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Passengers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Paranaque City. Despite a US State Department warning against travel to the Philippines, the Department of Tourism remains unfazed that the industry will rebound as COVID-19 cases decrease and mobility curbs are eased. Starting February 10, fully-vaccinated foreign visitors, including those from the United States, will be allowed to enter the country. Danny Pata

DOT unfazed by US travel warning, sees tour rebound By Othel V. Campos and Vito Barcelo

VOL. XXXV • NO. 353 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

forward to an increase in inbound and domestic tourism as it promotes safe travel around the country’s islands. While the US advisory might DESPITE a US travel advisory warning against travel to the Philippines dampen the interest of some travelers, over COVID-19 concerns, the Depart- the department said things have never ment of Tourism (DOT) is looking Next page

Govt eyeing pandemic exit

Nograles says IATF working on details, downgrade to Alert Level 1 By Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo

HE government is now working on an exit plan from the COVID-19 pandemic, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said Wednesday.

"We’ve always been talking about terview when asked if the Inter-Agenthat," Nograles said in a television in- cy Task Force for the Management of

Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has such a plan. The IATF, he said, has its own subtechnical working group on recovering, working on resolutions for the gradual reopening of the economy, reviving tourism and resuming face-to-face classes. “So we have a task group for that and they are the ones putting the details on this resiliency plan that we have,” he said.

But Nograles ruled out a proposal to scrap the alert level system altogether, because although the vaccination rate in Metro Manila is high, inoculations still have to be ramped up in other regions in the country. Nograles said the alert level system will likely stay in case the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant would trigger another surge of infections.

The Palace official said they are still studying when Alert Level 1 would be declared, which would be the “new normal.” To downgrade to Alert Level 1, Nograles said an area should record a hospital utilization rate of below 49 percent, a zero or decreasing COVID-19 two-week growth rate, and an average daily attack Next page rate (ADAR) below 1.

Virus infections rise among kids below 5—DOH Health official denies group's claim By Willie Casas THE number of COVID-19 cases among children below 5 years old rose last month compared to the wave of Delta infections last year, the Department of Health said as the agency prepared for the government's expansion of

pediatric vaccination. Virus infections among the age group were tallied at 632 on January 24 to 30 compared to only 554 during the peak of Delta cases in September, DOH data showed. "There's a decline in COVID-19 cases among 60 years old and above...On the other hand, an increase has been ob-

served among COVID cases in the pediatric age group compared last September when we had the Delta experience,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters Wednesday. But this should not stop parents from allowing their children to go outside their homes in areas under Alert Level 2, Vergeire said. Next page

Guanzon, Ferolino meet at Comelec ceremony for retiring commissioners By Macon Ramos-Araneta COMMISSION on Elections chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. retired Wednesday, a little over three months before the May 9 synchronized na-

tional and local polls. Abas thanked his colleagues and staff, whom he described as "among the best and the most dedicated public servants in the country." "It has been an honor to serve with you, our beloved employees," Abas said. Next page

deaths due to COVID understated

THE Department of Health discredited Wednesday a claim by the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines that the country's COVID-19 deaths – 54,097 as of mid week – were double than what was being reported. The group cited the Philippine Statistics Authority, which it said recorded more than 105,000 total COVID deaths versus the 54,054 reported by the DOH as of Monday. Data of the DOH and the PSA do not match as the health agency verifies reported COVID-19 deaths and does not consider incidental cases or those hospitalized for a different cause but when tested yielded a positive result, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. Local governments sometimes do not Next page

3,577,298 7,661

160,297

54,097

3,362,904 23,392 (As of 4 PM, FEBRUARY 2)

Palace on Pharmally report: Not official By Joyce Pangco Panares, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Palace on Wednesday declined to comment on a Senate Blue Ribbon report that found President Duterte betrayed the public trust by doing nothing about billions of pesos worth of irregular government contracts with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., saying the findings were not yet final.

BOWING OUT. Commission on Elections chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho Jr. are feted during a solemn retirement ceremony Wednesday.

Guanzon gets 7 fake food deliveries on last day of work By Vito Barcelo COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who retired Wednesday after a seven-year term at the constitutional body, appeared to have been

victimized by fake food orders on her last working day in office in Intramuros. At least six or seven food delivery riders arrived at Palacio del Gobernador, Comelec's main office, in Manila only to

find out that neither Guanzon nor her office ordered anything. Some P5,390 worth of food was ordered via an app using Guanzon's name. Guanzon's office denied bookNext page ing the order.

FAKE ORDER. A food delivery driver shows a receipt for a bogus order made under the name of outgoing Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Danny Pata

"The report is yet to be adopted by the committee. It was a partial, unofficial finding," said acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles. "It's something we cannot comment on because it is not yet official,” Nograles said, adding that they have yet to receive a copy of the draft report. Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday admitted the report has yet to be signed by other members of the Blue Ribbon committee.

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

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Expanded in-person classes OK’d T

HE Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday it allowed more public and private schools nationwide to hold limited in-person classes – the second phase of a three-part plan to reopen basic education classes since March 2020.

Health... From A1

put the correct immediate and underlying causes of death, Vergeire said. "We are debunking this allegation... The DOH data is (sic) the official number for COVID-19 deaths because our data is being cleaned, being validated. Whatever we report is exactly those who died due to COVID and not an incidental finding that they had COVID, Vergeire said. She said the DOH was coordinating with the PSA to "harmonize" the data. The DOH announced Wednesday afternoon that total COVID-19 deaths in the country stood at 54,097 after an additional 43 were recorded over the last 24 hours. According to the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), with initial data from the PSA, the first 11 months of 2021 saw more registered deaths across the Philippines, which stood at 768,504— higher by 154,562 than all of 2020. This number hiked the country’s mortality rate to 6.98 per thousand, as against 5.8 per thousand in 2020. This, according to POPCOM, set a record in the number of Filipinos dying in a year since post-World War 2. COVID-19, classified either as “identified” or “unidentified” by medical practitioners, was the underlying cause of death for 75,285 Filipinos—higher than the 30,140 deaths from the same cause from March to December 2020. It was the second-leading cause of death next to ischemic heart disease POPCOM executive director Dr. Juan A. Perez III said about 105,425 deaths, or 11.04% of 954,585 deaths from April 2020 to October 2021, were classified as caused by COVID-19. Perez explained there are two kinds of COVID-19 deaths: COVID-19 “identified,” which can be confirmed via RT-PCR tests, and COVID-19 “unidentified,” with laboratory tests or clinical findings by a doctor indicative of COVID-19, but without a confirmatory test up to the time of death. Both are considered valid causes of death, and are methods accepted by the World Health Organization to report the disease, Perez said.

In a statement, the DepEd said Sec- progressive expansion phase of face-toretary Leonor Briones "has authorized face classes for both public and private all regional directors to commence the schools."

The first phase, which had nearly 300 participating schools, took place last November to December. The DepEd said schools must be compliant with its School Safety Assessment Tool before it could hold limited in-person classes. Only schools in areas under Alerts Level 1 and 2 are allowed to hold classroom sessions, the DepEd added. On Tuesday, Metropolitan Manila

Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said they would discuss with DepEd the possible return of limited face-to-face classes as the region shifted to a looser COVID-19 alert level. “Remember, before all these happened, we already had a pilot and it was good, continuous. We will see, we will immediately have a dialogue with Secretary Leonor Briones and her colleagues if we could perhaps continue this pilot," Abalos said.

demic,” the direction is to see if people can live with the virus. “Endemicity has many components – we need to see sustained, controlled number of cases, more people are vaccinated, and fewer severe infections,” she said. The Philippines dropped from a high risk classification to a moderate risk classification for COVID- 19, the Department of Health (DOH) said. Vergeire said the country has recorded a negative one-week and two-week growth rate. Though the average daily attack rate in the Philippines is still at high risk, it has dropped to 19.93 cases per every 100,000 individuals. Both the national health systems capacity, total beds, and ICU beds are at low risk, she said. The National Capital Region (NCR), meanwhile, is classified as a moderate risk for COVID-19, the independent OCTA Research Group said Tuesday. “Our projection is that within one to two weeks it will be at low risk,” said

OCTA Research fellow Guido David, in an interview on state-run PTV. David said that NCR's positivity rate is currently at 17 percent and the average daily attack rate (ADAR) is 19.58 percent. Metro Manila and seven other areas reverted to Alert Level 2, which will be in effect from Feb. 1 to Feb. 15. Under Alert Level 2, which is the second lowest in the new alert level system, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50 percent capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated), and 70 percent capacity outdoors. Also under Alert Level 2, the implementation of the "no vaccination, no ride" policy barring unvaccinated people in Metro Manila from boarding public transport will be suspended, the Department of Transportation earlier said. The Philippines logged on 7,661 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total case count to 3,577,298. The country's positivity rate was at 24.8 percent, based on 40,453 tests con-

ducted on Jan. 31. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Region 6 (Western Visayas) with 896 or 15 percent; National Capital Region (Metro Manila) with 873 or 15 percent; and Region 4-A (Calabarzon) with 694 or 12 percent. There were 43 new fatalities reported, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 54,097. The DOH also reported 23,392 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 3,362,904. The DOH also reported 160,297 active cases, of which 5,575 were asymptomatic; 149,892 were mild; 3,056 were moderate; 1,521 were severe; and 316 were critical. Nationwide, 46 percent of ICU beds, 44 percent of isolation beds, 45 percent of ward beds, and 25 percent of ventilators, were in use. In Metro Manila, 40 percent of ICU beds, 34 percent of isolation beds, 36 percent of ward beds, and 24 percent of ventilators, were in use.

The DOT said it will be focusing its efforts on the visa-free countries under EO 408 that are identified as the key, strategic, and opportunity markets. The US is a key market for the Philippines, alongside South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The department is pushing for a new and diverse set of branding promotions aimed at strategic markets comprised of Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, France, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Israel, Denmark, Poland, Austria, UAE, Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar are considered opportunity markets that need aggressive promotions. The department previously announced the country’s readiness to accept fullyvaccinated foreign leisure travelers from

visa-free countries beginning Feb. 10. In addition, qualified leisure travelers are spared from observing quarantine days once they test negative on an RTPCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from their point of origin. Following government guidelines, leisure travelers from visa-free countries will be allowed access, provided that their passports are valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, with outbound tickets for flights back to their country of origin or their next country of destination. Leisure visitors must also carry proof of vaccination against COVID-19 that are recognized by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), such as certificates of vaccination issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and VaxCertPH of the Department of Health. The Bureau of Immigration said starting Feb. 10, it will allow the entry of

foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated from countries that are permitted visa-free travel, including the United States. The BI issued the advisory even after the US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention discouraged travel to the Philippines due to the “very high level of COVID-19” in the country. The US CDC added the Philippines on its list of countries under “Level Four: Very High,” its highest tier on its travel health notices, that advise “avoid travel to this destination.” In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that in compliance with the resolution from the IATF, fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa-required countries will be allowed to enter the Philippines. A total of 157 countries are considered visa free, including the United States of America, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, UK, Malaysia, and Singapore.

cials will remain. “I know that even if they are retired, they are just a phone call away. Right, Chair [Abas], Comm. Kho, Comm. Bing [Guanzon]?” Ferolino said. “And I hope that the friendship that we have started will not end with you leaving the commission,” she added. Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it was "inappropriate" to conduct a motu proprio – or on the chamber's initiative – referral to the body's Ethics committee the allegations of Guanzon against a thus far unidentified fellow senator. Sotto said Guanzon already revealed the identity of the senator who allegedly interfered and caused the delay in the release of the poll body's decision on the disqualification cases against Marcos. "I said I will not make this public. I will wait for you [Guanzon] to make this public. Otherwise, if there is no evidence in my hands, I will just dismiss the insinuation as hearsay,” Sotto said. "I have no direct personal knowledge of the accusation," added Sotto. Guanzon earlier revealed she had voted to disqualify Marcos since he had already been convicted for tax evasion, calling the former senator repeatedly in interviews as an “ex-convict.” "Commissioner Ferolino (Ampoloquio), lacking in experience in practice

of law, was nominated and strongly supported by at least one senator. That's already on record that she will not act like this if it's not [for] that senator who will order her because they're very close since they were both in Davao," she said in an interview. When asked about the identity of the senator, Guanzon said: “I will not name the senator here because his wife already knows. It’s enough for me that his wife already knows and there’s going to be a war in his household." “His [unnamed senator] wife is already angry at him. It’s already viral. So that’s his problem. Let us focus on Bongbong Marcos as a weak leader. Let’s focus on Bongbong Marcos’ moral turpitude," Guanzon added. Meanwhile, the alleged interference on the disqualification case against Marcos Jr. has to be addressed, a lawyers' group said Wednesday. According to Philippine Bar Association assistant corporate secretary Arnel Valeña, the Commission on Elections will not be accused of bias by doing so. “There are allegations of outside-forces interference in that judicial process so I think this has to be addressed so whatever decision the Comelec comes up with will not be accused of being biased or baseless,” Valeña told CNN.

Guanzon... Guanzon said that police are now investigating the incident. The 64-year-old Guanzon, who had been in the news during the past few days because of her criticisms against a fellow Comelec commissioner, then warned people behind fake deliveries of food orders allegedly made by her office. She said since Tuesday night, her office had been receiving fake and unauthorized orders from various online delivery apps and restaurant bookings, which were being sent to her office as unpaid orders. More than five orders were turned away as of Wednesday morning, each one worth thousands of pesos. “These people are bad, victimizing food riders,” Guanzon said in a separate post. Meanwhile, Guanzon disclosed that she has been shortlisted for the position of deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas. “I was shortlisted as deputy ombudsman for the Visayas and there are three of us. One from Davao, one is a director in the Ombudsman here in Manila. Well, it is up to the President [whether] he appoints me or not. But I am a no-nonsense career public servant and a professor of law. So, I will serve,” Guanzon said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

"Cases increased but nearly all were mild. We don't need to scare our children or their parents,” she said. "We need to give them more protection...so they can continue to enjoy going outside, interacting with other children in their area or going to their school,” she said. The government on Friday will begin the COVID-19 vaccination of children ages 5 to 11. A COVID vaccine for children below 5 has yet to be approved in the Philippines. Adults are urged to get the jab to protect children who are not yet eligible, health authorities earlier said. The Philippines has so far fully vaccinated 6.28 million children aged 12 to 17 as of Jan. 23, according to DOH data presented by Dr. Mary Ann Bunyi, president of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines. Meanwhile, a shipment of Pfizer vaccine to be used for 5 to 11 years old is expected to arrive in the country Thursday, the Department of Health said. Around 780,000 doses of the Pfizer anti-COVID vaccine minors aged 5 to 11 are scheduled to arrive. The government initially ordered 15 million Pfizer vaccine doses for the expansion of the pediatric population beginning Friday. Pfizer and relevant agencies have trained vaccinators, and logistics in initial sites of the vaccine rollout have been prepared, according to Vergeire during a virtual public briefing.

Gordon said there is true,” he said in Filipino, adding that he signed the draft report “with no reservations.” Meanwhile, the chairman of the House Blue Ribbon committee that investigated the questionable government purchases of pandemic supplies from Pharmally said his committee found no evidence to recommend the filing of charges against President Duterte or his former economic adviser, Chinese businessman Michael Yang. Rep. Michael Aglipay of DIWA partylist group, the committee chairman, made the statement in response to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee findings that President Duterte betrayed the public trust in connection with his actions related to the government’s multi-billion-peso contracts with Pharmally. “There is no evidence to support the other charges,” Aglipay said in a Viber message in response to the Senate panel’s report. Similarly, Aglipay said "Michael Yang, he is not liable in this Pharmally case,” adding that it was not a crime to lend money. The Senate panel also recommended the filing of criminal charges against

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other former government officials over the alleged misuse of COVID-19 pandemic response funds. But Aglipay said he stands by the report of his own committee even if its findings were different from the Senate panel’s. “We stand by our own findings knowing that we have based our recommendation on testimonial and documentary evidence only,” Aglipay said. The initial 113-page partial report of the committee chaired by Gordon said Duque transferred a total of P41.4 billion to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Part of these funds went to Pharmally, an under-capitalized startup with no track record that bagged P11 billion in government contracts for face masks, face shields and personal protective equipment. Duque on Wednesday assailed the Senate Blue Ribbon committee for turning a blind eye to the fact that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and not the Department of Health (DOH) handled all COVID-19 response purchases.

“We at the DOH were not part of the activity as we were focused on the medical side of the pandemic response,” Duque said. In its initial report, the Blue Ribbon committee recommended the graft and plunder charges be filed against Duque. Gordon's committee also considered filing charges against President Rodrigo Duterte, but noted the President enjoyed immunity from suit while he is still in office. The President, the committee said, betrayed public trust, in violation of his oath of office under the 1987 Constitution, in connection with his actions related to the controversial deal with Pharmally. Citing the law that the President could not be sued during his tenure of office or actual incumbency, the panel said the charges against Duterte should be dealt with after he leaves office. For violation of the Plunder Law, it also recommended charges against Yang, former Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) officer-in-charge Christopher Lloyd Lao, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong, Pharmally executives Linconn Ong, Mohit Dargani, Twinkle Dargani, Krizle Grace Mago, Huang Tzu Yen as

well as Chinese businessman Lin Weixiong. The same names along with DBM official Dickson Panti should also be charged with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the report said, for their alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso contracts with the pharmaceutical firm. A former adviser to the government’s pandemic response, Dr. Anthony Leachon, supported the Blue Ribbon finding. "We are delighted to know that there are men and women of integrity in the Senate that will stand for truth and justice for our country on the edge of chaos during the pandemic," he said. "We support the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in its investigation to seek the truth and crush corruption that has severely crippled our society. Public office is a public trust," he said. The former government adviser on the National Task Force on COVID-19 said public officials should be accountable to the people and should serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; they should act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Govt... From A1

Under Alert Level 1, establishments can do away with restrictions on their venue capacity and travel would be allowed regardless of age or comorbidities, while maintaining compliance with minimum public health standards. He also said they were looking forward to moving the country down to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 as most people will be fully vaccinated and many of them boosted. Nograles said the health experts have yet to say if COVID-19 will eventually be treated like the seasonal flu. “There is no consensus on that yet,” he said. Nograles said the steady decline in active cases and the hospitalization rate showed that vaccines work. At a briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said though the government does not yet use the term “en-

DOT... From A1

been better, given the steady decline in COVID-19 cases and the stringent health protocols put in place by the government. “While this will be the first time the Philippines is opening its doors for foreign leisure travelers since the start of the pandemic, the tourism industry has prepared for this development for close to two years. We look forward to welcoming our foreign visitors once again, especially with Metro Manila, the country's main international gateway, placed under Alert Level 2,” the DOT said. Tourism workers have been vaccinated and the observance of health and safety protocols at every destination remains a priority. Almost 100 percent of tourism workers in major tourism islands received the primary dose in 2021.

Guanzon, Ferolino... From A1

Kho, who was appointed to the poll body by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018, said his stint "has been the most rewarding and enjoyable experience." Guanzon, appointed as Comelec commissioner by the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2015, said she will retire with a “grateful heart” because of the "unwavering support" of the men and women of Comelec. "I retire with a grateful heart because I know that you have kept me in your prayers whenever there is a difficult time and whenever the Commission is undergoing some crisis,” she said. Guazon, days before her retirement, figured in a public spat with fellow commissioner Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio, the assigned writer of the first division tasked to tackle the consolidated disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Guanzon accused Ferolino-Ampoloquio of delaying the release of the decision deliberately. Ferolino-Ampoloquio, along with the rest of the sitting commissioners, attended the retirement ceremony. She expressed hope that her friendship with the outgoing Comelec offi-

Palace... From A1

"Because we were on lockdown, we are only communicating through our mobile phones. [But] we have a substantial number [of senators] and we intend to bring it to the floor and they said they will support it," he said. He said some administration allies were reaching out to his colleagues in the Senate, however. “I know some people are starting to reach out to other senators. We are just praying the truth will not be blocked," he said. "I hope the Senate does not get divided. It will be tragic if the Senate becomes divided on a partisan basis. If the Senate is to be divided, it should be between truth and lies, and I hope my colleagues will side with the truth," he said. Among the senators who have expressed support for the draft report are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Manny Pacquiao, Grace Poe, and Pia Cayetano. “I fully support the Blue Ribbon Committee Report. Everything that Senator

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Virus... From A1

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

CONNECTOR PROJECT. Workers wear safety harnesses while installing scaffolding at the construction site of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Project on Antipolo St. and España Blvd. in Manila on Wednesday. The P23.3 billion project is an 8-kilometer, elevated four-lane toll expressway extending the NLEX southward from the end of Segment 10 in C3 Road, Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, and connecting to the Skyway Stage 3, and mostly traversing the PNR rail track. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

UN increases target funds for Odette victims THE United Nations has increased its fundraising target for victims of Typhoon Odette to $169 million as the Philippines struggles to recover from the devastating storm, the organization’s resident coordinator said Wednesday. More than 400 people were killed and hundreds of thousands left homeless after Odette hit the archipelago as a super typhoon in December, ripping off roofs, shredding wooden houses and wiping out crops. The UN initially sought $107.2 million for 530,000 people in the hardesthit areas in central and southern regions of the country flattened by the typhoon. But UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said more than 70 field assessments showed “humanitarian needs remain very high”. The new target of $169 million would assist the 840,000 “most vulnerable people” in dire need of shelter, food, drinking water and sanitation facilities, Gonzalez said. About 30 percent of the revised amount had been received, Gonzalez told AFP. Humanitarian groups have been working with the government to distribute aid. But the challenges were “enormous”, said Gonzalez. “Affected regions bore massive damage to infrastructure, agricultural land and the fishing sector, with local economies and livelihoods hit hard,” he said. Around 1.7 million houses were destroyed or badly damaged in the typhoon -- 600,000 more than in 2013’s Super Typhoon Haiyan -- and tens of thousands of people remain in evacuation centers seven weeks after Odette made landfall. Power disruptions or outages continued to plague 80 municipalities, he said. AFP

DA urged to act on agri product price increases By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri yesterday raised the alarm over the unabated price increases of agricultural inputs, particularly of fertilizers, that have almost tripled in just 18 months. “This is by far, the worst scenario that is besetting our farmers. I’ve been getting cries of help, particularly from the sugar industry sector,” Zubiri said. The senator said that as early as October last year, he sounded off at the Department of Agriculture about the skyrocketing price of fertilizers. “In fact, I approved the DA’s budget for 2022, with a colatilla that the DA should submit to the Senate a plan on how to address the problem on high fertilizer prices, and what concrete steps they should make to ensure a cap on fertilizers’ prices,” he said. The agriculture department, he said, was expected to come up with an immediate plan, and medium-term and long term plans for the entire agriculture sector.

Lawmakers OK press freedom day on Aug. 30

Health workers reject virus risk classification

HE Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and its unionmembers nationwide have expressed their deep concern and desperation over Senate Bill No. 2421 or the proposed COVID-19 Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act of 2022. AHW strongly objected to Section 5 of the bill which classifies health workers depending on their COVID-risk exposure. “AHW recognizes the occupational hazards faced by all healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19 response in various settings. AHW’s objection on the said bill is based on the following reasons -- COVID-19 is airborne and aerosol transmission of the virus should not be ignored in all areas of the hospi-

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tals and health facilities,” the group said “Data showed that there are more COVID-19 infections among health workers assigned in non-COVID areas than in the COVID areas.” “The risk exposure classification is divisive, unfairly treats, and discriminates the health workers thereby abandoning everyone’s value and safety. As health workers are at the forefront battling COVID-19,

their contribution is greatly valued because they put their health and lives to high risk. In waging the war against COVID-19, there is no moderate and low risk as every health worker’s life matters,” the group added. The Senate bill, the workers said, also seeks to completely abolish COVID-19 benefits such as the special risk allowance (SRA), active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and meal, accommodation and transportation (MAT) allowance. “These benefits are of great importance and help to all health workers as our salaries are insufficient to meet the basic needs especially now that prices of commodities and transportation are soaring,” the group said.

LAWMAKERS from the House of Representatives adopted a bill from the Senate which declared August 30 as “National Press Freedom Day.” Senate Bill 670 was adopted as an amendment to House Bill 9182. The bill was adopted during a plenary session in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Earlier, Senate Bill 670 was approved on final reading. The “National Press Freedom Day” bill was approved in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, the Filipino hero considered as the father of Philippine journalism. August 30 will still be a working holiday. August 30, 1850 was the day Del Pilar was born. Under the “National Press Freedom Day, all government agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units as well as the private sector, will be mandated to allot time for employees to participate in activities to be conducted within their respective offices. The measure will also direct the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, government and private media organizations, to lead public and private educational institutions in activities to raise awareness on the role and importance of the press. The information-related activities will also highlight rights of the press practitioners and their social responsibilities.

Japanese nabbed for undeclared money at NAIA By Joel E. Zurbano

“NO” TO OIL PRICE HIKE.

Demonstrators led by Piston hold a rally before the House of Representatives on February 2 in Quezon City to protest oil price hikes. The protesters also brought a letter to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco calling for the passage of House bills to eliminate oil taxes and excise tax. Manny Palmero

BUREAU of Customs agents arrested in Ninoy Aquino International Airport two Japanese nationals for trying to smuggle two travel bags containing 100,645, 000 yen (P45 million). The foreigners identified, as Yuzuru Marumo and Masayuki Aoyagi, both from Narita, Japan, are now detained and will be charged with smuggling (undeclared) of foreign currency before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office. NAIA - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service chief Verne Enciso said they arrested the foreigners following information from the International Police that two Japanese nationals were scheduled to arrive in Manila carrying “huge” amounts of foreign currencies. “The foreigners arrived at the NAIA terminal 2 onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR-427 from Narita around 5:38 p.m. Tuesday and they were met and escorted by four airport policemen upon arrival,” said Enciso.

Immigration increases operational capacity to 80% in Metro Manila By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has increased its operational capacity to 80 percent in all its Metro Manila offices. In an advisory, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the move is in the wake of the gov-

ernment’s decision to downgrade to Alert Level 2 the quarantine status in the metropolis. Morente added that fully-vaccinated clients are no longer required to secure slots via the bureau’s online appointment system before they could transact business at the agency. Persons entering the BI’s offices

should present their vaccination cards or certificates or they will not be allowed entry. However, Morente said that aliens, including the fully-vaccinated, who intend to file their annual report at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila are still required to apply for slots in the online appointment system.

He added that the online appointment requirement also applies to all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals who have businesses to transact at the BI main building. Morente also stated that BI offices in the National Capital Region will continue to operate from 7 am to 5:30 pm daily under Alert Level 2.

Odette-hit community in Bacolod goes solar to address power woes By Willie Casas

OUR LADY OF CANDLES. Ilonggo Devotees attend the mass at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, the national shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Candles. Devotees believe the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria can make miracles thus, devotees convene to light “perdon” candles. Iloilo City Mayor’s Office

A SMALL farming community in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental is ending its long-term lack of proper access to electricity by installing a 1.6 kW solar photovoltaic system, which was inaugurated on Wednesday. Members of the Association of Small Farmers of Purok Ilaya (ASFa-PI) said that they reside in privately-owned land that has not been reached by electricity posts and grid connections. “Our community members considered tapping neighboring areas to have power, but we were told we would pay

twice the amount charged to the rest of Bacolodnons, on top of the dangers of setting up such lines. Now, with our own solar power system, we not only get to have our own electricity, we also become a testimony to how clean energy can benefit communities like us that are often marginalized. We are thankful since this project will directly aid our members who do not have access to electricity. We can also use the solar power system to establish a hydroponics system in our association’s greenhouse,” Ludy Rivera, the chairperson of ASFa-PI, said in their statement.

News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

JOYRIDE.

Lakas-CMD Chairperson and vice-presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte greets her supporters at Barangay 3, National Highway, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur during the second day of HER ‘Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride’ on Wednesday (see story below). Ver Noveno

Poll codes deposited with BSP By Vito Barcelo

HE source codes for the automated election system (AES) to be used in the May 9 national elections have been deposited at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for safekeeping, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec officials led by Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz and lawyer John Rex Laudiangco turned over the metal boxes containing the source codes to BSP on Wednesday. Sinocruz and Laudiangco were accompanied by BSP Managing Director Rosabel Guerrero, Comelec spokes-

UniTeam lauds PNP for ending solicitation scam By Rey E. Requejo THE Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on Wednesday lauded the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in the illegal solicitation of millions of pesos in campaign contributions for the UniTeam. Retired Gen. Thompson Lantion, secretary-general of the PFP, stressed the police did a great job in stopping the criminals from taking advantage of the people’s genuine support and love for UniTeam of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte, by asking for huge campaign contributions from unsuspecting victims. “We commend the leadership of PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos and PNP-CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro for a job well done. We hope that the exploitation of our countrymen, especially the millions of BBMSara UniTeam supporters, will stop,” Lantion said. Ferro identified the arrested suspects as Reynaldo Llorin, 64; and Rolly Balazon, 53, both residents of Omicron Street, RT Gonzales Village, Quezon City. Two of their cohorts, identified as Isidro Sososco, councilor of Bgy. Aurelio, San Jose, Dinagat Island; and Ma. Buen Bajar Castillo, who is now running for municipal councilor of San Jose, Dinagat Island, managed to escape.

person James Jimenez, representatives from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and select media members in depositing the source codes inside the BSP vault. Jimenez said the source code is the heart and soul of the automated election system, adding: “We have the source

code here where it’s protected from all dangers and gives us a guarantee that the source code that we will be using on election day is trustworthy.” Guerrero said the particular compartment where the AES source codes are stored can be opened only by Comelec. “It would be the executive director who has that key and the combination lock, which is also under the sole responsibility of the Comelec. The BSP cannot have access to that. We don’t know that combination, we don’t have the locks. So that will ensure the integrity of the source code. Nobody can open that and can have access to that except Comelec,” she said.

The Comelec and BSP signed on January 31 an escrow agreement for the safekeeping of the AES source code in relation to the May 2022 polls. Under Republic Act 9369 to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible, and informed elections, the Comelec is mandated to place in escrow the source codes with the BSP for safekeeping. Previously, in a virtual event for the signing of the escrow agreement between the BSP and the Comelec on Monday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank has kept source codes for four elections already, conducted in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.

Members of Bayan Southern Tagalog Region protest in front of the Commission on Elections building, declaring their support for retiring Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and asking the poll body to immediately release the decision on the disqualification case of exsenator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday. Danny Pata

SENATORIAL aspirant and former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said the government must prepare and provide help for hospitals and health facilities in provinces in the event cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant rise again. “The national government can provide provincial hospitals and health facilities with the basic tools to fight the surge: medicines, equipment, and manpower,” he said. Binay added that if needed, the national government can deploy health workers from Metro Manila and other areas with low infection cases to these provinces. “Public hospitals and health centers in the provinces operate with little budgets and lack facilities, medicines, and health workers. The national government must help them,” said Binay. At the same time, the former Vice President said the vaccination drive should be intensified in these areas to give residents more protection against the Omicron variant. “It’s also important to vaccinate more people. The vaccination rate is still low in most of these areas,” he said. Binay said hospitals and health facilities are mainly located in Metro Manila and key areas of Luzon and this imbalance “has not been addressed over the years.” “Long-term, this imbalance must be addressed. We need to provide funds to build more hospitals and other health facilities in the provinces, upgrade their facilities, ensure the availability of medicine, and provide decent wages for health workers,” he said. Binay earlier led the turnover of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Makati City government to local government units in Malvar, Batangas and Meycauayan in Bulacan. The donation is in line with the city government’s sister-LGU program.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sara asks Mindanaoans to back tandem with BBM ON THE second day of her monthlong on-the-road campaign, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday strongly urged Filipinos in the south to support her tandem with presidential hopeful and former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte met with her supporters and well-wishers on Wednesday morning at

By Joel E. Zurbano

Ping: Marijuana for medical use okay with a law

BACKING GUANZON.

By Maricel V. Cruz

Binay: National gov’t must help prov’l hospitals

Barangay 3, National Highway at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur when she made her humble appeal to support the UniTeam led by Marcos of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). “Salamat sa inyong pagsuporta sa administrasyong Duterte (Thank you for your support to the Duterte administration),” she said in Bisaya, referring to the current administration of her father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “Magkampanya ako sa mga hindi pa

kumbinsido sa pagsuporta sa Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte UniTeam (I will seek the support of those who are still not convinced to back the Bongbong MarcosSara Duterte UniTeam),” added the lady mayor, who was holding a Philippine flag. She later offered the flag to her supporters here to promote nationalism. Duterte, who serves as chairperson of Lakas-CMD, also thanked local residents for the love that they have shown her family.

PARTIDO Reporma presidential bet Sen. Panfilo Lacson stressed on Wednesday he is open to the proposed use of marijuana strictly for medical purposes. “I am keeping an open mind on it. I am even supportive of the idea. Once the appropriate law is passed, this will be good for our people’s health,” he said. However, Lacson maintained he is not open to legalizing the use of marijuana for entertainment. He said the proper procedures must be observed for marijuana, considered an illegal substance under Republic Act 9165, to become legal. “I am open to legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, not entertainment. And the proper processes must be followed,” said Lacson. Meanwhile, the senator said he did not intend to become a soldier and policeman in the first place, which eventually paved the way for his successful career in public service. He originally planned on becoming a lawyer because it was his childhood dream to join the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as an agent, he said in an interview with broadcast journalist Malou Mangahas. “I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to become an NBI agent. That was my childhood ambition. But, you know, sometimes a twist of fate happens to us),” Lacson said.

Isko: Fiber optic backbone to help fight disasters PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday said if he is elected president in the May 9 elections, his administration will give priority in establishing a national fiber optic backbone to boost the country’s communication capability, especially during times of natural calamities. “I have said about a few months ago

that we will build our communication backbone, from the tip in the north and south, all the way, Luzon Visayas, Mindanao, via fiber optic,” Moreno said, during the “Ikaw Na Ba presidential” interviews on radio DZBB. Moreno said having a national fiber backbone will connect our islands and provide stable and reliable intercon-

nectivity that is crucial accelerating human and economic growth and enabling the Philippines to catch up with the modern world, not to mention its importance during times of calamities. The subject was first broached by Moreno in November last year during a dialogue with hundreds of youths and students in Binangonan, Rizal. Rey E. Requejo

Nuns, VP Leni supporters sue doctor for cyber libel By Rio N. Araja

SUPPORTERS of Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday filed multiple counts of cyber libel against Dr. Jack Arroyo Jr. before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for an allegedly false and malicious post in his Face-

book account. The plaintiffs were participants in the “The Caravan of Hope” in Marikina City in October last year, who were allegedly accused by Arroyo of being paid to join the motorcade in support of presidential bet Robredo.

Among the complainants were Sisters Mary Florence Bautista and Gemma Dinglasan of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, a medical doctor, and others who requested anonymity. The nuns were represented by their legal counsel Tristan Arnesto.

GRATITUDE. Fifty Typhoon Odette victims from Surigao City extend their gratitude to

former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano after receiving P10,000 in cash aid each under the Sampung Libong Pag-Asa program. This includes fishermen, farmers, and urban poor residents. To date, more than 15,700 Filipino families have received the 10K Ayuda in just one year. Norman Cruz

Opinion Ready for the ‘pandemic exit’?

THIS week marks the start of the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. As we look back, the past two years have had their share of surges and letups. The emergence of two highly transmissible variants―Delta and Omicron―tested the efficacy of our COVID-19 response. The trends have also become fairly predictable, as we have seen when the Omicron entered the country during the holidays. With more than half of the population vaccinated, the Omicron surge produced mostly mild cases. With these developments, many surmise that Omicron marks the end of the pandemic. We truly hope the same. However, we take into consideration that the mild cases are attributed to the COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, the unvaccinated population remains prone to becoming critically ill once afflicted with COVID-19. As daily cases in the country decline again, the question to ask is, is it right to take the road now to “pandemic exit”? Are we ready to treat this virus as endemic? Health experts may be in a better position to tell. However, what is clear today is that there is a lot that needs to be improved as we prepare to slowly exit from the pandemic. For one, vaccinations must continue until everyone else is protected. This means that the information drive against vaccine hesitancy must be expanded in order to reach all corners and islands of the country. Pediatric vaccination should be commenced in all regions and provinces as soon as we can. Booster vaccination should also be made easily available most especially to the vulnerable population. All of this implies the need to secure continuous supply of COVID-19 vaccines to meet the country’s demands. Second, hospitals and health facilities must be equipped and primed in cases of surge. We need to reduce attrition in hospitals by giving health care workers their well-deserved pay. Likewise, we need to encourage more health professionals to work for our hospitals by ensuring decent

work environments and fair compensation. This includes ensuring adequate supply of PPEs and reasonable support to health workers who may get sick. We also need to boost genome surveillance capacity in order to detect presence or entry of any new variant and determine extent of transmission timely and promptly.

If there is anything more contagious than the coronavirus itself, it is the rampant misinformation and disinformation. Lastly, we need to make sure that the public is well-informed. If there is anything more contagious than the coronavirus itself, it is the rampant misinformation and disinformation. The public needs to thoroughly understand the importance of constantly adhering to minimum public health standards as we transition from higher to lower alert levels. Public health protocols will definitely remain as long as COVID-19 persists. What is important is that we need to learn to live with the virus. As I said before, it is time to consider the likelihood of COVID-19 to stay for long. We need to transition and prepare for the new normal. The past two years made significant, deep, and extensive dents in many aspects of our lives. Economically, many of us may no longer have the capacity to endure the restrictive conditions posed by the pandemic. Socially, many of us long to return to pre-pandemic normal, perhaps to keep our sanity. Eventually, we will really have to strike a balance between COVID-19 risks and our need to return to normal. Hence, I urge the government to come up with evidence-based plans and policies that must accompany the eased restrictions. Meanwhile, I strongly urge the public to be more cautious of information circulating and live more prudently. The risks of COVID-19 still looms despite the dropping of cases. I believe that we can overcome this pandemic by aligning our mindset towards disease prevention and health promotion. This is not impossible. Practicing conscientiousness is key.

No golden age of infrastructure

ARGUABLY the most extravagant of the many extravagant claims made by presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte in the course of his campaign was the promise that he would make the Philippine experience a Golden Age of Infrastructure if he were to win the presidency. Under his administration, the level of government spending on infrastructure would reach at least 5 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) - the infrastructure-spending-to-GDP ratio considered by the World Bank to be the desideration for rapid economic development. Candidate Duterte declared that his administration would spend more on infrastructure than any of the past administrations; truly a Golden Age was what this country’s infrastructure would enter if he won the election, he promised. President Duterte having failed to deliver on almost all of his campaign promises - elimination of the illegal drugs trade, crime and corruption within six months, a pivot away from the Philippine-American alliance, an end to the communist insurgency and a governmental-structure shift to federalism - his colleagues and supporters are claiming, now that legacy assessment time has arrived, that the nation did experience a Golden Age of Infrastructure during Mr. Duterte’s nearly six years in office and that during that period the government’s principal infrastructure agencies, DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and DTr (Department of Transportation) have put in place for more highways, roads, bridges, airports, seaports and government buildings than the preceding administrations.

These claims need to be validated. If DPWH and DTr performance data validate the claims, well and good, and the nation has indeed been witnessing a Golden Age of Infrastructure. But failure of the two agencies’ performance data to provide validation of the claims will mean the shooting down of yet another Duterte campaign promise.

At best, those claims need to be verified. That the Duterte administration has done much for this country’s infrastructure cannot be denied; DBM (Department of Budget and Management) data on releases of funds for infrastructure projects clearly indicate a desire on the Duterte administration’s part to achieve the 5 percent infrastructurespending-to-GDP ratio. To speak, however, of the installation of a Golden Age of Infrastructure in this country is a bit of a stretch. It is to overstate the infrastructure accomplishment of the Duterte administration, ‘Golden Age’ is one of those conceptual phrases that should not be used lightly. Most of the high-impact infrastructure projects completed during the last six years have consisted of highway and airport projects in the Mega ManilaCentral Luzon area that either were ready for implementation in 2016 or were completed during the rest of the Duterte administration. These projects, which have enormously facilitated movement between NCR (National Capital Region), Calabarzon and Central Luzon, were undertaken and completed by the private sector and therefore cannot be counted as parts of the Duterte Administration’s Build, Build, Build program. When they drive along SCTEX, TPLEX and the Skyways, motorists think of companies like San Miguel Corporation and Metro Pacific-Citra, not of DPWH and DTr. Build, Build, Build has done very

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Double, double toil and trouble

ROM start to finish, the Pharmally mess has been a witch’s brew of corruption, now coming to a boil with the release of a Senate Blue Ribbon report that ascribes blame to the highest elected official in the land.

The key question from the start was, how did an under-capitalized startup with no track record whatsoever manage to corner more than P11 billion in government contracts for pandemic supplies―such as face masks and face shields―at prices well above what was available in the market at the time? The personalities involved suggest the answer. A friend of the President, Michael Yang, a Chinese businessman from Davao who was later made presidential economic adviser despite his nationality, provided funding for a company that was capitalized at only P625,000, and made some key introductions as well. Another key figure, Lloyd Christopher Lao, was a volunteer election lawyer for the President’s campaign in 2016. In appointing him to head the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-PS) in 2017, the President said he was repaying a debt. Through a series of Senate hearings, we now know that it was Lao who authorized billions of pesos of purchases from Pharmally, without the benefit of competitive bidding―or even due diligence to ensure the government was not at a disadvantage. Making all this possible was the trans-

fer of P42 billion from the Department of Health, headed by the indestructible Secretary Francisco Duque III, to the DBM-PS, presumably to speed up the purchase of face masks, face shields and personal protective equipment.

There will be a price to pay for the Pharmally mess. The President and his allies sought to justify the contracts as emergency purchases allowable under the Bayanihan law on the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a series of Senate hearings revealed just how disadvantaged the government was by these deals, and how key Pharmally executives spent their obscene profits on luxury cars―instead of plowing the funds back into the company, if it were a legitimate business. Now, in a 113-page partial report, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee found that President Duterte betrayed the public trust with his actions related to the Pharmally contracts. The committee recommended plunder, graft and other criminal and administrative charges against Duque, former government officials, and Pharmally

executives. Although the President is immune from suit while he is in office, charges may be brought against him after his term ends later this year, the panel said. “At some point after his term of office, charges must be considered against President Rodrigo Duterte for what has transpired in this great anomaly,” the report said. “After all, he was the one who appointed all the people who approved these transactions and aggressively protected and defended them when they were caught in this horrible crime against our people. In the course of doing so, the President attempted to diminish the Senate and COA (Commission on Audit), institutions that safeguard our democracy and integrity,” it added. The Blue Ribbon committee also recommended the deportation of Yang for his role in the Pharmally deals. The draft report alleged that Yang violated the tax laws, which justifies the filing of criminal charges against him, his declaration as an undesirable alien, and immediate deportation. The President and his allies will no doubt dismiss the Blue Ribbon report as being politically motivated, particularly as it comes during an election year. But when the hurly-burly’s done and the battle’s lost and won, there will be a price to pay for the Pharmally mess. It remains to be seen, however, who will ultimately lose his head in this tragedy of corruption.

Yuka Saso’s citizenship choice TWO weeks ago, Fil-Japanese golfing star Yuka Saso chose Japanese citizenship instead of remaining a Filipino citizen to represent the country. It was later revealed that she apparently chose the Japanese passport to make her travel a lot easier because professional golf indeed requires a tremendous amount of travelling. A Filipino passport gets a holder into 66 countries and territories without a visa while a Japanese passport together with that of a Singapore passport are two of the most powerful passports in the world. The two passports allow a holder to enter 190 countries without a visa. One could therefore say that Yuka chose the Japanese passport for convenience. She said however, that whatever country she represents, she is still a Filipino. That may be so but it is not as simple as that anymore. Being a citizen of a country requires certain mandatory duties and obligations as we all know. Furthermore, whatever honors or golf tournaments that she will win from now on, it will be as a Japanese citizen and not as a Filipino. For instance, she can no longer represent the country in the Olympic games. Filipino supporters can still cheer her victories but can no longer wave the Philippine flag. In a just concluded LPGA tournament in the United States where she ended third last Sunday, she was referred to as Yuka Saso of Japan already. So, whatever she says, it will never be the same. This is not to say that she should not have done it. In fact, many would even probably consider her decision as a no brainer. But considering that she is still proclaiming her Filipino ethnicity indicates little for this country’s railroad system and the Manila-North and Manila-South rail projects remain incomplete. During the last six years, very few additions have been made to the list of airports and seaports capable of accomodating the heightened needs of the 21st century Philippine economy. DPWH and DTr need to program a summary of the major Build, Build, Build project they have completed or nearly

that she must have struggled in making her decision. Maybe deep in her heart she still considers herself a Filipino. It is so unlike Fil-Australian champion golfer Jason Day whose mother is a Filipino who never once publicly acknowledged his Filipino ethnicity. It was left to the media to do it for him.

Is it for convenience? When it comes to international travel, holding a Philippine passport can present some problems as many Filipinos who have traveled will attest. A Filipino traveler for instance must have to plan his or her travel routes and itineraries a lot more extensively because there are certain countries that require visas just to transit. One might also stumble on very suspicious, arrogant and inquisitive border officials with a lot of questions that are sometimes insulting. Such are some of the travails when traveling with a Philippine passport. But for Filipino athletes who have acquired international star status, international travel should not pose serious problems even if they hold a Filipino passport. Filipino star athletes like boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao and renowned pool champion Efren Reyes who have achieved international name recognition did not seem to have any problems traveling abroad to box or participate in pool tournaments. Perhaps, Yuka should have followed their example. Long-term, multiple-re entry visas, for instance, could be applied for. Since most of the professional golf tournaments are played in the United States and Europe, and both issue long term multiple reentry visas, Yuka should not have any problem getting them. After all, she won the United States Ladies Golf Open Championships which is one of completed, broken down into highways, roads, bridges, airports, seaports and government buildings. Such a summary will enable the Filipino people to decide whether they have been witnessing the dawning of a Golden Age of Infrastructure during the last six years. My guess is that after receiving the summary the Filipino people will decide that the Golden Age of Infrastructure has come to pass.

the toughest in ladies’ golf. This gave her enough name recognition especially if she keeps on winning other golf tournaments. She might still encounter certain travel inconveniences but that should not be enough reason for her to give up her Filipino citizenship if she really wanted to. Senator Manny Pacquiao and Efren Reyes who have given much pride and honor to the country never gave up their citizenship and have stayed in the country as two of our country’s great sportsmen. EJ Obiena, our Olympic pole vaulter who is now battling PATAFA to his credit has maintained that he will continue to represent the country in spite of invitations from other countries to represent them. Whether he will be able to represent the country due to his ongoing tussle with his athletic federation is another matter. Yuka is not the only one that got away. We have chess master Wesley So and Alex Pagulayan, another pool champion who is now representing Canada. Happily, there are still many Filipino athletes in other disciplines campaigning as Filipino citizens overseas bringing pride and honor to the country. The loss of Yuka is unfortunate for a country hungry for true-blue Filipino athletes willing to stick it out regardless of the many challenges that they have to navigate. The reward for those who stay is the eternal gratitude and adulation of the Filipino people. Senator Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz and Efren Reyes are the best examples. Nonetheless, let’s all wish Yuka great success in her quest for golf greatness.

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Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries

Republic of the Philippines Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Kagawaran ng Pananahanang Pantao at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran National Capital Region

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that BRILLO DEL ESTE DEVELOPMENT CORP., (Owner/Developer), has filed with this Board an application for voluntary suspension/ cancellation of the License to Sell of EASTGLORY CENTER INTERNATIONAL located at Aseana Avenue corner Roxas Blvd., Brgy. Baclaran, Parañaque City, and specifically described as Lot Nos. 1 and 2 Pcs-00-012799 covered by TCT Nos. 010-2019000238 and 0102019000239 respectively. The project was issued Certificate of Registration No. 029597 and License to Sell No. 035192 dated 13 December 2019, respectively. All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent any legal impediment the above-cited project is deemed cancelled and a cancellation in evidence thereof shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Jan. 11, 2022. Manila

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A SUB-VARIANT of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said. The fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide since it was first detected in southern Africa 10 weeks ago. In its weekly epidemiological update, the World Health Organization said that the variant, which accounts for over 93 percent of all coronavirus specimens collected in the past month, counts several sub-lineages: BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3. The BA.1 and BA.1.1 – the first versions identified – still account for over 96 percent of all

the Omicron sequences uploaded to the GISAID global science initiative, it said. But there has been a clear rise in cases involving BA.2, which counts several different mutations from the original – including on the spike protein that dots the virus’s surface and is key to entering human cells. “BA.2- designated sequences have been submitted to GISAID from 57 countries to date,” WHO said, adding that in some countries, the sub-variant now accounted for over half of all Omicron sequences gathered. The UN health agency said little was known yet about the differences between the sub-variants, and called for studies into its characteristics, including its transmissibility, how good it is at dodging immune protections and its virulence. AFP

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2022 SUBJECT : ADOPTION OF PHILIPPINE STANDARDS ON AUDITING (PSAs) and PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (PFRSs) The Commission, in its meeting held on 27 January 2022, approved the adoption of the following pronouncements as part of SEC’s rules and regulations on financial reporting: A. PSAs Pronouncement

Effectivity date

PSA 250 (Revised) Consideration of Laws and Regulations in an Audit of Financial statements including Related Conforming Amendments to Other Philippine Standards

Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2020.

PSA 540 (Revised) Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures and Conforming and Consequential Amendments to Other Philippine Standards Arising from PSA 540 (Revised)

Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2020.

Philippine Standard on Auditing 315 (Revised 2019), Identifying and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement and, Conforming and Consequential Amendments to Other Philippine Standards Arising from PSA 315 (Revised 2019)

Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2021 .

Philippine Standard on Related Services 4400 (Revised), Agreedupon Procedures Engagements

Effective for agreed-upon procedures engagement are agreed on or after January 1, 2022.

Suite of Quality Standards a. Philippine Standard on Quality Management 1 (Previously Philippine Standard on Quality Control 1), Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements

Effective as of December 15, 2022.

b. Philippine Standard on Quality Management 2, Engagement Quality Reviews

Effective for audits and reviews of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2022; and effective for other assurance and related services engagements beginning on or after December 15, 2022.

c. Philippine Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised), Quality Management for anAudit of Financial Statements

Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2022.

B. PFRSs Pronouncement

Effectivity date

Annual Improvements to PFRS Standards 2018-2020

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1 , 2022.

Amendments to PAS 1, Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current