No masking Trump's weaknesses
US President Donald Trump donned a mask in public for the first time in a move that could have symbolic significance. If Trump used to think that wearing a mask was a sign of weakness, did his wearing a mask mean he now admitted he was, indeed, weak? Without doubt, he should have worn a mask a long time ago to set an example for Americans. Nonetheless, I'm glad that he finally came to terms with the need to wear a mask in public even if it was too little, too late. Trump's struggle may also be reflected in his relative inaction on China after Beijing swiftly passed the national security law and enacted it in Hong Kong.
Source:The Standard
July 13, 2020 19:07 UTC
‘Ang Probinsyano’ star is Chery PH Brand Ambassador – The Manila Times
Chery Auto Philippines, under United Asia Automotive Group Inc., has tapped famed actor and celebrity Coco Martin to be the Chinese car manufacturer’s brand ambassador, featuring his Tiggo 8, which Coco uses as his daily ride. Chery is a new brand, but as I rode on and drove it, I [could] see the brand’s potential. With Coco Martin aboard on Chery, expect a lot of commercials featuring Chery’s vehicles in print, billboard, tv or even online platforms as the brand widens its reach in the Philippine market. “I’m proud to be chosen as the Chery brand ambassador. With Chery, I’m ready to start my journey.”
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:47 UTC
When you talk of press freedom, always remember CJ – The Manila Times
MUCH has been said about press freedom and the loss of freedom of expression from the problems Rappler and ABS-CBN Corp. had with regulatory agencies. The CJ was guilty in the public arena and this background contributed to a decision that remains controversial to this day. From eight articles of impeachment, down to one, but for those four months CJ Corona was pulped dry, remember? Press freedom is the “right to publish newspapers, magazines and other printed matter without governmental restriction and subject only to the laws of libel, obscenity [and] sedition among others.” Is press freedom dead? And press freedom is alive and well, even as ABS-CBN shifts to digital.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:37 UTC
DTI: Barbershops, salons can increase operations – The Manila Times
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued a directive allowing barbershops and salons in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) to increase their operating capacity to 50 percent from the current 30 percent. These increases in capacities are meant to enhance the income opportunities of the workers and MSMEs to save jobs. “At 30 percent capacity, many MSMEs still earn below breakeven income and workers are only able to receive limited earnings. He noted, however, that businesses should follow the set safety guidelines and health protocols to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 among their employees and customers. He added DTI will soon be releasing a memorandum circular to increase the operational capacity of dine-in establishments, following the high compliance rate of businesses.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:27 UTC
MVP shares insights on doing business during crisis – The Manila Times
ON June 25, the MVP Group of Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) spoke before the distinguished members of the Penn-Wharton Club of the Philippines to share his insights on leadership in the time of crisis. On why the club spearheaded this effort, Penn-Wharton Club of the Philippines President Duane Santos said, “No one is spared from the Covid crisis. For instance, the MVP Group Chairman said PLDT has undergone a business forecast to match the demands of the industry to their employee skillset in the years to come. This way, the telco — and the MVP Group as a whole — can ensure job security for employees who are also coping with the crisis. Pangilinan said to be an effective leader in times of crises, one must be clear and transparent about the reality of the situation.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:27 UTC
SSS goes online for sickness claims – The Manila Times
Employers can now file online their sickness benefit reimbursement claims to the Social Security System (SSS), the state-run pension fund announced on Monday. “They must also have an SSS-approved sickness notification from their employees who are entitled to the sickness benefit,” it added. Employers also need to have a certification that the sickness benefit was paid in advance to their employees, which is consistent with the approved sickness notification. “However, only SS SBRAs for new and initial claims with approved sickness notifications can be filed via the online facility. Sickness benefit reimbursement claims for adjustment or re-filed claims must still be filed over-the-counter at SSS branches,” the SSS emphasized.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:27 UTC
DoST-FPRDI prioritizes study of tree plantation species – The Manila Times
THE country’s wood industries have been suffering from a shortage of raw materials for many years now. This has been caused mainly by decades of indiscriminate logging, which has systematically reduced the areas of our natural growth forests. To help beef up the country’s wood supply, the Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DoST-FPRDI) started a research program for studying different kinds of tree plantation species (TPS). TPS are grown mainly as substitutes to traditional species, and the ones commonly found in local tree farms include yemane (Gmelina arborea Roxb. “DoST-FPRDI studies TPS not only because they make good construction and housing materials, but also because they have a host of other industrial uses,” says Eusebio.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:18 UTC
Araneta City’s J. Amado Araneta Foundation launches #resilientpinoy – The Manila Times
IF there is one realization during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is the fact that the struggle is real, especially for businesses. There are those in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) industries that are not as well-resourced as those who are in the large businesses. Interspersed with helpful information, #resilientpinoy will feature human interest stories of resilience and recovery. The information will help businesses answer the following questions:1. JAAF’s #resilientpinoy comes out every Tuesday in the digital pages of J. Amado Araneta Foundation.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:15 UTC
The obligatory ABS-CBN commentary – The Manila Times
TODAY’S column is presented to satisfy a requirement that everyone and his uncle offer a commentary on the “demise” of ABS-CBN and the “chilling effect” the rejection of its application for a broadcast franchise has on “press freedom” in the Philippines. Following the loss of that network’s broadcast franchise, there are 225 TV stations, 369 AM radio stations, 583 FM radio stations, 10 internet radio stations, at least five shortwave radio stations, 15 major daily broadsheets, 40 print tabloids, and dozens of local and regional newspapers still left in the country. ABS-CBN news alone has two websites, three mobile apps, six Facebook pages, six Twitter accounts, a Viber feed, and accounts on YouTube and Instagram. If it had just been the (legitimate) complaint President Duterte had against ABS-CBN for taking his money and not broadcasting his campaign commercials, then maybe the Lopez clan could have stood their ground. If that was all there was to it, the only real counterpunch President Duterte could have thrown would have been a lawsuit as a private individual.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:15 UTC
Safe stays at Discovery Suites – The Manila Times
SELF-ISOLATION that brings the familiar feeling and protection of home — that is what it means staying at the safe haven that is Discovery Suites. Whether it’s for a returning traveler or simply to create a safe work station, the hotel is offering special packages, inclusive of special amenities during these unprecedented times. With its Rest and Recharge room offer, guests can relax and have a worry-free stay, inclusive of full board packed breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tech-savvy professionals and businesses who want to create a safe space with high-speed internet access for its employees can take advantage of Work From Hotel – a room offer that allows a guest to utilize the hotel’s spacious suites as a workspace. This all-in offer includes packed breakfast, a dedicated internet with upgraded bandwidth, and electricity provision for office devices for up to 12 hours daily.
Source:Manila Times
July 13, 2020 16:15 UTC
PSEi tumbles as investors stay on sidelines
MANILA, Philippines – The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended in negative territory yesterday as investors found no compelling reason to go back to the market. The PSEi closed at 6,172.57, down 24.81 points or 0.40 percent, while the broader All Shares index slipped by 18.85 points or 0.51 percent. On the other hand, Asian markets climbed higher led by China’s Shanghai composite as investors remain optimistic that China’s economy is recovering and getting stronger by the day. Jonathan Ravelas of BDO said the local market is having difficulty sustaining the rally but there is strong support at the 6,000 levels. The market is expected to consolidate within the 6,000 to 6,500 levels in the near term.
Source:Philippine Star
July 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Davao City under GCQ anew?
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – This city will reportedly be reverted back to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting tomorrow until the end of the month due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. The city is currently under modified general community quarantine. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she received advance information that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) would place the city under the GCQ status starting on July 15. Should her appeal be denied, Carpio said she has no other option but to abide by the decision of the task force. “This is the result of some people’s stubborn attitude… for not following the protocols… for being impatient,” Duterte said as she urged residents to prepare for whatever decision the IATF would have for the city.
Source:Philippine Star
July 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Is Richard Yap ready to be a Kapuso?
The same question popped up in people’s mind when Richard Yap also did the same last Saturday — you know, is Richard ready to be a Kapuso? You see, early last year before the midterm elections when Richard (full name: Richard Edison Uy Yap) ran for congressman in Cebu City’s North District, a rumor floated that win or loss (sadly, he lost) Richard would sign up with Kapuso since his Kapamilya contract had expired and wasn’t renewed. That means Richard is, well, as free as a bird and can land anywhere he wants. Then I went into business in Manila, but I’m always here in Cebu, also because we have businesses here. I’m really shuttling between Cebu and Manila.”In that same Freeman interview, Richard admitted that showbiz was never among his plans.
Source:Philippine Star
July 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Online selling blamed for ASF contamination in Cotabato town
KIDAPAWAN CITY—The Cotabato provincial veterinarian has blamed online selling, particularly of processed meat chorizos, for the first cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) detected in hogs in Magpet town, Cotabato province. Dr. Rufino Suropia, Cotabato provincial veterinarian, said the contamination could have been brought here through the orders of processed meat sent through couriers at the height of the lockdown. Mangelen said ASF, a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease among domestic and wild pigs, had been detected at the villages of Ilian, Kiantog, Tagbac and Magca-alam of Magpet town. ADVERTISEMENTAgriculture officials said ASF cases at Magpet villages were the first cases reported in Cotabato. The provincial government had ordered the veterinary office to set up checkpoints in a 1-km radius of villages with ASF cases.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 13, 2020 15:45 UTC