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TUCP sets wage increase petition, Congress moves to back request By Maricel V. Cruz

and means committee, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, urged President Duterte THE country’s biggest labor group said to increase wages before he steps down Friday it will seek a wage hike next in June, saying that the minimum wage week, as Congress moved to legislate in Metro Manila has not moved in five years, leaving working Filipinos “severean increase in the minimum wage. In the House, the chairman of the ways Next page

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 30 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Record oil price hike next week High of P12.30/l for diesel, P7 for gas; staggered increase eyed By Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta

IL companies are poised to jack up the price of diesel by an unprecedented P12.20 to P12.30 and gasoline by P6.80 to P7 a liter next week, prompting the Department of Energy (DOE) to appeal for a staggered increase to ease the shock on consumers.

REMEMBERING FUKUSHIMA. A member of Greenpeace Philippines wearing a hazmat suit carries a placard as they mark the 11th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan during a protest at the Department of Energy - Renewable Energy Management Bureau in Taguig City.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), however, rejected growing calls for the government to suspend the collection of excise taxes on fuel products, saying it would cost the government some P117 billion in lost revenue. Budget spokesman Rolando Toledo said the country’s economic managers are “strongly opposed” to proposals to suspend fuel taxes because this would hurt the country’s recovery. Deferring excise taxes would reduce the cost of diesel by P6 per liter, gasoline by P10 and P5 for kerosene. The economic managers instead favor “targeted relief assistance” such as a P3 billion fuel subsidy and discount vouchers for drivers of public utility vehicles. These measures, however, would not help private motorists who must also bear the burden of skyrocketing gas prices. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove world oil prices high from March 7 to 10, the cost of imported diesel, gasoline and kerosene rose by $36, $20 and Next page

Chopper deal with Russia for review, govt to ban deployment to Ukraine THE Department of National Defense will review the Philippines’ planned purchase of military helicopters from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Malacañang said Friday. This followed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s statement that the multibillion-peso deal with Moscow would still push through despite Manila’s denouncement of the former’s invasion of Ukraine. “The procurement of these equip-

ment falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of National Defense. They will be reviewing this matter vis-a-vis what is happening now in Eastern Europe,” Palace acting deputy spokesperson Kristian Ablan said. The Philippines earlier voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution that demanded Russia stop its attack on Ukraine. The Palace, meanwhile, deferred to Next page

Putin reports ‘positive shifts’ in talks as refugees from Ukraine hit 2.5m RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin said Friday that there were some “positive shifts” in talks between Russia and Ukraine, two weeks into Moscow’s military campaign in the country. “There are certain positive shifts, negotiators from our side reported to

Laguna officials, huge crowd go for BBM, Sara By Maricel V. Cruz TOP local officials of the vote-rich province of Laguna were in full force Friday during a UniTeam campaign grand rally that attracted a huge crowd. Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) stalwart Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez led the rally for Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) at the Next page

me,” Putin told his Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko during a televised meeting in Moscow. He added that negotiations are “now being held on an almost daily basis.” Russian and Ukrainian negotiators Next page

FAITH AND SCIENCE. A parishioner of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila receives a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 on Friday, March 11, 2022. Danny Pata

Public warned of Deltacron variant, ‘inevitable’ surge

GRAND RALLY. Presidential aspirant Ferdinand

Marcos Jr. does the ‘burger’ pose with his running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio while Lakas-CMD president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez looks on during a grand rally at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Sta Cruz, Laguna. Ver Noveno

By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said the Philippines is ready to face Deltacron, a combination of the highly contagious Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus but the World Health Organization (WHO) urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against another “inevitable” surge in

COVID-19 cases. “I think based on our experience in the past and many experiences that we have gathered throughout the response in the pandemic, we should be ready to face another variant of concern,” said Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, speaking to the ANC news channel. The hybrid variant was reportedly Next page

100% classroom capacity okay for college in Alert Level 1 areas THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has allowed higher educational institutions to hold face-to-face classes at 100 percent classroom capacity in Alert Level 1 areas, Malacanang said Friday. Acting deputy presidential spokesperson Kris Ablan said this was provided under IATF Resolution 164.

“On classroom capacity, the allowable seating capacity in classrooms of HEIs in areas under Alert Level 1 is at a maximum of 100 percent capacity,” the IATF Resolution read. But the IATF maintained that inperson classes participants were still Next page

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

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Face masks still a must under Level 0 By Willie Casas

ACE masks should still be worn even under “Alert Level 0,” the new alert level status being studied by the government amid the improving COVID-19 situation in the country, an infectious disease expert said Friday. Dr. Rontgene Solante said the country was now ready for the possibility of Alert Level 0 status amid the decreasing number of COVID-19 infections and lower healthcare utilization rate. He said health protocols, including the wearing of face masks and frequent handwashing, are important factors under Alert Level 0, adding there was still transmission of the Omicron variant in the community. He also said the 90 percent vaccination rate must be achieved before Alert Level 0 would be declared. “One of the important factors here is that we should reach the 90 percent vaccination rate so we will not be afraid of possible spikes or surge of COVID-19 cases,” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday the government was now studying the possibility of further easing the country’s COVID-19 status to Alert Level 0, with several areas, including the National Capital Region, now under Alert Level 1. Duque said the country had recorded less than a thousand cases daily for six consecutive days even if the NCR and 38 more areas nationwide were deescalated. Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, meanwhile, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.

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discovered in a Cyprus lab as early as January. It was first believed to be likely the result of lab contamination. The WHO, meanwhile, urged Filipinos to remain vigilant as the world marked the second anniversary of the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic. The public needs to remain on alert as virus surges in other parts of the world might result in a new variant, said Dr. Rajendra Prasav Yadav, acting WHO Representative to the Philippines. The WHO has yet to determine whether the “Deltacron” variant, a combination of the delta and omicron variants, is more dangerous or transmissible, Yadav said. “When we start lowering our guards and masks, this is a disaster because we’re seeing the vaccination pace slow down considerably in the past few days. It is too early to declare victory against the virus. We need to remain vigilant and continue to exercise caution,” he told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo. “We are seeing a huge surge in cases in the Western Pacific region... When we have a surge of cases anywhere in the world we have a risk of developing a new variant of concern and as we know from our past experience such a variant can come to the Philippines so we have to remain on our guard,” he added. Living with the pandemic does not mean becoming passive as another wave of infections is “inevitable,” Yadav said. An infectious disease expert on Friday said the combined genes from the Delta and Omicron variants or “Deltacron” will not cause severe infections. According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, the recombination of the highly contagious Delta and Omicron variants will “not affect much” despite the limited data on the behavior of the hybrid versions of the coronavirus. “Well for now, the data is still limited. But personally, I believe that with this recombination, it will not affect the virulence but it has the implication that it is still the same in the transmission,” Solante said during an online briefing. “Because if Delta is combined with Omicron, the Omicron has the more heavily mutations so if we look at its mutations, I would surmise that it will be more Omicron over Delta and if this is the case we would still be dealing with the more transmissible virus just like the Omicron,” he said. Experts earlier noted that Deltacron reportedly discovered in a Cyprus laboratory is most likely the result of a laboratory contamination, and not a new worrying variant. The IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, however, reported that it is too soon to know whether Deltacron infections will be very transmissible or cause severe disease.

$30 a barrel, respectively. During the week, the price of imported diesel soared to an all-time high of $179.66 per barrel while gasoline reached $149.84 per barrel on Wednesday following the US and British announcement that they would no longer buy Russian oil to punish Moscow for its invasion. Rino Abad, DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, said they hope the oil companies will heed their appeal to stagger the increase. “We will meet with them every week. We appealed to them if they can stagger [the increases],” Abad said. On March 8, the oil companies increased gasoline by P3.60 per liter, diesel by P5.85 per liter, and kerosene by P4.10 per liter.

100%... From A1 limited to teaching, non-teaching personnel, and students who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students in Alert Level 1 areas, on the other hand, would remain under flexible learning modalities. As for operations of the HEI student dormitories, IATF said there would be no restriction as to its operational capacity provided that the schools secured clearance from their respective local government units.

TUCP... From A1 ly, almost embarrassingly unprepared for the price hikes to come this year.” The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said it would file a wage petition on March 14 amid skyrocketing fuel prices. In a statement Friday, TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said they are now determining the appropriate amount to seek before the wage boards. “The TUCP is studying the matter deeply given the gravity of the gap between the minimum wage and the cost of living confronting our workers. We trust that government understands the urgency of the situation of our workers and will now look to the necessity of addressing the workers’ survival concerns during these dangerous and perilous times through genuine policy measures that bring down the cost of living and by providing a living wage – to save jobs and save lives,” Mendoza said. The group lauded the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) order for wage boards across the country to review current pay rates for private sector workers. “We hope that is not just a mere ruse or strategy to diffuse growing tensions and the heightening unease as millions of Filipinos now face a survival problem,” Mendoza said. He said the current wage rates are now “extremely inadequate.” “We remind the government that there have been no wage increases in the past two years, and in other regions, no wage hike has been granted at all in the past three years, even as the buying power of the Philippine peso has been significantly eroded in the face of inflation,” he added. He believed that the significant wage adjustments should have been done as early as 2019, a year before the pandemic. “When we last filed in the regional wage boards for a daily wage increase,

Laguna... From A1 Provincial Capitol in Santa Cruz. Marcos and Duterte-Carpio received the loudest cheers from the audience, who did not mind the overcast skies. Also on hand were members of the UniTeam senatorial slate, namely Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Mark Villar, Migz Zubiri, Harry Roque, Her-

Meanwhile, foreign travelers and returning Filipinos are now allowed to present a negative result of laboratorybased antigen test upon their arrival in the Philippines, Malacañang said. Prior to this, international passengers entering the Philippines can only present a negative result of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. “Previously, they just had to show a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours. Now, it is either of the two – RTPCR or antigen,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan said. Under IATF Resolution 160-A issued Thursday, fully-vaccinated Filipino nationals have the option to present either a negative result of RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative result of a laboratorybased antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of their departure from the country of origin. Fully-vaccinated individuals are no longer required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but need to

self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven days. The new rule also applies to Filipinos who are unvaccinated and partially vaccinated, as well as those with unverified vaccination status. However, those who are not fully vaccinated are mandated to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on their fifth day in the country. They are also required to observe home quarantine for another nine days. For Filipino nationals who have recovered from COVID-19 but test positive prior to their arrival in the Philippines, they are required to present a positive RT-PCR test result taken not earlier than 10 days but not later than 30 days and a positive RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours before entering the country. Fully-recovered Filipinos returning to the country must also submit a medical certificate issued by a licensed physician to determine if they are asymptomatic or have Covid-19 symptoms.

These resulted in year-to-date adjustments of P13.25 per liter for gasoline, P17.50 per liter for diesel and P11.40 per liter for kerosene. Among the oil companies, Unioil Petroleum Philippines opted to stagger the price hike in two installments. The DOE said it expects prices to remain high as the global oil supply continues to decline and demand remains strong. Prices will only fall when demand slackens or Iranian oil production returns quickly, the agency said. For his part, Senator Christopher Go, a close aide to President Duterte, said he favored proposals for a temporary moratorium on the collection of excise taxes on oil products to help Filipinos cope with the price shocks. While he acknowledged concerns over the possible impact on the government’s revenue collections, he emphasized that protecting vulnerable consumers should be the administration’s

number one priority. The lawmaker added that he would welcome a special session to tackle such legislative measures now that Congress is in session break. He also called on the administration to speed up the release of the subsidy allotted to jeepney drivers, many of whom recently returned to pre-COVID operations in Alert Level 1 areas. On Thursday, the Department of Budget and Management released a total of P2.5 billion to the transportation department as fuel subsidy for around 377,000 qualified public utility vehicle drivers. Another half billion pesos was also released to the Agriculture department to subsidize transport fuel cost of farmers and fishermen to mitigate possible increase in food prices. Go said Duterte had already issued specific instructions to concerned agencies to address the rising oil prices.

we petitioned for a daily wage increase of anywhere from P600 to P900, depending on the region. Our petitions were premised on the need to provide at least a once-a-day nutritious meal for a family of five,” he added. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello earlier said the fuel price hikes which have been worsened by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine may be a “compelling ground for the wage boards to recommend adjustments in the minimum wages of workers.” However, he said a wage adjustment must be done carefully to strike a balance between the needs of workers and the viability of companies that employ them. In the House, the chairman of the committee on labor and employment pushed for an increase in the wages of workers against the backdrop of rising prices and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement on Friday, 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda said his panel will be discussing the possibility of wage increases and continuing its deliberations over measures seeking to institutionalize a national minimum wage for private sector workers by next week. “It’s high time we raise the minimum wage, considering the rising costs of goods and the effects of the pandemic,” Pineda said. House Bill (HB) Nos. 246, 276, 541, 668, 2878, 6668, 6752, which all propose to amend the Labor Code of the Philippines to institutionalize a national minimum wage for private sector workers, will be part of the meeting’s agenda on March 17. He said the prices of basic goods and services continued to increase even during the pandemic while the wage rates remained unchanged. “The effect of the rising gas prices is that everything also goes up. Further, additional expenses are now necessary due to the pandemic. People need to buy masks, vitamins, disinfecting materials, and spend on testing. How do we expect our workers to keep up without any increase in their salaries?” Pineda said.

He said the measures were initially discussed by the committee on labor and employment in February 2020, before the onset of the pandemic in the Philippines and the implementation of community quarantines. However, no agreement was reached because several issues still need further discussion. “We will open deliberations once again also so that we can have some discussions on the feasibility of raising the minimum wage through the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC). All stakeholders will be invited so that they may be able to participate and air their concerns. Our aim always is to strike a balance between labor and management, while also putting importance on the welfare of workers,” Pineda said. On Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he has ordered all wage boards across the country to look into the need to increase the salaries of workers amid soaring oil prices. Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, said there has been no increase in the minimum wage for the past five years in Metro Manila. “Sadly, the National Capital Region wage drives the needle for wages in the country, and NCR has seen no minimum wage increase since 2018. That leaves ordinary, working-class Filipinos totally unprepared for the price hikes that will inevitably come due to rising oil prices,” Salceda said. Salceda said the NCR minimum wage of P537 a day is now worth just P464 in 2018 prices. “That means that today’s NCR minimum wage would be able to buy P73 less in goods in 2018. That is grossly unfair to the working class,” Salceda said. “I understand the hesitation against increasing the minimum wage. It could bring business costs up and reduce economic activity. But people who make that argument tend to forget that workers are consumers, and when consumers have more money to spend, they spend more on businesses,” Salceda added.

bert Bautista, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Dante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, Gibo Teodoro, and Larry Gadon. After the campaign activity, Hernandez hosted lunch for the survey leading UniTeam tandem and the rest of their team. Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio said the UniTeam was the only pairing that followers of Lakas-CMD should support in the May elections. Duterte, chairperson of the LakasCMD, had this to say Friday after she

was asked to react on the continued “pairings” that fans or followers do with her and the various presidential candidates in the May 2022 polls. She thanked those who preferred to vote for her as vice president, but stressed that she was sticking to her partner, Marcos. “And I continue to appeal and call on them to support the UniTeam of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte,” she said at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex.

Chopper... From A1 the Department of Foreign Affairs questions on reports that President Rodrigo Duterte would allow US forces to use Philippine military bases if the UkraineRussia crisis “spills” to Asia. “We will wait for the official statement of the DFA,” Ablan said. As this developed, the head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said a total deployment ban to Ukraine was “forthcoming” amid Russia’s military action there. OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the ban would be issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The DFA raised Alert Level 4 in Ukraine on March 7 due to the deteriorating security situation that threatens the safety of Filipinos there. Ukraine has been home to nearly 400 Filipinos and since the war broke out, the Philippine government was able to bring home dozens of Filipinos from the eastern European state. According to the DFA, 169 Filipinos have been evacuated since Russia launched its operations in Ukraine on February 24. Cacdac said 114 Filipinos had been repatriated since the start of the invasion, adding the repatriation was continuing. On Thursday, Manila’s top diplomat to Washington said President Duterte expressed his willingness to open Philippine facilities to the United States military if the Russian-Ukraine crisis spilled over to Asia. “He says if they’re asking for the support of the Philippines he was very clear that if push comes to shove the Philippines will be ready to be part of the effort especially if this Ukrainian crisis spills over to the Asian region,” Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said. “He offered that the Philippines will be ready to open its doors especially to our ally the US in using our facilities, any facilities they may need,” Romualdez added.

Putin... From A1 have held several rounds of talks since Putin sent in troops to the country on February 24. The talks have led to the opening of several humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from combat areas. Both sides have accused each other of blocking these efforts. Some 2.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded two weeks ago, and another two million have been internally displaced by the war, the United Nations said Friday. The UN Refugee Agency’s chief Filippo Grandi blamed the mass displacement on what he called a “senseless war” that began on February 24. “The number of refugees from Ukraine, tragically, has reached 2.5 million today,” Grandi tweeted. “We also estimate that about two million people are displaced inside Ukraine. Millions were forced to leave their homes by this senseless war.” Paul Dillon, spokesman for the UN’s International Organization for Migration, said the 2.5 million people who had fled Ukraine included 116,000 nationals from other countries. The UNHCR had been working on the estimate that four million people may eventually seek to leave Ukraine as the war continues. But the agency said that given the scale of the exodus in less than three weeks, it would be no surprise if that figure was exceeded. “It is quite possible that that planning figure of four million might be revised up,” UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva, speaking via videolink from Poland, close to the Ukrainian border. He said the number of refugees was “certainly unprecedented since World War II.” Russian strikes hit civilian targets in central Ukraine’s Dnipro city on Friday, as Moscow’s troops edged closer to the capital Kyiv that, according to its Mayor Vitali Klitschko, has lost half of its estimated 3.5 million population since the war began. “UNHCR repeats its call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Saltmarsh said. “We are committed to stay and deliver assistance when and where access and security allow.” Meanwhile, Britain on Friday slapped a fresh wave of sanctions on Moscow, targeting 386 members of Russia’s parliament who supported Putin’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. The new sanctions against members of Russia’s Duma, the lower house of parliament, ban them from traveling to Britain as well as accessing any assets they hold in the UK. AFP

News ‘Next prexy should focus on PH human capital devt’ THE Philippines’ next leader should work with the private sector in championing the interests of human capital, business leaders agreed during a virtual forum conducted by the country’s leading think tank. “Our country’s next leaders should actively encourage collaboration between the government and the private sector, which has proven itself a trusted and capable partner for development, even during these hard times,” said Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute which organized the virtual forum on Tuesday. Ernest Bower IV, president, and CEO of Bower Group Asia said more ambition is needed from the next administration. “It is time to ask, not ‘are we doing ok?’ but ‘what can we do if we work together as government, the private sector, and this country’s talented, hard-working people?,” he said. The forum featured the launch of the Stratbase ADRi special paper entitled Issues for the Next Administration’s Development Agenda on Human Capital and Labor Markets authored by Dr. Vicente Paqueo, a non-resident fellow of Stratbase ADR Institute and a Distinguished Voting Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). The paper is premised on the fact that high and sustained productivity growth is essential to modern economic growth and development and challenges the next administration to meet people’s demands for jobs that pay for them to live comfortably and provide workers employment/income security. “The Philippines has been lagging behind its regional and aspirational peers in growing labor productivity, indicating substantial room for improvement. Compensation per worker tends to rise proportionately per capita or per worker, a measure of worker productivity. Over-judicious use of labor tools can be damaging to employment prospects of disadvantaged groups like the young, less educated, inexperienced and in general those with lower human capital,” Paqueo said.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bato dismayed with e-sabong decision By Macon Ramos-Araneta

EN. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed dismay over President Rodrigo Duterte’s rejection to suspend e-sabong.

Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate public order committee, is leading an investigation into the disappearance of 34 cockpit afﬁcionados. However, Dela Rosa said he respects Duterte’s Malacanang’s decision. Senate President Vicente Sotto III has underscored the authority of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to motu propio act on the recommendation of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs. Sotto said the charter creating Pagcor allows it to initiate actions against gam-

ing industry players which are under investigation by the agency or other investigative bodies, or those which have been found to be violating existing laws. Sotto said the Pagcor could put on hold the operation of e-sabong while the issue is still being investigated by the Senate panel and while lawmakers and the executive come up with measures to plug the loopholes in the management of online cockﬁghting. Dela Rosa’s committee has already held two hearings on the issue, and it was during the ﬁrst hearing that the Senate

issued a resolution urging Pagcor to suspend e-sabong operations, which a representative from the agency supported. Sotto stressed what the Senate was asking was a mere suspension of e-sabong licenses, not their revocation. “I am disappointed because Pagcor even raised the issue to the President. So, what was their recommendation? Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said they are waiting for Pagcor’s recommendation and the Senate resolution.” But based on its charter, Pagcor can suspend the licenses or operations of esabong operators on its own. The mere fact that it brought up the matter to the President indicates that Pagcor does not want to suspend e-sabong),” Sotto said. Presidential candidate Sen. Panﬁlo Lacson agreed with Sotto that Pagcor does not need to wait for Malacañang’s

SSS extends office hours to process more transactions THE Social Security System (SSS) is extending its office hours to accommodate the influx of transactions. In an initial move to improve its frontline services, newly-installed president and chief executive officer Michael Regino on Friday ordered all SSS branch heads in the National Capital Region to extend their operating hours effective immediately. Offices in Metro Manila are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and several offices on Saturdays to accommodate as many transactions as possible following the surge of transactions since the Alert Level 1 status was declared. “These measures are meant to give our members, employers, and pensioners more time to complete their transactions with us without much hassle and difficulty. It pains me to see our members camping outside SSS offices quite early in the morning just to beat the queues and finish their transactions,” Regino said. “I hope those long queues and camping out will soon be a thing of the past,” Regino said. “We owe it to our members, employers, and pensioners to give them a better service now that the pandemic restrictions are being lifted,” he added. Rio N. Araja

PREPARING FOR MAY. Teachers learn how to operate electronic vote counting machines during the Electoral Board Training at the Bayview Park Hotel in Ermita, Manila on Friday, in preparation for the coming 2022 national and local elections. Norman Cruz

SENATOR Win Gatchalian urged the National Electriﬁcation Administration (NEA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to recall NEA’s most recent memoranda in appointing general managers of electric cooperatives saying that NEA violated the law as it went beyond its supervisory powers. NEA, an attached agency of the DOE, has Secretary Alfonso Cusi as chairman of the board. “By vesting the NEA the power to appoint a general manager of an electric cooperative, NEA Memorandum No. 2021-55 and Memorandum No. 2021-56 violate Presidential Decree (PD) 269 or the National Electriﬁcation Administration Decree,” Gatchalian said. Memorandum No. 2021-55 changed the rules on the selection, hiring, termination of service/suspen-

sion of general managers of electric cooperatives contained in NEA Memorandum No. 2017-035. The revised policy transferred the power to appoint general managers to the NEA Board of Administrators which was previously reserved to the Board of Directors (BOD) of electric cooperatives. Memorandum No. 2021-56, meanwhile, is the revised policy guidelines on the conduct of examination and interview for applicants. Both memoranda were issued last December 1. The Senate Energy Committee chairperson particularly stated that Section 4 (e) of PD 269, as amended by Republic Act (RA) 10531, provides that NEA has merely the power to supervise the management and operations of all ECs and therefore, NEA is not allowed under the law to replace the judgment of

ECs with their discretion in appointing GMs. The lawmaker further said that Section 26 of PD 269 provides that the EC enjoys the power to determine in its by-laws the manner of elections and filling of vacancies of its officers. A new Section 26-B was introduced by RA 10531 which limited NEA’s role to merely review the qualifications and disqualifications of individuals appointed or elected to electric cooperatives. It can be recalled that Gatchalian called out NEA in the last quarter of last year following its alleged anomalous appointment of a new general manager for Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), saying that NEA did not follow its own memorandum on succession mechanism and selection process. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Defensor supports 4th COVID-19 jab By Maricel V. Cruz

FOR THE ‘CALESA.’ An artist paints sceneries found inside the walled city of Intramuros on a sheet of plywood in front of the Palacio del Gobernador building in General Luna Street, Intramuros. The artworks will then be used to beautify horsedrawn carriages roaming around Intramuros. Danny Pata

MAYORALTY candidate and Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor on Friday supported the recommendation of the government’s vaccine expert panel to give a fourth COVID-19 shot to elderly Filipinos and those with co-morbidity or suffering from ailments. Defensor said he is opposed to the plan of the Department of Health (DOH), announced by Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje two days ago, to donate part of the country’s vaccine supply to other nations. “The virus is still with us. Why should we give our supply away when we need it? Let’s give it to those who want it, as a booster or even as an additional booster or fourth COVID-19 shot, with senior citizens and those with co-morbidity as our priority,” he said. He noted that the DOH panel of vaccine experts has recommended the giving

of a fourth dose to the elderly and those with a weak immune system due to health problems. Defensor urged the DOH and the interagency task force (IATF) on pandemic response to approve the recommendation. He said many countries are giving the fourth shot to boost the protection of their vulnerable citizens against Covid-19. Citing DOH data, he said of the 64 million Filipinos fully vaccinated or those who have received their primary twodose course, only 10.7 million have taken a third shot or booster. “This means that more than 53 million of those fully vaccinated are yet to get their booster dose. Let us encourage them to take it. Let us also allow those who had their protection already boosted to have another booster if they want to,” he said. He added that according to ofﬁcial data, more than 232 million doses of various vaccines have already been delivered to the country.

MMDA appoints new officials amid increasing traffic in Metro Manila THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has appointed three traffic officials to new posts in anticipation of the increased volume of vehicles as the National Capital Region enters the new normal. MMDA chair Romando Artes appointed Edison Nebrija as the head of the New Task Force Special Operations (TFSO) and Anti-Colorum Unit; Jeffrey Torres as the new head of EDSA Special Traffic and Transport Zone, replacing Nebrija; and D’Arthony John Maquinto as head of the Northern

approval before it suspends the licenses of e-sabong operators. Sotto and Lacson made their remarks after Malacañang turned down a recommendation by the Senate to temporarily suspend the licenses of e-sabong operators while the cases of 34 missing sabungeros or cockﬁghters have not been resolved. Sotto said it was obvious why Pagcor was going soft on the e-sabong issue – the business rakes in an estimated P640 million a month to the agency’s earnings. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday defended the opinion issued by the Department of Justice on the regulation by the Philippine Gaming Corporation over the operation of “e-sabong” saying it is based on “the interpretation of PAGCOR charter, which is an act of the legislature.” With Rey E. Requejo

IN BRIEF

Gatchalian wants recall of NEA appointment of new GMs

By Joel E. Zurbano

Trafﬁc Enforcement District. Artes said Nebrija served as head of the TFSO during the time of late former MMDA chairman Danilo Lim and he had seen his performance in leading the clearing operations to remove all kinds of obstructions. “We trust the capability of Nebrija to enforce traffic rules and regulations beyond the stretch of EDSA, and clear Mabuhay Lanes and other major thoroughfares of traffic obstructions,” Artes said. As head of the task force, Nebrija’s jurisdiction is not only limited to EDSA alone but on all Metro Manila

roads under the jurisdiction of the agency, cited Artes. Meanwhile, Torres will be the overall head of the traffic management on EDSA, the country’s busiest thoroughfare. Artes said his marching orders for Torres is to speed up traffic flow on EDSA by focusing on traffic management while apprehension of traffic violators is only secondary. According to Nebrija, the TFSO will concentrate on providing alternative routes to motorists, especially now that traffic is going back to normal. “We will intensify our clearing operations so that motorists would have

alternate routes aside from EDSA. We are thankful that the management is supportive of our programs to ease traffic in Metro Manila,” Nebrija added. Torres, for his part, said he will continue Nebrija’s efforts to manage traffic on EDSA. He also assured constant visibility of traffic enforcers along the highway, especially during rush hours when traffic congestion is at its peak. “We will maximize the visibility of the traffic enforcers assigned to EDSA,” said Torres. Currently, there are 500 traffic enforcers deployed along EDSA.

Agents intercept Pinoys victimized by trafficking THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted five Filipinos who were victimized by human traffickers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU) Chief Ma. Timotea Barizo said that the five victims were stopped at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in an attempt to depart via a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Thailand. The victims reportedly fell in line separately, with three of them having been initially cleared, with three of them having been initially cleared for departure. “While they passed initial checks, we discovered a strange pattern in their itineraries during the secondary inspection,” Barizo said. Barizo explained that after primary inspection, departing Filipinos also undergo routine secondary checks. She added that it was during the secondary check that red flags were detected. Two of the five victims were actually siblings. Vito Barcelo

Rody appoints new NBI OIC, promotes other execs PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte (PRRD) appointed current NBI-Ofﬁcer-In-Charge (OIC) Director Eric Distor to Director V as Senior Deputy Director (SDD). The President also promoted to Director V (Deputy Director) Atty. Antonio M. Pagatpat, incumbent Assistant Director for Regional Operations Service (ADROS). Both Distor and Pagatpat previously held the positions of Director IV and are career agents who graduated from the NBI Academy and rose from the ranks to their present positions. Along with the appointments of Distor and Pagatpat, 12 other career agents got their appointment from the President. Five were promoted to Director III (Regional Director) namely: Atty. Emeterio Dongallo, Jr., Atty. Arcelito Cernal Albao, Atty. Claro C. De Castro, Jr., Atty. Victor John Paul H. Roquillo, and Atty. Janet M. Francisco. Seven Career Agents were likewise promoted to Director II (Assistant Regional Director), namely: Investigation Agent IV Noel C. Bocaling, Investigation Agent VI Glenn A. Ricarte, Investigation Agent III Joel R. Ayop, Investigation Agent VI Victor V. Lorenzo, Investigation Agent V Hazel P. Roxas, Investigation Agent III Gerald L. Intes, and Investigation Agent V Isaac R. Carpeso, Jr. Willie Casas Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

TODAY

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following General/ Flag Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to the rank opposite their names: to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL, PN(M) 1. JONAS R. LUMAWAG 2. ROMULO A. MANUEL JUNIOR to the rank of MAJOR GENERAL 3. RENATO P. DAVID to the rank of REAR ADMIRAL The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 88342706 and 8551-1989. 11 March 2022. HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-MAR. 12, 2022)

’Time to ease rules on poll campaigning’

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

News

By Vito Barcelo

OW is the right time to ease restrictions on campaign rules in areas where alert levels have been relaxed, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez said Friday. The poll body also assured the public of clean and fair elections on May 9, dispelling allegations of anomaly through the delivery of election equipment by F2 Logistics, a firm reportedly owned by Dennis Uy, a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. In a television interview, Jimenez said they are supporting new Comelec Commissioner George Garcia’s proposal for relaxed campaign rules. Jimenez said this will also enable candidates to interact with more people and stakeholders and will also ease the poll body’s preparations as the elections draw near. “Well, I think it’s very important that (there has been a proposal) for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions because certainly, we are in a new environment now. We will, of course, give more room for more observers to pay attention to those venues that we have. Not just the servers but also talking about the National Printing Office (NPO), for example, and the Sta. Rosa facility of the Comelec,” he added. Comelec Resolution 10732, issued last November, sets rules and regulations on election campaigning under the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the resolution, in-person campaigning is allowed in areas under COVID-19 Alert 1, 2, and 3, but under Alert

Level 2, candidates or their campaign leaders must be accompanied only by a maximum of five staff members, and three staff members under Alert Level 3. Jimenez made another statement in a television interview on ANC after a photo of Uy surfaced on social media together with presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Uy was one of President Duterte’s top campaign donors in the 2016 elections. Jimenez said F2 Logistics will be under the supervision of the Comelec “every step of the way” and that they will make sure their performance of their duties is aboveboard. “It’s also very important to note that the terms of their contract give them very limited responsibilities in this regard, they will simply deliver paraphernalia and reverse logistics, you know, and get it back,” he explained. “What matters is that in the execution of its contract. F2 Logistics will not be without oversight. We will make sure that their performance of their duties is aboveboard,” Jimenez added. He said F2 Logistics will not be part of the counting process “that ends up in election results. So, it’s very difficult to see how any of that could translate into a negative impact on the elections themselves.”

PINK AND RAINBOW. A rainbow forms in the sky after a drizzle as tens of thousands of people gather at the Paglaum Sports Complex, venue of the grand people’s rally in Bacolod City, for presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Friday. VP Leni Media Bureau

300 Bedans back Robredo; Leni tours Negros towns

By Rio N. Araja FORMER and current members of San Beda University, President Rodrigo Duterte’s alma mater, supports Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid. The group also endorsed Robredo’s running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, for vice president, and not the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Over 300 past and present San Beda educators, non-teaching employees, and service personnel from San Beda’s branches in Manila’s Mendiola, Muntinlupa City’s Alabang and Rizal’s Taytay signed a manifesto of support for the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem. Their support for the duo is part of their “fervent resolve to be vanguards of truth, justice, integrity and peace as members of the Bedan community,” the group said.

Activities, and Raf Dolor, former head of the Philosophy Department. “After a long discernment on the character, platforms, and track records of all the candidates,” the group said they reached the decision to endorse Robredo and Pangilinan, citing the clarion call of Robredo-Pangilinan’s “Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat” shows the inclusive governance they would uphold if they won the May 9 elections. “Their standing records of good governance and exemplary public service moved us to support leaders who have a strong sense of transformative and ethical leadership, accountability, transparency and integrity which we need in these trying times,” their statement read. Before Sagay, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio “Bong” Lacson endorsed Robredo’s bid at an early morning people’s rally in San Carlos City.

Ex-Air Force man echoes Lacson worries on Red ‘coalition govt’

‘Common sense’ to let BPOs keep WFH—Pacquiao ALL it takes is common sense for the government to know that it is actually favorable for the government to continue allowing workfrom-home (WFH) arrangements in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, said PROMDI presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao was reacting to the Department of Finance (DoF) through the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) remark that the government should take back the tax perks given to the BPO sector. Pacquiao insisted that contrary to the DoF’s claim, WFH arrangements have no or little effect on the country’s micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) because BPO workers would still require their services even if they are working in their own homes. “Our BPO workers are still helping our economy even if they are on WFH because they would still need to eat, spend money to relax, buy clothes, and many other things. They are helping other business sectors instead of spending most of their money on fares and fuel,” he said. Pacquiao said the government can better help MSMEs by optimizing the use of the Bayanihan 2 Fund that was allocated to provide aid for small business owners. Pacquiao said that there are still at least P4 billion in unused Bayanihan funds that were allotted for MSMEs. If elected president, Pacquiao said he would prioritize the creation of permanent loan facilities that offer zero-to-minimum interest loans for small businesses and would-be MSMEs. Macon Ramos-Araneta

In Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Robredo once again underscored the importance of choosing the right leaders in the coming May 9 elections as the top local executives of vote-rich Negros Occidental backed her presidential bid. “Sa first-time voters, kahit hindi first-time voters, pangalagaan po natin ‘yung boto natin dahil ‘yan ‘yung kapangyarihan natin. Pag tayo po nagkamali sa eleksyon, magdudusa na naman tayo ng anim na taon,” Robredo said in her stump speech at the people’s rally in Sagay City on Friday morning. Thousands of Robredo’s supporters gathered at the open-air venue in Sagay, cheering her and her running mate Pangilinan. The signatories of the San Beda statement of support were Joffree Alajar, ex-chairperson of Accountancy Department and head of Alumni Office; Marvin Reyes, Prefect of Student

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ISKO IN ECIJA. Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso receives local crops from his supporters as he and the Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial slate held a motorcade around Talavera town in Nueva Ecija on Friday. Norman Cruz

A RETIRED Air Force officer who played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution has echoed the concerns of presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson against a “coalition government” with the Communist Party of the Philippines. Retired Air Force Col. Hector Tarrazona made the warning in a letter to 1Sambayan convenor Antonio Carpio, after seeing “known communists, whose ultimate goal is to overthrow the government” in the coalition. “While I was very hopeful to see the coalition of different political groups, I was greatly disappointed to see known communists, whose ultimate goal is to overthrow the government, in the coalition,” Tarrazona said in his letter to Carpio, after joining a Zoom webinar of 1Sambayan.

Isko to gov’t: Heed proposals on excise tax, more cash aid By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday said the continuing economic crisis exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted the need, now more than ever, for government to seriously consider implementing his proposals to cut excise taxes of oil and electricity and increase funding allocation for “ayuda” or aid to millions of affected Filipinos. “Loss of rice, loss of onion, loss of crops. Next week we will be ready again, the fuel will go up again, but the salary will not go up,” Moreno said, before thousands of cheering Novo Ecijanos during a town hall meeting at the Freedom Park here. “My view on the government. When you give priority to people, you can’t make mistakes. I said that

five months ago, the government would have withdrawn first. Let’s reduce the crude oil tax by 50 percent and the electricity tax by 50 percent. The government will lose a little, but it will benefit the people. For every government loss, people have savings,” Moreno said. In an earlier interview in Cabiao town, Nueva Ecija, Moreno praised President Duterte for increasing by 50 percent to P5 billion the fuel subsidy of drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the wake of the unabated rise in the prices of petroleum products which is hurting the transport sector. “I am happy that this is being done by President Duterte and the Cabinet. Just for the benefit of the people, I will support it. Thank you, President,” Moreno told the media Thursday morning before embarking on a day-long motorcade together with running mate Dr.

Willie Ong and their senatorial candidates. “Of course, I’m happy for the drivers because if the government does that, it will somehow alleviate their losses in their daily income. Passengers will also benefit because somehow there is no fare hike,” Moreno added. In October last year, the 47-year-old presidential candidate was like a “voice in the wilderness” when he appealed for the national government to cut by 50 percent the excise taxes on oil and electricity because of hardships being experienced by everyone, particularly the ordinary people who are most affected by the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreno said this policy will have higher impact in cushioning the effects of the economic crisis because it will be felt by Filipinos in all social classes.

Assert your rights, reject discrimination, Sara tells LGBT group in meet-and-greet By Maricel V. Cruz

‘PINUNO’ IN CALOOCAN. PINUNO Party-list lead supporter Senator Lito

Lapid and first nominee Howard Guintu drive their caravan through Caloocan City on Friday. Lapid said he is humbled by the warm support given by the people to the party-list as it visited different relocation sites in Caloocan.

LAKAS CMD vice-presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has urged members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community to reject discrimination and stand up for their rights. “Do not allow people to define you because of your gender, because of your beliefs, because of your age,” Duterte said during the meet-and-greet with members of LGBT Pilipinas at the Great Eastern Hotel Thursday. She added: “You should only allow people to define you kung ano ang kaalaman niyo, hindi kung ano ang laman ng puso niyo.” Duterte admitted early exposure to

an LGBT family member had a profound influence on her character. In fact, it can be argued that this experience helped mold the person that Duterte is today -- an open-minded, non-judgmental leader who defends LGBT rights and all notions of equality. “Alam niyo po nung ako ay bininyagan, dalawa lang po ang aking god parents. Mayroon ako isang ninong, at meron akong isang ninang, ‘yung ninong ko hindi po pala ninong, ninang po pala,” Duterte said. Duterte said the latter, who is her mom’s brother, was an openly gay man during the 1970s, a time when the idea of LGBT “was not yet mainstream.”

Tarrazona, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1968 who in 1986 persuaded the 15th Strike Wing to support the EDSA Revolution, said there is no place for communists in the coalition. His letter belied the claim of ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that he saw no communist in the campaign team of Robredo. Trillanes is part of Robredo’s senatorial slate. In his letter, Tarrazona lamented the insurgency, which has gone on for at least 51 years, has killed up to 60,000 soldiers, insurgents, and civilians. “You may have pleased a few thousand communists, but you will be losing the support of millions among the AFP and PNP personnel and their families, businessmen, farmers, and other Filipinos who have been victims of their terrorism, atrocities, and revolutionary taxation,” he told Carpio in his letter.

Binay welcomes fuel subsidy, aid for some sectors By Joel E. Zurbano SENATORIAL candidate Jejomar Binay on Friday welcomed the government’s decision to give fuel subsidy and cash assistance for sectors affected by rising fuel prices. The former Vice President, however, stressed the importance of ensuring the timely release of government aid to those who need it most. “We have a possible crisis unfolding before us. By now, it should be clear from our experience with the pandemic that our authorities need to be proactive,” Binay said. “Assistance must be given immediately to those in real need,” he added. Last month, Binay urged authorities to protect sectors severely affected by the pandemic from the possible negative economic effects of a prolonged conflict in Ukraine. He had proposed the grant of fuel subsidies for public utility drivers, cash or food subsidies for the poor, and price ceilings on basic goods. Binay said government should draw on the lessons from the distribution of cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at the height of the pandemic. “Government should seriously consider releasing cash aid through digital cash transfers. This system not only minimizes crowding at distribution sites, but is more efficient,” he said. Binay also described as timely the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to tackle the issue of increasing the minimum wage in Metro Manila.

Opinion Celebrating 10 remarkable women MY organization, the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) celebrated its 35th anniversary last March 8, coinciding with the commemoration of the International Women’s Day. The online event was a huge success despite some technical glitches that we had to contend with. Unfortunately, because we are more used to working in and with communities of women, we are still trying to learn to properly use these online platforms. The DSWP planned on having around 200 community women including friends and allies in the women’s movement for the event. The target was surpassed as the event was attended by more than 500 women from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This is a huge turnout especially since community women are not experts in using online technology. In some places, the women came together in one venue to celebrate. It was like a real party! We could hear the laughter, jokes, and funny exchanges between DSWP members from across the country. It was like being physically with each other. Personally, despite having worked with them through decades, it was the first time for me to sit down with some of our pioneers to talk about their personal journeys in the organization. It was one trip down memory lane! There was laughter and tears as we reminisced the years that have passed working on women’s and girls’ rights. I spoke with Adoracion “Dory” Dela Peña of Bataan, Corazon “Cora” Dalumpines of Antique, Benedicta “Bennie” Angeles of Laguna, Neolenia “Neoly” Barbas of Caloocan City, Ligaya “Gaya” Beso of Negros Occidental, Emily Callo of Camarines Sur, Laura “Lalyn” Nuñez of Quezon, and Wilhelmina “Willie” Catane of Bukidnon. I also spoke with two former youth leaders, Cathy Gayo, and Rhoda Avila who eventually spent years working at the national office. I now pay tribute to these ten remarkable women. Let us begin with Ka Dory who hails from Mariveles, Bataan. In 1989, Dory was an ambulant vendor at the Mariveles Public Market and one of the many being prohibited by the Market Master from selling in the market. The women vendors were unorganized and they were bound to lose their livelihood source if they would be unable to ply their goods. Dory recalled getting in touch with DSWP for help. I advised them to request for a dialogue with the market officials so they could be heard. I attended the dialogue where Dory recalled, “Nagalit ka pa nga kasi kung anuano ang sinasabi nila sa mga babae.” To cut the long story short, the women vendors won, they got organized and were affiliated with the DSWP. Dory went on to become an Area Coordinator and organized other women’s groups not just in Mariveles but in other parts of Bataan. She was a mainstay in virtually all educational and training activities of the organization and travelled in many places of the country be-

cause of activities. Dory was also part of the DSWP delegation who went on a study tour to India where they witnessed successful projects of community women. Eventually, because of all the training she went through, she became a Barangay Councilor in her community. In our conversation, Dory, now past 70 years old said, “I started in the market of Mariveles and I did not expect that I’d be able to do many things and travel to many places, even outside of the country. After all, I am not even a high school graduate. I owe everything to DSWP. Now that I am old, we have a new leader but I still help. DSWP should go on to help and develop more women like me.” Dory’s story proves that ordinary women when given opportunities can do more and advance in life.

Let me pay tribute to them. Benny Angeles is a farmer from Nagcarlan, Laguna. Her organization received their affiliation papers with the DSWP in 1994 but their involvement with the organization goes back years earlier. Benny, until now, remains active in all activities at the national and local levels. Through the years, she has developed into an effective leader who helped organize other groups in the province and implement projects with and for them. She said, “The livelihood projects that were granted by the DSWP in the early 2000s remain to be the women’s sources of income. Without these, surely the women’s lives would be more difficult.” Because of her leadership roles, Benny was included in the delegation of 11 DSWP leaders who went on a study tour in Denmark in 1996. She considers this as her most memorable experience saying, “In Denmark we saw how strong the women were. They were even able to have a huge and beautiful building for their offices. We also met Filipino women workers. They were negotiating for better employment terms, and they were successful. I thought, pwede pala yun. If they could do it, maybe we can, too.” After the trip, their mayor talked with her, something that would not have happened if not for DSWP’s recognition of her work. She said that this trip inspired her to even work harder with and for the women. The struggle for the passage of the reproductive health bill, and now, the implementation is also unforgettable for Benny. “Marami po akong nakaaway dahil sa RH bill. Kahit ngayon, bakit daw ba ako nakikialam sa implementasyon? Hindi kasi nila alam na dinanas ko rin ang hirap bago maging batas iyan.” One thing that Benny is proud of is the fact that she has been asked to run as councilor in her town. She lost but only by about 200 votes. She said, “Proud ako kasi libo-libo din ang bumoto sa akin at wala naman akong pera.” She added, “I am able to do these things because of DSWP. My development is because of the training I have received. I am an ordinary woman from the rural area but DSWP trained me to be a leader.” To be continued next week. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Study says girls more likely to attribute failure to lack of talent By Lucie Aubourg ACROSS the world, girls are more likely than boys to blame academic failure on a lack of talent, according to a large study on gender stereotypes published Wednesday. Paradoxically, the idea that males are inherently more brilliant was most entrenched in countries that are more egalitarian. Such stereotypes have been explored in the past, but the new work, published in the journal Science Advances, has the advantage of encompassing 500,000 students across the world, making it possible to compare between countries. It used data from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a study conducted every three years to learn more about the knowledge and skills of 15-year-old students in math, reading, and sciences. The 2018 survey included the sentence: “When I am failing, I am afraid that I might not have enough talent.” The result: in 71 of the 72 countries studied, even when performance was equal, girls were more inclined to attribute their failures to a lack of talent than boys, who were likelier to blame external factors. The sole exception was Saudi Arabia. Contrary to what one may expect, the dif-

ferences were most pronounced in wealthy nations. Within wealthy OECD countries, 61 percent of girls said they agreed with the statement, compared to 47 percent of boys — a difference of 14 percent. In non-OECD countries, the gap was still present, but the difference was just eight percent. The difference was also greater among higher-performing students compared to those of average performance. Glass ceiling “We have no perfect explanation” for this paradox, study co-author Thomas Breda, of CNRS and the Paris School of Economics, told AFP. But the apparent oddity has been observed before, for example in terms of selfconfidence, and of boys being more likely to study sciences and math. It shows, according to Breda, that “as countries develop, gender norms do not disappear, but reconfigure themselves.” One hypothesis is that countries with more freedom ultimately leave more room for individuals to fall back into old stereotypes. These countries are also very focused on individual success, and so place a greater premium on the notion of talent itself.

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EDITORIAL

New variant

HILE the Philippines has de-escalated to Alert Level 1 in the pandemic zone caused by the deadly coronavirus 2019, the World Health Organization has warned that a new variant is spreading quickly in parts of Europe.

This is a combination of the previously identified and highly transmissible Delta and Omicron versions which have combined to form a new one but some experts are not concerned – identified only days before the second anniversary on March 11 of WHO’s declaration of the global pandemic. WHO said the variant, dubbed “Deltacron” by some, has been found spreading in France, Holland and Denmark, with two cases believed by the organization to have been identified in the United States. The organization issued grave warnings that the Deltacron has the potential to become a major problem in both Europe and the US. But some experts are not so concerned. Overall numbers of Deltacron cases remain low, according to scientists on the chase, even in countries where

some person-to-person spread has been detected. Instance, William Lee, chief science officer at Helix, a lab in California that sequences COVID-19 samples, said he does not even expect the variant to warrant its own name based on Greek letters.

We should have learned some lessons by now. Health authorities in the Philippines said the country, which has logged at least 3.6 million confirmed cases and 57,182 deaths since March 2020, is better prepared and more equipped to face the new variant of concern given its experience in standing up to the

COVID-19 pandemic. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said in an interview with ABSCBN News Channel on Friday the country’s health experts have gathered sufficient experiences that the country was therefore ready to face another variant of concern. While the data on the Deltacron is still limited at this time, Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, told a public briefing that “the behavior of the Delta and Omicron combination is not yet known.” “If the Delta combines with Omicron...we will look at what and how many these mutations are,” he said, adding the country’s current vaccination rate status will help fight the possible adverse effects of Deltacron. We need not wait for Deltacron to reach our rugged shoreline before we raise the red flag of concern. Certainly, the two years that we were under various stages of lockdown must have introduced learning lessons even as we hope that if the variant does storm in it would not be as treacherous as the previous variants.

Questions Rappler must answer BY what privilege did this director of the Comelec enter into a memorandum of agreement with Rappler, which: a) purports as mass media outlet but owned and funded by a foreign entity; b) whether that foreign media pretending to be local have a permit and have articles of incorporation with the names and citizenship of the stockholders; and c) whether it is allowed to operate as mass media under the Constitution? Other than the violation, the Securities and Exchange Commission has already declared Rappler as without a license and/or permit to operate. What compounded the violation is by its illegal agreement with Comelec which grants adjudicatory power to implement the rules and regulations of the Comelec, the qualifications of candidates, and the conduct of election which is ultra vires to avowed function on the assumption it has a legal and valid permit to operate. Rappler has unilaterally taken it upon itself to stubbornly violate the Constitution on the belief the prohibition remains invalid pending the outcome of their appealed case. In other words, Rappler can continue to violate the prohibition while it awaits the decision to allow it to continue to make a travesty and mockery of our fundamental law. Rappler should know that when the SEC declared its operations here as without permit, they should have refrained from operating as mass media because the Constitution specifically provided this prohibition. Rather, Rappler, through its CEO, Maria Ressa, acted with arrogance, disrespect and without regard for our dignity as an independent republic. In criminal law, that violation makes it one of mala prohibita because they persist in violating the prohibition. The order by the SEC is more than enough to forewarn the public that Rappler is spreading false and misleading information. Section 11, Article XIV is clear that “The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-

As countries develop, gender norms do not disappear, but reconfigure themselves.’ In societies that don’t assign as much value on talent, there’s less room for people to apply stereotypes. The researchers further showed that there is a strong correlation between the idea of being less talented and three other indicators studied as part of the PISA survey. The less talented that girls believe they are compared to boys, the less confidence they have, the less they enjoy competition, and the

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

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

owned and managed by such citizens.” Besides, the contract entered into by Rappler with Comelec constitutes a prohibition on top of the violation of Section 11, Article XIV of the constitution. The SEC decision to close its site cannot be said as a violation of press freedom. What constitutes the truth is and by itself a subjective proposition. Emotionally-charred and exaggerated reporting intended to incite bias, hatred and emotion cannot be said as objective reportage of events.

Our American colonizers are practically laughing because they created for us a deranged concept of democracy. Rappler has become a political tabloid designed by the foreign-owners to promote sensationalism, hatred and bias against the government. Its style of journalism is far more dangerous because it uses the same tool of press freedom to attack, discredit, insult, ridicule or put into disrepute our government officials as either corrupt, lazy and bloodthirsty killers. For the fact that they have already instilled to the readers the demagoguery, that Filipinos today are now soaked into the ideology of colonialism and hatred to blindly embrace their bogus principles of freedom and democracy. It is through this channel where most Filipino thinkers have completely lost track of their patriotism and nationalism in exchange for untrammeled freedom. We have lost trust in our country and about the value of freedom in favor of demagoguery flaunted by Rappler. Our principle about press freedom should originate from our practice of nationalism to make them operable to our people. Only a few of our people claiming to be the disciples of freedom and democracy know that Rappler is owned by an American billionaire named Pierre Omidyar. Even the front woman Omidyar placed to head Rappler, less willing they are to work in male-dominated occupations such as information and communication technology. The three indicators are often cited as reasons that may contribute to the existence of the glass ceiling stopping women from accessing the highest positions. Taken together the result “suggests that the glass ceiling is unlikely to disappear as countries develop or become more genderegalitarian,” the authors said in the paper. A proposed solution: “Stop thinking in terms of innate talent,” said Breda. “Success comes from learning through trial and error. If we deconstruct the concept of pure talent, we will also deconstruct the idea that girls are less naturally endowed with talent than boys.” AFP

Inc. is of doubtful citizenship. In fact, her sporting dual citizenship was enacted by quisling lawmakers to appease their foreign brokers. In that status, her citizen is for convenience to allow her to operate and manage a mass media in this country akin to that of a mercenary. One provision of the agreement is the “grant of access to key information and confidential data of registered voters absent of any proper and narrowly focused safeguards on the retrieval, use and storage of such data.” Earlier, Rappler stated that the Comelec will only be providing embedded codes and not a full list of voters and precincts. This means third-party organizations like Rappler will have access to Comelec’s database. “Collectively, powers granted to Rappler constitute ‘taking part in our influencing in any manner in any election’, the prohibition set forth in Section 81, Article X of the Omnibus Election Code.” This means that Rappler will involve itself in contentious and justiciable issues which it should not. Issues brought to it in the form of complaint should only be resolved by government functionaries appointed and sworn to perform their duty. To reiterate, officials of the Comelec were entrusted to perform their duty and for which they must be Filipino citizens. But how could this happen when that duty to carry out clean, free, peaceful and honest electoral exercise was subcontracted to Rappler, an alien and foreign-funded organization believed to be funded by the CIA. There is in the case a consistent violation of the Constitution which can only be performed by a government office. rpkapunan@gmail.com Full version on www.manilastandard.net

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Russian forces edge closer to Kyiv

USSIAN troops edged closer to Kyiv on Friday, as officials said the Ukrainian capital was being transformed into a “fortress” and President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of again targeting humanitarian corridors. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Republic Of The Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 104, Quezon City SABASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA POONIN represented by FRANCIS F. POONIN, Petitioners, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION R-QZN-17-12574-CV

-versus-

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’SOFFICE, QUEZON CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE and NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x TO: NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE No. 26 Newport Street, East Fairview, QC GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within ninety (90) days after the last publication of this summons and the complaint, to file with this Court and serve upon the plaintiff/s, your answer to the complaint of the plaintiff/s. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff/s will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied in the complaint.

The Petitioners had no inkling before last 2017 that the subject property had already been sold at an auction sale. When they asked for a copy of the Tax Declaration last 2017, they found out that the said tax declaration is still in their names. A copy of the said Tax Declaration is hereto attached as Annex “G”. By reason of this, the Certificate of Sale, Warrant of Levy and similar documents issued by the Respondent Assessor’s Office should be invalidated and set aside. Instead, the Petitioners should be allowed to redeem the property. PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Court decide in favor of the Plaintiff and against the Respondents more particularly as follows: 1. The Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale on the said property be cancelled and set aside; 2. The subject property be reverted back to the Petitioners as its former owners; and 3. The Petitioners be allowed to redeem the subject property. Order remedies just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, November___, 2018. (Sgd.) BERNARDITA S. FORTUNO Counsel for the Petitioners Attorney’s Roll No. 39406 MCLE Comp VI-9014 until April 14, 2022 PTR No. 5520331 QC 1-3-2018 IBP No. 019428 QC 12-27-17

(Sgd.) LOWELL FREDERICK A. MADRILEÑO Clerk of Court V

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 104, QUEZON CITY

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, ASSESSOR’S OFFICE OF QUEZON CITY AND NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE Respondents. x--------------------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER In today’s scheduled pre-trial, the Court notes the presence of petitioners counsel, Atty. Bernardita Fortunu, as well as counsel for Quezon City Government, Atty. Leodeeanne Odtujan. Petitioner’s counsel manifested that per Sheriff’s Return of Service, private respondent Patrick Noel Prudente was not served Summons, and prayed that Summons be served upon said respondent, through publication, which was not objected to by Atty. Odtojan. As prayed for, let Summons be served upon respondent Noel Patrick Prudente, through publication as the expense of the petitioners, pursuant to the Rules. Meanwhile, the pre-trial is cancelled and reset to March 3, 2022 at 9:30 in the morning. The Court notes the Manifestation filed by petitioners, through counsel stating that they are not objecting to the dropping of the Assessor’s Office but are objecting to the dropping of the Treasurer’s Office as one of the defendants.

DOMINGUEZ, DELANI, DOMINGUEZ & FORTUNO LAW OFFICES 21-G F. Castillo St., Proj. 4, QC Tel No. (02) 399-6279; 0917-822-5073 VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION WE SEBASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, both of legal age, Filipinos, married and with the above stated addresses, after being duly sworn to in accordance with the law, do hereby depose and state that. 1. We are Petitioners in this case; 2. I have caused the filing of the foregoing Amended Petition for Annulment of Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale; 3. The allegations therein are true and correct to the best of our personal knowledge and authentic documents; and 4. We hereby certify that neither we nor our counsel has commenced any similar action or proceeding involving the same issues raised herein before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency and to the best of our knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending threat and if we should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding is pending before and the aforesaid court or bodies, we undertake to report such fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court. November 28, 2018. (Sgd.) SEBASTIAN V. POONIN Petitioner OSCA (Nagcarlan) 0008656

(Sgd.) FLORDELIZA F. POONIN Petitioner UMID 006-0069-2599-2

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 28th day of November, 2018 here in Quezon City, Metro Manila by Petitioners having exhibited their respective identification under their signatures.

The Motion for Reconsideration is submitted for resolution. Doc. No. 420; Page No. 85; Book No. LIV; Series of 2018

SO ORDERED. Open Court, Quezon City, November 4, 2021. (Sgd.) CATHERINE P. MANODON Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 104, QUEZON CITY SEBASTIAN V. POONIN married to FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, Petitioners, -versus-

Cc: Office of the City Assessor’s Ofice, QC Noel Patrick Prudente

ANNEX “A”

ANNEX “A-1”

Case No. 17-12574

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, ASSESSOR’S OFFICE OF QUEZON CITY and NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE., Respondents. x----------------------------------------------------------------------x AMENDED PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OF WARRANT OF LEVY AND CERTIFICATE OF SALE COMES NOW THE PETITIONERS, through undersigned counsel, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully state that: STATEMENTOF THE CASE This is a case of Cancellation of Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale on grounds that there is no proper notice to the Petitioner and other irregularities attending its issuance.

ANNEX “B”

ANNEX “B-1”

STATEMENT OF THE PARTIES 1. The Petitioners are both of legal age, Filipinos, married and with address at 433 Bgy. Taytay, Nagcarlan, Laguna; 2. Respondent Noel Patrick S. Prudente is of legal age, Filipino, and with last known address at No. 26 Newport St., East Fairview, Quezon City; 3. Public Respondent is the Quezon City Government Office of The Mayor, Quezon City, Treasurer’s Office, Quezon City, and Assessor’s Office of Quezon City; STATEMENT OF FACTS 1. The property subject of this case is a parcel of land located in Quezon City and is more particularly described as follows: “A parcel of land (Lot 7, Blk. 7 of the cons. subd. plan (LRC) Pcs-17782, being a portion of the cons. of Lots 723, Piedad Estate, & Lot 705-A-1-C (LRC) Psd-2967, LRC Rec. No. 5975), situated in the Dist. of Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 2 to 3 by Lot 6, Blk. 7; on the SE., points 3 to 4 by Road Lot 9 (10.00 m. wide); on the SW., point to 4 to 1 by Lot 8; on the NW., points 1 to 2 by Lot 2, both of Blk. 2, all of the cons. subd. plan. Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan, being S. 87 deg. 19’E., 735.95 m. from LM No. 14, Piedad Estate; thence N. 3 deg., 21’E., 15.00 m. to point 2; thence S. 86 deg. 39’E., 20.00 m. to point 3; thence S. 3 deg. 21’W., 15.00 m. to point 4; thence N. 86 deg. 39’W., 20.00 m. to the point of beginning; containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx xxx” A copy of Transfer of Certificate of Title No. 316000 covering said property is hereto attached as Annex “A”. 2. Initially, the subject property was mortgaged to Pag-Ibig. The Petitioners tried their very best to pay off the amortizations of the said property until it was fully paid; 3. Little did the Petitioners know that the subject property also had some real property tax liabilities. They thought that since the said property was mortgaged, they do not have any other liability to the government except to Pag-Ibig. Little did they know that the said property had already been foreclosed and auctioned off last July 5, 2012; 4. Petitioners had never received any notice of the Warrant of Levy, Auctioned Sale of Certificate of Sale as they are not residents of the said property. Furthermore, the said property remained unoccupied until the present time. A copy of the said Warrant of Levy and Notice of Levy acquired by the Petitioners from the Register of Deeds of Quezon City is hereto attached as Annex “B” and “C”. A copy of the Certificate of Sale subsequently acquired by the Petitioners is hereto attached as Annex “D”; 5. However, last September 27, 2012, the Petitioners, having learned of their tax liabilities, paid off their real property tax Copies of the receipts for the said Real Property Tax for 2012 is hereto attached as Annexes “E”, “E-1”, and “E-2”. Petitioners tried to ask if there are other tax liabilities since they were previously informed that they had not paid for back real property taxes for the previous years. However, they were not informed of the said real property tax liabilities for the previous years. Neither were they informed that the subject property had already been foreclosed for non-payment of real property taxes; 6. In the meantime, the Petitioners, who are already senior citizens, had some health problems and were not able to travel all the way from their residence in Nagcarlan, Laguna to check on the subject property. It was only last 2017 when they checked on the property and they learned that it was already sold at auction to Respondent Noel Prudente; 7. This is forced them to file this case; 8. In compliance, with Sec. 267 of the Local Government Code, Petitioners are willing to post a bond corresponding to the unpaid real property taxes and interests that may be imposed in this case.

ANNEX “C”

ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “E-2”

ANNEX “D”

ANNEX “E-1”

ANNEX “F”

ISSUES/ARGUMENTS A THE PETITIONERS WARRANT OF LEVY AND THE SUBSEQUENT SALE OF THE PROPERTY TO INDIVIDUAL RESPONDENT SHOULD BE CANCELLED AND SET ASIDE Based from the above facts, it is very clear that there were lapses on the part of the Respondent Assessor’s Office of Quezon City in failing to inform the Petitioners of their tax liabilities and accepting the payment of real property tax of the Petitioners last September 27, 2012,they were not informed that the subject property had already been auctioned off due to non-payment of real property taxes. Had Petitioners learned of the Auction Sale of the said property, they would not have hesitated to redeem the said property.

ANNEX “G”

Petitioners will not deny their lapses if they have any. They are simply ordinary folks who do not know the intricacies of our laws. However, in this case, the government also had its lapses too. The real property tax payments made last September 27, 2012 should have been rejected and the Petitioners should have been told that the property had been sold off at auction. Regarding the individual respondents Noel Prudente, Petitioners are willing to reimburse him for whatever payments he may have made at the auction sale. In

Kyiv’s top diplomats ended without any progress. The Ukrainian military in a statement warned “the enemy is trying to eliminate the defences of the Ukrai-

fact, an attempt was made to inform Mr. Prudente by sending him a letter dated September 14, 2017, a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “F”.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 15th day of December 2021.

SEBASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, Represented by FRANCIS F. POONIN, Petitioners, -versusCase No. R-QZN- 17-12574-CV

Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain holed up in Ukrainian cities, including besieged Mariupol, under a Russian bombing campaign after the first talks between Moscow and

(MStandard-Mar. 12,19 & 26, 2022)

LIFE WINS. This handout photo courtesy of the Kyiv Maternity Hospital shows a newborn posed in front of a window protected by sandbags at Kyiv’s Maternity Hospital No. 6 in early March 2022, as the Ukrainian capital faces an advance of Russian troops. Volunteers have been supplying the hospital with diapers, baby formula, and food for patients and staff. AFP

nian forces around” regions to the west and northwest of the capital “to block Kyiv.” “We can’t rule out a movement of the enemy to the east towards Brovary,” the statement added. In the capital, mayor Vitali Klitschko said half the population had fled, adding that the city “has been transformed into a fortress.” “Every street, every building, every checkpoint has been fortified.” Russian forces are currently encircling at least four major Ukrainian cities and armoured vehicles have rolled up to Kyiv’s northeastern edge, where suburbs including Irpin and Bucha have endured days of heavy bombardment. Ukrainian soldiers there described fierce fighting for control of the main highway leading into the capital, and AFP reporters saw missile strikes in Velyka Dymerka just outside Kyiv’s city limits. “It’s frightening, but what can you do?” said Vasyl Popov, a 38-year-old advertising salesman. “There is nowhere to really run or hide. We live here.” Britain’s defence ministry said in an intelligence update that “Russian forces are committing an increased number of their deployed forces to encircle key cities.” “This will reduce the number of forces available to continue their advance and will further slow Russian progress,” a statement tweeted by the ministry said. But there has been no let-up in the onslaught on several major cities, with the besieged southern port city of Mariupol suffering relentless bombardment, including on attempted aid deliveries, according to Zelensky. AFP

HK elderly care homes in eye of COVID storm KATHLEEN Wong thought her 89-year-old mother was lucky to get a coveted spot in a government nursing home, but now she watches in horror as a coronavirus wave tears through Hong Kong’s elderly population. Care homes have become the epicenter of the city’s worst-ever outbreak, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all deaths since January when an Omicron-fueled resurgence kicked off. Hong Kong has recorded nearly 3,000 deaths this year, with the majority among the elderly, the city’s most vaccine-hesitant group.

“I am on tenterhooks all the time, fearing a sudden call with bad news,” Wong told AFP. Her mother, who has a cognitive disorder and needs help eating, is among the nearly 60,000 residents living in Hong Kong’s elderly care homes. The facilities have recorded more than 1,700 deaths among 22,070 infected tenants—a fatality rate nearing eight percent. Overwhelmed with bodies piling up and elderly patients waiting in outdoor makeshift wards, Hong Kong’s hospitals have started turning people away.

This has pushed unequipped and understaffed facilities to battle the disease on their own, said Cheng Ching-fat, secretary-general of the Community Care and Nursing Home Workers General Union. “Care homes do not have any design or facilities for quarantine,” he told AFP. “Forcing the elderly to return to care homes is not much different from sending them to die.” Hong Kong’s strict zero-COVID policy kept the coronavirus at bay for two years, but the city’s barriers fell to the highly transmissible Omicron variant at the start of 2022. AFP

US: Nokor testing new ICBM system TWO recent missile tests conducted by North Korea were of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, the Pentagon said Thursday, marking what one US official called a “serious escalation” that will be punished with fresh sanctions. According to North Korea, the February 26 and March 4 tests were focused on developing a reconnaissance satellite, but the Pentagon said rigorous analysis concluded they were actually experimental precursors to a likely fullrange ICBM launch. Any such launch would mark the end of a self-imposed moratorium Pyongyang has had in place since 2017 and send military tensions soaring on the Korean peninsula and beyond. The North has carried out three ICBM tests; the last in November 2017 of a Hwasong-15—deemed powerful enough to reach Washington and the rest of the continental United States. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the recent two tests “involved a new intercontinental ballistic missile system” that Pyongyang had first showcased at a military parade in October 2020. While neither launch displayed ICBM range or capability, they were clearly intended “to evaluate this new system before conducting a test at full range in the future, potentially disguised as a space launch,” Kirby said. AFP

LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS. Rescue workers search for victims after a

landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the township of Ampang, outside Kuala Lumpur early on March 11, 2022. AFP

4 killed in Malaysia landslide due to ‘unusual’ heavy rains FOUR people were killed after a massive landslide triggered by “unusual” heavy rains buried their homes in a township outside the Malaysian capital, a senior rescue official said Friday. Malaysia has been experiencing heavy rains over the past few weeks, which officials and environmentalists say is unusual at this time of year and could be the result of climate change. Norazam Khamis, the emergency services chief of Selangor state, said the landslide happened in the suburb of Ampang on Thursday. Rescuers, backed by an earth-mover, recovered four dead bodies and a fifth person was rescued alive, Norazam added. He said torrential rains lasting 30 minutes caused a nearby hill to erode, sending tonnes of soil mixed with water crashing down on a row of houses below. “It happened so fast,” he told AFP. “The victims were found buried under about two metres of mud and they

could not escape in time.” The mudflow completely destroyed two houses and damaged almost a dozen other homes, local media reported. Ten vehicles were also damaged. Norazam described the rains in Selangor, located outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, as “unusual” during what should be the dry season. “Two to three years ago, it was usually hot during this period,” he said, adding that “climate change could be a contributing factor.” Meenakshi Raman, president of environmental group Friends of the Earth, told AFP that Malaysia faces more natural calamities. “With the intensity and frequency of rainfalls we are seeing, we cannot rule out the role climate change is playing,” she said. Flash floods hit the capital Kuala Lumpur a few days ago after a heavy downpour, turning roads into rivers, damaging hundreds of cars and flooding houses. AFP

Business

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IMF set to cut global growth forecast due to Ukraine war

PSEi March 11, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 RLT

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 0.236 0.016 7.27%

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

T ROCK I GERI MAH LAND ANI CROWN

0.89 1.5 0.83 0.93 1.05 0.85 5.75 1.83

0.06 0.1 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.25 0.07

7.23% 7.14% 6.41% 5.68% 5.00% 4.94% 4.55% 3.98%

ACE

1.5

0.05

3.45%

TOP LOSERS 1 PHR

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1.03 -0.12 -10.43%

2 3 4

DIZ ATNB ATN

4.9 0.65 0.65

-0.57 -0.07 -0.07

-10.42% -9.72% -9.72%

5 6 7 8 9 10

MARC DD PHA ACEX OV DELM

1.87 9.32 0.55 24 0.0092 14.6

-0.19 -0.88 -0.05 -2.1 -0.001 -1.24

-9.22% -8.63% -8.33% -8.05% -8.00% -7.83%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 2 3 4 5 6

ICT TEL SMPH URC AC BPI

1,832,070 194,190 9,276,900 2,896,960 315,600 2,678,900

417,180,018 355,831,750 347,972,055 314,150,953 254,689,400 254,428,926

7 8 9 10

ALI SM MBT JFC

6,835,600 271,210 3,620,880 791,650

249,847,930 245,148,955 200,975,042 183,186,804

PILGRIMAGE. Relatives send off family members departing for the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca at Changi International Airport in Singapore on March 11, 2022. AFP

Stock market drops; ICTSI and Jollibee lead decliners

TOCKS fell slightly Friday along with the rest of Asia as traders resumed their Ukrainefueled selling after the previous day’s bounce, with data showing US inflation at a 40-year high adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to ramp up interest rates.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 12.61 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,112.19 on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 129 to 56, with 42 issues unchanged. Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, dropped 4.1 percent to P230, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. of the Ayala Group declined 3.6 percent to P800.50. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., lost

3 percent at P226, while Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, the biggest snack food maker, fell 2.9 percent to P107.70. The rest of Asian markets also retreated Friday. Bets on a more aggressive approach by the Fed to rein in runaway prices added to nervousness on trading floors, while the failure of high-level talks between Moscow and Kyiv to deescalate the war also helped torpedo a brief rebound in equities. All three US indexes ended in the red, having enjoyed a strong burst higher the day before and Asia followed suit after its own advance on Thursday, though early losses were pared or reversed in some places. Tokyo lost more than two percent, while Hong Kong slipped 1.8 percent with Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Jakarta, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur and Wellington also in the red. But Shanghai, Bangkok and Singapore squeezed out gains. However, while oil rose it was well off the 14-year highs touched at the start of the week as governments embark on a diplomatic push to replace the output

erased by strict sanctions and an embargo on Russian exports. While the war in eastern Europe continues to rage, investor focus turned to the release Thursday of figures showing US inflation hit 7.9 percent in February, the highest since January 1982. The reading comes just ahead of the Fed’s next policy meeting, where it is expected to announce the first of what could be up to seven interest rate hikes this year. While a phase of tightening is certain, speculation has been rife about how many and how steep the rises will be. The war has given officials an extra headache as the surge in oil markets will add upward pressure to consumer prices, though the bank must tread a fine line between fighting inflation and trying to prevent a recession. “The headline print was a 40-year high, reflecting higher gasoline, food and shelter costs. And now with energy prices on the rise following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions, expectations are for inflation to rise even more,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril. With AFP

WASHINGTON, United States— The IMF expects to cut its global growth estimate due to the economic damage caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday. “You all see the horrific toll on people, loss of lives, human suffering, massive increase in refugees. But there is also a significant economic toll,” the head of the Washington-based crisis lender told reporters. In addition to the damage to Ukraine, the sanctions Western countries have imposed on Moscow in response to the war will lead to a “sharp contraction” of the Russian economy, Georgieva said. Russia is “moving into a deep recession” with massive depreciation of the ruble and sinking purchasing power for its citizens, she said, adding that a debt default is no longer “an improbable event.” The IMF in January cut the global growth forecast for 2022 to 4.4 percent due to the negative impacts of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, after worldwide GDP rose by 5.9 percent last year. The IMF is due to publish an updated World Economic Outlook next month which will include “a downward revision of our growth projections,” she said. The war and sanctions, which include a US ban on Russian oil imports, are spilling over to the global economy, causing costs for energy and other key commodities like wheat, fertilizers and metals to surge, the IMF chief explained. And that comes “on top of already high inflation,” which is “causing grave concern in so many places around the world,” Georgieva said. “We got through a crisis like no other with the pandemic. We are now in an even more shocking territory. The unthinkable happened: We have a war in Europe.” Earlier Thursday, Oleg Ustenko, chief economic advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the Russian invasion has so far destroyed about $100 billion in roads, bridges and businesses in Ukraine, a huge hit to its economy. AFP

Goldman Sachs becomes 1st large US bank to quit Russia A demonstrator hurls stones to the Congress during a protest against the agreement between the Argentine government and the International Monetary Fund in Buenos Aires on March 10, 2022. AFP

Argentina lawmakers approve IMF deal to repay vast debt BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Lawmakers in Argentina on Friday approved a deal with the International Monetary Fund to restructure a ruinous $45-billion debt ahead of a vote in the upper house. With 204 votes in favor, 37 against and 11 abstentions, the package obtained “an affirmative result and will be communicated to the honorable Senate,” chamber president Sergio Massa said. The details of the deal were ironed out between Argentine officials and IMF staff after an in-principle agreement in January. “This is the best refinancing agreement that could be achieved,” lawmaker Carlos Heller from the pro-government Frente de Todos (Everyone’s Front) said. A rejection of the package “would lead us into serious problems that we must avoid at all costs,” he added ahead of the session that lasted until early Friday morning. In 2018, under the government of conservative President Mauricio Macri, the IMF approved its biggest-ever loan of $57 billion to Argentina. The country received $44 billion of that amount.

Macri’s successor Alberto Fernandez refused to accept the rest, seeking also to renegotiate repayment terms. Payments of $19 billion and $20 billion were due this year—a timeline the government considered impossible. Argentina is just emerging from three years of economic recession and battling rising inflation and a high poverty rate. Under the new deal, repayments will be made from 2026 to 2034 after a grace period. As well as going through the Senate, the package must also be ratified by the IMF board of directors before it comes into force. Despite reluctance from a sector of Frente de Todos and the opposition coalition Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change), the lawmakers passed the refinancing deal, but many have questioned the economic program that will accompany it. “This is not the time for opportunism,” said Juntos por el Cambio MP Facundo Manes. “The opposition must give (the govern-

ment) the chance to restructure the debt, but we cannot take responsibility for the program that the government negotiated with the IMF.” As expected, minority figures on the left and on the libertarian right were opposed to the agreement. Pro-government MP German Martinez said the deal gave “time that allows us to consolidate, boost a process of economic recovery.” “That will allow us to be in better shape in four-and-a-half years to start facing the payments, and we are going to make them without adjustment,” he said. Argentina hopes to reduce its fiscal deficit from 3.0 percent of GDP today to 0.9 percent by 2024. There were protests against the deal outside parliament, with some demonstrators burning rubbish and throwing stones towards the building entrance. A police officer was hit by a Molotov cocktail and some windows were hit with stones, including those at the offices of the Senate president and Vice President Cristina Kirchner. AFP

NEW YORK, United States—US investment bank Goldman Sachs on Thursday announced it would pull out of Russia, becoming the first Wall Street institution to distance itself from Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. Disney, which has halted movie releases in Russia, also said it would withdraw other products, as more American businesses express outrage over the conflict. “Goldman Sachs is winding down its business in Russia in compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements,” a spokeswoman for the company said. “We are focused on supporting our clients across the globe in managing or closing out pre-existing obligations in the market and ensuring the wellbeing of our people.” According to its latest annual report, the firm’s exposure to Russia stood at $650 million at the end of 2021, with the vast majority tied to claims by private actors and borrowers. Goldman Sachs did not give details about the number of employees working in the country. Citing “the unrelenting assault on Ukraine and the escalating humanitarian crisis,” Disney said it would “pause all other businesses in Russia,” including “content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities (and) National Geographic magazine and tours.” Citigroup, another major US bank that had a total exposure to Russia of $9.8 billion as of the end of December, said they were “assessing their options” in the country. Last year, Citigroup announced it would seek to sell its retail banking operations in Russia. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

Nissin -URC Blk 7 Lot 8 First Cavite Industrial Estate, Lankaan, Dasmarinas JOB HIRING PRODUCTION CONSULTANT This position is for a Production Consultant with the following responsibilities: • Monitor the standard operating procedures and quality methods and follow safe operating practices • Ensure compliance with environmental, safety and regulatory requirements. • Provide recommendations of corrective measures with regards to improvement on productivity and quality • Monitor results, performance of production and implement quality control programs • Evaluates the processing machines – its operations and capability • Collate and analyze data and provide reports on possible improvements and monitor its implementation • Work closely with: Quality Assurance and Plant Operations • Liaise with different departments, teams and companies Requirements: • At least 5-10 years work experience with production • Between 30-45 years old. • Degree in business management or other related courses. • Preferably with a Master’s degree • In depth knowledge of production management, risk management and safety regulations Interested applicants may submit their application thru email at: danalyne.manayan@urc.com or send a message at 09988400646 (MS-MAR. 12, 2020)

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

Ayala Group allocates P285b for 2022 capex By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said Friday it is allocating P285 billion in group-wide capital expenditures this year as it expects the overall business environment to improve amid increased mobility. “We continue to see an improvement in the business environment with better mobility and ability of both enterprises and consumers to adjust to disruptions. With the recent de-escalation of quarantine measures to the lowest status, we are hopeful that 2022 will be the start of our country’s recovery,” Ayala president and chief executive Fernando Zobel de Ayala said in a statement. “The Ayala Group aims to continue its investment programs and for 2022, we have allocated up to P285 billion in combined capital expenditure and investments to execute on the growth initiatives across our businesses,” he said. Zobel, however, said the group was mindful of the impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict on recovery and investment programs, especially the surge in fuel prices which would affect interest rates, inflation and the global supply chain. Ayala Corp. said net income grew rose 62 percent in 2021 to P27.8 billion, fueled by divestment gains and improved performance of property and banking units. The conglomerate booked gains from the re-measurement of its stake in Manila Water following the sale of secondary shares to Trident Water and stake in GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co., and the entry of a new investor in Mynt. Excluding gains and other one-offs, Ayala’s core net income decreased 10 percent to P23.5 billion. Ayala said fourth-quarter income grew 46 percent to P8.4 billion from the same period a year earlier. Property unit Ayala Land Inc. booked a net income of P12.2 billion in 2021, up 40 percent from a year ago, while telecom arm Globe Telecom saw profit jump 27 percent to P23.7 billion.

IN BRIEF

Business

SEC clears P1.37-b IPO of CTS Global

January exports up 8.9% to $6b; import bill jumped By Julito G. Rada

ERCHANDISE exports grew 8.9 percent in January to $6.04 billion from a year ago and exceeded the pre-pandemic level of $5.8 billion in the same month of 2020, while imports jumped 27.5 percent to hit $10.74 billion, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

It also marked the 11 straight months of exports since March 2021, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez cited the encouraging recovery in most of the country’s global markets, especial-

ly prior to the Ukraine crisis and the earlier reopening of the export enterprises which were allowed to operate at 100-percent capacity. Nearly half of the growth in exports in January was driven by the increase in the shipments of electronic products. Consistent with the long-standing structure of Philippine merchandise exports, electronics sales accounted for $3.5 billion or 58 percent of the total Philippine exports. Coconut oil recorded the highest growth of 110 percent in January to $178.8 million, driven by consumer trends, particularly the increased awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Lopez expressed hope that the evolving Russia-Ukraine conflict would be short-lived so as not to massively disrupt the post-pandemic recovery. Meanwhile, the trade deficit widened 63.2 percent in January to $4.695 billion, led by the 27.5-percent increase in

imports. Total imported goods amounted to $10.74 billion, marking its 12th consecutive month of positive annual growth. In December 2021, the annual increase was higher at 39.1 percent. Most of the imported goods were electronic products with an import value of $2.79 billion for a share of 26 percent to the total imports in January. This was followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, valued at $1.41 billion (13.2 percent); and transport equipment which amounted to $854.27 million (8.0 percent). China was the country’s biggest supplier of imported goods valued at $2.07 billion or 19.3 percent of the total in January. Last year, the trade-in-goods deficit hit $43.134 billion, up $18.5 billion from $24.6-billion shortfall in 2020. The 2021 deficit was near the record of $43.5-billion gap recorded in 2018. With AFP

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday it approved the P1.375-billion initial public offering of CTS Global Equity Group Inc. owned by veteran stockbroker Edward Lee. CTS Global plans to offer of up to 1.375 billion common shares at P1 apiece. The company will be listed on the small, medium and emerging board of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Net proceeds from the offering will be used to support the company’s global trading operations, client account management expansion and general corporate purposes. CTS Global trades equities as a brokerdealer for the Philippine market and global markets including the United States, China, Hong Kong and Japan. The company has pool of more than 30 traders who actively manage a combined capital amounting to P550 million. The IPO will run from March 31 to April 6, with listing on the PSE scheduled on April 13, according to the timetable submitted to the SEC. Jenniffer B. Austria

AREIT acquiring six buildings for P11.25b

AREIT Inc. said Friday it is acquiring six more office buildings with a total value of P11.25 billion through a property-for-share swap deal with parent Ayala Land Inc. AREIT said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the acquisition of six Cebu-based office buildings in exchange for 252.136 million primary shares to be issued to Ayala Land. The six buildings are eBloc Towers 1 to 4 located at Cebu IT Park and ACC Tower and Tech Tower at Ayala Center Cebu. The office buildings have a total gross leasable area of 124,299 square meters with an overall occupancy rate of 97 percent, leased by major business process outsourcing firms. “We are focused on delivering our commitment to grow our assets, diversify our geographic and tenant base and create more shareholder value with increasing dividends and price appreciation,” AREIT president and chief executive Carol Mills said. “With this new asset infusion, we foresee AREIT’s dividend per share to increase, in addition to the recently concluded asset infusions last year,” Mills said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Semirara to boost 2022 capex to P8.8b

ST. LUKE’S MILESTONE. St. Luke’s Medical Center makes history as the first hospital in the Philippines to successfully conduct and complete intra-arterial chemotherapy to a three-year old patient suffering from late-stage retinoblastoma, a cancerous disease where a malignant tumor grows in one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) eyes. Shown are Dr. Andrei Martin and Dr. Dennis Villanueva (left), who led the Interventional Radiology Team’s successful completion of the IAC procedure.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, March 11, 2022

-12.61PTS. 7,112.19

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

14,966,250,051 84,164 8,179,276,719.48 56

DECLINES UNCHANGED

129 41

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1550

Japan

Yen

0.008611

0.4491

Pound

1.308800

68.2605

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127836

6.6673

Switzerland

Franc

1.075269

56.0807

Canada

Dollar

0.783269

40.8514

Singapore

Dollar

0.735835

38.3775

Australia

Dollar

0.735700

38.3704

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

138.3605

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266567

13.9028

Brunei

Dollar

0.733138

38.2368

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030211

1.5757

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2011

Euro

1.098700

57.3027

Korea

Won

0.000814

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.158183

8.2500

India

Rupee

0.013108

0.6836

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238892

12.4594

New Zealand

Dollar

0.686200

35.7888

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035275

1.8398 Source: BSP

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. plans to increase its capital expenditures to P8.8 billion this year from P3.9 billion in 2021. SMPC said in a report to analysts it is allocating the bulk of its capex for coal at P7 billion, while power subsidiaries SemCalaca Power Corp. and Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. are spending P1 billion and P800 million, respectively. SMPC spent bulk of its 2021 capex to refleeting and continuing water seepage management programs of the coal segment, while the rest went to power plant maintenance. Meanwhile, SMPC expects the high oil and electricity prices to further boost profitability this year. Coal prices to remain elevated in 2022 on continued demand recovery and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. SMPC also sees some price volatility, with China and Indonesia possibly issuing policy interventions to secure their respective supplies. Alena Mae S. Flores

SMC Prestige Power eyes 600-MW Leyte LNG plant By Alena Mae S. Flores PRESTIGE Power Resources Inc., a unit of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., plans to build a 600-megawatt liquefied combined cycle power plant in Barangay Tugas, Tabangao, Leyte at a cost of P41.49 billion. PPRI said in a statement the project would contribute 600 MW to the grid as baseload power plant to meet the country’s rising power supply requirements. It cited data from the Department of Energy showing that electricity demand would grow 5 percent annually and reach 49,287 MW by 2040. The department said it welcomes all types of power generation technologies that are reliable, efficient and cost-effective. “As required by the Department of Energy, the company will develop a reliable, efficient and costeffective energy resource. PPRI proposes to use LNG—the cleanest of all fossil fuels—to provide energy in a manner that is safe to the environment,” the company said. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2022 and commercial operations by the first quarter of 2025. PPRI submitted the documents as part of its requirements to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for public scoping. San Miguel Corp., SMC Global’s parent, has been pursuing the development of LNG to meet the country’s growing power needs as it shies away from building more coal-fired power plants.

Pag-IBIG declares record P31.79-b dividends THE Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees approved the dividend for members’ savings for 2021, declaring a record-high amount of over P31 billion, which will be credited directly to members’ savings accounts, top executives said Friday. “During the Pag-IBIG chairman’s report last Feb. 24, I announced that the rates of Pag-IBIG savings remained higher than other instruments in the market. This announcement came with a caveat that these were to be approved by the board. And now, I’m happy to announce once again that the PagIBIG board has approved dividends for our members’ savings in the amount of P31.79 billion—the highest declared amount in the history of PagIBIG,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Del Rosario said the board also adjusted upwards the previously announced indicative rates. The final dividend rates are now 5.5 percent for the Pag-IBIG regular savings

and 6 percent for MP2. “Giving higher returns on members’ savings is part of our efforts to give the best benefit to our members, especially as they face economic challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, while ensuring the Fund’s sustainability and stability,” said del Rosario who also heads the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees. Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said the higher rates are a result of a higher dividend pay-out ratio approved by the board. He said that while the agency is required to give back to members only at least 70 percent of its annual net income as dividends, the management and the board always sought to give back more. “Pag-IBIG Fund has always looked out for the wellbeing of our members. And when we perform well, it’s our members who benefit the most. For 2021, I’m glad to say that the board decided to retain the highest payout ratio of 92.15 percent,” he said.

Stajcic eyes PH camp for Malditas BRINGING the entire Philippine Malditas national women’s football back to the Philippines is in the works, with Australian coach Alen Stajcic looking forward to make this happen. The plan is taking place now that FIFA women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand is 16 months away. “It will be a fantastic opportunity for the team to be on home soil. We got a lot of planned activities for this,” said Stajcic in a huddle with scribes on Zoom. Last month, the Philippine Football Federation worked on a deal to have Stajcic stay on as head coach. He will be in charge when the Philippine national women’s football team prepares for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. A training camp, according to Stajic, could happen by July, after the Southeast Asian Games, and just before the ASEAN Football Federation women’s championship in Manila. This will also involve players from the Philippines and the others who were not able make it to the training camp in Irvine, California in November, due to travel restrictions. Details of the camp are still being worked out with the PFF, according to Stajcic. “We are having constant contacts with some of the players who were not able to travel to the US,” added Stajcic. Stajcic is bringing in his staff with the Malditas, including assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte and strength and conditioning coach Luca Tonetti. The Filipinas, who lost to Korea Republic in the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India, finished in joint third with Japan in the tournament won by China. They qualified to the World Cup with Vietnam, which took fourth spot via the repechage rounds during the qualifications. Peter Atencio

Sports

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

BOLTS GRAB TWICE-TO-BEAT EDGE. Meralco's

Bong Quinto elevates for a layup against the Phoenix Super LPG in a PBA Governors' Cup game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday. The Bolts beat the Fuel Masters, 10990, to secure the twiceto-beat incentive in the playoffs.

Morales excellent in 1st stages of Ronda Pilipinas By Peter Atencio

SORSOGON City— Jan Paul Morales and Team Excellent Noodles conquered the technically challenging conditions with lower tire pressure settings to rule the ﬁrst two stages the 2022 LBC Ronda Pilipinas here. Morales, who previously raced for Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance where he claimed the overall individual runner-up honors two years ago, topped the individual time trials in 16 minutes and two seconds. Ronald Oranza and Ronnilan Quita took second and third places, on behalf of Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance and Go For Gold, respectively, after following the game plan that Morales used in overcoming the difficult road conditions of this vibrant city. The 36-year-old Morales, now riding and skippering Team Excellent Noodles, got comfortable in the early morning drizzle, coasting along the slippery asphalt roads with the tire pressure of his full-carbon bike tweaked to 100 pound per square inch (PSI). He was 14 seconds ahead of Oranza,

while Quita trailed by 16 at the end of Stage 1. Later in afternoon, Morales increased his lead time after Team Excellent Noodles took the team time trial honors in Stage 2, with Go for Gold and the Navymen in second and third, respectively. Morales’ strategy gave his tires more grip under wet conditions, allowing him to pick up the speed that many inexperienced participants were not able to achieve in the short 12.3-km route, which headed west out of the Sorsogon Provincial Capitol area and into the seaside Rampoleas Sorsogon Blvd. Oranza and the Navymen used the same tactic to get some traction on the wet streets, but the sun was already up and the conditions were drier when they left the starting area. The mechanic’s effort to set

the tires, also to 100 PSI, proved a little off. Still, Oranza, the last rider to leave the starting point, got his needed lift from a tailwind that gave him enough

Jan Paul Morales, red jersey leader

POC includes Obiena on Team PH to SEA Games THE Philippine Olympic Committee included Asia’s No. 1 men’s pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena on Team Philippines’ entry by names list that will be submitted to organizers of the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games. Obiena is one of 654 athletes expected to defend the country’s grip on the overall championship in the SEA Games that Vietnam is hosting from May 12 to 23. “EJ’s name must be there,” POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Friday, adding efforts are being undertaken by the POC to have Obiena compete in the SEA Games where he’s guaranteed a gold medal. Obiena’s Asian record of 5.93 meters is way above the SEA Games standard

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

of 5.45m he himself set during the 2019 edition that the Philippines hosted. But Obiena’s rift with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association has dragged on for more than two months now with the federation denying his request for endorsement to the world indoors in Belgrade, which he will miss as the deadline for entry passed last Monday, as well as the Vietnam SEA Games, world championships in Oregon in July and the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September. “It’s both frustrating and disappointing if we don’t see EJ setting a new SEA Games record in Hanoi,” Tolentino said. “Logic plays a major role here for the need to include him in the SEA Games list, this is sports and he’s a national

Ernest John Obiena

sports pride.” The POC, Tolentino said, has written World Athletics, the sport’s world governing body headed by running legend Sebastian Coe, on Obiena’s predicament. A similar case happened in 1985 when the POC had to intervene on former Asia track queen Lydia de Vega’s inclusion to the national team for the Asean Cup the country hosted at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The late Governor Jose Sering was then the acting Patafa president in lieu of the suspended Michael Keon. De Vega refused to join the national team training at Teachers Camp in Baguio City and was chastised by her national sports association.

Yulo puts up perfume business ‘Scented Skills’ By Randy Caluag

Carlos Yulo and his own perfume brand Scented Skills.

IT may be small for now, but the perfume business that world gymnastics champion Carlos “Caloy” Yulo has put up together with his mother should inspire other athletes to venture into business during these difficult times. Branded as “Scented Skills by Carlos Yulo”, the perfume lines have variants named after skills or moves in gymnastics, showcasing the sport for which the Yulo siblings are growingly becoming popular. His younger brother Karl Jahrel Eldrew Yulo and sister Iza Yulo, the youngest among them, are lording it over in the local scene, including the Palarong Pambansa. According to the perfume company’s page description, Scented Skills is founded by Yulo himself. “He personally picked every scent for men and women.” The variants currently available are Dragulescu, Caloy’s favorite scent similar to Bvlgari’s. Other men’s scents are Round Off (version of Lacoste Red), Back Tuck (Clinique Happy), and Back

Handspring (Cool Water). Women’s scents include Side Aerial, Scented Skills’ own version of the Love Spell of Victoria Secret, Cartwheel (Omania Amethyste Bvlgari), Front Walkover (Be Delicious DKNY) and Split Leap (Eclat Lanvin). Yulo’s mother, Angelica, is managing the business and offering a dealership program to those who are interested to go into the perfume business. The family also owns a motorcycle repair shop and retailing business in Imus, Cavite. It goes to show how the family takes care of the incentives that Yulo has accumulated from his victories in gymnastics, including the gold medal in the vault and silver in parallel bars in last year’s World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan. It’s going to be a busy 2022 season for Yulo, who is looking forward competing in the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May, September’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, England. Yulo trains in Tokyo, where he is also expected to graduate at the Teikyo University next week with a degree in Humanities.

speed to claim second spot behind Morales by 14 seconds. “Ramdam ko iyung hangin nu’ng ako nasa start pa lang. Hindi ko na alam kung magpo-podium dahil tanghali na ako pinakawalan,” said Oranza. The tire setting of Go For Gold rider Quita were much lower at 90 PSI and he got the desired effect when he earned a clocking that is 16 seconds behind Morales. “Nakauna na kami. Siguro, sa darating na stage, depensa na lang kami. Mas maganda, iyung depensa na lang, kaysa ikaw iyung gumawa ng atake,” said Morales. After two stages, Morales logged a lead time of 1:31.35 and is now 32 seconds in front of returning veteran Santy Barnachea and 39 ahead of Team Excellent Noodles’ teammate Ryan Tugawin. Barnachea, who shelved plans to retire after forming Excellent Noodles, took fourth, followed in fifth and sixth by Go Fo Gold teammates Jonnel Carcueva and Marc Lago in the ITT.

World-class volley action in June; tickets out on April 18 THE Philippine National Volleyball Federation brings world-class action in the flesh in June with the country’s hosting of the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League’s men and women pool matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Week 2 of the top-level women’s preliminary round of the top level Volleyball World action will be played from June 14 to 19. After a day’s break, Week 2 of the men’s pool matches will take place from June 21 to 26. Tickets to the matches will be available starting on April 18 with the Smart Araneta Coliseum expected to accommodate fans in full capacity because of softened health and safety protocols. The PNVF thanked the FIVB for giving the opportunity for the Philippines to host the VNL for the first time since its inception in 2018. “We anticipate the return of worldclass volleyball action in the country and we’re confident that with pandemic waning, the fans will enjoy the matches,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. Tickets to the matches are pegged at P2,000 for Courtside seats, P1,500 for Patron A, P1,000 for Patron B, P500 for Lower Box, P200 for Upper Box and P100 for General Admission. Three-time VNL champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist United States banner the women’s pool that includes reigning Asian champion Japan, Southeast Asian queen Thailand, China, Poland, Belarus and Canada.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Home to colonial-era structures. The UNESCO-inscribed San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

A fresh look at a grand lady What is old is new again in the City of Manila By Klaudine Palma

IMULTANEOUSLY old and new, classic and modern, the City of Manila is redefining how a city plans for its future success.

From an outsider’s perspective, the term “Manila” is commonly used to refer to the whole National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila. But strictly speaking, the City of Manila itself refers to the old capital founded by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571 around the area what is known today as Intramuros, arguably the center of this sprawling metropolis, its cultural core, and the country’s seat of government. MEETING OF CULTURES Old and culturally rich, Manila has always played a significant role in Philippine history. It was already a trading center (thanks to its strategic location and a natural deep-water harbor) and a seat of power during its precolonial days, and it has witnessed the integration of different cultures through the centuries and how the past and the present influence the direction of its future.

Binondo District, for example, is a bustling commercial center and is home to what is described as the world’s oldest Chinatown and perhaps the country’s very first central business district. Intramuros, the former seat of power during the Spanish times, boasts cobblestoned streets, a UNESCO-inscribed Baroque Catholic church, and old government buildings that remind us of the years past. Ermita and Malate, on the other hand, are formerly quiet residential communities that feature high-rise office towers, luxury hotels, and a vibrant nightlife. MAINTAINING A HISTORIC CHARM But even as Manila goes through significant revitalization, it has managed to maintain its historic charm. There are plans to revive well-known structures, rehabilitate its former tourist draws, and infuse the city with charm both old and new. One of these projects is the rehabilitation of the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET), a Juan Arellano-designed performing arts venue that boasts Art Deco architecture. After its ownership is transferred to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, it reopened in December 2021 – exactly 90 years after its inauguration. Another high-profile revival project in the city is the rehabilitation of properties operated by the National Museum of the Philippines, most notably the National Museum of Fine Arts,

National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History. These neoclassic structures located right next to Rizal Park house centuries old artifacts and important works of arts, including the Neolithic Manunggul Jar, Laguna Copperplate Inscription, and Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium.” And just recently, Manila opened the newly redeveloped Arroceros Urban Forest Park. Touted as the city’s “last lung” and its only nature park, this 2.2-hectare second-growth forest located on the south bank of Pasig River boasts more than 3,500 trees of diverse species. CENTER OF COMMERCE Beyond the aesthetics, Manila remains a major center for commerce. The city has certainly stood the test of time, with its businesses continuing to thrive, solidifying the city’s attractiveness to local and foreign investments. In fact, in the 2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index prepared by the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines, Manila ranks as the second most competitive among all highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. The city ranks first in terms of government efficiency and infrastructure, fifth in terms of resiliency, and seventh in terms of economic dynamism. A great example of a successful homegrown business in Manila is the pioneering hardware

Experiencing a rebirth. Touted as the world’s oldest Chinatown, Manila’s Binondo District is the city’s main commercial and business district.

company of Co Ban Kiat (CBK) Hardware Inc. Incepted in 1920, it has seen itself overcome industry cycles and eventually recover from different economic circumstances. Their two office buildings, both located in Binondo —the modern A. CBK Building and the classic CBK Building II—stand as a fusion of the historic past and modern excellence. The modern A.CBK Building was built as tribute for and in honor to the legacy of the current chairman’s father, Mr. Atilano Co Chin Hua. Alongside this new development is the classic CBK II Building. The later serves as a reminder for the family of where it all started and how each of their successes is attributed to it. According to Jan Vincent Cobankiat, the company’s Executive Vice President: “Binondo is the birthplace of our company and store. It is our duty and responsibility to maintain that connection with where we started. We want to set an example to encourage building owners to restore and create new properties in the community. In this way, we can rebuild Binondo and bring it back to days of glory.”

FIRST E-HARDWARE NG BAYAN. Konstruk, a Philippine-based e-commerce and the first e-hardware ng bayan, recently launched its online platform—making online transactions for home improvement and construction supplies a seamless experience for both customers and merchants. “The majority of the merchants from the construction sector, especially the MSMEs, are still brick-and-mortar stores or do not have sufficient capabilities to bring their business online,” explained Konstruk founder and CEO Rommel Bulalacao (Shown in the middle with his team). “There was no dedicated concept yet for the construction and home improvement sector using e-commerce,” Bulalacao said. Konstruk came to be with the goal to promote business continuity in the construction and home improvement sector. The digital marketing platform helps community hardware stores, wholesalers and distributors, and manufacturers of construction materials including home appliances and furniture become part of the online business ecosystem to promote new products and push their inventory through the platform. To know more about Konstruk, visit konstruk.ph.

BUILDING AHEAD WITH SMDC. After two years of shuttering and sheltering in place, the world is opening up again. Among the lessons the global crisis has taught us are the value of human life. Thus, as the global community turns its page into a better normal, living in a safe and sustainable environment is now a primary consideration. SM Development Corporation (SMDC) has built ahead of the changing attitudes and considerations toward home ownership. SMDC Glam Residences, located right off Quezon City’s rising Central Business District, is a master-planned property perfect for millennials. Through its property management arm—Greenmist Property Management Corp. (GMPC), SMDC provides comprehensive services, including putting health and security measures in place. FEDERAL LAND ON TRACK. Real estate company

Federal Land, Inc.is helping drive socio-economic activity in Marikina, Manila, and Manila Bay Area with new properties. “As more people resume their previous routines, we shall provide them with living options that will fit their needs and respond to their demand for a holistic, sustainable lifestyle,” said Federal Land, Inc. sales group head Margarita SaenzResurreccion. This supports the findings of the recently released Colliers Property Market Report, which listed “improvement in consumer and business confidence” as among the key market enablers for the sector. Federal Land is set to launch new residential towers in Marikina with Siena Towers, Manila with Quantum Residences (Shown in photo), and in the Manila Bay Area with Mi Casa. For its latest residential property in Taft Avenue, Manila, Federal Land’s three-tower Quantum Residences is among the company’s real estate developments that are seeing high demand from property buyers, both here and abroad. It is fiber optic ready, so everyone in the family is assured of fast and reliable connectivity for work, learning, and entertainment.

GENTLEMAN FARMING, ANYONE? The COVID-19 pandemic

prompted many to take a second look at their homes, and even find new communities where they can have ample breathing space and be closer to nature. “In the new normal, people want to be closer to nature and live sustainably,” said Sta. Lucia Land Inc. President Exequiel Robles. “Through our farm lot developments like La Huerta in Calamba, Laguna, we hope to give homebuyers that unique opportunity to turn to backyard or urban farming to ensure that there’s always a steady supply of fresh produce on their table.” The 50-hectare La Huerta Farm and Residences features views of Mt. Makiling and Tagaytay, the historical Laguna Lake, and vast fields of Canlubang.

MILO RIVERA Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

Motoring

The All-New Toyota Avanza: Practical, reliable, compact MPV

OYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) has officially launched the 2022 update of its well-known and well-loved family vehicle, the Toyota Avanza. First introduced in the Philippines in 2006, the Avanza has become an image of versatility and reliability perfectly suited for Filipinos’ mobility needs.

Now on its 3rd generation, the AllNew Avanza gets even better valuefor-money features and striking design upgrades for its 2022 reinvention. Developed as a spacious vehicle which can seat 7 people with room to spare for items and luggage, this MPV continues to be a choice for many for its capability as a trustworthy road companion. The All-New Avanza comes in four variants, each variant developed to cater to specific needs. Truly committed to being an affordable and practical vehicle of choice, suggested retail price for the 2022 Avanza starts at PHP 813,000. This new model gets an updated “sleek and active” exterior, featuring split-type LED headlamps and 16” alloy wheels for the G variant. It also comes with additional convenience as it now has the “push start” button system and a 4.2” TFT Multi-Information display for the G variant, and auto-fold side mirrors for both G and E variants. The interior similarly gets the feeling of novelty with the new 2-tone seat material. The All-New Avanza can handle any road trip needs with its flexible 7-seating adjustments with a “Long Sofa

Mode” feature and ample luggage space. Controls are within reach and entertainment is guaranteed for the journey with the 8” Audio Display that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity available for the G and E variants, and USB ports available for recharging each family member’s tech device. Safety is always the utmost priority, especially for a family mover such as the All-New Avanza. The G and

E variants are equipped with a back camera and back sensor, while the G variant is equipped with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Camera Traffic Alert for easier parking and maneuver. It also features Vehicle Stability Control and 6 SRS airbags (G variant). This All-New MPV that’s “fit for the fam” is now available in all of TMP’s dealerships across the country with the following variants, colors, and SRP:

From tricycle driver to actor: Coco Martin lives the dream with love for bikes

GAC Motor Philippines President and CEO Wilbert Lim addresses his welcome speech, thanking all the dealer principals for their unwavering support for the brand

GAC Motor PH holds 1st dealer conference to enhance customer experience, expand network

CERTIFIED primetime king Coco Martin proves that he’s not only a multi-talented actor but also a person with a lot of inspiring stories to tell especially during his teenage years, wherein he went the great lengths in pursuing his ambitions. As the celebrity ambassador of the country’s no.1 motorcycle manufacturer, Honda Philippines, Coco Martin is truly a testament of what “The Power of Dreams” can do in changing lives. A symbol of action and adventure, it’s not surprising that owning a motorcycle is often one of the bucket list items of young men. But in Martin’s case, a motorcycle was not only a dream, it also serves as a reminder of his humble beginnings and fun memories of his teenage years,”Natuto akong mag-motor noong high school ako. Laki ako sa lola. Ayoko sana maging pabigat sa kanya at gusto ko sana makatulong, kaya sa gabi ‘pag ginagarahe na tricycle namin, ako taga linis at taga

hugas nito. Syempre dahil bata ka, nag kaka-interes ka dun sa motor at pangarap ko talaga magka motor nung bata pa ‘ko.” For someone who was highly-energetic and always curious, Martin says that he learned to ride a motorcycle in a cemetery and he remembers it with fondness every time he shares his story. With the help of his friend, Martin felt that this part of his childhood fostered so much joy and was a welcome break each time they would take their lolo at a public market, using their tricycle.” Sa sementeryo ako unang tinuruan, tapos [sunod] sa may Uniwide sa Quirino hi-way, sa parking lot ‘dun. May tindahan kasi kami noong araw kaya kapag ang lolo ko namimili na ng mga paninda namin, hindi nya alam ako at yung barkada ko, umiikot-ikot kami doon sa parking lot. Syempre, dahil bata ka pa, mababaw palang kaligayahan mo. Kaya nung umiikot-ikot kami dun, sobrang saya ng pakiramdam ko

‘nun. Tapos, hanggang sa unti-unti na ako natuto. He adds that funny how their neighborhood thought a motorcycle was a palpable display of status symbol as it perceived like owning a sports car during their time. “Yung mga kaibigan ko kasi sa lugar namin noon sa Novaliches, magkaroon ka lang ng tricycle sobrang big deal na ‘non, para ka ng may sports car. Kaya nung nag simula na akong mag motor, ramdam na ramdam ko na iba na yung dating kapag nag da-drive na ako ng tricycle namin. Kaya sobrang pangarap ko talaga na magkaron ako ng motor.” On living the dream As one of the celebrities who surely knows what it means to rise from the ranks through perseverance and persistence, Martin proved that nothing is impossible for someone who’s focused on making his dream come true. “Noong nagkaroon na ako ng trabaho, isa ito sa mga

AS the dealership network continues to grow, GAC Motor Philippines held its first Dealer Conference on March 07 at Marco Polo Function Hall, Ortigas. The conference aims to build stronger ties with its dealer network, and to strengthen the brand presence in the country. With the theme “2gether 2 Get There”, GAC Motor Philippines laid down its past programs, sales target for 2022, plans, programs, and strategies on how to achieve the projected sales target. Present in the dealer conference were the officials from the brand’s distributor in the country, and its dealers in Pasig, Pampanga, Tarlac, Alabang, Davao, Bacoor, Tacloban, and Iloilo. For 2022, GAC Motor Philippines aims to achieve higher sales, and pangarap ko na tinupad ko, ang magkaroon ng sarili kong motor,” Martin recalls. Now a happy owner of several Honda motorcycles, one of Martin’s favorites among his collection is ultimately the X-ADV, which for him brings a lot of excitement and great experiences. “Unang-una, ang nagustuhan ko dito ay hindi lamang dahil sa bilis ng takbo kundi kumportable din dalhin dahil sa front and rear suspension nito na alam

stronger market presence through various marketing, sales, and after sales strategies. To serve more customers in the southern area, we will soon be opening dealerships in Bacoor, Tacloban, and Iloilo. Furthermore, GAC Motor Philippines will also continue and expand our mall displays nationwide to to help generate sales while exposing the brand to the public “As we start to set a standard for our brand, slowly but surely we will become one of them. With the quality of our products, I’m sure that Filipinos will patronize it. It may be tough, and challenging, but through everyone’s efforts and commitment, I believe it will be possible,” said GAC Motor Philippines President and CEO Wilbert Lim. mong matibay at safe, kaya isa talaga sa pinaka favorite motorcycle ko ay ang X-ADV.” Coco Martin’s success is proof that there’s power the moment you start dreaming. Just like Honda, he’s a symbol of courage and conviction to imagine, and make dreams a reality. Indeed, it’s only just the beginning for someone like him who believes that “you’ll never know where your dream will lead you.”

Manila International Auto Show returns in April NOTHING beats an actual auto show; from actual launches to actual automotive festivities, the experience is incomparable. After a year of being held as a digital event, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) makes its ACTUAL return as an on-ground spectacle this coming April 7-10, 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Visitors can look forward to seeing new and different car models that participating manufacturers

and exhibitors have to offer. Some of the most awaited activities in this year ’s MIAS is the return of the jawdropping stunt show that features threetime Guinness World Record holder, Mr. Russ Swift, as well as the MIAS Classic & Custom Car Competition wherein the general public is given the power to choose the cars they want to succeed in certain competition categories. What’s also great about going back on-ground is that visitors are allowed

to feel and give each car of their choice a test drive. Lastly, the MIAS shall again serve as a stage for each manufacturer to unveil their latest car model launches, as the Philippine automobile market should serve as witnesses to the transcending innovations the industry continues to offer. Visitors may get their MIAS tickets in advance through the link: https:// register.worldbexevents.com/

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

PayMaya powers e-govt digital payments THE country’s digital transformation continues to accelerate, with none less than national government agencies and local government units leading the way in promoting ease of doing business. Powering the e-Government with safe, accessible, and convenient payments platforms is PayMaya, the country’s only end-to-end digital financial services ecosystem enabler that serves both consumers and enterprises, whether online or on-ground. “At PayMaya, we strongly support the government’s thrust to implement ease of doing business through the use of financial technology. Our platforms make egovernment services more widely accessible to many Filipinos-- whether it is via the PayMaya app, PayMaya-enabled QR PH code, any card and e-wallet through our payment gateway and payment terminals or even through our Smart Padala agents,” said Orlando Vea, PayMaya Founder and CEO. Easier, more rewarding PayMaya makes it easier and more rewarding for consumers to pay for government dues and social security contributions. Citizens can avoid the lines in government offices and conduct transactions from the safety of their homes, also reducing the cost of transportation.

Work culture manager Hiedy Enriquez uses PayMaya for her government documentary needs. She recently applied for her marriage certificate online through the Philippine Statistic Authority’s (PSA) online application. “It’s very user-friendly and convenient for me. What I like most is the immediate acknowledgment through a text message that your transaction is successful,” Enriquez said. As a young professional trying to improve her finances, media relations specialist Pam Bareo decided to invest her earnings into PAG-IBIG’s Savings Program called MP2 last year. “Gusto ko kasing makapag-ipon at mai-invest ang pera ko sa magandang programa katulad ng MP2. I used PayMaya for my government transactions kasi mabilis, mas mura ang fees, at kapag sinuwerte, mayroon pang-cashback! Nakakuha ako ng P200 sa una kong hulog using PayMaya sa MP2 savings ko,” Bareo said. True to its promise of making government payments convenient, safe, and rewarding, customers who use PayMaya for the first time to settle their government fees and dues at the SSS, BIR, Pag-IBIG, PRC from February 1 to March 31, 2022 during the Bills Bayad Rewards Promo are eligible to receive a 10% cashback voucher. Meanwhile, existing customers paying recurring fees using their PayMaya account can receive a 5% cashback voucher once a month. Repeat users can get up to a P200 cashback voucher during the promo period. On top of the cashback rewards, customers who download and register at PayMaya and upgrade their account can also enjoy a P100 voucher when using the code “BILLSBAYAD” upon registration.

Tech & Gadgets

DOST to showcase Filipino

innovations in Middle East event T O HELP boost businesses in the science and technology sector, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will showcase innovations from Filipino tech start-ups, businesses, and its Philippine Textile Research Institute in a business forum and matching event with investors from the Middle East on March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. (PH Time) / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (UAE Time). “As the Philippines is brimming with brilliant and talented scientists and researchers, it is just necessary for us to proudly introduce their innovations and link them up with international partners. Noting the great opportunity of science, technology, and innovation in the Middle East, we are glad to pursue synergies with them. The Department sees this event to leverage our assisted enterprises and create more impactful collaborations.” said Dr. Leah Buendia, DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation. The Department will feature 10 technologies focused on five strategic areas of cooperation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Energy Management, Water Management, Smart City Development, and Textiles: 1. CROPITAL—A credit scoring model that directly interacts with farmers and localized data provided by the community/farmers to determine the weights of different attributes in farmer’s repayment. 2. AI for Water Management (AI4WM)—An enhanced fore-

casting model for complex water supply systems of the East Service Area of Metro Manila. 3. Intellex—A cloud-based data analytics platform for smart energy management and electricity cost reduction. 4. CHARM—A fast charging system that can fully charge electric tricycles in 30 minutes. 5. Vigormin—A wastewater treatment and odor-reducing formulation composed of naturally occurring organo-minerals that stimulate growth of indigenous aerobic microorganisms in wastewater and boost the degradation of organic pollutants.

6. RTAP—An advanced pressure management system that optimizes pump operation for a significant reduction in non-revenue water (water loss) and power consumption. 7. Axis Knee System—A total knee replacement system that is designed for a wide range of sizes. 8. USHER—A 24/7 economical and hassle-free system that allows building managers to objectively monitor the structural integrity of buildings and bridges. 9. Yarn and Natural Dye Kits— Eco-friendly yarns and colorants derived from plant materials and pro-

duced using an industry-scalable technology of DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI). 10. Philippine Tropical Fabrics —a patented PTRI technology for the production of natural textile fiberblended yarns using natural fibers like abaca, banana pseudostem and pineapple leaf. These innovations were developed through the technical and financial assistance from DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI). “PCIEERD, as the country’s leading government agency in spurring change through S&T, deems this event as a good platform to help DOST-supported researchers expand their horizons, collaborate with the international community, and spread the ingenuity of Filipinos,” said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit. After the pitching activity, the presenters will participate in a businessto-business (B2B) matching with investors from the Middle East. Hopefully stakeholders will be able to forge partnerships that will strengthen each other’s businesses, and contribute to both countries’ thriving economy. “We thank our friends from DTI and PTIC-Dubai for inviting and supporting DOST towards conducting this initiative. This event exemplifies our advocacy that technologies shared and used for the common good are catalysts of longrun growth,” said DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena. All interested parties who wish to attend the Forum may directly register through this link: www.bit.ly/ DubaiExpoSnTForum. The event is conducted on the sidelines of the Philippines’ participation to the 2020 World Expo hosted by Dubai, UAE—a global platform that champions innovation, technology, art, creativity, heritage, and culture to showcase human brilliance and excellence.

Stories made better with vivo Y73’s 64MP AI Night Rear Camera

Sleek and trendy, the Y73’s design gives off a youthful and gives people ease of use

TRAVELERS now have a new companion that can capture all their adventure stories. The new vivo Y73 is now available in the Philippines. Starting March 12, consumers can purchase it nationwide! On March 12 only, customers can get a P500 off voucher and free DITO simcard and TWS Lavanda Earbuds for every Y73 purchase on Lazada and Shopee. They can also opt to use Home Credit (40% down payment of P1,545) or Credit Card (30% down payment of P1,202) when buying from vivo concept stores and kiosks. The vivo Y73 is the leading brand’s latest upper entry-level smartphone that has flagship-like specs. Its impressive camera features allows users to take highquality photos and videos when they’re out and about. This, along with other reliable features and specs that won’t break the bank. Create memorable stories The Y73 is, by far, the best camera phone in the vivo Y Series. The 64

AI Night Rear Camera guarantees high-definition photos and videos even when it’s zoomed in, and it’s ability to shoot videos in 4K. The rear camera is built with EIS Video to ensure stable and clear videos each time, as well as Steadiface Selfie Video in the front camera, which keeps the user’s face still when the background’s moving. As for photos, the phone has improved on its night mode with Super Night Selfie and AI Super Night Mode. The former brightens selfies even in dim lighting conditions, giving it a glow-in-the-dark vibe. While the other utilizes AIsupported noise reduction to perfectly capture clearer night shots. Iconic design For a trendy and youthful feel, the phone comes in two bold colorways: Diamond Flare and Roman Black. Both drew inspiration from nature to create the stunning designs, and also has Anti-Glare (AG) surfaces to minimize fingerprint smudging. Diamond Flare, a purple and blue shade,

mimics the appearance of a sparkling diamond. While Roman Black, a luxe matte black, is inspired by the grandeur of Ancient Roman columns. The Y73 is also slim and lightweight. Compared to its predecessors, the phone’s thickness is reduced to 6%, resulting in an ultra sleek 7.38mm design with a rounded frame. Creators don’t have to worry about strain while shooting, too, as it only weighs 170g. Keep the fun going Whether one is traveling or partying, the Y73’s 4000mAh large battery will provide enough juice for one’s camera and gaming needs, and everything in between. It’s combined with 33W Flash Charge that can refill the battery to 61% in just 30 minutes flat, so you won’t have to pause the fun. For the gamers out there, the phone has Ultra Game Mode, which mutes background notifications to keep users in the zone. This is perfect for travelers who love to play even if they’re out of town.

SEA’s 1st SME superapp Enstack launched; 10k merchants sign up SOUTHEAST Asia’s first SME supperapp Enstack enters strong in the Philippines. Since launching in beta late in February, Enstack has helped over 10,000 merchants by providing them with all the tools to run their small business directly from their mobile phones. Enstack is a fast, free, and easy-to-use SME superapp that provides entrepreneurs with all operational, logistical, and financial tools they need in a single platform. On Enstack, businesses can accept orders from customers over the phone, in person, and online via its revolutionary Chat Store. With the Chat Store, merchants can automatically receive orders via their Facebook Messenger accounts, without replying to each message, and directly fulfill them using the Enstack app so they never miss a sale. SMEs can also offer customers mul-

tiple payment options, including Cash On Delivery, GCash, Paymaya, BPI and Unionbank direct debit, and ship packages with integrated logistics providers such as Grab and 2Go directly from the app. Other management tools include sales and expenses recording, inventory management, and analytics. Enstack is free to use, reducing barriers among SMEs to digitize due to costs. “Running a business from home can be exhausting. On top of the manual labor required, I also spend a lot of time using different apps and tools to ensure all orders are received, processed and delivered timely to customers. With Enstack, I can now automatically receive orders with Chat Store, get paid whatever way my customer wants whether it’s COD, GCash, or bank transfer, and send products on the same day through Grab using just one app,” said Sunshine Mesias of Eishan Shop.

Behind Enstack is Oriente, who has provided Filipinos access to credit through their Shop Now, Pay Later services. With Enstack, it expands its focus on Southeast Asian SMEs and strengthens its mission to empower local merchants. “After supporting the biggest merchants through our digital credit services, we now want to optimize the smallest of businesses so they can keep up with the rise in digital consumers. After seeing the swift growth and adoption of our free easy-to-use superapp, driven purely by word-of-mouth, we know we’ve created a game changer with Enstack. We’re glad to see our initial group of over 10,000 SMEs, led by merchants in food and beverage, feel empowered as they take their first step towards digitization so they can be more efficient, profitable, and thrive in

Two weeks after its beta launch, SME superapp Enstack now provides support to over 10,000 SMEs.

today’s economy,” shared Geoffrey Prentice, co-founder of Oriente. “According to the World Economic Forum, SMEs make up 99.5% of business in the Philippines but only contribute 36% to the local economy. Lack of access to digital technologies that allow SMEs to adapt to new ways

of doing business may decrease this number further. Technologies like Enstack help small local businesses maximize their potential and increase their contribution to the economy so we can close this gap,” said Lance Gokongwei, President and Chief Executive Officer of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.