BusinessMirror February 08, 2022 by BusinessMirror

PNOC-EC invites JV partners for SC 57 ‘Close borders, cut Omicron exposure risk’ By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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By Cai U. Ordinario

the woRLd »B7

Russia hits new Covid-19 ReCoRd; 10 times moRe than a month ago

HE Philippine National Oil @caiordinario Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) has commenced LOSING the country’s borders the farm-in process for Service is one of the most immediate Contract (SC) 57, which is touted courses of action the governto have the most potential among ment must take to prevent the latall its SCs to generate indigenous est Covid-19 variant, Omicron, from gas and oil for the country. reaching Philippine shores, accordAn invite to farm-in released by ing to local economists. the subsidiary of state-run PNOC T he new var iant is a threat, said, “PNOC-EC is in search of e s p e c i a l l y w it h t he hol id ay sjoint venture partners pursue the excoming up and moretoforeigners ploration program in being a llowed to travelSCto57.” the In particular, PNOC-EC is lookPhilippines, De La Sa lle Univering for a joint venture operator sit y economist Mar ia Ella Oplas who will take in a 40-percent partold BusinessMirror. ticipating in bring SC 57. inAlso, The holidaysinterest usually a 30-percent participating interest Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the same contract is open who are eager to spend Christmasto be

PNOC-EC’s joint venture partner. The submission of letter of intent from interested until with their loved ones, parties while is forFebruary 17, while the deadline eigners living in temperate regionsfor submission proposals is on April usually want toof relax in tropical 4 at 12 noon. countries like the Philippines. This “PNOCofEC reserves the right year’s influx OFWs is expected to to accept or reject any proposals be heavier since many of them wereand to annul farm-out process at unable to comethe home for the holidays any time prior to contract award, in December 2020. without thereby incurring any li“My recommendation is to protect ability to the affected third party the borders. Do not allow people with participants,” the notice stated. a history of travel to countries with positivePNOC-EC cases to holds enter,”100-percent Oplas said.interest in the SC, which was awarded “We should be more restrictive. [We by the Department of Energy have to be] more protective in terms on September 15, 2005. of our measures.” SC 57 covers 7,120 Oplas said that while thissquare will bekilometers in offshore Northwest a setback to some industries, this about 50 kilometers is a Palawan, fair measure considering that of Busuanga Island. this could help prevent placing the Rozzano countryPNOC-EC in anotherPresident strict lockdown,

which, she said, the economy can no longer afford. “It is better that we do protective preventive measures than get exposed again. We have a lot to lose,” Oplas said. “We should do it now so that we can open just before Christmas. If it gets contained, we can open it again.” Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD) Associate Director Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes said closing the country’s borders would be effective but should still adhere to the standards set by the World Health Briguez earlier said that SC 57 Organization (WHO). is about two-thirds the size What is needed, Peña-Reyes toldof Malampaya at 1.8 trillion cubic this newspaper, is for travel restricfeet. tions to be put in place swiftly and

It can be recalled that PNOC-EC entered into a farm-in agreement with China National offshore Oil for government to be proactive in Co. (CNOOC), 51 percent and Jadeimposing them. stone (21 percent), in 2006. Previous instances when the The farm-in agreement has country had the opportunity tobeen imsubmitted for approval to Malacapose travel restrictions did not preñang was of hampered towas the vent thebut spread Covid-19.due That issuance of Executive Order (EO) mainly because the decision was not 556 in the same year. made immediately, he said. Section 1 of thepatay EO states that “Kung papatay [If we’re there shall be no “farm in” or “farm slow] and we get caught flat-footout” contracts awarded by any ed, [that’s risky] We were toogovreernment agency. active instead of proactive before. Moreover, Section statesPeña“any We should learn from 7that,” and all negotiations or arrangeReyes said. “It’s a delicate balancing ments by testing any governact. We entered need tointo push and ment agency, including PNOC, tracing to be properly the informed violate thisBlanket/shotgun Executive Order, ofwhich our decisions. shall be immediately approaches could havediscontinued dire conseor canceled.” quences on the economy.” See “PNOC-EC,” A2 See “Omicron,” A2

NATL GOVTTOLD: BORROWINGS BIR, BOC BOOST CYBERSECURITY SYSTEMS FOR 10 MOS DIP TO P2.75T w w

Tuesday, February29,8, 2021 2022 Vol. Vol.17 17 No.52 No. 123 Monday, November

5 agencies leadOmicron accord forrisk crafting local EODB report spurs revival

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s gross borrowings as of end-October shrank by almost 6 percent year-on-year to P2.75 trillion.

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the government’s gross borrowings during the 10-month period fell by 5.99 percent from P2.92 trillion a year ago. With only two months left for this year, the latest figure is already equivalent to 89.6 percent of its P3.07-trillion borrowing program. Broken down, gross domestic borrowings from January to October settled at P2.23 trillion, down by 5.08 percent from P2.35 trillion in 2020. The bulk of the amount was PEOPLE walk past the mural of Gat Andres Bonifacio at Manila City Hall Underpass. sourced from Fixed Rate Treasury The country will celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary (P1.19 trillion), followed by Covid-19 ABonds CHILD who has just been vaccinated against poses with Bonifacio on Tuesday, November 30. ROY DOMINGO Gat Andres short-term borrowings from Bang- Centerhero costumed entertainers at the SM Convention in Taguig City, ko Sentral ng Pilipinas orfor BSP (P540 of minors aged 5 to during the government rollout vaccination billion), Retail Treasury Bonds/Pre11, on Monday, February 7, 2022. The city recorded 9,915 minors who myopre-registered Bonds (P463.3 billion),NONIE Retail REYES have for vaccination. Onshore Dollar Bonds (P80.84 billion). In the same period, there was By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas dating its registry following the them. This allows everyone to see also a net redemption of Treasury @jearcalas enactment of the Coconut Farmwho are listed in the registry and if Bills amounting to P43.94 billion. ers and Industry Trust Fund law. farmer doesn’t see his name then he Net debt redemption means ORE than 3 million Rosales explained that about shall coordinate with the PCA imthere were more debts repaid comcoconut farmers and 500,000 coconut farmers and mediately,” he explained at a recent pared to the amount borrowed durBy Malou Talosig-Bartolome to Taiwan.with After the RT-PCR test workers are now regisworkers were added to the PCA’s dialogue coconut farmers. ing the period. result, they must undergo quartered with the government’s reg2018 list that had about 2.5 million “On the other hand, if people Meanwhile, gross foreign borhasfarm finally alantine. Upon arrival, workers istry, which serves as the basis coconutAIWAN farmers and workers. would see names on the list and rowings in the same period also lowed the entry of Filipino are also required to complete for the number of people to be The PCA’s next step is to conthey think they are not coconut contracted by 9.7 percent to P518.7 Vietnamese workers quarantine at a hotel and covered by the utilization of the duct anand exclusion-inclusion profarmers or their details areselfincorbillion from last year’s P574.4 billion. after an eight-month ban on all management for 21 days. P75-billion coconut levy fund. cedure by making the updated rect, they can report it to the PCA This was raised through global foreign nationals, including miforeign workers and Philippine Coconut Authority farmers’ registry public, providfor“Both immediate action,” he added. bonds (P146.17 billion), program grant workers, in the island due employers must abide by related (PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel ing everyone the opportunity to The PCA official noted that loans (P139.98 billion), euro-deto thethe spike of Covid-19 cases epidemic prevention andlist M. Rosales said about 3.11 million check veracity of the list, Rothe completion of therules initial nominated bonds (P121.97 billion), Finance Secretary Carlos G. tee (Execom) meeting. in 2021. guidelines,” the Taiwan CDC said. coconut farmers and farm worksales added. of coconut farmers registry would a project loan (P86.41 billion), and Dominguez III said the recent Dominguez recentwith comIn anlist advisory online, of ers have beensaid registered the “The will be posted posted in public beAida just Gerodias, in time forpresident the expected yen-denominated samurai bonds hacking incident involving BDO plaints of several teachers about the Taiwan Centers for Disease the Pilipino Manpower Agencies government since it started upspaces where people can easily see rollout of coconut levy-funded (P24.19 billion). Unibank and the Union Bank losing money from their accounts Control has announced Monday Accredited to Taiwan (PILMAT), See “Borrowings,” A2 of the Philippines (UnionBank) in the Land Bank of the Philippines that beginning February 15, said the lifting of the ban is a should serve as a warning to Bu(LandBank) amid the rise in cyber 2022, employers in Taiwan may great relief for 15,000 OFWs who US 50.4600 n JAPAN n UK 67.2329 n bring HK 6.4722 n CHINA 7.9013 n are SINGAPORE 36.8968 AUSTRALIA reau of Internal Revenue (BIR) n attacks also serves as an0.4374 important now in foreign workers now waiting to be n deployed and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) lesson. from the Philippines, Vietnam, to Taiwan anytime. to beef up their cybersecurity LandBank has already issued Indonesia, and Thailand who Most of these OFWs are facmeasures. a statement saying that its sysare fully vaccinated against Cotory workers and caregivers. A “Please make sure that your tems remain secure against any vid-19. factory worker in Taiwan earns cybersecurity measures are up form of hacking, and that its iniAside from the vaccination about NT$25,250 (P45,420) a to date and effective against tial investigation showed the requirement, Filipino workers month, while a caregiver’s salall sorts of threats,” Dominguez teachers were the v ictims of need to be tested for Covid-19 at ary is NT$17,000 (P30,600). See “Relief,” A2 told the two agencies during a phishing. least 72 hours before their flight recent DOF Executive CommitSee “Cybersecurity,” A2

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

n n

HE localized ease of doing business (EODB) report should cover the business sustainability aspect and the impact of streamlining the government transaction processes, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said. On Monday, the joint memorandum circular (JMC) on the establishment of the Philippine Ease Of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Reporting System was launched and signed by the DTI, Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta), Department of Finance, Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, among others. “By having a system in place for regulatory review, assessment and monitoring, the quality and effectiveness of government reforms that affect business operations can be evaluated more accurately,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said during the event. With this, Lopez advised the development of a framework for an indicator system, which shall programs as President Duterte factor in the Sustainable Business is expected to sign the industry Policy Index.plan in early 2022. development

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

HE recent spate of cybersecurity breaches has prompted the Department of Finance (DOF) to ensure that online defenses of the government’s revenue-generating agencies are up to date.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 51.0290

RELIEF FOR STRANDED OFWS: TAIWAN LIFTS BAN ON MIGRANTS

Rosales said the PCA will not stop updating its list of coconut farmers and enjoined them to register in order to reap the benefits of the decades-long idled coconut levy fund. “We will not stop at 3.1 million. We hope that more individuals will register in our coconut farmers registry,” he said. The updating of the coconut farmers registry is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the Coconut Industry Trust Fund Act. See “3-M farmers,” A2

of quarantine rules in PHL By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

NTER NATIONA L concerns over the possible spread of the more infectious Omicron Covid-19 variant prompted the government to reimpose mandatory facility-based quarantine for all “Beyond measuring steps, processing time arriving passengers in the country. and cost, the reporting system may include Acting Presidential spokesperimpact indicators . . For starting a business son Karlo B. Nograles announced ...indicators on the increase in the number of on Sunday that the Inter-Agency business registrations because of reforms may Task Force for the Management be included.”—Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) suspended the implemenThe of indicator, he said, tation its Resolution No. shall 150highlight the social and environA (s.2021), effectively imposing mental stricter sustainability protocols for allmeasures inbound by the subjects. travelers. Lopez cited the Resolution need to measure To note, IATF 150the impact of the EODB reforms as A had allowed fully vaccinated well. non-visa travelers from Green List “Beyond measuring steps,withproareas to enter the country cessing time and cost, the reporting out the need for facility-based system may include quarantine as long impact as they indicasecure tors,” he said. negative Reverse Transcription“For starting a business, for(RTinPolymerase Chain Reaction stance, indicators on the increase PCR) test within 72 hours prior in of business registo the theirnumber departure. trations because of reforms may be “Except for countries classified included.” as ‘Red,’ the testing and quarantine See “EODB report,” A2 protocols for all inbound international travelers in all ports of entry shall comply with the testing and quarantine protocols for ‘Yellow’ list countries,” Nograles said, citing the provision of IATF Resolution No. 151-A. He noted Hong Kong, which has confirmed a case of the Omicron variant, will also fall under the Yellow list countries. The suspension of the rules for “Green List” countries will be in effect from November 28, 2021 to December 15, 2021. Continued on A2

36.2807 n EU 56.5758 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4531

n JAPAN 0.4429 n UK 69.1239 n HK 6.5522 n CHINA 8.0222 n SINGAPORE 37.9341 n AUSTRALIA 36.0979 n EU 58.5150 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.6030

Source: BSP (November 26, 2021)

Source: BSP (February 7, 2022)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Newbie mining firm acquires iron ore MPSA in Zambo By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—A newcomer into the mining operation recently acquired the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of an iron ore mining area in Zamboanga del Sur, and a coal mine area in Zamboanga Sibugay. The Mount Zynai 0304 Mining Corp., wholly owned by Filipino businessmen and with headquarters here, disclosed that it just acquired on February 3 the MPSA of the iron ore mines in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur which covers 2,600 hectares. It was also negotiating with the Subanen tribe to mine the same iron ore in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur which would cover some 15,000 hectares. A separate mining operation

was also being negotiated with the Subanen tribe in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay, this time to extract coal in 2,000 hectares. Leonardo A. Fernandez, president and chief executive officer of the company, said they acquired the right to explore and develop the 2,637-hectare MPSA (No. 3492010-IX located at Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur and Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte) from Czarstone Mining Corp, also a Filipino-owned mining company.

Campaign period...

“A while ago, we already conducted the briefing for the candidates and representatives of the candidates on how to go about the live streaming erally,” David said. Comelec conducted a raffle last Jan. 28, 2022, wherein it assigned the timeslots to the candidates, who would like to avail themselves of the e-rallies.

Continued from A12

The first set of candidates to be featured in the e-rallies platform were former National Security Adviser Norberto B. Gonzales, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, and businessman Faisal M. Mangondato. Jimenez said the three candidates already confirmed they will be availing of the said slots, which will start be-

“The said acquisition ensures a steady supply of raw materials for the steel mill and smelting plant at the Industrial Park,” he said. Processing of iron ore would be done at the Industrial Park which would be established inside a park complex in Barangay Santa Cruz, Diplahan. The municipality of Diplahan is the field operations office of the mining company. Except for the MPSA area, t he ot her m i n i ng a rea s f a l l w ithin the ancestra l domain of the Subanens. The company statement said it would start mining in Midsalip this month. The company would also begin transporting the drilling machines, ore analyzers and other equipment from their Davao City headquarters company while it expects several other heavy mining equipment to arrive from China beginning this month and until

ing aired at 7 pm on Tuesday at https:// www.facebook.com/COMELECeRallyChannel?_rdc=1&_rdr. He said they do not regulate the materials of the participating candidates, which can even include mention of local aspiring candidates. The e-rallies program of Comelec is part of its initiative to give candidates a platform to air to promote themselves to the public for free. The campaign period for national

mid-March. Fernandez said three huge container vans containing an iron crusher machine, magnetic separator, and mineral laboratory facility from China will arrive in late February to be installed within the Industrial Park complex. T he Mt . Zy n a i I ndu st r i a l Park will be opened in June. The 15-hectare facility will house the first complete steel mill and smelting plant in the country, and accommodate the factories of local and foreign players in the steel industry. Fernandez said the company was also encouraged by the improvement of the road junction of Lanao del Norte to Pagadian City in Western Mindanao under the Build Build Build Program, saying this would “ease the transportation of goods and services of industries and economic zones located in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay.”

candidates, which include those running for president, vice president, senator as well as party-list groups, will start on Feb. 8, 2022. For local candidates, which includes members of the House of Representatives, regional, provincial, city and municipal officials, their campaign period will start on March 25, 2022. The campaign period for the 2022 National and Local Elections will end on May 7, 2022.

Innovation... Continued from A12

However, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas said it will take over a decade before the Philippines becomes an upper middle-income country given its current performance. Canlas earlier told BusinessMirror that in order for the country to become an upper middle income country, its per capita GDP in current US dollars must double. Adjusting for population growth rate, inflation rate, and foreign-exchange rate, the growth rate of the country’s per capita GDP in current US dollars is roughly 5.13 percent, he said. Based on 2020 data from the World Bank, the country’s per capita GDP is only $3,298.83, he added. The World Bank classifies countries with a per capita GDP of $1,046 to $4,095 per year. The revised classification of the World Bank for an upper-middle income country is an economy with a per capita GDP of $4,096 to $12,695. This group of countries currently includes Malaysia, Thailand, and China.

PNOC-EC... Continued from A1

EO 556 was repealed with the issuance of EO 80 in 2019. Under the new EO, PNOC-EC is now permitted to enter into farm-in/farm-out agreements “with reputable, technically competent and financially capable entities.” Farm-in/farm-out refers to a practice permitting third-party participation in oil and gas exploration and development to spread the risks and financial burden of such projects. The entity acquiring the participating interests considers the transaction as “farm-in,” while the entity transferring such interests considers the transaction as “farm-out.”

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Cybersecurity... Phishing is a scheme in which hackers pretend to be legitimate banking representatives either by sending fake emails or text messages via bogus bank websites to obtain confidential bank deta i ls f rom c lients and use these to pilfer or make unauthorized money transfers from the victims’ accounts. “Please make sure that that’s up to date because apparently, it’s getting more and more prevalent,” Dominguez also told Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko, who oversees both the BOC and BIR as head of the DOF’s Revenue Operations Group (ROG). Tionko, for her part, assured Dominguez that cybersecurity is covered by the ongoing digitalization and modernization programs of the two agencies. A s e a r l y a s M a rc h 20 20, Dominguez had directed DOF and its attached agencies to vigorously pursue their respective digitalization programs to help boost revenue collections and further improve the delivery of services

to the public. Dominguez also ordered government financial institutions (GFIs) and other attached agencies to work together in coming up with a cost-effective defense strategy that will shield their respective systems from potential cybersecurity threats along with other possible risks and data breaches in the digital landscape. He instructed GFIs, state-run pension fund and insurance agencies, and the revenue and treasury agencies to enter into their respective memoranda of agreement (MOAs) on a shared cyber defense strategy. This institutions such as the LandBank, United Coconut Planters’ Bank (UCPB) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); Insurance Commission (IC), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS); and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), BIR and BOC.

EODB report... 3rd-party validation

THE DTI official also cited the need for third-party validation of the EODB report. He said the private sector may “be tapped to identify priority areas as well as participate in the surveys that will be developed as part of the reporting system.” For the pilot test, Arta Deputy Director General Ernesto V. Perez said it will first cover the Metro Manila cities and other highly urbanized cities in the provinces. The framework will be initially anchored on the World Bank’s (WB) Doing Business methodology, in addition to Arta’s Philippine Good Regulatory Principles. For the first year of the pilot implementation, Perez said that priority shall be given to the “Starting a Business” indicator, which includes business registration and employee reporting, to provide baseline information moving forward. Arta Director General Jeremiah Belgica said that it was crucial to localize the EODB report as it will promote “healthy competition” that can lead to more streamlined government practices. This, as the Philippine EODB Reporting System will also be used

Relief...

Continued from A1

to measure the compliance of the government agencies and local government units with the provisions of the EODB laws. The EODB and Anti-Red Tape Advisory Council approved the creation of a technical working group tasked with crafting a framework and methodology to review the EODB and efficient government service delivery in the country on September 20, 2021. The move to localize the DB report came after the WB’s announcement that it would discontinue the said survey after finding “data irregularities” due to potential manipulation. In an earlier statement, WB revealed there were “data irregularities” in the Doing Business 2018 and 2020 reports that raised ethical issues, referring to the conduct of some officials while doing the research. An external investigation concluded that former World Bank chief executive Kristalina Georgieva and former World Bank president Jim Yong Kim applied “undue pressure” to boost the data points of China. The international financial institution said they are crafting new methodologies to assess the business and investment climate.

Continued from A1

“This is such happy news because many OFWs are eagerly waiting to take on their jobs in Taiwan,” Gerodias told Business Mirror. It is not known, though, how soon these stranded OFWs will be deployed to Taiwan. Gerodias said 5,000 Filipinos were already issued visas in May 2021 by the Taiwanese de facto embassy in Manila, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). Their visas were later reinstated in November, and given three months validity. “Now, we have to ask TECO if these visas are still valid,” she explained. Then, there are also 10,000 Filipino workers whose employment was already processed in Manila and their employers are waiting in Taiwan, but still need visa approval from TECO. PILMAT is also requesting the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the updated guidelines on the deployment of workers to Taiwan. This includes the contentious issue of who will foot the bill on the quarantine of workers prior

to their flight. The de facto Philippine embassy in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) had earlier insisted that the workers should be spared from outof-pocket expenses related to quarantine. The Department of Labor and Employment said the recruiters have already agreed to shoulder the hotel expenses prior to the workers’ f light to Taiwan. Taiwan had lifted the ban on Indonesian and Thai workers late last year during the first phase of the special program that provided exemptions to the ban on foreigners to enter Taiwan. According to the Central Epidemic Command Center of Taiwan, this first phase would expire soon and the “accumulated point system” introduced during the first phase would be cancelled effective February 15. The Taiwanese Ministry of Labor has a point-based system for the entry of migrant workers based on vaccination status, the Covid-19 situation in a worker’s home country, and the dormitories offered by their employers in Taiwan, media reports said.

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Rights group switches focus on conduct of May elections By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) has launched the Philippine Election 2022—International Observer Mission (IOM) to conduct an independent monitoring of the forthcoming elections. Monitoring activities will cover the start of the campaign in February to the May 9 vote, vote counting and confirmation of elected candidates in June 2022. The ICHRP said historically, Philippine elections have been characterized by inter-elite rivalry, warlordism, assassination, vote-buying corruption, intimidation and other forms of violence (Guns, Goons and Gold). It added that the current elections are occurring under a government whose members are under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was documented by INVESTIGATE PH 2021 to be not only perpetrating human-rights violations but to be actively suppressing dissent and the opposition. “These concerns compel the international community to cast an inquiring eye on the Philippine elections to monitor the campaign, the vote and the outcome,” the ICHRP said in a news statement. ICHRP has initiated the IOM in partnership with Kontra Daya, a Philippine based election watchdog. ICHRP is a global network of organizations, concerned on human rights in the Philippines and committed to campaign for just and lasting peace in the country. Previous elections have witnessed high levels of violence against candidates, voters and even journalists. On the 23rd of November 2009, 32 journalists along with 26 other civilians were killed in an election-related massacre in Maguindanao, Mindanao, perpetrated by an incumbent candidate of the ruling party. It was the deadliest incident in the history of the mass media, but it is not an isolated incident. In the most recent elections in May 2019, at least 33 people were killed and 19 others wounded in several poll-related incidents leading up to voting day. The victims included 18 incumbents, four candidates, three former elected officials including a member of Congress and eight civilians including a broadcaster. According to IOM Commissioner Rev. Michael Yoshii, “the election context itself is deeply troubling. As noted last year in the reports of INVESTIGATE PH findings, state policies including the Anti-Terrorism Act have emboldened the police and military to attack activists, peasant leaders, and Indigenous Peoples. This suggests that those charged with protecting the polls are potential perpetrators of election violence.” The INVESTIGATE PH report provides testimony about how the Philippine National Police (PNP) and The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been activated to conduct a war on dissenters morphing from killings in “anti-drug operations” to killings of oppositionists and political opponents of the government. These reports highlight the heightened danger of the electoral process under the Duterte presidency.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, February 8, 2022 A3

Abalos resigns as MMDA chairman to serve as BBM’s campaign manager By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

ETROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. on Monday has resigned from his post to focus on his new task as campaign manager of his “good friend” presidential aspirant former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “I respectfully tender my resignation effective end of business hour of February 7, 2022. The campaign period is fast approaching and I would need to devote my time to Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ campaign as his national campaign manager,” Abalos read his resignation letter before the media, which was submitted on February 4 to President Duterte. Under Commission on Elections Resolution 10695, the campaign period for candidates for president, vice president and party-list groups, will start on from February 8 to May 7, 2022. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Filipino people as MMDA chairman. The past year was filled with intense challenges. My beloved mother passed away due to Covid-19 complications one week after my appointment and, shortly afterwards, we had to deal with Covid variants that came to our shores, wave after wave,” Abalos lamented.

Vaccination

HE added: “Against this bleak backdrop, I worked in partnership with our cabinet secretaries, private sectors and our Metro Manila Mayors. With you at the helm, we led Metro Manila to significant successes in our fight against Covid.” He noted that the aggressive vaccination programs and the carefully crafted health and safety protocols pilot tested in Metro Manila are now being echoed in the provinces, and are bringing small victories. Abalos steered the Covid-19 pandemic response of the National Capital Region. He spearheaded the vaccination of the agency’s employees, as well as economic frontliners such as Philippine Basketball Association officials, cagers, and workers, and those from the entertainment industry. Recently, he added, Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 2 and “we are nearing the endemic stage of Covid. I am confident that with our protocols firmly in place, we are well-equipped to deal with future Covid-related challenges. Thus, with utmost gratitude.” “Mr. President I am very ever thankful for your unwavering support, guidance, and leadership. I pray that you and your family remain in good health. Thank you and God bless our country,” he said.

While admitting that he is extremely saddened by his decision, Abalos said that he wish the agency success in its every program, project, and initiative for the betterment of the metropolis.

Officer in charge

ABALOS designated incumbent MMDA General Manager Romando Artes as the agency’s Officerin-Charge, pending the appointment of the next MMDA chairman by Malacañang. “GM Artes is a lawyer. He knows everything. However, let me reiterate that the President has the prerogative to appoint the next chairman of the MMDA,” he stressed. Abalos also emphasized that he is thankful to President Duterte for the appointment. “I thanked President Duterte for his full trust and confidence in me, most especially for believing in my capability to lead the MMDA,” Abalos said.

Accomplishments

A BALOS, a law yer, ser ved as MMDA chief for more than a year, replacing the late MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim who passed away in January 2021. Since his appointment, Abalos demonstrated his passion and dedication for his job as head of the MMDA, the country’s capital with more than 12 million residents.

He led a significant number of programs and projects carrying out the mandates of the agency under Republic Act 7924. Among these are the pandemic responses of the National Capital Region and the policies initiated through the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to further decrease the number of Covid-19 cases towards eventual herd immunity in the region. As an overall chairman of the MMC, Abalos also initiated the “Vax As One” program of the Metro Manila mayors. He worked closely with the local chief executives and coordinated with one another towards the downward trend of Covid-19 cases in the metropolis. It has approved significant policies on the metropolis’ united move and decision to achieve its common vision of protecting the health and welfare of Metro Manileños. Under his helm, Abalos carried the slogan “MMDA At Your Service” as he led the agency to be of service to every Metro Manileño. As a man of action, Abalos initiated vital projects, such as flood control mitigating measures, traffic reduction initiatives, sanitation and beautification, while ensuring that the metropolis cope with the pandemic. “The MMDA will always be at your service, living up to the agency’s commitment to provide prompt, efficient and quality services for a

safe, livable and workable environment for all,” said Abalos. On traffic and transport management, Abalos led the reopening of U-turn slots on Edsa, clearing operations at Balintawak Market, bicycle lane improvements, clearing of ground floor levels of flyovers along Edsa, unveiling of motorcycle emergency laybys, launching cashless payments for traffic violations, and opening of Kalawaan station for Pasig River Ferry Service. On flood control and sewerage management, he also ensured that pumping stations are operational, launched the MMDA’s solid waste granulator and brick-making facility to reduce waste on waterways, and launched the two waste diversion initiatives such as Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) and Community Based Takakura Composting designed to minimize waste towards a greener and healthier Metro while promoting segregation and composting in communities. On urban renewal, Abalos launched the “I Love MM [Metro Manila],” an advocacy envisioned to uplift the spirits of its residents recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen initiatives on urban renewal that aims to transform the metropolis to be a more livable, greener, and resilient region.

Makati City prosecutors junk all charges Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao leaders, related to flight attendant Dacera’s case families declare support for UniTeam By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the consolidated criminal complaints filed against the companions of flight attendant Christine Dacera when she was found dead in a bathtub of their rented room at the City Garden Hotel in Makati City after celebrating the New Year’s Eve in 2021. Cleared were Mark Anthony Rosales, Rommel Galido, John Pascual dela Serna III, Gregorio Angelo Rafael de Guzman, Jezreel Rapinan, Alain D. Chen, Reyman Englis, Darwin Joseph Macalla, Louis de Lima, and lawyer Neptali Maroto. The administering of illegal drug charges under Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs law, which was filed against Rosales was dismissed for lack of evidence that could establish the alleged administration of any illegal drugs into the body of Dacera. “The fact that the drug test on Dacera yielded negative result for presence of dangerous drugs… coupled by her urine sample examination results [showing she was negative for methamphetamine and amphetamine], supported the findings of dismissal,” the resolution read. The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office also dismissed the complaint for attempt to deliver illegal drugs under the same law filed against Rosales and Galida due to the absence of the corpus delicti (body of the crime), that is, the dangerous drugs itself. It noted that the alleged drugs

were not submitted to the prosecutors as evidence. The Prosecutor’s Office also absolved Rosales, Galido, Dela Serna, De Guzman, Rapinan, Chen, Englis, Macalla, and Maroto from obstruction of justice as “they were simply protecting their rights within the bounds of law,” which would not qualify as obstruction of justice. Also dismissed were the perjury charges filed against Galido, Dela Serna III and Macalla based on the absence of showing that the alleged false statements pertaining to the use of party drugs at the hotel are material to the investigation of Dacera’s death and alleged rape. The complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide filed against Dela Serna III, Rapinan, Chen and De Lima for allegedly failing to bring immediate medical attention to Dacera that caused her death was also dismissed. The Prosecutor’s Office noted that based on the evidence the respondents performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately upon noticing Dacera’s perilous condition and sought assistance from the hotel lobby. Likewise, the complaint for falsification filed against Philippine National Police (PNP) medico legal officer, Dr. Michael Nick Sarmiento by the family of Dacera was dismissed. Sarmiento concluded that the 23-year-old flight attendant died of ruptured aortic aneurysm. “The complaint for falsification against Dr. Michael Nick Sarmiento has no leg to stand on as it was not established that the facts narrated by him were absolutely false. In fact,

Dr. Sarmiento merely relied on the available evidence at his perusal, including photographs of Dacera,” the resolution said. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office also dismissed the counter charges filed by the accused against several individuals, including the mother of Dacera. Dismissed were the complaints of illegal detention, arbitrary detention, and unlawful arrest filed against Dacera’s mother Sharon, Marichi Ramos, Katherine Anne Facelo, Police Cpl. Louie Lopez and Police SSg Jun Alimurong. The prosecutor said Lopez and Alimurong effected a valid warrantless arrest because during that time they believed that a crime was just committed while the private respondents were not the ones who made the arrest. “Moreover, there was no evidence that they effectively controlled and directed the respondent-police officers to arrest and detain the complainants,” it added. Also dismissed was the grave coercion complaint and unjust vexation filed against Dacera, et al. The prosecutors also absolved Dacera’s mother, Ramos, Facelo, lawyer Brick Reyes, Lopez and Alimurong of the complaint for perjury. Likewise, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaint of libel, slander, cyberlibel, incriminating innocent persons, intriguing against honor and malicious prosecution against Dacera’s camp. The falsification complaints lodged against Vicente de Guzman, Zulikha Marie Conales-Dagamo, were also dropped.

HE UniTeam’s campaign for the May elections has received a boost from big and influential families from Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao provinces. The endorsement for the candidacies of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Inday Sara Duterte was made at the recent 5th Kudaraten Festival in Sultan Kudarat town, which was attended by Maguindanao Governor Mariam Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, Maguindanao Vice Governor Lester Sinsuat, Member of Parliament Datu Tucao Mastura, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Datu Shameem Mastura, Talayan Mayor Datu Ali Midtimbang and some incumbent officials who will run in the two provinces. Also at the celebration were Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte who represented his sister Sara; Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor and League of Municipalities in the President Luis “Chavit” Singson, former presidential spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Harry Roque, and representatives of Tingog Party-list. The local leaders pledged their support for the tandem and explained why they support the UniTeam. Sultan Kudarat Governor Mangudadatu said they are giving solid support for Bongbong and Sara because they see them as the right team who can usher in progress, peace, and stability in the region. “Cooperation among members of our family alliance resulted in peace in Maguindanao. The misery of our countrymen in the war zones has been addressed and there is now peace there,” Mangudadatu said,

mostly in Filipino. He added that “the next president Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio,” can rely on solid support from the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. The so-called Family Alliance includes the families of Midtimbang, Sinsuat, Mastura, Ampatuan and several other influential families in the two provinces. For his part, Parliament Member Datu Tucao Mastura said he will never forget his experience with former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who entrusted to him the leadership of the Sultan Kudarat municipality after he abandoned rebellion to live a peaceful and law-abiding life. “I owe a big debt of gratitude to him, his family, and his father. Why? Because I was a former rebel and I spent several years in the mountains to fight for the Bangsamoro,” Mastura explained, mostly speaking in Filipino. Mastura said he thought about his situation very well, and decided that the only way forward was for him to rejoin the mainstream. “And when I did, then President Marcos appointed me mayor of Sultan Kudarat. From 1976 onward, there has been no more fighting here in Sultan Kudarat Municipality between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the rebels,” added Datu Tucao. Marcos Jr. welcomed the unification of the so-called family alliance of the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao at the call of BBM-Sara UniTeam. He described the move as a “unity for the collective uprising of the Philippines and the opening of equal and many opportunities in every region of the country.”

100 CSOs, interfaith-based groups demand climate, green agenda from natl and local poll hopefuls

VER 100 civil society organizations (CSO) and interfaith-based groups on Monday highlighted the need for a greener economic development framework from candidates in the May 9, 2022 national and

local elections. They said the next elected leaders must “take a stand and create opportunities to initiate a paradigm shift towards a model of sustainable development” that listens and responds to the cries

of the earth and the poor. This includes protecting the Philippines’ interests related to its natural resources and territorial sovereignty, as stated under the Constitution. Patricia Gwen Borcena, executive director and environmental

sociologist at Green Reseearch said many Philippine CSOs want the next administration to veer away from the flawed economic development paradigm and pursue a greener or more sustainable development path.

She stressed that the environment is not secondary to the economy. But rather, the management of the economy and care for the environment should be complementary. She emphasized a line from the CSOs’ collective statement:

“The conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of the environment and natural resources should be prioritized over the agenda of further utilizing these for profit and short-term ends of humanity.” Jonathan L. Mayuga

A4 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

Bill requiring ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ in market centers awaits Palace OK By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

BILL providing Filipino consumers the tool to confirm the accuracy of the quantity and measurement of the products they’ve bought in all public and private wet markets, dry markets, tiangges, and even grocery stores and supermarkets is now awaiting President Duterte’s signature. Deputy Speaker for Trade and Industry and Valenzuela City 1st District Rep. Wes Gatchalian, who lauded the swift ratification of the Timbangan ng Bayan bill last week, said the bill will establish Timbangan ng Bayan centers nationwide. “Right now, we are only relying on the accuracy of the weighing instruments of our local suki, and trusting that their instruments are

working properly or that they have not tampered with the seals placed by the local treasurer. We have no way of personally measuring the weight of the items that we buy at the time of purchase,” said the lawmaker. Under Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act, the only protection to consumers is the testing and calibration of weighing instruments every six months by the local treasurer, designated as the official sealer. Though penalties are provided for under the Consumer Act, these only range from P200 to P1,000, which does not serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous vendors. “There are many reports of vendors who cheat their customers by manipulating the scales. According to my research, this does not just happen just in my district, but unfortunately, it happens all over the country,”

said Gatchalian. “But with the establishment of a Timbangan ng Bayan in all public and private markets, all consumers now have the opportunity to immediately double check the measurement of the goods they buy,” Gatchalian added. Under the proposal, the market supervisor shall be in charge of the safekeeping and routine maintenance of all timbangan ng bayan instruments. The supervisor shall also record all products found to be deficient in quantity or is substandard in dimension, as well as the establishment where the same was bought. The amendment increases the penalty that may be imposed pegging the minimum at P50,000 to a maximum of P300,000. Penalty of imprisonment has also been increased from a minimum of one year to not more than five years.

DTI: Let’s go slow on doing away with alert level system

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday cautioned against the proposal to do away with the Alert Level System (ALS) as a form of quarantine measure despite the recent decline in Covid-19 cases. At the Laging Handa briefing on Monday, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said that the proposal to move away from ALS must not be done immediately, noting the need to remind the public first that health protocols will always be in place. “Dahan-dahan lang until masanay na tayo at ma-accept natin na ang new normal natin ay kasama na ’yung mga health protocol [We should implement it slowly until we are used to have accepted that the new normal comes with adhering to health protocols],” she said. Such is crucial to ensure the safety of the public, especially those who are going out, she added. With this, Castelo encouraged the public to get vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19 to allow the economy to safely reopen. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

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A new lease on life in 2022

By Henry J. Schumacher

HILE January 2022 has been a slow month in many businesses (definitely in mine), there is no doubt that consumers’ actions towards achieving new goals are evident. Change will remain the dominant trend that characterizes lifestyle shifts. We better prepare for these shifts:

Finding a digital identity

PHYSICAL and virtual worlds are colliding. Social networks are advancing their capabilities, and in some cases, acquiring tech start-ups, to enter The Metaverse Movement. The constant stream of content and ability to go viral on video-dominant social platforms like TikTok and YouTube showcase the influence of community-based networks. Now, online socialization is the preferred form of entertainment for many consumers, particularly younger generations, who spend more time playing games on mobile, desktop and AR/VR headsets. During The Metaverse Movement, consumers will outfit their avatars to explore virtual worlds alongside users from across the globe. The prevalence of shared, 3D virtual spaces will characterize a future rendition of the Internet.

Advertising in a new digital world

FASHION brands and retailers are leveraging TikTok to crowdsource content and designs, promote products and train associates on how to build followings. In 2021, more than 30 percent of consumers bought goods or services after seeing an influencer post or company advertisement on TikTok. Sports teams, gamers and artists have been using platforms like YouTube to host live virtual concerts and events, and companies want to meet these consumers in-platform. Brands are buying billboards and product placements, among other advertising space, within these online environments. Virtual stores facilitate e-commerce sales and offer digitalonly products for purchase, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), to dress and house avatars. The primary goal is to build brand awareness among influential consumers who are pioneering platform engagement. Companies that start establishing a presence now will be at the forefront as virtual social environments and AR/VR develop.

No city limits

AS work becomes less tied to a physical office, consumers are moving both within and beyond city limits. New

business opportunities are emerging alongside this mass relocation influx. Scaling e-commerce distribution is vital. Establishing micro-fulfilment centers and increasing last mile delivery can better serve rural communities and expand the customer base. Parcel couriers are also boosting geographic coverage. Incorporating more sustainable initiatives into metropolitan areas will resonate with Rural Urbanites. Indoor farming and rooftop gardens could bring locally sourced produce within walking distance for city residents. Repurposing vacant or unused infrastructure into public parks and green spaces positively impacts these densely populated communities. Businesses and governments will have to create mini cities where shops, restaurants and schools, among other establishments, are within a 15-minute commute.

Indulgence, personalization and new norms

BUSINESSES are investing in technology to provide tailored care. Personalization will advance and shift towards mass acceptance across sectors, such as beauty, personal care and consumer health. Additionally, marketing and offerings need to be inclusive. Brands are breaking stereotypes and societal norms, allowing Self-Love Seekers to feel comfortable and confident expressing their true selves.

How do companies respond to consumers in 2022?

TRADITIONAL business models and logistics networks are being challenged. Businesses need to evolve as quickly as consumer behavior is changing. In today’s world, past purchasing habits do not necessarily imply brand loyalty. Successful businesses will meet consumers on their terms. Customer relationships can no longer be transactional. Developing deep, supportive connections will push companies beyond the purchase to be seen as allies. Consumers will prefer and trust brands that are humanized. The customer experience needs to be multifaceted. Businesses could lose customers if the experience is not seamless and tailored. Effective hybrid models allow businesses to pivot between in-person and virtual engagements whilst the near future remains unpredictable. From simplifying tech for novices to exploring the metaverse, customizing digital experiences based on the target audience is critical. In other words, customers are moving. Businesses must move with them or risk losing them. Additionally, these changes should be seen in the light of the new pending legislation on substantial amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA), which will attract substantial new investments from local and foreign investors. The PSA improvements will make it possible for companies to deliver the expectations of the New Lease on Life in 2022 I am presenting today. It is essential that the President signs these important amendments to the PSA into law during the current Congress. Feedback is most welcome; contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

No respite so far: Oil firms raise fuel pump prices for 6th consecutive week By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

UMP prices are on the rise for the sixth consecutive week since the start of the year. On Monday, oil firms announced more than P1 per liter increase in all petroleum products. Gasoline products will go up by P1.05 per liter, diesel by P1.20 per liter, and kerosene by P1.25 per liter. Seaoil, PTT, Cleanfuel, Caltex, Total, and Pilipinas Shell announced their price hike Monday afternoon. Other oil firms are expected to follow suit. The oil companies, except for Cleanfuel, will implement their price adjustment at 6 a.m. of Tuesday, February 8. Cleanfuel’s price adjustment takes effect at 4:01 p.m. Oil firms adjust their pump prices every Tuesday to reflect movements in the world oil market. Last week, gasoline prices went up by P0.75 per liter, diesel by P0.75 per liter and kerosene by P0.45 per liter. These resulted to the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P5.70/liter for gasoline, P7.95/liter for diesel and P7.20/liter for kerosene.

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Comelec resets 1st debate for President, VP bets to March By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE first of the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) debates for presidential and vice presidential candidates is now facing possible delay due to pending guidelines for its conduct. In a televised interview on Monday, Comelec-Education and Information Department (EID) Assistant Director Elaiza S. David disclosed the activity might now be held early March instead of this month. “The guidelines will be approved by the [Comelec] en banc hopefully this week,” David said. The poll official said they are currently still in the “planning stage” for the event, which was supposed to be held in the last week of February. “Our planning stage is ongoing and we are talking with the [media] networks and our partners to help with the format and production [of the debate],” David said. “So please give us more time for the preparations, which are still ongoing,” she said. Comelec said it would conduct debates for national candidates in February, March, and April to give election hopefuls a wider chance to discuss their platforms and positions over several issues to voters. The poll body earlier said it would be the sole organizer for the 2022 poll debates unlike in previous elections when it assigned the task to several media companies. It assured the measure would make the coverage of the debates more accessible to all media organizations. Based on the official ballot face issued by Comelec for the 2022 polls, there are currently 10 presidential candidates and 9 others, who are vying for the position of vice president.

Kiko vows lower food price if elected VP

EN. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday said he would take a page from his experience as food security secretary to lower food prices should he be elected as the second highest sitting official of the land. Pangilinan mentioned this in various radio interviews today ahead of the Robredo-Pangilinan campaign kickoff in Bicol tomorrow. “Gagamitin natin ang ating experience bilang food security secretary at kung paano natin napababa ang presyo ng bigas noon,” Pangilinan said, citing the cost of rice during his time as food security chief only ranges from P27 to P32 per kilo, a far-cry from the current market price of P41 per kilo. “Ang tutukan natin ay ang food security, itong gutom, by supporting our farmers and fisherfolk because they are the ones who feed us,” he added. The vice presidential aspirant underscored the need to support farmers and fishermen by creating mechanisms that will be beneficial to these sectors, including doubling the budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and creating the Department of Fisheries to focus on the problems of fisherfolk. According to Pangilinan, he already proposed these to Vice President Leni Robredo, who gave her positive feedback. In previous interviews, Robredo said that should she be elected President, she will double DA’s budget. “Ang maganda sa amin ni magiging Pangulong Leni, iisa ang aming prinsipyo sa pamamahala at pamumuno—inuuna iyong mga nasa laylayan. Ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay huling-huli nakayakailangantalagangbalikan,suportahan, at alalayan,” Pangilinan said.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 A5

Livestock growers, fish producers to Senate: Defer RCEP ratification By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

ILIPINO livestock growers and fish producers on Monday urged the Senate to defer the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive and Economic Partnership (RCEP), which they described as a “lopsided” international trade accord. In a news statement, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor lawyer Asis Perez said RCEP would severely harm local fishing and aquaculture, including the pork and chicken industries. According to Perez, bangus and tilapia are covered under the RCEP Agreement. “The tariff for these products is going to be reduced to make way for bangus and tilapia imports. However, looking at the data, the production of bangus and tilapia [along with its value] has been steadily increasing over the years. The tilapia and bangus industry have reached the point where the supply for these commodities is abundant and prices are steady. Bangus and tilapia has since replaced the so called ‘poor man’s fish’ both in availability and

affordability,” he said. The RCEP is an economic treaty brokered by Asean, of which the Philippines is a member. It is a free trade agreement among the 10 members of the Asean Plus five—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. It is considered to be the largest trade bloc in the world, representing 30 percent of the global GDP or $26.2 trillion. The RCEP has already entered into force on January 1, 2022 for 10 countries, namely, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Australia as an original party. For the Republic of Korea, RCEP will enter into force on February 1, 2022. The Philippines has yet to fully ratify RCEP. President Duterte ratified the agreement last September 2021, but it needs the concurrence of the Senate to take full effect.

Lack of consultation

FOR his part, former Department of

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor said there was lack of consultation as local farmers and producers were kept in the dark for two years. “We were only informed of RCEP benefits that our country will receive if we ratify this agreement, but they didn’t mention any expected threats or disadvantages. They didn’t give us any assurance that there are safety nets in place to protect our local industries,” he stressed. “There was a resolution transmitted from the [Senate] Committee of Foreign Affairs, but there is no report. This is an unusual committee resolution endorsed to the Senate for concurrence. The senators don’t even know the arguments of DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] and DA [Department of Agriculture], the counter-arguments of the private sector, what our economists said, because there are different studies with different conclusions. Which of these studies should be closely looked into by the Senate?” Montemayor asked. Also, United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) President Bong Inciong said RCEP is a more liberalized version of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“When we joined WTO, we were not prepared. Other countries make good use of their data to anticipate future problems so they are able to avert it from happening. Here, it is the opposite. We always wait for it to harm our local producers first before our government steps in. RCEP will further damage our industries. This agreement favors importers, not our local producers,” he added. Since local producers do not receive much support from government, he said RCEP gives the country no competitive edge to compete in the world market. “We focus too much on importers and we neglect our own [producers]. We are on dangerous ground right now since we are experiencing climate change. We don’t want to rely on imports for our food,” Inciong said. President of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Chester Warren Tan said that the Philippines is not ready for RCEP. “We are unprepared. We have been appealing to government to prioritize our local producers. It is hard for us to compete against foreign imports. It’s all one-sided and

our industries are struggling. We have to strive for self-sufficiency when it comes to food. It is dangerous to rely on imported products. If there is a shortage, what will happen to us?” Tan said. Meanwhile, Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Philippines President Jonjon Santos also said the local fishing and aquaculture sector were also not consulted. “It came as a surprise. We didn’t get to monitor the passage of this agreement. RCEP does not favor local production, it favors products from other countries,” he added. He also said all RCEP membercountries have enormous subsidies given to them by their respective governments. “They receive billions of dollars in support. They are supplied with free water, machines, fuel, boats, etc. India allocates $50 billion for its farmers. They protect their local industries. Here, it is only cash and food distribution. Our farmers only receive P5,000. If we want to be part of RCEP, we have to prepare. We have to know what we’re getting into. This is how we can protect local producers,” Santos said.

8 senators have signed Blue Ribbon Drilon defends anti-troll provision in SIM card bill report on Pharmally anomalies By Butch Fernandez

IGHT senators comprised the first batch that signed up on probers’ endorsement to file charges against erring officials—including President Duterte after his term ends—for abetting an alleged anomaly involving a P110-billion pandemic supply plunder case against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao and other officials of the antiCovid supplier Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. This was confirmed by Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the investigating Blue Ribbon Committee on Public Accountability, even as other senators indicated they want to read the report before signing up on the document which is seen to likely to put Malacañang and the lawmakers on a collision course. Among the initial signatories, apart from Gordon, were Senators Panfilo Lacson, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Aquilino Pimentel III, Francisco Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. Senate sources indicated that Senator Grace Poe also committed to sign but wants to first read the entire report,

apart from two more still unnamed senators who affirmed they would also sign the report. To be accepted as an official committee report that can be submitted for plenary deliberation, it requires the signatures of at least 11 of 20 members of the endorsing committee. In a radio interview, Senator Pimentel III pointed out that the signatures in such committee report may indicate agreement with its findings and recommendations, or simply signing to have the committee report submitted for plenary deliberations where all senators may participate. As endorsed in the said Blue Ribbon Committee report, charges could still be filed against President Duterte, who enjoys immunity, after his term ends. As such, the report included a recommendation to charge President Duterte soon as he steps down from office for allegedly consenting to the irregularities amounting to plunder allegedly committed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lao and Pharmally officials. Butch Fernandez

CIAC marks 27 years, renews plan for govt-owned lands

LARK FREEPORT—The government-run Clark International Airport Corp. marked its 27th anniversary on Monday, and announced that the updated master plan for the Clark civil aviation complex will soon be completed. “The target is within the first half of 2022 for the completion of an updated master development plan along with a detailed site development plan for selected areas of the governmentcontrolled aviation complex,” CIAC President Aaron Aquino said. Aquino confirmed this development during simple anniversary rites held via video link at the agency’s office building in commending 28 employees with service period ranging from 10 to 25 years. The CIAC chief also said the updated master plan will identify the best use of available governmentowned prime land surrounding

the Clark International Airport for the highest return possible for the government. The proposed detailed site development plan will be aligned with the current and planned developments for the aviation complex and the land use plan of other areas of the Clark Freeport Zone and the New Clark City, he noted. “The plan will readily address several challenges and fast-track the marketing of these potential development sites for aviation and non-aviation related industries as we continue with our work in developing a globally-competitive aviation complex surrounding the airport,” he added. CIAC was incorporated in 1994 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Clark DevelopmentCorporation,pursuantto Executive Order No. 192, with the primary purpose of operating and managing the Clark Civil Aviation Complex.

@butchfBM

FFIRMING his stand to include an anti-troll provision in the bill requiring registration of mobile phone SIM cards, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asserted it is time to address hazardous anonymity in social media that, he warned, allows the “proliferation of troll accounts and fake news.” In endorsing its adoption, Drilon debunked claims that the anti-troll provision he introduced in the proposed SIM Card Registration Law was “inserted during the bicameral deliberations” that critics claimed could just be considered as “out of topic order or a mere rider provision.” The Senate Minority Leader asserted that he “introduced the provision mandating the use of one’s real name, instead of a fictitious name, and a registered phone number when creating social media accounts during the period of amendments.” “It’s not a bicam insertion. We studied it and introduced it in the plenary as part of our humble contribution in the fight against trolls and fake news,” Drilon recalled, adding: “Twenty-two senators voted in favor of the measure on third reading last December.” Drilon declared, “the provision is meant to curb the proliferation of fake and troll accounts on various social media platforms,” stressing “it is not an out of topic provision. It is not a rider provision that those against the measure can cite to challenge the legality of the measure.” Drilon clarified that the title of the bill clearly mandates the registration of SIM cards for electronic devices and social media accounts to “eradicate mobile phone, internet or electronic communication-aided criminal activities.” He recalled that the Senate-House conference committee deliberations that wrote its final version later on adopted his provision, adding that the bill is “now up for approval by the President.” Drilon, in authoring the anti-troll provision, stressed the remedial legislation is needed as it is “about time to address the anonymity in the Internet and the social media that allowed an environment for troll accounts and fake news.” The Senate Minority Leader asserted “it is about time that social media companies and social media users operate in the daylight,” warning that “this anonymity in the social

media allows the use of fictitious names which trolls use to propagate fake news and attack anyone endlessly and mercilessly.” He added that the provision was projected to “create a safe environment for social media users, especially children who are also victims of online bullying and harassment on various social media platforms.” The senator suggested, “Look at your friends or relatives, maybe a coworker or classmates, who are victims of trolling and fake accounts,” stressing that “this provision is for them, because trolling, online harassment and fake news happen because the environment today allows it.” Drilon reminded that “online bullies hide behind anonymity” and that trolls “thrive in anonymity... Ask the parents of the kids bullied online before you oppose the measure. All we want here is to address the anonymity in the Internet and social media and make a safe cyberspace for our people.” At the same time, Drilon disputed the privacy concerns raised against the proposal, assuring that the “duties and responsibilities to protect the privacy of SIM card holders are clearly laid out in the bill,” invoking Section 9 of the bill that provides the confidentiality clause which mandates that “any information obtained in the registration process described under this Act cannot be disclosed to any person.” Moreover, the senator declared that the disclosure might only be done in compliance with any law obligating

the social media provider to disclose such information in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 in compliance with a court order, legal process, or other government regulatory, or enforceable administrative request for information; in compliance with Section 10 of the bill; or with the written consent of the subscriber. He added that Section 10 provides for the disclose wherein the public telecommunications entities (PTE) and social media providers, upon order of a competent authority, duly authorized under existing laws to issue subpoena, shall be required to provide information obtained in the registration process pursuant to an investigation of a complainant’s verified sworn complaint that a specific mobile number or social media account was or is being used in the commission of a crime or that it was utilized as a means to commit a malicious, fraudulent or unlawful act including libel, anonymous online defamation, hate speech, trolling, or spread of digital disinformation, or fake news; and that he or she is unable to ascertain the identity of the perpetrator. Drilon noted that no PTE or social media provider shall be held administratively, civilly, or criminally liable on account of any disclosure done in compliance with this Act, adding that the relevant data and information shall be keptbythePTEsorsocialmediaproviders for 10 years from the time the enduser deactivates the mobile number or social media account, he added.

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

66 A-IDEA CONSULTING INC. Unit 6-d, 6/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

FU, LULU Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: handling inbound and outbound service support calls

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

SUMARTO Chinese Customer Service 14.

DU, YUQIAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

NGUYEN NGOC TAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 3.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs.

15.

DE FREITAS QUEIMADAS, PAULO ALEXANDRE ADV App/Cloud Supp & Eng Specialist 4.

Brief Job Description: Acting as advanced ADV/APP detectives, provide robust service in identifying and solving issues with advanced applications and infrastructure

Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problem solving assessment and resolution required, strategic and routine focus, stakeholders interaction)

16.

Brief Job Description: Training and/or evaluate NLP or dialogue systems; identify errors/regressions and propose solutions

SINHA, PRIYANKA Service Delivery Ops Lead Manager 6.

Brief Job Description: Ensures team of claims professionals are adhering to policies

JOSEPH, JIM MATHEW Workforce Services Associate Director Brief Job Description: Lead the global WFM team for all T&S work

17.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHEN, NINGBO Chinese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CHEN, XURI Chinese Customer Service

10.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

DAO NGOC THAI Chinese Customer Service 11.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

NGUYEN THI THIEN TRUC Chinese Customer Service 12.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

SENG PAN Chinese Customer Service 13.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires VU VAN LONG Chinese Customer Service

18.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires YIN KWEL SHAN Chinese Customer Service

19.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZHANG, CAIYAN Chinese Customer Service

20.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, YUANMING Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Native level speaker of a language and fluent in English

21.

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

ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS (PHILS.) INC. 16/f Inoza Tower, 40th St., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Basic computer knowledge with the ability to learn additional computer programs required Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Strong experience of engaging with senior stakeholders and managing international delivery teams

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

22.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Heading the marketing function for cardiovascular/ metabolic/Renal and Respiratory Business @ Philippines.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

23.

Brief Job Description: Directs and coordinated activities of one or more department., such as operations or sales or a major division of the business and aids chief administrative officers ion formulating and administering organization policies by performing the following duties.

YANG, JIANBIN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 28.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

29.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

24.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the contract management, the procurement of equipment, materials and services within the agreed timeframes and against the optimum market conditions for a large complex on and offshore project PALAIOGIANNI, NEFELI Superintendent

25.

Brief Job Description: manages and supervises the execution of a part of the project which may include dredging, site clearance, dry earth movement or rockworks scope, wet sand fill/dry sandfill, sand supply fleet and equipment.

26.

Brief Job Description: Manage to promote business and services and create new ideas in line with company objectives

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

XIE, SHUI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 30.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

ZHOU, DONGLEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 31.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

PARK, JISEUB Customer Service Manager 32.

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

Brief Job Description: Providing helpful information, answering questions, responding to complaints and maintaining a positive empathetic and professional attitude toward clients and managers at all times.

27.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Customer Service software Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EXCELLENT JNGR RESTO FOOD CORP. (ROYAL INDIAN CURRY HOUSE) G/f-5/f, 5345 Gen. Lina St., Poblacion, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree, MBA in relevant field, experience in pharmaceutical, consumer and/or managed markets promotions and/or strategy role, experience in insight/ market research.

THAPA, CHURA BAHADUR Chef 33.

Basic Qualification: University degree in technical business administration

BHATIA, SUKHPREET Senior Manager-talent Match 34.

Brief Job Description: Lead end to end resourcing for the accounts aligned lead and participate in key discussions/decisions for aligned vertical and service lines

BATLOO, OWAIS MAJEED Vice President-operations 35.

Brief Job Description: Meet Call Centre Financial Objectives by estimating requirements preparing budgets Managing Expenditures Analyzing Variances Initiating Corrective Actions as needed develope Strategies Aimed at OPtimizing Service and reducing costs

CHEN, FENG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 36.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

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

Basic Qualification: proficiency in Mandarin language, and customer relationship management

HAN (SPOUSE OF KIM), SEUNGHEE Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 37.

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Preferred MBA/Masters in human resources Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Significant Experience in the Confirmed tenure in Mid/Senior Management Role in BPO/Contact Center Industry and Should be a subject matter expert on various aspects Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig

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

Basic Qualification: minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, experience in cooking

GENPACT SERVICES LLC 5f Genpact Bldg., Cyberzone Northgate, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

Basic Qualification: Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, More than 5 years of work experience in similar role. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for preparing menu, food, and other kitchen concerns

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, 1, Bungad, Quezon City CAI, QINGYANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

EPOST EDUCENTER INC. Unit B & C, 20/f Strata 2000 Bldg., Don Francisco Ortigas Jr. Rd., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

CATHAYFORTUNE PHIL. CORP. 19/f Picadilly Star Bldg., 27th St. Cor. 4th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LI, PENGCHENG Marketing Manager

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LAM CHUN KIT Chinese Speaking Program Designer

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig BUSSCHER, JAN Procurement Manager

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

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

BG FINANCE COMPANY INC. Lg-1 Cityland Condo Iii, 105 V.a Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati INDRAKUMAR, KISHORE KUMAR Head Of Operations

No.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SHARMA, VINAY Head Marketing BBU

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque CHEN, GUOLI Chinese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries UNG MY NGOC Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MARTINEZ MARTINEZ, SAMUEL App/cloud Support Analyst

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires TRINH VAN CANH Chinese Customer Service

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

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TONG THI NGOC VIEN Chinese Customer Service

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

LIN, ZHENGYU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 38.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QIU, LUQIAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 39.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

XIAO, SIFANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 40.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

YANG, FU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 41.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

No.

CHANG VAN CHUNG Chinese Customer Service 53.

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

54.

42.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written.

55.

TSENG, CHIA-CHING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 43.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

56.

WU, MIAN Chinese IT Support Specialist 44.

Brief Job Description: responsible for providing quality it supports of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

57.

58.

45.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Chinese through blogs, micro blogs and forums

Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (mandarin & English)

59.

HAYASHIDA, KEIICHI Manager 46.

Brief Job Description: Interface with client, consultant, architect, subcontractor, suppliers & head office

Basic Qualification: At least minimum of 10 years pro-active experience in managerial position

60.

JEONG, JUNGHWI Teammate (multilingual) 47.

Brief Job Description: Receive in bound and/or place outbound calls; Provide accurate and timely responses for inquiries coming through email and live chat support channels; Filter content from Client’s website.

Basic Qualification: Can speak English and Korean fluently; Completed at least 2 years in college or 1yr. relevant experience in outsourcing industry.

61.

AI, PENGXIAO Chinese Customer Service 48.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries

62.

ANDRE PRATAMA GINTING Chinese Customer Service 49.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries AYE THANDAR Chinese Customer Service

50.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries BUI THI DAO Chinese Customer Service

51.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

CAI, YONGCHAO Chinese Customer Service 52.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

63.

64.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG BAO TRONG Chinese Customer Service

65.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG THI NGOC Chinese Customer Service

66.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, WENHUI Chinese Customer Service

67.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries JIANG, WEI Chinese Customer Service

68.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE THI DIU Chinese Customer Service

69.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE VAN HAI Chinese Customer Service

70.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries HE, KUNLIAN Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GUO, HAIJING Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries FITRIYANTI Chinese Customer Service

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries FERDI KELVIANTO Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

LIZARDBEAR TASKING INC. 17th To 20th Floors, Twenty Four Seven Mckinley Building, 24th Street And Seventh Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries EI EI PHYO Chinese Customer Service

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

KAJIMA PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED 12/f, Makati Sky Plaza 6788 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DO THI NINH Chinese Customer Service

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque XIAO, PEIPEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DO DINH TUYEN Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DINH THI KIEU LOAN Chinese Customer Service

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

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 9/f 100 West Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DENG, HUAN Chinese Customer Service

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

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex, Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DAU THI CHAU Chinese Customer Service

GRAND PREMIUM CREST HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

YATI Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHENG, WEICE Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, HENA Chinese Customer Service

71.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, QIN Chinese Customer Service

72.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, YAJUN Chinese Customer Service

73.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

No.

LIU, YALAN Chinese Customer Service 74.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRIEU QUY DUC Chinese Customer Service

91.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries THIN THIN PHYU Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SU SU HLAING Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAN THI HONG NHUNG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NIE, LEI Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VINH QUANG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN TUAN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THU HUONG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI HANG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI DIEM THUY Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries NAY HTET LIN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MYO MYINT TUN OO Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MENG, JIAJIA Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MAY MYAT MON Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MAC VAN MY Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LY TUYET HOA Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LUONG SY TUAN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VO THI MY LINH Chinese Customer Service

92.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

VONG TIEU LONG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

93.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VUONG QUOC CUONG Chinese Customer Service

94.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, XINGZENG Chinese Customer Service

95.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WU, DONGSHENG Chinese Customer Service

96.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, JIE Chinese Customer Service

97.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAO, YUAN Chinese Customer Service

98.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YULINA Chinese Customer Service

99.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHAO, XIN Chinese Customer Service

100.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHIN BOON KIAN Chinese Customer Specialist

101.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZUN PWINT WAI Chinese Customer Specialist

102.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

ZHENG, HAIRONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 112.

103.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Cost Control Supervisor will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

113.

104.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Sales / Marketing Supervisor will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

114.

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

115.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

HLA HTAY Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 106.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LAM MAN HONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 107.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

NYI NYI TUN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 108.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

PHAM THUY LINH Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 109.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

WIN ZAW TUN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 110.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

ZHANG, BEIBEI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 111.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customer information about product and services

Brief Job Description: Perform Necessary Variance and other accounting analysis to identify and resolve any discrepancies or gaps

ZHOU, LIANG Chinese Finance Supervisor

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 116.

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

Brief Job Description: Perform Necessary Variance and other accounting analysis to identify and resolve any discrepancies or gaps

SONG, LIGE Deputy Manager Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Cost Control Supervisor, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

117.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Sales / Marketing Supervisor, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/Good in oral communication and written

118.

119.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Assisting Managers in Taking Important Decissions Regarding Management Procedures and Operations

ZHAO, YONG Fiber Optic Cable Maintenance Brief Job Description: Supervises the Installation Maintenance testing Troubleshoot and repairing of switches cables and other telecommunications equipment in the field to ensure optimum network usage and quality ZHOU, QIANG Fiber Optic Cable Maintenance Supervisor 121.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the Installation Maintenance testing Troubleshoot and repairing of switches cables and other telecommunications equipment in the field to ensure optimum network usage and quality

XU, KAI Mandarin Speaking-it Specialist 122.

Brief Job Description: Installing new software and hardware-components; updating IT systems;

NGUYEN TRONG PHUONG Mandarin Team Leader 123.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for business consultancy practice. Accountable for successfully deliver of complex project implementation in which the team leader also acts as Project Manager.

124.

Brief Job Description: develop business proposals, analyze current and past expenses, develop creative strategies

125.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Responsible for inbound and outbound service calls

Brief Job Description: Ensure all legal and regulatory documents are filed an monitor compliance with laws and regulations.

128.

Brief Job Description: Assist in screening and assessment of qualifications of new hires, conduct training, and oversee, monitor and manage performance of individual and collective targets

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

SARKAR, SAIKAT Chief Risk Officer 129.

130.

Brief Job Description: Reporting directly to the board & CEO of the bank. Responsible for leading all risk management activities

BHAI, MANISH President/ceo Brief Job Description: Manage overall affairs of Unobank, Inc.

DANIELOU, GUILLAUME GILLES ROBERT Product And Innovation Lead 131.

Brief Job Description: Directs implementation of strategy, tracks squad progress and adjust wherever necessary

HOANG THI OANH Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer 132.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or services reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills in Mandarin; at least 1 year IT experience

TRAN VAN CHUC Marketing Specialist 133.

Brief Job Description: Contribute to the marketing effectiveness by identifying short-term and long range issues that must be addressed, provides information and recommends options and course of action.

PACHALHINA, ANASTASIIA Purchasing Manager 134.

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

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

Basic Qualification: At least 10 years of experience in an international financial institution Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: Graduate of a master’s degree in Computer Science Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Microsoft office suite, adobe creative suite and CRM CMS Software, Excellent written and verbal and written skill for foreign clients with marketing background. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Handle all concerns & matters in purchasing department.

Basic Qualification: college graduate, Fluent in English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZIGMA ASTAZONE INTERNATIONAL CORP. (ZIGMA ASTAZONE) Level 10-1 Fort Legend Tower, 31st Street Corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

135.

HENDRIK Ceo/president Brief Job Description: overall leadership and strategic planning

Basic Qualification: responsible to carry out mission for the overall management Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

ZM GLOBAL BD CORP. Unit No. 26 Flr. No. 3rd Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Bldg., F.b. Harrison St. Zone 10 District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: college graduate, fluent in english, preferably 6mos1year customer service experience

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

ZADDEN’S DISTRIBUTION INC. Unit No. 37 Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Plaza Bldg., F.b. Harrison St. Zone 10 District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Cantonese, Taiwanese and Mandarin language. Excellent communication skills. At least 1 year experience as team leader.

Basic Qualification: Graduate and master’s degree in business administration, economics, or finance

YFT DOCUMENT FACILITATION SERVICES Room No. C-06 23/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Expertise in mortgage industry requirements, staff screening, training and performance monitoring

UNOBANK INC. 2f Baic Building, 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Bangkal, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

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

JURD, JEFFREY JOHN Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Familiarity with business and financial principles.

SYKES ASIA, INC. Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

136.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English; College Graduate.

HUBA, ILLIA Purchasing Manager Brief Job Description: Handle Purchasing Department concerns/matters.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Feb 7, 2022

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on January 20, 2022, the name of MIN, LI under RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP., should have been read as LI, MIN and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on January 27, 2022, the name of TIFANNY under COLDSTREAM MARKETING SOLUTION INC., should have been read as TIFFANY and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on January 28, 2022, the name of KIM, EUNA under S-W TRADING CORP., should have been read as KIM (SPOUSE OF CHUNG), EUNA and not as published. 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 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/Good in oral communication and written

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

SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland, Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

TIAN, FENGLIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

127.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 3 years of working experience in the related field , fluent in Mandarin

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, YUXU Operations Manager

Basic Qualification: Degree holder in International Politics

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban Street, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati KIM, INTAE Business Lending Development Officer

No.

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

REVON MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. G/f Pmj Bldg., Evangelista Cor. Cuangco Sts., Pinagkaisahan, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/Good in oral communication and written

QUANHAO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Unit No.3156 Breeze Residences Bldg., Roxas Blvd. St. Zone 2, District 1, Barangay 5, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Assisting Managers in Taking Important Decissions Regarding Management Procedures and Operations

WANG, CHUANCAI Deputy Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Assisting Managers in Taking Important Decissions Regarding Management Procedures and Operations

SUN, LINYING Deputy Manager

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customer information about product and services

Brief Job Description: Perform Necessary Variance and other accounting analysis to identify and resolve any discrepancies or gaps

ZHANG, SIHUA Chinese Finance Supervisor

120.

105.

Brief Job Description: Manages the administrative services of the company

CAI, XIAOYAN Chinese Finance Supervisor

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

ZHONG, YU Chinese Speaking Business Analyst

SATO, TAKASHI General Manager For Administration & Resident Agent

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

CHEN, QINGQING Mandarin Sales/marketing Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customer information about product and services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS GLOBAL CO., LTD. - PHILIPPINE BRANCH Unit 38-c, 38/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

MZ FROZEN PRODUCTS CORPORATION Lot 63 B18, Dalagang Bukid St., Longos, City Of Malabon

LI, YONGQIANG Mandarin Cost Control Supervisor

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

126.

DONG, JIE Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Brief Job Description: Responsible for it system management

SHING HAO PLASTIC CORPORATION Pearl Island Indi. Cmpd., Phase Ii, Punturin, City Of Valenzuela

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News

BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

DA deploys ‘sentinel’ pigs to two Surigao towns to start hog repopulation after ASF By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

T PNA FILE PHOTO

lift their infected zone, or [red], status in the National Zoning Map to buffer zone [pink], only if the affected hog raisers were able to implement and follow the standard Biosecurity Measure,” Jaromahum said. Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega also lauded the efforts of the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel for their quick response and cooperation. “On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, we congratulate our LGUs (local government units) for being supportive and compliant with all of the regulatory measures and the quick assistance to our affected hog raisers. And most definitely to our hog raisers, who gave their utmost cooperation and for being extra patient despite the circumstances and losses. That’s why we are very optimistic that

this will be successful because of your efforts,” Atega said. Elisabeth Lavilla, one of the affected hog raisers from Barangay Matho shared her excitement for the sentineling protocol. “I am excited and hopeful that finally after more than a year of sacrifice, we have not recorded any confirmed case nor swine death. I am just excited to recover all of that losses because of the ASF and hoping that we gradually come back to our normal livelihood,” Lavilla said. Apart from the piglets, the Regional Livestock Program also apportioned feeds and necessary drugs, biologics, and anti-viral agents for the recipients. Another batch of sentinel pigs is set to be delivered in the Municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur next week.

The sentinel pigs would be tested for production in the ASF-hit municipalities, such as the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur. T h e s e nt i n e l i n g p r o g r a m or protocol i s a pre lude for hog repopulation on the ASFhit municipa lities in t he countr y, the DA said. It is a science-based approach, DA said, to ascertains if a virus or disease is still present in a certain area. “For an ASF-hit area to be endorsed for sentineling, there should be no detected cases and reports of related swine deaths for approximately 12 months period. The piglets will undergo a 40-day experimental period including its downtime and environmental swabbing guaranteeing that affected hog raisers must conform to the Biosecurity Level 1. Once

completed, the area will then be subjected to repopulation,” DA said. In Barangay Matho, Cortes, 16 piglets were distributed to eight hog raisers and in Barangay Magruyong, San Miguel, 17 piglets were apportioned to 17 affected hog raisers. According to Regional ASF Coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, Cortes and San Miguel were the first areas where the virus was detected. These municipalities were quick to contain and mitigate the further spread of the virus, she said. “After that first detected case of ASF in Barangay Matho in November 2020 and Barangay Magruyong in February last year, there was no reported reoccurring of cases since then. This is the reason why these municipalities were endorsed to

BI Taguig detention facility search yields gadgets, liquor, sharp objects

Odette-hit communities in Visayas still experiencing ‘waterless’ days

ore than a month after t y phoon Odet te (i nte r n at ion a l co d e name: Rai) ravaged the Visayas, communities in some provinces continue to experience water supply problems and are relying on provisions coming from donors from other areas. The Manila Water Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Manila Water Company, announced that it has sent more than 70,000 liters of drinking water and over 300 cases of P&G-donated hygiene products to affected communities in Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Siargao, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao City. The water supply were transported in coordination with the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard. The initiative is under Manila Water Foundation‘s Agapay

program which aims to immediately address the water supply and sanitation needs of affected communities. MWF Program Manager Blessille Par shared that collaboration is key in delivering WASH interventions particularly during times of emergencies. “ The demand for clean water during the relief efforts for typhoon Odette clearly heightens the role of MWF during calamities. There is also a great need to work with vulnerable communities and government units to refine ways to work together to ensure that everyone will have proper access to clean water, especially in emergency situations. We thank all our partners for stepping up with us and responding as fast as possible to extend help to our brothers in sisters in Visayas and Mindan-

ao,” she said. In an Instagram post, donor Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda (AAP) expressed its gratitude to MWF for facilitating the typhoon response relief effort, “Gracias (Thank you), Manila Water Foundation for helping us facilitate everything smoothly and with so much love!” MW has partnered with P&G Safeguard Philippines, ABS-CBN Foundation, Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda (AAP), Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Healthy & Pure Drinking Water, Lalamove, Shopee Xpress, Manila Water and its business units Boracay Water, Cebu Water, Laguna Water and Clark Water, and the local government units of Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Siargao, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao City in providing water to Odette-ravaged communities. Jonathan L. Mayuga

MMC cites labor chief’s crucial role in mitigating Covid spread in NCR

he Metro Manila Council (MMC) has cited Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III’s crucial role in mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR). The MMC acknowledged Bello in providing nearly 6,000 contact tracers, boosting the government’s capacity to mitigate the further spread of Covid-19 infection in NCR, the country’s epicenter of the pandemic. In awarding a plaque of appreciation to the labor chief, by virtue of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution No. 2202, outgoing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said: “We are extending our utmost gratitude and appreciation to DOLE

[Department of Labor and Employment] Secretary Bello for his selfless and magnanimous action for the hiring of contact tracers under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program and their deployment to the Metro LGUs [local government units].” “Ea rly detect ion of cases, through contact tracing, is a vital step in mitigating the spread of the disease. Through relentless contact tracing, the government was able to effectively identify potential carriers of the virus and their contacts and prevent the spread of the virus,” Abalos Jr., who resigned on Monday to serve as the national campaign manager of the UniTeam, said. The MMC said “contact tracers become all the more relevant not

only in the field of contact tracing initiatives but equally important in the provision of meaningful assistance in home quarantine or isolation cases, implementation of minimum public health standards, vaccination, health promotion, and non-Covid health-related work.” “These additional contact tracers were of proven and invaluable assistance to the Metro Manila Local Government Units in the identification and detection of persons who were infected with or exposed to the Covid-19 virus in line with the implementation of the Prevent-DetectIsolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy of the government,” cited in the resolution, signed by Abalos and 17 Metro Manila mayors. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

DOH records addl 702 Omicron, 9 Delta variant cases on Monday By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

AVAO CITY—Two Surigao del Sur towns were given “sentinel” pigs more than one year after they were plagued with the African Swine Fever (ASF), according to the Caraga regional office of the Department of Agriculture.

HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said it has conducted a surprise raid dubbed as “Greyhound Operation” on detainees in its warden facility in Taguig, which yielded contrabands such as electronic gadgets, alcoholic beverages and sharp objects and tools. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the raid was conducted last February 4 by the BI Warden Facility (BIWF) management, officers from the BI Intelligence Division as well as the BI Anti-Terrorist Group in coordination with the Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Intelligence Division, and the assistance of the PNP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the PNP NCRPO–Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB). Morente added that the raid was part of a series of random surprise inspections to ensure that the facility remains drug-free and free from illegal paraphernalia. Confiscated during the raid were gadgets like tablets, laptops, and cellphones, alcoholic beverages, gambling paraphernalia, kitchen knives, scissors and other sharp objects, and tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, and pliers. “This shakedown is long overdue, as the last raid that we conducted was done a year ago,” Morente said. The conduct of surprise raids, according to the BI chief, is necessary to show that there is no special treatment being given to any of the detainees. “W hile the facility is not a jail, the use of gadgets is regulated. Gambling paraphernalia are not allowed, and sharp objects are prohibited to prevent any untoward incidents,” Morente noted. Morente said the items would be temporarily kept for safekeeping in the BIWF and would be released upon the owner’s deportation. Joel R. San Juan

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

he Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported the detection of an additional 702 Omicron (B.1.1.529) and nine Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases in the whole genome sequencing run last January 30, 2022. Of the 744 samples sequenced, Omicron cases comprised 94.35 percent and 1.21 percent of Delta cases. In addition, 936 samples from the sequencing run of the University of the Philippines— Philippine Genome Center (UPPGC), and the University of the Philippines—National Institute of Health (UP-NIH) and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) last February 6, 2022 yielded 867 Omicron variant cases (92.63 percent) and seven (0.75 percent) Delta variant cases. The DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH also announced that UP-PGC Visayas has recently concluded a successful initial sequencing run of 94 samples from Western Visayas and can now regularly sequence samples. This sequencing facility will mainly accommodate samples from the Visayas region.

Omicron

The 1,569 Omicron variant cases were composed of 1,458 local cases, 76 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and 35 cases whose indicated addresses are still being verified. Based on the case line list, 72 cases are still active, four cases have died, 1,403 cases have been tagged as recovered, while there are 90

cases whose outcomes are still being verified. As of date, there are a total of nine deaths among confirmed Omicron cases, while the total number of confirmed Omicron variant cases is now 2,722. Among these cases, 499 were reported to have been fully vaccinated, 11 were partially vaccinated, 15 were unvaccinated, and 2,197 are those whose vaccination status is still currently being verified. The vaccination status of these cases was obtained from reports of the Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs).

Delta

The additional 16 Delta variant cases were local cases. Based on the case line list, two cases are still active, while 14 cases have been tagged as recovered. The total number of confirmed Delta variant cases is now 8,663. Among these cases, 628 were reported to have been fully vaccinated, 230 were partially vaccinated, 536 were unvaccinated, and 7,269 are those whose vaccination status is currently still being verified. Vaccination status of these cases were also obtained from reports of the Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs). “As cases continue to decrease, continued adherence to minimum public health standards and increased vaccination efforts remain vital to strengthen our protection and fight against the virus. Together, we can take closer steps in reaching the end of the pandemic and protecting the Filipino people,” the DOH said.

Military, PNP and Coast Guard join forces to ensure peaceful May polls By Priam Nepomuceno

Philippine News Agency

he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday adopted a joint legal cooperation against lawless groups as part of efforts to ensure peaceful and orderly elections. AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino, PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, and PCG deputy commandant for operations Vice Adm. Eduardo Fabricante signed the Joint Letter Directive (JLD) No. 01-2022 during the second command conference with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The meeting was presided by Comelec acting chairperson Socorro Inting. Also present were field unit commanders from the AFP, PNP, and PCG. In his message, Centino emphasized the AFP’s marching orders from President Rodrigo R. Duterte—finish off the communist insurgency before the Chief Executive’s term ends, and ensure the conduct of safe elections. “We came up with a plan to have sufficient forces to perform these two tasks. We have designated units to go after the armed groups. We want these units’ operations to go unhampered,” he added. Centino also said those who will not be joining these operations will be deployed on election duty. “We look forward to having a

secure election. We would like to ensure that the process will be safeguarded, and that’s the best thing that the AFP, PNP, and PCG can give to our country,” Centino said. The JLD aims to enhance coordination among signatory agencies in building up cases, investigation of crimes perpetrated by, and successful prosecution of leaders, members, and supporters of threat groups and their financers. It also intends to guide the identification and disposition of surrendered, recovered, and confiscated firearms following the chain of custody. It will be implemented under the tripartite mechanism of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center. Presentations on the gun ban implementation, threat assessment and evaluation of election hotspots, and other matters were also discussed at the conference. Meanwhile, Inting commended all the uniformed personnel for their roles during the election. “I am confident that, in the performance of your functions concerning the coming elections, our uniformed personnel shall always remain professional and non-partisan. From the manning of Comelec checkpoints and implementation of the gun ban, down to the determination of hotspots and dismantling of private armed groups, the responsibility of our uniformed personnel is a heavy one and thus deserves commendation,” Inting said.

A10 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

Protecting children against pornography

y removing all communication barriers, the Internet has become an integral part of society. It helps us connect and engage with other people, including children. While the quickly changing digital landscape is extremely promising, it has also opened up new avenues for crime and violence, posing threats and risks on child safety, especially with the ongoing pandemic. According to the United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child, “the digital environment is becoming increasingly important across most aspects of children’s lives, including during times of crisis, as societal functions, including education, government services and commerce, progressively come to rely upon digital technologies. It affords new opportunities for the realization of children’s rights, but also poses the risks of their violation or abuse.” The UN body added that “crises, such as pandemics, may lead to an increased risk of harm online, given that children spend more time on virtual platforms in those circumstances.” Today, with the pandemic, Filipino children are not exempted from digital hazards because they stay at home all the time as classes and other school activities have shifted online. With this, they are more vulnerable to online abuses, especially if they are left alone on their own. Cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) are either perpetrated by friends, peers, family members, romantic partners of the child, or by anyone on the Internet. As OSAEC continues to be a social concern, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with other members of the InterAgency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP), has been consistently protecting children against pornography by helping create a better and safer online community for them. The agency said it is our responsibility to consistently educate the children, their parents, and the general public on the nature and dynamics of the issue and on how to prevent it. There is also a need to make our reporting helplines, hotlines, and all community-based mechanisms more accessible to the public. The DSWD, as the lead agency in the promotion and protection of the children, has been robust in crafting policies, and in conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns, in collaboration with other members of the InterAgency committee. Over the years, the Department has intensified its coordination with IACACP member-agencies to address the issue of child pornography and online abuse. A major accomplishment of the Council was a strengthened advocacy for the prevention of child pornography through various platforms, including the formulation of a National Response Plan for OSAEC 2016-2020. Through the DSWD Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, 1,040 OSAEC victims from 2016 to September 2021 have been assisted. In 2021, the DSWD assisted 128 victims of OSAEC. RRPTP is one of the DSWD’s initiatives to provide adequate recovery and reintegration services to victim-survivors of trafficking. Utilizing a multi-sectoral approach, it delivers a complete package of services that will enhance the psychosocial, social, and economic needs of victim-survivors of trafficking. The DSWD and the IACACP members are inviting everyone to participate in the celebration of the Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines (SID PH) on February 8, 2022. A forum with Internet service providers (ISPs) dubbed “ABCs of ISPs in Combating OSAEC” will be conducted during the kickoff activity to discuss the available technologies to combat and address OSAEC. Mandated through Presidential Proclamation No. 417 in 2018, the celebration of Safer Internet Day for Children is one of the government’s strategies, through the IACACP, to spread awareness on the emerging needs to ensure the protection of children from risks and abuses brought about by lack of awareness or the misuse of the Internet. The DSWD is calling for the continued support of all stakeholders, parents and guardians to observe, protect, and safeguard the best interest and welfare of all Filipino children against OSAEC. The Department is also encouraging the community to be on the alert and immediately report to the authorities all forms of abuses against children.

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With prudence, PHL is ready for Covid-19 exit Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

N exit strategy from the restraints brought about by Covid-19 is certainly a welcome development. European nations are leading in the withdrawal of defenses against the pandemic after the Omicron variant has proven to be a milder strain of the virus. The Philippines can follow in the footsteps of Europe, with prudence as the guiding principle of the exit plan. The World Health Organization’s office in Europe last week virtually declared the war against the pandemic in the region over, predicting a “long period of tranquility” after Sweden and Spain joined Britain, Denmark and France in lifting almost all Covid-19 restrictions. I can only agree with the statement of WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge, who said, “there is a singular opportunity to take control of the transmission.” The Philippines, like other countries, has learned its lessons from the latest Omicron wave. We did not panic and we still kept the economy open. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, to its

credit, did not resort to widespread lockdowns. Instead, it opted for granular or household lockdowns that zeroed in on the source of the infection and effectively contained the virus spread. The full reopening of the economy, including the resumption of inperson classes, is the real normal that we want to happen in the Philippines. We as a nation have shown in January that we can live with the virus. A more virulent strain may emerge after Omicron, but we know now how to deal with it. We can always apply granular lockdowns in case of a spike. There is no need to impose strict measures that only disrupt eco-

Going to the mall

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John Mangun

Lourdes M. Fernandez

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Y trip to the mall this weekend was most revealing. This mall “has a gross floor area of 400,000 square meters and is the fifth-largest mall in the Philippines with over 1,300 stores. I expect a shopping mall will provide me with a computerized interactive kiosk showing me the store locations even though I know they work only part time. If that is not available, I anticipate that there will be a friendly security guard that I can ask how to find the CR. For the first time, there was not a single guard other than at the mall entrances. Those guards are there for our safety and some old guy—not me, of course—could have kicked the bucket and the mall might not have known for three days. I was surprised at what appears to be a cost-cutting measure. My experience last weekend was the same as I have seen at other malls. There are a few “holes” here and there

where stores used to be. I also have seen some “Opening Soon” signs of companies that are probably taking advantage of reduced rents and terms to expend. That’s good. I had some trouble buying some items I needed. We are in the last weeks of a remodeling that has taken 20 months. Twenty months of waiting, not working, as the lockdowns created start-stop-start-stop construction. Ok, it is partially my fault as I kept adding “improvements.” How did I know that I needed a television area for playing PS in my office? There was healthy customer traffic at the mall, not pre-Covid yet but much better. About the only stores that seemed empty were selling

The optimist in me is telling me that the WHO will soon downgrade Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic and classify it, perhaps, like a seasonal flu. But whether Covid-19 becomes an ordinary flu that can be treated at home and without need for hospitalization or not, Filipinos should not lower their guard. The pandemic exit may be near but it is still better to err on the side of caution.

nomic activities and our way of life. I am pleased to learn that the government is slowly loosening Covid-19 restrictions given the declining daily and active cases in the Philippines. Quarantine facilities like hotels are no longer required for our overseas Filipino workers, returning residents and even foreign tourists. Their stay in the Philippines is very much welcome—their spending will drive economic growth—and spur others, especially foreign tourists, to come home and revive the domestic travel sector. Latest Philippine Covid-19 data support the pandemic exit. Daily cases currently hover around 8,000 from a peak of nearly 40,000 in January, while active cases are down to

My experience last weekend was the same as I have seen at other malls. There are a few “holes” here and there where stores used to be. I also have seen some “Opening Soon” signs of companies that are probably taking advantage of reduced rents and terms to expend. That’s good. clothes and shoes. But, it is going to take two weeks to have my refrigerator and stove delivered. I am a shopper. At 11 a.m. there were several units of both available for immediate delivery in two days. Coming back after lunch, those units had been sold at multiple branches of this appliance store and would have to be sourced from the main warehouse and that takes more time. At least people are buying. As I said before, the strongest deterrent to us getting back to normal is going to be our fears. By protocols and common sense upon entering the mall your temperature is checked (a waste of time, but why not) and your vaccination proof is examined. But when entering an upscale casual restaurant—P900 per person including coffee and a serving of their

just above 150,000 as of last Friday, from a peak of about 290,000 on January 17. More importantly, the Omicron variant did not burden our hospitals as many of those infected stayed home to manage the infection. Just 44 percent of ICU beds, 43 percent of isolation beds, 43 percent of ward beds and 24 percent of ventilators were in use nationwide. In Metro Manila, the rate is 37 percent of ICU beds, 32 percent of isolation beds, 36 percent of ward beds and 23 percent of ventilators. Meanwhile, just exactly how soon we will implement the Covid-19 exit strategy is all up to our health authorities. I believe current Philippine data and developments in other nations point to a regression of the virus from its pandemic nature to an endemic phase—one that we can live with and manage but one that will not go away. The return to the “new normal,” or Alert Level 1, will depend on how fast Covid-19 cases drop and other data, such as hospitalization rate and an average daily attack rate of below 1. The downgrade to Alert Level 1, of course, is the ideal situation. Commercial establishments under this level can do away with restrictions on their venue capacity. Travel will See “Villar,” A11

cake—not only do I have to show my vax ID, but I must fill out a form. Further, I was requested to wear my mask at all times except when putting food in my mouth. One woman should not have ordered soup as she was struggling with mask down-soup in-mask down-soup in. I decided to spend my money at a more customer friendly place. We the People have been battered for two years and not just by the virus. Government, media, and experts from “Insane Fanatic” to “Genuine Expertise” have tried to rule our lives. While it is true there are still some “Covid Crazy Towns” like the US and Canada in terms of the illness and government response, the illness is local and the local trend is good. NCR total bed occupancy is 32 percent, with national at 38 percent. We need to start trying to get back to normal. We need support. Unless you want to depend on Grab for your revenue model, businesses need to start working with us to get back to that normal. I like eating soup. Remember that. 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.

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Tuesday, February 8, 2022 A11

The 2022 OECD Transfer The never-ending issue of corruption Pricing Guidelines Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Jomel N. Manaig

Tax Law for Business Part One

oving with the unrelenting march of time and progress, the assimilation of different economic activities and integration of various business needs gave rise to issues relating to the artificial shifting of taxable profits and the increased risk of economic double taxation. Having this in mind, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued the Transfer Pricing Guidelines to provide guidance on the application of the “arm’s length principle.” The TPG represents the international consensus on the valuation of transactions between associated enterprises. While not being a member of the OECD, the Philippines, through the BIR, adheres to the OECD guidelines in principle. Even the BIR’s own TPG recognizes that it is largely based on the arm’s length methodologies as set out under the OECD TPG. Owing to the increasingly complex nature of transactions bearing equally complex tax issues, the OECD TPG continues to evolve through the issuance of new editions. The latest of these editions is the 2022 OECD TPG. In this two-part article, we will explore the more significant changes adopted in the 2022 OECD TPG (as compared to its previous iteration, the 2017 OECD TPG), namely: (1) the revised guidelines on the Transactional Profit Split Method (TPSM); (2) guidelines on hard-to-value intangibles (HTVI); and (3) guidelines on financial transactions. For the first part, we will delve deeper into the guidelines regarding TPSM and HTVI. The TPSM is one of the transfer pricing methodologies adopted by the OECD. While the basic premise of TPSM remains unchanged, the revision expanded the underlying principles on how it may be considered as the most appropriate method to be used. While the lack of available comparables is, by itself, insufficient to warrant the use of TPSM, if reliable comparables are available then it is unlikely that TPSM will be the most appropriate. The main strength of TPSM is that it can offer a solution for cases where both parties to a transaction make unique and valuable contributions to the transaction. Consequently, the allocation of profits under the TPSM may be based on the contributions made by the associated enterprises. In determining the applicability of the TPSM, an accurate delineation of the actual transaction is important. Some factors that offer an indication that the TPSM may be considered as the most appropriate transfer pricing method are: (1) the existence of unique and valuable contributions by each of the parties to the transaction; (2) the presence of highly integrated business operations; and (3) the shared assumption of economically significant risks and separate assumption of closely-related risks. The revisions also dealt with the recommended approaches to splitting profits such as the contribution analysis and the residual analysis. Examples of profit splitting factors, such as the asset-based profit splitting factors and the cost-based profit splitting factors, were likewise given attention.

Villar. . .

Continued from A10

also be allowed irrespective of age or comorbidities, while maintaining compliance with minimum public health standards. But first things first, the Philippines must vaccinate as many Filipinos as possible to protect the population from Omicron and other variants that could emerge. The optimist in me is telling me

While not being a member of the OECD, the Philippines, through the BIR, adheres to the OECD guidelines in principle. Even the BIR’s own TPG recognizes that it is largely based on the arm’s length methodologies as set out under the OECD TPG. Aside from the revised guidelines on TPSM, the 2022 OECD TPG also gave way to the guidelines on HTVI, which are aimed at preventing base erosion and profit shifting by moving intangibles among group members. An HTVI is an intangible, whereby at the time of its transfer: (1) there are no existing reliable comparables; and (2) the projections of future cash flow or income are highly uncertain. The recommended HTVI approach under the 2022 OECD TPG protects tax administrations from the negative effects of information asymmetry by ensuring that tax administrations can consider ex post outcomes as presumptive evidence about the appropriateness of the ex ante pricing arrangements. However, the ex post evidence should not be used without considering whether the information on which the ex post results are based could or should reasonably have been considered by the associated enterprises at the time the transaction was entered into. Thereafter, the taxpayer has the opportunity to rebut such presumptive evidence by demonstrating the reliability of the information supporting the pricing methodology adopted at the time the controlled transaction took place. In addition, in the event that the application of the HTVI approach leads to double taxation, the guidelines provide that it is important to permit resolution of such issue through access to the Mutual Agreement Procedure under the applicable tax treaty. For the second part of this article, we will go for a closer look at the transfer pricing aspects of financial transactions to wrap-up the major changes in the 2022 OECD TPG. The author is a junior partner 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 jomel.manaig@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 380.

that the WHO will soon downgrade Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic and classify it, perhaps, like a seasonal flu. But whether Covid-19 becomes an ordinary flu that can be treated at home and without need for hospitalization or not, Filipinos should not lower their guard. The pandemic exit may be near but it is still better to err on the side of caution. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

O, what else is new? Once again, corruption is a dominant issue in this year’s elections. Since we gained our independence from the US in 1946, corruption issues hurled by opposing candidates against each other have marred our elections. In the first postwar presidential election on April 23, 1946, Manuel Roxas’s paramount issue against the incumbent, President Sergio Osmeña Sr., was graft and corruption in the government. Right after the war, the US provided massive financial aid to the Philippines for rehabilitation and reconstruction, and Roxas claimed that rogue government officials in the Osmeña administration personally profited from it. Jose P. Laurel and Ramon Magsaysay raised the same issue against President Elpidio Quirino when they challenged the incumbent president in the presidential elections of 1949 and 1953, respectively. Quirino was accused of having a “golden orinola” (bedpan) and a bed costing a fortune. He lost in his reelection bid in 1953. Henceforth, every presidential contender raises graft and corruption issues against the administration’s bet to oust the party in power. Even President Diosdado Macapagal who was reputed to be incorruptible failed to escape from this malady. The Stonehill scandal haunted him when he ran for reelection in 1965 and lost to the challenger, Ferdinand Marcos. Corruption reached its nadir during the time of President Marcos and enemies of his regime had been merciless in denouncing the anomalies of his administration. The “jueteng payola” scandal led to President Erap Estrada’s ouster, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo faced graft and plunder charges after her term. The botched National Broadband Network-ZTE deal, which was undertaken in 2007, was an odious transaction that had hassled the Arroyo presidency. And Noynoy Aquino was catapulted to Malacañang on the strength of his campaign slogan, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” The 2022 presidential election is no exception. Every account of corruption exposed by political op-

ponents and the muckraking media appeals to voters. Candidates try to scoop each other in denouncing graft and corrupt practices of their adversaries. The public love and adore anyone who boldly denounces anomalies committed by government officials. Eliminating corruption was one of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s promises when he was campaigning for the office, and this curse is still very much upon us with a little over four months left before he ends his term. In fact, last week he threatened to expose the most corrupt candidate who is seeking to replace him. Without naming names, he said that one presidential candidate is too corrupt. Presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao anchors his campaign on combating corruption in government. In an interview with Boy Abunda, Pacquiao claimed that people should not vote for his fellow candidates Bongbong Marcos and Isko Moreno because their names are allegedly tainted with corruption allegations. He even proposed to build a “mega prison” if he gets elected, which will serve as a detention facility for those convicted of corruption. He averred, “Our country has suffered because of thieves in government.” For her part, Vice

President Leni Robredo stressed that she would require mandatory release of SALNs to promote full transparency in government if she is elected president. Presidentiable Senator Ping Lacson vowed that he would go after the “big fish” not just the “small fry” in weeding out corruption in the government. “If we become president and vice president (referring to him and his running mate, Senator Tito Sotto) of this country, Filipinos may yet witness the spectacle of a Cabinet member turned rogue being arrested for extortion.” He denounced half-hearted anticorruption efforts when those close to the President are involved. “There must be a single standard of leadership, applicable to all; unlike what we have seen in the past, the treatment will vary when someone close is involved, like someone who has helped a politician in the elections.” Clarifying his position on whether he would pursue the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses, Mayor Isko Moreno insisted that he would prosecute corrupt officials, both past and present, who had stolen money from the government. He promised to keep the PCGG to continue its mandate of prosecuting rogue government officials who had stolen funds from government coffers. Even presidential bet Leody de Guzman has joined the chorus and declared that corruption is one of Duterte’s legacy to the next generation. We are among the most corrupt countries in the world. In 2019, the Deputy Ombudsman Cyril Ramos estimated that approximately P700 billion are lost annually due to corruption. It is a social cancer that must be excised if we are to move forward as a nation. Public sector corruption has become endemic, which destroys the fabric of our government. Corruption has a significant impact on our economy. When an official intervenes for personal gain in public bidding, auctions, purchases and acquisition, policymaking, and issuance of regulations, good government flies out of the window. As in the current Pharmally scandal, bidding irregularities, overpricing and inferior quality of goods and

services are the dire consequences of bribery and corruption. The public that is the ultimate beneficiary of public spending suffer since they do not receive what is rightfully due them. We should put an end to this insidious practice. Let’s elect honest candidates with an unblemished record of public service. The moment we accept bribes or gifts from any candidate, we open up our electoral process to corruption. People get the government they deserve. If we ourselves are corrupt, let’s not expect our elected leaders to be clean and incorruptible. When we give a P50 bill when a traffic officer accosts us for over speeding or beating a red light instead of showing him our driver’s license, we abet corruption. When we agree to a lower tax assessment to be issued by a BIR examiner in exchange for a bribe, we promote corruption in our system. I don’t think that this flaw in our national character is congenital. Corruption is not carried in our DNA. It seems that our craving for financial security and material objects have neutered our moral sensibilities to accept corruption as a matter of fact, if not a way of life. But let’s not blame our Spanish and American colonizers, as some writers are wont to do, for the rampant corruption in our country. We have been a sovereign nation for over three quarters of a century and we have no more foreign masters who would take advantage of us economically so it would not be deemed wrong to cheat or defraud them. Corruption is not eliminated by removing one corrupt administration and replacing it with another. There will be no end to it if the new administration will only serve the economic interests of its patrons, or resort to corrupt practices to build up its own resources, in order to keep itself in power. It will be a vicious cycle all over again. This year’s election should be our epiphany and regeneration. Let’s discard our old evil ways and embrace new politics, which will install leaders with honesty and integrity. Our people will forever remain mired in decadence if we can’t lick graft and corruption.

Top Biden aide says Ukraine invasion could come ‘any day’ By Aamer Madhani | The Associated Press

ILMINGTON, Del.—White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine “any day,” launching a conflict that would come at an “enormous human cost.” The senior adviser to President Joe Biden offered another stark warning the day after US officials confirmed that Russia has assembled at least 70 percent of the military firepower it likely intends to have in place by mid-month to give President Vladimir Putin the option of launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “If war breaks out, it will come at an enormous human cost to Ukraine, but we believe that based on our preparations and our response, it will come at a strategic cost to Russia as well,” Sullivan said. Sullivan did not directly address reports that the White House has briefed lawmakers that a full Russian invasion could lead to the quick capture of Kyiv and potentially result in as many as 50,000 casualties as he made appearances on a trio of Sunday talk shows. US officials, who discussed internal assessments of the Russian buildup on the condition that they not be identified, sketched out a series of indicators suggesting that Putin intends to start an invasion in the coming weeks, although the size and scale are unclear. They stressed that a diplomatic solution appears to remain possible. Among those military indicators: an exercise of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces that usually is held each fall was rescheduled for mid-February to March. That coincides with what US officials see as the most likely window for invasion. The administration has stepped

up warnings in recent days that Russia increasingly seems intent on further invading Ukrainian territory. Last week, Biden administration officials said that intelligence findings showed that the Kremlin had worked up an elaborate plot to fabricate an attack by Ukrainian forces that Russia could use as a pretext to take military action against its neighbor. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that the scheme included production of a graphic propaganda video that would show staged explosions and use corpses and actors depicting grieving mourners. “It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet,” Sullivan said. He added that Putin “has put himself in a position with military deployments to be able to act aggressively against Ukraine at any time now.” Sullivan said that the administration held on to hope that the Russians would move to de-escalate the situation through diplomacy. “The key thing is that the United States needs to be and is prepared for any of those contingencies and in lockstep with our allies and partners,” Sullivan said. “We have reinforced and reassured our allies on the eastern flank.” Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, attended a classified briefing last week that administration officials gave to members of

Congress. He was asked whether he came away from the briefing thinking it was certain that Russia would move on Ukraine. “I would say the conditions are there. It’s more likely than not. I think the noose is being prepared. It’s around Ukraine right now as we speak. These are dangerous times,” McCaul said. Biden’s ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the administration was still seeking a diplomatic solution, but “at the same time, we know that the Russians continue to prepare, and we will be working to address the security issues.” Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Ukraine was the first part of Putin’s plan to reassemble the Soviet Union. He worried about what signal that could send to US adversaries. “He needs to choke on trying to swallow Ukraine because if it’s easy pickings for him, my worry is that then China moves against Taiwan and Iran moves quickly to a nuclear weapon.” Meanwhile, elite US troops and equipment landed Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine following Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds more troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected to arrive at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport. A US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane brought a few dozen troops and vehicles. Their commander is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who on August 30 was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan. “Our national contribution here

in Poland shows our solidarity with all of our allies here in Europe and, obviously, during this period of uncertainty we know that we are stronger together,” Donahue said at the airport. Biden ordered additional US troops deployed to Poland, Romania and Germany to demonstrate America’s commitment to Nato’s eastern flank amid the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Nato’s eastern member Poland borders both Russia and Ukraine. Romania borders Ukraine. The division can rapidly deploy within 18 hours and conduct parachute assaults to secure key objectives. Based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the division’s history goes back to 1917. Biden is set to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday at the White House. Scholz has said that Moscow would pay a “high price” in the event of an attack, but his government’s refusal to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, bolster its troop presence in eastern Europe or spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia has drawn criticism abroad and at home. French President Emmanuel Macron was to arrive Monday in Moscow for talks with Putin, and in the days to come, Scholz will be there, too. Biden and Macron spoke by phone on Sunday, discussing “diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders,” according to the White House. Sullivan expressed certainty that operation of the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline “will not move forward” if Russia further invades Ukraine. Construction of the pipeline is complete, but gas is not yet flowing.

A12 Tuesday, February 8, 2022

10-YR PHL INNOVATION PLAN BEING CRAFTED, OUT IN 2022 By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE National Innovation Council (NIC) will release this year the country’s 10year vision and agenda to boost innovation, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). The NIC said it is now developing the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) which aims to establish the countr y’s 10year vision, long-term goals, agenda, and strategies related to innovation. The NIASD will be formulated through a series of co-creation workshops with the NIC member agencies and other stakeholders, and be guided by the Philippine Innovation Toolkit. “A strong economic foundation built on inclusive innovation will be crucial in raising overall productivity and bringing prosperity to the people. The Philippine Innovation Act provides us with a window of opportunity to achieve this objective by creating a culture of future planning and funding innovative solutions,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said. To enhance the innovation capacity of the Philippines, all government agencies are mandated by RA 11293 to comply

with the NIASD and pursue its attainment through a collective national effort. The NIC is tasked to develop the country’s strategic vision, goals, and strategies for innovation. It has 25 members led by the President of the Philippines as the chairperson. The Council also includes the Socioeconomic Planning Secretary as the vice-chairperson; heads of 16 other member agencies; and seven executive members from the private sector. As vice-chairperson of the NIC, Chua was authorized by the President to chair the first council meeting. “Higher productivity will allow us to graduate from our current low middle-income country status to upper-middle income country status by the end of 2022, and high-income country status in one generation. For the Filipino people, it means living without poverty and having equal opportunities to succeed,” said Chua. Recent economic indicators, Neda said, showed the Philippines is on track to achieving an upper-middle income country status in 2022. Chua said sustaining this level of development rests on the country’s ability to innovate in an increasingly competitive and resource-constrained world. See “Innovation,” A2

As campaign period opens, Comelec curbs on ads begin R By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ESTRICTIONS on election ads and on close-contact interaction such as hugs, kisses and selfies with potential voters for national candidates finally took effect on Tuesday as the Commission on Elections started enforcing prohibitions for the campaign period.

Comelec’s Education and Information Department (EID) Assistant Director Elaiza S. David said they expanded the regulations for the campaign period this year to include minimum health standards amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike in previous elections, she noted candidates will now be mandated to get permits from the Comelec Campaign Committee (CCC) before they can conduct inperson campaign, caucaus, meetings, conventions, rallies and miting de avance as stated under Comelec Resolution No. 10732. Permits to hold such activities on a limited scale will be based on the current Alert Level in certain areas set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF). The candidates will also be banned from entering private

dwellings even with the express permission of the homeowner, crowding, engaging in handshakes, hugs, kisses, and selfies with the public and the distribution of food and drinks. “We have to maintain or observe the minimum public health standards,” David said in a televised interview last Monday. Any violation of the said rules will be considered an election offense, which could be sanctioned with imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.

Ad restrictions

COMELEC will also be enforcing its rules for campaign ads under its resolution No. 10730. “During the campaign period, printed election materials must conform to Fair Elections Act regulations to size and location of posting,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez

said in a post in his Twitter account. In the case of broadcast election propaganda, Comelec will limit its duration for television to 120 minutes for television advertising on a per station basis and 180 minutes for radio advertising on a per station basis. For social media election propaganda, David said they will only be monitoring the expenses of each candidate for such ads and on which platforms it will be posted. “That is as far as we can [regulate]. As to its content, we cannot regulate,” David said. “We also instructed all the candidates to submit to Comelec all of their verified social media accounts and pages so we can monitor the conduct of their campaign using social media,” she added.

Excluded expenses

DAVID reiterated that the ad expenses for each candidate prior to the campaign period will not be included in their expenditure limit under the Republic Act (RA) 7166. She noted such lavish spending is not considered against their rules since it does not yet fall within the campaign period. “As I said, we don’t have premature campaigning,” David said. “What we will tabulate [are the expenses] during the campaign

period when all the guidelines for the candidates will apply.” Comelec issued the clarification after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) recently published a report that several candidates already spent millions of pesos prior to the campaign period in “traditional” media. Based on the report, incumbent Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson registered the biggest spending from January to December 2021, P910.30 million, and was followed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso with P735.44 million. Under R A 7166, presidential and vice presidential candidates are only allowed to spend P10 per voter for their overall campaign expenditure. For other candidates, the rate is only at P3 per candidate. There are currently over 67.4 million voters according to Comelec data.

E-rallies

IN a related development, David said they will also start holding their “electronic-rallies” on Feb. 8, 2022, wherein they will allow election bets to post their campaign materials using Comelec’s official social media accounts for free. See “Campaign period,” A2

Cebu Pacific reminds travelers of new rules taking effect Feb. 10

EBU Pacific announced late Monday that from February 10, fully vaccinated foreign nationals coming to the Phi lippines for business and tourism purposes from certain countries are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival, according to the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases issued on February 3. (Read more here: IATF Resolution 160-B) They will be allowed to enter without visas provided they present their negative RT-PCR test results performed 48 hours prior to departure and evidence of complete vaccination. These countries include Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. According to the Cebu Pacific advisory, additional requirements include: ■ Tickets valid for a return journey to the port of origin or the next port of destination no later than 30 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines; ■ Have passports valid for a period of at least 6 (six) months at the time of their arrival; ■ Have Covid-19 travel insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000 during their stay in the Philippines Children under 12 years of age who cannot be vaccinated shall follow the quarantine protocols of the parent/s or the accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them. Minors 12-17 years of age shall follow the protocol based on their vaccination status (i.e., vaccinated or unvaccinated). In case of such unvaccinated minor children, either foreign or Filipino parents should accompany such child or children during their facility-based quarantine. The carrier reminded the public of the following guidelines as well:

· An individual is considered fully vaccinated if all of the following requisites are met: ■ Received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose vaccine more than 14)days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarka ■ Vaccine is included in any of the following: ■ Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List ■ Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration ■ Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization o Can present any of the following proofs of vaccination: ■ World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis ■ VaxCertPH ■ National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement ■ Other proofs of vaccination permitted by the IATF ■ Foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes may enter the Philippines without visas, provided they: Qualify as former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privilege under Republic Act No. 9174, including their spouse and/or children who are not balikbayans in their own right and are traveling with them to the Philippines; provided they are not restricted nationals; OR ■ Are a citizen/national of the countries entitled to a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days (Executive Order 408, S. 1960, as amended) o Are fully vaccinated (except for children below 12) All passengers must register for One Health Pass and save the unique transaction number once registration is complete.

PHILIPPINE Consul General in New York Elmer Cato meets with New York City Commissioner for International Affairs Edward A. Mermelstein, who made a courtesy call at the consulate recently. The latter conveyed Mayor Eric Adams’s pledge to make the streets safe again by addressing homelessness and mental health issues, seen to have fueled the surge in anti-Asian hate violence against Filipinos and other members of the Asian-American Community in the past year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pinoys look to NY mayor to make streets safe

EW YORK—Filipinos are counting on New York City Mayor Eric Adams to make the streets safe again by addressing homelessness and mental health issues that have contributed to the surge in anti-Asian hate violence against Filipinos and other members of the Asian-American Community in the past year. This was personally conveyed by New York City Commissioner for International Affairs Edward A. Mermelstein during a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General on February 3.

“We welcome the plans of Mayor Adams to address homelessness and mental health as these concerns are inextricably linked to the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents in New York City,” Consul General Cato said. During the meeting, Cato said he is hoping to see a downtrend in race-based violence in the coming months based on the plans of Mayor Adams to devote more resources to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and increase police visibility, especially in the subways. According to crime statistics

released by the NYPD last month, anti-Asian hate incidents went up 367 percent from 28 incidents in 2020 to 131 in 2021. The NYPD also reported arresting 58 suspects in these incidents. Cato said at least 23 members of the Filipino Community were among the victims, including a 61-year-old church worker whose face was slashed while riding the subway; a 65-year-old woman who was violently attacked while walking to church; and a 67-yearold nurse who was assaulted while distributing face masks, also in the subway.

For his part, Commissioner Mermelstein assured consulate officials that addressing the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes is a top priority for Mayor Adams, a former police officer who, he said, has zero tolerance for race-based violence. Aside from anti-Asian hate Cato and Mermelstein discussed possible collaboration between the Consulate and New York City on cultural exchanges; services that could be made available to members of the Filipino Community; and trade, investment, and tourism promotion, among others.

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

SMIC secures nod of SEC to issue ₧15-B retail bonds By VG Cabuag

@villygc

M Investments Corp. (SMIC), the holding firm of the Sy family, on Monday said it has secured the permission of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue P15 billion in fixed-rate retail bonds. The offer, composed of P10 billion of fixed-rate bonds and an oversubscription option of up to P5 billion, is the second tranche of the company’s P30-billion debt securities under shelf registration. The company has also set the interest rates for the second tranche bonds—3.5915 percent for the three-year retail series I bond due 2025 and 4.7713 per-

cent for the series J 5-year retail bond due 2027. The bonds will be offered to investors through underwriters from February 7 to 11 band are set to be issued on February 18. The debt will be listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. for trading. Net proceeds from the offer will be used primarily to refi-

nance existing debts, the company said. The company said it has P2.95 billion in loans from Mizuho Bank Ltd. that will mature in March, P2.55 billion in loans from The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. maturing in May and P2.5 billion in loans from BDO Unibank Inc. falling due also in May. The company will also have pay its Series D bondholders worth P7.68 billion which will mature in July. The company engaged BDO Capital and Investment Corp. and China Bank Capital Corp. as joint issue managers for the offer, who will also work with BPI Capital Corp., East West Banking Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corp. as joint bookrunners and joint lead underwriters. In November 2021, SMIC an-

nounced that its net income in January to September grew 79 percent to P27.2 billion, from the previous year’s P15.2 billion. Consolidated revenues rose 5 percent to P289.4 billion during the nine-month period from last year’s P276.4 billion. Banking accounted for 60 percent of SMIC’s reported net earnings from core businesses, followed by property at 27 percent and retail at 13 percent. Retail net income was at P4.8 billion, growing more than double from P2.2 billion in 2021, on the back of the sustained growth in sales of the department store and specialty stores as well as cost management. R et a i l re venues, howe ver, slightly fell to P204.9 billion from last year’s P206.1 billion due to a higher base in 2020 from pantry loading of grocery items.

German firms in PHL set green goals By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

hree in four German companies doing business in the Philippines have set sustainability goals as the majority monitor discussions and developments relating to environment and climate change. In the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad World Business Outlook Survey Fall 2021-Sustainability Evaluation, it was noted that the German companies have cited sustainability as an “increasingly important” aspect of their operations. “We acknowledge the need to conduct sustainable and honorable business practices which many of our members already do,” said Stefan Schmitz, president of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI). Schmitz said they support member companies by “helping capacitate” them in waste water management, renewable energy and green financing. GPCCI Executive Director Chris-

topher Zimmer said they are also “currently investigating opportunities on green hydrogen as well as environmental technologies.” Some 58 percent of the respondents in the country also agreed that sustainable corporate financing is an important matter. From a global perspective, 63 percent of the German companies shared the same sentiment. “In the future, besides the market opportunities of a product, other criteria will play an increasingly decisive role in financing decisions, namely those related to environmental and climate protection as well as to other sustainability issues,” the study said. However, only 18 percent of the German firms in the country said they are preparing for the implementation of the German Law on Due Diligence in Supply Chains. The report noted that the said law was passed to “ensure that larger German companies take care of their suppliers’ compliance with certain social and environmental standards from 2023 onwards by anchoring corresponding in their supplier contracts.”

The said measure’s objective is to protect human rights and the environment within the supply chains of companies with 3,000 or more employees in Germany. The GPCCI survey has 74 respondents coming from different sectors, including manufacturing, construction, trade and services. It was conducted from September 24, 2021 to October 15, 2021. In a survey last December 2021, 57 percent of the German firms that have local operations have an optimistic outlook for their businesses in the next 12 months on the back of positive medium-term economic projection and growing confidence in local investments. Some 32 percent considered the current situation of their companies as “good,” which is higher than 21 percent in the previous study. Nearly half said they were satisfied while the remaining 20 percent said it was “bad.” The top risks identified by the respondents in the next twelve months include demand, economic policy framework and price of raw materials.

Coco industry backs hike in CME blend

he local coconut industry has thrown its support behind the government’s move to increase the coco biodiesel fuel content to 5 percent from the current 2 percent this year, as this will both help the farmers and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. According to computations, increasing the blend to 5 percent, means an additional 21.7 billion coconuts harvested and sold for the full-year. On average, that amounts to over 1.9 billion additional coconuts per year until 2030, or up to 2.3 times more income to the farmers in a year, compared to now, not even factoring the rise in coconut prices due to the increased demand. For the jeepney and truck drivers, the increased blend will allow them to drive 6 percent farther in average traffic, compared when using the 2 percent blend. “If we could use B5 [5 percent blend] throughout 2022, we would have further reduced

our carbon footprint by another 588,000 tons, on top of the 4.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions for the year if we remained on B2 [2 percent blend],” Pampanga second district Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo said in a statement. “Coco biodiesel helps our farmers, bolsters the economy, and even reduces air pollution that kills or debilitates so many of our people.” This will somehow offset the increase in fuel prices due to the shift to B5, but the cleaner burn also helps declog diesel engines and fuel lines, and decreases maintenance costs, he said. “Congressman Arroyo sees the immediate and long term impact of a higher biodiesel mandate. The immediate benefits come with practically no additional investment in capex or infrastructure. CME [coco methyl ester] is in abundance and the coconut industry has been advocating this higher mandate since 2009,” said The Philippine Biodiesel As-

sociation President Dean Lao Jr. “It only takes the National Biofuels Board to convene and make the decision. Biofuels have been part of the Philippine Energy Plan all along. The time to act is now so the benefits can be enjoyed by Filipinos now.” Arroyo said it will help the biodiesel industry, as it will sell an additional 3.1 billion liters of B100 CME sold, equivalent to an additional P186 billion. At the moment, the sectoral working group for biodiesel has been working towards the promulgation of the Philippine National Standard for B5 biodiesel, but is currently on hold. Oil companies have raised issues regarding the use of CME, including its corrosive effects on engines, and its implications on their storage, handling and distribution systems and facilities. An impact assessment study on the increase from B2 to B5 is ongoing, according to Philippine government website industry.gov. ph. VG Cabuag

Unit 1 of Avion plant back online–FGEN By Lenie Lectura @llectura

he first unit of Avion gas power plant owned by First Gen Corp. (FGEN) unit, Prime Meridian Power Gen Corp. (PMPC), is now back online. It said Monday that Avion unit 1 (48.5MW) is currently commercially available on natural gas operation but General Electric (GE) will continue recomissioning and testing activities using liquid fuel. The 97MW Avion plant utilizes GE LM6000 PC dual fuel aero-derivative gas turbines. “First Gen has been advised by its subsidiary, PMPC, that the restoration works of Uni1 of the 97MW Avion power plant have been partially completed by GE, the original equipment manufacturer,” it said. It can be recalled that GE said in December last year that the damage of Avion unit 1’s compressor was found during an inspection. “After carefully reviewing the findings, GE has advised PMPC that Avion Unit 1 cannot be operated and will require further onsite assessment to determine the extent of the damage and effect repairs necessary to place the gas turbine back into service,” First Gen said in December last year.

The Avion power plant, which is located within the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas City, is one of the gas facilities that source fuel from the offshore Malampaya gas field. In December 2021, First Gen announced that it will borrow P2.8 billion from banks to fund the requirements of its 97-megawatt (MW) Avion dual-fired open-cycle gas turbine power plant. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, the Lopez-led firm said PMPC signed a total of P2.8-billion 3-year term loan facilities with Bank of the Philippine Islands and ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch. The proceeds from the loans will be primarily used to fund the general and corporate working capital requirements of PMPC, which owns and operates the Avion plant. The company is a leading independent power producer in the Philippines that primarily utilizes clean and indigenous fuels. It has 3,495MW of installed capacity in its portfolio, which accounts for 19 percent of the country’s net generation. In November 2021, it reported that its net income as of end-September grew by 11 percent to P10.3 billion from last year’s P9.6 billion.

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 7, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

57,350 326,503,517 664,243,044.50 835,750 6,473 2,459,883 745,561,057.50 85,713 3,856,050 145,182 778,270 285,027,339 71,342,299 78,700 15,890 65,160 10,050 115,200 149,180 146,128

13,350 -115,952,872 168,992,926.50 -277,520 376,161 -40,791,620 -76,405 29,950.00 80,378,959 -6,215,862 -4,000 115,200 20,960

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 9.3 9.33 9.45 9.48 9.18 9.3 22,781,700 212,849,357 ALSONS CONS 1.01 1.04 1.06 1.06 1.01 1.01 510,000 520,870 ABOITIZ POWER 35.7 35.8 35.95 35.95 35.4 35.7 2,054,000 73,307,455 BASIC ENERGY 0.51 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.51 0.51 9,624,000 4,913,190 FIRST GEN 27.5 27.9 27.95 28 27.5 27.5 343,100 9,529,430 FIRST PHIL HLDG 70.5 70.6 70.3 70.6 70 70.6 41,380 2,902,215 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 3.94 5 5 5 5 5 3,700 18,500 MERALCO 340.4 345.8 348 353.8 340.4 340.4 216,140 74,820,096 MANILA WATER 24.35 24.5 24.8 25 24.15 24.5 732,100 17,946,295 PETRON 3.31 3.32 3.31 3.34 3.3 3.32 839,000 2,783,300 PETROENERGY 4.12 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 2,000 8,600 PHX PETROLEUM 10.06 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 2,024,100 21,860,280 SYNERGY GRID 12.6 12.62 12.76 12.76 12.6 12.62 2,979,100 37,780,592 PILIPINAS SHELL 19 19.2 19.04 19.04 18.9 19 1,203,200 22,849,832 SPC POWER 14.32 14.4 14.4 14.4 14.3 14.4 129,400 1,855,982 SOLAR PH 2.19 2.2 2.11 2.21 2.08 2.2 188,340,000 407,594,760 AGRINURTURE 4.8 4.84 4.85 4.89 4.85 4.85 12,000 58,240 AXELUM 2.85 2.88 2.83 2.85 2.81 2.85 393,000 1,110,580 BOGO MEDELLIN 50.35 69 68.8 68.8 68.8 68.8 70 4,816 CENTURY FOOD 25.5 25.95 26.7 26.75 25.35 25.5 2,295,200 58,890,910 DEL MONTE 14.98 15 15.06 15.08 14.9 14.98 44,900 674,180 DNL INDUS 8.32 8.33 8.43 8.6 8.33 8.33 3,851,800 32,262,468 EMPERADOR 22.95 23.6 24.6 24.6 22.9 22.95 8,872,700 208,947,975 SMC FOODANDBEV 68.2 68.3 68.5 68.9 68.2 68.2 72,420 4,958,444.50 FIGARO COFFEE 0.89 0.9 0.86 0.91 0.83 0.9 158,619,000 140,285,820 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.59 0.62 0.59 0.61 0.59 0.61 47,000 28,610 FRUITAS HLDG 1.28 1.29 1.23 1.29 1.22 1.29 22,559,000 28,617,030 GINEBRA 113 113.2 114 114 112.3 113.2 9,000 1,018,558 JOLLIBEE 236 236.8 237.6 237.6 234 236 212,550 50,178,548 KEEPERS HLDG 1.46 1.47 1.47 1.5 1.45 1.46 8,275,000 12,147,350 MACAY HLDG 5.56 6.59 5.56 5.56 5.55 5.55 10,000 55,504 MAXS GROUP 6.56 6.57 6.57 6.57 6.56 6.57 101,100 664,226 MG HLDG 0.136 0.138 0.138 0.138 0.136 0.136 520,000 71,180 MONDE NISSIN 15.6 15.68 16.38 16.4 15.54 15.6 46,473,000 742,766,474 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.94 8.95 9.03 9.1 8.87 8.94 961,800 8,611,766 ROXAS AND CO 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.7 0.66 0.67 2,781,000 1,877,340 RFM CORP 4.4 4.49 4.6 4.6 4.36 4.36 386,000 1,703,860 ROXAS HLDG 1.04 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1,000 1,080 SWIFT FOODS 0.103 0.106 0.105 0.105 0.102 0.103 2,740,000 282,210 UNIV ROBINA 125.1 125.4 126 127 125.1 125.4 1,315,540 165,358,430 VITARICH 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.65 243,000 158,540 CEMEX HLDG 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.08 1.05 1.07 1,614,000 1,715,860 EAGLE CEMENT 13.88 14 13.86 14.74 13.86 14.74 7,200 100,006 EEI CORP 6.27 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.21 6.34 110,000 690,734 HOLCIM 5.85 5.97 5.95 5.97 5.81 5.97 134,900 797,188 MEGAWIDE 4.79 4.8 4.76 4.8 4.75 4.8 793,000 3,803,640 PHINMA 20.75 20.95 20.95 20.95 20.95 20.95 16,600 347,770 TKC METALS 0.77 0.8 0.79 0.8 0.79 0.8 5,000 3,990 VULCAN INDL 0.82 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.83 0.83 583,000 484,090 CROWN ASIA 1.7 1.73 1.74 1.74 1.73 1.73 30,000 51,980 EUROMED 1.38 1.45 1.37 1.48 1.37 1.45 30,000 43,570 MABUHAY VINYL 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 2,000 8,200 PRYCE CORP 5.71 5.8 5.79 5.8 5.7 5.8 126,100 722,582 CONCEPCION 20.25 20.5 20.7 21.05 20.5 20.5 77,800 1,614,155 GREENERGY 1.92 1.93 1.91 1.94 1.9 1.93 3,480,000 6,699,290 INTEGRATED MICR 10.12 10.26 10.26 10.3 10 10.26 1,277,900 12,964,426 IONICS 0.7 0.72 0.7 0.7 0.69 0.7 101,000 70,500 PANASONIC 5.93 6.08 6.08 6.09 5.98 6.08 10,200 61,611 SFA SEMICON 1.07 1.11 1.07 1.11 1.06 1.08 209,000 224,480 CIRTEK HLDG 3.95 3.98 4 4.03 3.95 3.98 1,098,000 4,385,580

58,337,484 3,150 33,051,725 612,000 -8,591,090 672,173.00 500 -7,600,832 -5,763,035 -304,570 2,075,492 -12,104,916 30,156 -2,419,780 -48,500 70,850 -36,038,860 -10,438,861 17,033,470 -2,210,944 120,300 -610 -159,220 -115,491 11,677,726 1,314,610 65,700 -5,440 72,425,458.00 -5,631,740 893,540 4,430 87,720 -86,981,949 -1,002,860 -311,161 -432,316.00 -2,294,320 -338,588 -249,520 -1,546,050 3,660,254 3,450.00 924,490

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

-51,450 5,606,700 -9,696,971.50 -3,373,288 -815 -4,260 -665,396.00 -16,843,576 741 -21,841,675 -24,809,106.50 -19,016,140 -30,732,870 32,439,315 277,074 18,155 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

44 136.2 102 25.7 6.96 9.39 59.3 8.63 20.65 56.1 21 117.7 114.2 1.9 3.97 0.79 0.285 1,000 0.65 209

0.88 5.21 868 61 12.7 8.15 0.89 0.81 0.82 5.13 8.24 7.13 578.5 59.45 0.6 2.97 9.73 3.8 1.1 950 108.5 121 0.245 0.17

44.5 136.3 102.2 25.8 8.4 9.42 59.6 9.29 20.75 57.65 21.2 117.8 115 1.92 3.99 0.8 0.335 1,080 0.72 210

0.89 5.8 870 61.2 12.78 8.2 0.9 0.82 0.83 5.15 8.25 7.38 580 59.6 0.62 3.14 9.77 3.83 1.14 951 110.6 124.3 0.255 0.174

44 136.5 100 25.5 8.4 9.32 59.6 8.72 20.7 57.65 21.2 116 110.6 1.9 3.95 0.83 0.335 1,005 0.67 209.6

0.91 5.25 870 62 12.7 8.1 0.9 0.81 0.84 5.15 8.3 7.39 584 61.7 0.6 2.94 9.9 3.83 1.13 974 110.5 121.1 0.221 0.174

44.5 138.4 102.8 25.8 8.4 9.48 63.5 9.3 20.75 57.65 21.4 117.8 118.1 1.92 3.99 0.83 0.335 1,005 0.72 209.6

0.91 5.25 880 62 12.98 8.15 0.9 0.84 0.84 5.24 8.4 7.39 590 61.8 0.63 2.96 9.93 3.86 1.13 976.5 111.4 121.1 0.245 0.174

44 135.8 99.75 25.5 6.83 9.31 59.3 8.7 20.4 56.05 21 116 109.8 1.9 3.95 0.8 0.335 1,000 0.67 208

0.89 5.25 860.5 60.55 12.56 8.1 0.9 0.74 0.75 5.13 8.2 7.38 573 59.2 0.6 2.94 9.73 3.8 1.1 946 108.3 121 0.221 0.174

44.5 136.3 102 25.8 8.4 9.42 59.3 9.3 20.75 57.65 21.2 117.8 114.2 1.92 3.99 0.8 0.335 1,000 0.72 208

0.89 5.25 870 61 12.7 8.15 0.9 0.81 0.83 5.13 8.24 7.38 578.5 59.45 0.63 2.96 9.73 3.8 1.1 950 110.6 121 0.245 0.174

1,300 2,390,550 6,528,860 32,500 800 262,000 12,238,850 9,500 186,700 2,520 36,700 2,431,520 628,370 41,000 4,000 81,000 30,000 115 212,000 700

1,340,000 10,100 253,580 769,210 2,226,800 56,800 60,000 49,385,000 1,964,000 1,381,500 4,775,900 1,500 153,050 1,261,780 3,000 62,000 3,596,700 23,487,000 664,000 329,890 167,240 240 380,000 500,000

1,195,090 53,025 220,410,570 46,891,641.50 28,400,874 462,860 54,000 38,581,320 1,568,530 7,130,097 39,628,344 11,073 88,773,775 75,405,696.50 1,830 182,820 35,365,227 89,640,490 737,450 313,789,195 18,391,291 29,053 92,620 87,000

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.6 0.62 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 5,000 3,000 AYALA LAND 36.05 36.35 37.05 37.15 36.05 36.05 4,885,400 177,379,485 AYALA LAND LOG 5.23 5.26 5.45 5.45 5.18 5.23 10,834,600 56,963,564 ARANETA PROP 0.94 0.98 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 3,000 2,820 AREIT RT 49.5 50 51 51 49.5 49.5 987,920 49,407,198 A BROWN 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.77 0.73 0.76 196,000 146,110 CITYLAND DEVT 0.74 0.77 0.75 0.77 0.73 0.73 13,000 9,790 CROWN EQUITIES 0.099 0.104 0.099 0.104 0.099 0.104 11,030,000 1,092,020 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.93 2.94 2.93 2.94 2.91 2.93 667,000 1,952,920 CENTURY PROP 0.42 0.425 0.42 0.425 0.41 0.42 6,280,000 2,649,950 DOUBLEDRAGON 8.7 8.8 8.13 8.8 7.57 8.8 3,615,800 30,391,431 DDMP RT 1.78 1.79 1.8 1.82 1.79 1.79 11,531,000 20,751,170 DM WENCESLAO 6.48 6.8 6.25 6.8 6.2 6.8 3,319,300 20,580,980 EVER GOTESCO 0.315 0.32 0.325 0.325 0.315 0.325 7,170,000 2,283,900 FILINVEST RT 7.51 7.54 7.51 7.6 7.51 7.51 3,741,700 28,141,973 FILINVEST LAND 1.09 1.1 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.09 3,942,000 4,278,260 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.95 0.96 0.94 0.95 0.94 0.95 7,000 6,630 8990 HLDG 12.22 12.24 11.88 12.22 11.88 12.22 664,500 8,006,836 PHIL INFRADEV 1.05 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.04 1.05 235,000 247,340 CITY AND LAND 0.83 0.87 0.91 0.91 0.84 0.86 145,000 124,150 MEGAWORLD 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.28 3.22 3.24 25,068,000 81,359,100 MRC ALLIED 0.265 0.27 0.27 0.28 0.26 0.265 16,810,000 4,474,250 MREIT RT 20.75 20.8 21 21 20.4 20.8 4,800,000 99,463,365 OMICO CORP 0.35 0.365 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 30,000 10,800 PHIL ESTATES 0.475 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.47 0.48 1,050,000 498,500 PRIMEX CORP 2.25 2.26 2.12 2.26 2.1 2.25 2,856,000 6,237,070 RL COMM RT 8.33 8.39 8.2 8.48 8.2 8.39 2,536,200 21,044,132 ROBINSONS LAND 18.66 19.08 19.1 19.26 18.64 19.08 2,806,700 53,433,202 PHIL REALTY 0.199 0.2 0.191 0.199 0.191 0.199 500,000 97,960 ROCKWELL 1.47 1.5 1.47 1.5 1.47 1.47 31,000 45,600 SHANG PROP 2.58 2.6 2.56 2.6 2.56 2.6 9,000 23,080 SM PRIME HLDG 35.55 35.6 36.15 36.3 35.4 35.6 6,169,300 220,366,665 VISTAMALLS 3.63 3.69 3.56 3.72 3.56 3.69 26,000 95,670 SUNTRUST HOME 1.07 1.11 1.08 1.11 1.07 1.11 345,000 376,370 VISTA LAND 3.41 3.42 3.48 3.51 3.4 3.41 1,195,000 4,091,090 SERVICES ABS CBN 13.3 13.36 12.96 13.7 12.96 13.36 475,200 6,412,856 GMA NETWORK 15 15.02 15.32 15.32 14.54 15 4,784,100 70,724,682 MANILA BULLETIN 0.405 0.43 0.43 0.435 0.43 0.435 40,000 17,300 MLA BRDCASTING 9.2 10 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 700 6,440 GLOBE TELECOM 3,112 3,150 3,180 3,190 3,112 3,112 69,735 218,993,460 PLDT 1,894 1,900 1,881 1,918 1,862 1,900 111,425 211,402,265 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.062 0.063 0.063 0.065 0.062 0.063 85,320,000 5,401,820 CONVERGE 28.55 28.6 28.6 29.3 26.95 28.55 22,646,900 637,418,335 DFNN INC 2.29 2.3 2.29 2.45 2.27 2.3 395,000 926,530 DITO CME HLDG 5.45 5.49 5.35 5.53 5.31 5.45 20,900,100 113,208,013 JACKSTONES 1.65 1.69 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.65 1,000 1,650 NOW CORP 1.41 1.42 1.36 1.42 1.33 1.42 1,985,000 2,774,090 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.42 0.425 0.405 0.435 0.405 0.425 18,410,000 7,765,250 2GO GROUP 7.48 7.55 7.4 7.6 7.33 7.59 4,400 32,515 CHELSEA 1.56 1.58 1.56 1.59 1.55 1.58 115,000 180,400 CEBU AIR 46.05 46.25 46 46.45 45.7 46.25 171,500 7,912,260 INTL CONTAINER 204.4 207 208 209.8 203.4 204.4 974,870 201,203,654 LBC EXPRESS 22.7 23 23.75 23.75 22.55 22.7 3,500 79,375 MACROASIA 5.7 5.72 5.65 5.78 5.61 5.7 1,248,100 7,133,703 METROALLIANCE A 1.03 1.08 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 8,000 8,240 HARBOR STAR 0.82 0.86 0.83 0.83 0.82 0.82 53,000 43,590 ACESITE HOTEL 1.51 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.59 65,000 103,350 DISCOVERY WORLD 1.75 1.8 1.78 1.78 1.75 1.75 7,000 12,280 GRAND PLAZA 17.96 18 18 15.2 17.96 2,100 33,046 WATERFRONT 0.465 0.48 0.465 0.475 0.465 0.465 110,000 51,250 FAR EASTERN U 530 535 535 535 535 535 370 197,950 IPEOPLE 6.81 6.98 7.11 7.11 7.07 7.07 700 4,973 STI HLDG 0.335 0.345 0.34 0.34 0.335 0.335 270,000 90,600 BELLE CORP 1.37 1.38 1.37 1.37 1.35 1.37 310,000 422,660 BLOOMBERRY 6 6.02 6.05 6.11 5.97 6 13,847,500 83,162,112 LEISURE AND RES 1.58 1.59 1.57 1.59 1.55 1.58 1,245,000 1,962,200 PH RESORTS GRP 0.71 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.7 0.71 1,902,000 1,352,180 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.45 0.455 0.455 0.465 0.455 0.455 6,380,000 2,930,500 PHIL RACING 5.2 5.5 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25 101,500 532,875 PHILWEB 1.9 1.92 1.93 1.97 1.86 1.96 259,000 488,970 ALLDAY 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 28,030,000 16,223,540 BERJAYA 5.63 5.75 5.63 5.63 5.63 5.63 25,000 140,750 ALLHOME 8.6 8.61 8.5 8.76 8.5 8.6 468,200 4,030,375 METRO RETAIL 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.4 1.39 1.4 255,000 356,990 PUREGOLD 35.9 35.95 37 37.5 35.7 35.9 3,458,500 126,395,945 ROBINSONS RTL 55.9 56 56 56.45 55.6 55.9 1,323,020 74,025,870 PHIL SEVEN CORP 86 88.95 88.1 88.1 85 86 3,220 275,602 SSI GROUP 1.15 1.16 1.15 1.16 1.12 1.16 1,114,000 1,274,250 WILCON DEPOT 28 28.4 29 29.9 27.9 28 2,683,900 76,259,240 APC GROUP 0.238 0.248 0.246 0.246 0.236 0.246 580,000 140,710 IPM HLDG 6.8 7 6.8 7 6.8 7 1,300 8,860 MEDILINES 1.06 1.07 1.03 1.09 1.02 1.07 5,755,000 6,090,310 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.51 0.52 6,925,000 3,649,150 MINING & OIL ATOK 5.71 6.03 5.86 6.05 5.52 6.03 24,600 142,404 APEX MINING 1.59 1.6 1.62 1.63 1.57 1.6 4,303,000 6,879,940 ATLAS MINING 6.1 6.18 6.06 6.18 6.06 6.18 107,200 652,862 BENGUET A 5.11 5.31 5.15 5.15 5.15 5.15 10,100 52,015 BENGUET B 4.76 4.93 4.73 4.73 4.73 4.73 1,000 4,730 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.26 0.28 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 20,000 5,200 CENTURY PEAK 2.7 2.79 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.79 28,000 77,850 FERRONICKEL 2.33 2.34 2.29 2.37 2.25 2.33 9,465,000 21,951,880 GEOGRACE 0.191 0.202 0.191 0.191 0.188 0.19 620,000 117,110 LEPANTO A 0.14 0.141 0.141 0.141 0.14 0.14 10,810,000 1,513,650 LEPANTO B 0.138 0.141 0.14 0.14 0.138 0.138 1,240,000 173,200 MANILA MINING A 0.0096 0.0098 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 13,000,000 124,800 MARCVENTURES 1.47 1.48 1.47 1.57 1.43 1.47 5,345,000 8,026,600 NIHAO 0.95 0.98 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 28,000 26,600 NICKEL ASIA 6.39 6.41 6.42 6.55 6.36 6.41 18,786,000 121,400,317 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.81 0.83 0.82 0.83 0.81 0.82 62,000 50,550 PX MINING 5.22 5.28 5.28 5.34 5.18 5.28 1,025,200 5,367,582 SEMIRARA MINING 24.95 25.1 25.1 25.2 24.8 25.1 1,148,300 28,760,495 ACE ENEXOR 35.35 35.4 36.8 36.8 34 35.4 362,400 12,715,250 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.012 12,500,000 157,400 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 3,000,000 36,000 PHILODRILL 0.0091 0.0093 0.0091 0.0092 0.0091 0.0091 21,000,000 191,600 PXP ENERGY 5.88 5.98 5.83 5.99 5.8 5.88 217,800 1,270,707 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 101 101.2 100.9 101 100.9 101 45,200 4,560,800 AC PREF B1 505 520 505 505 503 503 490 246,670 ALCO PREF D 512.5 520 512.5 512.5 512 512 6,200 3,175,370 BRN PREF A 104 106 106 106 103.9 103.9 20,000 2,113,291 CEB PREF 45.2 45.4 45.05 45.45 45.05 45.4 65,700 2,974,840 DD PREF 100.2 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 500 50,250 EEI PREF B 106.5 110 110 110.5 106.5 106.5 8,920 984,030 GTCAP PREF B 1,014 1,043 1,014 1,014 1,014 1,014 10 10,140 JFC PREF B 1,006 1,010 1,006 1,006 1,006 1,006 60 60,360 PNX PREF 3B 102 103.1 103.1 103.1 102 103.1 680 70,019 PNX PREF 4 996 999 999 999 996 999 1,240 1,235,460 PCOR PREF 3A 1,042 1,060 1,042 1,042 1,042 1,042 230 239,660 PCOR PREF 3B 1,071 1,095 1,076 1,100 1,076 1,099 265 287,655 SFI PREF 1.43 1.97 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.98 2,000 3,960 SMC PREF 2F 79.7 79.75 79.7 79.75 79.7 79.75 16,390 1,306,783 SMC PREF 2I 79.2 79.6 79 79 79 79 15,000 1,185,000 SMC PREF 2K 76 76.05 76.05 76.05 76 76.05 20,250 1,539,018 TECH PREF B2C 51 52 51 51 51 51 7,700 392,700 TECH PREF B2D 53.1 53.65 53.5 53.5 53.5 53.5 17,590 941,065 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.22 12.5 12 12.9 12 12.5 25,700 316,930 GMA HLDG PDR 14.06 14.48 14.32 14.5 14 14.48 127,200 1,802,604 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.97 0.98 0.98 1 0.95 0.98 6,467,000 6,372,590

3,000 -19,124,370.00 -3,950,980 20,767,762 430 -5,390 433,450 -8,400 -3,951,374 1,203,360 -160,000 -263,458 -1,027,680 274,732 108,150 2,377,820 -35,727,425 -14,250 10,647,710.00 -16,871,670 1,950 4,410 -16,739,850 11,050 -1,948,340 53,643,370 79,365,395 -27,350 36,895,905 -159,240.00 -24,507,909 -244,150 2,622,000 1,821,025 82,987,654 2,260 -3,391,302 10,700 10,200 141,100 2,842,616 1,580 -145,480 -237,250 -93,740 -184,140.00 754,976 -49,289,980 25,786,213 -248,082 -5,686,785 -143,560 352,790 38,955 139,800 105,970 -4,730 77,850 7,333,970 -100,090 -27,600 1,500 2,927,484 59,843 7,034,145 103,735 -36,000 -1,024,190 10,420 12,800 -9,178 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

17.82 1.21 1.02 2.76 2.08 0.425

18.3 1.22 1.04 2.82 2.09 0.43

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

112.5

113.3

17.8 1.22 1.05 2.76 1.97 0.45

18 1.26 1.05 2.77 2.09 0.455

17.7 1.2 1.01 2.76 1.9 0.43

17.82 1.22 1.02 2.77 2.09 0.43

30,600 3,787,000 594,000 36,000 13,057,000 3,150,000

544,260 4,632,070 610,740 99,480 26,223,090 1,378,950

1,780 -14,120 2,467,560 17,750

113.8 114.2 112.5 112.5 24,350 2,761,267 1,415,884

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Higher delivery sales boost Figaro Coffee 2021 income By VG Cabuag

@villygc

igaro Coffee Systems Inc., which operates coffee shops, pizza delivery and restaurants, said its income for 2021 grew almost four times to P424.6 million from the previous year’s P155.1 million. The company said the increase was due to higher revenues for the year and the improvement in gross margins to 65 percent from 59 percent in 2020. Unaudited revenues more than tripled to P2.01 billion for the year from P794 million in the previous year. “This was brought about by the surge in the delivery sales of

Angels Pizza and the net opening of 18 stores for the year 2021, or about 20 percent increase in store network,” the company said. The total store network by the end of the year reached 108 stores from 90 stores in 2020. “Again, this was an all-time record of the number of store openings in a single year,” the company said. Figaro Systems, which oper-

ates or franchises a network of retail restaurants, is the lone unit of publicly-listed Figaro Coffee Group Inc. Its restaurants include Figaro Coffee, a coffee shop with domestic and international branches; Angel’s Pizza; Tien Ma’s, a Taiwanese cuisine restaurant; The Figaro Group Express outlet, a multi-brand kiosk selling the top products of the company’s other restaurants; and Café Portofino, an outlet which serves beverages and bakery items and is intended to operate in schools, universities, hospitals and offices. The company plans to open 29 Angel’s Pizza outlets, six TFG Express multi-brand outlets, five Figaro Coffee shops and one Tien Ma’s Taiwanese restaurant this year. “Yes, we are optimistic that the economy will further improve this year with the Alert Levels com-

ing down and vaccination drives by the government continuing with strength. We look forward to people going about their daily lives outside gradually and in a safe manner,” Justin Liu, the company’s chairman, said. For the first quarter, Figaro is set to open five Angel’s Pizza stores located in Lipa, Batangas; Hanston Building in Ortigas Center; Cebu City; Calamba, Laguna; and in Avida Towers Cityflex, in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. “The opening of outlets in BGC and Ortigas business district is part of our optimism that offices and the economy will come back. Furthermore, we see continued growth and strength outside Metro Manila, hence our new stores in Lipa, Cebu and Laguna. We will continue to grow our outlets to reach our beloved customers and meet them where they are.”

PSALM sells assets in Puerto Azul By Lenie Lectura @llectura

he Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has successfully bid out its Puerto Azul assets for P6.57 million. The state firm said the asset was sold via Offer to Sell (OTS) to the members of the Puerto Azul Golf and Country Club (PAGCC) last February 2. The OTS was done in accordance with the Master Deed with Declaration of Restrictions for the Condominium Units, which prescribes that a unit owner shall offer first the condominium unit to PAGCC members. PSALM received the bid offer of Maria Desiree Moy amounting to P6,570,000. The Minimum Bid Price (MBP) for Package 1 was set at P3,450,000, while the MBP for Package 2 was set at P3,120,000. The results of the bidding will be subject to a post-qualification process to ensure that the bid of-

fer meet all the financial and legal requirements as indicated in the bidding procedures. The bidding consisted of two packages: one condominium unit (Unit 20) with CCT No. 01-23, inclusive of furnishings and appliances and one condominium unit (Unit 21) with CCT No. 01-22, inclusive of furnishings and appliances, with one proprietary share in the PAGCC. Full payment is required prior to the turnover of the properties. “We are very pleased with the successful privatization of these assets in Puerto Azul. The proceeds from this sale will be used to settle the remaining stranded contract costs and stranded debts that PSALM had assumed from the National Power Corporation,” PSALM President and CEO Irene Besido-Garcia said. Located in Ternate, Cavite, the properties consist of two condominium units, each with a lot area of about 83.95 square meters with total floor areas spanning 247.22 square meters.

ABS-CBN, YouTube ink production deal By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

February 7, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

236.56

7.84%

-4.31%

-1.4%

1.49%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6016

23.04%

0.48%

2.7%

-3.76%

-7.94%

-4.23%

0.89%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2667

7.94%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7637 -0.82%

-7.36% n.a.

0.95%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7606 7.76%

-4.93% n.a.

-1.34%

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

10.11%

-2.16%

0.44%

1.56%

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

0.7957

11.76%

-3.81%

-2.88%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

92.31

-5.46%

-9.36% n.a.

-2.25%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

48.8476

7.96%

-2.65%

0.21%

1.5%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

508.1

7.63%

-2.67%

-0.35%

1.48%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.4022

23.28%

1.67%

2.77%

3.38%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

37.185

10.37%

-1.73%

1.24%

1.61%

0.962

9.43%

-2.91% n.a.

2.19%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

5.0382

8.86%

-1.97%

0.87%

1.56%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

841.47

8.66%

-1.97%

0.84%

1.57%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7578

8.8%

-6.2%

-2.39%

0.69%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.8198

8.94%

-4.22%

-0.65%

1.17%

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

0.9587

8.21%

-2.3%

0.61%

7.8%

-2.36%

1.11%

1.2%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

United Fund, Inc. -a

5.2637

3.4784

1.58%

1.5%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1858

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

12.27% n.a. n.a.

1.99%

1033.68 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

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

113.2668

8.99%

-1.76%

1.33%

1.61%

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

$1.1047

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7329

-16.3%

3.53%

4.28%

-1.94%

-0.2%

12.34%

10.13%

-6.15%

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

1.6847

2.35%

-1.01%

-0.5%

-0.43%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.3139

3.26%

-0.08%

0.24%

1.42%

5.85%

0.48%

1.63%

1.13%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.7215

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2127

9.58% n.a. n.a.

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

1.93%

2.034

4.58%

2.07%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7988

2.32%

1.25%

0.91%

0.9%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.9987

2.36%

0.86%

0.84%

0.91%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1373

4.1%

-0.5%

0.67%

0.75%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6696 4.67%

-1.56%

0.2%

0.62%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-0.25%

0.78%

1.57%

0.9692

11.49%

1.77%

0.86%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9891

-1.61% n.a. n.a.

-0.07%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9561

3.62% n.a. n.a.

1.23%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.9457

4.5% n.a. n.a.

1.26%

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

$0.03672

-5.6%

0.98%

0.86%

$1.0524

-13.66%

2.7%

2.82%

-1.38%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.5855 -1.12%

8.81%

7.46%

-4.51%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1602 -2.78%

4.42%

3.71%

-3.2%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

-3.22%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares)

BS-CBN Corp. has struck a partnership deal with YouTube for the development and production of an original series that will stream exclusively on YouTube. In a statement, the Lopez-led media conglomerate, which is beefing up its online presence after losing its broadcast franchise in 2020, said the co-production deal is “the latest initiative of ABS-CBN to expand its digital content offerings and reach more audiences on YouTube with the goal of serving more Filipinos on various platforms.” The co-production deal involves t he development of a romantic-comedy series called How to Move On in 30 Days. It will premier on YouTube this year. ABS-CBN Entertainment is the most subscribed and most viewed YouTube Channel in Southeast Asia with 38 million subscribers and a total of 45 billion views.

mutual funds

ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

374.63

0.85%

2.76%

2.52%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8867

-0.91%

0.27%

-0.06%

0.09% 0.11%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2485

0.93%

2.84%

3.81%

0.14%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2501

-0.06%

-2.07%

1.56%

1.39%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4292 -0.85%

2.79%

1.83%

0.13%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

0.04%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

4.3974

-5.22%

3.85%

1.46%

1.321

-0.17%

3.68%

2.86%

0.14%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9885

0.06%

3.68%

2.73%

0.57%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0297

-0.96%

4.17%

1.93%

0.15%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1869

-0.56%

3.98%

3.12%

-0.02%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-1.11%

3.13%

2.48%

0.03%

1.7311

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$488.35

0.75%

2.72%

2.38%

-0.25%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.04

-0.15%

0.77%

0.98%

-0.44%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1818

-7.1%

-1.84%

1.11%

1.33%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0257 -2.65%

0.92%

0.72%

-1.15%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

-1.71%

-1.25%

-2.96%

$0.9925

-9%

$2.4328

-3.75%

3.16%

2.11%

-2.91%

$0.0619534

-1.13%

2.63%

1.81%

-0.54%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.076 -4.08%

1.8%

0.96%

-3.76%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

In November 2021, L opez Holdings Cor p. reported that ABS-CBN booked a net loss of P3.77 billion in January to September, or about half of the P7.31-billion loss it posted a year ago. It reported unaudited revenues of P12.745 billion, a quarter lower than the P17.03 billion recorded a year ago, which still included revenues from ad sales until May 4, 2020.

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

131.33

1.02%

2.62%

2.54%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0593

0.98%

1.91% n.a.

0.11%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3175

1.47%

2.49%

2.52%

0.15%

0.14%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0611

0.72%

1.38% n.a.

0.05%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

46.6104 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3388

15.46% n.a. n.a.

-3.19%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.9436

-4.69% n.a. n.a.

-2.72%

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). 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 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 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."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

InstaPay, Mastercard offer public new options

NSTAPAY and Mastercard announced an enhancement to their services on Monday, allowing fund transfers via QR code, mobile number or email address on digital platforms. In a statement, InstaPay and Mastercard said the new options are expected to make it easier for more consumers to access the digital economy for day-to-day necessities when they send money to people and pay merchants across different banks and e-wallets. “By removing the need to share bank or wallet account details, these payment innovations also provide consumers with a greater sense of security that comes with not having to divulge personal details,” the statement read. According to BancNet CEO Elmarie Reyes, the recent innovations - as allowed for by Mastercard’s technology - is seen to maintain the adoption of digital channels for the people to go cashless even after the pandemic.

“With Filipino consumers turning to quicker and safer options to send and receive money, diversifying InstaPay’s capabilities is a great opportunity to leverage the digitization of payments in further enabling both person-to-person and person-tomerchant transactions,” said Simon Calasanz, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard. The enhanced InstaPay experience provides consumers with additional payment options that are built on global ISO 20022 data standards. The ISO 20022 payments messages enable transactions to be processed with fewer errors or delays, and less manual interventions, making it more efficient and cost effective for financial institutions. For consumers, this also means transactions are more seamless and secure. In 2021, the annual transaction volume across InstaPay’s network grew to over 429 million, up from 2.3 million in 2018 when InstaPay was launched. Bianca Cuaresma

Treasury raises ₧15B from T-bills auction By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE national government raised P15 billion from the auction of Treasury Bills (TBills) on Monday, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). The BTr said the auction Committee fully awarded bids for 91-, 182-, and 364-day T-bills at Monday’s auction. The auction was 3.6 times oversubscribed with total tenders reaching P53.8 billion allowing the BTr to raise its full program. “Full award for all tenors without any additional accepted offers. Liquidity further boosts with P20 billion maturities seeking their home,” National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters. BTr said P5 billion was raised from the 91-day T-bills. The issue received a total tender of P14.730 billion, leading the auction committee to reject a total of P9.73 billion. The 91-day T-bills fetched an average interest rate of 0.71 percent. The interest rate reached a high of 0.724 percent and a low of 0.698 percent. For the 182-day notes, the government raised another P5 billion from the T-bills. The Auction

Committee received total tenders of P21.46 billion for the notes leading the government to reject P16.46 billion. The Treasury notes fetched an average interest rate of 1.022 percent. The interest high was at 1.04 percent while the low was at one percent. The BTr said the government also raised P5 billion from the 365-day T-bills. The total tenders received for the notes reached P17.56 billion, leading the auction committee to reject a total of P12.56 billion. The issue fetched an average interest rate of 1.408 percent. The interest high was recorded at 1.413 percent while the low rate was at 1.402 percent. “The 91-, 182-, and 364-day Tbills fetched average rates of 0.710 percent, 1.022 percent and 1.408 percent, respectively, all lower than secondary market benchmark rates,” BTr said. For this month, the Treasury programmed to borrow a total of P200 billion from the local debt market, the same level it aimed to raise in January. For 2022, the national government programmed to borrow P2.47 trillion, down by nearly a fifth from P3.07 trillion in 2021.

The way of the Chinoys

T is already the Lunar New Year’s Eve of the Tiger and a lot of Mainland Chinese brave Covid to head to their home. Hopefully, there will be no resulting new pandemic. Here in the Philippines, due to the pandemic, the usual dragon dance celebration did not materialize as this is a potential spreader event. The Chinoy community has to contend with buying “tikoys” and giving “angpaos” to family members as their simple celebration. As a Chinoy myself, I am amused to see Filipinos celebrate with us. However, not only did our ancestors from the mainland bring this tradition, they also brought with them the secret to wealth. Let me share what my grandmother did. 1. Save a lot. My grandmother was a very shrewd businesswoman. She had a merchandise store and a lot of loyal clients. From her business she made good income. She made it a point to spend only 10 centavos for every 1-peso earnings. Effectively, she saved 90 percent of her income. No wonder, at the time of her death, she left behind a number of gold bars to her children. This is proof that the fastest way to build wealth is to build it slow. She did not believe in get-rich-quick schemes. Learning

Edmund Lao

personal finance from her, as an employee before, I saved 50 percent of my income and 100 percent of my bonuses since I was single and had no expenses. 2. Never be greedy. As a businesswoman, she never indulged in overpricing, even if her store is the only one that had the items needed. As long as she did not take advantage of her clients, she is sure to have repeat sales. For her, greed is the highway to failure. As a businessman, I applied the same principle and true enough, we became the preferred service provider of my client due to fair price and good after- sales service. 3. Learn to network. When the Japanese came, everybody was afraid, my grandmother included. But later she turned that fear into an opportunity as she bravely networked with the Japanese and they also became her loyal clients. I still remember my childhood where I was playing with a bundle of Japa-

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, February 8, 2022

House panel asks FIRB to clear interim list for tax perks priorities

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

ENDING the adoption of a comprehensive Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP), the House Committee on Ways and Means on Monday asked the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) to approve the transitional list of priority sectors for tax incentives under Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said a transitional Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP) will act as a bridge for the full implementation of CREATE law as this will dissipate the cloud of uncertainty over tax incentives. Salceda said that the transitional SIPP will be presented to the FIRB once it meets this month. SIPP is the list of sectors that are qualified for tax perks under the CREATE law. Salceda particularly directed the Committee Secretariat of the tax panel, Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and

Technology, and other agencies to recommend the transitional SIPP to the FIRB to maximize the open investment policy that the country is adopting with recent investment liberalization laws. The directive was formalized upon motion of Ways and Means Vice Chairperson Sharon S. Garin of AAMBIS-OWA. Salceda said the transitional SIPP will be the prelude to a more comprehensive SIPP, but will also already prevent investor uncertainty and allow those in the Investment Priorities Plan 2020 to upgrade their tax incentives for the more generous packages under CREATE. “The transitional SIPP is the

bridge to a more carefully-crafted comprehensive SIPP. Right now, without this bridge, we are stuck only with the IPP 2020, which does not yet have a mechanism for the highertech tiers under CREATE,” he said.

Longer incentives

THE CREATE Law provides longer tax incentives for sectors that are considered “higher-value” or “highertech,” Salceda added. “The transitional SIPP will also be a subset of the larger, more comprehensive SIPP, which I expect will have resolved issues being cited by the BOI [the Board of Investments], such as industry classification,” Salceda said. Salceda said the framework is that “the Investment Priorities Plan 2020 is the interim SIPP, there will be a transitional SIPP, until finally we arrive at a comprehensive SIPP.” Salceda added that the five fundamental bases of the transitional SIPP are “allowing sectors under IPP 2020 to upgrade from Tier 1 incentives under CREATE; (2) optimizing the Public Service Act amendments and other investment liberalization laws; (3) the Pagtanaw 2050 and Science For Change agenda of the DOST; (4) Food Security through the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) and OneDA program of the DA; (5) and regional transformation and relocation from NCR.” “These bases are really our roadmap for industrial policy and transformation under CREATE,” Salceda

said. According to Salceda, the delay in the release of the SIPP is due to disagreements between the agencies on the system of classification to be used for determining whether businesses fall under the categories of industries qualified for incentives. “This is a disagreement that’s not worth delaying the SIPP for a year over. The Secretary of Finance, I believe, is also of the attitude and opinion that we should already have the SIPP resolved as soon as possible, hence his directive to complete the list last month,” Salceda added. “The transitional SIPP is the main instrument for immediate full-blown implementation of CREATE even while waiting for a comprehensive SIPP,” Salceda said. Under the CREATE law, exportoriented activities may qualify for up to 17 years of incentives for exporters, with 4-7 years of income tax holiday (ITH) and 10 years of special corporate income tax (SCIT). The SCIT is a 5-percent tax on gross income. Meanwhile, domestic-market enterprises under the SIPP may qualify for up to 12 years of incentives, with 4-7 years of ITH and 5 years of SCIT for enterprises with investment capital not less than P500M, and 5 years of enhanced deductions otherwise. Extra tax incentives of 2 years of ITH are available for locators in areas recovering from disaster, and 3 years of ITH for those relocating from NCR.

New PDIC rules on bank Credit Suisse, a coke-smuggling reporting effective Feb. 8 wrestler and stashes of cash

HE Revised Rules and Regulations on Record-Keeping of Bank Deposits and Reportorial Requirements from Banks issued by state deposit insurer Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation will take effect on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, PDIC has announced. RI No. 2021-01 implements key provisions in the PDIC Charter (Republic Act No. 3591, as amended) by requiring banks to keep and maintain true and accurate records or statements of their daily deposit account transactions according to the standards set by the PDIC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. These benefit both the member banks and the depositing public, leading to increased confidence in the Philippine banking system. The RI also enjoins banks to submit to the PDIC reports and documents on

the condition, income and expenses of the bank, and other reports as the PDIC shall require. Therefore, the RI prescribes the requirements and submission deadlines for a more comprehensive Operations Manual on Record-Keeping of Bank Deposits; Report on the Features of the Bank Computer Systems; the Technical Specifications of the Deposit Account View (DAV); a Certification of Compliance with the said RI and other rules and regulations related to recordkeeping of bank deposits; regular reports; and other necessary and relevant reports and documents, as determined by the PDIC. The RI may be viewed in full at PDIC’s website, www.pdic.gov.ph. For inquiries or clarifications on the RI, banks may call (02) 8841-4372 and (02) 8841-4375 during office hours. Banks may also send an e-mail to PAD@pdic.gov.ph.

nese money, not knowing it was my grandmother’s money (but without any value anymore). When I was in sales, I learned to network and true enough my income shot up. Indeed, your network will define your net worth. Who you know is more important than what you know. 4. Spend wisely. My grandmother inculcated values in my father and my father did the same. Conclusively, I have my grandmother’s attitude towards money. Before I spend money, I make sure I spend it on things I need, not want. And when I spend, I buy those with good quality so that I need not buy often. As proof, I still wear clothes even if they were bought 20 years ago. As a matter of fact, I get to have new clothes as gift from relatives or friends. 5. Minimize expenses. Above my grandmother’s store is their residence. It makes perfect sense because only one property is rented for two purposes, residence and business. Having a residence and business rented separately will just increase the total rental fee. When I retired in 2013 from the corporate world, I opened my business. Initially I thought of renting an office but changed my mind and made my home my office. That way, by minimizing expenses,

I increase the profit of my business and my income as well. 6. Make money work. My grandmother not only saved. She invested as well. She re-invested the money earned by buying more items for her store. Remember her saving 90 percent of the income. She made that a new capital to buy more items to sell. Early on, she made money work via compounding. Starting from my childhood, whenever I see my money earn interest, it is my income from my money which earned it. I never spent the interest, a habit I have up to now. As long as I am earning income, I will let my money continue to make money for me. As I am into my own business, I am now mentoring my son in his small business where I taught him the principle of compounding his money via his endeavour. Majority of Chinoys of today started from scratch and for sure they have applied or improved the above principles. I encourage readers to try the Way of the Chinoys and success is just nearby. Edmund Lao is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personalfinancial planning, attend the 94th RFP program in March 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

COC AINE- SMUGGLING Bulgarian wrestler and briefcases stuffed with banknotes are hampering scandal-weary Credit Suisse Group AG’s bid to return to boring banking. The Zurich bank, which has suffered a slew of bad headlines over the past two years, and a former client relationship manager go on trial Monday accused of failing to prevent money laundering by customers working with the fighterturned-criminal. The Bulgarian, later convicted for drug offenses, allegedly tapped his friends to use Zurich branches of Credit Suisse to launder proceeds from his drug smuggling. Swiss prosecutors can press criminal charges against banks if they believe those institutions didn’t do enough to screen clients and their cash for obvious ties to illicit activity. The female ex-Credit Suisse manager, who can only be named as E. under Swiss reporting restrictions, accepted deposits of used bank notes that regularly exceeded 500,000 euros ($564,000) at a time, according to the 515-page indictment. E. carried out the transactions despite “strong indications as to the criminal origin of the funds, without clarifying or sufficiently clarifying the economic background of the transactions and without checking the plausibility of the explanations and supporting documents,” said prosecutors. Gregoire Mangeat, a lawyer for E., declined to comment before the trial but said he will plead for her full acquittal. Credit Suisse said in a pre-trial statement that it “unreservedly rejects as meritless all allegations in this legacy matter raised against it and is convinced that its former employee is innocent.”

Historic precedent

The trial comes as the 166-yearold bank has staggered from one setback to another. First there was a corporate spying scandal involving senior executives, then Credit Suisse’s involvement with doomed

finance company Greensill Capital, and its billions of dollars of losses from the implosion of one of its trading customers, Archegos Capital Management. Last month brought the abrupt resignation of Chairman António Horta-Osório. For all the indictment’s tawdry details, the case stands out for another reason: it’s the first time that a Swiss bank faces a criminal trial in Switzerland. Falcon Bank was found guilty by the same court on similar charges in December and fined 3.5 million Swiss francs ($3.8 million). But nowdefunct, Zurich-based Falcon was owned by Abu Dhabi investors. Credit Suisse expressed its “astonishment” in late 2020 when Swiss prosecutors publicly charged it with money laundering offenses, given the alleged crimes took place between 2004 and 2008. The statute of limitations for prosecuting suspected money laundering is seven years, or 15 years for aggravated money laundering, and the bank’s court lawyers are expected to challenge the right of prosecutors to include evidence before 2007. The bank has said it hired independent experts in 2016 to assess its compliance set-up and that it was deemed to be correct and appropriate at the time. Credit Suisse lawyers will likely also press prosecutors to prove that its handling of the transactions violated rules in place over 15 years ago.

Cocaine balls

The case dates to 2008 when prosecutors opened a probe into a Bulgarian wrestler whose training funding had dried up after the collapse of the Iron Curtain, fell in with a mafia clan and had turned to drug trafficking to make cash. From 2002 to 2012, he organized the import of tens of tonnes of cocaine into Europe, using boats, planes and drug mules willing to swallow cocaine-packed rubber balls. He was sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in Italy in 2017, and also convicted by courts in Romania and Bulgaria. Bloomberg News

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

National Arts Month 2022 celebrates arts as ‘source, expression of hope’

Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Klay Thompson, 31; Seth Green, 47; Creed Bratton, 76; Sophie Bennett, 32; Dani Hamer, 32. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Surround yourself with positive thoughts. Make changes to your space that encourage creativity, spirituality and personal growth. Broaden your outlook, but don’t take on impossible tasks. Balance is the key to getting things done that help you achieve goals that contribute to self-satisfaction and overall happiness and contentment. Be passionate about life, love and work, and good things will unfold. Your numbers are 7, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Go over the pros and cons of situations and relationships causing concern. Knowing what you are up against will help decide what and who are worth your time and effort. Keep an open mind, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may know how a game is played, but don’t expect everyone to play fair. Keep your eyes open, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and be sure to cover your tracks and maintain proof and ownership of what you contribute. HHH

HE invaluable role of the arts amid difficult moments serves as the focal point of this year’s celebration of National Arts Month, with the theme “Sining ng

Pag-Asa.” February of every year is declared as National Arts Month under Presidential Proclamation 683 to celebrate artistic excellence and pay tribute to the uniqueness and diversity of the Filipino heritage and culture. This year, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as the spearheading agency for the annual celebration, shifts the focus of the festivities to the value of the arts during challenging times, including the ongoing Covid-19 global health crisis. “We recognize the arts as a source and expression of hope, as well as the continuous formulation of creative means to respond to the effects of the pandemic, natural calamities and other social realities,” said NCCA chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso in the recent online kick-off to this year’s festivities. “The National Arts Month, being one of the commission’s biggest flagship programs, is an essential platform to cultivate appreciation for the arts and bring out a deep sense of respect for our cultures and traditions.” According to Rolando Tolentino, Commissioner of NCCA Subcommission on the Arts, National Arts Month 2022 also highlights the talent and perseverance of Filipino artists. “Nais ipakita na ang mga sining at alagad ng sining ay nagpupursigi, ipinagpapatuloy ang kanilang paglikha at produksyong pang-kultural sa panahong kinasasadlakan ng bansa at mundo, dahil kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang sining bilang tanglaw sa peligrosong panahon at tungo sa makabuluhang pagbabago,” Tolentino said. National Arts Month 2022 showcases seven flagship projects from each of the national committees on different artistic disciplines. The activities run from the first week of February until March. Architecture And Allied Arts Saan Ka Lulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery FOR National Arts Month 2022, the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts mounts four webinar sessions about the dynamic transformation of public and private spaces in the new normal. The project, titled Saan Ka Lulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery, aims to “promote and popularize the outstanding creations of Filipino artists in the time of pandemic, and increase awareness and knowledge of innovations in planning and design as a response to the pandemic, other natural hazards, and the new normal.” The webinar series will be hosted via Zoom and livestreamed via Facebook from February 11 to March 4.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Big ideas followed by sound judgment and hard work will pay off. Don’t let anyone discourage you or meddle in your affairs. Work at your own pace, and don’t share what you are doing until you have everything in place. HHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put restrictions on entertainment, spending and over-thetop behavior. You can have fun without going into debt. Do something that appeals to your creative skills, and explore what you can do with the talents you possess. A unique path will lead to enlightenment. HH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Avoid costly ventures or donations you cannot afford. Doing something in the spur of the moment will lead to setbacks. Stay focused on what’s attainable, and put your heart and soul into what you are trying to achieve. HHHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Information you gather will lead to a change of mind and direction. Don’t let the unknown frighten you. It’s time to branch out, try something new and explore what the world has to offer. Fix your surroundings to suit your needs. HHH

cinemA Cinema Rehiyon: Cinema Society in World Change The flagship project of the National Committee on Cinema will be composed of webinars and roundtable discussions, featuring regional filmmakers and talk-back. There will also be a showing of the best regional films produced in 2021, including Mindanao short films. Cinema Rehiyon will run from February 16 to 28. dAnce Sayaw Pinoy Goes Virtual: Dance of Hope Sayaw Pinoy is the longest-running flagship program of the National Committee on Dance for National Arts Month. This year, Sayaw Pinoy hopes to provide continuity for dance creation while assisting the different dance groups, encouraging hope. The program will target to engage about 80 groups across eight shows on February 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5. drAmAtic Arts 16th Tanghal National University & Community Based Theater Festival The National Committee on Dramatic Arts flagship project will feature 30-minute school/universitybased and collaborative performances from all over the country. With the theme “Theatre Beyond Borders Amidst All Social and Environmental Challenges,” the project will run from February 14 to 26. literAry Himaya: Panitikan ng Pagbabanyuhay This flagship project is mainly composed of the publication of learning material and a two-day

conference on March 25 and 26. There will also be a tribute to late literary titans, including Bienvenido Lumbera. music Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres The National Committee on Music’s Musikapuluan features various types of music written in the last five or 10 years. The genres include choral works/acappella groups, pop-ethnic/protest songs, and pop music, among others. Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres will be conducted every Sunday beginning February 27 until March 20. VisuAl Arts Bagong Biswal 2022 Bagong Biswal 2022 will be comprised of five installments of 30 to 40 artists and artist groups, exhibition walkthrough, pop outdoor exhibition, community project, murals, workshop, and webinar series. The project will stream from March 7 to 12. “In united voices, the seven arts—architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, drama, literature, music and visual arts—come together as one and encourage you all that even in the middle of this pandemic, it truly serves as a symbolism and reminder for all Filipinos to move forward with strength and perseverance,” said Oscar Casaysay, executive director of NCCA. “When the pandemic is over,” he added, “we shall all meet again to dance, sing, act and celebrate our multifaceted arts and culture through live events and performances.” n

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Back up and let things unfold before you take sides or let your thoughts be known. Get out and do something that will broaden your outlook, and you’ll discover you have more options than you realize. Don’t give in to manipulative people. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Step out of your comfort zone if that’s what it takes to help make changes that facilitate your happiness and peace of mind. Don’t live a lie or be a martyr. You owe it to yourself to do what’s best for you. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Get your facts straight before you decide to start a debate. An emotional incident will bring you closer to someone you think is special. Honesty will help you keep the peace. Look for a way to have fun without being indulgent. HHHHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Give credit where credit is due. Take the high road when faced with an ethical choice. Don’t be afraid to use your skills and experience to bring about positive change. Physical activities will encourage fitness, selfimprovement and romance. HH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think things through before you make a decision that can influence what you do next. Get the proper documentation or qualifications in order before starting something new. Listen to what others have to say, but do what’s best for you. HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Invest wisely. Abide by the rules and regulations. When in doubt, ask questions. A new look or image will lift your spirits. A professional change will allow you to use your skills more efficiently. Romance is encouraged. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are courageous, helpful and controlled. You are challenging and protective.

‘ho ho ho ho’ BY BROOKE HUSIC AND WENDY L. BRANDES The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Having the means 5 DEF lead-in 8 Bathtub part 13 Some Downton Abbey attendants 15 Karen Lynch of CVS, for one 16 Salary increase 17 Sauce brand whose name translates to “you’re welcome” 18 Entered the race 19 Fund 20 Beneath a bit of muesli? 23 Stay ___ (don’t move) 24 Barbecue coating 25 Slot machine lever 26 On vacation 29 One who walks around spraying people with a garden hose? 33 Top-tier 34 At a reduced price 35 Unattributed, for short 38 Cul-de-___ 40 Chandler of Friday Night Lights 41 Like some car windows 44 Fish with a brook variety 47 Place to shed layers at a Zoom

nightclub? 51 Venmo funds to 52 ___ Spiegel (German news magazine) 53 “___ never too late...” 54 “Terrif!” 56 Egg dish that makes people fall in love? 59 Type of headache 62 ___ Lankan 63 Boxer Ali with a 24-0 record 64 Think the world of 65 Bit of wordplay 66 Shaped like a parenthesis 67 Its chemical formula hints at the letter change behind each starred clue’s answer 68 Texting format, for short 69 Citi Field team DOWN 1 Really energize 2 Bailey’s circus partner 3 Verbally deceived 4 Living on the ___ 5 Cirque du Soleil stars, e.g. 6 Boyfriend

7 8 9 10 11 12 14 21 22 26 27 28 30 31 32 35 36 37 39 42 43 45 46 48

Lauren of Laguna Beach “You could never!” Rave’s partner Assistance One-on-one situation in b-ball Never seen before Horse color rhyming with “moral” ___!!! on Ice (anime series) “...ish” Just fine Tumbled Like a giveaway Large Starbucks size “Cool beans!” Invite as a plus-one for Resting on Activist Simone Exclusively Dried fruits that might sweeten a salad Software buyer, often Profound Name that sounds like a car Disney villain inspired by the drag queen Divine Potato chips, to a Londoner

49 50 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

Workplace Whac-A-Mole whacker Moccasin decorations Relative of a remedy Snare or bongo Barn’s location Understood Journalist Wells Last but ___ least

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, February 8, 2022

CNN Jeff Zucker’s ouster rattles prominent staff at pivotal time GMA, NEWS ANCHORS WIN AWARDS HERE AND ABROAD

GMA NETWORK (www.gmanetwork.com) was recognized at the Singapore-based Marketing Excellence Awards 2021, the premier platform for marketers to showcase their creative excellence, successful strategies and effective delivery. In a virtual awarding ceremony held by MarketingInteractive last January 28, the network’s project, DepEd TV on GMA, bagged the Silver Award in the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility category. In line with GMA’s objective to enrich the lives of Filipinos everywhere through “Serbisyong Totoo,” the country’s leading network provided nationwide airtime via one of its digital channels to the Department of Education (DepEd). This aimed to support the latter’s initiatives on blended learning as they continue educating young students while keeping them safe from the threats of the pandemic. DepEd TV on GMA enabled students from Kindergarten to Grade 10 to attend classes at home via their TV sets and thus helped address DepEd’s challenge to reach as many students as possible through GMA’s extensive coverage all over the country. The DepEd TV channel can be accessed by millions of Filipinos nationwide via digital TV receivers GMA Affordabox and GMA Now. Under the same category, the network’s “GMAsk” campaign was also shortlisted while “GMA Makulay ang Buhay,” a campaign in partnership with Knorr-Unilever Philippines, similarly made it to the finalists under the Excellence in Content Marketing category. The Marketing Excellence Awards (MEA) is designed to celebrate, recognize, and reward the Philippines’s outstanding marketing campaigns. With the 2021 event being the inaugural MEA in the Philippines, the winners were chosen by an independent judging panel comprised of high-caliber, senior industry experts from reputable brands. The network also added more to its overall massive awards haul, with top GMA News and Public Affairs anchors Jessica Soho and Mike Enriquez among the top winners at the recent De La Salle Araneta University’s 4th Gawad Lasallianeta Awards. Soho was conferred the Most Outstanding Female News Anchor for her work in State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, and also Most Outstanding Magazine Show Host for Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). Widely regarded as the country’s most awarded news magazine program and Filipinos’ Sunday viewing habit, KMJS in turn was cited as this year’s Most Outstanding Magazine Show. Enriquez, meanwhile, won as Most Outstanding Male News Anchor for the fourth consecutive year. He coanchors GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, which also won as Most Outstanding News Program. The Gawad Lasallianeta Awards also honored various GMA programs and personalities. Long-running public affairs program i-Witness won as Most Outstanding Documentary Show. Two of its hosts were also recognized: Kara David and Atom Araullo as Most Outstanding Female Documentarist and Most Outstanding Male Documentarist, respectively. The public affairs program Tunay na Buhay was chosen as Most Outstanding News/Current Affairs Talk Show, and GMA News’ Mariz Umali won as Most Outstanding Female Correspondent, and family sitcom Pepito Manaloto was hailed as Most Outstanding Comedy Show. The show is bannered by multi-talented actor and Kapuso comedy genius Michael V. The Gawad Lasallianeta was live-streamed on February 2 via the official Facebook pages of De La Salle Araneta University and Gawad Lasallianeta.

By David Bauder The Associated Press

EW YORK—The abrupt ouster of CNN chief executive Jeff Zucker because of a workplace relationship has left some prominent employees feeling angry and uncertain about the direction of their network at a pivotal moment. The company is about to undergo a corporate ownership change, launch a paid streaming service and replace its most popular on-air host at a time of slumping ratings. It became clear Thursday that Zucker’s exit after nine years as CNN’s leader was anything but voluntary. Zucker said he was leaving for violating corporate policy by not disclosing the nature of his relationship with his second-in-command, Allison Gollust. But he was reportedly given no choice by WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, who characterized the change as his decision at an emotional meeting with CNN Washington staff members Wednesday night. The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of that meeting. The nature of that meeting, coupled with the fact that Zucker’s exit became a watercooler issue—former President Donald Trump released two statements on it—speaks to his unusual influence as a media executive. “He was a larger-than-life figure in the political ecosystem, the media ecosystem and at CNN,” said Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of Hofstra University’s School of Communication and a former colleague of Zucker’s at NBC News. Kilar was peppered with questions by CNN’s Washington staff. They wondered whether he sought advice from other executives, why Zucker wasn’t given a transition period and whether rumored antipathy between the two men played a role in the decision, according to the recording. “Given that these are two consenting adults... why is that a fireable offense?” asked White House reporter Kaitlan Collins. TV host Jake Tapper said that there is a perception that Chris Cuomo—fired in December as a CNN host because he’d been privately advising his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo—had essentially succeeded in a threat to embarrass the company by revealing the relationship if it didn’t pay a settlement fee. “How do we get past the perception that this is the bad guy winning?” Tapper asked at the meeting. Even some of the people named to temporarily replace Zucker—veteran CNN executives Michael Bass, Amy Entelis and Ken Jautz—spoke to his impact on the organization and said they would be following the direction he set. Jautz said during the staff meeting that after CNN founder Ted Turner, “Jeff had more impact on this place than anybody, certainly any more than any executive.” CNN’s John King described Zucker’s hands-on influence in what went on the air and a fear of the unknown without him. “You may not agree with every decision,” King said at the meeting. “But you knew someone is going to make a decision, you’re going to know which

CNN faces the challenge of navigating a pivotal moment in the news industry without its dominant leader, as Jeff Zucker’s ouster because of a relationship with a colleague unleashed raw, angry feelings among some people he led. AP

way you’re going. And this company has had long periods of time where that didn’t exist and those are unpleasant times.” The selection of a new leader will ultimately rest with David Zaslav, named as head of the new company created by the pending merger of Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia. But it means CNN is suddenly without its point person as it prepares to launch the CNN+ streaming service this spring. Zucker has been active in building its features and recruiting talent like former Fox News host Chris Wallace, and he was set to become a public cheerleader for it. Kilar, in the Washington meeting, described the launch of CNN+ as every bit as important as the beginning of CNN itself. Adding to the challenge is that it will be a paid service at a time there are others in the industry, with the exception of Fox Nation, that are offering access for free. CNN also needs to replace Cuomo in its primetime lineup, and is going with a series of substitutes. Zucker recently approached Gayle King for the job before she decided to re-sign with CBS News. The television network’s viewership has dropped dramatically in the past year. News ratings have always been cyclical, and the 2020 election brought record numbers of people in, but there’s always the question of when, or if, they will come back.

CNN is also coming off a contentious period where Trump frequently referred to the network as “fake news.” In the meeting with Kilar, CNN’s Jim Acosta said Zucker had stood strong against the attacks and worried whether anyone else would do the same. CNN on-air personnel under Zucker, like Acosta, have become much more opinionated and that hasn’t always been popular. “It’s interesting to see if that culture is going to shift with new leadership,” said Jennifer Thomas, a Howard University journalism professor who worked at CNN as a producer in the 2000s. Some people, like Thomas, have called for a reset. One is influential cable executive John Malone, a top stockholder in Discovery, who said on CNBC in November that “I would like to see CNN evolve back to the kind of journalism that it started with.” Lukasiewicz said he didn’t see any reason to think that shift is going to happen. What’s most interesting is what the emergence of streaming as a news platform with a different audience will mean for the industry, he said. It’s a tough time for CNN to enter a period with interim leadership, Lukasiewicz said. But not all such times of turmoil end up being negative. “Sometimes the change of leadership, while not welcome at the moment, can lead to good things down the line,” he said. n

generous actor, he just gives and gives and gives.” Already blessed with a lot of local and international achievements in his illustrious career, Lucero has transformed into a very realistic guy in terms of the projects that he takes on. “ I trust my gut feel. Of course, I do look at the material, ask who my director will be, and if I feel good about the project, I’m game. I get excited when I work with both

veterans and newcomers. I love working with new actors because I do learn from them—their rawness, their sincerity, their eagerness to absorb. Every new project does not only pay for the bills but my soul is continuously fed and my energies are regularly recharged, too.” For his role as the abusive husband in Silip sa Apoy, Lucero has to be bad, blameless and brazen all at the same time, and his director Mac Alejandre is more than elated and impressed. “Sid exuded such a strong creative energy on the set and we can see this throughout his performance. He also has a very positive effect on his younger coactors, like Paolo Gumabao and Angeli Khang. Sid was intensely truthful and spine-chilling in his portrayal and he truly gave a beast of a performance. I am just so fortunate to have him in this film, a truly gifted thespian who gave life, energy and a whole gamut of emotions to the complex and daunting character created by master screenwriter Ricky Lee.” At 38, Lucero is more relaxed now, happier, having gone through, survived and risen like a phoenix in the many ups and downs in both his personal and professional lives. He welcomes every work opportunity with open arms. “I love what I am doing. I take acting seriously and after every work day, it presents me with this beautiful, almost radiant feeling of lightness, contentment, love, fulfilment and happiness,” he shared, immediately flashing his endearing boyish smile that has made many fall in love with the gorgeous Sid Lucero, onscreen and off.

Gorgeous, generous, gifted Sid Lucero

IT’S been some time since award-winning actor Sid Lucero starred in a film and many are happy that while the new year is very young, Lucero already has two movies in exhibition: Lawrence Fajardo’s Reroute and Mac Alejandre’s Silip sa Apoy. In Reroute, Lucero breathes life to the role of a young husband who has trust and anger management issues with his beautiful wife and the cramped universe where they exist. Playing his wife is beauty queen-turned-actress Cindy Miranda and they also pit talents with recent Venice Festival Volpi Cup winner John Arcilla and the very natural Nathalie Hart. His coactors have only good words for Lucero. “Sid is definitely one of the best young actors in Philippine cinema. I’ve worked with him on television before and he is one of only few actors whom you can draw a lot of resources from, on and off camera. He is both irreverent and inimitable. I have very high respects for Sid,” shared Arcilla.

Miranda also shared her thoughts: “I fall in love with acting ever more when I work with brilliant actors like Sid. Without him knowing, he motivates me every time I step on the set and we do a scene together. He is also very kind-hearted, playful and truly pleasant to work with. And the consummate actor that he is, Sid really takes good care of me especially during our sensitive scenes. He is a

SID LUCERO

B6 Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Love is in the Air at Savoy Hotel Manila

Coca-Cola Company contributes aid to Filipinos impacted by ST Odette whenever we can,” shares Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines and VP for Franchise Operations of the ASEAN and South Pacific-East Asia Region. “By extending humanitarian aid, we continue to prioritize the immediate needs and well-being of those affected the most.”

Beverage donations, employee support

ESPONDING to the call for aid following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette in the Philippines in December 2021, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has extended relief assistance to thousands of Filipinos across six provinces of the country. The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant of US$400,000 to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation to support the disaster relief efforts of nine dioceses in the Visayas and Mindanao. The grant will provide food, shelter repair kits, solar lamps, and hygiene kits to 4,031 families affected by the typhoon in Bohol, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte. Meanwhile, the local Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines has provided humanitarian aid to 5,420 families, donating P5.8 million for food packs, hygiene kits, shelter or roof repair kits, drinking water, and water filtration kits to help them cope in the aftermath of the typhoon. Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines has channeled its assistance through its NGO partners Water and Life Philippines, World Wildlife FundPhilippines, Caritas-Manila, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, World Vision, Synergeia Foundation, and Waves 4 Water. “The Coca-Cola Foundation is resolute

in its commitment to communities by extending humanitarian aid to those in need,” says Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We recognize the devastating impact of natural disasters and the pandemic especially on vulnerable communities with limited resources.” Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, adds: “Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and its trusted partners will continue to serve Filipinos not only through our programs on waste management, water stewardship, education, and youth and women empowerment but also through our long-held commitment to disaster relief. The resilience of a Filipino is always strengthened when we come together—and we are here to give our unrelenting support, one day at a time.”

Continuous support for vulnerable communities

IN its 110-year journey of refreshing Filipinos and uplifting vulnerable communities, Coca-Cola Philippines remains dedicated to supporting disaster relief operations for families affected by natural calamities. “Circumstances such as typhoons and the pandemic continue to affect Filipinos across the archipelago, and this is why it is critical for us at Coca-Cola Philippines that we provide continuous support to communities

IN the aftermath of the typhoon, CocaCola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI)— the company’s bottling arm in the country—also mobilized its resources to distribute nearly 70,000 liters of Wilkins drinking water for residents in affected provinces and cities. Moreover, CCBPI made sure that affected employees were given assistance through a P5-million emergency fund, while also providing them with over 70,000 liters of drinking water and around P800,000 worth of grocery items. Staying true to their People First commitment, CCBPI’s employees from other parts of the country launched an internal donation drive and were able to collect more than P600,000 to help their fellow associates in the Visayas and Mindanao whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon. “Our commitment has always been uplifting the well-being not only of our consumers but the employees behind the work we do,” said Gareth McGeown, President and CEO of CCBPI. “It is truly heartwarming to see CCBPI’s employees come together despite the limitations and challenges posed by the typhoon. Their dedication to helping those in need is a testament to our People First commitment–that through our collective effort, we are able to uplift one another even in times of crisis.”

Start your own cleaning franchise with Cleen and Green

UR way of life may have truly changed, but industry wise, there are still so many opportunities post-pandemic. In fact, niche industries are expected to grow exponentially, like the contract cleaning services sector, which is seen to boom up to $330 billion by 2027. Entrepreneurs can already operate their own Cleen and Green business within weeks. The multi-million-peso business, established in 2020, has become the leading and most trusted eco-friendly cleaning provider in the country, catering to customers in Lipa, Cavite, Laguna, and Quezon City. Cleen and Green’s services include deep house cleaning, car interior deep cleaning, facilities disinfection, post-construction intensive cleaning, and so much more. Unlike other providers, Cleen and Green uses plant-based, non-toxic, nonchemical cleaning solutions, which are safe even for babies, pregnant, elderly and pets. With its range of gentle solutions that are antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and anti-viral, Cleen and Green becomes the preferred choice, most especially of families and individuals who suffer from allergies and respiratory and skin health concerns. For franchisees, ROI can be expected in just a few months as Cleen and Green offers a valuable and in-demand service. In addition, management lends end-toend support – from training personnel to setting up inventory and other matters. Their goal is to help Filipino overseas workers to put up business here in the Philippines that will help their families to work with them, to run the cleaning service instead of sending their monthly allowance just like the story of their existing partners overseas. Pam de Jesus, partner who’s based in San Jose, California, jumped at the chance to manage Cleen and Green in Cavite as this aligned with her business goals for the year. “For me, Cleen and Green was the perfect fit because my dream has always been to own my own business and to retire early in the Philippines.” Even

though based abroad, Pam is able to keep a close eye on their operations with the help of Philippine partners. She’s also helping grow the business through effective online marketing. “I take care of inquiries via social media and even market the business to other kababayans here in the US.” Another partner, Nova Sante from Sacramento, California, also saw the great potential of the Cleen and Green franchising program. “Before, I regularly sent money to my sister in the Philippines to help support their families. But through this business, she’s now able to support herself and help me out, too. It’s empowering to provide jobs – not just only for family who work with us but also for all the employees who rely on us. That’s my goal – to provide more jobs and opportunities to Filipinos.” Faye Daway and Lei Calastre sisters in Power, based in Quezon City, joined the Cleen and Green family as a franchisee 3 months ago and now manages the Quezon City operations. “Since they came from the pharmaceutical industry, their immediate network became their first clients. And now, proudly, they’ve become regular clients, too!” When Faye was considering a business, Cleen and Green was her first choice for several reasons: the business offered a service in great demand; it aligned with her own personal interests (Faye is a self-confessed “OC cleaner”); and it provided her the opportunity to augment

her income while giving her the flexibility to continue on with her current business Marketing agency. While her sister, also her partner, manages the franchise business. Lei Calastre really likes the benefits of being the only eco-friendly cleaning service, and she is also a first time mom that cares so much about the welfare of kids. Lei mentioned a very quality effective plant based solution is a must when choosing a cleaning service. We don't want to compromise the welfare of our families as well as our environment. These two sisters are very hands-on, that they also joined their cleaning team to make it appoint, that they are delivering quality and efficient services. With these three franchisees, Cleen and Green hopes to inspire more Filipinos to kick start their own entrepreneurial journeys: “There’s no better time than now to start a contract cleaning business like ours. It’s pandemic-proof; we offer valuable, premium service that’s in high demand; and it’s a business you can easily manage anywhere in the world. Take that leap of faith towards financial independence and find success, just like us.” For more information on the franchising program, visit https://cleenandgreen.com/ or call 09561428382. Follow the social media acxounts: https:// instagram.com/cleenandgreenquezoncityand htt p s://www.fa ceb o ok .com/ cleenandgreencleaningservices

DELIGHTFUL and romantic stay awaits you at Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City as it sets lovers’ hearts aflutter which will leave them lovestruck with its month-long room package and dining promotions. Celebrate the love month with its Sweet Escape Room Package for only P 5,200 nett which includes an overnight stay at a standard room with complimentary breakfast for 2, a Valentine welcome amenity, a bottle of wine, and 15 percent discount on spa and dining. Make Valentine’s Day dinner special with the Sweet Surrender dinner offering at Savoy Cafe. For only P1,300 nett per person, enjoy a three-course meal with a complimentary glass of red wine, from 6 pm to 10 pm. Indulge in healthy starters, beetroot and feta cheese salad or carrot and red bell pepper cappuccino. Follow it up with a main course of fettucine ala vongole or roasted baby back ribs, and cap it with a sweet ending of blushing strawberry cake dessert. Those who love al fresco dining can experience Love in the Moonlight which covers a 3-course pre-Valentine dinner from Feb. 2 to 13, at the poolside for only Php1,300 nett. An awardee of the ‘Best New Hotel’ award in the TripZilla Excellence Awards

2018, Savoy Hotel Manila is an accredited multiple use hotel with a Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycation (CAOS) by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). Vaccination card is required for fullyvaccinated guests, while a negative RTPCR test valid 48 hours prior to check-in is required for non-vaccinated guests. Children below 11 years old are allowed to check in if their companion will have either one of the abovementioned requirements. For details, visit www.savoyhotelmanila. com.ph or call (02) 5317-2869, or email dine@savoymanila.com for dining offers and stay@savoymanila.com for room offerings.

Global BPO wins big at 2021 Centrical Select Awards

RAHUL Dewan, General Manager of Sitel Group, accepted The Innovator Award on behalf of Sitel Group at the recently concluded Centrical Select Awards 2021.

GLOBAL BPO’s commitment to pushing boundaries and finding innovative ways to utilize employee engagement and performance platforms was recently acknowledged during at the yearend Centrical Select Awards. Sitel Group, one of the largest global providers of customer experience (CX) products and solutions, was recognized by Centrical as “The Innovator” during their Employee engagement. The BPO understands the importance of creating and nurturing an environment where employees feel empowered. From physical centers to digital spaces, the Group ensures that everything is focused on supporting their associates, leveraging tools and innovative solutions to enhance their overall experience. Their centers are created for collaboration and designed for comfortable working. Digitally, they have launched platforms, events, and activities where employees working from anywhere can easily participate and join the global community. They also have Sitel MAX

– My Associate Experience – an employee program that aims to strengthen associate partnerships, encouraging their 160,000 employees to help shape and design the future of the business. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Centrical Select Awards,” shared Rahul Dewan, General Manager, Sitel Group. “We pride ourselves on pushing boundaries, and that’s what Centrical enables us to do, quickly and with ease. We are transforming experiences and seeing valuable returns on our investment in people engagement, including improved engagement numbers and boosted sales. Innovation is a key value for Sitel Group and an important part of our DNA and our collaboration with Centrical has enabled us to move the needle on employee and customer experience,” he added. The Centrical Select Awards highlights their partners that go above the beyond in employee engagement. The platform honors the exemplary contributions and exceptional performance of businesses that are visionaries among industry leaders. This yearly event recognizes the value of shining the spotlight on excellence. Recognition remains a core pillar of Centrical’s globally utilized employee-centric platform, which is why they launched the awards two years ago. Centrical works with some of the best brands in the business today, including companies worldwide that are innovating new ways to use technology and insights to positively impact their business, customer satisfaction, and employee experience.

MOA GLOBE LIGHTS UP FOR WORLD NTD DAY. The iconic globe at the SM Mall of Asia was one of 100 landmarks in 34 countries that recently lit up to mark the third annual World NTD Day. The “light up” aims to shine a light on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which continue to affect more than 1.7 billion worldwide, including 1 billion children. The day also highlighted the World Health Organization’s goal to eliminate at least one NTD in 100 nations by 2030. Photo shows Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy-Cultural Diplomacy Division Assistant Director Emmylou Felimer (right) and SM Mall of Asia mall manager Ly-anne Salazar (left) who graced the lighting ceremony. Other global landmarks that lit up were the Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls in Canada, The Rome Colosseum, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, the Carter Presidential Library in the US and the Tokyo Tower.

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

TheWorld

UN experts: North Korea stealing millions of dollars in cyber attacks

N I T ED NAT IONS — North Korea is continuing to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from financial institutions and cryptocurrency firms and exchanges, illicit money that is an important source of funding for its nuclear and missile programs, UN experts said in a report quoting cyber specialists. The panel of experts said that according to an unnamed government, North Korean “cyber-actors stole more than $50 million between 2020 and mid2021 from at least three cryptocurrency exchanges in North America, Europe and Asia, probably reflecting a shift to diversify its cybercrime operations.” And the experts said in the report’s section on cyber activities obtained Sunday by The Associated Press that an unidentified cyber-security firm reported that in 2021 the North’s “cyberactors stole a total of $400 million worth of cryptocurrency through seven intrusions into cryptocurrency exchanges and investment firms.” These cyberattacks “made use of phishing lures, code exploits, malware, and advanced social engineering to siphon funds out of these organizations’ Internet-connected ‘hot’ wallets into DPRK-controlled addresses,” the panel said, using the initials of the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The cryptocurrency funds stolen by the DPRK cyber actors “go through a careful money laundering process in order to be cashed out,” the panel of experts monitoring sanctions on North Korea said in the report to the UN Security Council. A year ago, the panel quoted an unidentified country saying North Korea’s “total theft of virtual assets from 2019 to November 2020 is valued at approximately $316.4 million.” In the executive summary of the new report, the experts said North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. “Although no nuclear tests or l aunc hes of ICBMs were reported, DPRK continued to develop its capability for production of nuclear fissile materials,” the panel said. Those fissile materials—uranium or plutonium—are crucial for a nuclear reaction. The experts noted “a marked acceleration” of North Korean missile launches through January that used a variety of technology and weapons. The experts said North Korea “continued to seek material, technology and know-how for these programs overseas, including through cyber means and joint scientific research.” A year ago, the panel said

North Korea had modernized its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles by flaunting United Nations sanctions, using cyberattacks to help finance its programs and continuing to seek material and technology overseas for its arsenal including in Iran. “Cyber attacks, particularly on cryptocurrency assets, remain an important revenue source” for Kim Jong Un’s government, the experts monitoring the implementation of sanctions against the North said in the new report. In add it ion to its recent l au nc hes, Nor t h K orea h a s threatened to lift its four-year moratorium on more serious weapons tests such as nuclear explosions and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Security Council initially imposed sanctions on North Korea after its first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and toughened them in response to further nuclear tests and the country’s increasingly sophisticated nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The panel of experts said North Korea’s blockade aimed at preventing Covid-19 resulted in “historically low levels” of people and goods entering and leaving the country. Legal and illegal trade including in luxury goods “has largely ceased” though cross-border rail traffic resumed in early January, it said. The panel has previously made clear that North Korea remains able to evade sanctions and to illicitly import refined petroleum, access international banking channels and carry out “malicious cyber activities.” UN sanctions ban North Korean coal exports and the experts said in the new report that although coal exports by sea increased in the second half of 2021, “they were still at relatively low levels.” “The quantity of illicit imports of refined petroleum increased sharply in the same period, but at a much lower level than in previous years,” the panel said, adding that direct deliveries by non-North Korea tankers has ceased and only tankers from the North delivered oil, “a marked change of methodology” probably in response to Covid-19 measures. The experts said North Korea also continues to evade maritime sanctions “by deliberately obfuscated financial and ownership networks.” While the humanitarian situation in the country continues to worsen, the panel said the almost complete lack of information from the country makes it difficult to determine the “unintended humanitarian consequences of UN sanctions affecting the civilian population.” AP

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Russia hits new Covid-19 record; 10 times more than a month ago

OSCOW—Russia is reporting a record daily count of new coronavirus infections, a tenfold spike from a month ago as the highly contagious Omicron variant spreads through the country. The figure of 189,071 new infections released by the state coronavirus task force on Sunday was about 2,800 cases more than the previous day and continued a surge that began in mid-January, when daily new cases were around 17,000. Although the number of infections has increased dramatically in recent weeks, the task force reported that daily deaths from Covid-19 are holding steady or marginally declining: 661 more deaths were recorded Sunday, compared with 796 on January 6. For the entire course of the pandemic, the task force has reported 12.8 million infections and 335,414 deaths, the highest death toll by far in Europe. Despite the soaring infections,

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russia’s top business association last week that authorities are not planning any lockdowns or other additional restrictions. Moreover, the government lifted the seven-day self-isolation restrictions for those who come into contact with Covid-19 patients. Russia has had only one lockdown, for six weeks in 2020, and in October 2021 many people were ordered to stay off work for about a week. But beside that, life in most of the country remained largely normal. In recent weeks, a growing number of Russian regions have started introducing restrictions for those under 18, as officials noted that the current surge is affecting children much more than the previous

Medical staff members wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with Covid at an ICU of the Clinical hospital in Volgograd, Russia on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. Russia’s state coronavirus task force reported a total of 11.8 million confirmed cases in the pandemic and 331,349 deaths — by far the highest death toll in Europe. However, reports by Russia’s state statistics service Rosstat, which uses wider criteria for counting virus-linked deaths, revealed much higher numbers. AP/Alexandr Kulikov

ones. In many areas, schools have either switched to remote learning or extended holidays for students. In St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, minors have been temporarily barred from most public places. Russia started vaccinating children aged 12-17 only last month with the domestically developed Sputnik M jab, which is the same

composition as its Sputnik V but contains a smaller dose. According to media reports and social media users, only small amounts of the vaccine for teenagers have been made available. Only about half of Russia’s 146 million people have been vaccinated so far, even though the country was among the first in the world to roll out Covid-19 shots. AP

Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over protests

ORONTO—The mayor of Canada’s capital declared a state of emergency Sunday and a former US ambassador to Canada said groups in the US must stop interfering in the domestic affairs of America’s neighbor as protesters opposed to Covid-19 restrictions continued to paralyze Ottawa’s downtown. Mayor Jim Watson said the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government. It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders. Thousands of protesters descended in Ottawa again on the weekend, joining a hundred who remained since last weekend. Residents of Ottawa are furious at the nonstop blaring of horns, traffic disruption and harassment and fear no end is in sight after the police chief called it a “siege” that he could not manage. The “freedom truck convoy” has attracted support from many US Republicans including former President Donald Trump, who called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “far left lunatic” who has “destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates.” “Canada-US relations used to be

Trucks and supporters travel down Bloor Street during a demonstration in support of a trucker convoy in Ottawa protesting Covid-19 restrictions, in Toronto on February 5. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

mainly about solving technical issues. Today Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues. Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies,” Bruce Heyman, a former US ambassador under President Barack Obama, tweeted. Heyman said “under no circumstances should any group in the USA fund disruptive activities in Canada. Period. Full stop.” After crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it would refund or

redirect to charities the vast majority of the millions raised by demonstrators protesting in the Canadian capital, prominent US Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis complained. But GoFundMe had already changed its mind and said it would be issuing refunds to all. The site said it cut off funding for the organizers because it had determined the effort violated the site’s terms of service due to unlawful activity. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called it an occupation.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon tweeted: “Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers’ worthy cause,” and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on Fox News “government doesn’t have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates.” “For some senior American politicians, patriotism means renting a mob to put a G-7 capital under siege,” tweeted Gerald Butts, a former senior adviser to Trudeau. In Canada’s largest city, Toronto, police controlled and later ended a much smaller protest by setting up roadblocks and preventing any trucks or cars from getting near the provincial legislature. Police also moved in to clear a key intersection in the city. Many Canadians have been outraged over the crude behavior of the demonstrators. Some protesters set fireworks off on the grounds of the National War Memorial late Friday. A number have carried signs and flags with swastikas last weekend and compared vaccine mandates to fascism. P rotesters h ave sa id t he y won’t leave until all mandates and Covid-19 restrictions are gone. They are also calling for the removal of Trudeau’s government, though it is responsible for few of the measures, most of which were put in place by provincial governments. AP

Australia to accept jabbed travelers on February 21 Indonesia tightens mobility

ANBERR A, Australia— Australia will open its borders to all vaccinated tourists and business travelers from February 21 in a further relaxation of pandemic restrictions announced Monday. Australia imposed some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions on its citizens and permanent residents in March 2020 to prevent them from bringing Covid-19 home. When the border restrictions were relaxed in November in response to an increasing vaccination rate among the Australian population, international stu-

dents and skilled migrants were prioritized over tourists in being welcomed back to Australia. Pr ime Minister Scot t Morr ison sa id h is sen ior m in is ters ag reed on Mond ay t hat t he border wou ld reopen to a l l vacc inated v isas holders f rom Febr u a r y 21. Morrison said visitors must have proof of vaccination. He referred to Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic being deported by the Australian government last month because he was not vaccinated against coronavirus. “Events earlier in the year should have sent a very clear

message, I think, to everyone around the world that that is the requirement to enter into Australia,” Morrison said. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said visitors who could provide proof of a medical reason why they could not be vaccinated could apply for a travel exemption. Tourist operators have been lobbying the government to bring tourists back sooner. The southern hemisphere summer is in its final month. The Australian Tourism Export Council, the peak industry body representing the nation’s

tourism export sector, said tourism operations were looking forward to rebuilding their markets. “Au st ra l i a n tou r i sm bu sinesses will rejoice in the news that our borders will reopen to all international travelers,” the council’s managing director Peter Shelley said in a statement. “It’s been a long, hard and desperate road for every tourism business across the country and we have lost many along the way, but this news will give those who have sur vived a clear target to work towards and a start point for the rebuilding of the industr y,” Shelley added. AP

curbs as Omicron spreads

ndonesia h a s t i g hte ne d mobility restrictions in Jakarta, Bandung and Bali to the second-highest level as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continued to spread rapidly. The restrictions, which include limiting capacity at religious and other public places and reducing operating hours for supermarkets, malls and restaurants, will be implemented for at least a week, according to Luhut Panjaitan, a cabinet minister who oversees the nation’s pandemic response in Java and Bali. Daily cases in those areas have

exceeded highs seen during the previous wave, he told an online briefing on Monday. Testing and tracing need to improve and hospitalization rate has to decline before the government can ease the restriction levels, with a review set for next week, said Panjaitan. The government has avoided lockdowns it imposed during the previous peak last year despite the rapid surge in cases to keep the pace of the economic recovery, as infections have largely been mild and hospitalization rates manageable. Bloomberg News

PENG DENIES SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Sports BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, February 8, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

MILLER SETS MODEST GOAL

EIJING—Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has told a French newspaper that international concern over her wellbeing is based on “an enormous misunderstanding” and she denied having accused a high-ranking Chinese official of sexual assault. The interview with L’Equipe was held under controlled conditions in Beijing and failed to answer some key questions about Peng’s initial accusations of sexual assault and whether she has since been in trouble with China’s authoritarian government. L’Equipe, which specializes in sports news, published the interview Monday. The publication said it spoke to the tennis player a day earlier in a Beijing hotel in an hour-long interview organized through China’s Olympic committee. Also Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a statement saying IOC President Thomas Bach had dinner with Peng on Saturday. That was the day after China’s president opened the Winter Olympics in Beijing that have been overshadowed by international concerns about Chinese human-rights abuses and Peng’s situation. The IOC said Peng also attended the China-Norway Olympic curling match with IOC member Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe. L’Equipe said it had to submit questions in advance and that a Chinese Olympic committee official sat in on the discussion and translated Peng’s comments from Chinese. The newspaper published her comments verbatim—which it said was another pre-condition for interview—in question-and-answer

FRENCH sports newspaper L’Equipe gets an exclusive interview—and photo—with Peng Shuai in Beijing. form. Photos of Peng during the interview showed her wearing a red track-suit top with “China” in Chinese characters on the front. L’Equipe asked Peng about a post that appeared briefly in November on her verified account on a leading Chinese social-media platform, Weibo, which kicked off a storm of international concern about her. In that post, Peng wrote that Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier and member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, had forced her to have sex despite repeated refusals. Her post also said they had sex once seven years ago and she had feelings for him after that.

SMC TO BUILD P50-MILLION SPORTS CENTER IN BALAYAN KAMILA VALIEVA, only 15, continues to impress. AP

ASA MILLER wants to be the best-placed Filipino in Olympic men’s alpine skiing. KELLY MILLER

By Josef Ramos

ANQING, China—Asa Miller has put his goal in perspective five days before he plunges into action in the Beijing 2022 Winter Games—finish beyond No. 42 to become the best-placed Filipino in Olympic alpine skiing. “I want to be better, improve my previous performance and give a proud representation of the Philippines,” said Miller, whose two events, men’s giant slalom and slalom, are due on Saturday and next Wednesday at the National Alpine Skiing Centre on Xiaohaituo Mountain. Ben Nanasca, along with Juan Cipriano, were the first Filipino Winter Olympians in the 1972

Sapporo Games. They were also the first from Southeast Asia and from a tropical country to compete in the Winter Olympics. Nanasca was 18 when he wound up No. 42 among 48 finishers— Cipriano didn’t finish—in giant slalom, thus setting the benchmark for Filipino alpine skiers in the Olympics. Miller, on the other hand, was 17 in his Olympics debut in Pyeongchang 2018 and finished 70th among 110 competitors. He will be up against 150 rivals in Beijing. “My training is very solid and I am looking forward to spending more time skiing before my competitions,” said Miller, whose participation in the two Winter Olympic are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission

(PSC) headed by William “Butch” Ramirez. His dad Kelly Miller, an employee at Microsoft, agreed with his son. “Keeping the feel of the snow and being aggressive each run and attacking the hill,” Kelly, a former ski patroller at Mount Hood Meadows in Oregon, said. The younger Miller didn’t put his skis on as father and son opted to view the opposition on Monday. But it wasn’t totally a day off for the Millers. It was a day to revisit goals and strategies now that the younger Miller has gotten the feel of Chinese snow at the National Alpine Skiing Centre on Xiaohaituo Mountain after having been here for a week and training diligently for five days on skis.

Valieva makes history with quads as Russians snatch free skate gold

EIJING—Kamila Valieva became the first woman to land a quad in the Olympics— two of them, in fact—and her historic free skate put a stamp on the Russians’ dominant run to the gold medal in the team event at the Beijing Games on Monday. The 15-year-old Valieva opened with a huge quad salchow and followed with the difficult triple axel before landing another quad, this time a toe loop in combination with a triple toe loop. The only blemish on her program came when she fell on her quad toe loop late in the program, but by that

point, her first gold medal in Beijing was assured. Another one could come shortly in the individual event, where the Russians are favored to sweep the podium. They finished with 74 points in the team event to win their second gold medal in three editions of it. The US earned the silver after back-to-back bronze medals at the past two Olympics, thanks largely to a winning dance program from Madison Chock and Evan Bates, while Japan climbed onto the team podium for the first time.

The celebration by Team USA was tempered by word shortly before the medal ceremony that Vincent Zhou had tested positive for Covid-19 after his free skate Sunday as part of regular screenings. Zhou was being tested again and needed to return a negative result or he would miss the start of the men’s competition. His positive test is certain to stress the rest of the American team, including Nathan Chen, whose quest for individual gold begins with Tuesday’s short program. The two have been part of the same practice group since arriving in Beijing. AP

AN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) will build a P50-million sports center in Balayan as part of its commitment to help develop homegrown athletes who can compete in local and international sports competitions, as well as promote health and wellness in the town and throughout the province of Batangas. SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang made the announcement during the recent formal opening of the new Balayan municipal building and government complex, where he was also declared an adopted son. Ang said that the commitment to build a sports facility lines up with the local government’s post-pandemic recovery plans, which includes promoting health and wellness through a public sports facility within its sprawling government complex. “With a growing majority of Filipinos getting protected against Covid-19 through vaccination, there should be greater emphasis on health and fitness for the public in the coming years,” Ang said. “Through this sports center, which will be part of our company’s overall support for sports development, we hope to get more Balayan residents involved in sports.” Ang pointed out that a number

Peng briefly disappeared from public view after the post, then appeared at some promotional appearances arranged by the government. The interview with L’Equipe was her first sit-down discussion with non-Chinese media since the accusation. Speaking to L’Equipe, Peng denied having accused Zhang of assault. “Sexual assault? I never said that anyone made me submit to a sexual assault,” the newspaper quoted her as saying. “This post resulted in an enormous misunderstanding from the outside world,” she also said. “My wish is that the meaning of this post no longer be skewed.” The lengthy post quickly disappeared from Peng’s account. Asked why by L’Equipe, she said: “I erased it.” “Why? Because I wanted to,” she added. In the interview, Peng did not reply directly to a question about whether she has been in trouble with Chinese authorities since the post. Instead, she responded with a pat-sounding answer that echoed views often expressed by the Chinese government about sport and politics. “I was to say first of all that emotions, sport and politics are three clearly separate things,” the newspaper quoted her as saying. “My romantic problems, my private life, should not be mixed with sport and politics.” Asked what her life has been like since the November posting, she replied: “It is as it should be: Nothing special.”

of the country’s more prominent athletes come from the province— Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ LA Tenorio and former Ateneo volleyball star Alyssa Valdez are from Nasugbu and San Juan, respectively. Throughout the pandemic, SMC invested significantly to put up its own RT-PCR testing laboratory to provide free testing for its employees. The company also launched a nationwide employee vaccination program, dubbed Ligtas Lahat, to protect it 70,000-strong nationwide workforce. Balayan Mayor Emmanuel Salvador Fronda II declared Ang as the town’s adopted son, highlighting the businessman-philanthropist’s significant role in the socioeconomic growth and progress of the town. “Mr. Ang has been extending enormous support to the various socioeconomic development projects of the local government, which address social challenges and champion environmental stewardship, community and enterprise development, education, health, disaster management, and volunteerism, for the benefit and well-being of Balayenos,” Fronda said. Fronda added: “Drawing inspiration from his acts of generosity—which bring great impact to the community at large by uplifting the lives of the people and raising their standard of living—we deem it proper to issue the order to declare Mr. Ang as an adopted son of Balayan.” “Balayan has always been my second home. A lot of people here are like family to me,” Ang said. “That is why I will always try to do my part to help the town develop and progress.”

Millers: Have skis and travel fast

ANQING, China—Asa Miller and his dad Kelly found a quicker way to return to the Yanqing Olympic Athletes Village from the National Alpine Skiing Centre—ski down Xiaohaituo Mountain. “It’s flat and faster to get down than the gondola,” Asa Miller told BusinessMirror on Monday. To get to and from village and training and competition venue, athletes and coaches ride gondolas or cable cars. The ride takes 20 minutes. For the Millers, skiing down the

slope is some five to even 10 minutes faster. “It’s mostly just a road to get down faster. It saves us time as it’s faster to ski than to take the gondola,” Kelly Miller said. Kelly Miller’s a pro himself having been a former ski patroller at Mount Hood Meadows in Oregon. Five gondolas and four chairlifts ply the route every day. Buses are also available in some parts of the venue but they traverse a longer route. Josef Ramos