BusinessMirror December 21, 2021 by BusinessMirror

‘Close borders, cut Omicron exposure risk’ ‘Resilient’ creative industries bill pitched By Cai U. Ordinario

with their loved ones, while forwhich, she said, the economy can no eigners living in temperate regions longer afford. usually want to relax in tropical “It is better that we do protective LOSING the country’s borders countries like the Philippines. This preventive measures than get exJovee Marie N. dela Cruzyear’s influx wakeofofOFWs the 1997 Asian Financial sector for 4.4 is one ofBy the most immediate is expected to posedcreatives again. We have accounts a lot to lose,” @joveemarie Crisis, a wayofto diversify of GDP,” courses of action the govern- be heavier sinceasmany them were theirOplaspercent said. “We shouldhe dosaid. it now so dependentthat we can “In open South the crement must take to prevent the latunable tothen-manufacturing come home for the holidays justKorea, before ChristS the future offrom Philippinein ex-December economy. v e s contained, s e c t o r cwe o ncan t r iopen butes est Covid-19 variant, Omicron, 2020. mas. Ifa titigets ports restsaccorda lot on service-“My recommendation “Culture is resilient. It’s crisis-it again.” around 2 percent of the econreaching Philippine shores, is to protect based industries, including proof. onepeople aspectwith of it, such Ateneo omy, Center and also boosts Korean ing to local economists. the borders. DoWhen not allow for Economic Reculture, an economist-lawmaker as tourism, suffers, other altertourism, with around 55.3 perT he new var iant is a threat, a history of travel to countries with search and Development (ACERD) pushing for hol the id passage asOplas art and cent of all inbound tourism e s p e c i a l l yis w it h t he ay s of the positive natives cases to such enter,” said.digitalAssociate Director Ser Percival Build, Build, Build for the content canrestrictive. emerge. That’s being related its creative coming upproposed and more foreigners “We should be more [We whyK. Peña-Reyes saidtoclosing the Creative themore creative industries are an ex-country’s sector—best exemplified being a llowed to Industries travel toAct. the have to be] protective in terms borders would be effec-by De In House Bill 10613, House cellent hedge against economictive but theshould Hallyustill wave or K-culture. Philippines, La Sa lle Univerof our measures.” adhere to the Committee Ways and MeansOplascrises,” Salceda It is useful to note these sit y economist Mar iaon Ella Oplas said that while said. this will be standards set by the Worldthat Health Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said Salceda cited success countries(WHO). are also highly-intold BusinessMirror. a setback to some also industries, this sto-Organization the Philippines in Europe and Souththat Korea in What dustrialized, where manufacThe holidays usually must bringmake in investis a fair ries measure considering is needed, Peña-Reyes told ments in its cultural industries, promoting the creatives sector. turing and high-value services Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) this could help prevent placing the this newspaper, is for travel restricsimilar to what Korea did in the another “In the strict European Union, thetions are dominant,” who are eager to spend Christmas country in lockdown, to be put in placeSalceda swiftly said. and @caiordinario

C the wOrld »B7

Fauci says OmicrOn variant SAYS OMICRON VARIANT isFAUCI ‘raging arOund the wOrld’ IS ‘RAGING AROUND THE WORLD’

the wOrld »B7

for government to be proactive in imposing them. Previous instances when the country had the opportunity to im travel In fact,restrictions the lawmaker said Kpose did not prePop was one of the most resilient vent the spread of Covid-19. That was sectors of thethe Korean economy mainly because decision was not during the Covid-19 pandemic. made immediately, he said. “Kung “In the Korean model, repapatay patay [If we’re silience appears to be due to slow] and we get caught flat-footstrong public investment. Dured, [that’s risky] We were too reing the Asian active instead of Financial proactive Crisis, before. South Korean Wethe should learn fromgovernment that,” Peñasought diversify thenReyes said.to “It’s a delicatethe balancing manufacturing-driven South act. We need to push testing and Korean Entertaintracing to economy. be properly informed and culture became one of ment our decisions. Blanket/shotgun of the leading prospects that approaches could have direfor consecountry,” Salceda said. quences on the economy.” Continued onA2 A2 See “Omicron,”

Fauci says OmicrOn variant is ‘raging arOund the wOrld’

NATL BORROWINGS PORKGOVT DRIVES 30% RISE FOR 10 MOS DIP IMPORTS TO P2.75T IN 11-MO MEAT

Tuesday,November December29, 21,2021 2021Vol.Vol.1717No.52 No.74 Monday,

P25.00 P25.00nationwide nationwide||22sections sections22 20pages pages||

Shell using Omicron risk spurs revival ₧6-B bank of quarantine loan toPHL pay rules in other debts

By Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas By Bernadette D.Y.Nicolas

T D

@jearcalas @BNicolasBM

HE national RIVEN by higher government’s pork imports, the gross meat country’s imports from January borrowings as of to November expanded end-October shrank by more than 30 percent by almostto6 apercent year-on-year record year-on-year to level of nearly 1.1 million metric (MMT), the P2.75tons trillion. latest government data showed.

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura L concerns NTER NATIONA over the possible spread of the ILIPINAS ShellOmicron Petroleum more infectious CoCorp. obtained a P6-billion vid-19 variant prompted the govloanto from a local bank mainly Latest data from the Bureau of the ernment reimpose mandatory to repay its short-term loan. Treasury showed that the governfacility-based quarantine for all arriving “Following a competitive tender ment’s gross borrowings during the passengers in the country. 10-month Dat a reperiod le a sefell d by b y5.99 t hepercent Bu process and pursuant to the enActing Presidential spokesperreau Animal Industr y (BAI) dorsement from the Related Party from of P2.92 trillion a year ago. son Karlo B. Nograles announced showed overall meat Transaction Committee and Board With that only two months leftimfor on Sunday that the Inter-Agency ports during the 11-month peapproval, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum this year, the latest figure is already Task Force for the Management riod reached 1.09 MMT, 32 perCorporation [SHLPH] a equivalent to 89.6 percent of its of Emerging Infectioussecured Diseases cent higher than the 825,000 five-year loan amounting to P6 P3.07-trillion borrowing program. (IATF) suspended the implemenMT recorded the same period billion Bank of the PhilipBroken down,ingross domestic bortation with of itsthe Resolution No. 150of last year. pine Islands, replacing existing rowings from January to October A (s.2021), effectivelyanimposing settled Historical BAI data showed P6 billionprotocols of short-term the at P2.23 trillion, down by stricter for allloan,” inbound the from listed oil firm said. 5.08country’s percent meat from imports P2.35 trillion travelers. January The loan will reduce the oil firm’s in 2020. to November had already To note, IATF Resolution 150surpassed the of full-year volumewas of exposure to short-term A had allowed fully volatilities vaccinated The bulk the amount PEOPLE walk past the mural of Gat Andres Bonifacio at Manila City Hall Underpass. 2020 of 894,698.528 MT by nearly in the market and maximize the low non-visa travelers from Green List sourced from Fixed Rate Treasury The country will celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary 22 percent. interest rate for its cash requireBonds (P1.19 trillion), followed by areas to enter the country withhero Gat Andres Bonifacio on Tuesday, November 30. ROY DOMINGO short-term Historicalborrowings BAI data showed the ments. impact the from Bangout the“This needwill fornot facility-based 1.09 MMTng record from January gearing of SHLPH remains ko Sentral Pilipinas or BSP (P540 quarantine as longwhich as they secure to November is the highest imhealthy,” said. Transcriptionbillion), Retail Treasury Bonds/PrenegativeitReverse port on record and could Polymerase The oil firm said last week that myo figure Bonds (P463.3 billion), Retail Chain Reaction (RTeven go higher when (P80.84 December itPCR) would pay “under protest” Onshore Dollar Bonds biltest within 72 hoursP3.49 prior data in. period, there was billion in excise tax and value-addlion).comes In the same to their departure. also BAI data showed that pork aced tax on importations alkylate By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas dating its registry following the them. This allows everyone to see programs as President Duterte a net redemption of Treasury “Except for countriesofclassified counted for bulk of the meat imfrom 2014 to 2020. @jearcalas enactment of the Coconut Farmwho are listed in the registry and if is expected to sign the industry Bills amounting to P43.94 billion. as ‘Red,’ the testing and quarantine ports or about 47.73 percent.means Pork protocols In a December 13 disclosure ers and Industry Trust Fund law. farmer doesn’t see his name then he development plan in early 2022. for all inbound interna Net debt redemption imports during the repaid 11-month to the Philippine Exchange ORE than 3 million Rosales explained that about shall coordinate with the PCA imRosales said the PCA will not tional travelers inStock all ports of entry there were more debts comperiod than borrowed doubleddurto (PSE), Pilipinas Shell the Bucoconut farmers and 500,000 coconut farmers and mediately,” he explained at a recent stop updating its list of coconut pared tomore the amount shall comply with thesaid testing and 520,932.058 MT from 231,140.247 reau of Customs (BOC) workers are now regisworkers were added to the PCA’s dialogue with coconut farmers. farmers and enjoined them to reging the period. quarantine protocols for already ‘Yellow’ MT recorded in the same periodborof recognized its “intent to said, pay under tered with the government’s reg2018 list that had about 2.5 million “On the other hand, if people ister in order to reap the benefits Meanwhile, gross foreign list countries,” Nograles citing last year. in the same period also protest” the amounts istry, which serves as the basis coconut farmers and farm workers. would see names on the list and of the decades-long idled coconut rowings the provision of IATF demanded Resolution PASSENGERS going home to their provinces in the Bicol Region for the holidays wait for their ride at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) terminal in Parañaque City. ROY DOMINGO A2 to P518.7 See “Shell,” A2 for the number of people to be The PCA’s next step is to conthey think they are not coconut levy fund. “We will not stop at 3.1 contractedSee by “Pork,” 9.7 percent No. 151-A. covered by the utilization of the duct an exclusion-inclusion profarmers or their details are incormillion. We hope that more indibillion from last year’s P574.4 billion. He noted Hong Kong, which has P75-billion coconut levy fund. cedure by making the updated rect, they can report it to the PCA viduals will register in our coconut This was raised through global confirmed a case of the Omicron Philippine Coconut Authority farmers’ registry public, providfor immediate action,” he added. farmers registry,” he said. bonds (P146.17 billion), program variant, will also fall under the Yel(PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel ing everyone the opportunity to The PCA official noted that The updating of the coconut loans (P139.98 billion), euro-delow list countries. M. Rosales said about 3.11 million check the veracity of the list, Rothe completion of the initial list farmers registry is mandated by nominated bonds (P121.97 billion), The suspension of the rules for Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo few walks around, neverwould really us aroundAct 10 p.m., hador to the go there was no more power, and coconut farmers and farm worksalesBy added. of coconut farmerswe registry Republic (RA) she 11524 a project loan (P86.41 billion), and “Green List” countries willatbe in @akosistellaBM gotjust to enjoy the beach,” said. home to Industry her brother’s al10 a.m. thefrom waters started rising. ers have been registered with the “The list will be posted in public be in time for the she expected Coconut Trusthouse Fund Act. yen-denominated samurai bonds effect November 28, 2021 to Special to the BusinessMirror The couple, alonglevy-funded with other ready because had a child. I “This was a beachfront hotel, and government since it started upspaces where people can easily see See “3-Mshe farmers,” A2 rollout of coconut (P24.19 billion). December 15, 2021. tourists in Siargao, were totally understood naman her situation, it was raining in torrents,” See “Borrowings,” A2 Continued onso A2they A NINA COSCOLLUEL A unprepared for the coming of Tybut it was also disconcerting that evacuated to the second floor FERNANDEZ and her husphoon Odette. “Although we were she was leaving us.” (According along with other guests. n US 50.4600 n JAPAN 0.4374 n UK 67.2329 n HK 6.4722 n Paul CHINA(“JP 7.9013 36.8968 nthat AUSTRALIA 36.2807 n EU 56.5758of n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4531 BSP (November 26, 2021) band John ”) n SINGAPORE advised two days before a tyto the Department Tourism, “We keptSource: praying and crying headed to Siargao for what they phoon was coming, we were just the resort isn’t accredited with all this time as the wind was whipthought would be the best of preparing for a flood. The resort the agency.) ping up and water was leaking times of their young married owner even allocated rooms for into our room. We were worried life. They arrived on Sunday, Deus on the second floor, just in case ‘We lost everything!’ because we were occupying a corcember 12 on the island, popular the water rises; gave us gas to light THE Fernandezes managed to ner room and there were two sets among locals and international our lamps because for sure, power get themselves evacuated by the of glass windows that we thought surfers, and were supposed to would be cut, and a water pail in Philippine National Police at 1 could shatter at any moment,” stay until December 25. case we needed to get water to wash a.m. the next day, and ended up she narrated. “We were thinking, “We planned on our first week, ourselves,” she added. at the local fire station. But feelat any moment, the entire room we would be working—like a num By December 15, guests at the ing they were not still not safe would be blown away, that was ber of our friends and others who hotel beside them evacuated, “but enough and they would not be how bad the winds were. Parang also went there to ‘work from we still felt we would be safe in able to rest because there were inikot ni Odette yung island, so home’—then start our real vacaours [Sea Green Boutique Hono beddings, they made their the wind was all around.” tion on the 17th. So except for a tel], until the resort owner told way back to the hotel. By then, See “Honeymooning,” A2

OVER 3-M FARMERS LISTED FOR P75-B COCO LEVY FUND

HONEYMOONING COUPLE ESCAPES FROM SIARGAO

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 49.9640

n JAPAN 0.4397 n UK 66.1873 n HK 6.4039 n CHINA 7.8362 n SINGAPORE 36.5501 n AUSTRALIA 35.6143 n EU 56.1745 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.3113

Source: BSP (December 20, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, December 21, 2021

NCR mayors give ₧100M in aid to typhoon-hit LGUs By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco | Correspondent

ETRO Manila mayors have unanimously agreed to release P100 million to help local government units (LGUs) affected by typhoon “Odette.” Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that the Metro Manila Council (MMC), through a resolution, agreed to release the fund from the savings of the agency to extend assistance to the affected areas. “We are going to prioritize local government units stricken by tropical cyclone wind signal number 4 of typhoon Odette,” Abalos said.

Severe damage across the Visayas region and several provinces in Mindanao was reported following the typhoon’s onslaught. “This financial aid will help especially in these trying times. It’s Christmas after all, a time of sharing and giving,” Abalos said. According to him, they opted to provide financial aid to help out typhoon-affected LGUs with their efforts to recover from the severe damage inflicted by “Odette” in-

stead of relief goods because it is difficult to transport in and out of the localities hit by the typhoon, and several flights remain cancelled. “Affected LGUs are in the best position to decide how the fund can provide for the immediate needs of their constituents. We hope this aid will somehow alleviate the plight of the typhoon victims,” said Abalos. The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA. Meanwhile, the MMDA has deployed personnel to assist in the disaster response operations in areas that suffered severe devastation wrought by typhoon “Odette.” A team of 62 personnel from the agency’s Public Safety Division (PSD), Road Emergency Group (REG), Metro Parkways Clear ing Group (MPCG), and

Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office was sent to Bohol on Sunday. They also brought chainsaws, floating pumps, generator sets, tool sets, and water purifiers, tankers, etc. The team was also deployed in Tacloban City, Maasin, Sogod municipality in Kaitagan Bontoc, and Isla Limasawa in Southern Leyte. A head of the ty phoon, the MMDA deployed a contingent in response to the request of the provincial government of Sorsogon. Abalos said he approved the request of Acting Sorsogon Governor Manuel Fortes Jr. to preposition the MMDA’s team in the province in anticipation of typhoon Odette’s landfall. Other teams from the agency’s Public Safety Division were also deployed in Panay region to help in search and rescue operations in areas badly hit by the typhoon.

‘Resilient’ creative industries bill pitched Continued from A1

BTS gave $4.9B to economy

“ONE group alone, BTS, contributed $4.9 billion to the Korean economy during the pandemic. For perspective, this is half the entire prepandemic tourist economy of the Philippines,”

Salceda added. In the Philippines, Salceda, however, said the lack of a framework for supporting creatives has resulted in a sector “that can sometimes be a large contributor to the economy, but whose revenues can suddenly

collapse during a crisis.” “Although it is estimated that the creatives contribute, directly or indirectly, anywhere between 4 and 7 percent of GDP, the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines estimates that the sector lost 90

percent of its revenues during the Covid-19 pandemic. This, if ever, would make the sector among the hardest-hit sectors of the economy,” he added. According to Salceda, an entire ecosystem of public support has been built to bolster K-culture. He said a division of the Korean Ministry of Culture, the Popular Culture Industry Division, focuses on Korean pop music, fashion, mass entertainment, comic books, cartoons, and other key products. “Its budget is a colossal $5.5 billion, with the aim to boost economic growth particularly through growing the country’s cultural industry export industry,” Salceda said. Salceda is also an adviser to the Incheon Metropolitan City, which is South Korea’s equivalent of Bonifacio Global City, and is the country’s third largest city. “The Korean government also directly invests in cultural exports. The Korean government sponsors 20 percent to 30 percent of a $1 billion investment fund earmarked to nurture and export popular culture. The remaining funds come from investment banks and private companies and are managed by the Korean Venture Investment Corporation,” Salceda said.

Build, Build, Build

UNDER House Bill 10613, a National Creative Industries Investment Program, or the Build, Build, Build for the Creative Industries, will be created as the roadmap for public support in the sector. Planning towards infrastructure programs for the creatives sector will also be undertaken both at the national and local levels. It also creates a National Creative Industries Infrastructure Audit to “identify existing government facilities and infrastructure that are essential or highly significant to the creative industries,” and to determine whether to repair or replace these structures.

Shell...

Continued from A1

by the Port of Batangas on the heels of the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to dissolve its TRO (temporary restraining order) dated July 7, 2014. “This will allow us to continue to provide to our customers and to the general public who rely on our products and mindful of the thou-

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Honeymooning...

Continued from A1

They decided to leave the room, and ended up in the communal kitchen, which seemed safer and there was only one set of windows they had to worry about. By the afternoon, a foreigner who had been living for six months in one of the rooms on the second floor with his wife and baby, came down and asked for JP’s help. “Their entire room was gone, and his Filipino wife came in, carrying their baby, and crying that ‘We lost lost everything,” said Janina, feeling so heartbroken for what happened to the family.

On the road to Dapa

THE next day, the Fernandezes left the resort at 8 a.m. with PLDTSmart contractors from Davao who were trying to make their way back to Surigao on a Ro-Ro. “We were so lucky to have met them. We were supposed to share with them expenses so we could get their L-300 on the Ro-Ro. It was long trip,” said Janina. What would normally take two hours by motorbike from General Luna, took them the entire day as the road to the port in Dapa was littered with felled trees. “Even my husband had to help the PLDT crew to clear the road,” said Janina, adding with levity, “that’s how I got my tan, on the road to Dapa, because it was so hot, we thought we would get heatstroked!” Arriving at the port by 4 p.m., the Fernandezes were among some 50 individuals at the port at Dapa, waiting for any boat to take them to the mainland. “We thought we would be able to take the Ro-Ro to Surigao City, but we realized the Ro-Ro and two other boats were destroyed, that’s why they were docked there,” said Janina. With meager resources (“We only had P3,000 with us!) and living on biscuits, the couple waited it out, and managed to catch some sleep. By mid-morning on December 18, the couple found out a Coast Guard ship had docked to check on the situation in Siargao. “We quickly made our way to them and begged that they take us with them. At first, the didn’t want to take us aboard because it was already full of people. But I’m asthmatic so we had to tell them I needed my medicines; that was the only time they

Pork...

let us in the boat,” narrated Janina. That was around 11:30 a.m., she said, and as soon as they boarded, the ship left. “We were so grateful. If we had been late by a few minutes, we would not have made it onboard,” she added.

Making their way to Butuan

JANINA noted that the Coast Guard was having communication problems as well and only managed to exchange information with another Coast Guard ship that was heading to Butuan. “They met in the middle of the sea, just to update each other what was happening.” On hindsight, Janina says this meeting was another blessing for them, as the officers told the passengers, if they wanted to go to Butuan instead, they could transfer to the other ship. “The officer explained we would not find anything in Surigao, where they were headed, as it was worse off than Siargao. So we all scrambled to go to the other ship.” At the Butuan-bound ship, the couple was grateful as they got their first real meal, bangus and rice, cooked by the Coast Guard crew. A few hours later, “someone shouted that they managed to get a cellphone signal, so I called my Dad [hotelier Jimmy Coscolluela], told him what happened, and booked a flight to Manila the next day.” While there was a cellphone signal in Butuan, it had no power and water, so locals were all checked into hotels. “Good thing an aunt was able to book us an apartment.” After a hot dinner and a bath, they finally were able to rest. They arrived in Manila Sunday morning, “and we just slept the whole day,” said Janina. Looking back, she said it was a trying time for the couple, who had just been married in November and were so looking forward to their long-delayed honeymoon and vacation. “It was a series of blessings that got us through the ordeal, and we made it out of Siargao alive and safe. But there were still many people at the port when we left, hoping for a chance to make it to the mainland. [I heard the numbers grew the day after we left.] I hope by this time, they’ve made it out, or have been rescued.”

Continued from A1

Low tariff, expanded imports

MT, based on BAI data. Chicken meat impor ts in the 11- mont h per iod i nc hed up to 375,736.274 MT from 374,040.136 MT last year, BAI data showed. Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken remained as the top chicken product imported in the country, accounting for 57.87 percent of the total chicken meat imports. However, Chicken MDM imports declined by 14.28 percent to 217,461.320 MT from 253,690.977 MT last year due to the closure of the majority of the country’s import sources. Brazil was the top supplier of chicken meat products to the Philippines at 136,899.655 MT, as importers turned to the Latin American country for supplies when majority of European countries were placed under temporary import bans due to bird flu outbreaks. It was followed by the United States at 134,900.892 MT. The country’s beef imports, on the other hand, declined by 19.42 percent to 148,215.613 MT from 183,958.514 MT; buffalo imports plunged 88 percent year-on-year to 44,527.574 MT, based on BAI data.

sands of Filipinos whose livelihood depends on our ability to maintain our operations,” said the oil firm earlier. The case originated from a Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) case wherein the oil firm questioned the validity of documents from the Bureau of Customs’ Port of Batangas collector compelling it to pay P1.99 billion in “deficiency excise taxes, inclusive of interest and penalties, for its alkylate importations between January 2010 to June 2012.”

The SC ruled that alkylate, a product of distillation, is subject to excise tax under Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code as amended. Pilipinas Shell maintained that “the case on whether Alkylate is subject to excise tax is yet to be decided by the courts.” At end-September this year, Pilipinas Shell reported a net income of P3.4 billion, a reversal fom P13.9billion loss in the same period last year.

PORK imports have been the main driver of the overall growth in total meat imports this year due to lower tariff rates and expanded import program implemented by the government to plug the shortfall in domestic supply and arrest rising retail prices. BAI data showed that imports of pork cuts and pork bellies, which are eligible under the government’s minimum access volume (MAV) import program, reached 203,919.572 MT and 52,724.742 MT, respectively. Pork imports under the MAV are levied with lower rates compared to those brought in outside the MAV or out-quota. Imports of pork offals reached 172,115.363 MT, while pork fats reached 59,517.911 MT, based on BAI data. BAI data showed that Spain was the country’s top supplier of pork products during the 11-month period: import volume from the European country reached 128,808.305 MT. It was followed by Canada at 102,622.342 MT and the United States at 64,057.108

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The Nation BusinessMirror

SC grants release of ex- PCGG chief Sabio for ‘humanitarian reasons’ By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

ORMER Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chair man Camilo L. Sabio has evaded imprisonment after the Supreme Court allowed his provisional release for humanitarian reasons. In a nine-page notice of resolution, the Court’s First Division said Sabio’s provisional release would take effect upon posting a cash bond of P200,000 unless he is being detained for other lawful cause. “Here, petitioner, all eighty-five [85] years of age is in his twilight and illness-laden years. The People itself have not refuted his serious medical condition. There is no indication that he is a flight risk for he is no longer even ambulatory. Nor does he pose a danger of being a repeat offender since he had long ceased to be in government service. His continuous incarceration will not do any good to his already failing health, let alone, to society in general,” the Court ruled. It can be recalled that Sabio was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan after finding him guilty of violation of Section 3(a) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and sentenced him to imprisonment of between six and 10 years with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The case stemmed from his attempt to influence his younger brother, Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Jose Sabio, to rule in favor of the

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in a case against Meralco in 2008, as a favor for a friend. Sabio moved for reconsideration of the decision on ground of double jeopardy. But, in a resolution issued on January 27, 2020, the Sandiganbayan denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) for lack of merit. It also stressed that the motion for reconsideration was belatedly filed on December 23, 2019, which was beyond the 15-day required period within which to file an MR. Sabio also filed a second motion for reconsideration of the resolution dated January 27, 2020 reiterating that the rule of double jeopardy applies in his case. He argued that his acquittal in Criminal Case No. SB-16-CRM-1235 bars his conviction in Criminal Case No. SB-16-CRM-1234, which involved a similar offense. The Sandiganbayan in a resolution issued on June 25, 2020 on the ground also denied this that it was a prohibited pleading. However, in a resolution issued on September 14, 2020, the Sandiganbayan granted Sabio’s request for hospital confinement until he is medically cleared to serve his sentence. Aside from allowing the petitioner’s provisional release, the Court also granted Sabio’s petition to nullify the resolution issued by the anti-graft court denying his motion for reconsideration for having been filed out of time.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, December 21, 2021 A3

US CDC places PHL under Alert Level 2 By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

HE US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has placed the Philippines under moderate risk of Covid-19 transmission, which places the country under Alert Level 2. This means only fully vaccinated American citizens are advised to travel to the Philippines given that the Covid-19 cases are no longer high. The CDC upgraded the alert status of the Philippines from Alert 3 high risk to Alert 2 moderate risk

last December 13. “Make sure you are fully vaccinated before traveling to the Philippines. Unvaccinated travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19 should avoid nonessential travel to the Philippines. If you must travel and have concerns, talk to your doctor,” the CDC said. The US State Department, in turn, amended its travel advisory to the Philippines. “Exercise increased precautions when traveling to the Philippines due to Co-

vid-19,” the State Department said in its travel advisory. Countries carrying the Level 2: Covid-19 moderate designation have registered 50 to 99 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Aside from the Philippines, two other countries, which were moved from Level 3 to Level 2 are Jamaica and Congo. However, the Philippines withheld its earlier decision to allow foreigners from the US and other countries with least and moderate cases (green and yellow list)

following reports of the Omicron variant that can break through Covid-19 vaccines. Only balikbayans, including green card holders and naturalized US citizens, their spouses and children, Philippine residents and those who have longterm visas to the Philippines were exempted from the entry ban to the Philippines. US is considered under yellow list in the Philippines (moderate risk). Mauritius, Italy and Greenland, meanwhile, were placed in the Level 4 or very high.

Power failure spoils 100 vials of vaccine in Western Visayas By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

N official of the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday disclosed that 100 vials of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines in Region 6 have been wasted due to power interruptions after Supertyphoon “Odette” hit the country. “The National Vaccine Operations Cluster [NVOC] shall replenish stocks of Region 6,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said after the reported wastage of Pfizer vaccines in Bingawan town in Iloilo province. Vergeire added that there is also an ongoing assessment of vaccine wastage in Region 7, 8, and Caraga. Meanwhile, DOH and the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 are now assessing the condition of vaccines and the storage facilities in

areas with reported power outages. To date, 13 regions in Luzon and Mindanao reported zero vaccine wastage and no cold storage facilities damaged due to Odette. Earlier, the NVOC issued Advisories 118 and 119 temporarily suspending the Bayanihan Bakunahan-Phase 2 in provinces along the typhoon’s track to prioritize safety of the public, the implementers and vaccines, and called for the implementation of contingency plans of local vaccine operations centers. “Since early last week, we have issued advisories to help our vaccination sites in the regions prepare for the typhoon. The DOH and the NVOC will also ensure immediate resumption of vaccination in these areas as part of the response or recovery activities in the typhoon-hit areas and we will ensure that only

those vaccines that have not been compromised will be administered. We will also continuously support the contingency plans of our local government units [LGU] to further mitigate wastage,” said Health Undersecretary and NVOC chairperson Myrna Cabotaje. The NVOC also provided guidance to vaccination sites on proper storage management for the Covid-19 vaccines. As a result, several sites have prepared generator sets before the typhoon made landfall, while others mobilized vaccine storage to hospitals and facilities with continuous power or generator sets. The NVOC further reported that of the 639 Local Government Units from Regions 4B, 5, 6,7,8,9,10,11,12, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

that had to adjust their vaccination activities due to the typhoon, all regions will resume vaccination activities except select LGUs like Palawan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, and Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. Only Region 7 will postpone region-wide National Vaccination Day II activities from December 20 to 22 to make way for disaster response. There were no other reports of damage to cold chain storage facilities and of vaccine wastage, with contingency plans executed to transfer vaccines in areas with continuous power supply and generator sets. The NVOC continues its regular assessment to mitigate vaccine wastage and to ensure that only vaccines maintained at the appropriate storage temperatures will continue to be used in the vaccination campaign.

A4 Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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‘Odette’ farm damage climbs to P362.3 million–DA report By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE damage to the agriculture sector by Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai) has risen to P362.3 million with at least 12,906 farmers incurring losses due to the weather disturbance, ac-

cording to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Based on the latest damage report released by the DA on Monday early evening, production losses have reached 20,319 metric tons (MT) across 23,438 hectares of farms nationwide. “Affected commodities include

rice, corn, high value crops and fisheries. These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” DA said. An initial report issued by the DA on Sunday morning estimated the damage at P127 million. The DA has not released the full details of the latest damage report as of this writing. But an earlier report released on Monday afternoon showed that the rice sector suffered the brunt of the typhoon, as it accounted for a chunk of the estimated losses. DA said rice farmers lost 14,621 MT valued at P257.2 million. The typhoon also destroyed 4,931 MT of corn valued at P69 million.

The high value crops (HVC) sector incurred losses of P4.6 million as 140 hectares planted with assorted vegetables and fruit trees were struck by the typhoon. About 290 fisherfolk incurred losses amounting to P2.5 million as the typhoon damaged produce, boats, gears, fishnets and gillnets. “Prior to Odette, a total area of 11,454 hectares [has] of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13 with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53M,” the DA said. “As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region 4A, Mimaropa, 8, 9, 11, and 13 with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to

P82.55 million,” it added. The DA earlier said the combined data of Regions 4A to 12 showed that Odette may affect 601,088 hectares of rice farms and 265,480 hectares of corn fields. “In rice, the combined area under seedling and vegetative stages is at 170,090 has [29.03 percent], while the area under reproductive stage is at 173,150 has [29.56 percent]. The area under maturity contributes to the remaining 242,574 has [41.41 percent],” it said. “As for corn, the area of crops under the seedling and vegetative stage is at 139,308 ha [52.47 percent], while the area under reproductive stage is at 73,348 has [27.63 percent]. Those under maturity contribute to the re-

maining 52,829 has [19.90 percent].” The DA said it is ready to roll out P1.35 billion worth of interventions in areas struck by Odette. The interventions include the P1-billion quick response funds to rehabilitate affected areas and P148 million worth of rice seeds. The DA added that it would distribute corn seeds and vegetable seeds worth P57.6 million and P44.6 million, respectively. Affected farmers and fishers could also avail of zero interest loans from the government through the P100-million Survival and Recovery Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. The DA assured insured farmers that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. has available funds to indemnify them.

SC reso on govt inaction Petroleum companies on plastic pollution hailed adjust fuel pump prices By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

NVIRONMENTAL groups on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan and a Writ of Continuing Mandamus against plastic pollution on December 7, 2021. The SC resolution granted the petition filed by 52 individuals and groups led by ocean conservation advocacy nongovernment organization Oceana Philippines in October this year, assailing the inaction of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in coming up with a list of non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging (NEAPP) as mandated by Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act 20 years after its enactment. “We congratulate the civil society petitioners and laud the Supreme Court for its immediate action, which we believe will obligate assigned agencies to do their utmost best to release the NEAPP list that should have been issued 20 years ago. It’s high time to decide on environmentally acceptable products and packaging amid the plastic waste and chemical crisis that imperils food safety and security, human health and the environment now more than ever. This will hasten our nation’s quest toward a zero waste and toxicfree circular economy,” Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition, said in a news statement. Environmentally acceptable pertains “to the quality of being reusable, biodegradable or compostable, recyclable and not toxic or hazardous to the environment” as stated in the garbage law. The SC Writ of Kalikasan and Continuing mandamus now compels the NSWMC, a multi-agency body to implement the NEAPP provisions of RA 9003. Section 29 of RA 9003 mandates the NSWMC to prepare a list of nonenvironmentally acceptable products one year after the law has taken effect, while Section 30 bans commercial establishments from selling or conveying products placed, wrapped or packaged in non-environmentally acceptable packaging after the phase-out period. Oceana Philippines said in the same statement that the SC’s decision was “a huge first step to change mindsets and

embed the protection of our ocean.” “This is indeed a very special case that merits the attention and needed action from every Filipino,” Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines said. “This sets a solid foundation and precedent upon which we can build our collective efforts to battle the plastic crisis that continues to threaten our natural world including our ocean, food security, livelihood and health,” she added. In welcoming the SC resolution, Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Davao-based Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and one of the petitioners said for his part IDIS saw how plastic pollution affects our watersheds and our water sources and endangers wildlife and their habitats. IDIS, along with our partners, was successful in lobbying for the regulation of single-use plastics in Davao City.” “However, without clear guidelines from the National Government, the LGUs can only do so much within its authority. Thus, this case is of significant interest in our fight against the plastic crisis as this will set a precedent to future policies especially to the LGUs,” he pointed out. “This decision by the Supreme Court reaffirms the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,” he added. IDIS is a nongovernment organization working towards the protection and sustainable management of the watersheds in South-Central Mindanao. Two global studies on beached and recycled plastic pellets released last December 14 by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), which counts on the EcoWaste Coalition and IDIS among its members, reveal the presence of toxic chemical additives and pollutants in plastics that pose multiple health threats to humans and the environment. The health effects include causing cancer or changing hormone activity (known as endocrine disruption), which can lead to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment. Many of the toxic chemical additives have several other known health impacts, persist in the environment, and bio accumulates in exposed organisms, according to the studies.

PHL at minimal risk classification amid decline in Covid cases–DOH

HE Philippines and majority of its regions are at minimal risk case classification with sustained low case trend in the recent week, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday. “National and all regions are at minimal risk case classification with negative two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate of less than 1 per 100,000 population in the current week,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. All provinces, high-urbanized cities, and independent component cities of

areas remain under Alert Level 2 with minimal to low risk case classification or moderate risk case classification with low utilization rates, she said. On Monday, the DOH logged 263 additional Covid-19 cases with 390 recoveries and 45 deaths. The total number of infections in the country stood at 2,837, 730. There were four laboratories, which were non-operational on December 18, 2021. Also, there were 13 laboratories, which were not able to submit data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

IL firms announced Monday another increase in fuel pump prices this week. The oil companies are expected to implement a P0.55 per liter increase in gasoline, P0.55 per liter hike in diesel and P0.70 per liter increase in kerosene. The price adjustment takes effect at 6 a.m. of Tuesday, December 21. This is the second consecutive

price increase in petroleum products for the month. Last week, gasoline prices went up by P1.60 per liter, diesel by P1.35 per liter and kerosene by P1.20 per liter. These resulted to the year-todate adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P17.30 per liter for gasoline, P14.40 per liter for diesel and P11.69 per liter for kerosene. Other oil firms are expected to also adjust prices of their petroleum products soon.

Dignified employment

By Henry J. Schumacher

E all know that people need work to achieve livelihood security and give their lives purpose.

However, there are not enough jobs available, and in recent years the gap between ambition and reality in the labor market has become even wider. Young people are most affected by unemployment; for them, finding work is particularly difficult. If they do find a job, they must often endure unfavorable working conditions. That is the reason why my focus today is not only on employment but on dignified employment. Allow me to define dignity as a responsibility of leadership, with emphasis on integrity, ethics, respect and honesty. Is that a tall order? Let’s quantify dignity in four ways and look at the benefits we derive from “dignity at work”: Growth. People come to work to apply their talents and their skills. They seek an opportunity to grow and develop as contributors. Autonomy. Employees today want a degree of autonomy and the ability to make their own choices in their work. They also want the ability to determine their career path. Physical health. The pandemic has cast a shadow over the workplace. We cannot work where we don’t feel safe from infection. For that reason, employers are responsible for ensuring safe working conditions and are therefore

asking (and in some cases requiring) employees to be vaccinated if they must be physically present in the workplace. Mental health. There are two aspects to mental health. The first is an awareness that mental health is on par with physical health. When conditions such as anxiety or depression become clinical issues, they should be treated without stigmatizing the individual. Second mental health includes psychological safety, the assurance that employees can voice their ideas and not be punished if they disagree with others.

Dignity creates opportunity

SIGNIFICANTLY, the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion also rest upon the notion of dignity. Diversity means bringing people different from ourselves into the workplace. Equity demands equal opportunity as well as equal pay. And inclusion insists upon listening to, learning from, and promoting those individuals. None of this can happen without respect for who people are and what they can do. That’s dignity in the workplace. As employers create hybrid workplaces, keeping the notion of dignity front and center creates a workplace where people want to be. It makes a value system where people feel they can contribute and want to contribute significantly. Why? Because they think they belong. Their workplace becomes our workplace. When it occurs, organizations have a greater chance of fulfilling their mission because they are more engaged, productive, and collaborative. These are the benefits we derive from creating “dignity at work.” In conclusion: the feeling of connection is so important. Employees are deserving a humancentric future, with space for trust and vulnerability. Every single one of us has a right to be treated with dignity. In turn, we all have a responsibility to treat everyone else with dignity. I am excited about these changes. What about you? Feedback is needed; please contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

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PHL logs third Covid-19 Omicron variant case from sea-based OFW By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported the detection of a new case of Omicron variant in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing conducted by the Philippine Genome Center, raising to three the

total cases of the new variant in the country. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also said that there were also 496 or 78.73 percent positive from Delta variant and one or 0.16 percent was positive from Alpha variant. Vergeire said that the new Omicron variant case was detected from

a 36-year-old sea-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who arrived in the country from Qatar on November 28,2021. He is unvaccinated but currently asymptomatic. The case, who had travel history to Egypt, arrived at Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu City on November 28 via Qatar Airways, Flight number QR 924.

His sample was collected on December 4 and results of his RT-PCR was released on December 5. He was quarantined in an isolation facility upon arrival. He tested negative on December 19. He is now under home quarantine in Cavite and was endorsed for vaccination. Vergei re, mea nwh i le, sa id that the three close contacts of

the case are currently in home quarantine. They tested negative for Covid-19. “With the detection of Omicron in our borders, we need to enhance our preventive measures and ready our border and local health systems,” Vergeire said, stressing the need for stronger border surveillance and control, continue to

mask, distance, and minimize visits to closed, crowded, and close contact settings. The local government units, she said, should “actively look for cases and clusters, immediately isolate and contact trace, and test.” “Vaccinate, especially those at high risk—A2 and A3,” the DOH official said.

CHR backs Gordon measure SBMA deploys rescue team to Siargao, gathers donation for ‘Odette’ victims on reporting of prison deaths By Henry Empeño

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

EN. Richard J. Gordon has cited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) endorsement of his Senate Bill 1771 that once enacted into law mandates prison officials to render accurate reporting of deaths and illnesses of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), including detained children in conflict with law (CICL). As chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Gordon pressed for the early enactment of the CHR-backed SB 1771, to be known as the Death in Custody Reporting Law, noting it “comes at a judicious time to institute further reforms in our penal system.” Citing unsolicited affirmation of the need for the remedial legislation, the senator acknowledged, “We appreciate the support to the measure which addresses growing public doubts, if not at all suspicions, about the mysterious circumstances behind untimely death of some highprofile inmates, especially during public health crisis.” He affirmed receiving reports that most of the time, the true cause of death of some inmates were kept confidential even from relatives, with prison officials simply claiming the prisoners committed suicide. Gordon recalled that last December 18, CHR Spokesperson Jacque-

line de Guia even lauded the filing of the bill, which she said would “ensure a transparent justice system and a humane treatment of all PDLs and CICLs in the country.” He noted that the CHR official acknowledged that the bill, once passed into law, would be an effective deterrent against cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment against detained persons in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Gordon added: “Being the lead agency in the Interim National Preventive Mechanism, de Guia said the CHR consistently supports actions and additional safeguards that would improve the well-being and situation of PDLs and CICLs.” Still, the senator recalled that Human Rights Watch has “suspected that the government has not reported accurately the deaths that occurred in the country’s overcrowded prisons and jails during this pandemic brought about by the new coronavirus disease 2019 [Covid-19].” Gordon’s Senate Bill 1771 mandates the monthly filing of reports of PDLs or CICLs convicted of a heinous crime or crimes punishable by reclusion perpetua to the CHR, along with Justice, Interior, and Social Welfare departments, and the Supreme Court.

Correspondent

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—An 11-man rescue team from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) flew to Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte on Sunday to assist in emergency operations in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the team brought along emergency rescue equipment like chainsaws, power tools, ropes, and portable generators for rescue and clearing missions. She said the SBMA team will also coordinate with local officials to restore power and communication facilities on the island. Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai) first made landfall on Thursday, December 16, at Siargao, which is considered the surfing capital of the Philippines. Authorities said at least 15 people died in the island, which also lost its electricity and is reportedly running out of potable water, food, and medicines. Eisma said the SBMA team enplaned early Sunday morning for Siargao, and is expected to carry out its emergency mission within 10 days. “We understand that time is very crucial at this stage of disaster response, so we immediately sent in our rescue team as soon as we can find some transportation for them,” Eisma said on Monday. “Our team, which is headed by

MEMBERS of the SBMA Rescue Team board a plane for Siargao on Sunday

SBMA fire chief Ranny Magno, an acknowledged expert in disaster and emergency operations, are ex-

Intl groups vow support in drive vs corruption in law enforcement

HE Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Embassy in Manila, the Asia Foundation, and key officials and stakeholders from the Philippine law enforcement sector marked the 2021 International Anti-Corruption Day with an initiative to reinvigorate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to fight corruption and explore ways to scale up anti-corruption efforts in the sector. “Anti-Corruption in Philippine Law Enforcement: A forum-webinar” was held on December 13. It gathered key officials from law enforcement and related agencies to examine issues, gaps, and measures undertaken to fight corruption within the sector and share best practices and strategies in combating corruption. The forum gathered 55 participants from 22 law enforcement and related agencies. The participating agencies raised the value of creating or strengthening interagency anti-corruption bodies to institute coordinated response to corruption issues that cut across the law enforcement sector. Sam Chittick, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation in the Philippines said: “Law enforcement agencies in the Philippines are key partners in addressing corruption in government offices. There are effective programs and internal mechanisms on corruption prevention and education in the country’s law enforcement agencies and we would like to highlight these. We see a potential in boosting and scaling up anti-corruption efforts in the law enforcement sector.” He added that various channels should be envisaged to thresh out issues in corruption and trigger reflections—both from a sectoral

perspective and on the level of the individual agencies—as to how key actors can optimize current mechanisms, seek inspiration from local and international best practices, and draw actionable steps to strengthen the fight against corruption in the law enforcement sector. “Combating corruption enhances stability, augments the rule of law, supports human rights and democracy, amongst many benefits. Corruption is best addressed when countries share a common vision and a strong commitment to taking effective steps to prevent and prosecute corruption,” said Kelia Cummins, Director of the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the US Embassy in the Philippines. Cummins also referred to the US Strategy on Countering Corruption, which highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in anti-corruption. US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava, in a video message reaffirmed the US commitment to working with partner countries, including the Philippines, to uphold international norms, develop best practices, and strengthen government institutions to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability. “Corruption is a global phenomenon requiring global solutions. It erodes the trust of citizens in public institutions, impedes economic and social development, and weakens democracy. Corruption also fuels discontent, contributes to instability, and facilitates crime, conflict, and violence,” Variava said. The keynote speaker was Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang who spoke of key issues and concerns in corruption and

law enforcement to frame the discussion for the whole day. She said corruption poses great challenges to law enforcement in the discovery of crimes, investigation of cases, identification of witnesses, gathering of evidence and prosecuting cases. “Credibility is vital to the success of any interest to rid ourselves of corruption. To have any hope of effectively combating corruption and initiating a culture of outrage at the same, the key officials of government, we ourselves, must endeavor to be models of integrity, competence, and dedication. An effective campaign for good governance to be sustainable must consist of periodic checks to ensure that persons in positions of authority consistently exhibit good leadership by example,” said Cabotaje-Tang. “We must make a conscious move towards inculcating a corruption free culture in our agencies by instilling a sense of outrage at its occurrence, rather than acceptance of the same. We must ensure that there are tougher mechanisms for the reporting and filing of complaints that do not place the burden on the whistle-blower,” she added. Other speakers included Atty. Kirbee Tibayan, National Programme Officer at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and Atty. Michael Tiu Jr., Research Consultant of The Asia Foundation. Tibayan said that a sectoral approach in combating corruption is a good way forward: “A law enforcement integrity network can be an efficient tool for facilitating cooperation in combating corruption, strengthening peer learning exchange between law enforcement authorities, and cultivating a culture intolerant of corruption.” A rapid assessment study was un-

dertaken prior to the forum-webinar to survey issues in corruption in the law enforcement sector, as well as key initiatives, mechanisms, and best practices. The results of the study were presented during the webinar and informed plenary and breakout discussions for the day. The outcomes of the study and the forum webinar will be translated into a report that may form the basis for future action points. Integrity standards and anti-corruption mechanisms are widely embedded in Philippine laws. Examples include provisions in the Revised Penal Code penalizing bribery of public officials, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) criminalizing acts that constitute graft or corrupt practices, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6173) outlining norms of conduct that uphold the principle that public office is public trust, and Presidential Decree No. 46 prohibiting receipt of gifts by public officials and giving of the same by private persons. There are also oversight institutions, tribunals, and procedures that ensure anti-corruption measures are enforced. The Sandiganbayan is a special court having jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees. The Office of the Ombudsman is the main anti-corruption body in the Philippines with the mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. There is also the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which has the mandate to assist the President in investigating and/or hearing administrative cases involving graft and corruption against all presidential appointees.

perienced in this kind of operations and have specialized in urban search and rescue,” Eisma added.

She pointed out that in the last five years alone, the SBMA emergency rescue team “has proven its capability during disaster missions in Baguio, Cagayan, and Bicol, as well as during floods and fires in communities surrounding the Subic Freeport.” Meanwhile, the Subic agency is also undertaking a parallel disaster response by collecting donations for victims of Odette. SBMA Public Relations Manager Armie Llamas said the SBMA has requested donations last Saturday from Subic Freeport stakeholders, particularly for sleeping mats, hygiene kits, easy-open canned goods, mosquito nets, pre-loved clothes, and bottled water. “We are now gathering the donations from locator-companies and residents in Subic, as well as SBMA employees, and once we have enough, we will send these through the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] and OCD [Office of Civil Defense],” Llamas said. Eisma said the Subic community has been giving its all-out support to donation drives by the SBMA, thereby complementing agency’s emergency assistance. “This is our routine response in the past five years whenever some disaster strikes and the situation is desperate,” she pointed out. “We understand that timely response is imperative and we need to act fast. And we are so fortunate that our stakeholders are very sympathetic to our efforts in helping others,” she added.

Ex-DPWH chief Mark Villar leads latest RPMD senatorial survey

ORMER Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar topped the pre-election senatorial survey by RP-Mission and Development Foundation (RPMD), with a 55.7 percent voter preference. The poll was conducted from November 16 to 24, using face-toface interviews with 10,000 respondents nationwide. “I am very grateful for the results of the RPMD survey. Malaking bagay po sa atin ang suporta at tiwala ng mga Pilipino,” Villar said. Villar was followed by Antique Rep. Loren Legarda (53.5 percent), broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (52.9 percent), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (52.4 percent), Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero (51.6 percent), former House Speaker Alan Cayetano (47.2 percent), Sen. Win

Gatchalian (42.6 percent), Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (38.8 percent), Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon (36.3 percent), Sen. Joel Villanueva (35.1 percent), Sen. Risa Hontiveros (32.5 percent), and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (30.3 percent). Villar also came up on top of RPMD’s preferred senatorial candidate survey last month, which was conducted from October 17 to 27. “Salamat po sa mga naniniwala sa atin. Asahan niyo na itutuloy natin ang Build, Build, Build program at ang pagbibigay trabaho sa bawat Pilipino,” Villar added. Villar was also endorsed recently by Vice Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte as part of her senatorial slate for 2022 elections earlier this week.

Guidelines on ‘suitability’ of GOLs for land distribution to ARBs issued

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA) have issued the guidelines on the determination on the suitability of government-owned lands (GOL) for agricultural purposes so that these may be covered by land-distribution program under Executive Order 75. The DAR-DA Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 8, Series of 2021 applies to all investigation and validation processes of lands identified and listed in the inventory of GOLs to determine if these are suitable for agricultural purposes. The order states that it is the exclusive mandate of the DAR to determine if a certain GOL is coverable under EO 75, Series of 2019, which di-

rects all government instrumentalities to identify idle GOLs suitable for agricultural purposes and targetted for distribution to identified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). Under the guideliness, however, DAR must ensure the complete submission by the DA of a written determination within a period of 30 days, from the completion of the GOL validation meeting. Otherwise, the 30-day period will start from receipt of the written request from the DAR. The DA determination must be in the form of a written report with the complete attachment of all pertinent documents to support its findings. The DAR’s written request must, likewise, be attached to the said report. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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‘Utter devastation’: UN and Red Cross teams fly to VisMin to gauge help for Odette victims By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

he United Nations, Red Cross and other foreign nongovernment organizations have sent teams to provinces hit hardest by Typhoon Odette over the weekend. The humanitarian assessment teams sent reports and images of “utter devastation” are “heartbreaking,” Gustavo Gonzalez, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines, said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to those who lost so much, including loved ones. “On behalf of the UN and the Humanitarian Country Team, our message to the people of the Philippines is one of solidar-

ity and support.” Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also launched an Emergency Appeal for 20 million Swiss francs (P1.08 billion) to fund urgent relief and longer term recovery efforts for around 1.8 million Filipinos affected by the typhoon. “People affected by typhoon Rai need urgent help...We call on all to show solidarity

to the Philippines in this hour of need,” Jagan Chapagain, the secretary-general of the IFRC, wrote in his Twitter. Gonzalez said UN agencies, NGOs and private sector partners in the Philippines are now coordinating to meet the “immediate needs in shelter, health, food, protection, and other life-saving responses.” The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is also talking with the Philippine government to “ensure we provide timely support and are fully mobilized in addressing critical gaps and the needs of the most vulnerable.” The OCHA teams came from Siargao island where Typhoon Odette made its first landfall on December 16 and posted videos and photos of destruction in the surfing capital of the Philippines. Gonzalez said one of the priority needs include food, clean water, temporary shelter, fuel,

Itaas case: Judge frees convicted killer of US colonel after 32 years in prison

By Joel R. San Juan

HE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa has granted the petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus filed by Juanito Itaas, one of the convicted killers of US Army Col. James N. Rowe on April 21,1989, and ordered his immediate release from prison. In a 28-page order by Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Gener Gito, the trial court also declared as invalid for being “ultra vires” Section 2, Rule IV of the 2019 Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10592 or the Expanded Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law. The said provision expands the exceptions from the benefits provided by RA 10592 by barring the application of the GCTA to those convicted of heinous crimes. Respondents Bureau of Corrections DirectorGeneral Gerald Bantag and New Bilibid Prison Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, have opposed Itaas’ release despite the latter having served his sentence already on the basis of Section 2, Rule IV of the amended IRR of RA 10592. The respondents insisted that Itaas’ crime is considered a heinous crime. However, the trial court stressed that under

R.A. 10592, the benefits of GCTA are not available only to those who are recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees and persons charged with heinous crimes. The trial court agreed with the contention of Itaas that there is nothing in the law, which prohibits those convicted of heinous crimes from the benefits of GCTA. Even if Section 2, Rule IV of the amended IRR of RA 10592 is valid, the trial court said, this couldn’t be applied retroactively to cover the case of Itaas. “Thus, Section 2, Rule IV of the 2019 Amended IRR expands the coverage of the exceptions under the law. It provides for exceptions, which are not contemplated by the law. It enlarges the law. Therefore, Section 2, Rule IV of the 2019 Amended IRR should be declared invalid for being contrary to the law it seeks to implement,” the trial court ruled. Itaas, a member of the New People’s Army (NPA), was charged and convicted for Rowe’s murder and frustrated murder of Rowe’s driver Joaquin Binuya in a ruling issued by the Quezon City RTC on February 27, 1991. Rowe was then the deputy commander of the Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) in the Philippines when he was killed in an ambush. The NPA claimed responsibility over Rowe’s murder. Itaas was sentenced to suffer the penalty of re-

clusion perpetua for Rowe’s murder and imprisonment for 10 years to 17 for the crime of frustrated murder against Binuya. On appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Itaas for as well as the penalty of reclusion perpetua imposed by the QC RTC. However, the decision of the said court convicting Itaas for the crime of frustrated murder was modified, and he was convicted only of attempted murder for which he was sentenced from six to nine years and six months. In computing the GCTA, which Itaas has already earned, the Court used as reference the actual time served as reflected in his prison record, which is 32 years, one month and 12 days as of October 9, 2021. The trial court said Itaas is entitled to 10,758 days or 29 years, five months and 23 days reduction from his sentence by way of GCTA. Under the two convictions, Itaas has to serve a total of 39 years and six months imprisonment. “Considering that he has already served thirty-two [32] years, one [1] month and twelve [12] days and applying GCTAs he has already earned, which is ten thousand seven hundred fifty-eight [10,758] days or twenty-nine [29] years, five [5] months and twenty-three [23] days, Mr. Itaas is deemed to have already served his sentence for his two convictions,” the trial court ruled.

PHL, UN, partners endorse roadmap to accelerate implementation of human rights joint program

he Philippines-United Nations (UN) Joint Programme on human rights took its first major step on Monday at the Steering Committee meeting of government and civil society partners and participating UN agencies, where they agreed on a roadmap to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on October 7, 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacitybuilding and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The steering committee meeting was participated in by Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, and representatives of government, UN and civil society partners. Guevarra said, “The Joint Programme seeks to affirm the commitment of the Philippines to the primacy of human rights, the importance of a free democratic space for civil society, and the principle of international cooperation— key values that the Philippines holds dear as a founding charter member of the UN.” UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines

Gustavo Gonzalez said, “Today’s meeting is an important step forward in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 45/33. Concrete actions, milestones and tools have been discussed and adopted. Everyone has a role in the joint programme and is accountable for the expected results.” The human rights joint program received a boost recently with combined financial support from the governments of Norway and Australia of some P29 million. “I thank the Governments of Australia and Norway for their readiness in supporting the Joint Programme. They know that respect for human rights is a core component of sustainable and inclusive development,” Gonzalez said. “Australia is committed to see this programme succeed and deliver tangible results. We congratulate the Government of the Philippines for its efforts,” said Ambassador Steven Robinson of the Embassy of Australia. On 22 July 2021, the Philippines and the UN signed the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights. The three-year UN joint program was developed to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 45/33, adopted on October 7, 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacitybuilding and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The joint program document was signed by Secretary Guevarra, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., and Gonzalez, with the late Jose Luis Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights in attendance. Aside from the Department of Justice, the UN joint program is being co-implemented by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Dangerous Drugs Board

(DDB), the Department of Health (DOH), the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as the academe will also be core partners in the implementation of the programme. UN entities involved in the programme - the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT); and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—will work with the Government, drawing on expertise and best practices to apply human rights-based approaches in these areas. Gonzalez said, “The UN Joint Programme on Human Rights brings together different actors to find solutions to complex challenges. This is not always an easy task, but these challenges cannot be resolved by trainings and expertise alone. Resolving them requires leadership and courage.” “This Joint Programme forges a lasting partnership for the advancement of the principles declared in the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article III of the 1987 Constitution—the Philippines’ own Bill of Rights,” said Guevarra. Through the joint program, the UN in the Philippines will engage in capacity-building and technical cooperation in six areas, namely, strengthening domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms; data gathering on alleged police violations; civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; counter-terrorism legislation; and human rights-based approaches to drug control.

hygiene kits, medical supplies and protection services. A team from the International Organization for Migration also went to Maasin City in Southern Leyte. Kristin Dady, IOM Chief of Mission, reported that 90 percent of houses in Maasin were severely damaged, and that urgent needs are food, shelter, electricity, and hygiene kits. IOM is teaming up with US Agency for International Development, World Food Programme and the Foreign Ministry of Germany. The European Humanitarian Aid has also sent a humanitarian expert to Bohol in Central Visayas.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Assistant Secretary Casiano Monilla said the UN has sent a letter offering technical expertise and other help that they can offer from their available resources in the Philippines. The NDRRMC has not yet responded to the letter. In a briefing, Monilla said, the Philippine government has not officially sought the help of foreign governments. Gonzalez, meanwhile, commended the first responders led by the Armed Forces, Red Cross, and those involved in evacuation, search and rescue despite the “very difficult circumstances and logistics.”

DOH assesses initial typhoon damage to health facilities in Region 7, Caraga

he D e pa r t me nt of Health (DOH) on Monday reported that typhoon “Odette” may have caused over P8 million in damages on six facilities in Caraga and a Center for Health Development (CHD) facility in Region 7. Hea lt h Undersec ret a r y Maria Rosario Vergeire said two hospitals, three barangay health stations, and one Provincial DOH Office were affected with an estimated cost of damages of P550,000 pending assessment. One CHD in Region 7 was affected and the estimated cost of damage was placed at P 7.8 million. Vergeire said that Code Alert was raised in affected areas to support CHDs and provinces. By doing so, Vergeire said t he D OH “pre p o s it ione d P11,808,266.00, mobilized P4,721,652.20, and an amount of P272,446,986.60 was made available at the warehouse.” Meanwhile, as of December

19, Vergeire said Odette affected a total of 301,412 families or 1,183,110 persons in 2,983 barangays in the country. Vergeire reminded the public and local government officials to: n Follow minimum public health standards n Wear mask, frequent hand washing n Ensure proper air ventilation inside evacuation centers n Provide separate rooms for the vulnerable population and those who presen Covid-19 symptoms or other diseases n Allocate breast-feeding area for nursing mothers n Address water and foodborne illnesses, influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue diseases n Promote access to WASH facilities and maintain sanitation inside the evacuation centers n Don’t walk in flooded areas n Ensure availability of safe drinking water and food. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

WHO grants EUL for Covid vaccine Covovax–Faberco

ovid-19 vaccine Covovax, developed by US biotechnology company Novavax and produced by the Serum Institute of India, was granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the World Health Organization (WHO), Faberco Life Sciences Inc. (Faberco), the local pharmaceutical company that has the rights to distribute the vaccine in the country announced on Monday. “We welcome the approval from the WHO and are excited to finally bring this high-quality vaccine to the Philippines,” said Mr. Vinay Panemanglor, chairman of the Board of Directors of Faberco. Such development will clear the way for the delivery of Covovax️ to the global Covax facility and countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. The vaccine will carr y the trademark Covovax in the Philippines. The overall efficacy rate is 90.4 percent and 92.6 percent against variants of interest and concern, one of the highest among all vac-

cines approved for use in the country. Covovax will be distributed in the Philippines by Faberco and Unilab. “We are looking forward to fulfilling our commitments to bring Covovax to the Filipino people via the national and local government units, and private entities,” said Panemanglor. He said that they are looking forward to helping the nation ease further into the next normal where Covid-19 is “expected to continue being a health issue worldwide.” Faberco, a Philippine pharmaceutical organization, is focused on providing innovative, highly niche pharmaceutical products to both public and private health sectors. It partnered with reputable i nter n at ion a l m a nu fac t u rers who target product platforms and therapeutic categories to treat and prevent diseases which are of public health concern. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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Four cops, civilian face charges over P30-M Pasig robbery case By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

OUR active-duty Taguig policemen and a civilian have been charged with robbery in connection with P30 million robbery case involving a Japanese national and his Filipina live-in partner in Pasig City at midnight on Saturday.

Pasig Police chief Col. Roman Cornel Arugay said Police Staff Sergeant Jayson Bartolome, Police Corporal (PCpl) Merick Desoloc, PCpl Christian Jerome Reyes, Patrolman Pat Kirk Joshua Almojera, and a civilian identified as AJ Marie Arnas. Arnas is an employee of victims Kani Toshihiro, 42, and Joana Marie Espiritu in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Arugay said that a manhunt operation is still ongoing against two other suspects identified as Ferdinand Pallaria, a dismissed policeman and a certain Rowel Galan. On Monday, Taguig City Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano sought for a full investigation of the incident after reports came in that a city government employee was also involved

in the incident. “I am creating a special investigation committee that will immediately look into a robbery incident involving a Taguig City employee. All links in relation to this incident will be looked into,” the mayor said, stressing that the city condemns all acts of violence, illegal drugs, and corruption and it will not tolerate any employee who

is involved in any form of crime. The suspects were presented to National Capital Region Police Office Chief Police Maj. Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr., who berated them for damaging the credibility of an otherwise serious campaign on illegal drugs. The suspects made it appear that they are conducting an anti-drug operation but they were not able to

US pledges 10.2M more doses of Pfizer vaccine T

HE Philippines is slated to receive an additional 10.2 million doses of the PfizerBioNTech Covid-19 jab from the United States government starting this month up to the first quarter of next year. During a vaccination event at a mall in Taytay, Rizal on Monday, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief, said the donations would be coursed through the World Health Organization-led COVAX Facility. Galvez said the vaccines will be delivered in tranches starting this month and will be completed by the end of the first quarter next year. The Philippines has received more than 63 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines through the COVA X Facility and bilateral donations from other countries.

Last month, the government closed a deal with Pfizer-BioNTech to buy additional 20 million doses to add to the previous 40 million doses procurement contract. Overall, 184,412,480 doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been delivered to the country so far. Of the total deliveries, 106,104,670 doses were procured by the national government, 11,988,060 were purchased by the private sector, and the rest were donations. “Bago po matapos ang buwan ay 200 million na po ang ating makukuha [We will have a total of 200 million doses before this month ends],” said Galvez. To date, the Philippines has already administered 100,907,667 doses, with 43,534,136 Filipinos now fully protected against the dreaded disease and 1,113,377 with booster shots or additional doses. PNA

A MALL in Taytay City continues its vaccination rollout on Monday, December 20, 2021. Officials, led by vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., observed the vaccination activities. PNA/LADE KABAGANI

show a search warrant. His anger flared up upon learning that one of them even reported for duty after the robbery. “Ikaw on duty ka pa ha? Kasagsagan ng Pasko nagho-hold-up kayo [You, you’re even on duty. You’re holding up people during the Christmas season]?” Danao, who was fuming, told the suspects.

Globe restores 97% of services in Mindanao, 60% in Visayas

LOBE Telecom Inc. (Globe) has successfully restored its services in several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao affected by Typhoon Odette. In an e-mailed advisory on Monday, Globe said all of its services have been restored in Misamis Oriental and Tagbilaran City in Bohol, while more have been restored in the provinces of Palawan, Iloilo, parts of Samar, and Agusan del Norte. “Cebu, which was one of the hardest-hit areas, is also seeing restoration progress as on-site teams continue with restoration efforts,” Globe said in a news statement. To ensure continued connectivity in areas still affected by the devastation of “Odette,” Globe has rolled out free and unlimited access to its “GoWiFi” service in select malls, government offices, and airports in Visayas and Mindanao. PNA

A8 Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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Smuggling: Worst kind of economic sabotage

he Federation of Philippine Industries’ (FPI) Fight Illicit Trade Movement commissioned a study in 2017 to quantify the effects of smuggling in the country. The study, done by the Center for Research and Communication Foundation, Inc. of the University of Asia and the Pacific, revealed that P904.6 billion worth of products were smuggled into the Philippines from 2011 to 2015. It found that smuggling activities were rampant in such industries as petroleum, steel, resins, wood, cigarettes, sugar, palm oil, and automotive batteries. Currently, agriculture should be added to the list.

FPI Chairman Jesus Lim Arranza, who has been fighting this illicit activity since he became FPI head, said instead of being checked, smuggling is getting worse as shown by the huge volume of farm products being smuggled into the country. Whereas before the country was losing about P250 billion in terms of value-added tax annually due to smuggling, this figure has gone up now, factoring in the price increases of the goods, he said. “We are talking about goods valued at P2.03 trillion that could help spur economic growth if local producers don’t have to compete with smuggled products that distort local prices,” Arranza said. Arranza said the lost revenues could finance government’s big-ticket projects, including its pandemic response. “We appeal to the government to concentrate on this. The FPI has been doing this without any let up, but we really need the government to do its part because it has all the power given to them by law and we will be there to help as we have been doing,” he said. (Read, FPI warns government on huge cost of smuggling, in the BusinessMirror, December 16, 2021). Arranza considers smuggling as the worst kind of economic sabotage because it hits the country multiple times in many fronts—on top of the reduction in government revenues from uncollected taxes and customs duties, smuggling steals from local producers. “Smuggling of farm products, for example, will lead to losses of potential farm income, slowdown in production, increase in income inequality, and even risk the entry of pests,” he said, adding that affected manufacturers may be forced to downsize, which will adversely affect workers. “We must protect our farmers and our local industries. We need to have a strong domestic market. It is only when we have a strong domestic market that we can compete in the world market. That is why it is important to stop smuggling,” Arranza said. Alarmed by the deluge of illegal farm products all over the country, senators recently convened the Senate as a Committee of the Whole to investigate how these contraband products were brought into the country’s ports. Senator Risa Hontiveros asked the Bureau of Customs to “submit an investigative report as to why repeat violators of agricultural smuggling remain brazen in their attempts to move contraband produce into the country.” Hontiveros referred to a matrix from the BOC on government operations on smuggled agricultural products, noting that based on the report, at least four companies stood out for their repeated transactions. (Read, Smuggling of farm products: BOC, BPI grilled by senators, in the BusinessMirror, December 14, 2021). Hontiveros urged the BOC to delist any repeat offenders from Joint Administrative Order 20-01, which enabled the expedited release of refrigerated containers and dry vans during Enhanced Community Quarantine. “All repeat offenders must be gotten rid of in that JAO. That’s a privilege. And if it’s proven that they smuggled and are guilty of economic sabotage, their licenses and permits must be revoked and they must be jailed according to law,” Hontiveros said. “Smuggling threatens our economic recovery. People like these who victimize our farmers, our entire agricultural sector, must face sanctions. Even local government units are victimized because they should have gotten bigger shares of IRA [internal revenue allotment] from BOC collections that they can use for constituents. This is not a victimless crime. This shouldn’t be allowed,” Hontiveros said. Some quarters said Philippine agriculture is dying because of its vulnerability to extreme weather events like drought and typhoons, pest infestations, and animal diseases. The sad truth is, our farmers can no longer compete because we have become a dumping ground for foreign commodities that can be sold at dirt cheap prices because their producers are highly subsidized. We dread to think about it, but the unabated large-scale smuggling of agricultural products could be the final nail in the coffin.

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Exciting times ahead John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

“Globalization has created this interlocking fragility. At no time in the history of the universe has the cancellation of a Christmas order in New York meant layoffs in China.”—Nassim Nicholas Taleb

aleb is a great source for concise quotes that express big ideas. He is a member of the top “1%” and that has nothing to do with wealth. He is in the top “1%”—actually much less than one percent—who understands what money is and how it works. That is why he is hated by the “Crypto Cultists.”

The reality is that the cryptos are “backed” by the same fiat government currency they say cryptos will replace. The other reality is that fiat currencies are no longer viable. Cryptos rely on the “greater fool” theory to go higher and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and why they—at least some—are a great speculative investment. But imagine what would happen if suddenly a country went all “crypto”? Oh, wait. It just happened in El Salvador. Then again, El Salvador has not had its own currency since 1993. The “colon” was pegged (Fixed) at 8.75 per US dollar. Then on January 1, 2001, the US dollar became El Salvador’s

legal tender. September 7, 2021: El Salvador officially adopted Bitcoin as legal tender and inflation was 4.5 percent. Now, November inflation is 6.2 percent. Even if goods are priced in Bitcoin, the Bitcoin price of a kilo of corn or rice is 6.1 percent higher. Having BTC as the currency did not stop price inflation and did not lead to higher wages. The only advantage is to the government, which used its dollars to buy BTC on pullbacks. Money has always had a value that was dependent on the trust in government, not what it was “backed by.” Japan, Germany, and China, all rose from the ashes of war to become major world economies without gold or

The US is the most important economy on earth. If they closed their border to trade, within months, much of the world would be eating tree bark and dirt. Americans, of course, would have that “simpler lifestyle” some people long for—like without gadgets, shoes, and cars. Either way, the next 12 months are going to be exciting. tangible resources. Pre-20th century, the British pound emerged as the dominant world currency because of its economic power and imperialism. Back then, bonds were issued even by China in British pounds just as today; nations issue debt in US dollar denomination. What emerged is that the value of a currency is based upon the economic productivity of a nation. That is what backs a currency—nothing else. We know that from millennia ago. There were sovereign “imitations” of ancient Greek and Roman coins where the metal content was the same or greater. Yet, a gold Roman coin could be exchanged for more goods, carrying a premium to raw gold or other state-issued gold or silver coins. A national currency can be worth more than its metal content based upon its economic power. In January 2002, the US Dollar

index traded at 120 and reached a low in March 2008 at about 72. Now the USDX is at 96.50. Dollar-denominated sovereign debt has nearly doubled since 2010 and is 6 times as large as in 2000. We have been looking at a potential doomsday for US dollar debt-burden countries (not the Philippines) in 2015. Two scenarios. The US dollar appreciates from the current 96 back to the year 2000 level at 115 for a 25 percent increase. If that happens, all US dollar denominated debt due by countries like India (52 percent of its total debt) or Argentina (55 percent) will be at least 25 percent more expensive. Think of the 1997 Asian crisis on steroids. Then again, the US dollar might depreciate to the 2010 area at 80— or less—down 15/20 percent. Americans will not be able to afford all their imported goods. The US is the most important economy on earth. If they closed their border to trade, within months, much of the world would be eating tree bark and dirt. Americans, of course, would have that “simpler lifestyle” some people long for—like without gadgets, shoes, and cars. Either way, the next 12 months are going to be exciting.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

‘Peace remains our guiding star and most precious goal’ Remarks delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on December 18, 2021 after he received the Lamp of Peace award, a major honor from the Catholic Church, which he said recognizes the work of UN personnel “striving for peace around the world.” Brother [Marco] Moroni, Your Eminence Cardinal [Gualtiero] Bassetti, Your Majesty King Abdullah, Excellencies, My dear brothers and sisters, In Italian: It is a great honor and a privilege to join you for this ceremony and to receive the Lamp of Peace. I only wish I could be with you in the beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis. By honoring me, you are recognizing the work of all our United Nations personnel striving for peace around the world: diplomats, humanitarians, development specialists, and peacekeepers, who put themselves in harm’s way to safeguard and promote peace. Please forgive me for switching into English at this point.

he United Nations was created in the name of peace, after the horrors of two global wars that began here in Europe. Peace remains our guiding star and most precious goal.

We are united here today in our pursuit of peace. I thank King Abdullah for his efforts to promote peace on the global stage, through his staunch support for international solutions, solidarity, dialogue and human rights. And I express my gratitude to Brother Moroni, Cardinal Bassetti and all the Franciscans who are working around the world in the name of peace. I have very close links to the Fran-

ciscans through my lifelong friendship with Father Vitor Melicias, a Franciscan priest who presided over both my wedding ceremonies, baptized my children, and celebrated mass many times in my home. And as an Antonio from Lisbon, I have a strong connection with Santo Antonio—one of the first Franciscans. People from Lisbon and people from Padua may never agree on where St. Anthony belongs, but of

course, he belongs to the whole world. As a person of faith with a deep appreciation and respect for the mission of St. Francis, this award and ceremony are especially meaningful. From the start of my mandate as Secretary-General, I made promoting peace my first priority, having seen some of the worst impacts of conflict during my tenure as High Commissioner for Refugees. I launched a surge in diplomacy for peace. And I put greater emphasis on prevention, establishing more rigorous systems and frameworks to analyze risks, reinforce decision-making and support Member States to take action before violence escalates. When Covid-19 first took hold, I understood it would be a new threat to peace and called immediately for a global ceasefire to fight our common enemy—the virus. Looking forward, I am determined to use my second mandate to build on these initiatives through my good offices, as an honest broker, bridge builder and messenger of peace. But the struggle for peace is often a Sisyphean task, given the complexity of today’s interlinked conflicts. We live in a world where peace is elusive, and under enormous threat. Many countries and entire regions

are suffering from prolonged conflicts, with no end in sight. And in places that have not seen conventional war for decades, peace is routinely undervalued and undermined. This lends even greater importance to moments like this, when we honor peace, and reflect on our duty to uphold and promote it. Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters, Saint Francis of Assisi was a true visionary, whose holistic concept of peace is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime, eight hundred years ago. The patron saint of ecology has much to teach us about making peace with nature. Our unsustainable production and consumption habits are causing a triple planetary crisis: climate disruption; a catastrophic loss of biodiversity; and levels of pollution that are killing millions every year. Pope Francis recognized this in his inspiring encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’. Our war on nature threatens all human life, together with many other animal and plant species. Climate disruption is unleashing wildfires, floods, droughts and other extreme weather events that affect See “Peace,” A9

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Income tax obligations of employed individuals

Ka Leody: The Labor Candidate

S the end of the year is drawing near, a number of individuals, including friends working in government, are asking questions regarding their income tax obligations. Specifically, they want to know if they have the duty to file income tax return after the year ends and whether the non-filing of tax returns in the previous years affect their continued employment in government or their intention to join the government service in the future. My simple answer is—no worries. Let me put this in a question—is an individual employed by a single employer in a year required to file income tax return? May he be penalized under the Tax Code if he fails to do so? There are a number of crimes and offenses enumerated in the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) that may be committed by taxpayers for violation of specific tax obligations. The first (Section 254 of the 1997 NIRC) of these enumerated offenses is tax evasion. This is committed by any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed or its payment. The second offense (Section 255 of the 1997 NIRC) is the failure to file return, supply correct and accurate information, pay tax, withhold and remit tax and refund excess taxes withheld on compensation, which can be imposed upon persons who are tasked to do these obligations but willfully fail to do so. Now, with respect to income from employment services, can an employee commit tax evasion and/or failure to file tax returns with respect to the taxes due on such income? As so provided in the NIRC, except in the instances where the income of the employee is exempt from taxes, every employer paying wages shall deduct and withhold the corresponding taxes on such wages. The employer shall be liable for the withholding and remittance of the correct amount of tax required to be deducted and withheld. If the employer fails to do so, such tax shall be collected from the employer together with the penalties applicable to such failure to withhold and remit. The taxes withheld shall be covered by a tax return and paid with the authorized agent of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). For government employees, the return of the amount deducted and withheld on wages shall be made by the officer or employee of the government office having control of the payment of such wage or by any designated officer or employee. In other words, the taxes due on compensation is already collected at source—by the employer—before the employee even gets hold of his compensation. And this is done for every taxable compensation paid to an employee. In fact, based on the rules of the BIR, the employer is also required to annualize the compensation and the taxes withheld, whenever an employee resigns or at the end of the year if the employee remains with the employer by the end of the calendar year. Any excess of the taxes withheld from the previous periods over the supposed taxes due shall be refunded to the employee. On the other hand, any deficiency in the taxes withheld in the previous periods shall be withheld from the last compensation or December payroll. The employer is even made personally liable for the deficiency in the amount of cumulative taxes withheld if the last compensation is not sufficient to cover the deficiency in the amount of cumulative withholding taxes. All these information are required to be included in the annual information return, which an employer needs to accomplish and file with the BIR after the end of the calendar year (on or before January 31 of the succeeding year). With these procedures, I believe that an employee (whether in the gov-

With these procedures, I believe that an employee (whether in the government or private sector) may not commit the crime of tax evasion with respect to his compensation income. This is so because the responsibility for the withholding and remittance of tax on compensation rests with the employer. If there is non-payment or underpayment, that is not willful on the part of the employee, precisely because the obligation rests with the employer. ernment or private sector) may not commit the crime of tax evasion with respect to his compensation income. This is so because the responsibility for the withholding and remittance of tax on compensation rests with the employer. If there is non-payment or underpayment, that is not willful on the part of the employee, precisely because the obligation rests with the employer. Willfulness is an element of the offense. The requirement to file income tax returns for employed individuals had also long been discarded by earlier laws and carried to the current version of the NIRC. An individual, with respect to pure compensation income for which the tax has been correctly withheld, is not required to file income tax return if he has only one employer during the year. That rule had also long been allowed under the concept of substituted filing sanctioned through administrative issuances. It is now even made more clear with the incorporation in the NIRC of the concept of substituted filing, by Republic Act 10963 (TRAIN Law). This concept reiterates the same rule. The certificate of withholding filed by the employer is tantamount to a substituted filing by the employee. The elimination of the filing requirement for these individuals is precisely because the tax due is collected and remitted by the employer even before the employee takes hold of his compensation. Thus, the filing of tax return is not necessary as any filing is not for the purpose of paying taxes but only for information purposes. The certificates and information returns filed by the employer already serves that purpose. Lastly, there was a proviso in Section 73 of the 1977 NIRC, as amended by BP 135, which provides that an individual with compensation income where the tax withheld from such compensation income is final shall be exempt from the penalty for failure to pay the tax on such compensation income and to file a return thereon at the designated period. While this is not specifically carried in the present Code, I believe the spirit remains applicable. The author is a senior associate of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a memberfirm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at donato.vergara@bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 320.

own ranks. At the national level, no leader from the labor front has succeeded to win even a Senate seat in recent years. Many labor leaders of note have tried but they all dismally failed. It seems that the last genuine labor leader who sprang from a legitimate labor organization was the late Senator Ernesto “Boy” Herrera of Bohol. Herrera was the longest serving secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP). He spent all his life for the cause of labor and unionism. He was the first Asian and the second person to receive the most coveted George Meany International Human Rights Award in 1985, after Lech Walesa of the Solidarity Movement and former president of Poland. Another true friend and defender of labor was the longest serving Secretary of Labor, Blas F. Ople, who also served two terms in the Senate, post Edsa. He was also elected as the President of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1975. Unfortunately, after the two, no one from the workers’ group has won an elective national office. In the forthcoming elections, a number of candidates representing labor are vying for national positions. In fact, one of them, Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman is gunning for the presidency under the Partido Lakas ng Masa. Others are running for

the Senate, namely: Luke Espiritu, a labor leader; Elmer Labog, a trade unionist; and Atty. Sonny Matula, a labor lawyer. Unfortunately, all of them are not figuring prominently in the poll surveys. Ka Leody was the former president of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and currently its chairman. BMP is one of the biggest federations of militant labor unions in our country. Ka Leody was born from a poor family in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Despite his poverty, he struggled to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Customs Administration at the Philippine Maritime Institute, but he found a job in a leather gloves factory in Pasig City. After the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, Ka Leody actively joined the anti-Marcos opposition forces and became a fixture in street rallies and demonstrations. He became a leading organizer of the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa sa Pasig, a leading labor coalition in the 1980s. He was a leader of the militant labor group, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), but helped set up its rival group, the BMP, together with Filemon “Ka Popoy” Lagman and others. Initially, he was BMP’s deputy secretary general but eventually elected as its secretary general, president and now chairman since 2018. Under his leadership, Ka Leody has clearly and boldly defined the positions of BMG and his political party, Partido Lakas ng Masa, on various critical issues confronting our country. As a legitimate voice of labor, he proposed increasing the minimum

Humility is out of fashion—but the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that it remains an imperative. Pride and overconfidence have seriously hampered the global response. A microscopic virus brought the world to its knees. Two years on, we may be done with Covid-19, but it is not done with us. The pandemic has exploited the enormous inequalities in our world. Economic inequality enabled it to run rampant through the poorest countries and communities. Vaccine inequality has allowed it to continue mutating, possibly into variants that are more transmissible and more deadly. Inequality in global finance means the poorest countries are mired in debt, while the richest invest in a strong recovery. Even before the pandemic, people were losing faith in their institutions and representatives. Today, there is widespread alienation and cynicism over leaders and elites who have failed to protect their people and act in the best interests of all. High levels of poverty and inequality are a direct assault on human rights. They are associated with poor health, increased levels of crime, corruption and instability. And people who are marginalized and isolated are vulnerable to arguments that blame their misfortunes on others. It is no coincidence that the inequality crisis is coupled with rising levels of racism, extremism and nationalism. At the same time, I am inspired by leaders who are emerging from some of the least powerful groups and regions. Teenage girls are raising their voices and moving the world. The leaders of Small Island Developing States are speaking truth to power. Children and young people, civil society, cities and community groups are joining together to stand up for human rights, climate action, and peace.

Saint Francis saw that peace was closely linked to humility and compassion for all others. As Pope Francis has said, Saint Francis “shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.” Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters, From today’s perspective, perhaps the most remarkable quality of Saint Francis’ vision of peace was its inclusivity. At a time of bloody and violent religious conflicts, when the dehumanization of Muslims and Jews was widespread in Europe, Saint Francis chose to risk his life on a mission for peace in the Middle East. His meeting with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade is an early model of inter-faith dialogue that promoted tolerance, respect and mutual understanding. Saint Francis returned from Egypt to write about new ways in which his order, the Franciscans, could engage with Muslims—revolutionary for its time. Scholars have even observed how his subsequent teachings were influenced by the Islamic Call to Prayer, and by the traditional Islamic 99 names of God. His mission is a powerful example and lesson for all of us who strive for peace, particularly in the Middle East, where inter-religious tensions and conflict sadly continue. We can all play a part in ending the polarization that plagues many societies today. In response to rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, the persecution of Christians, racism and xenophobia, we must all stand up for our common humanity. We must reject religious and political figures that exploit differences. It is essential that leaders of all kinds take responsibility, condemn all acts of violence and hatred, and address the root causes that undermine social cohesion.

As societies become multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural, we need greater investment in inclusivity. Every group in society should feel that their individual identity is respected, while they are also valued members of the community as a whole. Tolerance is not enough. We must learn to respect each other and to love each other. Building bridges between the world’s major faiths is one of the most important projects of our time. With their agreement on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed two years ago, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, sent an important message of mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and peace. Excellencies, my dear brothers and sisters, I will close with a final thought: Peace makes demands of us. Because peace is not a passive acceptance of the status quo. It is a concrete act; a choice; and sometimes, yes, a difficult one. But in our fractured, troubled world, it is a vital one. It is the only one. It remains the driving force behind the work of the United Nations, every day, in every country. I will believe our world is truly committed to peace when media organizations employ not just war reporters, but peace reporters. When governments allocate money not only to defense budgets, but also to peace budgets. As Pope Francis said in his encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’, only by walking the path of peace, in solidarity, can we build a better future for all. Because peace can achieve wonders that war never will. Thank you once again for honoring me with this Lamp of Peace. In a world where we can choose anything, let us choose peace. Thank you.

TELLTALES

romoting labor and protecting the workingmen is always in the campaign planks of every presidential candidate in our country. One’s political platform is incomplete unless the cause of labor is covered by anyone seeking a public office. Creating jobs for our people is a genuine concern of every incoming administration from Quezon to Duterte. High employment rate is a valid yardstick to measure the health of our economy. And a president’s political fortune may rise or fall depending on how well he or she has served the workers’ interests.

A presidentiable draws his or her credentials as a defender of the workers. He or she believes that being identified with labor is a winning formula to achieve success in politics. As much as possible, he or she dissociates himself/herself from the bourgeoisie class to appeal to our masses. His or her campaign team packages the candidate as an avatar of the working class. Thus, it’s typical to hear the shibboleth, “Ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa!,” from the mouths of every candidate. And every politician shouts, “Wakasan ang Endo!” but hardly lifts a finger to render it illegal. In every election, promises are made to legislate a living wage to allow our average workers to maintain a decent standard of living to afford housing, food, education, healthcare and other basic necessities. But workers only to get a pittance every time the Regional Wage Board grants an increase. The gap between the minimum wage and the acceptable living wage has only widened through the years. With millions of Filipinos losing their jobs during this pandemic, the plight of workers has become even more miserable. More than ever, the need for labor to have a stronger voice in our government matters most at present. If their chosen representatives in the past have betrayed their trust, then it behooves them to elect somebody from their

Peace. . .

Continued from A8

every continent. It contributes to a struggle for scarce resources like clean water and fertile land, which can easily erupt into violence. Last year, more than 30 million people were forced from their homes by climate-related disasters—many finding shelter in countries that are also affected by the climate emergency. The triple planetary crisis requires urgent action from everyone—from governments, international organizations, businesses, cities and individuals. We need global solidarity, not only to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, but also to support communities and countries that are already reeling under the strain. Developing countries need urgent access to climate finance, so that they can adapt their infrastructure and economies, and build resilience. Climate action builds peace. Reforestation, water cooperation and cross-border land management initiatives protect and restore nature while connecting communities with each other and with the natural world. That is the way of the future. Human wellbeing lies in restoring and protecting the health of our planet and everything on it. As St. Francis understood, there is a deep connection between living in harmony with our environment, and in peace with each other. Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters, Saint Francis was also ahead of his time in understanding the links between economic justice, humility and peace. Today, rising levels of poverty coupled with record levels of inequality are a threat to peace at the global and local levels.

He may be lagging behind his more popular and privileged opponents but Ka Leody appears better prepared than most of them for the job. More importantly, Ka Leody is not a phony, unlike the others who wear a mask in public. Despite his poor logistics, he is able to put across his message in simple and plain language, which the public can understand.

wage and ending contractualization. When he unsuccessfully ran for senator in 2019, he assailed the Mining Act of 1995 and proposed its repeal, together with the TRAIN law. As a candidate for president this time, Ka Leody has advocated a strong stand on relevant issues affecting our country. Politicians of lesser courage and conviction might have been deterred and daunted to meet them openly and head-on, but not Ka Leody. For instance, he supports the legalization of divorce and same sex marriage. He opposes the return of the death penalty and the lowering of criminal age of liability. He pushes for granting stipends to poor students and the implementation of a Universal Basic Income. Ka Leody favors renewable energy over the use of fossil fuel. He approves of the legalization of medical marijuana. As expected, he wants the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC and the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Law. He is against the red-tagging of activists, journalists, and unionists. If elected as our president, he will amend the Rice Tariffication Law and will review the Philippine-US military agreements. His campaign platform covers a broad canvass of issues that a responsible and enlightened leader must address. It seems that Ka Leody has taken great pains to analyze our muddled problems and the big mess we find ourselves in. He may be lagging behind his more popular and privileged opponents but Ka Leody appears better prepared than most of them for the job. More importantly, Ka Leody is not a phony, unlike the others who wear a mask in public. Despite his poor logistics, he is able to put across his message in simple and plain language, which the public can understand. He criticizes his opponents but he’s not sharp-tongued or arrogant. He’s composed and disciplined on the campaign trail. In short, he looks more presidential than others. We may not vote for Ka Leody but we celebrate his brand of politics. The labor force has found its voice to champion its cause.

Manny F. Dooc

Atty. Donato U. Vergara III

Tax law for business

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 A9

A10 Tuesday, December 21, 2021

PNOC-EC COMMENDED FOR ‘NATIONAL INTEREST’ PRIORITY

HE head of the Senate energy panel promptly commended the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) at Monday’s Senate Energy Committee hearing after PNOC officials confirmed they will not consent to the sale of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.’s (SPEX) stakes to Malampaya Energy XP Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Udenna Corp. led by Davao businessman Dennis Uy, in the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project. Senator Sher win Gatchalian obser ved that “this clearly shows that the company (PNOC) put first the interest of the Filipinos and the generations to come.” In a statement, the senator pointed out that “this is an asset of future concern,” adding, “I laud PNOC’s decision and that it will not be put to waste because we recognize that it was made in order to protect the interest of the country.” Gatchalian noted that “with this development, SPEX legal manager Kiril Caral indicated they won’t push through with the sale of its 45-percent operating stake in Malampaya.” Asked by the senator pointblank if it will still pursue the sale, Caral told the Senate panel that, “without the consent of the PNOC-EC we will not be able to proceed with the completion at the moment.” The Senator recalled that in a hearing last July 14, PNOC president and CEO retired Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez told him that they waived the right to match the offer to acquire SPEX’s shares because the government is constrained by many

laws to operate this type of business, adding that ‘ it might affect the operational stability of Malampaya especially in prompt decisionmaking that’s required of a very complex offshore exploration company.” The lawmaker recalled another issue raised on the availability of funds since government banks are only willing to lend them only up to 50 percent of the needed amount. “Because if no government bank will lend to us a specific amount, then that will also compromise the other projects that we have,” Briguez was quoted saying. However, when the senator asked for the reason behind PNOC-EC’s apparent turnabout and its decision to withhold its consent to the SPEXUdenna deal, Briguez politely begged off from further providing details as they have yet to fully discuss the matter with their other partners and stockholders. Gatchalian, in turn, said that in the spirit of transparency, he will move for an executive session for a comprehensive briefing as to how PNOC-EC arrived at such a decision. “I would like to give credit where credit is due and that is to the PNOC,” the senator stressed. “W hatever their reasons in refusing to give their consent to the Udenna Group’s acquisition of Shell ’s 45-percent stake in the Malampaya project, we can now be assured that the chances of having one of the country’s most important national asset being under the control of a seeming unqualified company has dwindled, if not, already nil in possibility,” he added.

UniTeam ‘Odette’ relief ops reach 4 more sites;

HE islands of Siargao, Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Masbate, all included in the areas hardest hit by super typhoon ‘Odette’, were Monday’s recipients of ongoing relief operations by Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte. Marcos led the relief distribution in the islands as he coordinated with local governments to identify other pressing problems. His team handed over P1 million in cash to the local government officials of the municipalities and distributed 2,000 bags of relief goods to the residents in the areas they visited. “Besides bringing aid, we want to know what their other problems are and how we can help further,” Marcos said, in Filipino. Their team first visited Siargao, consulting with local officials after the relief goods distribution. They went to Capiz next before heading to Silay, Negros Occidental. The BBM-Sara UniTeam rounded up its relief operations for the day with a visit to Masbate before flying back to Manila. As part of the UniTeam’s relief

operations, Marcos and Duterte were in Leyte, Butuan, Bohol, and Cebu last Sunday to deliver assistance.

‘Expedite insurance claims’

MEANWHILE, another presidential aspirant, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, urged the Insurance Commission to speed up the processing of insurance claims of Typhoon Odette victims who have lost everything to the most destructive typhoon to hit the country after Yolanda. “The government on whom we rely should act fast, and the insurance company should also pay out the victims’ claims because life is really hard for the victims of Odette,” Moreno, speaking partly in Filipino, told some 2,000 people, mostly farmers and agricultural workers, in Calasiao, Pangasinan. Besides the Insurance Commission, Moreno also called on the DOF’s Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to immediately process the claims of the thousands of farmers and fisherfolks whose livelihoods have been affected by Odette.

PNP-tallied typhoon deaths climb to 375, with 56 missing

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

HE number of fatalities from Typhoon Odette keeps on rising as the Philippine National Police reported on Monday that the figures already reached 375 people, with 500 injured and 56 others still missing. This, even as the head of the government’s disaster body mobilized agencies, especially the military, for the continuing response efforts in the Visayas and Mindanao. The latest figures came from the 6 p.m. PNP command center consolidated report and released by PNP spokesman Roderick Augustus Balba. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) through its spokesman Commodore

Armand Balilo reported that all 21 foreigners on the badly-battered Siargao Island were all safe and are still on the island. They include Americans, Swiss, French, Australians, a Danish, a Belgian, a Briton, a Singaporean and a Vietnamese. The PNP, citing the 12 midnoon report on Monday of its command center, said 208 fatalities were recorded in Eastern, Central and Western Visayas; Northern Mindanao;

CARAGA and Zamboanga peninsula. The report was shared by PNO spokesman Col. Roderick Augustus Balba. The PNP said in an earlier tally at least 239 people were also injured while 118 remained missing, days after the typhoon battered the Visayas and Mindanao. Confirmed, validated: 58 deaths The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported having received reports of 58 deaths, nine of which have been confirmed and validated. Lorenzana, chairman of the NDRRMC, said Odette’s destruction was huge based on initial reports, with communities having been levelled to the ground with no food and power, as he described the situation on the ground. The PNP, which has mobilized and deployed its personnel for disaster response and security op-

erations, said the number of areas without power supply and communication signals has increased to 3,164 and 1,897 respectively. “The first thing we are doing is address the food and water, and medical care of the injured. I have directed the AFP to deploy all available assets to bring relief goods to the stricken areas. I have also directed the AFP to deploy more troops if necessary,” Lorenzana said. A C-130 plane of the Air Force flew relief assistance to Cebu for distribution to the affected areas in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao. The aid included gallons of water; sacks of rice; toiletries; used clothes; canned goods; bottled water and generator sets. The Navy has repurposed the presidential ship BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS25) into a 10-bed floating hospital and will be utilized by those needing medical attention in typhoon-hit areas in Mindanao.

‘UTTER DEVASTATION’ This is the scene on Siargao island taken by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), one of the UN agencies that joined the International Red Cross and Red Crescent in Visayas and Mindanao to assess help for Odette victims. The humanitarian assessment teams sent reports and images that are “heartbreaking," Gustavo Gonzalez, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines, said. Story on A6 News. PHOTO COURTESY OF OCHA

DFA’s Macau post repatriates 191 Filipinos

PHILIPPINE Consul General to Macau Porfirio Mayo (leftmost) addresses queries from Filipinos during check-in at the Macau International Airport. MACAU PCG PHOTO BY V. SIY

HE Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR successfully conducted its 26th repatriation mission from Macau carrying 191 Filipinos back home to the Philippines in time for the Christmas holidays. With the flight, the Consulate has brought a total of 5,152 Filipinos back home to the Philippines since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Philippine Consul General to Macau SAR, Porfirio M. Mayo, Jr., led the Consulate’s Team at the airport to assist passengers on the flight. He told the passengers, “Masaya po kami na makakapiling ninyo ang inyong pamilya ngayong Pasko.” Among those who joined the repatriation flight is a 44-year old male patient whose medical condition required him to fly home as a stretcher case. Another Filipino who joined the flight is a 75-year old lady whose case was endorsed to the Consulate by immigration authorities. Consul General Mayo thanked the Government of Macau SAR, particularly the Government Headquarters Affairs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force - Immigration Department, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau, and the Macau Health Bureau for their cooperation and assistance in making all repatriation flights to date a success. Mayo likewise thanked Philippine Airlines (PAL) and China Travel Services (CTS) for facilitating the repatriation flights. “The Consulate’s repatriation program will not be possible without your help,” said Consul General Mayo.

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

24 INCH GAUGE CONSTRUCTION INC. L4 Blk. 4, Near Kay Buboy Bridge, San Dionisio, City Of Parañaque

CHEN, YIQI Project Coordinator 1.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study; Competency in Microsoft applications including word, excel and outlook. Knowledge of file management, transcription and other administrative procedures, or related field.

CHEN, YIJIA Marketing And Sales Agent 10.

ZHAO, YUNYUN Project Coordinator 2.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager

FAN, XIAOYING Marketing And Sales Agent 11.

JI, GAOFENG Quality Construction Specialist 3.

Brief Job Description: Review, inspects, and all documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond program

GAO, SONG Marketing And Sales Agent 12.

ALERE PHILIPPINES, INC. 21st Floor, Bonifacio One Technology Tower, Rizal Drive Corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

XIE, SHOUHUA Marketing And Sales Agent 14.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Brief Job Description: Manage the promotion and services of the company offers

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Korean and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHANG, JINGMIN Marketing And Sales Agent 15.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

CHOWDHARY, AYUSHMAN Account Manager 6.

Brief Job Description: To develop long-term relationship with clients especially those Indian companies and ensure the timely and successful delivery of solutions according to the needs of clients.

ZOU, YU Marketing And Sales Agent 16.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Brief Job Description: Manage and oversee the operations of the company

Basic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree holder in Accounting or Financial Management is required.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service & managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

17.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas and researches to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

MBIESSET TAKA, BILL ANDERSON Service Desk Specialist - French Brief Job Description: Provide 1st level of customer support

Basic Qualification: 5 years of solid IT experience and proficient in French language

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

18.

LIU, KUN Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative

WANG, PENGHUI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 9.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service & managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St, , Binondo, City Of Manila

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHENG, MINLI Customer Service Representative (CSR)

BABBAR, SACHIN Associate Vice President For International Operations 21.

Brief Job Description: Leading end-to-end process, people, and stakeholder and customer management for credit card operations with over 1500+ associate. Initiated & managed complex,

19.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative High School graduate in Chinese curriculum, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate computer Mandarin characters

HSBC ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING (PHILIPPINES) INC. Filinvest One Building, Alabang Zapote Road, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest City, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

MAHAULPATHA, WIJESUNDARA MUDIYANSELAGE SACHINI CHINTHIKA Process Consultant 22.

Brief Job Description: To support wealth and personal banking ops transformation program, which is one of the largest transformation programs across HSBC; to work closely with ops business services, line of business, it digital, to support the streamline opportunities requested by different stakeholders;

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable of key business drivers and customers, competitors, and emerging trends in the industry landscape; facilitate training forums within internal teams and nurture a culture of continuous learning; problem solving mind-set to support ops business services pain areas Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

KONGANBUDDIES MARKETING INC. 48/f Lower Ground Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

CHEN, LI Mandarin Customer Service Representative 23.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

DONG, QINGQING Mandarin Customer Service Representative 24.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

ZHOU, YUNNA Mandarin Speaking Quality Assurance Officer 25.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

HUYNH QUE QUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 26.

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate computer Mandarin characters

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Departmental work and drove continuous improvement in metrics, slas and automation. College degree in any field; 8 years customer service experience; 8 years managerial experience. Good working knowledge of workforce management, telecommunications and call Center management systems and terminology. Demonstrate both tactical and strategic leadership competencies. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

27.

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate computer Mandarin characters

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed

HINDUJA GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED 11th To 21st Floor, Zeta Tower Bridgetowne C5 Road, Ugong Norte, Quezon City

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

QUACH MY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower, Moa Coral Way, Brgy. 076, Pasay Cit

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, Bungad 1, Quezon City

LIU, BOHAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

ESSILOR SHARED SERVICES PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED 17th Floor, Capella Building, Asean Corner, Filinvest Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

CONCEPCION MIDEA INC. Km 20, East Service Road, Buli, City Of Muntinlupa

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YEERHALI NURELETAI Finance Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

20.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

COLLABERA TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED, INC. U-40 A-d, 40/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and can understand Indian languages. Must have at least college degree or above. Must have at least 6 months of experience in the same field as Account Mgr. in a recruitment industry with Indian client.

CHEN, TIANBU Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ALL OUT MULTI-MEDIA SOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2302-a West Tower, Pse Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

SONG, EUN HYE Marketing Consultant

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Thai Language Speaking and knowledge or background in medical field Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

SHI, LEI Marketing And Sales Agent 13.

Brief Job Description: Receive inbound customer calls and email communication and address in a professional and friendly manner

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PAHUPANU, PIYAWADEE Thai Technical Support Associate

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skilled in identifying local construction technologies and construction material sources; Can carry out and monitor testing and inspection of product and material to ensure the finished product meets quality standards

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study; Competency in Microsoft applications including word, excel and outlook. Knowledge of file management, transcription and other administrative procedures, or related field.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

TCHING GIA HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 28.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

TRAN CHI THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 29.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A12

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TRAN THI NGOC THACH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

30.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language

No.

45.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CHEN, XIUXIU Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MCKINLEYTECH INC. Unit E2603a 26/f East Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

PARK, JAEHYON Director 31.

Brief Job Description: Develop business or marketing strategies to grow the business.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, with experience in the related position, fluent in English and Korean Hangul

32.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

47.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HE, WENKAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG VAN HONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOU, RU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LAI, CHUANZHONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MEILIO CHARLINA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Korean Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

48.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

DENG, LIDONG Chinese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg., Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

JANG, CHOUNGMAN Korean Speaking Customer Service Representative

46.

JIMMY LIO Indonesian Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

49.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

50.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

51.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

52.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

53.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TANG, SONG Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YATINI Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

FUNG VUI KEONG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LAW CHONE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, YING-CHIEH Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

BUI THI KIM UYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

61.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

62.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

63.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

64.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

65.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

66.

67.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

TANG, QING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, SHUANGCHENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, WENJIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XING, DONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XU, ZHI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZHANG, TINGTING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZHOU, QIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

54.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

55.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

56.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

57.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

58.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

59.

60.

BUI TRUNG HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DO PHUONG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG XUAN VU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGO MINH TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN KHANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN VAN HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

68.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PHAN TRUNG KIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VOONG THUY DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VU THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XIA, YIN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LI, JIAN Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: Handling inbound and outbound service support calls

Brief Job Description: To respond to customers concerns on site and supply solutions to their

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading writing and speaking in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: A person who helps design, creates and oversees a software marketing project.

Basic Qualification: Responsible for developing marketing plans and discussing it with Chinese management. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

OPTIMORE INC. Unit 3-c 3/f Lpl Tower, 112 Legaspi St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

GEPTE, MELVIN JERIKO IGNACIO Multilingual Customer Service Specialist 70.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for leading sales teams to reach sales targets. Sales managers are primarily tasked with

LI, BING Multilingual Customer Service Specialist 71.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for leading sales teams to reach sales targets. Sales managers are primarily tasked with

Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PHILIPPINES COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit E-2004a East Tower, Psec Exchange Road Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

PI, XUEMING Electrical And Instrumentation Consultant 72.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates construction automation system, including the cabling, cable ways, process tubing and instrument.

TANG, XIONGQIU Electrical And Instrumentation Consultant 73.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates construction automation system, including the cabling, cable ways, process tubing and instrument.

TIAN, MINGXIANG Electrical And Instrumentation Consultant 74.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NG, O NAM NAOMI WONG Marketing Software Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

PHAN HONG NGA Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES GLOBAL INC. (NGT GLOBAL) 4/f Mother Of Unity Bldg., 118 J.p Rizal Street, San Roque, City Of Marikina

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIU, YUANHANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NGUYEN VAN LUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NEW WEATHER FORCES GROUP INC. 26/f The Enterprise Center Tower 2, 6766 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

69. Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Coordinates construction automation system, including the cabling, cable ways, process tubing and instrument.

YANG, ZHENGXING Electrical And Instrumentation Consultant 75.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates construction automation system, including the cabling, cable ways, process tubing and instrument.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YIN, LUOPING Electrical And Instrumentation Consultant

76.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates construction automation system, including the cabling, cable ways, process tubing and instrument.

BU, LEI Project Support Specialist 77.

Brief Job Description: Provides project management support to the project managers, including documentation management, construction management support and project management software support

FU, LIN Project Support Specialist 78.

Brief Job Description: Provides project management support to the project managers, including documentation management, construction management support and project management software support

HUANG, ZHIZHENG Project Support Specialist 79.

Brief Job Description: Provides project management support to the project managers, including documentation management, construction management support and project management software support

ZHOU, ZHENG Project Support Specialist 80.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Provides project management support to the project managers, including documentation management, construction management support and project management software support

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English

81.

Brief Job Description: Manage teams of technicians in a supervisory capacity and travel into the field to oversee workers and conduct inspection on completed works

89.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience as a project support specialist; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience as a project support specialist; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience as a project support specialist; fluent in mandarin/basic English

SAUL EDGARDO, CALDERON HERNANDEZ Customer Service Agent Ii (spanish Team Quality Coordinator) 90.

91.

82.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize and manage work plans

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

92.

83.

Brief Job Description: Accountable for the quality, consistency and production of Robatayaki section.

KIM, JIN-SU Director For Business Development 93.

84.

Brief Job Description: This position will be responsible for leading and managing the process of site development in the Philippines. Provide management direction, supervision and leadership for the group. Interface with clients and management to ensure workflow is being achieved and milestones are being reached in a timely fashion.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 10 experience in tower site development or similar project management experience in real estate development or telecommunications deployment activities. Strong knowledge of cell site development processes and issues with specific expertise in the areas but not limited to: construction, logistics, real estate acquisition, zoning, site compliance and external affairs.

MORIYAMA, SHUTAROH Mechanical Supervisor 95.

85.

86.

Brief Job Description: Analyze and report on the performance and efficiency of the campaigns

DONG, XINMIN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Brief Job Description: RESPONSIBLE FOR IT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

ZUO, JIAN Multiple Languages Operation Officer

96.

87.

Brief Job Description: Promoting efficiency by implementing improved operational procedures

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SUPREME CHENGHAO MANAGEMENT OPC Level 26-a Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

88.

LI, XIANGYUN Database Administrator Brief Job Description: Manage database access

Basic Qualification: At least two (2) years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

103.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong knowledge of consumer industry. Strong range management. Ability to think critically and creatively. Fluency in English and Korean is a must.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the site supervision of the Mechanical Department at Project Site.

104.

97.

Brief Job Description: Ensures HR 201 files for database and Personnel files for Chinese employees are well organized, maintained, kept up-to date and follows rules & regulations of the company. They assist in Chinese foreigners’ application and management LIANG, JUNNING Mandarin Human Resource Officer

98.

99.

100.

101.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative requests and queries from senior managers/officers

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

Brief Job Description: Assist in outbound or inbound marketing activities

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Bilingual language

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Bilingual language

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual languages

105.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Bilingual language

LUO, RUWEN Bilingual Marketing Specialist 106.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Bilingual language

TANG, YUCHAO Bilingual Marketing Specialist 107.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual languages

WANG, YANLING Bilingual Marketing Specialist 108. Basic Qualification: Business / Advanced level of proficiency in Korean. English proficient. College Graduate / College Level of any IT Related / Business Related Course. At least 10 years IT related work experience. Proficiency in Computer Applications & Software; Analytical Skills

Basic Qualification: Proficient in both Japanese and English languages and with experience in Japanese construction firm. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in both Japanese and English languages and with experience in Japanese construction firm.

109.

110.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking bilingual languages

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for building sustainable relationships and engage customers by taking extra life

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in speaking, Writing and Reading in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati RICO ARISANDI Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties. STEVEN Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZONAC AND SHIBATA SERVICES INC. 4/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

MANRAKS, TANYAROT Thai Customer Service Representative 113.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; Suggesting information about other products and services

YIN, FEI Mandarin Front Desk Associate

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months -1-year as HR Staff/ Admin Staff; Fluent in Mandarin and English

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Chinese Mandarin , English and their respective native language

YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months -1-year as HR Staff/ Admin Staff; Fluent in Mandarin and English

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGUYEN CHI TAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in both Japanese and English languages and with experience in Japanese construction firm.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months -1-year as HR Staff/ Admin Staff; Fluent in Mandarin and English

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati AI, LONG Bilingual Admin Support Specialist

CHIU, SHIH-MIN Bilingual Marketing Specialist

KOU, ZHIXIONG Bilingual Marketing Specialist

UNITED MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. U-2215 22f Cityland 10 Tower 2, 154 H.v. Dela Costa Cor. Valero Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati HU, XIANGYONG Mandarin Human Resource Officer

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

HE, BING Bilingual Marketing Specialist

112.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Excellent in multiple languages

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the site supervision of the Mechanical Department at Project Site.

SATO, YUICHI Mechanical Supervisor

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Strong knowledge of consumer industry. Strong range management. Ability to think critically and creatively. Fluency in English and Korean is a must.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DONG, ANAN Bilingual Marketing Specialist

111.

SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland, Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: PROFICIENT IN SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING IN MANDARIN

Brief Job Description: Responsible for overall planning, administration, control and coordination of the Mechanical Department of International Division.

102.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TOYO CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. 3/f Planters Products Bldg., 109 Esteban St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: 5 years experience with 2 years experience in Japanese Restaurant Specializing in Robatayaki. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent and proven writing and communication skills/ Spanish/English/Technical skills and knowledge

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

94.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

LIN, MEIMEI Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: In charge of business planning, development and feasibility studies. To represent the company in negotiations and coordination with prospective and existing partners / clients in S. Korea and locally especially with Korean executives/representatives

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TO-ZIOSK INC. 116 Timog Avenue, 4, Sacred Heart, Quezon City

SBA TOWERS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 1203 Highstreet South Corporate Plaza Tower 1, 26th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bgc., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

ARANGO CORREA, GERARDO ALEXIS Site Development Manager

Brief Job Description: Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, fluency in English and Korean language is a must.

TAKAHASHI, MASAYUKI Mechanical Manager

ROYAL BAYSHORE HOTELS AND AMUSEMENT INC. Star Cruises Ctr., Newport City Villamor, Barangay 183, Pasay City

TSUCHIDA, RYUJI Specialty Chef - Robatayaki

KWON, KYUWAN Trade Marketing Specialist

Basic Qualification: Minimum of two years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/basic English

Basic Qualification: Excellent leadership skills and management

Brief Job Description: Provides written and verbal feedback to improve call performance and strives to continually improve overall agent effectiveness and ensure acceptable customer satisfaction results through continued call monitoring and agent feedback

KWON, GI HWAN Trade Marketing Specialist

R TECHNO PHILIPPINES INC. 9/f 6780 Ayala Ave. Bldg., 6780 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

KATSUMATA, MICHIHARU General Manager

Basic Qualification: At least two (2) years of working experience in the related field

TANZILA TRADING INC. U-29 3/f Bac., Bagong Milenyo F.b. Harrison St., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SYKES ASIA, INC. G/f, 3/f, 4/f Worldwide Corporate Center, Edsa, Cor. Shaw Blvd., Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years of working experience as a project support specialist; fluent in mandarin/basic English

Brief Job Description: Address customer issues and resolve them in a timely and efficient manner

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, WENJIE Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PHILIPPINES E-SKY COMMUNICATION INC. Unit E-1905a East Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

LIU, JUN Technical Supervisor

No.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customers about products and services

SANTAVEESUK, PRAKAYDAO Thai Customer Service Representative 114.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customers about products and services

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English Thai Mandarin and other multilingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Dec 20, 2021 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHEN, LI-CHIEH Bilingual Marketing Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

Brief Job Description: Assist in outbound or inbound marketing activities

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

SEC releases draft circular on disqualifying directors By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released its proposed rules governing the disqualification of directors, trustees, and officers of corporations as part of its efforts to promote good corporate governance. The SEC released the draft Memorandum Circular on the Disqualifications of Directors, Trustees and Officers of Corporations and the Guidelines on the Procedure for their Removal, which seeks to operationalize some sections of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RCC). Under the proposed rules, directors, trustees or officers shall be disqualified if, within their tenure, they were convicted by final judg-

ment of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a period exceeding six years, or for violating the RCC or Securities Regulation Code; found administratively liable for any offense involving fraudulent acts; or found liable by a foreign court or equivalent regulatory authority for acts, violations, or misconduct similar to the aforementioned conditions. The draft circular also included guidelines on pleadings, practice

and procedure before the SEC in all matters of hearing and proceedings for independent administrative actions for the removal of directors; removal of directors, trustees, and officers as a sanction in the commission’s proceedings; and imposition of sanctions on the board of directors or trustees who, with knowledge of disqualification, failed to remove a disqualified director or trustee. According to the RCC, a person shall be disqualified from holding a board seat if found administratively liable for any offense involving fraudulent acts, or found liable by a foreign court or equivalent regulatory authority for acts, violations, or misconduct similar to the aforementioned conditions. The same provision empowers the SEC, as well as the Philippine Competition Commission, to impose other qualifications or disqualifications in its promotion of good corporate governance or as a sanction in its administrative proceedings. Under the proposed guidelines,

an independent administrative action for the removal of a director, trustee, and/or officer of a corporation may be commenced upon the issuance of a formal charge by the SEC operating department that has jurisdiction over them, or upon filing of a verified complaint with the operating department. The SEC may remove a director, trustee and officer of a corporation as a sanction in its proceedings if, during its administrative or adjudicative proceedings, it has been established that grounds for their disqualification are present. In addition to the removal of the director, trustee, and/or officer, the SEC may also issue a permanent cease and desist order, and/or impose a fine from P10,000 to P400,000 for each violation of the SEC’s orders, or any relevant laws and regulations. For one person corporations whose sole director has been removed, the nominee shall take the place of the single stockholder as director and manage the corporation’s affairs.

Meralco unit ties up with GADC By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Sakay, Inc., a subsidiary of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has partnered with Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC) to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in select McDonald’s branches. Under the partnership, EV charging stations will installed in McDonald’s Green and Good Stores in UN Avenue in Ermita, Manila and Shaw Boulevard, Wack-Wack in Mandaluyong. T he deploy ment of eSakay charging stations, which cater to two- and three-wheeled EVs, supports McDonald’s commitment to provide better and more environmentally sustainable stores for customers. GADC is the operator

of McDonald’s Philippines. With the coin-operated charging stations, EV users visiting the McDonald’s branches can simply plug in their e-Bikes and e-Scooters for a minimal fee of P1 for a fiveminute charge; P5 for a 25-minute charge; and P10 for a 50-minute charge. Each charging station can accommodate two users at a time, with two outlets having a power rating of 2,200 watts each. “eSakay’s partnership with McDonald’s Philippines underscores our commitment to support green mobility efforts in line with Meralco’s sustainability agenda,” said Meralco Chief Sustainability Officer and eSakay President Raymond B. Ravelo. eSakay will heighten its collaboration with McDonald’s as it plans

to deploy EV charging stations to more branches, furthering both companies’ sustainability initiatives in their respective business operations. “We look forward to working very closely with even more companies in driving key sustainability programs such as this as part of our pledge to protect and preserve our planet, and to power good lives for Filipinos,” he added. Through its EV solutions, eSakay also supports Meralco, in achieving its emission reduction objectives, by beginning to convert the latter’s vehicle fleet into zero emission EVs, including e-motorcycles, e-cars, eVans, and e-pickups. eSakay is the green mobility arm of Meralco that provides end-to-end EV and charging infrastructure solutions for institutional customers and the riding public.

Isuzu Gencars is J&T Express’ Best Partner for 2021

Photo shows Arron Wang (3rd from right), Procurement Director of J&T Express, presenting a Plaque of Appreciation to Giannina Cabangon (4th from right), Special Assistant to the President of Gencars. With them are Chris Ferry III, Procurement Officer of J&T Express; Elenita Go, Sales Executive of Isuzu Makati; Lerma Nacnac, President of Gencars; Albert Zata, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Gencars; and Marivic Albaña, Sales and Marketing Manager of Isuzu Makati. Inset photo, the plaque given to Isuzu Gencars.

suzu Genca rs received a Plaque of Appreciation from J&T Express for being the leading express delivery company’s Best Partner for 2021. Gen-

cars has consistently been providing trucks for J&T’s various delivery requirements since 2019. Aside from supplying quality Isuzu trucks to the company,

Gencars also provides J&T Express with reliable maintenance service for their vehicles to ensure that they stay in the best condition.

NGCP energizes 3 provinces in Visayas

he National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has energized on Monday the provinces of Samar, Cebu, and Leyte, following the implementation of its alternative power restoration scheme after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai). The grid operator implemented the alternative power restoration scheme on Sunday night, beginning with the successful synchronization of Leyte A Malitbog Unit 1 with Tongonan Power Plant, extending power to the Cebu subgrid. With this, power transmission services were gradually extended to parts of Samar and Leyte. While transmission services have been extended through an interim scheme, NGCP said restoration of damaged 69kV lines is still ongoing. The NGCP is still assessing the extent of damage in other parts of Leyte, Negros, and Bohol. As of late Sunday afternoon, NGCP said the typhoon damaged a total of 12 towers and 462 transmission structures. Also, the grid operator restored the transmission services in Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte, with the energization of

the Butuan-Bayugan 69kV line. NGCP is targeting to restore transmission services in Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island, and Surigao del Sur on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, the three 138kV backbone lines in Cebu are set for energization on December 21 and 22. Restoration of these backbone lines will provide the interim power restoration highway in the said provinces. “We also appeal for the cooperation of all landowners in the ongoing restoration activities. Line personnel working on the Kabankalan-Sipalay 69kV Line serving NOCECO in Negros Occidental are being hampered from repairing broken and leaning poles by a landowner barring access to his property,” it said. NGCP has fully restored transmission services in Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Biliran, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao Oriental. A total of 65 line gangs, or 520 personnel, working 24/7 when weather and safety conditions permit, were deployed by NGCP to expedite post-Odette restoration works. Lenie Lectura

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Vietnamese cement exporter appeals anti-dumping duty

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

Vietnamese cement exporter is asking the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to revisit its computation of the provisional anti-dumping duty on cement products given its impact on import costs. During a preliminary conference held by the Tariff Commission (TC) on Monday, Joel Butuyan of Omanco Vietnam said the “imposition of dumping duties on our client would cause irreparable injury.” “The dumping duty or the determination of the dumping duty applicable to Omanco, which participated in the DTI proceedings, is actually even higher, so much higher than the companies that did not participate at all,” he said. The DTI recently imposed antidumping duties on certain cement imports from Vietnam to protect the local industry. Its initial inves-

tigations revealed that 9 out of 16 Vietnamese exporters of Type 1 cement and 4 out of 12 exporters of Type 1P cement have been dumping in the country. Dumping refers to exporting of product at a much lower price for the foreign importing country compared to the cost in the exporters’ local market. For Type 1 cement, the provisional anti-dumping duty will range from $1.02/metric ton (MT) to $10.53/MT, which is equivalent to 2.69 percent to 31.87 percent of the export price. The computed duties for Type 1P cement, meanwhile,

are from $1.16/MT to $12.79/MT or 3.80 percent to 29.20 percent of the export price. Butuyan said the company raised its concerns about the duty with the DTI previously but it did not receive a favorable response. As such, he asked the TC if “it would allow the filing of an immediate motion for the amendment or the revision of the provisional determination made by the DTI.” TC Commissioner Ernesto Albano, however, said the cement firm’s issue needs to be resolved at the level of the DTI as no motion for consideration shall be directly filed before the TC against a department order issued by the Secretary. “You can file for reimbursement of duties,” he added. On Monday, the TC held a preliminary conference regarding the anti-dumping case against Vietnam cement imports. The commission discussed the timelines, nature of investigation, appearance of counsel and parties, number of witnesses, notification, accessibility of documents and public and confidentiality of documents, among others.

TC scheduled the data verification and submission of initial position papers by the parties for next month. This is to be followed by submission of the following documents in February: affidavits of witnesses, list of proposed additional issues for the public hearing. In the same month, TC will issue its staff report, which is open for comments. Public hearings will be conducted in March. The commission seeks to submit its final report to the DTI by April. The TC probe came after the DTI’s announcement earlier this month regarding the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duty in the form of cash bond on said Vietnam cement imports. It will be in place for four months beginning the issuance of the relevant memorandum order. The provisional duties are estimated to hike the import cost of a 40-kilogram bag of cement by P2.01 to P25.08. But DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez assured it will not increase the retail price of the cement due to its minimal impact on landed cost.

Jollibee to give meals to typhoon victims

ollibee Foods Corp. on Monday said it is providing food to families affected by Super Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai). The company said its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation activated its Food Aid program, to give food to over 33,000 individuals in the hardesthit areas in Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte and Surigao del Norte. “Typhoon Odette has brought another hardship to many of our countrymen who have already been hit by other challenges. Together with our partners, we’re working tirelessly to bring the help needed so that our fellow Filipinos know that they are not alone throughout this ordeal,” Jollibee Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson said. Jollibee started distributing meals last December 19 together

with its partners on the ground and the local government units in the affected communities. The Jollibee Franchisees Association is also on board, leading efforts in Southern Leyte and Northern Mindanao, while other support is coursed through the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, the company said. Individuals may also take part in this meal distribution by donating money via the coin banks found in restaurants nationwide, as well as via online donation platforms. “No matter the amount, every donation made through the FoodAID coin banks will help devastated communities. Your help will not only bring warm food that will alleviate the hunger of affected families, but it will also bring them some joy and optimism during these difficult times,” Tiongson said. VG Cabuag

mutual funds

December 20, 2021 NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

230.43

-0.5%

-3.15%

-0.8%

1.42%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6435

22.73%

5.21%

4.17%

25.17%

-0.63%

-6.65%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1943

-3.64%

1.96%

-5.65% n.a.

-7.32%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7638 -1.01%

-2.67% n.a.

2.99%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

1.63%

-0.88%

0.82%

4.1%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.7734

-0.74%

-2.69%

-2.74%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-7.21%

-6.46% n.a.

-7.59%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7533 -8.79% 5.1441

94.14

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.4742

-0.92%

-1.46%

0.81%

1.35%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

495.06

-0.58%

-1.51%

0.08%

1.25%

1.1498

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d

1.3507

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.1534

3.38% n.a. n.a.

4.78%

13.51%

2.19%

2.89%

15.62%

2.21%

-0.68%

1.5%

3.98%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9294

-0.23% n.a. n.a.

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.8937

-0.14%

-0.71%

817.07

-0.31%

-0.72%

1.46%

1.93%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7439

0.51%

-4.94%

-1.83%

3.48%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7265

0.54%

2.83%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

1.51%

1.8% 2.14%

-3.07%

-0.18%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9315 - 0.74%

-1.06%

1.2%

1.5%

United Fund, Inc. -a

-1.16%

1.96%

2.68%

-0.5%

1.95%

3.4075

0.65%

-0.39%

Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

109.9223

-0.07%

2.2%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.122

-5.86%

5.75%

5.56%

-6.73%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.8041

9.95%

15.29%

11.51%

7.85%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6689

-0.89%

0.19%

0.04%

0.02%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2701

-2.03%

0.88%

0.54%

-0.67%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6842

0.64%

1.9%

2.08%

2.18%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2072

2.78% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

2.73%

2.0029

0.88%

2.39%

1.82%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7409

-2.25%

1.8%

1.3%

-1.3%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.7332

-2.21%

1.58%

1.19%

-1.22%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1047

-0.51%

0.44%

1.13%

0.65%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6202 -0.05%

-0.45%

0.78%

1.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9878

-4.33% n.a. n.a.

-3.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9365

-3.2% n.a. n.a.

-1.34%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9251

-2.84% n.a. n.a.

-0.86%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.9422

4.15%

0.56%

0.98%

6.14%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03804

-2.59%

2.72%

1.74%

-2.71%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0602

-6.85%

3.85%

3.4%

-6.18%

6.33%

11.02%

8.53%

4.68%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1886 1.32%

6.22%

4.49%

0.43%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7238

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities

4.59%

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 20, 2021

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL IREMIT NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

43.9 126.2 94.25 25.9 9.23 52.8 9.2 19.06 19.92 113.8 104.8 1.53 4.05 0.85 0.61 213 2,600

44.95 127 94.6 25.95 9.24 52.9 9.4 19.1 19.96 114.2 105 1.65 4.14 0.91 0.68 216 2,790

43.95 124.5 93.5 25.75 9.3 53 9.2 19.12 20 116.1 105.4 1.51 4.15 0.92 0.61 212.8 2,600

44 127 94.6 25.95 9.38 53.15 9.2 19.4 20 116.1 107.2 1.53 4.15 0.93 0.61 216.6 2,790

43.95 123 93 25.75 9.24 52.05 9.2 19.08 19.94 113.6 104.5 1.51 4.15 0.9 0.61 212.8 2,600

44 127 94.6 25.9 9.24 52.9 9.2 19.1 19.96 114.2 104.8 1.53 4.15 0.9 0.61 216 2,600

2,000 1,259,020 885,870 401,400 30,600 3,123,150 800 230,500 7,500 1,387,940 78,390 117,000 4,000 17,000 116,000 220 160

87,950 158,034,840 83,464,352 10,385,190 283,736 165,087,661.50 7,360 4,414,500 149,886 158,756,981 8,233,730 176,900 16,600 15,720 70,760 47,434 417,850

INDUSTRIAL

AC ENERGY 10.6 10.74 10.56 10.74 10.36 10.74 11,865,000 125,077,340 ALSONS CONS 1.03 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 10,000 10,900 30.65 30.95 31.8 31.8 30.65 30.65 1,493,300 46,162,250 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.64 0.65 0.68 0.7 0.64 0.65 32,384,000 21,396,180 27.3 27.35 27.3 27.95 27.3 27.35 149,200 4,090,350 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 71.9 72 72 72.1 71.8 71.9 5,205,080 374,245,783 300 304.8 306 307 299 304.8 190,680 57,566,314 MERALCO MANILA WATER 24.95 25 25.7 25.7 24.75 24.95 1,781,800 44,575,945 3.12 3.16 3.15 3.18 3.12 3.16 758,000 2,392,150 PETRON 4.01 4.22 4.01 4.01 4.01 4.01 10,000 40,100 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.44 10.84 10.34 10.84 10.34 10.84 1,400 14,976 19.88 19.94 19.92 19.94 19.86 19.88 24,400 485,260 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 14 14.24 13.92 14.4 13.8 14 257,400 3,583,404 1.11 1.12 1.02 1.15 0.99 1.11 575,587,000 617,607,520 SOLAR PH VIVANT 14.52 15.98 14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 100 1,450 2.94 2.98 2.94 3 2.94 2.94 816,000 2,439,780 AXELUM CENTURY FOOD 26.85 27 27.45 27.45 26.75 26.85 629,800 16,924,730 DEL MONTE 15.5 15.52 15.82 15.84 15.5 15.5 118,700 1,850,656 9.25 9.3 9.02 9.34 9.02 9.3 3,609,800 33,423,506 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 18.5 18.78 18.2 18.86 18.18 18.5 2,992,700 55,460,512 70.05 71 71.95 71.95 70.05 71 14,480 1,018,317 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.59 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 1,000 610 1.22 1.24 1.23 1.25 1.21 1.24 12,709,000 15,662,340 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 109.1 111 110 111 109 111 124,380 13,726,080 214 215 224 224.2 213.2 214 2,105,870 454,305,124 JOLLIBEE MAXS GROUP 6.58 6.65 6.58 6.65 6.4 6.65 123,200 803,494 MG HLDG 0.15 0.164 0.15 0.165 0.15 0.165 160,000 24,150 15.84 15.9 15.54 15.94 15.34 15.9 14,802,300 232,930,546 MONDE NISSIN SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.45 9.5 9.48 9.65 9.4 9.5 293,400 2,787,508 0.63 0.64 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.63 3,221,000 1,997,470 ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG 1.03 1.32 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 291,000 293,910 0.105 0.109 0.106 0.106 0.106 0.106 700,000 74,200 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 127.1 127.5 128.5 128.9 127 127.5 670,340 85,458,762 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.69 0.69 448,000 310,270 VITARICH CEMEX HLDG 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.06 1.03 1.03 1,099,000 1,141,870 EAGLE CEMENT 14.48 14.5 14.48 14.48 14.48 14.48 5,000 72,400 6.35 6.41 6.41 6.41 6.34 6.4 26,300 168,143 EEI CORP HOLCIM 5.06 5.08 5.08 5.39 5.03 5.06 47,100 243,807 1.29 1.3 1.33 1.34 1.28 1.3 21,064,000 27,523,300 KEEPERS HLDG MEGAWIDE 5.05 5.1 5.02 5.12 5.01 5.05 376,900 1,900,151 19.82 20 20 20.1 20 20 75,200 1,504,120 PHINMA VULCAN INDL 0.92 0.94 0.94 0.99 0.91 0.94 445,000 418,740 CROWN ASIA 1.68 1.72 1.68 1.72 1.68 1.72 5,000 8,440 5.66 5.75 5.72 5.75 5.67 5.75 8,700 49,548 PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION 20.35 21 21 21 20.25 20.25 1,300 26,675 2.31 2.34 2.32 2.37 2.3 2.35 684,000 1,595,580 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 8.31 8.38 8.48 8.48 8.3 8.31 24,900 208,798 0.7 0.71 0.68 0.71 0.68 0.71 800,000 552,430 IONICS PANASONIC 5.68 5.79 5.86 5.86 5.79 5.79 4,300 25,031 1.07 1.12 1.1 1.13 1.07 1.11 18,000 19,470 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 3.55 3.58 3.56 3.58 3.5 3.55 1,122,000 3,950,780

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER

0.93 5.44 875.5 55.95 11.76 6.17 7.3 0.4 5.08 7.7 577 53.35 0.64 9.74 3.89 2.88 1.12 2.88 1.06 12.9 979.5 111.5 122.1

0.94 6 888 56.3 11.8 6.18 7.89 0.425 5.12 7.73 587 54.3 0.67 9.77 3.9 3.12 1.2 2.99 1.1 12.96 980 112 124.8

0.95 5.44 867 55.6 11.94 6.3 7.91 0.405 5.11 7.79 585 55.9 0.67 9.77 3.89 2.85 1.12 2.97 1.17 12.88 970 115 122.1

0.96 5.44 888 56.4 11.94 6.45 7.91 0.425 5.15 7.79 589.5 55.9 0.67 9.89 3.92 3.12 1.12 2.98 1.17 13.04 983.5 115 122.1

0.92 5.44 867 55.25 11.64 6.15 7.91 0.4 5.06 7.69 572 53.15 0.67 9.73 3.87 2.84 1.12 2.97 1.06 12.72 964 111.1 122.1

0.94 5.44 888 56.3 11.8 6.18 7.91 0.4 5.08 7.73 587 54 0.67 9.74 3.9 3.12 1.12 2.98 1.06 12.96 980 112 122.1

8,366,000 1,800 223,950 1,246,830 3,912,700 6,866,300 100 170,000 255,500 3,904,500 101,000 2,826,440 51,000 1,401,300 6,212,000 6,000 4,000 16,000 135,000 4,428,000 125,660 170,000 530

7,802,940 9,792 196,814,240 69,834,408.50 46,100,200 42,967,496 791 69,550 1,298,422 30,181,882 58,636,760 152,591,287 34,170 13,698,834 24,192,090 17,340 4,480 47,650 147,930 57,042,454 122,735,635 19,040,237 64,713

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.61 0.64 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 142,000 86,620 AYALA LAND 34.9 35.1 35 35.9 34.8 34.9 7,096,400 248,768,885 46.8 47.55 47.15 47.7 46.8 46.8 539,700 25,408,905 AREIT RT BELLE CORP 1.34 1.37 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.33 29,000 38,570 0.77 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 2,000 1,580 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.72 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.72 13,000 9,390 0.097 0.103 0.097 0.103 0.097 0.103 11,010,000 1,068,030 CROWN EQUITIES CEB LANDMASTERS 2.73 2.74 2.75 2.77 2.72 2.73 295,000 806,830 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.395 0.395 1,160,000 458,300 CENTURY PROP 7.01 7.02 7.07 7.08 7 7.02 379,800 2,666,529 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.78 2,412,000 4,296,310 6.76 6.78 6.78 6.78 6.78 6.78 31,200 211,536 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.255 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.255 0.26 650,000 165,900 0.32 0.33 0.315 0.33 0.315 0.33 4,990,000 1,600,550 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST RT 7.31 7.32 7.39 7.39 7.26 7.31 1,156,100 8,429,256 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.1 3,248,000 3,577,670 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.85 0.85 188,000 159,830 8990 HLDG 11.2 11.4 11.54 11.86 11.26 11.4 137,900 1,580,096 1.12 1.15 1.14 1.15 1.12 1.12 1,016,000 1,168,280 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.86 0.9 0.86 0.92 0.86 0.86 30,000 26,010 3.05 3.07 3.12 3.13 3.02 3.05 16,577,000 50,608,460 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.255 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.255 0.26 3,700,000 944,750 18.32 18.36 18.34 18.36 18.32 18.32 1,864,500 34,185,034 MREIT RT PHIL ESTATES 0.49 0.495 0.49 0.495 0.485 0.49 1,120,000 549,400 1.96 1.98 2.09 2.09 1.96 1.96 1,848,000 3,753,880 PRIMEX CORP RL COMM RT 7.53 7.55 7.58 7.59 7.45 7.55 1,565,100 11,772,720 ROBINSONS LAND 18.22 18.36 18.46 18.5 18.2 18.36 835,700 15,312,346 0.206 0.208 0.206 0.206 0.206 0.206 60,000 12,360 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.48 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 67,000 99,830 2.6 2.61 2.61 2.61 2.6 2.6 43,000 112,050 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 2.61 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 10,000 28,900 35 35.3 35.45 35.45 34.6 35.3 3,569,900 125,270,285 SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS 3.6 3.78 3.6 3.78 3.6 3.78 19,000 68,580 1.11 1.15 1.1 1.15 1.1 1.15 47,000 52,800 SUNTRUST HOME 43 50.95 43 43 43 43 79,700 3,427,100 PTFC REDEV CORP VISTA LAND 3.4 3.42 3.45 3.45 3.38 3.4 1,384,000 4,719,000 SERVICES ABS CBN 12.5 12.52 12.76 12.8 12.5 12.5 135,300 1,713,014 GMA NETWORK 13.58 13.6 13.82 13.82 13.56 13.6 763,300 10,404,826 0.41 0.435 0.44 0.44 0.41 0.41 100,000 42,900 MANILA BULLETIN MLA BRDCASTING 9.52 10.4 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 100 950 3,484 3,508 3,526 3,550 3,462 3,508 27,670 96,982,970 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,867 1,880 1,894 1,894 1,820 1,880 129,105 240,300,390 0.076 0.077 0.077 0.079 0.076 0.076 88,770,000 6,835,580 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 31.8 31.9 32.05 32.4 31.55 31.9 3,489,400 111,387,305 2.42 2.43 2.48 2.53 2.42 2.43 408,000 1,002,820 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 5.18 5.19 5.1 5.25 5 5.18 9,529,500 49,168,110 IMPERIAL 1.42 1.63 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 9,000 12,780 1.72 1.79 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68 5,000 8,400 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 1.26 1.27 1.43 1.43 1.24 1.27 3,744,000 4,915,580 0.29 0.295 0.295 0.305 0.29 0.295 2,990,000 884,950 TRANSPACIFIC BR PHILWEB 1.91 1.97 1.9 1.97 1.9 1.96 80,000 155,500 7.5 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.5 7.5 27,600 207,050 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 13.88 14 14 14 13.88 14 28,300 396,104 CHELSEA 1.62 1.67 1.69 1.69 1.63 1.68 89,000 147,890 43.8 44 44.4 44.45 44 44 75,600 3,333,165 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 193.5 194 194 197.9 193.5 193.5 1,157,340 224,877,093 5.39 5.4 5.31 5.5 5.31 5.39 680,600 3,696,160 MACROASIA HARBOR STAR 0.82 0.92 0.83 0.83 0.82 0.82 20,000 16,550 1.41 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.41 1.41 7,000 9,990 ACESITE HOTEL DISCOVERY WORLD 1.83 1.95 2.15 2.15 1.82 1.95 579,000 1,107,880 0.48 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 10,000 5,000 WATERFRONT STI HLDG 0.345 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.345 0.345 1,520,000 524,450 BERJAYA 6.64 6.65 6.48 6.7 6.32 6.65 205,200 1,353,063 6.39 6.4 6.6 6.6 6.25 6.39 6,437,500 41,430,053 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.79 1.93 1.82 1.97 1.8 1.95 455,000 819,850 1.44 1.47 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.47 84,000 122,980 LEISURE AND RES MANILA JOCKEY 2.01 2.31 1.83 1.83 1.83 1.83 1,000 1,830 0.77 0.78 0.78 0.8 0.78 0.78 366,000 286,280 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.43 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.43 0.43 1,540,000 668,700 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.63 0.6 0.61 32,142,000 19,962,740 ALLDAY 8.86 8.89 8.8 9 8.53 8.85 133,200 1,175,105 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.4 1.44 1.43 1.45 1.4 1.44 142,000 202,340 37.8 37.85 37 37.9 36.95 37.85 1,527,000 57,433,700 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 64.05 64.2 64 65.05 63.3 64.05 665,060 42,624,575.50 88 90.95 88.15 91 88 88 8,140 719,782.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.11 898,000 1,009,550 31 31.05 30.55 31.4 30.35 31 3,214,500 99,364,575 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.23 0.239 0.239 0.239 0.23 0.23 200,000 46,900 GOLDEN MV 520 540 540 540 540 540 10 5,400 7.02 7.06 7.06 7.06 7.06 7.06 4,700 33,182 IPM HLDG MEDILINES 1.33 1.34 1.23 1.41 1.23 1.34 29,363,000 39,745,660 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.57 0.53 0.55 10,008,000 5,463,910 PRMIERE HORIZON

75,007,639 13,477,724 -20,283 69,591,149.50 -725,818 29,994 5,016,152 1,651,169 10,768 390,000 50,188,214 -22,716,790 -804,520 -671,755 -230,230,264 8,380,614 19,316,705 531,490 -139,238 20,750 -2,332,000 20,580 -2,117,470 62,060 313,465.00 9,358,234 -389,407.50 4,421,752 -256,805,314 330,477 -1,650 52,935,056 73,556 8,060 -38,643,667.00 104,000 -19,647 32,500 -485,858.00 -316,020.00 0 6,120 392,120 111,404,530 44,652,588.50 -32,738,404 1,041,899 -791 660,608 -8,214,616 3,113,450 -49,655,807 3,316,941 -2,435,440 738,258 12,430,040 -8,182,802 19,862,335 291,095 136,520 -19,750 -187,910 -274,120 17,850 19,050 -2,651,234 -2,838,000 65,054 1,035,000.00 -14,955,930 -23,946,386 -9,800 2,241,586 -8,247,350 33,042,990 28,800 11,000 -869,570 17,468,440 61,869,860 385,000 -22,671,615 -1,426,991.00 29,500 22,500 -1,386,360 -33,747,956 -88,243 -372,790 -22,292,934 10,220 66,300 8,600 2,256,710 575,898 9,800 11,473,830 -15,092,677 -108,428.50 -20,549,105 943,140 -24,860

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.1 6.12 5.83 6.16 5.83 6.15 20,700 127,323 1.33 1.34 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.33 52,000 69,160 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 5.85 5.86 5.89 5.9 5.86 5.86 767,800 4,516,934 -9,408 Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2442 1% 3.05% 3.94% 0.9% 4.85 5.44 4.85 4.85 4.85 4.85 2,000 9,700 BENGUET B FERRONICKEL 2.07 2.08 2.07 2.1 2.07 2.08 2,365,000 4,915,570 713,400 Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2541 -1.79% 1.92% 1.79% -1.92% 0.184 0.21 0.184 0.184 0.184 0.184 70,000 12,880 GEOGRACE First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4275 -1.01% 3.22% 1.95% -1.05% LEPANTO A 0.127 0.129 0.129 0.129 0.127 0.127 1,470,000 186,860 1.07 1.08 1.1 1.14 1.08 1.08 675,000 731,900 8,640 MARCVENTURES Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4046 -4.89% 4% 1.87% -4.87% 5.03 5.11 5.15 5.15 5.03 5.03 1,294,800 6,574,853 -1,551,383 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.73 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.74 0.75 535,000 397,310 Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.32 0.08% 3.81% 2.76% -0.1% 4.65 4.7 4.73 4.74 4.63 4.65 357,000 1,677,640 28,710 PX MINING Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9922 0.33% 4.55% 2.87% -0.22% SEMIRARA MINING 21 21.1 21.15 21.7 21 21 941,600 19,885,305 -3,561,395 0.0061 0.0063 0.006 0.0063 0.006 0.0063 11,000,000 69,000 UNITED PARAGON Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0289 -0.96% 4.89% 2.29% -1.4% ACE ENEXOR 34.5 34.9 36.85 36.85 34.15 34.9 473,600 16,647,260 100,005 Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1937 -0.13% 4.95% 3.69% -0.39% 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 19,700,000 203,200 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 7,500,000 82,600 Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.732 -1% 4.05% 3.08% -1.31% PHILODRILL 0.0087 0.009 0.0087 0.0087 0.0087 0.0087 5,000,000 43,500 6 6.01 6.19 6.19 6 6.01 28,200 169,947 - PXP ENERGY Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $489.51 1.31% 3.01% 2.57% 1.13% PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100 101 99.4 99.4 99.3 99.3 500 49,661 ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.85 0.36% 1.15% 1.02% 0.29% HOUSE PREF A 100.5 100.9 101 101 101 101 20 2,020 ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2027 -5.54% 2.27% 1.81% -6.02% 511 515 511 511 511 511 8,260 4,220,860 4,220,860 ALCO PREF D BRN PREF A 100.9 101.5 101.5 101.5 101 101 9,600 971,388 -424,200 First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 -1.89% 1.45% 1.03% -2.26% 44 44.5 44.85 44.9 44 44.65 4,800 213,690 CEB PREF PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0252 -6.1% -0.14% -0.45% -5.94% CPG PREF A 102 103 103 103 101 103 20,350 2,060,280 101 102 102 102 102 102 10 1,020 1,020 DD PREF Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.5077 -0.77% 5.07% 3.12% -1.27% FGEN PREF G 106 110.9 106 106 106 106 500 53,000 1,010 1,016 1,012 1,012 1,012 1,012 20 20,240 GTCAP PREF A Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0623444 0.05% 3.05% 2.05% 0.07% GTCAP PREF B 1,015 1,046 1,016 1,016 1,014 1,014 1,000 1,014,820 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2 -0.23% 3.68% 2.05% -0.73% JFC PREF A 1,000 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 10 10,100 -10,100 98.5 100.8 98.45 98.45 98.45 98.45 830 81,713.50 81,713.50 MWIDE PREF 2B Money Market Funds MWIDE PREF 4 98.4 100 100 100 100 100 4,610 461,000 102.1 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 2,940 301,350 PNX PREF 3B Primarily invested in Peso securities PCOR PREF 3A 1,059 1,072 1,072 1,100 1,072 1,072 2,195 2,353,180 ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 131.14 1.09% 2.82% 2.57% 1.02% 1,105 1,142 1,111 1,111 1,105 1,105 395 438,275 PCOR PREF 3B SFI PREF 1.52 1.99 1.52 1.52 1.52 1.52 3,000 4,560 First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0575 0.95% n.a. n.a. 0.9% SMC PREF 2F 78.25 79.95 79 79 78.9 79 56,360 4,452,390 Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3149 2.61% 2.53% 1.39% 1.48% 75.7 76 76 76 76 76 40 3,040 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I 79 79.25 79 79 79 79 870 68,730 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 76.45 77.5 76.4 76.4 76.4 76.4 7,600 580,640 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 75.7 77 75.55 75.55 75.55 75.55 500 37,775 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0604 0.8% 1.46% n.a. 0.65% 52.15 52.95 53.6 53.6 52.15 52.15 55,960 2,963,544.50 - TECH PREF B2D Feeder Funds PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS Primarily invested in Peso securities GMA HLDG PDR 13.02 13.5 13 13.04 13 13.02 44,000 572,908 - Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3232 19.29% n.a. n.a. 17.14% WARRANTS Primarily invested in foreign currency securities TECH WARRANT 0.76 0.79 0.8 0.82 0.75 0.76 1,207,000 946,220 ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a,d $0.97 -1.02% n.a. n.a. -1.02% SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). ALTUS PROP 21.65 22 22 23 22 22 425,600 9,597,485 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). ITALPINAS 1.24 1.27 1.27 1.28 1.23 1.27 173,000 219,070 2.3 2.31 2.39 2.39 2.28 2.3 6,090,000 14,070,230 -1,536,270 MERRYMART 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021. "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU." FIRST METRO ETF 109.4 109.9 110.5 110.5 109.3 109.9 30,100 3,298,440 176,805

ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

374.46

1.02%

2.97%

2.63%

0.9%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8853

-0.75%

0.5%

-0.06%

-0.79%

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

‘Open finance framework adds SMEs to digital nexus’

T is crucial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to have access to financial services, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) stressed, noting that the Open Finance Framework is geared towards onboarding more businesses on digital platforms. In a statement on Monday, the Central Bank explained that the said framework is seen to promote financial inclusions among SMEs as it supports customer-centric development of financial products or services. “With the tailor-fit solutions that open finance brings, we will be able to onboard more [SMEs] into the formal financial system and provide them with access to digital financial services,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said. The BSP said that Open Finance Framework facilitates customerallowed sharing of financial data, which can lead to development of innovative financial solutions for both customers and financial institutions. Customers, who own the transaction data, will have the power to grant access to financial data that can provide insights in the creation of customer-centric products. Diokno said that “improved ac-

cess to finance by SMEs can help sustain their economic activities and aid in the digital transformation of their businesses.” “This will empower them to be an integral part of the country’s economic recovery,” he added. In June, the BSP announced that it has set the guidelines for the Open Finance Framework, which is anchored with consent-driven data portability, interoperability and collaborative partnerships between financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players. It covers different financial institutions and a broader array of financial products such as, but not limited to, banking products and services, investments, pensions and insurance. An industry-led body, called the Open Finance Oversight Committee shall exercise governance on the activities and participants of the Open Finance ecosystem. The OFOC will be under the supervision of the BSP. The issuance of the Open Finance framework is one of the initiatives under the BSP’s Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap, which seeks to have 70 percent of Filipino adults with transaction accounts by 2023. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

City Savings Bank bags award for digital tool By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

ITY Savings Bank Inc. (CitySavings) was recently awarded the “Philippines Technology Excellence Award for Digital - Banking” in the recently-concluded Philippines Technology Excellence Awards 2021 for its chatbot “Talk to Maria.” CitySavings Senior Vice President and Marketing Head Paula Katerina S. Joson told the Business Mirror that the chatbot is one of the innovative solutions developed to help customers amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our goal is to make banking simple and be the leading mass market bank in the Philippines. We do this by delivering relevant and memorable customer experiences through our technology. We are honored and delighted to receive this award,” Joson said. Launched in August 2019, the chatbot had the initial ability to answer product inquiries 24/7 through Facebook Messenger. The chatbot—an artificial

intelligence (AI) software that can simulate a chat—also provides users with a map to the nearest CitySavings branch or ATM terminal. Joson said the chatbot also has a motorcycle loan calculator, which gives the client an estimate of their expected monthly amortization. With this feature, Joson said clients can simply choose a motorcycle brand, their desired amount of downpayment and select the preferred loan term. City Savings, a subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, added more features to its chatbot last May. Some of these were a loan calculator for salary loans and the ability to accept new loan applications. It provides a quick and easy way for new clients to apply for a loan online from the comfort of their own homes. The awards program, dedicated to technological projects and innovations, aims to recognize exceptional companies that are riding the digital disruption wave and leading the technological revolution and digital transformation journeys in their respective industries.

BTr recognizes Security Bank as ‘Market Maker’

ecurity Bank Corp. announced it was recognized by the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) as a “Market Maker for 2022” under the enhanced Government Securities Eligible Dealers (GSED) program. The recognition was given in line with the bank’s efforts to support the national government in promoting the development of domestic capital markets, the financial intermediary said. The GSED program was launched in 2017 to promote the depth and liquidity of the Government Securities (GS) markets, specifically by enhancing the performance of the GS Primary Market and increasing the liquidity of the GS Secondary Market. The program also aims to assist the BTr in its initiatives aimed at developing Philippine capital markets. “We’re pleased to retain our Market

Maker status for 2022 as it will allow us to play a major role in BTr’s fundraising efforts. Security Bank will continue developing the GS Primary and Secondary Markets together with other Market Makers,” Security Bank Executive Vice President and Treasurer Raul Martin A. Pedro was quoted in the statement as saying. “Ensuring the development of our GS markets is critical given our national government’s ongoing efforts to defeat this Covid-19 pandemic and bring the Philippines towards a sustainable long-term economic recovery,” Pedro added. Annually, the BTr determines who will be “Market Makers” under the GSED program. Those who are named so are considered by the BTr as having sufficient capacity and commitment to develop the GS primary and secondary markets.

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, December 21, 2021

PHL secures loan from France for disaster response projects

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Philippines has signed a €250 million policy-based loan agreement (approximately P14 billion) with France to build up local government units’ capacity for disaster preparedness and response.

The loan agreement—signed by officials of the Department of Finance and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)—will be used to support the “Disaster Risk Reduction Enhancement at the Local Level” program. The program will also help the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the process of decentralizing the mandate and services for disaster risk reduction and climate change management to local government units (LGUs). On top of helping build LGUs’ capacity, the program will also support

ongoing reform programs throughout the country, “taking into account the demands of the ‘new normal’ that seeks to address public health emergency concerns, as demonstrated by the Covid-19 experience.” Under the program, LGUs will not only be supported in a sustainable trajectory but also build the resilience of local economies and communities. This is also expected to limit any damage caused by disasters, reduce post-disaster emergency response time and make the recovery period more effective. Finance Secretary Carlos G.

Dominguez III said the financing agreement highlights the strong ties between France and a high-risk country like the Philippines in terms of mitigating the adverse impact of climate change. “We thank the people and the Government of France for this financial assistance meant to scale up the disaster risk management capabilities of our LGUs, ramp up efforts to curtail the spread of Covid 19 and boost the resiliency of our communities in the face of climate change. This will complement our move to shift our focus from theorizing about global warming to executing practical climate adaptation and mitigation projects on the ground,” Dominguez said. AFD Country Director Laurent Klein added the loan is a result of a long-term partnership with the DILG through the Disaster Risk Management Institutional Strengthening (DRMIS) Project financed by the European Union through the AFD. “It aims to further develop our cooperation on disaster-risk management and climate change adaptation capacity for a period of three years. It is also in line with France’s com-

mitment to support climate action under the Paris Agreement, in order to help the Philippine Government meet the ambitious targets it set for itself when it submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change earlier this year,” Klein said. French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said France is keen on supporting the Philippine government in implementing reforms towards climate change mitigation and adaptation, including disaster risk governance at the local level. Boccoz said he “commends” the Philippine Government for pushing the climate finance and climate justice agenda during the recent COP26 (26th session of the Conference of the Parties), for joining the pledge to halt deforestation and for pioneering the Energy Transition Mechanism proposed by the Asian Development Bank to help transition from fossil fuelpowered energy to renewable energy. “The ambition is high and France will stand alongside the Philippines to help fulfill these goals,” the diplomat said.

BDO to tap bond market to finance eligible assets By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

DO Unibank Inc. revealed on Tuesday its plans to issue P5billion sustainability bonds purportedly to diversify funding sources. In a statement, the listed bank said the peso-denominated fixedrate financial instrument is the third issuance off its P365-billion bond program. “The net proceeds of the issue are intended to be used to diversify the Bank’s funding sources, and finance

and/or refinance eligible assets as defined in the bank’s ‘sustainable finance framework,’” the BDO statement read. BDO shares were up by 1.36 percent, or P1.70, to P127 apiece amid the 0.82-percent drop for the main index on Monday. Its price-toearnings ratio stood at 19.94. The bank ’s statement bared that BDO set the minimum investment for the proposed issuance at P500,000 with additional increments of P100,000 thereafter. The instrument carries an indicative tenor of two years. The offer period is scheduled from

Saving Emergency Funds

HEN it comes to emergency funds, we already heard few rules of thumb when it comes to its size. The most common rule we hear is that the size of the emergency fund should cover at least 3 months’ to 6 months’ worth of expenses. Let’s assume that a person has just committed to starting an emergency fund (starting from zero savings). When the said person manages to save 50 percent of take-home pay and to limit expenses to just half of such salary, it will take that person three months to cover 3-months’ worth of expenses (six months to cover 6-months’ expenses). The scenario stated above is simplistic and when it comes to realistic savings rates, the acquisition of enough cash as emergency fund poses time constraint. As per 2018 data published by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), an average income earning household was able to save 23 percent of the income. If the remaining 77 percent is fully allocated for expenditures, it will take 10 months to save 3-months’ worth of emergency funds and 20 months to save 6-months’ worth. With that in perspective, one may wonder how to shorten the time needed to have ample emergency fund. The fundamental thing to do to is to keep track of all expenses and to categorize those expenses either into nondiscretionary or discretionary expenses. Nondiscretionary expenses are expenditures that are necessary for the upkeep of the house-

John Hero Salvador

personal finance hold (expenses for items considered as needs), and these include house mortgage (if any), utilities, food and water, essential transportation, education of children (if there is any) and insurance. On the other hand, discretionary expenses are expenditures that provide further satisfaction to households (expenses for items considered as wants). These include dining out, going to movies, travel and other recreational activities. In a nutshell, household can get by without discretionary expenses but cannot go without nondiscretionary expenses. When assessing ample level of emergency fund, refine the adage 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses to “3 to 6 months’ worth of nondiscretionary expenses.” How will that refinement shorten the time to create emergency fund? Going back to the PSA data, the total average expenditure of a household can be further broken down to 73 percent nondiscretionary and 27 percent discretionary expenses (roughly 3:1 ratio). In essence, the actual average nondiscretionary expenses of a household then is around 60 percent. This means

January 10 to January 21, 2022. Issue, settlement and listing date is set on January 28, according to the bank. BDO said it may update the terms and the timing of the transaction if necessary. Standard Chartered Bank is the sole arranger of the proposed issuance. BDO Unibank, BDO Private Bank Inc. and Standard Chartered are the selling agents while BDO Capital and Investment Corp. is the financial advisor of the transaction. The proposed issuance is the first peso-denominated sustainability bond to be issued by the bank to both

institutional and retail investors. Prior to this, the bank issued a $150-million “green” bond in 2017 with the International Finance Corp. as the sole investor. BDO, the country’s largest bank by asset according to the central bank, nearly doubled its 9-month net income to P32.4 billion from P16.6 billion year-on-year, thanks to business franchise and normalized provisions. As of end-September, its capitalization stood at P422.3 billion, with Common Equity Tier-1 ratio at 13.8 percent.

that a 40-percent savings rate is possible. This means that 3-months’ worth of emergency fund can be covered within five months (nine months for 6-months’ cover). The following table provides a general information regarding the savings rate and the number of months it takes to have an emergency fund (assuming remaining expenditures are entirely nondiscretionary):

also contribute to faster establishment of emergency fund and the important thing when dealing with this extra cash is to have discipline not to splurge and use the money wisely. Setting up an emergency fund is a fundamental step in achieving financial security but as with any other things, one cannot fully manage something that can’t be measured. One must be fully aware of a household’s

Savings rates 40 percent 35 percent 30 percent 25 percent 20 percent

Months needed to save this much 3 months’ coverage 6 months’ coverage 5 9 6 12 7 14 9 18 12 24

What about the unexpected expenses like hospitalization, and house or car repairs? For hospitalization, HMO coverage and insurance can cover the most common causes of hospitalization (hospital income benefit is a good rider to consider). Household should ensure that the breadwinner has sufficient insurance coverage. As for house and car repairs, one can carry out an assessment of the most likely reason a house or car may break down and to prepare for it (take note that home and car insurance can also help in this as well). Bonuses and windfall money

expenses to ensure that appropriate emergency fund can be set up within a reasonable amount of time and discipline is important to prevent possible delays associated with it. Once emergency fund is in established, the household has gotten one step closer to financial stability and peace of mind. John Hero Alfonso Salvador is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 93rd RFP program this January 2022. For inquiries, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text <name><e-mail> <RFP> at 0917-6248110.

Leveraged investors cut bearish positions on yen as year-end risks pile up

EDGE funds have become the least negative on the yen in nine months as jitters over rising US interest rates and the spread of omicron revive demand for the haven currency. Leveraged investors cut bearish positions on the yen for a sixth week to a net

23,031 contracts in the period through December 14, the least since March, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The move coincided with last week’s hawkish Federal Reserve meeting and tighter global movement restrictions to counter the

latest Covid strain. “The yen has got some pretty cheap valuations and when you think about the risk of outbreaks getting worse with the omicron, a stronger yen makes sense,” said Kerry Craig, a global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management in

Melbourne. “If we continue to see more risk-off action, it’d make sense to see the yen benefiting even more into the year-end.” The yen is the best-performing Group-of-10 currency since the end of October, appreciating 0.3 versus the dol-

lar, as the prospect of higher Fed rates and the spread of omicron threaten to derail the global recovery. The currency appreciated against all its major peers Monday after a new round of movement lockdowns were imposed from Edinburgh to California.

Despite its recent gains, the yen is still down about 9 percent against the dollar this year, having weakened through the early part of 2021 amid optimism over global growth and the divergence in policy between the hawkish Fed and the dovish Bank of Japan. Bloomberg News

Art

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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Group shows cap exhibition calendars

Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Steven Yeun, 38; Ray Romano, 64; Samuel L. Jackson, 73; Jane Fonda, 84. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Take a unique approach to the way you handle money, contracts and legal matters this year. It’s OK to do things differently and to climatize your strategy to current economic times. Understanding what’s possible and how you can use what’s available to you to improve your life mentally, physically and financially will help you excel. Think big, maintain integrity and embrace change. Your numbers are 9, 12, 20, 24, 36, 38, 47.

❶ ANAMNESIS,

Ian Quirante, acrylic on canvas

❷

MARIA, JP Pining, acrylic on canvas

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Watch how others react. It’s essential to keep things fair and to offer as much as you receive. Your attitude will help you get the support you need and the rewards you deserve. Stick to the truth, and do your part. HH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Play to win. Make necessary changes. Concentrate on what you do best, and finish what you start. Put your reputation on the line, and don’t disappoint someone you love. A domestic matter will escalate if you aren’t reassuring. HHHH

HOWCASES of multiple artists conclude the exhibition calendar of several local galleries for 2021. Here are some of the ongoing yearend group shows:

‘RE:VIEW 2021,’ BEnCaB MusEuM A MAMMOTH collection of 50 artists take part in the year-ender of BenCab Museum. The showcase, titled RE:VIEW 2021, presents a multitude of varying styles from emerging artists to the more established names. There’s the signature eclectic surrealism of Ian Quirante in Anamnesis and the distinct saccharine cubism of JP Pining in Maria. Elsewhere is a wide range of subject matters and techniques. The participating artists for RE:VIEW 2021 include Abi Dionisio, Antipas Delotavo, Art Lozano, Arturo Sanchez Jr., Azor Pazcoguin, BenCab, Chill, Christian Tamondong, Clairelynn Uy, DengCoy Miel, Dexter Sy, Doktor Karayom, Egg Fiasco, Emmanuel R. Garibay, Francis Commeyne, Guerrero Habulan, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Iggy Rodriguez, Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Jason Montinola, Jason Moss, John Frank Sabado, and Jonathan Ching. Also part of the exhibition are Justin Nuyda, Kelly Ramos, Kim Jerome Santiago, Lee Paje, Leonard Aguinaldo, Lourd de Veyra, Luis Santos, Lynyrd Paras, Marcel Antonio, Max Balatbat, Melvin Culaba, Nemo Aguila, Olan Ventura, Pardo de Leon, Pio Abad, Pow Marin, Renato Habulan, Ronson Culibrina, Shannah Orencio, Soler Santos, Vermont M. Coronel Jr., Virgilio Aviado, Welbart Slowhands, Yao Sampana and Yeo Kaa. RE:VIEW 2021 runs until January 30, 2022 at BenCab Museum’s Gallery Indigo. BenCab Museum is at Km. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, in Metro Baguio. For more information, contact (074) 442-7165, 0920-5301954, 0917-3201347, or bencabartfoundation@gmail.com. ‘ChRIstMas Group shoW,’ FInalE art FIlE THE host gallery of the recently concluded art show

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t be gullible. Get the lowdown, and look at your alternatives. When in doubt, take a pass. Discipline will pay off, especially when it comes to emotional matters. You can’t please everyone, so do what’s right and best for you. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Pay attention to price tags, bargains and shared expenses. Cast your vote to stick to a budget and to pool your resources to make your dollar stretch. Working in unison with someone will have benefits. Plan carefully and make wise decisions. HHH

❶

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Monitor situations and pick up the pace. How you handle matters will dictate your reputation as a leader, a friend or a lover. Choose to be honest, and clear up emotional issues that are holding you hostage. HHH

❷

Alt Philippines mounts another huge presentation to end its 2021 exhibition line-up. On view at Finale Art File until January 8 is its Christmas Group Show, which gathers a little over 100 artists. Among the featured artists are Dex Fernandez, Raffy Napay and MM Yu. Finale Art File is at Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1), 2241 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. Contact 8813-2310 or finaleartfileinc@gmail.com for more details. ‘YEar-End Group shoW,’ undErGround GallErY UNdergroUNd Gallery at Makati Cinema Square also caps off its 2021 exhibitions with a group presentation. Featured in the gallery’s Year-end Group Show are Poeleen Alvarez, Kitty Kaburo, Pam Quinto, Elijah

Santiago, Pinky Urmaza, Ikea Rizalon, Michelle Perez and ND Harn. For more details, contact 0925-5118489, 09157991872, or underground12615@gmail.com. ‘art MErGE @ taGaYtaY,’ nuzEn art GallErY NoT to be left behind in the group show frenzy is Nuzen Art Gallery. The Tagaytay-based art space, which opened in February last year, gathers painters and sculptors in its year-ender, titled Art Merge @ Tagaytay. The featured artists include Lara Latosa, Meneline Wong and Richard Buxani, among many others. Contact 0906-3153710 or nuzenartgallery@gmail.com for more details. Nuzen Art Gallery is at Miara Events Place, Mendez crossing along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in Tagaytay City. n

The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021 Continued from B5 zone,” she says. Liu smashed through the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s comfort zone as its first Asian-led superhero stand-alone in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. His was a career-making turn as Shang-Chi, who combines Spider-Man’s aw-shucks sweetness with lethal fists. The path Tripathi took was far slower. For more than a decade, the Indian actor who relocated to South Korea more than a decade ago, spent countless hours singing in humble theaters and taking on minor film gigs. Then came Squid Game and sudden, massive popularity. The pandemic stopped live theater in its tracks, so Adrienne Warren pivoted. While waiting for

Broadway to restart, she turned to a project she never would have been able had she still been starring in the title role in Tina—The Tina Turner Musical. Warren lost and gained 30 pounds to play civil rights catalyst Mamie Till-Mobley—whose son Emmett Till was brutally murdered in the Jim Crow South—in the upcoming ABC series Women of the Movement. She cofounded the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which uses storytelling to dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism. And when Broadway resumed, she came back to earn her first Tony Award. Idris’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past four seasons of the critically-acclaimed series Snowfall. His breakthrough role landed him other opportunities, including The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, Farming and Netflix’s Outside the Wire. Sweeney sealed her stardom in 2021 with major

roles in the hit HBO miniseries The White Lotus, and Amazon’s sexy psychological thriller The Voyeurs. She also filmed the hotly anticipated second season of Euphoria, which drops in January. On top of all that, Sweeney also started her own production company. Bay Area-rapper Saweetie had landed three Top 40 hits in the last three years but in 2021 she earned two Grammy nods, made her debut on SNL and hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in Hungary. Like her, Alejandro has been on the rise for the past few years, but 2021 catapulted him into another level of success—five songs in the top 50, sold out shows and Grammy recognition. “This year has been my best, and I hope the next one surpasses this one,” he says, something his other nominees might agree with. AP

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Do something joyful, and spend time with loved ones. Get in the spirit of the season and reminisce. Remember who is supportive, and offer a token of your appreciation. Make a move that will alter your life. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be careful who you trust. Someone will misconstrue your actions if you don’t say what’s on your mind. Leave nothing to chance when dealing with matters that can affect your reputation or your status. Look for alternatives, but don’t take risks. HH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Convey what you want and what you are willing to give. Talks will lead to resolutions and help you come to terms with sensitive issues. A celebration is in order, and sharing with someone you love will improve your life. HHHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Get organized. Disregard what others do, and concentrate on responsibilities. Rethink your budget and spending, and don’t make unnecessary last-minute purchases. Listen to common sense, not someone’s persuasive rhetoric. Choose to make a promise instead of offering lavish gifts. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Draw on experience, knowledge and common sense; forge ahead. Share your thoughts and intentions with someone you love, and long-term plans will evolve. A change at home will need your undivided attention. An open discussion will ease stress. HHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take the path of least resistance when you hit a crossroads that lacks continuity. Size up what flows or feels right, then head in that direction. Don’t fight an impossible battle when all that’s required are patience and using your skills properly. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Touch base with people you enjoy being around, and catch up. A discussion will encourage you to think long and hard about the changes you want to make to the way you live and how you spend your downtime. HHHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are prompt, sensitive and questioning. You are intuitive and affectionate.

‘lower extremities’ BY EMILY CARROLL The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Put up with 5 Helps badly? 10 Leave speechless 13 Roughly 14 Loosen, in tailoring 16 Penguins’ and Sharks’ org. 17 Missouri structure that is 630 feet tall 19 Actor Robbins 20 Light-colored wood 21 Expressive music genre 22 Queens team 24 Rock band or sleep stage 25 “___ story short...” 27 Inactive 28 Follow behind 30 Fish commonly served a la Meuniere 34 Oslo’s country: Abbr. 36 Paycheck deduction 37 Defeat in wrestling 38 React under pressure, or a hint to the ends of 17-, 30-, 47- and 65-Across 44 Cheerios grain 45 Bit of advice 46 ___ eye to eye

47 Game called “noughts and crosses” in Britain 51 Some essays or assays 55 Glorify 56 Dessert made by changing 8-Down’s vowel 58 Spare bed, perhaps 59 Pitfalls 62 Square dance partner 63 Christ the Redeemer’s Brazilian city, familiarly 64 End up in a cast? 65 1950s sitcom icon with two Hollywood stars 68 Caps Lock neighbor 69 Canine protector? 70 Alternative to a foil or saber 71 Prez on Mount Rushmore 72 Vacant 73 Attains DOWN 1 Humphrey of The Big Sleep 2 Pencil part that may be chewed 3 Reason for wheezing, perhaps 4 Tobiko, for example

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 18 23 26 29 31 32 33 35 38 39 40 41 42 43 48 49

San Antonio tourist destination Farther than Waze calculation, briefly Civil wrong “Parting is ___ sweet sorrow” (Juliet) Home on the Range animal Delicate deception Trees lining the National Mall Gender-neutral possessive “Hmm...I guess” OB-GYNs, e.g. Deteriorate Tired traveler’s respite UPS vehicle Past partners Tolkien tree creature Campus recruitment grp. One may be potty-trained Shout “Taxi!” Incredulous expression Small complaint Agree out of court Tuition, for one Hard jerk “30” singer

50 52 53 54 57 59 60 61 66 67

Baby bird in an aerie Sticky situation “Throne” Expensive wraps Come back from behind Cellphone plan component Mysterious marking Too-good-to-be-true offer Little terror Say “Ple-e-ease,” say

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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GMA marks holidays by staying true to core values UNPARALLELED “Serbisyong Totoo,” as its slogan goes, the English translation of which is “true service,” remains at the heart of GMA Network. Fully utilizing the network’s wide reach across the country—complemented by its second freeto-air channel GTV; digital channels Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart Movies, and DepEd TV; GMA Regional TV (RTV) stations; as well as radio station DZBB, and all Super Radyo stations nationwide— the media giant continues to enrich the lives of Filipinos with its various public service programs and initiatives across all its on-air and online platforms as well as on-ground. Touted as the network with a heart, GMA has been steadfast in living up to its commitment to public service even if it means having to go the extra mile. From keeping the public well-informed and aware of the most pressing issues today, starting with eye-opening discussions on various concerns, to providing much-needed assistance to those in dire need of help and calling out authorities to take action, and up to reuniting families and loved ones, GMA remains at the forefront of public service. Providing viewers news and information throughout the day are the newscasts 24 Oras and 24 Oras Weekend, Unang Hirit’s “Unang Balita,” and Saksi. On GTV, simulcasts of 24 Oras, 24 Oras Weekend, and Saksi are also available in addition to Balitanghali, Breaking News, Dobol B TV, State of the Nation, Dapat Alam Mo!, and Regional TV News. Up-tothe-minute and breaking reports are also available throughout the day via news bulletins on both GMA and GTV. The network continues to produce programs attuned to the changing needs and interests of viewers in every part of the globe. Its bumper crop of multi-awarded programs are led by Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Unang Hirit, Wish Ko Lang!, Imbestigador, I-Witness, AHA!, Born to Be Wild, Pera Paraan, Pinoy MD, The Atom Araullo Specials; as well as infotainment shows Amazing Earth, iBilib, Makulay ang Buhay, AgriPreneur, and long-running public service program Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko. Its service to the public awareness and information extends on GTV via Reporter’s Notebook, Good News Kasama si Vicky Morales, Tunay na Buhay, Stories of Hope, On Record, Biyahe ni Drew, Brigada, I Juander, Becoming Pinoy, Oh My Job!, Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika, and Pinoy A+ Filipino Stories for Kids. Moreover, with stations strategically located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, GMA through its regional arm, GMA RTV, brings even more public service beyond Metro Manila via its flagship newscasts and morning shows that span the regions. Additionally, GMA’s broadcast of DepEd TV in its digital channel is part of the network’s efforts to help the government curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country, and at the same time provide Filipino students access to quality education while keeping them safe at home. Various public service programs and announcements are also aired on its digital channels Heart of Asia, Hallypop, and I Heart Movies. Just as the pandemic continues to ravage the world including the Philippines, GMA’s public service also transcends the airwaves, with the network continuously innovating to reach more Filipinos amidst the challenges of living in the new normal. It tirelessly extends assistance to underserved communities and Filipinos in need of immediate aid through its socio-civic arm GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF). The foundation has always been quick to respond during typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and Covid-19 relief efforts through its Operation Bayanihan disaster relief program which has helped 268,447 beneficiaries. Under GMAKF’s Operation Bayanihan is the “Labanan Natin ang Covid-19” campaign which included the distribution of PPEs to 131 public hospitals to protect frontliners. The foundation has also distributed fully loaded grocery packs to over 4,784 families in locked-down communities during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period. Equally giving importance to long-term aid for disaster recovery, GMAKF continuously built schools, bridges and houses to help rebuild communities. To date, 852 sturdy houses have been constructed in various Kapuso Villages nationwide. Over 500 classrooms were built under the Kapuso School Development Project. And a total of six steel and concrete bridges have now been completed in the Kapuso Tulay Para sa Kaunlaran project. For the past seven decades, viewers here and abroad have put their trust on GMA as their constant companion through triumphs and adversities. In turn, the network stays true to its core—putting heart in everything it does and innovating ways to further provide “Serbisyong Totoo” to the public, especially to those who need it the most.

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Merry December for Mon and Maja A

CTORS Mon Confiado and Maja Salvador hit it off well during the filming of the Mikhail Red movie Arisaka, produced by Paul Soriano’s Ten-17 Productions. “Mon is a solid actor. I am not only awed by his intensity as an actor but also inspired by how he commits to a role and how he breathes life to every new character,” Salvador raved about her coactor, adding, “Local actors in general look up to him and we are taken by his on-point transformations when he prepares for a role. And he is just so professional and extremely pleasant on the set.” In Arisaka, which had its world premiere at the recent Tokyo International Film Festival, Confiado took the role of the main antagonist to the next level, and both he and Salvador consistently pushed each other as their respective characters unraveled from frame to frame. “I am grateful for having been entrusted this wonderful role by both our director Mikhail Red and our producer, Paul Soriano. I would have wanted to fly to Japan to attend the festival had it not been for the very strict travel protocol and safety restrictions in place during the festival period. Hopefully, when the film goes to other festivals, and when the risks to travel are properly addressed, I would get the chance to join the Arisaka team to present the film to international audiences,” Confiado said. The people involved in the film are thrilled by the warm reception and high praises from those who have seen the movie, and the film continues to create ripples as it recently premiered on the popular streaming service Netflix. “For an actor like me to have a film on Netflix is already a big achievement. It not only means that the movies we make these days will be made available to a bigger audience, but it also challenges us to levelup and be at par with world standards,” volunteered Salvador. Many are confident that both Confiado and Salvador will take home a few acting awards next year

for their brave and brilliant performances in Arisaka. Meanwhile, the two esteemed actors are currently working together again in the Cignal TV5 series Niña, Niño, and Confiado couldn’t contain his excitement when he told us that he just came back from Dolores, Quezon, after a few weeks of locked-in work for this TV series. “I am so happy to be able to work with Maja again. I adored her when we worked together in Arisaka. As an actor, Maja has this quiet intensity that does not need a lot of dialogue to convey an emotion. And she always comes to the set prepared. She continues to excel after she got her Urian acting trophy for the movie Thelma some years ago. I secretly wish that my time to take home the Urian trophy will also come soon,” Confiado said, almost in a whisper. However, we sure the

universe heard what he said. Confiado is certainly on a roll. He is in the main cast of Erik Matti’s 7 Days of Hell, for HBO Asia’s Folklore Season 2. And he is also included in the cast of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Nelia. A few days ago, Confiado was bestowed the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award during the virtual FAMAS awards ceremony for his exemplary commitment to his craft, his longevity, and his very high level of professionalism and excellence. Confiado and Salvador are both enjoying the Christmas break at this time, while eagerly looking forward to resume work for their TV series after the New Year festivities. One thing for sure, both Mon and Maja are having one of their merriest Decembers ever. n

FROM left: Mon Confiado and Maja Salvador

The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021 IF 2020 was a pandemic-induced pause, 2021 was when things started up again, albeit slowly and timidly. But that doesn’t describe this year’s eight Associated Press’s Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year: They seized their masks—and the moment. They are Damson Idris, Simu Liu, Rachel Zegler, Rauw Alejandro, Adrienne Warren, Saweetie, Anupam Tripathi and Sydney Sweeney. Each found ways to share their art despite virus fears and variants. The year went quickly for Zegler, who had beat out thousands for the part of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. The pandemic pushed the film’s release a year but she didn’t stop. Zegler was cast in and filmed the sequel to Shazam and snagged the role of Snow White in the live-action reimagining with Gal Gadot playing the evil queen.

THE Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, according to AP: top row from left, singer-rapper Rauw Alejandro, actor Damson Idris, actor Simu Liu, rapper Saweetie; bottom row from left, actor Sydney Sweeney, actor Anupam Tripathi, actor Adrienne Warren and actor Rachel Zegler. AP

Continued on B4

Catch Side A, MYMP live at RWM’s Grand Bar and Lounge WITH the return of live entertainment in Resorts World Manila (RWM), the country’s premier lifestyle and entertainment destination brings back the best ballads and pop hits from OPM’s popular powerband Side A and acoustic duo MYMP this December at RWM Grand Wing’s The Grand Bar and Lounge. Side A has been a staple in the Philippine music scene for over three decades after releasing their self-titled debut album in 1989. The award-winning band is best known for their famous hit single “Forevermore,” which won the 1995 Song of the Year from Awit Awards. Relive the band’s greatest hits and watch Side A perform live on December 21 and 28, 9 pm, at the Grand Bar and Lounge. MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud) broke into the local music scene in the early aughts with the release of their debut record, Soulful Acoustic, in 2003. They quickly

SIDE A and MYMP

became one of the country’s biggest-selling multiplatinum acts, with their famous covers of the hits “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways,” “Tell Me Where It Hurts,” “Especially for You” and more. Get the chance to sing along with MYMP’s timeless hits on December 22 and 29, also 9 pm at the Grand Bar and Lounge. Door charge is at P800 per person, with consumable food and drinks.

Guests must be at least 21 years old. Following the smashing success of its first foray back to live concerts and shows, RWM is in full-steam to setting the NPAT stage for the grandest countdown party in its side of the metro. The Grand Countdown to 2022 sees “A New Age is Dawning” with a back-to-back Aegis and The Dawn concert hosted by Nicole Laurel

Asensio on New Year’s Eve at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. For inquiries, contact Girah Manaligod at 0917-8728309, Neil Crisostomo at 0917-6589378, or King Feria at 0917-8239602. RWM adheres to strict implementation of the standard health and safety protocols set by the IATF and DOH. More information can be found at www.rwmanila.com.

B6 Tuesday, December 21, 2021

GBP, Iloilo City partner for La Paz Plaza development

Security Bank Foundation turns over school building in Bocaue, Bulacan

LOBAL Business Power Corporation (GBP) through its subsidiaries, Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) and Panay Power Corporation (PPC), sealed a partnership with the Iloilo City Government for the enhancement of the La Paz Plaza – the city’s largest park and among the most visited recreation places in the area. The P15-million public-private development project shall transform the existing plaza lagoon into a ‘Blue Koi Lagoon’ and establish a ‘Green Butterfly Garden’, targeted for implementation starting this December. Located within GBP’s two adopted barangays in Divinagracia and Lopez Jaena Norte, the improvement of Iloilo City’s widely renowned park is intended to promote the La Paz Plaza as a cultural and tourism spot. “Being the host city of our power plants, Iloilo has been more than welcoming and supportive of our Company’s endeavors through the years. In return, we have always aimed to create and participate in meaningful projects that would help raise

the quality of life and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community”, said GBP President Jaime T. Azurin. “We sincerely hope that through this development project, we can be of assistance in elevating the La Paz Plaza as a modern recreation area for culture and sports, wherein residents and tourists could enjoy, unwind and nurture creativity”, he added. In addition, GBP turned over Dungon seedlings to the Iloilo City LGU to aid in propagating the mangrove species within the recreation grounds. This donation aims to increase the population of the tropical wetland tree, significantly contributing to the overall restoration of various waterways and rivers traversing the city. GBP is a wholly owned subsidiary of MERALCO PowerGen (MGen). As a member of the ONE MERALCO Group, GBP is one in powering the good life of the Filipino through meaningful partnerships with the government that aim to make meaningful impact and lasting value for the community.

AMIDT THE PANDEMIC, SECURITY BANK INAUGURATED A TWO-STOREY, SIX-CLASSROOM SCHOOL BUILDING IN BOCAUE, BULACAN, FROM LEFT: Monalisa Mendoza (Security Bank Bocaue Branch Business Manager), Michael Brian Carandang (Security Bank Bulacan and Nueva Ecija Area Head), Hon. Jose C. Santiago, Jr. (Bocaue Municipal Mayor), Dr. Cecilia S. Custodio (Department of Education Bulacan Division School Governance and Operations Division Head), Hon. Jerome Reyes (Bocaue Councilor), Atty. Sherwin Najito Tugna (Guest), Hon. Mirasol Bautista (Bocaue Councilor), and Ma. Alma Balanza (Beneficiary School Principal)

ECURITY Bank Corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) turned over a two-storey, six-classroom school building to Cong. Erasmo R. Cruz Memorial Central School (CERCMCS) in Bocaue, Bulacan on October 19, 2021. Despite the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SBFI sustained its Build a School, Build a Nation Program, which involves providing classrooms for public schools to address the country’s need for additional learning environments. The program also provides teachers from beneficiary schools with training and educational videos to support distance learning delivery.

The community of Bocaue, led by Hon. Mayor Jose C. Santiago, Jr., affirmed that the donated school buildings will boost Bocaue’s vision of becoming a “progressive and dynamic community that delivers and provides genuine, effective, and efficient services to the people including quality education, as the youth will become the future leaders and movers of the community.” Security Bank Corporation, through SBFI, is committed to provide long-term value to its clients and stakeholders, including the communities where it operates. “This school building donation affirms that Security Bank is committed to add meaningful value to its clients’ communities,” said Security

Bank Bocaue Branch Business Manager Monalisa Mendoza. By the end of 2021, SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 123 schools located in 69 cities/municipalities. The Foundation marks this achievement to celebrate Security Bank’s 70th anniversary this year. When face-toface classes resume, these beneficiary public schools will have enough classrooms to welcome students, most especially if physical distancing will continue to be implemented. For more information about Security Bank Foundation, you may visit www. securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/SecurityBank.

Eng Bee Tin kicks off its 110th year by paying it forward

OR this holiday season, and as a prelude to its year-long anniversary celebrations next year, Eng Bee Tin - the Chinese pastry shop in Binondo, Chinatown - hosted several holiday activities as a show of thanksgiving for all their loyal customers. Eng Bee Tin welcomes the holidays with a gracious spirit, generous giveaways, and exciting new flavors as they rev up for the holidays and their milestone 110th year anniversary in March 2022. “We wouldn’t be where we are now without the full support of our loyal customers, which is why we wanted to give back!” says Gerik Chua, Operations Head. As pasasalamat to the selfless and hardworking delivery riders, who have helped the nation during this pandemic, Eng Bee Tin gave away 500 Christmas gift packages, filled with all their best-selling delicacies such as hopia, tikoy, mochi, and so much more to make the riders’ Christmases so much brighter. The event was held last December 13, 2021 from 9am to 12nn at their Binondo Flagship Store and was attended by riders from different apps such as Grab, Lalamove, Angkas, Mr. Speedy and more. Spreading joy this season, loyal patrons can also get in on the fun with 2 sets of 3 giveaway feasts from The Great Buddha Café. Click this link https:// tinyurl.com/EngBeeTinGiveaway to join! The immense success of Eng Bee Tin has made them an icon of Chinoy delicacies that have become part and

parcel of every Filipino celebration. “We’re proud to have made history and have our community of loyal customers be part of our heritage,” shares the third generation Gerry Chua. The story of Eng Bee Tin started in 1912 through Chua Chiu Hong, a Chinese native who sought greener pastures in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the pastures weren’t that green afterall. They have gone through turbulent times with numerous bouncing cheques. It was only when Gerry Chua, the eldest of Hong’s grandchildren, took reign that Eng Bee Tin blossomed into a grand food empire, beginning with the best-selling Hopia Ube, which Gerry introduced. “The Hopia Ube innovation was a game-changer, both for Eng Bee Tin and for the whole industry. Today you’ll even have China’s own version of Hopia Ube!” exclaims Gerry. Since the ‘90s, Eng Bee Tin has been exporting its delicious fare to 15 countries around the world. Locally, Eng Bee Tin also has 32 branches around the metro and seven restaurants, including Mr. Ube, Chuan Kee, Cafe Mezzanine, and The Great Buddha Cafe. Today, Gerry’s three children are ushering the business into a new

century of success, with more delicious innovations and robust expansion. And as they look forward to the new year with wonder and excitement, they never forget to look back with gratitude and a charitable heart. As their father always reminds them, “this success is a result of determination, good heart, and a touch of luck so always Pay It Forward”. Their father Gerry has always had a big heart for volunteerism and is, in fact, a volunteer firefighter for decades. He was the president of Binondo Paco Fire Volunteer brigade, founder of TxtFire Philippines Foundation, and has since donated over 10 fire trucks and 3 ambulances to the community. Their restaurant, Café Mezzanine, donates all its profits to support the fire volunteer brigade. “Aside from food, these endeavors have been my means of paying it forward to our supportive community,” says Gerry. Christmas is all about giving, and Eng Bee Tin is making sure to pay it all forward with gifts and endeavors that keep on giving! For more information, you may visit their Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/iloveengbeetin or website https://www.ubedelivery.com/.

JOINING THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY ARE, FROM LEFT: Iloilo City Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, GBP First Vice President and Panay Site Head Petronilo Madrid, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Iloilo City First Lady Mrs. Rosalie Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor Hon. Jerry Treñas, and GBP President Jaime Azurin.

Vie residences at Southern Plains in Laguna: Modern houses for the ‘new normal’ and the future

OST pandemic, today’s home should have lots of sunshine and fresh air. Vie by VCDC at Southern Plains, Calamba, Laguna, best exemplify this. Vie is French for Life, and as VCDC president and CEO Victor Consunji quipped, it was the most serendipitous of names to call his new venture with Southern Plains, as it also brings to mind the initial of his first name and the company. VCDC and Southern Plains recently mounted a walk-through event that highlighted why this partnership, along with One Square Meter, is such an ideal one. It’s a fusion of location, design, and building knowhow — all packaged in interesting offers and model units that really put quality of life postpandemic, at the forefront. Home automation, use of natural light and solar panels, a great outdoor-indoor feature, the flexibility to move spaces around, and a host of other attractive design notions -- were all put together by lead architect Nico Bacani, and interior designer Ria F. Prieto. Literally bringing the outdoors, there is this mandatory option for garden and indoor greenery. The plantitas and plantitos would definitely appreciate this aspect of the overall design: instead of just bringing pots with plants into the house, one can literally create an indoor garden. Tina B. Garcia, owner of Southern Plains, said that the subdivision has been around since the mid-90s, but the continuous sprawl

of development southward, and how it was conveniently located right before the congestion of the SLEX toll plaza, may make this one of the most attractive investments of the day. This comes with the unique selling proposition at the heart of the collaboration between VCDC and Southern Plains: client basically choose one of the model units that VCDC has constructed, and with enough leeway for customization and “variations on the theme of,” you acquire a Southern Plains lot and have VCDC handle the construction of your home. And there’s more: a host of limited partnerships that VCDC has forged with a variety of suppliers for your home furnishings, appliances, and accessories. As Lana Johnson, VCDC marketing director, half-joked, all you had to do was move in with your clothes, when all is ready. That’s the kind of servicing that VCDC is known for — putting the client first and delivering beyond the call of duty. Head to the Vie by VCDC social media platforms to learn more about exciting offers, and how modern and comfortable can blend with practical and affordable when you have VCDC in charge. “This isn’t merely about building houses or even finding you a new home, it’s also about your life, your future — and that’s why Vie wanted to ensure you have the best options and design choices,” Consunji said.

VCDC president and CEO Victor Consunji (extreme left) offers a toast to celebrate the partnership with the Southern Plains and other stakeholders.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World

US soldiers fuel Omicron fear in Japan amid Covid outbreak

n outbreak at a US military base in Japan is fueling concern about the Omicron variant, months after the nation saw a record Delta wave of infections ebb. More than 180 people are part of the cluster at the US military Camp Hansen on the island prefecture of Okinawa, Chief Cabinet Secretar y Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on Monday. Though it’s unclear how many, if any, of the infections were caused by the Omicron variant as the military doesn’t genetically sequence its cases, concern is growing that the highly transmissible new variant is spreading as two people connected to the base have been confirmed to have it. They are an American woman in her 50s who works at Camp Hansen and her Japanese husband, who is in his 60s, the Okinawa Times reported on Sunday. The couple lives outside of the military facility. About 60 people have been identified as their close contacts.

Further restrictions

While infection control measures such as wearing masks are in place, Japanese officials requested further restrictions on activities inside and outside the base in order to alleviate the anxiety of the local residents, Matsuno said. People who violate the rules should be punished for the infractions, he said. Those who are diagnosed with the virus are strictly isolated on the base and their close contacts

are being traced jointly with the local government, Matsuno said. The number of cases in Japan plunged to less than 100 a day, a 17-month low, in November from a daily peak of 25,000 during the summer, despite reopening the economy in October. Well over 77 percent of the population of 126 million is completely vaccinated, making Japan one of the most immunized developed countries in the world. So far the nation has seen a total of 65 cases of Omicron, and most were detected at the borders. When the new variant was first identified last month, Japan halted new entry by foreigners to stop its spread, one of the most aggressive reactions globally. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to expedite a rollout of vaccine booster shots for the most vulnerable people.

Beach parties

It’s not the first time American military bases helped the virus spread in Japan. Covid clusters emerged last year following Fourth of July celebrations when US personnel visited off-base beach parties and drinking spots. The incidents led the local government to make several requests, including halting transfers of US personnel to the southern island. Okinawa is home to about half of the 54,000 US personnel in Japan, and the heavy American presence has been a source of contention since the end of World War II. Bloomberg News

Energy prices soar in Europe as deep freeze seen arriving

urope is bracing for energ y shor tages as freezing weather sets in, boosting demand and sending prices surging at a time supply just can’t keep up. Temperatures are forecast to fall below zero degrees Celsius in several European capitals this week, straining electricity grids already coping with low wind speeds and severe nuclear outages in France. To make matters worse, Russia intends to keep natural gas flows through a major transit route to Germany limited on Monday after capping supplies over the weekend. Energ y prices have spiraled out of control this year, w ith European gas pr ices surging some 600 percent. Prices surged as much as 8.8 percent early Monday, while short-term electricity prices jumped in auctions Sunday. In France, power for deliver y on Monday rallied to the highest level since a rare spike in 2009, while Germany prices were the third highest on record. R i si ng pr ices h ave f ueled inf lation, a headache for policy makers already contending with the spread of the Omicron variant just before the holiday season. Geopol it ica l tensions between Russia and Ukraine cou ld a lso ma ke things worse, with a potential invasion likely to send prices even higher. Jeremy Weir, c h ief e xecutive of f icer of commod it ies t rader Tra f ig u ra Group, l ast mont h wa r ned t hat Eu rope cou ld e x per ience rol l ing bl ac kouts in case of a cold w inter. A nd t hat was before Elect r ic ite de Fra nce SA sa id it was

ha lt ing reactors accou nting for 10 percent of t he nat ion’s nuc lea r capac it y, leav ing t he reg ion at t he merc y of weat her at t he height of w inter in Ja nua r y a nd Febr u a r y. Benchmark Dutch gas prices jumped to almost 149 euros a megawatt-hour, the highest for a most-active contract since a 40 percent surge on October 6. Traders are also on edge as auctions for pipeline capacity next month will provide an indication as to whether Gazprom PJSC intends to boost supplies in January. With nuclear outages biting, electricity producers will have to use more gas to keep the lights on. But Russia plans to keep flows into Germany via the key Yamal-Europe pipeline capped, potentially forcing Europe to reply on its already depleted gas inventories. Storage sites are only 60 percent filled, a record low for this time of year. Only 4 percent of capacity was allocated for Monday to send gas through Germany’s Mallnow station, where the pipeline crossing Belar us and Poland terminates. That compares with about 35 percent of capacity that Russia has booked for most days this month. And there’s no relief in sight. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal levels in the UK, Denmark and northern Germany next week. While traders expect more liquefied natural gas to come to rescue due to lower demand in Asia, cargo diversions will take some time and increased arrivals at European ports are unlikely to come before January. Bloomberg News

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Fauci says Omicron variant is ‘raging around the world’

ILMINGTON, Del.—The Covid-19 Omicron variant is “just raging around the world,” the White House’s top medical adviser said Sunday as President Joe Biden prepares to issue “a stark warning of what the winter will look like” for unvaccinated Americans. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “the real problem” for the US hospital system is that “we have so many people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated who have not yet been vaccinated.” The prospect of a winter chilled by a wave of coronavirus infections is a severe reversal from the optimism projected by Biden some 10 months ago, when he suggested at a CNN town hall that the country would essentially be back to normal by this Christmas. Biden has been careful not to overpromise, yet confidence in the country has been battered by an unrelenting wave of Covid-19 mutations and variations that have left many Americans emotionally exhausted, dispirited and worried about infections. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, tried to defend the president’s earlier promise in a separate interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The idea about hoping and having an aspiration to be independent of the virus after a period of time is understandable and reasonable,” Fauci said. “But the one thing that we know from, now, almost two years’ experience with this virus is that it is really very unpredictable.” With the threat that rising in-

fections could worsen the supply chain challenges facing the United States and fuel inflation, Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., said Biden should stop talking about vaccination as two shots and a booster and instead call it “three doses” that are needed to maximize protection. Polis pivoted to inflation that is running at a nearly four-decade high, saying Biden in his remarks on Tuesday about the omicron variant needed to show the country how he is addressing the rising cost of goods. “We can do ver y concrete things that actually reduce the costs for Americans,” Polis said on NBC, noting that Colorado is cutting vehicle registration fees and making it free to register a new business. The administration is expecting a series of breakthrough infections with the surge of holiday travelers. Fauci said most people who have been vaccinated and gotten a booster should be fine if they take precautions such as wearing masks in crowded settings including airports. Biden plans to speak Tuesday on the status of the fight against Covid-19 and discuss government help for communities in need of assistance, White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted. She also said he will be “issuing a stark warning of what the winter will look like for Americans that choose

President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with members of the White House Covid-19 Response Team in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on December 16. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sits at right. AP/Susan Walsh

to remain unvaccinated.” Fauci was asked on CNN whether he expected a record numbers of cases—and what about hospitalizations and deaths. “Yes, well, unfortunately, I think that that is going to happen,” he said. Fauci told NBC the president would again urge people to get the booster shot, highlight increased availability of testing, discuss “surge teams” for besieged hospitals and explain how important it is to provide vaccines for the rest of the world. “ The one thing that’s ver y clear, and there’s no doubt about this, is its extraordinary capability of spreading, its transmissibility capability. It is just, you know, raging through the world, really,” Fauci said. “And if you look even here in the United States, you have some regions that start off with a few percent of the isolates that are positive, now going up to 30 percent, 40 percent, and some places 50 percent.” Psaki’s announcement Saturday on Twitter came after Vice President Kamala Harris said in a Los Angeles Times interview that the Biden administration “didn’t

Leftist millennial wins as Chile’s next president

ANTIAGO, Chile—A leftist millennial who rose to prominence dur ing antigovernment protests was elected Chile’s next president Sunday after a bruising campaign against a free-market firebrand likened to Donald Trump. With 56 percent of the votes, Gabriel Boric handily defeated by more than 10 points lawmaker José Antonio Kast, who tried unsuccessfully to scare voters that his inexperienced opponent would become a puppet of his allies in Chile’s Communist Party and upend the country’s vaunted record as Latin America’s most stable, advanced economy. In a model of democratic civility that broke from the polarizing rhetoric of the campaign, Kast immediately conceded defeat, tweeting a photo of himself on the phone congratulating his opponent on his “grand triumph.” He then later traveled personally to Boric’s campaign headquarters to meet with his rival. Meanwhile, outgoing President Sebastian Pinera—a conservative billionaire—held a video conference with Boric to offer his government’s full support during the three month transition. Amid a crush of supporters, Boric vaulted atop a metal barricade to reach the stage where he initiated in the indigenous Mapuche language a rousing victory speech to thousands of mostly young supporters.

T he bearded, bespectac led p r e s i d e nt - e l e c t h i g h l i g ht e d the progressive positions that launched his improbable campaign, including a promise to fight climate change by blocking a proposed mining project in what is the world’s largest copper producing nation. He also promised to end Chile’s private pension system—the hallmark of the neoliberal economic model imposed by the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. “ We are a generation that emerged in public life demanding our rights be respected as rights and not treated like consumer goods or a business,” Boric said. “We know there continues to be justice for the rich, and justice for the poor, and we no longer will permit that the poor keep paying the price of Chile’s inequality.” He also gave an extended shout out to Chilean women, a key voting bloc who feared that a Kast victory would roll back years of steady gains, promising they will be “protagonists” in a government that will seek to “leave behind once and for all the patriarchal inheritance of our society.” In Santiago’s subway, where a fare hike in 2019 triggered a wave of nationwide protests that exposed the shortcomings of Chile’s free market model, young supporters of Boric, some of them waving flags emblazoned with the candidate’s name, jumped and shouted in unison as they headed

downtown to join thousands who gathered for the president-elect’s victory speech. “This is a historic day,” said Boris Soto, a teacher. “We’ve defeated not only fascism, and the right wing, but also fear.” A t 3 5, B or ic w i l l b e come Chile’s youngest modern president when he takes office in March and only the second millennial to lead in Latin America, after El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. Only one other head of state, Giacomo Simoncini of the citystate San Marino in Europe, is younger. His government is likely to be closely watched throughout Latin America, where Chile has long been a harbinger of regional trends. It was the first country in Latin America to break with the U.S. dominance during the Cold War and pursue socialism with the election of Salvador Allende in 1970. It then reversed course a few years later when Pinochet’s coup ushered in a period of rightwing military rule that quickly launched a free market experiment throughout the region. Boric’s ambitious goal is to introduce a European-style social democracy that would expand economic and political rights to attack nagging inequality without veering toward the authoritarianism embraced by so much of the left in Latin America, from Cuba to Venezuela. AP

see Delta coming. I think most scientists did not—upon whose advice and direction we have relied—didn’t see Delta coming.” She added: “We didn’t see Omicron coming. And that’s the nature of what this, this awful virus has been, which as it turns out, has mutations and variants.” T he v ice president’s words raised doubts as to the administration’s strategy for addressing the pandemic. Biden had effectively declared independence from the virus at a White House celebration on July Fourth to mark progress with vaccinations inside the United States, yet the global nature of the pandemic meant that the disease could evolve as others around the world waited for immunization. Fauci told NBC he saw the variants coming and he thought Harris’ statement “was taken a bit out of context,” adding he believed she was referring to “the extraordinary number of mutations...particularly with Omicron. No one had expected it that much but we were well-prepared and expected that we were going to see variants.” AP

Rescue workers in Malaysia free people trapped by flooding

UALA LUMPUR, Malaysi a—R esc ue tea m s on Monday worked to free people trapped by Malaysia’s worst flooding in years after heavy rains stopped following more than three days of torrential downpours in the capital and around the country. At least three people were reported to have died as a result of the flooding. At least 10,000 people were trapped by floods over the weekend and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said rains had dumped more water on the capital and surrounding Selangor state than the monthly average for this time of the year, which is marked by monsoons and wet weather. The amount of rain that fell in Selangor on Saturday “would usually fall in one month,” he said at a news conference on Sunday. The area around the capital saw more than 10,000 people evacuated from flooded homes. Many people were also trapped in cars along flooded highways after rivers burst their banks. Tens of thousands of rescue personnel were deployed in Selangor and other parts of the country to deal with the aftermath of the severe weather. AP

Sports

PSC plays good samaritan, godfather to national team

BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, December 21, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

TIGER & SON SHOW, ALMOST...

RLANDO, Florida—Tiger Woods might not be ready for tour-level golf. He can still deliver quite a show. In a remarkable return from a car crash 10 months ago that badly damaged his right leg, Woods and 12-year-old son Charlie set a tournament record with 11 straight birdies and pushed John Daly and his college son all the way to the finish Sunday in the PNC Championship. Daly and John Daly II, a freshman at Arkansas, shot 57 in the scramble format and won by two shots. It might have been the widest Woods ever smiled after a runner-up finish. “The fact that I’m able to have this opportunity this year—even a couple weeks ago we didn’t really know whether or not I would be doing this,” Woods said. “But here we are. And we had just best time ever.” The birdie streak began on the seventh hole when Woods hit a half-wedge into a foot. Charlie holed a 10-footer on the next hole, stooping to pick up the marker before the ball was even in the cup, another moment where the confident son looked a lot like his father. It was like that over the final two hours, Woods often hitting the key irons and Charlie making the putts. They briefly had the lead after a birdie on the 14th and the margin was thin the rest of the way until the very end. Daly, playing two groups behind, birdied the 16th hole to regain the lead. He and his son stayed in front when Team Woods chipped too strong on the par-5 closing hole and each of them missed 8-foot birdie putts. They shot 57 with only four pars, two of them on par 5s. “We thought we’d have to birdie every hole on the back nine, and it

turned out to be that way,” Woods said. “But man, what a blast it was. We just had a blast all day.” Daly and son two-putted for birdie on the 18th and set the record that mattered. They finished at 27-under par, breaking by one the mark set by Davis Love III and his son three years ago. “Yesterday, it was all him. I putted so bad,” Daly said. “I finally hit some decent shots. He played unbelievable. I played a little better today. I made him happy.” The most famous encounter between Woods and Daly was in 2005 at Harding Park in a World Golf Championship, which ended in a playoff when Daly three-putted from 15 feet. Woods was charging again—Tiger and Charlie—except Team Daly didn’t flinch. Daly hit 7-iron into the wind to short range on the 16th for birdie, and he coaxed in a four-foot par putt on the 17th to stay ahead. The most popular offseason event that pairs major champions and a family member suddenly felt tense on a warm Florida afternoon, all because of Woods and everything that led to him playing again. Woods suffered multiple injuries to his right leg on February 23 when his SUV traveling about 85 mph crashed through a median and down a hill in the Los Angeles suburbs. He said amputation was a possibility. It took three months for him to get on his feet with help of crutches. And he ended the year in a Sunday red shirt, holing birdie putts and delivering short irons that led to one birdie after another and a chase that felt like old times. This wasn’t just about Woods. His son, playing this event for the second straight year, delivered the goods down the stretch, particularly a 5-iron to 4

feet on the par-3 17th that gave them a tie for the lead going to the 18th. Team Daly held it steady behind them. It was only one month ago when Woods first posted a three-second video showing him hitting a short iron with the message, “Making progress.” He was hitting balls at the back of the range at Albany in the Bahamas two weeks ago. He was able to ride a cart at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, which helped him get by in the 36hole event on a flat course. He kept insisting that playing at a high level against the best players in the world is still a long way and a lot of work ahead of him. But there was no shortage of birdies, big shots and loads of hopes for a fairy tale ending. “The competitive juices, they are never going to go away,” Woods said. “This is my environment. This is what I’ve done my entire life. I’m just so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to do it again. “Earlier this year was not a very good start to the year and it didn’t look very good,” he said. “But the last few weeks, to push as hard as we have the last seven months...and to have this opportunity to be able to play with my son and to have these memories, it’s worth all the pain.”

By Josef Ramos

EMON MISU made a moderate impact in her international debut by beating Hongkong’s Chow Hei Wood to bag the Philippines’ third bronze medal in women’s Under-21 – 61 kgs of kumite on Monday in the 17th Asian Karate Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The 20-year-old Misu scored a 3-0 victory in the bronze medal match but later expressed disappointment over her result. Misu lost to Iranian Goldshadnezhad Atousa (1-0) in the first round and got her shot at the bronze in the repechage. “I’m not satisfied and unhappy because I lost against Iran,” Misu told BusinessMirror through kata athlete John Enrico “Joco” Vasquez. “I have to train harder and wiser next time.” Misu is a Filipino-Japanese born

to the former Myrna Villanueva from Caloocan City and Japanese Sumio from Tokyo. She hardly speaks Filipino and English. Vasquez clinched the country’s first bronze medal in the male under-21 and another Filipino-Japanese, Sakura Alforte, clinched the same medal in women’s senior both of kata on Sunday. Vasquez said Misu has a bright future and could be a gold medal prospect in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May. “Her performance against Hong Kong was amazing. We know the Japanese aren’t satisfied with being just a second or third place, all they want is to win gold,” said Vasquez of Misu, who is a sophomore martial arts student at the Kokushikan University in Tokyo. According to Karate Pilipinas President Ricky Lim, Alforte will also

vie for the bronze medal in women’s kata junior class on Tuesday. If Misu wasn’t satisfied with her performance, Lim was especially in her fight against Chow. “We’re happy with the outcome and performance of Lemon,” Lim said. “It’s her first time and she showed a lot of promise. The senior kumite competitions start on Tuesday with 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Junna Tsukii facing South Korea’s Jung Ji Young in Round 1 of the women’s 50 kgs category, and Jamie Lim, also a gold winner in 2019, fighting Chinese-Taipei’s Ku Chih-Ling in women’s 61 kgs class. Alwyn Batican clashes with Hutapea Tebing of Indonesia in the second round of men’s 67 kgs and Ivan Agustin collides with Alzahrani Sultan of Saudi Arabia in the men’s 75 kgs division both of kumite.

Southwoods rules Seniors’ Fil Championship

ANILA Southwoods scored 114 on the final day for a 423 total and bagged the Seniors’ Fil Championship crown of the 71st Fil-Am Golf Invitational in Baguio City over tournament co-hosts Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club at the Camp John Hay Golf Club course over the weekend. Drajdan scored 95 points on the last day for 330, while Camp John Hay Hotels had an 83 for 305 to finish 1-2 in the Fil-A category. Residences at Brent was third with 273 after a 66. EK Amigos weathered a last round rally by its rivals and won the Seniors’ Am-A with 276. The Amigos assembled 61 at Camp John Hay for a seven-shot victory over first-round leader Baguio City. LMG Construction finished third with 268. Team Mcder slowed down with a 59 and 269 to win Fil-B by 24 points over IGC Seniors-Xentromall, which had a 65 and 245. Yutong Philippines had a 73 for also a 245 but took third place after the tiebreaker—Yutong didn’t field a fifth player in the five-to-play, four-to-count tournament. Ryan Monsalve edged Southwoods teammate Ramos for the Fil Champ individual crown. Monsalve closed out with a 35 for 130, while Ramos had 32 for 129. Richard de los Santos of Batangas Barakos finished

tied with Junjun Plana of champion Time Cargo at 1323 but won via countback with his 33 on the penultimate round against Plana’s 26. Group 2 honors went to Yancy Siladan of Benlife with 115 points, Group 3 to Goody Ignacio of BCC with 104 and Marty Manayos of Razcals I in Group 3 with 71. Raul Monoza of Southwoods walked away with the Seniors’ Group 1 title with 124 points, Rudy Lockey of Camp John Hay took the Group 2 title with 104 and Larry Mendoza of EK Amigos bagged the Group 3 crown with 85 points.

The holiday bonus is on top of the national team members’ monthly allowances from the PSC. The PSC management committee, led by Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., meanwhile, met on Monday to finalize the logistics for the care package for the typhoon victims. “This is a force of nature that we cannot control. However, we can do our share to help them get through this,” Ramirez said. “We’ll do all we can with the resources available.” The PSC has been monitoring the situation of members of the national team affected by typhoon Odette which ravaged the Visayas and Mindanao region late last week. “We are closely keeping track of the situation of our athletes. There is quite a number affected like in Bohol where the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas has a small gym which was washed out in the reports we received.” Ramirez said. Iroy is leading the relief efforts in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the transport and delivery of goods like mattresses and bottled water.

POC sends assistance to surfers, coaches in Siargao, Tabal in Cebu

HE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Monday sent financial assistance to 10 surfers and their two coaches in Siargao and Olympic marathoner Mary Joy Tabal in Cebu—all of whom were affected by Typhoon Odette. POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said financial support of P10,000 each were forwarded to the athletes and coaches, many of whom have yet to be heard from because communication lines remained down as of Monday. Tabal is a native of Cebu City, one of the hardest hit areas by the typhoon which ravaged much of the Visayas and parts of Mindanao last week. Ten surfers and two coaches— both members of the national team— also experienced the same fate as Tabal, according to United Philippine Surfing Association President Dr. Jose Raul Canlas.

The Siargao-based national surfers, Canlas said, are John Matthew Carby (with wife and two kids), Manuel Melindo Jr. (with wife and two kids), John Mark Tokong (wife and with one kid) and Nilbie Blancada (with one baby) as well as Jevy Mae Agudo, Philmar Alipayo, Edito Alcala Jr., Eduardo Alciso, Kaikai Alcala (grassroots) and Noah Arkfeld (grassroots) and their respective families. The coaches are John Matthew Carby (with wife and two kids) and Manuel Melindo Jr. (with wife and two kids). The POC and Canlas said it was only Carby who had access to communication. “We hope to get in touch with the others the soonest possible time so we can further our assistance to them,” Tolentino said. “We’re hoping and praying that no other athletes or coaches have been severely affected by the typhoon.”

Patafa to Obiena: Submit to agency’s mediation effort

TIGER WOODS hugs son Charlie Woods on the 18th. AP

KARATEKAS BAG 3 BRONZE MEDALS IN ALMATY ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is playing godfather and good Samaritan to members of the national team this holiday season. Tops on the PSC priorities is Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez’s instruction over the weekend to organize relief efforts for members of the national team severely affected by typhoon Odette. Each member of the national team will also be receiving a cash gift of P10,000, according to Ramirez. There are 1,421 athletes and 349 coaches on the PSC payroll, thus a total of P1.8 million will be released to the national team. Ramirez and Commissioners Mon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin approved the Christmas gift during their last board meeting despite challenges in the sports agency’s resources. “Whatever hinders the income of our benefactors, hinders our cash flow too,” Ramirez said. “However, the holidays will come nevertheless, and we wish for our athletes and coaches to be able to celebrate well with family, too.”

HE Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) advised Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, to submit to mediation at the invitation of the government, through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). In a joint statement on behalf of the Patafa Board of Trustees, Patafa chairman Rufus Rodriguez and president Dr. Philip Ella Juico stressed the sentiment of the federation board that “if Obiena wants to put order in his relationship with his own NSA [national sports association] and continue training and preparation with complete [backup] team and support uninterrupted by hearings and possible legal proceedings, he should seriously consider going into mediation.” Rodriguez and Juico said that “this young man of 26 with a whole career in front of him, is a stranger to and not familiar with serious legal proceedings that will require his time, to dig up critical documents and to appear in inquiries while resources he needs for his training, coach, support staff and accommodation are in serious jeopardy.” Rodriguez and Juico appeared recently in a hearing of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development which was convened to investigate the alleged harassment by Juico and Patafa of Obiena. Juico provided a detailed presentation of the chronology of events on liquidation reports Obiena presented to the PSC claiming that fees to his coach, Ukranian Vitaly Petrov, were paid during the period 2018 to 2021. Petrov had, in his original signed complaint, denied on October 7, 2021, that he had been paid and that he had signed acknowledgment receipts. Upon receiving, however, 85,000 euros belatedly on November 4, 5 and 9, 2021, from non-PSC bank accounts but from accounts of Obiena himself, his mother, Jeanette and Obiena’s principal financial backer, American businessman James Lafferty, Petrov declared that he had been paid in full and provided documents of his receipt of the late payments. The so-called late payments, a Patafa statement said, raised questions about Obiena’s liquidation reports from 2018 to 2021 that made it appear that Petrov’s fees had been paid and acknowledged by the Ukranian as having been paid at that precise time. In the House hearing, Deputy Speaker Rodriguez THE Manila Southwoods Seniors squad—captain Freddie Mendoza, Thirdy Escano, Atty. Judd Roy, Raul Magpantay and Raul Minoza—receive their award from Camp John Hay Golf Club General Manager Jude Eustaquio and Chairman Robert Sobrepena and Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony de Leon.

urged Obiena to to come clean as “he was only digging his own grave” by not explaining the documents and bringing up a case of harassment against Juico before the House and the Ethics Committee of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Juico, on the advice of counsel, questioned the jurisdiction of the POC over an internal NSA matter because Obiena, a member of Patafa, was bringing up a complaint against the president of his federation who had helped him since 2014, together with Sergey Bubka, to get a scholarship at the pole vault training center in Formia, Italy, where he was introduced to Petrov.

RISING GYMNASTICS STAR Jan Mckayla Santos

Cariquitan emerges Level 1 individual all-around champion in the recently concluded TMC Third Gymnastics Friendship Meet 2021 hosted by Westfields International School in Angeles City, Pampanga. She captures gold medals in the vault (9.8), beam (9.7), floor exercise (9.7) and bars (9.5). She is trained by coaches Bayani Gonzales, Revv Lictana and JM Labang.