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Regional Updates (11/17/20)

Duterte to decide soon on Luzon state of calamity

THE Palace on Tuesday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte has received the recommendation of the national disaster management council on declaring a state of calamity in the entire Luzon island and will announce a decision soon. At the same time, Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said they are also evaluating the recommendation made by environmental group Greenpeace Philippines for a declaration of a “national climate emergency” in the Philippines following the devastation in the aftermath of a series of typhoons since October. “Pag-aaralan iyan ng Palasyo…Talagang binibigyan po ng prayoridad ng Presidente para magkaroon ng permanenteng solusyon dito sa climate change (the Palace will study this…the President is really giving priority to have a permanent solution on climate change,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. — Gillian M. Cortez 

Power infra damage from Ulysses climbs to P122M

DAMAGE from Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) on power distribution facilities owned by electric cooperatives has reached P121.97 million, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported on Tuesday. Restoration is still ongoing, but about 257 cities and municipalities in parts of Luzon now have full access to electricity, the NEA said. There are 160 areas where supply has been partially restored, and 59 areas that still don’t have access to electricity. In a separate announcement on Monday evening, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said it has restored all transmission lines affected by Ulysses. Meanwhile, the government said it is already conducting coronavirus tests in evacuation centers where thousands of families displaced by the recent series of typhoons are staying. “We are already doing that. What we use in evacuation centers are antigen test kits,” Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said in mixed English and Filipino during a briefing on Tuesday. The OCTA Research Group earlier urged the government to conduct testing and contact tracing in evacuation facilities to avoid a potential outbreak, especially with the implementation of distancing and other health protocols a challenge in limited spaces. — Angelica Y. Yang and Gillian M. Cortez

Panglao inaugurates new seaport as Bohol reopens to tourists

PANGLAO MUNICIPALITY—ABAGCAT/MLAGNASON

A new boardwalk at the seaport terminal in Panglao has been formally inaugurated in time for Bohol’s reopening this week to tourists. “The blessing that transpired was very timely as commercial travels both by sea and air are scheduled to resume today (Nov. 16),” the Panglao municipal government said in a statement. The local government under Mayor Leonila P. Montero also launched two new speedboats for coastal monitoring and ensuring the safety of guests. Bohol hosted the first hybrid Philippine Travel Exchange held in October, during which travel operators generated at least P17 million in bookings. Tourists are required to pre-register through the province’s site, www.bohol.gov.ph.

Bill calling for Bayanihan III adds funding for typhoon recovery

CAUAYAN-DRRMC

A MEASURE calling for a third package of economic stimulus programs — which would be known as Bayanihan III if passed — has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Marikina Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo filed House Bill (HB) No. 8031, or the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act of 2020, which takes into account the extensive damage caused by a series of typhoons late in the year, on top of the setbacks to the economy inflicted by the pandemic.

Ms. Quimbo, who chairs the House stimulus committee, said the government must also provide additional economic stimulus to rehabilitate typhoon-hit areas and mitigate future risk from such disasters.

“Additional funding and support are an utmost need for the victims in these areas to rise up from the deluge of crises that have hit them, and to help recover from the economic losses sustained,” she said.

Ms. Quimbo, a former University of the Philippines economist, said an additional P400-billion stimulus package is needed to rehabilitate areas damaged by natural calamities, sustain delivery of basic goods and services, implement high-impact infrastructure projects, assist businesses, and “bring the economy on the right track.”

The measure directs the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to draft a long-term plan that will render the Philippines “resilient (against) future shocks such as pandemics and typhoons.” It also requires NEDA to review the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas to improve disaster risk reduction and resilience.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the economy contracted 11.5% in the third quarter, with the industry and services sectors declining 17.2% and 10.6%, respectively. The agriculture sector grew 1.2%.

Ms. Quimbo noted that the PSA now considers official government projections for 2020 to no longer be achievable in the wake of the third-quarter data.

“The projections (are) highly unlikely considering the contraction of 11.5% in the third quarter and 16.9% in the second quarter,” she said.

Bayanihan III would ensure adequate funding for vaccine procurement and a steady stream of cash aid for low-income families, Ms. Quimbo said.

HB 8031 includes calamity intervention measures such as cash-for-work programs, emergency subsidies, and infrastructure funding for typhoon-hit areas.

The measure would provide incentives for businesses to preserve their staffing levels and subsidies for workers that require testing and sick leave in the event they contract COVID-19.

Bayanihan III also seeks to extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, known as Bayanihan II, as its provisions remain critical for the economic recovery beyond December. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DoE evaluating renewables applications covering 1,479 megawatts

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said Tuesday that it has received 44 applications for renewables service and operating contracts linked to projects with the potential to generate 1,479 megawatts (MW).

The proposals cover solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal projects, it said.

RE (renewable energy) operating contracts are service agreements between the DoE and the developer for biomass and solar projects that do not need to go through the pre-development stage. RE service contracts are service agreements giving the developer the exclusive right to explore, develop and use geothermal, hydro, wind and ocean resources in a defined area.

The project with the highest potential capacity was the 500-MW Balsa Pumped Storage Hydropower facility in San Jose, Tarlac, which was proposed by Strategic Power Development Corp.

Hydropower plants attracted 26 applications, solar 10, and wind five.

In a separate announcement, the DoE said it awarded a “for-own-use” wind project to the Department of Science and Technology’s Industrial Technology Development Institute in San Pablo City, Laguna.

The DoE on Tuesday also released the summary of its RE projects, announcing that the segment had an estimated generating capacity of 26.85 million MWh (megawatt-hour) as of the end of September.

Under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the government is required to accelerate the exploration and development of RE resources. — Angelica Y. Yang

HSBC sees further quarantine easing as trigger for rate cut

THE CENTRAL BANK will likely observe a pause in its rate easing with liquidity ample, but it could be keeping another reduction in reserve to boost growth pending a further easing in the quarantine sometime next year, HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd.) said.

“We expect the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) to keep its policy rate steady for the rest of the year and forecast a 25-basis points (bps) rate cut to 2% in the first quarter of 2021, as mobility restrictions are loosened further and the BSP looks to provide a boost to growth,” Noelan Arbis, an HSBC economist said in a note.

Mr. Arbis’ view is in line with 11 out of 16 analysts polled by BusinessWorld who are also expecting a “prudent” pause when the Monetary Board meets Thursday.

So far, the BSP has reduced rates by 175 bps, bringing down the overnight reverse repurchase, lending, and deposit facilities to record lows of 2.25%, 2.75%, and 1.75%, respectively.

Despite the aggressive easing, Mr. Arbis said bank lending remains timid.

Lending growth in September was 2.8%, the lowest since the 2.4% increase in June 2007. Banks were cautious and tightened credit standards to minimize bad loans with the pandemic still hanging over the economy.

“We see a containment of the virus domestically and a re-opening of the economy as prerequisites before additional rate cuts could have their full effect,” Mr. Arbis said.

The central bank is also unlikely to lower the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) as well, Mr. Arbis said, despite recent signals from the BSP. Bloomberg reported last week that the central bank believes that benign inflation will give it room for further reducing the RRR.

In October, the consumer price index rose 2.5% — well within the 2-4% target set by the BSP.

Reserve requirements of major banks have been reduced by 200 bps this year to 12% while those of thrift and rural lenders are at 3% and 2%, respectively. The BSP is authorized to reduce the RRR by up to 400 bps this year.

“We believe the timing is not yet right to release additional liquidity. Banks have shown that they are more than willing to park their excess reserves in interest-bearing facilities (i.e. term-deposit facilities), which the BSP has to pay,” Mr. Arbis said. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Agriculture credit council backs scheme for farmers setting up rural online businesses

THE Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) supports a bill establishing a credit facility for farmers seeking to become online entrepreneurs focused on agricultural products, according to a House of Representatives committee report.

“ACPC believes that (its) ongoing credit facilities and online initiatives are aligned with the proposals in the bill and thus could help in achieving its objective of making small online enterprises, including agri-based ones, regularize and operate their businesses efficiently under the ‘new normal’,” the House committee on micro, small and medium enterprise development said in its report Tuesday.

The report cited the ACPC’s concurrence that the credit facility and associated support services could help develop online enterprises in rural communities.

House Bill No. 7698, or the proposed Online Small Enterprise Support Services Act of 2020, seeks to provide capital and credit access for individuals seeking to operate online enterprises and tap government support services.

It tasks the ACPC to develop a credit facility for farmers and fisherfolk seeking to do business online, with the Department of Agriculture directed to help them find direct market access.

According to the report, the ACPC has an online portal for loan applications of small farmers and fisherfolk affected by the coronavirus crisis.

“The portal also enables interested borrowers to submit the required documents for the processing of their loans to ACPC’s partner lending conduits without face-to-face contact. The orientation on program loan details is also being conducted online,” the report said. “This online portal captures submissions from various regions and provinces. Nonetheless, a major challenge is the limited internet connectivity of farmers in many parts of the country which prevents them from accessing digital resources.”

The report noted that the Development Bank of the Philippines asked the committee to authorize the Small Business Corp. to establish loan products for online enterprises with annual sales not exceeding P1 million.

“To mitigate the risks involved in financing such enterprises, the participation of the Philippine Guarantee Corp. is likewise suggested,” the report said.

The House and Ways and Means Chairman, Representative Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda, is the bill’s author. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

ADB to offer technical assistance for vaccine distribution effort

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has a technical assistance fund of $20.3 million to help its member countries organize the distribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines once these are available sometime next year.

The ADB said in a statement Tuesday that technical assistance will fund health system assessments, country readiness plans, and systems to track vaccine delivery.

“With these additional grant resources, ADB can immediately support our developing members to undertake urgent action, including vaccine system assessments and vaccine deployment strategies, to ensure vaccines are delivered efficiently and fairly,” Woochong Um, director general of ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, was quoted as saying.

The technical assistance will be jointly implemented with its partners including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and COVAX — a global alliance seeking to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Y.C. Joven has said the Philippine government will tap the ADB and World Bank for technical and financial support for its free vaccination program targeted for 20 million people next year.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has said the government is seeking to borrow $300 million to finance its vaccination program, which may cost up to P40 billion.

The World Bank approved in October a new loan facility worth $12 billion to help developing countries buy and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Trade department expresses support for bill establishing MSME database

REUTERS

THE Trade department expressed its support for a measure establishing a database for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in all cities and municipalities, according to a House of Representatives committee report.

“The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognizes the intent of the bill to create an MSME Information System to provide a synchronized, real-time commodity supply inventory and registry system… and to create a wider marketplace among MSMEs and consumers,” the House committee on micro, small and medium enterprise development said in a report Tuesday.

The DTI believes that the House Bill No. 7400, or the proposed MSMEs Information System Act of 2020, will address the challenges of MSMEs in gaining market access for their products and services, the report said.

The department, however, proposed a further review of the proposal because there are government information systems and online marketplaces or databases for MSMEs that could be strengthened or expanded to achieve the same objectives.

The bill tasks the Secretary of Trade and Industry with monitoring and ensure compliance by cities and municipalities with the bill’s requirements and establishing a centralized MSME Information System to link all current information systems.

The DTI, however, expressed reservations about its proposed duties, noting that they may encroach on the functions of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The department also recommended that the Department of Information and Communications Technology, as the principal agency overseeing the communications infrastructure, provide input “given the numerous MSME-related information systems in place and the current ICT infrastructure in various areas of the country.”

The report noted that the DTI has been strengthening the use of digital technology and applications in all of its platforms to provide MSMEs an online marketplace in which enterprises can promote their products and services. It said “access to market is among the key areas for enterprise development identified in the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022.”

The Department of Budget and Management raised no objections to the measure, the report said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

IP protections expedited to rush gov’t-backed research to market

THE GOVERNMENT has launched a program accelerating the grant of intellectual property (IP) protections for science and technology research it supports, which is intended to speed up the commercialization of any innovations developed.

The program will reduce the processing time for a “large number” of industrial designs to five days, while the processing of utility models will be done in two months, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Rowel S. Barba said at an online event. Patents will also be expedited, he added.

Representatives from the Trade department, the Science and Technology department, and IPOPHL signed a memorandum of agreement to officially launch the “Scitech Superhighway program” Tuesday.

“Seeing our innovators commercially roll out their works at the earliest possible time will allow them to see a faster return on capital… enabling them to venture sooner into another socially-impactful innovation project,” Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said in his speech.

He added that a rapid intellectual property protection process will help commercialize entrepreneurial ideas.

“This would make innovation projects a sustainable and steady source of livelihood — as well as a potentially massive generator of higher-income jobs.”

But Mr. Lopez also said the Philippines is still dealing with gaps in its digital and physical infrastructure.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) last month said that closing the digital and infrastructure gap is key to pandemic recovery efforts in Southeast Asian developing countries. This would improve access to health, education, and financial services, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

The Filipino people know

Before the pandemic, there were decades of sustained economic growth never before seen in our history. The outlook for long term prosperity bolstered the government’s very ambitious infrastructure programs and most certainly strengthened the political stability of the administration. However, with the outbreak of the global pandemic, economic development was stunned, impacting everybody, and like all calamitous events, the hardest hit are always the poor.

The shock was difficult for our government, which, like most countries, is handicapped by a slow and inefficient bureaucracy ill prepared for the existential threat and global disruption because of the spreading contagion of the virus from Wuhan. Fortunately, the sudden loss of livelihood and cut food supply chains that threatened to explode into a chaotic situation was avoided. Thanks to the collaboration of the country’s most successful business groups, in alliance with local governments, law enforcement, church groups, and civil society, resources and networks were quickly mobilized to give food assistance to millions of families in the most vulnerable communities of locked down Mega-Manila. These interventions are still sustained in ongoing COVID-19 testing, tracing, and treatment operations.

As the economic crisis worsened, several businesses continued to provide compensation and financial assistance to those of their workers who were direly affected by the economic impact. Many of them even advanced the yearend bonuses of their employees.

Ironically, this is the sector that has been on the receiving end of allegations, threats, intrigues, and sporadic verbal attacks from the President, who, with a very high trust rating, should have more than enough influence to transfer the same attitude to Filipinos. This became an interesting theory that had to be tested with science.

In line with the Stratbase ADR Institute’s advocacy for an all-of-society approach in fighting the global health and economic crisis, we commissioned a special survey through Pulse Asia in September which, surprisingly, contradicts the divisive rhetoric of the President.

The survey revealed that a huge 85% or more than eight out of 10 Filipinos agree that the national government should partner with private enterprises in the operation of public utilities and implementation of social service projects. The survey also showed that across geographic locations and socioeconomic classes, the very positive ratings attributed to “reputable private enterprises” respectively ranged from 79% to 93% and 79% to 91%.

As to what aspect of their lives the private sector can be of help, 90% believe that private investors can help create jobs in the country, while 68% say they can assist in expanding livelihood opportunities, and 62% say they can help in alleviating poverty.

Private enterprises in the Philippines have a strong history of performance that’s aptly reflected by the very high confidence of the survey respondents and should give the government the confidence in Private-Private Partnerships as the first option for its development programs. First, in concretizing recovery plans, the private sector should be engaged in the re-engineering and digital transformation of public services such as healthcare, transportation, power and energy, bulk water, telecommunications and the digitization of the whole government bureaucracy.

Second, it is the private sector that has the capacity to strengthen and expand the country’s digital infrastructure to support the fast growing demand because of the people’s shift to cloud based solutions that make no-contact transactions possible.

Third, with the gargantuan amount of public money to be disbursed by the government, the private sector and civil society should actively participate in ensuring the transparency and accountability in all bureaucracies. Another area where integrating digital technology can be most effective.

The government cannot be left alone to deal with the pandemic’s impact and, more so, the economic recovery of our country. Herein, the limits of the whole-of-government approach is utterly exposed.

But this could be overcome, and apparently, the data from this survey clearly shows that the people know who can create the millions of new jobs that have been lost as a consequence of the economic catastrophe. The people know who will invest in business ventures that will support multiple linkages that will then create more livelihood opportunities. The people know who has the resources, talent, and drive to pursue prosperity and thus fight poverty.

The responsibility for recovery and development is not assumed by a single actor. Instead, this responsibility is partaken by the whole-of-society. In turn, this approach becomes the broader and deeper platform wherein we can craft a realistic and inclusive recovery and development plan. The complexity of the consequences and circumstances of the pandemic profoundly pronounces this need. As the different stakeholders in society are engaged and the essence of participation galvanized, the private sector should step forward not just with resources but with its wealth of innovations and solutions.

The people will be ready to respond.

 

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the President of Stratbase ADR Institute.

Trademark infringement in the world of online shopping

One thing that has thrived during this pandemic is online shopping. While e-commerce platforms were already a booming industry before the pandemic, their appeal has steadily increased since because of the convenience and safety they provide. Indeed, the words “Add to Cart” are now very familiar to us in our daily lives.

With the growth of this industry also comes the proliferation of allegedly counterfeit goods being sold on these online platforms. The question now is, what are the liabilities of the parties involved in selling or authorizing the sale of counterfeit goods or those which infringe the trademark rights of an owner, on these platforms.

Under Republic Act No. 8293 (the IP Code), trademark infringement is defined as the use in commerce of any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, advertising of any goods or services. Thus, not only will the use of the exact trademark be punishable under the law, but so is using or adopting a colorable imitation of a trademark in commerce.

Clear from the law is that sellers who sell products bearing a registered mark or a confusingly similar mark may be liable for trademark infringement as long as there is evidence to prove that the goods are, in fact, counterfeit or, at least in the case of a nearly identical mark, adopted to confuse the public as to the source of the said goods.

The issue now deals with the liability of e-commerce platforms in cases of trademark infringement.

While Philippine jurisprudence has yet to establish and rule on this issue, guidance may be found in the amendment to the IP Code dealing with copyright infringement. Republic Act No. 10372, which amends Section 216 of the IP Code, provides for a concept known as contributory infringement. While this applies to copyright infringement cases, the amendment may shed light on how e-commerce platforms may be held liable for trademark infringement if they, 1.) benefit from the infringing act, 2.) were aware of or made aware of the infringing activity, and, 3.) had the ability to control the activities of the principal infringer.

This finds support in cases decided in other jurisdictions where it was ruled that there should be “active” participation by the platform before it may be held liable for trademark infringement. In the 2020 case of Coty Germany GmbH versus Amazon Services Europe Sarl, a German Court held that Amazon was not liable for both a listing by a seller of unauthorized “DAVIDOFF” perfumes and storage of these products in its warehouse. The court stated that the operation of an e-commerce platform and use of trademarks in offering products for sale displayed in an online marketplace is made by the sellers who are customers of the operator of that marketplace and not by that operator of the marketplace itself.* The court further reiterated previous rulings which held that “the fact of creating the technical conditions necessary for the use of a sign and being paid for that service does not mean that the party offering the service itself uses the sign.”** It must be noted that to be liable for trademark infringement, the trademark must be used in commerce. In this case, therefore, operating an e-commerce platform per se and storing goods for such third party sellers, without being made aware of such infringement, does not constitute use of the trademark in commerce and does not automatically constitute infringement.

But is there an instance where an e-commerce platform can actually be held liable?

Interestingly, in a 2019 case also decided in Germany, a court held Amazon liable for trademark infringement. The case involved the Google search results for the mark “ORTLIEB.” When the key word “ORTLIEB” was searched on Google, it generated an Amazon-sponsored link which supposedly leads to “ORTLIEB” products. However, when the Google link leading to the Amazon website is clicked (i.e., www.amazon.de/ortlieb+fahrradtasche), the link not only directs a person to products bearing the “ORTLIEB” mark, but also includes listings of products of its competitors within Amazon. The court ruled that Ortlieb may oppose Amazon’s use of the trademark in the contested advertisements on the ground that the actual use of the trademark misleads customers who input such keywords as expect seeing “offers specifically appropriate to the notification, but who are in fact led to lists of tenders containing third-party products.”***

This ruling on “misleading activity” has yet to be tested in the Philippines.

At present, e-commerce platforms in the Philippines have started to adopt a more proactive role in the take-down of posts which are believed to infringe on intellectual property rights. This is done by putting in place systems and facilities for reporting such product listings so long as these reports are substantially supported by evidence (e.g., trademark and/or copyright registration certificates, proof that the product is counterfeit, etc.). While for some people, it may be tempting to buy counterfeit products online because of their price and convenience, consumers must always remember that there is no substitute for patronizing authentic products because of quality and safety. Doing so also rewards the creativity and effort of trademark owners in building their brands.

* ECLI:EU:C:2020:267, 02 April 2020.

** Id.

*** ZR 29/18, 25 July 2019. See http://juris.bundesgerichtshof.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Gericht=bgh&Art=en&Datum=Aktuell&nr=97816&linked=pm

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. This article is for general informational and educational purposes, and not offered as, and does not constitute, legal advice or legal opinion.

 

Joan Janneth M. Estremadura is a Senior Associate of the Intellectual Property Department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

Why Moderna’s vaccine win is a giant leap against pandemics

THE WORLD now seems likely to have at least two effective vaccines against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) with Monday’s announcement of positive early data from Moderna, Inc.’s 30,000-person clinical trial. The result comes a week after Pfizer, Inc. and BioNTech SE revealed a protection rate of more than 90% against disease. Moderna slightly one-upped its rivals, estimating that its shot is 94.5% effective at preventing COVID-19. Both results are highly impressive for inoculations developed at historic speed.

The second success is crucial. Manufacturing constraints mean the world needs multiple vaccines if it hopes to contain the virus. However, as promising as the vaccine news is for the fight against COVID-19, it also offers hope for our ability to respond more quickly to future pandemics. Both leading vaccines use the same promising messenger RNA technology, and their combined excellent early results suggest the world has a crucial new tool to respond quickly to diseases. Moderna shares, reflecting optimism about both its vaccine and the long-term promise of its other mRNA efforts, jumped 16% in early trading. The broader market also got a lift.

There are still unanswered questions about these vaccines. And even with two likely to become available relatively soon, the pandemic is so severe in the US and Europe, and early supplies are so limited, that they won’t help much in the near term. But there’s a reason that these shots were first, and they have provided a remarkable proof of concept for a fascinating new type of vaccine.

Messenger RNA, or mRNA, instructs cells to produce many substances that allow the body to function. These vaccines use carefully designed mRNA strands to teach cells to create a modified version of a key coronavirus protein, prompting an immune response that can fend off the real virus. They essentially turn cells into tiny drug factories. That’s a key advantage. Traditional vaccines use chunks of viruses or entire viruses that are killed or weakened, a tried-and-true process that’s often highly effective but fundamentally time-consuming.

In addition to being speedier to manufacture and develop — a feature which helped Pfizer and Moderna quickly start clinical trials — mRNA is well-suited to rapid adaptation. Instead of growing big batches of a protein or virus, drugmakers can change the instructions provided by the mRNA. That means that researchers could respond nimbly both to concerning mutations in the virus that causes COVID-19, should they arise, and that it’s an excellent platform to respond to new threats. Moderna’s result Monday was based on 95 confirmed cases, boosting confidence in the technology, and it also provided a bit of extra data Pfizer and BioNTech haven’t offered. There were 11 severe COVID cases in the trial, and all of them were in people who took a placebo rather than the vaccine, another suggestion of strong efficacy.

Some caveats remain. While neither company has reported a major safety issue so far, significantly more data needs to be collected on potential side effects, especially because the technology is novel. We still don’t know much about long-term safety and efficacy, and the technology is not in wide use. Messenger RNA is also delicate, requiring careful cold storage and handling that will complicate distribution, though Moderna’s shot is easier to handle than Pfizer’s. As for the broader promise of the technology, the successes can’t solely be attributed to mRNA magic. Years of previous work on closely related diseases such as SARS and MERS gave scientists a head start.

But with all that said, it’s hard to argue that these successes aren’t a boost to global pandemic readiness. There’s now proof that it’s possible to create a highly effective vaccine at speed, and there’s also about to be dramatically more mRNA manufacturing capacity. That means that the next time around, there’s likely to be less scrambling over limited doses. The success will prompt investment in figuring out storage problems and improving on these impressive early results.

Vaccines using mRNA are the front-runners in the race, but many other inoculations are in development. AstraZeneca PLC and Johnson & Johnson both use modified viruses to carry genetic material that prompts an immune response. It’s another approach that’s quick and adaptable, if not quite to the same extent as mRNA. They are likely to be the next to reveal data from continuing trials. The older approaches used by Novavax, Inc. and Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline PLC may be slower and have yet to enter the final stage of testing in the US, but they can build up supplies quickly once up and running. Vaccinating the whole world will likely require all of the above approaches.

While the double dose of success from Pfizer and Moderna is great news at a time we all could use it, it’s important to remember that it will still be months before either are widely distributed. If anything, it underscores the need for effective public health measures to stop the spread. The ability to rapidly produce vaccines means many more lives can be saved, but only if countries successfully manage the difficult waiting period.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Tropang Giga, Fuel Masters begin best-of-five semifinal matchup

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

COMPETITION in the PBA Philippine Cup is now down to four teams with the TNT Tropang Giga and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters kicking off the semifinal proceedings on Wednesday.

Set for 3:45 p.m. at the Angeles University Foundation Arena in Pampanga, the Tropang Giga and Fuel Masters, the third and second seeds, respectively, following elimination play look to draw first blood in their best-of-five semifinal joust and move a step closer to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Filipino title.

The other semifinal pairing has the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings going up against the Meralco Bolts. They play their series opener also Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

TNT finished the elimination round with a 7-4 record, joint third place with four other teams.

But on the strength of a higher quotient it took third spot to earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against the sixth-seeded Alaska Aces.

The team though saw no need to make use of the incentive as it went on  to eliminate Alaska at the first instance, 104-93, on Saturday.

The Tropang Giga used a strong third-quarter push to create a wide separation from the Aces, which the latter could not make up for the rest of the way en route to the defeat.

Roger Pogoy came up big for TNT in the win, finishing with 34 points, 16 coming in their key third-quarter assault, to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in 35 minutes on the floor.

Ray Parks Jr. backstopped him with 20 points while Troy Rosario had 10 points and Poy Erram nine points and 11 rebounds.

“We’ll be ready for the semifinals,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena, who also underscored that defense has to be there for them if they want to go deeper further in the competition.

As a team, TNT is looking to win its first Philippine Cup title since the 2012-13 season.

PHOENIX
Phoenix, on the other hand, wound up in a tie for first place with Barangay Ginebra at 8-3, but it had to surrender the top spot as the team lost in its lone game in the eliminations against the Kings.

Despite that, the Fuel Masters proved their mettle in their quarterfinal battle with the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, making short work of the latter by winning, 89-88, on Saturday and finding no use for its twice-to-beat advantage.

Matthew Wright towed Phoenix to the victory, finishing with 32 points, including a clutch three-point basket with nine seconds remaining that pushed them ahead to book the win. He also had nine assists.

Jason Perkins was the other Fuel Master in double-digit scoring with 16 points.

Having booked their spot in the Final Four, Phoenix coach Topex Robinson expressed excitement and said they are looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s just so magical for us and we’re just so blessed to be here,” said Mr. Robinson, who was initially named an interim coach heading into the conference in place of Louie Alas before being elevated to full-time head coach.

Phoenix met TNT once in the elimination round and bowed, 110-91, but at that time, it still did not have do-it-all forward Calvin Abueva, who has been a game-changer for the team since returning from a 16-month league-imposed suspension.

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