost implica- I will start by playing my role as an advocate of the Covtions in business. However, as a Lasallian leader, my criti- enant for Shared Prosperity, Ethics and Sustainability to cal takeaway is with sustainability mindset, I should be spark hope where possible. I will continue to practice thinking about the long-term effect of my actions beyond leadership with integrity, professionalism and patriotism. the bottom line. And lastly, no matter how small, I will be consistent in Another topic in the week-long celebration is VUCA, taking steps forward to build our nation. which stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Dave Ceñido shared that a way for us to move The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del forward is to stop playing the victim or stop blaming others Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached for negative things that happen to us. He said we should at sarah_montalban@dlsu.edu.ph. learn more about the situation, simplify the problem and keep composure to live on the now. I find this topic relThe views expressed above are the author’s and do not evant in our current times, and acknowledging VUCA will necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its fachelp me as a leader focus on finding solutions more than ulty, and its administrators.

Green LiGht

WalterMart bares plan to open two new stores WALTERMART, the Luzon-based supermarket chain owned by SM Retail and family of Wilson Lim, plans to open two new stores before the end of the year to strengthen its position as one of the major players in the retail industry. Waltermart said the new stores will be located in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), which is experiencing a rapidly growing population and increasing purchasing power. The company recently opened its 41st store in Antipolo, Rizal and will soon launch another branch in Bacoor, Cavite by the end of October. “We remain true to our vision of bringing the good life to more Filipino homes through strategic expansion. We aim to bring our stores closer to serve neighborhoods with our signature service excellence as people still look for trusted, convenient and safe ways to shop, especially during these times,” WalterMart president Jennilyn Uy said. WalterMart recently reopened this year its first store on a 7,000 square meter property in E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City. Opened in 1992 as a small community supermarket in E-Rodriguez, WalterMart is now one of the fastest growing supermarket chains. WalterMart is also taking a step forward toward a stronger digital presence to provide customers with a more convenient way of grocery shopping. The grocery chain in September launched #14388, or the CallMeWally service. CallMeWally is WalterMart’s “same day pabili (to buy) and delivery “service where people can dial in and call #14388 to order from WalterMart Supermarket & Department Store. Customers may pay via flexible payment options, such as cash on delivery or pick up, GCash, Paymaya, or BDO Pay. No shopping fee and no minimum order are required. CallMeWally went the extra mile by extending same day delivery to all its customers. Jenniffer B. Austria

DENR, Germany team up to lure investments, fix land titling mess By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has entered into a partnership with The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to encourage investments and address bottlenecks in land titling. The agreement is part of efforts toward achieving the sixth of the 10 socio-economic agenda that ensures security of land tenure. The plan aims to “ensure security of land tenure to encourage investments and address bottlenecks in land management and titling.” The project, part of the “Ambisyon Natin 2040” program, is a 25-year vision led by the National Economic and Development Authority that seeks Filipinos’ enjoyment of a “strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life.” Dubbed as “Responsible Land Governance in Mindanao,” the project aims to orient local governments and communities, including indigenous cultural communities in Misamis Oriental,

Davao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur, on the management of public lands. The effective management of lands is expected to create a ripple effect, benefitting the economy as government taxation process also becomes effective. Investors needing land may also find it easier to invest with better land identification and titling processes. The vision takes into consideration sustainability and conflict sensitivity among ethnic groups and indigenous people on effective land management. The project involved a 10-year roadmap on the land sector development framework for effective administration to help the country usher in economic development. “This shall provide direction towards the achievement of a highly efficient and effective land sector whose potential is so great to contribute in the economic growth of our country,” said the Land Management Bureau. The project also aims to support mitigation of conflicts within selected areas in Mindanao.

Rivals Smart, Globe win accolades

SMART Communications Inc. said it won the best-rated broadband coverage in the country, while rival Globe Telecom Inc. continued to improve its mobile consistency score for three straight quarters this year. Smart won the ‘Best in Test’ award by Germany-based umlaut, which also cited it for having the best-rated broadband coverage, user download experience and latency experience, putting Smart in the best position to deliver superior network services. “This citation not only reinforces Smart’s superiority in 5G and LTE network performance, but further affirms our relentless push to provide world-class connectivity,” said PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio. Germany-based umlaut said Smart posted an overall score of 777 out of a maximum of 1,000 points in umlaut’s benchmarking survey. The score includes Smart’s performance in terms of broadband coverage, download speed, and latency, which refers to the time it takes for data to make a round trip through the network. For its extensive analysis, umlaut tested and measured 722 million samples from 871,000 users over 6 months between April and September this year. “Congratulations to Smart for being awarded as the best network in the Philippines, winning in all categories,” said umlaut CEO Hakan Ekmen, adding with mobile number portability now available, more customers stand to benefit from the great experience on Smart’s network. Meanwhile, Globe said based on the third quarter analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data in the Philippines, the company received a nationwide consistency score of 76.64 compared to 75.98 in the second quarter and 70.43 in the first three months of 2021.Darwin G. Amojelar

Entertainment

nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Joshua Garcia, Zaijian Jaranilla join Jane de Leon in ‘Darna’ series ABS-CBN announced that awardwinning young actors Joshua Garcia and Zaijian Jaranilla are joining Jane De Leon in the muchanticipated Darna: The TV Series, which will be directed by Chito S. Roño. For the first time ever, a live cast revelation event was held--staged at the ABS-CBN Soundstage in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan—followed by a story conference with the stars of the highly-anticipated TV adaptation that is set to start filming in November.

Zaijian will breathe new life into the character of Ding, the younger brother and sidekick of the titular character, Darna/ Narda, portrayed by Jane. Joshua, a policeman and EMT named Brian, will be Narda’s love interest. As previously announced, Iza Calzado (Leonor) is taking on the role of the first Darna, who is expected to pass the magical stone to her daughter Narda. Joining the star-studded cast are Rio Locsin, Simon Ibarra, Levi Ignacio, Richard Quan, and Kiko Estrada. Also

part of the series are Joj Agpangan, Zeppi Borromeo, Mark Manicad, Marvin Yap, Dawn Chang, Tart Carlos, L.A. Santos, Yogo Singh, Young JV, and Gerard Acao. Meanwhile, no actress has been named yet to play the role of the series’ supervillain, Valentina. The series, to be produced by ABSCBN’s JRB Creative Production, is based on the iconic Filipino superheroine created by Mars Ravelo, whose 115th birth anniversary is commemorated on Oct. 9.

'Darna: The TV Series' lead stars (from left) Joshua Garcia, Jane de Leon, and Zaijian Jaranilla.

Celebs share their Smart moves in life

TV5’s early Christmas surprise

Former 'Pinoy Big Brother' housemate Axel Torres topbills BL drama 'Diving into Love' opposite Hashtag member Kid Yambao.

Why Axel Torres lights our fire ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO DO NOT let the evident school boy charms and mild manners deceive you into thinking that Axel Torres lights everybody’s fire. How does he switch on the fire in all of us exactly? With one glimpse, he can make what inside you sizzle. With a smile, no flame is near yet you feel the burn. When he says hello, an inner conflagration plus one of the seven deadly sins, lust as a potent add on, feeling the heat is inevitable. Blame him being born under the astrological sign of Leo. Men who are in this fire sign screams sex appeal and handsomeness. Perfect showbiz examples are Aga Muhlach, Dindong Dantes, and the legends namely Comedy King Dolphy, and the King of Philippine show business, Fernando Poe, Jr. Mind you, Torres is no way near the adjectives boastful and bashful. Whatever he physically possesses, he downplays them with casual yet fashionable tees and polos and lets his engaging and enchanting personality bring the impression. His most memorable project to date, a Boys Love drama with Kid Yambao billed Diving Into Love made more people curious about him because his commitment and honesty in bringing life to Sam, gave more reasons to covet him. “I am thankful that a lot of people like my portrayal of Sam,” reacts the amiable Torres. “I just really put my place in his shoes and it also helped that my co-actor and partner Kid, was also committed to his character that is why the acting part became easy.” Read full story on manilastandard.net

To achieve her dream of winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, weightlifting champ Hidilyn Diaz made the smart move of hiring Chinese coach Gao Kaiwen in her team. “It changed my life for the best,” she says. Now that Gao is homebound to China, Hidilyn remains grateful and promises to always put to heart the things she learned from Gao. (Photo from Instagram)

NJOYING your best life is all about making smart, pivotal moves. Whether it’s as major as moving out of the city for a simpler and more balanced life, or as simple as committing to a skincare routine to improve your looks or switching to a faster mobile network to achieve more – your every smart move you leads you closer to your goal and makes life more meaningful and fulfilling.

To spend more time with family -- Luis Manzano With a loaded work schedule, it’s unavoidable to m i s s out on t h e things that really matter, like making beautiful memories with the people you love most. Host, actor, content creator, and entrepreneur Luis Manzano reveals this to be one of his biggest regrets, which is why over the past few months, he made the smart move to commit to making time for his family. “It made me appreciate love, family, and relationships even more,” he says. (With Jessy Mendiola, Photo from Instagram)

To give everyone a dose of inspiration, we asked celebrities about what they consider as their smart move in life using #MakeTheSmartMove. Here are their insightful revelations: To focus on the good things that might happen -- Maine Mendoza “Life is too short to live with regrets,” says TV personality Maine Mendoza, who, in the past, would burden herself worrying about things that could go wrong. Whenever a new opportunity presents itself, she would always have second thoughts and would only end up regretting her decisions. This time, she makes the smart move of focusing on the possibilities and to enjoy every moment. (Photo from Instagram) To be grateful -- Hidilyn Diaz

To help yourself and do your part for society -- Matteo Guidicelli For actor, athlete, and podcast host Matteo Guidicelli, getting the anti-COVID-19 vaccine is one of the smartest moves he has made yet. While he respects everyone’s opinion and decision about vaccination, he encourages people to make a selfless choice. “Getting the shot is the best thing we can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community,” he says. (Photo from Instagram) Read full story on manilastandard.net

Big prizes await Kapuso viewers this Yuletide season

GMA promo is back to wrap up the year with extra holiday cheer for Filipinos with 'Kapuso Bigay Premyo sa Pasko.'

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION THE more the merrier is now the mantra of pageant-loving Filipinos after a new national beauty search was launched at the Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Cebu City on Wednesday. Hiyas ng Pilipinas, the first Cebu-based national pageant and organized by the Hiyas ng Turismo Pilipinas Foundation, Inc., is headed by Eva Psychee Patalinjug, national director, and former Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International 2014 and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018.

KATHLEEN Ann Moral (Quezon City), Angeleo Dayag (Cagayan), Jaime Anislogon (Bohol), and Rosalie Capito (Cagayan de Oro) are still on a high from winning the weekly grand cash prize of P100,000 in the first run of this year’s GMA Network promo, “Kapuso Bigay Premyo Panalo.” Grace Jean Buringgit (Rizal) is gearing up to change her address after winning the brand new house and lot in the grand draw. They are just five of the 1,602 winners of Kapuso Bigay Premyo Panalo, which was launched to bring hope amid

the pandemic. This Christmas season, the GMA promo is back to wrap up the year with extra holiday cheer for Filipinos with “Kapuso Bigay Premyo sa Pasko.” This 10-week promo is set to give bigger, more exciting prizes to over 3,000 Kapuso winners in the daily, weekly, and grand draws. There will be 1,400 cash winners of P1,000, 70 winners of P10,000 Pasko-buhayan Cash Packages, 50 winners of P100,000 Grand Aguinaldo Cash Packages, and a Grand Prize winner of a brand-new house and lot from Lumina Homes.

The prizes do not end there. All participants who will include their sarisari store partner in their raffle entries can win additional prizes for themselves and for their partner sari-sari store. Bigger prizes are also up for grabs for sari-sari store partners as they are set to win up to P25,000 worth of cash prizes. All non-winning entries from weeks 1 to 10 will be qualified for the Grand Raffle Draw for a chance to win a brand-new house and lot from Lumina Homes. Read full mechanics on manilastandard.net

TV5 is kicking off the longest Christmas celebration on Philippine TV it officially launches its “Himig ng Ating Pasko: Guess the Lyrics Promo” where participants can win cash prizes of up to P1 million. Following TV5’s ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting on Sept. 1, and the successful launch of the network’s new shows Sing Galing: Sing-lebrity Edition and 'Di Na Muli, along with ABS-CBN’s Marry Me, Marry You, TV5 continues to unwrap more Christmas surprises as part of its “Atin ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid” Christmas campaign. Running until Dec. 12, TV5’s “Himig ng Ating Pasko: Guess the Lyrics Promo” is set to make this Christmas the happiest and most life-changing season for lucky viewers who can win P20,000 in the weekly draws and P100,000 up to P1 million in the Grand Draw. Throughout the promo duration, TV5 will be airing weekly Christmas promo plugs which viewers can catch during the network’s program gaps. To join the watch & win promo, participants simply need to complete the missing lyrics of the featured Christmas song of the week and indicate the telecast date of the specific promo plug. Valid entries must include the missing lyric and the specific Christmas promo plug’s telecast date; the participant’s name, address, mobile number, email, signature, birthdate, and age; and a proof of purchase of any of the participating Lady’s Choice & Best Foods products. Entries can be written on any piece of paper, in clear handwriting, submitted in a white envelope, and physically dropped at any of the drop boxes in participating LBC branches nationwide. One correct answer and telecast date are equivalent to one entry. Multiple entries are allowed. Winners’ names will be posted on TV5’s Facebook Page (https:// facebook.com/TV5manila) and will be announced via plugs on TV5. All winners will also be notified by way of email, registered mail and a phone call from a TV5 representative. For the detailed mechanics visit www.tv5.com.ph.

TV5 kicks off the longest Christmas celebration with 'Himig ng Ating Pasko: Guess the Lyrics Promo.'

Former Binibini heads new national pageant The pageant aims to empower young Filipina women through Leadership and Community Service, and to become role models to effect positive change through volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy. The winners will be given their own platform to enrich others by dedicating themselves to raising awareness and support for philanthropic endeavors. In a statement, the organization said that they envision Hiyas ng Pilipinas as a force to be reckoned with both locally and internationally; to celebrate women of diverse cultures, and empower them to realize their goals by creating opportunities for success. To be relevant and compete

favorably in an industry driven by intense competition and to give Filipinos what they truly deserve. The first edition of Hiyas ng Pilipinas will have thirty official candidates to be named late this year who will go on to vie in the finals set in the first quarter of 2022. A cash of P500,000 and other prizes await the winners, aside from earning the right to represent the Philippines in competitions abroad. Hiyas ng Turismo Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. owns the local franchise for the Miss Elite World, Miss Tourism Queen International and Miss Tourism World pageants.

Former Binibini and Hiyas ng Pilipinas national director Eva Psychee Patalinjug (center) with her team.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

PINTEREST-INSPIRED

Local specialty shop promotes sustainability through coconut bowls

Bowls made of all-natural and biodegradable coconut shells.

Founded in June 2020, Coconut Bowls PH offers locally made, Pinterest-worthy coconut bowls and plates and utensils handcrafted from reclaimed wood. (Photos from @cocobowls.ph/Instagram)

set,” the cofounders said. Their products are eco-friendly and can be composted so no waste will be OCONUT shells (or bao ng niyog) used as bowls have been left behind. a popular sight on Instagram and Pinterest feeds. The dark Since it was the first time for both brown bowl beautifully highlights colorful fruit smoothies Faundo and Magtaan to start a business, and vegetable salads in photos. Those trendy images were the same the two agreed to “make it right”. thing that piqued Regine Faundo interest in the eco-friendly bowls. “Coconut Bowls PH primarily focuses on sustainability and being an inspiration to make a positive contribution to “I saw some coconut bowls while launched Coconut Bowls PH under De the society and the environment. It’s a brand with a purpose,” said Faundo. browsing Pinterest, which I thought was Lokal Specialty Shop in June 2020. very interesting,” she shared with MaMore than offering trendy bowls or A brand with a purpose nila Standard in an email interview. Instagram props, Coconut Bowls PH asSince their products are non-consumAs someone who loves making meal- pires to contribute positive change to the times “extra”, Faundo looked for a shop environment. It supports local farmers able, there are days they don’t make a that sold food safe coconut bowls here in by offering handcrafted coconut bowls sale. But what keeps them satisfied is Metro Manila but found none. “That was and coconut plates and naturally made their purpose. In addition to offering sustainable when we decided to start the business.” wheat straws and utensils made from dinnerware and supporting farmers, ebony wood. How it started “We support farmers by buying their Faundo and Magtaan use their brand to Together with Raian Magtaan, Faundo products according to the price they promote other products and businesses

By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano

with the same principles. “Ang ibang packaging namin at products ay galing sa small businesses with a purpose din,” they said. The cofounders added, “Minsan nagfe-feature and nagpapa-giveaway kami ng other products like nito from @titonito.homedecors. Instead of asking for free products, we support by buying them,” They also use their platform to share tips on how to contribute to the protection and conservation of the environment.

Leading a sustainable lifestyle

Before purchasing any product with eco-friendly or sustainable tag, the Coconut Bowls PH founders emphasize that sustainability does not start with any kind of item but how an item, natural or otherwise, is utilized. “Filipinos can lead a healthy and sus-

NEW EATS

Dine in like a pro

Poco Deli’s Sausage Platter and Chili’s Fajita Trio are some of the dishes pandapro members can get at discounted prices for dine in.

AS DINERS gradually and safely experience the pleasures of eating out again, a member-exclusive program of an on-demand food delivery service makes it easier to look for and avail of discounts from restaurants in the metro. Foodpanda’s pandapro, a subscription service, offers members up to 40 percent discount when they dine in at partner establishments. “We want to give our customers the enjoyment of dining in restaurants again, this is why we have partnered with these restaurants for pandapro,” managing director Daniel Marogy said in a statement. Members get access via the app to discounts on Discovery Primea Hotel’s Tapenade’s Wagyu Beef and Mushroom Paella; Mamma Mia’s hearty Agnello Alla Scottadito; Dohtonbori’s Okonomiyaki, Donburi, and Yakiniku; Chili’s Baby Back Ribs, Classic Ribeye, and Fajita Trio; Poco Deli’s Quattro Formaggi and Quattro Carne Pizza; and more. Monthly subscription to pandapro is P50, while an annual membership is P399. To become a member, you must be at least 18 years old with a valid credit or debit card. Click on your profile icon on the top left corner of the foodpanda app home screen and fill in the details on the “Become a pandapro” page.

Website for pasta recipes and other ‘pastabilities’ launched A FILIPINO pasta brand has launched an online destination featuring various pasta recipes. The “Real Pastabilities by El Real” is designed to provide home-cooks and pasta-loving folks with several recipes based on pasta type, ingredients, and even occasion. It also includes unique creations from El Real, as well as a blog space filled with helpful cooking-related articles and information on the kinds of El Real pasta to use for different dishes. The brand offers a variety of pasta types made with durum wheat semolina which, it says, “can help make your pasta be more al dente and make the sauce stick better”. El Real adds its products are packed with nutrients such as The Real Pastabilities by El Real offers pasta recipes, tips, and stories. iron, protein, and fiber, all in “friendly price offering that is Go to www.realpastabilities.com to find delicious recipes truly ‘Value for Mommy’”. and inspiring stories.

Corner Pizza’s thick and chewy Detroit Style Pizza Pepperoni

Corner Pizza serves pie, Detroit-style A NEW pizza player on the corner serves a square-shaped pie with thick, chewy crust and lots of cheese on top – just like how they do it in Detroit. Corner Pizza adds Detroit Style Pizza - Pepperoni to its growing menu. It’s made with an extra thick cheddar crust with 50 percent more mozzarella and cheddar cheese and topped with 50 pepperoni slices. The Detroit Style Pizza is made richer with added tomato sauce to balance the flavors. The brand, launched as a cloud kitchen concept (operates in “ghost kitchens” and available for delivery only) in November 2020 by Marco Siy, offers

Parmesan Crusted Garlic Bread

Inspired by traditional recipe books, the website is a hub for moms looking for recipes and pasta possibilities.

tainable lifestyle sa pag-gamit ng mga bagay na meron na sila,” said Faundo. Citing plastic food containers that “our mothers always keep” as an example, Faundo suggested, “pwede natin ito (plastic) gamitin until sa end life nito ”. She said buying sustainable food storage solutions and throwing plastic containers that can still be reused defeats the purpose. “Being sustainable is a long process – it starts from the things you already have and buying new products when only needed, to properly taking care of them and disposing of them,” she said. “It’s being aware of your resource consumption and reducing unnecessary waste.” Coconut Bowls PH’s products range from P149 to P549. They are also looking into carrying more food items from other brands on their website www.coconutbowlsph.com and Instagram account @cocobowls.ph.

square-shaped pizzas bigger by square inch than its 12-inch round counterpart. “Corner Pizza was born given the pandemic situation last year, by maximizing the delivery service and products of Kenny Rogers Roasters,” shared 17-year-old Siy. In entering the local pizza market, Siy said, “We don’t cut corners in the selection of ingredients, preparation, and shape. This is further strengthened by our new pizza that has a thick and chewy crust – Detroit Pepperoni. And we don’t plan to stop there, there are lots of exciting products soon.” Corner Pizza is reportedly planning to open its first small brick-and-morbrick-and-mor tar store soon. PepIn the meantime, its Detroit Pep peroni (P599) and other square-shaped pizzas can be ordered through 8555-9000 or www. cornerpizza. com.ph. Each com.ph order of the PepDetroit Pep peroni today until Oct. 17 comes with free four pieces Parmesan Crusted Garlic Bread.